Old-school nostalgia and novelty make your old digital camera cool again, but the Yashica Funtastic keychain camera puts a new twist on traditional photo-taking technology. If you’re sentimental, you might agree that capturing a moment doesn’t seem as special when you’re doing it with a smartphone that’s also used for making calls, listening to music, texting, and at least a dozen other activities; this is more important when using a dedicated camera. But you also don’t want to lug around a bulky piece of tech from the early 2000s. That’s where the keychain camera…
Author: Woozad
Olivier Le Moal/Getty Images Everyone is familiar with the necessary system reboot after a software update, but how often do you actually reboot anything outside of these events or when you experience noticeable performance issues? For most people, probably not often. With phones, laptops and game consoles, it’s easier to put them into sleep mode, avoiding a complete shutdown. It’s almost a challenge to see how long you can last. In fact, you should restart your devices more often. Daily is a good habit, regardless of gadget, but you may…
Kaspars Grinvalds/Shutterstock The lock screen is a handy little part of the iPhone’s overall framework, serving as both a simple privacy screen from onlookers and providing a quick overview of any incoming notifications without having to unlock your device. However, the lock screen actually has a decent amount of additional features, if you know where to find them. With the right apps and features, you can quickly activate your camera, access widgets, and load additional features like Siri and Apple Wallet. Learning how to use your iPhone’s lock screen features…
Studio Proxima/Shutterstock We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Robot vacuums offer a lot of convenience to people who want their homes cleaned daily but don’t want to have to do it by hand. These robot vacuums can be programmed to clean on a schedule, even in hard-to-reach areas, in homes with high traffic or where pets shed a lot. While they can save you a ton of time on home maintenance, they can be a significant investment, especially if you opt for mid-range or high-end models…
Skrypnykov Dmytro/Shutterstock We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. If your phone’s USB charging port isn’t working, you may not need to get it repaired. Not only can it cost you money, but also time to get to the store. Instead of asking someone else to repair your smartphone’s USB port for you, you can do it yourself, and it’s not that difficult a task. You need to know some tools and tips to repair the port properly and not damage your phone. You may be able…
Art Sarti/Shutterstock Fiber optic cables, the ingenious cables we rely on to deliver the Internet, are incredibly powerful when it comes to carrying data over long distances. Made from thin strands of glass fibers or plastic fibers, fiber optic cables work by projecting light toward one end and then bouncing it back along the cable via the outer covering. This is called “total internal reflection,” which relies on light not being absorbed by said coating, allowing data to travel even further. Once you arrive at your destination, it is up…
Michchenko Svitlana/Shutterstock Impulse purchases are not good for a budget. This is when you see something relatively new and buy it right away, without much thought. Basically, you buy on impulse. This might be driven by a new product release, general FOMO, or maybe you saw a neighbor or friend with the item and wanted it right then and there. Everyone does it. Impulsive purchases can certainly hamper a budget, but they can also cause buyer’s remorse. To avoid regrets, balance the scales and avoid impulse purchases, especially with expensive…
BearPhotos/Shutterstock Anyone purchasing new technology also needs to think about how to best care for it. Devices like smart TVs, laptops, and tablets can quickly accumulate dust and dirt, and spaces where technology is used often are just as susceptible to everyday clutter and the toll of regular use. There’s no shortage of outlets for those looking for new tech and ways to keep it clean, but Costco is one retailer that makes finding what you’re looking for especially easy. It’s even pretty easy to track deals at Costco, with…
Evgeniyshkolenko/Getty Images Audio is a key detail for anyone looking to upgrade their home theater system or improve their TV experience. This can be used either using a soundbar or using a full surround sound audio system. Both make everything you watch sound better, but do it in different – and in some cases, more impactful – ways. A soundbar is a single device, containing multiple speakers, that directs sound where it is pointed. Soundbars tend to be less expensive than complete audio systems, costing anywhere from $40 to a…
Wind energy has an important role to play in developing clean energy sources and phasing out fossil fuels, although wind turbines take nearly a decade to become profitable. In 2023, wind energy accounted for 10.2% of all electricity generated in the United States, the largest share of all renewable energy. However, wind turbines have a bad reputation, and not just from anti-green energy people. They have a reputation for killing birds, which, while often exaggerated, is a legitimate concern that might actually have a simple solution: paint. For several years, researchers have been studying…