Gadget Hacks

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed Corey Noles

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

The Android release cycle just got a major shakeup, and we're witnessing something we haven't seen in years: a nearly-finished quarterly update that's actually worth getting excited about. Google dropped Android 16 stable back in June—months earlier than usual—and now we're closing in on the first major follow-up. With Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3.1 rolling out to testers, this isn't just another incremental patch. It's a preview of features that should have shipped with Android 16 in the first place.

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Google's latest flagships are landing on test benches worldwide, and the early verdicts are shaking up what we thought we knew about smartphone longevity. While the industry chases flashier features, Google quietly delivered something more valuable: phones built to actually last. The Pixel 9 Pro XL survived a full 30 seconds under an open lighter flame without showing visible damage, and its fingerprint scanner kept working even after the glass surface was covered in deep scratches. But here's...

Ready to take your Mac on one last Intel-powered adventure? Apple's macOS Tahoe 26 just dropped its third public beta, and here's the kicker: this is your final chance to experience cutting-edge macOS features on Intel hardware. The next macOS version, Tahoe, will be the last one to support Macs with Intel processors, making this beta a historic milestone rather than just another software update.

Ever notice how Samsung's "Fan Edition" phones seem to hit that perfect sweet spot between flagship features and wallet-friendly pricing? Having tested every FE model since the S20 FE launched to remarkable 10 million unit sales success, I've always appreciated how Samsung manages to deliver premium experiences without the premium pain points. Well, the rumor mill is spinning hard around the Galaxy S25 FE, and the latest batch of leaks reveals some fascinating — and slightly surprising —...

Here's what's happening: Samsung finally realized that asking people to drop $1,900+ on a foldable is… aggressive. After watching their European market share slip from 56% to 41% as competitors gained ground, Samsung is now offering guaranteed R15,000 back when you trade in your old phone for a Galaxy Z Flip5 or Z Fold5. The genius part? Your old device just needs to power on without being plugged in—that's it. This simplified requirement opens the door for virtually any functioning smartphone,...

Google's latest Fitbit app update brings the slickest interface yet to your Pixel Watch, but the real story is how it transforms your wrist into command central for health tracking.

Picture this: You're staring at a restaurant address in Messages and casually tell Siri, "Add this to John's contact card." It just works. No app switching, no copy-pasting, no friction. That's the vision Apple painted at WWDC 2024, and frankly, it's the iPhone experience we've all been waiting for since 2011.

Picture this: Apple TV+ already streams Friday Night Baseball to millions of subscribers, and now the company is positioned to potentially double down on America's pastime. ESPN and Major League Baseball have decided to end their partnership after the 2025 season, mutually agreeing to terminate their broadcast contract that was worth $550 million annually. This seismic shift opens the door for Apple to expand far beyond its current Friday Night Baseball offering that started in 2022 under an...

Picture this: you upgrade to iOS 18, Apple Intelligence flips on automatically, and suddenly your iPhone 15 Pro is gasping for power like it's running a crypto mining operation in your pocket. Sound familiar? You're not alone – and here's the kicker: even when you turn it off, Apple keeps flipping it back on with every update.

Apple's been quietly turning your AI assistant back on with every update—and the battery drain that comes with it. Here's your complete guide to taking back control of Apple Intelligence, understanding why it keeps reappearing, and deciding whether the 7GB storage sacrifice is worth the smart features.

You've been there—standing in the Apple Store, calculator app open, trying to justify spending an extra $100 for more storage because 128GB just isn't cutting it anymore. Well, Apple's about to shake up that familiar dance with the iPhone 17 Pro, and the move is as brilliant as it is risky.

Apple's playing a fascinating game of material roulette with your next iPhone upgrade. After just two years of premium titanium frames, MacRumors reports the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will ditch the fancy metal for good old aluminum—but with a twist that might actually make your phone tougher than ever. Here's the kicker: this isn't just about saving money (though Apple probably appreciates that part).

The smartphone industry has a new powerhouse pairing that's turning heads and reshaping market dynamics in ways we haven't seen since the early iPhone days. Samsung delivered an impressive 2 million Galaxy S25 units within just three weeks of launch, while research suggests first-month sales hit 4.56 million units—more than three times the Galaxy S24's initial performance. Here's the kicker: industry analysts are projecting something unprecedented—the Galaxy S25 series might outsell all other...

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Corey Noles

You know that feeling when you spot a new iPhone feature in the wild months before Apple announces it? Here's the thing: while we're all debating iOS 18 features, Apple's engineers are already knee-deep in testing iOS 26.4 — and they've let slip two tantalizing details about what's coming down the pipeline. But here's what makes this development cycle different from anything I've tracked in my five years covering Apple's internal patterns.

Picture this: you're rushing to an important meeting, frantically searching for your keys while juggling coffee and trying to remember if you locked the back door. Instead of fumbling with clunky voice commands, imagine telling Siri exactly what's happening and watching it seamlessly coordinate your smart lock, Maps navigation, and calendar—all while understanding the chaos of your morning routine.

Your iPhone might be getting a major wireless charging upgrade sooner than you think. Having tested every major wireless charger since MagSafe launched, I can tell you that the landscape is rapidly evolving. With Qi 2.2 now official and Apple's charging infrastructure advancing quickly, we're looking at a future where 25W wireless charging becomes the new normal—and your charging pad might finally rival your Lightning cable for speed.

Apple's been quietly building something big in the living room—and it's not just another streaming box upgrade. What you need to know:

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Ever wonder what would happen if you turned your Android phone into a full Linux workstation? We just spent weeks running Ubuntu, LibreOffice, and even development environments directly on Android hardware—and the results surprised us.

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Reviewed by Corey Noles