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Waze
Phone screen displaying a dial pad with the number *3001#12345** input.
HOW TO
10/16/2023 8:09 pm

100+ Secret Dialer Codes for Your iPhone

There's a lot more to your iPhone's dialer screen than just entering phone numbers and hitting the green call button. It's not very obvious, but there are secret codes that you can enter on the dialer to find out information about your device, help troubleshoot issues, and mask outgoing calls, to na ...more

Person using a smartphone to view a map.
HOW TO
08/27/2022 12:01 am

This Little-Known Gesture Will Change How You Use Maps on Your iPhone

You can double-tap most maps on your iPhone to zoom in, and tap once with two fingers to zoom out. And I'm sure you're more than familiar with the pinch gesture for zooming. But there's an even better way to zoom in and out on maps, and you can do it with one hand tied behind your back. This trick w ...more

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HOW TO
08/25/2022 10:11 pm

Upgrade Safari on Your iPhone with These Powerful Add-Ons

You may use Safari on your iPhone or iPad to open links and browse the web, but there's so much more it can do for you. On updated software, you can implement third-party Safari extensions in your browser that go above and beyond content blocking, sharing, and performing basic actions. Safari did ha ...more

Text editing interface showing a common grammar correction suggestion.
HOW TO
12/01/2021 1:02 am

If You're Not Using Safari Extensions on Your iPhone, You're Missing Out

You've probably already used a few Safari Extensions on your Mac, but if you haven't explored Safari's web extensions on your iPhone yet, you're missing out on some fantastic possibilities to increase productivity, make tasks easier, filter out noise, and bring more fun to your browsing experience. ...more

Smartphone displaying a game on a textured map background.
NEWS
09/27/2021 9:39 pm

Apple Maps Revamped with 3D Map Navigation in iOS 15

With its latest version of Apple Maps, Apple has made perhaps its strongest push since the launch of the app to dethrone Google Maps from its perch atop the App Store rankings. Available now via the iOS 15 update, Apple Maps now includes highly-detailed 3D maps, an AR mode for walking navigation, an ...more

Head-up display view from a car navigating through a city street.
NEWS
05/30/2021 7:23 am

Augmented Reality in Cars — the Companies & Tech Driving Us into the Future

While autonomous vehicles are almost assuredly the future of personal transportation, we are likely many years from seeing self-driving cars become as ubiquitous as manually-driven ones, as the auto industry has a myriad of government regulations and other constraints to contend with. Until then, au ...more

Two smartphone cameras side by side on a wooden surface.
NEWS
05/26/2021 11:45 pm

Could These 26 Features Show Up in iOS 15's Upcoming Beta? We Really Hope So

When Tim Cook, Craig Federighi, and other core Apple leaders take the stage for WWDC 2021 on June 7, we'll hear a lot about exciting new things to come. We're likely to see what's in store for watchOS 8 and macOS 12, but more importantly, we'll get a glimpse at what iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 will be like ...more

Mobile app interface for reporting incidents, featuring options for accidents, hazards, and road checks.
HOW TO
04/27/2021 6:37 pm

Apple Maps Finally Lets You Report Hazards & Speed Traps Like Waze Does

Driving is anything but problem-free. Speed traps, accidents, and other hazards can appear at any time, requiring motorists to be attentive, quick, and prepared for anything. If you see something dangerous on your route that you want to warn others about, there's an easy way to do so in Apple Maps. ...more

Map application on a smartphone displaying location services and an error message.
HOW TO
01/13/2021 5:56 pm

Stop Websites from Asking to Use Your Location Every Single Time in Safari

If you surf the web on your iPhone, you no doubt run into this problem all the time: a website wants your location. It can happen when performing a location-based task, such as using a store locator, or whenever a web app just wants to deliver better ads or local recommendations. If you're tired of ...more

Mobile device displaying a map with driving directions and vehicle icons.
HOW TO
10/12/2020 5:01 pm

Ditch the Blue Arrow & Get a Custom Navigation Icon in Google Maps

For the most part, new features for Google Maps, such as Live View augmented reality walking navigation, come to Android first. One exception is changing your vehicle icon in driving navigation, which is now coming to Android after debuting on iPhones and iPads. On both versions, however, the abilit ...more

Map interface displaying Bakersfield with an address input field.
HOW TO
07/07/2020 6:48 pm

View Air Quality in Apple Maps to See How Polluted Cities & Destinations Are

While the United States, in general, doesn't have the worst overall pollution, the air quality can drastically change from one day to the next. If you're particularly sensitive to pollutants in the air, there are apps that show how clean or polluted the air is in your area, as well as in cities you ...more

Navigation interface displaying directions to turn onto Main Street with a map view on the side.
NEWS
01/31/2020 11:32 pm

Startup Phiar Prepares Beta Launch of AR Driving Navigation App for iPhone

Google pushed a new kind of augmented reality walking navigation to the mainstream last year, and now startup Phiar is hoping users will use its AR app in the same way for driving navigation. The company is currently inviting the public to sign up for its private beta launch, which is scheduled for ...more

Two orange smartphones displayed on a shelf.
NEWS
12/23/2019 8:35 pm

Google Pixel 4 Hands-on Review & Spec Analysis

It's always a big deal when the company that makes Android releases a new phone. Google's Pixel series has made a name for itself in three short years behind its camera prowess, but now it's time to start competing with the major players. That said, Google should like how their Pixel 4 and 4 XL stac ...more

Smartphones displaying app interfaces, including a gaming app, settings menu, and a shopping list.
NEWS
11/15/2019 9:23 pm

Mouse Support, Dark Mode & 200+ Other New iOS 13 Features You Need to Know

Apple's iOS 13 has been available for beta testing since June, and the stable release pushed out to everyone on Thursday, Sept. 19. To help you make the most out of iOS 13 for iPhone, we've rounded up everything you'll want to know, whether a colossal feature, small settings change, interface update ...more

Image showing hammer, measuring tape, screw driver and other tools next to an iphone
HOW TO
11/05/2019 5:00 pm

The Ultimate Guide to Customizing Your iPhone

Cases and stickers are always great, but they aren't the only way to customize an iPhone. The software on your device is full of customization options, from a better-looking home screen and cooler lock screen wallpapers to app icon changes and a system-wide dark mode. There's literally over 100 ways ...more

Text conversation displayed on a smartphone held outdoors among plants.
HOW TO
11/01/2019 2:37 pm

Annoy Your Friends on iMessage with a Barrage of Automated Texts

Back in its infancy, the App Store was filled with text bomb apps that allowed users to send a barrage of text messages to friends, family, and foes. It was a fun way to annoy people, but Apple quickly scrubbed the apps because of technical issues. Although text bombs are still banished, you can now ...more

Mobile device screen displaying an app menu with options for creating a new document and viewing recent notes.
HOW TO
10/09/2019 7:41 pm

Make Siri Start a New Blank Apple Pages Document on Your iPhone

We're basically living in the future, so let's work like we are. For decades, we have, without question, opened a word processor like Pages, and clicked or tapped our way to starting a new document. What's wrong with that? It's unnecessary. We all have a digital assistant living in our iPhone, one t ...more

Smartphone displaying a music streaming app interface.
NEWS
10/04/2019 10:45 pm

See Which of the Top 6 Music Streaming Services Is the Best for Your Phone

Trying to figure out which music streaming service to subscribe to can be a difficult task when the playing field is so crowded. Each has its benefits, as well as downsides, so finding the right one for your needs and wants can take a lot of overwhelming research. But we've done all the research for ...more

Person holding a smartphone displaying a navigation app in a car.
HOW TO
09/11/2019 3:21 am

Apple Maps 101: How to Add Multiple Destinations to Your Directions

Unscheduled pit stops go hand in hand with road trips, no matter how well-planned they are. In the past, making a stop due to low fuel or an emergency bathroom break may have snowballed into massive delays when you went off course on your own, but thanks to a feature in Apple Maps, you can do this i ...more

GPS navigation app displaying map directions on a smartphone mounted in a car.
HOW TO
09/10/2019 10:15 pm

How to Download Maps & Navigation Routes for Offline Use in Apple Maps

Whether due to spotty cellular reception or just data that you want to save, popular navigation apps like Google Maps and Waze offer an offline feature that lets you navigate from one location to another in the absence of internet service. Apple Maps also lets you use its service offline on your iPh ...more

Navigation app displaying route on smartphone mounted in car.
HOW TO
07/31/2019 4:10 pm

Best Navigation Apps: Google Maps vs. Apple Maps vs. Waze vs. MapQuest

You don't have to be a frequent flyer to know how indispensable navigation apps have become. Many of us rely on these apps for traveling from state to state and getting around in foreign cities, but even more of us count on these apps to beat rush hour traffic and find the quickest routes to school ...more

Mobile screen displaying navigation and music playback interface.
HOW TO
07/15/2019 10:16 pm

Add Music Playback Controls to Google Maps for Easy Access When Navigating

Staying alert to directions and changing the music you're listening to on your smartphone at the same time can be cumbersome, but Google Maps wants to fix that. One of the mapping service's features allows you to control music playing on Spotify, Apple Music, and Google Play Music from inside of Goo ...more

Smartphone displaying an application interface on a suitcase.
HOW TO
04/05/2019 10:00 pm

The Ultimate Checklist for Getting Your Phone Travel-Ready

Smartphones are now indispensable when traveling. Domestic and overseas travel alike require food, navigation, translation, and so much more to make work or vacation successful. Gone are the days of lugging multiple tourist books around with you everywhere you go — you need to let your smartphone ha ...more

Person holding a smartphone capturing an image of a hidden blue object in a rocky crevice.
NEWS
04/03/2019 10:30 pm

Turn a Vacation into a Treasure Hunt with Just Your Phone

It feels strange to be walking through an open field in a small village in the English countryside. There's no one else around — just the four of us: me, my husband, my 12-year-old son, and my adult niece. The day is spectacular, particularly for England. The sun is shining, and the temperature is i ...more

Modern restaurant interior with wooden tables and vibrant decor.
NEWS
04/03/2019 2:54 pm

Vacationing for the 'Gram: How Instagram Is Changing Hotels & Restaurants

I noticed the neon yellow sign at the new location of Pho Bar in Chinatown right away. The sweeping cursive yellow letters spell out "Crazy Rich Broth"; the same phrase printed on the back of servers' shirts. It's the kind of minimalist but colorful design feature that is especially popular on Insta ...more

Toy motorcycle next to a smartphone displaying a navigation app.
HOW TO
04/02/2019 2:04 pm

How to Get Routes Tailored for Motorcycles & Scooters on Waze

With the raw, visceral feeling of zooming around on the open road, it's easy to get carried away when you're out for a ride on your chopper, super bike, or scooter. This increases your chances of getting lost, plus routes can differ slightly for motorcyclists and cagers, unbeknownst to most drivers. ...more

Person holding a smartphone displaying a street and nearby buildings.
HOW TO
04/01/2019 3:08 pm

Use Waze's 'Add a Stop' Feature to Save Time & Money on Roadtrips

Road trips almost always include unforeseen pit stops, which can take you way off track from your destination and end up causing massive delays. But if you rely on Waze for navigation, however, this issue is totally covered. The popular driving app has a nifty feature that lets you add a pit stop to ...more

Person holding a smartphone with navigation app open next to a parked car.
HOW TO
04/01/2019 3:08 pm

How to Use Different Voices in Waze to Personalize Navigation & Direction

If you've been looking for an alternative to Google Maps, look no further than Waze. In addition to benefits like crowd-sourced traffic data, police trap locations, and road work avoidance, the app even lets you personalize the voices used for navigation and directions. Best of all, Waze's custom vo ...more

Hand holding a smartphone displaying a navigation map.
HOW TO
04/01/2019 3:06 pm

How to Set or Change Your Home & Work Addresses on Apple Maps

Having your home and work addresses set in Apple Maps makes them incredibly easy to navigate to no matter where you're located. If you move to a new house, stay in a hotel or resort while vacationing, report to a different office, or have multiple job sites to visit regularly, updating these address ...more

Smartphone displaying a passcode entry screen.
NEWS
03/01/2019 8:39 pm

30+ Privacy & Security Settings in iOS 12 You Should Check Right Now

There's always an iPhone in our list of top phones for privacy and security, due in large part to advanced security measures like Face ID, consistent iOS updates, and easy ways to prevent unwanted access and excessive data sharing. However, some of those options actually do the opposite and hinder s ...more

Smartphones displaying various Google service logos on a wooden surface.
HOW TO
02/15/2019 6:02 pm

How to Completely Banish Google from Your Android Experience

Update (February 2019): The methods below will help on older Android versions, but we've recently revisited this topic. So if you have a newer Android phone and you want to get rid of Google, head here. It seems like every week there is a new exposé revealing all of the backroom deals companies make ...more

A smartphone displaying a definition of "customers."
HOW TO
01/17/2019 12:58 am

Siri Settings, Shortcuts & Hacks Every iPhone User Should Know

Out of the box, Apple's digital assistant could be a godsend or a nuisance, depending on your daily interactions it. No matter which camp you fall into, Siri can always be better suited to your personal needs with a little customization. You can make Siri a powerhouse not to be reckoned with, or you ...more

Smartphone displaying a notification on a wooden surface.
HOW TO
01/12/2019 12:42 am

How to Use Google Maps or Waze with Siri Instead of Apple Maps

When driving, you can get directions hands-free by asking Siri. You can also make general map searches, show a location's details, call a query's phone number, and view traffic details. However, Siri defaults to Apple Maps for all those. If you prefer Google Maps, Waze, or another third-party naviga ...more

Mobile screen displaying recent photos with options for favorites and search.
HOW TO
10/17/2018 7:19 pm

The Easiest Way to Add Widgets to the Today View on Your iPhone

Ever since iOS 8, you could add widgets on your iPhone using the "Edit" menu on the Today view page, but there's an easier and faster way to get widgets set up for viewing via a right swipe on the lock screen, a swipe right from the first home screen page, and a swipe down from center top everywhere ...more

Software update screen showing "Your software is up to date."
NEWS
09/19/2018 6:14 pm

100+ Coolest New iOS 12 Features You Didn't Know About

The next big iOS version for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch was revealed by Apple at WWDC 2018 and dropped for everyone on Sept. 17, 2018, less than a week after Apple revealed the new iPhone lineup. We've rounded up all the big picture items and secret features and changes we could find so you know e ...more

Smartphones on a metal grid surface.
NEWS
09/17/2018 5:59 pm

7 Features iOS 12 Stole from Android

The great thing about competition is it drives innovation. But when a company tries to one-up its competitor, it's not always with something brand new. Sometimes, one party will draw heavy inspiration from the other — but hey, it's still all good, because the consumers benefit either way. Some of th ...more

Smartphone displaying a mobile app interface in an urban setting.
HOW TO
08/02/2018 11:45 pm

The 5 Best Calendar Apps to Keep Track of Your Schedule on Your iPhone

The calendar app is one of the unsung heroes found within your iPhone. It's the ultimate personal assistant that you've come to rely on to keep track of your schedule and ensure you never miss a class or meeting, all while reminding you of upcoming birthdays and deadlines to help maintain good relat ...more

Phone screen displaying a keypad for entering a USSD code.
HOW TO
07/11/2018 12:34 am

100+ Secret Dialer Codes for OnePlus Phones

There's actually more to the dialer screen on your OnePlus than meets the eye. Besides its obvious purpose of calling people, there's a vast array of secret codes that you can input to troubleshoot your device, in addition to revealing important information, making anonymous phone calls, and so much ...more

Mobile phone displaying a navigation app with route information.
HOW TO
05/31/2018 11:40 pm

Avoid Tolls on Waze to Save Money While Driving

Discovering you're on a route filled with tolls while you're already on the road, with no cash on hand, is never a pleasant surprise. Fortunately, Waze has an incredibly simple solution to nip this potential headache in the bud and save you money while navigating. Best of all, this method works exac ...more

Map displayed on a smartphone held outdoors.
HOW TO
05/31/2018 11:07 pm

Hide Your Waze Location from Others by Going Invisible

Some of the things that make Waze such a great navigation app are also its biggest downsides. Real-time data shows where individual users are, and the app automatically gathers traffic info that other drivers may encounter. These elements ensure that road conditions are as up-to-date as possible so ...more

Smartphone displaying a summary screen with various metrics.
HOW TO
04/06/2018 8:23 pm

The Best Way to View & Manage Your iPhone's Cellular Data Usage

Oops... did you forget to connect to a Wi-Fi network before streaming HBO GO on your iPhone? While those episodes of The Wire may have been absolutely life-changing, your three-digit cellular bill is definitely going to hit you a little harder. Managing data usage is a constant task in the world of ...more

Smartphone displaying a lock icon on a wooden surface.
NEWS
03/02/2018 10:10 pm

24 iOS 11 Privacy & Security Settings You Should Check Right Now

Your iPhone has a lot of personal information contained within it, so of course you want your device to be secure. You don't want that information getting into the wrong hands — or any hands other than your own, for that matter. This guide breaks down the new privacy settings in iOS 11 that you shou ...more

A person holding a smartphone displaying a map with highlighted locations.
HOW TO
02/09/2018 8:32 pm

3 Tips to Help You Drive Safer with Waze

Because it sources a majority of its vital data from actual drivers on the road, Waze is easily one of the best navigation apps to use if you prioritize safety. Benefits such as crowd-sourced traffic data, police trap locations, and road work avoidance, when combined, help you anticipate traffic con ...more

Person holding a smartphone displaying a map with toy cars nearby.
HOW TO
02/08/2018 7:00 pm

7 Tips to Help You Use Waze Like a Pro

Waze is the go-to navigation app for millions of drivers, and it's easy to see why. Benefits such crowd-sourced traffic data, police trap locations, and road work avoidance are just the tip of the iceberg. It can almost be overwhelming, but with these simple tips, you'll master Waze and start naviga ...more

Smartphone home screen displaying various app icons.
NEWS
12/29/2017 1:22 am

100+ Apps iOS Users Need on Their iPhones in 2018

While there aren't as many ways to customize your iPhone like there is on Android, there are still a lot of apps out there that can help streamline and enhance your experience beyond Apple's own default options — and we've hand-picked over 100 essentials. No matter if you've been using an iPhone for ...more

Elderly woman smiling and holding a smartphone while sitting on a couch.
HOW TO
11/10/2017 8:54 pm

How to Set Up Grandma's First iPhone (A Guide for Newbie iOS Users)

So, your grandmother finally wants to ditch her flip phone for a shiny new smartphone? Congratulations. But helping her get used to her new device, even when it's an iPhone, is no small task. Grandma mastered checking her email in late-2012 and just recently learned there's a thing called "Facebook. ...more

Smartphone displaying a map on a wooden surface.
HOW TO
09/20/2017 10:22 pm

The 7 Best New Features for Maps in iOS 11 for iPhone

There are many impressive features in the new iOS 11 for iPhones, and the Maps app got a lot of love from Apple. This means it's finally about time you stop relying on Google Maps for all of your navigation needs, since Apple Maps is not only more accurate than it used to be, but it's way more helpf ...more

Settings for audio features on a mobile device.
HOW TO
08/15/2017 9:32 pm

Spotify 101: How to Disable Volume Normalization

Back in 2009, largely due to the sheer number of users demanding it, Spotify added an amazing little feature — the ability to disable volume normalization. While the feature is nothing more than a toggle on the visual front, the audible difference is far superior and moons apart. According to Spotif ...more

Entering Apple ID password on a smartphone.
HOW TO
07/21/2017 12:00 pm

Everything You Need to Disable on Your iPhone for Maximum Security

Privacy and security go hand in hand, especially for smartphones. When it comes to privacy, you decide what personal information about yourself is out there to discover. Security, on the other hand, is all about enforcing those privacy decisions. Sometimes privacy and security will conflict with one ...more