Technology

Gboard's Play Store privacy policy makes one thing clear: there is a lot of data collected about you. That isn't just a theoretical note, either. Researchers at Trinity College Dublin were able to decode payloads that showed Android keyboards transmitting installation IDs, hardware details, and keyboard interaction logs.

I'm not a fan of Wi-Fi—Ethernet all the way. But for some devices, it just makes no sense (or is impossible) to connect via cable, and on those devices, when Wi-Fi is sluggish, it's a massive nuisance.

Android smartphones have become so powerful that they can now run mobile games that look a lot like console games. In some cases, phones can actually run older console titles. So, if you want to experience console-grade graphics on your phone, here's a list of our favorite Android games.

If the last couple of weeks have been any indication, Netflix subscribers in the U.S. are definitely into documentaries—Conversations with a Killer: The Charles Manson Tapes and The Idaho Murders: College Nightmare are still holding court in the streamer's top 10. But don't be surprised if one of this week's newest releases (and my top pick this weekend) might just muscle its way into the mix as well.

Bluetooth trackers are one of the best modern inventions—anyone who's ever lost something and promptly recovered it thanks to a tracker will strongly agree. As someone who loses stuff on the regular, I've invested in some inexpensive Bluetooth trackers, and I've been putting them to work since acquiring them.

Whether you admire it or despise it, Windows’ style is often imitated by competitors, including some Linux distributions. A familiar look and feel can help new users adapt to a new system, and this is especially important when changing such a fundamental part of the experience as an OS.

The Toyota RAV4 is already an easy SUV to make a case for. It's practical, efficient, and built around the kind of everyday usability that families tend to value, but its biggest advantage might not show up until you've owned it for a few years.

Tap-to-pay with phones didn’t take off in the U.S. as quickly as in other countries, but it’s now available at most retailers. There’s been one massive hold-out the entire time, though: Walmart. Finally, that’s about to change, and it’s happening very soon.

Did you know that Milwaukee's M12 tool lineup has a lot more than just drills, drivers, and saws in it? I didn't either. Here are five fun tools that you'd never have expected to be part of Milwaukee's lineup.

Most people think building your own apps takes months of learning or a computer science degree. It really just takes a free weekend and a few conversations with Claude to get tools that work exactly the way you want, without ads, without subscriptions, and without features you never asked for. I've built versions of all of these myself, and the gap between what you can make for free and what you'd download from an app store isn't as big as people think.

And so begins the closing out of summer on Netflix. As the world's biggest streaming service basks in the month's standouts like Don't Say Good Luck and The Idaho Murders: College Nightmare, there's still a bit more to squeeze out of it, including Adam Scott's horror film The Whisper Man and one topping this weekend's bingeable list: the fifth season of Outer Banks.

With development boards like the ESP32-CAM and ESP32-S3 Sense, you can easily integrate a camera into your microcontroller projects. These can be useful in the home or at work, or just plain fun when integrated into more adventurous projects.

The writing has been on the wall from the moment Nvidia introduced DLSS, and then followed up with DLSS Frame Generation. The company is all-in on AI, and ever since we got frame gen, hardware upgrades have stopped being the sole focus of every new release. Instead, DLSS and Multi-Frame Generation drive the hype.

Google has been my favorite Android manufacturer for a long time. I've used Pixel phones for nearly a decade, and before that, I used Nexus phones and tablets. But that run is coming to an end. Next time I upgrade, I'll be switching over to the Samsung Galaxy side.

Our top Saatva picks Best pillow deal Saatva Latex Pillow $165 (Buy two, save up to $60) Shop Now Best adjustable base deal Saatva Adjustable Base Plus $1,599 (Save $100 with mattress purchase) Get Deal Best bed frame deal Lucerne Platform Bed Frame $1,995 (Save $100 with mattress purchase) Get Deal Best mattress deal Saatva Classic Mattress $1,879 (Save $350) Get Deal

There's a reason "invest in a good mattress" is advice that never goes out of style, and Saatva's Labor Day sale makes that investment a lot more affordable.

Right now, you can save up to $625 across the brand's luxury mattresses, pillows, bed frames, and adjustable bases, including bestsellers like the Saatva Classic and the back-pain-focused Saatva Rx. If you're finally replacing a mattress that's seen better days or just upgrading the rest of your bedroom, here's what's worth grabbing.

SEE ALSO: Labor Day mattress and bedding sales are already live: We found deals at Purple, Naturepedic, Saatva, and more Best pillow deal Opens in a new window Credit: Saatva Saatva Latex Pillow $165 at Saatva
Buy two, save up to $60 Get Deal Why we like it

The Saatva Latex Pillow's shredded natural latex core adjusts to your head and neck as you move, so it doesn't go flat halfway through the night the way cheaper pillows do. It comes in two heights, Standard for back and stomach sleepers who want something lower profile, and High Loft for side sleepers who need more support to keep their neck aligned, so it actually works no matter how you sleep.

The fill layer is wrapped in organic cotton and is machine washable, which makes it easy to keep it fresh. It's a versatile pick, responsive enough for anyone who tosses and turns between positions all night.

More pillow deals

• Down Alternative Pillow — $95 (buy a pair, save up to $60)

• Cloud Memory Foam Pillow — $135 (buy a pair, save up to $60)

• Down Chamber Pillow — $145 (buy a pair, save up to $60)

• Graphite Memory Foam Pillow — $165 (buy a pair, save up to $60)

Best adjustable base deal Opens in a new window Credit: Saatva Saatva Adjustable Base Plus $1,599 at Saatva
Save $100 with mattress purchase Get Deal Why we like it

The Adjustable Base Plus goes well beyond basic head-and-foot elevation. A zero-gravity preset gets you weightless, balanced support at the push of a button, and the anti-snore preset tilts your head up 7 degrees, which your partner will probably appreciate.

There's also a full-body massage feature with head, leg, and wave settings across three speeds, so it doubles as a way to unwind before bed, not just adjust it. Small touches like under-bed lighting and a built-in flashlight make late-night bathroom trips easier, and USB-A and USB-C ports on both sides mean you're never digging around for an outlet to charge your phone.

More Saatva bedroom deals

• Adamas Handcrafted Bedroom Rug — $537 $895 (save $358)

• Hyde Nightstand — $592 $845 (save $253)

• Cirrus Handcrafted Bedroom Rug — $597 $995 (save $398)

Best bed frame deal Opens in a new window Credit: Saatva Lucerne Platform Bed Frame $1,995 at Saatva
Save $100 with mattress purchase Get Deal Why we like it

The Lucerne is built from sustainably sourced, kiln-dried hardwood, so it won't twist or warp the way cheaper frames tend to over time, and the plywood slats are built to hold up for the long haul. The bolts and brackets are reinforced, too, which means less of the annoying creak that shows up in frames after a few months of regular use. It also comes fully upholstered on the back, so it works as a freestanding piece if your bed isn't up against a wall.

More bed frame deals

• Basel — $1,495 (save $350 + extra $100 with mattress purchase)

• Santorini — $1,595 (save $350 + extra $100 with mattress purchase)

• Rhodes — $1,595 (save $350 + extra $100 with mattress purchase)

• Valencia — $1,795 (save $350 + extra $100 with mattress purchase)

Best mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: Saatva Saatva Classic Mattress $1,879 at Saatva
$2,229 Save $350   Get Deal Why we like it

The Saatva Classic's 3-inch Euro pillow top gives it a cushioned, high-end-hotel feel, while the dual-coil design, made from triple-tempered recycled carbon steel, keeps it from sagging over time so it won't feel like a completely different bed a year in.

If you deal with back or joint pain, the chiropractor-approved Lumbar Zone technology is built to keep your spine aligned no matter how you sleep, and the breathable organic cotton cover, treated to resist bacteria and mildew, helps keep things cool through the night. It also comes in three firmness levels, so it's not a one-size-fits-all situation.

More mattress deals

• Memory Foam Hybrid — $1,799 $2,149 (save up to $350)

• Saatva Latex Hybrid — $2,299 $2,649 (save $350)

• Contour5 — $2,699 $3,049 (save $350)

• Saatva Rx — $3,149 $3,449 (save $300)

Being born in the '80s and growing up with computers from the mid-80s and onward, some of the earliest computer lessons that were drilled into me involved a warning about magnets: keep them far away from any computer!

Some smart home projects put your devices in the most obvious places. If you're building your own video doorbell with an ESP32-CAM module, there's really only one place you're going to put it. There are other projects that can put smart home devices in places that you might not expect.

Do you have a Bluetooth speaker that sounds great on everything except your Android phone? Why would this happen? Is it the speaker? Is it your phone? The answer is probably the Bluetooth codec they've decided to use.

Ten years of fixing other people's computers teaches you patterns fast. The same handful of problems show up again and again, and most of them aren't hardware failures or anything dramatic. Those small decisions seem fine at the time, but they snowball. By the time someone calls me for help, I usually assume it was a user error, not some unfixable Windows issue. There are plenty of common culprits I've traced back to those habits people tend to have, but there's usually an easy fix.

Love is Blind: UK Season 3 premiered on Netflix Wednesday, gracing our screens with 30 new single men and women looking for love beyond looks.

The singles wasted no time jumping into the pods and getting to know each other, with the goal of finding true love and, ideally, marriage – all without meeting face-to-face until the proposal. This season is hosted by married celebrity couple Emma and Matt Willis, and brings together 15 men and 15 women from parts of England, Wales, and Scotland, including entrepreneurs, business owners, former military members, and health professionals.

Here’s everything you need to know about this season’s cast members, from Netflix Tudum, including their Instagram handles:

View this post on Instagram Ciara Murphy (@ciaramurphyldn) Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Ciara, 29, is a pilates instructor from London, and she’s looking for a man that can keep up with her taste for luxury (she notes she's worth the investment). She said she was cheated on in her last relationship, and is hoping to meet someone who can value her beyond looks. Love a queen who knows her worth.

Ciara hits it off early with Jack and Ajay, for different reasons: She liked Jack's free-spirited personality, and enjoyed Ajay's stable energy and their shared love for an active lifestyle, leading to some painfully awkward moments in the episodes to come.

Jack Bradshaw (@jackbradshaw) Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Jack, 30, is a chef from Cornwall, England, and describes himself as “one of a kind.” He says he's turning to the pods for a shot at love after being single for two years, and said he doesn’t like the small, everyone-knows-each-other dating scene in Cornwall.

Jack formed deep connections with Ciara and Faye early on, hitting it off with Faye off the bat because they're both hoping to marry someone who's like a best friend.

Ajay Cheema (@ajaycheema) Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Ajay, 33, is a fitness coach and former banking associate and basketball player from London. He shifted away from banking to focus more on travel and fitness, having spent 10 months living in Australia, and is hoping to meet someone who shares the same interests.

Ajay and Ciara hit it off immediately in the pods, with the pair bonding over their mutual interest in fitness and "nice things."

Faye Domaille (@fayedomaille) Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Faye is a 28-year-old executive assistant from London who says she’s looking for a partner that will be her cheerleader: someone who will stand up for her and not put her down.

Joseph Subuola (@josephsubuola) Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Joseph, 33, is a senior project manager from London. As a Christian, Joseph said he is hoping to meet someone who shares his faith. He said he’s not currently dating and can be shy about approaching women when he’s out and about. Fortunately for Joseph, the pods may help him solve for that.  

Joseph gets faced with a difficult decision after forming connections with both Chevanique and Francesca.

Chevanique (@chevanique_t) Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Chevanique, 29, is a sexual health nurse from Birmingham, England, looking to get her “eggs cracked” and her “name dropped.” Her most recent relationship ended after five years, and Chevanique is ready to find someone to start a family with – and hopefully someone who makes a really good omelette. And honestly, who doesn’t want a good omelette?

Francesca Emmanuel (@francescaemmanuel_) Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Francesca is a 29-year-old HR associate from London. She describes dating as "awful," and that she prefers to meet people in real life versus on dating apps. She’s looking for a connection similar to that of her parents, and more specifically, someone who could be an "airport dad" (taking care of all the business at the airport).

Francesca and Joseph bonded over their faith, as Joseph is Christian and Francesca is Catholic, and realized that they had a lot more in common as well: They both say they're looking for a genuine connection, and someone to share a happy, wholesome family life with.

Sophie Tregaskiss (@sophietregaskiss) Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Sophie is a 27-year-old operations team leader hailing from Greater Manchester, England. She was with her previous partner for seven years, since she was 19, and has been single for seven months. She said that she's always known that she wanted to settle down young and start a family unit. (Sophie hits it off with Taylor early on, and vowed to clean while Taylor cooks.)

Taylor Burgen (@taylorburgen93) Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Taylor, 31, is a head of sales from Hertfordshire, England, and a self-proclaimed “softie.” He says he was with his last girlfriend for seven years, and is hoping to fall in love again, ideally with someone he could start a family with.

Yasmin Toseafa (@yasmeenstagram_) Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Yasmin is a 32-year-old physician associate based in London. While she’s never been in an official relationship, Yasmin, who develops a connection with cast member Jordan, said she’s hoping the pods will lead her toward a romance that feels fated. Yasmin has a skin condition called vitiligo, which she says she used to try to cover up but now fully embraces.

Jordan (@jayyt96) Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Jordan is a 29-year-old teacher and former military soldier from Birmingham who says he's looking for a love like the one his grandparents share. He says he's hoping to meet someone who gets along with his mom and sisters. Sweet!

Cuba Riggs (@cubariggs) Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Cuba, 29, is a yoga and fitness instructor from London. Cuba was previously engaged, but broke up with her partner after finding out that they were cheating on her. She says she values spirituality because of the freedom it grants believers, and is looking for someone she connects with on a soul-to-soul level.

Fortunately for Cuba, Ryan also values spirituality after spending some time in southeast Asia. The pair bonded over their shared values and desire to start a farm, eat organic food, and homeschool their children.

Ryan Roberts (@ryanlewisroberts) Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Ryan is a 33-year-old public speaker from Manchester who says he might be single because his job demands a lot of travel (and because he tends to keep his relationships at arm's length).

Ryan said his spirituality led him to Love is Blind: UK, where he happened to hit it off with Cuba.

Neive Ewing (@neivexo) Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Neive, 27, is a car sales associate from Perth, Scotland, who describes her ideal man as a “G-wagon.”

Sammy Harper (@sammy.harper_) Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Sammy, 31, is a well-being coach, entrepreneur, and trained opera singer from Manchester, England. Sammy is in search of an "alpha male" that she can bring home to her family, who she moved closer to after a painful breakup.

Katie Linsky (@katiejlinsky) Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Katie, 30, is a project manager and single mom from Doncaster, England. While her first marriage ended after three months, Katie is ready to find love again and share her heart with someone else. We’re rooting for you, Katie!

Monum Sabir (@monumsabirrr) Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Monum is a 29-year-old audiologist from Bury, England, who said her previous relationships didn’t match her standards. She is in search of a partner who can finally align with her values.

Zelania Ann-Marie (@zelaniaaaa) Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Zelania is a 29-year-old marketing manager hailing from London. Her last relationship ended abruptly after her partner moved to Australia, so she says she's now looking for a partner that is more reliable.

Hannah Connolly (@hannahlouissee) Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Hannah, 27, describes herself as a black cat who’s looking for a golden retriever. An accountant from Leeds, England, Hannah has been single for two years after finding out her ex had been messaging other women.

Komel Waqar (@komelwaqar) Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Komel, 34, is a senior finance officer from Glasgow, Scotland. She's been single for 18 months after giving her all in two long-term relationships, and is hoping to date with more intention in the pods to find her person.

Lydia James (@lydiaejames) Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Lydia is a 31-year-old senior product manager and sports fan from Cardiff, Wales. She believes that dating apps tend to focus more on looks, and she's in the pods to find someone that could actually support her at home and financially.

View this post on Instagram George Morgan (@georgemorgan_1303) Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

George, also known as "Mini Cheddar," as he "comes from a long line of cheese business owners," according to Netflix, is a 32-year-old bank relationship manager and wine bar owner from Derby, England. He has been single since breaking up with his last partner of ten years, but says he is now ready to meet someone in the pods.

Mike Mitchell (@mikejamesmitchell) Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Mike is a 31-year-old teaching assistant from Preston, England, who enjoys hiking with his dog and traveling. A former member of the military, he’s now hoping to meet someone special and settle down after finding some new stability in life. 

Met Emir (@metemir) Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Met, a 35-year-old technology recruiter from London, is hoping for a relationship similar to his parents' 40-year marriage. Met said he’s previously put his career before relationships and has yet to meet the right person.

Jonathan Harrold (@jonharrold) Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Jonathan is a 32-year-old tech recruiter from Hertfordshire. Jonathan, who calls himself a “short king,” said he’s in search of someone who is emotionally mature and a good communicator.

Blue Braithwaite (@blue.braithwaite) Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Blue, 32, is a plasterer from London, and said that he would prioritize his wife by cooking, cleaning, and even putting her “knickers in the wash.” Talk about having your priorities in order!

Alex Begyinah (@alexbegyinah) Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Alex, a 33-year-old business development manager from Birmingham, says he is a “lover boy” who grew up embracing his Ghanaian and Sri Lankan cultures. He’s looking for someone who could add their own flavor to his culturally rich lifestyle.

Si Bucknell (@sibucknell) Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Si, 36, is a motorsport technician from Gloucestershire, England. He says that he loves hard because “if anything’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.”

Luke Watson (@lukeawats) Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Luke, 29, a planning officer from Doncaster, said he has only been in situationships during his adult life and is turning to the pods for true love.

Jacob Golding (@acegolding) Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Jacob is a 32-year-old business owner from Colchester, England, and believes in merging gender roles in a relationship. He says he might be single because he’s too quick to walk away from relationships.

The first eight episodes of Season 3 of Love is Blind: UK were released to Netflix on August 19. Episodes 9 and 10 will be released August 26, while the Season 3 finale will air on August 30. Here's how to watch.