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Articles by Chris Smith
The Best Budget Android Is A Phone From 2025 (It Isn't A OnePlus) Original
The Best Budget Android Is A Phone From 2025 (It Isn't A OnePlus) Karlis Dambrans/Shutterstock We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Buyers looking for a new Android device that doesn't break the bank in late 2026 might find it strange to hear that their best option could be a phone launched in the first half of 2025, Google's Pixel 9a mid-range handset.
There's Simply No Point In Buying These 5 Phones Anymore
There's Simply No Point In Buying These 5 Phones Anymore Dani D.G/Shutterstock Most smartphone vendors unveiled several devices this summer, including the Google Pixel 11 series, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 foldables, and the iPhone 18 Pro models. Apple's first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, is set to hit stores in late October. Even without new releases, the Black Friday sale and Christmas shopping season are approaching. Consumers may want to purchase a handset this year.
There's Simply No Point In Buying These 5 Phones Anymore
Technology 4 hours ago The Galaxy S27 may launch earlier than usual, Samsung's leaked plans reveal Android Authority - Tushar Mehta • 4h But last minute upgrades to RAM and storage could derail those plans. Add Android Authority on Google: Preferred SourceGoogle Discover Preparations for the Galaxy S27 series launch are in full swing, with the phones now in the late stages of planning.
There's Simply No Point In Buying These 5 Phones Anymore
Most smartphone vendors unveiled several devices this summer, including the Google Pixel 11 series, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 foldables, and the iPhone 18 Pro models. Apple's first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, is set to hit stores in late October. Even without new releases, the Black Friday sale and Christmas shopping season are approaching. Consumers may want to purchase a handset this year. But buyers should be more critical than before when shopping phone deals.
Your Phone Can Help You Spot Hidden Cameras - Here's How
Your Phone Can Help You Spot Hidden Cameras - Here's How New Africa/Shutterstock 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.
Which Android Phone Is Equivalent To The iPhone Air?
6 hours ago Following T-Mobile and Deutsche Telekom, Verizon has now confirmed how much it will charge customers to use Apple’s new iPhone Handoff feature. Here are the details. Verizon customers to pay $10/month for iPhone Handoff During Apple’s “Surprise and Shine” event last month, the company shared more …
Which Android Phone Is Equivalent To The iPhone Air?
Which Android Phone Is Equivalent To The iPhone Air? Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Apple surprised fans in September 2025 with the introduction of the ultra-slim iPhone Air, a handset that's just 5.64 mm thick and weighs 165 grams. Then again, longtime iPhone users who followed the rumor mill preceding the iPhone 17 event were well aware that a thin iPhone would be included in last year's lineup.
Which Android Phone Is Equivalent To The iPhone Air?
Apple's iPhone Air offers fans of high-end mobile phones an option designed to be as thin as possible, but is there an equivalent choice among Androids? Apple surprised fans in September 2025 with the introduction of the ultra-slim iPhone Air, a handset that's just 5.64 mm thick and weighs 165 grams. Then again, longtime iPhone users who followed the rumor mill preceding the iPhone 17 event were well aware that a thin iPhone would be included in last year's lineup.
Pixel 9 And 10 Owners: Replace The Battery Or Buy The Pixel 11? Original
Pixel 9 And 10 Owners: Replace The Battery Or Buy The Pixel 11? Connor Jewiss/BGR 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.
Should You Use Multiple Ports To Charge Your MacBook? Original
Should You Use Multiple Ports To Charge Your MacBook? Alina Vytiuk/Getty Images Except for the MacBook Neo, Apple's current MacBook Air and MacBook Pro can charge in two ways: MagSafe and USB-C. There's no right or wrong way to charge these two MacBook models, as MagSafe and USB-C can support similar charging speeds with the right power adapter.
How to ignite your creativity
https://www.youtube.com/embed/2n8W6CBxc64 Having a regular creative practice – music, writing, crafting, painting or whatever your preferred medium may be – has been shown to increase your overall sense of wellbeing. And, as the Australian artist and YouTube creator Campbell Walker (aka Struthless) discusses in this whimsical homespun video, in our era of infinite social feeds, making things has the added benefit of liberating you from the dreaded doom-scroll.
Enable This Toggle On iOS 27 For Better Audio Quality When Recording Videos Original
Enable This Toggle On iOS 27 For Better Audio Quality When Recording Videos anatoliy_gleb/Shutterstock 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.
5 Reasons To Buy An iPhone 18 Pro Max Over A Galaxy S26 Ultra
5 Reasons To Buy An iPhone 18 Pro Max Over A Galaxy S26 Ultra Annice Lyn/Getty Images Smartphone users looking for a new flagship in the fall of 2026 have plenty of good choices to consider, including the best phones Apple and Samsung manufactured this year, the iPhone 18 Pro Max and Galaxy S26 Ultra, respectively. But if you were to choose between these two devices, which are priced similarly before instant discounts and trade-in deals are applied ($1,299 vs.
5 Reasons To Buy An iPhone 18 Pro Max Over A Galaxy S26 Ultra
Smartphone users looking for a new flagship in the fall of 2026 have plenty of good choices to consider, including the best phones Apple and Samsung manufactured this year, the iPhone 18 Pro Max and Galaxy S26 Ultra, respectively. But if you were to choose between these two devices, which are priced similarly before instant discounts and trade-in deals are applied ($1,299 vs. $1,299.99), the iPhone 18 Pro Max may be better than the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
5 Waze Settings Drivers Should Enable
5 Waze Settings Drivers Should Enable Nurulliaa/Shutterstock Google Maps may be one of the world's most popular navigation apps, but some drivers may prefer Google's other option, Waze. That's because Waze focuses more on driving efficiency to get you to your destination as fast as possible, while taking into account new real-time information that may impact the estimated time of arrival (ETA).
Nano Banana Pro is out, and its AI infographics are going viral
Google unveiled the Nano Banana Pro model on Thursday after weeks of speculation from AI fans who have either tested the unreleased AI image generator or viewed the Nano Banana Pro samples shared on social media. The images created with the test version of Nano Banana Pro teased the improvements Google made to its viral image generator, including support for improved text rendering.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max Has One Downside Almost Nobody Is Talking About Original
The iPhone 18 Pro Max Has One Downside Almost Nobody Is Talking About Dan Kitwood/Getty Images 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. On the downside, some early users have pointed out the higher price tags, the colors, and the NAND storage quality of the 1 TB versions.
Waze Disabled This Popular Feature In Some European Countries
Waze Disabled This Popular Feature In Some European Countries Nurulliaa/Shutterstock 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.
Avengers Endgame: Encore's New Ending And Post-Credits Scenes (Full Descriptions) Original
Hulk, meet Doctor Doom! The "Loki" TV show taught fans how the multiverse works. Initially, the TVA would destroy alternate timelines, like the one Steve created by meeting Peggy. Under Loki, however, the multiverse was allowed to flourish. "Doomsday" leaks and theories indicate that Doctor Doom may blame Rogers directly for what has happened to him, as Rogers deciding to stay in the '40s may have set in motion events that will lead to the demise of the multiverse.
5 hidden Google Pixel features that can make your photos even better
For years, Google positioned its Pixel phones as category-defining cameras, challenging Apple, Samsung, and everyone in the mobile industry with hardware and especially software innovations. Google used computational photography (artificial intelligence) to enhance photos well before the era of generative AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini. All a Pixel user has to do to capture high-end photos is open the camera app, point, and shoot.
This Free App Unlocks A Useful Tap Feature On Your MacBook's Palm Rest Original
This Free App Unlocks A Useful Tap Feature On Your MacBook's Palm Rest Vladyslav Lehir/Shutterstock Apple turned the iPhone's rear panel into a massive button in 2020 when iOS 14 introduced the Back Tap accessibility feature. Users who own an iPhone 8 (or later) have been able to customize the feature for several years, as Back Tap continues to be available in the new iOS 27 release, supporting double-tap and triple-tap gestures.
The Reason Why ETA Times On Google Maps Sometimes Turn Black Original
The Reason Why ETA Times On Google Maps Sometimes Turn Black Derevianko Dmytro/Getty Images 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.
Change This Google Maps Setting To Always See The Fastest Route Original
Change This Google Maps Setting To Always See The Fastest Route Tada Images/Shutterstock Input a destination in Google Maps, and the app will give you various routes to get there, including one that's faster than the others. You'll get directions for different means of travel, such as driving, biking, public transport, and walking, so you can choose your preferred way to get there. The fastest possible option will often involve driving, and that may be the default navigation mode for many users.
You Need To Know This Before Buying A Screen Protector For Your iPhone 18 Pro
You Need To Know This Before Buying A Screen Protector For Your iPhone 18 Pro Annice Lyn/Getty Images 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.
How Long Should Your iPhone 17's Battery Actually Last?
How Long Should Your iPhone 17's Battery Actually Last? Wongsakorn 2468/Shutterstock 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.
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.
iPhone 18 Pro Vs. iPhone Duo: Price Guide For Apple's Fall 2026 iPhone Lineup Original
iPhone 18 Pro Vs. iPhone Duo: Price Guide For Apple's Fall 2026 iPhone Lineup YouTube/Apple Apple on Wednesday announced the iPhone 18 Pro models and its first foldable handset, the iPhone Duo, in what was John Ternus's first product launch event since becoming CEO. The new iPhones will be available to preorder soon, so interested buyers will have to decide which model to purchase. iPhone prices will be especially important this year given the broader market conditions.
Apple's First Foldable iPhone Is Official: Meet iPhone Duo Original
Apple's First Foldable iPhone Is Official: Meet iPhone Duo YouTube/Apple 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.
5 Of The Biggest Adjustments For An iPhone User Switching To Samsung
5 Of The Biggest Adjustments For An iPhone User Switching To Samsung Wongsakorn 2468/Shutterstock 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 Original
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Is Way Stronger Than You Might Think, And This Extreme Test Proves It Framesira/Shutterstock 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.
5 Android Phones More Powerful Than The Google Pixel 11
Xiaomi Redmi 11 hours ago Xiaomi Redmi K100 Pro Overview, Pros and Cons oispice.com - Aman Patel • 11h Xiaomi Redmi K100 Pro OverviewThe Xiaomi Redmi K100 Pro is a very powerful smartphone made for people who want top performance.
5 Android Phones More Powerful Than The Google Pixel 11 Original
5 Android Phones More Powerful Than The Google Pixel 11 Google 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?
7 hours ago This week, Apple CEO John Ternus will introduce three new iPhones at its Surprise and Shine event on Sept. 9. Every new smartphone presentation, no matter the manufacturer, alters the wider market. Three key moments on Wednesday will have a significant impact on the market: the outsourcing of AI, …
Do American Cell Phones Work In Europe?
Do American Cell Phones Work In Europe? Elvard project/Shutterstock 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.
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.
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.
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