Blog Posts

Blog Posts

Enhance Your Mobile Sound with This Budget-Friendly $22 USB Device

connect a wired headphone set straight to your smartphone rather than opting for wireless options, a portable DAC can remedy both issues. Even more advantageous, portable DACs are easily obtainable on Amazon for a modest price of about $22. These gadgets not only simplify the process of connecting your headphones directly to your device but also provide considerably enhanced control over your music and sound, featuring options like PEQ tuning and high-resolution audio support.

A portable DAC offers a practical means to enhance your phone’s audio

Let’s briefly clarify the distinction between digital and analog signals. An analog signal represents audio that is being heard continuously through your ears. Whether you’re

“Presenting ‘Foldy Bird’: An Innovative Game That Tests Your Foldable Device”

Did you imagine Flappy Bird could become even more exasperating? It certainly can, thanks to this exclusive foldable game.

What you need to know

– Foldy Bird is a clone of Flappy Bird that utilizes the hinge of a folding phone as a mobile game controller.
– To start, play, and retry, you must fold your phone.
– Each fold keeps your Foldy Bird in flight, introducing a fresh twist to a classic and captivating mobile game.

Foldable phones offer enhanced functionality compared to a standard flat phone, as when you unfold them, you encounter a display that’s twice the size. But what if the hinge mechanism itself turned into a feature?

With a new web game created by user Rebane on X (formerly Twitter), it has. “Foldy Bird,” a Flappy Bird replica, employs the hinge on your foldable phone as a mobile game controller. You continually fold your phone to make the Foldy Bird fly, steering clear of the green pipes to achieve a high score. It transforms an already addictive and compulsive game concept into something even more engaging—rather than just tapping the screen, players must physically fold their display to keep their bird alive.

This game is a clever project, and Rebane claims it was developed in an hour without any AI assistance. You can view the complete source code for the game here, and try it out for yourself here. However, a foldable phone is necessary to play, and it only functions in the Chrome browser for Android. The game doesn’t require any tapping — users must fold their device to commence, play, and retry.

The instructions for the game caution to “play this game at your own risk and only on your own devices.” This is because, despite the enjoyment that this creation brings, it might put you on a swift path to damaging your phone. Foldables are rated to endure a few hundred thousand folds, but they’re not built for vigorous and rapid folds in quick succession. If your foldable doesn’t sustain damage from playing the game, it might break from frustration when you inevitably crash your bird into a pipe.

If you own a foldable, Foldy Bird is definitely worth a shot. It’s difficult to think of a more inventive use of a folding display mechanism than as a mobile game controller.

CES 2026: Fresh Whoop Rival Provides Full-Day Health Monitoring Without Subscription

The Luna Band, introduced at CES 2026, signifies a major transformation in the wearable fitness industry by emphasizing actionable insights rather than just data display. In contrast to conventional fitness trackers that concentrate on showing raw statistics, the Luna Band provides real-time, voice-guided health advice, enabling hands-free user interaction with the device. This groundbreaking method is supported by the incorporation of Siri-enabled interactions on iOS, allowing users to log meals, emotional states, and request health advice without the necessity of launching an app.

Fitted with research-grade sensors and a 6-axis IMU, the Luna Band is crafted to monitor micro-recovery intervals, circadian shifts, and stress indicators, equipping users with an all-encompassing comprehension of their physiological condition. The device runs on Luna’s exclusive LifeOS, which analyzes thousands of physiological signals each minute to offer context-sensitive recommendations daily.

The Luna Band’s focus on actionable insights marks a shift from the data-centric strategies of many wearables, striving to provide users with relevant guidance that can enhance their health and wellness. Despite its sophisticated features, the Luna Band will debut without any subscription costs, although details on pricing and availability have yet to be revealed. This commitment to user-friendly, actionable health insights positions the Luna Band as an attractive option compared to existing fitness wearables such as the Whoop 5.0 and Amazfit’s Helio Strap.

Asus and Xreal Partner to Create Enhanced Display Glasses for Gaming Handhelds

These eyewear devices provide a 171-inch display and a refresh rate reaching 240Hz. Asus and Xreal are introducing the ROG Xreal R1 AR gaming glasses, tailored for gaming handhelds, PCs, and consoles. These eyewear support a plug-and-play USB-C connection with the ROG Ally and are widely compatible with HDMI and DisplayPort devices through the ROG Control Dock. They can deliver a 171-inch virtual display at refresh rates of up to 240Hz, featuring a 2ms motion-to-photon latency. The ROG Xreal R1 AR incorporates 240Hz micro-OLED 1080p screens, making them the first gaming eyewear to achieve these standards. They can create a 171-inch virtual screen from approximately 13 feet away, boasting a 57-degree field-of-view. The glasses include an ROG Control Dock for compatibility with a range of devices, such as gaming PCs, handhelds, consoles, and Android smartphones. Optimized for Asus’ products, the eyewear utilizes USB-C for a direct connection to mobile devices like the Asus ROG Ally, providing a “plug-and-play” experience with “no setup necessary.” The ROG Xreal R1 weighs 91 grams and has electrochromatic lenses. Bose delivers “precision-tuned spatial sound” for audio output. The ROG Xreal R1 is projected to be available worldwide in the first half of the year, with pricing and availability details still to be disclosed.

Google Improves Snapseed for iPhone by Adding Retro Film Camera Feature

### Snapseed Camera: A Revival of Creativity for iOS Users

In June, Google made an unexpected comeback in the photography app market by re-launching Snapseed, but solely for iOS users. The new version, 3.11, includes an exciting feature: the Snapseed Camera, crafted to boost creativity and individual style for iPhone photographers.

#### Highlights of the Snapseed Camera

The Snapseed Camera centers around the ideas of creativity and precision, enabling users to capture photos using a range of preset film filters. These filters draw inspiration from vintage film stocks, adding a nostalgic feel to digital photography. The filters on offer include:

– **KP1**: Inspired by Kodak Portra 400
– **KP2**: Inspired by Kodak Portra 160
– **KG1**: Inspired by Kodak Gold 200
– **KE1**: Inspired by Kodak E200
– **FS1**: Inspired by Fuji Superia 200
– **FS2**: Inspired by Fuji Superia 800
– **FP1**: Inspired by Fuji Pro 400h
– **AG1**: Inspired by Agfa Optima 200
– **AS1**: Inspired by Agfa Scala 200
– **PD1**: Inspired by Polaroid 600
– **TC1**: Inspired by Technicolor

Alongside these filters, users can access their saved Looks and Edits, infusing a personal element into their photography.

#### Interface and User Experience

The camera viewfinder in Snapseed showcases a skeuomorphic design, including a rewind button animation that triggers when users switch between film styles. Users can further tailor their experience by choosing from six color themes: Editor, Dusk, Negative, Steel, Haze, and Depth. Flash controls are conveniently positioned on one side of the viewfinder, while the bottom row features options to return home and switch between front and rear cameras.

A key feature of the Snapseed Camera is that while the viewfinder presents the chosen style and intensity, grain effects are applied only after the photo is captured, ensuring a clear preview during shooting.

#### Availability and Updates

The Snapseed Camera is accessible through a Control Center shortcut or via Camera Control settings on newer iPhone models. Since its re-launch, Snapseed for iOS has undergone frequent updates, improving its capabilities and user experience. However, an updated version for Android users is currently absent, which has disappointed many.

The Snapseed Camera provides a delightful and completely free way to dive into photography, reminiscent of the early days of Instagram and Hipstamatic, making it an attractive choice for both novice and experienced photographers.

In summary, the Snapseed Camera represents an important advancement in the progression of mobile photography apps, offering users creative instruments that honor the art of photography while integrating modern technology.

How to Adjust Your Smart TV Without Specialized Equipment

Apple TV comes equipped with inherent calibration functionalities and methods, but unless you’re a passionate videophile aiming to create the perfect home theater setup, you likely don’t need to fuss over those details. If your goal is simply to enhance your TV’s appearance from your favorite spot on the couch, you can execute a swift D.I.Y. calibration by displaying a test image on the screen, and then tweaking the TV’s display settings until everything is to your taste.

All you require are some test images and your vision

New Android Smartphone Provides Distinct Traits Not Found in Google’s Pixel

**Presenting the Clicks Communicator: An Exceptional Android Experience**

The Clicks Communicator, scheduled to debut in 2026, is transforming the concept of an Android smartphone. In contrast to the standard all-screen or foldable devices dominating the marketplace, this gadget boasts a compact 4.03-inch screen and a built-in QWERTY keyboard reminiscent of the original BlackBerry. While it may bring back memories, the Clicks Communicator comes equipped with contemporary features that even Google’s Pixel phones can’t compete with.

**Budget-Friendly and Feature-Packed**

With a price tag of $499, or $399 during the preorder phase, the Clicks Communicator is intended as an auxiliary device rather than a primary smartphone. Despite its affordable price, it showcases several distinctive attributes: a Prompt Key for voice commands, customizable LED alerts, a mute toggle, a Clicks shortcut key, a 3.5mm headphone jack, microSD support for up to 2TB, changeable backplates, a physical SIM card slot, and a silicon-carbon battery.

**Small Yet Mighty Design**

The Communicator is developed by the same brand renowned for Clicks Keyboard accessories. It measures 130.5 × 78.63 × 12mm and weighs 170g, making it more compact than the Pixel 10. Despite its size, it features competitive specifications: a 4.03-inch AMOLED screen, a 4nm chipset, 256GB of storage, a 50-megapixel main camera, a 24-megapixel front camera, Qi2 wireless charging, USB-C, Bluetooth, and NFC capability.

**Cutting-Edge Features**

The Clicks Communicator features a touch-enabled keyboard with an integrated fingerprint scanner. Its 4,000mAh silicon-carbon battery is particularly noteworthy, a feature absent in Pixel, Galaxy, or iPhone models. The device keeps the 3.5mm headphone jack and microSD card slot, features that many smartphone manufacturers have eliminated. It also allows for a physical SIM card, unlike the Pixel 10.

**Distinct Buttons for Improved Usability**

The Communicator includes exclusive physical buttons. The Prompt Key triggers voice messages and recordings, accompanied by a customizable Signal LED for alerts. A kill switch silences the phone, and a Clicks shortcut button permits quick actions. These functionalities are missing in Pixel devices. Moreover, the user-replaceable back panel offers customization options rarely found in flagship smartphones.

**Preorder and Launch Information**

Reserving the Clicks Communicator now provides a $100 discount, bringing the price down to $399, with two complimentary back covers included. A $199 reservation option is also available to lock in the early deal. Preorders conclude on February 27, with shipments scheduled for later this year.

iPadOS 26.2 and macOS 26.2 Bring Improved Wi-Fi Performance for Certain Devices

Apple launched iPadOS 26.2 and macOS Tahoe 26.2 last month, bringing notable enhancements to Wi-Fi performance for certain devices. Users with compatible Macs and iPads might notice improved Wi-Fi speeds and better file transfer options.

MacRumors initially reported these upgrades, emphasizing changes in Apple’s platform deployment guide. With the updated systems, devices that are Wi-Fi 6E compatible can now take advantage of a maximum channel bandwidth of 160MHz on 5GHz networks, up from the former 80MHz limit. This advancement enables Wi-Fi 6E devices to reach throughput near peak 6GHz speeds without needing to connect to a 6GHz network. However, it’s crucial to understand that Macs will not gain from this enhancement if they’re linked to 5GHz routers constrained to 80MHz.

These upgrades result in quicker Wi-Fi speeds and higher throughput, which is especially useful for activities like large file uploads and downloads.

Devices that support Wi-Fi 6E comprise:

– MacBook Air released in 2024 or later
– MacBook Pro released in 2023 or later
– iMac released in 2023 or later
– Mac mini released in 2023 or later
– Mac Studio released in 2023 or later
– Mac Pro released in 2023 or later
– iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th generation), or later
– iPad Air 11-inch (M2), iPad Air 13-inch (M2), or later
– iPad mini (A17 Pro) or later

For comprehensive details on Wi-Fi specifications and supported bandwidth, users may consult Apple’s support article on its website.

Top 5 Cutting-Edge Devices Presented at CES Unveiled 2026

the typical shopper may indeed find appealing. As we get ready to spend the upcoming days on the exhibition floor at CES 2026, here’s what piqued our interest at CES Unveiled on Sunday.

Nintendo Switch 2 charging case and an individual AI server

“5 Distinctive macOS Applications Not Found on Windows”

Instagram was originally an exclusive application for iPhone users, and there was a period when Windows users preferred Microsoft for particular applications while Mac users opted for Apple for other specific features. Nevertheless, seasoned macOS users, along with those transitioning to a Mac, may be drawn to explore certain software that is solely accessible on Apple devices.

Naturally, some of these are produced by Apple itself, including Safari and the iWork suite, which comprises Pages, Numbers, and Keynote. Although Microsoft Office typically offers a more robust option, there aren’t an extensive number of applications exclusive to the macOS environment. Nonetheless, those uniquely developed for macOS possess a unique appeal, as they elevate a relatively straightforward experience into something meticulously designed and well thought out. This is the reason we compiled five crucial macOS applications that you won’t encounter elsewhere, which could significantly enhance your Mac experience. Here they are.

Portal – Escape Into Nature