Archives 2023

Our mission is simple: to be the source of professional-grade tech buying advice, offering everything you need to buy and maximize the tech you and your business rely on.

We take great satisfaction in our impartiality and meticulous review-testing procedure, examining the products we choose in great depth. We keep our reviews current and well maintained if the product in question is still available.

Apple has always pitched security and privacy as one of the biggest selling points of its products. Every year with its OS updates, there comes a feature that enhances and improves user security and privacy. With iOS 16, Apple got Safety Check feature for iPhones. Here we explain what is the feature and how it works:
How to use Safety Check feature on iPhone?
Safety Check is available only on iPhone and only if you have a personal Apple ID (not a Managed Apple ID) that uses two-factor authentication. You must also be signed in to Settings > [

Your Name

] on your iPhone. After you’re signed in, you can go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Safety Check.
What does the Safety Check feature do?
Simply put, it immediately stops access to a host of things that you might be sharing with people and apps on the iPhone. You can also use it to check whom you’re sharing information with, restrict Messages and FaceTime to your iPhone, reset system privacy permissions for apps, change your passcode, change your Apple ID password and more.

Furthermore, Safety Check can be used to modify information associated with your Apple ID. You can use Safety Check to review and remove devices signed in to your account, review and update trusted phone numbers, change your Apple ID password, update your emergency contacts, and even update your device passcode and your Face ID or Touch ID information.
Can you restart sharing with apps/people again?
Yes, If you want to restart sharing with someone after using Safety Check, just open the app or service you’d like to share information from and share that content again.
The Emergency Reset on Safety Check
Safety Check has an option called Emergency Reset. You use it to immediately stop all types of sharing. Emergency Reset also allows you to review and reset settings associated with your Apple ID as well.

Hiring levels in India were 23% slower in December 2022 as compared to December 2021, LinkedIn said in a report, which added that despite this decline, four of five, or 80% of professionals are considering changing jobs in 2023. The report also says that the job change sentiment is largely led by Gen Z.
According to LinkedIn’s economic graph data, the Indian workforce appears resilient in the face of economic uncertainty. Gen Z leads in terms of people who are looking to change jobs in 2023, with 88% of professionals aged 18-24 considering a switch, compared to 64% of those aged 45-54.
“Despite uncertain economic times ahead, professionals are taking a long term view of their career by investing in their skills and proactively seeking opportunities to progress. Over three quarters (78%) of workers surveyed said if they were to leave their job, they would feel confident finding other roles to apply for,” the professional network revealed the results of a research.

Reasons for job change
LinkedIn research suggests that professionals have multiple reasons for changing jobs. One of the major factors (23%) is the rising cost of living pressures and need for financial security.
The second factor is better work life balance (33%) and job seekers are looking for jobs that offer a balance in their professional and personal lives.
About a third (32%) said that they feel more confident in their abilities and think they can find a better role.
Professionals ready for economic storm
According to LinkedIn’s Workforce Confidence Index, 43% of professionals in India feel prepared for an economic downturn, however, they are also taking proactive measures to ‘career cushion’ themselves from the ongoing uncertainty.

“Despite tough economic conditions, the Indian workforce is relying on their own abilities to grow and push forward. Since the pandemic, it’s clear that professionals have built up a bank of resilience, and we’re seeing this in their response to tackle the year ahead. They are striving for the ideal role that offers the right wage, and allows for appreciable work-life balance and flexibility,” said Nirajita Banerjee, LinkedIn Career Expert and Head of Editorial for LinkedIn India.
The index suggests that more than half (54%) of professionals in India are growing their network by staying in touch with the right people as well as attending more business events. Nearly half (47%) of the professional workforce is asking for feedback from their peers and managers, and 44% are learning new in-demand and transferable skills.
LinkedIn also says that it is hosting live workshops in addition to offering free learning courses and expert advice on the platform from January 30 to February 3 to support professionals in the new year.

It’s now over a year since Wordle exploded onto our phones as the biggest puzzle phenomenon since, well, ever. In that time, it has garnered millions of daily players, inspired countless headlines, been bought by the New York Times, and endured multiple controversies.

So, what is Wordle as we enter 2023? Is it still a fun way to spend a few minutes, or something much bigger? 

A new phishing campaign has been uncovered impersonating logistics giant DHL to try and steal Microsoft 365 credentials from victims in the education industry, experts has claimed.

Cybersecurity researchers from Armorblox recently discovered a major phishing campaign, with more than 10,000 emails sent to inboxes belonging to a “private education institution”. 

Has it ever happened to you that you’ve tried to find an important file, document, photo or anything else and you find them missing from your PC? Well, we think that all of us have gone through that at least once in our life. Accidentally deleting important files can be a frustrating and stressful experience, but fortunately, there are ways to recover them on Windows 11. The following is a step-by-step guide on how to find and restore accidentally deleted files on Windows 11.
Prerequisites:
You should have a recent backup of your files or file recovery software installed on your computer before proceeding with the recovery process.
The deleted files should not be overwritten by new files, otherwise, the recovery will be unsuccessful.
Step-by-step guide:
Look for the deleted files in the Recycle Bin. If you find the files, you can restore them by right-clicking on them and selecting “Restore.”

Conclusion:
Recovering accidentally deleted files on Windows 11 is possible if the files have not been overwritten by new files. The Recycle Bin is the first place to check for deleted files, and if they are not there, file recovery software can be used to scan the computer for deleted files. It is important to have a recent backup or file recovery software installed before an accidental deletion occurs. And also It is always recommended to periodically back up your important files to avoid data loss.

Apple launched the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with the M2 Pro and M2 Max processors. One of the key features that the new MacBook Pro brings is Wi-Fi 6E, support, which is up to twice as fast as the previous generation. Here we explain what is Wi-Fi 6E and what it brings to laptops, smartphones and other devices
What is Wi-Fi 6E
Wi-Fi 6E is the latest version of the Wi-Fi standard that was developed to improve the performance of wireless networks. It is an extension of the Wi-Fi 6 standard and utilises the newly available 6 GHz frequency band in addition to the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands used by previous Wi-Fi standards.
What is the difference between Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E?
According to Intel, the most impactful difference is that Wi-Fi 6E devices use a dedicated 6E spectrum with up to seven additional 160 MHz channels while Wi-Fi 6 devices share the same congested spectrum—and only two 160 MHz channels—with other legacy Wi-Fi 4, 5, and 6 devices. This gives Wi-Fi 6E devices the advantage and ability to experience gigabit speeds more easily.
What are the benefits of Wi-Fi 6E?
One of the main advantages of Wi-Fi 6E is that it provides more bandwidth and reduces interference. With more available spectrum, Wi-Fi 6E can support more devices and handle more data-intensive applications like streaming high-definition video, gaming, and virtual reality. This is because the 6GHz band provides more channels compared to the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, which means more data can be transmitted simultaneously, resulting in faster speeds, lower latency and improved capacity for large numbers of devices.
Wi-Fi 6E also includes other enhancements such as improved security and power management features. For example, Wi-Fi 6E supports the latest encryption standards, such as WPA3, which provides stronger security for wireless networks. It also supports Target Wake Time (TWT), a feature that allows devices to schedule their wake-up times to conserve power and extend battery life.
Another advantage of Wi-Fi 6E is that it is backward compatible with Wi-Fi 6, 5, and 4, which means that devices that support Wi-Fi 6E can connect to networks that use previous Wi-Fi standards. This makes the transition to Wi-Fi 6E easier for users and helps to ensure that devices will continue to work even if they are not updated to the latest standard.
Where will Wi-Fi 6E be more useful?
Generally, Wi-Fi 6E will make speed and connectivity better. Cisco, in a blog post, lists some use cases of Wi-Fi 6E. According to Cisco, Wi-Fi 6E will enable more innovative use cases, such as it can help to solve capacity problems at large and congested venues, like concert halls and stadiums. Further, high-frequency spectrum allows for ultra-low-latency and emerging data-intensive applications and services, such as telehealth. Wi-Fi 6E is able to provide reliable and consistent low-latency connectivity for critical applications, which can’t afford data delays, says Cisco in a blog post.
How is Wi-Fi 6E better than Wi-Fi 6?
Wi-Fi 6E is better than Wi-Fi 6 because it provides more bandwidth, reduces interference, improves security and power management, and is backward compatible with previous Wi-Fi standards. This means faster speeds, lower latency, improved capacity, and better support for data-intensive applications. Moreover, as more devices are released that support Wi-Fi 6E, the overall performance of wireless networks will improve.

One term that we often find brands highlighting about their TWS earbuds is “Noise Cancellation”. While it is an important feature as it is responsible to reduce or eliminate unwanted background noise from the audio experience. The thing is that there are different types of noise cancellation and you must have come across them while shopping for a new pair of wireless earphones. They are Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Passive Noise Cancellation (PNC) which is often referred to as regular Noise Cancellation (NC) or Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC). Wondering how the two main noise cancellations differ? Read on to know:
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
Active noise cancellation (ANC) is the most advanced type of noise cancellation available in TWS earphones. It uses advanced algorithms and microphones to actively analyse and cancel out ambient noise in real-time. ANC works by creating an “anti-noise” sound wave that is the exact opposite of the background noise, effectively cancelling it out. This results in a much more immersive audio experience, with little to no background noise interfering.
Passive Noise Cancellation:
Passive noise cancellation is the simplest and most common type of noise cancellation in TWS earphones. It uses physical barriers, such as the earbuds themselves, to block out ambient noise. Passive noise cancellation works by creating a tight seal around the ear canal, which helps to prevent outside noise from entering the ear. The earbuds themselves also act as a physical barrier, blocking out a significant amount of noise. Environmental Noise Cancellation or AI Noise Cancellation or just Noise Cancellation, all three of them are mostly terminologies used by manufacturers and are somewhat a little tweaked version of Passive Noise Cancellation.
Hybrid Noise Cancellation:
Hybrid noise cancellation is a combination of both active and passive noise cancellation. TWS earphones with hybrid noise cancellation feature both ANC and passive noise cancellation technology. This allows them to effectively block out both ambient noise and external sounds, resulting in an even more immersive audio experience. Hybrid noise cancellation is considered to be the best of both worlds, as it combines the advanced technology of ANC with the simplicity of passive noise cancellation.

Last year, Twitter started showing the view count for all tweets just like people can see view counts on YouTube videos. However, the change didn’t receive a warm welcome and received harsh criticism from users and an ex-employee alike. The company CEO Elon Musk then asked Twitterati where should the “view counter” be moved.
Twitter view count location change
Twitter announced via a tweet that the view count feature will now be shifted from the extreme left to the right side.
“Many of you didn’t like seeing view counts on the left. We heard you. View counts will now show on the right side of your Tweet, located between the Like and Share icons. Live on the web, iOS and Android coming soon!,” Twitter Support announced in a tweet.

What is Twitter view count?
Twitter view count is a little bar graph that tells the number of times a particular tweet has been seen. Users can also see the count by accessing tweet analytics. Tweets now have five options with icons: Reply, Retweet, Likes, View Count and Share.
After the feature was rolled out in December, Musk said, “Twitter is much more alive than people think.”

View count feature is “depressing”, says ex-employee
Soon after the launch, there was a lot of conversation around the feature and an ex-employee, who claimed that he worked on it, also chimed in saying Twitter removed the feature because it was “depressing.”
Twitter’s former employee Paul Stamatiou quoted Musk’s tweet and replied that he worked on the feature in 2015, the team tested it but found out that the feature was “depressing” and wasn’t worth investing in.
“I worked on this at Twitter in 2015. IIRC we tested it and most people didn’t get any views and we had to have some thresholds before showing it as ‘0 views’ was depressing. We also wanted to be accurate and not count if someone quickly scrolls past your tweet in their TL,” Stamatiou tweeted.

He explained that the platform also explored the idea of showing view count only for ‘notable tweets’ (purportedly tweets by notable personalities) but this actually defeated the feature’s purpose, which was to let people show that they were not “Tweeting into the void”. Those with zero views on their tweets actually proved “they kinda were” [tweeting into the void].
“[It] felt like a useless vanity thing to show that wasn’t worth investing in further,” Stamatiou noted.
Stamatiou essentially pointed out the stigma associated with ‘likes’ and ‘shares’ on social media platforms. Simply put, people are usually under pressure of being liked/ noticed and relate the number of views/ likes with their acceptance on social media platforms.

If people get less likes/ views, they start losing interest in using that service. This is the case with apparently all social media platforms, including Meta-owned Facebook and Instagram. It is to be noted that Instagram offers its users a way to hide likes on posts.
The social media platform said that they are “making like counts private to reduce the pressure of posting to your Feed. We hope this will help people focus more on the photos and videos, rather than on how many likes a post received.”

Sony has launched the FE 20-70mm F4 G lens (SEL2070G) in India. This compact, lightweight, full-frame lens features a versatile 20-70 mm zoom range and a constant F4 aperture. It boasts high-quality G LensTM image, fast and accurate autofocus and a smart design for ease of use. This lens is suitable for various types of photography and videography, including vlogging, filmmaking, and capturing portraits and landscapes.
Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G lens: Price and availability
The FE 20-70mm F4 G lens will be available for purchase starting February 2nd, 2023, for a price of Rs 124,990 through Sony Center, Alpha Flagship stores, Sony authorized dealers, e-commerce websites like Amazon and Flipkart and major electronic stores across India.
Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G lens: Specifications, features and more
The FE 20-70mm F4 G lens from Sony offers an ultra-wide zoom range of 20 mm to 70 mm and a constant F4 aperture. It utilizes the latest lens design and XD Linear Motors technology to deliver high-quality images in any situation. The 20 mm end of the zoom range also enables videographers to maintain a wide angle of view when shooting in a 16:9 or 2.35:1 aspect ratio. It is ideal for photographers and videographers looking to minimize their equipment while still achieving great results.
The FE 20-70mm F4 G lens offers exceptional image quality and beautiful bokeh that lives up to the G Lens standard.
The lens features two AA elements, one aspherical element, three ED glass elements and one ED aspherical element for advanced correction of chromatic and spherical aberrations resulting in high optical performance throughout the zoom range.
The coatings are optimized for increased resistance to flare and ghosting, ensuring extraordinary contrast and clarity. The full-frame image sensors and 9-blade circular aperture, and optimally tuned spherical aberration lead to beautiful bokeh, making this lens an excellent choice for capturing impressive and memorable imagery.
The FE 20-70mm F4 G lens allows for easy manoeuvring around subjects with its short minimum focusing distance, with a minimum focusing distance of 0.3 meters at the wide end and 0.25 meters at the telephoto end when using autofocus. Additionally, the lens offers a maximum magnification of 0.39x for capturing dynamic and detailed close-ups.
The FE 20-70mm F4 G lens is equipped with two of Sony’s latest XD Linear Motors that provides fast, quiet, and low-vibration focus drive. The motors have improved thrust efficiency over previous models, resulting in a 60% increase in AF speed and a two times improvement in tracking performance for capturing fast-moving subjects with consistency and precision.
The lens can shoot continuous stills of fast-moving subjects at up to 30 frames per second with the Alpha 1 body and can smoothly record when shooting high-frame-rate video.
The FE 20-70mm F4 G lens is a compact and lightweight lens that utilizes the latest lens technology to reduce focus breathing and focus and axial shift when zooming, ensuring high-quality images are captured. Additionally, it’s designed for quiet operation when shooting movies, with advanced XD linear motors and a new aperture unit that reduces noise and vibration. It works well with Alpha series cameras’ Active Mode image stabilization, providing excellent image stabilization performance while maintaining a wide angle of view.
The lens also features two high-thrust XD Linear Motors and a high-level control system for easy and accurate focus and smooth tracking of fast-moving subjects, Linear Response MF for direct and linear manual focusing and an independent aperture ring for intuitive aperture control.
The FE 20-70mm F4 G lens has independent focus, zoom, and aperture rings for full control when shooting stills and maximum versatility when recording video. It also has customizable focus hold buttons and a focus mode switch for easy access and convenient control. It is compatible with circular polarising filters and includes an Iris Lock switch to prevent unwanted changes while shooting. The lens is also dust and moisture-resistant, and the front lens element features a fluorine coating to repel fingerprints, dust, water, oil, and other contaminants.