The Reddit app is giving comments some long-overdue attention
Don't worry, you can still drop your unsolicited hot-takes
The mobile Reddit experience can be hit or miss. There are lots of annoying ads to deal with, the videos load slowly (if at all), and you tend to be bombarded with recommended communities. Given how much of a burden enjoying Reddit on iOS or Android can be, it's good to hear that some new updates are coming to the app, particularly in terms of how users interact with posts and each other.
YouTube Music inches closer to Google Podcasts with new filters
You can also search for artists now in the music tuner
YouTube Music is one of the three big music streaming services that people can subscribe to when they’re looking for a rhythmic fix. However, it regularly lags behind Spotify and Apple Music in tons of ways and needs to add crucial features to even compete with them. It wasn’t all that long ago that Google Play Music was killed off by Google in lieu of YouTube Music, which is still missing features, tools, and functionality that the former had four years ago. Google Podcasts has suffered the same fate, as it was just shut down in the US on April 2, and its international shutdown date is coming in June 2024. It’s been enveloped by YouTube Music, and new podcast filter options have just appeared in the app to make that transition smoother.
There are plenty of reasons you might need to send a Gmail message on your computer or Android smartphone. Gmail has a feature called Confidential mode that allows you to send an email that can't be forwarded, copied, printed, or downloaded. Even better, you can set an expiration date that revokes access to the email when you decide, and you can revoke access at any time from your phone or computer.
The OnePlus 13 might continue with its predecessor's unwieldy display size
Rumors point to the phone coming with a 6.8-inch display
OnePlus made a strong comeback this year with the OnePlus 12, packing solid high-end internals, an impressive set of cameras, and all-day battery life. Among other upgrades, the company bumped the screen size to 6.82-inch on its 2024 flagship vs. the OnePlus 11's 6.7-inch panel, with a much higher peak brightness. This made the phone a bit too big and unwieldy for one-handed use, and if you were hoping OnePlus would go back to a smaller panel for the OnePlus 13, you might be in for disappointment.
WhatsApp has billions of active users, but it still leaves no stone unturned in attempts to encourage user interaction and new sign-ups. We recently reported on a new prompt in the app encouraging you to initiate a conversation with people saved in your contacts. In a similar vein, a recent beta version of the app reveals adding new contacts could become simpler as well.
Sometimes a smartphone isn't quite big enough to enjoy your favorite media, connect with others via video call, or get work done on the go. Tablets fill in on those occasions, offering more firepower than ever alongside increasingly streamlined software. And while today's best 5G phones can all serve as Wi-Fi hotspots, using them that way can draw a decent amount of power and quickly drain a battery.
For years, many Android users wished they could access FaceTime due to the app's known superior video and audio quality. In an interesting turn of events, Apple gently loosened its grip on iMessage in 2021. The change allowed people with Android phones, tablets, Windows PCs, and trusty Chromebooks to use FaceTime from a web browser. In addition, Apple users can also set these browsers as their default apps, which is a big step for a company that doesn't allow replacing its native apps.
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22 preinstalled apps that you can safely delete from your Samsung Galaxy phone
Don't let bloatware clutter your new device
Your new Samsung Galaxy phone comes with many preinstalled apps, including bloatware. You’ll have to remove them since they take up precious storage space, clutter your home screen, and reduce battery life. Some slow down your phone by hogging its processor. While some of these apps are useful, you should uninstall the rest of them. This guide shows which apps you can safely delete without impeding the functionality of your Galaxy phone.
Best gaming phones in 2024
Looking to pick up a new smartphone that's great for gaming? These are the best gaming phones on the market
Since nearly any of the best Android phones pack more than enough power to handle even the most demanding games, you may wonder what makes a "gaming" phone stand out from the pack. While the lines are becoming blurred, there are still things serious gaming demands that not every smartphone can deliver. After all, there's more to enjoying modern games than just raw performance.
Soundbars are about as common and sought after as the 4K and 8K TVs they connect to. They’re also one of the best investments you can make for your home theater experience because nothing says “lackluster” like the measly audio that most TV speakers produce.
The US TikTok ban could happen sooner than we thought
The US Senate has passed legislation paving the way for a ban on TikTok
Read update
Despite taking the world by storm, social media app TikTok hasn't been fully immune from trouble in the US. Last month, the US House of Representatives passed a bill to cut ties between TikTok and its parent company ByteDance. The bill then moved into the US Senate for approval, the penultimate step before it reaches President Joe Biden's desk, who can then sign it into law. In a massive 79-18 vote on Tuesday, the Senate resoundingly passed this bill, paving the way for a potential ban on the platform in the US.
Samsung Galaxy S25 might launch with Google’s next-gen AI model
The 2025 flagship Galaxy could debut with Gemini Nano 2
Samsung's Galaxy S24 was among the first major Android phones to release this year with AI features. It was also the first non-Pixel phone to launch with Gemini Nano, Google's most efficient AI model for on-device tasks. AI will play a big role in smartphones in the coming years, and to ensure its flagship phones offer a cutting-edge experience, Samsung reportedly plans to launch the Galaxy S25 series with Google's next-gen Gemini Nano 2 model.
Best VPN for Amazon Fire TV Stick in 2024
Turn your Amazon Fire TV Stick into a global hub for streaming with the best VPNs
An Amazon Fire TV Stick can turn your regular ol' smart TV into a streaming juggernaut, filled with Netflix, Disney+, and numerous streaming platforms to pick and watch your favorite movies and TV shows. The thing is, it can't let you watch just anything out there, but a VPN that's compatible with your Fire TV Stick and is primed for streaming can help you change that.
WhatsApp could soon let Community admins hide their groups from the public eye
A godsend for communities with several members
Communities on WhatsApp have been around for a while now, helping users or organizations with several members to manage their conversations more efficiently. The Meta-owned chat app was recently found working on allowing community members to create and schedule events. Well, WhatsApp is now working on another communities-related attribute, aimed at protecting the privacy of certain groups.
Google Home app hints at a new Nest Audio and Hub Max in the pipeline
New smart home devices could be in the works at Mountain View
Smart home devices have found their place in our busy lives, with speakers, displays, and other devices finding a way to make our lives even easier. But it's a tough category, and even the likes of Google have failed to make products that stick around, with fierce competition from rivals like Amazon.
How to listen to YouTube with the screen off
Who needs Spotify when you've got these YouTube workarounds?
YouTube offers a large collection of streaming audio and video content. It would take 82 years to watch everything that's uploaded in one day. Yet, it's disappointing when music or a video stops when you minimize YouTube or lock your phone screen. Premium users don't have such an experience, as background playback is one of the perks.
5 features the Google Pixel 9 should steal from its competitors
Gorilla Glass Armor, Qi2, faster wired and wireless charging, and more
The Google Pixel 9 series is just a few months away from launch. Thanks to leaks, we know a fair bit about Google's flagship Pixel phones for 2024. While a more power-efficient Tensor G4 chip would be nice, there are plenty of features in competing phones like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra we'd like to see in the Pixel 9. Here are five features available on competing phones we want to see in Google's next.
How to see who follows you on Facebook
Facebook followers aren't as visible as Instagram's. But finding them is easy with these steps
Gaining a large following is an achievement, especially as a business owner. People who follow your personal profile or page can see images, videos, GIF content, and other posts you make, all on their news feeds. When you befriend a person over Facebook, they get added as a follower; the same isn't true when you follow a Facebook user (you don't necessarily become their friend). That's why having followers (without being Facebook friends) creates a healthy (and usually professional) division between your actual friends and connections.
What are Fetch rewards?
Shop, snap a photo of your receipt, and get points. Meet Fetch, the app that makes shopping fun and rewarding
Expensive shopping trips can leave you feeling guilty. But it doesn't have to be this way. Rewards apps like Fetch can help you save money, even if you primarily order Amazon products. To double down on those sweet Fetch offers, you only need a quick snapshot of a US shopping receipt and download the app on any working Android phone. Below, we explain in detail what Fetch Rewards is and why you should use it.
Get 50% off this massive power bank and never run out of juice on the go again
That’s 60,000mAh of charging capacity for just $35
This is not your average