Sergeyklopotov/Getty Images Lithium is one of the key components in the rechargeable batteries that power our devices today, but many of us still use those disposable AA batteries to put in our clocks and toothbrushes. One of the main reasons people still use them is that disposable batteries are often designed to stay in cool, dry places for five to ten years, making them perfect for flashlights and other tools you would store in an emergency kit. For some people, that means putting away a giant package they bought from…
Author: Amelia Scott
lilac/Shutterstock Created in 2009, the driving application Waze made a splash not only thanks to its acquisition by Google in 2013, but also for its ability to alert users of certain road conditions thanks to reports provided by its community. Waze can provide users with information about hazards such as bad weather or vehicle accidents in real time, but it also offers the ability to report police presence on the road. Those with a heavy foot may find this useful for avoiding speeding tickets, but the reality is that Waze’s…
Stenko Vlad/Shutterstock We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. No matter who makes an FDM 3D printer or how much it costs, cheap filament won’t give users the results they expect. In my experience, investing in a cheaper 3D printer and buying the right filament is a better choice than buying an expensive printer and using dodgy spools of filament from the weird corners of eBay. Many users, myself included, generally stick with one of the two brands because they simply work. There’s nothing wrong with that…
Hadrian/Shutterstock We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Are you considering investing in an audio system? We applaud your aspiration, but now it’s time to take a look at the dizzying number of sound-emitting devices you’ll have to choose from. Two of the most common options for the average home are bookshelf speakers and soundbars. The former is usually combined with an AV receiver or amplifier, while the latter is more of an all-in-one solution, complete with inputs, outputs and power. Bookshelf speakers have been around much…
Sutthiphorn Phanchart/Getty Images In 1937, British inventor Alec Reeves filed a patent application for an “electrical signaling system” capable of transcoding sound into pulses to be transmitted over a line for later decoding. That’s how digital audio was born – and boy, have we come a long way since then. Moog synthesizers, compact discs, and talk of early VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) clients have given way to crisper, cleaner sound everywhere you go. Music streaming platforms sell subscribers in high-resolution and lossless audio, with many offering the best audio…
Derevianko Dmytro/Getty Images Google uses different colors to highlight key elements of the Google Maps user interface that users should pay attention to. For example, route suggestions are painted in shades of blue, with the main suggestion appearing in dark blue. Likewise, the estimated time of arrival (ETA) may appear in different colors, not all of which may be obvious. If you’ve ever seen the ETA indicator turn black, you may not know what that means. However, black isn’t always bad news for your ETA, depending on where you see…
Galih Yoga Wicaksono/Shutterstock We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Since 2025, all new Apple products use USB-C instead of Lightning connection cables, thus standardizing chargers for smartphone and tablet brands. However, many iPhone and AirPod users still have older ports, which means there are plenty of Lightning cables available for purchase, although fewer than USB-C. In terms of charging speed, data transfer speed and versatility, USB-C cables are clearly superior to Lightning. There is, however, still some debate over whether one type of connector makes for…
If there’s one thing tech companies love, it’s sleek, futuristic design. In the 2000s it was new and exciting, but 20 years later it’s starting to get pretty old. Luckily, some brands agree and have started offering cuter and more visually interesting alternatives. Take UGREEN, for example: it recently unveiled its new 45W charger shaped like a cat wearing a hoodie. It has a removable body to prevent damage to the pins, and you can choose between beige or dark gray variants. There are a few problems: it’s only available in China and has…
When it comes to wireless earbuds, battery life is easily a major consideration for the user. After all, the last thing you want is for your headphones to shut you off in the middle of your train ride home, forcing you to sit in silence instead of enjoying a podcast or doom scrolling on TikTok. If you are looking for a reliable wireless headphone brand to take with you when you are on the go or just relaxing at home, Bose is one of the highly recommended options on the market. Bose offers three…
MBLifestyle/Shutterstock When cleaning digital equipment or disinfecting device surfaces, people often use different chemicals, such as acetic acid diluted in vinegar or an aqueous solution, such as isopropyl alcohol. Choosing the right solution is important because the wrong cleaning solution can do more harm than good. Isopropyl alcohol can be confusing because you can buy it in different percentages, which indicate its purity. The higher the percentage, the less water it contains. For example, 70% isopropyl alcohol contains 30% water and the rest is alcohol. You will typically see 70%,…