Tag Archives: iphone

Apple’s new AirPods Pro spatial audio feature is here, and it lives up to the hype

When I first updated my iPhone 11 Pro to iOS 14 to try out Apple’s new spatial audio feature, I was a bit mystified. “Not sure what’s going on,” I wrote a colleague. “I seem to have the new firmware [3A283] on AirPods Pro. It says I have spatial audio. But what some people are …

Read More »

Share your screen on Facebook Messenger for iPhone and Android, here’s how

Facebook’s Messenger chat platform now includes screen sharing for iOS and Android mobile devices, expanding its video chat features given the many people still working and socializing from home as coronavirus cases spike across the US. Adding screen sharing to both Messenger video calls and Facebook’s new video chat platform, Messenger Rooms, helps Facebook better compete with popular services such as …

Read More »

Make your iPad more like a Mac. How to use Apple’s new iPadOS 14 features

There’s an argument to be made that the iPad is actually a computer, just not in the traditional sense. It easily switches from a flat slab of glass you can tap and sketch on with a fingertip or Apple Pencil, to a laptop-like device, complete with a keyboard and trackpad when you need to get work done.  Apple’s iPadOS 14 adds …

Read More »

Powerbeats Pro: 9 tips and tricks to get the most out of Apple’s wireless earbuds

Apple’s Powerbeats Pro wireless earbuds look very different than the AirPods Pro, but that’s just because they’re designed for people who are more active and need something to wear while working out. They have sweat and water-resistance built-in, so it’s a natural fit for fitness buffs.  And yet, these colorful earbuds have a lot more in common than Apple’s AirPods …

Read More »

The 2 Apple Watch features that changed my mind about smartwatches

I haven’t always been a fan of the Apple Watch. I bought one as soon as it went on sale in 2015 hoping it would blow me away, but it ended up spending more time in my drawer than on my wrist. It took three more years and the addition of two key features — LTE and the ECG app …

Read More »

Does fast charging affect battery life? 6 phone battery questions, answered

Does your phone last all day on a single charge? How about a year from now? Battery anxiety is real, and if you’re contemplating a new phone like the Motorola Razr, Samsung Galaxy Note 20 or the upcoming iPhone 12, its battery life is an increasingly important factor in deciding if that device is worth the money. As we expect …

Read More »

Apple Watch Series 5 vs. Series 3: Apple’s older smartwatch models have a lot to offer

You’ve decided you need an Apple Watch in your life, but now the question is which one? Apple recently unveiled the Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch SE, discontinuing the Series 5 at the same time (though the Series 3 is still available). With the discontinuation came drastic price reductions for the Series 5, which you can currently get …

Read More »

iPhone XR vs. XS: The choice ultimately comes down to the camera

If you’re deciding between the iPhone XS and its cheaper, more colorful sibling, your choice ultimately comes down to the camera. The iPhone XS (which has been discontinued, but which you can still find refurbished from outlets like Back Market) and iPhone XR (which starts at $599) share a lot of the same specs, but the XS has two lenses on …

Read More »

Review: Pixel 4A officially has the best camera for the money

Update, Aug. 17, 2021: Google has unveiled the Pixel 5A with 5G, which we have reviewed. Original story follows. Google revealed the Pixel 4A earlier this month, a new budget phone that will sit alongside the Pixel 4A 5G and the Pixel 5. Though the latter two will be available at a later date, you can already preorder the Pixel 4A for $349, £349 …

Read More »

Samsung Galaxy Buds Live: 8 tips and tricks to get the most out of your new earbuds

Alongside the Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra, Samsung this month announced a new pair of completely wireless earbuds. The Galaxy Buds Live may look weird, but they have all of the features and specs to compete with Apple’s AirPods ($100 at Amazon).  The Buds Live bring active noise cancellation to drown out background noise, experimental features for improving …

Read More »