Quick Links The telephone has been a staple of Western civilization for over 100 years, enabling people to remotely hear others chewing and breathing too heavily for as long as we can remember. It lets us treat our friends like marginally entertaining podcasts to distract us while doing dishes or quietly peeing. But there are many between the ages of 18 and 35 for whom the idea of hopping on a phone call is about as scary as being trapped in a telephone booth underwater....

Quick Links Do your AirPods keep disconnecting from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac? Here are some fixes you can try to get things working again. Why Do My AirPods Keep Disconnecting? AirPods use Bluetooth to make a connection to your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or any other Bluetooth devices you happen to pair them with (like the Nintendo Switch). And while wireless connectivity has come a long way, it still isn’t perfect....

We’ve all got dozens of accounts spread around the web that require a username and password. You probably understand the importance of a solid password, but everyone’s definition of “secure” is a little different. Let’s verify you haven’t fallen victim to some common bad password habits. ThisCybersecurity Awareness Weekarticle is brought to you in association withIncogni. Putting Personal Information in Passwords A password is something you likely need to use often, so it’s natural to make it something that will be easy to remember....

Mainstream cars have evolved significantly over the years, incorporating advanced features that elevate their luxury feel. Today, many budget-friendly models are equipped with amenities once reserved for high-end vehicles, making them stand out in the competitive automotive market. The gap between mainstream and luxury cars has narrowed, thanks to innovations in automotive technology and design. Features such as premium interior materials, advanced infotainment systems, and cutting-edge driver-assistance technologies have become more accessible in cars with an affordable price tag....

Quick Links If you spend a lot of time typing on your Mac, you owe it to yourself to make life as easy as possible. There’s no better way to do this than to learn how to enter, edit, and manipulate text as efficiently as possible. You’ll be amazed how quickly you pick up these tricks once you commit them to memory. Before long, you’ll be hitting keyboard shortcuts and making use of time-saving workflows without a second thought....

Quick Links Summary The cutting-edge must-have thingamajig of today will become “meh” tomorrow. Flip the view, and what’s considered a “potato” today used to be a capable system a few years back. With that in mind, let’s explore some surprisingly good-looking games that your underpowered gaming PC can run smoothly. What Is a Potato Gaming PC? The exact definition of apotato PCis somewhat debatable, but here’s how I look at it....

Quick Links Summary Let old hardware continue to be useful and usable by installing a lightweight Linux distribution on it. We tried a lot of them and whittled them down to our five recommended distributions. The Old Hardware Conundrum If it’s long out of warranty, and the operating system that came with it stopped getting security patches years ago, is there anything useful you can do with an old computer? Yes, probably....

Quick Links While most people think of Linux as an alternative to Windows or macOS as a desktop operating system, the truth is that most installations of Linux are not on desktop computers, and not even on personal computers at all! 1Home Appliances Smart appliances like smart TVs often have an operating system derived from Linux, but there’s a good chance there’s some form of Linux in appliances like smart fridges or internet-connected microwaves....

Quick Links Smart plugs are a great way to start your smart home journey. They can turn almost any device from dumb to smart, allowing you to turn them on and off remotely or as part of an automation. However, there’s a lot more you can do with smart plugs beyond turning things on and off. 7Find Devices That Are Increasing Your Energy Bills Somesmart plugsonly have one function, which is to turn on and off on demand....

Quick Links As we dive into May, PC gamers are in for another spectacular month. The month brings a fresh wave of action-adventures, unique RPGs, co-op titles, racing games, deck builders, Soulsbornes, and more! Whether you’re gearing up for the medievalDOOM: The Dark Ages, playing throughElden Ring Nightreignwith friends in a fresh roguelike format, or building decks as you journey through Hell inMonster Train 2, May is packed with options for every type of gamer....

Amazon is discontinuingAlexa Guardin favor ofEmergency Assist, a nearly identical service that was announced at the company’sannual hardware eventlast week. If you paid $6 a month for Alexa Guard, this isn’t a big deal, as Emergency Assist costs the same price. But if you’re one of the many people who enjoyed the free version of Alexa Guard, your Echo devices will no longer alert you to potential break-ins or house fires....

Summary TheAnker F3800 Plusis an updated, refined version of the biggest portable power station that Anker offers. With updated solar charging and compatibility with gas generators, it’s one of the most versatile ways to power your home during an outage. Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus The Anker F3800 Plus is an updated version of Anker’s F3800 solar generator, offering the same 3.84kWh capacity and 6000W output. This model comes with improved charging, with a new max solar input of 3200W and 165V, along with support for 240V from a gas generator....

Summary Anker’s Soundcore audio brand has become a familiar name for those looking to get quality speakers and earbuds at budget-friendly prices. This week, the company launched its new Soundcore Liberty 5 earbuds, which offer improved ANC and voice reduction over previous models. And yes, they’re more affordable, too. Arriving nearly two years after the last generation, the Soundcore Liberty 5 earbuds have a fairly unique design and deliver a big bang for your buck....