Chris Smith
London, Manchester
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Articles by Chris Smith
Your Phone Can Help You Spot Hidden Cameras - Here's How
Artificial Intelligence 3 hours ago Companies Are Realizing They’re Spending a Fortune on AI Just So Their Employees Can Generate Error-Riddled Slop, and Suddenly Cutting Back Budgets futurism.com - Joe Wilkins • 3h "We're driving the truck and building it at the same time, and that's a problem." Loads of stories have emerged over the past few months of corporate … Business 3 hours ago The Side Hustle Mark Cuban Says He'd Start Today That Most People Are Walking Right Past AOL - Chris Lewis,...
Your Phone Can Help You Spot Hidden Cameras - Here's How
Spy camera use in vacation rentals through Airbnb and other similar services is on the rise, so it's prudent to check your rental before settling in. Travelers should be aware of a potential privacy threat that may ruin their vacation: the presence of hidden cameras in some hotel rooms and rental properties. While well-known hotel chains may be less likely to contain spy cameras, short-term rentals booked via travel websites such as Airbnb may feature such unwanted surprises.
How To Enable Preferred News Sources In Google Search
Google on Tuesday announced that Google Search will let certain users customize their news experience when browsing the web by allowing them to select Preferred Sources for the news items that appear in the "Top Stories" section. The feature comes at a time when Google is seeing mounting criticism for the way its AI products have impacted the Google Search experience for publishers.
How To Enable Preferred News Sources In Google Search
Opinion & Analysis 7 hours ago The death of humanity Fortune - Stephen Messer • 7h I have avoided writing this piece for a year. Every dinner, every board meeting, every family holiday, every reporter, every friend of a friend at … Tesla Roadster 5 hours ago Elon Musk’s Flying Car Tesla Roadster 2 Demo Triggers Hilarious Rohit Shetty & Car Parking Memes Mashable - James Paul • 5h The gravity-defying car teased by Tesla has the internet go crazy. Its been in the works for almost a decade.
Pixel 9 And 10 Owners: Replace The Battery Or Buy The Pixel 11?
The Pixel 11 starts at $899, which is a lot to spend when you already have a phone you like. But that's not necessarily what you'd pay after trading it in. Google unveiled the Pixel 11 series in mid-August 2026, but the new phones have been met with a somewhat lackluster response from early reviewers, especially the base Pixel 11 model. Plenty of good Pixel 11 alternatives exist in the rich Android ecosystem, but consumers who are loyal to Google phones may not want a Galaxy or Moto phone.
Forde-Yard Dash: Which new coordinators are thriving and which are flailing?
Forty names, games, teams and minutiae making news in college football, where the irrepressible P.J. Fleck has moved on from blood rituals to crowd-surfing and jug chugging First Quarter: Save-Your-Job Saturday? Second Quarter: The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teams. Third Quarter: New Coordinator Wellness Check Which new hires are working out well so far, and which ones are off to a rough start?
Enable This Toggle On iOS 27 For Better Audio Quality When Recording Videos
The iPhone 18 Pro models are the first Apple handsets to offer a camera with a variable aperture, a feature most rivals can't match. Apple has also added several camera software novelties in iOS 27 that are exclusive to the new iPhones, such as manual controls for shooting and several video features: smart subject focus tracking, 4K 60 fps Cinematic Mode, 4K Dolby Vision Time-Lapse, and improved Audio Mix.
Do giraffes have the same number of neck bones as humans?
Dr Chris Smith and Relebogile Mabotja explore why it's hard to reach a human in customer service. How did humans migrate from Africa, and can we trace our ancient paths? Why do people and animals have different neck sizes? Can you really hear your heartbeat when your head's on the pillow? Why is swimming in cold water easier than taking a cold shower? Why do your ears block when you yawn or blow your nose? Why don't you notice yourself growing?
5 Reasons To Buy An iPhone 18 Pro Max Over A Galaxy S26 Ultra
AirPods 19 hours ago 5 Highly-Rated Earbuds That Are Cheaper Than AirPods 5, Ranked By Price slashgear.com - Sagar Naresh • 19h Apple launched the AirPods 5 on September 18, 2026 alongside their first foldable, the iPhone Duo, and the iPhone 18 Pro series. AirPods 5 are priced … iPhones 5 hours ago iPhone 18 Pro vs.
5 Waze Settings Drivers Should Enable
Microsoft 13 hours ago You don’t want Microsoft Office. You need it. It’s $16.97. Mashable - Sponsored by StackCommerce • 13h For when a .docx lands in your inbox. TL;DR: Through Oct. 4 at 11:59 p.m. PT, a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows is $16.97 (reg. $229). That’s 92% off, with no subscription. Nobody gets excited about spreadsheets.
The Widower: 'Til Death Do Us Part
SummaryA journalist and a detective uncover the truth about a killer whose charm masked a trail of failed marriages and suspicious deaths. Available after 4 critic reviews Available after 4 ratings Available after 4 critic reviews 0% Positive 0 Reviews 100% Mixed 1 Review 0% Negative 0 Reviews Sep 30, 2026 The New York Times The movie amounts to little more than another item for Netflix’s well-stocked true-crime emporium, at a bargain-basement price.
I bought an iPhone 17 Pro on the gray market and this one feature can prove it's real
Back in mid-October 2025, iPhone 17 models were sold out in several markets, and the quickest way to buy an iPhone 17 Pro was through the gray market, or a legal but unauthorized retailer. In a world where high-quality iPhone clones exist, that's easier said than done. I've been covering iPhones for years, so I know how to tell a fake from the real thing — which means I know the one key iOS feature that can identify a fake immediately.
The iPhone fold might have new screen tech no Android phone has ever used before
Considering the increasing number of leaks detailing Apple's first foldable iPhone , it's likely we'll see the device in stores this year. The foldable iPhone is already expected to feature a few innovations unseen in other mainstream foldables, despite arriving late to the market. A new report from Korea adds another interesting design detail, saying that Apple is considering using a screen setup that other Android foldable devices do not offer.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max Has One Downside Almost Nobody Is Talking About
1 day ago Who should upgrade to the new iPhone 18 Pro? We have thoughts. What's the best iPhone to buy right now? That question just got a lot more interesting. During its September "Surprise and Shine" event, Apple unveiled the new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max with upgraded cameras, a revamped vapor chamber …
Samsung can't wait to show you its Android camera innovations, so it's teasing them
A few days ago, Samsung announced a new privacy display technology that will equip Galaxy devices "very soon," showing a few video teasers. While the company didn't mention the Galaxy S26 series by name , previous rumors have indicated that the Galaxy S26 Ultra may feature a new type of display that is visible only to the user looking directly at it. This week, Samsung released a new set of video teasers that are almost identical to last week's clips.
Samsung can't wait to show you its Android camera innovations, so it's teasing them
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The iPhone 18 Pro Max Has One Downside Almost Nobody Is Talking About
Reviews of the iPhone 18 Pro Max have been largely positive, but there is one major flaw with the device that is largely being ignored. The iPhone 18 Pro models are out, and the first round of reviews has praised Apple's new handsets. Highlights include the A20 Pro chip performance, longer battery life, the variable-aperture camera, the under-display Face ID camera, and the larger vapor chamber.
The Pixel 10's version of AirDrop is finally coming to more Android phones
Choose photos and documents, tap the share button, select an iPhone contact near you or one of your nearby devices, and tap the chosen destination. That's all there is to iPhone's AirDrop feature. It's one of the iPhone features Android users have wanted for years that lets you quickly and effortlessly share files. Specifically, Android users have wanted to share files via AirDrop with their friends using iPhones (and vice versa) and their devices.
5 Chinese smartphones more powerful than the iPhone 17
The standard iPhone 17 model , part of the iPhone 17 series Apple launched in mid-September 2025, turned out to be a major success for the company. Starting at $799, some iPhone 17 models sold out in the U.S. and various international markets from the preorder period through mid-December, according to BGR's weekly checks. Solid hardware that makes the base iPhone 17's specs very similar to theiPhone 17 Pro's. The iPhone 17 features the same high-end 6.3-inch OLED display as the Pro model.
5 Chinese smartphones more powerful than the iPhone 17
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Does The iPhone Air Bend? Here's How Much Force Is Needed To Break It
Show anyone the ultra-thin iPhone Air and they'll have two concerns: durability and battery life. Such worries first appeared during the iPhone 17 rumor season. Thankfully, though, the iPhone Air gets all-day battery life and an exclusive MagSafe accessory for an additional boost when you need it. As for durability worries, Apple tossed an iPhone Air across the room to a reporter so they could attempt to bend it during an interview. That should have been enough to allay any durability concerns.
Waze Disabled This Popular Feature In Some European Countries
Real-time incident reports coming from a large community of users is Waze's signature feature, and it's an important reason to choose this Google-owned navigation app over its sibling, Google Maps. However, the incident report capability isn't identical for all markets, as local laws can affect a specific functionality.
How To Take Instagram-Worthy Photos Of The Moon With Your iPhone
The iPhone offers one of the best camera experiences in mobile phones, especially the newer models, and especially the latest Pro and Pro Max models. That said, the iPhone camera has limitations and can't quite match the capabilities of professional gear in specific situations. Taking photos of the moon is one such example. Getting the perfect shot of a full moon for Instagram and other social media apps is more difficult with the iPhone. But it's not an impossible ask.
ChatGPT supports apps like Spotify, Expedia, and Zillow - here's how to use them
OpenAI hosted its big DevDay 2025 event on Monday, announcing several new tools for developers that should help them use AI to work on new and existing apps, embed ChatGPT and other OpenAI tools into their apps, and streamline workflows for AI agents. On that note, the Agent Builder tool that leaked before DevDay turned out to be accurate. It's called AgentKit, and includes Agent Builder, a Connector Registry, and ChatKit.
What Do People Use ChatGPT For? OpenAI Studied 1.5 Million Chats To Find Out
ChatGPT went viral in late 2022 and kept growing ever since at a rate not seen among rival AI apps. The service currently has over 700 million weekly users, according to an OpenAI blog post announcing the largest study to date of ChatGPT consumer usage. The company's Economic Research team partnered with Harvard economist David Deming to analyze the 1.5 million chats with the help of AI and determine how the use of ChatGPT has evolved over time.
6 Reasons To Start Using The Gemini In Chrome Assistant In Your Browser
While some AI startups have to design browsers from scratch to offer users built-in AI chatbot functionality, Google is in a unique position that gives it a massive head start. Google owns Chrome, the most popular internet browser in the world, so it only has to build Gemini AI features into Chrome to transform it into an AI browser. That's exactly what Google has been doing. The company expanded the abilities of Gemini in Chrome on Thursday, bringing a few interesting AI features to the browser.
The Reason Why ETA Times On Google Maps Sometimes Turn Black
Google uses various colors to highlight key Google Maps user interface elements that users should pay attention to. For example, route suggestions are painted in shades of blue, with the main suggestion appearing in a dark blue. Similarly, the estimated time of arrival (ETA) can appear in different colors, which may not all be obvious. If you've ever seen the ETA indicator turn black, you may have been confused about what it means.
The Most Important iPhone Apple Ever Made (And The One Everyone Forgot)
With nearly 20 years of iPhone history behind us, it might be hard to remember all the iPhone innovations that have turned Apple's smartphone into a powerful portable computer. Not every new generation delivered massive breakthroughs, but each new iPhone release paved the way for the more significant Apple innovations developed for the iPhone.
You Need To Know This Before Buying A Screen Protector For Your iPhone 18 Pro
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max hit store shelves on September 18, after nearly a week of preorders. Some buyers are about to receive their chosen model, as well as the protective accessories they may have bought, while others will get the handset in stores. But you should not install the screen protector you've just received — or purchase one, for that matter — until you ensure you have the right type. This isn't a measurement issue.
24 iOS 27 Tips Worth Knowing
Most of what has been written about iOS 27 describes Siri AI. These are the iOS 27 tips that are easy to miss. Settings buried two panes deep, a gesture Apple removed quietly, and features with a catch worth knowing first. Every tip here is new in iOS 27 release, and comes from my own testing rather than from Apple’s feature list. 1. Where Siri went You can bring up Siri (by default), as in previous releases, by saying “Siri” or “Hey Siri,” or by pressing and holding the side button.
How long should your iPhone 17's battery actually last?
The standard iPhone 17 doesn't show its age despite being a year old. The handset remains in Apple's lineup after the introduction of the iPhone 18 Pros, as there's no base iPhone 18 to replace it. Consumers looking for an iPhone upgrade would not be wrong to buy the $899 model instead of one of the more expensive iPhone 18 Pro models or Apple's first foldable iPhone .
Apple's First Foldable iPhone Is Official: Meet iPhone Duo
Several years in the making, Apple's first foldable iPhone is finally official. The company announced the device during its "Surprise and Shine" event on Wednesday alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. The foldable handset's commercial name is iPhone Duo, a moniker mentioned in several last-minute reports preceding the company's press conference and contradicted earlier "iPhone Ultra" name leaks.
Sleek new Android phone comes with features Google's Pixel can't match
The Clicks Communicator looks nothing like what you'd expect from an Android phone in 2026. It features a rather small 4.03-inch display and a built-in QWERTY keyboard reminiscent of a BlackBerry instead of resembling the all-screen candy bar or foldable phones that most smartphone vendors sell today. While the Clicks Communicator may seem like little more than nostalgia bait for smartphone users who once owned a BlackBerry, it's packed with features that modern users may appreciate.
5 Of The Biggest Adjustments For An iPhone User Switching To Samsung
iPhone users who have grown tired of similar hardware design and almost-identical yearly iOS releases can switch to Android with relative ease, and Samsung is likely to be one of the first Android vendors these consumers consider. The South Korean giant was the world's top handset manufacturer for several years, with Apple taking its position last year.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Is Way Stronger Than You Might Think, And This Extreme Test Proves It
2 hours ago Telluride just managed one of its best-kept secrets in years, per The Hollywood Reporter. On Sunday night, festivalgoers filed into a 650-seat theater with their phones locked away, having no idea what they were about to see, told only that it ran nearly three hours, hadn’t been shown anywhere, and …
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Is Way Stronger Than You Might Think, And This Extreme Test Proves It
Samsung did something unexpected with its new Galaxy Z line in July 2026, unveiling two book-style foldables instead of one. The $2,099.99 Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is the direct successor to the Galaxy Z Fold 7, while the $1,899.99 Galaxy Z Fold 8 is a brand-new device. The second model, with its passport-style design, has been seen as a preemptive move against Apple's upcoming first foldable iPhone, which should have a similar design.
5 Android phones more powerful than the Google Pixel 11
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. While some consumers may have been excited about upgrading to a brand-new Pixel device this year, the standard Pixel 11 model isn't necessarily the best possible choice of the four new devices. The Pixel 11 does come with a seven-year software guarantee for both Android and security updates, and runs Google's Android 17 OS with Gemini Intelligence out of the box.
How To Enable YouTube's Dark Mode Feature On iPhone
YouTube is definitely one of the must-have apps to install on the iPhone, as it provides quick access to entertainment and plenty of helpful videos that can help you when you're in a bind and need a quick tutorial or review. But watching YouTube isn't always easy on the eyes, especially if you're dealing with low-light environments or when watching clips at night. Thankfully, you can enable YouTube's Dark Mode directly from the YouTube app with a few taps in the Settings menu.
5 Android Phones More Powerful Than The Google Pixel 11
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. While some consumers may have been excited about upgrading to a brand-new Pixel device this year, the standard Pixel 11 model isn't necessarily the best possible choice of the four new devices. The Pixel 11 does come with a seven-year software guarantee for both Android and security updates, and runs Google's Android 17 OS with Gemini Intelligence out of the box.
Do American cell phones work in Europe?
Most modern American cell phones, including the newest iPhone and Android handsets , work in Europe with relative ease, but buyers should still check a few particular features to reduce the risk of running into compatibility issues, as explained below.
How does the Moon affect the tides?
Why might the shingles vaccine help prevent heart attacks? Does an eclipse affect how we sleep? Why do farts seem to stick around longer in the shower? How does toothpaste fight acidity? Can you train your brain to notice different frequencies? How does the Moon affect the tides? And why is it so much harder to stand on one foot with your eyes closed? Dr Chris Smith and Clarence Ford have the answers.
These Popular Motorola Phones Are Losing Software Support In 2026
All Android phones have an "end-of-life" date, which is the date when they stop receiving software support, including new Android releases and security updates. This date isn't secret, as most smartphone vendors have specific support timelines for their handsets, based on various factors, including market and device type. These dates are generally public, as vendors typically reveal how many years of software updates a device is supposed to receive.
This Handy Feature From Flip Phone Physical Keyboards Is Also On Android And iOS
Before the original iPhone revolutionized the mobile industry, most handsets came with a keypad that was used to make calls and input text. BlackBerry smartphones had full QWERTY keyboards, making text input easier than it was on flip phones, which featured basic keypads that only showed the numbers from 0 to 9, with letters printed on eight of them in groups of three or four. A digital version of that keypad is now available in the Phone app on Android and iOS devices.
5 Disadvantages Of Using Spotify Instead Of Apple Music
Apple Music is one of the five Spotify alternatives that users swear by. It also happens to come preinstalled on Apple devices, including iPhones, and it's one of the rare Apple services that's also available on Android. This makes Apple Music one of the most important Spotify alternatives users should consider. Apple Music has several advantages over Spotify that some consumers may appreciate, including lower prices for paid plans.
Is blue light from phones and tablets really harming your sleep? Here’s what the experts say
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Solar eclipse special
Totality eclipse of the heart PlayFull TranscriptDownload On the 12th of August, 2026, people across Europe will have the chance to see their first full solar eclipse in almost three decades. This is a rare celestial event where the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun, briefly plunging people into darkness.
Google Photos Is Making A Big Change In August — Here's How To Keep Your Photos Secure
11 hours ago You're missing some of Google's best work. Follow us on Google DiscoverAdd us as preferred source Most Google apps don’t need an introduction. Search, Gmail, Maps, YouTube, Drive, Photos, Keep — even our parents know about these. But Google makes a lot more apps than that, and most people have no …
Google Photos is making a big change in August — here's how to keep your photos secure
Whether you use Google Photos for free or pay for a Google One subscription to extend storage, the app provides a useful way to back up photos and videos captured with your phone. The app can also back up media saved on a computer to the cloud, but users who rely on this somewhat automated workflow should know there's a big change coming to the Google Photos desktop backup experience they need to prepare for.
Why did Apple stop making white MacBooks? The MacBook Air might be the culprit
Apple has always been very secretive and has usually avoided revealing too many details about its products. The company doesn't explain every decision it makes about a new device, including design choices, though the tech giant will advertise certain design changes when it needs to. For example, Apple made a big deal about the iPhone 15's titanium chassis in 2023, but Apple didn't explain why it stopped using titanium for the iPhone 17 series two years later.
Why Did Apple Stop Making White MacBooks? The MacBook Air Might Be The Culprit
Googlebook 11 hours ago I tested the MacBook Neo; now I know why the Googlebook will disappoint androidpolice.com - Jon Gilbert • 11h My trusty Chromebook died last week. I'm still unsure exactly what knocked it out of commission, but I knew it was time to let it go. The $300 laptop … MacBook 1 day ago How long is a new MacBook actually supposed to last?
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