DSLRs vs. Smartphone Cameras: How Do They Compare?

Nothing beats the convenience of a smartphone camera. Chances are it’s in your pocket already, so it’s easy to whip it out and snap a quick photo whenever the mood strikes you. That being said, a DSLR offers significantly more functionality. If you want to take your photography to the next level, there’s really no comparison. The question is, when is the right time to make the upgrade? It’s important to consider the main advantages of a DSLR and weigh them up with your own interest in photography. Hobbyists can get away with using a smartphone camera and still get...

Read the full article: DSLRs vs. Smartphone Cameras: How Do They Compare?

5 of the Best Cheap Android Phones in 2017

Premium smartphones are becoming more advanced every year — but with these improvements, prices are soaring. Luckily, there are manufacturers who are using these technological advancements to deliver better hardware at lower prices. A few years ago, $200 might have bought you something that barely qualifies as a smartphone. But things have changed drastically, especially with huge Chinese companies entering the mobile phone market. Here we take a look at some of the best cheap Android phones — ones with decent hardware and an even better price. 1. Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 Not everyone outside of China is familiar with...

Read the full article: 5 of the Best Cheap Android Phones in 2017

8 Cool Things You Can Do With Amazon Prime Video

If you have Amazon Prime, then you have Amazon Prime Video (also known as simply Prime Video). And Prime Video gives you access to thousands of TV shows and movies that you can stream on demand. The Prime Video library is full of high-quality shows, and that includes a number of exclusive titles only available on Prime Video. I’m not here to argue whether Prime Video is better than Netflix or Hulu. I’m currently subscribed to all three), and think they’re all worth watching. But what most people don’t realize is that you can do more than “just stream videos”...

Read the full article: 8 Cool Things You Can Do With Amazon Prime Video

The 5 Best Laptops Under $500 in 2017

You can get a good laptop without racking up a large number on your credit card. For less than $500, you could get a desktop replacement, a long-battery ultrabook, a 2-in-1, or even a gaming notebook. You need realistic expectations though. When you’re buying budget laptops, you’ll get middling performance. You can play games, but not at max video resolutions. A desktop replacement will do everything that your current old desktop does, but not what a modern desktop today can do. That said, $500 isn’t a small amount, and the machine will do the basics of the task you buy...

Read the full article: The 5 Best Laptops Under $500 in 2017

Is Skype for Linux Finally Good Enough for Windows Switchers?

Since Alexander Graham Bell shared his unbridled excitement with Watson, telephony has come a long way. From the short-range telephone right up to mobile phone which has now become an extension of our personalities, telephony is one technology has evolved rapidly through the past few decades. Image Credit: Nednapa Sopasuntorn via Shutterstock Certain aspects have not developed at quite the same pace though. Skype for Linux has been one of those developments that has unfortunately drawn the short straw. While the Windows and Mac flavors steamed ahead, the Qt Linux Skype client felt like a narcotic addiction. If you wanted...

Read the full article: Is Skype for Linux Finally Good Enough for Windows Switchers?

The 7 Best Docs.com Alternatives for Online File Sharing

On December 15, 2017, Microsoft is shutting down Docs.com, one of the arms of its Office Suite ecosystem. Current users of Docs.com have been told to migrate their files to another service or online storage. Docs.com was an easy way to share Office files online. It lets you publish your documents, spreadsheets, and presentations for the world to see. An integration with Office 365 Online meant that it was easier to publish any file you saved on OneDrive. So where do you go once Docs.com stops working? Here are the best alternatives. 1. SlideShare: What Microsoft Recommends Microsoft officially said...

Read the full article: The 7 Best Docs.com Alternatives for Online File Sharing

Google Shares Your Data, But Is It All Bad News?

You might have heard about Google’s intention to give worldwide authorities wider access to the personal details of account holders. This is supposedly an effort to counter terrorism. Giving secret services better access to everyone’s private data means an increased chance of catching terrorists and stopping atrocities. Or at least that’s how it appears. Because Google is actually helping us by ensuring our data is more secure by overthrowing a decades-old bill. How’s It Being Reported Google has stuck its head above the parapet, and spoken about data sharing. Naturally, this has resulted in the technology giant receiving considerable grief...

Read the full article: Google Shares Your Data, But Is It All Bad News?

5 Gmail Annoyances You Really Hate (and How to Fix Them)

Gmail is one of the most popular email providers in the world. Along with Outlook and Yahoo, it forms part of a triumvirate of services that control more than 90 percent of the planet’s email market. However, for an app with more than a billion active monthly users, it can be surprisingly annoying. There are lots of little glitches you need to overcome. Occasionally, they can be bad enough to hinder your productivity. In this article, we’re going to look at five of the worst Gmail annoyances. Some of them can be solved using workarounds and third-party apps, some of...

Read the full article: 5 Gmail Annoyances You Really Hate (and How to Fix Them)

3 Pro Tips for Navigating YouTube Videos on Mobile Devices

YouTube is always adding new features, which helps it stand out as the premiere video-hosting website. While many of these only pertain to the desktop experience, users on YouTube mobile are finally get a few features of their own. Did you know that YouTube’s Android and iPhone app has a few tricks up its sleeve? Here are a few to supercharge your mobile video watching. 1. Instant Skip Ahead Sometimes a video is long-winded and takes too long to get to the point, or maybe you missed a critical moment. In those situations, you can try YouTube’s instant ten-second skip....

Read the full article: 3 Pro Tips for Navigating YouTube Videos on Mobile Devices

How to “Always on Top” Any App in Windows 10

Since its launch in mid-2015, Windows 10 has won over many Microsoft-skeptics. A host of new features and an improved user interface have helped make it the best Microsoft operating system since Windows XP. But it’s not perfect. There are still some glaring missing features — features which you feel should be included by default. For example, pinned apps. There’s no way to make sure an app is always “on top” without resorting to third-party tools. Luckily, the third-party tools are excellent. Case in point: WindowsTop. At its core, WindowsTop is a way to keep apps pinned to the front of your...

Read the full article: How to “Always on Top” Any App in Windows 10

3 Free Ways to Create a Quick Logo With Zero Effort

One of the big things you need to think about when starting any sort of business or side hustle is a logo. If you don’t have graphic design skills and can’t afford to hire a graphic designer, you could use a free online tool to create your logo. There are some serious caveats to consider when choosing this approach. Most significant is that you run the risk of creating a logo very similar to one created by someone else who used the same tool. This could dilute the identity and branding of your logo. On the other hand, if you simply can’t...

Read the full article: 3 Free Ways to Create a Quick Logo With Zero Effort

Download Thousands of Free Music Tracks on YouTube Legally

By now, you know that YouTube isn’t only for watching cat videos and smartphone voyeurism. If you’re smart, it can be your go-to place for learning new skills and finding gems for research. But one of the best uses for YouTube is as a source of free music that you can legally download for free and use for all kinds of projects and endeavors. Grab Royalty-Free Music for Any Use The YouTube Audio Library launched in 2013 with 1,000+ free musical tracks. Thanks to our growing smartphone video production skills, we need quality downloads for background music, right? Whether you’re uploading to YouTube...

Read the full article: Download Thousands of Free Music Tracks on YouTube Legally

10 Sites to Send Free Text Messages to Cell Phones (SMS)

Even though users are slowly moving away from SMS text messages to other forms of text messaging, SMS text messages still have their uses. For example, if you have a family member with a dumb phone, they may only be able to receive SMS text messages. We’ve already covered various ways to improve your SMS experience: checking messages from a PC, using alternative SMS messaging apps, and scheduling SMS messages for later. But here’s another nifty trick you should know: how to send free messages to anyone from anywhere. You can do this with a website that sends free SMSes...

Read the full article: 10 Sites to Send Free Text Messages to Cell Phones (SMS)

Blizzard Saves Battle.net From the Chop

What’s in a name? Everything, according to fans of Blizzard. The game developer, most famous for World of Warcraft, was planning to transition away from using the Battle.net name for its online services. However, fans resisted such a move, and Blizzard has now decided to meet them halfway. In September 2016, Blizzard announced that it was dumping the Battle.net name. This was all about branding, with the company seeking to bring everything under the Blizzard name. So while the technology powering Blizzard’s titles would remain the same, the name would change. Battle.net Lives to Fight Another Day Unfortunately for Blizzard,...

Read the full article: Blizzard Saves Battle.net From the Chop

Should You Buy the Samsung Galaxy Note FE (Fan Edition)?

Most of you reading already know of last year’s exploding Galaxy Note 7 episode. After Samsung discontinued its 2016 flagship, they revealed that a Galaxy Note Fan Edition would release in select markets. This phone would be a refurbished product made from the recalled Note 7 inventory. Should you consider buying the Galaxy Note Fan Edition? If not, what are some alternatives instead? What Is the Galaxy Note Fan Edition? Made almost entirely out of Galaxy Note 7 parts, the Galaxy Note Fan Edition (or Galaxy Note FE) is very similar to its predecessor. The biggest difference is a smaller...

Read the full article: Should You Buy the Samsung Galaxy Note FE (Fan Edition)?

You Can Now Use Google Allo on the Web

Google has brought Allo to the desktop. This is the first time Google’s chat app (one of many Google chat apps) has been available on the web. Unfortunately, you’ll need to be using Allo on an Android handset and have Chrome installed on your computer in order to use Allo on the web. At Google I/O 2016, Google unveiled Duo and Allo. The former is focused on video calling, while the latter is for messaging. Allo hasn’t exactly set the world alight compared to the likes of Messenger and WhatsApp, but Google is persisting with it. And now, it’s available...

Read the full article: You Can Now Use Google Allo on the Web