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The OnePlus Open has the best multitasking system I’ve ever used on any phone or tablet
Open Canvas, as OnePlus calls it, is the most dynamic and intuitive multitasking system I've used, and I want it on all my other computing devices
I'm not sure if the OnePlus Open has sold enough units to make a dent in Samsung's foldable market share since not having carrier subsidies in North America is an obstacle, but it sure has stolen most of the thunder from Samsung on the critical front. I don't have an exact stat, but the OnePlus Open seems to have been hailed as the best foldable phone of 2023 by every tech publication or tech reviewer peer I've come across. And it's well deserved: Not only does the Open have objectively superior displays and camera hardware than rival foldables from Samsung and Google, but it also has arguably the best foldable software.
5 ways your iPhone can help you stick to your New Year's resolutions
iOS can push you to become a better version of yourself, if you want it to
Every January 1st, millions of people worldwide say New Year, new me. This overused statement generally refers to the resolutions we have in store for the upcoming twelve months, which typically revolve around bettering ourselves. In reality, however, many people lose motivation soon after and disregard whatever goals they have planned for the new year. If you've been struggling with sticking to your New Year's resolutions and need a small push, the new iPhone you bought during the holiday season can assist.
19 years ago today, the iPod Shuffle became one of the smallest portable music players
On this day in 2005, Apple introduced its most portable music player ever
Once upon a time, Apple used to put out creative products that impacted many industries. That's changed over the past decade. So, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max is undoubtedly a solid phone, it isn't as groundbreaking as some of the devices Apple launched in the 2000s. A prominent example is the iPod Shuffle, which was announced on this day 19 years ago. At the time, it was one of the tiniest portable music players on the market, and it truly revolutionized how people consumed digital music, much like the first iPod did.
5 things I miss about live Apple events
Pre-recorded keynotes have their appeal, but I miss live ones
Once upon a time, Apple held live keynotes, where its execs would take turns to showcase the new products it was launching. That, however, changed when a certain virus altered the way we experience everyday life. Since 2020, the Cupertino firm has opted for pre-recorded keynotes with movie-style effects and visually appealing transitions. And while this reimagined format truly polishes the new iPhone, iPad, and Mac introductions, I still miss the classic Apple events for several reasons.
Apple is famous for its "it just works" philosophy, with a wide suite of products that behave intuitively with each other and the way users expect. This execution largely depends on the company's tight ecosystem, in which iOS 17 and macOS Sonoma work as a single unit through system-level interoperability. As a result, once a customer gives in and adopts the company's hardware, software, and services, they will likely feel stuck with these devices.
Apple’s Vision Pro is going to spearhead improved AR eyewear in 2024
Apple's Vision Pro headset is likely too expensive for most people. But it will lead to a surge in superior AR eyewear from other brands
The previously nascent AR smart glasses market grew quite a bit in 2023, with companies like TCL, XReal, Rokid releasing vastly improved gen-two (or even gen-three) products that were well-reviewed. The team at XDA tested all the best smart glasses, and while we found them very useful for watching movies and working on the go (my colleague Karthik spent a week using the XReal Air 2 in place of a proper monitor), ultimately they are mostly just a portable, wearable screen, without doing any real "augmenting" of our reality.
5 security features that all Apple users should be using
Apple is known for being a leader in security and privacy, but the best features are only useful if you know how to use them.
Apple is known for being a company that values security and privacy, and it routinely adds features designed to keep user data safe. Some benefits are enabled automatically, like end-to-end encryption for some types of data stored on iCloud. However, other tools and features need to be enabled manually before they can be used. Unfortunately, you might not realize you need a data safety feature until it's too late, which is why it's essential to be proactive when it comes to online security.
Apple FineWoven Wallet review: Cheaper shell with the same limitations
The revised model features an inferior build and the same constraints present on its leather-made predecessor
With the launch of 2023's iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple discontinued its leather products in favor of FineWoven accessories. One of the popular products that has adopted this eco-friendly alternative is Apple's FineWoven Wallet. While some customers have adapted to and love the new material, many others are concerned about its quality and price. To find out whether the new equivalent is actually a match for its leather predecessor, I decided to try it out. Unfortunately, there are much better options with the same features and price, and they don't look like they just escaped from prison.
Shargeek 170 power bank review: Stylish do-it-all battery pack
If you want a portable battery that can charge all your devices in style, this can be a leading candidate
It would be an understatement to say portable power banks are a dime a dozen — it's more like a dime a hundred. While there are some great ones out there, for me to justify dedicating a standalone review to one, it has to either do something new or different. The Shargeek 170 from Shenzhen OEM Sharge fits the bill. We've tested a couple of the company's previous battery packs before, and this is the most capable one yet.
5 times Apple responded to public pressure
Contrary to widespread belief, the Cupertino firm sometimes listens to user feedback
Apple is infamous for its walled garden approach, where it plays by its own rules. So, when people submit to the company's ecosystem, they're restricted from performing certain actions that other platforms are open to, such as easily sideloading apps. This places Apple in a powerful position, where it often gets away with its decisions, even when most users aren't happy with it. After all, controversial changes like removing the headphone jack from all iPhone models aren't enough to push its loyalists away.
7 devices and accessories I bought in 2023, ranked
It's time to look back at the new products that shaped my year
2023 is almost over, and now's the time to look back at the new products that shaped my year. Considering my occupation, I like to upgrade my devices frequently, even if my existing ones are still functional and supported. This helps me stay up to date with the latest changes and boosts introduced across the board. In 2023, I bought seven devices and accessories, and I will be listing them based on their significance to me.
Best of 2023: Our favorite products that were announced this year
2023 was a surprisingly robust year for consumer tech, with tons of exciting innovative products getting released
2023 may initially look like a rather typical year in the consumer tech world, but it could end up being a very important one that shifts the mobile computing landscape. Qualcomm finally introduced a custom-designed ARM silicon for Windows machines, which promises to bring the power and efficiency of Apple silicon to the Windows laptop space. Apple, of course, countered with a new set of M3 silicon of its own.
5 creative ways to use an AirTag
There are many use cases for Apple's tracker, and here are some of the most creative ones
Apple AirTags are highly-capable, coin-sized trackers that rely on the Find My network. This means that as long as a new iPhone model is around, your AirTag's location will continue to update on the map. So, considering the iPhone's global popularity, AirTags and Find My devices are pretty much the most powerful trackers of this kind around.
The latest iPhones are rapidly becoming more customizable and feature-rich. With every major iOS update, Apple copies some Android features, perfects them, and deploys them to the masses. And while iOS 17 is basically a mature mobile operating system at the time of this writing, it still has its fair share of shortcomings. Some of the major annoyances I experience when using my iPhone 15 Pro Max are in the notification department, and I can think of at least five improvements Apple could apply to address them.
GameSir G8 Galileo review: Your phone is finally a proper portable gaming station
GameSir's latest handheld controller aims to turn a smartphone into a gaming device. The real question is whether your phone is up to the task.
Mobile processors are getting much more powerful, with Apple's A-series lineup and Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips leading the charge. With improvements to remote play and game streaming, we've gotten a reinvigorated market for handheld mobile gaming controllers. Just attach them to your phone, and you have an experience somewhat like a Nintendo Switch or a Steam Deck.
What material is best for your smartphone case?
Pick the right material to protect your phone and sanity.
Only a few things are as frustrating as a phone with a shattered screen or a broken back panel, which is why it's extremely crucial to pick the right phone case. Deciding the type of case to protect your new Android phone or an iPhone is only half the battle, as the longevity of that particular case depends on various other factors including the material used. That's right, not all phone cases are made equal, and the overall durability depends primarily on the material used for it. It's important to pick the material to ensure the best protection and safety for your device, so let's take a look at a few options to help you find the best one.
Beeper Mini hands-on: It's back, at least for now
Coming on the heels of a few iMessage clients for Android that were security nightmares, Beeper Mini finally figured it out. But is it sustainable?
There's been a lot of momentum around getting iMessage on Android lately, both in terms of third-party solutions and from official sources. Apple even surprisingly announced RCS will come to the iPhone next year. However, that isn't cross-platform iMessage. The few third-party options to debut recently also came with some alarming security concerns.
This year was packed with solid hardware and software releases from Apple, from the iPhone 15 Pro Max to the MacBook Pro (M3, 2023) and macOS Sonoma. Despite that, we had hoped for certain devices and upgrades that didn't make the cut. Some of these expectations were based on credible rumors, while others were merely wishful thinking. Regardless of their nature, here are five things Apple failed to release in 2023.
5 reasons 2024 could be a big year for Apple
The upcoming year could be more exciting than the fleeting one
2023 was a year of mixed Apple releases. We got two notable MacBook Pro refreshes, an overhauled watchOS 10 update, and an improved camera zoom on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, among others. Meanwhile, other aspects were disappointing, such as the wonky double-tap gesture on the new watches, the lackluster iMac upgrade, and the lack of an iPad refresh, to name a few. This, however, can be perceived as a positive sign. The company could be silently working on more significant projects that could surface as soon as next year. In fact, 2024 is shaping up to be one of the biggest years for Apple releases in a long time, and here's why.
Lenovo Tab M10 Plus 3rd Gen review: Not quite what you'd hope
One bad part outweighs the good for the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus 3rd Gen. But the price could be its tipping point.
There are a lot of Android tablets on the market, but some of the brands that stand out are Samsung and Amazon. They make some of the best Android tablets out right now, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a competent competitor. That's where Lenovo comes in. Its tablets are available in popular price points and sizes, but can it compete?