6 Free Web Apps to Break Instagram Restrictions and Fix Annoyances

There is so much more to Instagram than posting a picture and getting some likes. These free web apps show how to make the best use of the social network by doing things that Instagram won’t let you.

Instagram often feels unnecessarily restrictive in how one can use it. Thankfully, a few developers are bypassing these annoyances with simple apps. So here are a few ways to write well-formatted captions, browse someone’s top posts, or download any post or story.

1. Instaloadgram (Web): AI-Generate Hashtags, Data Export, and Downloads

Instaloadgram is a combination of three tools for Instagram users. It lets you download any content from a profile, it can export data to a spreadsheet, and it can auto-generate smart hashtags.

1. Downloading: Instaloadgram is the best download tool for Instagram stories, videos, or photos. Load any public profile to see the latest Stories that are still active, as well as all their posts. Everything has a quick link to download and save it to your hard drive.
2. Exporting: You can export data (comments, likes, followers, posts from an account, posts from a hashtag) about any account easily into a spreadsheet to open in Excel. The first 100 entries are free, but you’ll have to pay for more data points.
3. AI Hashtags: Upload an image from your hard drive to Instaloadgram, and its smart AI will “see” the image to generate hashtags. Hashtags are based on current trends so that you don’t have to do the hard yards. You can copy all hashtags to the clipboard in one click.

Instaloadgram is a virtual Swiss Army knife of useful apps for Instagram users. It’s also cool that it isn’t a subscription-based program because Instagram often bans such apps. You’re only paying for data export, and that too as per the use case.

2. dgram.xyz (Web): All-in-One Instagram Photo, Video, IGTV Downloader

If Instaloadgram is overkill for your needs, bookmark dgram.xyz to save or download individual Instagram media. This web app downloads any photo, video, IGTV clip, or a user’s full-size display picture. It doesn’t work with Stories on Instagram.

Just copy the link (on any photo or video, tap the Three-dot menu icon > Copy link) and paste it into the box at dgram. You’ll see a preview, and an option to download the HD file.

Of course, dgram is best for downloading other people’s Instagram content. If you’re only concerned about the things you uploaded on the social network, then there are other ways to download and save all your Instagram images easily.

3. Zine (Web): Free Way to Turn Instagram Feed Into a Website

If you’re a photographer or an influencer who primarily uses Instagram for your portfolio, check out Zine. It’s the easiest way to turn any Instagram feed into a website, without any coding, and it’s completely free.

Sign in with your Instagram login, and Zine will fetch the pictures and videos from your account. Customize how you want your website to look by choosing a layout, a font, and the color. You can preview them before making it final.

Once you’re done, you’ll get a free account at the URL “<yourusername>.zine.press” (without the quotes), which even non-Instagram users can check out. The app also lets you upgrade to use your own custom domain name for $7 per month.

Currently, Zine does not import Instagram Stories, so this will be a portfolio of pictures and videos only.

4. Caption Writer (Web): Write Beautifully Formatted Captions

It’s strange that Instagram is such a great app, but it won’t let you compose well-formatted captions. Till the social network fixes it, here’s an easy workaround from developer Igor Samohovets.

The web-based Caption Writer works on both desktop and mobile. Write a caption with whitespaces. emojis, and numbered lists. The character count at the top ensures you don’t exceed the 2200 character limit. Similarly, a hashtag limiter counts down from the maximum 30 hashtags.

Once you’ve composed your caption, tap the Copy button, head to Instagram, and paste it there. Next time you want to use Caption Writer again, tap Clear to restart. There’s no need to sign in or download anything, it’s a free and awesome nifty tool.

Note: In case Samohovets takes down Caption Writer, try Pretty Captions to write formatted Instagram captions. It doesn’t have the character or hashtag countdowns, but it works well.

5. Top 100 Posts (Web): Browse Any Account’s Top 100 Posts

Instagram doesn’t make it easy to browse. When you discover a new user on Instagram, you can check their feed only chronologically. There’s no quick way to see their most popular or most viewed posts. That’s where Top 100 Posts comes in.

Key in the username of any Instagram public profile, or browse through the suggestions for sports brands, tech brands, top users, etc. In a few seconds, Top 100 Posts will show that account’s best photos and videos (excluding Stories).

You can sort those top posts by engagement, the number of likes it got, or the number of comments on that post. The app also has a quick-link to download and save the image.

This is one of the coolest ways to browse Instagram accounts, especially those of influencers or popular brands. You’re also more likely to see personal pictures this way, rather than an endorsement.

6. Linkfru (Web): Create Cool Links for Instagram Bio

Instagram users can only add one link in their bio. With Linkfru, you can use that one link to lead a user to more cool links.

The free Linkfru account creates a custom page for you, with three links that look like buttons. You can customize the text and the URL, as well as the look of your page. Apart from these three links, you can create custom Pages.

Each Linkfru Page has a lot more information than a button. You can add a banner image or a YouTube video that can be played in the page, as well as a headline, a description, and a link. Your users are likely to stay longer in your Linkfru bio if you use videos smartly.

The free account restricts you to three links and three Pages. The premium accounts (starting at $14 per month) include unlimited links and Pages, as well as analytics and insights into user behavior.

Linkfru is only one of several services that offer cool ways to add links to Instagram posts. Others offer more links in the free package, but the Pages feature makes Linkfru worth checking out.

The Hidden Features of Instagram

The apps in this article are all about circumventing Instagram’s restrictions. But there are also some cool features in Instagram that you probably aren’t aware of. Check out these 15 things you didn’t know you could do on Instagram.

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15 Scary TV Shows to Binge-Watch Over Halloween

The Halloween season is best known for nightmare-inducing horror films, but there are frightening TV shows worth watching too. With the TV horror genre on the rise, you can now either scare yourself on a weekly basis or binge-watch a whole series over a weekend.

Keep in mind that most scary series are still limited by the restrictions of television, so don’t expect the next Texas Chainsaw Massacre or Hereditary. But TV can be disturbing in other ways, so sit tight and enjoy hours of dread with these horror-themed TV shows.

1. American Horror Story

With a name like American Horror Story, this is clearly a show made for Halloween. Every season of American Horror Story explores a self-contained story, so you can view each season as a kind of miniseries.

This works great for the horror format because it can be difficult to stretch out horror for dozens of episodes. Some shows manage it well (see Hannibal below) but American Horror Story makes good use of its self-contained design to maximize thrills.

You can stream American Horror Story on: Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video

2. Hannibal

Be warned: This show is INCREDIBLY graphic and gruesome. Flayed skin, lots of blood, piles of corpses, psychological and physical torture, and other forms of disturbing imagery abound in this horrific show.

The characters, direction, and narrative of Hannibal are all top-notch and award-worthy. However, there’s a reason why Hannibal had such a small viewership during its run: it’s often difficult to watch. I viewed most of this series peering through my fingers—and had to take frequent breaks because of how dark it could get.

Not much else needs to be said. Everyone knows Hannibal. This series is basically a re-imagined crime drama that’s loosely based on the source material.

You can stream Hannibal on: Amazon Prime Video

3. The X-Files

The X-Files is a long-running series beloved by fans and critics alike. It was one of the first shows to successfully mix standalone episodes with serial storylines, allowing it to deliver deep character developments while satisfyingly wrapping up each episode as a self-contained story.

Some of the episodes can be a bit hit-or-miss, but it’s still a thoroughly entertaining ride throughout. Especially if you love mystery.

You can stream The X-Files on: Hulu, Amazon Prime Video

4. The Walking Dead

A Halloween without zombies would not be Halloween at all, and we’d be remiss if we left out one of the best zombie shows in the history of television. Season one nabbed five million viewers. By season five, 17 million viewers were tuning in. It’s a must-watch for zombie lovers.

However, do note one thing: even though The Walking Dead is packed with violence and zombie gore, this isn’t a zombie survival story. It’s a drama that happens to take place in a zombie apocalypse. If that sounds fine to you, then you’ll enjoy the show—especially if you speed through the slower parts.

You can stream The Walking Dead on: Netflix

5. Fear the Walking Dead

Fear the Walking Dead is a spin-off from The Walking Dead, and even though it doesn’t bring anything new to the genre, it’s definitely noteworthy for its artistic and atmospheric merits. It’s also perfect for getting into the Halloween spirit.

You can stream Fear the Walking Dead on: Hulu

6. Stranger Things

I fell in love with Stranger Things in the first 15 minutes of the first episode. Few shows have managed to do what it does, which is to take a cast of children and adults on an epic adventure.

There is a monster in this show, and it can get quite moody and dark at times. It might even scare you if you watch it alone at night with the lights off. But there’s a touching human story at its core that resonates, plus an abundance of 1980s nostalgia!

You can stream Stranger Things on: Netflix

7. Carnivale

Carnivale is an underappreciated gem, and one of the many shows that make an HBO Now subscription worthwhile. It’s only two short seasons, making it the perfect show to binge-watch for Halloween.

Carnivale is a dark fantasy tale about a traveling carnival, and things aren’t what they seem on the surface. It’s an older show that feels dated at times, but if you can look past it, the story will suck you right in.

You can stream Carnivale on: Amazon Prime Video, HBO Now

8. Penny Dreadful

The name of this stylized horror show refers to the “penny dreadful” stories produced back in 19th century England; printed tales that involved a lot of sensational, supernatural, and pulpy content matter. Penny Dreadful follows suit, but in much more intelligent ways.

It draws on many public domain characters, including Dracula, Frankenstein, Dr. Jekyll, and more. But the stories therein are unique, engrossing, and macabre. The end result is compelling, to say the least.

As a Showtime series, be warned that you’ll find a lot of mature content in many scenes. Naked cadavers and grotesque imagery are par for the course.

You can stream Penny Dreadful on: Netflix, Showtime

9. Outcast

From the original creator of The Walking Dead comes another horror series with much more character development than its more famous counterpart. It’s dark, creepy, but rooted in human relationships and community. All told, it’s a thrilling ride that actually gets better with each episode.

You can stream Outcast on: Cinemax

10. The Exorcist

The Exorcist is a TV series based on the nightmarish film of the same name. And while it isn’t nearly as terrifying as the source material, even the first episode will leave a lasting impression on you. It’s much scarier than primetime television should be, so viewers better beware.

You can stream The Exorcist on: Hulu

11. Wayward Pines

Wayward Pines is based on the eponymous trilogy of books and faithfully adapts the material into a slow-burning mystery that gets more compelling with each twist. (Skip the second season, which involves a messy genre shift and a significant drop in writing quality.)

You can stream Wayward Pines on: Hulu

12. Supernatural

Not many shows come close to the number of episodes in Supernatural, and we’re talking about hour-long episodes here. True, there are some real stinkers along the way, but Supernatural is impressive because it managed to stay generally consistent and on course for most of its run.

To cut a long story short, this fantasy/horror series focuses on two brothers who investigate paranormal events and end up having all kinds of run-ins with ghosts, vampires, witches, angels, and demons. The massive mythology of Supernatural is its strongest aspect, so if you’re into that kind of storytelling, you’ll love this show.

You can stream Supernatural on: Netflix

13. Bates Motel

Like Hannibal, Bates Motel is a movie-reimagined-for-television that tells the prequel story of Norman Bates, the famous serial killer from Psycho. While the show doesn’t reach the same award-winning heights as Hannibal, the overall experience is a solid one.

Leaning more towards thriller than outright horror, Bates Motel can still produce a ton of suspense and make you feel extremely uncomfortable when it’s firing on all cylinders. Worth a watch? Definitely.

You can stream Bates Motel on: Netflix

14. Hemlock Grove

Hemlock Grove centers on the fictional town of Hemlock Grove, which gets upended when strange happenings—including a string of brutal murders—start to occur. Though it debuted to mixed reviews, Netflix gave it a full three seasons to bring its story to a somewhat satisfying conclusion.

You can stream Hemlock Grove on: Netflix

15. Attack on Titan

Don’t be put off by the fact that Attack on Titan is an anime. This show is very adult, particularly in the themes it tackles. Attack on Titan tells the horrific tale of a city that’s attacked by cataclysmic titans, all bolstered by a beautiful art style and stylish animations.

You’ll wince the first time you watch one of these massive titans grab an innocent human and chomp them in half. Dark and gruesome, yet driven by strong characters, Attack on Titan delivers the trifecta of great horror. Not to mention all of the great plot twists along the way. A fun but depressing ride, for sure.

You can stream Attack on Titan on: Hulu, Netflix, Crunchyroll, Funimation

Which Scary TV Shows Will You Watch?

We don’t recommend binge-watching every single one of these shows. Instead, pick one or two that appeal to you the most and set aside a few nights to take in the full experience.

My personal must-watch recommendations are Hannibal (for adults who want truly dreadful horror) and Stranger Things (for something slightly more family-friendly).

If you want to supplement these shows with something more traditional, check out these classic horror films to watch on Netflix.

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10 Sites to Watch Old Classic Cartoon TV Shows Online

Are you wondering where to watch old cartoons on the web? Thankfully, there are plenty of sites that can come to your rescue.

If you want to watch classic cartoons, keep reading. We’re going to explain how to watch old cartoons online.

1. Boomerang

Boomerang is US television network that’s owned by Warner Bros. It offers a paid streaming plan that provides access to dozens of old cartoons.

You’ll find timeless shows such as Scooby-Doo, The Jetsons, Looney Tunes, Tom and Jerry, Bugs Bunny, Yogi Bear, Popeye, Garfield, and many more. In total, there are in excess of 4,000 episodes for you to dig into.

A subscription costs either $5 per month or $40 for a full year. The Boomerang app is available on all major streaming devices and operating systems, including Android, iOS, Apple TV, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV. The mobile apps are Chromecast-compatible.

The plan is only available in the US.

2. WB Kids

WB Kids lets you watch old cartoons online for free.

Because the site is free, the choice of shows is much more limited. Just four cartoon series are available. They are Scooby-Doo, Looney Tunes, Tom and Jerry, and The Flintstones. The series on offer do sometimes change. In the past, The Jetsons, ThunderCats, and The Smurfs have been available to watch.

The site also includes cartoon-themed games, comics, and downloads.

3. DC Kids

DC Kids is WB Kids’ sister-site. It provides access to the cartoon spinoffs of DC Comics’ repository of content.

Again, just four shows are available. At the time of writing, they are Batman, Teen Titans, Superhero Girls, and Justice League. The shows occasionally change, so make sure you keep checking back for new cartoons to watch.

As with WB Kids, there are also some games, comics, and downloads for you to check out.

4. Toonami Aftermath

It’s not easy to find a place where you can watch old Cartoon Network shows.

Series like Dexter’s Laboratory, Ed, Edd n Eddy, The Powerpuff Girls, Johnny Bravo, and Courage the Cowardly Dog have cemented their place in cartoon folklore. There’s now an entire generation of adults who are desperate to relive their youth and introduce their kids to the classic cartoons they grew up with.

One place where you can catch the old Cartoon Network shows is Toonami Aftermath. The site broadcasts the shows exactly as they used to be, with no modern overhauls.

Sadly, the site runs on a schedule like traditional TV—you cannot pick and choose which cartoons you watch to watch.

Non-Cartoon Network shows on the platform include Dragon Ball Z, ThunderCats, X-Men, and Pokémon.

5. DisneyNow

Some old cartoons on DisneyNow are available for free; some require you to enter your cable TV credentials and log in. Cable plans from AT&T, Spectrum, Cox, DirecTV, Dish, Optimum, Verizon, and Xfinity are supported.

The classic cartoons on the platform include Mickey Mouse, Marvel Superhero Adventures, Ant-Man, Duck Tales, Marvel Rising, Black Panther, Spiderman, Pokémon, and Star Wars Galaxy of Adventures.

You’ll also find a healthy dose of more recent Disney content. With series like Hannah Montana, Pup Academy, Zombies, and Fancy Nancy, there’s something to suit all children of all ages.

DisneyNow is only available in the United States.

6. TopCartoons.tv

TopCartoons.tv lets you watch old cartoons in your browser.

Some of the cartoon series on offer include Merrie Melodies, Top Cat, Batman, Scooby-Doo, The Pink Panther, and The Jetsons.

The site does not offer mobile apps or streaming TV apps.

7. Internet Archive

Whenever you’re looking for old content on the web, the Internet Archive is always worth checking out. It offers a vast collection of classic videos across a huge range of categories. Cartoons and kids’ shows are one of those categories.

Some of the old cartoons you can watch for free on the site include Popeye, The Big Bad Wolf, Betty Boop, Woody Woodpecker, Mighty Mouse, Little Miss Muffet, Superman, and Felix the Cat.

If you’re keen to watch cartoons from the earliest days of animation, you should pay a visit.

8. Netflix

Finally, let’s look at some of the more traditional streaming apps. They are underrated services and are often not considered by people wondering where to watch old cartoons.

Netflix, for example, has a surprisingly impressive collection of old cartoons. In the US, the current list includes Danger Mouse, Transformers, Sonic the Hedgehog, Inspector Gadget, Hotel Transylvania, Noddy, Duck Tales, and Super Mario Bros.

Remember, the content on Netflix changes frequently and will differ considerably from country to country.

9. Amazon Prime Video

Similarly, Amazon Prime Video lets you watch old cartoons online. Classics such as Popeye, SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, and Thomas the Tank Engine are all on offer.

To enjoy access to Amazon Prime Video, you will need to sign up for a full Amazon Prime account. In the US, a subscription to Amazon Prime costs $120/year or $13/month. Prices vary in other locations.

10. YouTube

Finally, don’t forget that you can watch old cartoons online for free on YouTube. There are dozens of official channels. They broadcast full episodes, “best of” clip roundups, re-released and enhanced content, and everything in between.

Some classic cartoons legally available on YouTube that are worth checking out include Looney Tunes, Bugs Bunny, Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, Woody Woodpecker, and Superman. Indeed, with its vast library, YouTube is one of the best ways to watch 80s cartoons online for free.

With a bit of searching, you can even watch Cartoon Network shows in Hindi from the 90s.

More Places to Watch Classic Cartoons

These sites aren’t the only places where you can watch cartoons on the web! If you’d like to learn more, read our articles on the best animated shows for adults to watch on Netflix and the best cartoon games that you can download on your phone.

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How to Connect a Game Controller to Your iPad or iPhone

So many games are available in the App Store, but playing them can be tough. Although some were designed with the limits of a touchscreen in mind, many were not. For example, you’ll need a standard game controller to make the most of games like Fortnite, PUBG, and Minecraft.

But how do you connect a game controller to your iPhone? We’ll show you.

3 Types of Controllers You Can Hook Up to an iPhone

There are three types of game controller available for iOS devices:

1. Bluetooth game console controllers, such as the Xbox One controller, PS4 controller, etc.
2. Third-party MFi controllers, designed specifically for use with iPhone and iPad.
3. Stick-on capacitive thumb controllers, which are smaller devices that attach to the display using suction.

We’re going to look at all three methods of controlling a game on iPhone.

Can You Connect Game Controllers With Jailbreak?

At one point, the only way to hook up a game controller to an iPhone was by jailbreaking the device. This isn’t really a practical solution, however. Jailbreaking has fallen out of favor, and we’ve looked at why jailbreaking your device is a big security issue.

Most of the desirable features it delivered are now baked into iOS, rendering it mostly pointless. As such, we’re only looking at ways to connect a game controller to iPhones without jailbreak.

Hook Up a Game Console Controller to Your iPhone

The most popular game controllers available ship with their corresponding consoles, the Microsoft Xbox One and Sony PlayStation 4.

But how can you connect a console game controller to your iPhone or iPad? iOS 13 introduces enhanced support for Bluetooth game controllers, like those available with the Xbox One and PS4.

All you need to do is put your phone in pairing mode, then ensure the game console your controller is paired with is turned off. You may also wish to unplug your console so you don’t accidentally turn it on and connect your controller during the process.

Next, put the controller in pairing mode, then use the iOS Bluetooth menu to pair the devices. We dive into more details below.

How to Connect PS4 Controller to iPhone

Want to connect your PS4 controller to your iPad or iPhone? Open Settings > Bluetooth on your Apple device, then make sure your PS4 system is turned off. Put the PS4 controller into pairing mode (hold the PlayStation and Share buttons together).

When the light flashes white the controller is discoverable, and under Other Devices you should see the device listed. Tap Dualshock 4 Controller to pair the device.

To disconnect the device, open the Bluetooth screen on your iPhone, find the device, then tap the i button. Select Unpair if you’d like to disconnect it for now, or Forget this device to remove it entirely. Alternatively, power off the controller by holding the PlayStation button for 10 seconds.

Use the same steps to connect a PS4 controller to an iPad.

How to Connect Xbox One Controller to iPhone

Microsoft has released a few revisions of the Xbox One controller, and the earlier models don’t support Bluetooth connections. You can tell if yours has Bluetooth if it looks like the bottom controller in the below illustration:

If your controller has plastic around the Xbox button like the top part of the image, it unfortunately doesn’t support Bluetooth. This also applies to the original Xbox One Elite controller, though the Elite 2 does support Bluetooth.

To start pairing your compatible Xbox One controller, ensure your Xbox One is switched off. Next, open Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone or iPad. Press the Xbox button on your controller, then hold the small Connect button on top of the controller for around three seconds.

Xbox Wireless Controller Xbox Wireless Controller Buy Now On Amazon

iOS should detect it and list the controller under Other Devices as Xbox Wireless Controller. Tap this to pair. Afterward, you can then play games that support controllers with the device.

To unpair the device, visit the Bluetooth screen again when you’re done playing. Scroll to your controller name, tap the i, then choose Unpair to disconnect it or Forget this device to remove it from your device entirely. Powering off the controller by holding the Xbox button for 10 seconds also works.

The process to connect a Xbox One controller to your iPad is the same.

Connect a Third-Party Controller to Your iOS Device

Console game controllers are expensive. If you don’t own a console already, it makes more sense to spend money on a dedicated smartphone controller.

These are easy to hook up to your phone and are often compatible with Android too. This means you can share the controller with friends or relatives. And if you switch from iPhone to Android, you won’t need a new mobile game controller.

Controllers will only work over Bluetooth, but they must also be MFi-certified. Apple’s standard ensures that both hardware and software are compatible, so it’s easy for developers to add gamepad support to games.

To connect these controllers, use the Bluetooth steps explained above. The only difference is that a non-console controller will have a different button for Bluetooth discovery. Check the device’s documentation to find this.

Which Smartphone Game Controllers Are Best?

These devices are more affordable than console controllers and created for mobile gaming. You’ll find them in gaming stores and on Amazon.

Nimbus Bluetooth Mobile Controller

Nimbus Bluetooth Mobile Controller Nimbus Bluetooth Mobile Controller Buy Now On Amazon $37.74

With over 40 hours of battery life, this Fortnite-ready controller connects via Bluetooth 4.1 and is compatible with MFi-ready titles on all iOS devices.

The controller features a D-pad, two thumbsticks, standard A/B/X/Y buttons, and shoulder and trigger buttons.

Stratus Wireless Gaming Controller

Stratus Wireless Gaming Controller Stratus Wireless Gaming Controller Buy Now On Amazon $29.00

A more compact solution, this Bluetooth 2.1 controller offers a 10-hour battery life. With a D-pad, thumbsticks, A/B/X/Y, and four shoulder/trigger buttons, you’ll find yourself in complete control.

This lightweight controller is pocket-sized and weighs just 2.72 ounces.

STOGA Mobile Game Controller

STOGA Mobile Game Controller STOGA Mobile Game Controller Buy Now On Amazon $34.99

This wireless game controller features the obligatory D-pad, thumbsticks, A/B/X/Y, and four shoulder buttons, but its standout feature is the positional clamp to mount your phone.

10 hours of battery will keep you gaming on the go. Meanwhile, the controller connects directly to games without additional software.

Capacitive “Stick On” Controllers

Despite the prevalence of third-party controllers, developers still design games with the primary touchscreen-using audience in mind. On-screen controls remain the standard control method, but they’re far from accurate or pleasant to use.

One compromise is the use of a stick-on controller, such as this model from Vakili. The controller attaches to your iPad using a suction cup, and uses the capacitive touchscreen to add a more tactile element of control to your games.

Vakili Mobile Phone Game Joystick Vakili Mobile Phone Game Joystick Buy Now On Amazon $7.99

Unfortunately, such devices have become increasingly hard to find. A smart compromise is the GameSir F1 Grip Game Controller, which combines a traditional game controller grip with an on-screen controller pad.

GameSir F1 Grip Game Controller GameSir F1 Grip Game Controller Buy Now On Amazon $10.99

Hook Up a Game Controller to Your iPhone for Improved Gaming

It’s clear that the best way to play a game is to use the control method most suited to it. If you’re lucky, the developers will support external controllers where necessary. Certainly, playing online multiplayer games like Fortnite with controllers will provide superior results to the default touch method.

Whether you plan to use a console controller, a mobile game controller, or stick-on thumb pads, be sure to choose the device that gives you an edge.

Looking for some great games to test your game controller? Try these mobile MOBAs for iPhone to get started.

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How to Make an Old Mac, MacBook, or iMac Faster

Every computer begins to show its age over time. You likely know the signs of an outdated Mac: you can make a sandwich in the time it takes to boot your machine, it doesn’t support the newest version of macOS, and modern resource-intensive software struggles to run.

But you might not have to get a new computer just yet. Macs hold their value for a reason, and there are steps you can take (both free and paid) to get some more life out of an old MacBook or old iMac.

We’ll show you how to make your old Mac run faster and freshen it up.

1. Upgrade to an SSD

By far, the best upgrade you can make to an old Mac is replacing its old mechanical hard drive with a solid-state drive (SSD). This is a relatively simple procedure you can do on older Macs that don’t have the storage drive soldered to the logic board.

Unlike older hard disk drives, SSDs have no internal moving parts. Their speed improvements boost performance across the board. Whether you’re booting your Mac, opening apps, or moving files, you’ll feel the benefits of an SSD.

Have a look at resources like Crucial’s Mac SSD page or OWC’s SSD hub to find drives compatible with your system and review the process beforehand. Most MacBooks only require removing a few screws to make the swap, but some old iMac models don’t have the hard drive in such an accessible spot.

For an all-around choice, it’s hard to go wrong with Samsung’s 860 EVO 500GB drive.

2. Add More RAM to Your System

Secondary to adding an SSD is upgrading the RAM on your Mac. While an SSD improves overall performance, having more RAM means that you can run more programs at once without slowdown. If you always have dozens of browser tabs open as you stream music and use heavy apps like Photoshop, having more RAM is a good idea (even on an old MacBook Pro that had a lot of RAM for the time).

Like with the SSD, you’ll need to check the specifics for your Mac model. You can go to the top-left Apple menu > About this Mac to view your model and how much RAM you currently have in your system. After this, head to OWC’s Mac RAM page to find compatible upgrades for your model.

The site also provides the maximum amount of RAM you can put in your system. In some cases, Apple has specified a limit that’s completely safe to exceed.

You may be able to find RAM for cheaper on Amazon, though we recommend buying from Crucial in most cases. Crucial’s RAM has a lifetime warranty and is guaranteed to work. Plus, the site offers easy-to-follow installation videos and money back for your old RAM. If you do decide to buy on Amazon, verify that the RAM will work with your exact model.

3. Uninstall Old Apps

If you have an old Mac, you’ve probably got some programs sitting around that you never use. To make your Mac faster and save storage space, it’s a good idea to identify these apps and get rid of them.

Tried some app that you disliked but never removed? Sitting on some outdated software that’s still taking up a lot of space? It’s time to get rid of it, especially Mac apps that run at startup and waste system resources.

Walk through our guide to uninstalling programs on your Mac and toss anything you never use. The best way to quickly uninstall multiple apps, including removing the extra files that the built-in method of deletion might miss, is to use AppCleaner. This utility simply has you drag and drop an app’s icon to its window to remove all the associated files.

You don’t have to uninstall every app on your system, of course. But you probably have some good candidates for removal.

4. Use Lighter Apps

Once you’ve eliminated software you no longer use, it’s smart to look at the software you do use. While there are plenty of great apps for macOS, there are also some that we recommend avoiding. This goes double if you’re using an old MacBook or iMac.

For instance, you should stay away from using Chrome on your Mac due to its heavy battery drain, drag on system performance, and poor integration with the rest of the OS. Safari provides a speedier experience that’s more power and resource-efficient; Apple’s browser is much better than it used to be.

You can probably identify similar apps on your system that are good candidates to replace with a lighter alternative. Instead of Photoshop, could you get by with a different Mac photo editing app until you’re able to upgrade your system?

To identify more apps that use a lot of power, open the Activity Monitor by searching for it with Spotlight (Cmd + Space). Have a look at the Energy tab, which shows how much battery life apps use. You should also pay attention to the CPU and Memory lists to see which consume the most resources.

5. Reinstall macOS

For many Windows users, reinstalling the OS every once in a while to fix problems and clean up clutter is fairly common. While Mac users don’t often do this, one reason they might need to is speeding up an old, slow Mac.

If you’re looking for a fresh start on your machine, upgrading the hardware as above, combined with a fresh install of macOS, is a great option. When you reinstall macOS, you don’t have to delete all your personal data unless you want to.

In case you want a completely fresh start, make sure you back up with Time Machine or another backup solution first.

6. Give Your Desktop a Fresh Coat of Paint

The above steps are the most important parts of making your Mac feel like new, but there are a few optional sections of the process, too. If you’re sick of staring at the same old desktop all the time, you can revamp your experience.

There are tons of ways to personalize your Mac desktop, and you can tweak Safari to make it perform exactly as you want after leaving Chrome.

7. Physically Clean Your Mac

To replicate the “shiny new computer” experience even more closely, take a look at the physical state of your Mac. Is there any residue from spills on the system, dust on your keyboard, or other unsightly aspects?

If so, take a few minutes to follow our MacBook and iMac cleaning guide to get your keyboard, mouse, and screen nice and clean.

Your Old Mac Can Be as Good as New

With a few upgrades and a little maintenance, your old Mac might just feel like a new machine again. Following these steps on how to make your MacBook faster leads you to have a blazing-fast new SSD, plenty of RAM for keeping apps open, more optimized apps for better performance, less clutter, and possibly a quieter machine to boot.

This might help you get another few years out of your old Mac. It’s a lot cheaper to spend $100 on new components and take the time to perform some upgrades than it is to buy a new computer.

If these steps didn’t help your old Mac feel faster, it might be time to replace your Mac.

Read the full article: How to Make an Old Mac, MacBook, or iMac Faster

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HTC’s new CEO discusses the phonemaker’s future

On September 17, HTC announced that cofounder Cher Wang would be stepping down as CEO. In her place, Yves Maitre stepped into the role of Chief Executive, after more than a decade at French telecom giant, Orange.

It’s a tough job at an even tougher time. The move comes on the tail of five consecutive quarterly losses and major layoffs, including a quarter of the company’s staff, which were let go in July of last year.

It’s a far fall for a company that comprised roughly 11 percent of global smartphone sales, some eight years ago. These days, HTC is routinely relegated to the “other” column when these figures are published.

All of this is not to say that the company doesn’t have some interesting irons in the fire. With Vive, HTC has demonstrated its ability to offer a cutting edge VR platform, while Exodus has tapped into an interest in exploring the use of blockchain technologies for mobile devices.

Of course, neither of these examples show any sign of displacing HTC’s once-booming mobile device sales. And this January’s $1.1 billion sale of a significant portion of its hardware division to Google has left many wondering whether it has much gas left in the mobile tank.

With Wang initially scheduled to appear on stage at Disrupt this week, the company ultimately opted to have Maitre sit in on the panel instead. In preparation for the conversation, we sat down with the executive to discuss his new role and future of the struggling Taiwanese hardware company.

5G, XR and the future of the HTC brand

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HTC’s new CEO discusses the phonemaker’s future

On September 17, HTC announced that cofounder Cher Wang would be stepping down as CEO. In her place, Yves Maitre stepped into the role of Chief Executive, after more than a decade at French telecom giant, Orange.

It’s a tough job at an even tougher time. The move comes on the tail of five consecutive quarterly losses and major layoffs, including a quarter of the company’s staff, which were let go in July of last year.

It’s a far fall for a company that comprised roughly 11 percent of global smartphone sales, some eight years ago. These days, HTC is routinely relegated to the “other” column when these figures are published.

All of this is not to say that the company doesn’t have some interesting irons in the fire. With Vive, HTC has demonstrated its ability to offer a cutting edge VR platform, while Exodus has tapped into an interest in exploring the use of blockchain technologies for mobile devices.

Of course, neither of these examples show any sign of displacing HTC’s once-booming mobile device sales. And this January’s $1.1 billion sale of a significant portion of its hardware division to Google has left many wondering whether it has much gas left in the mobile tank.

With Wang initially scheduled to appear on stage at Disrupt this week, the company ultimately opted to have Maitre sit in on the panel instead. In preparation for the conversation, we sat down with the executive to discuss his new role and future of the struggling Taiwanese hardware company.

5G, XR and the future of the HTC brand

Read Full Article

How ‘the Internet broke America’ with The New Yorker’s Andrew Marantz

When Elizabeth Warren took on Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook earlier this week, it was a low moment for what New Yorker writer Andrew Marantz calls “techno-utopianism.”

That the progressive, populist Massachusetts Senator and leading Democratic Presidential candidate wants to #BreakUpBigTech is not surprising. But Warren’s choice to spotlight regulating and trust-busting Facebook was nonetheless noteworthy, because of what it represents on a philosophical level. Warren, along with like-minded political leaders, social activists, and tech critics, has begun to offer the first massively popular alternative to the massively popular wave of aggressive optimism and “genius” ambition that characterized tech culture for the past decade or two.

“No,” Warren and others seem to say, “your vision is not necessarily making the world a better place.” This is a major buzzkill for tech leaders who have made (positive) world-changing their number one calling card — more than profits, popularity, skyscrapers like San Francisco’s striking Salesforce Tower, or any other measure.

Enter Marantz, a longtime New Yorker staff writer and Brooklyn, N.Y. resident who has recently trained his attention on tech culture, following around iconic figures on both sides of what he sees as the divide of our time — not between tech greats whose successes make us all better and those who would stop them, but between the alternative figures on the “new right” and the self-understood liberals of Silicon Valley who, according to Marantz, have both contributed to “hijacking the American conversation.”

Image via Penguin Random House

Marantz’s first book, “Antisocial: Online Extremists, Techno-Utopians, and the Hijacking of the American Conversation,” will be released next week, and I recently had a chance to talk with him for this series the ethics of technology.

Greg Epstein: Congratulations on your absolutely fascinating new book Antisocial, and on everything you’ve been up to.

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Snap CEO isn’t expecting much from Facebook antitrust investigations

Facebook’s relentless feature copy of Snapchat has been seen as one of the chief examples of the company’s competitive overreach, but Snap CEO Evan Spiegel isn’t sure whether antitrust activity from the government is going to change the company’s near-term prospects of competing with Instagram.

“I mean the history of antitrust would basically say that these investigations last like seven to 10 years or something like that and that basically nothing happens,” Spiegel said onstage at TechCrunch Disrupt SF. “I think a lot can change in the seven to 10 years that this process will take.”

Though Spiegel didn’t seem to have the most faith in the process giving Snap a more level playing field to take on Facebook, he did say there were clear public concerns with how Facebook was responding to competition in the market.

“The thing that everyone’s concerned about is that they’ve seen that competition has been what has motivated Facebook to make those changes over time,” Spiegel said onstage. “So, if you look at Snapchat, the inventions that we create around ephemerality, around privacy, those have really motivated Facebook to dramatically change their product offering in order to compete.”

Whether Facebook was specifically suppressing Snapchat content, Spiegel said, “It’s hard to say and I you know I’d probably be stupid to talk about it here.”

“I think what everyone is concerned about is what they would characterize as anti-competitive practices, so, for example, you know, people upload snaps they create on Snapchat to Instagram, all the time, and then Instagram suppresses you know the Snapchat hashtag or they suppress people’s ability to post snap codes as their profile picture or suppress their ability to link to Snapchat on their profile. And that’s an example of anti-competitive behavior.”

Spiegel also confirmed that the company had put together a list of some of Facebook’s competitive moments called Project Voldemort, noting that the list had been started several years ago. The initiative’s existence was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

“I didn’t make it, our legal team put it together,” Spiegel said. “I think just because they kept hearing from our partners all of these things that Facebook was doing and it was actually so many that people couldn’t actually remember them all so they started writing them down.”

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Daily Crunch: Facebook faces government pressure over encryption

The Daily Crunch is TechCrunch’s roundup of our biggest and most important stories. If you’d like to get this delivered to your inbox every day at around 9am Pacific, you can subscribe here.

1. Facebook is being leaned on by US, UK, Australia to ditch its end-to-end encryption expansion plan

U.S. Attorney General William Barr, acting U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan, U.K. Home Secretary Priti Patel and Australia’s minister for home affairs, Peter Dutton, have co-signed an open letter to Facebook calling on the company to halt its plan to roll out end-to-end encryption across its suite of messaging products.

Facebook isn’t the only messaging company using end-to-end encryption, but it’s in governments’ crosshairs on account of a plan to expand its use of e2e crypto.

2. Bird raises $275 million Series D round at a $2.5 billion valuation

The scooter startup’s new round comes a few months after TechCrunch reported Bird was looking to raise a Series D round at a $2.5 billion valuation.

3. Instagram launches Threads, a Close Friends chat app with auto-status

What if Instagram could automatically tell your Close Friends you’re home, working, on-the-move or chilling and might want to hang out? That’s the idea behind its new companion app Threads.

4. Startups ‘are staying private way too long’ says Salesforce founder Marc Benioff

“What public markets do is indeed the great reckoning,” Benioff said while onstage at Disrupt SF. “But it cleanses [a] company of all of the bad stuff that they have.”

5. Kitty Hawk reveals its secret project, Heaviside

HVSD (named after renowned physicist and electrical engineer Oliver Heaviside) is an electric aircraft designed to go anywhere and land anywhere fast and quietly. Sebastian Thrun’s aviation startup has been working on the aircraft for two years.

6. TikTok explains its ban on political advertising

This isn’t really a new ban, but rather a reiteration of an existing one. The company says it won’t allow ads supporting a candidate, political party or issue, because they don’t fit with the “light-hearted and irreverent feeling” that the app is aiming for.

7. Google-backed Dunzo raises $45M to expand its hyperlocal delivery startup in India

An Indian startup that is increasingly posing a threat to established food and grocery delivery businesses, as well as to e-commerce giants, just closed a new financing round.

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