ASTC 3.0 Explained: Broadcast TV Is Coming to Your Phone
A new era of free TV is on the horizon, and it promises to bring 4K TV to your phone over-the-air. The FCC began the transition to this new format, called ATSC 3.0, on March 5th, 2018.
New Spectre-Busting Update Speeds Up Windows 10 PCs
Windows 10 PCs running the October 2018 Update are now getting improved Spectre fixes. This should speed up many PCs Microsoft slowed down with January 2018’s Spectre patches. This improvement, named “Retpoline,&#...
How to Remap any Controller to Keyboard Keys on Windows and MacOS
Many PC and Mac games treat the keyboard as a first-class citizen and have poor support for game controllers. You can remap your controller buttons to keyboard key presses to get around this limitation....
Why Does Windows 10 Update So Much?
Microsoft says Windows 10 is a “service,” and the company updates it frequently with security patches, bug fixes, and new features. Updates normally happen automatically in the background, so let’s demystify...
How Are CPUs Actually Made?
While the way CPUs work may seem like magic, it’s the result of decades of clever engineering. As transistors—the building blocks of any microchip—shrink to microscopic scales, the way they are produced grow...
What is a Smarthome?
Any home can be a smarthome, whether it’s a studio apartment or a mansion. It’s the powerful connections that make it smart. Here’s what you need to know about smarthomes—and how to start putting your ...
How to Bring Your Smarthome Outside
When you think of a smarthome, you might envision the interior with color-changing lights, smart plugs, and voice assistants, but don’t forget about your yard and patio. You can bring your smarthome outdoors in some fun...
How to Add Data to the Health App’s Today Screen on iPhone
Apple’s focus on health doesn’t end with the Apple Watch. The Health app on your iPhone is a treasure trove of information, but some of it can be hard to find. Why not set up favorites to make it more accessible?...
What is an APN, and How Do I Change it on my Android Phone?
Android gives users a whole lot of customization options, some of which are useful for everyone, while others are just for power users. One of these lower level settings is the Access Point Name—better known as the APN....
What Is Wireless HDMI and Should You Use It?
Wireless HDMI products have been around for almost a decade, but they haven’t gained a lot of popularity. But how does Wireless HDMI work, and should you buy Wireless HDMI products for your home?...
What Is a Monitor’s Response Time, and Why Does It Matter?
When you’re shopping for a new monitor, you’ll be inundated with a lot of technical specs. And while things like the screen size and resolution are fairly obvious, there’s another important factor that isn&#...
What Are USB Gen 1, Gen 2, and Gen 2×2?
Finding the fastest USB connection used to be easy: choose USB 3.0 instead of 2.0. But now, you’ll need to know the difference between USB 3.2 Gen 1, Gen 2, and Gen 2×2—and what various types of “SuperSpeed...
What Are NVMe Drives, and Should You Buy One?
The biggest upgrade you can make to your old PC is faster storage. Other components like the CPU and GPU have certainly improved in the last decade, but everyone will appreciate faster storage.
Can Smart Thermostats Ruin Your Furnace?
It may sound preposterous, but some people are afraid smart thermostats are bad for heating and air conditioning systems. Here’s the good news: You don’t have much to worry about, but there are some important thin...
How to See Which Apps Are Tracking Your Location on iPhone
Apps on your iPhone can track your location, but you have to give them access first. Here’s how to check which apps can monitor your GPS location and revoke their access.
Early Adopter Pain Is Real, But We Need It For Progress
New tech products are usually expensive, semi-useless, and buggy. When describing the feeling of first-generation tech, a certain phrase comes to mind. No, it isn’t “buyers remorse,” it’s “early ...
What Is DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)?
The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is integral to networks and controls what IP addresses devices receive so they can communicate with the internet. Usually, IP assignment is automated, but if you need static IPs,...
What Is SD Express and How Much Faster Is It?
SD cards are about to get bigger and faster. The new SD Express standard will increase the maximum capacity and speed significantly. SD Express cards are backward compatible with your current hardware, but you’ll need ...
What’s New in Chrome 73, Arriving March 12
Chrome 73 is set to hit the stable channel on March 12, 2019. Google’s new browser update features the beginnings of a built-in dark mode, tab grouping, media key support, and more picture-in-picture powers....
How to Save Screenshots of the Chrome OS Login Screen
There may not be a whole lot of reasons to take screenshots of the login screen on your Chromebook. If you ever need to, however, it’s a needlessly lengthy process. Here’s how to do it.
What Is Post-Production or Post-Processing in Photography and Videography?
You’ve probably heard the terms “post-production,” “post-processing,” or simply “post” about movies but they also apply—and are equally important—to photography. Let’s break down what they mean....
How to Transfer a Windows 10 License to Another Computer
If you’ve ever built a computer and purchased a Windows license, you probably don’t want to buy another license for your next one. With the slmgr command, it’s possible to deactivate your old PC and then ac...
4 Smarthome Hubs You’ve Never Heard Of (And Why You Shouldn’t Use Them)
Hubs are often the backbone of the smarthome, and you can pick from an extensive list of hub manufacturers. But not all smarthomes are made equal, and not all are worth your consideration. Here’s a few to skip....
How to Connect Any Console Game Controller to a Windows PC or Mac
Console controllers don’t always work as soon as you plug them into a Windows PC or Mac. We’ve compiled a list of guides so you can learn how to make your favorite controller work with your computer....
How to Use Logical Functions in Excel: IF, AND, OR, XOR, NOT
Logical functions are some of the most popular and useful in Excel. They can test values in other cells and perform actions dependent upon the result of the test. This helps us to automate tasks in our spreadsheets....
