Posts

10 Hacks Every Google Wallet User Should Know

Image
For Android users, Google Wallet is an obvious way to carry digital payment cards and passes for everything from tap-to-pay to boarding flights. But there's a lot more to the app than storing cards and making transactions. Here are the hacks you need to know to get the most out of Google Wallet. Enable location permissions so Google Wallet can automatically pull up the card or pass you need If you have loyalty cards, gym passes, or other location-specific items saved in your Google Wallet, you can set up permissions that allow the app to suggest them to you as soon as you're in proximity. This time-saving shortcut means you don't have to go searching for the relevant card or pass when it's needed. You'll need to ensure Google Wallet has access to your device location via Settings > Apps > Google Wallet > Permissions . Then select the card in Google Wallet, tap the three-dot menu, and toggle on Get notifications for this card . Digitize passes that don’...

10 Hacks Every Apple Wallet User Should Know

Image
For those in the Apple ecosystem, Apple Wallet is a powerful hub for making digital payments, storing tickets and passes, and transferring cash. There are also a handful of hidden features that ensure you have quick and easy access to your cards and can customize how they're used on your iPhone and Apple Watch. Here are the hacks you need to know to get the most out of Wallet. Add cards to Express Mode to use them even when your phone is dead Express Mode in Apple Wallet allows you to use transit cards (and payment cards specifically for transit), keys, student IDs, and other compatible passes without waking your device or authenticating with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode. These passes are also available on a battery reserve, so you can still use them even if your iPhone is dead. This means you can still get home on public transit or unlock your door without needing to charge your device first. Select the card, pass, or key in Apple Wallet, tap the three dots > Card Deta...

This Luna Controller and Fire TV Stick Bundle Is 46% Off Right Now

Image
We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The days of needing to commit to Nintendo, Sony's PlayStation, or Microsoft's Xbox to play AAA games are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Cloud-streaming games are becoming more popular, making jumping into a gaming session much more seamless and affordable. One of the big players leading this new movement is Amazon's Luna, which, if you didn't know, is one of the many benefits included with your Prime membership. Amazon currently has a deal on this Fire TV Stick 4k Select + Luna Controller bundle for $64.98 (originally $119.98) after a 46% discount, its lowest price ever according to price-tracking tools . Fire TV Stick 4k Select + Luna Controller | Game streaming bundle ...

Google Will Soon Let You Tell It What Stories You Want to See in Your Discovery Feed

Image
I don't know what the far future of tech looks like, but I know what's in store for the near future: AI. Specifically, AI that responds to natural language prompts. It's already the reality for many platforms, apps, and services: Rather than doing things yourself, you tell the AI what you want done, and it follows suit. Natural language commands are popping up everywhere , from coding platforms to playlist generators . Now, apparently, they're coming to your news app too. Natural language commands are coming to the Google app's Discovery feed Credit: Google Google announced a handful of changes coming to its self-named app on Friday. Perhaps most notably among the developments is the new ability to "tune" and "tailor" your Discovery feed to your liking—not by giving feedback for specific articles...

Seven Emergency Features You Should Enable on Your Google Pixel

Image
If you're ever in an emergency situation, your can use your Google Pixel to get more information about what's going on and receive the help you need. While some emergency features are enabled by default, you do have to set most of them up before a crisis actually occurs. It's worth noting that emergency settings aren't consistent across all Android devices . Many of Android's emergency features live within the Personal Safety app , which is automatically installed on all Pixel phones (4a and later). A version of this app is available to other Android users through the Google Play Store , though it may be labeled just "Safety" in your app list once downloaded and have different functionality across non-Pixel devices. Schedule a Safety Check on your Google Pixel If you're ever out alone and want to ensure that someone knows where you are, Safety Check can prompt you to confirm that you're OK and notify your emergency contacts (with a link to your l...

10 Hacks Every Facebook Marketplace Buyer and Seller Should Know

Image
Through its focus on local selling, Facebook Marketplace has become the world's biggest digital garage sale, but without tables to browse and friendly small talk. Getting what you want, whether it's finding those low-priced gems or getting a good price for your old blender, comes down to understanding how both the platform and its users work. You can't treat it like an old-school classifieds page and hope for the best; you need tactics. Here are 10 strategic hacks to navigate the chaos, outsmart the feed, and get the best deals on both sides of the transaction. Download Google Lens, the most important app for both buyers and sellers Whether you're a buyer or a seller, you should download and use Google Lens . This scans a photograph, identifies the item pictured, and spits out all kinds of info about it, including prices from new and second-hand sales. It's an instant price-check that lets sellers know if their asking amount is in line with other sales, and it le...

Hundreds of Fake VPNs Are Flooding the Chrome Web Store

Image
I often tell people to think of VPNs like kitchen funnels. Instead of pouring your network traffic directly into the web and spilling your metadata everywhere, you push it down a narrow tube of encryption. You point your connection exactly where it needs to go without leaking all over the place. Of course, the assumption in such an arrangement is that you trust your VPN, which controls the flow of traffic from your device to the web. But if the VPN itself is a honeypot for attackers to pry away your data, you’ve just traded several possible security risks for one guaranteed security breach.  According to the team at Socket , that’s what’s been happening with over seven hundred fake VPN apps listed on the Chrome Web Store. Many of these extensions are free, some are paid, and some even pretend to be from trusted cybersecurity providers to lure users into handing over unrestricted access to their network and browser. This weekend, I dug through Socket...