Quick Links You can save money with a free VPN, but is it worth it? Your data might just be the commodity being sold. Here’s what you need to know. What “Free” Really Means in Tech Free software in tech isn’t always truly free. Sure, there’sopen-source software, but even those projects often offer paid services or extras. The same applies to VPNs—if a VPN service is free, chances are, you’re the product being sold....

Any smartphone you buy these days will prompt you to back up your calls, texts, and other data to the cloud. Apple and Google offer to back up this data privately—it turns out that Samsung can, too. Here’s the feature you need to enable on Galaxy phones and tablets to securely back up certain apps and other personal data to a Samsung account. The Feature Is Called Enhanced Data Protection Buried in the settings of certain Samsung Galaxy devices, there’s a feature Samsung calls Enhanced Data Protection....

Summary Smaller phones can be more comfortable to use, especially with one-handed operations. Some small phones inspire you to use your phone less by offering less smart features, while others provide all the modern conveniences you’re used to. What to Look for in a Small Phone For the most part, selecting the right small phone for you is just like choosing any new phone. The biggest difference between selecting a smartphone in general and a small phone is, of course, screen size and form factor....

Summary All I want from an external, backup, battery is a lot of power and speed in a compact size. The aptly, but not sufficiently namedUgreen 300W 48,000mAh Portable Chargeris a device after my heart. It’s hard to resist its adorable frame while still managing to charge a laptop quickly or an iPhone 15 Pro more than 10 times. Ugreen 300W 48,000mAh Portable Charger This portable charger has a maximum total output of 300W, PD3....

Quick Links Summary It might be time to replace your streaming device if you’re missing major features, can’t update anymore, the software keeps playing up, or there are hardware problems that cost more to fix than buying a replacement. It’s common to think about when you’re going toupgrade your phoneorsmartwatch. However, with so much focus on having the latest and greatest versions of these pieces of tech, many people forget to update other items like their streaming devices....

Summary If you’re shopping for a new electric car, you might not notice that most of them don’t come with a spare tire. While this isn’t unique to EVs, and you’re lucky if a car even comes with a “donut” tire these days, it’s a growing EV trend that potential buyers need to know about. To make matters worse, many of the most popular electric vehicles available today don’t even have a spot to store a tire if you’d like to get a spare later....

Replayability is a core consideration for game developers looking to keep players locked in and wanting more. PC gamesuse modsas a key tool to unlock community creativity and boost a game’s replayability. Modded games take the original game’s code and add to it, take it away, or change it entirely. The king of the hill for modded games has long beenThe Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. WhileSkyrimhas played host to some of the funniest mods out there, like turning dragons into Thomas the Tank Engine, it is now set to house one of its most ambitious:Skyblivion....

Quick Links You just bought a fancy new electric bike with all the bells, whistles, fat tires, and upgrades, and it’s anabsolute blast to ride. So why are you still using a cheap bike lock from some big-box retailer based on a decade-old design? No matter your bike type, you’ll want a good lock to prevent thieves from wandering off with your ride. Electric bikes are fun, growing in popularity, and are expensive yet easy to sell, which makes them a massive target for theft....

Summary Just like me, you’ve probably got a whole bunch of streaming subscriptions and a mounting bill to keep them all going. The good news is that if you attempt to cancel some of these, you might end up saving money while still retaining your service. Subscription Prices Keep Crawling Upwards You’ve probably seen the news about one or another subscription serviceraising its prices. Many of these services started out by running at a loss and undercutting other services without deep financial reserves....

Summary Like it or not, cloud game streaming is likely the future of casual gaming, and Xbox is the loudest of the three console platforms in promoting console gaming without a console. But Xbox Cloud Gaming suffers from two issues Microsoft has to fix if it wants cloud gaming to take off. Microsoft Wants to Bring Xbox Games to Every Screen Microsoft is getting louder aboutpromoting Xbox gamingwithout an Xbox. All you need is access toXbox Cloud Gaming, a screen (like a smartphone, TV, VR headset, or computer monitor), and a controller ormouse and keyboard....

Wyze, the smart home come company, revealed its firstWi-Fi mesh routerslast year. The entry-level Wyze Router already arrived, and now the higher-end model is available for purchase – but there’s a catch. TheWyze Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router Pro, as it is officially called, is a mesh system likeGoogle’s Nest Wifior Amazon’s Eero lineup. It promises full-home coverage, thanks to the use of multiple base stations and support for the latestWi-Fi 6Estandard....

Summary There’s no shortage of watch chargers for keeping your Apple Watch battery full. While most brands focus on offering unique 3-in-1 wireless docks, Spigen is doing things a bit differently. If you’re looking for a little Apple nostalgia, Spigen just released an iMac G3-inspired charging stand you’ll love. Spigen’sClassic C1 Seriesdelivers a bunch of Apple accessories, like phone and AirPod cases, in the G3’s bright yet retro translucent colors. It’s a neat way to pay tribute to Apple’s iconic designs of old....

Quick Links There’s something satisfying about destruction in video games. It’s why there are plenty of games that accommodate this power fantasy, and a great deal that actively encourage it. Here are ten of the best. 10Red Faction Guerilla 2008’sRed Faction Guerillarepresented a high point for destructible environments in video games. This open-world third-person shooter is set on Mars and features some of the best, most chaotic destruction ever seen in a video game....