How-To Guides from Gadget Hacks

Google's latest Gmail changes quietly shifted how millions of private communications work behind the scenes, and most users discovered these modifications after they were already active. The search giant has implemented AI features that allow Gemini to analyze private messages and attachments for training purposes, with these settings enabled by default instead of requiring explicit user consent.

Google Chrome just delivered something that feels either brilliant or slightly terrifying, depending on your risk tolerance. The browser's latest autofill update now handles your most sensitive personal information, we're talking passport numbers, driver's license details, and vehicle identification data. Not a minor tweak to autofill, a big leap into managing information that could seriously complicate your life if it slips into the wrong hands.

The Pixel 10 Pro's impressive 100x zoom capability has a serious flaw that Google didn't advertise; fortunately, it is one you can solve at home. The phone nails long-distance stills that would make wildlife photographers jealous. Zoom video, though, can lurch and stutter, especially as you cross lens ranges. Thinking you need to return your $999 phone or wait months for a fix? You don't.

iOS 26 finally brings a feature messaging enthusiasts have been requesting for years, the ability to customize conversation backgrounds in the Messages app. Instead of staring at that familiar white backdrop that's defined iMessage since the beginning, Apple has finally introduced the ability to personalize text message backgrounds. Your chats look more engaging, and you can spot the right thread at a glance.

Reviewed by Meg Flores

Apple's parental control game just got a major upgrade with iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. As someone who's been tracking digital safety features across Apple's ecosystem for years, I can tell you this isn't just another incremental update; it is a comprehensive overhaul that addresses many of the gaps parents have been dealing with for far too long.

When YouTube TV announced its latest price hike to $82.99 per month in December 2024, many subscribers felt that familiar sting of yet another streaming service getting more expensive. But here's the thing. While that increase was supposed to hit existing subscribers on January 13, 2025, I've managed to dodge it completely. And I'm not alone.

Apple's Notes app has quietly evolved from that basic note-taking tool to something genuinely powerful, and with iOS 26, it's taking another significant leap forward. MacRumors confirms that iOS 26, currently in beta, has gained new Markdown support, letting you seamlessly import and export files in the popular plain-text formatting language. The functionality works both ways: you can bring existing Markdown files into Notes while preserving formatting like headings, links, and lists, or export...

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Picture this: you wake up to find Google's AI assistant has quietly gained access to your WhatsApp messages, phone calls, and SMS — whether you asked for it or not. Sound dystopian? Welcome to July 2025, when Google rolled out Gemini access to core Android apps across the board.

While iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 officially launched in September 2024, Apple has continued refining the experience with frequent updates. Now that the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 (yes … not 19) development cycle is up, future 18 updates may be isolated to bug fixes and security patches.

Picture this: you're walking downtown, phone in pocket, completely unaware that a small device nearby is quietly intercepting your calls, texts, and location data. This isn't some dystopian future—it's happening right now with "Stingray" surveillance devices. But Android 16 might finally give you the heads-up you never knew you needed.

Picture this: you're firing off a quick text about weekend plans when a friendly AI bubble pops up in Google Messages, ready to help craft the perfect response. Seems harmless enough, right? Here's the kicker: that helpful assistant is quietly collecting way more than you probably signed up for—and Google openly admits human reviewers might be reading your conversations for up to three years.

Imagine your iPhone adapting to each app you open — text that's always the right size, buttons you can spot at a glance, and a steady cursor that never blinks — all without touching your system-wide settings. It sounds like magic, but it's all thanks to a tucked-away feature.

Your iPhone has a powerful feature that can keep your secrets hidden from other people. With it, you'll never have to worry about sharing or showing someone something embarrassing or incriminating ever again.

You can lock practically any app on your iPhone or iPad behind biometric or passcode protection. And we're not talking about using any funky workarounds. There's now an official Apple way to protect sensitive apps and their data. It even safeguards your personal information, keeping it out of sight across the system. You can even hide apps, making it harder for others to know they're there.