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5 Crucial Concealed Functions for Android Smartphone Users

A person holding a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra in their grip

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Being an open-source operating system (OS), Android offers a plethora of distinctive features for its smartphones. However, which ones are a bit less conspicuous than Circle to Search or even the Battery Saver feature? Numerous Android devices support screen pinning to keep your phone secure even when you pass it to someone else. Additionally, there are entertainment functionalities that allow you to stream your device’s screen straight to your smart TV.

It appears that these capabilities are readily accessible, yet they are occasionally somewhat obscured as menu layouts alter or become complicated due to updates. Although your experience with Android greatly depends on the device maker, the majority of these concealed features should be available on contemporary smartphones. While the terminology might vary slightly based on your specific phone model, their functionality remains consistently similar, regardless of whether you are within the Samsung, Pixel, Motorola, or OnePlus brands.

Stream your Android screen to a smart TV

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5 Crucial Concealed Functions for Android Smartphone Users
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Gene Roddenberry’s Struggle with NBC to Keep a Beloved Star Trek Character

numerous timelines investigated in the “Star Trek” realm, but had NBC gotten its way initially, we may have found ourselves in one lacking its most cherished crew member. Prior to Captain Kirk becoming a well-known persona, and even before we met his forerunner, Captain Pike, Gene Roddenberry faced challenges with the network that would become a recurring annoyance as the series progressed. In addition to making the outdated request to replace Majel Barrett from a battle-ready protagonist to Nurse Chapel, they also had concerns about another member of the Enterprise crew: first officer, Mr. Spock. More precisely, his pointed ears.

As Herb Solow, the Desilu executive responsible back in 1965, noted, NBC was worried about the Vulcan character’s alien traits, which they believed had devilish implications. “It was almost as if they thought that, after Satan had been expelled from the Garden of Eden, he was reincarnated as actor Leonard Nimoy and cast into Star Trek as science officer Spock, a pointed-eared, arched eyebrowed ‘satanic’ Vulcan alien,” he clarified (per StarTrek.com).

The concern was that local stations and advertisers who ventured into uncharted territory would also face examination by religious organizations for endorsing a character that resembled Lucifer. A challenging exchange between Roddenberry and NBC followed, and while the show’s creator felt victorious in the dispute, the studio took cautious steps to avoid Spock, although later they would come to regret that choice.

NBC made the unreasonable choice to modify Spock’s ears

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Gene Roddenberry's Struggle with NBC to Keep a Beloved Star Trek Character
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Comparing Features: What the Steam Deck OLED Provides That the Nintendo Switch 2 Lacks

Steam Deck outperforms the Switch 2 thanks to its superior memory and higher CPU and GPU clock rates. An additional aspect where the Switch 2 falls short compared to the Steam Deck is in terms of customization. The Switch 2 operates as a closed platform, which necessitates jailbreaking it to enable any customization. Yet, even with that, your options remain restricted.

Conversely, the Steam Deck utilizes the SteamOS, a Linux-based OS. This allows you to switch to Desktop Mode for installing a variety of tools that the Switch 2 does not support. For example, you can effortlessly set up alternative game launchers and emulators. Additionally, you can stream multiple services and even convert it into a Windows handheld. None of this requires any modifications to the system.

Install different storefronts

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Comparing Features: What the Steam Deck OLED Provides That the Nintendo Switch 2 Lacks
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Reddit User Uncovers Prized Tech Gadget at Goodwill for $20, Valued at Hundreds

Redditor shared that they snagged an i7 desktop at Goodwill for just $20. Upon inspecting its contents, they found one of the most significant tech treasures of 2026 — 64GB of DDR4 RAM.

The inside of the chassis held more surprises as well. It housed an i7-12700K, a 12th-generation Intel processor, boasting 12 cores and a base clock speed of 3.6 GHz (capable of reaching 5GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Max). This setup delivers solid performance, whether for gaming or as a powerful workstation. Additionally, it housed a 1TB SATA HDD, which represents one of the four varieties of hard drives.

However, the highlight of the discovery was undoubtedly the RAM. It is a highly sought-after component at a time when its prices are soaring due to the chip shortage driven by AI demands. While it may not be DDR5, DDR4 can still command prices in the hundreds these days. The Redditor is considering using this discovery to upgrade his main setup that features a Ryzen 7 5800X, likely recognizing its significant worth.

Assessing the actual value of the find

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Reddit User Uncovers Prized Tech Gadget at Goodwill for $20, Valued at Hundreds
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Impact of Neglecting Firmware Updates on Your Router

The FBI has released an alert regarding a collective of Russian military cybercriminals known as GRU (also referred to as APT28, Fancy Bear, and Forest Blizzard) who have been hijacking vulnerable routers, including EOL TP-Link routers, altering their DNS and DHCP configurations to facilitate the theft of private data from both individuals and businesses. In 2025, SecurityScorecard published findings related to Operation WrtHug, an extensive hacking initiative that exploited over 50,000 EOL ASUS routers in the U.S., Taiwan, and Russia for espionage against people and organizations globally.

The FBI recommended that keeping your router’s firmware up-to-date is among the most effective strategies to combat these intrusions. Additionally, avoid using the router’s factory username and password, and if your router is at EOL, consider replacing it. The Bureau also suggested turning off remote management features on your router to block access from individuals outside your home network.

The dangers of a router that never updates

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When to Retain the Box: 5 Scenarios for Preserving Your Electronics Packaging

iphone 17 next to its packaging box on a warm backdrop

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Every time you obtain new electronics, they come packaged in fresh, appealing boxes. However, once the item is operational, the major inquiry arises: should you retain the box or discard it? Broadly, people can be categorized into two camps. Some individuals diligently keep boxes, whereas others tend to dispose of them immediately. Each method carries potential drawbacks depending on the item.

Manufacturers dedicate time to crafting these packages, optimizing their shape and size for a purpose. This safeguards the product and its accessories contained within. This is especially critical for delicate electronics. For such items, retaining the box is advisable. Furthermore, original packaging suggests that the item was well cared for by the owner, thus enhancing resale value if you ever intend to sell or trade the device. There are instances where the original packaging is necessary for returns. Also, certain boxes may become sought-after collectibles over time, particularly with gaming consoles. Those are certainly not boxes to discard.

Ultimately, it boils down to the value the box provides and whether it’s advantageous to keep it. For example, the packaging of a computer mouse isn’t typically necessary to hold onto, as you’re unlikely to sell it or store it for long durations. However, for some devices, keeping the box is undoubtedly a wise decision.

Smartphones and tablets

smartphone and tablet with packaging displayed

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The Influence of Planet of the Apes on Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek Successor Series

ashes are now in space) transformed the landscape of science fiction as we recognize it when he developed the “Star Trek” series and universe in 1964 — subsequently debuting in 1966. While Roddenberry’s legacy is marred by allegations of sexism and antisemitism, the original “Star Trek” television series showcased a diverse ensemble, envisioned a more optimistic, utopian future than previously seen, and tackled topics infrequently addressed on TV at that time, such as slavery, racism, and warfare.

“Star Trek’s” distinctive premise resulted in the series cultivating a fervent, outspoken fan community that endures for over sixty years. The original series launched a franchise that has since produced 12 television series and 13 films — and sparked actual scientific breakthroughs like real-time translation. Nonetheless, not all of Roddenberry’s projects achieved similar success.

In 1972, the esteemed screenwriter penned a script for “Genesis II,” a concept he aspired to turn into another successful sci-fi television series. However, “Planet of the Apes” thwarted his ambitions.

What is Genesis II?

A television film crafted for science fiction, “Genesis II” centers on NASA scientist Dylan Hunt (portrayed by “Stagecoach’s” Alex Cord), who awakens after 154 years in suspended animation to discover himself in a post-apocalyptic reality divided between two factions: the peaceful inhabitants of PAX and the authoritarian Tyranians — both of whom seek Hunt’s allegiance. To discover whom he aligns with, you will need to view it for yourself.

However, Gene Roddenberry never meant for “Genesis II”

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How to Keep an Eye on Technology Offers at Costco

deep savings on products to ongoing promotions on items that the company intends to discontinue, there’s nearly always something discounted at the warehouse store. You may even occasionally discover better bargains at Costco compared to other platforms. However, locating the top tech offers isn’t always straightforward. If you visit the store, you must roam around and manually check how the deals stack up by looking online as you explore the aisles.

The same holds true for the website as well. While Costco frequently features sections on its site dedicated to significant deals, sifting through the extensive variety of options can be laborious. Additionally, it may not guarantee that a real deal is available. That’s why a noteworthy tool for tracking tech deals that we’ve spotted on Reddit and in browser extension repositories is Price Lasso.

The extension is accessible to users of Chrome, Firefox, and Safari, and functions across a range of retailers like Costco, Amazon, Target, Walmart, and more. One reason individuals might consider trying Price Lasso is that it also enables you to set alerts for price drops, allowing you to seamlessly monitor when the tech you wish to purchase goes on sale.

You can utilize Price Lasso to hunt for deals on items you genuinely desire

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Regrettably, Price Lasso does not provide a method to filter through deals before adding them to your list. Instead, the main approach to search for deals is to be proactive and know what you seek. To commence tracking deals on specific products, all you have to do is visit Costco’s website after you’ve installed the extension in your preferred browser. Keep in mind you will

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Four Less Recognized Soundbar Brands Challenging Sonos

the finest soundbars available are adept at providing an immersive 5.1 experience or even superior, with Sonos being one of the top brands associated with this level of power and sound clarity. Following the debut of the Sonos Playbar in 2013, this well-known audio company transformed how we enjoy our favorite films and series, building on its prior transformation of our music listening experience.

Currently, the soundbar offerings from Sonos feature powerful models such as the Sonos Arc Ultra designed for expansive home theater setups. The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) serves small to medium spaces well, while the Sonos Ray is an option for enhancing the audio quality of your guest room TV. However, as you might expect, Sonos is not the sole renowned soundbar manufacturer available. There is robust competition, with numerous impressive options often flying under the radar.

Consider audio giants like Nakamichi and JBL, among other notable names in the high-end AV market. For your review, we selected four underrated soundbar brands that can rival Sonos effectively.

Nakamichi

Despite soundbars not providing the full immersion of a traditional surround setup, Sonos comes close, as does Nakamichi. In fact, Nakamichi may be the superior choice for cinematic details and overall power, with systems like the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC Soundbar showcasing the brand’s capability in home theater. With a jaw-dropping 1,300 watts, this powerful soundbar package includes two 10-inch subwoofers and four surround sound speakers.

This kind of 360-degree audio is what the Sonos Arc Ultra manages reasonably well, yet the Shockwafe boasts more distinct channels and enhanced speaker separation. In most environments, this results in a broader soundstage with convincing rear and spatial effects. Additionally, the cost of a comparable Sonos Arc Ultra setup with a Sonos Sub 4 and just two Era 100 speakers is higher ($2,311 compared to the Shockwafe’s $1,900). Regrettably, $1,900 sits at the lower end of Nakamichi’s price range, along with a few compromises.

While the Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 features three HDMI 2.0 inputs, digital optical, and several other physical connections absent on the Arc Ultra, it lacks Wi-Fi support. You can still use Qualcomm aptX HD via Bluetooth, but functionalities such as multi-room audio, AirPlay, and ecosystem controls (e.g., Alexa, Google Home) are unavailable. Nonetheless, it’s difficult to overlook Nakamichi in a roundup of Sonos competitors.

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