7 Most Annoying iPhone X Problems and How to Fix Issues

The iPhone X (our review) introduced a few big new features to Apple’s smartphone lineup when it released in late 2017. Unfortunately, it also debuted a few new issues specific to the redesign.

Fortunately there are workarounds and fixes for most of them. Some will depend on which version of iOS you’re running, while others require workarounds or intervention from Apple.

So let’s take a look at some of the frustrations, design flaws, and defects that iPhone X users can encounter, and attempt to solve them.

1. Face ID Won’t Work

Probably the most common complaint about the iPhone X relates to the TrueDepth camera and Face ID. Just like Touch ID on older devices, Face ID doesn’t work properly all the time.

To prevent issues, make sure to wipe the “notch” on your iPhone X regularly (an important part of iPhone cleaning). There’s an array of sensors, cameras, and projectors in that small space, and they must be able to see you clearly in order to work.

Secondly, scan your face in a well-lit area. Scanning in low light isn’t as accurate as scanning in daylight. If you’ve changed your appearance significantly, or you’re having persistent Face ID recognition issues, head to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and choose Reset Face ID. You can then set it up again.

When Face ID fails and prompts you for a passcode, it attempts to learn and adapt to your appearance to prevent the same problem happening again. But if someone else unlocks your phone with your passcode, it may lead to unwanted changes to your Face ID profile. We don’t know for certain how Face ID works, but resetting your profile from time to time may help.

Some users have reported that Face ID refuses to work altogether. This is an issue that Apple has acknowledged, prompting replacements of the camera unit (both front and rear-facing) on affected devices. Some users have had their devices replaced entirely.

If you have persistent problems with Face ID, head to Apple Support to arrange an appointment at a retail store or a mail-in return.

2. Accidentally Taking a Lot of Screenshots

The iPhone X doesn’t have a home button, which means you can’t take screenshots using the conventional Home + Power button combination. Instead, you need to press Volume Up + Side Button, a shortcut that’s easy to trigger in your pocket or when holding the device.

There’s no way to change the shortcut, which means the only fix is a workaround. You’ll need to get a case with a recessed side button, which prevents you from unwittingly triggering the shortcut. The Quad Lock case (above) that I use on my iPhone X is one of the many quality iPhone X cases to incorporate this into the design.

3. iPhone X Hair Pulling

According to some user reports, the gap between the iPhone X chassis and screen bezel is a magnet for hair. Whether you have long flowing locks or a bushy beard, Apple is even offering to replace your iPhone X if this is posing too much of a problem.

It’s not clear whether that means some models of the iPhone X are worse for this. A snug case that covers the bezel gap should fix the issue (while protecting your device at the same time).

4. Screen Issues: Color Shift, Screen Burn, and Green Lines

The iPhone X uses the first OLED display ever seen in an iPhone. Though Apple has used OLED displays before in both the Apple Watch and MacBook Pro Touch Bar, the iPhone X represents a leap forward in iPhone screen technology. Unfortunately, it’s not without its share of issues.

Some users (myself included) have noticed a slight shift in color hue when moving the display. I notice this most on an off-white background, with a slight blueish hue visibly “moving” across the screen as the device is tilted. On its website, Apple says:

“If you look at an OLED display off-angle, you might notice slight shifts in color and hue. This is a characteristic of OLED and is normal behavior.”

Screen burn is another OLED “expected behavior” listed on Apple’s website. As the name suggests, this refers to a persistent image getting stuck on-screen, even after that image is no longer being displayed. Apple recommends a few tips to avoid screen burn:

• Ensuring Auto-Brightness is enabled under Settings > General > Accessibility > Display Accommodations.
• Choosing an Auto Lock time of 30 or 60 seconds under Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto Lock.
• Avoid displaying static images for extended periods, particularly at maximum brightness. Use Control Center to manually adjust your device brightness if necessary.

@AppleSupport my iPhone X already has an issue.There is a green bar along the right hand side of the phone.Restart doesn’t fix. Known issue? pic.twitter.com/Hp3HKhVMfs

— mix0mat0sis (@mix0mat0sis) November 7, 2017

The final display issue relates to vertical green lines appearing on the screen over time. This is not normal, and Apple has replaced affected units as the issue appears. It seems this was related to early iPhone X models. The fix here is to contact Apple for a replacement.

5. Phone Call and Touch Screen Delay Issues

Two (unrelated but similar) issues occurred on earlier versions of iOS 11. The first was an issue with calls: the screen would light up and your ringtone would play, but the answer/decline call prompt never appeared.

Meanwhile, the other issue mostly affected users in cold climates. The iPhone X touchscreen would become unresponsive when encountering a sudden drop in temperature.

Apple fixed both of these issues via a software update, so if you’re encountering either make sure you’re running the latest version of iOS under Settings > General > Software Update. If you encounter any other issues like this after updating, it’s time to talk to Apple.

6. Wireless Charging Issues

The iPhone X isn’t Apple’s first smartphone to use wireless charging, but it is susceptible to issues from interference. In particular, if you’re wirelessly charging the iPhone X in a folio case, and have credit cards or other cards that use contactless technology, you may encounter interference.

Try removing the cards if you’re having charging issues. If you’re not using a folio case (or you’ve already removed the cards) then make sure you’re using a high-quality wireless charger. Check out our recommended wireless chargers for ideas.

7. Speakers Crackling at Loud Volumes

Both the iPhone X and iPhone 8 have had reports of crackling speakers, particularly at high volumes. If you haven’t tested your iPhone’s maximum volume yet, it’s a good idea to test it out now to see if you’re affected. Some have described this as a “buzzing” sound.

If you do encounter the issue, try updating your software to the latest version. If you don’t see an improvement, let Apple know so a technician can repair your device.

Other Crashes, Freezing, and General Responsiveness

Performance issues aren’t iPhone X specific, but solving them requires an approach specific to the iPhone X. If you want to soft reset your device because it’s unresponsive due to a crash: press volume up and release, press volume down and release, then press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.

That’s just one of the new shortcuts you’ll need to get used to if you’re new to the iPhone X. To find out what else is new, check out our guide to using the iPhone X.

Read the full article: 7 Most Annoying iPhone X Problems and How to Fix Issues

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Chrome gets a new look for its 10th birthday

It’s been ten years since Google first launched Chrome. At the time, Google’s browser was a revelation. Firefox had gotten slow, Internet Explorer was Internet Explorer and none of the smaller challengers, maybe with the exception of Opera, every got any significant traction. But here was Google, with a fast browser that was built for the modern web.

Now, ten years later, Google is the incumbent and Chrome is getting challenged both from a technical perspective, thanks to a resurgent Firefox, and by a wave of anti-Google sentiment. But Google isn’t letting that get in the way of celebrating Chrome’s anniversary. To mark the day, the company today officially launched its new look for Chrome and previewed what it has in stock for the future of its browser. And it’s not just a new look. Chrome’s Omnibox and other parts of the browser are getting updates, too.

If you’ve followed along, then the new look doesn’t come as a surprise. As usual, Google started testing this update in its various pre-release channels. If you haven’t, though, you will still instantly recognize Chrome as Chrome.

The new Chrome user interface, which is going live on all the platforms the browser supports, follows Google’s Material Design 2 guidelines. That means it’s looking a bit sleeker and modern now, with more rounded corners and subtle animations. You’ll also see new icons and a new color palette.

On the feature side, Chrome now offers an updated password manager that can automatically generate (and save) strong passwords for you, as well as improved autofill for those pesky forms that ask for you shipping addresses and credit card info.

What’s maybe more interesting that, though, is an update to the Omnibox (where you type in your URLs and search queries). The Omnibox can now search the tabs you have currently open and in the near future, it’ll return results from your Google Drive files, too.

Also new are the ability to change the background of your new tab page and create and manage shortcuts on it.

Looking ahead, Google VP of product management Rahul Roy-Chowdhury notes that the team is looking at how to best bring more AI-driven features to Chrome.

“With a smarter Chrome, you will be able to do more than just look at a webpage,” he writes. “Imagine searching on Chrome for a singer you just heard, and having Chrome show you not just their bio, but also their upcoming concert near you and where to purchase tickets. With AI, Chrome will also better understand what you’re trying to get done, and help you do so faster.”

That, of course, is exactly what Microsoft is also trying to do with its Edge browser and its integration with Cortana. I’m not a regular Edge user, but I’ve generally been surprised about the usefulness of that integration, which automatically brings up related information about restaurants, for example. It’ll be interesting to see what Google’s version of this feature will look like.

Roy-Chowdhury also notes that the team is working on building more augmented-reality features into the browser. So far, those features have always sounded better on paper than in practice and mostly felt like a gimmick. Google thinks it’s on to something, though, so we’ll just have to see what that’ll look like when it goes live.

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The Best Kids Shows to Watch on YouTube

You don’t need to splash out on expensive streaming subscriptions and Blu-rays to keep your kids entertained on long journeys.

Instead, check out YouTube. Many of the most popular kids shows of the last three decades have official YouTube channels. The channels offer both on-demand episodes and exclusive content.

So, if you’re looking for a way to keep your little darlings out of trouble, keep reading…

1. Sesame Street

Sesame Street has been on our TV screens since the late 1960s. It was the first children’s show to use a curriculum to structure its content. There are almost 5,000 episodes in the show’s back catalog.

The YouTube channel offers new shorts, songs, games, classic clips, and some full episodes.

2. Masha and the Bear

Masha and the Bear is a Russian animated show that follows the lives of Masha (a young girl) and an old bear who tries to keep her out of harm’s way. The show has been translated into several other languages, including English.

Perhaps surprisingly, a Russian-language Masha and the Bear episode is one of the most-watched videos on YouTube of all time. It’s the only non-music video in the top 20.

3. Peppa Pig

The official Peppa Pig channel offers hours of old episodes, as well as a 24/7 live TV channel that plays continuous Peppa Pig episodes back-to-back.

The channel is easy to navigate. Content is divided into sections such as nursery rhymes, Halloween, reading month, and “When I Grow Up”.

4. Arthur

Arthur started in the mid-1990s. It was an instant hit with kids and adults alike. Although the show is aimed at children aged between four and eight, the storylines have some sitcom elements which give the grown-ups something to chuckle at.

The show is now in its 21st season. The YouTube channel offers a mix of old episodes and exclusive shorts.

5. Powerpuff Girls

Powerpuff Girls is a Cartoon Network classic. It features three kindergarten girls each of whom has a superpower. The show ran for six seasons between 1998 and 2005.

The show won lots of praise for its hidden pop culture references. As an adult, the references make the show fun to re-watch.

6. Thomas the Tank Engine

Thomas the Tank Engine needs little introduction. Based on a 1946 book, the British show is a worldwide cultural phenomenon.

The early episodes deployed Beatles drummer Ringo Starr as the narrator, further adding to the show’s appeal.

7. Teletubbies

Another British show that became globally popular is Teletubbies. Aimed at pre-school children, the show features four alien-like creatures playing games and participating in directed learning tasks.

The show proved to be controversial after its release. Some parents said the creatures’ “goo-goo” way of talking could negatively affect young children’s ability to learn languages.

8. Power Rangers

Since its release in the mid-1990s, Power Rangers has been staple viewing for youngsters. Each of the 24 seasons features a new team of rangers who need to overcome their various antagonists.

The channel offers a mix of full episodes, exclusive content, and shorts. There’s even some Spanish-language footage.

9. Sabrina the Teenage Witch

Sabrina the Teenage Witch was a 1990s TV show featuring Melissa Joan Hart that was based on the comics of the same name.

The YouTube channel shows the animated show rather than the live show. Purists will enjoy it; the animated series is much closer to the original comic’s canon.

10. Pingu

Pingu is a Swiss stop-motion clay animated show. Thanks to the show’s lack of a real language (Pingu and his family speak “Pinguish”), the show became a worldwide hit.

The channel offers a mix of short episodes and old clips.

11. Garfield

Garfield holds the world record for being the world’s most syndicated comic strip. The TV show follows the same story premise as the comics, as the world’s laziest cat gets up to endless hijinks with Odie the dog.

12. Fireman Sam

Fireman Sam originally ran from 1987-1994 and featured 32 10-minute episodes. It was rebooted in 2003 and again in 2008. The visuals were modernized each time.

Most stories revolve around Sam trying to save local lad Norman from various perilous situations.

The YouTube channel receives a new episode every Thursday.

13. Postman Pat

Postman Pat targets a slightly younger crowd than Fireman Sam. It is written for preschoolers. A typical storyline sees Pat start his daily deliveries, only to be distracted by the issues of one of the villagers. More often than not, he ends up saving the day.

There’s even a spinoff movie. It hit American and British theatres in 2014.

14. Bob the Builder

Sticking with the theme of jobs, next up is Bob the Builder. The preschoolers’ show started life in the U.K. in the late-1990s. Since then, it has been exported to more than 30 countries. In the U.S., the show was dubbed with American actors’ voices.

Bob the Builder is also the only show on this list to have a hit song. The single—called Can We Fix It? after the series’ catchphrase—was the U.K. Christmas number one in 2000 and became the country’s biggest-selling single of the year.

15. Danger Mouse

Danger Mouse is a parody of popular spy fiction like James Bond. The show, which features a secret agent mouse, ran from 1981 to 1992.

The YouTube channel offers content from the rebooted 2015 series. It has modern visuals and tweaked storylines.

16. Count Duckula

Fans of Danger Mouse will instantly recognize Count Duckula. He regularly appears as a villain in the Danger Mouse series, but his character was so popular that a spinoff series was launched.

As vampires go, Duckula is a pretty poor example. He has no fangs and is a vegetarian. His nemesis in the series is Dr. Von Goosewing; the name is a parody of Dracula’s Abraham Van Helsing.

17. Care Bears

The Care Bears started life as artwork for American Greetings to use on its greeting cards. Such was the popularity of the figures, however, that they quickly morphed into the stars of a kids’ TV series.

The bears live in the clouds and travel around the world to perform “missions in caring.” The series has run in various guises since 1985.

18. The Muppets

The Muppets play a key role in Sesame Street, but they also have their own TV series and YouTube channel.

The channel predominantly features short videos with a single Muppet doing the talking.

19. Curious George

Curious George has its roots in Cecily G. and the Nine Monkeys, a book published in France in 1939. As such, it’s the oldest franchise on this list.

The first animated TV series went live in 1980. It ran until the mid-90s. In 2006, PBS rebooted the show; it lasted until 2015.

20. Noddy

Noddy ran for two seasons and 66 episodes between 1998 and 2000. The show focuses on Noah the NODDY Shop (Notions, Oddities, Doodads, and Delights of Yesterday). Each story carries a moral message and a healthy dose of comedy.

The was made in Canada but was a hit in the U.S., U.K., Australia, and much of Latin America.

A YouTube Video for Every Occasion

It’s not just kids who can benefit from the massive amount of content on YouTube. If you’d like a taste of what else is available, check out our articles on the best legal live TV channels on YouTube and the best YouTube Originals.

Read the full article: The Best Kids Shows to Watch on YouTube

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Wikimedia warns EU copyright reform threatens the ‘vibrant free web’

The Wikimedia Foundation has sounded a stark warning against a copyright reform proposal in Europe that’s due to be voted on by the European Parliament next week. (With the mild irony that it’s done so with a blog post on the commercial Medium platform.)

In the post, also emailed to TechCrunch, María Sefidari Huici, chair of the Wikimedia Foundation, writes: “Next week, the European Parliament will decide how information online is shared in a vote that will significantly affect how we interact in our increasingly connected, digital world. We are in the last few moments of what could be our last opportunity to define what the Internet looks like in the future.

“The next wave of proposed rules under consideration by the European Parliament will either permit more innovation and growth, or stifle the vibrant free web that has allowed creativity, innovation, and collaboration to thrive. This is significant because copyright does not only affect books and music, it profoundly shapes how people communicate and create on the internet for years to come.”

Backers of the reform proposals argue they will help European creatives be fairly recompensed for their work. But critics argue the proposals are not balanced and will chill the creative freedoms of web users to share and comment on content online.

The two articles attracting the most controversy in the reforms are:

• Article 11; which proposes a neighboring copyright for snippets of journalistic content — requiring news aggregators such as Google News to gain a license from the publisher to use this type of content (branded a ‘link tax’ by critics);
• Article 13; which seeks to shift liability for platform users’ copyright infringements onto the platforms themselves — and which critics contend will therefore push them towards creating upload filters to monitor all content before it’s posted, having a chilling effect on Internet expression. Critics sometimes dub this component ‘censorship machines’.

In July MEPs issued a smackdown to the Commission by refusing to back the reforms — and voting to reopen debate. Another vote is due next week, with amendments in the process of being tabled now, hence Wikimedia’s intervention.

In her blog post, Sefidari Huici urges MEPs to remember the original objective for the update: “To make copyright rules that work for better access to a quickly-evolving, diverse, and open internet.”

“The very context in which copyright operates has changed completely. Consider Wikipedia, a platform which like much of the internet today, is made possible by people who act as consumers and creators. People read Wikipedia, but they also write and edit articles, take photos for Wikimedia Commons, or contribute to other Wikimedia free knowledge projects. Content on Wikipedia is available under a free license for anyone to use, copy, or remix,” she writes.

“Every month, hundreds of thousands of volunteers make decisions about what content to include on Wikipedia, what constitutes a copyright violation, and when those decisions need to be revised. We like it this way — it allows people, not algorithms, to make decisions about what knowledge should be presented back to the rest of the world.”

She also warns that changes to EU copyright could have serious implications for Wikipedia and other collaborative non-profit websites, urging MEPs to “institute policies that promote the free exchange of information online for everyone”.

“We urge EU representatives to support reform that adds critical protections for public domain works of art, history, and culture, and to limit new exclusive rights to existing works that are already free of copyright,” she writes.

On Article 13 specifically she warns this would push platforms towards creating “costly, often biased systems to automatically review and filter out potential copyright violations on their sites”, warning: “We already know that these systems are historically faulty and often lead to false positives. For example, consider the experience of a German professor who repeatedly received copyright violation notices when using public domain music from Beethoven, Bartók, and Schubert in videos on YouTube.”

“The internet has already created alternative ways to manage these issues,” she adds. “For instance, Wikipedia contributors already work hard to catch and remove infringing content if it does appear. This system, which is largely driven by human efforts, is very effective at preventing copyright infringement.”

She also argues that the copyright reform debate has been dominated by market relationships between large rights holders and for-profit internet platforms — saying this too narrow slice “does not reflect the breadth of websites and users on the internet today”.

“Wikipedians are motivated by a passion for information and a sense of community. We are entirely nonprofit, independent, and volunteer-driven. We urge MEPs to consider the needs of this silent majority online when designing copyright policies that work for the entire internet,” she adds, calling for MEPs to create a copyright framework that reflects “the evolution of how people use the internet today”.

“We must remember the original problem policymakers set out to solve: to bring copyright rules in line with a dramatically larger, more complex digital world and to remove cross-border barriers. We should remain true to the original vision for the internet — to remain an open, accessible space for all.”

Asked for a response to Wikimedia’s criticisms, a spokeswoman for the European Commission pointed us to an FAQ where it discusses what will happen to online encyclopaedias based on content uploaded by users — and claims these sites will not fall under the scope of the reform (because “the vast majority of the content on Wikipedia is uploaded with the consent of their rights holders” — something critics of the reform dispute).

She also sent us a general comment from Commission spokesperson, Nathalie Vandystadt, in which she states:

The new copyright rules are necessary in order to allow creators and the press to get a better deal when their works are made available online. At the same time, our proposal safeguards free speech and ensures that online platforms – including 7,000 European online platforms – can develop new and innovative offers and business models. It will not ban memes or hyperlinks, as has often been claimed in the public debate.

The Commission presented its balanced proposal two years ago, in September 2016. We have discussed the proposal with all relevant actors. We now expect the European Parliament to reach a position and stand ready to start negotiations on this important reform with the Parliament and the Council of the EU as soon as possible. The process has been long enough. Any further delay at this stage would put at risk adoption before the next European elections.

It’s not the first time Wikimedia has made a high profile intervention in the reform debate; Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales added his name to an open letter in June warning that it “takes an unprecedented step towards the transformation of the Internet from an open platform for sharing and innovation, into a tool for the automated surveillance and control of its users”.

While, in July, several local language versions of the Wikipedia encyclopaedia voted to temporarily black out their content to protest the copyright proposals.

It remains to be seen whether MEPs will be swayed by all this public pressure — not least given all the counterlobbying they are getting behind the scenes.

Commenting on the state of play for the copyright reform ahead of the vote later this month, Marietje Schaake, a Dutch Member of the European Parliament, told us it’s too close to call right now.

“Right now it is impossible to say how the copyright vote will play out next week. I have been working hard on a sensible compromise that respects our fundamental rights, but we don’t know until tomorrow which amendments will be voted on,” she told TechCrunch. “MEPs and political groups are still making up their minds, and the margins are very tight. The votes could swing either way.”

Schaake said it’s likely more clarity will emerge tomorrow, once it’s clear who has tabled what (in terms of amendments) that will then get voted on by the whole parliament next week.

On the controversial article 13 portion of the reform, which would make platforms directly liable for copyright infringements by users, options likely to be on the table include some previous texts (such as the text produced the Commission, or the original Legal Affairs Committee (Juri) text), which are therefore unlikely to gain a majority.

The new proposal by @AxelVossMdEP still makes platforms liable for all their users’ copyright infringements, with no safeguards to prevent filtering. Platforms can either filter everything or get a license for every work in the world. https://t.co/VBLzy3FC2v #SaveYourInternet

— Julia Reda (@Senficon) August 31, 2018

An amendment suggesting full deletion of the article is also likely to be tabled — but also probably wouldn’t get majority backing given the level of backing the reform has behind it.

There may also be a version of the text produced by the Internal Market and Consumer Protection committee, which had joint competency on Article 13 of the proposal with the Juri committee but at the vote in July argued that its position had not been taken into account by the Juri text (which it criticized as not achieving “the needed balance”.

On top of that additional new compromise versions — which “aim to remove the worst parts of Article 13”, as Schaake puts it — are also likely to be tabled. But with votes predicted to be tight it’s hard to say which way MEPs will jump.

In July, the parliament voted by 318 votes to 278, with 31 abstentions, to reject the negotiating mandate that had been proposed by the Juri committee the month before.

As a result, the parliament’s position was reopened for debate, amendment and a vote — which will be held during an afternoon plenary session on September 12.

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7 Unique Android Browsers That Offer Something Special

New to Instagram? 20 Common Terms You Should Know

Thanks to its visual nature, Instagram can still bring joy to your life. As opposed to the anxiety and anger that some people feel when using Facebook and Twitter.

However, if you’re new to Instagram you may be confused by some of the terms being thrown around without explanation. In this article, we explain the language of Instagram…

1. Bio

This is the biography of your profile on Instagram. This is your place to tell the world a little bit about yourself. You can use text, emojis, hashtags, and even ‘@’ mention profiles here. Want to format text with empty lines? First, write the description in a notes app and then paste it over in the Bio field.

2. Stories

Instagram Stories is the feature Instagram copied from Snapchat, and it’s possibly the biggest reason why Instagram is so popular right now. Using the Stories feature, you can post a public-facing photo or 15-second video that automatically disappears from your feed in 24 hours.

Using Instagram Stories is fun. There’s so much to do here that Stories is more like its own mini app.

You can add text, emojis, stickers, GIFs, hashtags, mentions, and even doodle over the image. Instagram Stories might seem silly but it’s an amazing platform for sharing a little bit of your creativity with the world. And we have shared the tips to make your Instagram Stories stand out.

3. Mention

This is how you get someone’s attention on Instagram. Begin with the @ symbol, followed by their handle or name. If you’re following them, you’ll find their handle in the first couple of autocomplete options. You can mention someone in a variety of places on Instagram, including in your bio, comments, or even in Instagram Stories.

4. Tag

Tag is different from Mention. You can only tag a person on a picture or a video. When you tag someone, it will show up in their profile (in the tagged section next to their Gallery).

5. IG Live

IG Live or Instagram Live is Instagram’s live-streaming feature. It works similar to Facebook Live or Periscope. IG Live works from the Stories section of the app, and you can go live to your audience instantly. Once live, you can pin messages in the chat, reply to comments, and even invite someone to join in your livestream (using a splitscreen view).

6. IGTV

IGTV is Instagram’s latest attempt at longform video. And for Instagram, that means anything that’s longer than one minute. IGTV is both a standalone app and a section in the main Instagram app. If you just want to watch vertical, longform videos from your favorite Instagrammer, you can do that using the TV icon in the top-right corner.

7. Highlights

Highlights are Instagram’s way of helping you surface your best Instagram Stories. As mentioned above, Stories you post disappear after 24 hours. But they still live on in your archive.

Using this feature, you can create a highlights reel of your best Instagram Stories, and even bundle them into related categories or events. For example, you can make a Highlight about your last vacation, or a topic you shared with your audience.

8. Insta DM

Insta DM, or Instagram Direct Message, is Instagram’s own built-in messaging platform. You’ll find the familiar, tilted paper plane icon everywhere in the app. You can use Instagram DM to message a friend, share a picture from your gallery, send a disappearing picture, and even initiate a group video call.

9. Instagram Algorithm

Over the past year, Instagram Algorithm has been the talk of the town. Well, at least on Instagram. It’s the hidden computer science magic that Instagram uses to influence everything users view and interact with on the platform.

The next time you hear Instagram users argue about the algorithm, try these prompts. Did you know that Instagram only shows your posts to around 10 percent of your audience organically? Or that Instagram Stories is where all the engagement is at these days? The more you interact with users (on comments or in DM), the more they’re likely to see your posts on their feed?

10. Instagram Bots

Instagram Bots are automated profiles (poorly) masquerading as people. But sometimes, even legit profiles use automated bots (third-party services) to get your attention. If you come across random comments on your posts or a slew of likes seconds after you post a picture, a bot was probably involved in the process.

The best thing to do is to ignore the bots. If they’re posting spam or inappropriate content, you can report and block them as well.

11. Hashtags

Hashtags are the lifeblood of Instagram. You can use up to 30 of them in a post, but you should use them wisely. The right hashtag will get you the right engagement.

A hashtag is just a collection of words, letters, or a phrase preceded by the # symbol. When someone taps on a hashtag, they can see all the posts tagged using the given hashtag. Hashtags are a great way to increase both your followers and your engagement.

12: Follow Hashtags

You can now follow any hashtag on Instagram, no matter how obscure it is. And this is a good way of adding a bit of spice to your feed. Instead of following 10 different profiles of something you’re interested in, just follow the hashtag (for example, #pottery, #lettering, or #calligraphy). Instagram will automatically surface the top posts from the hashtag in your feed periodically.

13. Save

Instagram now lets you save posts for your own personal use. This is not the same as downloading an image or video to your camera roll. Instead, it’s more like bookmarking.

This new feature lets you use Instagram more like Pinterest. When you come across a post you want to save for later, tap on the bookmark icon in the bottom-right corner of the post. It will be saved. You can tap on the Save to Collection option to save it to a different collection (similar to boards on Pinterest).

14. Mute

Don’t want to see the perfectly edited travel shots from your colleague’s latest vacation? But unfollowing or blocking would be too much of a hassle? Try the new mute button instead.

You can mute both Stories and posts from an Instagram profile. Their profile is still available for you to view and interact with. But their posts and Stories will stop showing up on your feed.

15. Block

This is the nuclear option. When you block someone on Instagram, they can no longer view your posts, Stories or your activity. When they visit your profile, they’ll be able to see the follow button but tapping it will do nothing.

You can block someone specifically from commenting as well. Go to Settings > Comment Controls & Block Comments from.

16. Hide Your Story

Mute takes care of hiding other people’s posts. But what if you don’t want someone to view your own Instagram Stories? When you’re in the Stories editing page, click on the Gear icon. From here, go to the Hide Story from section and add people you don’t want to show your Stories to.

17. Report

Whenever you see something inappropriate on Instagram, always report it. It can be a threatening comment or a page dedicated to scamming people. Tap on the menu button and select Report. Instagram will review your report and take appropriate action. You’re doing your part in making Instagram a better place for everyone.

18. Business Profile

Instagram offers a simple way to switch from a personal profile to a business profile. You don’t even need to be a registered business to use a business profile. And there are many advantages to converting to a business profile.

You get access to action buttons in the bio and you get detailed insights from your followers. Plus, using a business profile is the only way to unlock features like embedding links in Stories and adding buy buttons to your posts.

19. Insights

Once you’ve converted to a Business Profile, you’ll see an Insights button in the top toolbar in your profile. Tap on it and you’ll find a sea of useful information. You’ll find out what the age and gender breakdown of your followers is, as well as the best time to post to Instagram for maximum engagement.

20. Explore

Tap on the Search button from the bottom toolbar and you’ll end up in the Explore tab. This is the hodgepodge of everything that’s trending on Instagram right now. On the top, you’ll find topics, and below, a feed of popular photos and videos.

Get Noticed on Instagram

Now that you understand some of the most common Instagram terms, you’ll want to turn your knowledge into action. So, with that in mind, here are some tips to help you get noticed on Instagram. Good luck!

Read the full article: New to Instagram? 20 Common Terms You Should Know

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Chat app Line to raise $1.33BN via convertible bonds to double down on financial services

Move over stickers and games: Japanese messaging app firm Line has announced it’s raising around 148.1 billion yen ($1.33BN) through convertible bonds to fund aggressive expansion into the financial services business, Reuters reports. 

Line said it plans to spend most of the money on promoting its Line Pay service and for other new financial services by the end of 2021.

The messaging platform has been involved in payment offerings for some years, launching Line Pay at the end of 2014 — to let users make payments through the app at affiliated online and offline stores by registering their credit cards.

Line Pay also supports p2p payments between users of the platform, which has some 164M monthly active users in Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and Indonesia.

While popular in parts of Asia, the messaging platform has failed to grow usage beyond its core regions — unsurprisingly given how fiercely competitive the space is — with the likes of China’s WeChat and Facebook owned WhatsApp standing in its way. But while user growth has stalled, Line has managed to grow revenue from its existing user base. And doubling down on financial services looks to be its growth strategy going forward.

It has recently started experimenting with crypto — announcing the forthcoming launch of a cryptocurrency token (called Link) late last month, and developing its own blockchain to power it, in what looks to be a bid to drive user engagement on its platform. Though it has long used a digital currency (Line Coins) on its platform.

Earlier this year Line also announced the launch of a Singapore-based crypto exchange, called BitBox.

It’s not doing an Initial Coin Offering (ICO) for the Link token launch, presumably to side-step the legal questions around token sales. So the convertible bond sale looks to be its alternative (traditional) route for raise funds for the push to grow its financial services business.

In a statement today Line said it would issue zero coupon convertible bonds maturing in 2023 and 2025.

Reuters reports that a portion of the bonds will be issued to its South Korea-based parent Naver Corp to maintain its ownership above a certain level.

It added that Naver’s stake would fall to 70.42 percent from the current 72.86 percent when all the bonds are converted into stock.

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Save 80% on Ultra-Fast Online Protection with Buffered VPN

It’s well known that using a VPN is the best way to protect your online privacy. Unfortunately, many services are pretty slow. If you want to keep browsing at full speed, Buffered VPN should be your first choice. This lightning-fast VPN ranks in the top five for speed, without compromising on your security. Right now, you can grab a two-year subscription for $59.99 at MakeUseOf Deals.

Speedy and Secure

In order to protect your privacy, Buffered VPN routes your data through masking servers. This makes it virtually impossible for anyone to trace your IP address or physical location. But unlike many VPN platforms, Buffered uses superfast servers. As a result, you won’t feel any slowdown.

This VPN also has impressive security credentials. All your data is protected by military-grade 256-bit Blowfish encryption and the OpenVPN protocol. Buffered VPN keeps no record of your online activity, and the company is based in Gibraltar — outside the “14 eyes” alliance of countries that share surveillance.

With 45 servers around the world to choose from, Buffered VPN lets you stream to your heart’s content. You can easily bypass geo-restrictions on sites such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer. In addition, this service supports P2P connections.

Buffered VPN is available to download on Mac, Windows, iOS and Android. You can also set up protection on your home router. One subscription covers five devices, with 24/7 live support.

Two Years for $59.99

Order now for $59.99 to get two years of coverage with Buffered VPN, worth $311.

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Political anonymity may help us see both sides of a divisive issue online

Some topics are so politically charged that even to attempt a discussion online is to invite toxicity and rigid disagreement among participants. But a new study finds that exposure to the views of others, minus their political affiliation, could help us overcome our own biases.

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, led by sociologist Damon Centola, examined how people’s interpretations of some commonly misunderstood climate change data changed after seeing those of people in opposing political parties.

The theory is that by exposing people to information sans partisan affiliation, we might be able to break the “motivated reasoning” that leads us to interpret data in a preconceived way.

The data in this case was a NASA study indicating that sea ice levels will decrease but frequently misinterpreted as suggesting the opposite. The misunderstanding isn’t entirely partisan in nature: 40 percent of self-identified Republicans and 26 percent of Democrats polled in the study adopted the mistaken latter view.

The NASA graph used in the study. As you can see it’s not crazy to think that the sea ice levels would increase, though it is incorrect.

Thousands from both parties, recruited via Mechanical Turk, were asked to indicate whether sea ice levels were rising or falling, and how much. After their initial guess, they were shown how others had answered and allowed to adjust their answer afterwards. Some were shown their peers answers with those peers’ political affiliation, and some were shown it without.

When political party was not attached to the answers, there was a considerable effect on people’s answers. Republicans jumped from about 65 percent getting it right to around 90, and Democrats went from 75 to 85 percent. When party was shown, improvements were much smaller; and when people were only exposed to those from their own party, there was practically no improvement at all.

Manufacturing civility

Obviously this isn’t going to fix the problem of viral misinformation or the near-constant flame wars raging across every major online service. But it’s amazing that doing something as simple as stripping the political context from communications may lead to those communications being taken more seriously.

Perhaps something along these lines could help put the brakes on runaway articles: showing highly-cited views from people with no indication of their political beliefs. Will you be so quick to dismiss or accept someone’s argument if you can’t be sure of their agenda? At worst it may force people to take a second and evaluate those ideas on their merits, and that’s hardly a bad thing.

The study was published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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8 Awesome Sites for Making Flashcards Online

Flashcards are effective tools for both learning and studying. They contain bits of information related to your subjects like images, words, phrases, or numbers and let you quickly quiz yourself on your topic of study.

Pre-made flashcards are usually seen in elementary schools, not so much in high schools or colleges. So, many students turn to creating their own flashcards. If this is you or someone you know, check out this great list of eight sites to make flashcards online.

1. Cram.com

Cram.com makes it super easy to create flashcard decks for any subject with a free account. Name your deck, add subjects, insert a description, and choose between private or public access. To create your flashcards, use the editor to add text, images, lists, and formatting to the fronts and backs of the cards.

When it’s time to study your cards, Cram.com gives you a few different options. You can simply study your cards, go through them to memorize the information, test yourself with a quiz, or play a game. You can also edit your flashcard sets as well as share, print, export, or clone them.

And for studying on-the-go, Cram.com offers apps for both Android and iOS.

Download: Cram.com for Android | iOS (Free)

2. Flashcard.online

Flashcard.online is another simple site for creating flashcard decks that you can save and print. Start with a title, choose the number of cards, and select a type from only text or text plus a picture. You don’t need to sign up for an account; just create your cards and go.

Once you add your text and/or images to the cards, hit the Save as PDF and then Free Download buttons. You’ll have a handy PDF file of your flashcards that you can print and cut. The only drawback with Flashcard.online is that you don’t have an option to use both the fronts and backs of your cards.

But, if you’re looking for an easily printable flashcard option, give the site a try.

3. GoConqr

GoConqr goes a step further with its flashcard creation process. You start by setting up your account and then answering questions about your grade level and subjects to build your learning profile. This gives you additional features such as free content, groups, a calendar, and more, in addition to the flashcards you can create.

So, when you’re ready to make your flashcards, hit the Create button from the top left and select Flashcards. Then enter your text or upload images to the fronts and backs of the cards. You can format the background color, text, and textures.

When it’s time to study, head to the flashcard deck in the subject you created it for, and that’s it.

4. Brainscape

Brainscape is a terrific site for finding flashcards created by others as well as making your own. Start by setting up a free account, then add a class (subject) and create your deck of flashcards. You can set up several classes and flashcard decks in each, which is ideal for multiple courses.

Enter the questions and answers (fronts and backs) for your cards. Then save your deck or start studying right away. While you can only use text on your flashcards with the free account, that might be all you need. Plus, you can sort, edit, and share your decks with others.

Brainscape does offer paid plans for additional content, an advanced editor to include images and sounds, and other learning features.

5. ProProfs.com

With ProProfs.com, you can make a deck of five flashcards in just minutes after creating your free account. You can add images and text, arrange the cards in the order you want, and edit or add more cards to decks anytime.

ProProfs.com offers similar options for study time like Cram.com. You can view your flashcard deck, memorize the information, take a quiz, and play a match or gravity game. The site gives you options to share your flashcard set via email, shareable link, social sign-in, or embed code.

You can also take a look at the site’s knowledge base, brain games, training, and more.

6. StudyBlue

Making flashcards online is easy with StudyBlue. Pop in a term and definition (front and back) and click the plus sign at the bottom to keep creating cards for your deck. You can use text, images, audio files, and equations, covering most topic needs.

When it’s time to study with the flashcards you create, you can flip through them, take a quiz, or check out a review sheet. StudyBlue offers extra features too, like homework help, classes that you can join, and flashcard decks shared by other users. StudyBlue also offers apps for Android and iOS.

And if you find mobile apps like this helpful during the school year, check out this massive list of iPhone and iPad apps for students.

Download: StudyBlue for Android | iOS (Free)

7. Flashcard Machine

With Flashcard Machine, you start with a free account and the basics of your flashcard deck. Then jump into the editor where you can insert text, images, equations, and other items. You can also align the text, include lists, and adjust the font.

After you make your flashcards, you can start a general study session by moving through the cards or playing a game. You can also print, export, and review your deck.

Flashcard Machine offers apps for both Android and iOS, so you can study wherever you go.

Download: Flashcard Machine for Android | iOS (Free)

8. FlashDecks

FlashDecks is one final site to look at for creating flashcards online. With a basic interface, you can make flashcard decks quickly. Add your text to the fronts and backs and upload images to go with the cards.

For reviewing your flashcards, you will see the fronts of each display. When you want to reveal the back, just click and then indicate if you were right or wrong. The indication is helpful for keeping track of your stats which display nicely in a graph.

Check out flashcards shared by others, share your own on the site or via social media, and create collections for multiple decks. FlashDecks makes it all very easy.

Flashcards Are Great Study Tools

Every student has a different way of learning and studying that works best for them. So, if flashcards are what you prefer or if you’re someone who wants to try them, these sites are for you. You can easily create and use decks for all your classes and give your studying a boost.

If the school year is just beginning for you, take a look at some useful templates for schedules and planning, plus several helpful Windows apps for students.

Read the full article: 8 Awesome Sites for Making Flashcards Online

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TikTok adds video reactions to its newly-merged app

Just about a month after the merger of the short-form video apps Musical.ly and TikTok, the app is introducing a new social feature, allowing users to post their reactions to the videos that they watch.

Instead of text comments, these reactions will take the form of videos that are essentially superimposed on top of existing clips. The idea of a reaction video should be familiar to anyone who’s spent some time on YouTube, but TikTok is incorporating the concept in way that looks like a pretty seamless.

To post a reaction, users just need to choose the React option in the Share menu for a given video. The app will then record your audio and video as the clip plays. You can also decide where on the screen you want your reaction video to appear.

If you don’t recognize the TikTok name, that’s probably because the app only launched in the United States at the beginning of August, but it’s been available in China for a couple of years.

Back in 2017, Bytedance — the Chinese company behind TikTok as well as news aggregator Toutia — acquired Musical.ly for around $1 billion. It eventually merged the two apps to combine their audiences and features; Musical.ly users were moved over with their existing videos and settings.

The company says Reactions will be available in the updated app on Google Play and the Apple App Store over the next day or two.

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TikTok adds video reactions to its newly-merged app

Just about a month after the merger of the short-form video apps Musical.ly and TikTok, the app is introducing a new social feature, allowing users to post their reactions to the videos that they watch.

Instead of text comments, these reactions will take the form of videos that are essentially superimposed on top of existing clips. The idea of a reaction video should be familiar to anyone who’s spent some time on YouTube, but TikTok is incorporating the concept in way that looks like a pretty seamless.

To post a reaction, users just need to choose the React option in the Share menu for a given video. The app will then record your audio and video as the clip plays. You can also decide where on the screen you want your reaction video to appear.

If you don’t recognize the TikTok name, that’s probably because the app only launched in the United States at the beginning of August, but it’s been available in China for a couple of years.

Back in 2017, Bytedance — the Chinese company behind TikTok as well as news aggregator Toutia — acquired Musical.ly for around $1 billion. It eventually merged the two apps to combine their audiences and features; Musical.ly users were moved over with their existing videos and settings.

The company says Reactions will be available in the updated app on Google Play and the Apple App Store over the next day or two.

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