WhatsApp rolls out custom sticker maker on iOS

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WhatsApp rolls out custom sticker maker on iOS
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WhatsApp is bringing custom stickers to a whole new level with the latest update. The new changes will make it easier to customize your stickers before you post them in your conversations.

Up until now, you could only create stickers by adding pictures from a gallery into the app, but the latest update adds an extra layer of customization. According to The Verge, WhatsApp is now rolling out a new update on iOS, which lets users add text, another sticker, or even draw on top of a sticker.

WhatsApp rolls out custom sticker maker on iOS

The procedure remains the same, but you can now add various media content on top of the image you chose from your gallery. In addition to being able to customize your stickers with text and drawings, you can also edit them by long-pressing on the image.

The new feature is only available on devices that run at least iOS 17. If you’re an Android user, this is not yet available for you, but it’s unlikely that it will take WhatsApp too long to bring it to another platform.


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Is it possible to use an external SSD to speed up your Mac

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Is it possible to use an external SSD to speed up your Mac
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Over time, your Mac may experience a slowdown, prompting the need to explore methods to enhance its speed. Fortunately, one effective solution is the use of an external SSD, which can serve as a top option to achieve this objective.

Utilizing an external SSD as a startup disk not only boosts performance but also provides the convenience of storing frequently accessed files on it. Ultimately, this approach not only enhances your device’s overall performance but also helps declutter it from potential excess files.

How can you prepare your Mac before you add an external SSD?

A maintenance check and some comprehensive changes can help you quite a bit. The idea here is that you want to integrate an external SSD when your device has already gone through some maintenance. You don’t need to do very complex tasks here. For example, you should do things like cleaning up your desktop and downloads folder.

You can also empty the trash bin, sometimes it can be full of unnecessary clutter that keeps space on your device. And yes, it also makes a lot of sense to remove old applications. Emptying the trash is not that complicated, nor is it to remove apps. It can be time-consuming, but you can use a Mac cleanup tool to achieve that.

Adding the external SSD to your Mac

Now that you know why you need to have an external SSD, the best thing you can do is to figure out how to install it properly. Here are some steps you want to consider!

  • Once you buy the SSD, let it accommodate to the room temperature a little bit. Connect it to your Mac and then go to the Disk Utility to format it. Not every external SSD will need that, but it’s a great idea to prepare your device the best way you can. Formatting so you can start with a clean slate is always the right way to go. 
  • Now you can start transferring files to it. Starting a file transfer is simple, you go to the Finder and browse the various folders and files. All you have to do is drag and drop the files you want and transfer them over. 
  • Make sure that you properly organize your files, otherwise, it can be difficult to narrow down where every file is going and what changes you might need to make.
  • After you finalize the transfer, all you have to do is click Eject.

Now you know how to do it and it’s a very seamless process. An external SSD can help you store stuff that you rarely use, and by deleting that from your Mac, you will speed up your device and boost performance.

Nevertheless, It’s a great idea to use an external SSD because transfer speeds are extremely fast, and they can always provide amazing value for money. We highly recommend using an external SSD if you can, since you can always transfer your files back without waiting a lot of time!

  1. What to Do If Your Mac Keeps Freezing
  2. Top 3 Ways to Find a Hidden File on a Mac
  3. Here are 5 MacBook Hacks that You Must Know
  4. Simple tips to keep your Macbook secure from online threats
  5. What To Do With Dead Mac Internal SSD To Protect Your Privacy

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ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro

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ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro
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The ROG Phone 8 Pro is the essence of mobile gaming

CES isn’t usually when ASUS announces its latest gaming smartphone, but this year the company did things a little differently by announcing the ROG Phone 8 and ROG Phone 8 Pro at the trade show. Much of what you would expect from the ASUS ROG brand is present in this new iteration. The ever-popular AirTriggers are back and they feel just as good to use. ASUS also packs in a bunch of high-end specs, although the ROG Phone 8 Pro and Pro Edition is where things get really wild.

ASUS has gone above and beyond to make both of these models a refined piece of hardware that more people can get into. All without losing that special and unique set of traits that undeniably make it a phone designed for mobile gaming above all else. The ROG Phone 8 Pro is the essence of mobile gaming in that it gives the user meaningful features to enhance the mobile gaming experience. Not gimmicks and flashy tricks, mind you. But features you will actually use nearly every time you pick up the phone to play something.

Such as the X Sense 2.0. This integrates AI pattern recognition to enhance the gameplay of certain game titles. With Genshin Impact, for example, X Sense 2.0 can enable an auto-pickup feature that will automatically grab dropped items for you. You can also use it to fast-forward dialogue.

A gaming phone refined to be suitable for everyday use

If there’s one thing that could be considered a complaint with gaming phones by some, it’s that they’re not as suitable for everyday use. You certainly can use them every day as a daily driver device. But in the past, they simply didn’t match up to other devices in specific areas. They tend to lean heavily on the “gamer” aesthetic which turns some people off. They also oftentimes come with cameras and other features you find on most smartphones that just don’t match up with other devices in the same price range.

That isn’t really the case with ROG Phone 8 Pro. ASUS has tweaked the design to be way less flashy. And really, the only way you can kind of tell it’s a gaming phone is if the AniMe Vision display is turned on. Even then, the LEDs that make up this display on the back are monochrome. So they do still look pretty normal. On top of that, ASUS finally added in two major changes users had been asking for. First, the cameras have been vastly improved. And second, you can charge the ROG Phone Pro wirelessly (a first for the ROG Phone series).

This isn’t to discount another major improvement. The ROG Phone 8 series is IP68-rated. It’s a device that’s now fully weather-resistant. And that adds so much more peace of mind for the user. These are all reasons why the ROG Phone 8 Pro has earned the Best of CES 2024 award.


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GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker

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GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker
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The GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker is revolutionary for home cooks

GE Profile has brought something very special to CES this year with the Smart Indoor Smoker. If you’re a home cook and you love smoking your food, this revolutionary piece of kitchen tech is potentially going to change your life.

Now I know what you’re thinking. An indoor smoker? Yes, an indoor smoker. Not just any indoor smoker though. GE Profile has loaded it with smart features that make it both dead simple to use and quite advanced. The core of it all is the Active Smoke Filtration system. This is what allows you to use this machine indoors and it’s what makes this thing magical. It’s the “secret sauce” if you will.

The Active Smoke Filtration system uses a highly engineered catalyst system and mixes in heat to filter the smoke and “turn real-wood smoke into warm air packed with flavor” GE Profile says. Five different smoke settings allow you to adjust how much smoke flavor you want to be infused into your food. Making it perfect for smoker newbies who may want to start out with a light smoke flavor and then work their way up. It’s also great for people more familiar with smoking foods but know that not everything needs to be fully smoke-flavored.

All-in-all the level of control for this in particular should help more people feel comfortable with experimenting with smoking food. As GE Profile has made it much easier to prevent messing the food up. GE says it’ll be available this month for $999. In fact, it is already available through retailers like Best Buy.

A device like this expands the reach of food smoking to anyone

This is the real reason why this device is exciting. Food smoking isn’t something that everyone has the capability to get into. Not necessarily because they dislike foods with smoked flavor, but because traditionally, food smoking requires an outdoor unit. And not everyone has the space for an outdoor smoker.

GE Profile’s Smart Indoor Smoker makes smoking food more accessible to a wider audience. There are tons of other things to love about it too. Such as the smoke and hold feature. You can set everything up and get your food smoking and when it’s done, the smoker will keep your food at food-safe temperatures using an auto-warm setting. It can hold your food at this level for up to 24 hours. Which makes this a bit more hands-off and more worry-free. In other words, you won’t have to worry about your food getting overcooked if you need to step away for a bit.

It also connects to an app where you can keep tabs on the food status if you have to leave the house. Which again, is where the auto-warm setting can come in handy. On top of all that, you can put the drip trays and the grates in the dishwasher. Whatever kind of smoked food you desire, whether it be chicken, pork, beef, side dishes, or even cocktails, the GE Profile Smart Indoor smoker can do it all. These are all the main reasons why the GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker earned the Best of CES 2024 award.


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HONOR unveils Magic6 Pro with 180MP camera, 66W wireless charging

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HONOR unveils Magic6 Pro with 180MP camera, 66W wireless charging
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HONOR has just announced its new flagship smartphone, the Magic6 Pro. This device has been rumored and leaked for a while now, and it has now been announced in China. It launched alongside HONOR’s MagicOS 8.0, and the HONOR Magic6. In this article, however, we’re focusing on the ‘Pro’ model.

The HONOR Magic6 Pro is now official and it sports a recognizable design

The HONOR Magic6 Pro actually looks very similar to its sibling, but there are several differences. The ‘Pro’ model has a pill-shaped cutout on the front, not a punch hole, like the Magic6. The HONOR Magic6 Pro also has a larger rear camera island, even though it looks very similar.

You’ll also notice that HONOR opted for a flat frame all around the device. The display is still curved, though. That pill-shaped cutout on the display is rather thin, it’s considerably smaller than the one on the iPhones, at least it seems to be.

The bezels around the display are very thin and also uniform

The bezels around the display are very thin, and based on images we’ve seen, uniform too. All the physical buttons sit on the right-hand side of the HONOR Magic6 Pro. There are three cameras on the back of the phone, inside an easily-recognizable camera island.

In terms of specs, this smartphone has a lot to offer. It’s fueled by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, Qualcomm’s most powerful chip. 12GB and 16GB LPDDR5X RAM variants have been announced. The 12GB RAM model comes with 256GB of storage, while the 16GB RAM model is on offer with either 512GB or 1TB of UFS 4.0 flash storage.

A 6.8-inch 2800 x 1280 LTPO AMOLED display is in use, with a 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate and 4,320Hz PWM dimming to save your eyes. HDR10+ is supported as well, in case you were wondering, and the display gets quite bright.

 

Variable aperture is included on the main camera, while a 180MP telephoto periscope camera also sits on the back

A triple camera setup sits on the back. A 50-megapixel main camera (f/1.4-f/2.0 variable aperture, OIS) is backed by a 180-megapixel periscope telephoto unit (f/2.6 aperture, OIS). A third camera is a 50-megapixel ultrawide unit (f/2.0 aperture). On the front, you’ll find a 50-megapixel wide-angle camera (f/2.0 aperture), and a 3D depth camera for facial scanning.

HONOR included a 5,600mAh battery inside of this phone. 80W wired charging is supported, in addition to 66W wireless charging. A charger is included in the box, along with the device. Android 14 comes pre-installed with HONOR’s MagicOS 8.0.

The HONOR Magic6 Pro measures 162.5 x 75.8 x 8.9mm, while it weighs 229 grams. The phone got announced in five color options. Black, Green, Purple, White, and a green/blue one. All of them are shown below. The pricing is coming, and the global launch is expected to follow soon, perhaps even at MWC 2024 in Barcleona next month.


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Apple’s Most Wanted: This is what US residents searched for on the App Store in 2023

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Apple’s Most Wanted: This is what US residents searched for on the App Store in 2023
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1. Entertainment – Netflix and Tik-Tok rule!


The report has two separate “Entertainment” categories – one is dubbed OTT (over-the-top media service – online stream services), and the other is “Short videos”. Netflix climbs on top of Disney+ and Hulu, leaving behind Paramount, HBO Max, Amazon’s Prime Video and more.Tik-Tok is out of control – this query accounts for 6 out of the top 10 searches in the App Store in the “Entertainment – Short Videos” category. More than that, it’s to be found in the first, second and third place, just written differently – “tik tok”, “tiktok”, and “‘tiktok’” (in apostrophes). Some were also mistyping it as “tick tock”.

2. Finance – no gold medal for PayPal

“Finance” is also split in two. The first subcategory – “Budget and expense tracking” – is dominated by Mint, followed by the generic “budget app” query, and the app EveryDollar is coming third in terms of popularity. The fact that the silver goes to a generic search phrase (instead of a concrete app), shows that while people may crave “Budget and expense tracking” services, they don’t have enough knowledge on the topic and are looking for suggestions. In contrast, everybody knows what TikTok is!

As far as the ‘Digital wallets and pay’ subcategory goes, Cash App steals the first position from PayPal. Venmo is the third most searched-for digital pay service.

3. Food and drink – Mickey D’s comes before Starbucks

Ah, yummy. Let’s have a look at “Food and drink” that’s also split in two: “Grocery delivery” and “QSR” (QSR stands for quick service restaurants). For “Grocery delivery”, Instacart is king, followed by HelloFresh and Shipt.

In the “QSR” subcategory, McDonald’s is king, while Burger King is number 10 in terms of being most sought-after in the App Store. Starbucks is coming second, while Chick-fil-A is third.

The rest of the 2023 App Store most wanted


For the “Health and fitness” categories, people in 2023 were searching the most for the Fitbit app, as well as Fitness+, Strava, Garmin and more. In the “Photo editing” realm, “numero uno” is Picsart, while the obligatory Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom were not even in the top 3. For video editing, CapCut comes on top, while the GoPro app was last in popularity.

On the “Social media” front, unsurprisingly, the Reddit app is the most sought-after. If we’re speaking about online dating – you couldn’t have guessed it – Tinder is the most popular search query in the App Store for 2023. The silver goes to Grindr.


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Moto G Stylus (2024) appears in leaked renders revealing a familiar design

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Moto G Stylus (2024) appears in leaked renders revealing a familiar design
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In the last month, plenty of Motorola’s G-series phones have surfaced in leaked renders. These include the G 5G (2024), G24 Power, G34, and G04. Now, the Moto G Stylus (2024) is the latest device to have appeared in CAD-based renders revealing its design from all angles as well as some key specifications.

The Moto G Stylus (2024) has a familiar design

The Moto G Stylus (2024) is seen with the same design language as the previously leaked Motorola phones. It seems that the Lenovo-owned brand is making this design mainstream on its upcoming G-series devices.

The upcoming smartphone features a flat frame with the power and volume rocker located on the right side. On the front, the renders reveal a centrally placed small punch-hole cutout that will house the selfie camera. The screen is surrounded by thin bezels on all sides except the bottom chin.

Coming to the back panel, the Moto G Stylus (2024) has a rectangular camera island that elevates slightly. It is reminiscent of the OPPO Find X5 and Reno 8 series. The text on the module confirms a 50MP primary sensor and a secondary lens along with an LED flash unit. There is the iconic Motorola batwing logo at the center of the rear panel.

At the bottom, the Moto G Stylus (2024) has a 3.5mm headphone jack, a USB-C port, and a speaker grille. A stylus slot is seen located at the far right side of the device. Dimension-wise, the upcoming offering measures 162.5 x 74.7 x 8.09mm and weighs 190g. This phone is slightly shorter and slimmer than its predecessor.

The G Stylus (2024) could debut sometime around May

The Moto G Stylus (2024) could arrive as the successor to the Moto G Stylus (2023) that arrived in May last year. The report adds that it will feature a 6.5-inch display with an FHD+ resolution and increased refresh rate. Rumor has it that this device will use an unknown Snapdragon processor, come with 128GB storage, have a 5,000mAh battery unit, and run on Android 13.


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HP’s new Fortis laptops ensure uninterrupted productivity

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HP’s new Fortis laptops ensure uninterrupted productivity
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HP has announced a range of new Fortis laptops at CES 2024, designed and purpose-built to be the driving force for the productivity of today’s students and frontline workers. The suite of laptops contains four new products. The Fortis x360 G5 Chromebook, Fortis G10 Chromebook, Fortis G11 Chromebook, and the Fortis x360 G11 Notebook PC. As you can tell, three of these laptops run on Google’s Chrome OS while the fourth laptop, the Fortis x360 Notebook PC, will run on Windows 11.

What’s neat about all of these laptops is that they’re all priced at under $500. In fact, each of the three Chromebooks will retail for under $400. The Fortis x360 G5 Chromebook will retail for $369, while the Fortis G10 and G11 will retail for $309 and $319 respectively. The Fortis x360 Notebook PC meanwhile, will retail for $479.  HP has laid out some pretty affordable prices here. Especially considering the target market for these devices. The lower nature of the cost should make it easier for schools and businesses to scoop up these laptops in larger quantities as needed.

All four new HP Fortis laptops are engineered for durability

As these laptops are made for students and frontline workers, it’s safe to say that they’ll need to be at least somewhat durable. Luckily, HP built these laptops to be just that and then some. All of them were engineered for durability. Some may be built more durable than others though. The Fortis Notebook for example was designed with metal corners on the inside to reinforce the laptop’s overall structure. It includes other reinforced internal components too. Such as co-molded rubber trim and Corning Gorilla Glass 3.

HP says it’s “built strong and built to last,” having passed 19 MIL-STD810 tests. Allowing it to take bumps, drops, and spills thanks to its ruggedized exterior and interior. The Chromebooks feature similar durability, passing the same MIL-STD810 tests. The x360 Chromebook even features a reinforced hinge. Case in point, these laptops were designed to withstand the everyday rigors of life with a student or a worker out in the field. Accidents happen. But that shouldn’t limit you from continuing to use your laptop when you might need it most.

HP also promises uninterrupted productivity thanks to the inclusion of Intel N-Series processors, up to 16GB of RAM, and 128GB of UFS storage. They feature Wi-Fi 6E support and optional 4G LTE support too. Plus they get up to 11 hours of battery life. And in the event that you happen to use that up, the battery can be charged quickly. HP says you can get the battery back to 90% with just an hour and a half on the charger. All four laptops are available starting today and can be picked up directly through HP.


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Google Assistant changes: Prepare for 17 feature shutdowns

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Google Assistant changes: Prepare for 17 feature shutdowns
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Voice assistants are really handy nowadays for finding info or getting things done, and a lot of people are using them – about 146 million in the US alone. Now, Google Assistant, one of the most popular ones, is about to see some changes.

  
In a recent blog post, Google spilled the beans that it’s streamlining its Assistant by waving goodbye to almost 20 features. The goal? Sharpening up quality and reliability, aiming for a smoother Assistant experience across all devices. Starting January 26, if you try to call on one of these features, you might get a heads-up that it’s taking a bow after a certain date.
 
Here’s a brief on some of the features taking a hit:
  • Controlling audiobooks on Google Play Books by voice is out. You can still cast them from your mobile.
  • No more cookbook management on Google Assistant – transferring recipes, instructional videos, and step-by-step guides are out. But fear not, as you can still use Google Assistant to search for recipes online and on YouTube.
  • No more setting media, music, or radio alarms on Google Assistant devices. Instead, you can create a custom Routine or use a standard alarm.
  • Stopwatch management on Smart Displays and Speakers will be a thing of the past. But worry not, as setting timers and alarms is still a go.
  • Voice calling a device or broadcasting to your Google Family Group will be a no-go. Still, you can broadcast to devices within your home.
  • Sending emails, video, or audio messages with your voice will no longer be an option. However, you can still make calls and send text messages.
  • No more asking for contact information. You can still make calls to them.
  • No more App Launcher in Google Assistant driving mode on Google Maps for messages and calls. However, you can use voice control on Google Maps in the same way.
  • Voice control for activities will be off the table for Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 devices. Instead, you will have to use the buttons on your device for activity control. Pixel Watches still support voice control for activities.
  • Calls from speakers and Smart Displays won’t display a caller ID unless you’re using Duo.
  • Voice-checking personal travel itineraries is out. However, you can still inquire about flight status.
  • Voice actions like sending payments, making reservations, or posting on social media will no longer be supported. However, you can still ask the Assistant to open your installed apps.
Google isn’t just about removing features; it’s also enhancing your experience in the Google app. Now, the microphone icon triggers Search results in response to your queries, streamlining its most popular use. Activating Assistant remains the same – simply say “Hey Google,” long-press on the home or power button (on select Android phones), or open the Google Assistant app on iOS.


However, the microphone icon in the Search bar won’t support actions like “turn on the lights” or “send a message” anymore. This applies to the Pixel Search bar, too, which will activate Voice Search instead of Assistant. To ensure you have the latest version of Google Assistant, you’ll be prompted to upgrade the Google app if you’re using an older version (v12 and older).


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