I don’t know about you, but I hate watching TV with my phone nearby. Every few minutes, I’d check it, lose my place, and get distracted for far longer than I intended. Sure, I could put it away, but then I’d be constantly guessing what each buzz or ping might be. That anxious “what did I miss?” feeling never really goes away.

It’s not such a problem when I’m working, since I already connect my phone notifications to the PC with Phone Link. Well, guess what? With the Tv Overlay Remote app, you can do the same thing on your TV, and it’s a total game-changer. With it, you can mirror notifications for calls, emails, WhatsApp messages, and more directly onto your TV.

Keeping up with phone notifications while binge-watching

Stay in the loop without ever picking up your phone

Nothing kills the flow of a binge session like constantly checking your phone. You pause the show, unlock your device to check notifications, and suddenly you’ve lost track of the plot. The same goes for gaming. If you’re like me, pausing every few minutes to check for messages can be incredibly annoying.

Putting your phone’s notifications on the TV can save you from constantly reaching for your device. You get a subtle pop-up in the top right corner, so you can glance at it, decide if it’s urgent, and keep watching or gaming if it’s not. It’s that simple.

Tv Overlay Remote is an app that lets you display your Android phone’s notifications on your TV. This includes everything from phone calls and messages to app alerts and even system notifications. If you don’t want to be bombarded by every alert that comes in, you can customize what appears. With this setup, I can binge an entire season, play through long gaming sessions, or watch movies without that nagging fear that I’m ignoring an important alert.

Setting up Tv Overlay Remote

Get it running within minutes

Getting started with Tv Overlay Remote is quite easy. First, you need to download the app on your TV and follow the prompts to allow a few necessary permissions—things like showing over other apps, adjusting battery optimization, and a couple of small settings to make sure notifications flow smoothly. Once the initial setup is done, a QR code will appear on your TV screen.

Next, download the Tv Overlay Remote app on your phone. Open it and use your phone’s camera to scan the QR code on the TV. Make sure both your phone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network—this is crucial for the notifications to sync.

Once everything is paired, any notifications you receive on your phone will instantly appear on your TV. By default, they show up in the top-right corner, but you’re free to move them anywhere—top-left, bottom-left, or bottom-right.

The app also lets you choose the notification layout. The Default layout shows all the information from the alert, the Minimalist layout trims it down to the essentials, and the Only Icon layout displays just the app icon for privacy.

Each notification appears for five seconds by default, but you can easily adjust the duration to suit your preference. Tv Overlay Remote isn’t just about notifications. When there aren’t any alerts, you’ll see a tiny clock in the top-right corner of your screen. And if you don’t want it, you can hide it with a single toggle.

See only the alerts that matter

Never get distracted by useless notifications again

Being able to mirror phone notifications to your TV is great, but let’s be honest—most of the alerts on our phones aren’t urgent. Social media likes, app updates, or random newsletters can certainly wait while you’re enjoying your downtime.

That’s where the Tv Overlay Remote really shines. You get full control over what appears on your screen. You can choose to allow notifications from specific apps while ignoring the rest. For example, I’ve set mine to only show alerts for calls, WhatsApp messages, Gmail, and Slack. This way, I never miss something important but avoid constant distractions from irrelevant notifications.

The free version of the app already offers all the essential features, so I haven’t felt the need to upgrade. But if you want a few extra perks, the premium version is affordable too, with a one-time fee of around $5.

With it, you can mirror notifications to multiple TVs, customize the clock and notification backgrounds, and even create presets to save your preferred setup. If you have multiple TVs or want more control over how alerts appear, the premium version is a solid deal. You can check out all the available customization options on the app’s GitHub page.

Putting your phone’s notifications on your TV might sound over the top at first, but once you try it, it’s hard to go back. Now I can enjoy watching TV or gaming whether my phone is on silent, charging in another room, or buried in my bag. I don’t have to keep reaching for it or worry about missing an important call or alert.

The Windows 11 taskbar may look modern, but it’s surprisingly rigid. Beyond a few basic tweaks, Microsoft gives you very little room to personalize, even less than in previous versions of Windows. Windhawk is a Windows customization platform that changes all of that.

I’ve been using it for a few weeks, and it offers modules to fix almost everything I find annoying about the taskbar, from its lack of styling options to missing features that used to be standard. You can make the taskbar transparent, change its position, resize it, add new tricks, and turn the Windows 11 taskbar into something that actually works the way you want.

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Resize the taskbar with freedom

Make it taller or shorter

The default Windows 11 taskbar is reasonably sized, but unlike Windows 10, there’s no built-in option to resize it. It’s strictly one size fits all—and if that size doesn’t work for you, too bad.

Windhawk’s Taskbar height and icon size module lets you overcome this limitation. You can adjust not only the taskbar’s height but also the size of the icons on it. Whether you prefer a compact, space-saving strip or a taller bar with larger, easier-to-click icons, the module lets you fine-tune the layout without affecting other elements.

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Bring back the vertical taskbar

Move it to the side like in the good old days

One of the most jarring changes in Windows 11 is the loss of a true vertical taskbar. Unlike Windows 10 and earlier, you can’t just drag the taskbar to the left or right side of the screen for a more classic, space-saving layout.

Windhawk’s Vertical taskbar for Windows 11 module restores that missing feature. With it, you can move the taskbar to either the left or right edge of your display, just like in older versions of Windows. You also get control over its width so you can make it as slim or roomy as you like.

If you’re running a dual-monitor setup, it gets even better: you can keep the taskbar on the left side of one monitor and the right side of the other.

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Plenty of style options

From transparency to color tweaks, make it truly yours

When it comes to customizing the taskbar, Windows 11 itself doesn’t offer much beyond tweaking the search icon, hiding the Widgets button, or showing app labels. But with Windhawk’s Windows 11 taskbar styler, you get plenty of options that let you go far beyond Microsoft’s defaults.

You can make your taskbar semi-transparent with TranslucentTaskbar, give it a macOS-like dock appearance with DockLike, or go for a super-clean minimalist look with SimplyTransparent. And if you’re feeling nostalgic, you can even revive classic designs from Windows 7, Vista, or Windows XP, complete with their distinctive buttons and color schemes.

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Hide unwanted icons from the taskbar

Show only what matters

By default, the Windows 11 taskbar displays several system icons like network, battery, volume, and more. It even adds microphone and camera indicators when an app is using them. While some of these indicators can be helpful, others just add clutter.

Windhawk’s Taskbar tray system icon tweaks module gives you complete control over what appears in the corner of your taskbar. You can selectively hide system icons you don’t need for a cleaner, less distracting look.

For instance, I find the input-language icon redundant, and I rarely use the notification icon since the Win + N shortcut opens the same panel. With this module, I can either hide the notification icon completely or have it appear only when there’s an actual alert.

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Middle-click to instantly close apps from the taskbar

The Windows 11 taskbar already offers a couple of ways to close apps. You can hover over an app’s icon and click the X on its thumbnail, or right-click and choose End task if you’ve enabled that option for unresponsive programs.

Windhawk’s Middle click to close on the taskbar module makes the process much faster. With it, you simply hover over any running app on the taskbar and press the middle mouse button to close it instantly. You can fine-tune its behavior, choosing to close all instances of an app or just the active window. And if you need to force-close a stubborn program, hold down the Ctrl key while middle-clicking its icon.

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Add important performance metrics on taskbar

Watch CPU, RAM and network usage at a glance

The Windows 11 taskbar is sleek, but it’s not very informative. To check your PC’s performance, you normally have to open Task Manager or a separate monitoring app. That’s a few extra clicks when all you want is a quick glance at your system’s health.

Windhawk solves this with its Taskbar clock customization module. It lets you pin real-time system stats like CPU usage, RAM consumption, or network speed directly onto your taskbar. You can also add extras such as the weather, the day of the week, or even news headlines for quick, at-a-glance updates.

Your Windows 11 taskbar is something you look at more than almost any other part of the interface, so it makes sense to make it both beautiful and functional. Windhawk’s modules fill the gap left by Microsoft and let you style the taskbar exactly how you want it. And the best part is, it’s completely free to use.

I love a good thriller, especially ones that linger long after the credits roll. These are the films that kept me awake, replaying every twist and turn, making me question reality and trust. The thrillers I’ve chosen maintain their tension, pulling you deeper into each scene.

If you enjoy watching movies that last with you, these five emotionally powerful films could be a good fit for you.

Shutter Island (2010)

Watch Shutter Island on Prime Video

Have you ever woken up from a dream so real that it took a moment to remember where you were? Shutter Island taps into that feeling and doesn’t let go, slowly luring you into a world in which nothing feels certain. U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) arrives at a remote psychiatric hospital with his partner to investigate a missing patient.

What starts as a routine investigation soon feels like a trap. A violent storm cuts off the escape. The staff stay guarded, and patients offer cryptic answers that only make the case more confusing.

As Teddy digs deeper, the investigation stops being just a case and starts consuming him. Clues lead him in circles, the island grows more hostile, and every answer only raises new questions. When it ends, you share Teddy’s confusion, unsure if he uncovered the truth or walked into a trap. It still sparks debate, and some call the ending disappointing. That divide is part of what makes it so memorable.

Memento (2000)

Watch Memento on Prime Video

Memento turns memory loss into a ticking clock. Leonard (Guy Pearce) can’t form new memories, so he relies on Polaroid photos, scribbled notes, and tattoos to hold on to the truth. Every decision feels urgent because he might forget why he made it moments later. His entire life revolves around a single mission: finding the man he believes killed his wife.

Christopher Nolan tells this story in a way that mirrors Leonard’s fractured mind. Most scenes play in reverse, revealing outcomes before causes, while a second timeline moves forward until the two finally meet. Each scene reshapes what you think you know, making you question who to trust and whether Leonard’s story is true.

Prisoners (2013)

Watch Prisoners on Prime Video

A missing child turns Thanksgiving into a nightmare. Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman) is a father whose daughter and her friend vanish that day, leaving him desperate for answers. When police detain a suspect but release him for lack of evidence, Keller takes matters into his own hands, convinced time is running out.

Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) chases every lead as they twist into dead ends, and the pressure builds with each passing day. Neighbors begin to look suspicious, the quiet streets feel hostile, and every decision carries the weight of being right or devastatingly wrong. The film makes you sit with that fear, asking what you might have done in Keller’s place.

Gone Girl (2014)

Watch Gone Girl on Netflix

In Gone Girl, the disappearance of Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike) explodes into a media circus that overtakes the town. Reporters gather on the lawn, cameras capture Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) stumbling through interviews, and the public dissects his every move. What starts as a search for a missing woman quickly becomes a trial by public opinion, where Nick’s innocence is questioned long before the truth is clear.

The turning point comes when investigators uncover Amy’s diary, revealing a version of their marriage that collides with Nick’s story. The deeper the film goes, the more you realize neither side can be trusted at face value. Rosamund Pike delivers an unsettling and magnetic performance, pulling you into Amy’s world until you cannot look away. It leaves you weighing every reveal and asking whose truth you’ve been watching.

The Handmaiden (2016)

Watch The Handmaiden on Prime Video

The Handmaiden is a story where nothing is what it seems. Love, loyalty, and even the truth keep shifting as the story unfolds. Set in the 1930s Korea under Japanese rule, it follows Sook-hee (Kim Tae-ri), a young pickpocket hired to serve Lady Hideko (Kim Min-hee), an heiress living under her uncle’s suffocating control. Sook-hee secretly works with Count Fujiwara (Ha Jung-woo) on a scheme to trick Hideko into marriage so he can claim her inheritance.

Inside the mansion, Sook-hee finds a world of velvet and cruelty. Hideko is forced to read her uncle’s collection of erotic books to wealthy guests, a ritual that keeps her isolated and afraid. The longer Sook-hee stays, the more her mission collides with her growing feelings for Hideko, and the plan spirals into something far more dangerous. New layers keep emerging, and every turn raises the stakes in a game of trust and betrayal.

The stories that stay with me

These thrillers remind me of why I keep coming back to this genre. They pulled me in, made me notice every detail, and left me glued to the screen. Watch them when you can give them your full attention, because they are at their best when you let them take over completely.

iOS 26 is here, and while everyone’s buzzing about Liquid Glass and big-ticket features like call screening, live translation, and Spatial Scenes, there’s so much more. Sure, those upgrades are flashy and useful, but they don’t tell the whole story. This update also quietly fixes some of the iPhone’s most frustrating behaviors.

Many of these improvements are easy to miss because they haven’t been talked about much. From estimated charging times and improved spam message detection to custom ringtones and smarter call history, iOS 26 is packed with thoughtful changes that address some of the long-standing annoyances.

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See estimated charging time

Know when your iPhone will be ready to go

Charging your iPhone is something most of us do every day, sometimes multiple times. And every time you plug it in, one thing you want to know is how long it’ll take to be ready.

iOS 26 quietly solves this daily frustration by showing an estimated charging time right on your lock screen. You can also go to Settings > Battery to see when your iPhone will reach 80 percent and then 100 percent.

Android users have had this feature for years, and it’s easy to see why it’s so useful. It helps you avoid leaving your iPhone plugged in longer than necessary and shows when you’re using a slow charger.

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Better spam message detection

Enjoy a clean inbox

Another iOS 26 feature that’s been on Android phones for some time is spam message filtration. Spam texts are always a nuisance and can appear at the worst possible moments with annoying promotions or suspicious links. iOS 26 makes this problem far less frustrating by improving how it filters unwanted messages.

Now, when a text arrives from someone who isn’t in your contacts, your iPhone automatically moves it to a separate folder. These messages don’t even trigger notifications or appear on your lock screen. This way, your main inbox only shows important conversations.

You can open the Unknown Senders folder in the Messages app to view them anytime. From there, you can mark a sender as known if it’s someone you want to hear from, or simply delete the message without a second thought.

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Easily select specific text within a message

Focus on the important stuff

Sometimes, you don’t need to copy an entire message, just a small piece of it. Maybe it’s a key detail in a long text, a snippet of an address, or a single sentence you want to translate. Until now, long-pressing a message only let you copy the whole bubble, which could be frustrating when all you needed was a tiny portion.

iOS 26 fixes this with a simple update. Now, when you long-press a message, you’ll see a Select option appear alongside Copy. Tap it to highlight exactly the text you want within the bubble. From there, you can easily copy it, translate it, or even search the web for more information.

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View call history for a single contact

Track all calls with the people who matter most

Previously, viewing the call history for a specific contact meant endlessly scrolling through your entire call log. However, that’s no longer the case with iOS 26.

Now, if you want to check how many times you called a friend, family member, or colleague, it’s easy. Simply open the contact’s card, tap Call History, and you’ll see a complete list of incoming, outgoing, and missed calls, all neatly organized with dates and times. It’s a small change, but one that makes it easy to keep track of your call logs.

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Disable “tap recents to call”

Stop accidental calls

You know those moments when you’re scrolling through your call history and your iPhone suddenly starts dialing someone you didn’t mean to call? It has certainly happened to me more times than I can count. iOS 26 fixes this by letting you disable the “Tap Recents to Call” feature entirely.

Head to Settings > Apps > Phone, and you’ll see the Tap Recents to Call toggle. Turn it off, your iPhone will no longer start a call when you tap a number or contact in Recents. Instead, you’ll see the contact’s information, from where you can call, message, or FaceTime. This simple tweak can save you from plenty of awkward moments.

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Set a custom ringtone

Finally…without complicated workarounds

If you have ever tried setting your favorite song as a ringtone on your iPhone, you know how cumbersome the process was. You either had to use Apple’s GarageBand app and deal with complicated file conversions or buy the tone from the iTunes Store. For something as simple as setting a ringtone, that’s far too much work.

With iOS 26, that’s no longer a problem. You can now set any MP3 or M4A audio file under 30 seconds as your ringtone. To do this, download the ringtone for your iPhone, open the Files app on your iPhone, and locate the file. Long-press it, tap Share in the pop-up menu, and choose Use as Ringtone. It’s that simple.

Once you do this, the audio will appear as an option in your iPhone’s Ringtone settings alongside the default tones. If you ever want to remove it, simply swipe left on it and tap Delete.

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Get a dirty lens warning

Sometimes, it’s the small things we overlook

There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to take a photo only to end up with a blurry, smudged mess instead of the crisp image you expected. Your iPhone, which once captured stunning shots, suddenly seems average.

More often than not, the culprit is a dirty camera lens. It might sound obvious, but something as simple as cleaning the lens can turn a so-so photo into something spectacular.

iOS 26 now helps you avoid this headache with a simple but clever feature. If your iPhone detects that the lens is obstructed by fingerprints, dust, or grime, it alerts you before you snap the photo. This small heads-up keeps your images sharp and saves you from frustrating retakes or endless post-editing fixes. To enable it, go to Settings > Camera and turn on Lens Cleaning Hints.

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Customize alarm snooze options

Wake up your way with flexible snooze settings

Alarms are meant to wake you up, not frustrate you. Yet, for years, iPhone users had to deal with a single default 9-minute snooze option. Interestingly, there’s a historical reason for the odd duration: when the snooze feature was first added to alarm clocks decades ago, designers had to fit the new mechanism into existing clock designs. Nine minutes was the longest interval they could manage without altering the mechanics, and the tradition stuck.

iOS 26 finally breaks free from this legacy limitation. You can now customize your snooze interval to match your morning routine. Open the Clock app, set your alarm, tap Snooze Options, and pick your preferred interval anywhere from 1 to 15 minutes. The default is still 9 minutes, but you can easily change it to whatever works best for you.

iOS 26 comes packed with headline-making features, but the real magic lies in the small, quiet improvements, details that long-time iPhone users will truly appreciate. It’s proof that Apple isn’t just chasing flashy upgrades; they’re also focusing on the things that matter most.

I love high-quality television as much as the next person, and we certainly live in an era where there are a lot of fantastic prestige shows to watch. From Severance to The Bear, I will always seek out that next big hit that will win every award under the sun. Sometimes, though, my brain just can not handle the heavy themes and dramatic plots that leave you feeling emotionally raw.

So, like anyone else, I turn to less demanding content when I just can not be bothered to watch that latest episode of Silo. Luckily, there are still a lot of options out there for television that can just exist and entertain without scarring you for life, or even shows that are perfect for background noise while you do something else entirely.

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Poker Face

Watch Poker Face on Peacock

Ah, a good old murder mystery show with a fun, modern twist. Poker Face tells of the adventures of Charlie Cale (Natasha Lyonne) as she travels across the country, solving murders. As with any quirky detective series, Cale has her own little special ability that gives her the edge: She can always tell when someone is lying. It’s not so much a mystery of who did it, but how Cale will prove it.

Think Columbo, but set in the modern era with a character you equally wouldn’t expect to be out there solving crimes, albeit for different reasons than Columbo. What really makes Poker Face work so well is Lyonne’s performance and the whip-smart writing. Sure, it’s about murder, and there are some overarching storylines, but Poker Face is fun and low-key above everything else.

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New Girl

Watch New Girl on Hulu and Peacock

Sometimes I want to watch a show like Friends, but with a little bit more of a modern setting (and less bigotry). This is where New Girl comes into play. Starring Zooey Deschanel as Jessica Day, this charming little sitcom focuses on Jessica as she moves into a new apartment with three men. What follows is seven whole seasons of relatively low-stakes viewing, fueled by a great cast that includes the likes of Jake Johnson, Lamorne Morris, Max Greenfield, and Damon Wayans Jr.

You won’t find anything you haven’t seen in other sitcoms here, and that’s perfectly okay. I love the unpredictability of prestige television, but sometimes I just want to turn a show on and know exactly what I’m tuning into. New Girl is that show to a tee.

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Arrested Development

Watch Arrested Development on Netflix

No matter how many times I throw on Arrested Development, I can’t help but get lost in the dysfunctional hilarity of the Bluth family. Anchored by Jason Bateman’s performance as Michael Bluth, Arrested Development never lacks ambition throughout its five-season run. Even when that ambition doesn’t necessarily work, especially in later seasons, you can’t help but appreciate what it’s trying to do.

Plus, the ensemble central cast is truly next-to-none when it comes to comedic talent. Jessica Walter, David Cross, and Michael Cera are just a few of the main players that you will come to know throughout, and they’re worth every second. Even when the plot starts to fall apart, you’ll stick around for the ensemble cast. Arrested Development is a sitcom that you could watch forever without getting bored.

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Burn Notice

Watch Burn Notice on Hulu

Ah, who can forget USA Network’s Blue Sky era of television? Shows that didn’t require a lot of attention, and often came with a comedic twist in the pitch. While many might point to Psych or Monk as premiere examples, for good reason, Burn Notice was that perfect show if you’re looking for something in the espionage genre, but without the violence or heavy themes.

Following former spy Michael Weston (Jeffrey Donovan), Burn Notice balances Weston’s search for why he was fired from his agency with case-of-the-week stories where he uses his skills to help people in Miami as a private investigator. It’s exactly the kind of low-stakes action that you think it is, and thank goodness for that. I was sad when USA Network moved away from shows like this, because in an age where every network is trying to find that next big prestige hit, they’re kind of few and far between.

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Superstore

Watch Superstore on Hulu and Peacock

Workplace comedies can be surprisingly calming, given their setting, and Superstore is no different. Like The Office, this sitcom takes place primarily in a place of work, namely Cloud 9, a fictional store not unlike Walmart. As you can probably guess, Superstore centers on the employees of Cloud 9, though the early seasons focus mainly on Jonah Simms (Ben Feldman), who is hired in the first episode.

While it would be easy to compare it with The Office or Parks and Rec, Superstore is a show all its own, with characters that really start to grow on you as the series progresses. It also deals with some real-world events, and it’s amazing just how right it gets things. Almost scary, actually. Ultimately, however, Superstore is a relaxing watch, and something you can easily throw on after a hard day’s work. If you’re interested in watching others work, that is.

Sometimes it’s nice to take a break from prestige television

Looking at all the prestige television out there now, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by it all. For me, I mainly watch television to relax and feel entertained, and sometimes, you just don’t get the former when watching serious dramas all the time. So these shows really scratch that itch for me. But if you are looking for some captivating, slow-burning thriller series that scratches the prestige itch, we have some ideas for you.

Last Tuesday, I woke up in the middle of the night and grabbed my iPhone to check the time. Immediately, it turned on the flashlight at full brightness and jolted me fully awake. There’s a specific iPhone feature behind these random activations: Back Tap.

Back Tap lets you tap your phone’s back to perform quick actions, including enabling the flashlight. The frustrating part is that it fails miserably when you intentionally try to use it, yet it activates randomly throughout the day. I’ve dealt with this nonsense on my iPhone 13 Pro Max and now my iPhone 16 Pro Max, but there’s actually a simple fix.

What is Back Tap, and how does it work?

The hidden accessibility feature most people don’t know about

You’ll find Back Tap hiding in Settings > Accessibility > Touch. Think of it as turning your iPhone’s back into one big touch button. Apple introduced this with iOS 14 to give people quick access to screenshots, Control Center, flashlight controls, and other functions.

The feature lets you assign two different actions: one for a double-tap and another for a triple-tap. The available actions include system controls, accessibility features, and custom shortcuts from the Shortcuts app. Setting the flashlight as a Back Tap action seems like a great idea until you actually live with it.

Unfortunately, Back Tap’s sensitivity is maddeningly unpredictable. When you deliberately try to activate it in a dark hallway, it often ignores your taps completely. But set your phone down normally or shift your grip, and suddenly you’re blinded by an LED spotlight.

Why Back Tap keeps triggering your flashlight accidentally

The sensitivity problem that Apple hasn’t quite solved

Jonathon Jachura / MUO

The core issue isn’t hardware—it’s software sensitivity that behaves erratically across all compatible iPhone models. Normal phone handling becomes a minefield of potential triggers. Just placing your phone on a surface, slipping it into your jeans pocket, or adjusting your grip while texting can make the sensor think you meant to activate something.

Nighttime activations are the worst. Your phone rests on the nightstand when something minor—maybe a notification buzz or your furniture settling—sets off the Back Tap sensor. Next thing you know, you’re squinting at what might as well be a tiny flashbang at 3 AM.

Cases don’t fix the problem either. I’ve tried different case thicknesses and materials, but the detection system stays just as unreliable. This frustrating inconsistency spans iPhone models and accessories—it’s a fundamental software issue.

How to check if Back Tap is causing your flashlight issues

Finding the culprit in your iPhone settings

Head to Settings, then Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap. You’ll find Double Tap and Triple Tap settings here. Check what each one does by tapping on it.

Look for Flashlight listed under either option. When this is active, double or triple tapping your phone’s back will turn on the flashlight. Don’t stress if you can’t remember setting this up—it sometimes gets turned on during phone setup or when you’re poking around in the settings.

Your options for fixing the random flashlight problem

Three ways to stop the unexpected light show

Disable Back Tap Completely

The nuclear option: set both Double Tap and Triple Tap to None. This eliminates any possibility of accidental activation, since the feature becomes inactive. You lose the shortcut capability but gain peace of mind.

If both settings show None, but flashlight surprises keep happening, you’re looking at either another accessibility setting or a hardware issue. Try troubleshooting your iPhone’s flashlight further.

Change to a Less Disruptive Action

Alternatively, keep Back Tap active, but assign it to something harmless like taking screenshots. Accidental activation just creates an extra photo you can delete—no more surprise light shows. Other benign options include opening Control Center or triggering a custom shortcut that does something innocuous. You can even set the double and triple taps to trigger productivity tools.

Move Flashlight to Triple Tap Only

If you actually use the flashlight shortcut, assign it to Triple Tap while setting Double Tap to None. Triple taps require more deliberate action and rarely trigger accidentally during normal phone handling.

Alternative ways to quickly access your iPhone’s flashlight

Better methods that won’t surprise you at 3 AM

Jonathon Jachura / MUO

Control Center remains the most reliable flashlight access method. On modern iPhones, swipe down from the upper-right corner; on older models with Home buttons, swipe up from the bottom. Then tap the flashlight button. This approach never lets me down.

The Lock screen offers another dependable route. Look for the flashlight symbol in the bottom-left corner and press down hard until it lights up. The force requirement prevents accidental bumps from triggering it.

Siri handles voice requests reliably—just say “Hey Siri, turn on the flashlight.” This works great when you’re carrying something or trying to navigate in pitch-black conditions.

Take back control of your iPhone’s flashlight

Random flashlight activations almost always trace back to Back Tap’s flashlight setting. This accessibility feature suffers from inconsistent sensitivity that makes it more annoying than useful. The good news is that fixing it takes seconds—disable Back Tap entirely, change its action to something harmless, or move the flashlight to triple-tap.

With reliable alternatives like Control Center and lock screen shortcuts readily available, you can ditch the problematic Back Tap feature and finally sleep soundly without unexpected illumination ruining your night. I also recommend looking into useful accessibility features on your iPhone that work much better.

Science fiction is a great genre for hiding critiques of social issues and posing big questions that extend beyond the mere speculation of whether aliens exist. And through the medium of movies, there’s an opportunity to use imagery to further convey those questions and, hopefully, offer a solution or answer.

As someone who frequently watches sci-fi movies, I want to be moved by these ideas and twisted into a philosophical pretzel. I’m not necessarily looking for a feel-good movie, either. When I walk away questioning my existence or seeing a fresh point of view, I know that the movie did something right.

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Mickey 17

Watch Mickey 17 on HBO Max

What is a soul? Is it even real? When you have two copies of the same person, with the same memories, are they two different people? And if you could clone people, to what extent would the power be abused when in the wrong hands? Mickey 17 asks a lot of questions that keep me awake at night (and inspire me to write my own short stories, too).

The same way Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite had me grappling with wealth disparity and class divides in real life, Mickey 17 had me wrestling with the concept of disposability. I felt a lot of empathy and anxiety watching Mickey get abused and die over and over again for the sake of his job. There’s a kinship there that hits a little too close to home.

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Blade Runner

Watch Blade Runner on Amazon Prime Video

Blade Runner is a bit of a unique case among my picks, and it comes down to which version of Blade Runner you watch. Both versions—the Final Cut or the original—have distinct differences that offer their own existential crisis. I won’t argue which is better because I like both for different reasons.

In the original cut, in whatever form that is, the movie highlights Roy and the question of whether or not he’s a “real boy,” despite being an android. What does it mean to be human? Is it even possible for a machine with enough advancements in technology to reach consciousness? In the other version—the director’s cut, essentially—adds to the discussion of Deckard possibly being an android as well.

4

Interstellar

Watch Interstellar on Paramount+

Most of my entries are dark, somewhat brooding stories, but Interstellar is unique in that it’s a more hopeful story. Sure, the planet becoming uninhabitable is a bummer, but the movie focuses on the strengths of humanity and how we can overcome our weaknesses through love. What Interstellar does best is take real scientific knowledge and facts (with just a dash of science fiction) to create a mind-bending story.

It’s one thing to know black holes bend space and time, but it’s another to see how you’ll be affected in a real-world scenario, like Cooper experiencing time dilation on a planet close to a black hole. Once you realize a lot of the science checks out—thanks to theoretical physicist Kip Thorne being involved—it completely shatters your reality.

3

Annihilation

Watch Annihilation on Paramount+

Not only did Annihilation freak me out because of its story, the nature of the Shimmer was kaledioscopic—alien, and yet familiar. It had me feeling like I was on a completely different planet, especially with the strange and bizarre ambient music that would definitely have a place on a list of movies with the most underrated soundtracks. The Shimmer was freaky in its own right, but what had me questioning my own reality was the characters and their self-destructive tendencies.

You want to imagine yourself making the right decision in these scenarios, but they’re so painfully human, you wonder if it’s simply in our nature to implode. And of course, the nature of consciousness on display here is the kind of existential crisis I like to chew on, especially when we’re dealing with alien life. I like to imagine humanity’s flavor of consciousness may not apply to life on other worlds.

2

Blade Runner 2049

Watch Blade Runner 2049 on Amazon Prime Video

You’d think Blade Runner has said everything it could on consciousness and identity, or that a sequel would only tread the same ground, but Blade Runner 2049 has a whole new kind of philosophy to grapple with. Now we follow the life of a replicant, who is also a blade runner, following clues that point to another replicant somehow giving birth.

Once again, Blade Runner 2049 contends with what it means to be human, the tricky nature of memories, free will, and the line between man and machine becoming almost indistinguishable. Despite being a replicant, K experiences human emotion, and because of that, I’d have a hard time arguing against him being conscious.

1

Crimes of the Future

Watch Crimes of the Future on Disney+

With its constant use of body horror, Crimes of the Future is not for the squeamish, I can tell you that much. In a future where humans are experiencing rapid evolution, no matter how minor the transformations are, the movie had me wondering what the future of human evolution would look like. After all, we may think ourselves static now, but in a few thousand years, it’s impossible to imagine how we’d behave or even look.

What’s most fascinating about the film is how the strange machines humans use to merely function, like the chair Saul sits in to help him digest, are merely tools of conformity. In a sense, the chair is a detriment to Saul’s identity and prevents him from truly evolving. Once the credits rolled, Crimes of the Future had me wondering what technology was stunting my own growth.

I adore movies that challenge reality and conventional thinking, like an exercise in philosophy and critical thinking. Often, they’re the most emotionally powerful movies too, and who doesn’t love a good cry? If and when you do check these movies out, bring a friend or two. They’re perfect for discussions!

With the lack of a Home button, modern iPhones are more gesture-based than ever before. Everyone knows about swiping up to go back to the Home screen or dragging down from the top-right corner to access Control Center, but there are lots of other iPhone gestures Apple doesn’t make so clear.

Whether they make common actions faster or unlock entire shortcuts you didn’t know were present, these gestures are worth learning. There aren’t as many gestures as the iPad offers, given the smaller screen, but they’re powerful all the same.

Drag and drop between apps

Dragging files, images, and other data between apps is easy with a mouse, but have you ever tried it on your iPhone? While it’s a bit clunkier with your fingers, it still works.

To drag and drop content between different iPhone apps, press and hold on an image, bit of text, link, or whatever else you want to reuse. While holding it with that finger, use another finger to go back to the Home screen, then open another app. Inside that app, keep using the second finger to navigate, then drop what you’re holding into the applicable spot.

Try using this to move text between group chats quickly, share links, or share an image from the web without downloading it first.

Hold the spacebar for a trackpad

Did you know your iPhone has a trackpad hiding in the keyboard? It’s a great utility, as it provides a more precise way to move the cursor instead of trying to tap the exact right spot.

To activate this, press and hold the spacebar while your phone’s keyboard is open. Once the keys turn blank, slide your finger around the keyboard area as needed to freely control the cursor.

Try it next time you need to correct a voice-typed message or navigate around a lot of text.

Three-finger swipe to undo/redo

By default, shaking your iPhone undoes the last action you took. However, I’ve long found this to be unreliable, plus it’s not always easy to perform. There’s a better way to undo and redo with a quick gesture.

To undo your last action, place three fingers on the screen and slide them to the left. If you want to redo that undo, swipe three fingers to the right instead. You’ll see Undo or Redo text at the top to confirm it was successful.

For example, if you accidentally delete a paragraph of text in Notes or Messages, perform the undo action to bring that text back. This is much easier than flailing your device around.

Three-finger pinch to copy, cut, and paste

Having three fingers on the screen unlocks yet more gestures you might not have known about. While you can perform standard cut, copy, and paste actions by selecting text and using the resulting tooltip, this isn’t the fastest method.

Instead, pinch with three fingers (in the same way you zoom in with two fingers) to copy the currently selected text. To cut instead (removing the text from its current position), perform this three-finger pinch gesture twice.

Then, once you’ve navigated to where you want to paste that snippet (and placed the cursor in the text box accordingly), reverse the three-finger gesture by “pinching out” (spreading). If you do it right, your copied or cut text will appear in its new home.

While not strictly gesture-based, there are also lots of little iPhone typing tricks that will also save you time.

Two-finger multi-selection

Next time you need to select a bunch of items in a row, don’t tap them one by one. Instead, adding a second finger lets you select lots of emails, message conversations, files, or other data.

For example, in the Mail app, use two fingers to press the first email, then immediately swipe down. Once you do this, you’ll see selection circles appear on the left side. Continue to slide your fingers down over the next items to swiftly select them.

If you hold your fingers at the bottom of the screen once you reach it, it will continue to scroll as long as there’s more. You can also select non-consecutive items by lifting your fingers, scrolling to the next area you want to select, then performing the gesture again.

The hidden shortcuts on your lock screen

Even the iPhone’s Lock screen hides a couple of gestures you might have missed or forgotten about.

Swiping in from the right side opens the camera; knowing this allows you to replace the redundant default Camera widget at the bottom-right. Customizing your Lock screen lets you replace that with something else, like the Calculator or a Shortcut.

Swiping in from the left opens the Today View, which is a collection of iOS widgets. If you haven’t taken the time to customize this, it’s worth setting it up so you can access this info without unlocking your phone.

Smaller gestures are all around iOS

There are lots of little gestures that aren’t as major as the above, but still help you navigate your iPhone faster. Try these out:

When you start scrolling on a long page, touch the scroll bar that appears on the right side of the screen. Slide this to scroll much faster; this saves effort compared to making repeated huge swipes.

In Safari, you can jump to the tab overview page by performing the two-finger “pinch out” gesture (used to zoom out) when already zoomed out.

In many apps, press and hold on a link to open a small preview of it. This lets you see what’s linked without opening a new tab or switching apps.

In apps that show the Back menu at the top-left, you can press and hold on the text to show the breadcrumb trail, then let go to select. For example, if you’re two pages deep in Settings, this lets you go back to the main Settings page without tapping twice.

Tap the top-center center of your iPhone’s screen (around the Dynamic Island on modern iPhone models) to scroll to the top of the page. This is a huge time-saver when you’ve scrolled to the bottom of a massive page.

If you’re into gestures, you also shouldn’t forget about Back Tap, which lets you run two different actions of your choosing by tapping your finger on the back of your phone.

I love Spotify Wrapped, as do most Spotify users. The stats are fun to look at, and it’s great to compare your data with your friends and family. When Wrapped rolls out towards the end of November each year, my socials are filled with people comparing their most listened-to tracks and artists, or marveling at how Spotify classifies genres, with some truly wild word-salad combos.

But it’s just not enough.

I wanted to know about all of my Spotify stats; just how much Spotify have I listened to since I created my account? That’s where Spotigraph, the Spotify Data Visualizer, comes in.

The Spotify Data Visualizer is the ultimate version of Spotify Wrapped

It’s time to see everything you’ve listened to, ever

Most Spotify users have had the question once: how many minutes of music have I streamed on Spotify, ever? Or, what was my favorite album and song a decade ago?

Spotigraph is the solution you’ve been waiting for. It takes your extended Spotify listening history and turns it into a customizable graph spanning the ages, letting you delve into that giant Spotify nostalgia pool you’ve been dying to dive into.

Download your extended Spotify Account data

This process can take a few days to complete

The Spotify Data Visualizer requires your full Spotify listening history. Depending on how long you’ve been using Spotify, this can take a day or two to prepare. You also need to request this data through your Spotify account in a web browser. It’s not accessible through the Spotify desktop or smartphone app.

1. Head to your Spotify account.
2. Then, head to Account > Security and Privacy > Account Privacy.
3. Scroll down to Account Data and select Select Account data.
4. Next, underneath, select Select Extended streaming history. Note that this section warns “Preparation time 30 days,” but mine was delivered within 48 hours.
5. Once selected, scroll down and select Request data.

You’ll receive an email on your linked Spotify profile when the data is ready. Download the file, and you’re ready to go.

You don’t need to extract the data from the archive for the next part of the process to work.

How to use the Spotify Data Visualizer to see everything you’ve ever listened to

You’re about to step back in time—I hope you had good taste

Once you have your data, head over to the Spotify Data Visualizer. This is where the fun really begins.

Drag your Spotify data file into Spotigraph and drop it onto the area marked Click to upload or drag and drop.

The magic starts almost immediately, as your entire listening history begins to whizz past your eyes. Spotigraph’s bars start populating the screen, starting from the moment you created your Spotify account. I’ve been using my Spotify account for 14 years, so there is a fair amount of music to trawl through, though I was a more sporadic user in the early years, before I had a Premium account. The video below shows my entire history from start to finish.

It also highlights how I get really stuck on certain songs, or where they are typically placed in playlists, often at the top. One of my top listened-to songs, Raphael Treza’s Noizy Birdz, is the first track on my go-to Spotify concentration playlist, so it gets played all of the time. My absolute top track (which I wasn’t expecting), Todd Terje’s Inspector Norse features on several of my go-to playlists, frequently appears on Spotify’s Daylists, and is served up by Spotify’s AI DJ.

I find my all-time listening stats for artists interesting, too. Like the songs, specific artists capture moments in your life, and it’s nice to look back on that. Really, though, it shows that over time, my listening has become more siloed into fewer genres, and I’m probably not as experimental as I once was.

For me, it also shows that I used to listen to albums more thoroughly; these days, I tend to use Spotify’s various playlists and listen to many different single tracks, rather than sitting down and really engaging with the music properly. In itself, that’s telling. I was at a tech show with a friend, and he talked about listening to music as a specific activity, rather than as the side-dish to your daily life. It’s something I haven’t done for a long while, and Spotigraph is a great way to try and visualize how to fix it.

Fair warning, though, the artist data takes much longer to run than the songs. It took around 13 minutes for mine to complete. I’d guess that’s because the number of artists listened to on Spotify is really quite vast, especially if you use a lot of different playlists, genres, and so on. Still, it’s worth the wait. I’m genuinely blown away that I’ve listened to Kolsch for 62 hours.

Oh, and if you’re worried it’ll show all podcasts, don’t: the developer has specifically filtered out podcast content to show you just the music.

It’s not just about the all-time Spotify listening stats

What did you listen to on those big days?

I don’t know if the original creator of Spotigraph envisioned this, but one way I really like to use this data is to find out what I was listening to during some of the important moments in my life. Like, what tracks was I listening to on the day my kids were born? How about the day I got married, or when I turned 30 a few years back?

It’s a cool way to glimpse your musical past, when figuring out these small details are easily lost to time.

Give Spotigraph a try, and you’ll see your musical past

What will you uncover?

I’ve tried quite a few different apps that promise to reveal your full Spotify listening history, but Yobeast’s (the developer) is the first I’ve found that gives such a detailed view.

With that said, there are some improvements that would be super useful.

• Export the top 15 tracks and albums to a new Spotify playlist
• Show the artist for each song
• Scroll down to see more data. Once it’s gone from the screen, you can’t see it anymore, but it’s still being processed.
• Maybe something that shows us specific genres of music

Overall, Spotigraph is a great way to visualize your entire Spotify history. It’s almost like Spotify Wrapped cranked up to 11, and it really makes me wonder why Spotify hasn’t bothered rolling out a tool like this. It would be an instant hit!

I didn’t expect a note-taking app to change how I work. Apple Notes had always been “good enough”—free, simple, and built right into my iPhone. But one of my biggest frustrations was the lack of a proper Windows version. Sure, you can access Apple Notes through a web browser, but it’s far from the seamless experience I wanted.

That’s not the only limitation, but it was the one that finally pushed me to look for an alternative notes app. Once I discovered Craft, I realized what I was missing. It gave me everything I liked about Apple Notes and then some. So much so that it’s now impossible for me to go back.

Why Craft feels different

And beautiful

When you open Craft for the first time, its clean interface may remind you of Apple Notes, but it’s in a different league. Beyond simply storing your thoughts, the app encourages you to shape, connect, and present them in ways that feel deliberate and polished.

The first thing that draws you into Craft isn’t a feature but the overall experience. From the moment you start typing, the clean design, elegant typography, and subtle animations make organizing ideas feel satisfying instead of tedious.

One of my favorite features is the ability to drag and drop elements anywhere on the page. Whether it’s a paragraph, table, or image, there’s no need to cut and paste. You simply grab it and drop it where it fits best. It feels natural, almost like the app anticipates what you want to do.

And then there’s the styling. Craft gives you all the options you’d expect and more. You can add colorful highlights, gradients, and different backgrounds, while the Decorations feature lets you format text in Blocks or Focus mode to make key ideas stand out.

The little features that make a big difference

Craft isn’t just a pretty face

Craft is packed with features that make your workflow smoother. One of the useful ones is notes within notes. Instead of juggling separate files or endless scrolling, you can nest ideas inside each other. For example, you might keep a main note for a project and then nest meeting notes, research snippets, or brainstorm ideas right inside it.

Another handy feature is AI-powered note assistant. With it, you can brainstorm ideas, summarize long notes in seconds, or even tweak your text for tone and style. It’s perfect for turning rough thoughts into polished sections without rewriting everything from scratch.

Craft plays nicely with the tools you already use. You can import all your reminders from Apple Reminders at once, pulling tasks, deadlines, and to-dos directly into Craft. This way, you don’t have to jump between apps or copy information manually.

Craft also lets you undo and redo changes even after you’ve saved and come back days later. I use this constantly when tweaking a project outline or experimenting with layouts, and being able to roll back to an earlier version takes the stress out of creative work.

Collaboration, cross-device availability, and export options

Perfect for teams and sharing

Collaboration is another area where Craft excels. Its Spaces feature lets you work with others in real time. You can share entire projects, brainstorm together, or build structured notes as a team. Changes appear instantly, which keeps everyone on the same page.

One thing you can’t compromise on when choosing a note-taking app is cross-platform availability. Craft works on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows, and even in a web browser. I use a Windows PC for work, and the PC version of the app is just as capable and smooth as its mobile counterparts.

While I usually don’t need to export notes, Craft has that covered too. When the occasion arises, you can export notes as Word (DOCX), PDF, or Markdown, which is perfect for sending polished documents to colleagues, publishing content, or backing up important projects.

The free version may not be enough

The only downside

Craft’s free plan is generous enough to give you a taste of what the app can do. You can create up to ten documents, enjoy 1GB of cloud storage, and even collaborate in real time. It’s perfect for testing the waters, seeing how notes feel in the app.

However, once you start using Craft regularly, the free plan may not be enough. Ten documents fill up faster than you’d think, especially as you begin nesting notes, adding images, or experimenting with layouts. And if you want to go beyond the basics and use advanced features like custom branding or an option to publish notes with a custom domain, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan, which starts at $8 a month.

If Apple Notes is a dependable notepad, Craft feels like a full creative studio for your thoughts. By the time you finish your first note, you realize Craft has done something Apple Notes never did: it makes you want to write, structure, and revisit your ideas. Of course, paying for a note-taking app isn’t worth it for everyone, but if you rely on your notes daily for work, Craft is worth every penny.

Hostage is a classic Netflix limited series. Full of tensions, twists, and turns, with some explosive (literally) moments to keep you attempting to figure it all out.

My only gripe is that it ended too soon, and as a limited series, there won’t be a follow-up. The clue is, of course, in the name.

So, if you’re like me, you’ll want to know exactly what to watch once you finish enjoying Hostage. Thankfully, there are heaps of British thrillers to keep you watching for weeks—and on the edge of your seat.

5

Line of Duty

Watch Line of Duty on HBO Max

The BBC’s biggest modern thriller, Line of Duty, is built on one simple question: who can you really trust?

Following the work of AC-12, the anti-corruption unit, every season dives into a new case of police misconduct, except nothing is ever straightforward. The series is famous for shocking reveals, interrogation scenes that feel like high-stakes chess matches, and cliffhangers that keep viewers glued.

Across six seasons, Line of Duty mastered the art of long-term mystery and explosive payoff, making it the gold standard for British thrillers. However, I’ll throw in one caveat to this series: it also made my most disappointing TV show endings list, too.

But even with that sobering point, there is some good news about Line of Duty. Series 7 is due to hit screens in 2026, and could finally resolve who the mysterious “H” is (because we all know the person revealed in Series 6 is just not the one!).

4

Missing You

Watch Missing You on Netflix

I’m fairly certain I’ve watched every one of Netflix’s dramatizations of Harlan Coben’s thrillers. Missing You is the latest addition to the long-running series, and it’s definitely up there with the best.

Detective Kat Donovan’s (Rosalind Eleazar) life is thrown upside down when she spots her long-lost fiancé on a dating app—the same man who vanished more than a decade earlier. That discovery rips open old wounds, including the unsolved murder of her father, and drags her into a conspiracy that blurs the line between past and present.

Like all of Coben’s dramatizations, Missing You blends emotional rawness and depth with twists, suspense, and considerable intrigue. There are multiple layers to unpack here, and as soon as one is revealed, more arrive to darken the waters again.

With only five fast-paced episodes, it’s a binge you can knock out in a weekend, but the story lingers thanks to its mix of heartbreak, betrayal, and Coben’s trademark “just one more episode” cliffhangers.

3

Luther

Watch Luther on Hulu

Luther is a proper British police thriller, with some really dark and violent moments to keep you pulled in.

Idris Elba’s portrayal of DCI John Luther is unforgettable. A brilliant detective with a mind for catching killers, but a soul weighed down by obsession and rage. Across its five seasons, the series explores what happens when a detective blurs the line between justice and vengeance, often breaking rules in pursuit of criminals who are as intelligent as they are terrifying.

And then there is the sociopathic presence of Alice Morgan (Ruth Wilson), a constant in the show who becomes both Luther’s nemesis and his confidant. Their wild, twisting relationship adds a whole extra level to what’s already a deeply engrossing, “just one more episode” crime show.

If you love Luther and want more, you should check out Luther: The Fallen Sun on Netflix. It features Elba as Luther once again, with some seriously dark, morally ambiguous moments. I’d love another Luther series, or at the very least, another film. In 2024, Screen Rant reported that Elba thought there was a good chance of another film, and that’s something I’ll have to cling to.

2

Vigil

Watch Vigil on Peacock

Vigil takes the classic police thriller format and places it in one of the most claustrophobic settings imaginable: a nuclear submarine. When a sailor’s mysterious death puts DCI Amy Silva (Suranne Jones) on board to investigate, she finds herself navigating not just a crime scene but also military secrecy, Cold War politics, and the ever-present danger of being trapped underwater.

It felt dark and dingy, constantly cold, and like every turn is a new trap, waiting to happen. It evokes a strong sense of atmosphere that strongly contributes to Vigil’s suspense, which only builds. As Silva digs deeper, she uncovers a conspiracy that reaches far beyond the submarine, connecting to national security and political interests back on land, ending in a dramatic tying of tales to give you some closure.

But then, Vigil returned with a second series, this time focusing on the Royal Air Force rather than the Royal Navy. It can be difficult for a series to keep the same pacing and style and maintain its intrigue, but Vigil pulls it off well. What I like is that some of the headline moments from Vigil feel like they could come straight from the front page of a newspaper on a given day, giving the show some real modern relevance in this complicated world.

1

Dept. Q

Watch Dept. Q on Netflix

The newest British thriller on the list is Dept. Q, an adaptation of a series of Danish novels written by Jussi Adler-Olsen.

Set in Edinburgh (instead of Copenhagen), it introduces us to DCI Carl Mørck (Matthew Goode), a detective reeling from a traumatic shooting that left one colleague dead and another paralyzed. As a form of damage control, he’s assigned to Department Q, a newly formed unit tasked with solving long-cold cases. What begins as a desk job quickly spirals into something much darker as Carl discovers that some of these forgotten cases are very much alive.

The British public loves a Scandi-noir crossover, and Dept. Q duly delivers, melding the dark storytelling with the pacing and style of a classic British thriller. Mørck is a complex character, haunted and abrasive, but unwilling to let victims be forgotten (in this, he reminds me a little of Bosch in some ways). He’s paired with Akram Salim (Alexej Manvelov), a newcomer who brings both cultural clashes and fresh energy to the department.

With its mix of personal trauma, unsolved mysteries, and conspiracies that refuse to stay buried, Dept. Q feels like the perfect next step after Hostage. It’s dark, layered, and addictive, with enough twists to keep even seasoned thriller fans on edge—and with a second season already confirmed, it’s only getting started.

British thrillers will keep you wanting more

I’m obviously biased, being from England, but British thrillers are some of the best TV you can watch. The balance of grit, tension, and intelligence makes it some of the best TV in the world, and with suspense built through character, dialogue, and a sense of realism, every twist hits harder.

Of course, there are plenty more British thrillers that could have (and maybe should have!) made this list. Bodyguard is one of the best in recent years, and really sets the standards high, while Marcella takes it a different direction with an unpredictable lead detective.

Then there are each of Netflix’s dramatizations of Harlan Coben’s books, which now stands at 11 and counting. It’s hard enough pinning down the best of those, let alone among other thrilling TV shows.

That’s the beauty of British thrillers: there’s always another gem waiting to be discovered—and whichever one you choose next, you’re in for a ride.

To be honest, building a spreadsheet from scratch can feel like you’re staring at a blank canvas with no idea where to begin. You know you need something to track your expenses, plan a project, or maintain a calendar, but the endless formatting, formulas, and fiddling often eat up more time than the task itself.

That’s why many people turn to ready-made Excel templates. After trying them myself, I realized I don’t need to reinvent the wheel every time I launch Excel. Templates save hours and spark ideas for layouts you wouldn’t have thought of on your own.

Now, instead of grimacing at a blank sheet all the time, I have a small library of favorites I use repeatedly.

Simple loan calculator and amortization table

Stop guessing loan payments

This template is exactly what it promises — simple. It has just a single sheet, and you only need to fill in four details: the loan amount, annual interest rate, loan period in years (use decimals for months — e.g., 0.5 for six months), and start date of the loan (today’s date is set by default, but you can change it).

Once you’ve entered the numbers, Excel does the rest. The template generates a clean payment schedule that shows exactly how much you’ll owe each month.

The figures are formatted in USD by default, but it’s easy to switch. Just select the cells (hold the Ctrl key to grab multiple at once) and expand the Number group on the Home tab. From there, choose Accounting, pick your preferred currency symbol, and click OK.

With this template, you don’t need to create or adjust formulas yourself. Everything is already built in, so after entering the numbers, you instantly get a straightforward breakdown you can understand at a glance.

Any year custom calendar

Build a calendar that fits your year

If you like having a calendar you can print, customize, and actually write on, this template is a gem. It comes with 13 sheets — one about page and 12 monthly sheets. The About page isn’t just instructions; it’s the engine that drives the whole calendar. Here, you’ll enter the year and pick your preferred starting day of the week (Sunday is 1, Monday is 2, and so on). Don’t delete this sheet, because the rest of the calendar depends on it.

Once you’ve set those options, the 12 monthly sheets automatically rearrange to match. Each month is neatly formatted and ready for printing. You can also change the look of the calendar by going to Page Layout –> Themes, or you can keep the default design. Either way, the layout is clean, professional, and easy to use.

I find the boxes big enough to jot down bills, deadlines, or daily reminders. You can even add notes directly inside the sheet, like typing in cell C6 for extra details, before printing the sheets. That makes it just as useful as a wall calendar, but with the bonus of being customizable and diary-like.

Monthly budget tracker

Keep your spending in check

This is the template I use the most. Every month, I compare my planned budget with what I actually spent, and this sheet makes that process far less painful. It comes with two tabs: a start sheet (basically an about page) and the tracker sheet, which is where all the action happens.

The Start sheet gives a quick overview of how the template works and explains some hidden notes built into the Tracker. Personally, I like leaving those instructions hidden because the layout looks cleaner that way. If you’re curious, you can just scroll through column A, and Excel will display the hidden text in the input bar. Alternatively, you can unhide the column, as it’s quite easy to do.

What I love most about this template is the organization. The spending categories make sense, and each one has a tidy set of rows underneath. You can edit them to fit your own expenses, but I’ve never needed to add more.

At the end of one month, I enter my projected income (in cells E4 and E5) and my projected costs (across the categories) for the coming month. As the new month goes on, I update my actual income (in cells E8 and E9) and plug in my actual costs. The template then calculates three numbers for you: your projected balance (projected income minus projected cost), actual balance (actual income minus actual cost), and the difference between the two.

I think it’s really cool to see your budget hits and misses at the end of the month in one fell swoop. I can’t say it’s helped me perfect my finances, but it definitely keeps me honest, and it pushes me to keep improving month after month.

Sales invoice tracker

Take the stress out of invoicing

Invoicing is one of those tasks that always seems harder than it should be. Between tracking customers, keeping invoices organized, and making sure the math is right, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This template reduces the stress by only requiring you to add your customers and their purchases.

The workbook comes with five sheets, each with its own job:

Here’s how I usually work with this template:

1. Add or update customer info in the Customers sheet by right-clicking the last filled row and selecting Insert.
2. Add or update rows in the Invoices – main sheet, assign an invoice number to each row, and select the client for each invoice from the dropdown list.
3. Head to the Invoice details sheet to enter the products or services tied to that invoice. Update the Invoice # column for each product or service by selecting an invoice number from the dropdown list.

Once you’ve filled in these three sheets (in the above sequence), the Invoice sheet updates automatically once you select an invoice number. If you need to record more than 25 items for an invoice, you’ll have to split the items across two or more invoices. However, in most cases, 25 items are enough.

Since this is Excel, you can also brand the template to match your business. Go to Page Layout –> Themes, pick a palette, and instantly make the whole thing look more on-brand.

Why start from scratch?

If you search Excel’s online template library, you’ll find almost anything — checklists, family trees, semester calendars, and even an online QR code generator template. The four I’ve shared here are simply the ones I use most often, but there’s no shortage of options.

These days, it’s rare for me to start with a completely blank spreadsheet. Sure, there are times when building something custom makes sense, but most of the time, I don’t have to. With thousands of ready-made templates just a few clicks away, Excel gives you a head start on almost any task and saves you from wasting time reinventing the wheel.

The default Google TV interface feels slick and modern at first glance. You get rows of recommendations, trending shows, and colorful banners clearly designed to help you discover new content. The problem is, these suggestions often don’t feel personal. Much of the screen is dominated by ads for shows you never asked to see or, worse, services you don’t even subscribe to. It feels less like your TV and more like a billboard you happen to own.

That’s exactly why I switched to Projectivity Launcher, and honestly, I don’t see myself going back. It wipes out the ads, speeds up navigation, offers deep customization options, and even adds handy features that the stock launcher simply doesn’t provide.

Google’s apps-only mode is good but not enough

It’s not without limitations

Google does offer an Apps Only Mode that cleans things up, but it’s really just a band-aid solution. Sure, turning it on scrubs away the sponsored content, but the trade-off is steep. You get a cleaner screen, but you lose the features that make a smart TV feel smart: voice commands stop working, installing new apps becomes impossible, and live TV integration disappears.

For something as central as the TV you use every day, that’s not a great set of choices. You can either live with a cluttered, ad-heavy experience or settle for a barebones interface that leaves out core features. Neither choice feels like a win.

Projectivity Launcher wipes out annoying ads

No more banners or unwanted promotions

One of the best things about Google TV is the freedom it gives you to switch things up. Unlike some locked-down platforms, you’re not stuck with the default experience if you don’t want it. That means you can install a third-party app like Projectivity Launcher and change the way your Google TV feels in just a few minutes.

Projectivity Launcher doesn’t waste your screen with giant banners, sponsored shows, or nagging promos for services you never asked for. Instead, you’re greeted with a clean, functional interface that puts your apps front and center. Right below that, you’ll find the Inputs menu, your Continue Watching section, and a few simple controls. That’s it.

But the benefits go beyond aesthetics. With Projectivity Launcher, your Google TV actually feels faster. And the reason is simple. The home screen isn’t wasting time pulling in ads or crunching recommendation algorithms.

It’s all about customization

Take full control

Google TV’s stock interface is basically one-size-fits-all, and if that size doesn’t fit you, too bad. Projectivity Launcher solves that problem by giving you the freedom to design the experience around your own habits.

The customization goes well beyond shuffling app order. You can decide whether you want everything in a single row or a grid layout, and even in grid mode you get to choose how many apps appear per row. If you have too many apps, you can organize them into categories like Favorites, Video, Music, and Games. Each category appears as a separate section on your home screen, and of course, you can rearrange them however you like for quicker access.

Another small but powerful touch is the ability to hide apps. Maybe there’s a service you rarely use, or one you’d rather not see on your main screen. With Projectivity Launcher, you can tuck it away just like you would on your phone.

If you dive into the Projectivity Launcher settings, you’ll find options to customize the status bar, resize the clock, change the wallpaper, and fine-tune other details until the interface feels just right. This level of control lets you configure your TV exactly the way you want.

Where Projectivity really pulls ahead

The bonus features you didn’t know you needed

Having used Projectivity Launcher for a while, the idea of switching back to the stock Google TV interface feels unthinkable. It’s not just about removing ads or clearing clutter, but also about the extra features that make everyday use much more seamless.

One of the most useful options is the ability to auto-open an app on boot. For instance, if Netflix, YouTube, or Plex is the first thing you launch every time you power on your TV, you can set up Projectivity Launcher to open the app automatically.

There’s also built-in support for sideloading apps directly. Instead of transferring the APK file manually from your phone to TV, you can install apps by entering the URL. And then there’s the parental control option. With a simple lock, you can secure the launcher’s settings and layout so nothing gets rearranged or deleted by accident.

When you add it all up, Projectivity Launcher isn’t just a replacement for Google TV’s default interface—it puts you back in control of your experience. The best part is that most of these features are available in the free version. If you want extra perks like custom icons and display profiles, you can upgrade to the premium version for a one-time fee of around $8.

Apple has always struggled with how to bridge the gap between its Pro and base iPhones. While models like the iPhone 5c and XR were clearly budget versions, the bridging attempts really started with the Mini models in the iPhone 12 and 13 series, offering a smaller, more affordable option. Then came the Plus models with the iPhone 14, giving a bigger screen without pushing you into the Pro lineup.

Now, in its latest attempt, Apple has introduced the Air branding to the iPhone. It’s easily one of the most puzzling iPhones I’ve ever seen. On paper, it’s a technical marvel, but I’m still not sure who it’s meant for.

The iPhone Air is Apple’s newest gamble on form over function

It’s like Jony Ive never left

Apple seems to have taken a trip down memory lane this year by putting design front and center once again, instead of focusing on genuinely useful features. The entire pitch for the iPhone Air is that it’s insanely light and thin; I’ll admit that, from an engineering standpoint, it is impressive. At just 5.6 millimeters (0.22 in) thick, it’s even thinner than the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge and weighs only 165 grams (5.8 oz).

It also gets all the fancy features from the higher-end models, like the smooth ProMotion screen, an always-on display, and even the upgraded selfie camera. It comes with the latest A19 Pro chip found in the iPhone 17 Pro, though with one less GPU core. Combined with the all-new design and these features, it looks like a compelling package on paper.

It reminds me of Steve Jobs introducing the original MacBook Air by pulling it out of an envelope. This feels like the smartphone version of that moment, where Apple is all about making something impossibly thin and sleek.

But at the same time, this is also a familiar story. Apple has a history of prioritizing form over function, which usually comes with major compromises. A great example of this from the past is the iPhone 7, which was the first model to remove the headphone jack. One of the reasons given for that decision was to achieve a thinner profile.

The new design comes at a cost

Thinner isn’t always better

For starters, the iPhone Air only comes with one camera, which is the same as the main camera on the standard iPhone 17. It’s a Fusion camera, so you can still zoom in and take 2x photos by cropping from the 24MP sensor down to 12MP without losing much quality.

Where it really lets you down is the missing ultrawide lens. That’s a feature that’s pretty important for many people, and what makes it even worse is that you can’t shoot macro photos on this iPhone either.

Battery life is another area where you might have to compromise. During the keynote, Apple mentioned that the iPhone Air can get 40 hours of video playback, but that’s with the new $99 iPhone Air MagSafe Battery. It didn’t inspire much confidence when the battery life had to be advertised with an external accessory.

There are even smaller corners cut that you won’t find on the product pages. For example, the iPhone Air only has one speaker, meaning you miss out on stereo sound, and it also lacks mmWave 5G support. But what really kills the deal for me is the $999 price tag.

The other iPhones are better deals

You’ll get more bang for your buck

All those compromises are something you might be able to live with, but what really bothers me is that the other iPhones seem like a better deal. The iPhone 17 starts at the same base price of $799 and offers a lot more.

For starters, you get the same main camera along with a 48MP ultrawide lens. That means you also don’t have to settle for missing out on macro shots, and you can also shoot videos using Cinematic mode.

It also comes with a bigger battery, plus slightly faster MagSafe charging, better speakers, mmWave 5G, and more for $200 less. In the end, you’re getting more features at a lower price. Even the display is the same, with the only difference being that the iPhone Air is 0.2 inches bigger.

The irony is that the iPhone 17 has an aluminum body instead of the titanium body used in the iPhone Air. Since aluminum has a lower density than titanium, the Air only manages to be 12 grams (0.42 oz) lighter. So the only real advantage it offers is how it feels in your hand and its design.

Apple

The titanium frame is mainly for durability, but it comes with another downside: thermals. That makes it a good lead into the iPhone 17 Pro. After two years with titanium, Apple switched the Pro iPhones back to an aluminum unibody frame for better heat management, along with a newer vapor chamber. These are features the iPhone Air doesn’t have, even though it shares the same A19 Pro chip.

Even setting these issues aside, the iPhone 17 Pro is just $100 more and offers a lot more compared to the iPhone Air. It has better cameras, a larger battery, and improved thermals. The value clearly leans toward the Pro and the base iPhone 17.

A gorgeous phone that asks for some sacrifices

I do believe the Air is the most visually stunning iPhone Apple has ever made, but it still hasn’t been enough to convince me to give up other features for the look and feel. That said, if you can live with the trade-offs and you prioritize design, the iPhone Air is the perfect phone for you.

What I feel is that the iPhone Air is Apple’s new testing ground. It’s a way to experiment with how this design could trickle down to other iPhones. It’s also likely laying the groundwork for something bigger down the line, such as a foldable iPhone.

Every time I see a flat-panel TV installed without a soundbar, I ask myself, “Why?” They’re sleek, relatively inexpensive, easy to install, and far more powerful than built-in TV speakers. However, while most sound good right out of the box, your soundbar can perform much better with just a few quick adjustments.

While a soundbar will significantly improve the audiovisual experience without the bulk of a full home theater system, with a few simple placement tweaks and some fine-tuning, it’s possible to unlock its full potential. Whether you’re watching movies, gaming, or listening to music, optimizing your soundbar will help you achieve clearer dialogue, deeper bass, and a more immersive soundscape overall.

5

Position your soundbar correctly

Achieve clearer dialogue and a more balanced soundstage

Placement plays an important role in sound quality. If your soundbar is blocked by furniture, positioned too low, or pushed against a wall, it won’t project sound effectively. Ideally, your soundbar should sit at ear level and centered in the room; however, this is often not practical, as your TV should be at eye level.

Placing your soundbar directly below the TV is usually fine, but consider angling it slightly upwards for optimal projection. If you are wall-mounting it, ensure that it doesn’t sit too high above the viewing position. Be aware that placing it inside a cabinet or enclosure can cause muffled audio or distort the bass. Proper positioning enables sound waves to travel freely, resulting in clearer dialogue and enhanced surround sound and spatial audio.

4

Adjust your TV and soundbar settings

Dive into your hidden features for sharper, more customized audio

Jack Mitchell/MakeUseOf

Most soundbars include some form of audio enhancement, such as sound modes, equalizers, or dialogue enhancement, that should be tweaked to suit your viewing habits and living space. You should also check your TV’s audio output and ensure it’s set to “auto,” “bitstream,” or “passthrough” rather than “PCM” to allow the soundbar to handle the audio processing, rather than your TV.

Changing your soundbar’s preset modes, such as “Movie,” “Music,” and “Game,” can make a significant difference. I often toggle between these if my audio sounds flat, or, if necessary, manually tweak my soundbar’s EQ to boost its clarity. Many models also offer a dedicated voice or dialogue mode that enhances speech, making it easier to follow conversations without needing to increase the volume.

3

Use HDMI ARC or eARC instead of optical

Experience higher-quality sound formats with improved connectivity

Johnnie Rik/Shutterstock

It may not be the first solution that comes to mind, but the type of audio connection is a crucial factor in determining sound quality. Optical cables are good enough, but if you really want to optimize your sound quality, consider using HDMI ARC or eARC connectivity. These provide a superior signal path that supports advanced audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

An HDMI ARC or eARC connection ensures that your soundbar receives uncompressed audio from your TV or media device. To achieve the best performance, eARC typically needs to be enabled in your TV’s audio settings. It’s also a good idea to spend a little extra on HDMI cables, and switching to HDMI ARC can make a big difference by unlocking more immersive sound.

2

Add a subwoofer or surround speakers

Create deeper bass and a truly immersive surround experience

Jack Mitchell/MakeUseOf

Many soundbars, including my own, are sold as part of a package that includes a subwoofer. If yours supports expansion, consider adding one, as this will significantly improve your sound quality by deepening the bass response, making action scenes, low-end atmospherics, and sound effects more dynamic.

Rear speakers, on the other hand, create a true surround sound effect, dramatically improving the immersive experience and giving your home a theater-like feel. While these can be tricky to install, wireless options are available, or you could opt for a soundbar that delivers 3D spatial audio, such as DTS:X, or Dolby Atmos, as a compromise.

1

Reduce interference and room echo

Enjoy cleaner, more natural sound tailored to your room

Dima Moroz / Shutterstock

This last suggestion is often overlooked, but your room’s acoustics significantly affect how soundbars perform. Hard surfaces reflect sound, so placing it close to bare walls, glass tables, and tiled floors can create echoes and muffled dialogue. To counter this, keep your soundbar clear of solid obstructions and place it in proximity to soft furnishings, such as curtains, rugs, or wall hangings.

Some soundbars offer room calibration via a built-in microphone or companion app. In this instance, ensure you run it to tailor the audio output to your living space. If you change the layout of your room or reposition large objects, be sure to recalibrate your device. Reducing interference and improving acoustics are among the most effective ways to enhance your soundbar’s audio quality without incurring additional costs.

Don’t settle for a “good enough” sound

You don’t need to be a technical wizard or make expensive upgrades to significantly improve your soundbar’s performance. It might be as simple as adjusting the audio mode, repositioning the unit, or selecting the correct audio connection. Expanding with a subwoofer and/or satellite speakers can make a real difference to your sound, albeit at a cost. Meanwhile, reducing echo and calibrating your soundbar to your room will ensure that your setup remains optimized.

These steps can transform your soundbar from a “good enough” system to a true sonic powerhouse that will revolutionize your audiovisual experience with added clarity and real immersive impact.

When I bought my Samsung phone, I didn’t think much about how much data it was sending out. By default, Samsung can link your account to ads, and Google can save your searches, locations, and app activity. These are some of the default Android settings that threaten your privacy and share more than you expect.

The good news is you don’t have to leave all of that running. A few setting changes can block many of the biggest tracking sources, and it takes only a few minutes.

Pause Google’s activity tracking

Keep your daily habits private

Google records a lot of what happens on your phone. Searches, the apps you open, your routes in Maps, and even the videos you watch on YouTube are stored in your account by default, adding to how much Google already knows. Over time, this builds a timeline of your daily habits.

To change this:

1. Open Settings on your Samsung phone, scroll down to Google, tap your Gmail ID, and select Manage your Google Account.
2. Go to Data and privacy.
3. Under History settings, you’ll see three options: Web & App Activity, Timeline, and YouTube History. Open each one and turn it off (or Pause, where shown). You can also clear your past Google activity if you want to remove what’s already saved.

Once you’ve done this, the new activity won’t be logged into your account. Maps and YouTube still work, but without the constant tracking behind the scenes.

Reset or delete your Google advertising ID

Remove the ID advertisers rely on

Every Android phone has a unique advertising ID. Apps use it to follow your activity across different services, building a profile even when you’re not signed in. It works in the background, tying together what you do in different applications.

To remove it:

1. Open Settings on your Samsung phone, go to Security and privacy, then More privacy settings.
2. Tap Ads and choose Delete advertising ID, then confirm.

From that moment, your phone no longer provides an ID for tracking. If you’d rather reset than delete it, choose Reset advertising ID. That clears the old one and creates a fresh ID, breaking the link to your past activity.

Turn off Samsung’s personalized ads

Remove ads tied to your account

Samsung includes a feature called the Customization Service that links your account activity to targeted ads and recommendations. It collects details from how you use Samsung apps and services, then tailors ads based on that behavior.

To turn it off:

1. Open Settings and tap your Samsung account at the top.
2. Go to Security and privacy, then Privacy, and open Customization Service. Toggle off the options you see there, and Samsung will stop using your account data to shape ads.

The ads themselves won’t disappear, but they’ll become generic instead of being tied to your specific habits.

Stop sending diagnostics to Samsung

Keep diagnostics data private

Samsung phones don’t just send advertising data. In the background, they can also share diagnostic reports that include crash logs, performance details, and general usage information. Samsung says this helps improve its software, but it also means regular reports leave your device without you noticing.

To check this:

1. Open Settings, go to Security and privacy, then More privacy settings.
2. Tap Send diagnostic data and turn it off. From then on, those reports won’t be shared automatically.

Turning this off doesn’t affect how your phone works day to day. All features keep working as usual, and if you ever need to, you can still submit a report manually through the Samsung Members app.

Control which apps know your location

Share location only when necessary

Location is one of the most sensitive permissions on any phone. Navigation or ride-hailing apps need it to work properly, but plenty of others request it even when it adds little value.

To review these permissions:

1. Open Settings, go to Security and privacy, then More privacy settings.
2. Choose Permission manager, select Location, and you’ll see every app that has asked for access.
3. For any apps you don’t fully trust, change the permission to While using the app or Don’t allow.

You’ll also find a toggle for Use precise location. Turning it off limits apps to your approximate area instead of your exact spot. With these adjustments, your location is shared only with the apps you trust, and only when you choose to do so.

Stop Google from collecting usage & diagnostics

Turn off hidden background sharing

Google collects more than just your searches and location. It also gathers usage and diagnostics data, including app performance, battery levels, and system activity. The company frames this as a way to improve Android, though it results in technical information leaving your phone regularly.

To review this:

1. Open Settings, go to Security and privacy, then More privacy settings.
2. In the Google section, tap Usage & diagnostics and toggle it off.

Your phone will stop sending any usage and diagnostic data once this is done.

Keep checking, stay private

These are the settings I changed to prevent my Samsung phone from sending more data than necessary. But privacy on your phone isn’t something you fix once and forget. It works best when you treat it as a habit, checking in periodically to ensure the right switches are still off.

Updates can quietly reset defaults, and new apps often request more access than they actually need. Taking a few minutes every couple of months to review your settings is a simple way to stay in control.

One of the hardest lessons I learned shortly after I started my Plex server was to never ignore organizing your library. It’s one of those tidbits you wish someone would tell you before you start using Plex, but live and learn, right? Having a good foundation beforehand is important and will literally save you hours, possibly days, of backtracking and fiddling.

However, there’s one app that was particularly great at not only putting the finishing touches on my library, but it also helped fix cover images, artwork, subtitles, and even the naming scheme. If you’re going to run your own Plex server, FileBot double-checks your work so you don’t have to.

FileBot is a simple but effective double-checker

It’s like my second-in-command

FileBot isn’t a Plex plugin or an add-on, but a separate app, so you won’t need to fiddle with Docker (although you still have that option). You download the app and use it to locate your library folders, though there is a choice between a one-year or lifetime license. Installing it is still free, but a license is required for continued use. However, older versions also work, as long as you avoid updating them.

What you do with FileBot is have it scan your Plex library for the sake of mass organizing your media. Did you make the same mistake I did and haphazardly name movies and TV shows? Did you bother creating enough folders? Maybe your media is missing cover photos (or needs new ones) or lacks subtitles? FileBot rectifies those mistakes by fetching metadata that Plex might have missed.

Fixing the problem with cover images

Sometimes Plex doesn’t get it right

It’s not that Plex is bad at grabbing cover images, but it doesn’t always get it right. For example, I have Clash of the Titans on my server. Which one, you ask? Well, Plex incorrectly chose the cover art from the 2010 remake, when it’s actually the original film from 1981, in all its stop-motion glory.

Ideally, you want to do this before you rename your media files so you can knock out two birds with one stone. On the right-hand side, in the Rename tab, click Settings—the tiny wrench and screwdriver icon, then open Post Process.

Make sure Fetch artwork and Fetch cover images are check-marked, then click OK. When you’re ready to rename your media files, FileBot will also download images. More importantly, Plex will look nice and organized when everything is said and done.

Unifying my Plex library’s naming scheme

This is what I get for being lazy

The most powerful use case for FileBot, and the biggest reason I needed to use it, was to fix the really poor naming scheme I had going. I was far too careless with how files were named, like the lack of capitalization, using abbreviations, or just a lack of basic episode structure. It was downright frustrating finding a specific episode because I had duplicate names or failed to specify the number.

FileBot can take my entire Plex library and rename it with just a few clicks. Additionally, you can adjust the way movies, shows, and even music are formatted. Click Rename on the left-hand side, then Load at the bottom, and locate a folder you want to edit. On the right-hand side, click Fetch Data, then Edit Format from the menu.

Here’s where you can either write your own script or pick any of the formats already written under Examples. Also, on the bottom-left, use the arrows to switch between content types, like movies, TV shows, and music. Clicking on the line of code will then set the format, and you can finalize with Use Format. Exit the menu, then highlight every file on the left. Click Match, then finalize with Rename. It’s that easy!

I save time downloading subtitles

You can pick and choose a lot of languages

Depending on the software you use, ripping DVDs can be a lengthy and tedious process. I find it to be the worst part of setting up your Plex server, as you’re limited to playing a single movie at a time. So, what I do is limit the number of assets I have to rip, which means goodbye subtitles. However, this does introduce another problem: I like subtitles, especially when I’m watching anime in its original language.

Luckily, FileBot can help me out with that, too; in fact, I find it easier to rip a couple of movies without subtitles, then download them after and even snag a couple of languages the original DVDs may not have. You will need an OpenSubtitles account, though, since that’s where FileBot pulls translations from. The way it works is so simple, and I attribute that to FileBot’s basic UI.

On the left-hand side, click on Subtitles. You can then log into your OpenSubtitles account using the little green button next to the language drop-down menu at the top. To the left of that is where you search for a specific movie, and the Find button to the right of the language drop-down menu is what you use to scan for subtitles. Double-click on any of the search results, and FileBot will download them right away.

I just love that FileBot is so easy to use

My Plex library would probably still be an awkward, uncoordinated mess if it weren’t for FileBot. What I do appreciate is how easy it was to rectify the inconsistencies in naming and artwork, given its surprisingly simple UI. I’ll gladly trade features if it means having an easier time installing an app and navigating the menus.

You probably tap your phone’s search bar dozens of times a day, but if you are only doing that to find and open apps, you’re missing out. If you have a Samsung phone, that app drawer search bar can do much more than just launch apps.

It can help you jump straight to YouTube videos, set alarms and timers instantly, locate documents, access downloads and screenshots, and even open hidden apps—all without digging through menus. And the best part is, you can customize it to exclude irrelevant content, manage search preferences, and make the results work exactly the way you want.

Find, message, and call people faster

The T9 feature in your dialer app makes it quick to pull up a number when you’re ready to call, but what if you want to send a text or fire off a WhatsApp message? That’s where the search bar makes life easier.

Type a name into the app drawer search, and the contact will appear right there in the results. Tap it, and you’re taken straight into the Contacts app. Under the App options section in the search results, you’ll see the WhatsApp option, so you can jump right into a chat. If you scroll a little further, the Phone section neatly shows your call history with that specific contact.

8

Search YouTube, Maps, and Play Store

Skip app launches and go straight to content

Your phone’s search bar is also your shortcut into Google’s biggest apps. Instead of opening YouTube, Maps, or the Play Store separately, you can just type what you need right into the search bar and jump straight to it.

Say you want to look up the recipe for chocolate lava cake. Instead of opening the YouTube app, waiting for it to load, and then typing your search, you can simply type “chocolate lava cake” into your phone’s search. You’ll see results that link directly to recipe videos on YouTube.

The same goes for apps and places. If you want to download a specific app from the Play Store or Galaxy Store, type its name, and the search bar will take you to that app’s page directly. Similarly, you can also search for directions or start navigation to saved places instantly.

7

Set alarms and timers instantly

Fast-track your timers and alarms

When you search for an app in the app drawer, your Samsung phone also shows helpful shortcuts. For instance, if you type in Clock, you’ll see handy shortcuts like Set Timer, Add Alarm, or even Start Stopwatch.

You can then select the option you need, and it will take you directly to that feature in the Clock app. This saves a few extra taps, so you don’t have to switch tabs or hunt for the right option.

6

Search for important documents

Locate files and PDFs in seconds

Hunting down a specific document on your phone often means scrolling endlessly through your Downloads folder or using the search option in the Files app. The app drawer search offers a faster, simpler alternative.

Type in the name of the file you’re after, and it will show up in the results without you even opening another app. Best of all, if you don’t remember the exact file name, you can still find it by searching for text inside the document itself.

Whether it’s a PDF or a Word document, your phone’s search bar can help you find it in seconds.

5

Jump to specific settings

Scrolling through endless menus just to tweak one option in your phone’s settings can feel like a chore. A better way is to search for a setting directly from the app drawer. Type in SIM Manager, Date and Time, or even the name of a useful Accessibility setting, and you’ll land straight on the right page.

For some features, like Adaptive brightness, the search results even give you a direct toggle, so you can switch it on or off without opening the full Settings app at all. It’s a neat little shortcut that makes managing your phone feel effortless.

4

Access downloads and screenshots quickly

One-tap shortcuts to your recent files

If there’s one thing you often find yourself hunting for on your phone, it’s downloads. Usually, that means opening the Files app and navigating through folders. But your Samsung phone’s search bar makes it much simpler.

Tap on the search bar and you’ll see a Downloads shortcut. Tap it, and you’ll be taken straight to your Downloads folder inside the Files app.

You’ll also notice a Screenshots shortcut, which takes you directly to the Gallery app. This can be useful if you often need to view or share screenshots for work.

3

Open hidden apps

No need to unhide them

Samsung phones let you hide apps from the app drawer, which is perfect for keeping certain apps private or simply decluttering your home screen. But hiding them doesn’t mean you have to go through the hassle of unhiding them every time you want to use them.

The app drawer search can help with that. Simply type the name of the hidden app in the search bar. You won’t see the regular app shortcut, but the app will appear under the App info section. Tap it, and you’ll land on the app info page in Settings. From there, you can use the Open option to launch the app. It’s an extra step, but it keeps your apps private while still giving you access when you need it.

If you prefer faster access, you can configure the app drawer to show hidden apps directly. Tap the three-dot icon next to the search bar in the app drawer, go to Settings, and enable the Show hidden apps toggle.

2

Clear or hide your search history

Keep your searches private and tidy

Your phone’s search bar is a powerful shortcut, but you might not want all of your recent searches showing up in the history.

To clean it up, tap the search bar and look for the Recent searches section. From here, you can remove individual entries by tapping the X next to each one. If you want a fresh start, tap Clear all to wipe your entire search history in one go.

If you don’t want your phone to save the search history at all, tap the three-dot icon next to search bar and select Settings. Then, turn off the Show search history toggle.

1

Exclude specific apps from search

Enjoy a cleaner, faster search

By default, the app drawer search shows relevant suggestions from all compatible apps on your phone. But not every app has to appear in those results—maybe you don’t want suggestions from Samsung Music or Netflix every time you type something.

Samsung makes it easy to control which apps appear. Open the search bar, tap the three-dot menu, and select Choose apps to search in. You’ll see a list of all your apps, and you can turn off the toggles next to any apps you don’t want showing up in search results.

This simple step keeps your search results cleaner and more focused, so you find what you need faster without distractions.

You can go even further by diving into the Finder settings menu. Here, you can remove extra items like Downloads and Screenshots shortcuts, web search results, or even topics from Settings.

Knowing what your phone’s search bar can do can save you time, taps, and endless scrolling. From jumping straight to apps, settings, and downloads to finding contacts, documents, and hidden features, it’s a tool that makes your Samsung phone feel faster and smarter.

I always thought journaling was something other people managed to keep up with. I’d start off motivated, scribbling in a paper notebook or jotting quick thoughts into my phone, but it never stuck for more than a week. Nothing gave me a reason to keep coming back.

But that changed the moment I tried Day One. What began as an experiment has grown into a daily habit, and now I can’t imagine journaling without it.

Journaling always felt out of reach for me

Tried often, quit every time

I liked the idea of journaling, but actually keeping up with it never worked. I’d hear people talk about it, helping them clear their minds or track their progress, and I wanted that for myself. The problem was, every time I tried, I gave up almost as quickly as I started.

I first gave it a shot with Samsung Notes, since it was already on my phone and easy to open. For a few nights in a row, I typed short reflections before bed or jotted down little things I didn’t want to forget. But the habit never lasted. After a week, the entries stopped. Opening it felt more like tossing scraps into a drawer than keeping a real journal.

A few pages would fill up, then the notebook would sit untouched. Every time, it left me wondering if journaling just wasn’t for me. The page felt too empty, and without prompts in the app or reminders set up, I rarely knew what to write beyond a line or two. Even when I tried again on paper, I only managed a short burst of entries before falling silent.

The one app that finally pulled me in

Day One made it stick

After so many failed tries, I wasn’t really looking for another journaling app. I’d convinced myself that journaling just wasn’t something I could keep up with. But when I came across Day One, I decided to give it a chance. From the moment I opened it, I could tell it was different. The design was clean and welcoming. Creating an entry was as simple as tapping a button, and I could start writing without worrying about formatting or where to put it. It already felt like a proper journal instead of another notes app.

What really made me stick with it were the small details. I could drop in a photo when I didn’t feel like typing, and each entry could automatically save the weather and location when I enabled it. Those touches gave my words a sense of context and importance. Looking back, an entry wasn’t just text on a page. With a photo, the weather, and the location attached, it carried the feeling of the moment in a way plain writing never could. However, adding more than one photo is part of the subscription.

Most of my entries are written, but you don’t have to stick to typing. Day One also lets you record your voice, which makes it easier to capture thoughts at the moment (available with Premium). Then I discovered the On This Day view. It resurfaced past entries from the same date in earlier years, turning my journal into a timeline I could actually revisit. That was the moment I knew this app had solved the problem I’d struggled with for so long.

Download: Day One for Windows | macOS | Android

From skipped entries to a daily habit

Prompts turned effort into routine

Before Day One, skipping a day usually meant I lost momentum. One missed entry turned into a week, and soon the notebook or app was set aside. Day One changed that cycle. Instead of relying solely on willpower, it provided me with small nudges, such as reminders and prompts, that made it easier to keep going. Even on busy days, I would add a note or a single photo just to stay consistent.

On days when I didn’t have much to say, a daily prompt gave me a place to start. Sometimes it was as simple as jotting down one thing I was grateful for, and that small entry was enough to keep my streak alive. Templates helped too, offering formats like a gratitude entry or daily summary that made writing feel less daunting and often encouraged me to write more.

The place my memories belong

Now that journaling has become part of my routine, Day One feels like the natural home for my memories. It isn’t just a place to store notes. It’s a real journal, and I notice that difference every time I open it.

Privacy matters to me, and Day One takes that seriously. My journals use end-to-end encryption, and on my iPhone I lock the app with Face ID. Knowing my entries are secure lets me write more freely. What began as a trial run is now part of my day, and Day One turned journaling into a routine I enjoy. It might do the same for you.

Microsoft has simplified the Start menu on Windows 11 to make it more search-friendly, much like a smartphone. Despite their best efforts, it’s clunky, has a micro delay during launch, and is a bit too basic for my needs.

I spent some time trying to customize the Start menu to navigate Windows better, but even with tweaks, it remained sluggish and limited. So, I decided to ditch my Start menu for Flow Launcher, an open-source app launcher, and I love it. It can find files, launch apps, run system commands, and even play my Spotify list without launching the app. Just what I needed for my keyboard-first workflow.

Launch and search everything

From apps to files, it can find anything

Flow Launcher makes launching apps and finding files ridiculously simple. Press Alt + Space, and it opens instantly with a satisfying tick sound that reminds me of the Netflix startup sound on a Smart TV.

To launch an app, type its name and hit Enter. But that’s just scratching the surface. Flow Launcher integrates with my favorite Windows search utility, Everything search, to find files instantly. Type any part of a filename, and it appears instantly. You can search for documents buried deep in folders, configuration files, or even files in System32 that Windows Search won’t touch.

The launcher also handles web searches without opening your browser first. Type your search query, and it defaults to Google. Install the Flow YouTube plugin from the Plugin Store, and you can add “YT” before your search to find videos from YouTube or even search within specific YouTube channels. The “S” prefix lets you search system settings. All of this happens from one place, without switching between different apps and windows.

Perfect for a keyboard-driven workflow

You can do a lot without reaching for your mouse

If you’re anything like me, you’ll love the keyboard-driven workflow that Flow Launcher offers. The entire experience keeps your hands on the keyboard, making everything incredibly fast once you get the hang of it.

Alt + Space brings up the launcher instantly. From there, the fuzzy search takes over—I can type sare for ShareX, and obsi for Obsidian, and Flow Launcher knows exactly what I want. Even when I completely butcher the spelling, it finds the right app. When multiple results show up, you can press Alt + Number (Alt + 1, Alt + 2, and so on) to pick what you need without reaching for the mouse.

Flow Launcher handles way more than just apps, though. Math equations, web searches, YouTube videos, system commands like shutdown or restart — it all works from the same search box. I don’t jump between different apps anymore or memorize special commands. Just type what you want in natural language, and more often than not, it’ll find what you need.

Plugins add a ton more functionality

It’s more than just an app launcher

Apart from the Everything Search plugin I mentioned earlier, Flow Launcher comes with pre-installed plugins like Browser Bookmark, Calculator, Explorer, Process, and Shell. However, you can extend the functionality by adding more plugins from the Plugin Store.

You can add a currency converter for quick conversions, integrate Todoist to add to-do tasks without opening the app, or access PowerToys utilities directly. The Spotify Premium plugin lets you play and control music entirely through keyboard commands. You can search for songs, pause, and skip all without opening Spotify.

For my games, the Steam Search plugin finds and launches games from the library instantly. There’s also integration with file explorer add-ons like QuickLook: press Space on any file in the search results to preview it without opening the app first.

Tons of customization options

Custom hotkeys and personalization

Flow Launcher is also highly customizable. You can configure your default file manager for opening folders and choose whether web searches open in new tabs, windows, or private mode. Similarly, choose a pre-defined theme, including Dracula, Sublime, and various dark and light options, to make it look like part of your desktop. You can adjust transparency, animation speed, and even the date format shown in the launcher.

The Hotkey tab is where you set different shortcuts for specific plugins or actions. I’ve configured mine to replace the Windows key entirely, so pressing it now opens Flow Launcher instead of the Start menu. You can set hotkeys for direct calculator mode, file search only, or any specific plugin.

Each plugin has its own settings, too. You can change prefix keywords, adjust search parameters, and fine-tune behavior to match your preferences.

Flow launcher fits my workflow

For someone like me who works with multiple apps every day, does a ton of web searches, watches YouTube videos, tweaks system settings, and has a very heavy keyboard-dependent workflow, Flow Launcher works like magic.

Flow Launcher responds instantly, searches accurately, and handles multiple tasks from one interface. The Start menu isn’t terrible, but Flow Launcher shows what a modern launcher should be — fast, extensible, and completely keyboard-driven.

The learning curve is minimal since basic usage is intuitive. And as you discover more features and add plugins that match your workflow, it becomes indispensable.

With the right tools and a smart approach, you can use lighting to transform how any space looks. I did just that without the complexity or mess of traditional methods.

Why lighting makes all the difference

In my case, I had two primary goals. First, I wanted the items in my display tower to feel genuinely showcased, rather than lost in shadows. Second, I had a classic china cabinet—beautiful on its own, but nearly invisible after dark. Rather than flooding either space with light, I wanted a soft, even glow that felt intentional and refined.

Like many, I’d seen LED installations online, but most involved soldering irons, an array of essential power tools, and a level of precision that I didn’t have time for. I needed a cleaner, simpler solution that could be done in a small space and in a short amount of time. Below is a full walkthrough of how I brought this idea to life.

Materials I used (and what to avoid)

Before mounting anything or cutting any strips, it’s critical to assemble the right materials. Fortunately, the list is short and straightforward.

Required:

Optional (but helpful):

• A drill with a large wood bit
• Cable clips or adhesive guides to route wires discreetly

Traditional wire strippers can be difficult to use with 2-conductor wire, so you may want to opt for an automatic or self-adjusting wire stripper. Also, avoid LED accessories without adhesive backing, unless you’re prepared to use a lot of double-sided tape.

Plan your layout carefully

Before making any physical changes, I spent time mapping out the layout. This is where you’ll measure your shelves, decide how many LED strip segments you’ll need, and determine how wires will run between them.

Tyler Fyock/MakeUseOf

In my display tower, I had five horizontal shelves. I planned to install two LED strips beneath each one, casting light downward. This meant connecting all fifteen strip segments in series, each powered from the same source. That’s where the 2-conductor wire became essential.

Cut and test your LED strips

Each LED strip is marked with designated cut points, which look like small copper pads spaced at regular intervals. You can only cut at these points; cutting elsewhere will render the strip unusable.

Tyler Fyock/MakeUseOf

After measuring, I cut each strip to match the length of the individual shelves. The distance between the copper pads likely won’t line up perfectly with your measurements, so be sure to cut them to the shorter interval so they can fit in the available space.

Clip connectors for solder-free connections

Clip-on connectors are the key to this entire setup. They have small teeth on them that dig directly into the ends of the LED strips, making contact with the copper pads. On the other side, they have specially designed spikes that make contact with your wire ends and hold them securely.

Tyler Fyock/MakeUseOf

Here’s how to use them:

1. Open the flat side of the connector.
2. Slide the LED strip into place beneath the metal teeth, aligning it properly so that they dig into the + and – terminals (the copper pads).
3. Snap it closed—you’ll feel and hear it click.
4. Open the side of the connector with the two small holes.
5. Insert the red and black wires into the holes, ensuring proper polarity.
6. Snap that shut as well to secure the wires in place.

In under a minute, you’ve made a solid, functional connection without any soldering, electrical tape, or specialized tools.

Drill discreet holes for wire routing

Visible wires can detract from even the most well-lit installation. To keep the look clean, I drilled holes near the back corners underneath each shelf. These holes were just wide enough for the wire connectors to pass through, and allowed me to route the cable more discreetly out the back of my display tower.

Tyler Fyock/MakeUseOf

Before drilling, I measured and marked everything carefully, which is particularly important when working with older or delicate wood. In the case of my china cabinet, I used painter’s tape to guide my placement, then drilled roughly one inch in from each side.

If you’re working with open shelving, consider drilling additional holes or using slim cable raceways.

Mount components securely

Once all strips had been tested and cut, I peeled off the adhesive backing and pressed each strip firmly underneath the shelves. The adhesive is incredibly strong, but applying steady pressure helps ensure a lasting bond.

Tyler Fyock/MakeUseOf

For the connector clips themselves, I added my own double-sided mounting tape to reinforce them under the shelves. This held perfectly.

With everything in place, I ran the wires underneath the edges of each shelf and connected them all to the power source. I then plugged the adapter into the wall, and the entire lighting system came to life.

How to achieve a professional-looking result

A few key details can make all the difference between a lighting job that feels amateur and one that feels built-in. If a wire was visible from the front, I adjusted its path, moved it behind a panel, or secured it using painter’s tape in a discrete area. The goal is a clean, unobtrusive finish; you’ll want to conceal every wire in the setup.

Tyler Fyock/MakeUseOf

Similarly, you’ll also want to hide LED light dots. Some lower-density LED strips display noticeable hotspots or gaps. Although I chose this type of LED strip, there are plenty of high quality LED strips that offer smoother, more consistent illumination. The low-density ones still work great, as long as the strips themselves aren’t visible.

Choose warm or cool light based on ambiance. My general rule is the fancier the setup, the cooler the light. Opt for cooler tones if you’re illuminating a modern kitchen or china cabinet. Otherwise, you should choose something on the warmer end of the spectrum.

An inline dimmer switch gives you added control and can be a nice touch in a dark room. In the evenings, I often reduce the brightness to create a more ambient mood without overpowering the space.

Tyler Fyock/MakeUseOf

Tyler Fyock/MakeUseOf

Tyler Fyock/MakeUseOf

The final result exceeded my expectations without any burns, smoke, or melted plastic. Now, the ambient glow highlights my collectibles and china beautifully, adding depth and character to the room. Best of all, the modular design means I can expand or modify it in the future with minimal effort.

If you’re ready to enhance it further, consider adding motion sensors or syncing it with additional smart devices. There are lots of other stunning LED DIY projects you can try out. However you decide to set them up, you’ve taken full control of your lighting.

In 2025, Waze still stands out by focusing solely on one goal: getting you where you’re going fast. Unlike Google Maps’ exploratory approach, Waze navigates real-time traffic and offers community features that save you time.

7

Waze doesn’t play it safe, and that’s the point

While Google Maps may pretend to be a guidebook or prioritize the most “comfortable” route, Waze cuts through the jargon. Instead, it acts like a copilot who’s just as impatient as you are. It’ll take you through alleys, across a dirt road, or up a winding mountain if it means shaving minutes off your ETA. It’s an aggressive navigation app, and that’s exactly why I prefer it.

Google Maps leans on more predictable paths. It tends to stick to primary roads and is often less responsive to emerging traffic. That cautious nature means you’ll sometimes be sitting in a jam that Waze would’ve dodged five minutes ago.

The difference is real-time trust. Waze relies heavily on its users’ reports and uses that information immediately. Google wants to verify, while Waze adapts before your foot hits the brake.

If you value getting from point A to point B with zero fluff, Waze has your back. It doesn’t worry about how pretty the drive is; it cares about delivering results. Once you try Waze, you’ll never switch back to Google Maps.

6

A living network of drivers

The core of Waze’s success lies in its shared data among drivers. Waze taps into thousands of live users who constantly flag what’s happening on the road. These can be reports of potholes, crashes, stalled vehicles, construction zones, speed traps, and more.

When someone up ahead reports a police officer hiding on the shoulder, you’ll know instantaneously. Additionally, the system encourages accuracy by prompting others to confirm or dismiss alerts, which means the info I’m receiving is up-to-date and accurate. Waze doesn’t offer a passive experience like many other navigation apps.

With Google Maps, those kinds of insights are present but diluted. They’re usually buried, vague, or delayed. Waze’s version is bold, obvious, and loud, which helps a lot with allowing you to keep your eyes on the road rather than on your phone.

That type of collaboration makes Waze feel like something bigger than just an app; it becomes a real-time community of drivers watching out for one another. That spirit of mutual aid makes the difference between casually traveling and actively navigating the road.

5

Real-time speed and adaptability

When I’m on the road, time is vitally important. In dense cities where one missed reroute can mean an extra 20 minutes in gridlock, I need a navigation app that can keep up. Waze’s rerouting logic is fast, confident, and reacts almost as quickly as somebody sitting in my passenger seat.

Waze can adjust your route within seconds of a slowdown being reported. It knows when something has shifted and recalculates accordingly—often so quickly you barely notice the change. It’s easy to avoid the jam without having to second-guess your route.

Compare that to Google Maps, which tends to wait. In my experience, it often lags behind real-world events, and by the time it does respond, it may be too late. That delay could mean you’re still getting sent down a closed-off road or into a parade you had no clue was happening.

Even changes to road layouts, such as new one-way streets, fresh construction zones, and unexpected lane closures, tend to appear faster on Waze. Its responsiveness becomes a quiet superpower when every block counts.

4

A UI designed with the driver in mind

When you launch Waze, you’re not greeted with a travel blog or options to review a sushi spot; you’re given a map and the simple goal of moving to your destination. That clarity isn’t just a stylistic choice; it’s a safety feature. Fewer distractions mean better focus, and when you’re driving, that means everything.

Waze’s interface is incredibly bold, with colorful, oversized icons. It succeeds in foregoing aesthetics for usefulness by making sure that its entire UI feels designed for motion.

Buttons are large and easy to tap without taking your eyes off the road. Key information, such as ETA, next turn, and traffic conditions, is always front and center, never buried. The screen layout avoids clutter by only showing what matters in the moment, making navigation intuitive even in high-pressure driving situations.

Compare that with Google Maps’ slick but sometimes overly subtle visuals. The minimalist icons and whisper-quiet alerts may look great during trip planning, but on the road, they can fall short.

3

Fun and function can coexist

Waze brings personality into the driving experience without compromising performance. You can swap the voice giving you directions, change your car icon, and even customize your mood on the map. Of course, these features aren’t necessary, but they do bring the app a bit of life.

There’s value in fun, in that it breaks up the monotony. Whether it’s a pirate shouting commands or the latest celebrity Waze navigation voice, that absurdity can help lighten the mood when you’re dealing with borderline road rage. Google Maps, by comparison, is all utility and no charm. There’s always the same monotone assistant giving you robotic directions.

Because you’re likely using the app daily, that little layer of humor or personalization becomes a part of the routine. Waze gives you the option to make the experience more customizable and enjoyable.

2

No other app handles urban mayhem quite like Waze

Driving in a dense city is usually a massive headache. Routes change constantly, construction zones pop up overnight, traffic cops redirect entire blocks without warning, and special events can throw entire neighborhoods into chaos. One major advantage of Waze is that it’s built for this kind of havoc.

You can almost see Waze thinking as it reroutes you mid-drive during extreme traffic. It reacts to last-minute shifts, tailors your detours in real time, and does it with a level of accuracy that feels like magic. The best part about it is that it’s almost always spot-on.

Waze thrives in gridlock, where precision matters most. It understands the difference between turning left at a light and getting stuck behind five rideshares waiting on passengers. It knows when a supposed “shortcut” is actually a one-way nightmare.

It also updates quickly without waiting for ideal conditions, trusting other Waze users to flag events on the road. In urban environments where timing and adaptability are everything, that functionality gives Waze a massive edge.

1

Waze is for driving, not trip-planning

Even with its versatile capabilities, like being able to remind you when to leave for appointments, Waze’s focus isn’t in showing you where the nearest gas station is. If you want restaurant ratings or local attractions, Google Maps should be your go-to. But if you’re commuting, going on a road trip, or just trying to outmaneuver a sea of brake lights on a Friday evening, you’ll want to opt for a navigation app built solely for drivers.

Unlike Google Maps, Waze is designed to help you on the road, not for trip-planning at home. From the settings to the search options, its functionalities revolve around clarity and quick decisions, minimizing distractions so your attention stays on the road.

Waze understands that drivers want a navigation experience that anticipates obstacles, traffic, and delays without cluttering the screen with irrelevant details. Google Maps hasn’t quite grasped that concept, and often yields more disruptions than anything else.

There’s a reason people like me haven’t switched to Google’s mainline offering. Waze might not be as “official” as Google Maps, but it’s faster, louder, and more in tune with what really matters on the road. It’s a tool that respects your time, trusts its users, and never stops adapting.

And when you’re behind the wheel, those are the aspects that truly matter.

My weekends used to disappear into household maintenance. Between vacuuming, laundry cycles, and chasing my escaped black lab Bella through neighbors’ yards, I felt like a full-time house manager. Smart home automation changed everything—not difficult overhauls, just targeted solutions for my biggest time drains. These simple fixes have given me back about 5–10 hours weekly.

4

My robotic floor cleaner changed everything

At 7 AM, while I’m taking my kids to school, my Roomba robot vacuum starts doing its work. Four hours later, I walk into a house with spotless floors; it looks like someone came by and vacuumed while I was gone. This has eliminated 45 minutes from my daily routine by tackling both hardwood and carpet without any input from me.

What really changed my life wasn’t just having clean floors—it was never having to think about it. I used to vacuum whenever the house looked messy or before people came over. Now my floors stay presentable all the time, which means way less weekend deep cleaning. It picks up all Bella’s black hair and figures out how to get around chair legs and coffee tables on its own.

Weekly maintenance is maybe five minutes to dump out the bin and pull hair from the brushes. I don’t miss how much of a pain it was hauling out that clunky old vacuum, fighting with that tangled cord, and squeezing it between furniture.

3

Smart kitchen and laundry appliances work while I don’t

I fire up my Whirlpool oven from the parking lot at work. As I walk through my front door, the oven’s already heated to 350°F and is waiting for me to put in dinner. This saves me from standing around the kitchen for 15–20 minutes watching the temperature climb.

Both my Whirlpool washer and dryer send alerts to my phone when cycles finish or something goes wrong. I’ve broken the habit of walking to the laundry room every few minutes to check if they’re done (or forgetting about the load until the next day)—now I just wait for the notification. The dryer sends a heads-up when lint starts building up, keeping it running well and avoiding those house fires you read about in the news.

I can see exactly how much power these appliances use and when electricity costs the least, so I’ve started to have better timing for when I run the laundry. The washer suggests the right settings for different loads, which saves water and shortens cycle times.

2

Home security that actually makes life easier

The MyQ garage door app has saved me more times than I can count with deliveries and repair crews. One time, I was running behind schedule when a couch delivery showed up. Thankfully, through the app, I was able to open my garage door so the delivery people could put it inside instead of leaving it out in the rain. No more missed deliveries or frantic drives home.

I used to get halfway to work and suddenly panic about whether I’d unplugged the clothes iron. That became my regular Tuesday morning routine until I got smart outlets. Now I just check the Alexa app and kill the power to whatever I forgot. I haven’t made a panic U-turn home in months.

My Ring setup lets me see who’s at the door and check on packages through the doorbell and floodlight cameras. I can verify everything’s locked up without walking around the house, testing every door and window.

1

Outdoor problems have automated solutions

Jonathon Jachura / MUO

A hydrangea tree in my side yard never got enough water from the main sprinkler system and was getting burnt, so I connected a B-hyve controller to a garden hose for drip irrigation. It waters based on actual weather and local rainfall amounts, not guesswork. Those weekly watering sessions with the hose are history, and the plant looks better than ever. And this is just one part of my smart watering setup.

Flood sensors from Ring monitor the basement, laundry room, and both bathrooms. Last month, one caught my four-year-old’s toilet overflow within minutes. I stopped a minor mess from becoming extensive water damage by getting the alert right away.

Bella’s Halo GPS collar put an end to those neighborhood search missions when she decided to go on an adventure. The virtual boundary alerts me if she escapes or if I forget to turn the GPS fence back on after our walk. The app shows her exact location, so there’s no more running around calling her name or knocking on doors.

My Camp Chef smoker hooks up to an app that monitors internal meat temperature. During those long Saturday brisket sessions, my phone gets temperature readings, so I don’t have to keep walking outside to check the thermometer. It sends alerts when it’s time to wrap the meat or once everything’s ready to come off.

Getting my weekends back

All these gadgets together have freed up around 5–10 hours in my week. I get to spend time with my wife and kids, work on home improvement projects I keep delaying, or just relax on the couch without a mental list of chores nagging at me. My advice is to pick the one household task that drives you the craziest and automate that one first.

After you see the difference, you’ll be hunting for other tasks to hand off to technology. Good smart home gear shouldn’t make your life more complicated—it should handle the mundane details so you can do what matters to you.

It’s my favorite time of the year: IFA 2025. The world’s largest tech show (yes, larger than CES!) brings the eyes of the world to the giant exhibition halls of Messe Berlin, and with more than 200,000 visitors expected, every tech company is vying for a piece of the action.

I’ve been on the IFA 2025 floor for the past few days, drinking in the tech and walking miles to do so. There is always a phenomenal amount of new tech to check out, but I’ve narrowed it down—this is the best new tech at IFA 2025.

Great sound and best-in-class battery life—what’s not to love?

Baesus made a real statement at IFA 2025, launching a trio of new audio products that have caught the imagination of the thousands of tech enthusiasts here.

Of the three, the Baseus Inspire XH1 is the jewel in the crown. The company collaborated with Bose to create a new sound profile for the XH1s, and the collaboration has really hit home where it counts. The XH1 headphones sound great, and while they’re a little on the bass-heavy side, this can be easily managed in the companion app EQ settings.

I’ve also found the XH1s really comfortable. The plush ear cushions fit snuggly around my ears and create a good seal without crushing them to death. In that, they also don’t turn my ears into a sweaty mess, which really is one of my least favorite feelings when wearing headphones.

ANC is another strong point for the Inspire XH1s. With five different levels of ANC to choose from, you can tailor the level of noise cancellation to whatever noise you want to block out. They did a great job blocking out the constant drone of the plane on my flight to Berlin, and that’s one of the sterner tests for ANC headphones.

Then there is the outstanding battery life. I’ve been using these headphones for hours each day since leaving my house two days ago (with ANC), and I’ve still not had to reach for the charger. Baseus claims a 100-hour battery life (dropping to 65 hours with ANC), and I’m confident this figure is accurate.

And the cherry on the cake? You get all of this for a mere $150, which is what makes these some of the best headphones you can currently buy.

A wonderfully lightweight, minimalist smartphone

Gavin Phillips / MakeUseOf

The DuRoBo Krono is a 6.13-inch e-paper device carving out a space somewhere between an e-reader and a phone. It runs Android 13, powered by an octa-core processor with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. The display is an E Ink Carta 1200 panel at 824 × 1648 pixels, with an adjustable front light for both warm and cool tones.

On paper, it reads like a compact e-reader that can double as a distraction-free productivity device. That’s exactly the point. Rather than another e-reader, DuRoBo is pitching Krono as a focus hub.

Spec-wise, it mirrors the Onyx Boox Palma 2 almost identically. Same screen, same RAM and storage, same Android OS. But where Boox looks and feels like an engineer’s utility device, Krono’s design is more inspired. The back features a cylindrical spine that houses both a rotating dial and breathing LEDs.

The dial is the most inspired touch. If you’ve ever used Samsung’s Galaxy smartwatches with their rotating bezels, you’ll get the point: a physical anchor makes the device feel tangible and tactile.

Battery life should also impress. With the same 3,950 mAh cell as the Palma 2, and paired with the low-power E Ink screen, you’re looking at weeks of use on a charge instead of days. If you’re sick of nightly charging like I am, that’s a pretty big deal.

Now, if you want to get in nice and early, you can join DuRoBo’s Kickstarter. I wouldn’t normally push anyone to a Kickstarter for the obvious reasons, but having talked to the DuRoBo team at IFA 2025, it’s clear that the Krono is coming to market whether this succeeds or not. It’s just a handy way to get your hands on it before anyone else if you’re that way inclined.

An absolute unit, but can it justify the price?

Gavin Phillips / MakeUseOf

Lenovo is launching the Legion Go 2, its second-generation Windows-based gaming handheld, following the success of its first version. The Legion Go 2 features the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor and up to 32GB 8000 MHz memory. It’s a significant performance improvement over the first generation, especially considering the changes to the display.

Lenovo has opted for a smaller resolution display for the Legion Go 2. Instead of the QHD+ 2560 x 1600 IPS panel in the first Legion Go, the second generation gets a WUXGA 1920 x 1200 144Hz OLED display with variable refresh rate support. While the resolution is smaller than before, at this screen size, I’d rather have OLED capabilities, as you won’t really be able to tell the difference on the 8.8-inch touchscreen.

The storage has also been doubled since the previous generation, with the new model coming with up to 2TB PCIe Gen 4 storage and a microSD slot with support for an additional 2TB. The battery capacity has also nearly doubled to a 4-cell 74 Wh battery in the second generation.

Other changes include a redesign of the TrueStrike controllers for a smoother and ergonomic feel. You get hall effect joysticks, three customizable buttons, and a fingerprint reader built into the power button.

My only real concern is the price. With the Legion Go 2 set to cost just under $1,100, it’s an expensive piece of kit. Has the modern gaming handheld market already priced itself out of reach for most people? It’s hard to say, but clearly, Lenovo doesn’t think so, and I’m keen to see how this behemoth performs.

7

EarFun Air Pro 4+

Hi-res audio under 100 bucks? Yes please

Gavin Phillips / MakeUseOf

The EarFun Air Pro 4+ claims to be the world’s first Hi-Res, dual-driver, hybrid ANC earbuds under $100. Those words might not mean a lot to you, but these earbuds pack a surprising amount of features for their price tag.

You get Bluetooth 6.0 support with codecs including aptX Lossless, aptX LDAC, Auracast, LC3, SBC, and AAC. The sound is delivered through 10mm hybrid drivers (with a balanced armature) in each earbud. There’s also Hi-Res certification, Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound support, and the accompanying app has custom EQ support to tune the sound to your liking.

Battery life is also pretty decent on the Air Pro 4+. EarFun claims up to 12 hours of battery life on the earbuds with the ANC off, and up to eight hours with ANC enabled. That’s a total of 54 hours and 36 hours with the charging case with ANC off and on, respectively. Actual battery life can vary by volume level and audio content, but these are respectable numbers regardless.

Speaking of ANC, you get adaptive hybrid ANC up to 50 dB. There’s also the usual crop of premium earbuds features, including multipoint connection, support for Google Fast Pair, in-ear detection, and an IP55 water and dust resistance rating.

6

Acer Swift Air 16

A 16-inch laptop has no right to be this lightweight

Gavin Phillips / MakeUseOf

I’m rarely blown away by new laptop tech, but the Acer Swift Air 16 has done it. This full-sized 16-inch laptop weighs under 1kg, which is less than a 13-inch MacBook Air, and looks pretty good while doing so.

The Swift Air 16’s frame is manufactured from an ultra-lightweight magnesium-aluminum alloy, so it’s plenty sturdy, but when you pick it up, it feels astonishingly light. The thickness of 15.9mm is also impressive, and gives the Swift Air 16 a really unique feel. I mean, where else can you see something like this?

It comes equipped with an AMD Ryzen AI 300-series chip, which is very competent, though you’re not going to be using this laptop for gaming (well, maybe a touch of light gaming, but don’t expect to be playing the latest Call of Duty).

My only real concern with the Swift Air 16 is the battery size. Despite its size, it only has a 50Wh battery, which in 2025 is criminally small. I get that Acer may have compromised here, but I’d be a little wary of this for that reason. Still, we’ll know more once the Swift Air 16 begins shipping and the real testing gets underway.

Step into the future of wireless charging

Gavin Phillips / MakeUseOf

UGREEN is no stranger to charging accessories, and its latest MagFlow Qi2 power bank feels like a preview of where wireless charging is headed. Rated at 10,000 mAh, it’s among the first to adopt the Qi2.2 standard, which pushes wireless charging speeds up to 25W, nearly twice as fast as its predecessor (15W). There’s a catch, though: you’ll need iOS 26 to unlock those speeds, at least on iPhones.

In testing, the results lined up with expectations. Wireless charging added about 20% in 25 minutes, while wired charging managed the same boost in just 20 minutes. UGREEN claims 50% in half an hour, but real-world use was closer to 35–40%, which still makes it noticeably faster than older power banks.

The bank itself is on the chunky side, roughly the thickness of two phones stacked, but that capacity allows for flexibility. You can wirelessly charge a Qi2-compatible iPhone or accessory, plug into the USB-C port for up to 30W wired charging, or use the built-in cable that doubles as a lanyard. All three can even run at once, making it a handy travel companion for people juggling multiple devices.

A small display on the side shows battery percentage and charging status, though it doesn’t yet display live wattage. At $90, it’s not the slimmest or cheapest option, but as one of the first Qi2 power banks on the market, it’s a sign of faster, more versatile wireless charging to come.

Note-taking has never been so easy… or compact

Gavin Phillips / MakeUseOf

The Plaud AI Note Pro takes everything compelling about the original Plaud Note and cranks up the capabilities significantly. At just 2.79mm thick and 30g, this credit card-sized AI recorder now packs four precision MEMS microphones instead of two, doubling its audio pickup range to 16.4 feet. That’s perfect for larger conference rooms where you’re not sitting right next to the speaker.

The standout upgrade is the 0.95-inch AMOLED display, which provides visual confirmation of what’s happening. No more wondering if you’re actually recording or if the battery died mid-meeting. The screen shows recording status, battery level, and even waveforms, solving the anxiety that plagued the original’s simple LED indicator.

As a dedicated standalone AI device, the Note Pro operates independently from your phone, preserving battery life and removing the distraction of notifications during critical meetings. Smart dual-mode detection automatically switches between phone calls and in-person meetings, eliminating the manual toggle that occasionally caused missed recordings on the first-gen device. A new press-to-highlight feature enables you to mark important moments in real-time, which should significantly improve the AI summary accuracy and also help you locate specific moments much faster.

Battery life stretches to 50 hours in endurance mode, and the companion app now supports multimodal input. You can add text notes and photos to provide richer context for transcription and summaries.

At $179, it’s only $20 more than the original Plaud Note, making this a worthwhile upgrade. For anyone who found the original compelling but wanted more polish and reliability, the Note Pro delivers exactly that.

3

Tecno Spark Slim

A bafflingly lightweight and slimline smartphone

Gavin Phillips / MakeUseOf

I first saw the Tecno Slim concept at MWC 2025, where I gave it an award for innovation in smartphone tech. And now, five months later, the Tecno Slim is a fully-fledged smartphone, ready for the world to marvel at its wonderful design.

Measuring just 5.95mm thick, the 5G Tecno Pova Slim is a really phenomenal bit of engineering. Tecno hasn’t held back elsewhere on this smartphone to make the concept work. It packs a really decent 5160mAh battery, complete with 45W charging, that uses lithium-cobalt oxide. It allowed Tecno to compact the battery to just 4.04mm thickness, allowing other components to fit around it.

Tecno has also developed an ultra-slim vapor chamber cooling system to help stop the Slim from overheating (with all the components crammed into such a small space, overheating is a major concern).

The rear case uses ultra-thin aerospace-grade fiberglass, which, according to Tecno, is “0.19mm thinner than standard composite plates, yet delivers 300% greater strength and 200% greater toughness.” On the front, it uses Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, and also comes with a decent IP64 water and dust resistance rating.

Also—and this is one of my favorite features—the Mood Light feature is super fun, and brings a little pair of eyes to the rear lighting panel that surrounds the camera housing.

It’s a great piece of engineering from Tecno.

2

Anker Soundcore Work AI Recorder

Never miss a note in a meeting again

Gavin Phillips / MakeUseOf

Anker is a long-trusted name for phone chargers, cables, headphones, and more, but this year the company is expanding into something new: a voice-recording tool for in-person meetings. The Soundcore Work looks like it’s roughly the size of a Tile tracker, and is designed to record everything during a discussion so you can review the transcription, along with an AI-generated summary, later. Currently, the AI summary uses GPT 4.1, but this will be upgraded to GPT 5 at a later date.

Everything about the device seems simple and lightweight. Pressing the button once starts recording; it’s also lockable, so you won’t accidentally disable it during a session. As you record, you can double-tap to mark an important moment, which will presumably be highlighted in the notes later.

Battery life shouldn’t be a factor, with the company quoting 10-day standby time, between 8 and 32 hours of recording time, and 2 hours of usage from just 10 minutes of charging. It’s also compatible with Apple’s Find My, so you can track the device with your iPhone if you lose it. If you’re concerned about privacy, Anker promises that while audio is temporarily processed by AI through cloud services, all data is deleted once it’s moved to your device.

Anker lists the device’s price plus “basic services” at $99.99, with a $15.99/month fee “for more” thereafter. Perhaps transcription will be free, but AI summaries will require a subscription?

As someone who appreciates the AI notetaking features in video calling tools, I’m curious to see how this fares. If I did more in-person meetings, I’d appreciate something like this so I can be fully present in the discussion and not worry about taking notes. The included necklace chain means you can wear it like you would a necklace, so you don’t have to carry around a clunky microphone or look weird doing so.

It feels like this is a coming-of-age for Chromebooks

Gavin Phillips / MakeUseOf

The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 is one of those laptops designed to make life easier without feeling overly complicated. It’s powered by Mediatek’s new Kompanio Ultra 910 processor with about 50 TOPS of built-in AI muscle, plus an Arm Immortalis-G925 GPU to keep creative tasks like editing or rendering from dragging. Acer is also bragging about 17 hours of battery life, which is the kind of number that would make me want to test how long I can actually go without the charger.

The 14-inch touchscreen is available in WQXGA+ (2800×1800) or WUXGA (1920×1200), both of which are covered in Gorilla Glass with an anti-fingerprint coating. It supports USI 2.0 styluses, and ChromeOS now has handy gesture-based edits like scribble to delete and circle to move, which sound like little touches you’d quickly get addicted to. The hinge flips into laptop, tablet, tent, or display mode, and it’s MIL-STD 810H rated (military-grade durability), so you don’t have to baby it.

Connectivity is future-proof with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and dual USB-C ports. For calls, there’s a webcam option up to 5MP with AI tricks like lighting fixes, background blur, and noise cancellation, plus a physical shutter for when you want it off for real. I also like the smaller touches like upward-firing DTS-tuned speakers, a touchpad made from recycled ocean plastic, and even a full year of Google AI Pro with 2TB of cloud storage included.

Dolby’s latest HDR evolution promises smarter TVs, but as is the case with everything else these days, it crams AI into its feature set. Your content might look great with Dolby Vision 2, but the tech behind its Content Intelligence system is rather invasive.

Dolby Vision 2 will get more out of your TV

Dolby Vision 2 brings new tools for studios and TV productions that let them achieve greater picture quality, especially on high-end TVs. The standard uses dynamic metadata to identify the Dolby Vision-compatible display it’s connected to and adjusts the video signal to best use what the specific screen can do.

The dynamic data also contains instructions that further tweak the signal based on various scenes, shots, or even specific frames. As a result, you get color and exposure-accurate video as close to the director’s original intent, tuned specifically to your TV’s display. It also introduces a brand new image engine—the underlying software that processes video content based on the included metadata.

Apart from jazzing up video quality on your TV, Dolby Vision 2 also includes Content Intelligence. This is a set of tools for content producers to “authentically and automatically” optimize your TV to present a more realistic and better-looking picture based on what and where you’re watching your content.

At the time of writing, Dolby supports the following features under Content Intelligence:

• Light Sense: Fine-tunes the picture quality using ambient light detection reference lighting data from the content source.
• Precision Black: Improves image clarity without compromising artistic intent. Should help fix issues where the image looks too dark.
• Sports and Gaming Optimization: Includes new enhancements like white point adjustments and motion controls to better view sports and gaming content.

While I have no doubt these features will result in amazing picture quality on just about every Dolby Vision 2 compatible TV, the standard has to constantly monitor what you’re watching in order to optimize your content. And that’s where it gets concerning.

Better video quality at the cost of privacy

Brady Meyers / MakeUseOf

Dolby’s announcement doesn’t explain how exactly Dolby Vision 2 will optimize content automatically. However, it will need to constantly monitor what you’re watching and combine it with any sensor data received from your TV to achieve the results Dolby is bragging about. Since it’s an AI-powered system, the data collection and analysis can go deeper than you think.

Unlike simple data collection, AI systems can collect more sensitive information, like viewing patterns. Dolby Vision 2’s AI systems can just as easily analyze viewing behavior to build detailed psychological profiles.

You see, smart TVs already have features such as Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) that scan everything playing on your screen. You can stop your Smart TV from tracking you with certain tweaks, but the behavior already exists. And if you’re wondering whether the personalized ads on your TV are getting too accurate, that’s because LG Smart TVs use AI to track your emotions.

Additionally, no information on what AI system is powering the Content Intelligence suite of features was shared. Dolby hasn’t shared any information on how this data will be collected, analyzed, or stored either.

We’ll have to wait until Dolby Vision 2-compatible TVs and content start rolling out to get answers. Until then, Dolby’s invasive approach to improving image quality is sure to upset anyone looking out for their privacy.

Baseus is one of those brands I feel more people should know about. It always delivers excellent audio hardware at what can only be described as a bargain price.

And this year at IFA 2025, the story is no different. Baseus launched headphones, earbuds, and a really handy set of clip-on earbuds in collaboration with legendary audio outfit Bose, which should have some of the better-known audio brands worried.

Baseus’ brand-new audio products are the stars of the show, but they’re far from the only new tech the company unveiled at IFA 2025, with new portable chargers, security cameras, and more to complete its lineup.

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Baseus Inspire XH1

My new favorite ANC headphones

Gavin Phillips / MakeUseOf

I’ve used a few Baseus headphones over the years, most recently the Bowie 30 Max ANC—which I actually found a little underwhelming. They were priced well, and for that price, the ANC was good, but the overall sound quality didn’t quite hit home for me.

It’s safe to say that the Baseus Inspire XH1 is a huge step forward in almost every area.

First, Baseus collaborated with Bose to produce a new sound profile for these headphones (and the earbuds, which I’ll come to in a minute). The uptick in overall quality is immediately noticeable, with the Inspire XH1s producing a good, balanced sound.

I’ll slightly caveat that by saying I did have to go into the Baseus app and turn off a Bass Boost setting that’s turned on out of the box, but once switched off, I enjoyed the Sound by Bose audio profile. It’s slightly bass-forward, even without the aforementioned bass boost setting.

Now, Baseus has tuned this towards bass, with SuperBass 3.0 and SuperBalance 3.0, but with some EQ tweaks in the Baseus companion app, you can find a real sweet spot for these cans.

These headphones are also super comfortable. The Inspire XH1’s earpads are thick and plush, meaning you can keep them on for hours at a time. I’d like the clamping pressure to be a bit stronger, but they don’t slip off easily.

And that comfortable design is also a strong part of why the Inspire XH1 ANC works so well. The earcups fit nicely around your ears, creating a good seal. Then, the XH1s have five different ANC levels to choose from, plus presets for indoor, outdoor, business, and commuting, plus an adaptive mode. I’ve tried the ANC in a few different scenarios, and found it works well against most noise, drastically cutting down the background droning of a flight and helping me keep focused at home during the school holidays.

Battery life is another big plus point for the Inspire XH1 headphones. Baseus claims a 100-hour battery life, dropping to 65 hours with ANC on. Those are top-tier numbers for ANC headphones, especially at this price point.

On that, the Inspire XH1 headphones are launching in the US on September 4, 2025, priced at $150.

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Baseus Inspire XC1

Clip-on earbuds that actually sound good

Gavin Phillips / MakeUseOf

I’ve tried quite a few clip-on earbuds since this style really started to become popular. My favorite up to this point was the Soundcore AeroClip, which, in fairness, delivers where you’d expect from a Soundcore product.

With that said, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the Baseus Inspire XC1 clip-on open-ear earbuds. Like the XH1, these buds have been tuned in collaboration with Bose, and it shows. Open-ear earbuds are always at a disadvantage. It’s just a part of the design; you can’t make a seal around or in the ear, so some fidelity is naturally lost.

But the XC1 design does accommodate for this well, in a couple of ways. First, the XC1 clip-on earbud is long enough that the earbud itself rests close to my ear canal, projecting the audio exactly where it needs to go. Second is the 10.8mm dynamic driver and a supporting Knowles-balanced armature driver, which, in combination, deliver a powerful sound.

So, while the XH1 cannot provide ANC due to the design, I still found these earbuds able to block out a decent range of noise. Take a recent flight I was on. The background noise of the plane wasn’t completely removed, but I was suitably impressed with how personalized and focused the audio was.

In the Baseus companion app, there are custom EQ options, along with the same Sound by Bose default setting. This time, there is no bass booster option to toggle off. One handy feature in the Baseus Sound Settings is the Enhanced Battery Life mode, which boosts your listening time by turning off any audio enhancements. It pares back the audio a little, but gives you several hours extra play time when you need it.

I like that these earbuds are rated IPX7 for water and dust resistance. This means they can withstand water and dust to a high level, making them the ideal partner for sports and other outdoor activities. Oh, and they have wear detection, too—such a handy feature that I always feel is missing when earbuds or headphones don’t include it.

The Baseus XC1 clip-on open-ear earbuds are launching on September 4, 2025, priced at $129.

3

Baseus Inspire XP1

Super comfortable earbuds with powerful bass

Gavin Phillips / MakeUseOf

Baseus’ new audio hardware is completed with its new Inspire XP1 earbuds, a tidy set of buds that look and feel great.

Like the headphones and clip-ons, Baseus has worked closely with Bose to develop an entirely new soundstage for these buds, and it shows. They’re a little on the bass-heavy side for me, but again, with a few small EQ tweaks in the Baseus app, you can tune that back down and really discover what makes these buds worth buying.

What I really like about the Baseus Inspire XP1 is the fit. I didn’t have to spend ages fiddling around to find a comfortable listening position, which is somewhat rare. These were straight out of the box and into my ears, and just felt right. Baseus designed the XP1 with a huge range of ear ergonomics in mind. It almost sounds counterintuitive, given how many ears there are in the world and how different each pair is. But the time spent crafting these has paid off.

The battery life of these buds is also worth noting. You get up to eight hours of battery life per charge (with a couple of hours lost with ANC on), and an additional 45 hours in the case. It’s not best in class, but it’ll get you through a day. Add onto that the 2.5 hours of playback on a rapid 10-minute charge, and it’s a tidy combination.

The Baseus XP1 earbuds are launching on September 4, 2025, priced at $129.

2

Baseus EnerGeek GX11 MiFi 67W 20000mAh and EnerGeek GT01 45W 10000mAh

Portable chargers that’ll keep you going for days

I’m always keen to keep my devices charged up on the go. These days, who isn’t? It’s why the portable power bank and charger market has become so enormous. Baseus is launching two different portable power banks to help you keep going, and both have some interesting features that make them worth a good look.

The GX11 MiFi is a combined 67W power bank and portable MiFi router, designed to give both power and Wi-Fi wherever you go. It uses an eSIM and can connect to up to 150+ different networks. And while you’re connected, you can keep your devices powered up, or at the very least, you know the MiFi won’t run out of battery.

Alternatively, the new EnerGeek GT011 is a 45W Qi2-certified magnetic portable charger. While it has a lower overall capacity, its magnetic charging and second-generation wireless charging make it a supremely useful addition to your day-to-day backpack.

The Baseus EnerGeek GX11 launched on August 30, 2025, priced $120, and the Baseus EnerGeek GT01 is launching September 4, 2025, priced at $100.

1

Baseus PrimeTrip VR2 240W Retractable Car Charger

Multiple charging cables, no mess involved

Everyone travels with a charger in the car, right? Whether plugged into the 12V port or into a dedicated USB port, they’re a mainstay of every modern vehicle.

So I can’t be alone with the dreaded curse of USB cables running around the car, with multiple cables draped throughout the interior.

That’s exactly the problem the Baseus PrimeTrip VR2 solves. You can finally get rid of all of those cables, with a 240W retractable charging unit that you can plug into basically any car. Each cable can deliver up to 105W, and the base unit actually features USB-A and USB-C ports if you want to plug something in directly.

It’s handy, it’s portable, and it’s available to buy right now for $34.

Baseus goes from strength to strength with its audio hardware. As mentioned, the Inspire XH1 headphones represent a significant upgrade over Baseus’s previous headphones, offering a great budget-friendly option for those seeking high-resolution audio and exceptional battery life. They look great, too. At the moment, you’ll struggle to find better headphones than these for under $200.

Google features a lot of jokes and fun little secrets, collectively known as Easter eggs, around its products. While you might be familiar with Easter eggs in video games, they’re also present in software and other tech sources.

These Google Search Easter eggs don’t have any practical use, but they’ll make you chuckle when you search for something that brings up a goofy result. Try entering these into Google and seeing the fun for yourself.

The Did you mean line appears on the results page when your search has a typo or Google thinks you meant to look up something similar. Some of the best Google Search Easter eggs take advantage of this.

When you search “Alex Trebek”, the Did you mean suggestion asks if you meant “Who is Alex Trebek”. This is a reference to his longtime hosting of the game show Jeopardy, where all contestant answers must be in the form of a question, starting with “who is”, to be accepted.

Searching Google for “steamed hams” will result in it asking if you meant “steamed clams“. If you’re a fan of The Simpsons or internet humor in general, you’ll recognize this.

It references a short scene where Skinner’s plans to have his boss over for lunch are ruined when he burns the roast. He lies that the smoke in the oven is actually steam from the “steamed clams” he’s preparing, then heads to a nearby fast food place and tries to pass their burgers off as his own cooking. When he’s questioned about this, he clarifies he said “steamed hams”, which he claims are what he called hamburgers where he grew up.

While this episode aired in 1996, it became major meme fodder in the late 2010s, when “Steamed hams but…” videos started parodying it in every conceivable way.

If you’ve been to a wedding lately, you’ll know where this one is going. The Cha Cha Slide is a line dancing song, first released in 2000, that has become a staple at wedding receptions.

Googling it lets you dance along at home, thanks to the icons to the left of the song name. As you click them, you’ll hear the instructions like “to the left” and “one hop this time!”

Continuing with the pop culture references, Google also has an amusing reference for fans of The Office. Searching “assistant regional manager” will result in Google asking if you meant “assistant to the regional manager”.

This is a running joke early in the series, where Dwight calls himself “assistant regional manager” but Michael continually corrects this to the lesser “assistant to the regional manager”. Even Google’s AI overview seems in on the joke, though this is likely because the overview is getting its information on this term primarily from content about The Office.

I’ve mostly chosen Easter eggs that were new to me, but this is a long-running one I’ve enjoyed for a while. Searching for “recursion” brings up a Did you mean prompt for the same word, which might lead you to think you spelled it wrong the first time. But each time you click it, the page refreshes, which is the joke.

Recursion is when a process depends on a prior version of itself, like when a programming function calls itself or the “infinity mirror” effect when you share your screen on a video call and create dozens of smaller copies of it.

If you like this one, try “Groundhog Day” (one of those movies you can watch over and over, if you will) and see what happens!

The One Ring is the central object of the Lord of the Rings series, and has an Easter egg for anyone searching for more info about it on Google. A search for it will ask if you instead meant “my Precioussss”, which is how the character Gollum refers to the ring after being corrupted by it and becoming obsessed with it.

It’s one of the most famous lines from an excellent series of movies, so it’s well-deserving of this amusing suggestion from Google.

If you were online during the internet’s early days, you’ll remember many webpages with ugly fonts, scrolling text, and other near-unreadable issues. Searching for “blink tag” lets you relive one of these: the deprecated HTML tag that flashes text.

Text disappearing and reappearing is annoying and doesn’t work well with accessibility tools, so we quickly moved on, thankfully. But it’s fun to relive those early days in this small way.

I didn’t realize this until recently: when you search for a font by name, Google displays its results page in that font. Not all are supported, but many common ones are. While this is a fun discovery, it can also be practical (unlike most of these).

If you’re not sure what a font looks like, or want to see it in use without fumbling around in a document of your own, this lets you easily preview it. Another fun one related to this: searching “best font ever” brings up Comic Sans, the internet’s “favorite” font.

Ever feel the desire to see what websites looked like in the past? You don’t need any special tools to do this for Google. Search “google in 1998” and you’ll be treated to a recreation of what the service looked like the year it launched.

It comes complete with the exclamation point in Google’s early logo, the option to change how many results appear, and links to try your query on other long-gone search tools like AltaVista and Infoseek.

Everyone around my age will remember growing up with DVDs. While their often-unique menus bring a lot of nostalgia, nothing evokes that as much as the classic screensaver. Google lets you relive this by searching “DVD screensaver”.

Wait a moment and you’ll see the logo fly around the screen in that predictable pattern. Every time the logo hits an edge, it changes color. And of course, the big moment comes when the logo hits a corner. A small pleasure, but one that brings back simpler times for many of us.

If you love this bit of nostalgia, the Bouncing DVD Logo site lets you put one up on the screen for as long as you like.

Google Drive is fantastic for storing and sharing files, but actually finding the file you need can sometimes be a challenge, especially if you don’t remember its name. Luckily, there are smarter ways to search, filter, and navigate your Drive so you can find exactly what you’re looking for—fast.

7

Filter files by type to find what you need fast

PDFs, Docs, Sheets—find them in a snap

A simple yet effective way to narrow down search results in Google Drive is to search by file type. Instead of scrolling through a long list of results, you can ask Google Drive to focus on what kind of file you are actually looking for.

Google Drive lets you filter by documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDFs, images, videos, and even folders. For example, if you know the report you need is a PDF, use the Type drop-down menu before or after typing your search and select PDF.

This will cut your results down to only relevant files. It’s a simple trick, but it can save you a lot of time, especially if your Drive is overflowing with years of documents, old projects, and random downloads.

6

Locate files by owner or last modified date

Track files by dates, not by memory

Sometimes, filtering by just file type isn’t enough, especially when your Google Drive is full of similar files. That’s when searching by user or last modified date can prove useful.

If you remember who created or shared the file, the People drop-down menu is your best friend. Type the person’s name, hover over it, and choose from options like All, Owner, Creator, Shared by, or Shared with. This will narrow your results to files connected to that specific person and make it much easier to track down what you need.

Another powerful way to reduce irrelevant results is by filtering files based on their last modified date. You can search for files edited in the last 7 days, 30 days, a specific year, or even set a custom date range. This is perfect for when you roughly remember when you last worked on the file, but can’t recall the title.

5

Search inside files to find exactly what you’re looking for

Go beyond file names

Even when you have trouble remembering a file’s name, you’ll likely remember a word or phrase it contains. The good news is that Google Drive’s search bar can help you find the file based on that. It can scan the contents of your documents, spreadsheets, and presentations to locate the words or phrases you recall.

For example, if you know a report mentions Q3 sales projections, you can type that phrase into the search bar. Google Drive will bring up every file that contains those words. This method works for all types of text-based files, including Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, PDFs, and more.

You can combine this with other filters such as file type, user, or last modified date. Suddenly, finding that elusive file feels less like searching for a needle in a haystack and more like flipping straight to the right page in a well-organized binder.

Advanced search isn’t scary

Most of the time, basic search filters are enough to find what you’re looking for. But when they aren’t, Google Drive’s Advanced Search has you covered. Click the Advanced Search icon next to the search bar, and you’ll be able to combine all the filters in one place.

From this menu, you can narrow your search by file type, owner, location, date modified, and even keywords inside files. This is perfect for situations where you remember some details about a file but not its exact name.

Advanced Search also offers more specialized options, like approvals, e-signatures, and follow-ups, which are especially helpful if your Drive is packed with collaborative projects. The more details you add, the faster you’ll find what you’re looking for.

3

Use search operators

Turn keywords into search superpowers

Much like Gmail, Google Drive also supports Boolean operators. If you prefer not to click through menus, you can type specific keywords into the search bar to get highly precise results.

For instance, type:pdf will show only PDFs, while owner:me will limit results to files you own. If you remember something from the title, use title: followed by your keyword. You can also search by words inside the file with content: operator. The real magic happens when you combine these operators, for example, type:docx owner:me content:routine to find Word documents you created containing the word “routine.”

These are just a few examples. There are plenty more search operators listed on Google Drive’s help page. It might take a little practice to get comfortable with them, but once you do, finding the exact file you need will take much less time.

2

Access files via Recent and Starred folders

Your shortcut to the files you use most

Sometimes, the fastest way to find a file isn’t searching at all. Both Recent and Starred folders are easy to overlook, but they can save you a ton of time.

Google Drive’s Recent folder lists files you’ve opened or edited most recently, which makes it ideal for when you’re working on new projects and can’t remember the exact name of a file.

Click the Recent tab from the left pane, and you’ll see a chronological list of files you’ve accessed today, yesterday, earlier this week, or even earlier this month. You can also refine the list using the drop-down menu to filter by file type, owner, or date modified, which helps you zero in even faster.

Another handy feature is the Starred folder. If there are files you frequently need—like a monthly report, a team presentation, or a reference document—you can star them for easy access. Additionally, of course, you can also create folders and use color-coding to keep your Google Drive files organized.

1

Search directly from your browser’s address bar

You don’t always need to open Google Drive to start a search. Most browsers let you search your Drive directly from the address bar. This way, you can open a new tab, type @Drive followed by the name of the file or keyword in the address bar, and jump straight to the results.

In Chrome, you can set this up by going to Settings > Search engine > Manage search engine and site search. Under the Site search section, click Add. Enter Google Drive as the search engine name, @Drive as the shortcut, and paste the following address under the URL field.

        https:
    

Finally, click save, and you’re ready to search instantly. This trick works in Edge and most other browsers too. You can even make Google Drive your default search engine if you don’t wish to type @Drive every time. Using your browser’s address bar for Drive searches is a neat trick that can help save extra steps.

Finding files in a cluttered Google Drive doesn’t have to be scary. Once you familiarize yourself with the above tricks, filters, search operators, and advanced search tools, you should be able to locate what you need in seconds.

The key is knowing which tool to use for the situation. Sometimes, a simple filter may be enough, while other times advanced search or operators will save you precious time. The more you use these Google Drive hacks, the easier it will get over time.

When I first noticed that my laptop was running hot, I panicked, thinking it was due to malware, like cryptojackers use the device’s CPU and GPU to mine for crypto. Laptops react differently depending on the type of malware they contract, but a common symptom of a virus is the device lagging and overheating.

I couldn’t recall clicking on a malicious link or downloading a suspicious file, so when my antivirus scan came back clean, I began considering other possibilities. If it wasn’t malware or spyware, then maybe there’s an underlying issue with the hardware or software of my laptop; hopefully, an easy fix!

6

Defective fan

All hardware breaks after some time

Your laptop overheating could be a hardware problem. Your device relies on one or more internal fans to regulate the temperature of its components. They’re usually quiet and only pick up speed (and become a bit noisy) when running resource-intensive software. However, if the fan is old or damaged, it may not work properly.

In the short term, this results in the device overheating and negatively impacting its performance. Long-term, however, this could damage more expensive components, such as your CPU, shortening its projected lifespan.

There are two ways you can check the health of your fan yourself. Either physically, by taking note of any weird noises or lack of spinning, or digitally. In fact, you can easily check the speed and temperature of your device’s CPU without needing to open it.

5

Blocked air vents

Your laptop needs to breathe, too!

On the body of your laptop, usually the bottom or sides, you’ll notice multiple rows of narrow slits. While some laptops may have them at the top, others utilize vents on multiple faces for optimal air circulation.

These are vents that allow the fans to exchange the hot air inside the laptop with the cooler air outside. But they can also bring in dust from the surrounding environment. And if you have any furry pets, fine hairs might even clog the small openings, drastically reducing the fan’s efficiency. In most cases, clogged vents are an easy and inexpensive fix. Power off your laptop and wipe any visible particles with a clean tissue paper or microfiber towel. Regularly checking that the vents are not blocked by anything will ensure your laptop gets the ventilation it needs.

If you notice hair or crumbs on the inside of the vents, don’t stick anything sharp or pointy in to nudge them out. Instead, use a can of compressed air, blowing it right into the slits from multiple angles. Just make sure you’re targeting as many of the vents and gaps between the keyboard keys as possible. The inside of a laptop is densely packed, and air can’t travel as well through the entirety of the inner cavity, so don’t be afraid to get creative with the angles!

4

Dust buildup

A little dust goes a long way

For laptops, dust buildup can be a trickier problem. Unlike desktop PCs, most laptops aren’t designed for you to open and clean them yourself. Dust buildup on the CPU and GPU can trap in heat and result in inefficient cooling. Even a few minutes of using a resource-intensive piece of software can be enough to spike your device’s internal temperature.

Generally, you’d want to avoid using your laptop on top of overly dirty surfaces. You should also be extra careful to prevent pet hair or food crumbs from getting in through the vents.

Frequently wipe the outside of the laptop (bottom, screen, and keyboard) with a clean paper towel or use a cleaning solution suitable for electronics. Also, don’t hesitate to use some keyboard slime every once in a while for a more thorough cleanup at home. Luckily, most local tech shops offer laptop clean-up services that’ll leave it as clean as new.

3

Too many ‘Launch on Startup’ apps

Not all apps are essential

“Launch on Startup” apps are applications that automatically launch as soon as you switch on your laptop. Usually, they’re useful tools to keep operating, like antivirus or auto backup, but that’s not always the case. Think about the last time you needed Visual Studio or Microsoft Teams to be running round-the-clock.

Many apps offer a “launch on startup” option as a feature. You could easily end up with almost a dozen apps all running at once as soon as you launch. Having so many apps open at once can also cause your device to heat up. Make sure you regularly go through your device’s settings, limiting startup launch apps to ones you personally need for your daily tasks. Search for Startup apps in the taskbar to see all the apps with “launch on startup” enabled.

You can also sort startup apps by Startup impact. This lets you better determine which apps you should allow to start automatically and which you should disable, depending on how much it impacts the speed of your startup and overall performance.

2

Background activity

Only keep it running when using it

Similar to “Launch on Startup,” a lot of apps don’t actually close when you hit that X icon in the far right corner. They keep running in the background, using up your device’s resources on top of the apps you’re actively using. Background activity isn’t all bad. For specific applications, such as your email or Discord, you need the app to keep running to receive desktop notifications on time. However, you probably don’t need Steam to be running in the background during school or work.

If you notice your laptop starts to run hot later in the day, background apps might be the cause. That’s because one or two might not be a problem, but once you have ten? Your laptop might not be able to handle the load.

Search background activity in your settings, then under Battery usage, you’ll have a detailed breakdown of the energy and resource consumption of all your applications. If you sort by Background, you’ll be able to see which applications consume the most energy while running in the background, rather than apps you actively use often.

1

Outdated software or drivers

Keep everything up-to-date

Older software and apps tend to be inefficient and incompatible with your current OS. If you notice your laptop getting hot when running a particular app or software that shouldn’t be resource-intensive, it might just be too old. Keeping software you regularly use up-to-date ensures you have access to the latest features and the best performance. Not to mention, older applications are more vulnerable to malware, so you might actually end up getting your device infected with something malicious.

As for drivers, which play a key role in how efficiently your hardware runs, they also need to be up-to-date. If you’ve been neglecting the “update available” notifications for too long, consider setting aside 20 minutes to let your laptop update all its components.

Simply search for Updates in the taskbar and click on Check for updates. Then, scroll down to Advanced options. There you’ll find a tab called Optional updates, where you can easily check for and update any outdated drivers.

What to do when your laptop is running hot

If you’ve been practicing proper online hygiene, you likely don’t have to worry about malware or spyware being the culprit. Still, if your laptop is running unexpectedly hot, you should run a quick device scan to rule out the worst-case scenario before exploring alternatives.

But more often than not, the solution to an overheating laptop is pretty simple. Whether it’s a quick tweak in your settings or dusting your desk more often, you can go back to having a cool laptop in no time.

ChatGPT isn’t perfect, but it has several features that genuinely make it more useful for everyday tasks. Rather than replacing my workflow entirely, these tools complement my existing work process.

4

Study and Learn

Makes ChatGPT a friendly tutor

I like ChatGPT’s study feature as it doesn’t simply answer but acts more like a tutor. Instead of just spitting out solutions, it guides you through problems step by step. I’ve found this useful when working on engineering or science topics, where understanding each step is more important than just the final result.

For instance, if you ask ChatGPT, “Explain the pressure drop calculation for turbulent flow in a pipe using the Darcy-Weisbach equation,” it won’t just deliver the formula and plug in numbers. Instead, it walks you through identifying the Reynolds number first, then determining the friction factor, and finally applying the formula. If your calculations go wrong, it points out the errors gently, encouraging you to correct them yourself.

As ChatGPT’s study mode trains your brain instead of handing over answers, it helps you reinforce learning, which is much better than straightforward Q&A sessions.

The guidance adapts based on your responses. If you demonstrate a solid understanding of basic concepts, it moves faster through fundamentals and focus on advanced applications. ChatGPT is more suitable for studying than Gemini when compared to other AI tools. The interactive nature keeps you engaged rather than letting you passively consume information.

3

Image creation styles

They styles improve creativity

ChatGPT’s image creation feature includes preset styles that simplify the creative process. Instead of providing detailed prompts, you can pick from styles such as Synthwave, Art Nouveau, or Retro Cartoon, each of which produces a distinct visual mood.

When I needed concept art, I used this prompt:

I selected the Cyberpunk style, which placed a built-in prompt above what I asked, resulting in that gritty, neon-lit aesthetic I wanted without additional prompting.

The consistency of these styles is a big advantage. Whether it’s the specific nostalgia of 80s Glam or the polished look of Photo Shoot, you get reliable, high-quality results every time. These options remove much of the guesswork from creative projects and are predictable in a good way.

On the other hand, I want to love Claude as a ChatGPT alternative, but it misses image creation entirely. Also, ChatGPT’s range of styles gives it an edge. You can describe lighting, color palettes, or artistic techniques, but the style handles most of those details.

Although the styles may sometimes feel a bit limiting, for most projects, they provide exactly the creative direction you need without overthinking.

2

Canvas

bridges the gap between chat and document editing

The Canvas feature improves the interaction with long documents by providing a dedicated workspace right inside ChatGPT. Instead of copying and pasting text back and forth, you can edit directly within the interface—like working in a word processor. This integration removes friction and helps keep ideas organized.

It gives you various options, such as Suggest edits, which highlights potential improvements without making any automatic changes. Adjust the length lets you expand or contract sections while preserving the core message. The Reading level tailors the complexity of your text to fit your audience.

It also offers selective editing. When you highlight a sentence, a pop-up appears with formatting options—bold, italics, font size changes—plus an Ask ChatGPT button for targeted revisions.

For coding projects, Canvas becomes essential because it offers version control. This allows you to test different approaches to a function without having to start over each time. The various ways to use Canvas extend beyond writing, as Canvas supports exporting to PDF, Word, and markdown files, among others, allowing you to deliver files in the required format.

The interface isn’t perfect, as sometimes the Add final polish feature overcomplicates simple text. However, it is handy for iterative work that requires multiple revisions.

1

ChatGPT connectors

Make the workflow seamless

Connecting external apps eliminates the tedious download-and-reupload cycle. Instead of saving files locally first, the connectors allow you to share files with ChatGPT directly. So you don’t need to constantly switch between platforms. Setting up connectors is straightforward:

1. Open ChatGPT Settings and navigate to Connected Apps.
2. Select the app you want to connect to, such as Google Drive.
3. Authorize access through the standard OAuth process.

When I need to analyze a document, I can prompt: “I’ll share three PDF reports from my Google Drive. Please summarize the key findings and identify common themes across all documents.” The connector lets me select and share those files with ease.

The advantage is removing friction from the workflow. Instead of managing local copies, you can pull files directly from cloud storage and work with them in ChatGPT. This beats opening multiple tabs, downloading files, and manually uploading them one by one.

These features won’t completely change how you work, but they do make ChatGPT more practical for everyday tasks. The improvements are incremental rather than groundbreaking—yet that’s exactly what makes them useful for workflow integration.

Many of the devices we treat as harmless have a hidden side that most people never consider. Once you start pulling at that thread, it’s surprising how much they are quietly paying attention to us.

6

Smart TVs

Smart TVs have carved out a permanent spot in our living rooms. We stream on them, browse on them, and even manage other smart devices from the comfort of the couch. But tucked behind that glossy interface, many of these TVs quietly monitor every button press, search term, and viewing choice.

A big part of this comes down to a feature called Automatic Content Recognition (ACR). It doesn’t just track the shows you stream, but can identify what’s playing through an HDMI input, whether that’s a Blu-ray disc, a console, or even cable TV.

Companies like Samsung, LG, and Vizio scoop up this information, bundle it neatly, and sell it to advertisers. Vizio, in fact, was slapped with a $2.2 million fine back in 2017 for secretly gathering viewing data from millions of households without asking permission. And while the fine made headlines, the tracking didn’t really disappear. It just got buried in those long, dense privacy policies most of us skip through while setting up a new TV.

Another layer of unease opens up if you find that your smart TV has a built-in camera. You can prevent it from watching you by covering the lens, but even after you painstakingly change settings to make your smart TV more private, you can’t shake the feeling that the tracking hasn’t really gone away.

5

Fitness trackers and smartwatches

When wearable tech first appeared, the pitch was that they’d help us live healthier lives. And in a way, they do. These gadgets know when you wake up, when you fall asleep, how well you sleep, how often your heart skips a beat, and whether you’ve been lazy for three days in a row. They even know your location every time you go for a jog. However, all of that doesn’t just sit on your wrist; it gets sent to cloud servers run by companies that are more than happy to share or sell the data.

Jerome Thomas / MakeUseOf

For example, in 2018, the fitness app Polar accidentally revealed sensitive details about soldiers, including their names and exact military base locations, just through their fitness data. That’s how precise and intrusive this tracking can be.

4

Smart home devices

Every smart gadget you add to your home creates another data point. Your thermostat knows when you’re home or away, your smart lights know when you go to bed, and your doorbell camera knows who comes to your house. Even your security camera, which is meant to keep you safe, can just as easily keep tabs on you. Hackers have slipped into those systems before, sometimes even speaking to children through hijacked baby monitors.

Brent Dirks / MakeUseOf

Again, all this information funnels straight into cloud servers where companies stitch together a round-the-clock portrait of your household. They can infer when you usually cook, what groceries you’re likely to buy, even how often you run the vacuum. It sounds absurd until you realize this is the level of granularity they’re after.

The hardest part is, once you’ve handed over that data, there’s no getting it back.

3

Devices with voice assistants

Scan through different forums, and you will see people talking about how Alexa recorded them snoring or Siri chiming in on their conversation out of the blue. It’s funny on the surface, but the reality isn’t so amusing. Voice assistants are always on standby, and their microphones are tuned to detect wake words like “OK Google” or “Hey Siri.” Supposedly, nothing is transmitted until you activate it. Supposedly.

Matt L. Hall / MakeUseOf

However, in practice, “accidental activations” are real, sometimes capturing personal conversations by mistake. In a 2019 Time article, it was reported that Amazon employees listened to a portion of Alexa recordings to “improve service.” That means real people—absolute strangers—were listening in on private conversations, kids yelling, couples arguing, and everything in between.

Even when it works as advertised, it’s still creepy. Every command you give is stored, analyzed, and tied back to your profile. The more you use it, the more it learns about you, from your music preferences to your shopping habits and routines.

2

Bluetooth trackers

On the surface, Bluetooth trackers like Apple AirTags or Tile seem like lifesavers. You can use them in many ingenious ways, including finding your lost keys or luggage. But the story changes the moment these supposedly harmless gadgets are flipped on their heads.

Take AirTags, for instance. Stalkers have already weaponized them to track people without their knowledge. Apple had to scramble to add safety features after reports (like the ones Cosmopolitan highlighted) started piling up of women finding hidden AirTags tucked into purses, cars, or even coat pockets.

Aryan Surendranath/MakeUseOf

And even if no one’s slipping one into your bag, those trackers are still chatting away. Every little ping between your device and a nearby iPhone is quietly feeding Apple’s enormous location database. Well, even though the manufacturer claims it’s “anonymous” and “encrypted,” trusting a trillion-dollar tech empire not to squeeze profit out of a goldmine of location data requires a leap of faith not everyone’s willing to make.

1

Smartphone

If there’s a single gadget that takes the gold medal for spying, it’s your smartphone. It contains more information about you than your family, friends, and probably even you yourself.

Think about it: your phone knows everywhere you’ve been, thanks to GPS, Wi-Fi, and cell towers. It knows what you search, what you watch, who you talk to, and how often. Every app you install is another surveillance pipeline. Some apps track your location even when you’re not using them. Others scrape your contacts, your photos, your microphone, your accelerometer—yes, even how fast you’re walking.

Yash Wate / MakeUseOf

And don’t think adjusting a few settings saves you. Phones are designed to track. The operating system, the carrier, the apps—they all want a slice of your life. That’s why I laugh when people say, “I’ve got nothing to hide.” Because, realistically, you couldn’t hide much even if you tried.

Yet, year after year, we queue up for the newest model, grinning as we carry around what is essentially a state-of-the-art tracking device—one we paid for ourselves.

The strangest part is how normal all of this feels now. It’s not that companies are twirling their mustaches in some dark room, plotting against us—it’s that we always click or tap “Agree.” Buried inside those endless terms of service, consent hides in paragraphs of legalese most of us either skim or skip entirely. We just want our gadgets to work, to stay updated, and to “improve.” So we shrug, stick with the defaults, and keep moving. The alternative, of course, is to walk away from these devices altogether. In the end, it’s really your call either way.

VPNs are a must-have today if you need genuine privacy protection. They provide unrestricted access, especially where governments are cracking down on what you can access online. However, some VPNs have such a shady history, and using them can be jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire.

4

Kape Technologies–owned VPNs

Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, ZenMate

I have grouped these VPNs into the same category because they share the same issue: ownership. Kape Technologies acquired CyberGhost in 2017, ZenMate in 2018, Private Internet Access in 2019, and finally, ExpressVPN in 2021.

This raises two concerns. First, it could allow user information to be aggregated across the services, which increases privacy risks. Second, it gives users a false sense of choice, since the same vision, culture, and product drive the different brands.

The issue goes even deeper. Kape Technologies was once known as Crossrider. According to an extensive analysis by Monthly Review, Crossrider had ties to shady apps and was once strongly linked to malware distribution, with the Crossrider Adware believed to have ties to the company.

These apps allowed developers to inject ads into software, hijack browsing sessions, and automatically change search engines to maximize revenue. The primary purpose of a VPN is to hand over your traffic to a service that conceals your activity from your ISP. A company with such a background would concern me if it had access to my information.

3

Hola VPN

Free is never free with VPNs

Whenever I encounter a free VPN, I avoid it. This applies to Hola VPN, as well as many other free VPNs available. A free VPN typically monetizes your connection. In the case of Hola VPN, it operates as a peer-to-peer network, which means that users’ bandwidth may be sold and routed through other users’ connections.

The bigger problem is that, because other people’s traffic is routed through your IP, you can be implicated in any misuse of it. In 2015, the BBC reported that over 47 million users were drawn into a network of computers used for criminal activity.

It goes deeper. Hola VPN has a history of logging user data, which the Hola privacy policy openly acknowledges. This includes data points like timestamps, IP addresses, device information, and websites visited. Because data stored by Hola VPN is not encrypted, your privacy and data are vulnerable to an attacker.

To make matters worse, Hola VPN gathers as much data from you as possible, yet bears no responsibility for how it is protected or stored, as it clearly admits in its privacy policy.

2

PureVPN

A no-logs claim that still produced logs

Marketing can be very flattering, and some VPNs flat-out lie in the name of promotion. PureVPN marketed itself as having a no-logs policy, meaning it does not keep or retain your data. However, in 2017, a Department of Justice complaint revealed that, at the request of the FBI, it had revealed data logs relating to a specific customer. It’s ironic that, to this day, part of Pure VPN’s privacy policy still reads:

You are invisible—even we can’t see what you do online.

Another reason PureVPN is a hard pass is its use of in-app third-party trackers to monitor users. A 2021 Hide Me report identified Pure VPN as hiding trackers in its software. While it is not uncommon for apps to include trackers, for a VPN provider, it is a huge red flag. You expect your VPN to shield your traffic rather than hand over your behavioral patterns to third-party websites.

When a privacy company lies about how it handles sensitive information or actively tracks your online behavior, it becomes unwise to trust or continue using their service.

1

IPVanish

A VPN subject to Five Eyes jurisdiction

IPVanish is another example of a VPN with a mismatch between marketing and actions. The company claims to have a no-logs policy.However, according to Cyberinsider, in 2016, at the request of the Department of Homeland Security, it submitted detailed connection logs of itsusers. These included names, email addresses, actual IP addresses, connection timestamps, and VPN activity. This was clear evidence that a significant amount of user data was being logged.

Another issue highlighted by this scandal is the jurisdiction risk faced by companies based within the Five Eyes surveillance alliance. They may be compelled to submit user information and have no way to object. This is why I generally avoid VPNs based in the United States.

It is worth noting that IPVanish changed ownership after the 2016 user log scandal. The company was sold to StackPath in 2017, later acquired by J2 Global, and is currently owned by Ziff Davis. While a change in ownership can indicate a fresh start and a new direction, I remain skeptical. It may appear to be a public relations strategy aimed at gaining sympathy, while underlying issues may remain unchanged.

All I have done is share my thoughts, point to verifiable past incidents, and highlight a few VPN red flags. Ultimately, effective PR often masks numerous flaws in popular VPNs. What I am more curious about is what happens after the hype has died down. Do you feel comfortable using any of the VPNs I have mentioned? Are past incidents and history overrated?

Many common household problems can be easily fixed with basic hand tools and a little know-how, saving both time and money. You can confidently tackle simple fixes without ever needing to plug in a power tool.

Remove your home’s tiny annoyances

I’m not good with tools. In fact, the tools I have in my home are limited to a few wrenches and screwdrivers. The only power tool I have is an inexpensive drill my father bought me as a Christmas gift a few years ago, because he was tired of being asked to do minor repairs.

Not too long ago, I figured out a simple truth: you don’t need power tools to perform basic tasks. Instead, items like everyday cooking spray, wood glue, and yes, screwdrivers will get these types of jobs accomplished. Though if you’re still interested in buying power tools for your home, there are several types of essential power tools to consider.

5

Silence a squeaky door hinge

My home is over 45 years old, so I’m always making minor repairs to what I consider small, annoying problems. At the top of this list are door hinges that like to sing. Months ago, those high-pitched cries I heard every time my daughter opened and closed her bedroom door were causing me great pain.

Luckily, there’s a quick solution to this problem. To silence a noise-making door hinge, spray it with WD-40, a multipurpose spray that’s been around for homeowners since the 1950s. You can buy it at any hardware or big-box store.

After you spray the WD-40 on the door hinges a few times, use a soft cloth to wipe it away so the residue doesn’t drip onto the floor. Move the door back and forth to see if that resolves the problem. If it doesn’t, add more WD-40 and try again.

If you don’t have time to get WD-40, you can also use cooking spray or vegetable oil to accomplish the task. Both work great as instant lubricant for squeaky hinges. Better still, these aren’t toxic, so you can use them on lower door hinges where children and pets might be roaming around.

4

Fixing a running toilet

Sometimes, when you flush a toilet, it continues to run for no apparent reason. Not only is this annoying, but over time, will also lead to a higher water bill. Often, simply moving the handle back and forth a few times resolves this issue. If the handle doesn’t go back to its default position when flushing, spray some WD-40 inside to make sure it can turn freely. If this doesn’t work, you’ll need to put on a pair of rubber gloves and take a closer look.

When your toilet won’t stop running, remove the lid from the tank, then flush it and observe the result. Most of the time, a running toilet is caused by either a flapper that isn’t sealed correctly, or a water level that’s too high. Your toilet’s flapper is most likely made of rubber or silicone, though it may also be plastic. The color is usually black, gray, or red.

The flapper’s main purpose is to open and close the barrier that moves water from the tank to the toilet bowl. When it’s not properly sealed, the toilet will continue to run. This object is attached to a metal chain that connects to the back of the flush handle.

For whatever reason, this chain may have become loose and needs to be adjusted to seal the flapper more effectively. Through trial and error, you should be able to find the perfect length, thereby ensuring the flapper seals properly.

Over time, the flapper can become brittle or warped, which might also be the cause of the issue. If you touch the flapper and pieces flake off, it’s time to replace it. You can find flappers at stores like Walmart, as well as universal flappers on Amazon.

If the flapper appears to be working fine, the running toilet may be caused by excessive water flowing in and out of the tank. Most likely, this is because the water is rising above the tank’s overflow tube. A vertical fill valve and adjacent floater or cup control the flow of water inside the tank.

A floater, which is found in older toilets, can be adjusted by gently bending its metal arms downward. This causes the ball to sit lower, thereby turning off the water sooner. On newer toilets with cups, adjusting requires a slight modification to the screw or clip that secures the fill valve. Use a screwdriver to carefully turn the screw clockwise, or squeeze the clip to slide the float cup down a little further on the valve.

3

Unclog a slow drain

Clogged drains are never fun, whether it’s the sink in your kitchen or a toilet that won’t flush properly. A plunger or a drain snake should resolve these types of issues. If you’re unclogging a toilet, be sure to buy a bellows plunger, which will do the job much better than the usual cup plungers you see in restrooms.

To unclog a drain with a plunger, place it over the clog and push it up and down. Changing the water pressure continuously should dislodge whatever’s causing the problems. A drain clog remover stick is a good choice for tub or sink drains where hair, makeup, and other debris can create clogs.

For more serious issues, you might need a drain snake or toilet auger. Using these involves forcing them up through the drain and piping to displace whatever objects are there.

If you still have a clog, I suggest adding a small amount of everyday detergent to the sink or toilet and letting it sit there for a while, as some detergents can break up the clog. In this case, reuse the plunger or snake after adding the detergent and observe the results. If you still have a problem, it’s time to call a plumber.

2

Tighten a loose cabinet or drawer pull

Cabinets and drawers are designed to open and close multiple times throughout the day. Eventually, a screw on one of the pulls may need to be tightened due to all this movement. In this case, you need to use a screwdriver to drive it back into place. Finding the right screwdriver may require some trial and error, so it’s helpful to have screwdrivers of multiple sizes.

Bryan M. Wolfe / MakeUseOf

If you aren’t sure, start with the smallest one you have and adjust it from there until you find one that fits best inside the edges of the top of the screw. Then, turn it clockwise to tighten.

1

Patch a small drywall hole

Most homes in the U.S. have walls made of drywall and with good reason: they are easy to repair. If there’s a hole in your wall, it can be quickly patched, or entire sheets can be replaced.

When you’re dealing with a minor issue with your wall, all you need is a putty knife, a little bit of spackle, and fine-grit sandpaper. All of these can be found at your favorite hardware store and are sometimes sold as a bundle.

Spackle is a white, putty-like substance used to fill small holes or cracks in walls, ceilings, and other surfaces. All you need to do is place a small amount of the paste in the hole in the wall, then use the putty knife to smooth it out. After the spackle dries, use sandpaper to smooth it down so it matches the rest of the wall.

Amazon

Assuming the spackle isn’t the same color as the wall, you’ll also need to paint the finished spot to match. Or you can do what I do: hang something over the spot and get on with your day.

Minor problems around your home can usually be solved using items that you either already have or that can be easily purchased. None of these are costly power tools, so you can save more of your hard-earned money while also dealing with common issues. Next, why not use a few tricks to get your floors properly cleaned?

You’ve used SUM for years. It adds numbers, does its job, and you probably don’t think twice about it. But while you’ve been clicking through filters and building messy helper columns, Excel has been holding out for you.

There’s a smarter function, hidden in plain sight, that can do the heavy lifting for you.

Why SUM alone isn’t enough

SUM is the spreadsheet equivalent of an open invite: it welcomes everything into the total, whether it belongs there or not. That’s perfect when you just need a quick column total, but in real-world work, you’re rarely adding everything.

Let’s imagine you’re a school administrator staring at a massive Excel sheet of thousands of student records. You want the total score for a single student, say John, across every test. With SUM alone, that means manually finding every row where John appears, adding his scores one by one, and hoping you don’t miss a cell.

=SUM(C2,C4,C6,...)

It’s tedious, it’s error-prone, and it gets worse the larger your dataset grows.

SUM doesn’t know whether a column is a name, a department, or a product line; it just happily adds whatever numbers you throw at it. That’s fine for simple lists, but the moment you want to distinguish John’s results from Sarah’s, or filter out everything except one department, SUM falls short.

In contrast, SUMIFS is designed for this. Instead of totaling everything in sight, it asks you which numbers belong in the total. A SUMIFS formula looks like this:

=SUMIFS(C2:C10,A2:A10,"John")

In plain English, this tells Excel to look at the names in column A, find every row that says ‘John,’ and then add the matching scores from column C. You wouldn’t need filtering, manual scanning, or helper columns—just one formula.

And it’s not just for student data. Imagine tracking project expenses by department, analyzing sales by region, or calculating commissions by sales rep and territory. SUM will force you into messy workarounds, but SUMIFS gives you totals based on the conditions you specify.

Now think about when your criteria change, which they always do. Maybe you don’t want this quarter’s totals anymore; you need last month’s. Maybe you want to exclude a certain product line, or only include orders over a certain value. With SUM, you’d be back to filtering and re-selecting ranges all over again. With SUMIFS, you just change the condition, and the formula adjusts automatically.

SUMIFS are smarter for real work

The syntax for the SUMIFS function is designed to handle multiple conditions at once and total only the values that meet all of them:

=SUMIFS (sum_range, criteria_range1, criteria1, criteria_range 2, criteria2, [criteria_range3, criteria3], …)

At first glance, it looks a bit intimidating. But when you break it down, it’s actually straightforward: you’re asking Excel to add up the numbers in your specified sum_range, but only where criteria1 is true in criteria_range1, and where criteria2 is true in criteria_range2, and so on.

Here’s a practical example of SUMIFS with sales data:

=SUMIFS (Revenue, Region, "East", Sales Channel, "Online", Price, ">500") 
=SUMIFS(L2:L100,A2:A100,"Asia",D2:D100,"Online",J2:J100,">400")

Basically, this formula tells Excel to go through the revenue column (in L2:L100) and add up the values, but only if the region (in A2:A100) is Asia, the sales channel (in D2:D100) is online, and the price (in J2:J100) is greater than $500.

You can keep stacking on more conditions—country, date, sales rep, order priority, product line—and Excel will check each one. Only the rows that meet every condition are included in the total. SUMIFS can juggle up to 127 criteria, which is more than enough for even the most complex reports.

The best part is that the formula isn’t static. If your data changes, say a row now meets the conditions, the formula updates automatically. That makes it invaluable for tracking sales by region, summarizing expenses by category, or monitoring inventory by product type.

And just in case you’re wondering, dates are no problem for SUMIFS. You can use it to calculate totals after (or before) specific dates with a simple formula, like this:

=SUMIFS (Revenue, Order Date, ">=1/1/2016")
=SUMIFS(N2:N100,F2:F100,">=1/1/2016") 

The only detail to look out for is that when your criteria isn’t a number—like a date or text—you need to wrap it in quotation marks.

SUMIFS works across all modern versions of Excel, starting with Excel 2007, and runs consistently whether you’re using the desktop app, Excel Online, or even the mobile app. It’s also fully supported in Google Sheets, if you prefer it over Excel, both on the web and in its mobile app.

No matter where you’re working, SUMIFS is a reliable upgrade over plain old SUM.

While most people replace their tech every few years, my 2015 iPad Pro keeps proving its worth. Even though I own the newest model, I find myself reaching for this aging tablet more often than you’d expect.

Why I haven’t retired my ancient iPad Pro

My iPad collection is simple: there’s the original Pro 12.9-inch beast (A1584) with laughably tiny 32GB storage, plus my current iPad Pro 2TB powerhouse. Logic says I should’ve donated the old one years ago. But here’s the thing—I use that first-gen iPad Pro several times a week, and it’s earned its permanent spot in my tech lineup.

The original iPad Pro in 2015 was Apple’s bold statement that tablets could be serious productivity machines. Nearly a decade later, mine’s still making that case—just with a few more battle scars and significantly less available storage.

My go-to second monitor setup

The biggest reason I keep reaching for my old iPad Pro is that it’s the perfect second display for my Intel MacBook Pro. Using Sidecar, it becomes an instant extended desktop. You can connect wirelessly or with a cord—I prefer connecting it with a cable because it’s a more stable connection and provides pass-through charging.

That 12.9-inch display is perfect for keeping reference docs open, monitoring Slack, or attending meetings while I’m working on the laptop.

Could I get a standalone portable monitor instead? Sure, but at just over a pound, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro disappears into my bag next to the laptop. Plus, Sidecar means zero setup—it connects instantly without any driver nonsense.

Why this beats “cheaper” portable monitor alternatives

I learned this lesson when I borrowed my friend’s portable monitor, which he got from Amazon. It had thousands of five-star reviews and cost about $200, so I figured I’d check it out.

It ended up being a total letdown. With the brightness all the way up, it looked terrible next to my old iPad. The text wasn’t crisp, the colors seemed drained, and after five minutes of reading, I wanted to stop. The real kicker? That monitor’s battery completely gave up after maybe five months.

In contrast, my 2015 iPad is still going strong on the original battery. Apple knew what it was doing back then.

The perfect kitchen companion

When I’m cooking, I grab the older iPad without hesitation. It’s the ideal size for propping up on the counter to display recipes, and I don’t have to worry about splashing sauce on my newer $2,000+ iPad Pro. It powers through long cooking sessions without needing a charge, and the size works perfectly propped against my splashback.

Jonathon Jachura / MUO

Carrying it from counter to counter never feels awkward, and I can read everything clearly from across the kitchen. Try pulling that off with a 6-inch phone screen when your hands are sticky with flour from kneading bread.

A guilt-free device for the kids

My 2-year-old and 4-year-old have discovered the joy of trying to guess my passcode. It’s like they’re competing to see who can trigger the longest security lockout period. Their current record is somewhere around 307 minutes, which actually impressed me more than it frustrated me.

This illustrates another great use for an old iPad: I don’t mind if they touch the older device because I’m not stressing about every bump and scratch. Inevitable drops and grubby fingerprints don’t send me into panic mode like they would with my expensive model. It could actually become their gateway into using real tech responsibly.

It still does what most people need

App compatibility is still surprisingly solid on such an old device. All my regular apps work just fine—Netflix, YouTube, Safari, Notes, and more. Is it blazingly fast? Nope. But for reading articles, watching videos, and handling basic work tasks, it’s totally adequate.

Here’s what really struck me: most tablet users aren’t pushing their devices to the limit anyway. Email, web pages, and YouTube—the usual tablet activities work without complaint.

The trade-offs of keeping old tech

Jonathon Jachura / MUO

However, let’s be real—the decade-old device is definitely showing its age. Jumping between my two iPad Pros makes the speed difference painfully obvious. Apps take their sweet time loading, scrolling gets choppy with heavy content, and multitasking requires actual patience.

Charging takes forever compared to modern devices. I usually plug it in overnight because trying to top it off quickly during the day is futile.

That Lightning port is absolutely maddening now. All my other Apple gear has switched to USB-C, which means keeping one stupid Lightning cable around just for this device. Such a minor issue, but it gets annoying fast.

Storage management is my biggest headache. With only 32GB total and iOS taking up a chunk of that, I never add any extra apps to it besides my current streaming, reading, and recipe applications.

Why selling doesn’t make sense

Looking at eBay, similar 32GB models are going for $100-$150 at most, if they’re pristine. Mine’s got a few dings and scratches, but everything works fine.

For what I’d get out of selling it, keeping the iPad Pro as a backup device, dedicated second monitor, and kitchen tablet makes more sense. The peace of mind alone is worth more than whatever I’d pocket from a sale.

Plus, there’s something satisfying about getting maximum value from a device. This iPad Pro has logged likely thousands of hours of use across multiple roles, and it’s still going strong.

This 2015 iPad Pro taught me that well-built hardware can outlast every marketing campaign trying to get you to upgrade. It’s not winning any speed contests, but it doesn’t have to. The best tech often isn’t the flashiest—it’s whatever gets your actual work done reliably. You’ll know when it’s really time to upgrade your iPad.

Google Chrome may be the most popular browser in the world, but it’s far from being the most feature-laden. I’ve been trying new browsers for a while, but after using Perplexity’s AI-powered Comet browser, I don’t think I can go back to Chrome.

4

A homepage that’s actually useful

One of the biggest differences between Perplexity’s Comet and Google Chrome right out of the box is the homepage. The default Google Chrome homepage has a Google search bar and some bookmarks or recently visited tabs. It’s helpful if you need to do a quick Google search or revisit a tab, but that’s about it.

Comet, on the other hand, packs a lot more functionality into its homepage. When you open the browser, you’re greeted with the Perplexity AI search bar with some helpful widgets right underneath. These widgets are customizable and can show you the time, selected stocks, weather, recent websites, and more.

The homepage is also contextually aware. It means that it tracks your browsing patterns and can suggest relevant content, remind you of what you were working on, and even surface information based on your current workload. In a time when modern browsers are dropping this iconic feature, I’m really happy that Comet has turned around the traditional approach to browser homepages.

3

Comet does your browsing for you

Comet also has an agentic AI that can perform tasks on your behalf. This works while you’re away from the tab as well. You can tell the browser to do something for you, switch to another tab, and work on something more important while Comet takes care of the mundane tasks for you.

The agentic AI is also contextually aware, so you can tell it to do all sorts of tasks. Got too many browser tabs open? Ask Comet to analyze all tabs, provide summaries, and suggest which ones to close. It will literally go through every tab and close any unnecessary ones for you. Not only does this help avoid a cluttered browser, it also helps keep resource usage down as you’re actively closing unwanted tabs.

Comet also understands context from open tabs and can group or close similar tabs together. This way, you can have all your shopping carts, unread emails, articles, or more grouped into clusters, which are far easier to manage with a single command.

Additionally, it can also carry out more complex tasks for you. For example, the browser has a built-in assistant example where it takes over your browser to help find hotels and flights for a vacation within specific dates.

Just enter any command, and watch as Comet navigates multiple websites, pop-ups, and any other interactions required to get you the information you need. Sure, you can use a genius Google Calendar shortcut to create meetings quickly, but having Comet take care of them still saves you time and hassle.

Yadullah Abidi / MakeUseOf

This AI assistant is neatly tucked away in a sidebar that can be accessed via the Assistant button in the top-right of the browser toolbar. You’ll also find buttons for voice mode, where you can just talk to the browser and tell it what to do, and a handy web page summary button that gives you a summary of the open tab.

The voice mode works fine as a conversational assistant, but if you’re doing more complicated tasks like the example above, it’s stick to the text assistant. Comet is still in beta, so this experience might improve later, but my testing so far has been hit and miss. It’d be a great feature once it’s ready, but it’s more of a fun gimmick at the time of writing.

2

It’s the fastest way to search the internet

Remember how Comet bakes in Perplextiy’s search box on the homepage? Well, that makes for excellent web searches as you no longer have to be extremely specific or use keywords for your searches. Instead of returning a list of links like your usual Google search, Comet gives you an answer with clearly cited sources.

How effective this approach is for you depends on how you search the internet. If the first thing you do after opening a browser is head to Google and type in a search query, this approach is going to be significantly faster and will likely give you more information for far less effort. Since Comet also cites its sources, you can quickly verify any suspicious facts or figures as well.

The feature seems geared towards making searching the web and researching more conversational. You can have the browser summarize lengthy articles or web pages, ask follow-ups, or simply make it break down complicated topics into an easy-to-understand explanation. For students or professionals dealing with a ton of information and running on short deadlines, this feature is a Godsend.

In summary, if you’re looking for a quick and easy-to-understand answer, Comet’s the way to go. Although it will clutter your Perplexity history, as every search is essentially a new Perplexity conversation. On the bright side, this means Comet can remember context and bring up relevant information from previous searches. Yes, the approach does make you use Perplexity significantly more and gets you to replace your search engine, but I don’t see that being a problem for most people.

1

Performance without overloading your PC

Chrome’s terrible performance and memory management have been a pain for just about every user. Regardless of how well-equipped your computer is, Chrome will start hogging system resources just a few tabs in. If you don’t have RAM to spare, this could affect your entire PC.

Comet is based on Chromium, the same engine powering Google Chrome. However, much like other Chromium-based browsers like Edge and Brave, it manages to deliver functionality without rendering your computer useless.

Yadullah Abidi / MakeUseOf

The ability to summarize and close unwanted tabs with AI helps quite a bit in achieving this. But even with over a dozen tabs open, the browser showed no signs of slowing down itself or my PC. Additionally, you also get a Memory Saver feature similar to most browsers that unloads inactive tabs, an Energy Saver feature that limits background activity and visual effects to save power, and a page preloading feature that automatically loads some of your most visited sites in the browser’s memory.

The browser landscape is changing quickly, and as I found out in my quest to find the perfect browser, no single browser can be labelled as a clear winner. However, if you’re sticking with Chrome, Comet and several other browsers are great alternatives that you must try out.

Some default iPhone behaviors can be more frustrating than helpful. But there’s no need to put up with them. A few quick adjustments in Settings are all it takes to remove those annoyances and make your iPhone far more enjoyable to use.

7

Too many control center pages

By default, the iPhone’s Control Center stretches across three pages. This seems handy, as you get extra space for quick toggles and shortcuts to features you might need occasionally. In reality, though, I’ve realized that most of us only need one page, and that is enough to hold everything that actually matters.

Also, the multipage setup has its own headaches. For instance, swiping through pages to reach the toggle you want can be frustrating. To simplify things, I’ve trimmed my Control Center down to a single page. This way, all my essential toggles are right there, ready to use.

6

Type to Siri keeps popping up

Siri is supposed to make life easier, but sometimes it feels like an overenthusiastic assistant who won’t take a hint. I often found myself accidentally triggering the Type to Siri feature when all I was trying to do was swipe up from the bottom.

To turn it off, go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri > Talk & Type to Siri, then turn off Type to Siri. Personally, I prefer talking to Siri anyway, since it’s faster and feels more natural. Once I made this change, my swipes stopped triggering unwanted pop-ups, and my iPhone finally started behaving.

5

Screen keeps sliding down

Another default behavior that drove me nuts was Reachability. Swiping down on the bottom edge brings the top of the screen within the thumb’s reach. This is surely helpful for anyone who has a Pro Max model and likes using the one-handed mode.

In reality, though, this is another feature that’s easy to trigger. To turn it off, go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch and turn off Reachability. Once I did this, my screen stopped jumping around unexpectedly.

4

Notifications keep lighting up the screen

Lock screen notifications are useful as they alert you to important things even when you’re not actively using your iPhone. The problem is that every single one of them lights up the screen. This means a late-night email, a random app alert, or even a calendar reminder can suddenly flash your phone awake and demand your attention.

Unfortunately, iOS doesn’t offer a direct setting to stop the screen from lighting up. There are workarounds, though. One option is to enable Do Not Disturb, but that means missing all notifications. A better option is to disable lock screen notifications for apps that don’t really need your immediate attention.

Go to Settings > Notifications, select the app, and untick Lock Screen. With this change, only the truly important alerts will wake your phone, while everything else stays quietly in the background.

3

App settings are buried

Accessing an app’s settings is usually something you want to do while you’re actually using it. Take the Camera app, for example. You might want to enable or disable the grid, switch capture formats, or tweak other options.

On Android, you can often adjust these settings right inside the app. On an iPhone, though, you have to back out, head to Settings > Apps, scroll down, and then find Camera.

This behavior is the same across all apps, including App Store, Maps, Phone, and others. It’s not very intuitive. The good news is there’s a quicker way to access app settings. Swipe down on the home screen, type the app’s name, scroll down to the Settings section, and tap the app’s settings icon. This works for all apps, including third-party ones.

2

Distracting notification badges

Those little red badges sitting on app icons are meant to be helpful reminders. However, when every other app on your home screen is showing a glaring red circle, it can get annoying really fast. Instead of nudging you to check something important, badges often become a constant distraction.

The problem is more common in apps like Messages, Mail, and YouTube. Go to Settings > Notifications, pick an app, and toggle off Badges.

You’ll still get alerts in your Notification Center, but your home screen won’t be littered with red dots demanding constant attention. Once I turned off badges for apps like Mail and social media, my home screen felt calmer and far less distracting.

1

Camera shutter sound

Every time you snap a photo on your iPhone, it plays that classic shutter click. It’s meant to mimic the feel of a real camera, but the sound can be distracting sometimes. Maybe you want to capture a quiet moment, like taking a photo of a sleeping baby, without drawing attention.

The easiest way to silence the iPhone camera sound is by enabling the Silent mode using the Ring/Silent switch or Action button on the side of your iPhone. But if you don’t want your phone in silent mode all the time, there’s another option: enable Live Photos. With Live Photos turned on, the shutter sound is automatically muted, so you can take photos in peace.

Coming from Android, I expected some adjustment time with the iPhone. What I didn’t expect was how many little default settings would get in the way. After making the changes above, many of my biggest annoyances disappeared, and the iPhone became far easier to live with.

People love Dexter because, while he’s a serial killer, he is also an antihero. The original series fell off in the later seasons, and the revival mini-series made things worse. But with Dexter being resurrected, maybe the third time’s the charm.

The rise and fall of the original Dexter series

Watch Dexter on Paramount Plus

In 2006, Showtime aired Dexter, where the titular character (played by Michael C. Hall) works for the Miami Metro Police Department as a blood spatter analyst by day. But when nighttime comes around, he is a serial killer the media later dubs “The Bay Harbor Butcher.” Dexter is no ordinary serial killer, though, since he hunts others of his kind using a personal code to judge his victims.

Each season (except season two) usually introduced a primary antagonist in the form of a serial killer that Dexter needed to hunt to satisfy his urge. Don’t get me wrong: Dexter is a very bad person, sometimes the worst. But he was written in a likable way that you couldn’t help but root for him, even against people trying to catch him.

Seasons 1-4 were peak Dexter, as they masterfully explored Dexter’s psyche—particularly, his serial killer side he personally calls “The Dark Passenger.” It was the perfect blend of dark humor, suspense, moral complexity, and character development. And, along the way, innocents died and lives were destroyed, all for Dexter to keep his secret and continue satisfying his urge.

Season 5 is when things start becoming unfocused and convoluted, and the less we talk about a certain romantic twist, the better. By the time season eight, the final one, came around, Dexter was unlikable, and the show lost its brilliance. The final nail in the coffin came when Dexter didn’t face any world-shattering consequences for his actions.

Dexter: New Blood made things worse

What Dexter: New Blood on Paramount Plus

In New Blood, Dexter works at a local outfitter and sporting goods store in Iron Lake, a fictional small town in upstate New York. He now goes by the name Jim Lindsay to distance himself from the past and has successfully kept his urges in check for years. However, they come rushing back when he finds someone he really needs to kill, and with the appearance of someone from his past, leading to Dexter killing again.

Soon, this leads to Dexter needing to kill more, catching the attention of the local police chief, Angela Bishop (Julia Jones), whom he is also dating. As usual, there is also some big, bad serial killer actively working in the area who only Dexter can find and stop.

New Blood started in a captivating manner, with its new and engaging storylines. However, the narrow scope, slow pace, and darker tone were too much of a stark contrast to the original. Furthermore, the rushed ending resolved very little when it came to the original’s lingering plot threads, leaving the conclusion feeling unconvincing and unsatisfying.

Dexter: Resurrection is the true revival

Watch Dexter: Resurrection on Paramount Plus

Dexter: Resurrection picks up right where New Blood left off, with Dexter now working for a fictional rideshare company called UCar in New York City. He does this to earn money, but, more importantly, there is a serial killer called “The Dark Passenger” who is murdering UCar drivers in a gruesome way—Dexter can’t have that. In pursuit of The Dark Passenger, he comes across a gathering of serial killers that is hosted annually, and this is like a buffet being handed right into his hands.

The premise of this serial killer gathering sounds silly, but watching it is a whole different thing. What made the original great is back, but with different social dynamics, as Dexter openly interacts with like-minded individuals. This is a bold direction, but one that is compelling, and it perfectly repositions Dexter as the antihero vigilante we’ve come to know and somewhat love.

A very important character from the original show makes a major appearance, evoking deep emotions while enhancing nostalgia. They are pursuing Dexter and are so sure he is the Bay Harbor Butcher responsible for so much pain back in Miami. The show is trying to tell us that Dexter is not free from the consequences of his past actions and could get his comeuppance, which intensifies the tension.

It’s clear that Dexter: Resurrection is The Dark Passenger’s return that fans, including me, have been hoping for. When you consider its record-high streaming numbers and the positive critical and fan reception, it will most likely be around for a few more seasons. I hope it doesn’t fall off again.

It would be strange to end this article without acknowledging the existence of the prequel series: Dexter: Original Sin. It tells the story of how Dexter transitioned from being a medical student to a vigilante serial killer with a code.

I don’t care much about prequels and find them pointless in the grand scheme of things. Although word of mouth was good, Showtime canceled it after one season. I plan to watch it at some point, considering the revival has resurrected my love for Dexter.

Tech is full of half-truths, clever marketing lines, and myths that just refuse to die. Some of them sound logical, companies push some to sell you products you don’t need, and others are just plain outdated. Whatever the source, they end up draining people’s wallets.

7

Expensive cables improve quality

Walk into a big-box store, and you’ll see cables (HDMI, audio, you name it) lined up for five to thousands of dollars. The salesperson’s pitch is likely to be that the pricier ones promise a “superior” picture and sound. This is not true at all.

A solid HDMI cable in the $5–$10 range, as long as it meets the specifications and runs a reasonable distance (say, one to five meters), will deliver the exact same picture and sound as a $100 version of the same length. That’s because digital signals don’t care about prestige pricing. They’re binary—either the ones and zeros make it across intact, or they don’t. There’s no middle ground where an expensive cable somehow makes your picture look as expensive as the cable.

The only times it makes sense to spend more are for durability or special cases. If you’re constantly plugging and unplugging gear, a sturdier connector might save you headaches. And if you’re trying to push a signal over 50 feet, better shielding or active cabling might be necessary. However, for everyday home use, any certified HDMI cable that meets the standard will perform exactly the same as one that costs ten times more.

6

More megapixels means a better camera

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard some of my friends brag about their phone’s “200-megapixel camera” like it’s the holy grail of photography. But the truth is, megapixels mostly determine image size, not quality. A 12-megapixel camera with a large sensor and good software will beat a 64-megapixel one with a cheap lens any day. Apple knows this, which is why they stuck to 12MP cameras for years while still producing some of the best shots.

People waste money upgrading to phones or cameras simply because the megapixel number went up. But unless you’re printing billboard-sized posters or cropping aggressively, you won’t even notice the difference. What matters far more is sensor size, lens quality, and image processing software.

5

Bigger TVs always mean better viewing quality

The “bigger is better” mentality has packed living rooms with giant TVs, but sheer size doesn’t guarantee a better picture. In fact, it can sometimes make things worse. Manufacturers love this misconception, of course, because bigger screens mean bigger margins, and plenty of buyers assume that more inches automatically equals a superior viewing experience.

A massive display can certainly feel cinematic, but true comfort comes from more than raw dimensions. Picture quality is shaped by where you sit, the screen’s resolution, the room’s lighting, and the panel technology behind it, such as OLED, QLED, QNED, or Mini-LED. If you sit too close to an oversized, lower-resolution screen, instead of immersion, you’ll end up with pixels becoming visible, and your eyes will strain.

Andrew Heinzman / MakeUseOf

The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers even has a more precise guideline: your screen should cover about 30° of your field of vision, which works out to sitting at about 1.2–1.6 times the diagonal. So, for a 55–65 inch 4K TV, the sweet spot is usually seven to ten feet away, which happens to match the average distance from couch to TV in many homes. If you go much larger than 65 inches, unless you have a very spacious living room, you’ll either need to sit uncomfortably far back or risk seeing picture flaws.

4

Antivirus software is a must for every device

When Windows first made antivirus software a must-have, somehow, people got the idea that every device needed pricey security software. But times have changed. Nowadays, operating systems like macOS, Windows 10/11, and even many Linux flavors already come with strong built-in defenses like sandboxing, regular security updates, and behavior monitoring. For most folks who stick to good habits, such as avoiding shady internet browsing and downloads, spotting phishing attempts, and maybe running an ad-blocker in the browser, those native protections are more than enough.

Screenshot by Oluwademilade Afolabi — No attribution required

Paying for extra antivirus software often just duplicates what your OS or browser is already doing, and in some cases, it can actually drag your system down with unnecessary bloat. That said, there are scenarios where an extra layer makes sense, such as households with kids, less tech-savvy users, or big enterprise setups where the stakes are higher. But for the average user, those expensive antivirus subscriptions usually just repackage what you already have for free.

3

Brand-new tech is always better

There’s a strange obsession with buying the newest gadget the moment it drops, as if last year’s tech suddenly turned to dust. Companies love this myth because it fuels the upgrade treadmill, but it’s rarely true.

Framesira/Shutterstock

Last year’s flagship phone will usually run circles around this year’s midrange model, and a laptop that’s two or three years old can still handle everyday tasks just as well as one fresh out of the box, straight from the factory. Upgrading just for the sake of “new” is like trading in your perfectly good car every year just because the dealership unveiled a shinier one. It probably looks better aesthetically, but it doesn’t necessarily perform any better when you actually use it.

The smarter play is often to grab slightly older models at a discount. You pocket the savings, and in most cases, you’re not giving up much, if anything at all. But as long as people equate “new” with “better,” companies will keep happily cashing in.

2

Expensive gaming PCs and gear equal instant pro performance

This myth always cracks me up, because it assumes skill comes in the box. Spending $5,000 on a rig or springing for the “highest-end” PC peripherals doesn’t magically make you good at gaming. If your aim is off or your reflexes are slow, some kid with a bargain setup will still wipe the floor with you.

Alex Tihonovs/Shutterstock
 

High-end hardware can definitely improve graphics and frame rates, but gameplay itself doesn’t transform. There’s a sweet spot for performance that doesn’t require bleeding your bank account dry. If you’re going to spend, put it toward the things that actually matter. Like stable framerates (stable 144fps matters more than inconsistent 240fps), a low-latency monitor (low input lag beats maximum resolution), peripherals that feel right in your hands, and an internet connection that won’t betray you mid-match.

1

Extended warranties are always worth it

Extended warranties always sound like a good idea because tech breaks, right? However, most devices we buy (phones, laptops, TVs) already come with a manufacturer’s warranty baked in. Even though it won’t cover every mishap, it still covers most, if not all, factory defects you’d worry about. If something really does go wrong, you can usually find a solid repair shop that fixes it for a fraction of what you’d have shelled out for an extended plan.

If you’re the type who upgrades every couple of years or simply takes good care of your gear, the odds of ever needing an expensive post-warranty repair are slim. And from what I’ve seen, paying for the occasional repair as it comes up almost always costs less than pouring money into coverage you’ll probably never use.

Tech doesn’t have to be a splurge. All too often, our instincts nudge us toward bigger numbers, flashier packaging, or pricier assurances, none of which guarantee a better experience. By cutting through these myths, you can make smarter choices that align with real value. So, save your wallet, stay savvy, and invest in what actually matters.

Sometimes the best trailers don’t come from Hollywood studios. Fans with editing skills and a wild sense of imagination have been cutting their own trailers for years. The best fan-made trailers aren’t just patchworks but love letters to movies, like some of the ones here.

12

Green Lantern (2009)

Two years before Ryan Reynolds officially suited up as the Green Lantern, this fan trailer made the internet believe that a big-screen version could actually happen. The editing was slick for its time, combining footage from Halo 3, Serenity, and Star Trek with clever effects that sold the illusion. Who knew that the charismatic Nathan Fillion would finally wear the ring in the latest Superman flick.

11

The Shining Recut (2006)

It takes a serious buff to turn Stanley Kubrick’s terrifying The Shining into a heartwarming family comedy (called Shining). By dropping in Peter Gabriel’s Solsbury Hill and using lighthearted narration, the horror classic is suddenly a feel-good drama. It’s a masterclass in how music and editing alone can change a film’s entire meaning.

10

Harry Potter as a Teen Comedy (2011)

As a Harry Potter fan, I couldn’t resist choosing two fan trailers from the franchise. Both are chalk and cheese. In this one, imagine Harry Potter like a cheesy early-2000s teen rom-com, complete with pop music and awkward high school tropes. The fan edits highlight the friendships, crushes, and goofy moments at Hogwarts rather than the darker magic.

9

Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe (2016)

This one goes hard. Inspired by the dark comic storyline, the trailer cuts together Marvel footage to show Deadpool hunting down the entire superhero roster. The tone and brutal “kills” make it feel like an R-rated spin-off that Marvel would never actually release. Never mind that the actual Deadpool films are R-rated with lots of violence.

8

Solo, With the “I’m Han Solo” Soundtrack (2018)

Is it a fan trailer or is it a meme? I don’t mind either way. This fan edit replaces the soundtrack of the official trailer for Solo: A Star Wars Story with the absurd “I’m Han Solo” dance track from the Star Wars Kinect video game. The song itself is a parody of Jason Derulo’s “Ridin’ Solo.” The clash between the serious visuals and the goofy music is perfect for a laugh.

7

The Last of Us (2020)

Before HBO’s official adaptation arrived, fans were already imagining The Last of Us as a live-action series. This concept trailer, stitched together from other shows and movies, nails the bleak atmosphere of the game. Seeing Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey as Joel and Ellie seems perfect now. But the trailer’s reimagining with Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Kaitlyn Dever isn’t too bad either.

6

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (2025)

Rumors swirled about a movie version of The Cursed Child adapted from the play of the same name. Then, this concept trailer gave fans more hope. Using AI-generated legacy characters, it scratches the itch for Harry’s story as an adult.

5

Stargate Reimagined (2025)

This trailer uses AI to reimagine a modern blockbuster version of Stargate, complete with sweeping battle scenes. The pacing is what really stands out (and of course, the star-studded cast); it feels like a real studio teaser for a reboot that has never happened. As someone who grew up on Stargate SG-1, seeing this fan cut made me instantly wish for a proper reboot with today’s technology. It’s one show every sci-fi and tech lover should watch at least once.

4

Dexter’s Laboratory (2025)

What if Cartoon Network’s classic Dexter’s Laboratory was reimagined as a live-action Netflix thriller? That’s the question this fan trailer answers. The eerie vibe and shadowy lab shots turn the goofy cartoon into something straight out of Stranger Things. It’s ridiculous, but I’d absolutely binge this show on Netflix.

3

Rambo: First Blood (2025)

This fan-made “reboot” of First Blood imagines a modern version of Rambo’s story, and it’s surprisingly interesting. Tom Hardy as John Rambo doesn’t look as raw as Stallone, but I would still watch the film if it came out. The footage blends AI with Stallone’s classic moments and a new cast of characters. Considering Rambo hasn’t been rebooted, it makes one think.

A measuring tape is one of those tools that always seems to be missing when you need it most. What you do have, though, is your phone, and its camera can actually serve as a handy substitute for a tape measure.

How AR measurement works on your phone

AR measurement, short for augmented reality measurement, allows your phone to calculate the dimensions of real-world objects and spaces with the help of the camera. The way it works is quite genius.

When you point your camera at a room, table, or even a bookshelf, your phone starts analyzing the scene. It looks for flat surfaces such as floors, walls, and tables. Once these surfaces are detected, the tool can measure distances between points to create an accurate three-dimensional representation of the environment in real time.

Besides the camera, your phone relies on a combination of sensors and spatial mapping to deliver accurate results. For instance, the accelerometer detects movement, while the gyroscope tracks the device’s orientation.

By combining visual information from the camera with data from these sensors, your phone can determine not only the size of objects but also their position in the surrounding space.

AR measurement is available on most mid-range and flagship Android and iPhone models. So, unless your phone is entry-level, you should be good to go.

On the iPhone, the Measure app comes pre-installed, so you can open it and start measuring instantly. If you once dismissed it as just another useless built-in app from Apple and uninstalled it, you can reinstall it from the App Store.

Similar to Apple, Google used to provide its own free Measure app, but it was discontinued in 2021 due to accuracy and stability issues. However, if you have a Galaxy phone, you can download Samsung’s Quick Measure app from the Play Store or Galaxy Store.

Pankil Shah/MakeUseOf

On Android, third-party apps also fill the gap. A popular choice is the AR Ruler app, which you can download from the Play Store. It is also available on iOS if you want more advanced features. It goes beyond basic length and height checks and offers volume measurement, path scanning, and angle detection.

Download: AR Ruler for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)

Once you’ve got the right app on your phone, using AR measurement is surprisingly simple. Open the app and point your camera at the object or space you want to measure. The app will usually guide you with on-screen prompts, such as asking you to move your phone slowly so it can scan the area.

The app will first identify flat surfaces in view, like the top of a table or the floor in your living room. Once the surface is recognized, you’ll see a dot or crosshair appear on the screen. This acts as your starting point.

From there, you tap to mark one point, then move your phone to the next spot and tap again. The app calculates the distance between the two points to give you a precise measurement. You can use this to measure objects, check room dimensions, or even estimate someone’s height.

Most measuring apps can also detect shapes automatically. If the app detects a square, rectangle, or circle, it will display the measurements without you having to trace each side manually. This makes tasks like checking if a new piece of furniture will fit in a space almost effortless.

Samsung’s Quick Measure includes a handy feature that calculates the distance between the camera and an object. This is particularly useful when you want to estimate how far your TV, a wall, or any object is from where you’re standing.

To keep a record, you can capture the measurement with the shutter button, which saves it as a photo. Apple’s Measure app also includes a history tab where all your measurements are stored, so you can revisit them later if needed.

The accuracy of these measurements

With all this talk about turning your phone into a digital tape measure, it’s obvious to wonder how much you can actually rely on the results. The short answer is that AR measurement is impressively accurate for casual use, but it still has its limits.

In most cases, the margin of error is usually within a couple of centimeters. That means if you’re checking whether a new chair will fit through a doorway or estimating the size of a rug, the readings are trustworthy enough.

For example, I measured my 55-inch TV and got 56 inches, which is close enough. However, measuring from a slightly different angle gave 59 inches, so accuracy can vary depending on how you position your phone.

Your phone’s camera can be useful for a lot of things besides taking photos and videos. AR measurement is one of those handy extras. While it won’t replace a tape measure or professional laser tools, it’s accurate enough for most everyday tasks like checking furniture dimensions or estimating space.

Apple offers essential apps for its CarPlay system, but third-party options for navigation, audio, and utility can enhance safety and convenience while driving. This article reviews the best third-party apps for CarPlay in key categories.

6

Waze

Despite being acquired by Google in 2013, Waze remains a separate app (from Google Maps) in the App Store, although many of its features are also now integrated into the main Google Maps app. What makes Waze a continued winner is its deep integration with crowdsourcing, which brings a certain level of intimacy that’s lacking in other map apps. This integration makes it relatively easy to alert fellow drivers to things like road hazards, police sightings, and speed traps.

Waze also does a terrific job of offering real-time re-routes based on changing road conditions. For example, if there are reports of an accident 25 miles ahead on your journey, the CarPlay display will explain the situation and suggest alternative routes. It’s a slick process that works seamlessly.

Another nice touch is Waze’s customization options. You can change the voice of the Waze assistant, adjust the look of icons, and more. This adds some uniqueness that’s missing from other map apps.

Waze certainly isn’t for everything. Google Maps, for example, still does a better job at helping you find a business. It’s also the app I use when there are multiple stops on my journey. Google Maps simply does things like this better. But, overall, I find myself using Waze much more than Google Maps and Apple Maps.

Download: Waze (Free)

5

Overcast

There are several different ways to listen to podcasts in the car. One of my favorite apps for this purpose is Overcast. While most of its features are available for free, a premium subscription offers additional bonus features, and you can also opt to hide the occasional ads that come with the free version.

Overcast rightly advertises its two best features: Smart Speed and Voice Boost. The former dynamically shortens silences in podcasts, thereby cutting down the total time. It works brilliantly since it does this without distortion, thereby keeping the talk natural-sounding.

The app’s other great feature, Voice Boost, elevates every sound to the same level, even when going between podcasts. This essentially removes the need to adjust the volume in places like your car, where there might be other people listening (and talking) while your favorite show is playing.

Download: Overcast (Free, in-app purchases available)

4

Audible

When it comes to listening to audiobooks, there’s Audible and everyone else. The Amazon title offers several features that other options, such as Apple Books, do not. For one, Audible offers a subscription-based service that allows you to purchase a set number of book titles each month at a discounted price.

Perhaps the best Audible feature is Whispersync for Voice. This allows you to seamlessly switch between a Kindle eBook and the corresponding audiobook, regardless of your device. Often, when I’m in the car, I will pick up the audiobook where I left off on my iPad.

Audible isn’t necessarily for everyone. If you don’t read a lot of audiobooks, getting a subscription might not be worth it. In that case, the differences between Audible, Apple Books, and others are much less noticeable.

Download: Audible (Must purchase most content)

3

Libby

If you like to borrow and listen to audiobooks from your local library, there’s Libby. The free app enables you to borrow and read e-books, listen to audiobooks, and access digital magazines. To listen to a new audiobook, you must first download it onto your iPhone; from there, it will show up in the Libby app on the CarPlay display.

Libby says it offers over 45,000 free audiobook titles, which should allow you to drive back and forth between the coasts of the U.S. at least a few times.

Download: Libby (Free)

2

Weather on the Way

There are heaps of excellent weather apps on the App Store. The Weather on the Way app differs in that it focuses on providing a forecast for every location along your specific route. In other words, you can see a timeline of the weather you’re expected to encounter on your way in real-time.

Weather on the Way is a terrific tool for anyone planning to travel long distances in the coming days, such as truckers, vacationers, and long-distance commuters. The free version of the app offers a limited number of features. With a yearly subscription, all the features are unlocked.

Download: Weather on the Way (Free, subscription available)

1

Plugshare and other fueling apps

All cars have one thing in common: they require fuel, whether it is gasoline or electricity. Not surprisingly, numerous CarPlay-enabled apps can help you get to your next fill-up.

For EV owners, there’s PlugShare. The free app’s primary function is to help drivers find available charging stations using an interactive map. You can sort this information by plug type, charging speed, and network. PlugShare is recognized for its ever-growing community of users who check in to stations on the app and share reviews, photos, and general tips. This information is beneficial to both new and long-time EV drivers.

If your car still takes gas, finding a filling station on CarPlay is much easier. Most national gas stations have apps that make it pain-free to find the nearest location from your CarPlay screen. Additionally, retailers like Walmart also show filling stations in their apps.

Download: Plugshare (Free)

Download: Walmart (Free)

Apple CarPlay allows you to access your iPhone’s features through your car’s display using a simple, hands-free interface. Each CarPlay-compatible app, including those mentioned earlier, is designed to operate safely during driving while reducing driver distractions.

We’ve somehow arrived at this strange cultural reflex where the word upgrade is practically synonymous with progress. The assumption is that newer must be better, and if you dare to question that, you risk sounding like some curmudgeon still pining for the days of rotary phones. But honestly, the truth feels a lot less flattering.

7

“Smart” features everywhere

Not everything needs Wi-Fi. Yet here we are, living in a world where your oven might refuse to heat because it’s in the middle of a software update. That’s the core problem with these so-called smart gadgets. They’re loaded with gimmicky features nobody actually wanted, and every one of those features is just another potential failure point.

A fridge doesn’t need a touchscreen that shows me my Google Calendar, and a washer doesn’t need to email me when a cycle is finished. The buzzer worked just fine for decades, and if you didn’t even have a buzzer, you knew it was done when the noise stopped.

Worse still, most of these devices are just surveillance machines in disguise. Smart TVs track your viewing habits and stuff ads into menus. Even toothbrushes, of all things, try to funnel you into downloading an app, registering an email, and surrendering yet another slice of your privacy.

The irony is that the “dumb” versions of these appliances, the ones with simple dials and no internet connectivity, usually last longer. They don’t demand updates. They don’t break when a server shuts down. They just work, day in and day out, until you replace them because they’re old, not because the software bricked itself.

QR code menus made sense during the COVID-19 pandemic. You just had to scan a little square to skip touching a sticky, overused menu. Fine. But now, years later, plenty of restaurants are still clinging to them, and honestly, it’s starting to feel more like a downgrade.

Bilanol / Shutterstock

A printed physical menu has weight and presence. You can toss it on the table, flip it open, and slide it across to your friend without breaking stride. A QR menu, on the other hand, drags you right back into your phone, the very device you probably came to dinner hoping to ignore for a while. One second you’re scrolling through appetizers, the next you’ve fallen into the gravitational pull of email, notifications, or Instagram Reels. Now, the simple act of choosing food turns into another fractured, semi-distracted moment, rather than a shared one.

The part that really grates me is that QR menus are the perfect excuse for restaurants to tweak prices whenever they feel like it, with no reprints necessary. At least when something was printed in ink, it felt grounded, stable, and final for a long while.

5

Killing the disc drive

It wasn’t long ago that laptops typically came with disc drives. You could slide in a DVD, install some software, or dust off that stack of burned CDs without thinking twice. Then, manufacturers became obsessed with shaving millimeters off the chassis, making the drive disappear.

AlexanDior / Shutterstock

Now, if you’ve got physical media, you’re forced to buy some clunky external drive that hogs desk space and feels like a punishment for daring to live in the pre-streaming generation. And if you don’t bother, your choices are depressingly limited. You either hunt for a sketchy rip online, buy the same content again in digital form, or cross your fingers that it happens to be floating around on whatever subscription service you’re currently paying for.

My biggest pain point about this upgrade is that installing software, which used to be as easy as dropping in a disc, has been rerouted through the cloud. Now I have to deal with endless downloads, bloated installers, and a fast drain on both precious storage and bandwidth. All that hassle just so my laptop could be a few millimeters thinner in my bag serves me less.

4

AI in search engines

Not that long ago—say, five or so years—searching the internet actually felt like a process. You typed in what you were curious about, hit enter, and got a stack of links to dig through. It wasn’t always efficient, but there was this sense that you were the one unearthing the answer. Now, with AI baked into search engines (and yes, I’m mainly pointing at Google here), that whole experience has been flattened into these so-called “AI overviews.” Instead of a buffet of perspectives, you get one authoritative-sounding blurb perched at the top of the page, as if the machine has spoken and that’s that.

Of course, it’s not perfect, which is how we ended up with Google’s AI telling people to put glue on pizza. Just one of the many surreal and hilarious moments where AI chatbots hallucinate their way into nonsense.

Aside from that, the whole internet increasingly resembles a tug-of-war between you and ads, algorithms, and dark patterns designed to funnel you into whatever lines companies’ pockets. Just try looking up a product on Amazon, and you’ll find that the actual thing you want is buried under a landfill of “sponsored” garbage.

3

The subscription creep

Subscriptions used to feel reasonable. You paid for your magazine, your cable TV package, maybe Netflix, and that was that. But somewhere along the line, the whole model mutated into something borderline ridiculous. These days, it feels like every corner of tech is scheming to carve out yet another monthly fee for features that, not too long ago, were simply included.

Take apps, for instance. Even the most barebones utilities now have the audacity to demand a subscription. I once saw an alarm clock app charging five bucks a month for premium. Premium what—waking me up with extra enthusiasm? A digital slap in the face?

Games haven’t escaped the racket either. The big three console makers all slap a toll on online play, something that used to be free territory. Think about it: you’ve already bought the console, the game, and you’re paying for your internet service. Yet somehow, you’re still expected to cough up more just for the privilege of joining a multiplayer lobby.

Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock

And then the car industry, never one to miss a money-making trend, decided to leap onto the bandwagon. BMW, Mercedes, and others actually toyed with subscriptions for heated seats and horsepower—features that are physically inside the car you already own. So much for an upgrade!

2

Reels and algorithmic feeds

Social media used to be where you followed people, and—radical thought—you actually saw their posts. You really owned your feed. Now, the feeds feel more like algorithmic labyrinths, engineered less for connection and more for engagement metrics. You don’t really decide what shows up anymore, but the machine does.

Reels are the clearest culprit. These bite-sized, hyper-addictive videos get shoved into your feed whether you asked for them or not. The platforms like to dress it up as “discovery,” but in reality, it’s basically a slot machine designed to keep you pulling the lever. Before you know it, you’ve waded through an endless tide of viral fluff while the friends and communities you actually wanted to hear from get buried at the bottom.

1

Touchscreens in cars

Car makers can’t resist flaunting their sleek, screen-heavy dashboards. They photograph beautifully in brochures and make vehicles look futuristic in showrooms. But on the road, they’re a menace. A simple knob lets you adjust the temperature or crank the volume with a quick flick without looking. A touchscreen, on the other hand, demands your eyes, your focus, and just a little too much patience.

Iryna Inshyna / Shutterstock

And it’s not just me being cranky about it. I found several reports that show it can take drivers up to 20 seconds to complete a basic task, such as changing the AC settings on a touchscreen. That’s 20 seconds of effectively driving blind. Honestly, it’s not far off the danger level of driving after a few drinks.

The good news is that the tide seems to be turning. Starting in 2026, Euro NCAP will only give top safety ratings to cars that have physical controls for essentials like indicators, hazard lights, and wipers. And if you peek into online forums, you’ll see plenty of drivers saying the same thing: give us the knobs back.

A Google Pixel is usually the smartest phone in the room. Most of that smartness goes into making sure you get great photos and can edit the not-so-great ones. I’ve started editing my selfies with my Pixel’s AI, and you should too.

Why I Decided to Test Pixel’s AI on Selfies

Generally, before I upload a photo, it goes through Lightroom on my PC. While this workflow is fine for images taken on my DSLR, moving photos back and forth between my phone and PC for editing becomes a hassle. Lightroom does have an Android app, which retains a lot of functionality from the desktop one, but it can still be a pain adjusting all those sliders on a small screen.

I had already given up on carrying my DSLR everywhere with me when I first switched to a Pixel—that’s one of the reasons why I can’t go back to a non-Pixel Android phone. So if the Pixel AI is good enough to shelve my professional-grade camera, it’s good enough to edit those photos as well.

Besides, not everyone knows how to edit a photo in advanced editing programs. An editor where you can simply type out your edits and the image turns out to be the way you want sounds a lot more accessible and, honestly, enjoyable to use. That’s exactly what Google’s Magic Editor offers.

The editor is quite well integrated into the Google Photos app. You can go from browsing photos to editing them within a few taps, and the entire process is much faster (and simpler) than fiddling with apps like Lightroom or Snapseed.

The Magic Editor Experience

I took a selfie from my phone’s wireless charging stand at a rather challenging time of the day. As you can see, I have direct sunlight exposing part of my frame while the rest of the image remains relatively dark.

Now there are a few things wrong with this image that would take a lot of work to fix, even on the desktop version of Lightroom. I want to get rid of some of the shadows on my face, get rid of the ceiling fan, add background blur, and move the subject (or myself) a bit more to the left.

Getting rid of the ceiling fan is simple enough. Just head over to the Tools section, select the Magic Eraser option, and circle the fan. It does leave some artefacting behind, but since we’re adding background blur, it’s not going to be visible.

Next, I added the background blur, or depth of field, using the Blur option. The feature gives you two options: Blur and Depth. The former lets you pick your focus point, and the latter adds the depth of field. These settings will automatically populate based on your focus point, but you can adjust them to get the desired effect.

The Portrait Light feature is meant for adding an extra light source to your image to better illuminate faces. You get an Add light option that adds an extra light source, and use the Balance light option to balance the overall lighting over faces.

Now it’s time to switch to Magic Editor to get me in the middle of the frame. Google Photos requires you to save any changes made outside of the Magic Editor before proceeding, so getting the image right here is important.

Repositioning the subject is just a matter of tapping and dragging around until you’re happy with the placement. When you’re done, the Magic Editor will give you several options, and you can choose which one works best for you. You can erase or replace any other part of the image by tapping or circling it. The erase option works a lot like the Magic Eraser, but Reimagine lets you replace these selections based on your prompts.

You can also change the entire background of an image, which I did end up doing for fun. I replaced my office in the background with a library, and the result was great. It even managed to get the direction of the lighting right.

You also get the Auto frame and Portrait options. Auto frame is great at fixing composition issues and can even generate horizontal versions of vertical images and vice versa. Portrait seems to do the same thing as Portrait Light, although you’ll have better luck doing it yourself in Google Photos.

The Results: Before vs. After

A couple of minutes and one prompt later, I now have two images that are entirely different from the original selfie I started with. You can see the comparison in the usual selfie and one where I swapped the background for a wooden bookshelf.

Before	After
Yadullah Abidi / MakeUseOf	Yadullah Abidi / MakeUseOf

You no longer have to stress over slider values, adjustment layers, and color accuracy. This is also one of the easiest Pixel-exclusive features that can be ported to other Android devices. All you need is a Google One subscription, and you’re good to go.

Regardless, if you’ve got a Pixel, your phone’s AI-powered editing tools already know how to best frame, light, and clean up your selfies. It doesn’t matter if they were taken on your Pixel or have been in your gallery for years—a few taps and prompts are all it takes to bring them back to life.

I thought I was having a quick chat with ChatGPT about my computer setup, but I accidentally shared my Windows PIN and other deeply personal info.

How I Accidentally Handed My PIN to an AI

When ChatGPT finally made the advanced voice feature available on my phone, I immediately set it as my default voice assistant. Amused at how human the assistant sounded, I never thought twice about using it for answering technical questions and several other applications that used ChatGPT’s live voice and vision. Plus, I’ve always liked that I didn’t have to type or stop to think about how to phrase things when using a voice assistant.

During one of these sessions, I remember venting about a persistent Windows Hello problem. My computer kept losing my PIN setup after every system update, forcing me to recreate it repeatedly. After going through yet another irritating PIN reset cycle, I finally decided to change my PIN. And since the conversation was flowing so naturally, I casually asked ChatGPT to save my PIN in case I forgot it.

I was so used to using Google Assistant (now retired) that I completely forgot I had switched to ChatGPT a few days earlier. Not that sharing a PIN with Google Assistant would have been a good idea, but sharing such data with ChatGPT and its Memory feature just ensured that my PIN was stored indefinitely. In my mind, I was asking my usual assistant to store some information for convenience, the same way I might save a reminder or note.

A Deeper Investigation Showed Me How Vulnerable I Was

I’m pretty open about letting people use my PC for quick tasks. But knowing and understanding the capabilities of ChatGPT’s Memory feature and what it entailed made me anxious. What if someone had checked the Memory logs and found my PIN? What if they had asked questions about my past conversations? The thought made me immediately dive into ChatGPT’s Memory to see exactly what was stored.

ChatGPT had logged far more than just my PIN. It remembered details I’d completely forgotten sharing, like the places I usually visit, that I use my Windows PC for online banking, that I often step away from my computer without locking it during short breaks, and other personal information I wouldn’t want to share with anyone.

The Memory feature painted a detailed picture of my digital life and habits. Although ChatGPT has measures to filter out sensitive data, we can still inadvertently store personal information because we are so accustomed to using AI chatbots and assistants that we often forget to be cautious. Looking through the saved memories made me realize how much we casually share with AI assistants. Even small details can build into a comprehensive profile that could be risky in the wrong hands.

How My PIN Could Have Potentially Connected to My Passwords

The real danger became clear when I started thinking like a hacker. My Windows PIN wasn’t just a number for unlocking my screen. It was the key to everything on my most trusted device.

Windows PINs create a false sense of security because they seem device-specific, but they actually unlock far more than people realize. Once someone has access to your Windows machine through your PIN, they can potentially access saved passwords in browsers, password managers that use Windows Hello integration, and any applications that rely on Windows authentication.

My computer had become my personal vault. Chrome stored dozens of work and personal passwords that autofilled with just Windows authentication. The most concerning realization was that my Windows PC served as one of my primary two-factor authentication devices. I had set up several accounts to send 2FA codes to Microsoft Authenticator on that same machine. I also used Windows Hello to approve authentication requests for various services.

An attacker with my PIN could potentially access my computer, extract saved passwords, intercept 2FA codes, and even approve authentication requests for other services. That simple four-digit code could cascade into complete account takeovers.

What I Do Now to Protect Myself

My accidental AI disclosure forced me to rethink how I interact with AI systems completely. The experience taught me that protecting myself requires both immediate damage control and smarter prevention habits.

First, I changed my Windows PIN immediately and separated critical passwords into a standalone password manager requiring manual entry. Important accounts now use hardware security keys instead of device-based authentication.

Then I immediately audited ChatGPT’s Memory by going to Settings > Personalization > Memory and selecting Manage to delete entries that you don’t want stored. This option effectively erases all the sensitive info about me.

Now I use ChatGPT’s Temporary Chat feature for any technical discussions. This “incognito mode” doesn’t save conversations, use Memory, or contribute to training. I click the “Tempor”ry” butto” before discussing anything potentially sensitive.

There are many ways to prevent your data from being logged into ChatGPTChatGPT’s, but auditing Memory logs and using Temporary Chat are among the more proactive ways to protect your data from possibly leaking from these services.

Overall, this experience taught me that modern security isn’t jisn’tbout strong passwords and good software updates. It’s alIt’sbout understanding how different systems connect and where casual information sharing can create unexpected vulnerabilities. AI memory features are incredibly useful, but they require the same careful consideration we give to any other system that stores our personal data.

I live overseas, and I often find myself missing my favorite TV shows from back home. Thankfully, there are several ways to install regional apps, allowing me to enjoy local news, homegrown programs, and regional sports channels.

How to Change Your Smart TV’s Region

The most direct method I tried was simply changing my TV’s region settings. The steps will vary depending on your TV brand, but the principle remains the same: reset or reconfigure your TV to the country whose services you want.

1. Reset or reconfigure your TV: On my Samsung TV, I performed a factory reset, then selected a different country when prompted during setup. Some brands allow you to switch regions directly from the settings menu.
2. Refresh the app store: Once I confirmed the new region, the TV automatically refreshed its app store. Now, upon searching, the missing regional apps appeared.
3. Install preferred apps: I quickly downloaded these before making any other changes.

Obviously, resetting your smart TV will lose any saved information, so be cautious of doing this if you have important saved logins or other information that you may not be able to restore or recover.

Furthermore, when changing your TV’s region, you may lose access to certain apps that were available in your original region. For example, when I switched from the US to the UK, MAX was no longer available.

You might also need a new account, as some app stores require signing in with a profile that matches your region. Additionally, you may need to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to redirect your IP address at the router level for uninterrupted playback.

Using Alternative App Stores

As it turned out, changing regions via the TV settings menu didn’t work for me, as it was too permanent, and I wanted to use apps from various locations. There was, however, another option: sideloading apps through alternative app stores.

1. Enable developer mode (on Android TV, Fire TV, or Fire TV Stick): This allows you to install apps from outside the official store.
2. Install APKs manually: Download app installation files (APKs) from trusted sites and install them using a USB thumb drive or through a downloader app.
3. Explore third-party app stores: Some external platforms, such as Aptoide, offer a wide selection of region-locked apps that can be installed on compatible TVs and devices.

Downloading from unofficial sources carries the risk of malware. Ensure you only use reputable providers to avoid security issues.

Unlike with the official app store, updates aren’t automatic, so you’ll need to update sideloaded apps manually. Also, not all apps will work properly. Some use region-specific servers, and your login credentials may still be rejected.

Using a VPN Service

I needed a compromise that would allow me to use both local and regional apps on my TV, and using alternative app stores seemed too much of a hassle. I therefore decided to go down the VPN route. Thankfully, I was already subscribed to ExpressVPN, which allows for installation across multiple devices.

VPN Options for Smart TVs

1. VPN-capable router: Since some smart TVs don’t support VPN apps directly, one option is to install a VPN on your Wi-Fi router. This way, every device connected to your network, including your TV, appears to be browsing from the VPN server’s selected country.
2. Smart DNS alternative: Some VPNs offer Smart DNS services, which are easier to set up directly in the TV’s network settings.
3. TV streaming stick: I ended up buying a Fire TV Stick on Amazon, which, unlike my Samsung Smart TV, supports VPN apps. Once this was configured, not only did the app store open up more options, but services like Netflix, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer showed content that was only available in my chosen region.

Poor-quality VPNs are easily detected and blocked by streaming platforms, so it’s worth testing a few providers to find one that works reliably. I have found that both ExpressVPN and NordVPN are effective platforms for streaming TV shows and movies overseas.

Keep in mind that speeds can vary, and if the VPN server is located far away, buffering may become an issue. Also, a VPN differs from changing your TV’s region or using alternative app stores in that you’ll also be required to pay an ongoing subscription cost.

What’s the Best Option to Get Regional Apps on Your Smart TV?

Ultimately, the right approach for installing regional apps depends on your unique preferences. Suppose you are looking for a permanent solution. In that case, changing your TV’s region may be the best option for you, especially if you have relocated and are only interested in one specific market.

If customization is important to you, sideloading apps gives you plenty of freedom to install and view whatever you like. However, this option should be approached with caution and requires more maintenance when keeping apps up to date.

If you value flexibility above all else, a VPN allows you to toggle between regions with ease and enables you to unlock multiple content libraries. When used with a TV streaming device, such as a Chromecast or Fire TV Stick, it also becomes portable for use while traveling.

Unlocking regional apps has revolutionized the way I stream content, and it has granted me many familiar home comforts that I wasn’t even aware that I was missing. However, the process isn’t without its compromises. It’s possible to lose access to some familiar apps, be unable to stream content you were halfway through watching, or experience frustration due to slower connections.

Having weighed my options and chosen a plug-and-play option that best suits my needs, I feel like I’ve taken control of my TV’s regional restrictions, and I’m finally getting the maximum bang for my streaming subscription bucks.

When it comes to Windows, it’s always handy to know a couple of tricks for those moments your computer starts acting out. This exact scenario happened to me recently, and I brought my machine back to life with this super simple startup trick—it can be the difference between pulling your hair out and getting back up and running immediately.

The Windows Startup Trick That Saved Me

I’ve been lucky in recent years. My Windows 10 PC has been working fine and without issue. But with the end of Windows 10 support looming large, it’s almost like my machine knows what’s coming—and I started encountering issues.

When my PC refused to boot normally, I didn’t panic. I knew about Windows’ fallback startup options, and in my case, booting into Safe Mode gave me the access I needed to restore my system.

Safe Mode isn’t flashy. It strips Windows down to the bare minimum—just the essential drivers and processes needed to run. That makes it a perfect environment for troubleshooting, uninstalling problematic programs, or running malware scans.

And if Safe Mode isn’t enough, you can go one step further: boot from a USB recovery drive. This bypasses your broken Windows installation entirely and lets you load a fresh copy of Windows or access built-in recovery tools.

How to Boot Into Safe Mode

Safe Mode has been part of Windows for decades, and it’s still one of the best first-line defenses when your computer misbehaves. There are a couple of ways to boot into Safe Mode.

Use the Restart Shortcut

If you still have access to the Windows desktop (or the login screen), you can use the restart shortcut. It’s the easiest method to access Safe Mode.

1. From either the login screen or the power settings in the Start menu, hold Shift and press Restart.
2. Now, your PC will reboot into the Windows Recovery Environment.
3. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings.
4. Choose Restart.
5. On the next screen, you can choose either Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking.

If you’re unsure about what’s causing your Windows machine issues, I’d advise booting without internet access.

Use System Configuration (MSConfig)

Another option, again, if you still have access to the desktop, you can use the Windows System Configuration tool to boot into Safe Mode. MSConfig is a Windows system utility built into the operating system that you can use to manage drivers, services, and more.

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type msconfig and press Enter.
3. Under the Boot tab, select Safe boot.

When your computer reboots, it’ll be in Safe Mode.

In both cases, once your machine boots into Safe Mode, you can begin to clean out any nasty malware lurking on your device. There are some very handy free antivirus and antimalware tools you can use to remove malware.

How to Boot From a USB Drive

Safe Mode is great, but sometimes your Windows installation is too far gone. That’s when a bootable USB drive comes to the rescue.

Booting from a USB drive is super useful for a few reasons:

• It lets you start Windows from a clean environment, separate from your potentially infected or broken system.
• You can reinstall Windows if needed, repair boot files, or access advanced recovery tools.

Some bootable USBs even allow offline malware scans before Windows ever loads. These special rescue USBs are super handy to keep around, as they can be used whenever your machine begins to show signs of strain, malware, or otherwise.

However, with that said, I’ve detailed how to use a Microsoft installation USB to revive your machine below. Having a bootable Windows USB around is always a great idea, as it can be used on effectively any Windows machine.

How to Create a Bootable USB

A bootable USB is a handy option, as you can create it on another PC and then use it on your own.

1. Download Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool.
2. Run the tool and choose Create installation media for another PC.
3. Insert a USB drive (at least 8GB) and select it as the target.
4. The tool will download Windows and make the USB bootable.

Once the Media Creation Tool finishes the USB creation process, you can use it to boot from.

Gavin Phillips / MakeUseOf

1. Insert the USB drive into the affected PC.
2. Restart and enter your BIOS/UEFI settings (commonly by pressing F2, Del, Esc, or F12 during startup).
3. Set the USB drive as the primary boot device. The process for this varies depending on your motherboard manufacturer, so you may have to look this up on a separate device.
4. Save the changes and reboot—your PC will load from the USB.
5. Now, head to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair.

Let the process complete, and then you should be able to access Windows once again.

As before, once you access Windows, run your antivirus or antimalware tool and start repairing your machine.

Now, you don’t want to be preparing a recovery USB drive when your computer is already dead in the water. Do it now, while things are running smoothly. This one Windows startup trick has saved me from disaster, and it could save you, too. The next time your computer refuses to cooperate, you’ll know exactly how to fight back.

After switching to Spark Mail, I’ve been using its various features to improve my email workflow. One feature that is worth mentioning is Smart Folders. This tool has genuinely helped me manage my inbox more efficiently than other email clients.

I Use Spark Mail’s Smart Folders

Smart Folders are automated folders in Spark Mail that organize emails based on defined criteria such as sender, subject keywords, and flags. These are different from Gmail’s label system or traditional inbox rules because Smart Folders dynamically display matching emails without moving them out of the main inbox.

The feature works by scanning your inbox for emails that meet certain parameters. While Spark filters emails using metadata and keywords, it does not perform deep content scanning or AI-based content recognition.

What makes this particularly useful is that emails can appear in multiple Smart Folders simultaneously. For example, a message from the team lead about a project deadline could show up in both the “Team Lead” folder and “Urgent” folder, depending on how I’ve structured my filters.

After I ditched Gmail’s app for Spark Mail, I noticed this feature addressed one of my biggest email pain points. Instead of manually sorting through hundreds of messages, the Smart Folders do the heavy lifting. It also helps in maintaining inbox zero effectively. Rather than leaving emails in my primary inbox or manually filing them away, Smart Folders create organized views without requiring constant maintenance from me.

How I Set Up My Smart Folders

Setting up Smart Folders requires some initial planning, but the process is straightforward. I started by identifying the types of emails that consumed most of my time and attention.

My first Smart Folder targets project deadlines from my team lead. This folder automatically captures emails containing keywords like “deadline,” “due date,” or “urgent,” specifically from my team lead’s email address. It’s saved me from missing important project timelines buried in daily email noise.

Here’s how to create a Smart Folder in Spark Mail:

1. Open Spark Mail and tap the three lines in the sidebar.
2. Scroll down and select More under Folders.
3. Tap the + (plus) icon next to Smart Folders to create a new folder.
4. Name your folder and set your criteria using the available filters (sender, subject, keywords, etc.).
5. Tap Save to activate the folder.

For my project deadlines folder, I combined multiple search operators to capture the right messages. I used from: [email protected] to target emails specifically from my team lead, then added subject: urgent to catch time-sensitive communications. The folder also includes has: attachments since project briefs often come with supporting documents.

My second folder focuses on client communications. It filters emails from a specific domain using sender rules—most people don’t use this email rule, but they should. This folder captures all messages from client email addresses, regardless of the specific sender.

It relies on domain-based filtering. I set up from: @clientdomain.com to capture all emails from that organization, regardless of the specific sender. I also added cc: [email protected] since our finance team gets copied on most client correspondence, helping me track billing-related discussions.

The most complex folder I’ve created combines multiple criteria for high-priority emails. It includes messages from C-level executives, emails marked as urgent, and messages containing budget-related keywords. This folder uses the “any condition” setting, meaning emails only need to match one criterion to appear.

It requires the use of the broadest range of criteria. It includes from: [email protected], subject: budget, is: unread, and since: last week to ensure I’m seeing recent, important communications. I also added with: documents to catch emails containing contracts or proposals that typically require immediate attention.

Each Smart Folder appears in the sidebar with a badge showing unread message counts. You can also set custom notifications for specific folders, ensuring you never miss emails that matter most to your workflow.

Smart Folders Beat Traditional Email Rules

Unlike Gmail’s label system, which can automatically categorize emails, Spark’s Smart Folders provide a centralized, dynamic view without applying multiple labels. Both systems have strengths depending on your workflow. Gmail rules often move emails out of your inbox entirely, making them harder to track. Spark’s Smart Folders keep emails visible in your main inbox while simultaneously organizing them into relevant categories.

Spark also lets you combine multiple email accounts into a single Smart Folder. If you manage both work and personal accounts, you can create one “Bills” folder that captures financial emails from all your accounts simultaneously.

Modifying Smart Folders is also simple compared to managing inboxes with Outlook rules, which have a little more complex conditional logic. Change one criterion in a Smart Folder, and the entire folder updates instantly.

Smart Folders eliminate the mental overhead of deciding whether to archive, label, or leave emails in your inbox. Everything stays accessible while automatically organizing itself based on your workflow needs rather than arbitrary filing systems. Hence, you focus better on what types of information you need to track.

Technology has always shaped the stories we tell, and some of the best movies and shows put it right at the center. These picks capture the thrill and the warning signs of our digital age.

6

Black Mirror (2011–2025)

Watch Black Mirror on Netflix

Think about the apps, gadgets, and screens you already use every day. Black Mirror takes those same ideas and pushes them just far enough to feel disturbing. Each episode tells a standalone story, often set in a world that looks familiar but with one technological twist that changes everything. From rating people in everyday life to re-creating loved ones through AI, the stories feel close because they grow out of technology we already recognize.

Because every episode stands on its own, you can start anywhere. Some, like San Junipero, show technology as a way to bring comfort and even give people a second chance at love, while others, like Nosedive or Be Right Back, highlight its risks in painfully human ways. And as you watch, the real chill comes from imagining what it would be like if these worlds became part of daily life, because they don’t feel far off.

5

The Social Network (2010)

Watch The Social Network on Prime Video

Before Facebook became part of daily life, it was a messy project born in a Harvard dorm room. The Social Network shows how a late-night idea slowly grew into a platform that began changing how people connected on campus and beyond.

Jesse Eisenberg (Mark Zuckerberg) plays a student who first builds Facemash to compare classmates, then shifts his focus to Thefacebook. The project takes off faster than he imagined, and soon the strain begins to show in his closest friendships.

A large part of the story is told through depositions, where Zuckerberg faces his co-founders and classmates who accuse him of stealing their ideas. Andrew Garfield (Eduardo Saverin) is a supportive friend who initially funds the site, only to see his shares diluted later.

Justin Timberlake (Sean Parker) shows up with confidence, convincing Zuckerberg to expand into Silicon Valley and deepening the rift with Eduardo. Watching it, you can see how success can turn partners into opponents, and how ambition comes with a hefty price tag.

4

Mr. Robot (2015–2019)

Watch Mr. Robot on Prime Video

Hacking is often shown as green code flying across the screen, but Mr. Robot goes another way. Rami Malek (Elliot Alderson) plays a socially withdrawn cybersecurity engineer who also works as a vigilante hacker. His life shifts when he meets Mr. Robot, played by Christian Slater, who leads a group set on taking down a massive corporation.

The show feels real. The hacks draw on actual methods, from phishing and social engineering to targeted exploits, and the tension comes from the choices Elliot makes rather than flashy visuals. His struggles with paranoia, trust, and identity keep the story personal even when the stakes are huge.

3

Her (2013)

Watch Her on Prime Video

Falling in love with an AI might sound far-fetched, but Her makes it feel startlingly real. Joaquin Phoenix (Theodore Twombly) plays a lonely writer who buys a new operating system and finds himself drawn to its voice assistant, Samantha, voiced by Scarlett Johansson.

At first, their conversations are light and supportive, but over time, they grow into something deeply personal. Theodore shares his fears and longings with Samantha, and the bond between them feels as real as any human relationship—the kind you usually see in feel-good movies.

Her isn’t really about machines; it’s about connection, loneliness, and how fragile emotions can become when technology takes the role of a partner. It leaves you wondering where the line between real and artificial love truly lies.

2

Ex Machina (2014)

Watch Ex Machina on Prime Video

Where Her explores the emotional side of AI, Ex Machina looks at its dangerous side. Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson) is a young programmer chosen through a company contest to spend a week with Nathan (Oscar Isaac), the secretive CEO of his firm. Nathan lives in a remote, high-tech house, where Caleb meets Ava (Alicia Vikander), a humanoid robot with a clear faceplate and visible circuitry. Caleb is asked to judge whether she shows human-like intelligence.

The longer he stays, the more unsettling the environment becomes. Power cuts shut down the glass-walled rooms without warning, and locked doors remind Caleb he isn’t free to move as he wants. His talks with Ava grow more personal each day, but Nathan’s manipulative behavior keeps him off balance, leaving him unsure of whom to trust.

Rather than a big sci-fi spectacle, Ex Machina unfolds like a psychological game of trust and control. Caleb wants to believe Ava is more than a machine, yet every step is shaped by Nathan’s secrecy. The tension isn’t about what Ava can do, but how far people will go when technology and power are in their hands.

1

Inception (2010)

Watch Inception on Prime Video

What if someone could plant an idea in your mind so deeply that you believed it was your own? That question sits at the center of Inception, a sci-fi thriller that turns the dream world into a place where ideas can be stolen or planted. Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a thief who breaks into people’s subconscious to steal secrets.

His work earns him a reputation few can match, but it also leaves him isolated from his family and haunted by his past.

Cobb is offered the chance to return to his family if he can pull off one last job. To do this, he gathers a team that includes Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Ariadne (Elliot Page), and Eames (Tom Hardy). Together they design layered dreamscapes where time slows, cities fold in on themselves, and reality bends until you are no longer sure what is real.

These are some movies and shows every tech lover should watch at least once. Each one brings something different, and together they show how closely technology mirrors the world we’re living in. And if you’re looking for more discoveries beyond tech, you’ll find plenty of surprises in underrated Netflix movies that deserve a spot on your watchlist.

Everyone says Linux is the natural replacement for Windows, but between software headaches and endless tweaking, Linux always felt like work. This OS, though, just lets me use my computer without fighting it. It wasn’t the switch I planned, but it’s the one that finally stuck. Yes, I’m talking about macOS.

4

App Support Is Miles Better on macOS

Before you start comparing features, it’s worth asking whether the apps you rely on will even run on your operating system. That’s where Linux stumbles, since a lot of everyday workflows break down due to limited app support.

For example, Microsoft Office and Adobe’s Creative Suite aren’t available, and while alternatives like LibreOffice or DaVinci Resolve exist, they’re not true replacements. For people like me who have been using the same apps for years, relearning software just to get work done is a dealbreaker.

The reality is that most industry-standard apps are available on macOS or Windows, and since I’m trying to move away from the latter, a Mac is my only real option. With macOS, I don’t need to worry about whether the tools I use will run or not, because the answer is almost always yes.

To Linux’s credit, it is actually miles better than macOS at gaming. I remember trying to game on Ubuntu years ago, and it was a complete disaster, but these days I run SteamOS on my Asus ROG Ally, and it suprisingly performs better than Windows in most games. I just wish the same effort that went into making games work flawlessly also went into broader app compatibility, because that’s still where Linux falls short.

3

Linux Still Has a Huge Learning Curve

There are tons of distros Windows users can try out to get started, but I’ve had to open the terminal every single time to get something working. I don’t mind it personally, since I’m a developer, and I’m comfortable typing out commands, but I can’t imagine telling an average user to do the same.

Like it or not, the terminal is still a necessity in pretty much every Linux distro, and that alone makes the learning curve steeper than most people would be willing to deal with. With so many distributions, package managers, and desktop environments, it’s often difficult to even find the right solution to a problem. A quick Google search might point you to instructions that are completely irrelevant to your setup, leaving you stuck and wasting time.

Jayric Maning / MakeUseOf

Apple, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. Because it controls both the hardware and the software, macOS doesn’t suffer from the same fragmentation issues. You do give up the freedom Linux offers, but in exchange you get a system where things usually just work.

In fact, I’d say that out of the three major operating system families, macOS offers the best out-of-the-box experience. If someone asked me to recommend a laptop today, my default choice would be the MacBook Air for most people.

2

Hardware Support Can Be Very Hit or Miss

I’ve installed Linux on countless devices at this point and I have run into hardware issues almost every single time. As I mentioned earlier, I usually end up opening the terminal just to get basic functionality working.

A great example of this would be my secondary laptop which would refuse to boot Linux on a fairly standard Western Digital M.2 SSD. It took me hours of searching around on Google to figure out a solution, which was to add a specific boot argument in the bootloader. Even though I was able to fix this, I would never expect an average user to be able to figure it out.

Even secondary things like fingerprint readers or printers can be very hit-or-miss, and you might have to settle for living without hardware that you have already paid for.

Zarif Ali / MakeUseOf

That’s exactly why Macs stand out. macOS is built for Apple’s hardware, and the second I boot it up for the first time, everything just works. There is no need to go through forums and typing out weird commands just to get basic stuff working.

Unless more devices like the Steam Deck start showing up, where Linux comes preinstalled and already tuned for the hardware, this is always going to be a massive headache.

1

Most People Don’t Want to Install Another OS

The truth is most people don’t want to bother with installing another operating system. Creating a bootable USB, wiping their drive, and digging into the BIOS might sound simple enough to someone who has been using Linux for a while, but for the average person, even getting into the BIOS feels uncomfortable.

Raghav Sethi/MakeUseOf

Even the creator of Linux has admitted this is one of the main reasons Linux has struggled to gain market share on desktops. It rarely comes preinstalled on devices, and that alone puts it out of reach for most people.

Most users are not looking to tinker with their computers. They just want something that turns on and works right away. And as long as Linux continues to rely on people installing it themselves, it is always going to feel like a niche option.

Even though I use a Mac as my daily driver, I have ditched Windows on all my other devices in favor of Linux and I still believe it is a much better choice than staying on Windows.

Linux still has plenty of flaws for most average users, but if your workflow works well on it, I would definitely encourage you to stick with it because you also get the benefits of the freedom that Linux provides that isn’t there on macOS.

The truth is, even the most powerful Windows 11 system can slow down if you don’t give it some attention. From clearing temporary files to keeping software up to date, there are simple and effective ways to keep your PC running like it did the day you got it.

7

Scan for Corrupt System Files

Your PC relies on certain system files to run smoothly, and if any of these files become corrupt, it can impact performance. Unexpected errors, crashes, or slowdowns often occur due to damaged system files that quietly disrupt Windows behind the scenes.

Windows 11 comes with a built-in tool called System File Checker (SFC) that can help with this. Running it with administrative privileges allows Windows to scan critical system files and repair them automatically.

For more complex problems, the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool can be helpful. It can repair the system image itself and ensure all core files are intact.

Similarly, you can run the Check Disk scan to examine every sector of your hard drive or SSD. If it detects errors or bad sectors, it will try to repair them and prevent future slowdowns or data loss. Running these scans regularly is like giving your PC a health check-up, so make sure you don’t skip them.

6

Clear Temporary Files

Think of your computer like a kitchen. You might be able to cook amazing meals, but if you never take out the trash, it’s only a matter of time before things get messy. Temporary files on Windows 11 are exactly that for your PC: digital trash.

These files keep piling on in the background every time you install software, browse the web, or even just update your system. Deleting temporary files is one of the easiest yet most effective ways to keep your PC running well.

Windows provides a built-in tool called Disk Cleanup that makes this process simple. All you have to do is run it every few weeks, and you’ll free up space you didn’t even know was missing.

You can also enable the Storage Sense feature to let Windows handle this for you. This way, Windows will clean temporary files at regular intervals, and you don’t have to worry about managing them manually.

5

Regularly Free Up Storage Space

Your PC could have the best specifications, but even the fastest processor and biggest RAM won’t save performance if your storage is nearly full. As your personal files, downloads, and apps pile up, Windows 11 has less breathing room to work, which can slow everything down.

That’s why keeping your PC’s storage in check is essential. Freeing up space regularly ensures Windows can run apps, install updates, and perform background tasks without slowdowns or unexpected errors.

The good news is that reclaiming storage on your PC doesn’t mean losing anything important. Simple steps like emptying the Recycle Bin, removing old restore points, and deleting duplicate files can make a noticeable difference. Deleting unused user accounts and compressing large files can also free up space.

If you’re looking for a more long-term solution, though, you can move some of your less frequently used files to an external drive or back them up to the cloud. This will keep your main storage clear and also keep your data accessible in case you need them.

4

Clean Browser Cache

Between all the things we do on our PCs, it’s easy to overlook one app we rely on the most: the browser. Whether it’s streaming videos, shopping online, or logging into accounts, most of our daily activity happens there—so keeping it running smoothly is important.

One of the simplest ways to do that is by clearing its cache regularly. Although cached data is meant to help pages load faster, it can build up over time and slow things down. Clearing it will not only improve your browsing experience but also ensure websites display correctly.

While you’re at it, make sure you review your installed browser extensions. Removing the ones you don’t use will free up system resources. Also, watch out for extensions that are no longer updated, as they can pose security risks.

Using extensions is a great way to add extra functionality, but keeping only the essential, trusted ones will ensure your browser remains fast and secure.

Even if you have a strong antivirus running on your PC, it’s still a good idea to run manual virus scans from time to time. Automated protection is great, but manual scans help you catch threats that might have slipped through.

With Windows 11, you don’t need a third-party antivirus to run manual scans. Windows Security makes it quick and easy. You can choose a quick scan to check the most vulnerable areas of your system, or a full scan for a more thorough inspection of every file and folder.

It’s best to run these scans when your PC isn’t busy with other demanding tasks. This way, the scan can run efficiently without affecting your system’s performance.

2

Keep Your Software and Drivers Up to Date

Even a well-maintained PC can run into slowdowns or errors if you’re running an outdated version of Windows. Software updates are not all about new features. Often, they include crucial performance improvements, bug fixes, and security patches that keep Windows 11 running in top shape.

Getting update prompts every few weeks can feel annoying, but you should not ignore them. If you don’t want updates interrupting you at the wrong time, you can set Active Hours on Windows, which prevents automatic restarts during the times you typically use your PC.

Keeping your system up to date isn’t just about Windows updates. Drivers, which enable your hardware to communicate properly with Windows, also need regular updates. Outdated drivers can often cause crashes or compatibility problems with apps and connected devices.

The same goes for your browser, apps, and other software. Regularly updating them is one of the simplest ways to prevent performance problems, boost system stability, and improve security.

1

Dust Off Your Hardware to Prevent Overheating

It’s not only the software that needs care—your PC’s hardware also needs some attention. Even a powerful Windows PC can struggle with everyday tasks if it overheats. Dust and debris can build up inside your computer, blocking fans, vents, and heatsinks. This can end up restricting the airflow and causing the internal temperatures to rise.

If you ignore it, overheating can also reduce the lifespan of your PC’s internal components. Regularly cleaning vents and fans helps maintain proper airflow and keeps your system running efficiently.

SunnyToys / Shutterstock

A soft brush and a can of compressed air work well for removing dust from fans, vents, and hard-to-reach areas. If you’re comfortable, you can also remove the panels to reach hidden areas and give your PC a thorough clean. Make sure the PC is powered off and unplugged before doing this.

Ideally, as long as you’re running Windows 11 on supported hardware, you shouldn’t run into performance issues. However, that’s usually not the reality. The good news is that keeping your system running fast doesn’t have to be complicated.

Performing all the above steps regularly might not be exciting, but the results are well worth it. Plus, keeping up with these maintenance tasks doesn’t take much time. Stick to them, and you’ll enjoy a Windows 11 experience that is smooth, secure, and hassle-free every day.

Adam Sandler is not one of my favorite actors, and the original Happy Gilmore has never been one of my favorite films. And yet, the newly released Netflix sequel, Happy Gilmore 2, worked for me.

Another Sequel?

Arriving 29 years after the original film, Happy Gilmore 2 once again features Sandler as a hockey player who became a successful golfer. However, this is not the same Happy Gilmore that we last saw at the end of the original. This one is an out-of-shape alcoholic and decidedly ex-golfer who continues to spiral after the death of his beloved wife, Virginia.

The movie centers on Happy Gilmore slowly picking himself up with the help of his kids and many of the beloved characters from the first movie. Along the way, he runs into a new nemesis or two, who try to wreak havoc in interesting, sometimes funny ways.

Call Me Skeptical

Movie sequels either succeed or fail. It’s been my experience that they are often big misses for a multitude of reasons. Most of the time, the stories in sequels are either tired rehashes of the original or ones that make no sense. Most sequels also tend to have a supporting cast that’s not as good as the one in the original movie, or worse, there’s a new star.

The first official trailer for Happy Gilmore 2 was released on Netflix’s YouTube channel, as well as on other platforms. My reaction was mixed. On the positive side, it was nice to see so many familiar faces from the original. Besides Sandler, this included Ben Stiller, Christopher McDonald, and Dennis Dugan. Julie Bowen, who was Gilmore’s love interest in the first film, Virginia, was also featured in the clip.

On the negative side, I quickly realized that several other cast members from the first film weren’t included in the trailer for an important reason: they had passed away. This included Carl Weathers, Bob Barker, Joe Flaherty, Richard Kiel, and, as Gilmore’s beloved grandma, Frances Bay.

Like the first film, Happy Gilmore 2 also included real-life golfers. In the trailer, seeing these folks left me flat, although I wanted to know whether the world’s number one player, Scottie Scheffler, could act.

Additionally, I was also unimpressed with the premise of the second film, as it was presented in the trailer. It was clear that something bad had happened in Gilmore’s life, and the sequel would spend a considerable amount of time showing him slowly recovering. This setup is often used in films, and it wasn’t something I was excited to see.

In the end, though I didn’t find Happy Gilmore 2 as inspiring as some of Netflix’s other films, it was a fun ride nonetheless.

Happy Gilmore 2 Mostly Worked

My plan was never to watch Happy Gilmore 2 based solely on my opinion of the trailer. And yet, on a quiet Sunday afternoon, my daughter and I decided to watch it. After all, it’s films like this that Netflix offers to justify its ever-rising monthly subscription price.

Almost immediately, I was surprised by the reason Sandler’s character was in such a bad state. It seems Virginia, who became Gilmore’s beloved wife off-screen, had died. She didn’t just die, however; a golf ball hit by Gilmore at a tournament did her in. The death scene (shown in a flashback) was one of those scenes only someone like Sandler could pull off. It was sad and funny all rolled into one.

Although it was unfortunate that Virginia’s death meant less screen time for Bowen, it set up a much better story than I had envisioned. With her death, Gilmore was left to raise five kids, the oldest of whom was hoping to go to college the following year. The problem? Gilmore was broke. Hence began a journey that saw Gilmore rise, and in doing so, become a better father, family man, and someone with a renewed love of the game of golf.

To get there, viewers had plenty of reasons to laugh, smile, and feel nostalgic throughout the journey. It was great seeing Sandler once again share the screen with people like Stiller and McDonald, as well as with newcomers like Bad Bunny, Benny Safdie, and Haley Joel Osment, who played the Gilmore universe’s new villain. The chemistry between Sandler and his real-life daughter, Sunny, also made for a fascinating story that had a lot of heart. And sure, new cameos by golfers like Scheffler, Jack Nicklaus, Rory McIlroy, and Nelly Korda sometimes felt forced, but they were fun nevertheless. I was also happy to see 86-year-old golf legend Lee Trevino return. And Travis Kelce’s cameo as a goofy waiter was also fun. The nicest addition was a scene near the end of the film when stars from the first who died were remembered through nostalgic clips. Well done.

Not everything about the sequel clicked. For example, though I enjoyed seeing Osment as a bad guy, little about the film’s big crescendo worked for me. The setup featured Gilmore and other real-life golfers competing against non-golfers in a fictional outdoor game called Maxi Golf, an exaggerated form of the game that incorporated elements of extreme sports and mini-golf. These scenes were mostly stupid, even though the payoff was rewarding enough to make them bearable.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that Happy Gilmore 2 worked for me, despite my initial skepticism. The sequel successfully avoided the pitfalls of many follow-ups by crafting a fresh, heartfelt story that felt both new and nostalgic. It was a movie that made me laugh, smile, and feel something for the characters again. The film ultimately succeeded because it was more than just a rehash of the original; it was a touching continuation of a beloved character’s journey. It’s definitely a feel-good movie worth watching.

You can stream Happy Gilmore 2 on Netflix.

My watchlist goes up and down, depending on the week and month. This week, I have some absolute corkers to get stuck into on Disney+—none of which you’ll want to miss.

Amanda Knox’s part in the murder of Meredith Kercher enraptured global news outlets in 2007; it didn’t end when she was (wrongfully) convicted alongside her then boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, in 2009. And even after Knox and Sollecito were acquitted once, retried, convicted again, and then pardoned, the story still didn’t end.

That’s what this eight-part true-crime miniseries explores: a dramatized set of events surrounding Knox, Sollecito, her trial, and eventual wrongful conviction. The series is co-produced by Knox and Monica Lewinsky (yes, that Monica Lewinsky), and it dives into coercive interrogations, media sensationalism, and judicial missteps.

Critics have praised the performance of Grace Van Patten (who plays Knox), and I’m interested to see how this series handles an emotionally charged story that was swamped by media at the time.

The Amateur slipped me by earlier in 2025, but it’s my kind of perfect background noise, Saturday evening film when playing board games or similar.

It features Rami Malek as a CIA operative who goes rogue in an attempt to avenge the death of his wife. So far, so normal. Through some coercion, he manages to become a highly-trained assassin with the help of Laurence Fishburn, who plays Colonel Henderson.

The Amateur has all the hallmarks of a classic action-thriller, packed with murders, personal grief, and the lust for retribution.

This three-part docuseries recounts the 2017 murders of two teenage girls in Delphi, Indiana. Using archival footage, interviews with victims’ families, and local officials, it paints an intimate portrait of a crime that haunted a community and the long road to justice.

I’d not heard about this horrific crime until this series appeared on Disney+, but the story’s central pillar—the haunting phone footage captured by one of the young victims—is a really sobering yet intriguing part of the story.

I know; we’re on a bit of a dark bent this week, but I promise it gets better next.

The Simpsons Season 37 is just around the corner, launching in September 2025. So, what better time for me to get back up to speed with what’s going on down in Springfield and catch up with one of America’s favorite families?

Like many of us, I started watching The Simpsons when I was very young. I also carried on for a long time, even after the quality of the show began its slow demise after Season 15, popping up with the odd 8.x rating here and there.

The first episode of Season 36 I watched, Bart’s Birthday, is one of the best in recent years, and one that was well-received by long-time fans of The Simpsons. But I must admit, I haven’t watched more than that yet, so I’m eager to get stuck into the rest of the series.

Hopefully, it has more than this one highlight and the traditional Treehouse of Horror spectacular.

See—I told you that we’d be ending the weekend with a slightly calmer focus. Ryan Reynolds narrates Underdogs, a series focusing on the “weird and unsung heroes of the animal kingdom.”

It’s packed full of amazing cinematography with Reynolds’ trademark sarcasm, though it adds in a considerable amount of toilet humor (with some veering into really rude) that makes it unsuitable for really young children. In that, Underdogs has a very mixed set of age reviews on Common Sense Media, ranging from 18+ down to 8+ (it’s rated 16+ on UK Disney+).

So, yes, while Underdogs definitely bring some comedy to the nature documentary genre, it’s not one you’ll be sitting down to watch with your smallest kids—unless you want to field some rather interesting questions based on Reynolds’ commentary. Don’t say you haven’t been warned!

Spreadsheet data never arrives clean. Between missing values, inconsistent formatting, and merged cells, I used to spend hours wrestling with messy datasets. Then I stumbled into Power Query, and suddenly those boring cleanup tasks felt less like punishment and more like flipping switches.

Power Query Makes Data Cleaning Effortless

Power Query is Excel’s built-in data transformation engine that automates tedious data tasks. Instead of manually cleaning each cell, you teach Power Query what you want once, and it applies those same steps to any dataset. You can remove duplicates, split columns, change data types, and handle missing values with just a few clicks.

It has a step-by-step approach and a visual interface, which makes it easy to follow. Every action that you perform is recorded as a step that can be modified or deleted later. Mainly, you’re manipulating data, not writing code—though it generates M code behind the scenes if you’re curious.

Power Query connects to virtually any data source, including Excel files, CSV documents, databases, web pages, and even cloud services. Simply add a file to the same folder, and Power Query will automatically fetch and tidy up that messy Excel sheet.

How to Set Up PowerQuery in Excel

Power Query comes built into Excel 2016 and later versions. So you don’t need a separate installation.

Take a look at the following products’ sales spreadsheet—it’s a mess. It has mixed date formats, inconsistent product names, missing values, and extra spaces everywhere. This is the kind of dataset that makes me want to quit Excel altogether.

But it’s easy to fix it with Power Query. Here’s how to set up your first transformation:

1. Select your data range or click anywhere within your dataset.
2. Go to Data, then click From Table/Range.
3. Excel will detect your data boundaries and create a table.
4. Click OK to open the Power Query Editor.
5. Make your transformations using the ribbon tools.
6. Click Close & Load to apply changes back to Excel.

The Power Query Editor opens in a separate window. This isolated environment lets you experiment without affecting your original data—think of it as a sandbox for data cleanup.

Your transformations get saved as queries in the Queries panel. These queries are reusable and refreshable. When new data arrives, simply right-click and select Refresh to apply the same cleaning steps automatically.

I find this automation handy when building lightning-fast lookup formulas, as clean, consistent data makes table relationships work well instead of breaking on minor formatting differences.

These Cleaning Steps Handle Most Data Problems

After loading the data into the Power Query Editor, the next step is to clean it. Let’s tackle the Sales Data file using Power Query’s transformations. The following steps solve 90% of common data issues.

Merged headers break everything. Power Query can’t properly detect column types with “SALES INFORMATION” spanning multiple columns. Follow these steps to fix it.

1. Select the merged header row in Power Query Editor.
2. Right-click and choose Remove Rows > Remove Top Rows.
3. Enter 1 to delete the merged header row.
4. Click OK. Now your real column headers are properly positioned.

Step 2: Standardize Date Formats

Our spreadsheet has eight different date formats, including problematic entries like “16/01/2024”. Power Query defaults to US date format (MM/DD/YYYY), so “16/01/2024” triggers an error since 16 can’t be a valid month. Unfortunately, you’ll have to replace these values manually or use Excel Date functions.

To standardize the dates:

1. Select the Date column.
2. Go to Transform > Data Type > Date.
3. Power Query detects most formats automatically—including “January 15, 2024” and “15-Jan-24”.
4. Check the preview to confirm all dates converted correctly.

When dealing with mixed international date formats, always preview your transformations. Power Query’s automatic detection works well for unambiguous formats but fails on DD/MM/YYYY when day values exceed 12.

You can do this by right-clicking the column, selecting Change Type > Using Locale, then choosing Date and the desired locale. This is more precise than just during “initial data import.”

Step 3: Clean Up Text Inconsistencies

Product names like “surface laptop” need to be capitalized, and “iPhone 15,” “iphone15,” and “iPhone-15” need standardization. That is where Power Query really shines:

1. Select the Product Name column.
2. Go to Transform > Format and select the proper case to fix capitalization.
3. Then again, click Transform > Replace Values to standardize variations.

Those leading and trailing spaces in sales rep names create lookup failures—one of those Excel blunders that can cost you time during analysis. To fix that:

1. Select the Sales Rep column.
2. Go to Transform > Format > Trim.

The spaces disappear from entries like ” sarah johnson ” and ” Emma Taylor”. This single click fixes spacing issues that would otherwise break pivot tables and VLOOKUP formulas.

Step 5: Handle Missing Values Intelligently

Empty cells in the Category and Units Sold columns need attention. Power Query offers several approaches.

For Categories:

1. Select the Category column.
2. Then go to Transform > Replace Values.
3. Replace null values with “Uncategorized” or leave blank for manual review.

For numeric columns like Units Sold, replacing nulls with zero might skew averages. Consider marking these as “Data Missing” instead.

Step 6: Standardize Currency Formats

Revenue values appear as “$1,200,” “1200,” and “$1.2K”—each requires different handling.

1. Select the Revenue column.
2. Use Replace Values to convert “$1.2K” to “1200”.
3. Then go to Transform > Data Type > Currency, which automatically handles dollar signs and commas.
4. Preview the results to ensure proper conversion.

The “K” abbreviation needs manual replacement since Power Query doesn’t automatically recognize this notation.

Step 7: Create Consistent Categories

“Electronics,” “electronics,” and “ELECTRONICS” should be identical. Power Query’s text functions solve this quickly.

1. Select the Category column.
2. Click Transform > Format and select the proper case to fix capitalization.

These seven steps handle the majority of data cleaning scenarios. These transformations become repeatable steps. You just have to apply the same process to next month’s messy sales data with a single refresh.

Each transformation appears in the Applied Steps panel. You can modify, delete, or reorder steps without starting over. This flexibility makes Power Query forgiving when you need to adjust your cleaning process.

Power Query won’t solve every data problem you encounter, but it handles most of the repetitive cleanup tasks that consume hours of manual work. Sure, the learning curve exists if you work on complex worksheets, yet the time savings become apparent quickly. Whether you’re dealing with monthly reports or one-off datasets, these transformation techniques provide a solid foundation for cleaner, more reliable data analysis.

At first, AirPods seem just like any other true wireless earbuds. And that was my impression too, until I discovered a couple of little-known features. Notably, Conversation Awareness and Live Listen have become game-changers in my daily routine.

Stay Aware of Conversations Without Removing AirPods

When you have your AirPods on, you probably just want to enjoy your music or podcast without being disturbed by the surrounding noise. The noise cancellation feature surely helps with that. However, there are times when you need to be aware of what’s happening around you.

Perhaps you want to have a quick chat with someone, or you’re at the airport and don’t want to miss announcements. In such cases, you don’t need to remove your AirPods or keep pausing the media playback repeatedly.

Enabling the Transparency mode on your AirPods lets outside sounds in while keeping your audio playing. This way, you can stay aware of your surroundings without giving up your listening experience.

For instance, if someone calls your name from across the room or an announcement comes over the loudspeaker, you’ll hear it right away without fumbling to remove your AirPods.

Switching to Transparency mode is easy, and you don’t even have to pull out your iPhone for this. Simply press and hold the force sensor on the stem of either AirPod, and it will toggle between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode.

Mahnoor Faisal/MakeUseOf

While Transparency mode is great for staying aware of conversations, you may not find it ideal for enjoying your music or podcast, especially in places where there’s too much noise. The Conversation Awareness feature on AirPods can solve that.

This mode automatically lowers the volume of your media and amplifies nearby voices when you start speaking to someone. And it does this while reducing other background noise. Once you stop talking, it automatically switches your media back to the previous volume. You can enable Conversation Awareness by heading to AirPods settings on your iPhone.

The convenience of Conversation Awareness is quite remarkable. Imagine waiting in line at a coffee shop. When it’s your turn, you can give your order without pausing your music or removing your AirPods.

Turn Your iPhone and AirPods Into a Makeshift Baby Monitor

AirPods are great for music and calls, but that’s not all they can do. One clever use I’ve found is turning them into a baby monitor. It might sound unconventional, but it works—and, as other parents will know, quality baby monitors don’t come cheap.

When you have a little one napping in another room, you don’t have to stick nearby to make sure they’re okay. With just your iPhone and AirPods, you can keep an ear out while still going about your day. For this, you’ll need the Live Listen feature on your AirPods.

The way it works is simple. Your iPhone’s microphone picks up sounds and streams them directly to your AirPods in real time. To use it as a baby monitor, all you need to do is place your iPhone near your baby’s crib, connect your AirPods, and then enable the Live Listen feature. For the last part, you’ll need to use the Control Center on your iPhone.

1. Open Control Center by swiping down from the top right corner of your iPhone’s screen.
2. Tap the plus button in the top left corner and choose Add a Control.
3. Go to the Hearing Accessibility section and tap Live Listen.

Now, with your AirPods in your ears, tap the Live Listen button in the Control Center to start listening. You’ll hear everything picked up by your iPhone’s microphone, loud and clear. Make sure your iPhone’s volume is turned all the way up.

You can even monitor your headphone audio levels in real time while listening. This feature doesn’t record the audio, but if you happen to miss something, there’s an option to replay the last ten seconds of audio. Live Listen also works when your iPhone is connected to an external wired microphone.

When I first got my AirPods, I had no idea the Live Listen feature even existed. Discovering it has been a game-changer. Now, I can move around the house, finish chores, or read my books, all while keeping an ear on my little one. It’s amazing how a simple feature can add such peace of mind.

At a glance, most earbuds look the same and get the job done, but inexpensive ones often leave out extra features. If you’ve invested in a pair of AirPods, the real deal isn’t just in the sound quality. Knowing about its hidden features can transform how you use them every single day.