Skip to main content

Latest by C. de Looper

facebook messenger lite apple ios macbook iphone 4 5 6 app

Parents can now limit their kids’ access to the Facebook Messenger Kids app

Facebook has updated the Messenger Kids app with a new feature that parents might appreciate -- the ability to set when kids can and can't access it. The new feature is called Sleep Mode, and is apparently Facebook's answer to concerns about the effects of social media on kids.
iPad 9.7 2018

Apple iPad (2018) vs. iPad Pro 10.5: Is the iPad Pro worth the extra cash?

The new 9.7-inch Apple iPad is an awesome device, but it doesn't reach the heights of the iPad Pro series. So which iPad is best for you -- the 9.7-inch iPad, or the ultra-powerful and slightly older 10.5-inch iPad Pro? We compare the two Apple tablets in various categories to find out.
Google Play Music icon

Google will reportedly kill Play Music when it launches YouTube Remix

Google is reported to be planning to launch a new streaming service called YouTube Remix later this year -- and when it does it will reportedly put an end to Google Play Music, its current most-used music streaming services. The existence of YouTube Remix has been rumored since the end of last year.
Google Play store on a smartphone in someone's hand.

Google Play Awards nominees are in … and amazing

Google has announced the nominees for this year's Google Play Awards, including the likes of Pokemon Go, PUBG Mobile, and more. There are a range of categories -- including a new category for AR and VR apps. The winners for the Google Play Awards will be announced on May 7, at Google I/O 2018.
AR Emoji

Samsung could offer AR Emoji chatting as an alternative to video

A newly awarded Samsung patent shows a new system for video chatting that could seriously save on your data. The system basically involves the use of the company's new AR Emoji, which would be used as your avatar in place of actually transmitting video and audio.
A close up of the iPhone 7 sim card slot.

Verizon, AT&T under investigation for allegedly colluding to block eSIM tech

The U.S. Justice Department is reportedly investigating possible collusion between Verizon and AT&T, who have been accused of trying to block the development and implementation of eSIM technology. The tech allows consumers to quickly and easily switch carriers without having to obtain and insert a new SIM card.
moto e5 plus review hands on 9

Moto E5 Plus vs. Moto E4 Plus: Battle of the ultra-budget Motos

Lenovo's Motorola has finally unveiled the new Moto E5 Plus, replacing the Moto E4 Plus as the company's budget handset to beat. But is the new phone that much better than the older Moto E4 Plus? We put the Moto E5 Plus and Moto E4 Plus head to head in a range of different categories to find out.

Google patent could replace your contacts’ profile pictures with animations

Google has been awarded a new patent that could replace the profile pictures in your Android contacts with animated images. How? The animations could be captured in video calls, then reused in other parts of Android. Of course, just because Google has been awarded the patent, that doesn't mean we'll see it soon.
apple siri whispering

New Apple patent could help Siri learn newly created words and phrases

Apple has been awarded a new patent that could prove that the company is actively working on improving Siri. The patent describes technology that can recognize new words and phrases -- essentially helping prevent the digital assistant from getting outdated.
lenovo moto g6 vs play

Moto G6 vs. Moto G6 Play: Is the G6 worth the extra cash?

Motorola has finally taken the wraps off of the new Moto G6 and Moto G6 Play. Both offer excellent features at a very reasonable price, but which of the new phones is better for your situation? Is the slightly more expensive Moto G6 worth the extra cash? We put the two phones head-to-head to find out.
Yahoo Mail

Yahoo Mail is about to make RSVPing to an event a whole lot easier

Yahoo has announced a slew of updates to Yahoo Mail that includes not only new features, but also a ton of performance improvements. New features include the likes of Photo Themes, allowing you to customize your inbox, and RSVP cards, which allow you to respond to an event quickly and easily.
sony xperia xa2 ultra review feat

Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra review

Sony may be embracing a new design, but that doesn’t mean it’s not selling a phone with an older design theme. The mid-range Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra costs $450, and a lot of compromises, which is unusual for a mid-range smartphone. Is it worth buying? Find out in our Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra review.
Huawei flagship at AT&T

Huawei to refocus its efforts on other markets in the face of U.S. roadblocks

Huawei has had a pretty rough time in the United States. Following government bans and deals with carriers falling through, it appears the company will now refocus its efforts on markets that it's already in, such as Europe and Asia. Huawei has long been plagued with issues in the U.S.
A sign outside of T Mobile headquarters.

T-Mobile slapped with $40 million fine for playing fake ringtones on rural calls

T-Mobile has agreed to pay $40 million after the Federal Communication Commission found that despite promising to end the practice, T-Mobile was still playing fake ringtones on calls to rural areas in an effort to make customers believe that the call had been connected -- when in fact it had not.
LG V30s Hands on

The ultra-affordable LG Fortune 2 is now available from Cricket Wireless

Cricket Wireless has a new ultra-affordable phone on offer -- the LG Fortune 2. The device offers 16GB of storage, an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera, and it comes at only $99.99. Of course, it doesn't come without competition -- like the ZTE Blade X Max, which is also available from Cricket Wireless.
chromecast audio mutliroom wifi device existing speakers google easily cast mobile

Google could soon let you sync smartphones for music playback

Your Android phone could soon be usable in a network of others if Google's latest patent is anything to go by. The patent describes the use of a mesh network for using multiple smartphones to listen to music -- which would be perfect at a picnic or where there aren't any other speaker systems.
iPhone SE 2 concept

Apple’s latest patent ensures your screen turns on to the right brightness

Apple has been awarded a new patent that could help ensure that your phone always turns on to the right brightness -- even when it's dark out. This would help ensure that when the screen does turn on, it isn't overly bright in a way that hurts your eyes at night.
android manufacturers not delivering security updates

Some Android manufacturers lie to customers about installing security updates

According to a recent report, some Android manufacturers aren't just not installing the latest security updates, but they're lying to customers by saying that their phones are fully up to date. There are plenty of reasons why a manufacturer might skip an update -- but lying about it is sure to raise questions.
wire guest rooms

Be our guest: Wire now lets customers communicate securely with their clients

Secure messaging service Wire has gained a new feature -- the ability for customers with accounts to communicate with clients without accounts. Not only that, communications are still safe and secure in these so-called guest rooms, and things like file sharing and video calling are still supported.
apple work on self driving cars store feat

Apple slapped with $502.6 million in damages in ongoing battle with VirnetX

Apple has been ordered to pay $502.6 million to a company called VirnetX for infringing on four patents related to online communications. VirnetX is largely considered to be a patent troll -- meaning its business relies on owning patents it won't use and going after companies that do use them.
best pixel accessories google unsplash

Google has officially stopped selling the original Google Pixel

The original Google Pixel paved the way for for Google's new hardware, but the phone is no longer available from the Google Store. In other words, those looking for a stock Android device that isn't $650 or more may have to look elsewhere -- though the phone is still available from third-party retailers.
best iphone x battery cases apple

82 percent of U.S. teens use an iPhone — and that number is only growing

A massive 82 percent of teens in the U.S. currently use an iPhone, and according to a recent report that number is likely to continue to grow. In fact, the number sat at around 78 percent last fall. Not only that, but the increased iPhone use may drive Apple Watch sales, too.
how to get followers on instagram 7

Instagram releases Focus portrait mode for photos

Instagram is rolling out a new portrait mode called "Focus," which does away with the need for two camera sensors to create a background blur, and instead uses machine learning and artificial intelligence. The feature is rolling out to the iPhone 6S and later, and select Android phones.
Huawei P20 Pro

Huawei P20 Pro vs Google Pixel 2 XL: Can the P20 Pro dethrone Android royalty?

Huawei has finally unveiled the new P20 and P20 Pro, its latest and greatest flagship phone. But is it enough to take out Google's champion, the Google Pixel 2 XL?
Apple iPad 2018 Hands On Review

Here’s how — and where — to get Apple’s new 9.7-inch iPad

Apple has taken the wraps off of an all-new 9.7-inch iPad that supports the Apple Pencil. Here's how to get the new iPad for yourself.
nba augmented reality iphone news ar 2

Latest Apple patents hint at 3D iPhone effects, flexible batteries, and more

Apple has been awarded a set of three new patents that hint at what the company has been working on. Among the patents including a flexible battery.
Google Play Music icon

Google’s new audiobook features could help make it the best service available

Google has added a slew of new audiobook features to Google Play, including support for features like Google Assistant's Routines.
Wear OS - Google Asssitant

The first Wear OS Android P developer preview is finally here

The Android P developer preview for smartphones may have been out for some time now, but now it's time to look at what's new in Wear OS.
Yahoo Mail

Yahoo Mail makes it easier for online shoppers to find the best deals

Yahoo is updating Yahoo Mail with a few new features that should help online shoppers find the best deals and save cash while they shop.
google tenor acquisition

Google acquires GIF search engine Tenor (and its 300 million users)

Google has announced its acquisition of Tenor, a GIF search engine that previously became known for its GIF advertising model.
Google play

500,000 people downloaded QR code apps with embedded malware from Google Play

QR code reader apps with malicious malwar inside of them were downloaded up to 500,000 times, according to a new report from Sophos.
emojis

Apple’s newly proposed emojis are more inclusive for those with disabilities

Apple has proposed a set of 13 new emojis to the Unicode Consortium. The new emojis are aimed at being more inclusive of those with disabilities.
Apple Pencil

Latest Apple patents hint at souped-up Apple Pencil that can measure 3D objects

Apple has been awarded a few new patents that hint at a seriously upgraded Apple Pencil. There are two patents in total.
Sirin Labs Finney

Huawei is reportedly in talks with Sirin Labs to build a ‘blockchain smartphone’

According to new reports, Huawei is in talks with Sirin Labs, maker of blockchain-based operating system Sirin OS, to build a new "blockchain smartphone."