There are two types of people out there. Those who believe that frequently turning a device on and off should be avoided, and those who think leaving a device on all the time will damage it. The confusion is caused by the information we once had when we were using those old PCs with CRT monitors. A lot of things have changed since then. However, in general, you won’t harm your computer or smartphone by turning it off....

Do government authorities regularly shut down the internet in your country now and then? Offline messaging apps offer an alternative means of communication. How Mesh Messaging Works Before we list the best offline messaging apps, it’s important to explain “Mesh Messaging”—the technology behind offline messaging. Mesh messaging (also called “Off-the-Grid Messaging”) is a form of peer-to-peer or device-to-device networking that powers data transmission over a short range—typically between 50-100 meters—without an internet connection....

In our article about the best smart lights on a budget, we focused on utility and cost. This guide will be entirely the opposite and instead focus wholly on the best smart lights with style with no regard for cost. If you’re decking out a game room, man cave, or home theater and you want the absolute coolest lights, this guide is for you. Two companies dominate this list: LIF and Nanoleaf....

Considering what it takes to make a device, especially a device that already has wireless tech built-in, smart, it should have happened a long time ago. Also, given how long voice activation has been around, you’ll probably be surprised at how under-supported this technology really is. Brother, a huge printer manufacturer, for example, as of this writing, still has no Smart Home printers at all. If This, Then Print There are advantages and disadvantages to both approaches....

Whilst it can be difficult to get used to the Google Docs app, you’ll quickly find that it really makes things easier when you can fit in quick text editing and word processing on the go. It’ll bring new productivity into your life during moments that would otherwise be wasted. In fact, the words you are reading were edited on the Google Docs app before it went live. The versatility is as endless as the desktop version once you master the UI and mobile focused features....

Physical activity has been shown to improve mental health, energy, and alertness as well as prevent illness, all of which are critical to supporting an always-on-the-go lifestyle. Study after study has proven this, yet, as compelling as the data may be, it doesn’t make exercise any easier to fit into your day. With how little time most of us have, exercise is really easy to put off. Hitting the gym takes a lot of time–the drive there and back, the sharing of free weights and machines with others....

I previously wrote about how you can setup dual monitors in Windows, but that requires a second monitor. Luckily, with some ingenious software, you can use your older iPads (2nd, 3rd, or 4th generation), iPad Airs (1 & 2), or iPad Pros as a second screen or second monitor to your Mac or Windows PC. This basically involves installing an app on your iPad and on your computer and then connecting the two directly using either a lightning cable or 30-pin cable (dock connector)....

Also called annual percentage rate (APR) and annual percentage yield (APY), Excel makes it easy to calculate effective mortgage, car loan, and small business loan interest rates from the nominal rates often quoted by lending institutions. Effective vs. Nominal Interest Rates Nominal interest rates are often quoted by lending institutions because they can make the cost of a loan appear lower than if the actual cost of the loan were quoted....

We’ll walk you through the MyAnalytics dashboard where you can find insights into your work patterns and tips on how to work smarter, not harder. We’ll also show you how to build new work patterns like setting aside time each workday to focus on your most important work. MyAnalytics Plans and Supported Browsers You’ll get access to different elements of MyAnalytics depending on which Microsoft Office 365 or Microsoft 365 plan you have....

If you’re thinking about getting a PlayStation or already have one, but are considering buying a PlayStation Plus, we’ve got all the information you need to decide whether the PlayStation Plus is for you. So, What is PlayStation Plus? In a nutshell, PlayStation Plus is a subscription service that you have to pay for over and above the cost of the console and the cost of individual video games. You can subscribe on a monthly, three-monthly or annual basis....

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet differ entirely from any previous Pokemon games. These latest games are fully open-world, a first for the franchise. However, many of the original hallmarks of the Pokemon games are still present, such as catching Pokemon, battling, trading, etc. This new direction of the Pokemon games is something fans have been dreaming about for a while, and has already been showcased in the spinoff game Pokemon Legends: Arceus to great acclaim....

All of these Discord bots are free and very easy to set up. It should be noted that you should have a small understanding of Discord first, for example knowing how to create and setup your own Discord server is a good start. We will explain our favorite Discord bots below and provide links so that you can download these bots to your server today. Also, check out our YouTube channel where we posted a short video going through some of the options we mentioned below....

The best part about it is that you don’t need a degree to become a programmer. Instead, you can take programming classes or learn to code independently using online tutorials. We rounded up the best YouTube channels to help you learn how to program on your own. 1. Treehouse Subscribers: 399k Best Video / Playlist: Tutorials If you’re an absolute beginner, one of the best places to start is the Treehouse YouTube channel....

This article is going to explore the differences between the different types of software and help you decide which program is right for you. If the company offers a trial, download the software and play around with it. You might discover the software takes your stream to the next level. 1. The Most Popular: OBS (Website) OBS is an acronym for Open Broadcaster Software. The project began as – and continues to be – an open-source project, which means streamers can use it free of charge....

Others can be set to deactivate if no motion is detected in a room. These are small, inexpensive devices that change the way we approach routine tasks, but most of them aren’t weather-resistant in any way. When it comes to finding the right outdoor smart plug, options are more limited. An outdoor smart plug is useful for holiday decorations or even just day-to-day use, like powering a security spotlight on your home, but it might not feel like it if you can’t find a decent one....

After almost two decades, Apple phased iTunes out with MacOS Catalina, rolling out Music, TV and Podcasts apps in its place. This change was done to simplify the experience for consumers in line with the modern content consumption trends. However, iTunes already had some issues such as irregular backup functioning to high syncing time and compatibility issues, which made many users look for iTunes alternatives. Best iTunes Alternatives Thankfully, you don’t have to use Apple’s software to manage your music and transfer them to your iOS device....

Today, our phones hold our phone books in a tiny SIM card, which saves phone numbers, email addresses and the contact’s photo. However, if you get a call or text message from an unknown number that’s not saved on your phone or SIM card, you may need a different service to find the person’s name or identity. To help you with that, here are some of the best sites to identify phone numbers online....

No habit is easy to drop overnight, so here are some things you can do to help quiet the urge to whip out that phone and overcome your social media withdrawal. Have an Argument With Random Strangers Without social media, how are you going to let people know how wrong they are? If you’re feeling the need to have an argument with a total stranger, why not head over to a local park or restaurant and listen in on other people having discussions?...

Organizing your files, removing old programs, and updating applications not only improves the speed and efficiency of your computer, but also helps you find the files you are looking for that much faster. Here are a few tips to help you get your digital life organized and declutter your Windows PC. 1. Search for and Remove Old Apps Older, unused applications take up space on your drive that could be used for other purposes....

If you only need to pick up your printout when you get home, printing over the Internet to your home computer is the way to go. This is possible from either your laptop or your cellphone. However, if you need a printout immediately, there are lots of kiosks and printing centers around the country where you can send your printout and pick it up immediately. In this article, you’ll learn about all the options available to print documents whenever you’re out of the house....