Animating still photos is a fascinating way to bring them to life. It’s like getting a second chance to create a live photo where you had taken a static one. The best part about animating photos is how easy the process is.

With just your smartphone and an internet connection, you can animate any photo you want. Here’s a walkthrough of four tools you can use to animate your still photos.

Animating a still photo used to mean manually adding “fade in,” “fade out,” and “zoom out” animations to your photos. However, that’s changed with AI tools like Deep Nostalgia. Deep Nostalgia, provided by MyHeritage, is a tool that animates faces in still photos to create short video clips. It uses AI to apply realistic movements to the faces in your images, such as blinking, smiling, or turning the head.

How to Animate Photos Using Deep Nostalgia

The process is simple:

1. Visit the Deep Nostalgia page on the MyHeritage website and sign up.
2. Upload your photo via the Upload Photo button.

The AI detects the face in your photo and animates it. The result is a lifelike animation that can make people or characters in your photos seem as if they are moving.

Clipfly offers a unique twist to photo animation by creating AI-generated talking avatars from your still images. The tool is a fun way to make portraits or selfies talk as if they were part of an animated scene.

How to Animate Photos With Clipfly

Follow the steps below:

1. Visit the AI Talking Avatar page on Clipfly’s website and sign up.
2. Upload the image you’d like to animate.
3. Select a voice and type in your script. You can also choose to upload your preferred audio clip.
4. Click the Get Started button.

The AI then animates the photo to sync with the audio, making it appear like the person in the photo is speaking. Clipfly offers 20 free credits upon sign-up and charges 10 credits for each generation. After two generations, you’ll need to upgrade to its Pro plan to keep using it.

Cutout.Pro is another easy-to-use tool you can use to animate your photos. After uploading your image, you can choose from a variety of animation styles to give your photo the desired effect. You can have the character in your image sing the “Happy Birthday” song, turn its head, and so on.

How to Animate Photos Using Cutout.Pro

Below are the steps:

1. Navigate to Cutout.Pro’s Photo Animer page.
2. Select and upload the image you wish to animate via Upload Image.
3. Customize the animation style using the Choose Exemplar slider.

You can use Cutout.Pro’s Photo Animer for free. That’s, of course, if you don’t mind the giant watermark and 360p quality output. Cutout.Pro’s paid plans begin at $19 for 1 minute of video generation.

HitPaw animates your old photos by adding realistic movements to them. It’s particularly useful for bringing historical photos to life, making it seem as though the subjects are moving within their captured moments.

How to Animate Photos With HitPaw

Here’s how:

1. Visit HitPaw’s Photo Animator page.
2. Upload the old photo you want to animate by hitting Upload a Photo.
3. Allow HitPaw to process the animation.

HitPaw allows you to download (boldly) watermarked versions of your animated photo for free. The Pro plans start at $3.99 per week.

Each of these tools offers a unique twist to animating still photos, whether it’s for entertainment, reminiscing, or artistic expression. The steps I’ve provided for each platform will help you transform your still images into animations that tell a story beyond the confines of a single frame. Feel free to explore every one of them (for free) to find the one that works best for you.

Since we have multiple wireless devices like laptops, smartphones, and tablets, Wi-Fi is essential. However, Wi-Fi routers are often overlooked since you might already have a modem-and-router combo provided by your ISP. Those aren’t the best, though, and there’s a good chance your Wi-Fi is being held back by outdated hardware. Separate the modem and router by getting a dedicated Wi-Fi router!

Whether you live in a 1200-square-foot apartment or a 2000-square-foot home, the TP-Link Archer AX55 Pro is more than enough to provide Wi-Fi to every corner. In fact, all four antennas can be pointed in different directions or grouped together to create a stronger signal.

That’s not all: the TP-Link Archer AX55 Pro also features MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology, which reduces the overall congestion and latency that users inevitably experience when sharing the same network.

Lastly, the 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN port is a welcome addition, considering ISP speeds are getting faster and faster. It’s nice having that extra wiggle room, even if your internet doesn’t exceed a gigabyte. However, if your network is under a gigabyte, the TP-Link Archer AX55 offers the same features minus the 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN port.

Best Overall

TP-Link Archer AX55 Pro

$130 $150 Save $20

The TP-Link Archer AX55 Pro is the golden child of our picks, striking a nice balance of performance and features without being overpriced. It’s perfectly suited for medium to large homes, although you may need to consider OneMesh extenders if it’s too large.

Pros

• Wi-Fi 6 + 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN
• Works exceptionally well in medium-sized homes
• MU-MIMO, OFMDA, and beamforming technology
• Supports VPN client and servers

Cons

• OneMesh extenders are recommended in large homes

Don’t be fooled by the MSI RadiX AXE6600’s aesthetic. Though its design will surely attract gamers, its performance is beneficial no matter what you do, and that comes down to its performance and features.

With Wi-Fi 6E providing lower latency by nature, the MSI RadiX AXE6600 takes the ball and runs with it. By combining AI QoS, OFMDA, and MU-MIMO technology, you’re far less susceptible to latency issues. MU-MIMO is certainly the MVP here, which serves to split traffic into more manageable queues as opposed to a single lane. That’s beneficial whether you’re gaming or just uploading and downloading images, videos, and so on.

Best Wi-Fi 6E Router

MSI RadiX AXE6600

The MSI RadiX AXE660 fully utilizes Wi-Fi 6E and its capabilities, providing superb performance on its 6Ghz band and even its 5Ghz band. Its mobile app and web interface are also incredibly intuitive, making it rather easy to adjust your network settings.

Pros

• Excellent performance from both 5Ghz and 6Ghz bands
• OFMDA, MU-MIMO, and beamforming technology
• Tri-band design
• Intuitive mobile app and web interface

Cons

• 2.4Ghz band is average at best

Finding a Wi-Fi router on a budget is tricky, but look no further than the TP-Link Archer A8. It features both a 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz band, capable of handling 1300Mbps and 600Mbps, respectively. For a family of four, that’s plenty to maintain a good Wi-Fi connection in a small home.

The TP-Link Archer A8’s best feature is arguably MU-MIMO technology, which allows multiple devices to have their requests carried out at the same time. In practice, this makes your internet connection feel much snappier. The TP-Link Tether app goes beyond usual settings and includes features like parental controls and the ability to create a guest network for others to use temporarily.

Best Budget

TP-Link Archer A8

$60 $80 Save $20

If you don’t need a Wi-Fi router with too many bells and whistles, the TP-Link Archer A8 is far more conscious of your budget while maintaining a few standout features like MU-MIMO and WPA3 encryption. Thanks to the TP-Link Tether app, it’s also very easy to set up.

Pros

• 1300Mbps and 600Mbps on 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz bands, respectively
• Good suite of parental controls
• MU-MIMO technology reduces latency

Cons

• Struggles with anything bigger than a small apartment/house

Best Wi-Fi Router for Gaming: ASUS RT-AX86U

Your average Wi-Fi router might be fine for casual gaming, but many popular titles are multiplayer and require more. With the ASUS RT-AX86U, you’re getting a lot more, considering it’s built with gaming in mind.

The ASUS RT-AX86U features adaptive QoS, which is incredibly handy to have if you game and stream at the same time. Devices higher on the list will experience even lower latency—a must-have feature when you’re gaming, especially competitively.

Two other gaming-centric features are Boost Mode and a dedicated gaming port. The latter is simply an Ethernet port that prioritizes any device wired via Ethernet cable, whereas Boost Mode is specifically for mobile devices, which you can enable at any time.

Best for Gaming

Asus RT-AX86U

Given its ability to prioritize network traffic as you see fit and its low-latency performance, the ASUS RT-AX86U is the go-to for gaming. Its boost mode and dedicated gaming port ensure you get the best connection, not everyone else in the house.

Pros

• Incredibly low-latency + adaptive QoS
• Wi-Fi 6
• Boost mode comes in handy for mobile gaming
• ?Gamer? aesthetic without being gaudy

Cons

• Have to be comfortable diving into network settings

If you already have a Wi-Fi router and just need to extend the signal, the TP-Link Deco W7200 is arguably the best option given its performance and well-rounded features. Not to mention, it’s one step removed from plug-and-play, so if you’re someone who isn’t tech-savvy, TP-Link makes it incredibly easy.

The TP-Link Deco W7200’s best feature is its tri-band design, which includes a 2.4Ghz band and two 5Ghz bands. While the 2.4Ghz band is starting to show its age, it still comes in handy for handling smart home devices, like smart lights and cleaning gadgets.

It offers some future-proofing with support for Wi-Fi 6. However, if you want something beyond that, like 6E or even Wi-Fi 7, there’s the Deco XE75 and the BE10000, respectively.

Best Mesh Router System

TP-Link Deco W7200

With support for Wi-Fi 6 and two 5Ghz bands, the TP-Link Deco W7200 is a one-two-punch mesh system with performance to boot. Best of all, it has TP-Link’s signature easy installation process.

Pros

• Up to 3 in a pack
• Incredibly easy setup
• Tri-band design
• Wide coverage

FAQ

Q: What does Wi-Fi stand for?

To be accurate, Wi-Fi doesn’t stand for anything; however, it’s commonly referred to as a shortened version of “wireless fidelity.”

Q: What is Wi-Fi 6 and 6E?

Wi-Fi is split into various standards and each subsequent generation has better performance. For example Wi-Fi 6 is better than Wi-Fi 5. In other words, Wi-Fi 6 is just another generation of the technology.

In the case of Wi-Fi 6E, it acts as an extension of Wi-Fi 6. The most notably difference between 6 and 6E is that 6E can operate in the 6Ghz band, whereas Wi-Fi 6 is limited to 5Ghz.

Q: What is Wi-Fi 7?

Wi-Fi 7 is yet another standard that improves upon the last generation of wireless technology. It has a much higher link rate and can operate in the 6Ghz band, just like 6E.

Q: Do I need both a modem and router for internet?

It depends on what kind of modem you have. Your run-of-the-mill modem these days will act as a gateway to the internet via Ethernet and Wi-Fi.

If you were given one from your ISP and you have Wi-Fi, then that means your modem is both a modem and a router.

Q: How do I connect the Wi-Fi router to my internet?

Assuming you have your modem already connected to the internet:

1. Connect an Ethernet cable into the AN port of your Wi-Fi router. It’s labeled “WAN.”
2. Now connect the other end of the Ethernet cable into your modem. You can use any of the Ethernet ports at the back.
3. Using your Wi-Fi router’s SSID and network key (located on the router itself), you can then activate your router through your browser.

Depending on the kind of Wi-Fi router you purchase, there may be a proprietary app that makes the setup even easier.

Q: What is the difference between a wireless router and Wi-Fi router?

There aren’t any. A wireless router and Wi-Fi router are synonyms for the same technology.

Have you ever wanted to save a message on Facebook Messenger but been nervous about screenshotting it? What if the other person gets a notification to say you took a screengrab? It only happens in rare circumstances.

Facebook Messenger isn’t like Snapchat: it doesn’t automatically tell people when their private texts have been saved as a screenshot. But it does sometimes happen…

Facebook Notifies Others When You Screenshot Disappearing Chats

Facebook Messenger uses end-to-end encryption, meaning that messages are sent securely by default. But just because something is encrypted doesn’t mean one party can’t screenshot chats.

If you’re sending something private over Messenger, however, you can use disappearing messages. These vanish after 24 hours have elapsed. Sometimes, on older versions of Messenger, disappearing messages don’t vanish until 24 hours after the other person has seen them.

When disappearing messages are activated, Facebook will notify you both if one of you takes a screenshot. The notification appears in your chat so it’s not easy to miss.

Even when disappearing messages are turned off, a screenshot notification will still be displayed within 24 hours of those chats being sent.

Can Someone Still Take a Secret Screen Recording of Disappearing Messages?

The same rule applies to screen recordings. If you’re using disappearing messages, both parties will be notified if either one of you takes a secret screen recording too. This notification appears just as it would if someone takes a normal screenshot.

How to Switch to Disappearing Messages on Facebook Messenger

Want to send something private via Facebook Messenger? Your best option is still disappearing messages.

Just open the app and navigate to the person you want to contact (or type their name into the Search field at the top of your interface if you’ve not spoken to them before). Then tap on the person’s name and scroll down to Disappearing messages. Toggle this to 24 hours.

If you can’t find the option to create disappearing chats, either you or the other person doesn’t have the latest version of Messenger.

Just remember not to send anything that’s too sensitive because the person can still screenshot your chats. Knowing when someone records your disappearing messages is like shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted.

If they have a second smartphone, they could also technically take a photo of their primary device with the secondary device—in which case you won’t receive a notification.

Does Facebook Notify Others About Other Screenshots?

Facebook doesn’t notify people if anyone takes a screenshot of normal Messenger chats or Facebook profiles. You’ll only be notified if someone screenshots or records disappearing messages.

That means someone could trawl through your Facebook profile and take photos of your images, likes, and posts.

This is a good lesson on privacy and security. Remember that anything shared online should be considered public—yes, even if your Facebook privacy settings are tight.

Can You Stop Someone From Screenshotting Facebook Messages?

There’s nothing you can do to actually stop a recipient from screenshotting Facebook Messenger. But knowing that you’ll be notified if they do that is a good deterrent.

When we tested screenshotting disappearing messages on an Oppo Reno 10 Pro+, the app disabled the screenshot function. But this is not the case for all devices and the other chat participant was able to take a screenshot. So know that even though some devices can’t take screenshots of disappearing chats, this isn’t the case for others.

Don’t share anything online that you wouldn’t want to be made public. The internet is not a private space, so don’t put sensitive information or photos online. You never know who could see these things. If you want to be safe, only talk about personal things face-to-face if possible.

Plenty of services offer encryption (thankfully), but screenshotting is nearly impossible to combat. Take Snapchat for example. Everyone knows that things sent there are designed to disappear, and that users are notified if anyone takes a screenshot. That doesn’t stop anyone from doing so regardless.

And if someone is determined enough, they’ll find a way to preserve messages, even if that means taking a photo using another device…Ultimately, you should keep private things private.

You probably have an old tablet, like an iPad, in a drawer or cabinet. But if you’re a smart home fan, it’s simple and easy to give the technology new life as a smart home hub. We’ll show you everything you need to get started.

Why Use an Old Tablet as a Smart Home Hub?

Smart home technology is a great way to make life just a bit easier. Whether you want to turn on the lights, unlock a door, or do something else, you can do it with just a voice command or tap of a screen.

Smart speakers, for example an Amazon Echo, can provide voice control for a wide variety of smart home products. But especially if you have a number of smart home devices, a hub is a perfect way to see and control your smart home at a glance.

A hub can be used in many locations in your home. Along with mounting the tablet on your wall, you can also find a stand to place it in a well-traveled part of your home so that everyone can use it. As the technology grows and becomes popular, you can find dedicated smart home hubs, like Amazon’s Echo Home Hub we’ve reviewed, for smart home control.

But there’s no need to spend the extra money for that advantage, especially if you have an old tablet lying around. Whether the tablet is from Apple, Amazon, or Google, you can create a smart home hub for much less and still enjoy the convenience of the technology.

How to Get Started

In just a few steps, you can turn any tablet into a powerful smart home hub.

Pick a Tablet

The first step to creating your smart home hub is to pick the tablet. A big consideration is which smart home platform you use at home. For example, you wouldn’t be able to use an Amazon Fire Tablet to control Apple HomeKit devices. Along with not being able to access Siri, Amazon’s tablet doesn’t offer any app to control HomeKit devices.

If you’re new to smart home devices, find out how HomeKit and Alexa compare.

So, to keep things simple, any Apple iPad is great for Apple HomeKit and Amazon Alexa. Amazon’s tablet is obviously great for Alexa-powered devices. And any Android tablet is the best choice for a Google Home setup.

To make the most of the tablet, you’ll first need to check and make sure it is in good working condition. The screen should be free of cracks and fully functional. Also, make sure to update the tablet with the most recent operating system.

Another must-have to turn the tablet into a smart home hub is a power cord and adapter. If the old tablet has a problem keeping a charge, it’s not a dealbreaker, especially if you can keep it plugged in constantly. You also don’t need to worry if the tablet has issues with the front or rear-facing camera as you won’t be taking pictures with a smart home hub.

Find a Wall Mount or Stand

After finding your tablet that best matches your smart home, it’s time to decide where you want it to be located. There are two major ways to use a tablet as a smart home hub. Each option has advantages and disadvantages.

First, you can use a mount to place the tablet on the wall. There are many universal mounts, like this option, which can hold any device with a 4.7- to 12.9-inch screen. It can rotate the tablet a full 360 degrees, so you can use it in either vertical or horizontal orientation.

To use almost any wall mount, you will need to drill holes in the wall. That might not be ideal for renters and apartment dwellers. Another downside is that it will need to be located near a power outlet to keep the battery charged or powered on. You’ll also need to deal with an unsightly power cord draping down the wall.

An alternative is using a tablet stand. This option can fit virtually any tablet on the market and is available in a wide variety of colors. You can place the tablet in either a horizontal or landscape orientation. There is also a convenient location to place a charging cord.

The big advantage of a stand is that it doesn’t place your tablet on a wall. You can place the tablet in the kitchen, bedroom, or pretty much anywhere else. You should also be able to hide the power cord in an out-of-the-way location like behind a table.

A disadvantage is that a tablet used on a stand likely isn’t as convenient as a wall-mounted option and might be more difficult for visitors and family members to use.

Install a Smart Home Manager App

The final piece of the puzzle is finding a smart home manager app for the wall-mounted tablet or tablet on a stand. This step depends—once again—on what kind of tablet, and smart home platform, you’re using.

With an iPad, you’ll have the maximum flexibility. The most likely option is to use Apple’s stock Home app with HomeKit devices. While there are other third-party options to control an Apple-friendly smart home, the Home app looks great on the big screen of an iPad and allows tons of customization so you can access the accessories you need quickly.

Apple’s tablet is also an option for Amazon Alexa users. Download the Alexa app on the App Store and you’ll access control for Alexa-compatible products.

Amazon users can also make a Fire tablet a smart home hub with the Alexa app already built in. If you don’t want to open up the Alexa app, you can even choose the Device Dashboard from the lock screen or Quick Settings by swiping down on the home screen. In the Device Dashboard, you can choose your favorite smart home device and routines from the Alexa app.

Android and Google tablets can be set up to control Google Home devices with the built-in app. You can also download the Alexa app to control Amazon-compatible devices as well.

The convenience of a smart home hub might be closer than you think. With an old tablet, and just little bit of work, you can repurpose the technology for a modern smart home.

In the fast-paced world of gaming, a 165Hz monitor can give you the edge you need without blowing a hole in your wallet. Going from a 60Hz to a 165Hz display is a night and day difference, making everything feel smooth and responsive, whether playing the latest shooter or tackling intense productivity tasks.

Best 165Hz Monitor Overall: LG 27GP850-B

A 165Hz monitor is worthless if your gaming rig can’t consistently push 165 frames per second (FPS). This 27-inch 1440p IPS display offers the optimal screen size and resolution for a 165Hz gaming monitor. It allows you to easily hit the maximum refresh rates with a mid-range PC build without sacrificing image quality, making it the best option for most people.

The 27GP850-B’s gaming performance is up there with the best. It boasts a lightning-fast 1ms pixel response time and low input lag, on top of the 165Hz refresh rate, which makes everything feel fast and responsive. But what really sets this monitor apart is that it can be overclocked to 180Hz and supports both FreeSync and G-SYNC, making it the fastest, smoothest 165Hz monitor you can get.

The Nano IPS panel also produces gorgeous colors with wide viewing angles, which are handy if you want to share the display with a friend. The 27-inch 1440p resolution also delivers sharp images and text.

Best Overall

LG 27GP850-B

$297 $380 Save $83

The LG 27GP850-B is a 1440p 165Hz monitor that can be further overclocked to 180Hz for smoother gameplay. It strikes a nice balance between great performance and solid visuals without being too heavy on your graphics cards, unlike 4K alternatives.

Pros

• Overclockable to 180Hz
• Excellent motion clarity
• Excellent display
• Officially certified G-SYNC and FreeSync monitor

The ASUS VG248QG is a perfect option if you want an inexpensive 165Hz gaming monitor for competitive gaming. It combines the higher refresh rate with an impressive 0.5ms response time and a powerful backlight strobing feature to eliminate persistent blur, resulting in one of the clearest monitors in motion you can get without breaking the bank.

The VG248QG also has native support for FreeSync VRR and G-SYNC compatibility, so you can expect a smooth and tear-free gaming experience, whether using an AMD or NVIDIA graphics card. In addition, you can tap into the ASUS GamePlus and GameVisual features for improved visibility and accuracy to get that extra advantage in fast-paced games.

There’s a compromise to keep the price low, though. It uses a TN panel with noticeably poor viewing angles and washed-out colors compared to an IPS or VA panel. However, that will only be a dealbreaker if you also want to use the monitor for productivity tasks—it performs exceptionally well for gaming.

Best Value

ASUS VG248QG Gaming Monitor

The ASUS VG248QG is an affordable 165Hz gaming monitor with a class-leading 0.5ms response time, making it ideal for competitive gaming. It packs many advanced gaming features, including backlight strobing and G-SYNC, but its TN panel doesn’t have the best viewing angles.

Pros

• Outstanding motion handling
• Supports FreeSync and G-SYNC
• Ergonomic design
• Rich connectivity

The Odyssey Neo G7 from Samsung may come at a higher price, but it delivers stunning visuals and an immersive gaming experience unmatched by other 165Hz gaming monitors. Its biggest highlight is the bright and vibrant mini-LED display with 1,196 dimming zones and up to 2,000 nits of brightness that produces deeper blacks and much brighter highlights, making it perfect for HDR gaming. Non-HDR games also look absolutely stunning, thanks to the improved contrast and vibrant colors.

It also supports HDMI 2.1 bandwidth to maintain 4K 120Hz compatibility with the PS5 and Xbox Series X. A fast 1ms response time and native support for Freesync Premium Pro ensure a smooth HDR gaming experience with little blur around fast-moving objects for improved clarity.

Best 4K

Samsung Odyssey Neo G7

$654 $1100 Save $446

The Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 is a high-end 4K gaming monitor with a 165Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, ideal for gaming PCs and next-gen consoles. Its mini-LED display with 1,196 local dimming zones significantly improves contrast and color, providing an immersive and captivating viewing experience in games and movies.

Pros

• Brilliant contrast and HDR experience
• Quick response time
• AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support
• HDMI 2.1 ports for PS5 and Xbox Series X

Dell’s Alienware AW3423DWF is one of the best ultrawide gaming monitors available right now. It combines a 165Hz refresh rate with QD-OLED technology to deliver a fast and immersive experience. This monitor undercuts Dell’s own Alienware AW3423DW and the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 while offering all the benefits of the enhanced QD-OLED panel, like improved brightness, a true HDR picture, oversaturated colors, and an infinite contrast ratio that results in deep, inky black.

Modern HDR-capable games look gorgeous here. The fast refresh rate and nearly instantaneous response time deliver a silky smooth gaming experience with excellent motion clarity, which is perfect for highly intense FPS games.

While the panel is only certified FreeSync Premium Pro, VRR works on both AMD and NVIDIA GPUs, so you don’t have to worry about screen tearing or choppy frames. In addition, the 1800R curvature and 3440×1440 resolution combine to add more immersion and detail to games and movies.

Best Ultrawide

Alienware AW3423DWF Gaming Monitor

Between its 34-inch curved screen, vivid QD-OLED panel, enhanced brightness, solid Adaptive Sync support, and near-instant response times, Dell’s Alienware AW3423DWF delivers one of the most immersive and responsive gaming experiences, making it the best 165Hz ultrawide monitor you can buy right now.

Pros

• Brilliant OLED display
• Stunning SDR and HDR images
• Ultra-quick response time
• FreeSync and G-SYNC Compatible

For less than half the price of the Alienware AW3423DWF, you can get the Samsung Odyssey G55T, an excellent entry-level ultrawide monitor for work and gaming. It’s a solid alternative if you want something affordable without sacrificing gaming performance or picture quality. While it can’t match the contrast and black levels of an OLED display, this monitor is still miles better than some premium IPS options, so you’re still in for an immersive and stunning viewing experience without breaking the bank.

Designed for gaming first, the Odyssey G55T boasts a 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, FreeSync Premium VRR, and plenty of in-game enhancements to give you an advantage in competitive games with smooth transitions and excellent clarity in fast-paced scenes. In addition, the 3440×1440 resolution produces sharp and detailed images, which, combined with the 1000R curve and decent HDR performance, help breathe life into your games and movies.

Best Budget Ultrawide

Samsung Odyssey G55T

$369 $550 Save $181

The Samsung Odyssey G55T has many advantages, including a 165Hz refresh rate, a 1ms response time, FreeSync Premium, and a sharp, vibrant display packed into a relatively affordable 34-inch curved panel.

Pros

• Sharp and immersive display
• Good response time performance
• FreeSync support

FAQ

Q: What does Hz stand for?

In computer monitors, Hz (Hertz) refers to the refresh rate. It measures how many times per second the monitor updates the screen with a new image. Therefore, a 165Hz monitor can display 165 images every second.

Q: Why are refresh rates important for gaming?

A higher refresh rate translates to smoother visuals with less stuttering or tearing, especially in fast-paced games. Compared to 60Hz monitors, the faster image updates on a 165Hz monitor allow gamers to see and react to in-game actions quicker, offering a competitive edge.

Q: Why a 165Hz monitor?

A 165Hz monitor strikes a good balance between competitive gaming and affordability. It offers smoother gameplay than 60Hz displays while remaining more affordable than higher refresh rate options like 240Hz monitors. Additionally, unlike 240Hz monitors, 165Hz models put less strain on the graphics card, so gamers don’t need a super expensive PC to take advantage of the higher refresh rate.

Q: Can a 165Hz monitor run 200 fps (frames per second)?

Yes, a 165Hz monitor can run games at 200 fps (frames per second), but the monitor can only display a maximum of 165 frames per second. While running games at 200fps on a 165Hz monitor is possible, it can lead to screen tearing, which can be visually distracting.

Occasionally you’ll find strange images in your gallery that, for the life of you, you don’t remember downloading. Then you get an inkling to check your WhatsApp chats, and it hits you—WhatsApp automatically downloaded them from your chats and groups.

Here’s how you can stop WhatsApp from downloading media from your chats onto your phone…

How to Stop WhatsApp From Saving Photos to Your Camera Roll

When your friends send you images in your chats, WhatsApp automatically saves them to your camera roll. What’s more, WhatsApp saves those images even if you didn’t open the chats.

That’s why you often find images you don’t recognize on your phone or computer’s camera roll—not to mention how annoying it is when these images are WhatsApp spam. The only way to stop WhatsApp photos from saving to your camera roll is by changing your default chat settings. It’s a quick and easy process.

On iPhone, follow these steps:

1. In the WhatsApp app, tap the Settings tab at the bottom and select Chats.
2. Toggle Save to Photos off.

On Android, use these steps:

1. Tap the three-dot menu and go to Settings > Chats.
2. Disable Media visibility. This prevents WhatsApp from showing newly downloaded media in your gallery. But you can do this for specific chats too. Once in a chat, tap the contact or group name > Media visibility > No > OK.

How to Stop WhatsApp From Saving Photos At All

Even if you’re not saving WhatsApp images to your camera roll, they may still download automatically and take up space on your phone. This is especially annoying for group chats where a lot of photos or videos are being shared. Going back to delete them all from your storage is time-consuming and unnecessary.

Here’s how to stop media downloads on iPhone:

1. Open WhatsApp and go to Settings on the bottom menu.
2. Scroll to Media auto-download.
3. Tap Photos, and select Never.
4. Repeat for each media type.

Follow the steps below on an Android phone:

1. Tap the three-dot menu > Settings > Storage and data.
2. Tap each option in the Media auto-download section and untick each option. For example, select the When using mobile data option and make sure each option (Photos, Audio, Videos, and Documents) is de-selected.

This lets you manually download images instead. A blurred preview will appear in your chats and you can choose whether to download the image.

How to Stop WhatsApp Photos Downloading on Desktop

You can also stop automatic media downloads on the WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp Desktop apps.

To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the WhatsApp desktop app or WhatsApp Web on your computer.
2. Click the downward-facing arrow above your chats on the left of the screen and select Settings.
3. Click on Media auto-download and deselect all the options. If you don’t mind WhatsApp saving documents you can leave that box checked.

If you’re finding WhatsApp overwhelming in general, consider getting more familiar with using it through our WhatsApp guide. There are more measures you can take to improve your WhatsApp experience. For instance, you can use WhatsApp tools to organize chats, schedule messages, and tailor your overall experience.

After a busy day, you might prefer to ghost your friends on WhatsApp, at least until you’ve settled down for the evening. The last thing you’d want is to be met with images from the chats you’ve avoided. If you want to have peace of mind, stop WhatsApp from saving images on your phone and computer.

You can easily create 3D images from your 2D images using AI tools. No longer do you have to slave away rendering 3D shapes, these tools will let you enjoy quick and varied results.

Using generative AI, you can transform 2D images or text prompts into 3D images in Alpha 3D. Although it’s a freemium software, new users get their first 50 AI-generated 3D image credits for free.

Alpha 3D’s image generator is focused on augmented reality (AR). Once created, your AR 3D image could be used in Adobe Aero, one of Adobe’s free apps, for creating augmented reality scenes.

At the time of writing in June 2024, the 2D-to-3D-image model is only trained on limited image types. As such, only images of shoes or furniture can be rendered into 3D models. While this limitation holds you back from more explorative 3D images, we expect it to change in the future to accommodate more creative freedom. The text-to-3D-image model doesn’t have the same limitations.

This free browser-based app lets you transform your flat photos into 3D images with depth perception. The 3D images are not 3D models, they still look like photographs, but with dimension as opposed to a typical flat photo.

You can upload your own photo or use an image URL to upload. The quality of the dimensional edit depends on the photo and how easy it is for depth perception to be achieved. You can use your 3D photos as an embedded image on websites or download them for personal use anywhere.

For a free app, the results are pretty good and fun to try out, but they’re not professional-standard, by any means.

3 Tripo (Freemium)

Tripo adds dimension to your uploaded image, turning it into a great 3D rendering. You can upload your flat images in the form of PNG, JPEG, WEBP, and BMP, both photos or illustrated images. You can also upload by using a text prompt for your creation.

Free users are limited to 600 monthly credits which they can use for 3D image generation and refinements like rigging and stylizing. Professional subscriptions are from $19.90 per month and include 3000 credits. The Premium subscription is from $139.90 per month and receives 25000 monthly credits.

The free version of Tripo produces the same results as either of the paying subscriptions, and they are good quality and accurate.

Immersity AI not only produces 3D images from your 2D image uploads, but you can also create 3D motion videos and 3D videos from 2D images. Due to its neural depth engine, Immersity AI has a lot to offer.

After uploading an image, you get a variety of results. The initial result is 3D motion which comes with nine offerings of how the motion will move around your image. It’s subtle, and depending on your image, different animation options may yield better results.

You’re provided options for animation style, amount of motion, animation length, focus point, edge dilation, and depth map for you to edit your 3D motion image for the best output.

The 3D image provides fewer refinement options, but you can choose how to preview your 3D image, the amount of depth, focus point, edge dilation, and depth map. The results of the 2D image to 3D image are not as good as when turning a 2D image into 3D motion. Your results may vary depending on the image you upload.

New free users get 100 credits to use, but you can do a lot without even using any credits, such as outputting lower-quality downloads with watermarks on them. Once you’ve used the free credits, Immersity AI is a very affordable tool. You can purchase 500 credits for $5.00 or 1000 credits for $7.99.

5 Meshy (Freemium)

New Meshy users get 200 free monthly credits and 50% off a premium subscription. Premium subscriptions start from $8 per month for a Pro subscription, $24 per month for Max, and $48 per month for a Max Unlimited subscription.

Each 2D image to 3D image generation costs five credits with further iterations using more credits. Free users cannot access the AI texture editing tool, and free users can only have one project in the queue at a time.

For a free tool, my results were not very impressive. I uploaded a clear digital illustration with block color sections, but the 3D rendering is fuzzy and amalgamated, so the subject is barely recognizable.

The premium offerings for Meshy have options to edit your 3D rendering, thus providing better results.

Spline is a tool that allows for 3D vector rendering. You can create 3D subjects and scenes for use on website animations and interactions. It also has an AI 3D generator, which allows you to create 3D imagery quickly and then edit it using the tools available in Spline’s software, which can be accessed via the browser, or on apps for both Mac and Windows systems.

While Spline offers some free features within its software, its AI generator for 3D images is part of its premium Super package, from $24 per month.

With Spline’s AI 3D image generator, you can create a 3D image by uploading a 2D image or by using a text prompt to generate your 3D image. You can also upload a 2D image and then use a text prompt that incorporates the 2D image into your 3D rendering. There are a handful of other AI features within Spline’s tools, such as AI textures to apply to your image, AI generation remix for finding different image results, and AI style transfer.

Out of these 3D image generator tools, my favorite is Tripo for free tools or Spline for premium options. Spline’s history in creating 3D imagery holds it accountable as a more reliable tool. Tripo is a great tool for those with little to no experience in 3D rendering.

You can add these AI 3D image generators to the list of creative AI tools that are more than just chatbot answers, and making 3D creations from your 2D images is a cool way to use AI.

Fanfix is a website offering fans opportunities to see exclusive content from their favorite content creators. Some content is behind a paywall, similar to how other sites like Patreon and Ko-Fi work, and some of the content is available for free. Here are the basics of what Fanfix is and how to use the service.

What Is Fanfix?

Fanfix allows creators to set up profiles to share exclusive, non-explicit content. Some creators share their content for free, while others lock their content behind a paywall. Fanfix is like Patreon, another service that allows content creators to monetize exclusive content for their patrons.

If you’re looking to learn more about services like Patreon and Ko-Fi from a creator’s perspective, we’ve broken down the pros and cons.

Fanfix offers the option to follow creators for free and see limited posts or subscribe for a fee. Note that once you follow an account, Fanfix does not currently have the option to unfollow creators. As a subscriber, you can see exclusive posts, view creators’ Fanfix live streams, and even send messages to content creators you like.

If you’re a fan of a creator, you can go to the creator’s Fanfix page and subscribe for exclusive content for a set monthly amount. This amount varies, with some creators charging anywhere form $5 to $12 per month for access.

Alternatively, you can pay to unlock specific posts for a one-time fee that ranges from a couple bucks to $20.

There are options to like and comment on creators’ posts on Fanfix, as well. Followers and subscribers can also give tips to content creators via the website. Patreon currently does not have a way to tip creators, so this makes Fanfix stand out.

Because Fanfix is newer, its interface has some flaws. For example, you must have an account to search for creators on Fanfix. Patreon, however, allows you to search for creators without logging in.

Another major drawback is that Fanfix is only available via web browser, not via an app. Additionally, if you’re looking to support a smaller creator, creators with smaller followings than 10,000 across all platforms are not eligible for a creator account on Fanfix.

As of now, Fanfix only offers a flat rate for subscribers. This stands in stark comparison to Patreon, which offers different payment tiers of membership with potential incentives like personalized letters or merchandise for higher-paying subscribers. Some of your favorite creators might not be on Patreon, though, so Fanfix may be the best way to show your support.

How to Get Started With Fanfix

You can create an account by going to the website, Fanfix.io, and clicking the sign-up option. From there, you can search for content creators you’d like to follow or subscribe to. Fanfix allows users to subscribe to follow creators for free, but it is important to note that you must have a form of payment on file via the website to use the free follows.

Finally, if you’re a creator interested in joining Fanfix, you can submit an application through the website. Most notably, Fanfix requires creators to have a hefty 10,000 followers across all social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok to qualify.

With options to subscribe to and message content creators and view Fanfix-only livestreams, you can stay up-to-date with your favorite content creators. Whether you’re looking to join Fanfix as a creator or to support other creators, Fanfix has a host of opportunities for more interaction and exclusive content.

Google released the first Android 15 beta in April 2024, and I’ve been using it on my Pixel 8 Pro since then. It’s not a massive update, but it’s hard to overlook some quality-of-life additions. Below, I’ll list my favorite Android 15 features so far.

1 App Archiving

My Pixel 8 Pro only has 128GB of internal storage, with even less usable space. Once I install all my essential and favorite Android apps, the available free space declines even further, leaving less room for all my media.

Due to this, I have to constantly uninstall apps I don’t use as frequently to free up space. However, the problem is that uninstalling such apps also removes all user data. So, the next time I reinstall the app from the Play Store, I have to set it up from scratch again.

This is where app archiving comes in. While the Play Store has an automatic app archiving feature, Android 15 adds it natively to the OS. So, I can manually archive an unwanted or unused app on my phone to free up space. Archiving will not remove the app or any associated user data from the phone; only selected portions are removed.

The best part is that the archived app’s shortcut is not removed from your phone but only grayed out with a download icon on it. When you tap it, Android 15 automatically downloads it from the Play Store. Once reinstalled, I can tap the shortcut again and start using the app like before—all without having to set it up again from scratch.

To manually archive an app in Android 15, long-press its shortcut and select App info. From the page that opens, choose Archive.

2 Private Space

I have several important and sensitive banking and authenticator apps installed on my phone that I want to keep away from prying eyes. Similarly, there are documents and pictures that I don’t want anyone else using my phone to access. This is where Android 15’s Private Space comes in. It’s similar to Secure Folder on Samsung phones.

As the name indicates, the feature creates a “private space” on my phone for all my important apps and documents. The best part about the feature is that you can log in with a separate Google account. Additionally, you can set up a different PIN or pattern than the one you currently use for your device for additional security.

Setting up a Private Space is easy. Navigate to Settings > Security & privacy > Private Space. Then, simply follow the on-screen instructions to set up the feature.

3 Partial Screen Recording

Google added native screen recording with Android 11, though Samsung and other smartphone manufacturers had implemented this feature in their Android skins years before that.

With Android 15, Google is improving screen recording by adding a per-app recording option. So, instead of capturing my entire screen, I can set the recorder to only to capture the contents of a single app.

This is a great privacy improvement, as I do not need to worry about unwanted notifications or other personal content showing up in my screen recordings. I didn’t expect partial screen recording to be a big deal, but I was surprised by its usefulness since I started using Android 15 on my Pixel 8 Pro.

To start a partial screen recording in Android 15, follow these steps:

1. Expand the Quick Settings panel on your phone and tap the Screen Record tile.
2. Select A single app from the dialog box that appears and tap Start recording. You’ll be prompted to choose the app you want to record.
3. When you select the app, a three-second timer will start in the status bar, after which the screen recording will start.

Incoming notifications, calls, and even your notification shade will not appear in the video when using partial screen recording.

4 Improved Bluetooth Toggle in Quick Settings

Android 15 improves the Bluetooth toggle in the Quick Settings panel by introducing a dialog box to control the paired devices. On Android 14, you can only toggle Bluetooth on or off through its Quick Settings tile. However, in Android 15, tapping the Bluetooth tile will bring up a dialog box showing the connected and paired devices you can quickly connect or disconnect from.

This might seem like a small change, but I frequently connect and disconnect several Bluetooth devices with my Pixel 8 Pro throughout the day. The Bluetooth dialog box speeds up the entire process and reduces unwanted taps.

Android 15 packs several usability improvements, but the above are a few that I have found most helpful in daily life. A lot of features are still only partially working or not fully implemented, so the experience should improve even further once the OS is ready for its public release.

With most gaming consoles offering digital and disc versions, choosing between them can be a real dilemma. For me, however, digital consoles have become the clear winner, and I’m fully committed to them going forward. Here are some reasons why.

1 Digital Consoles Are Less Expensive

As a gamer who’s always on the lookout for the best deals, the biggest perk of digital consoles for me is their price tag. They are usually $50 to $100 cheaper than their physical counterparts, primarily because they do not include a disc drive.

This can be a significant saving, especially for someone like me who prefers buying digital games over physical discs anyway. With those savings, I can grab a couple of AAA titles or purchase a gaming subscription for six months.

2 Purchasing Digital Games Is Quick and Easy

Not having a disc drive also means I can skip trips to the store every time I want to buy a new game. I don’t have to wait in lines or worry about whether the game I want is in stock. With a digital console, I can simply make the purchase online from the comfort of my couch and download the game immediately.

Not to mention the convenience of switching between games I own, since I don’t have to find and swap discs every time I want to play a different game. Of course, all of this is possible with a disc version console as well, but for me, that defeats the purpose of buying it in the first place.

3 They Are Less Bulky

Going digital also means I can take my console and game library wherever I want. Digital consoles are typically less bulky and lighter than their disc drive counterparts. This makes them more portable and easier to carry, whether I’m heading to a friend’s house, going on vacation, or moving between rooms in my own home.

Having a digital library also means I don’t need to carry around a collection of discs; all my games are stored on the console. This makes digital consoles ideal for a traveling gamer like me who prefers a more minimalist setup.

Having owned disc consoles in the past, I’ve experienced disc-related issues from time to time. Sometimes, it’s the disc drive making excessive noise, while other times, I’ve had to spend time removing a stuck disc from the console. Fixing these issues often requires patience and a delicate touch to avoid causing further damage.

I’ve also experienced moments when my console wouldn’t detect the game due to minor scratches on the disc. This meant either trying to clean and repair the disc or, in some cases, purchasing a new copy of the game.

Opting for a digital console relieves me of all these concerns. Without a disc drive, there are no mechanical parts that can malfunction or create noise. So, that’s one less thing I have to worry about.

5 They Are Better for the Environment

Lastly, digital consoles are also better for the environment. First, they eliminate the need for physical discs, effectively reducing the amount of plastic waste generated from their production and disposal. Furthermore, digital distribution lowers the carbon footprint associated with shipping physical games.

While digital games also have an environmental impact, it is significantly less than that of physical games. It’s a small step, but collectively, choosing digital consoles can significantly promote environmental sustainability.

So these are some of my primary reasons for choosing digital consoles in the future. The convenience, cost savings, and streamlined experience make digital consoles a perfect match for my gaming style. If you also prioritize these things as a gamer, buying a digital console might be the perfect choice for you too.