How to Quickly Find the Right Emoji for iPhone Messages
By Hallei Halter
When you type a message in an app that uses your iPhone keyboard, like Messages or Notes, your phone will suggest iOS emoji that you can tap to add to your text. Here's how to quickly find and use the perfect emoji for your text message.
Review: Smart Alarm Clock Includes Alexa, Supports Spotify
By Todd Bernhard
No matter what you're looking for in a speaker, the odds are pretty good that iHome has something that meets your needs. The company even has cosmetic mirrors that double as Bluetooth speakers. iHome sent me the iAV14 Alexa Bedside/Home Office Speaker ($99.99) to check out and I do indeed like that it has Alexa built in. Amazon has redefined what a speaker should be; and if you're going to spend $100 it should include a smart home assistant, which the iAV14 does. Another nice touch is that it supports Spotify, if you use that music streaming service.
How to Purchase & Download Apps on Your iPhone & iPad
By Hallei Halter
Half the fun of having an iPhone or iPad is being able to try all sorts of apps for work and fun. To download an app, you'll need to search or browse for the app in the App Store. Here's how to purchase and download apps from the App Store.
Review: Lucyd Loud Audio Glasses
By Todd Bernhard
If you ride a bicycle or walk outside and want to listen to music, but don't want to block out the outside world, try the Lucyd Loud ($99). Lucyd sent me their Lucyd Loud sunglasses which have built-in audio capabilities. They act as earbuds using Bluetooth 4.1, but you don't have to place anything inside your ears. They use bone conduction to transmit the sound, and they do so quite well.
Review: Harry Potter Printer Uses AR to Bring Photos to Life
By Todd Bernhard
Who says you can't print videos? The folks at Lifeprint sent me the Harry Potter Magic Photo Video Printer ($149.99) to review, probably because they know I'm a fan of Harry Potter, but they didn't know that I've been using ZINK photo printers and instant cameras for years. In fact, I've been using Polaroid cameras since they came out decades ago, and this new device brings back some of the magic, literally, from those early days of instant cameras.
Ever leave a Chrome tab open at home before work, and then want to find it again later from your iPhone? If you've ever wondered, "how do I open my tabs in Chrome on another device?" then you're in luck. The Google Chrome iPhone app lets you see the tabs you left open on your computer and open them on your iPhone. Just enable Chrome Sync in the Chrome settings menu, then tap the tabs icon at the bottom of your Chrome browser, and you'll find a desktop icon on your tabs list that will show you all the tabs open on other devices. Being able to switch from your Mac to your iPhone with minimal effort is a huge advantage. Here's how to view your computer's open Chrome tabs, Chrome bookmarks, and more on your iPhone.
Discover the Hidden iPhone Sleep Timer
By Hallei Halter
I like listening to shows or music before I fall asleep. Unfortunately, I had a habit of falling asleep while the media was playing and would wake up to a dead device. Here's an easy tip to use the Clock's hidden sleep timer on your iPhone so that media will automatically stop playing.
Review: Convert Your Conventional Outlets to USB
By Mike Riley
When you have a house full of iPads and iPhones, the power outlets poorly accommodate the oversized charging bricks sticking out from the walls. Of course, that is assuming that the chargers can be located. Top Greener has addressed the growing population of gadgets dependent on USB plugs to recharge. This review looks at two USB products that Top Greener has to offer.