Chris Smith
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Articles by Chris Smith
Is Replacing Your Phone's Charging Port Worth It? Original
Is Replacing Your Phone's Charging Port Worth It? Modern iPhone and Android devices come with USB-C ports that are used for battery charging and data transfer, but these connectors aren't damage-proof. They may be designed to last at least 10,000 insertion and extraction cycles, which suggests that most smartphone ports will last several years before breaking. However, that's not a guarantee that a port will continue working for the entire period you'll use a device.
How To Change Apple Maps' Voice
How To Change Apple Maps' Voice aileenchik/Shutterstock Many navigation apps offer voice-based turn-by-turn directions, including Apple's own Apple Maps tool. iPhone owners who use Apple Maps on a regular basis may want to customize the voice used for those directions to improve the overall experience. The good news is that changing the Apple Maps navigation voice is relatively easy. The bad news is that Apple Maps doesn't offer a built-in catalog of voices to choose from.
How To Change Apple Maps' Voice
Many navigation apps offer voice-based turn-by-turn directions, including Apple's own Apple Maps tool. iPhone owners who use Apple Maps on a regular basis may want to customize the voice used for those directions to improve the overall experience. The good news is that changing the Apple Maps navigation voice is relatively easy. The bad news is that Apple Maps doesn't offer a built-in catalog of voices to choose from. Instead, the app shares the same voice as Siri, iPhone's voice assistant.
How Has The iPhone 17 Aged After A Year? Original
How Has The iPhone 17 Aged After A Year? Dontree_M/Shutterstock The iPhone 17 is about to celebrate its first anniversary. Apple will unveil new models from the iPhone 18 series on September 9. However, unlike the previous year, the standard model isn't expected to receive a replacement. The iPhone 18 is rumored to launch in March. The company is reportedly focusing on premium phones this year, including the iPhone 18 Pro models and the first foldable iPhone.
Pixel 11 Pro Vs. iPhone 17 Pro: Which Premium Phone Is Worth The Cost? Original
Pixel 11 Pro Vs. iPhone 17 Pro: Which Premium Phone Is Worth The Cost? Elvard project/Shutterstock Comparing the Pixel 11 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro in late August 2026 may seem unfair, considering one is Google's brand-new flagship Android handset, while the other is the 11-month-old Apple flagship launched in September 2025. The newer Pixel 11 Pro may seem like the obvious choice when deciding to spend over $1,000 on a flagship phone, but that may not be the case.
5 Google Maps Settings Drivers Should Enable Original
5 Google Maps Settings Drivers Should Enable Derevianko Dmytro/Getty Images Google Maps is one of the most widely used navigation tools you can consider for your iPhone or Android device, even if you don't drive a car. Install the app, and you're ready to navigate to your next destination by walking or using public transit, or explore your surroundings. But drivers will make the most of Google Maps, as the app's primary function is to provide driving directions.
Chinese Robot Breaks Usain Bolt's 100m World Record Time — Then Smashes Into A Wall Original
Chinese Robot Breaks Usain Bolt's 100m World Record Time — Then Smashes Into A Wall YouTube/NBC News China held its second World Humanoid Robot Games event in late August 2026 at Beijing's National Speed Skating Oval, an event meant to display the country's advances in and commitment to robotics. The field has attracted plenty of research and development — not to mention interest — in recent years, particularly after the arrival of large language models like ChatGPT and Gemini.
Motorola Razr+ Vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8: Which Compact Foldable Is Better In 2026?
Motorola Razr+ Vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8: Which Compact Foldable Is Better In 2026? Samsung Samsung's more compact, passport-style Galaxy Z Fold 8 foldable made quite an impression with reviewers and buyers this summer, with reports indicating the company is ramping up production. But buyers looking for a more affordable, high-end compact foldable don't have to spend $1,899.99 on the Galaxy Z Fold 8. Instead, they can choose one of the 2026 clamshell handsets available in stores this summer.
Motorola Razr+ Vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8: Which Compact Foldable Is Better In 2026?
Tesla 2 hours ago Tesla recalls 3 million cars in China over 'hidden' door handles, 2.7 million over driver monitoring Mashable - Stan Schroeder • 2h Tesla's largest recall yet. Tesla has issued a massive recall for its cars in China, but it wasn't alone. On Monday, the company recalled 2,975,910 vehicles in the country over Tesla's emergency mechanical door release, which the Chinese regulator found difficult to identify and operate.
These Popular Motorola Phones Are Losing Software Support In 2026
Burglary 19 hours ago Gold Coast Burglary Nets $1M in Jewels and Watches, One Suspect Charged hoodline.com - Richard M. Sullivan • 19h A 45-year-old man has been charged following a month-long investigation into the theft of more than $1 million worth of jewelry, handbags, watches, … Mobile 1 day ago 5 Android phones you should buy instead of the Pixel 11 Pro XL Android Authority - Stephen Radochia • 1d It's not an easy decision this year.
These Popular Motorola Phones Are Losing Software Support In 2026
These Popular Motorola Phones Are Losing Software Support In 2026 Framesira/Shutterstock 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.
This Handy Feature From Flip Phone Physical Keyboards Is Also On Android And iOS Original
This Handy Feature From Flip Phone Physical Keyboards Is Also On Android And iOS Topmicrobialstock/Getty Images 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.
15 Popular Android Phones You Can Trade In At Your Local Apple Store
15 Popular Android Phones You Can Trade In At Your Local Apple Store Wongsakorn 2468/Shutterstock Buying a new iPhone can be costly, with prices starting at $599 for the 256-gigabyte iPhone 17e, the most affordable iPhone in Apple's lineup. The 256 GB iPhone 17 starts at $799, while the 256 GB iPhone 17 Pro costs $1,099 and the iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199. One way to lower their price tags is to trade in an eligible device directly with Apple.
5 Popular Android Phone Brands Once Owned By China's BBK Electronics
5 Popular Android Phone Brands Once Owned By China's BBK Electronics sdx15/Shutterstock Many smartphone users may not be aware that BBK Electronics was one of the world's top smartphone vendors until it was dissolved in April 2023, competing directly with Apple, Samsung, and others. BBK controlled various smartphone brands, including Oppo, Vivo, OnePlus, Realme, and iQOO.
5 Disadvantages Of Using Spotify Instead Of Apple Music
5 Disadvantages Of Using Spotify Instead Of Apple Music Yalcin Sonat/Shutterstock 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 iPhone Vs. Google Pixel - Which Has The Longest Software Support Guarantee? Original
Apple iPhone Vs. Google Pixel - Which Has The Longest Software Support Guarantee? Vadym Plysiuk/Getty Images Smartphone buyers looking to upgrade to a good flagship phone with several years of software support may choose between an iPhone 17 version and a Pixel 10 model. Google offers seven years of Android updates and seven years of security updates to all Pixel phones launched since the Pixel 8 series (2023).
iPhone Accessory 'Uses Too Much Power'? This Could Be The Fix
iPhone Accessory 'Uses Too Much Power'? This Could Be The Fix charnsitr/Shutterstock Modern iPhones can power various devices via USB-C or Lightning, a feature that can be useful if you want to quickly top up an Apple Watch or AirPods case on the go. That's a feature Apple advertises for iPhone 15 and later models, which can recharge gadgets that support USB Power Delivery (up to 4.5 W).
A Google Maps User Accidentally Discovered A Giant Meteorite Crater No One Knew Existed Original
A Google Maps User Accidentally Discovered A Giant Meteorite Crater No One Knew Existed Vantage_DS/Shutterstock Besides helping you reach your destination as fast as possible, Google Maps is also useful for discovering places of interest around you, whether in a new city or in your neighborhood. The navigation app offers plenty of details about local hotels, restaurants, and shops, including opening hours, photos, and user reviews, in addition to directions to those places.
Google Photos Is Making A Big Change In August — Here's How To Keep Your Photos Secure Original
Google Photos Is Making A Big Change In August — Here's How To Keep Your Photos Secure Stockinq/Shutterstock 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.
Why Did Apple Stop Making White MacBooks? The MacBook Air Might Be The Culprit Original
Why Did Apple Stop Making White MacBooks? The MacBook Air Might Be The Culprit YouTube/CynoNexus 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.
What Phone Is Spider-Man Using In Brand New Day? Original
What Phone Is Spider-Man Using In Brand New Day? Android users who are fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and Tom Holland's Spider-Man probably noticed that our friendly neighborhood superhero uses a foldable phone, as seen in the first "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" trailer. This and the June trailer just ahead of the film's premier on July 31, 2026, show Spider-Man watching reels featuring Ned (Jacob Batalon) and MJ (Zendaya), and he's doing so on a Galaxy Z Flip foldable smartphone.
6 Cool Aviate Features That Make It The Best Flighty Alternative For Android Phones Original
6 Cool Aviate Features That Make It The Best Flighty Alternative For Android Phones Jaromir Chalabala/Shutterstock Flight delays are probably the most annoying part of the air travel experience. That's because airlines and airport authorities are rarely ready to provide detailed explanations about a flight's delay or to provide them promptly. That may be why the iPhone-only Flighty app has been so popular with users since its introduction in 2019.
What That Blinking Light On Your Anker Charger Means Original
What That Blinking Light On Your Anker Charger Means Anker Chinese company Anker makes some of the most popular accessories for iPhone and Android devices, including power adapters, USB-C cables, wireless chargers, and power banks. These products generally charge batteries and are compatible with most smartphones that support wired charging via USB-C and wireless charging.
What Switching To A Professional Instagram Account Actually Does
What Switching To A Professional Instagram Account Actually Does Ascannio/Shutterstock Social media apps can be a powerful tool for individual users and businesses that want their content or products to reach a wider audience, and Meta's Instagram app is a widely used app for promoting content and selling physical goods.
Can You Put A Screen Protector On A Cracked Phone Screen?
4 hours ago We’re only one month away from Apple’s biggest product launch event of the year: the September iPhone event. Here’s what rumors say is coming. iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, iPhone Ultra This year’s flagship iPhone lineup is rumored to be the smallest in years—and the most expensive. That’s because all …
Can You Put A Screen Protector On A Cracked Phone Screen? Original
Can You Put A Screen Protector On A Cracked Phone Screen? Roganna/Getty Images One of the worst things that can happen to a smartphone is cracking the display after an accidental drop. That's because screen replacements can be costly for both iPhone and Android devices when premium warranty services like AppleCare+ aren't available.
5 Android Phones With More RAM Than The MacBook Air Original
5 Android Phones With More RAM Than The MacBook Air Alex Photo Stock/Shutterstock Comparing the memory of a laptop to a smartphone may seem like comparing apples to oranges, since these are different computing devices that serve different needs. Laptops can benefit from larger amounts of RAM, as the extra memory can speed up the experience. Users can run multiple apps at the same time, with more RAM ensuring smoother performance.
What Does The VoWiFi Symbol On Your Phone Mean? Original
What Does The VoWiFi Symbol On Your Phone Mean? Miniseries/Getty Images One of the smartphone features that users may take for granted is the ability to make calls even in places with poor cellular coverage, like an apartment building or a large office, thanks to a reliable Wi-Fi network.
What Is The Fastest Charging Speed For An iPhone 17?
What Is The Fastest Charging Speed For An iPhone 17? Dontree_M/Shutterstock Whether you purchased one of Apple's various iPhone 17 models or plan to buy a brand-new model instead of waiting for the iPhone 18, you should know how fast your device can charge so you can take advantage of the fastest supported charging speeds. That may mean purchasing a different charger and even updating your wireless charging setup.
This Hidden Google Maps Setting Is Eating Up Storage - Here's How To Fix It Original
This Hidden Google Maps Setting Is Eating Up Storage - Here's How To Fix It Matthew Nichols1/Shutterstock Google Maps is a key application to install on iPhone and Android devices, regardless of whether you need directions while driving, walking, or cycling. It's also a convenient way to navigate a new city and discover local points of interest. Google routinely updates the app, releasing new Google Maps features that are usually available on both mobile platforms.
5 Disadvantages Of Ditching Your iPhone For Android
5 Disadvantages Of Ditching Your iPhone For Android tinhkhuong/Shutterstock There may be good reasons to switch from iPhone to Android, such as the ability to buy a foldable phone or a cheaper traditional smartphone. Switching between the two mobile platforms is also easier than ever. However, there are also downsides that iPhone users who want to move to Android should be aware of.
5 Disadvantages Of Ditching Your iPhone For Android
Stablecoin 1 day ago Samsung Puts Stablecoins in Its Wallet: What It Means for Crypto Prices cryptoticker.io - Silke Schütters • 1d Samsung has put stablecoins on the roadmap for Samsung Wallet. The announcement came at Galaxy Unpacked 2026 on 22 July, and would place … Apple 2 days ago Apple Pay is getting even better with four new features 9to5Mac - Chance Miller • 2d Apple Pay is a go-to feature for iPhone users when shopping in stores, online, and in apps.
5 New Devices Samsung Announced At Galaxy Unpacked July 2026
5 New Devices Samsung Announced At Galaxy Unpacked July 2026 Samsung Samsung announced five new devices at its Unpacked 2026 event in London, U.K., including three new foldable phones and two new smartwatch models. Samsung fans who followed the latest Galaxy Z Fold rumors should not be surprised to hear that the company unveiled two versions of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 foldable phone.
5 New Devices Samsung Announced At Galaxy Unpacked July 2026
Samsung announced five new devices at its Unpacked 2026 event in London, U.K., including three new foldable phones and two new smartwatch models. Samsung fans who followed the latest Galaxy Z Fold rumors should not be surprised to hear that the company unveiled two versions of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 foldable phone. The standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 model has a passport-style form factor, offering users a wider-but-shorter external display, which creates a more tablet-like experience.
5 New Devices Samsung Announced At Galaxy Unpacked July 2026
8 hours ago Raise to Talk really is that good. Follow us on Google DiscoverAdd us as preferred source The Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch Ultra introduced a new design for Samsung watches that you either love or hate. I’m in the former camp, so when I got to try the new Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2, I was excited …
5 Disadvantages Of Using Waze Over Google Maps Or Apple Maps Original
5 Disadvantages Of Using Waze Over Google Maps Or Apple Maps Varga Jozsef Zoltan/Shutterstock Google may own both Waze and Google Maps, but they couldn't be any different, even though navigation is the main feature of the two apps. In fact, Google Maps may be more similar to Apple Maps, Apple's own navigation app, which the iPhone maker created several years ago to reduce its reliance on Google.
Avengers: Doomsday Trailer Reveals First Footage Of RDJ's Doctor Doom In Action Original
Avengers: Doomsday Trailer Reveals First Footage Of RDJ's Doctor Doom In Action Marvel Entertainment/YouTube With less than five months to go until the "Avengers: Doomsday" premiere, Marvel has finally released the first full trailer for its highly anticipated movie. The trailer is available on YouTube and will likely start playing in cinemas around the world this week.
21 Deep Discounts On The Samsung Galaxy S26 Lineup In July 2026 Original
21 Deep Discounts On The Samsung Galaxy S26 Lineup In July 2026 Christian de Looper / BGR We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S26 series in late February 2026, with in-store sales starting two weeks later, after the preorder period concluded. The highly anticipated Android flagship series included the same three models as the Galaxy S25 series: a base model, the larger Plus model, and the Ultra variant.
21 Deep Discounts On The Samsung Galaxy S26 Lineup In July 2026
1 hour ago Alongside the new all-time low on Crimson Desert down at $49via Amazon, we also have The Rogue Prince of Persia on Nintendo Switch 2 dropping to a new 22.38 Prime shipped Amazon all-time low. Those deals also join the Best Buy Black Friday in July game sale featuring titles on PS5 and Switch 1/2 like …
5 Smartphones With The Best Resale Value In 2026 Original
5 Smartphones With The Best Resale Value In 2026 RAMAN SHAUNIA/Shutterstock Smartphone buyers looking for a new device in mid-2026 should not make a purchase before checking the resale market, especially at a time when brand-new devices may cost more than comparable models did last year. Vendors have been raising smartphone prices in the past few months because of the ongoing memory and storage crisis.
Waze Vs. Google Maps: Which App Is Best For Older Drivers? Original
Waze Vs. Google Maps: Which App Is Best For Older Drivers? Kenneth Cheung/Getty Images Google Maps and Waze are two of the most popular navigation apps available on Android and iPhone, and while Google owns both of them, the apps offer significantly different experiences. Google Maps is the more complete navigation app of the two, featuring a richer design that offers more details about the geography and road layout than Waze.
Why Are Phones So Much Cheaper In China? Original
Why Are Phones So Much Cheaper In China? Robert Way/Shutterstock Chinese smartphone vendors manufacture flagship Android phones that can compete directly against the latest iPhones and Galaxy S models, but these smartphones are much cheaper in China than in international markets where the devices are also sold. Chinese vendors are able to lower the prices significantly for consumers in China for several reasons specific to the Chinese market.
5 Smartphones With The Best Resale Value In 2026
iPhones 11 hours ago iPhone Price Hikes Are Here, Apple Raises Prices by Up to 11% in Japan Republic World - info desk • 11h Apple has increased prices across its iPhone lineup in Japan, including the iPhone 17 series, iPhone Air, iPhone 17e and iPhone 16, weeks after … Shopping 2 days ago Phones are too expensive.
Do Samsung Phones Depreciate Faster Than iPhones? Original
Do Samsung Phones Depreciate Faster Than iPhones? Wongsakorn 2468/Shutterstock Samsung makes some of the best iPhone alternatives on the market, competing directly with Apple when it comes to phone durability, hardware, and camera capabilities. However, Samsung flagship phones, including the Galaxy S26 models launched in late February 2026, depreciate much faster than iPhones.
This Hidden Fitbit Air Setting Is A Total Game-Changer Original
This Hidden Fitbit Air Setting Is A Total Game-Changer Google Launched in March 2026, the $99 Fitbit Air is a screenless health tracker designed to provide the health tracking features and insights you'd expect from such wearables without interrupting your activity with notifications. It's Google's smallest tracker made to date, and a good alternative to Whoop bands. The Fitbit Air offers up to a week of battery life, which means you don't have to take it off that often or recharge it overnight.
Switzerland's Solar Railway Breakthrough Might Be Coming To Several New Countries Original
Switzerland's Solar Railway Breakthrough Might Be Coming To Several New Countries Sun-Ways A Swiss startup may have found a way to expand the country's solar power capacity without converting additional farmland into solar panel farms. Instead of clearing land for new solar panel installations, Sun-Ways has been running a pilot that uses land already developed for another purpose: railway tracks.
Do Samsung Phones Depreciate Faster Than iPhones?
Phones 11 hours ago iPhone 18 Pro is just two months away, but you probably shouldn’t wait for it 9to5Mac - Michael Burkhardt • 11h The next iPhone lineup is around the corner – and it’s going to be a different one. The base model iPhone 18 won’t be making an appearance quite yet, as that model has been shifted to a spring release schedule.
Why Do Roku Remotes Have Tags – And Can You Remove Them? Original
Why Do Roku Remotes Have Tags – And Can You Remove Them? Ilze_Lucero/Shutterstock Owners of Roku streaming devices are probably well acquainted with that purple textile tag, featuring the Roku logo, that is attached to the bottom of the remote. The tag has been a distinctive design element for years, and that's its sole function — to stand out and be noticeable — much like the tag on a pair of Levi's jeans.
Does Google Maps Work In China? It's Complicated Original
Does Google Maps Work In China? It's Complicated ERIK Miheyeu/Shutterstock Google Maps is a useful app to install on both iPhone and Android phones, and it's one of the world's most important navigation apps. However, if you're planning a vacation or business trip to China, be aware that you'll have to get your navigation and directions from another app. That's because Google Maps is unsupported in China due to Google abandoning the Chinese market more than a decade ago.
What Does The Blue Line Mean On Google Maps?
What Does The Blue Line Mean On Google Maps? Derevianko Dmytro/Getty Images There may a few Google Maps features you're missing out on, but the experience should be straightforward for most users. The digital map reflects real-world geography and road design, and the color scheme is aimed at easy interpretation. But in some cases, the features of a city's layout may cause confusion.
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