Day: August 2, 2025

    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Indie App Highlight: ‘Scout’ – An All-Inclusive Resource for Monitoring Facebook Marketplace Listings
    Indie App Highlight: ‘Scout’ – An All-Inclusive Resource for Monitoring Facebook Marketplace Listings

    # Scout: Your Essential Tool for Facebook Marketplace

    In the current landscape, economizing on significant purchases is essential for many, and acquiring secondhand items can be an excellent approach to do so. Nonetheless, the task of sorting through endless listings can frequently feel daunting. Introducing Scout, a novel application crafted to optimize your Facebook Marketplace journey and assist you in effortlessly locating the finest deals.

    ## Key Features of Scout

    Scout is designed to elevate your browsing experience on Facebook Marketplace. One of its notable features is the capability to establish tailored notifications for new listings that align with your preferences. In contrast to Facebook, which can be inundated with advertisements and irrelevant offerings, Scout centers on presenting the content you wish to view.

    ### Tailored Searches and Notifications

    With Scout, you can formulate personalized searches utilizing various filters. This empowers you to refine listings by location, price, category, and specific keywords. The app arranges results in reverse chronological order, ensuring that you view the latest listings first.

    ### Intuitive User Interface

    Scout features a more user-friendly interface compared to Facebook Marketplace, simplifying navigation and helping you find what you need. Whether you are in search of furniture, electronics, or collectibles, Scout delivers a smooth experience.

    ## Acquiring Scout

    Scout can be downloaded from the App Store for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, compatible with iOS 18 and macOS 15 Sequoia and later versions. A subscription is necessary to utilize its features.

    – **Basic Plan**: At $2.99/month, this plan is perfect for casual users and includes 5 hourly alerts for your searches.
    – **Standard Plan**: For $7.99/month, you can benefit from unlimited hourly alerts and up to 5 instant alerts, ensuring you receive immediate notifications when a relevant listing is available.

    Scout also provides a 3-day free trial, enabling you to try out its features prior to subscribing.

    ## Final Thoughts

    If you seek a sophisticated tool to assist you in navigating Facebook Marketplace and securing fantastic deals, Scout is a valuable investment. With its user-friendly interface, customizable notifications, and effective search functions, it turns the often monotonous process of purchasing secondhand goods into a more manageable and enjoyable task.

    For additional details and to download the app, visit

    Read More
    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Playing Steam Games on Any Chromebook: A Comprehensive Tutorial
    Playing Steam Games on Any Chromebook: A Comprehensive Tutorial

    affordable testing tools.” That was true a few years back, prior to Google enabling the download of Android applications from the Play Store. The introduction of Steam has been a significant development, allowing users to convert their laptops into gaming devices.

    For individuals lacking a contemporary gaming PC or console, a Chromebook equipped with Steam provides numerous opportunities. You can now enjoy nearly any game on a Chromebook. Naturally, what you can access heavily depends on your Chromebook’s specifications. In fact, if your Chromebook isn’t quite up to par, you won’t even be able to download Steam, so keep that in mind before making a purchase. Optimal performance will come from a gaming Chromebook, and despite the speculation that Google discontinued gaming Chromebooks, they are still available and capable of performing admirably.

    Currently, to install Steam on your Chromebook, you’ll need at least an Intel i3 or Ryzen 3 processor, 8 GB of RAM, and 128 GB of storage. You can verify this information by going to Settings > About Chrome OS > Additional Details. Even if your Chromebook has sufficient power to run Steam, that doesn’t guarantee you can play every available game. However, you can access some, albeit with reduced graphical quality if you only meet the basic hardware requirements.

    Play Steam games on your Chromebook

    <source media="(max-width: 428px)" srcset="https://

    Read More
    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Caution Regarding New Gmail Scams: Google Will Never Reach Out to You by Phone Concerning Your Account
    Caution Regarding New Gmail Scams: Google Will Never Reach Out to You by Phone Concerning Your Account

    Local 12, users of Gmail have indicated they are receiving phone calls from individuals who assert they work for Google, even showing a caller ID that reflects this claim. Once engaged, the caller informs them that their Google account has been breached in some manner.

    The fraudsters then propose to send a verification code or reset link to the user’s phone, stating that it will rectify the compromised account. Often, these links can closely resemble the genuine links you might receive from legitimate technology companies when addressing account concerns. However, it’s crucial not to trust them, as clicking on them and signing in grants the scammers unrestricted entry to your Gmail account. Similar attempts to infiltrate consumer accounts have also been observed on Apple devices.

    Google is highly unlikely to ever reach out to you

    <source media="(max-width: 428px)" srcset="https://www.bgr.com/img/gallery/dont-fall-for-new-gmail-scams-google-will-never-call-you-about-your-account/google-is-unlikely-to-ever-call-you-175

    Read More
    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Fresh Update in iOS 26 Passwords App Greatly Improves Functionality
    Fresh Update in iOS 26 Passwords App Greatly Improves Functionality

    Passwords application with iOS 18.

    Although the application is quite simple, it ranks among the most essential Apple applications available right now, particularly if you opt out of third-party solutions like 1Password. However, after you verify your identity using Face ID, the Passwords app allows you to sift through all your passwords, passkeys, codes, Wi-Fi settings, and security notifications.

    Apple notifies you if you are repeating a code or if it has possibly been exposed in a data breach. When iOS 18 was released, we observed it lacked the feature to save credit card details, which is now accessible in the Wallet application in iOS 26. Apple also resolved another matter in iOS 26 that may seem trivial but will provide a significant benefit once users update to the latest software.

    Preserve the login version history of your passwords in iOS 26

    <source media="(max-width: 428px)"

    Read More
    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Underused CarPlay Applications That Improve Your Driving Experience
    Underused CarPlay Applications That Improve Your Driving Experience

    Apple CarPlay displayed on a vehicle's infotainment screen.

    Marvin Samuel Tolentino Pineda/Getty Images

    Nothing compares to driving along the road and jamming to your top tracks through your vehicle’s audio system. In recent years, the realm of automotive infotainment has progressed swiftly, with major players like Apple and Google seeking to participate. If CarPlay is a new concept for you, it’s Apple’s attempt at integrating iPhone functionalities and controls suited for vehicles. Launched with iOS 7.1, CarPlay enables you to replicate several key user interface components of your iPhone, including applications, messaging, and navigation, on your vehicle’s infotainment display.

    Offered in over 800 vehicles through a wired USB connection or wireless assimilation with your iOS device, Apple CarPlay has rapidly established itself as a fundamental aspect of contemporary driving. However, today, we wish to explore some lesser-known applications, especially to introduce you to some CarPlay apps that might not be on your radar. Some of this software provides sheer entertainment, while other applications carry more utilitarian value. Whether you’re driving a Honda or zooming in a BMW, here are five CarPlay applications you could be overlooking in 2025.

    Simple Radio

    Are you fed up with depending on the same playlists, albums, and performers to accompany you during your work commute? With Simple Radio, the goal is to “cast a wide net,” particularly when it comes to global radio stations. This remarkable CarPlay application provides access to over 90,000 live AM and FM stations from around the globe, showcasing a variety of content including music, news, live sports, and talk radio.

    The user-friendly interface allows for easy navigation to

    Read More
    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Evaluation of ShiftCam’s Fisheye Lens for iPhone: An Innovative Approach for Expansive Photography Images
    Evaluation of ShiftCam’s Fisheye Lens for iPhone: An Innovative Approach for Expansive Photography Images

    # Discovering the ShiftCam LensUltra Fisheye Lens for iPhone

    The iPhone has consistently proven to be an impressive device for photography, with its sophisticated camera technology undergoing remarkable advancements over the years. Since the launch of the iPhone 11 Pro, users have benefited from the flexibility of a triple camera configuration, which includes ultrawide, wide, and telephoto lenses. Nevertheless, for individuals seeking to broaden their creative options, third-party lens alternatives like the ShiftCam LensUltra Fisheye lens present thrilling new opportunities.

    ## Summary

    The ShiftCam LensUltra Fisheye lens is specifically crafted for use with the iPhone’s wide-angle lens, delivering an ultrawide viewpoint with improved image clarity. This lens creates a distinctive distortion effect akin to that of a 360-degree camera, enabling photographers to record scenes in a manner that contrasts with the standard lens of the iPhone.

    Accompanying the lens is a fabric pouch for convenient carrying, a cleaning pen, and a polishing cloth. To fix the lens to your iPhone, users will require a compatible ShiftCam case, which blends style with practicality.

    ## Taking Photos

    After mounting the lens, users can start capturing images that highlight the broadened perspective it offers. The following pictures depict the variance between employing the iPhone’s built-in ultrawide lens and the ShiftCam Fisheye lens.

    – **iPhone 16 Pro Ultrawide**: This image presents a typical ultrawide scene, demonstrating the abilities of the iPhone’s native lens.

    – **iPhone 16 Pro Wide + ShiftCam Fisheye**: This image showcases the increased field of view provided by the Fisheye lens, resulting in a significantly wider scene with richer colors and a distinctive style.

    The Fisheye lens encourages greater creativity in photography; however, users should be mindful of the potential for unintentionally capturing their fingers in the shot, a frequent obstacle with wide-angle attachments.

    ## Conclusion

    The ShiftCam Fisheye lens is priced at $129.99 on Amazon, while the required ShiftCam cases are available for $49.99. Although the cost might be seen as high for an external accessory, the lens delivers a delightful and unique approach to enhancing photography, particularly for those dedicated to the #ShotOniPhone lifestyle.

    ShiftCam also offers a range of additional lenses for iPhone users, making it worthwhile to investigate their products for anyone keen on broadening their photographic equipment. The Fisheye lens particularly shines as an enjoyable choice, ideal for both casual photographers and enthusiasts alike.

    Read More

    Cook: Apple has faced similar circumstances previously

    <source media="(max-width: 428px)" srcset="https://www.bgr.com/img/gallery/tim-cook-tells-employees

    Read More
    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Evaluation of the LG Smart Monitor Swing
    Evaluation of the LG Smart Monitor Swing

    The LG Smart Monitor Swing is an exceptional and innovative device that distinguishes itself through its cohesive design and practical versatility. The monitor is designed to look like a single entity, featuring a white plastic back that blends seamlessly with the stand and base, yielding a sleek and contemporary appearance.

    Setting up the Smart Monitor Swing is simple, as the base comes largely pre-assembled. Users only need to insert the power brick into the base, secure the arm with four screws, and cover the base. The monitor clicks into position on the arm, and the power cable, built into the arm, connects the monitor to the power brick located in the base.

    After assembly, the monitor provides considerable flexibility in placement. It can be moved forward or backward, swung side to side, tilted up and down, and adjusted in height. The monitor can also alternate between vertical and horizontal positions, although it only rotates in one direction to avoid cable entanglement.

    This monitor necessitates a power outlet connection via a cable that extends from the base, as it does not include an internal battery. This design means it needs to remain stationary during operation, in contrast to other models like the StanbyME.

    Although the white plastic material may not convey a high-end feel, it is sufficient, with slight alignment imperfections on the monitor’s edges being easily dismissed. The overall construction is robust, accompanied by smooth-operating wheels that guarantee stability.

    The back of the monitor features several ports, including three USB-C ports (one providing 65W power delivery), two HDMI ports (one equipped with eARC), and a magnetic pogo pin port for an optional webcam. A remote control, also made from white plastic, is included, offering essential software controls and quick access to streaming services such as Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and Sling. While this remote is not the Magic Remote, the monitor is compatible with it, though it must be acquired separately.

    In summary, the LG Smart Monitor Swing merges considerate design with functional practicality, establishing it as an attractive option for users in search of a flexible and stylish monitor solution.

    Read More
    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Epic Games’ ‘Complete Triumph’ Is Not as Important as It Seems
    Epic Games’ ‘Complete Triumph’ Is Not as Important as It Seems

    It merely contributes to the bewilderment.

    (Image credit: Jerry Hildenbrand / Android Central)

    Google’s appeal to the Ninth Circuit regarding a 2023 ruling, which determined that the company’s app store and payment system constituted illegal monopolies, has failed. This is a positive development, as it exemplifies a large tech firm misusing its market power.

    This entire situation is chaotic and does not influence the majority of individuals. Action is required to clarify what firms such as Google, Apple, Microsoft, etc. can legally accomplish, yet every minor advancement seems to further obscure and complicate the boundaries.

    Android & Chill

    <source type="image/webp" srcset="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6okfEqHJFPcbznZSbSNW3n-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6okfEqHJFPcbznZSbSNW3n-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6okfEqHJFPcbznZSbSNW3n-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6okfEqHJFPcbznZSbSNW3n-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6okfEqHJFPcbznZSbSNW3n-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https://cdn

    Read More
    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Dock Converts Mac Mini into Vintage Classic Mac Aesthetic
    Dock Converts Mac Mini into Vintage Classic Mac Aesthetic

    # Wokyis Retro Docking Station for the M4 Mac mini: A Fusion of Functionality and Vintage Charm

    In 2025, locating a tech accessory that excels in both practicality and design is becoming exceptionally uncommon. The Wokyis Retro Docking Station for the M4 Mac mini defies this norm by merging vital features with a design that evokes the 1980s. This article explores the specifications, unboxing process, personal usage insights, pricing, and availability of this distinctive docking station.

    ## Specs and Features

    The Wokyis Retro Docking Station is a 13-in-1 USB-C hub crafted to elevate the functionality of the M4 and M4 Pro Mac mini. Although specifically designed for these models, it works seamlessly with any computer that has a USB-C port. Here are the essential specifications:

    – **Display**: 5-inch, 1280 × 720 IPS screen
    – **USB Ports**: 4× USB-A (10Gbps), 2× USB-C (10Gbps), 1× USB-C host
    – **Card Readers**: SD + microSD 4.0 (UHS-II, 312MB/s)
    – **Audio**: 3.5mm headphone jack (32-bit, 8–384kHz compatible)
    – **Video**: HDMI-In
    – **Storage Slot**: M.2 NVMe SSD slot, accommodating up to 8TB (10Gbps transfer rates)
    – **Dimensions**: 145 × 131 × 154mm
    – **Weight**: 510g

    The dock comes in two variations, addressing different user requirements.

    ## Unboxing & Setup

    The unboxing journey aims to impress, with all required components provided. The package includes three USB-C cables (one short for linking the Mac mini to the hub, and two extras for power or daisy chaining), thermal pads, screws, and a screwdriver for hassle-free NVMe drive installation. The setup is simple, with the Mac mini fitting snugly into the dock, and the built-in display activating without needing an extra power source.

    ## My Experience

    My experience with the Wokyis Retro Docking Station has been overwhelmingly positive. The 5-inch display, while compact, serves well for secondary tasks like monitoring video content or showcasing widgets. It performs excellently as a glanceable screen for passive activities, proving to be a valuable addition to my workspace.

    The hub’s performance is remarkable, especially the 10Gbps transfer speeds. The incorporated SD and microSD card slots simplify transferring files from my camera, removing the need for extra dongles. The thoughtful layout puts frequently accessed ports at the front, ensuring easy reach, while the Mac mini’s ports remain easily accessible.

    Visually, the docking station sparks conversation, adding a distinctive charm to my desk setup that is frequently overlooked in other tech accessories.

    ## Pricing & Availability

    The Wokyis Retro Dock is now available for pre-order via Kickstarter. The two models provided are:

    – **10Gbps Model**: Comes with the 13-in-1 hub, 5-inch display, NVMe slot (up to 8TB), and necessary ports. The early bird price is $99, with a retail cost of $169.
    – **80Gbps Model**: Offers quicker SSD transfer speeds and DisplayPort 2.1 supporting 8K/60Hz. The early bird price is $199, with a retail price of $389.

    The entry-level model is attractively priced, especially when considering its distinctive design and functionality. Shipping is projected to begin in September, and the project has already exceeded its funding target.

    ## Conclusion

    The Wokyis Retro Docking Station for the M4 Mac mini stands out as an appealing option for anyone in search of a practical and aesthetically pleasing tech accessory. Its blend of contemporary features and vintage aesthetics makes it a remarkable product in a saturated market. Whether for personal enjoyment or as a gift, this docking station merits consideration for those aiming to enhance their Mac mini experience.

    Read More