Pocket-lint - Software

5 useful ChatGPT Chrome extensions

Jack Ryan — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 13:01:29 GMT

AI chatbots can be an incredible tool to help you work not only faster but more efficiently as well. With that in mind, there's no better way to access them than through your browser. There are a ton of different Chrome extensions out there that let you access AI chatbots as you browse the web.

How to set up and play Apple Music on Amazon Fire TV devices

Elyse Betters Picaro — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 12:30:33 GMT

You might not realise it, but Fire TV devices aren't just for watching TV and movies - they can also play music through Apple Music.

How to watch Meta Connect 2023 and everything we're expecting to be announced

Max Freeman-Mills — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 17:16:28 GMT

Meta is by far the biggest name in augmented and virtual reality - its Quest headsets are the most affordable and simple way into the world of VR for most people.

How to fast-forward a TikTok video to watch it at 2x speed

Elyse Betters Picaro — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 05:06:48 GMT

TikTok has evolved over the past few years from a platform for consuming bite-sized video content to a go-to source for lengthier videos, which can stretch up to 10 minutes. If you want to skip through the lengthy narratives and get to the good stuff, TikTok has a hidden trick for you: 2x playback speed.

WhatsApp is finally coming to the iPad, here's how it will work

Oliver Haslam — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 16:03:17 GMT

There's no bones about it. Using WhatsApp on an iPad is a bit of a farce right now because you have to mess around using the web app rather than a real app - because there isn't one. Not yet, but that might be about to change.

How to turn off broadcast notifications on Instagram

Adam Davidson — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 13:45:31 GMT

Instagram notifications are a useful way to keep track of what's happening on the app. You can get notifications if someone follows you or likes or comments on one of your posts. You can get notifications if someone sends you a message or mentions you, or even when someone you follow goes live. There comes a point, however, when all of these notifications start to get overwhelming. This is particularly true with broadcast channel notifications. As more and more people start their own broadcast channels, your smartphone can soon get bombarded with notifications that you have very little interest in.

How to customise your Google Chrome browser

Abhinav Lal — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 19:24:54 GMT

Chrome for desktop is getting a new look for its 15th birthday, in line with Google's Material You design language. With the overhaul, the company is also introducing new features that help you personalise the browser further. Alongside, it is getting a revamped menu with easier access to the most commonly used options. In addition, the browser will receive improvements to the inbuilt search functions and Safe Browsing. The Chrome Web Store has also been re-imagined under the Material You philosophy. Read on for more details on how to customise your Google Chrome browser.

How to use Google Bard to help you write better emails and better Docs

Jules Wang — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 16:52:08 GMT

Google's competitor to ChatGPT, Bard, has existed in a vacuum since its launch earlier in 2023. With Bard's September update, Google added Extensions to help create travel plans or improve the emails and documents you draft. If you're curious about Google Bard Extensions, here's what we've discovered so far.

What are Telegram Stories and how do you use them?

Dave LeClair — Sat, 16 Sep 2023 20:00:27 GMT

Stories have quickly become one of the most popular ways to share quick photos and videos on social media. Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, and just about every other service under the sun has some form of story-sharing feature. Now, Telegram, one of the most popular messaging services, has added the feature to share quick snippets and photos with your contacts just like you would elsewhere. It's easy to use and serves as a fun way to interact with the people you're already chatting with.

How to use Siri with Apple Health and what you can you ask it to do?

Adam Davidson — Sat, 16 Sep 2023 17:00:26 GMT

The Apple Watch Series 9 features a powerful new S9 chip that powers a number of new features that aren't available on older models. For example, the new double tap gesture is only supported on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, although you can get a very similar feature on older Apple Watches.

What is Microsoft Copilot? Microsoft's AI explained

Adrian Willings — Sat, 16 Sep 2023 16:20:27 GMT

AI is about to change everything, Google focused on AI for almost the entirety of its I/O 2023 keynote, and Microsoft did the same at Build.

How to delete Snapchat: The quickest and easiest method

Elyse Betters Picaro — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 19:30:29 GMT

Are you trying to delete your Snapchat account and can't figure out how? It's actually fairly simple, we'll take you through the steps so you can get rid of Snap and move on with your day.

What are WhatsApp channels and how do they work?

Max Freeman-Mills — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 20:30:29 GMT

WhatsApp is no stranger to new features and additions to its settings, and that's just what Channels represent - a new way to use WhatsApp that has been in testing for quite a long time.

11 secret Google Maps tips and tricks to try

Jules Wang — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 15:00:29 GMT

Google Maps: a mapping app so ubiquitous and useful that even iPhone and iPad owners still, to this day, prefer it against Apple Maps. You may be a pro at pinching and dragging your fingertips across the app, but we think you might be missing out on a few features. So, here we are to show you them.

What is Temu, who owns it, and is it safe to buy from?

Elyse Betters Picaro — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 19:30:26 GMT

There is a new shopping website and app going viral. Called Temu, you might've seen it in recent Google searches or in ads on Facebook and Instagram.

How to use the new AI proofread feature in Gboard

Jules Wang — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 11:01:27 GMT

Spelling and grammar checks while you're pecking away on your phone have only been as useful as your willingness to slow down, trail back, and fix your mistakes one by one. That's not conducive behaviour in our world of instant messaging and urgent replies, but we've all seen screenshots of the major faux pas that have gone out to the chagrin of the sender. So, what's Google's keyboard app, Gboard, doing about it? Apparently, it's creating a magic button.

How to share screen on WhatsApp

Max Freeman-Mills — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 21:35:26 GMT

WhatsApp has been ramping up the addition of handy new features in recent times, such as being able to edit messages at last, and another very handy new feature could be on the way.

How to use search on Threads

Adam Davidson — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 18:30:27 GMT

When Mark Zuckerberg's Meta launched its new microblogging app Threads, it's fair to say that it went pretty well. Within just five days, there were already over 100 million users, thanks in no small part to the ability to set up Threads using an existing Instagram account.

Our 10 picks for the best Google Chrome extensions

Jules Wang — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 16:01:29 GMT

Travelling across the internet isn't such a boring experience when you're using browser extensions. They can help you do anything from spotting a better price on a product to utilising time saving shortcuts - whether it's adding an Open In link to your favourite program from a right-click menu or full-blown macros. Many developers serve up extensions for Google Chrome because they also work with other web browsers that use the Chromium engine, like Microsoft Edge and Opera. We've got our picks for the ten best extensions for a faster and smoother browser experience.

Pico 4 tips, tricks and hidden features: Get the most from your new VR headset

Luke Baker — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 13:36:29 GMT

We're huge fans of the Pico 4. Not only does it step things up a notch with optical quality and comfort, but it does so as one of the most affordable VR headsets on the market today.

WhatsApp is getting ready to support iMessage and more as EU bares its teeth

Oliver Haslam — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 10:07:41 GMT

The hugely popular instant messaging platform WhatsApp appears to be getting its ducks in a row, ready to open its apps up to support for third-party messaging services like Apple's iMessage. The move comes as the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA) gets ready to come into force in March 2024.

How much is ChatGPT Plus and what does the ChatGPT subscription get you?

Elyse Betters Picaro — Sun, 10 Sep 2023 21:35:28 GMT

In case you didn't know, OpenAI has a paid version of its popular ChatGPT AI chatbot. Although the basic service is still accessible for free, for those seeking additional benefits such as priority access during peak hours, swifter response times, and more, the ChatGPT Plus subscription plan is available. Here's what you need to know about this new offering.

Best iPhone apps: The ultimate guide

Corey Picaro — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 16:30:28 GMT

There are thousands of iOS apps to choose from - so many, in fact, that it can be hard to suss out which ones are worth downloading to try.

Procreate Dreams app turns your iPad into a powerful 2D animation studio

Cam Bunton — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 16:00:28 GMT

When iPad first got Pencil support, Procreate was among the first apps to make the most of the smooth display and the advanced connected stylus, opening up a world of possibilities for digital artists on one of the most popular tablets in the world.

This secret setting will make your Instagram photos and reels look so much better

Adam Davidson — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 15:22:27 GMT

Instagram is an app that's built around visuals. Whether you're posting an endless stream of selfies, or impeccably shot reels of your perfect pancake recipe, your content is intended to be seen, so you'll want it to look as good as possible. If you're using the high-quality camera on your smartphone, you'd expect your Instagram posts to be equally high-quality, too. That's why you may be disappointed to learn that Instagram could be secretly reducing the quality of your photos or videos when you upload them to the app. That's right, an app designed for visual content is actively reducing the quality of that content, by default. Thanks a lot, Mark Zuckerberg.

WhatsApp Web and Desktop: How do you use them?

Britta O'Boyle — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 23:20:26 GMT

Messaging service WhatsApp has both web and desktop apps, offering yet another way to make it as easy as possible to keep up to date with all your WhatsApp messages throughout the day.

How to change the sound quality on Amazon Music and is there Dolby Atmos music?

Max Freeman-Mills — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 19:30:27 GMT

Amazon Music might not have quite the same brand value boasted by the likes of Spotify, but it's still a pretty excellent music streaming service.

Apple wants iPhone and iPad apps to boost Vision Pro App Store options at launch

Oliver Haslam — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 09:58:47 GMT

Apple is getting ready to launch the new Vision Pro headset in the first part of 2024 and now it's keen to make sure that early adopters aren't short of new apps to try.

Android is slowly taking over your car and we're only just getting started

Chris Hall — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 18:00:28 GMT

Android. It's a name that will make some shake with fear, especially if you're reading this on your iPhone 14 Pro. Spawning a family of different platforms, Android has grown into a big player in smartphones, tablets, entertainment devices - and also cars. But this isn't part of a tribal platform war, and the automotive sector's gradual adoption of Android is something that should be welcomed.

Google is finally giving Android's most useful widget a makeover

Jules Wang — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 17:04:48 GMT

Google's At a Glance widget has been a mainstay on Android home screens since the days of the first Pixel phone. It's a handy Swiss army knife of information from the weather to calendar and alarm notifications to trip times that changes its appearance when your needs arise. Now, after six years of looking more or less the same as it has, the company is announcing among a number of other improvements that the widget is getting a brand new coat of paint.

How to cancel Amazon Music

Max Freeman-Mills — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 21:30:27 GMT

Amazon Music has been a mainstay in the streaming world for quite a while now but, like all subscription services, there might come a time when you'd like to cancel your subscription.

As Google turns 25 here are 8 essential features and one big dumpster fire

Chris Hall — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 15:09:18 GMT

Google was founded on 4 September 1998 at Menlo Park in California, meaning that today the company turns 25. There has been plenty to celebrate along the way and no shortage of wins for Google. The company has grown to be hugely significant in many people's lives, being used daily for a number of core products.

How to use your WhatsApp QR code to share your contact details

Adam Davidson — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 19:00:28 GMT

WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps out there. If you want to share your contact details with someone so that you can chat on WhatsApp, you can laboriously swap numbers on your phones, or you can do it the easy way by sharing your WhatsApp QR code. By scanning the code, the other person can quickly add your contact details to WhatsApp, and you can start chatting in no time. If you want people to be able to quickly add you on WhatsApp, then here's how use your WhatsApp QR code to share your contact details.

Best apps for travel: download these apps for a smooth sailing trip away

Yasmine Crossland — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 18:30:27 GMT

Heading off on vacation and want to make sure you're fully prepared? As well as packing your bag with all the essentials (don't forget to take enough socks) you'll need to make sure that your phone is ready to go too. There are some apps that you're bound to make use of on a daily basis, and others you might not have heard of that will become new favourites.

How to back up Google Photos Locked Folders to access from any device

Max Freeman-Mills — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 18:30:27 GMT

Google added a handy feature a few years ago to let you keep some things private - Locked Folder for Google Photos.

What is TikTok and how does it work?

Elyse Betters Picaro — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 20:56:28 GMT

TikTok has taken over the world - what was once a niche app for teens has now become one of the world's pre-eminent content-sharing platforms, launching careers and viral trends.

I drove a BMW M4 Competition wearing a VR headset and it's the closest to real-life Mario Kart that you'll get

Chris Hall — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 15:00:27 GMT

There was no shortage of anticipation as I dropped the VR headset over my eyes, plunging me into an alternative reality. The five-point harness of the BMW M4 Competition held me against the rigid racing seat, in a Ready Player One reality that I wasn't expecting. BMW had invited me to Sokolov to look at a range of advanced technologies being tested at the Future Mobility Development Center: surely taking my life into my own virtual hands wasn't part of the package?

How to make WhatsApp video calls on your Mac

Max Freeman-Mills — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 11:31:26 GMT

WhatsApp has been a stalwart messaging app for ages, but only in the last couple of years has it really started to step up its game when it comes to desktop apps.

The most famous internet memes of all time

Adrian Willings — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 17:21:26 GMT

The Oxford English Dictionary defines "meme" as "an image, video, piece of text, typically humorous in nature, that is copied and spread rapidly by internet users, often with slight variations."

What is the best time to post on Instagram?

Max Freeman-Mills — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 11:45:26 GMT

Instagram has long been a superb way to share photos and video with your friends and followers, and it's a key part of any influencer's arsenal as well as a great social network for those with lower aspirations.

How to hide your Instagram activity or online status, and check if someone is active

Elyse Betters Picaro — Sun, 27 Aug 2023 12:25:28 GMT

Instagram has quite a few similarities to other social media and chat platforms, including Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp. Features are constantly added, including options like "Show Activity Status".

Everything you need to know about your Apple Music listening history

Adam Davidson — Sun, 27 Aug 2023 08:37:28 GMT

You've been listening to your Apple Music Discovery station and have fallen in love with one of the songs you heard. Unfortunately, you forgot to check what the song was called or who it was by, and you're worried that your new favourite song is lost forever.

What is Snapchat and how does it work?

Elyse Betters Picaro — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 20:05:29 GMT

Snapchat has changed a lot in recent years. Frequent updates mean the app looks and works nothing like it once did.

What is Slack and how does it work? Plus plenty of Slack tips and tricks

Elyse Betters Picaro — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 12:56:26 GMT

Slack is a messaging app that almost every workplace group seems to be using, but you're likely reading this now because - for whatever reason - you feel left out of the loop and want to know what all the fuss is about.

What is Twitch? The giant streaming platform explained

Max Freeman-Mills — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 23:30:26 GMT

Far from its early days, Twitch is now an absolutely massive platform full of creators whose fame is sometimes a little hard to comprehend.

How to quickly add a boarding pass to Google Wallet with a screenshot

Jules Wang — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 22:00:26 GMT

We're fortunate enough to live in an age where mobile payments are accepted at most places we shop. A couple of major exceptions are bulky physical boarding passes and loyalty cards, which still exist for one reason or another.

How to send high quality photos and video in WhatsApp

Jules Wang — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 00:13:53 GMT

WhatsApp is opening up the data floodgates by releasing a new option for its billions of users to send "HD quality" photos and videos to their family, friends, and chat groups. For once, the pictures you share on the app don't have to be so potato-like. So, how do you turn this option on? And is there a reason why you might not want to do that? We've got the answers you're looking for.

What are WhatsApp stickers and how do they work?

Max Freeman-Mills — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 22:46:28 GMT

Stickers have become a common sight across a wide range of apps, letting you react to messages, notes and more with funny and zany little images, and in many cases letting you create your own.

Facebook Messenger tips and tricks: 23 features to try now

Elyse Betters Picaro — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 21:30:30 GMT

Facebook has confirmed that more than a billion people use Messenger every month, so Pocket-lint is rounding up some of the most interesting things you can do with the messaging app that's taken over the world.

How to use WhatsApp on two phones

Britta O'Boyle — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 15:40:28 GMT

For years, one of the biggest bugbears we've had with WhatsApp is that you could only use it on one phone at a time. Yes, you could use WhatsApp on additional devices, like your Mac or PC by using WhatsApp Web or WhatsApp Desktop, but you couldn't use it on two phones at the same time. Instead, you'd have to log out of one phone before you could sign into another, requiring you to back up all your chats. It was a lot of effort and quite frankly, a huge pain.

What is Steam? Valve's PC gaming platform explained

Max Freeman-Mills — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 15:00:26 GMT

If you're a big PC gamer, there's absolutely no way you haven't heard of Steam. Valve's platform has gone from an interesting way to buy games to basically the dominant force in the market, over the course of a couple of decades.

What is Google's AI-powered Search Experience (SGE) and how do you use it?

Jules Wang — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 21:42:54 GMT

Generative artificial intelligence has been an attention suck of the tech industry for years. It was buzzword-worthy before crypto's short-lived heyday, and with ChatGPT, Bing Chat, and now Google's SGE - that's Search Generative Experience to you - it has exploded onto the scene like it never did before. So, what is SGE, and how do you use it? We'll try and explain.

How to cancel Disney+ and avoid the price increase

Max Freeman-Mills — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 20:30:25 GMT

Disney+ has been a new stalwart in the streaming market for a few years now, but it's no stranger to a price hike or the removal of a formerly prized bit of content.

Best VR Headsets in 2023

Chris Hall — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 11:00:23 GMT

With virtual reality breaking through some long-standing barriers in recent years, there's never been a better time to pick up a VR headset.

How to stream Spotify on two phones at the same time

Jules Wang — Fri, 11 Aug 2023 20:21:26 GMT

Netflix has put the squeeze on its subscribers as would-be freeloaders tapping into one account are being pulled apart and left to pay up or go without. Seeing how many new signups the company was able to achieve, Disney+ plans on doing the same thing soon. With the streaming apocalypse seemingly upon us, we want to point out a hot tip that Spotify listeners can use (at least until when the execs catch on).

50 secret WhatsApp tips and tricks you might not know about

Britta O'Boyle — Fri, 11 Aug 2023 09:31:25 GMT

There are now heaps of messaging services around - like Signal and Telegram - but WhatsApp has stacks of features and is extremely widely used - the Meta-owned app claims to have over two billion users worldwide, which is pretty staggering.

How to delete a page in Google Docs and other useful tips

Adrian Willings — Thu, 10 Aug 2023 12:46:33 GMT

If you've ever worked on a document in the cloud, there's a pretty strong chance you've done it on Google Docs - a tool from Google that's just perfect for sharing and collaborating with others easily, and much more besides.

Disney+ is about to hike its prices - do this now to avoid the increase

Max Freeman-Mills — Thu, 10 Aug 2023 09:10:49 GMT

Disney is about to perform a pretty major reshuffle of how its pricing works, making things predictably more expensive and spreading its ad-supported plan to a whole bunch more countries.

What are WhatsApp voice chats and how will they work?

Max Freeman-Mills — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 21:15:26 GMT

WhatsApp is a brilliant way to stay in touch with people, between group chats and individual message threads, but in recent years it's also started to become better and better for group calls.

What is OneDrive, how much storage do you get, and is it for you?

Jules Wang — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 21:15:25 GMT

You can get all the local storage you want, but if you forget to bring a portable drive or a laptop along with you on a trip, it's no good to you. So it goes that cloud storage is a great tool to have in your belt. For Windows users, Microsoft OneDrive is definitely going to be one of your top choices. Here's what you need to know about it.

How to scroll on TikTok hands-free with voice commands

Elyse Betters Picaro — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 17:52:25 GMT

Ever wish you could put your phone down while using TikTok? It's a little tedious having to physically swipe through every video. Sometimes you just want to prop up your phone and let the feed play, with TikTok serving up new video after new video. The ability to use TikTok hands-free would be such a game-changer for multitasking.

What is Apple Music Discovery Station, what does it offer and how can you get it?

Adam Davidson — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 17:20:26 GMT

Are you bored of listening to the same old music? Do you wish you could find more great music to listen to, but don't have any idea where to start? Apple Music's new feature may just be able to help.

How to create an AI LinkedIn headshot with this viral TikTok trend

Elyse Betters Picaro — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 05:19:44 GMT

Viral TikTok trends are often fleeting, but every so often, there's a gem that's both fun and practical. The AI LinkedIn headshot-generation trend is one such rare find. If you've ever grimaced at the cost and uncertainty of a professional photoshoot for a LinkedIn picture, this trend might be your saving grace.

How to see who's following you on Facebook

Max Freeman-Mills — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 22:40:27 GMT

Facebook is one of the longest-lasting and most widespread social media platforms out there, and its system of friends and connections means you can build up quite a web of people to talk to and follow.

How to send video messages in WhatsApp

Max Freeman-Mills — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 17:23:27 GMT

Like many other big apps, WhatsApp is constantly testing new features and user experiences to give you new options as you message groups and individuals, and its beta apps make it easier to see what might be coming down the pike.

How to use spatial audio on Microsoft Teams

Adam Davidson — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 21:02:26 GMT

Do you ever lose track of who's speaking during a Microsoft Teams meeting? Someone throws out a great idea, but they did so before you clocked who was speaking, and now it feels a little rude to ask.

What is YouTube Multiview and how can you use it?

Jules Wang — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 20:00:23 GMT

Google's ambitions for YouTube have gone far beyond cat videos, memes, and even the terrific creators that have built empires on the video-sharing site. YouTube TV, for example, is giving Sling and the likes of cable and satellite operators a run for their money. But the real cash streams in this industry are in live sports, and Google seems to realize that it's not just about the games themselves. It is slowly rolling out a multiview feature for fans of several sports leagues in the United States. Here's what you need to know about it.

What is Gboard? Tips and tricks for the best Android keyboard

Jules Wang — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 13:13:06 GMT

If you own an Android device, there's a good chance you're using Gboard. We think Google's keyboard app is the best the platform has to offer for most people as it's packed full of goodies to make stickers, GIFs, copying, and pasting easy. But while you might have turned on a few features in the settings, we have a few favourites you might want to turn on and take for a spin.

How to use Photoshop Generative Fill: Use AI on your images

Max Freeman-Mills — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 14:15:26 GMT

Articificial intelligence is exploding at the moment, with more uses for it appearing on the market all the time, but plenty of them are actually quite hard to get your virtual hands on.

Apple Music tips and tricks: Get more from the music streaming service

Adam Davidson — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 18:57:26 GMT

Apple Music is one of the most popular music streaming services out there, second only to Spotify, the app that really started the music streaming revolution. If you use Apple devices such as iPhones, Macs, or HomePods, Apple Music is a great choice as it integrates perfectly across all of your Apple devices. There's an impressive a catalogue of more than 100 million songs, and you can listen to most of it in high-definition lossless audio, too.

Alexa for Windows 10 and 11: What can it do?

Elyse Betters Picaro — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 12:46:26 GMT

Amazon's Alexa app for Windows enables you to use Alexa completely hands-free - just as you would if you were talking to an Alexa smart speaker.

WhatsApp Instant Video Messages are here and this is how to use them

Dave LeClair — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 21:01:26 GMT

In the messaging world, WhatsApp is consistently among the most popular options, and Meta frequently updates it with new features. Now, it has received a cool new feature called Instant Video Messages that helps make a text-based conversation come alive with video messages. Much like voice messages have allowed a different form of communication on the service, video messages will open new ways for friends and families to have fun chatting while actually getting to see each other.

Meta Quest 2 tips and tricks: How to get more out of your VR headset

Adrian Willings — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 12:00:25 GMT

The Meta Quest 2 is a great VR headset that's highly flexible and a lot of fun to play with. There are a few things you can do to get even more out of it though, so we're here with some tips and tricks to help you make the most of your favourite VR device.

How to download a Twitter video on X

Adam Davidson — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 11:11:33 GMT

Twitter's name change has brought a lot of questions. Can you still use the word 'tweet'? Why is Twitter Blue not called X Blue? And most frequently: What were you thinking, Elon? Thankfully, the questionable name isn't the only change that has come to the microblogging platform.

How to use Bing Chat on Safari

Adam Davidson — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 23:08:25 GMT

It's fair to say that AI has blown up. From the moment that the power of ChatGPT first reached the masses, you haven't been able to go anywhere or read anything without AI being mentioned at some point.

How to customise your Threads feed: Get rid of suggested posts

Adam Davidson — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 19:45:00 GMT

It's fair to say that the launch of the microblogging app Threads was something of a success. According to Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg, there were 30 million sign-ups in the first 24 hours alone. The app hit 100 million users in less than a week, making it the fastest-growing social media platform in history.

What is Amazon Prime Try Before You Buy and how does it work?

Max Freeman-Mills — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 17:55:25 GMT

Prime Try Before You Buy is a renaming of an older Amazon program - Prime Wardrobe. The feature first launched in 2018 following the now-discontinued Amazon Echo Look. While the Echo Look - which allowed you to take a photo of your outfit and then get recommendations on what to wear - is no longer supported, Prime Wardrobe service still exists under its new label, Try Before You Buy.

A guide to getting started on Threads, plus tips and tricks

Adam Davidson — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 17:20:26 GMT

Meta, the tech giant behind some of the most popular apps in the world, including Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, has a new target in its sights. It's identified a gap in the market for a microblogging site just like Twitter, that's a little bit less… musky.

What are the differences between Threads and Twitter?

Jules Wang — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 16:55:49 GMT

Nothing has driven fast, smart, global conversations like Twitter for the past decade and change. Shifting winds, however, are now pointing millions away from Elon Musk's platform - which may or may not actually fully become X - and over toward Mark Zuckerberg's Threads.

How to use Bing Chat on Chrome

Max Freeman-Mills — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 09:03:59 GMT

Bing Chat has been an interesting entrant to the AI predictive text world - it might not have arrived with the same enormous wave of publicity as the likes of ChatGPT, but it's a lot easier to access and is just as good in most key ways.

How to create a text post on TikTok

Jules Wang — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 00:27:41 GMT

The social video site TikTok may consider itself to be the self-expression capital of the internet. Still, while it's been the domain for endless streams of vertical videos, it lacked something from nearly all the other sites worldwide for the longest time: text posts. Threads and X (the artist formerly known as Twitter) are vying to make them hot again, and it seems the Chinese-owned platform has finally decided to join in. If you want to tap out long prose for your followers, here's how you can do that on TikTok.

How to cancel Spotify Premium and avoid the price increase

Oliver Haslam — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 21:37:26 GMT

After all of the rumours it's now been confirmed — Spotify is getting more expensive. But that doesn't mean that you have to pay for it.

Elon Musk has killed Twitter, but not in the way everyone expected

Oliver Haslam — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 11:50:31 GMT

Twitter owner and former CEO Elon Musk has announced that the social network has a new name. In a change that he'd been alluding to for some time, Twitter is now called X and that's the branding that is now starting to take over the company's website.

ChatGPT on Android: How to get it and what does it offer

Max Freeman-Mills — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:26:28 GMT

ChatGPT has exploded in the last year to become one of the hottest products in tech, and with good reason - its AI text prediction model feels amazing to interact with and contributed massively to the ongoing AI boom.Now, as part of its efforts to become easier to use, ChatGPT is getting a native Android app. We've got all the details you need to know, right here.

Apple iMessage tips and tricks

Britta O'Boyle — Sun, 23 Jul 2023 13:04:26 GMT

Messages is Apple's messaging app available for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Mac, but it isn't just for SMS messages and iMessages, there are a multitude of features within the app, and more coming when iOS 17 launches later this year.

How to use WhatsApp on your Wear OS smartwatch

Jules Wang — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 18:30:25 GMT

When your phone is too bothersome to pull out or even carry while on a run, your Wear OS smartwatch comes to the rescue. It can route music to your earbuds, keep track of where you're headed, and, for the first time, let you keep in touch on WhatsApp! Here's what you need to know about the Meta-owned messaging service's first smartwatch app.

How to WhatsApp without saving a number

Adam Davidson — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 15:09:59 GMT

WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world. Whatever your opinion of the app's privacy policy, there is no doubt that WhatsApp is incredibly easy to use for messaging, group chats, voice and video calls, and more. There have always been one or two quirks of the app that have made it more awkward to use than it needed to be, however.

Best productivity apps 2023: Work smarter, not harder

Adam Davidson — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 16:55:21 GMT

We all head back to school with the best of intentions. This year is going to be the year when we really knuckle down and work more efficiently, instead of saving it all until the last minute. Sadly, those good intentions can quickly go astray.

How to force Google Chrome to show any website in dark mode

Luke Baker — Sat, 15 Jul 2023 12:00:21 GMT

Chrome can be easily switched into dark mode, giving you an experience that's far easier on the eyes for those late-night Google searches. What's more, Chrome can even force websites with a light theme to display inverted colours, giving you a dark background and light-coloured text.

How to turn on dark mode in Snapchat, both iOS and Android

Luke Baker — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 14:05:18 GMT

You can't beat dark mode, not only does it preserve battery life on your phone, but it prevents you from searing your eyeballs when you're squeezing in those few last DMs before bed.

What is Amazon Kindle Unlimited and how does it work?

Elyse Betters Picaro — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 13:16:47 GMT

Amazon Kindle Unlimited allows subscribers to download and read an unlimited quantity of ebooks and audiobooks for a set monthly fee - not too dissimilar to services like Netflix and Spotify, but it's for books rather than movies or music. If you're a Kindle owner and you're wondering whether to sign up for the Kindle Unlimited service, this guide is a rundown of everything you need to know about it, including how much it costs, whether there is a free trial and what kind of books are available.

What is Google's NotebookLM and how can you try it?

Jules Wang — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 19:20:19 GMT

SparkNotes, CliffsNotes, WestLaw, and For Dummies have had their time, but when it comes to research in this day and age, people are beginning to turn to generative artificial intelligence for help, and the results can be unimpressive, to say the least. Google wants to turn that reputation around with a new app centered around a note-taking language model called NotebookLM. So, how does it work, and can you use it? We've got some answers for you to chew on.

Google Bard: How the ChatGPT alternative works

Elyse Betters Picaro — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 18:01:19 GMT

Google offers a new AI-powered chatbot, called Bard, which is designed to complement its search engine rather than replace it.

What are Avatar Calls and how can you make one using your Meta Avatar?

Jules Wang — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 21:11:56 GMT

When you're out and about, you'll likely see one or two people on their phones in a video call. Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram (yes, including Threads), among other social platforms, wants to elevate the experience for everyone who can use virtual avatars with real-time face tracking during those video calls. So, what's the big deal with Meta's Avatar Calls, and how can you get into one of them?

Is it possible to run Threads on a desktop?

Jules Wang — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 16:45:20 GMT

Millions have flocked to Meta's answer to Twitter, Threads, in its first few days out. While there's plenty of discussion of the higher-level concepts at play, such as what this means for social media, if you're looking to stay with the platform, you might wonder if you can use it on your PC, Mac, or Linux.

How to leave a WhatsApp group without everyone knowing

Max Freeman-Mills — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 13:03:18 GMT

We've all been there - stuck in an active WhatsApp chat, being bombarded by notifications and updates that don't concern us, wishing we could leave without anyone knowing or noticing.

There's a key Threads feature iPhone users are missing out on

Britta O'Boyle — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 11:40:34 GMT

There's a good chance if you haven't been hiding under a rock for the last couple of days, you will have heard something about Threads. The new app - which technically isn't actually brand new as it first launched back in 2019 as something slightly different - comes from Instagram and there's been so much hype about it in the last 48 hours, that it might actually have a chance of becoming a solid alternative to Twitter.

How to backup WhatsApp: Quickly save chat messages

Jules Wang — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 22:00:18 GMT

Most of us are afraid of losing our phones or having them stolen. But for those who use WhatsApp, a lost phone can also mean lost chats, lost pictures, lost documents, and lost memories. Since the app stores all of your messaging data locally on your device, you could be out of luck unless you've made a backup that you can recover from. Here's how to do just that.

How to quickly transfer WhatsApp chats (without a backup)

Jules Wang — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 20:56:51 GMT

WhatsApp has introduced a faster and more convenient method for transferring data between devices within the same operating system, so you can avoid the tedious backup and restore process. But the new local transfer method is limited to iPhone-to-iPhone and Android-to-Android transfers.

How to delete your Twitter account permanently

Max Freeman-Mills — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 13:20:29 GMT

Whether you're just getting a bit caught up in the emotion of online spats, you want to detox your life from digital influences, or you just don't like the direction Elon Musk is taking it, there are plenty of reasons you might want to delete your Twitter account.