The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with a pretty hefty asking price, and it’s also a big and comparatively unwieldy smartphone. You’re going to want to make sure you equip yours with a quality case to protect it from harm.

Best Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Case Overall: Spigen Cryo Armor

Spigen makes fantastic cases for Samsung’s flagships, and the Galaxy S24 Ultra-exclusive Spigen Cryo Armor is no exception. It features a combo of TPU, PC, graphite, and silicone sheets, making it both durable and effective for heat reduction.

It has a cool geometric pattern across its back which is ventilated to increase the airflow to your phone. Spigen’s ArcticFlow Technology uses thermo-silicone and graphite sheets to keep your device cooler while the ventilated casing absorbs and releases heat, making this one of the few smartphone cases that comes with an integrated cooling system of sorts.

With Military-Grade drop protection, compatibility with wireless charging and PowerShare, plus a precision cutout for the S-Pen, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more practical (or better-looking) case for your S24 Ultra than this.

Spigen Cryo Armor For Galaxy S24 Ultra

Best Overall

Spigen’s ArcticFlow Technology helps to keep the Spigen Cryo Armor Case and your Galaxy S24 Ultra cooler for longer with a ventilated AirCube design that’s visually stunning and highly efficient.

Pros

• ArcticFlow Technology
• Military-grade drop-tested
• Wireless charging and PowerShare compatible
• Ventilated design to increase airflow
• AirCube pattern looks very cool

Cons

• Not MagSafe compatible
• Only available in blue or red

Best Budget Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Case: Oterkin Case

If you’re looking for the best case for your S24 Ultra for the least amount of money, this Oterkin Case is well worth considering. Well below the $20 mark and available in a variety of color tones, this budget case has plenty to offer.

It has been Military-Grade drop-tested to 15 feet, so it’s no slouch when it comes to protection. It’s compatible with MagSafe, so snapping on your favorite accessories is no problem, either. Plus, its Nappa textured soft rubber casing is anti-fingerprint, anti-scratch, and anti-slip as well, so it performs when it comes to durability, too.

Oterkin Magnetic Case for Galaxy S24 Ultra

Best Budget

$16 $17 Save $1

For budget buyers, the Oterkin Magnetic Case for Galaxy S24 Ultra is one of the best ways to keep your phone protected, offering Military-grade drop protection as well as the convenience of MagSafe compatibility.

Pros

• Affordable
• MagSafe compatible
• 15 feet Mil-grade drop-tested
• Anti-fingerprint
• Anti-scratch

Cons

• The finish isn’t quite as polished as it is with more premium options

Best Rugged Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Case: UAG Monarch

Urban Armor Gear is one of the best when it comes to rugged cases, and the UAG Monarch for the S24 Ultra continues that winning streak. The equivalent of wrapping a bulletproof vest around your S24 Ultra, the Monarch is layered with DuPont Kevlar to give your smartphone some serious reinforcement.

Military-grade drop tested at heights of 25 feet, this is one of the most shock-resistant cases on the market. And UAG’s signature tactical grip is present, too. Oversized tactile buttons, a precision cutout for the S-Pen, integrated lanyard anchor points, and compatibility with MagSafe and wireless charging round off this impressive package.

UAG Monarch Pro for Galaxy S24 Ultra

Best Rugged

The UAG Monarch offers best-in-class rugged protection for your S24 Ultra. Reinforced with industry-leading Kevlar and with Mil-grade drop protection up to 25 feet, there’s no better way to protect your smartphone.

Pros

• Reinforced with DuPont Kevlar
• Mil-grade drop-tested top 25 feet
• Compatible with MagSafe
• Compatible with wireless charging
• Non-slip tactical grip

Cons

• Expensive
• Adds some bulk to an already large phone

If you’re after a clear case to show off your S24 Ultra’s sleek style, the Spigen Liquid Crystal Case is an ideal choice. Not only does it preserve the Ultra’s aesthetic, but it also doesn’t add any unwanted bulk to it, either.

This transparent case is made from durable TPU and provides Military-grade drop protection, courtesy of its built-in Air Cushion Technology. As with most other Spigen S24 series cases, it offers compatibility with wireless charging and PowerShare and features a precise cutout for the S-Pen. Anti-yellowing agents in this case’s composition help to maintain lasting transparency.

Spigen Liquid Crystal for Galaxy S24 Ultra

Best Clear Case

Showcase your S24 Ultra with the crystal-clear elegance of the Spigen Liquid Crystal Case. With its anti-yellowing design, you can enjoy lasting transparency that enhances the look of your phone without adding any unwanted bulk to its frame.

Pros

• Affordable
• Anti-yellowing
• Air Cushion drop protection
• Wireless charging and PowerShare compatible
• Slim-style

Cons

• Provides basic protection only

Best Slim Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Case: Pitaka MagEZ Case

If slim is your thing, then the Pitaka MagEZ Case ought to be on your radar. This MagSafe-compatible case is made from aerospace-grade aramid fiber, which gives it one of the most unique looks we’ve seen in an S24 series case.

The woven aramid fiber is highly resistant to wear and tear and corrosion. It also lends a nice, anti-slip texture to the case, as well as a satisfying tactile quality. The case itself supports wireless charging, and it’s refreshing to see recycled materials used in the manufacture of smartphone peripherals.

However, the protection that the Pitaka MagEZ offers is rather minimal, making this suitable for anyone who favors the style and the feel of their phone case above its effectiveness at protecting against damage.

Pitaka MagEZ Case 4 for S24 Ultra

Best Slim Case

Fashioned from recycled aerospace-grade aramid fiber, the Pitaka MagEZ Case for the S24 Ultra combines a unique visual style with a satisfying tactile experience. It comes in three different color tones, so you can pick the look that’s right for you.

Pros

• Unique design
• MagSafe compatible
• Anti-slip
• Corrosion resistant
• Made from recycled materials

Cons

• Very expensive
• Not as protective

FAQ

Q: What are the differences between the different Galaxy S24 models?

Each model in the S24 series has a different screen size. The standard S24 provides a 6.2-inch screen, with the Plus providing a slightly larger 6.7-inch display. The Ultra has the largest display from the S24 series, with its 6.8-inch display, and comes with square, not curved, edges.

Additionally, the S24 has an FHD+ resolution, while the Plus and Ultra have QHD+ screens.

The S24 comes with 8GB of RAM, while the Plus and the Ultra both have 12GB of RAM. The S24 comes with 128 or 256GB of storage, while the Plus has 256GB and 512GB versions. The Ultra comes in three different sizes: 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB.

Q: Can I use my Galaxy S23 Ultra case on my S24 Ultra?

If you have a Galaxy S23 Ultra case, you won’t be able to use it on your S24 Ultra. The S24 Ultra’s unique dimensions mean your old case won’t fit, and you will need to purchase a new one.

Q: How do I transfer my data from one Android phone to another?

One of the easiest ways to transfer data between Android phones is to use the SmartSwitch function. You can find this under the Settings menu.

Launch SmartSwitch on both phones and then select the option to ‘bring data from old device’. Once launched, you simply need to follow the on-screen instructions to select which data you wish to transfer.

Q: How do I clean my S24 Ultra case?

Once removed, you can clean your S24 Ultra case easily by just using a bowl of warm water with some mild soap.

Soak your case in the water for a few minutes to let the soap do its thing, and then gently scrub away any remaining dirt with a toothbrush or a soft-bristled brush. If you need a bit of extra cleaning power, you can use some baking soda with the brush.

Rows and columns are the most prominent elements in an Excel datasheet. Understanding the difference is crucial for efficient data management. So let’s explore Excel rows and columns, and discover strategies for better utilizing both.

Excel Rows vs. Columns: What Is the Difference?

Rows and columns are the building blocks of an Excel spreadsheet, forming a grid that allows you to organize and analyze data systematically. Rows are horizontal divisions labeled with numbers, while columns are vertical divisions labeled with letters.

The intersection of a row and a column is known as a cell, where each cell holds a specific piece of data. A cell is addressed by its intersecting row and column: for example, G7 is the cell at the intersection of column G and row 7.

The differentiation between rows and columns is more than just labeling; it’s about the logical arrangement of data. Rows typically represent individual records or entries, while columns categorize information into different attributes or variables.

For example, in a sales spreadsheet, each row might represent a different customer or product. Columns might include information such as price, quantities sold, and total revenue. Understanding this fundamental distinction is essential for creating properly structured and comprehensible spreadsheets.

How to Effectively Use Rows and Columns in Excel

Maximizing the potential of rows and columns in Excel goes beyond their basic structure. Excel has useful functionalities that let you get the most out of the rows and columns in your spreadsheet.

When and How to Switch Rows and Columns in Excel

You can lay out a data table either vertically or horizontally, but the decision relies on more than just your personal preference. Vertical tables are good for readability and long lists, and they fit well in portrait orientation. Horizontal tables are good for comparing values across categories, accommodating broad datasets, and aligning with graphical representations.

The best way to decide between vertical and horizontal data tables is to prototype both versions to get a visualization and see which one suits you best.

Take the spreadsheet above as an example. If the goal was to give a rundown of the items and their attributes, then the vertical data table would be the best choice. However, if you wanted to compare the attributes of each item with another, then the horizontal data table would be a better fit.

The transpose feature is a handy tool to quickly switch rows to columns and save time when using Excel. Select the data range you want to switch between and right-click on it. Choose Copy, select the destination cell, right-click again, and choose Transpose under the Paste Special options.

How to Freeze Rows and Columns in Excel

In large datasets, it’s common to lose sight of column or row headers as you scroll. Excel’s freeze pane feature helps by allowing you to lock specific rows or columns in place while scrolling through the rest of the spreadsheet.

To freeze rows or columns in Excel, select the cells you want to freeze and navigate to the View tab. In the Window section, click on Freeze Panes, and select Freeze Panes. This ensures that the chosen rows or columns remain visible, providing context as you navigate through extensive datasets.

How to Sort Rows and Columns in Excel

Sorting is a fundamental aspect of data analysis, and Excel provides powerful tools for sorting both rows and columns.

To sort rows based on specific criteria, select the entire dataset, navigate to the Data tab, and click Sort. Choose the column by which you want to sort the data, and specify the sorting order (ascending or descending). Choosing Cell values under Sort on will sort the data alphabetically in Excel.

Aside from a minor tweak, the process is the same for sorting columns. Once you’re in the sort dialog, click Options and check Sort left to right to sort columns.

How to Filter Rows and Columns in Excel

Excel’s filtering options allow you to narrow down your data set based on certain criteria, making it easier to find the information you need.

To apply filters, select your data table and go to the Data tab. Then, in the Sort & Filter section, select Filter. Excel will automatically add filter dropdowns to each column header, allowing you to select and display only the desired data.

A solid understanding of the distinction between rows and columns in Excel is fundamental for effective data management and analysis.

Now that you understand the logic behind and differences between rows and columns, you can use features like transposing, freezing panes, sorting, and filtering to optimize your Excel experience and harness the full potential of this powerful spreadsheet tool.

How many people can really say they’ve never dropped their phone? Once is all it takes for your fancy new Samsung Galaxy S24 to fall flat on the screen. To avoid a sudden trip to the repair shop and expensive bills, having a screen protector is a must.

Best Galaxy S24 Screen Protector Overall: Temdan Clear Case

The Temdan Case is the perfect choice if you’re looking for full protection and not just the screen. As a 2-in-1 screen protector and case, the face of your brand-new Samsung Galaxy S24 is protected from scratches, while the rest has military-grade drop protection. The sides have thick bumpers and airbags at the corners to further prevent damage.

The Temdan Case doesn’t stop at excellent protection; it’s equally strong against weather. Seeing as it encases your Samsung Galaxy S24 thoroughly, it also has an IP68 dust and water-resistant rating to complement the phone’s rating as well.

Temdan Case for Samsung Galaxy S24

Best Overall

$23 $30 Save $7

The Temdan Case is like a full-body experience for your Samsung Galaxy S24, offering more than a screen protector but also a waterproof case. It’s rather slim as well, with chunky covers for the side buttons too.

Pros

• Full body protection, including a screen protector
• IP68 water and dust resistant rating
• Chunky side buttons

Cons

• Clear case model isn’t waterproof

In the event you need a quick and easy pick, the Natbook Screen Protector hits all the right notes and does so at a stellar price. Having a 9H hardness rating, the tempered glass screen protector is incredibly hard to damage, and common scratches and scuffs aren’t going to break the surface. You even get the same protection on the camera lens!

The Natbook Screen Protector won’t hinder the day-to-day, either. For starters, you can combine the strength of the screen protector with the toughness of a phone case. And you won’t have issues with touch response or the fingerprint scanner.

Natbook Screen Protector for Samsung Galaxy S24

Best Budget

The Natbook Screen Protector is an affordable but protective screen protector for the Galaxy S24. The tempered glass protects against day-to-day scuffs, falls, and scratches while still being case-friendly.

Pros

• You get two screen and camera lens protectors
• Strong, 9H hardness rating
• Can still use the fingerprint scanner
• Case-friendly

Cons

• Does not include an installation frame

The Ferilinso Screen Protector comes in a pack of four, which not only means it’s great for families, but it’s a killer deal. What makes it even more enticing is Ferilinso’s use of aerospace-grade glass and nano-ceramics, creating an incredibly tough shield for your phone screen. To sweeten the deal, you get that same kind of protection with the included camera lens protectors, too.

You’ll also appreciate the little features, like the included mounting frame that makes applying the Ferilinso Screen Protector a breeze. Additionally, there’s an oleophobic coating, which drastically reduces the build-up of fingerprints and oil and makes it quite easy to clean.

Ferilinso 4-Pack Screen Protectors

Best Multi-pack

Being a pack of four Ferilinso Screen Protectors, you can soup up four Samsung Galaxy S24s with excellent protection against scratches, scuffs, and even drops, or keep spares on hand if required. You’ll also find a mounting frame, cleaning kit, and camera lens protectors to match.

Pros

• Comes in a pack of four
• Includes a camera protector
• Case-friendly
• Includes a mounting frame and cleaning kit

Cons

• Not quite edge-to-edge protection

In this day and age, our smartphones are gateways to our social media, emails, and bank accounts. That’s all the more reason to want privacy, and for that, you’ll want to turn to the Milomdoi Privacy Screen Protector. By narrowing the field of vision to 25 degrees, no one’s going to see what you see unless they’re looking straight on.

Equally important is the Milomdoi Privacy Screen Protector’s 9H+ tempered glass material. On top of having top-tier privacy, your screen can withstand day-to-day accidents like drops, scratches, and scrapes, even from hard objects like keys. As a bonus, there’s also a mounting frame and camera screen protector!

Milomdoi Privacy Screen Protector for Samsung Galaxy S24

Best Privacy Screen Protector

$8 $10 Save $2

The Milomdoi Privacy Screen Protector is a master class in privacy, thanks to its much narrower viewing angle, which makes it increasingly more difficult for others to snoop. It also doubles as a top-tier screen protector, with a 9H-rated tempered glass, and it also comes with a camera protector.

Pros

• Incredibly difficult for others to see your screen
• Equally useful for scratch, scuff, and drop protection
• Comes in a pack of four
• Case-friendly

Some lower-quality screen protectors tend to skip over one important aspect: shielding the camera lens from damage. It deserves the same level of protection, which is why the Deerlamn Camera Lens Protector takes center stage. You aren’t just applying a 9H-rated tempered glass layer to your camera, but it’s specially designed to prevent image quality from tanking.

The Deerlamn Camera Lens Protector is perfectly cut to fit the cameras, making it a cinch to install and, surprisingly, won’t prevent you from using a case. More importantly, it has both AR reflection and optical AR technology, which in practice means you won’t have to worry about glares ruining your photos, nor will it blur your shot.

Deerlamn Camera Lens Protector

Best Camera Lens Protector

Being perfectly cut for the Samsung Galaxy S24, the Deerlamn Camera Lens Protector is the perfect companion to an equally strong screen protector. It’s also thin enough that you’ll have no problem slipping on a case.

Pros

• Really easy to install, and the adhesive won’t bubble
• Comes in a pack of three
• Strong, 9H tempered glass
• Won’t tank image quality

Cons

• No installation instructions

FAQ

Q: Do I need a screen protector for my Galaxy S24?

Considering the Samsung Galaxy S24 is expensive, and there’s a chance you’ll drop your phone at some point, it would be wise to have one. On top of acting as a buffer against scratches and scuffs, most have an oleophobic coating to prevent fingerprint build-up.

Q: Can I use a case with my screen protector on?

Most of the time, yes. Be sure to double-check, though. If it doesn’t say it’s case-friendly, then more than likely, you won’t be able to use a case at the same time. Every screen protector on our list is case-friendly.

Q: What is thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)?

TPU is simply a type of plastic. The reason you see it so frequently in cases and screen protectors is that it’s really hard to smudge and quite resilient. It’s also rather malleable, which is also why thermoplastic polyurethane cases are very easy to bend while simultaneously being soft to the touch.

Q: Will any screen protector fit on any Galaxy S24 model?

No. One of the key differences between each model—the Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, and S24 Ultra—is screen size. Naturally, a screen protector for the S24 will be too small for the S24 Plus and S24 Ultra.

Q: How do I apply a screen protector without getting bubbles?

The process is definitely tedious, but with a few tricks, you can avoid bubbles altogether. What is arguably the easiest way is to:

1. Thoroughly clean the screen, then wipe it down with a microfiber cloth. The cloth material is important as you don’t want to leave behind any residue.
2. Apply the screen protector. Try to keep it centered and avoid as many bubbles as possible. If you see a few, don’t sweat it!
3. Grab a card, like your license or credit card. Use the flat edge of the card to push the air bubbles out.

That’s all it takes! If you want to try other methods, we have a guide that focuses on ways to apply a screen protector.

Learn how to use the BCC feature in Outlook. We’ll walk you through the steps to add BCC in Outlook for both mobile and desktop. You will also learn what happens when you use BCC in Outlook.

What Does BCC in Email Mean?

BCC stands for “Blind Carbon Copy”. The main difference, compared to carbon copy (CC) emails, is that while other recipients can see a CC’d person’s email address, they cannot see the email addresses of BCC’d users.

BCC is a useful feature to use if you want to email multiple people but still make it look personalized. For example, you may wish to send a company-wide email at your job but do not want dozens (or hundreds) of recipients to appear in the list of CC’d recipients.

You may also want to add BCC in Outlook (and any other email providers you use) if you’d like other people’s email addresses to remain private. This situation may arise if you’re sending messages to multiple friends who aren’t part of the same friendship group, for example.

Another possible scenario when this could occur is if you want to make a big announcement (e.g., an engagement party). If you mainly use Outlook for work, make sure that you don’t make these common mistakes to avoid in your work emails.

How to Use BCC in Outlook on Your Computer

When learning how to BCC in Outlook on your computer, it’s worth looking at how to do so on both the desktop and web apps. In the following subsections, you can find the specific steps required for each of these.

How to Use BCC in Outlook on the Web App

Before using BCC in Outlook, it’s a good idea to ensure that the feature is always visible. You can change this in your settings:

1. Click on the settings icon in the top right-hand corner, which resembles a cog wheel.

2. Select Email > Compose and reply. Under Message format, tick the box next to Always show Bcc.

   

3. Click the X button to close the window and save your changes.

Once your settings have been saved, follow these instructions to use the BCC feature in your messages.

1. Select New email.

   

2. Add the contacts you want to BCC in the Bcc section, before adding the other recipients and email content/subject.

   

3. When you’re ready to share your email with others, tap Send.

How to Use BCC in the Outlook Desktop App

To add BCC in Outlook on your desktop, the steps to show BCC are slightly different on Windows and macOS. Let’s start with the steps for your Mac:

1. Go to Outlook > Settings.

2. Select Composing, which is in the Email section.

   

3. Tick the box next to Show BCC field by default.

   

4. Hit the x button when you’ve finished.

On Windows:

1. Go to Settings > Mail > Compose and reply.
2. Tick the box next to Always show Bcc.

In some versions of Outlook on Windows, you may be able to go to Options > Bcc instead.

The steps for adding BCC email addresses are identical regardless of whether you use Windows or macOS. Here are the instructions you should follow.

1. Select New Email.

   

2. In the Bcc tab, type your email addresses.

   

3. Fill out the rest of your email and press Send when you’re done.

How to Use BCC in Outlook on Mobile

You can easily add a BCC in Outlook on your smartphone or tablet as well. Follow these instructions to do that.

1. Tap New Email on your screen.
2. Expand the arrow next to the To: tab.
3. Enter the recipients you want to BCC in the Bcc: tab before filling in the other sections.
4. Tap the Send (arrow icon) button in the bottom right-hand corner when you’re ready to send your email.

In addition to manually adding BCC email addresses, you can also automatically CC or BCC yourself in Outlook.

What Happens When You Use BCC in Outlook?

When you use BCC in Outlook, all recipients will receive your email. Each recipient will receive the specific message content exactly how someone who’s either a main recipient or CC’d would. Recipients will also be able to reply to you, but unlike emails where you use CC, they will not be able to include all of the other BCC’d recipients in their message.

Do you get the “iMessage is Signed Out” pop-up whenever you open a thread in your iPhone’s Messages app? If so, you won’t be able to send or receive blue text bubbles unless you fix it. We’ll walk you through some troubleshooting steps.

Make Sure iMessage Is Enabled

Often, the reason you get the “iMessage is Signed Out” error is pretty simple: you may have accidentally disabled iMessage on your iPhone. To check this, go to Settings > Messages on your iPhone and make sure iMessage is toggled on.

If it’s already enabled: toggle it off, wait a few seconds, and toggle it back on again to force your iPhone to reactivate the service and sign back into iMessage.

Check Your iMessage Addresses

The next step is to review your iMessage addresses and make sure that either your phone number or Apple ID email address is selected, which is needed for iMessage to work properly. You can run into this issue if you swap SIMs often or sign out of your Apple ID on your iPhone.

Head to Settings > Messages and look for the Send & Receive option below the iMessage toggle. If you see “No Addresses” next to it, that’s exactly why you’re getting the “iMessage is Signed Out” error on your iPhone.

Tap Send & Receive and select Use your Apple ID for iMessage. When you get a pop-up, tap Sign In to log in with the Apple ID linked to your iPhone. However, if you want to use another account, select Use Other Apple ID instead.

If your phone number appears in this menu, make sure that’s selected too. Your carrier will send an SMS to activate iMessage. By default, iMessage will start new conversations using your phone number, but you can change this to your Apple ID email address from the same menu.

Check Apple’s Server Status for iMessage

If you’re still getting the “iMessage is Signed Out” pop-up when you open a thread in Messages, it’s possible that Apple’s iMessage servers are temporarily down. You can quickly check this by heading to Apple’s System Status page.

If you notice a yellow indicator (instead of green) next to iMessage on this page, it means Apple’s servers are down. You’ll have to patiently wait until Apple fixes it to send and receive iMessage texts again.

General Fixes: Restart, Update, and More

The above troubleshooting steps should help you get rid of the “iMessage is Signed Out” alert on your iPhone in most cases. However, you can try some generic fixes for iMessage if you’re still having problems.

Try restarting your iPhone, as it can help resolve minor software glitches like this. Consider updating your iPhone if a new iOS version is available, as firmware bugs can also cause the “iMessage is Signed Out” error.

If none of the fixes we suggested worked, it’s time to contact Apple Support for expert assistance. It’s easy to get tech support for your iPhone with the Apple Support app, but you can also visit Apple’s Contact Support page if you want to talk to an agent quickly.

From my experience, the “iMessage is Signed Out” pop-up appeared the moment I signed out of my Apple ID and unchecked my phone number for the service. As mentioned earlier, this error can also occur if you swapped the SIM card or switched to a new eSIM. However, if iMessage is affected due to other factors like connectivity, server issues, and software bugs, the general fixes above can prove to be valuable.

Not all apps on your Android device need to run in the background. If you’re experiencing lag or excessive battery drain, you can conserve resources by preventing unnecessary apps from running in the background on your phone.

How to Check Which Apps Are Running in the Background on Android

The Developer Options menu on Android provides access to various useful features and insights into your device’s functionality. A notable option within this menu is Running services, which provides a list of apps operating in the background along with their corresponding RAM usage. Here’s how to access it:

1. Open the Settings app, scroll down, and tap About phone.
2. Go to Software information and tap the Build number seven times to enable Developer options.
3. Enter your PIN (device passcode), and you should see a You’re now a developer message.
4. Return to the main Settings menu and tap Developer options at the bottom.
5. Scroll down and find Running services. Tap this to see a list of apps and services, along with their memory usage.

You can also navigate to the battery usage menu in Android to find out which apps are consuming the most battery. This information can help you make informed decisions about which apps should be stopped to extend your Android phone’s battery life.

To check the battery usage of apps, open the Settings menu and head to Battery. Apps using the most battery should appear at the top. Go through the list to find non-essential apps, noting them for the next steps.

How to Stop Android Apps From Running in the Background

There’s more than one way to stop apps from running in the background on your Android, depending on whether you prefer immediate intervention or more automated, adaptive solutions. We’ll go over a few distinct approaches to explore.

1. Force Stop Apps

If you want a specific app to stop working in the background until you open it, you can force-stop it using these steps:

1. Open the Settings menu and go to Apps.
2. Scroll through the list, or use the search tool, to locate the app you want to stop and tap it.
3. Tap the Force stop option.
4. Hit OK to confirm.

Note that this option isn’t perfect, as some apps can start themselves automatically.

2. Restrict Battery Usage for Apps

On Android, you can restrict the battery usage of specific apps, preventing them from running unnecessarily in the background. To restrict battery usage for an app on your Android, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app and scroll down to choose Apps.
2. Locate and select the app you don’t want running in the background.
3. Scroll down and tap the Battery option under the Usage section.
4. Select the Restricted option.

As noted in this menu, restricting apps can cause notifications not to show. Be careful to only use this for apps that don’t send you time-sensitive information.

3. Enable the Adaptive Battery Feature

The Adaptive Battery feature on Android uses Google’s DeepMind AI to understand your usage patterns over time and restricts background activity for apps you don’t frequently use. This option is ideal if you don’t want to force-stop apps manually all the time or configure battery usage settings for each app individually. To enable it:

1. Open the Settings app and go to Battery.
2. Tap Background usage limits.
3. Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and select Adaptive battery.
4. Turn on the toggle for the Adaptive battery.

If this utility doesn’t do enough for you, you might consider a third-party app like Greenify to hibernate apps and prevent them from running in the background. However, note that many of these apps are no longer in active development, so you’re best off with Android’s built-in options.

While preventing apps from running in the background offers certain benefits, doing so has its fair share of downsides. One of the key drawbacks is the potential impact on real-time notifications. Additionally, apps that require constant syncing or refreshing of content may not function as effectively.

Furthermore, closing frequently used apps can lead to slower loading times and higher CPU power consumption. This is why we don’t recommend constantly closing apps on Android.

Windows 10’s clipboard history feature lets you save and retrieve multiple copied items without losing earlier ones. While it’s a handy feature, you need to enable it manually, and it requires a special hotkey to bring up. We’ll explore how to use Windows 10’s clipboard to your advantage.

How to Enable Windows 10 Clipboard History

The Windows 10 clipboard history feature isn’t enabled by default, but turning it on is easy. Just press the Windows key + V hotkey, and the clipboard history will open at the bottom-right corner of your screen.

If the window says Your clipboard is empty or shows items you’ve copied in the past, clipboard history is already enabled. If it says Can’t show history, click Turn on and Windows will activate it.

How to Add Items to Your Clipboard History

Now that clipboard history is active, it’s time to understand how it works. To start, try copying text and images to put onto the clipboard. The methods for copying an item on the old clipboard work for the new one, so either copy items using Ctrl + C or right-click them and choose Copy.

Now press Windows key + V to open the clipboard history. You’ll see all the items you copied on the list, with the most recent item at the top.

If you press Ctrl + V, you’ll paste the most recent item copied. You can also bring up the clipboard history and click on a previously copied entry to paste it. Once you do this, Ctrl + V will paste the item you selected instead of the most recent item.

We’ve looked at how to fix copying and pasting in Windows if something seems wrong.

How to Pin an Item to the Windows Clipboard History

When you restart your PC, items stored in the clipboard are automatically deleted. But you can force items to stay in the clipboard by pinning them.

Press the Windows key + V to open the clipboard history. Click the three-dot icon on the item you want to keep and click Pin. Now, the item will stay on your clipboard even if you turn off your PC.

To delete a pinned item, click the three dots again and click Unpin.

How to Sync Your Windows Clipboard History Across All Your Devices

If you use multiple Windows 10 devices, you can sync clipboard items between them. To sync the clipboard between devices, you must be signed into Windows with your Microsoft account, not a local account.

Once you sign in to Windows using your Microsoft account, go to Settings > System > Clipboard and click the toggle under Sync across devices.

Below this toggle are two options: Automatically sync text that I copy and Never automatically sync text that I copy. The first option will sync anything you copy to your other devices, which is handy if you’re the only person using either device.

The second method won’t sync your items the moment you copy them. Instead, you need to open clipboard history, click on the three dots beside the item you want to transfer over, and click Sync. This option is best if you work with sensitive data and want control over what gets sent where.

How to Delete or Clear Items From the Clipboard History

You can clear the clipboard history at any time.

Press the Windows key + V to open the clipboard history and click the three dots on an item. Then, click Clear all at the bottom of the window. All items except for pinned items are deleted.

You can also use the above process to delete a single item; just click Delete instead of Clear all.

How to Disable Windows 10 Clipboard History

If you don’t want Windows to store the clipboard history, you can turn it off.

Go to Settings > System > Clipboard and click the slider button under Clipboard history to Off. Remember that when you do this the entire clipboard history (including pinned items) will be deleted.

Limitations and Security Considerations of Windows Clipboard History

Syncing clipboard items between devices is a great feature, but there are some security issues and limitations to be aware of.

First, the Windows clipboard history is not infinite. You can only store up to 25 items on it. Once you copy the 26th item, the oldest one is bumped off the list.

You can use the Windows clipboard history to copy images across PCs. However, anything above 4MB won’t show up on the clipboard, so you can’t use it to transfer large files.

As we mentioned earlier, copying sensitive data with the clipboard history turned on syncs through Microsoft servers in plain text. As such, if you’re handling sensitive data, it’s always a good idea to enable manual syncing so you don’t risk exposing your data.

Other Ways to Enhance the Clipboard on Windows

If you want more from Windows’ clipboard, you’re in luck. There are plenty of third-party clipboard managers you can try that replace Windows’s own and come with special features you won’t find on the native clipboard.

If you want to take matters into your own hands, you can extend the Windows clipboard with Ditto. This enhances the default clipboard with extra features, such as sharing it with others and performing “special pastes,” like pasting without capital letters.

Regardless of your choice, you don’t have to be stuck with the basic Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V functions. The Windows clipboard history lets you recall previous items, sync them across all your Windows devices, and save snippets across shutdowns. Best of all, enabling and getting accustomed to is very easy.

SD cards are convenient to use with your computer to transfer photos or as extra storage. But if you can’t access yours, we’ll guide you through troubleshooting tips to make Windows detect your card again.

Reasons Why Your SD Card Reader Is Not Working on Windows 10/11

Storage devices like SD cards may not appear in your File Explorer due to temporary glitches. But if reconnecting the SD card reader doesn’t fix the issue, there are other common reasons the issue can persist:

• Your SD card reader is not firmly connected to your computer.
• The SD card file system is corrupted.
• You’re using an outdated device driver.
• The SD card is infected with malware.
• The SD card is missing a drive letter.

Before you start troubleshooting, ensure that the SD card is compatible with your SD card reader. Some older readers may not support newer SD card formats.

1. Clean the SD Card and Adapter

If the SD card wasn’t used for an extended period, the contacts on the card and the adapter may have accumulated dust and debris. As a result, your computer may fail to recognize or detect the SD card.

Gently clean any dust you see on your SD card and the adapter. Then, connect the SD card reader firmly and wait for the computer to detect the device. Make sure the card is inserted firmly into the reader itself. Also, switch to a different USB port and see if that helps—you may have a dead USB port that won’t work with any device.

2. Assign a Drive Letter to Your SD Card

Each memory device connected to your system is assigned a drive letter by default. If these identifiers are missing, you cannot access files stored in the drive directly. Thankfully, you can assign a new drive letter in a few clicks.

To check if your SD card is missing the drive letter and assign one if needed:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open Run.

2. Type diskmgmt.msc and click OK. To open the utility, you can also search for Disk Management in the Windows search bar.
3. In Disk Management, check if your SD card reader is detected under Volume and has a drive letter assigned, such as I, E, F, etc.

   

4. If a letter is missing, right-click on the SD card reader and choose Change Drive Letter and Paths.

   

5. In the Add Driver or Path window, select Assign the following drive letter, then click Add. This will assign a new drive letter to your SD card reader.

You can also make a drive letter available for use in case drive letters are missing, or there is a drive letter conflict.

Once done, close the Disk Management tool. Disconnect and reconnect your SD card reader and check if it appears in File Explorer.

3. Turn Off Write Protection

It’s important to check if your SD card has write protection turned on. When write protection is enabled, your SD card is read-only, so you can’t add or delete any data on the storage device. This may also trigger the disk is write protected error, hinting at an obvious issue.

To turn off write protection on your SD Card:

1. Eject the SD card from your computer and locate the lock switch on its side.
2. Slide it in the upward direction to turn off write protection.
3. Connect the storage device to see if your computer can detect the SD card now.

4. Check SD Card Errors With CHKDSK

Check Disk (CHKDSK) is a Windows command-line utility that scans your driver for errors. It can scan drives for file system errors and bad sectors and fix them automatically. Here’s how to use CHKDSK to check and fix SD card errors:

1. Open the Disk Management utility.
2. Right-click on your SD card under Volume and choose Properties.

   

3. Open the Tools tab in the Properties window.

   

4. Click the Check button under the Error checking section.
5. Select Scan and repair drive.

   

6. Windows will scan the drive for errors and fix them automatically.
7. Click Close and restart your computer. After the restart, check for any improvements.

5. Check Your SD Card for Errors in Device Manager

Device Manager lists all the devices connected to your computer, including hardware with errors. See if you can locate the SD card in Device Manager to perform further troubleshooting steps:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open Run.

   

2. Type devmgmt.msc and click OK to open Device Manager.
3. In Device Manager, click Action and choose Scan for hardware changes.

   

4. Next, expand the Portable Devices category.

   

5. Check if your SD card reader is listed with a yellow exclamation mark. If yes, right-click on the device and choose Properties.

   

6. In the Properties window, open the General tab and check the Device status.

The device status shows if your device is enabled or disabled, followed by an error code or message. If disabled, click Enabled and check for any improvements. Any error messages present can help you troubleshoot your specific issue.

6. Update Your SD Card Drivers

Your computer may fail to recognize or detect the external storage device due to outdated or missing device drivers. Fortunately, you can easily update device drivers from Device Manager. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Device Manager.
2. In Device Manager, expand the Disk drives section and locate your SD card.
3. If it has a yellow exclamation mark, right-click and choose Update drivers.

   

4. Select Search automatically for drivers. Windows will scan for compatible drivers. If found, it will automatically download and install the required drivers.

After the drivers are installed, restart your PC. Connect your SD card reader again and check if it appears in File Explorer. If the problem persists, reinstall the drivers from scratch.

Reinstall the SD Card Driver

If updating the device driver did not help, try reinstalling the SD card driver. You can perform driver updates and reinstallation from Device Manager:

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Expand the Disk drives category.
3. Right-click on your SD card device driver.

   

4. Choose Uninstall Device. Click Uninstall to confirm the action if a prompt appears.
5. Once uninstalled, restart your PC and connect your SD card reader. It will automatically detect and reinstall the required drivers.

7. Format Your SD Card to Fix Data Corruption

A corrupted SD card may not show up in File Explorer. To make sure your SD card is not corrupted, connect it to another computer. You may have a file system corruption issue if it doesn’t work on other devices.

Thankfully, a quick format can fix any data corruption issues.

To format your SD card:

1. Press the Windows key + R.
2. Type diskmgmt.msc and click OK to open the Disk Management utility.
3. Locate your SD card in the Volume section.

4. 

   To format the storage drive, right-click on the device and choose Format.

   

5. Choose the Volume label, and File system. Leave Allocation unit size as default.
6. Click OK to format your SD card with a compatible file system.

Faulty memory card readers are a common cause for SD cards not showing up in Windows File Explorer. Opt for an external card reader that connects to a USB port. Otherwise, Windows automatically detects portable storage devices such as SD cards and shows them in File Explorer.

Windows 11 also resolves many hardware issues through Windows updates, which include the latest drivers and fixes, so do check if you have the latest updates installed on your PC.

Sonos wireless speakers stream music over Wi-Fi from various apps, and also support AirPlay 2 for playback from compatible devices like iPhones. Learn how to connect Sonos speakers to Wi-Fi for the first time or move them to a new Wi-Fi network so that you can start listening to your favorite music.

How to Connect Your Sonos Speaker to Wi-Fi

To connect a Sonos speaker to Wi-Fi, set up its features, and log into your music and audio streaming services, you need to download the Sonos app for your iOS or Android device.

Download: Sonos for iOS | Android | Desktop (Free)

After downloading the app, log in or create an account. Then, make sure your mobile device is connected to the Wi-Fi network you want to use, and follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings tab. You’ll likely see the Account, System, and Services & Voice sections grayed out.
2. Look for the warning or pop-up that prompts you to connect your Sonos device to Wi-Fi and tap Let’s fix it or Add to network.
3. Then, tap the Add network button.
4. If the Sonos app asks for permission to see your location, tap Continue to grant it.
5. When prompted, type the password for the Wi-Fi network and tap Continue.

You’ll see an alert when your Sonos device is successfully connected to Wi-Fi.

Connect and Customize Your Sonos Speaker

Once you’ve connected your Sonos device to Wi-Fi, you can start personalizing the experience by adding your music streaming services, setting up a stereo pair, and more.

View Network Details in Sonos Settings

You can see details about the Wi-Fi network your Sonos device is connected to in the Sonos app. Navigate to Settings > System and select your device from the Products list. On the next screen, tap the name of your device (again under Products).

You’ll see the status of your device and relevant features, such as the battery, microphone, and network. Tap Network to view the Wi-Fi connection strength, network frequency, channel, and other details.

Set Your Sonos Speakers Up as a Stereo Pair

If you have two compatible Sonos speakers, you can set them up as a stereo pair. Go to Settings > System > [room name] and tap Set Up Stereo Pair. Then, follow the guided prompts to pair the two speakers together.

Add Voice Control to Your Sonos Speaker

Since 2017, many Sonos speakers have supported voice assistants, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Sonos Voice Control. These use Wi-Fi to let you control the music, ask for information, and even control smart home devices.

To add a voice assistant to your Sonos speaker, go to Settings > System > [room name]. Then, find the Voice section and tap Add a Voice Assistant. Read our guide to adding voice control to your Sonos speaker for more details on the setup process.

Link Your Music and Audio Streaming Accounts

Once your Sonos speaker is connected to Wi-Fi, you’re ready to play music. You can do so by using the Sonos app or by streaming from a compatible device using AirPlay 2. In the Sonos app, log in to Spotify, Apple Music, or one of the other available services to connect it to your account and start streaming.

Whether you’re using the app or AirPlay 2, the Sonos speaker uses Wi-Fi to play music, so you don’t have to worry about limited Bluetooth range or Bluetooth device switching.

Let Others Control the Music Over Wi-Fi

If you’re listening to music with friends, you can share control of the speaker with them by connecting their devices to your Wi-Fi network. Once everyone’s on the same Wi-Fi network, they can use the Sonos app or AirPlay 2 to play music and control the speaker.

How to Move Your Sonos Speaker to a New Wi-Fi Network

Whether you’re moving a Sonos Era 100 to a new home or traveling with a Sonos Roam, the process for connecting your speaker to a new Wi-Fi network is similar to setting it up on Wi-Fi for the first time.

In the Sonos app, go to the Settings tab and look for the alert that you need to update the network settings. Then, follow the guided prompts that show you how to connect Sonos to the new Wi-Fi network.

Even if your speaker supports Bluetooth, connecting Sonos to Wi-Fi unlocks its full capabilities, from music streaming and AirPlay 2 playback to voice assistants and multiroom audio. Making it well worth doing.

Connecting your DualSense Controller to your phone can vastly improve your mobile gaming experience, especially when using Remote Play. If you want to use your PS5 controller with your smartphone, we’ve got you covered with this quick tutorial.

Which Smartphones Are Compatible With the PS5 Controller?

The PlayStation website states that the DualSense Controller is compatible with devices running Android 12 or later and iOS 14.5 or later. However, we were able to test the method on a device running Android 11 with no issues.

Not all Android devices are compatible with the DualSense Controller, however. The PlayStation website suggests consulting your device’s manufacturer to see if your device is compatible with the controller or not.

You can find information about your device’s manufacturer in the About phone section of your device settings.

But if that’s too much effort, you can also follow the steps below to see if it works for you. If not, you may have to stick with another Bluetooth controller for your mobile gaming endeavors.

How to Connect Your PS5 Controller to an Android Device

You can connect your DualSense to an Android device running Android 11/12 or later. To check what operating software your device is running, head to your device’s settings by pressing the Settings app.

Scroll down to About phone, and select Software information. There, you will be able to see what Android version you are currently running, and update it if necessary.

To begin connecting your PS5 controller to your Android device, head back to your Settings and press Connections.

Ensure the Bluetooth toggle is on and press the Bluetooth tab to open the menu.

Turn your attention to your controller, making sure the controller is off. If not, hold the PS button down for around seven seconds or until the controller light turns off.

Put your controller in pairing mode by holding the Create and PS buttons down simultaneously. It should only take around three seconds before your controller light starts flashing to indicate it is in pairing mode.

If you’re unsure what the DualSense Create button is, it’s the small oval button on the left side of the touchpad.

Now that your controller is searching for a Bluetooth device to connect to, check your phone. As long as your device is compatible, you will see an option labeled DualSense Wireless Controller in the Available devices section at the bottom of the screen.

Select DualSense Wireless Controller and press Pair to complete your connection. Once connected, you will see DualSense Wireless Controller under your Paired devices.

The flashing light around the touchpad of your controller will also become static when the pairing process is complete.

How to Connect Your PS5 Controller to an iPhone

Connecting your DualSense to your iOS device follows a similar process but can only be completed if your phone is running iOS 14.5 or later. You can check your device’s version by heading to your iOS device’s General Settings, pressing About, and checking the iOS Version tab.

If your operating software is compatible, press General in the top left corner to head back to your Settings and select Bluetooth. Ensure the toggle is switched on and put your PS5 controller into pairing mode.

Scroll down to Other Devices on your mobile and wait until you see the DualSense Wireless Controller option.

Once you do, select it, and your phone will connect to your controller.

Connecting your DualSense Controller to your Mac and other Apple devices is also possible, but connecting to your iPhone is by far the most convenient option, especially if you are looking for something portable.

How to Reconnect Your DualSense Controller to Your PS5

You won’t want to use your DualSense with your mobile device forever and there will come a time when you want to connect your controller back to your PS5. Thankfully, doing so is very easy and will take just a few minutes.

Begin by switching your PS5 console on. You can then reconnect your controller manually using a USB-A to USB-C cable. Plug the USB-A side into your console and the USB-C side into the slot at the top of your controller. The controller will reconnect automatically.

You can also reconnect wirelessly using Bluetooth if you have two controllers, as long as one is synced already.

Using your primary controller, head to your PS5 Settings and head to Accessories. Open Bluetooth Accessories from the General tab and place your controller back into pairing mode by holding the Create and PS buttons down. Once the second controller appears, select it to reconnect to your PS5.

Using touchscreen controls to game on your mobile device can be clunky and difficult, and your thumbs end up covering a large part of your display. Using any Bluetooth controller will vastly improve your mobile gaming experience. But since the DualSense is one of the best controllers on the market, it will massively level up the experience of gaming on your phone.

Snapchat has a generative AI feature that lets you create AI selfies. Called Dreams, the feature lets you create a gallery of portraits of yourself which you can then share. Here’s how to use Snapchat Dreams to create your own AI selfies.

Is Snapchat Dreams Free?

Besides improving your Snapchat experience, Dreams is one of the reasons you should consider upgrading to Snapchat+. Snapchat’s paid users get one free pack to start, followed by a monthly pack of free Dreams.

However, it’s worth noting that your subsequent monthly AI pack is selected randomly, and you might get the same one again.

Free users, on the other hand, must pay, and won’t get any free packs. A pack of eight Dreams costs $1. This is despite the Snapchat website claiming that every user gets a free pack. We tested this on two different accounts and both required a payment to generate a pack.

How to Use Snapchat Dreams to Create AI Selfies

If you’ve never used the feature before, you may have noticed a prompt for it just after you open Snapchat. It usually appears as a banner above your active chats.

To use Dreams, you will first need to upload a set of selfies.

To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open Snapchat and tap your profile photo (or Bitmoji) at the top left corner.
2. Select the cogwheel icon in the top-right corner to open your settings.
3. Scroll down the My Account section and tap AI selfies.
4. Choose Create AI selfies.
5. Read the terms and conditions first, and if you’re happy with them, click Agree and continue.
6. Proceed to take photos. It will ask you for selfies from different angles.
7. After the selfies stage, you can tap Add more photos to add photos from your camera roll.
8. Tap Done, and you’ll get to a screen where you can pick a male- or female-looking outline. You can choose one or skip that part altogether.

Now that you have registered photos, you can go and generate your AI selfies with Dreams:

1. Tap the camera icon like you’re about to make a Snap.
2. Swipe up from there to access Memories. If you’re greeted with flashback Snaps, just swipe down to enter the Memories page.
3. Select the Dreams tab and choose the glowing yellow Create Dreams button.
4. You get one free random pack with eight photos. Select it, and wait for your pack to generate.

You might have to wait up to 30 minutes for your pack to be ready, and you’ll be notified once it is ready.

Is Snapchat Dreams Good at Creating AI Selfies?

The accuracy of the images generally varies according to what pack you pick, but the more pictures you give it to work with, the better the results. In our photos, the images were reasonably realistic and much better than most other “AI filter apps” out there.

You can use these images on Snapchat or share them on other platforms. Just go to Dreams in Memories, find the image you want to share, and tap Send To to share on Snapchat.

If you want to download the image, tap the pencil icon in the bottom-left corner, and it’ll change to a share icon. Tap the share icon and swipe left on the menu to see Download. Using that will save the image on your device.

And that’s all it takes to get your own AI selfies from Snapchat. If you’re not a fan of the Dreams feature but want to generate an AI selfie, you can also use Vana to generate AI portraits.

As operating systems become more complex, the minimum specifications for new PCs rise to meet them. Recent reports claim that Microsoft is pushing to have 16GB of RAM become the minimum amount of memory for new devices. But why would it make that change, and is this good for you?

What Is RAM?

For anyone unsure what RAM is: it’s short for “random access memory.” You can imagine it like the size of your computer’s work table; the more room it has to work with, the more programs it can run simultaneously without encountering any problems.

Be sure to check out our explainer on RAM that everyone can understand.

What Is Happening With RAM in Windows Computers?

A TrendForce market research report says Microsoft is planning to bump up the minimum amount of RAM new devices have:

Microsoft has set the baseline for DRAM in AI PCs at 16GB. In the long term, TrendForce projects that AI PCs will catalyze an increase in annual demand for PC DRAM bits, with consumer upgrade trends further boosting this demand.

Right now, you can purchase a new PC with 8GB of RAM minimum. If this report is accurate, these models will eventually be phased out, and 16GB computers will take their place as the baseline.

Why Is Microsoft Setting a Baseline of 16GB of RAM?

You may have noticed an interesting term in TrendForce’s quote: “AI PCs.” While it may sound insignificant, this is why Microsoft is pushing for more RAM.

At the time of writing, we don’t know exactly what an “AI PC” is. We know that many companies are developing them, and as you would expect, they will feature artificial intelligence in some form.

An “AI PC” could be a machine where AI powers the operating system itself. It might also be a flashy marketing term for a regular PC with some simple AI tools pre-installed. Regardless of how AI PCs go, those special processing tools will need more memory to run properly.

The Potential Set Up for Windows 12

But why is Microsoft the one setting the baselines for AI PCs? The answer may lie within Microsoft’s upcoming “Windows 12” project.

We learned about the existence of Windows 12 in early 2023. It’s still unclear if Windows 12 will be a whole new operating system or if it will be a significant rework of Windows 11. However, sources claim that Windows 12 will focus heavily on AI.

We’re already seeing proof that Microsoft is making a massive shift toward AI-based systems. All you need to do is boot up a Windows product, and there’s a good chance you’ll see a Copilot button on it somewhere.

Copilot is Microsoft’s personal AI assistant, powered by ChatGPT. Right now, you can find a dedicated Copilot button on Windows 10 and 11, Microsoft Edge, and Office. The company has already released a standalone Copilot app for Android, too.

Windows 12 is currently believed to have a 2025 release date, which gives Microsoft a lot of time to work on implementing artificial intelligence into its operating system. And for people to make the most of Windows 12, Microsoft needs new PCs to have enough RAM to support it; hence the 16GB suggestion.

Is Setting 16GB RAM as the New Standard Good News for You?

While Microsoft has reasons for upping the minimum amount of RAM, it’s easy to be skeptical about its claims. Who’s to say this isn’t just a move to raise the demand for RAM and force hardware prices up? Is 16GB of RAM really necessary?

If we imagine an AI PC as a device constantly running artificial intelligence-based processes, then 16GB of RAM makes a lot of sense. We previously covered whether 4GB of RAM is enough for Windows 11, and in that piece, we deduced that using 8GB of RAM to run it is doable but not ideal.

If 8GB of RAM is already the “tipping point” for running Windows 11, then adding AI processes into the mix will likely be the factor that pushes the requirement higher. And while we don’t have any hard numbers on how an AI PC would perform with 8GB of RAM, it’s still a good idea to go into the new era with at least 16GB of memory.

As much as this may sound like Microsoft is making excuses to sell PCs with more RAM, its claims hold a lot of water. We’ll have to wait a while and see what it means by “AI PC” before rendering any further judgment.

Like any speaker, an Amazon Echo can run into audio issues, be it from a faulty cable, an unstable connection, or your app’s settings. But when this happens, how can you fix it? This troubleshooting guide should help you resolve your Echo’s audio issues.

1. Reestablish the Echo’s Cable Connection

The classic troubleshooting step of turning a piece of hardware off and then back on again may resolve your Amazon Echo’s audio issues. So, before trying any of the other steps listed here, first try unplugging your Echo from the power cable and then reestablishing the connection.

While “turning it off and on again” may not work, there’s a reason this sentence has crossed over into popular culture.

2. Update Your Alexa App

If you haven’t updated the Alexa app (available on Android and iOS) in a while, there may be a software compatibility issue between the app and your speaker. Software updates can be irritating, but updating your Alexa app shouldn’t take more than a minute or two with a decent internet connection.

To check if your Alexa app needs updating, go to your device’s app store and search for the Alexa app. Or just follow the links above. If the Open option to the right of the app icon has been replaced with Update, then there’s a software update waiting to be installed.

Alternatively, if there are no updates available, you could try uninstalling and reinstalling the Alexa app.

3. Check Your Alexa Audio Settings

If your Alexa’s audio is working, but just doesn’t sound right, you’ll be able to access and alter your connected device(s)’ audio settings within the Alexa app. Within the audio settings, you can adjust the bass, mid-range, and treble of your speaker.

You can keep your Echo speaker’s audio active while playing with the settings, allowing you to instantly check how the changes are affecting the sound. Your Echo will flash with a white light for a few seconds, and after that, the new sound adjustment should be applied.

To access the audio settings, head to Devices and opt for the device you’re looking to adjust. Tap on the settings cog at the top-right of the screen, and then head to Audio Settings.

Note that your speaker’s equalizer settings may be set to a neutral (default) position initially, so if you’d rather have the audio you received upon first setting up your device, simply toggle each cursor to the middle of each scale, where it reads 0.

4. Reestablish the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth Connection

When setting up your Alexa device through the smartphone app, you need to connect your smartphone to the Alexa speaker’s Wi-Fi network. After this, you’ll also be able to quickly connect your speaker to your phone, laptop, or similar device using Bluetooth. If either of these wireless connections fail or aren’t strong enough, you can run into audio issues.

Starting with your Wi-Fi, try deactivating the Wi-Fi on the device to which your Echo speaker is connected. Then, turn the Wi-Fi back on, wait for your Alexa’s Wi-Fi network to appear, and connect to it.

Alternatively, you can try reestablishing the Bluetooth connection. To do this, forget your Echo speaker in your device’s Bluetooth settings.

Then, search for new devices, tap on your Echo speaker when it’s found, and agree to pair it with your smartphone.

5. Reset Your Amazon Echo Device

If all else fails, and you’re still dealing with audio issues after trying each of the methods above, it may be time to reset your Echo device.

Your Alexa app will remember and recognize your connected speaker unless you reset the speaker itself. To do this, press and hold the Volume down and Microphone off buttons for 15 to 20 seconds.

The ring light on your Echo will turn on and off again, which will indicate that it has been reset. Now, your app will treat the Echo speaker like a totally new device, allowing you to go through the setup process again.

When your speaker’s light turns purple, that means it is ready for setup.

Other Amazon Echo Audio Issue Troubleshooting Tips

If all the methods above don’t help, there are some other things you can try:

• Move your Echo closer to your router or connected device.
• Restart your Wi-Fi router.
• Connect to your router’s 5GHz channel.
• Change your Echo’s wake-up word (Devices > Settings > Wake Word).

If you’re still experiencing issues even after trying all of the above, the Echo hardware may be faulty or degraded. If you’ve had your Echo for a long time, it may be time to get a new model, depending on the severity of the issues you’re dealing with.

Stolen Device Protection is an important security feature in iOS that lets you protect your data, payment information, and saved passwords if your iPhone is ever stolen. Learn how to enable Stolen Device Protection on your iPhone to protect it in worst-case scenarios.

What Is Stolen Device Protection in iOS?

People store lots of sensitive information on their smartphones, from passwords and credit cards to health information and precious memories. Therefore, it’s risky if someone steals your iPhone’s passcode as they could change important security settings, view passwords, use credit cards, and more.

Stolen Device Protection, available in iOS 17.3 and later, protects against that. When Stolen Device Protection is turned on, certain actions require one of the two key extra security measures: biometric authentication and security delay.

Biometric Authentication

With Stolen Device Protection turned on, actions like accessing saved passwords on iCloud Keychain and viewing stored credit cards require Face ID or Touch ID authentication. That means a thief can’t use your iPhone’s passcode to access these features.

The actions that require a biometric check include:

• Accessing synced iCloud Keychain passwords and passkeys
• Autofilling debit and credit cards
• Applying for an Apple Card or viewing your Apple Card number
• Turning off Lost Mode on your iPhone
• Erasing all content and settings
• Transferring your Apple Cash balance

Security Delay

In addition to using Face ID or Touch ID, Stolen Device Protection also imposes a one-hour delay for performing certain actions, including the following:

• Changing your Apple ID password or signing out
• Changing your iPhone passcode
• Turning Face ID or Touch ID on or off
• Turning off Find My or Stolen Device Protection
• Changing trusted devices, Recovery Contacts, or the Recovery Key for your Apple ID account

After the one-hour delay, you’ll have to authenticate again using Face ID or Touch ID. According to Apple Support, Stolen Device Protection goes into effect when your device is away from familiar locations, which your iPhone automatically recognizes as places where you frequently use it. So the added security delay will only apply when you’re away from these areas.

How to Enable or Disable Stolen Device Protection on Your iPhone

To enable Stolen Device Protection on your iPhone, make sure it’s running iOS 17.3 or later. After updating, you might see a prompt asking whether you’d like to turn on the feature. If you don’t see the prompt, you can turn on Stolen Device Protection on your iPhone manually.

Once your device is updated and Face ID or Touch ID is set up, enable Stolen Device Protection by following these steps:

1. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode). You’ll be prompted to enter your passcode to access the menu.
2. Next, scroll down to find Stolen Device Protection and tap Turn On Protection below it.
3. Authenticate using Face ID or Touch ID when prompted to activate the feature.

You can disable the feature at any time by repeating the same steps. However, if you’re not at a familiar location, you’ll be prompted to start a one-hour security delay and wait for it to finish before you can change the setting for Stolen Device Protection.

You can continue using your iPhone while the timer counts down. And when the time is up, you’ll receive a notification to return to Settings for one more biometric check.

Is Stolen Device Protection Worth Using?

Stolen Device Protection is a significant iPhone security feature, and you should enable it to protect your most important data, financial information, and security settings in case your iPhone is ever stolen.

If you don’t enable Stolen Device Protection, a thief only needs to “shoulder surf” you entering your iPhone’s passcode to steal much more than your device. They can lock you out of your Apple ID and iCloud, cut off access to photos, email accounts, and contact information, steal passwords to your most important accounts, and use your credit card information.

Enabling Stolen Device Protection makes sure these actions are only possible when your face or fingerprint unlocks your iPhone. The one-hour security delay adds an extra layer of protection by giving you a crucial window to turn on Lost Mode before a thief can change Apple ID account information or security settings.

The best part is that you only have to enable Stolen Device Protection on your iPhone once (ideally right now!), and then you can forget about it. You’ll rarely even be bothered by the extra security checks. But if you ever lose your iPhone, you’ll be thankful that all your data is protected.

Many users rely on Notion for its note-taking and workspace management features. And now, the much-loved productivity app has released a calendar service called Notion Calendar. So, what is Notion Calendar, and how can you use it to manage your time? Let’s find out.

What Is Notion Calendar?

Notion Calendar is an app released by Notion in January 2024. The tool is different from the Calendar template that exists within the main Notion app, as that focuses on daily overviews. Instead, Notion Calendar lets you go into full detail when it comes to blocking your time—making it very similar to Google Calendar and Apple Calendar.

Besides planning your day in Notion Calendar, you can also make others aware of your availability. Moreover, you can swiftly set up meetings with others via the Quick meeting tool. For these reasons, the app is great for students and employees alike; not just individual users.

Other useful features in Notion Calendar include:

• Toggling whether you want to see which week of the year it is (this is useful if you live in a country where you count week numbers rather than saying “week commencing”).
• Choosing how many days you want to see in your calendar view.
• Toggle calendar visibility to customize your view.

How to Get Notion Calendar

The Notion Calendar app is available for macOS, Windows, and iOS. If you own a Mac, you can download the program on computers with both Intel and Silicon chips.

Getting Notion Calendar is a different process for computers and smartphones. Below, you’ll find the steps required for both.

How to Get Notion Calendar on Your Computer

To download Notion Calendar for Windows or macOS, follow these instructions.

1. Navigate to the Notion Calendar website.
2. Click on Downloads.

3. Under the Desktop App section, choose from: Mac (Intel), Mac (Silicon), and Windows.

   

4. Follow the remaining instructions on your respective device. You’ll need to drag and drop the Notion Calendar icon into the Applications folder if you use a Mac.

How to Download Notion Calendar for iOS

To download the Notion Calendar app for your iPhone:

1. Go to the App Store.
2. Tap on the Search tab.
3. Type Notion Calendar and press Search.
4. Download Notion Calendar when you see it.

If you’re thinking about bringing all of your workflows into one place, check out this guide on the types of productivity tools that Notion can replace.

How to Use Notion Calendar to Manage Your Time

After you’ve downloaded Notion Calendar, you’re ready to begin using it to effectively manage your time. Below, you’ll find step-by-step tutorials for the most essential productivity functions in Notion Calendar.

Connecting Your Existing Calendars to Notion Calendar

If you already plan your week in Google Calendar or a similar app, you might simply want to integrate everything within Notion Calendar rather than starting from scratch. At the time of writing in January 2024, you can’t incorporate other apps aside from Google Calendar—such as Apple Calendar—into Notion.

The good news is that if you use Google Calendar, integrating your existing schedule within Notion Calendar is very easy. Here are the steps you should follow on your computer.

1. On the left-hand side, select + Add calendar account.

   

2. Go to Integrations and tap Calendars.

   

3. Under Calendar accounts, choose Connect.
4. A new tab should open in your browser. Click on Continue to Google Permissions.

   

5. Choose and sign into the Google account you’d like to integrate within Notion Calendar.
6. Select Continue.

   

7. Tick the boxes next to everything you want to grant Notion Calendar access to.

   

8. Scroll to the bottom and select Continue.

   

9. If a pop-up menu asks if you’d like your website to open Notion Calendar, give it permission. After a few seconds, your new calendar should have integrated within the app.

   

On the Notion Calendar iOS app, integrating your calendar is a slightly different process.

1. Open the Notion Calendar app and select the hamburger icon in the top left-hand corner.
2. Select + Add calendar account.
3. Press Connect next to Add Google Calendar. When you’re asked if you can allow Google to sign in, tap Continue.
4. The following steps are the same as they would be if you integrate your calendar on a computer. Sign in to your Google account and grant access to the Notion Calendar app.

How to Add New Tasks to Notion Calendar

Adding new tasks and appointments to the Notion Calendar app is incredibly straightforward. On Windows or Mac:

1. Double-tap on the place you’d like to add a new event.
2. Give your event a name in the Title text box.

   

3. Tap on the time and date boxes to customize these. Then, add participants, locations, and everything else you need.
4. When you’ve finished, tap anywhere on your screen.

On your iPhone, follow these steps instead.

1. Either tap the + button or press and hold on to your calendar screen to create a new event.
2. Customize the title and other categories. Then, press Done in the top right-hand corner.

Changing the colors of your tasks in Notion Calendar can make it easier for you to organize everything. To do this, open your task and tap the color next to the calendar it’s associated with. Under Event color, pick your new color.

If you want some help managing your time more effectively, consider checking out our guide on how to plan your day in Notion.

How to Change Your Notion Calendar View

Toggling your calendar view can make it easier to manage your time by showing what’s upcoming for you in a smaller or larger period of time. Again, the process is different depending on whether you use Notion Calendar on iOS or your computer.

Follow these steps to change the calendar view in Notion Calendar on your computer:

1. Tap the + icon next to the dates.

   

2. Press + or –, depending on how many days you want to be visible.

   

You can also type how many days you want to be visible in Notion Calendar (e.g. type the 3 button on your keyboard to only show three days). This only works from 1-9, though.

On your iPhone, you’ll need to do the following instead. Note that you can only see up to three days at a time.

1. Tap the hamburger icon.
2. Choose from 1 day, 2 days, or 3 days—depending on your preference.

   

   

Notion Calendar effectively helps you keep everything more organized in your Notion workspace, and it’s a perfect companion to the main Notion app. You can use the app both on your own and with others, and customizing your events is easy. You should now have all the information you need to effectively use the program’s most important features.

To create a beautiful desktop background using an AI art generator, there are a few key settings to tweak, such as the aspect ratio and image resolution. Here’s what the process looks like from start to finish.

Step 1: Choose an AI Art Generator

You have plenty of AI art generators to choose from for this tutorial, whether you’re hoping to find something for free or one with advanced abilities. Some models, like Dream Studio by Stable Diffusion, have handy built-in sliders to change the aspect ratio, a feature that will prove useful for getting the image to fit the dimensions of your computer screen.

On the other hand, DALL-E by Open AI is one of the most simple and beginner-friendly AI image generation websites you can use. Choose this option if you want to avoid getting lost in detailed settings that might be confusing.

We have used DALL-E to create phone wallpapers in the past and the same method can be applied to creating desktop backgrounds. But for this guide, we’ll be opting for Midjourney, because it arguably produces the most stunning images of all the AI art generators.

Step 2: Craft an AI Prompt for Your Desktop Background

If you’ve never used Midjourney before, we’ve put together a quick start guide on how to use Midjourney to create AI art if you need help.

Head to the Midjourney server on Discord and click on one of the channels named #general or #newbies that appears in the navigation panel on the left.

In the message box, type the command /imagine, then press the spacebar on the keyboard to automatically add the prompt tag.

Now you can start typing a description of the image you want to create in the prompt field. Don’t hit Enter just yet, as we’re going to add a parameter to the end of the prompt in the following step.

Deciding what kind of image you should create can be a surprisingly hard task, so if you find inspiration lacking, browse our list of AI art prompt ideas.

Step 3: Change the Aspect Ratio of Your Background

Now, we want to add the –ar parameter to the end of our prompt. This will change the dimensions of the image to better fit our desktop.

The aspect ratio you use will depend on your screen size. Here are a few common aspect ratios you can try:

• ar– 16:10 – Common for laptops
• ar– 16:9 – Common for standalone computer monitors
• ar– 21:9 – Aspect ratio used for some ultrawide curved monitors

Add one of these parameters to the end of your prompt, then press enter on the keyboard to start generating the image.

Midjourney will generate four images based on the prompt, and you can select the one you like for the next step.

Before moving on, however, here are a couple more examples of different aspect ratios and the prompts that we used to create the images:

/imagine prompt many vegetables spread out on a long table, neutral background, oil painting --ar 16:9

/imagine prompt luminescent mushroom in a dark overgrown forest, enchanting, beautiful, fairytale --ar 21:9

Step 5: Upscale Your AI Image

Once you have chosen an image you like, it’s time to upscale it to the highest possible resolution. The buttons underneath the set of four images, labeled U1 to U4, correspond to the four images from top left to right, and bottom left to right. Click the one that matches your image.

After that, the image you have chosen will reappear in the channel on its own, and you will have some more options to alter the image. Now you can click Upscale (4x) to start the process.

It’s easy to lose sight of your image in the continuous flow of posts in the chat. So a quick tip for finding your lost image in Discord is to click the Inbox button located in the top-right corner of the window. Click the Jump button to get back to your image.

When you’re ready to upskill, check out our tips for writing better Midjourney prompts.

Step 6: Download Your AI-Generated Desktop Background

Once the image has finished upscaling, it will appear once more in the Discord channel with a few different buttons below it.

Click on the image to preview it, then click Open in Browser to see the image in full resolution in your browser. Right-click on the image and hit Save Image As to download it to your computer.

All that’s left now is to locate the downloaded image on your computer and set it as your desktop background!

Once you’re familiar with the process, creating new desktop backgrounds in Midjourney is a simple task, and a great way to put your AI art to good use. And creating your own backgrounds using AI means you’ll never have to settle for the same boring background as everyone else.

Rebooting your Roomba can quickly resolve simple issues. Alternatively, resetting your Roomba can help with more complex issues and help you remove the device from your account. We’ll show you how to do both, using the app and buttons on the device itself.

Should You Reboot or Reset Your Roomba Vacuum?

As we all know, things may not go as expected with any type of technology, even “smart” technology. For example, here are some times “smart” technology wasn’t so smart.

Your iRobot Roomba is no exception when it comes to the possibility of things going wrong. So what can you do to fix a problem?

When to Reboot Your Roomba Device

When in doubt, reboot. This goes for just about any hardware device or software application. Here’s an example of how rebooting can fix even a complex router.

You might try rebooting your Roomba as a first troubleshooting step before resetting. Rebooting can clear common errors and give your device a good refresh, as though giving it a good night’s sleep.

Reboot your Roomba if, for instance, the iRobot app consistently displays errors during operation. Additionally, if your Wi-Fi network is down and you cannot use the app, rebooting the device manually is an effective alternative. Rebooting it from the hardware device will clear its clock and give it a good refresh, but keep your custom settings intact, such as your iRobot schedule.

When to Reset Your Roomba Device

Resetting is a more drastic step that can take longer. It will factory reset your device. This means your Roomba software will be like it was new when you first took it out of its box.

Resetting can solve lots of problems, but you’ll have to customize your Roomba preferences again, and you may need to spend time updating the software.

You might consider resetting your Roomba to clear its navigation map before selling it. Your Roomba uses a map of your house to navigate the various rooms and hallways, the same way you’d use a map to navigate roadways, towns, and cities. If you choose to reset, it will clear the map from the Roomba’s software.

How to Reboot a Roomba Vacuum

An iRobot device doesn’t have a simple on/off switch, but there are a few ways you can reboot. You can reboot the Roomba using buttons on the device, or you can use your iRobot app for iOS or Android.

How to Reboot a Roomba Device Using the App

Depending on your app version and iRobot model, these instructions may vary slightly.

1. In the app home screen, scroll to the bottom.
2. Tap Product Settings.
3. In the Product Settings screen, tap Reboot Roomba.
4. At the Reboot Roomba screen, tap Reboot Roomba.

How to Reboot a Roomba Vacuum Using the Device Buttons

For the Roomba s Series, i Series, j Series, and Braava jet:

1. Hold the Clean button on your Roomba for 10 to 20 seconds.
2. You’ll see a light ring swirling clockwise in white.
3. Wait a few minutes for the Roomba to turn back on.
4. You’ll know it’s back on when the light ring shuts off.

For Roomba models with Dock and Spot Buttons:

1. Press and hold the HOME and SPOT Clean buttons for 10 seconds.
2. When you release the button, you’ll hear a reboot tone.

Rebooting is a simple step, but fixing problems isn’t always so easy. If, after rebooting, your device is still having issues, try resetting it.

How to Reset a Roomba Vacuum

Ensure your Roomba and smartphone are on the same Wi-Fi network.

1. Open your iRobot app and scroll to the bottom.
2. Tap Product Settings.
3. On the Product Settings menu, tap About Roomba.
4. On the About menu, tap Remove Device from Account.
5. In the Factory Reset menu, select Factory Reset Roomba.

Think twice before you tap the final Factory Reset Roomba button, because it means all your settings will be lost, and you’ll have to set up your device again before using it. If you need help with any of these steps, you can always try visiting iRobot Support page.

That’s it! Both rebooting and resetting your Roomba can be a pretty simple way to solve problems, though resetting is recommended only to solve more complex problems when all else has failed.

The web development community has recently been abuzz with talk of htmx, but what is this exciting new technology? It turns out it’s a lot simpler than you might expect, but htmx’s usefulness may justify the hype.

What Is htmx?

htmx is a small JavaScript library with a narrow focus. It makes common JavaScript functionality available via HTML attributes. Here’s a simple example:

 <a href="/about" hx-get="/about">About</a> 

This code shows a custom HTML attribute, hx-get. If you click this link, the htmx library will send an AJAX request and load the target page without a full browser refresh.

htmx has additional functionality that lets you send requests:

• From elements other than a and form.
• On events other than click and submit.
• Using HTTP methods other than GET and POST.
• That replace any parts of a page rather than just the whole thing.

Although htmx has support for technologies like CSS animation and WebSockets, its core aim is to simplify HTTP request handling.

How You Can Use htmx in a Simple Web App

htmx addresses specific functionality within web apps or websites, rather than the behavior of an entire app.

One big advantage of the library is how easy it is to start using. You can download and install a copy if you want, but since it has no dependencies, all you need to do to get started is add a link to the script on a CDN:

 <script
  src="https://unpkg.com/[email protected]"
  integrity="sha384-D1Kt99CQMDuVetoL1lrYwg5t+9QdHe7NLX/SoJYkXDFfX37iInKRy5xLSi8nO7UC"
  crossorigin="anonymous"></script>
 

For local development and testing, you will need to set up a web server, like Apache, if you don’t already have one running. This is a requirement, even if you’re just experimenting with static files, because the file: protocol does not allow AJAX requests.

A Simple Example Using Infinite Scroll

Infinite scroll is a common technique that sites like Twitter use for their feed. When you reach the bottom of a list, infinite scroll loads more items for you to continue reading.

This feature naturally requires JavaScript to check the page scroll position and load the new items without refreshing the page. But htmx can do all this for you.

Take the following markup which represents a list of posts, using an image for each:

 <ol>
    <li><img src="http://placekitten.com/420/300" /></li>
    <li><img src="http://placekitten.com/400/320" /></li>
    <li><img src="http://placekitten.com/440/300" /></li>
    <li><img src="http://placekitten.com/420/340" /></li>
    <li><img src="http://placekitten.com/300/200" /></li>
</ol> 

Imagine you have these items in a file, feed1.html, with more items in feed2.html, etc. Each page will then display one small subset of items that you can scroll within:

Now, you could use “next page” links to move from one page to another, but you can implement infinite scroll easily too. Just change the final item to:

 <li hx-trigger="revealed" hx-get="feed2.html" hx-select="li" hx-swap="afterend">
    <img src="http://placekitten.com/300/200" />
</li> 

Adding these four attributes to the final list item implements infinite scroll. Here’s what each attribute means:

As you scroll to the bottom of the list, notice how the page loads new content automatically. You can confirm this by observing the scrollbar and checking your browser’s developer tools:

Note that, with this simple static page setup, the feed2.html page includes a final item with an hx-get attribute set to feed3.html, and so on. Also note how htmx has added a listener for the scroll event.

Other Potential Uses for htmx

You can use htmx for many other common interactions, including:

• Pagination: load and replace items when the visitor clicks on a pagination link.
• Form validation: on submission, replace a form with either a confirmation message or a subset of the form.
• Progress bars: periodically update a progress bar’s value based on a ping response.
• Inline editing: swap out an element for a textarea containing that element’s value.

It’s possible to build each of these examples using standard JavaScript, htmx just makes the process much easier.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of htmx

Benefits

htmx can vastly simplify common interactions that can benefit many web applications, and even many websites. It allows designers, and others working with front-end web pages, to add functionality without having to learn JavaScript.

By abstracting common behavior, htmx ensures consistency across your projects and between them. Infinite scroll will behave the same way from page to page, regardless of who implemented it.

Since it emphasizes a declarative (what) approach rather than an imperative (how) one, htmx functionality is typically easier to understand and reason about.

Drawbacks

Although htmx can let you forget about JavaScript in many contexts, it cannot solve every problem for you! You’ll still need to write code to handle specific business logic and more low-level functionality.

Because htmx does a lot of work for you, there’s less potential for customizing behavior. This will often be a positive trade-off, but you’ll need to be prepared to hand off control.

html may let you avoid writing JavaScript, but you should still be aware that JavaScript code is running in the background. You might be tempted to use the hx-get attribute on every link, in place of an href attribute. But this introduces a dependency on JavaScript; if the code fails to run for whatever reason, your users will be left with a link that does nothing. You should always practice progressive enhancement to prevent this.

Supporting your favorite Twitch streamers by subscribing to their channels can be an expensive hobby. But if you’re an Amazon Prime subscriber, you get one Twitch subscription for free every month. If you want to use your free Twitch sub but aren’t sure how to redeem it, here’s everything you need to know.

1. Enable Prime Gaming

To unlock the ability to use your one free Twitch channel subscription per month, you first have to subscribe to Amazon Prime. From there, you will have to head to the Prime Gaming website to activate Prime Gaming.

To activate Prime Gaming, sign in to the website using your Amazon Prime account details by clicking on the Sign In button at the top right of the page. Once signed in, press the Activate Prime Gaming button in the top right corner of the screen and select Add your mobile number.

You will then be taken to your main Amazon account page, where you will be prompted to enter your phone number.

Amazon will send a six-digit code to the number you entered. Type the code into the text box to confirm your phone number, and make sure to press Done at the bottom of the page before heading back to the Prime Gaming website.

Below the link to change your phone number, you will see another link labeled Refresh this page. Press that to activate your Prime Gaming account.

2. Link Your Twitch and Prime Gaming Accounts

Now that your Prime Gaming account has been activated, you are ready to move on to the next step, which is to link your Twitch and Prime Gaming accounts. To do so, head back to the Prime Gaming website.

Select your account name in the top right corner of the screen and select Link Twitch account.

This will open a popup, so select Link accounts to get started. Enter your Twitch account details into the login box, and enter the six-digit code that will be sent to the email address associated with your Twitch account.

Press Confirm to link your Twitch account to your Prime Gaming account.

3. How to Use Your Free Twitch Sub With Amazon Prime

There are a few hoops to jump through to gain access to your monthly Twitch Subscription with Prime Gaming, but now that you’ve completed the above steps, you’re ready to claim it.

To finally use your free sub, head to the Twitch website and open your favorite streamer’s channel.

At the bottom right of the stream window, you will see a box labeled Subscribe. Select that to bring up the subscription window.

A regular subscription to a Twitch channel costs $4.99/month, which you will see in the bottom right of the subscription window.

If you have a free Prime Gaming sub, however, a checkbox labeled Use Prime Sub will be present. Check that box to redeem your free monthly Twitch subscription and select Subscribe with Prime to confirm.

The checkbox will only be available if Twitch subscriptions are allowed in your country, you have already activated Prime Gaming, the channel you are trying to subscribe to is a Twitch Affiliate or Partner, and you haven’t used your free subscription for the month.

If any of these conditions aren’t met, the option won’t be available to you.

Once you have successfully used your Prime Gaming sub, you can view and manage your Twitch subscriptions on the website.

Free things are always hard to pass up, and since subscriptions are what keep Twitch, and its streamers going, your one free sub every month with Prime is easily one of the most important Twitch features that every user should know about.

An Amazon Prime subscription not only provides you with many shows and movies to watch but also gives you the chance to support your favorite creators for free.

Subscriptions build up, and you no doubt have a growing list of monthly payments to subscription services already. But at least with Amazon Prime, you can scratch one Twitch subscription fee off your list each month.

Want your alarm to be louder or quieter? You can tweak this on your iPhone.

Lighting is a crucial part of any photo or video recording, giving photographers and vloggers a way to boost image quality and set a scene exactly how they like it. With many types on offer, from ring to panel lights, finding the right lighting equipment can be a bit of a minefield.

Best Lighting Equipment Overall: Elgato Key Light

Our top pick is this versatile Key Light from Elgato. It can be used for various purposes, including live streaming, videography, online conferencing, and even basic studio photography. It is streamlined and portable, but if you need something even more compact, the Elgato Key Light Mini is actually slimmer and lighter for ultimate portability and can be mounted onto a camera.

The Elgato Key Light is bright with a maximum output of 2,800 lumens. But, the light is diffused, so it is soft and even, and you can adjust this brightness in-app. You can also adjust the color temperature, which ranges from a 2,900K Sunset Amber to a 7,000K Arctic Blue.

Elgato Key Light

Best Overall

$160 $170 Save $10

The Elgato Key Light is a high-quality option for many different purposes, from Zoom meetings to vlogging. It’s bright, features adjustable luminosity and color temperature, and is about the size and weight of a 13-inch MacBook Air. On-the-go content creators can conveniently slip it into their luggage with little trouble, while when mounted on its clamped stand, it uses minimal desk space.   

Pros

• Solid build quality
• Master Mount L stand with sturdy desk clamp
• Takes up less space than studio lights
• 160 low-heat OSRAM LEDs
• 360-degree ball head

Cons

• No physical controls, in-app adjustments only

The excellent Neewer CN-160 LED Light offers outstanding value, with the rock-bottom price not reflected in its quality. You can mount it on cameras, including most DSLRs, or video cameras and tripods, and it comes with a soft diffuser, a 3,200K warm-light filter, and a pink filter. The light intensity is also adjustable, so you can create different effects.

Its 660 lumens ensure ample brightness, while its 900 lux at one-meter illumination makes it ideal for close-up photography and videography. It’s small and lightweight, making it perfect for traveling, while its up-to-80-minute battery life ensures it’s good for outdoor use, too.

Neewer CN-160 LED Light

Best Budget

If you need a bright, affordable light for photography or videography that still offers good quality, the Neewer CN-160 may be the one for you. It features 160 LED lights generating 660 lumens with adjustable brightness. The frosting on the cake is amber and pink filters and a soft diffuser. 

Pros

• Adjustable head angle
• Lightweight and portable
• Physical brightness control on light
• Supports different battery types

Cons

• No daisy-chain support
• Battery powered only
• Plastic build

Best Lighting Equipment for Vlogging: Aputure MC Pro

Despite its pocket-sized dimensions, the Aputure MC Pro packs a punch. It’s a compact LED panel that throws out up to 563 lumens, ideal for close-range vlogging in addition to video calls and product photography.

With a 2,000 to 10,000K color-temperature range, RGBWW control, and a green-magenta adjustment for fine-tuning, you have a versatile and broad color-mixing system. Throw in the 15 built-in lighting effects, two diffusers (one domed and one flat), and a 30-degree light-control grid, and you can imagine how creative vloggers can get with this compact companion.

However, if you’re looking for something even more compact, the Aputure MC Mini is smaller and lighter, and is available at around half the price. Alternatively, if you need a bunch of MC Pros, you can invest in an eight-light kit.

Aputure MC Pro

Best for Vloggers

The Aputure MC Pro can beam plenty of lumens for vlogging, video calls, and even studio photography for such a compact LED panel. It has an excellent color temperature range with RGBWW control, and you can get creative with its fun effects.

Pros

• Dustproof and weather-resistant
• Fits easily into a pocket
• Bluetooth app, DMX, or LumenRadio control
• 4,200mAh LiPo battery is fully charged in 1.5 hours
• Two-hour battery life at maximum brightness

Cons

• Not waterproof, only water-resistant
• Magnetic base is not very strong

The Elinchrom D-Lite RX 4/4 to Go Kit is a superb choice for studio photography. The included pair of 400W flash heads, a 66cm square softbox, a 56cm octagonal softbox, a deflector, and a pair of light stands are sure to meet most of your needs.

With a range of up to 200m, the RF trigger allows photographers to adjust flash head settings from afar. Additionally, the push-button control panel is incredibly intuitive. So, even if you’re a novice, the Elinchrom D-Lite RX 4/4 Kit is easy to use.

You can adjust the power output via a five-stop range in 1/10th increments. And, just to add the cherry on top, the flash heads boast built-in auto-sensing cooling fans.

Elinchrom D-Lite RX 4/4 To Go

Best for Studio Photography

The Elinchrom D-Lite RX 4/4 to Go is an excellent choice to balance value and quality. The kit includes two 400W flash heads with stands, a 66cm square softbox, a 56cm octagonal softbox, and a deflector for a comprehensive kit with enough features to satisfy pros and easy usability suitable for beginners.

Pros

• Excellent build quality
• Easy to use
• Auto-sensing cooling fan

Cons

• Trigger upgrade required for HSS flash

Whether you need a ring light for certain types of studio photography, videoconferencing, live streaming, or teaching online, the Razer Ring Light offers more than enough to satisfy every need.

It’s a 12-inch ring light with versatile mounting options, thanks to its ball head and smartphone mounts. It has three temperature settings: a warm 3K white, a balanced 4.5K, and a cool white at 6.5K. You can also adjust the brightness, which has a maximum output of 500 lumens.

Included is an adjustable tripod that allows you to teach or give presentations while standing, and you can shorten it down enough to use it on a desktop.

Razer Ring Light

Best Ring Light

The Razer Ring Light is a 2-in-1 deal that gives you a great light source as well as a functional tripod. It has 192 LEDs with a balanced spread that expels all shadows. The 1/4-inch tripod ball mount can accommodate a variety of cameras, including DSLRs, as well as compatible webcams.

Pros

• 192 LEDs with white diffuser
• 10- to 100-percent brightness adjuster
• Versatile mounting options
• Three color temperatures

FAQ

Q: What type of light is best for photography?

This all depends on the type of photography. The best option is natural light. If the light on offer that day is suitable, it can be perfect for all kinds of photography. For studio lighting, artificial light reigns supreme. Fluorescent lamps, tungsten lights, and LEDs can all mimic natural light to varying degrees, while continuous lights, strobes, and flashes offer better control.

However, a mix of natural and artificial light can create dramatic effects and is often used by professionals. You can also experiment with warm light for a more inviting atmosphere or colored light to create specific moods. You can use a cool-color light to create a contemporary and polished feel for more specific photography genres, such as product or architectural photography.

Q: What type of light is best for streaming and vlogging?

There’s no one answer, as it depends on individual requirements. LED panels, ring lights, and softbox lighting kits are all popular and serve different purposes.

LED panels are often compact and portable and are ideal for on-the-go vlogging. Ring lights are preferable for live streaming from home and create soft, flattering light that helps vloggers look their best. Softbox lighting kits are the go-to for professionals and are ideal for both key and filler lighting.

However, natural light is always the best answer and should be used whenever possible.

Q: Do I need lighting when taking photos or videos outdoors?

First, you should consider the time of day. If it is nighttime, you will likely need lighting. This can be true even if your camera offers the best image stabilization, especially if your subject is moving.

However, the natural light during the so-called “golden hours,” just after sunrise or before the sun sets, is soft, colorful, and warm. At this time, you will likely want to capture the light in its natural form, so additional lighting is unnecessary.

When the sun is at its strongest in the early afternoon hours, you don’t need any additional light. However, you may want to expel shadows. In this case, you could consider diffusers or reflectors to soften the light.

When shooting portraits outdoors, you can use additional lighting to control shadows and create flattering highlights. You can also create dramatic effects this way, but natural light is the way to create a natural look.

Q: Why are ring lights used for streaming?

There are several reasons why ring lights are used for streaming. First, they give a soft, even illumination and remove shadows. This makes for more flattering features, accentuated by a sparkle in the eyes from the ring light, which adds a lively edge to appearances.

Ring lights also often have adjustable brightness, which can be very convenient when streaming and creating the right ambiance. Additionally, some have adjustable color temperatures, which can also be very effective when setting the mood.

They’re also versatile lights and easy to set up, while their multiple mounting options, such as desk clamps or tripod stands, give streamers more choice.

Steam has been a PC gamer’s delight for decades, but it’s not perfect. Occasionally, you’ll come across a problem that could be fixed with a quick Steam restart. As such, if you want to restart Steam, here are some quick and easy ways to do that.

1. How to Restart the Steam PC App

If Steam is currently open, the quickest way to close it is to click Steam > Exit in the app’s top bar. Steam will automatically pause any active downloads and then shut itself down.

You may be tempted to click the X at the top-right to close Steam. However, clicking this doesn’t properly close Steam; it just minimizes the client to your taskbar. Closing Steam through the client menu will terminate the process entirely and allow you to restart properly.

2. How to Restart Steam Using the Windows Taskbar

If you can’t easily access the Steam client, you can restart it using the taskbar. Expand the taskbar if need be, right-click the Steam icon, and click Exit Steam.

3. How to Restart Steam With Your Task Manager

If Steam’s background processes persist even after you’ve fully closed the client, you can try stopping them via the Task Manager.

To do this on Windows, open the Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc and find the Steam process. Right-click it and select End Task.

You can also do this when the Steam desktop app freezes or won’t respond.

Why Should You Restart Steam?

Whenever you encounter a strange bug with Steam, restarting it is often the best first step you should take to fix it. As simple as it may seem, rebooting Steam can help fix a wide variety of quirks with the app.

Restarting Steam Can Help Trigger a Client Update

Sometimes Steam will receive an update with new features or bug fixes. Usually, Steam will automatically detect the update and ask you to restart the client so it can install it. If it can’t find the update, restarting Steam forces it to perform another check.

Restarting Steam Can Help Update Your Games

Steam is usually very good at keeping your games updated. Most of the time Steam automatically checks for any updates for your games and downloads any that it finds.

However, sometimes Steam needs prompting to patch a game. Verifying the integrity of the game on Steam can prompt it to realize your game is outdated. However, for larger games, verifying the files can take a long time.

As such, before you do anything substantial, it’s worth giving Steam a quick restart. When Steam reboots, it’ll perform a check for any game updates, and will hopefully find the patch you’re missing.

Restarting Steam Can Fix a Stuck “Verifying Installation” Cycle

When Steam boots up, it checks if any of your games have any pending updates. When Steam does this, it will show a message that reads “verifying installation.”

If Steam gets stuck during this process, it’s worth giving the client a restart. This is usually enough to fix whatever’s preventing Steam from finishing its process; if it’s not, there are plenty more fixes to try when Steam is stuck on verifying installation.

Restarting Steam Can Fix Steam Cloud Errors

The Steam Cloud stores copies of compatible save files and syncs them with your other devices. However, the sync process can sometimes throw error messages and won’t allow you to upload your latest save to the cloud.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to fix the Steam Cloud error, and restarting the client is one of the first tricks to try.

Restarting Steam Can Fix Errors With Steam Friends

Sometimes, Steam will have issues connecting with the friends network. When this happens, you can’t see which friends are online and you can’t use the friends list to join your friend’s games.

Usually, the error occurs due to Valve’s servers going down, and there’s nothing you can do to fix it. However, there are some ways to fix Steam’s “Steam friends network unreachable” error if it’s happening only on your device; restarting Steam is an easy first port of call.

Restarting Steam is a good starting point when diagnosing a strange issue you’re having with it. It’s easy to do and is sometimes all that’s needed to get Steam working again. Just remember to properly close Steam through the methods above instead of clicking the X at the top right of the app.

With the discontinuation of Authy’s desktop app in January 2024, thousands of users are looking for a 2FA desktop replacement. Thankfully, there are heaps of excellent authenticator applications and browser extensions that you can use to replace Authy.

Desktop Alternatives to Authy

This table illustrates the apps that are aiming to fill the void left by Authy on the desktop:

Let’s look at each in turn.

1. 1Password

1Password is one of the best applications you can use to replace Authy. While 1Password primarily serves as a password manager, it supports TOTP (Time-based One-Time Password) and is available as a desktop client on Windows, Linux, and MacOS.

1Password is best when used as a browser extension since you can scan a 2FA setup QR code and configure multi-factor authentication in just a few clicks. Since your one-time passcodes are shown side-by-side with websites, signing in with 1Password is fantastically simple.

Like Authy, 1Password restricts new device registrations to decrease the likelihood that a hacker could access your passwords and 2FA. Authy accomplishes this by allowing users to enable or disable multi-device access, while 1Password gives you a secret code to use with your password to register new devices.

The only real downside is the $2.99 per month subscription.

2. Authenticator.cc

If you’d prefer a simple and free Authy alternative, Authenticator.cc might be the perfect browser extension for you. It’s available for download on Google Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge and supports syncing across multiple devices.

Much like Authy, Authenticator.cc supports backups in unencrypted and encrypted formats. Authenticator.cc generates backups in a standardized format, so despite the browser extension’s lack of support for proper exporting, you can transfer your data to alternatives like Aegis, FreeOTP+, and Authenticator (GNOME).

The main drawback to Authenticator.cc is that it’s only available as a browser extension. You can’t install a desktop client or access Authenticator.cc from a smartphone app. It’s less versatile, but you shouldn’t lose access to your data as long as you remember your browser login.

Authenticator.cc also doesn’t support sophisticated protection features like biometrics, though it does share a convenient master password feature with Authy. It isn’t a complex solution to 2FA, but if you’re looking for something simple and easy to use that gets the job done, Authenticator.cc is ideal.

3. KeePassXC

One of the best Authy alternatives is KeePassXC. Like Authy, KeePassXC is available as a desktop client on Windows, Linux, and MacOS, as well as a browser extension. Once you’ve added accounts to KeePassXC, you can add TOTP to individual entries.

You can start by reading KeePassXC’s TOTP setup guide. Once you’ve configured your 2FA using secure QR codes or secret strings, you can log into any account using the codes generated in the KeePassXC desktop client. And just like Authy, KeePassXC is completely free to use.

The main drawback to KeePassXC is that it stores your passwords and 2FA information in the same place, which is sometimes considered unsafe. Despite that, you don’t actually have to store your username and password in KeePassXC—you can create entries for TOTP codes without including any other sensitive information.

4. 2FAS

2FAS is a browser-based alternative to Authy that enables you to securely access your accounts at home or on the go. 2FAS syncs across all your devices, making authentication a simple one-click procedure.

2FAS’s syncing gives it a few clear advantages over alternatives like Authenticator.cc, since you don’t have to use your desktop browser for authentication. Like Authy, you can view and manage all devices connected to your 2FAS account, so it’s easy to monitor for and deal with any unauthorized access issues.

One of the main drawbacks to 2FAS is that you can’t use the browser extension without pairing it with the 2FAS mobile app. It’s also somewhat unwieldy compared to other browser extensions since it communicates through desktop notifications and doesn’t provide an interface.

You can only add authentication tokens through the smartphone app. Once you’ve added a few accounts to 2FAS, you can quickly enter authentication codes by selecting the text field and clicking the 2FAS icon in your browser toolbar.

5. Bitwarden Authenticator

Last but not least of the Authy alternatives is Bitwarden Authenticator, a powerful password manager with a built-in TOTP feature. You’ll need to purchase the $10 annual plan to access Bitwarden Authenticator, but the compelling quality and convenience of Bitwarden make it worthwhile.

Beyond the Bitwarden Windows, MacOS, and Linux desktop client, you can use Bitwarden as a browser extension on practically any popular browser. Beyond Safari, Microsoft Edge, Chrome, and Firefox, niche favorites like DuckDuckGo and Vivaldi are readily supported. You can even self-host Bitwarden. And no matter how you use Bitwarden, your annual subscription will pay for access to priority customer support.

Bitwarden’s comprehensive security is immediately impressive. Your password database is secured with a master password, and while Bitwarden has been the subject of occasional research reports detailing vulnerabilities, the staff’s demonstrated dedication to dealing with potential vulnerabilities immediately makes it clear to many users that their data is in the right hands.

(* $10 subscription required for Bitwarden Authenticator)

6. Authy Smartphone App

If you aren’t pleased with any of the Authy desktop alternatives, it’s worth noting that Authy itself isn’t going away for good. You can still protect your accounts and authenticate your logins using the Authy app, available for Android and iOS. Unfortunately, because Authy lacks syncing and export features, you’ll need to re-enable 2FA and manually add your tokens to the Authy app to make the transition.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra is Samsung’s flagship smartphone for 2024, but does it have what it takes to outperform Apple’s most expensive offering? Let’s compare it to the iPhone 15 Pro Max and see which smartphone comes out on top.

Design and Display

• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: 162.3 x 79 x 8.6 mm; 233 grams
• iPhone 15 Pro Max: 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.3 mm; 221 grams

Many users didn’t like the curved screen on the S23 Ultra. Luckily, the S24 Ultra, like the iPhone, now has a flat display. This not only looks more premium but also makes it easier to use with fewer accidental touches.

For this year’s model, Samsung opted for a titanium frame, similar to the iPhone 15 Pro models. Unlike Apple, Samsung didn’t use the material to make the phone lighter; instead, it focused more on durability. Although the iPhone is comparatively lighter, it’d be hard to tell the difference unless you have them both in your hands.

The S24 Ultra boasts a 6.8-inch 1440p Dynamic AMOLED screen with an adaptive refresh rate ranging from 1-120Hz. On the other hand, the iPhone 15 Pro Max comes with a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display, which is also capable of a 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate.

Despite the iPhone’s slightly lower resolution at 1290p, the difference is virtually indiscernible at this screen size. Overall, both displays are excellent, and you won’t be disappointed by either of them.

However, the S24 Ultra boasts an impressive peak screen brightness of 2,600 nits, surpassing the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 2,000 nits. Therefore, if you spend a lot of time outdoors, especially under direct sunlight, you should lean toward Samsung’s flagship for its brighter screen.

Camera Configuration

• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: 200 MP f/1.7 primary; 50 MP f/3.4 periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom; 10 MP f/2.4 telephoto with 3x optical zoom; 12 MP f/2.2 ultra-wide; Front: 12 MP, f/2.2
• iPhone 15 Pro Max: 48MP f/1.8 primary, dual-pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS; 12MP f/2.8 “tetraprism” telephoto with 5x optical zoom; 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera; Front: 12MP f/1.9 camera

The S24 Ultra features four lenses and replaces the S23 Ultra’s 10 MP 10x telephoto zoom lens with a 50 MP 5x telephoto unit. Despite seeming like a downgrade, the 5x lens is more practical for everyday use as the higher megapixel count still allows for 10x digital zoom without image quality loss. Besides that, the S24 Ultra’s camera setup is nearly identical to the outgoing S23 Ultra.

On the other hand, the iPhone 15 Pro Max has three lenses and incorporates a similar 5x zoom for telephoto shots, along with the ability to adjust your main camera’s focal length between 24mm, 28mm, or 35mm.

Ultimately, both phones have their own image processing algorithms, leading to different styles and strengths. Pictures shot on iPhones are known for their accuracy and natural appearance, whereas Samsung’s processing can be more vibrant and punchy.

If you prioritize a better zoom lens and a more versatile camera system, the S24 Ultra is the better pick. But if you want something that can take excellent photos even while simply pointing and shooting without going through multiple settings, consider opting for the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

As for video recording, Samsung claims enhanced low-light video quality, wider optical image stabilization angles, and better hand-shake compensation. The iPhone 15 Pro Max offers similar capabilities, like Action mode, OIS, and autofocus 3D sensor-shift stabilization. However, the icing on the cake is its ability to shoot videos in Apple’s proprietary ProRAW format.

Processor Comparison

• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
• iPhone 15 Pro Max: A17 Pro chip

The S24 Ultra is equipped with Qualcomm’s flagship chip for 2024: the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy. Qualcomm claims the newer chip provides roughly 30 percent faster CPU performance and 25 percent improved GPU performance than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 that powered the S23 Ultra.

On the other hand, the iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts Apple’s cutting-edge A17 Pro chip. Both devices feature hardware-accelerated ray tracing, enhancing supported games with more realistic shadows and lighting for increased fidelity.

As each option excels in overall performance and efficiency, you’re unlikely to observe any significant differences in everyday use.

Software Support

Apple’s extended support for its products has been a significant factor influencing people’s preference for iPhones over Android devices. Typically, iPhones receive software updates for five to six years. However, Samsung now promises an impressive seven years of software upgrades for the S24 Ultra, meaning you will get OS and security updates till 2030.

AI took center stage among everything Samsung announced at its Galaxy Unpacked event. Galaxy AI, a suite of advanced AI features integrated into several stock apps, includes real-time call translation and transcription, note summarization, text translation, AI-assisted photo editing, and more.

The S24 Ultra also supports Google’s Circle to Search feature, allowing you to highlight any object on the screen and initiate a Google search for relevant information. For instance, if you come across an unfamiliar car in an image, you can easily circle it, prompting Google to provide similar images and relevant content.

Battery Life and Charging

• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: 5,000mAh; 45W wired, 65% in 30 min; 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless
• iPhone 15 Pro Max: 4,852mAh battery; 20W fast wired charging, 50% charge in 30 minutes; 15W MagSafe and Qi 2 wireless charging

Both devices can deliver excellent battery life, so you shouldn’t encounter any concerns in this aspect. While the S24 Ultra shares the same battery capacity as the S23 Ultra, Qualcomm’s claimed 20-25 percent improvement in power efficiency should allow it to last longer. In general, you can comfortably go beyond a day without having to charge your phone.

Although the S24 Ultra offers faster wired charging, it’s disappointing that it does not support Qi2 wireless charging like the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The second-generation universal wireless charging standard generates less heat while charging and uses magnets like MagSafe to support various accessories.

Pricing and Storage

• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: $1,299 for 256GB; $1,419 for 512GB; $1,659 for 1TB
• iPhone 15 Pro Max: $1,199 for 256GB; $1,399 for 512GB; $1,599 for 1TB

While both the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro Max offer a starting storage capacity of 256GB, the Galaxy S24 Ultra sees a price hike of $40-$100, depending on the storage option you choose. Although 256GB is generally sufficient for most users, it’s essential to consider your smartphone storage requirements, given that neither device supports a microSD slot.

As a limited-time offer, though, you can get double the storage for no extra cost if you order the phone from Samsung’s S24 Ultra purchase page.

Both the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro Max boast compelling features and are formidable contenders in the high-end smartphone market. Ultimately, the choice between the S24 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro Max depends on your individual priorities such as camera preferences, software, AI features, and pricing.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra costs $500 more than the entry-level S24 and $300 more than the S24+, but what do you get for the extra money to justify purchasing it? Learn all the reasons why the S24 Ultra is better than the S24.

1. Bigger Screen With S Pen Support

The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s key advantage over the regular S24 is its 6.8-inch QHD+ display. This is significantly bigger than the S24’s 6.2-inch FHD+ panel. Samsung claims both panels support a 1-120Hz dynamic refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2,600 nits, so there’s no difference in panel quality besides the resolution.

The S24 Ultra’s display supports the S Pen, letting you use the Bluetooth stylus to doodle on the screen or quickly take notes. There’s no way to use the S Pen on the Galaxy S24’s 6.2-inch AMOLED screen, and it’s the same story with the S24+’s 6.7-inch QHD+ panel. If you’re a creator, this could be a dealbreaker.

Lastly, the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s display uses Corning’s Gorilla Glass Armor for protection, which, according to Samsung’s press release, reduces reflection by up to 75% for a better viewing experience. The Galaxy S24 and S24+ use the older-generation Gorilla Glass Victus.

2. Beefier Internals

On paper, the entire Galaxy S24 series uses the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 “for Galaxy” chip in the US. However, some internal differences make the S24 Ultra a better buy than the S24.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has a 1.9x larger vapor chamber than last year’s model (our Galaxy S23 Ultra review), which allows for better heat dissipation. However, the S24 and S24+ don’t receive any such improvements. Samsung has also equipped the S24 Ultra with 12GB of RAM, while the S24 ships only with 8GB. Given the Galaxy AI features, the additional RAM should help with multitasking.

Lastly, while the Galaxy S24 is available in 128GB and 256GB storage variants, you can get the S24 Ultra with up to 1TB storage. Plus, the base variant of the S24 Ultra comes with 256GB of storage space. So if you don’t want to worry about running out of room for your data, the S24 Ultra is the better choice.

3. Premium Build Quality

Samsung used a titanium frame for the Galaxy S24 Ultra to give it a more premium in-hand feel. On the Galaxy S24 (and S24+), the company has stuck with “Armor Aluminum.” Titanium is stronger than aluminum and should better avoid scuffs and dings in daily use. If you prefer to use your phone without a case, the titanium edges of the S24 Ultra will feel a lot better.

Samsung’s sustainability efforts are also better with the S24 Ultra, as it uses more recycled components than its smaller siblings. Samsung claims the S24 Ultra uses 40 percent recycled steel in the speakers, with the battery using a minimum of 50 percent cobalt. On the Galaxy S24, the company has used recycled steel and TPU.

4. Superior Camera System

If you want a phone with the best camera system, the Galaxy S24 Ultra should be your preferred choice over the S24. Samsung’s Ultra flagship for 2024 features a 200MP primary camera, a 12MP f/2.2 ultrawide, a 10MP 3x telephoto, and a 5x 50MP periscope shooter.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra uses these lenses to provide an optical zoom range of 3x and 5x, and up to 100x digital zoom. Very few phones on the market can match this level of flexibility. Here’s hoping Samsung has also fixed the shutter lag, which ranks high in our list of the worst things about Galaxy phones.

The Galaxy S24 (and S24+) use a 50MP primary shooter, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP 3x telephoto. While the smaller Galaxy phones can also take great pictures, the S24 Ultra is in a league of its own.

5. Better Battery Life

Despite featuring a bigger 6.8-inch QHD display, you can expect the Galaxy S24 Ultra to last longer than the S24. That’s because the S24 Ultra ships with a beefy 5,000mAh battery, compared to the S24’s 4,000mAh unit.

While the S24’s battery life should be good enough for most people, the S24 Ultra will stand out for its endurance. Even better, the phone can charge up at speeds of up to 45W, with Samsung claiming that a 0 to 65 percent top-up takes only 30 minutes.

The S24 is limited to 25W speeds and can charge up to 50 percent in 30 minutes. Although you can check out some tips and tricks to charge your Android phone faster, they won’t significantly reduce the charging time.

Buying the Galaxy S24 Ultra over the S24 makes much more sense if you have the money. You get a bigger display, better battery life, a cutting-edge camera system, more storage, and better build quality. Essentially, the phone is better than its cheaper siblings in all key areas.

Duet AI makes creating images in Google Slides a breeze.

As expected, Samsung showcased its flagship smartphone lineup for 2024 at its Galaxy Unpacked event in January. On top of that, the company focused on AI during the event and teased a new product it’s working on. We’ll discuss them all below.

1. The Galaxy S24 Ultra

The Galaxy S24 Ultra is Samsung’s flagship smartphone for 2024 and will compete against the likes of the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Google Pixel 8 Pro with its cutting-edge hardware.

For starters, the Galaxy S24 Ultra sports an updated design with sharp corners and flat edges, ditching the curved sides of its predecessors. The side rails are made of titanium instead of aluminum, just like the iPhone 15 Pro models.

Camera-wise, Samsung has ditched the 10x 10MP telephoto lens from the S23 Ultra for a new 5x 50MP telephoto lens. This makes sense, as a 5x telephoto lens is more useful in real-life scenarios. The rest of the camera hardware is identical to its predecessor.

It’s powered by the 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, so even though it packs the same 5,000 mAh battery, Qualcomm’s claimed 20-25 percent efficiency gains could allow it to last a bit longer.

The S24 Ultra will be available in four standard colors from January 31, 2024: Titanium Gray, Titanium Black, Titanium Violet, and Titanium Yellow. Pricing starts at $1,299.99 for the 256GB model with 12GB of RAM. You can find more exclusive color options like Titanium Green, Titanium Blue, and Titanium Orange on Samsung’s S24 Ultra order page.

2. The Galaxy S24 and S24+

If you don’t want to splurge on the top-of-the-line Galaxy S24 Ultra or want a slightly more compact phone, the S24 and S24+ are excellent value-for-money options.

Compared to their predecessors, the S24 and S24+ feature slightly thinner bezels, resulting in screen sizes of 6.2 and 6.7 inches, respectively. The sides have been flattened out, which resembles modern iPhones.

The displays are better on both models, as they can go up to 2,600 nits, just like the S24 Ultra. The bigger S24+ also gets the same QHD screen as the top-of-the-line variant.

Nothing has changed on the camera side of things, as these models pack the same hardware as the last-generation models. However, it’s powered by the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip as the S24 Ultra, so you can expect up to 30% faster performance as Qualcomm claims.

Both models also pack a slightly bigger battery than the previous year’s counterparts, at 4,000mAh for the S24 and 4,900mAh for the S24+.

Like the S24 Ultra, the S24 and S24+ will also be available in four standard colors from January 31, 2024: Onyx Black, Marble Gray, Cobalt Violet, and Amber Yellow. Samsung’s S24 purchase page offers the exclusive color options Jade Green, Sapphire Blue, and Sandstone Orange. Pricing starts at $799.99 for the S24 and $999.99 for the S24+.

3. Galaxy AI and Google’s Circle to Search

Samsung’s flagship smartphones for 2024 are powered by artificial intelligence. “Galaxy AI” is Samsung’s fancy term for this; you’ll notice its presence in stock apps like Voice Recorder, Notes, Photos, Messages, and Phone.

For instance, in the Phone app, Galaxy AI can translate and transcribe phone calls in real-time for both participants. Samsung is confident enough in this feature that you can mute the other person’s voice so you only hear the AI-translated audio.

In the Notes app, Galaxy AI can generate summaries of your notes, fix typos, translate the text, and automatically format the content into bullet points. Galaxy AI can also transcribe, translate, and summarize your recordings in the Voice Recorder app.

Galaxy AI is also neatly tucked away in the Gallery app. You can use it in the photo editor to move or remove objects from an image, similar to Google’s Magic Editor, which is one of the most underrated features of the Pixel 8. To access Galaxy AI, all you need to do is tap the sparkles icon in any of these apps.

The Galaxy S24 lineup also gets Google’s Circle to Search feature, which allows you to long-press the Home button and search for anything displayed on your screen. For example, you can tap or circle an object on the screen to quickly look it up on Google.

4. The Galaxy Ring

Towards the end of the Galaxy Unpacked event, Samsung announced that it is working on a smart ring, dubbed the Galaxy Ring. Although Samsung didn’t share any further details on this product, you can expect it to compete against popular smart rings like Oura and Ultrahuman.

In 2024, it seems that Samsung is heavily relying on AI to push its products forward, just as Google did with the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro in 2023. Regardless, the Galaxy S24, S24+, and S24 Ultra pack all the high-end hardware you’d expect from a smartphone in their price range.

Instagram makes it easy to view the sites you recently visited from the app. But you can disable the feature.

Microsoft Copilot has been the haven for those who want to use OpenAI’s ChatGPT Plus without forking out every month.

And you’ll be very pleased to hear that isn’t changing any time soon—but Microsoft is rolling out Copilot Pro, a new subscription model for its free AI companion, featuring new capabilities, custom GPT support, and deeper integration into its Microsoft 365 suite.

What Is Copilot Pro?

Copilot Pro is a new subscription-based update to Microsoft Copilot, the AI tool that allows you to use OpenAI’s premium GPT-4 model (and now GPT-4 Turbo, the latest model) for free.

Microsoft Copilot Pro isn’t so much about bulking out the performance of the tool but brings much deeper integration with Microsoft’s extensive range of products, including:

• Copilot Pro brings Copliot into Microsoft 365, with integrations in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote on PC, Mac, and iPad.
• Upgrading to Pro will give users priority to the latest GPT models. For example, Copilot Pro subscribers can now use GPT-4 Turbo, the latest upgrade to OpenAI’s AI model.
• Copilot Pro users will gain access to more Image Creator from Designer boost credits, rising to 100 credits per day.
• The Copilot Pro upgrade also allows users to create custom Copilot GPTs, which are custom Copilot models designed for specific uses (effectively OpenAI’s custom GPTs but now in Copilot).

All in all, Microsoft wants Copilot Pro to be “a single AI experience that runs across your devices,” providing a unified AI tool that’s familiar with every bit of software you use.

How Much Does Copilot Pro Cost?

Microsoft Copilot Pro will cost $20 per month per user, and officially launched on January 14, 2024.

Twenty bucks per month seems to have become the go-to pricing structure for all AI models; ChatGPT Plus and Claude Pro also cost $20 per month.

Given the deeper integration of Copilot Pro into Microsoft’s ecosystem, the $20 subscription could make Pro a valuable tool versus other tools that are useful in terms of AI but lack specific integrations with regularly used software, especially in business and productivity.

Should You Upgrade to Copilot Pro?

Users of Microsoft Copilot will note that Copilot Pro now integrates many of the features previously exclusive to ChatGPT Plus—but they still come at a cost. As artificial intelligence development costs money and energy (quite a large amount of both!), there was always going to come a point where the free version of Copilot would begin to miss out on features.

However, given the extensive number of free features Copilot has, I don’t expect many folks will be disappointed. Deeper integration with Microsoft 365 is great if you use those tools, but if you’re using Copilot as an enhanced internet search engine, these updates won’t mean much to you.

Furthermore, given the mixed results of OpenAI’s custom GPTs, custom Copilot models might not be a feature that gains much traction— at least, not initially. When custom GPTs first launched, there was a wave of excitement, but it took some time to find custom GPTs worth using.

That’s not to mention that Copilot will still receive feature updates. The Microsoft Blog revealing Copilot Pro also confirmed new Copilot features, including Copilot GPTs. Microsoft will add select custom Copilot GPTs to the free model, covering topics like fitness, cooking, etc, bringing the custom tool to the free version. There won’t be so much customization, but the specialized GPTs will be useful for a range of topics.

So, while Copilot Pro undoubtedly has more features and will receive updates faster than the free version, Copilot remains an extremely useful tool for those who want GPT-4 access without paying.

In 2024, several manufacturers released “dual-mode” gaming monitors, allowing users to enjoy high refresh rates and resolutions on the same screen. But what exactly is a “dual-mode” monitor? And do you really need one for gaming and entertainment?

What Is a Dual-Mode Monitor?

A dual-mode monitor is a display that offers two refresh rates at different resolutions. For example, the 32-inch ROG Swift OLED, which Asus unveiled at CES 2024, allows users to switch between 4K@240Hz or 1080p@480Hz. LG also announced the UltraGear 32GS95UE around the same time, featuring the same technology.

Dual-mode monitors allow gamers to switch between an ultra-high resolution mode or an ultra-fast monitor refresh rate, allowing you to enjoy the best of both worlds if you’re a competitive gamer.

What Is the Advantage of a Dual-Mode Monitor?

The most significant advantage of a dual-mode monitor is getting a screen with a refresh rate as high as 480Hz. This is great for competitive gamers and esports players, where monitor refresh rates matter every second of the match.

However, high-refresh rates are taxing to computer resources, especially if you don’t have a high-end graphics card. Furthermore, most monitors with a refresh rate greater than 300Hz only have resolutions of 1440p or lower. That’s why you only get a 1080p resolution at the maximum refresh rate setting with the current crop of dual-mode monitors.

But at 32 inches or greater, the 1920×1080 resolution used at 480Hz does not offer a sharp and crisp image. This means you will not get the optimal experience when using your computer for other tasks like watching a movie or playing less intensive, more relaxing games.

Pressing a button on the dual-mode monitor gives you a higher 3840×2160 pixel resolution, although at a much lower 240Hz. With this, you get the sharpness and crispness of a UHD display while still retaining a fast refresh rate.

Combining these two modes into a single display means you don’t need separate monitors for your daily and gaming needs, allowing you to save space on your desk.

Should You Buy a Dual-Mode Monitor?

While the dual-mode monitor is an exciting piece of technology, the question most gamers will ask is: do you really need it to be a better gamer?

Before pouring money into this likely expensive piece of equipment, you must determine if you can tell the difference between 240Hz and 480Hz. If you’re not going to use your computer for extensive gaming, the most likely answer is no, and you’re better off spending your money on other computer parts you will use more often.

But if you’re a competitive gamer, especially if you play first-person shooters and like to enjoy other content at higher resolutions, too, this might be a worthwhile investment.

However, you should also look at your available hardware. For example, my computer only has an RTX 3060 video card, so it’s struggling to run the 4K 144Hz Redmagic 4K Gaming Monitor.

If you want to maximize the 4K@240Hz or 1080p@480Hz feature of these dual-mode monitors, you should ensure that you’re running the latest, most powerful video cards, like the 7900 XTX or 7900 XT from AMD and RTX 4090 or RTX 4080 from NVIDIA.

Aside from that, you must consider that your other components, like your CPU or RAM, can support your GPU. Otherwise, you might run into PC bottlenecking issues and not get the most out of these dual-mode monitors.

If you have the cash to spend on these new displays and the hardware to match their capabilities, then you should absolutely buy one. They will give you an advantage over your opponents while giving you visual satisfaction when you’re not in a competitive match.

But having the best gear will not automatically mean better skills; you still have to practice and put in the hard work. The dual-mode monitor is just a tool to help you play better.

Ever since Amazon released the first Echo, users have been wondering whether the device listens too much. No one wants their smart speaker infringing on their privacy by recording everything they say, but is this really what Amazon’s range of Echo speakers, and Alexa, do?

Is Alexa Always Listening?

Alexa-enabled smart speakers work by continuously listening out for a wake-up word that triggers Alexa to begin recording. The default trigger is “Alexa,” but there are other options to choose from. Currently, the Alexa app lets you choose from the following wake words:

• “Alexa”
• “Amazon”
• “Computer”
• “Echo”
• “Ziggy”
• “Hey Santa” (over the holidays)

Once Alexa hears the wake-up word, she’ll look for a command to complete. That might include playing music, opening an app, or providing information. But outside of some wake word activations, is Alexa still listening?

According to Amazon, a user can always tell if Alexa is listening to a request, as the Echo device’s ring light will turn on or the Echo will make a sound. But we likely say a lot more than a few Alexa requests every day, and much of the concern surrounds Alexa listening to users’ private conversations.

The quote below (taken from the previously mentioned Amazon help page) is what Amazon has to say about Alexa’s listening habits:

Alexa is a part of your life only when you ask Alexa to be. By default, Alexa begins listening after your Echo device detects the wake word, so Alexa does not listen to your personal conversations.

So, if what Amazon says is true, Alexa device users have nothing to worry about. Unfortunately, things aren’t as cut-and-dried as this.

A study conducted by Northeastern University found that Amazon smart speakers, along with other smart speaker brands, can be accidentally activated to respond up to 19 times per day to words similar to their wake-up words.

It might only take a moment for something to sound like “Alexa”, or your chosen wake word, but if Alexa hears enough of these similar words, she’s bound to be triggered by accident. Of course, this puts you at risk of being listened to by Alexa without having intentionally activated her.

Because your Echo device communicates your voice requests to Amazon’s cloud computers for processing, Alexa may send a non-request audio clip to be processed, putting your private conversations at risk. This is especially the case if you have a more commonly-used wake word, such as “Computer”.

Is Alexa Recording All of Your Conversations?

There’s a difference between Alexa listening to random conversations by accident and recording them. Alexa is always listening for the correct wake-up word, but recording the conversations being listened to would present a whole new privacy issue.

Even if Alexa doesn’t save everything you say, it does collect enough data to understand your voice. Amazon claims that it uses this information to make its devices better and more accurate. While it’s true that the more data a device has, the better it gets at understanding your requests, some people just want to be sure they are in control of their own privacy and security.

In 2016, The Information reported that Arkansas police had asked Amazon for data from an Echo device in order to help prosecute a suspect. While it is understandable that police need help in investigating certain cases, it does suggest that smart speakers—including Amazon Echo devices—gather large amounts of data.

In a similar incident from 2018, the Kiro 7 TV station reported that an Amazon Echo device had recorded a couple’s conversation and sent it to one of the husband’s employees. Amazon has since stated that this was an extremely unusual set of circumstances, and that nothing like this should ever happen again.

Things got more troubling in 2019 when it was reported that thousands of Amazon staff listen to users’ voice clips a day. In a Time article, it was stated that user voice recordings are “transcribed, annotated and then fed back into the software as part of an effort to eliminate gaps in Alexa’s understanding of human speech and help it better respond to commands.”

It was also stated that staff listen to “as many as 1,000 audio clips per shift,” which would mean that humans are accessing huge swathes of voice recordings. However, this is done to train Alexa’s software, developing it so that it can better understand human speech.

How to Protect Your Privacy Around Alexa

With all of this in mind, it’s understandable that some people may want to limit their exposure to smart speakers and other devices that are listening out for wake words. Luckily, there are several things you can do to stop your smart speakers from listening when they shouldn’t be.

1. Stop Alexa Listening Completely

The simplest way to prevent Alexa from recording anything is by pressing the Microphone button located on the top of your Echo device. This stops Alexa from listening for her wake-up words.

By pressing the Microphone button, you can still use Alexa’s various features, but it won’t listen to its surroundings until you unmute the device.

2. Delete Your Voice Recordings From Alexa’s History

To make Alexa delete your voice recordings, you can use three commands:

• “Alexa, delete what I just said”
• “Alexa, delete everything I said today”
• “Alexa, delete everything I’ve ever said”

If you want to delete them manually or delete specific recordings, go to Settings > Alexa Privacy > Review Voice History. Then, you will tap All History > Delete All My Recordings.

You can view voice recordings from varying time periods, such as today, yesterday, and the last seven days, by filtering your search. You can also filter by devices and Alexa profiles to narrow things down a little.

3. Choose How Long to Save the Recordings For

Alexa keeps a temporary recording of what you say. If you do not want recordings to be stored in the cloud, you can choose to delete them once they are sent to your Alexa application on your smartphone.

You can set this feature up by going to Settings > Alexa Privacy > Manage Your Alexa Data > Choose how long to save voice recordings.

Alexa will give you the option to save voice recordings for three months, 18 months, or until you choose to delete them. You can also choose not to save any voice recordings at all from this menu.

4. Revoke Permissions From Alexa Skills

Alexa Skills are third-party apps that improve Alexa’s capabilities, whether it be interacting with different smart home devices or playing games.

However, after enabling these Alexa Skills, they often require access to personal information such as your address and mobile number in order for them to work properly.

If you change your mind after installing the Skill on your device, then you can remove their permissions easily by going into Settings within the app.

Go to the Alexa Privacy settings page, and select Manage Skill Permissions. From here, you can choose the data type you want to manage access to. Press the drop-down menu to the right of these, and then use the toggle to remove the permission.

Here, you can search for specific skills, or view which skills have access to various kinds of your personal data. You can also deactivate ads from third-party skills, or reset your advertising ID.

If you’re still concerned about Alexa listening to you despite making privacy changes to your app, consider unplugging your device completely when you aren’t using it.

Do you know the difference between JPEGs, GIFs, PNGs, and other image file types? Do you know when you should use one instead of the other? Or which is best for storing your photos? Here are the basics you need to know.

RAW – The Uncompressed Image Data

You get RAW files straight from your DSLR. The RAW file is exactly what it sounds like… the raw picture file with no compression applied.

Every piece of information that your camera captured is contained in the RAW file. For this reason, these files are huge; they can easily top 25MB each. And while that’s great for photo editing, it’s not so great for photo storage, which is why image compression exists.

A RAW file is not actually an image and RAW is not a standardized image file format. Camera manufacturers have their own RAW formats, such as Canon’s CRW, Sony’s ARW, and Nikon’s NEF.

There’s also the DNG RAW image format (Digital Negative). Adobe developed DNG, which serves as a universal RAW file format, in response to the compatibility issues across different camera manufacturers’ proprietary RAW formats. However, not all camera manufacturers support this format.

For this article, I’ll use a test photo to demonstrate the differences across multiple image formats and in different qualities. I can’t display a RAW image in the browser, so below is a screenshot of a RAW, uncompressed, unedited photo (note how massive the file size is).

DNG – 81.2MB – 7900×5925 px

JPEG – The File Type for Everyday Use

JPEG (or JPG) is the Joint Photographic Experts Group standard. It’s possibly the most common image format and is often used for posting photos or images of text online. This format supports 24 bits per pixel, eight each for red, green, and blue, making this a truecolor (RGB) format that can display over 16 million colors.

Although it can create very high-quality images, JPEG can be disadvantageous in that it’s a lossy compression format—a type of file compression that removes inessential parts of the image. When more compression is applied, the quality of the photo decreases. This is why you’ll often see low-quality, medium-quality, and high-quality options when you export an image as a JPEG.

Below is the DNG test photo converted to high-quality, medium-quality, and low-quality JPG formats, with their respective sizes.

JPG – High-Quality (100%) – 38.3MB – 7900×5925 px

JPG – Medium-Quality (50%) – 1.95MB – 3950×2963 px

JPG – Low-Quality (25%) – 259KB – 1975×1481 px

Let’s view all three versions close-up and side-by-side. You can easily spot the pixelation in the low-quality version on the left. The medium-quality version in the middle looks fine from a distance, but you can still see some pixelation. The high-quality version on the right has minimal visible pixelation.

In general, a high-quality and sometimes medium-quality JPEG is a good compromise between file size and quality. Once you get to low-quality, however, the quality will suffer significantly. JPEGs tend to be best for photos or drawings, which have fewer sharp transitions than text.

GIF – Not Just for Animations

The Graphics Interchange Format, introduced in 1987, allows for eight bits per pixel—three each for red and green, and two for blue. This makes 256 colors available for GIFs. Using lossless compression, GIFs can reproduce their limited color palettes perfectly over multiple decompressions and recompressions.

Converting the high-quality JPG version (38.3MB) of my test photo to a high-quality GIF file (33MB, 100%) did result in quality loss since GIF has color limitations that JPG doesn’t. However, converting the large GIF to a much smaller GIF file (4.3MB, 33%) didn’t result in quality loss due to lossless compression.

Here are the large and small GIF files close-up and side-by-side:

Even though the image on the right is considerably smaller than the one on the left, there isn’t that massive quality drop as with the JPG compression. Also, notice how the smallest GIF file is still much larger than the smallest JPG file because it retains the image data.

Because of a GIF’s limited color palette, this format is best used for images that don’t require much depth, like logos and icons with flat color areas.

Another important thing to know is that GIFs can be animated, which has all sorts of cool uses. It does this by displaying a series of individual frames in a specific order, playing them in a loop, which creates the illusion of motion.

PNG – For Crisp and Sharp Images

Designed as a replacement for GIF in 1995, the Portable Network Graphics file type is another lossless format. However, it includes significantly more information than its predecessor, containing either 24 or 32 bits per pixel.

The 24-bit version contains RGB information, while the 32-bit version uses the RGBA color space. The A in RGBA signifies the addition of an alpha channel, enabling varying levels of transparency in the image. When you see a PNG image with a checkered background, as shown above, it usually indicates transparency.

Because it contains so much more information, a PNG file will be larger than a JPEG or GIF. However, this increase in size comes with a boost in quality as well, making PNGs suitable for situations where preserving image details is essential.

Below is a 75.7MB PNG at 100% high-quality, converted from the RAW file. Converting that high-quality file to a low-quality (10.9MB, 33%) PNG shows no impact on the quality, thanks to lossless compression.

Here they are close-up and side-by-side:

If you want to keep your designs looking crisp and your text sharp, PNG is your best bet. It’s also the ideal format if you want to work with overlays or want to make the background of an image transparent.

TIFF – Underused But Exceptional

Initially used for scanners, the Tagged Image File Format (TIFF or TIF) has evolved from binary to grayscale and eventually to full-color. It’s now a commonly used full-color file type, accommodating both RGB and CMYK color models.

Although you don’t see TIFFs online as much as other formats, they boast exceptional versatility, widespread usage, and compatibility with just about any image editing program.

TIFFs can be saved either compressed or uncompressed, and the compression used can be either lossy or lossless. Lossless compression is typically employed when compressing TIFF files, but if size is an important factor, lossy can be used.

TIFF functions as a file wrapper or container rather than a file type. This allows it to store images with varying bits per pixel, providing flexibility in color depth similar to JPEG or PNG files. Consequently, users have the option to achieve a broad spectrum of colors when working with TIFF files.

Because TIFF support isn’t universal in browsers, below are high-quality PNG screenshots of a TIFF file.

Uncompressed TIFF – 71.4MB

Compressed TIFF Using Lossless – 36MB

Compressed TIFF Using Lossy – 2.5MB

TIFFs are particularly ideal for photography, graphic design, and printing. Their use extends beyond artistic pursuits; professionals in fields such as medical imaging and museum archiving often rely on TIFFs.

SVG – Infinitely Scalable to Any Size

SVG is a unique image file format that offers several advantages in certain contexts. As a vector-based format that utilizes XML, SVG images are resolution-independent, meaning they can be scaled to any size without loss of quality. All the other formats above are raster-based. If you’re unsure about the differences, see our guide to raster vs. vector images.

Below is a screenshot of a vector graphic, zoomed in to over 2,000%. The edges of the graphic will remain smooth no matter how much you scale the image up or down.

Here is a PNG version of the same graphic. When zoomed in at the same point, it becomes very pixelated.

SVG files are usually very small in comparison to raster formats like JPEG and PNG. The screenshots of the graphic above (in PNG format) are actually bigger than the SVG file of the graphic itself, which is only 28.7KB.

The SVG format is particularly well-suited for graphic designers and illustrators who create images from scratch, such as logos and icons. It is not optimized for handling the complexity and richness of photographic content of real-world scenes.

After all of these details, you still might be asking which file type is the best.

For most purposes, PNG is a safe bet, especially if you want to work with overlays and transparency. Opt for high or mid-quality JPEG for more compression. TIFF is ideal if you’re after lossless compression, high color depth, and versatility. GIF is suitable for simple graphics and animations, while SVG offers infinite scalability. And always keep the RAW files around so that you can edit your photos directly from the source.

Trying to get into the habit of journaling but lose motivation every time you try? Apple’s Journal app has simplified the process of jotting down your thoughts and preserving your memories. From creating your first entry to customizing it, here’s all you need to know.

How to Create a Journal Entry

One of the features that came with the iOS 17.2 update was the Journal app, which Apple designed to help you reflect and practice gratitude. Once you update your iPhone to iOS 17.2, the Journal app should appear on your Home Screen. In case you accidentally uninstalled it to free up space on your iPhone, you can download it again from the App Store.

Download: Journal (Free)

Once you’ve installed the app on your device, launch it and tap the plus (+) icon at the bottom of the screen to create your initial journal entry. If you’re using the Journal app for the first time, you’ll be asked if you’d like to enable Journaling Suggestions, which utilizes on-device machine learning to suggest journal entry prompts.

Tap Turn On Journaling Suggestions and then tap Allow if you’d like to enable it, or Not Now otherwise. You can also enable or disable it later from your device’s settings if you wish to.

If you’ve enabled journaling suggestions, you’ll see two tabs on the next screen: Recommended and Recent. The Recommended tab displays different highlights from your Photo Memories, songs you’ve played (on Apple Music), and numerous writing prompts you can use for inspiration. On the other hand, the Recent tab sorts the same information by date instead.

If you’d like to create a new entry based on a journaling suggestion, simply tap a suggestion you like to begin. However, if you’d like to write based on your own thoughts, tap New Entry at the top.

If you’re writing about something that happened in the past or is yet to happen, you can tap the ellipsis (…) button next to the current date and tap Custom Date. Once you’ve set a date for the entry, tap Done.

You can also bookmark your journal entry to come back to it later by tapping the bookmark icon. If you’re unhappy with your journal entry and would like to discard it entirely, tap the ellipsis (…) button next to the date and choose Delete.

How to Customize Your Journal Entry

The best aspect of using the Journal app to write about how you’re feeling is the numerous options you have to customize your journal entries. Your journal entries don’t have to resemble a wall of text; you can customize them by adding images, videos, audio recordings, music tracks, and more!

To view more journaling suggestions from your recent activities as you write, you can tap the magic wand icon in the toolbar above your keyboard and head to the Recent tab from the following menu. Now, you can attach the recent media you’ve played or contacts you’ve been in touch with.

Once you’ve written the content of your entry, you can tap the image icon to add photos and videos from your library to your journal entry. If you’d like to capture a new photo or video to include in your journal entry, tap the camera icon instead. Similarly, you can tap the audio icon to record an audio and attach it to your entry as well.

Journal App Settings You Can Tweak

Locking the Journal app enhances the privacy of your entries by requiring your iPhone’s passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID for access. To activate this feature, go to the Settings app, scroll to the Journal option, select Lock Journal, and enter your iPhone’s passcode. Finally, toggle on the switch next to Lock.

If maintaining a consistent journaling routine is a challenge for you, we recommend setting a journaling schedule. This feature sends reminders to write a new journal entry at a designated time every day (or on certain days of the week). To set this up, go to Settings > Journal, tap Journaling Schedule, and toggle it on. Choose the preferred notification time and the days you want to receive reminders.

If you’d like to stick to only writing when something is on your mind, you can also disable journaling suggestions. To do so, go to Settings > Journal and toggle off the switch next to Skip Journaling Suggestions.

While Apple’s Journal app undoubtedly stands out as an excellent tool to preserve memories and maintain a consistent journaling routine, it’s disappointing that its availability is currently limited to iPhone users. Therefore, if you own an iPad or Mac, you have to resort to third-party journaling apps for now.

If you’ve taken the plunge into VR and bagged yourself a PSVR2, you’ll want to ensure you have the best accessories to go alongside it to keep it clean and polished, protected, fully charged, and ready for action.

Protect your PSVR2 lenses and get a grip (or a better one, at least) with this TiMOVO PSVR2 Lens Protector and Controller Pads set. The lens protectors have been cut to match the PSVR2’s measurements and are made from soft silicone to ensure a scratch-free fit. A sponge cushion sits inside the lens protector to provide extra reinforcement.

Two sets of soft silicone pads are included to supply extra comfort and grip on your VR controllers, which have a nano glue coating on their backs. This keeps the pads firmly in place and allows for easy and mark-free removal that won’t damage the controllers. The pads themselves are anti-slip and anti-sweat, too.

This TiMOVO PSVR2 set is a handy way to keep lenses and surfaces clean and protected, and well worth considering for PSVR2 gamers.

TiMOVO PS VR2 Lens Protector & Controller Silicone Pads

Best Accessories Kit

The TiMOVO PSVR2 Lens Protector & Controller Silicone Pads is the ideal accessories kit for keeping your PSVR2 looking and feeling good.

Pros

• Two products in one
• Keeps lenses clean and clear
• Better controller grip with anti-sweat pads
• Nano glue leaves no marks

Cons

• If you’re not bothered about the controller pads, other protective lens covers are available for cheaper

While the PSVR2 package will include a pair of earbuds, the design of the headset itself is such that it also supports the use of wireless headphones as well. Many gamers prefer wearing headphones rather than earbuds, as the audio experience they provide is arguably more immersive. Having been designed specifically for the PlayStation 5, Sony’s Pulse 3D Wireless Headset is the go-to headset for PS5 gamers.

Fine-tuned for 3D audio on the PS5, the Pulse 3D is equipped with dual noise-canceling microphones that provide crystal-clear voice capture. Soft and comfortable on the ears, this headset allows for easy switch-up between audio modes for solo gameplay and voice chat. And on a full charge, you can enjoy 12 hours of wireless play.

The Pulse 3D Wireless Headset is the perfect companion for the PSVR2 and the best way to enjoy the huge library of VR-compatible games that are heading to PS5.

PlayStation 5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset

Best PSVR2 Headset

Offering up to 12 hours of wireless gameplay and incredible 3D audio, the PlayStation 5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset is the perfect companion for PSVR2 gaming.

Pros

• Incredible 3D sound
• Comfortable to wear
• Great for voice chat
• Decent battery life

Transport your PSVR2 in style with this Hastraith Carrying Case. Designed specifically for the PSVR2, it offers dedicated and secure storage for your PSVR2 headset, VR2 Sense Controllers, and charging station. The zippable mesh pocket on the opposite side of the interior is perfect for storing headphones, game discs, and additional accessories.

Made from hard shell EVA material, this case won’t buckle in transit, meaning your precious cargo stays protected and unharmed. The exterior has a handy splashproof coating, and the case itself stays nice and secure thanks to its sturdy zippers.

This durable case can be carried in one of two ways, either with the carry handle on the topside or with the adjustable shoulder strap, and is one of the best ways to carry your PSVR2.

Hastraith Carrying Case For PSVR2

Best PSVR2 Case

Keep your PSVR2 and all its accessories safe and secure on the move with the Hastraith Carrying Case for PSVR2. Made from hard shell EVA material with weatherproof protection, it’s the best way to protect your kit while traveling.

Pros

• Made specifically for PSVR2
• Made from tough EVA material
• Contains plenty of space for all the essentials
• Reasonable price tag

Cons

• Color scheme isn’t the most attractive

If you’ve splashed out on a shiny new PSVR2, you’ll want to make sure you look after your investment and keep those all-important lenses in sparkling condition. With the DEVASO Lens Protector Kit, you get a set of anti-scratch rings to protect your VR2 headset’s lenses, which also act as spacers for glasses, so you can comfortably wear both at the same time.

As well as offering dust and scratchproof protection for your lenses, you’ll find a pair of easily installable blue light-blocking lenses to keep your eyes shielded from harmful blue rays and UV glare. Magnetic suction means attaching and detaching these protective lenses is a breeze, meaning they can be regularly cleaned without any hassle using the included microfiber cloth.

This kit is a great way to protect your headset’s lenses while in and out of use and keep everything in tip-top condition.

DEVASO Lens Protector Cover Kit for PSVR2

Best Lens Protection

Keep your PSVR2 lenses protected against scratch and dust damage with the DEVASO Lens Protector Cover Kit. Featuring glasses spacers, blue light lenses, and anti-scratch lens protection, this kit is ideal for keeping your VR lenses in mint condition.

Pros

• Anti-scratch and dust protection
• Includes blue light glasses
• Easy magnetic installation
• Easy to clean

Cons

• Can cause pinching when worn with glasses

Keep your PSVR2 Sense Controllers topped up between uses without the need to connect them to your PSVR2 with the official Sony PlayStation VR2 Sense Controller Charging Station. A simple click-in design lets you know your controllers are charging up properly, and both of them can be charged at the same time with this convenient charging station.

By freeing up your console’s USB ports, you can enjoy full use of your PS5 while you’re waiting for your VR2 controllers to charge up. And with rapid charging for both, you won’t be kept waiting for long, either, as a full charge for your controllers only takes around 1.5 hours.

Sony PlayStation VR2 Sense Controller Charging Station

Best for Fast Charging

Keep your PSVR2’s Sense controllers juiced up without using your PS5’s USB ports with the Sony PlayStation VR2 Sense Controller Charging Station. This handy peripheral is ideal for providing simultaneous fast charging for your controllers.

Pros

• Fast charging
• Charges both controllers simultaneously
• Doesn’t require a PS5 connection
• Simple click-in design

FAQ

Q: Do I need a PS5 to use the PSVR2?

Yes. The PSVR2 isn’t a self-contained VR headset, unlike some of the other alternatives on the market. This means it needs to be paired with a PS5 console for you to use it.

Q: Can I play PSVR1 games on the PSVR2?

Unfortunately, and as confirmed by Sony prior to the PSVR2’s launch, the PSVR2 isn’t backward compatible. This means that you won’t be able to use it to play any of your PSVR games.

Q: What kind of display does the PSVR2 have?

The PSVR2’s display consists of a dual OLED panel with a 4K display resolution of 2,000 x 2,040 pixels per eye. It has a refresh rate of 120Hz and also supports HDR.

Q: How do I prevent motion sickness with VR games?

Extended VR gameplay can tend to induce motion sickness for the user. This can be reduced by taking regular breaks and ensuring each gameplay session has a time limit on it.

The effects of motion sickness in VR can also be lessened by sitting instead of standing, ensuring that you’re using your headset in a well-ventilated area, and by adjusting the VR settings on your headset.

Q: Can I play VR games with glasses?

Yes, the PSVR2 has been designed to accommodate users who wear glasses as well as those who don’t. The headset itself is fully adjustable, so you should be able to find a comfortable fit while you’re immersed in VR.

There are also a variety of glasses inserts that you can buy for the PSVR2, which can provide additional comfort for glasses users, as well as an additional layer of protection for your lenses.

Learning how to remove table formatting in Excel is straightforward, and you can better organize your spreadsheet afterward. Keep reading to discover how to clear table formatting in Excel on your computer and mobile device.

What Gets Cleared When You Remove Table Formatting in Excel?

When you remove table formatting in Excel, the text alignment, as well as the color of your text and cell background, will all revert to the default settings.

It’s worth noting that removing table formatting does not affect graphs created from the table data, nor does it delete any data or formulas. We’ve got a guide on how to show formulas in Excel if you prefer to see the data in your cells.

How to Remove Table Formatting in Excel

The process to remove table formatting in Excel is slightly different depending on whether you use your computer or mobile device. Below, you’ll find the separate instructions that you need to follow for both of them.

How to Remove Table Formatting in Excel for Desktop

Follow these instructions to clear table formatting in Excel from your computer:

1. Select the cells you want to remove formatting from.
2. In the Home tab of the ribbon, look for an eraser icon labeled Clear in the right-hand corner. Click on this.

3. A dropdown menu will appear, from which you should select Clear Formats.

   

After you clear your formats, the cell formatting will reset to the default settings. This includes alignments, fonts, and cell styles. When you use formatting again, it’s a good idea to check if two values are equal in Excel.

How to Remove Table Formatting in Excel on Mobile

You need to perform a few additional steps to clear formatting in Excel on your smartphone or tablet. However, the process is still quite easy. Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Highlight the areas you want to remove the formatting for.
2. Tap the three-dot icon on the bottom toolbar.
3. Scroll down to Clear and select this option to reveal your list of options.
4. Tap Clear Formats. The content in your table should then revert to default.

Once you’ve removed your Excel table formatting, you can easily reorganize your spreadsheet as needed. And if you decide that you don’t want to remove your table formatting, you can always undo the process with ease.

Creating sleek and neat lines is a key technique for any graphic designer. This article will show you how to achieve perfect smooth lines using Adobe Illustrator, both with and without the Smooth tool.

To begin, open your document in Illustrator and locate the toolbar on the left of the screen. A variety of different tools will be displayed, but for creating smooth lines, opt for either the Paintbrush, Pen, or Curvature tool.

If you are new to the program and want to practice simple designs first, you can begin by creating simple shapes like triangles in Illustrator before moving on to more complex creations which might need more manual adjustments.

Click and drag while using the Paintbrush tool to create a line. Likewise, click separately in the direction you want your path to follow when using the Pen or Curvature tools.

Note that the first part of the drawn segment won’t appear until you create a second anchor point when using the Pen tool.

Once you have your line drawn, select it using the Selection tool at the top left of the toolbox. Then click on the Smooth tool, found by holding down the Shaper tool icon, if not already visible.

Click and drag over your line multiple times to smooth the path. If the tool is either too weak or too strong, double-click the Smooth tool icon and change the Fidelity option in the pop-up box to increase or decrease its strength.

Another way of achieving smooth lines in Illustrator without using the Smooth tool is by selecting your line and going to Object > Path > Simplify.

The Simplify pop-up option will appear, which you can drag down to your liking to simplify your path. In the case of unsteady lines, simplifying the path will make them smoother and will account for the complexity of the different anchor points you used when originally making the line.

You can adjust this option manually or click on the A icon displayed next to an arc shape in the pop-up box to simplify your path automatically. If this method of smoothing lines surprised you, there are many other hidden tools in Illustrator that might also prove unexpectedly useful for your next project.

Whether for illustration or graphic design work, these tools will rid your work of uneven and shaky lines. Enjoy smooth sailing in Adobe Illustrator from here on out, especially when it comes to line work.

OpenAI has finally unveiled its highly anticipated GPT Store, offering users a selection of ChatGPT community-created custom GPTs featuring specialized chatbots ranging from writing and design to programming and productivity. The launch marks OpenAI’s latest move to capitalize on the runaway popularity of its AI creation ChatGPT, which took the world by storm after its launch in November 2022.

ChatGPT’s custom GPT Store is open right now, and this is how you can use it to find the pre-programmed AI tools you need.

How to Access the GPT Store

Access and use of the new GPT Store requires a ChatGPT subscription. Only users with ChatGPT Plus, ChatGPT Teams, or ChatGPT Enterprise accounts will be able to use the store’s catalog of custom GPTs. You also need a ChatGPT subscription if you want to create your own custom GPT.

However, even premium subscribers may not have immediate access. OpenAI is gradually enabling GPT Store functionality for millions of subscribed users in batches. So, while your premium ChatGPT membership is necessary, it alone does not guarantee you can currently use the store due to the phased rollout. Users without a premium subscription “can currently browse the GPTs catalog but won’t be able to use it.” Check your ChatGPT account periodically to see if your access has been granted as OpenAI continues expanding availability to additional batches of subscribers.

How do you know when you’ve been granted access?

On the left sidebar of the ChatGPT interface, you should see Explore GPTs instead of simply Explore. Once you see this, you can start using the GPT Store! Remember, the whole idea of the GPT Store is to help users browse and access a wide range of GPTs built by the community. So, how can you use it to find the right GPT for your tasks?

How to Find the Best Custom GPTs in the GPT Store

Using the GPT Store is quite straightforward. Here’s how you can browse and search for custom GPTs:

1. Once you can access the GPT Store, click Explore GPTs on the left sidebar of the ChatGPT interface to open the store.
2. At the top of the store page, you will see featured categories like Writing, Productivity, Programming, Research and Analysis, and DALL-E for image generation. Click on a category to view a list of the top-performing custom GPT models in that specific category.

3. You can also use the search bar to find GPTs by keyword or related terms.

   

4. When you find a GPT you want to try, click on it to open the individual GPT page.
5. On the GPT page, you will see information about what that model offers.
6. After testing a GPT that solves your problem well, take one important extra step—click on the GPT name in the top left corner of the page, then click Keep in sidebar. This saves that GPT to the sidebar along with your chat history for easy future access.

   

However, you should note that at the time of writing, the GPT Store isn’t reviewed, and there is no rating system or otherwise. We’re hoping that OpenAI will introduce some type of rating system in the near future, as currently, without any system in place, you’re effectively on your own when it comes to figuring out what works well. By extension, it seems likely that some form of rating or review system will be implemented once GPT Store revenue sharing is launched, but OpenAI hasn’t given any fixed timeline for this.

Is it Worth Upgrading to ChatGPT Plus to Use Custom GPTs?

Since you need a ChatGPT subscription to use custom GPTs, you’re probably wondering whether it’s worth paying the $20 subscription fee to access the feature.

The short answer is yes. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced ChatGPT user, you’ll find many impressive custom GPTs in the store. Furthermore, if your AI prompting skills are not particularly strong, custom GPTs are quite useful because they simplify prompting. Basically, the GPT creator does most of the heavy lifting with regard to prompting, programming the custom GPT for a specific topic, and letting you reap the benefits with minimal work.

With millions of GPTs available, perhaps the biggest argument for subscribing is that someone might have listed a GPT that solves the exact problem you are currently struggling with. Also, remember, a subscription also gives you access to several other perks, most notably access to GPT-4 and the DALL-E text-to-image tool.

Is Max, formerly HBO Max, better than Netflix? Or is Netflix still #1 in the field of streaming services? If you’re trying to choose between these two streaming platforms, this comprehensive comparison will help you make a more informed decision.

1. Netflix vs. Max: Original Shows and Movies

Max, previously known as HBO Max, has original series and movies spanning multiple categories. Examples include Tokyo Vice and the rebooted version of Gossip Girl. Other examples include Friends: The Reunion and Zack Snyder’s Justice League.

Netflix itself has thousands of original series and movies, and these also go across numerous categories and languages. You’ll find plenty of documentaries, such as Beckham, which focuses on soccer legend and fashion icon David Beckham’s life. You can also find Miss Americana, a documentary about the singer Taylor Swift, on Netflix.

When pitting Max and Netflix together in this category, Max is known for its prestige and award-winning exclusive content. Moreover, some users have become disillusioned with Netflix due to the company canceling many of its original series after one or two seasons.

Another common criticism of Netflix is that its originals aren’t as good as they used to be. While the platform has given international series like Squid Game significant recognition, we’re giving the point to Max in this category.

Winner: Max

2. Netflix vs. Max: Overall Movie and Show Selection

Max has more than 1,000 shows and over 2,000 movies, with hundreds added to its catalog each month. Besides a number of original series and films, you can also see content that has been featured elsewhere. For example, Rick and Morty was on Netflix until the summer of 2022, but now, you can find it on Max.

When looking at HBO Max vs. Netflix in terms of TV shows, Netflix wins in terms of quantity. You’ll find more than 3,000 movies on the platform, along with over 1,800 TV programs. Like Max, Netflix adds new content on a regular basis. On Netflix, you’ll find The Office and Brooklyn Nine-Nine—in addition to Breaking Bad and various other series.

One big advantage that Max has over Netflix is that you can watch live sports with your subscription. What you see depends on your specific region, but the platform streams the NBA and many other professional leagues. So, if you’re looking for one of the best live sports streaming sites, Max is a great choice.

You can download shows from Netflix for up to 30 days, and programs remain available for streaming for as long as the platform renews them. Max lets you keep shows for up to 48 hours, while programs will also remain on the platform for an undefined period.

Winner: Tie

3. Netflix vs. Max: Subscription Prices

Another important consideration when choosing between (HBO) Max and Netflix is the subscription price. Both have different pricing for different regions, so we’ll look at the US for the sake of simplicity.

Below is a comparison of Max and Netflix’s pricing:

Netflix does not offer annual subscriptions. If you can’t watch 4K content on Netflix despite using Premium, you can follow our separate guide for tips and advice.

Technically, Max is cheaper than Netflix beyond the basic subscription for both platforms. However, there is one big caveat here: you need to get an annual plan to save money.

Winner: Max

4. Netflix vs. Max: Video Resolution

Both Max and Netflix offer viewing in up to 4K. However, you can only view this image quality if you subscribe to the highest subscription plan on both platforms. Other than that, you’ll be able to watch content in 1080p.

Pretty much nothing separates Max and Netflix in this category, so it’s another tie.

Winner: Tie

5. Netflix vs. Max: Regions and Languages

As of January 2024, Netflix is available in more than 190 countries and territories. You can’t use the service in Russia, Crimea, North Korea, China, or Syria. But in most other places, you should be able to access it without too much difficulty. However, the content will differ based on regional licensing.

On the flip side, Max’s availability is nowhere near as widespread. The streaming platform is available in 61 territories, including the US and Latin America, plus parts of Europe. However, its sports offerings are not available in all territories.

Netflix has more than 60 languages to watch your content in, but you won’t find subtitles for all of these on every show. Max, on the other hand, has 24.

Winner: Netflix

6. Netflix vs. Max: User Interface and Design

Both Netflix and Max have similar interfaces when choosing which account is watching. But beyond that, their interfaces and design are very different.

Netflix has a homepage where you can browse movies, along with filters for different categories. On top of that, you have a My Netflix tab with all of your downloads and notifications. Here, you can also view episodes and movies that you’ve recently watched.

Max has a slightly different color scheme compared to Netflix, and you can browse based on various segments. For example, you can search based on Cartoon Network programs, Max Originals, and more.

Both interfaces are well-designed and user-friendly. If you’re having issues with Max, you can always check out our guide on how to solve common HBO Max issues.

Winner: Tie

7. Netflix vs. Max: Unique Features

Neither Netflix nor Max allow password sharing outside your household. The services are also both available across smartphones, desktop devices, and tablets.

One big advantage that Max has over Netflix is that you can watch several shows from Warner Bros. network, including Looney Tunes and DC Comics.

On Netflix, you can go behind the scenes of many popular shows (including Bridgerton) to see how they were made. Another big advantage the platform has is that you can download multiple mobile games from Netflix, with its mobile gaming catalog coming free with your subscription.

Winner: Netflix

Netflix vs. (HBO) Max: Which One Should You Choose?

You should choose between Max and Netflix based on what kind of content you want to watch.

Max is a better choice if you want access to prestige series, with exclusives like House of the Dragon and Raised by Wolves. On top of that, Max is a great choice for sports fans that want access to live games, as long as you live in regions where this content is available.

Netflix, on the other hand, is a better option if you love TV shows from across different genres. You can enjoy reality programs like Love Is Blind, for example. On top of that, Netflix is a better choice if you’d like to watch a higher volume of new content.

Although Max takes a slight lead in our comparison, the differences aren’t dramatic. You should remember that what you can watch is sometimes determined by regional restrictions, and you might also see something that you like on either platform.

To save money on your streaming subscriptions, you can always pay on a month-to-month basis and switch between each whenever new content that you’re interested in drops.

You can save high-quality images in Photoshop for all kinds of use cases, whether that’s sharing your art on social media or preparing your content for print. In this easy-to-follow guide, you’ll learn how to save your pictures in Photoshop while ensuring that compression is minimal.

Which Formats Should I Use to Save High-Quality Images in Photoshop?

If you want to save the best-quality images in Photoshop, you need to choose file formats that minimize compression. Unfortunately, not all formats are equal in this respect. For example, JPEGs will compress more easily (though they do benefit from being easier to transfer across the web).

JPEG 2000 and PNG are the two files that are worth using if you need to save high-quality images in Photoshop. Both consume more space on your hard drives, but they’ll give you a better chance of less pixelation. We’ve got a full guide on what PNG files are, and what you should use them for, if you’d like to explore that topic further.

If you’re planning to use your images in print media (e.g. a magazine or book), you should use TIFF format instead.

Start by Saving Your Images as a PSD File in Lightroom

If you’re one of the many creators that use Lightroom and Photoshop together, you should save your pictures as PSD before transferring them to Photoshop. That way, you’ll have much more flexibility when editing in Photoshop. And as a result, you can also save higher-quality photos when you’ve finished editing.

Follow these steps to save your photos in PSD format before continuing to Photoshop:

1. Go to File > Export in the toolbar at the top of your screen.

2. Scroll down to File Settings and expand the toolbar next to Image Format. Here, choose PSD.

   

3. Go back to the top of the window. Under Export Location, pick the folder you want to save your image in by selecting Choose. If you’re using both Lightroom and Photoshop, it’s a good idea to have a separate folder for Photoshop edits and then another for the finalized version.

   

4. When you’ve picked your file location, tap Export.

How to Save High-Quality Images in the Photoshop Desktop App

Once you’ve finished editing, and you’re ready to save high-quality images in Photoshop, the process is very simple. You can use the steps below to save both JPEG 2000 and PNG files in the desktop version.

1. At the top of your screen, click on File and select Save As.

   

2. Expand the dropdown menu next to Format at the bottom of the next window.

   

3. Select JPEG 2000 or PNG, depending on your preference. You can scroll down via the downward-facing arrow if you don’t immediately see either option on your screen.
4. After doing the above and naming your file via Save As at the top, select Save.

How to Save High-Quality Images in Photoshop for the Web

To use Photoshop for the Web, you’ll need to open Google Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. The process of saving high-quality images is also slightly different from the desktop app, and you can either save your picture to Creative Cloud or on your device. Moreover, you can’t save your image as JPEG 2000, but PNG is available.

Let’s start by saving your picture to Creative Cloud:

1. Tap the horizontal three-dots icon in the top left-hand corner of the app.
2. Select Save as when the dropdown menu appears.

   

3. Enter the name you want to save your image as. Then, select Save.

   

Once you’ve saved your photo in Creative Cloud via the web app, you can go to the Photoshop desktop app and save your picture as JPEG 2000 or PNG via the same instructions in the previous version.

If you’d rather download your image to a hard-drive instead, and you want PNG rather than JPEG 2000, the following steps are for you:

1. Select Download.
2. Expand Where and choose your desired file-saving location.

   

3. Go to Format and select PNG.

   

4. Tap the Save button when everything looks as it should.

You can check out how Creative Cloud works if you want to learn more about the platform.

How to Prepare Images in Photoshop for Print

A common mistake in Photoshop is failing to take the Color mode and the PPI (pixels per inch) of the image into account. These Photoshop export settings make a huge difference when preparing media for print.

Using Color Mode in Photoshop

Photoshop supports a variety of color modes; you’ll find them all under Image > Mode. The default color mode is RGB (Red, Green, and Blue). This is the main color mode used in Photoshop.

If you change the Color mode of your image, the switch from RGB to CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key) might not be immediately noticeable. The difference can be felt more in their use. RGB is an additive color mode, while CMYK is a subtractive color mode.

Additive colors are more useful when dealing with something like an image displayed on a screen. Subtractive colors are best for images that you intend to print later on.

Subtractive colors begin with a white surface, much like a piece of printer paper. Colors, in the form of ink, subtract from the brightness of the surface in layers. The more layers that you have overlapping one another, the darker the area of the image gets.

Once you’ve chosen the right image and color modes, you should save your pictures as TIFF. Here’s how to do that: