How-To Geek

The past 24 hours have been filled with some interesting tidbits with rumors of a Walmart game streaming service and Facebook’s improper storage of passwords, but that’s just the beginning. Here’s a look at the biggest stories for March 22, 2019.

Apple News: AirPower…Maybe

It’s been a surprisingly busy week for Apple, with new iPad, new iMacs, and new AirPods all hitting the scene ahead of the company’s big announcement on Monday. Things have been quiet on the Apple front this morning, but there are a couple of rumors worth talking about.

• Apple secured the trademark for “AirPower,” the company’s long-awaited multi-device wireless charging mat. [MacRumors]
• The better news? We might see it launch “in late March” (finally). Been a long time coming. [Digitimes]
• In new unrelated to AirPower, Apple Music got a nice little update and makeover to the Browse section that should make it easier for users to find new tunes. Dig it. [MacRumors]

AirPower has been an unusual product for Apple because it was initially announced back in 2017 with an expected 2018 launch. There hasn’t been anything concrete from Apple since then, which is pretty unusual for a company as consistent and reliable as it is. Still, it’s something that most Apple users have been longing for, and it looks like the time may finally be close. Maybe, anyway.

Microsoft and Windows News: The Return (and Demise) of Clippy

It seems like every day there’s at least one Microsoft-related thing worth talking about. Today, it’s Clippy, the long-loathed talking (and annoying) paperclip from back in the day.

• Microsoft brought back Clippy as part of an animated sticker pack for its Teams collaboration and chat app. Then, it quickly killed it off. The little guy just can’t get a break. [The Verge]

It turns out that after bringing Clippy back, the “brand police” weren’t pleased. Even in something as simple and otherwise harmless as a sticker pack, I guess Clippy is still so offputting that no one wants to see his stupid little face ever again. Poor Clippy.

Google and Android News: Hidden Video Ads and Drained Batteries

Ah, Google. Even when it seems like nothing else is going on in the tech world (even though there’s always something) we can all count on Google and Android news for something to look at and ponder on.

• There’s a new scam that lets advertisers run hidden video ads in the background, making them dollars off you while also killing your phone’s battery. What a time to be alive. [The Verge]
• Android Auto recently got an update for widescreen head units that will allow two apps to show in split-screen format at one time. This is such a killer update I’m jealous of everyone who gets it and isn’t me. [9to5Google]
• Google is dropping IFTTT support in Gmail as part of a program to increase privacy and security. This is undoubtedly going to come as a hit to anyone who relies on IFTTT for automation in their email. Support will be removed on March 31st. [9to5Google]
• There was an update to Samsung’s “Notification” app, which apparently bothered some people? Turns out it’s fine. Like, fine. [Android Police]
• Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy A90—which should be announced at the company’s April 10th event—is said to have a “notchless infinity screen.” So…where’s the front camera going to be? [The Verge]
• eBay added support for Google Pay on Android and the web. I think that’s cool. [9to5Google]

The most troubling thing here is the whole “video ads in the background” garbage. Apparently this is no fault of the developers of affected apps, however—it’s an ad company doing shady ad company stuff. According to Buzzfeed, the source of this crap was traced back to OutStream Media. At this point, any developer using OutStream for ad services should probably find a new ad provider, because this is pure garbage. If you’re experiencing this issue, best just to let the developer know what’s going on and realize that they probably don’t know either.

Review Roundup: Nintendo Labo VR

The Nintendo Labo VR headset got the hands-on treatment from a handful of different sites, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.

• Tom’s Guide said the Labo VR is “exactly what virtual reality needs,” which is a pretty strong recommendation. [Tom’s Guide]
• PC Mag called it “more Google Cardboard than Virtual Boy,” which just kind of makes sense. [PC Mag]
• The Verge went all out with its Labo VR review. Seriously, it’s exhaustive. [The Verge]
• Engadget said it’s “the perfect gateway to VR.” Makes sense to me. [Engadget]
• Gizmodo’s take was fun and lighthearted (as Giz often is), but still offers all the info you want. It’s a good read. [Gizmodo]

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Apple, Microsoft

The weekend is almost here, but you don’t have to wait until Saturday to start your early-spring shopping spree. Now’s a great time to grab a premium tablet or smart home device for cheap.

Right now, there are some great deals on Best Buy, Newegg, Walmart, and Amazon. These deals range from free games to 5-stage water filters, but our favorite deals (by far) are on premium tablets. A Surface Pro for $600? An iPad Pro for $700? Those are some pretty irresistible deals.

Tablets, Phones, Laptops, and Desktop Accessories

Should you buy the Surface Pro, or the iPad Pro?

• Microsoft Surface Pro, $600 ($360 off) [Best Buy]
• iPad Pro 10.5″, $700 ($300 off) [Best Buy]
• iPhone X 64GB Unlocked, $700 ($200 off) [Best Buy]
• Acer Swift 3 Laptop, $650 ($120 off) [Newegg]
• Up to %70 off Anti-Virus and VPN Software [Rakuten]
• Save up to 67% on Altigo Phone Accessories [Amazon]
• Samsung 10,000 mAh Portable Battery Packt, $16 ($19 off [Samsung]
• Save 20% on Arris Modems [Amazon]
• Google Wi-Fi Router, $100 ($100 off) [Newegg]

Smart Home Gadgets

You don’t have to break the bank to build a smarthome. Check out these great smarthome deals.

• Esicoo Smart Plug 4-Pack, $24 ($10 off with coupon code ESICOOLD293) [Amazon]
• Google Home Mini, $39 ($10 off) [Best Buy]
• Amazon Tap Bluetooth Speaker, $35 ($94 off) [Woot]
• LIFX Smart Bulb or Wemo Smart Plug, $10 (with coupon code SAVE10) [Amazon]
• TP-Link Smart Plug 3-Pack, $35 ($16 off) [Newegg]
• Efuy Smart Scale, $30 ($15 off) [Amazon]

Video Games

Scoop up some free and discounted games. Epic Games consistently gives away a new game every 2 weeks so be sure to check back once or twice a month for more games. (The next free game is The Witness, normally a $40 game).

• Tacoma for PC, Free (Normally $19.99) [Humble Bundle]
• Oxenfree for PC, Free (Normally $19.99) [Epic Games]
• Grand Theft Auto, $15 ($44 off) [Amazon – PS4, Xbox One]
• Discounts on Indie Nintendo Switch Games [Switch EShop]
• Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy – PC, $25 ($5 off) [Green Man Gaming]

Everything Else

Need a dehydrator, a water filter, or a compact projector? We’ve got your back.

• CORSORI Food Dehydrator, $46 ($14 off with coupon code 14COFDSD) [Amazon]
• Costway 5-Stage Reverse Osmoses Water Filter, $115 ($75 off) [Walmart]
• Altigo Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, $35 ($35 off) [Amazon]
• Altigo Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds, $20 ($20 off) [Amazon]
• Mi Laser Throw Projector, $1,700 ($200 off) [Walmart]

Like all good things in life, deals and discounts can’t last forever. If any of these deals catch your eye, be sure to scoop them up before it’s too late.

Safari lets you open links in a new tab on iPhone or iPad, but it immediately switches to that new tab when you do. Here’s how to open all new tabs in the background instead.

Opening links in new tabs on an iPhone or iPad has long been a simple case of touching and holding a link and then tapping “Open in New Tab.” That works great if you don’t want to lose your place on your current web page. But it can be jarring if you just want to open a tab and come back to it later. For that, you want to be able to open a new tab in the background.

Thankfully, deep in the heart of the Settings app on both the iPhone and iPad, you’ll find a setting that does exactly that. Once turned on, all tabs will open in the background rather than stealing your focus, and it’s pretty great.

To get started, open the “Settings” app and then tap “Safari.”

Next, scroll down and tap “Open Links” to open the next screen.

The next screen will show the two options available to you. If you want to open new links in the background, without having them steal focus, tap “In Background” and exit the Settings app.

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The iCloud ecosystem is complicated, and it’s hard to know how much of your data is safe in the “cloud” and synced across your devices. We’ll walk through the process of setting up and explain what each feature does.

How to Sign Into iCloud

When you first set up your Mac, you should have been prompted to sign in with an iCloud account. If you’ve already set that up, you’re good to go, but if you’re not signed in you’ll need to sign in from the iCloud settings.

Open the System Preferences app—you can click the Apple menu at the top of your screen and select “System Preferences”—and click the “iCloud” icon. You can also find the System Preferences app on your dock and in your Applications folder.

These are the iCloud settings. If you’re not signed in, you’ll see this sign-in screen.

If you already have an Apple ID from an iPhone or iPad, make sure to use the same one for your Mac, or else nothing will sync between your devices. If you need to make a new account though, you can click “Create Apple ID” at the bottom to sign up.

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Dirima/Shutterstock

Spring is nearly here so it’s the perfect time to get back outside and start running again. We’ve got the best and most essential running accessories to make your runs and jogs far more satisfying than before.

It’s a tricky time of year to know how to dress when running. Do you wrap up warm or travel light and risk bad weather? Whichever temperature you pursue, we’ve got some great options here. That’s along with some useful accessories you may not have already considered.

Here’s our pick of essential running accessories for Spring.

Running Shoes: Nike Epic React ($150-$290) Nike

You’re likely to already have a pair of running shoes from last year but do they need a refresh? Are they ageing and not quite as comfy for your feet as they once were? Spring is the perfect time to invest in a new pair. We’ve already extensively looked at the best running shoes available but if you just want to skip ahead and get the best pair out there then you need the Nike Epic React.

They’re quite the investment but they’ll last you a long time. Super lightweight and formed in a way that provides you with a snug but comfortable fit, they’re kind of like running on clouds. Seriously. Best of all, while the average road running shoe should last you about 500 miles, Nike promises these will pass 600 miles or more. That’s a lot of very pleasant bounciness for your feet.

Buy on Amazon Running T-Shirt: NIKE Men’s Dry Miler Running Top ($10-$90) Nike

The right running t-shirt makes a big difference in your comfort levels. That’s why the NIKE Men’s Dry Miler Running Top is so useful. It keeps you dry and comfortable thanks to its Dri-FIT technology that pulls sweat away from your skin before quickly evaporating on the fabric’s surface. It makes a huge difference compared to if you wear a regular t-shirt.

Alongside that are mesh panels on the side and entire back so body heat can escape, so you cool down faster. Buy a couple so you always have one available.

Buy on Amazon Long Sleeve Running Shirt: Adidas Men’s Training Essentials Tech Long Sleeve Tee ($17-$66) Adidas

For those that prefer to have their arms covered (or that live in chillier climates), the Adidas Men’s Training Essentials Tech Long Sleeve Tee is the ideal alternative to the Nike Running Top. Again, it’s made from special fabric that wicks away sweat from your skin (this time around, it’s called Climalite), and the material is lightweight and comfortable.

It skips the mesh sides that the Nike shirt provides, so you’re kept a little warmer at all times. If you’re likely to take early morning or late night runs, this is a good way of keeping you warm but not too warm.

Buy on Amazon Gilet: American Outdoorsman Water Repellent Bonded Fleece Full Zip Vests ($40) American Outdoorsman

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Last week saw the release of Android Q, and a lot of new features to go with it. The week of March 16th through 21st brought even more of that, along with a few Pie updates, Google’s new gaming announcement, and more.

More Android Q Features

We had a massive list of Android Q features in last week’s Android news roundup, and of course more of that sort of thing continued to trickle out this week. While the list isn’t quite as long, there’s still a lot of interesting stuff here.

• Android Q may get chat head-like notification bubbles for other apps. This sounds interesting, useful, and potentially annoying all at the same time. [XDA Developers]
• Along that same line (but opposite), Google is cracking down on full window overlays like chat heads. This permission will be heavily restricted on sideloaded apps, but a little open with things installed from the Play Store. [Android Police]
• There’s a hidden setting in the Pixel Launcher on Android Q that brings more iOS-like gesture navigation. Please, Google, for the love of all that is holy, steal this feature. The iPhone gesture navigation is so good. [XDA Developers]
• Do Not Disturb settings are customizable in Android Q. Cool. [Android Police]
• The squircles are coming! While not directly tied to Android Q, Google is changing Play Store requirements to make every icon a squircle. Okay then! [XDA Developers]

Android Q has been out for more than a week now. I’ve been running it on my Pixel 1 XL for testing, and it’s honestly…just fine. It’s this weird blend of “this feels just like Pie,” but is also loaded down with a bunch of new, subtle features. Improved permissions are a real highlight for me, with iOS-like options of being able to permit apps location (and other) permissions only while in the foreground. That’s a boon for privacy. I’ll be interested to see what else comes with Q as it progresses towards a stable build.

Google News: Google Stadia, the Future of Gaming (maybe)

Google announced Stadia this week, its new game streaming platform. Honestly, it’s a lot cooler than I think anyone was expecting. Here’s the skinny, followed by some thoughts.

• If you want to know what Stadia is all about, Review Geek has you covered. [Review Geek]
• If you want the CliffsNotes version, Google released a four-minute version of the live announcement. Thanks, Google! [YouTube]
• Since Stadia is going to need content, there’s a partner program that offers free development hardware. That should make for a good start. [9to5Google]
• We covered (at our sister site, Review Geek) three things Stadia needs to succeed. [Review Geek]
• Kotaku asked the Stadia Boss Phil Harrison some stuff about the service. He even answered some of it. [Kotaku]

So, here’s the thing: Stadia looks amazing. The promise of 4K 60fps gaming—something my PS4 Pro can’t do, mind you—streamed over the internet is a mind-blowing concept. But that’s the thing: it’s still basically a concept. There’s a lot we don’t know, like pricing, required internet speeds, game catalog, and model. Is it going to be a flat monthly rate where you can stream all you want, or will you have to buy games one-by-one? That’s the first question that has to be answered, and I’ve seen several differing opinions on how different journalists think this will work.

Similarly, if it is an all-you-can-eat model, it needs to be priced aggressively. If it’s over $14.99 a month out of the gate, it’ll likely be dead in the water. $9.99 (or less!) would be a great starting point; then prices can rise as it gets more features and games.

But the biggest question on my mind? Will Google actually support Stadia? I’ve been covering Google services and Android for nearly a decade, and if I’ve learned anything in that time, it’s that Google is bad for announcing products or services with grandiose plans, only to never deliver on any of it and let the service die two or three years later. I sincerely hope that this isn’t the case with Stadia, because this is a service that not only makes a lot of sense but could potentially have an incredibly bright future.

Android Updates: Pie for Nokia, ASUS Falls Short, OnePlus Starts Testing

While Android Q is being tested on Pixel phones, several other manufacturers are either just now pushing or testing Pie on their devices. It’s easily the most significant pain point for most Android users: if you don’t buy Pixel, you have no choice but to wait for updates.

• Nokia is pushing Pie to the 3.1. [Android Central]
• It also released Pie for the 5.1. [Android Police]
• ASUS, on the other hand, backslides on its Pie update, pushing it back to mid-April for many Zenfone models. Ouch. [Android Police]
• OnePlus started testing the Pie update for the 3/3T in China, which means a global rollout is probably also coming soon. [9to5Google]
• In non-Pie news, The Razr Phone 2’s unique Chroma feature got a nice little update with Wave lighting. [XDA Developers]

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Windows 7 will soon start nagging you to upgrade to Windows 10—again. Specifically, you’ll see a message informing you that Microsoft will officially stop supporting Windows 7 on January 14, 2020. Here’s how to avoid it.

Why Windows 7 Will Nag You

Microsoft will only support Windows 7 with security patches until January 14, 2020. That’s the “end of support” or “end of life” (EOL) date. After this date, Windows 7 will technically leave “extended support.” Businesses can pay for additional support, but average consumer PCs will be stuck without security patches.

That means Windows 7 machines will be increasingly vulnerable, and software developers will eventually leave those old PCs behind and stop writing software that works on Windows 7.

We strongly recommend upgrading to a supported operating system by January 14, 2020. You’re using a supported operating system until then—so feel free to hide the nags and use your PC. And who wants to be nagged, anyway?

RELATED: Windows 7 Only Has One Year of Security Patches Left

Microsoft Will Let You Silence the Nags This Time

Microsoft has learned its lesson—kind of. While the original “Get Windows 10” (GWX) messages just kept coming back over and over again, this end-of-support notification looks much less annoying.

This latest popup message doesn’t try to install any software on your system. In fact, the free Windows 10 upgrade offer is over—although there’s still an official but kind-of-secret way to upgrade to Windows 10 for free.

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Who Is The Father Of The PG-13 Movie Rating?

1. Steven Spielberg
2. Jack Valenti
3. George Lucas
4. Robert De Niro

Think you know the answer?

Adding images and SmartArt to compliment the content of your presentation is one of the key factors in making it successful. PowerPoint, with its large inventory of image-manipulating features, allows you to flip and rotate images, ensuring your PowerPoint is set up exactly as you’ve intended.

Flipping an Image in PowerPoint

Go ahead an open your PowerPoint presentation and head to the slide that contains the image to be flipped. Once there, select the image.

Once selected, a new “Format” tab will appear. Select that tab and then click the “Rotate” button.

A dropdown menu with a few options will appear. Here, select “Flip Horizontal.”

You’ll now notice your image has, as expected, flipped horizontally.

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Amazon, Best Buy

Spring is here, and it might be time to upgrade to the latest and greatest games, phones, tablets, and smart home devices. Of course, we’ll help you do it at a discount.

Right now, there are some killer deals on Amazon, Best Buy, Massgenie, and Rakuten. These deals range from video games to GoPros, but naturally, we have a few favorites. Rakuten’s $225 Nintendo Switch (with coupon code SAVE15) is practically a steal, and Best Buy’s iPad event is a great opportunity to save a few hundred dollars on an iPad.

Phones, Tablets, Laptops, and Computer Accessories

Need a new device for work and play, or an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription? We’ve got your back.

• iPad Savings Event, $100-$300 off [Best Buy]
• Samsung Galaxy Note 8 64GB Unlocked Refurbished, $380 ($233 off) [Amazon]
• iPhone 7 Rose Gold 128GB Refurbished Unlocked, $240 [eBay]
• Asus Vivobook 15″, $800 ($100 off) [Newegg]
• Lenovo Tab Tablet, Smart Plug, and Smart Bulb, $200 ($60 off) [Lenovo]
• Adobe Creative Cloud Photography 1-Year Plan, $120 [B&H]
• WD Easystore 8TB External USB 3.0 Hard Drive, $130 ($20 off) [eBay]
• USB-C 3 Pack, $7 ($3 off with coupon OKTTESPT) [Amazon]

Nintendo Switch Hardware and Games

These Nintendo Switch deals are ridiculously good, even if you already own a lot of Switch games.

• Nintendo Switch, $255 ($45 off with coupon code SAVE15) [Rakuten]
• Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, $50 ($10 off) [Massgenie]
• Super Smash Bros Ultimate, $43 ($17 off) [Massgenie]
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, $42 ($18 off) [Massgenie]
• Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, $33 ($27 off) [Marketplacebuy]
• Xenoblade Chronicles 2. $34 ($26 off) [Marketplacebuy]

PC Games, Xbox One Games, and Xbox One Accessories

Need a new Xbox controller, or the Phoenix Wright trilogy? Grab these Xbox and PC game deals before it’s too late.

• Xbox One S Controller, $37 ($20 off) [Massgenie]
• NBA 2K19 and NBA 2K Playgrounds Bundle – PC, $27 ($54 off) [Newegg]
• Final Fantasy XV Season Pass – Xbox One, $8 ($7 off) [Microsoft]
• Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy – PC, $25 ($5 off) [Green Man Gaming]
• Vengeance 9 Game Bundle – PC, $5 ($160 off) [Fanatical]
• Fosmon Xbox One Controller Charger, $26 ($14 off) [Amazon]

Smart Home Gadgets and TVs

Spring’s the best time to automate your lights with smart bulbs, or to upgrade that old TV.

• LIFX Smart Bulb or Wemo Smart Plug, $10 (with coupon code SAVE10) [Amazon]
• TP-Link Mesh Wi-Fi System 3-Pack, $144 ($156 off) [Amazon]
• Amazon Echo Dot and Sengled Smart Bulb Kit, $70 ($20 off) [Amazon]
• LG OLED 4K 65″ TV, $1,882 ($427 off) [PCMag]
• Samsung 43″ Smart TV Refurbished, $200 [Walmart]
• Lenovo Tab Tablet, Smart Plug, and Smart Bulb, $200 ($60 off) [Lenovo]

Everything Else

Grab some new headphones or a GoPro at a steep discount.

• Bose QuietComfort Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones, $259 ($50 off) [Massgenie]
• GoPro HERO7 Silver, $200 ($100 off) [Amazon]
• HIFMAN HE-35X Headphones, $90 ($30 off) [Massdrop]

Good deals can’t last forever, and Nintendo deals are rarer than the eclipse. Don’t wait too long to buy the Nintendo Switch or the iPad that you’ve always wanted.

UGREEN

A power bank that’s designed with your Apple Watch in mind is a very useful thing indeed—especially if you’re powering using its features or traveling—as you can top up on the go. Here’s a look at the best power banks with Apple Watch charging functionality in mind.

Now, we know what you’re thinking—just use a regular power bank and plug in the Apple Watch USB cable, right? Sure, you can do that but these are more convenient options. This can be because they offer a solution that doesn’t involve you carrying extra cables, but also because they offer some kind of extra feature that you don’t necessarily get with a regular power bank. There’s something for every taste here.

Let’s take a look at the best power banks for charging your Apple Watch.

Best Overall: UGREEN Portable Wireless Charger ($54) UGREEN

Ideal for charging all your gadgets from Apple Watches to iPhones and other smartphones, the UGREEN Portable Wireless Charger offers a slim and functional profile.

About the same length as the average smartphone, it’s easy to store in your bag for when you need some extra power. There’s a USB socket for plugging in devices along with the important magnetic puck for charging up your Apple Watch. Its 2200mAh capacity means you can simultaneously charge an Apple Watch and iPhone once which will give you time to get to a outlet later in the day.

Buy on Amazon Best Key Chain Device: Griffin Travel Power Bank for Apple Watch ($50) Griffin

A simple key chain device, the Griffin Travel Power Bank for Apple Watch slots onto your keyring ready for when you need some extra power.

The 1050mAh capacity ensures you can get 2.5 full charges for your wearable, before needing to recharge at a power point. The magnetic charging surface is built into the battery so it’s a neat and sleek unit. There’s no need to carry extra cables, and it blends into your equipment well. Griffin has kept things suitably simple here, and it shows—you’ll appreciate having a charger that just works with minimal hassle.

Buy on Amazon Best Case Charger: Smatree Charging Case for Apple Watch ($29) Smatree

You need to supply your own cable but the Smatree Charging Case for Apple Watch is a very neat idea. Simply place your Apple Watch inside the case (hooked up to the magnetic puck, of course) and your wearable will charge up while protected inside the zipped up case.

Such extra safety means you can easily toss it into your bag and leave it to do its thing without worrying about your Apple Watch getting jostled around. Combining storage and charging is a great idea, and it works brilliantly here. A 3000 mAh capacity means you can charge your Apple Watch between 4 and 6 times before you need to find a power source too, so it’s super useful when traveling.

Buy on Amazon Best High Capacity: MIPOW Portable Apple Watch Charger ($100) MIPOW

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Apple just announced the updated iPad Mini and new Air at the beginning of the week, but the reviews are already starting to roll out. We take a look at those and more in today’s news briefing for March 21, 2019.

Apple News

Apple has announced a new product per day for the first three days of the week, but not today. Instead, we got a handful of reviews for the new iPads.

• Rene Ritchie from iMore had a good take on the Mini (and threw some thoughts on the new Air in there too). [iMore]
• Furthering the Air’s replacement of the 10.5-inch iPad Pro, Engadget called the new Air “just Pro enough.” Nice. [Engadget]
• Engadget also went hands-on with the new iPad Mini, calling it “great” but “not as important as it used to be.” Tough, but fair. [Engadget]
• On the opposite side of that coin, The Verge’s Nilay Patel loved the Mini, saying it has “no competition” (truth!) and generally just praising the little guy. [The Verge]
• Six Colors also seemed to enjoy the Mini, giving it the headline “a modern version of a small classic.” Sounds right to me. [Six Colors]
• Finally, Wired called it an “old friend” and welcomed the Mini back with open arms. How sweet. [Wired]
• In news unrelated to the iPad Mini, a new pair of zero-day Safari exploits were found, one of which allows a full takeover of a Mac. Oof. [9to5Mac]

Overall, the reviews for the Mini are unsurprisingly positive. Back in the day I had the second generation (maybe?) Mini, and I loved it; this new one looks quite appealing, but with the 9.7-inch model costing less, I feel like it’s still going to be a tough sell for most users.

Microsoft and Windows News

Like most days, Microsoft has been quiet today. But there’s one little thing…

• If you dream of a disc-less Xbox One, you may be in luck come May 7th. Oh boy. [The Verge]

That’s pretty much that. I’m still personally on the fence about my feelings on a disc-less console, but hey, it’s worth a shot. As long as manufacturers want to offer both versions for us old curmudgeons who will give up our discs when you pry them from our cold, dead hands, I’m into the idea.

Google and Android News

Google Maps on the web is getting prettier, there was an Android vulnerability that went unpatched for five years, and Google Podcast got some love.

• Google Maps on the web has looked the same for a while, even as its mobile counterparts saw prettifying updates. Today, the web version of Maps is getting a Material Makeover. ‘Bout time. [Androd Police]
• Speaking of Google’s web apps, the Google Podcasts app is now available on the web! It’s pretty basic right now, but so is the Android app, so it makes sense. [9to5Google]
• Bad news: An Android vulnerability went unfixed for five years—it was present in every version from KitKat (4.4) and above. Good news: it’s fixed now. That was a close one. [Wired]

All joking aside, a vulnerability left unpatched for half a decade is…pretty bad. Especially when you consider the reach of the threat: it was a Chromium-based flaw, so it affected several different browsers on Android. Pretty scary stuff, but at least it’s fixed now.

Everything Else

Let’s talk about something vital here: Cuphead. It’s coming to Switch. Also! There’s some new Dyson stuff, like a lamp. The handheld vacuum got a nice little update too. The best thing in this little section, however? The AT&T CEO got a robocall during a presentation. What a time to be alive. Also, that’s my favorite piece of news from the last 24 hours.

• Pretty soon you’ll be able to play Cuphead—which has long been an Xbox/Windows exclusive game—on Switch. It’s going to have Xbox Live support too. That’s pretty rad. [The Verge]
• AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson was speaking at an event in Washington D.C. when he got a call. A robocall. Maybe they’ll actually start to do something about this crap now? [9to5Mac]
• Dyson is releasing a daylight tracking lamp that matches the light outside. This way you never have to go outside again. [Gizmodo]
• Dyson also announced some updated vacuums with the usual stuff: more suction power, better battery life, etc. The coolest part? The higher end model has an LCD screen with a battery readout. Welcome to the future. [Engadget]
• If you use Facebook Messenger for group messages, you’ll soon be able to use an excellent feature to break your conversations up: threaded replies. Now to just convince your friends and family to use it. Godspeed. [Engadget]
• If you want to work on Square’s new upcoming cryptocurrency, and if you really want it, the company will pay you in bitcoin. Wow. [Engadget]
• Windows Central writer Russell Holly went hands-on with the new Oculus Rift S, where he called it a “modest but critical update.” Judging by the smile on his face in that header image, though, I think he really liked it. [Windows Central]

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WhatsApp is a great way to stay in touch with your loved ones, but you don’t want to lose all the conversations when you change phones. It’s super easy to back up your messages right from WhatsApp. Here’s the skinny.

Start by opening WhatsApp, and then tap the three-dot menu in the upper-right.

Tap “Settings.”

Select “Chats.”

Tap “Chat backup.”

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Pivot tables let you analyze large amounts of data and narrow down large data sets to see the relationships between data points. Google Sheets uses pivot tables to summarize your data, making it easier to understand all the information contained in your spreadsheet.

What Are Pivot Tables?

Pivot tables are handy for analyzing massive amounts of data. Where a regular spreadsheet uses only two axes—columns and rows—pivot tables help us make sense of the information in your spreadsheet by summarizing any selected columns and rows of data. For example, a pivot table could be used to analyze sales brought in by divisions of a company for a specific month, where all the information is randomly entered into a dataset.

Creating a pivot table from the information in the picture above displays a neatly formatted table with information from selected columns, sorted by division.

RELATED: The Best Google Sheets Add-Ons

How to Create a Pivot Table

Fire up Chrome and open a spreadsheet in Google Sheets.

Next, select any of the cells you want to use in your pivot table. If you’re going to use everything in your dataset, you can click anywhere on the spreadsheet, you don’t have to select every cell first.

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Itslife, Travelambo

If you’re concerned about RFID skimmers and high-tech pickpockets, then maybe you should invest in an RFID-blocking wallet.

RFID is a form of wireless data transmission that’s embedded in some new credit cards and ID cards. It’s a convenient form of technology that allows allows you to tap your card to get on the subway or to pay for food. There’s even an RFID chip built into your phone—that’s how Apple Pay and other credit card apps work. But, there’s a (slim) chance that RFID could be abused by fraudsters.

At a very basic level, RFID is like an invisible conversation between a transmitter and receiver. An RFID transmitter sends a constant radio signal in the air, hoping that it bounces off of a receiver. This transmission might ask a simple question, like “what’s your credit card number” or “what’s the gate code to this building?” If you have the appropriate RFID receiver for one of these transmitters, like a contactless credit card or ID card, then it will answer the transmitter’s question, and you’ll be able to buy groceries or enter your building. (Bear in mind that this is a very basic explanation of RFID. The actual process is a bit more complicated, and it includes a lot of encryption and security features.)

Theoretically, fraudsters can take advantage of RFID wireless transmissions to steal your credit card numbers, building codes, gym memberships, and other forms of identification. There aren’t any verified cases of contactless pickpocketing, but it’s easy to imagine how a criminal could remotely skim your wallet with an RFID transmitter.

While you shouldn’t be deeply afraid of RFID skimming, it’s okay to be a little concerned. Credit card theft is a pretty popular crime, and pickpockets could figure out how to efficiently RFID skim in the future. Thankfully, there are plenty of inexpensive RFID-blocking wallets on the market, and they look just like your regular old fashioned wallet.

Itslife Compact RFID-Blocking Wallet ($22) Itslife

Obviously, you don’t have to worry about nerdy criminals remotely stealing your physical cash. Why not use a compact wallet just for your cards? The Itslife compact RFID-blocking wallet is small, affordable, and stylish. It’s made from genuine leather, and it comes in 26 different colors.

Buy on Amazon Himi RFID-Blocking Wallet ($16) Himi

If you’re looking for a fully fleshed out RFID-blocking wallet, then you should check out the Himi brand RFID-blocking wallets. These wallets can hold your cash, your cards, and they even come with a double-sided ID holder.

Himi brand RFID-blocking wallets come in 22 different colors, and they’re made from genuine leather. This is a good, traditional wallet that could easily replace the beat up wallet that you’re using right now.

Buy on Amazon Travelambo Slim RFID-Blocking Wallet ($15) Travelambo

Slim wallets are extremely popular right now, for good reason. If you only need to carry a few cards and a little bit of cash, then a bulky wallet can be a little overkill. Luckily, slim wallet users don’t have to compromise their minimalist lifestyle for the sake of RFID-blocking technology.

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The “Save As” menu option is hidden in macOS Mojave. Apple would prefer you “Duplicate” the file to make changes. That may be more intuitive for new users, but it’s confusing if you’re used to “Save As.”

“Save As” Is Still There

This option never left the file menu—it’s just hidden behind the Option key. In fact, Apple hides quite a few menu items behind the Option key without any visual notice. Try opening up the Apple menu and holding down the Option key. You’ll see many of the menu options change into different, related options. For example, “About This Mac” becomes “System Information.”

RELATED: Access Hidden Options and Information With Your Mac’s Option Key

This helps keep the menu clean but makes it difficult to find these options. Some people will think “Save As” has been completely removed—but it’s still there!

You can still use “Save As” by either:

• Holding down Option while you have the file menu open (which will change “Duplicate” into “Save As”), or
• Pressing Command+Shift+Option+S directly (the shortcut for “Save,” plus the Option and Shift keys)

Both options are a bit cumbersome, but the functionality is still there:

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Maryna Pleshkun/Shutterstock

Fake reviews are everywhere online and they’ve probably influenced some of your purchases. Fake reviews can be positive or negative, and they’re obviously unethical and harmful. But they’re the symptom of a larger problem with e-commerce and online platforms.

Reviews Are Worth Their Weight in Gold

In the world of e-commerce, reviews are the best sign of success or failure. Sure, a batch of good reviews shows that a product has sold well and that people enjoy it, but it’s more than just that. Reviews are the ultimate form of advertising.

Businesses that have good reviews get a lot of free exposure. On websites like Amazon and Yelp, products and pages that have good reviews show up at the top of search results. They’re suggested to users based on interests, and they’re even sent out in email campaigns or marked with labels like “Amazon’s Choice.”

And while exposure doesn’t guarantee sales, good reviews do. According to a BrightLocal study, 84% of people trust online reviews as much as they trust friends. That’s an incredible statistic because it suggests that a poorly written 50-word review by a stranger can hold as much clout as a positive recommendation from someone that you trust. Essentially, the exposure and clout that businesses get from good reviews create a powerful e-commerce formula.

In some ways, this formula feels a little too easy. But it actually creates a highly competitive marketplace that’s easy to exploit. Well-reviewed businesses can easily overshadow competitors, and products or pages with bad reviews are hidden from customers by website algorithms.

This makes sense. Obviously, Amazon and Yelp don’t want you to associate their websites with crappy products. But bad reviews can completely break a reputable business, especially a small or new company that’s struggling to find a foothold in the market.

You’ve probably realized where this is going. Businesses need good reviews to stay afloat, so they pay people to write fake reviews.

Who Writes These Fake Reviews Anyway?

Robots or AI don’t do the majority of fake reviews; actual people do. It turns out that websites like Amazon are pretty good at catching bot activity, and it helps that most bot-written reviews stick out like a sore thumb (there are even websites, like Fakespot, that can catch AI-written reviews).

Antonov Roman/Shutterstock

But, like other forms of online policing, fake-review takedowns are done manually. Usually, a website will simply target reviews that look “inauthentic.” Yelp, for example, tends to take down poorly written reviews by inactive accounts, or accounts that are clearly run by a bot. The website also uses IP addresses to find suspicious reviews. If a restaurant in Idaho has 15 Yelp reviews from an Australian IP address, you can assume that there’s some fraud going on.

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What Ubiquitous Insects Are Actually Crustaceans?

1. Pill Bugs
2. Cockroaches
3. Crickets
4. Millipedes

Think you know the answer?

Are you an experienced writer who knows your way around the Linux terminal? We’re looking for someone just like you to write Linux tutorials here at How-To Geek.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for experienced writers who are fluent with the Linux command line. The ideal candidate knows his or her way around Bash and is capable of explaining this geeky stuff to normal people.

We are not looking for a writer to cover Linux news, nor are we looking for someone who only has experience with the graphical Linux desktop. You may or may not end up writing some Linux news and tutorials about Linux desktop software, but we’re looking for someone with serious Linux terminal chops. If you had Raspberry Pi experience, that would also be a plus.

This is a freelance position where you’ll be responsible for writing topics that are assigned to you, but you’ll also be able to pitch your own interesting Linux terminal articles we haven’t covered yet.

Here’s what we always look for in new writers:

• You must be a geek at heart, always looking to learn more about technology and make your gadgets work better.
• You must be able to explain complex topics in a way that is clear and easy to understand, even to non-experts.
• You must be creative and have the ability to generate article ideas, take suggestions, and make topics interesting and exciting.
• You must be at least 18 years old and have your own computer.
• You must have solid English writing skills. It’s a shame we even have to mention that one.
• You should have some basic screenshot and image editing chops. HTML skills are a plus.

To give you an idea of what we’ll expect, here are a few examples of the type of work we’re looking for:

• Add a User to a Group (or Second Group) on Linux – This article explains groups and breaks down exactly how to perform common tasks, complete with screenshots.
• How to Compress and Extract Files Using the tar Command on Linux – This piece explains how to accomplish a common task but, more than that, it provides examples and actually explains what the various switches for the tar command do.
• Beginner Geek: How to Start Using the Linux Terminal – Not everything is a basic How To. This is a guide that tries to make the Linux terminal approachable and is an example of the more in-depth content you’ll be able to tackle.

How to Apply

Send an email to jobs@howtogeek.com with the subject Linux Writer, and include the following in your email:

• Explain why your geek skills are worth touting to millions of readers each month.
• Your name and location.
• Any previous experience you have with writing and/or blogging, particularly related to Linux.
• Whether or not you are currently employed, and what you do if you are.
• A brief overview of any other topics you are familiar with, and what operating systems, computers, and devices you have access to.
• Most Importantly: We want a writing sample. If you have previous writing to showcase, particularly relevant Linux pieces that you’re proud of, include a link to it in your email. If you have a personal blog, a forum account, or a commenter account from anywhere, feel free to include that as well.

We don’t have normal office hours—or even an office—so you can be located anywhere. This is strictly a telecommuting gig.

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If you have several images on a slide, you can align your objects both horizontally and vertically for a more professional look. There are guides and gridlines available to help you align objects manually, and there are options to align objects for you automatically. Let’s see how it’s done.

Manually Aligning Objects

In this example, there are three objects on the slide. Point to the first object and drag upward or downward using your mouse. Once the object is centered either horizontally and vertically, a guideline will display.

You can also use guides and gridlines to help you align your objects. From the “View” tab, click “Guides.” Two dotted lines then show up—one aligned to the horizontal center of the slide and one to the vertical center.

Additionally, you can turn on gridlines that can help you align object elsewhere on your slide. From the “View” tab, click “Gridlines.” More dotted lines then display to help you align your objects. You can drag your objects and use the gridlines to align them accordingly.

In this example, we moved each of the three objects upward to align them using the uppermost horizontal gridline:

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