Tech Talk

Quickly, Potterheads, to Facebook! Wanna feel old? The first Harry Potter book was released 20 years ago today. Don't let that bum you out, though. In celebration of this anniversary, Facebook has turned a few of your favorite words into spells you and your friends can activate on both the app and the website. Here's how it works! Casting a Harry Potter spell on Facebook

source: youtube

I’m old enough to remember the first Sony Playstation, and truthfully, I freak out a bit when people tell me their first console was the PS2 or PS3.  Those people actually consider the PS1 “retro”, which means I’m just old. But those people also missed out on some truly incredible Sony games (for that day and age, anyway).  Those games included the PS1 versions Gran Turismo 2, Tekken 3, Metal Gear Solid, and more. Of course those gamers who can list the PS2 and PS3 and their first console are quickly aging too. After all, it’s entirely likely that most people in today’s generation will have their first video game experience on a smartphone. Perhaps that’s why it’s so cool to hear the news that Sony has created a gaming division specifically designed to bring its Playstation titles to iOS and Android.  Generation Smartphone will soon be able to experience the “retro” games many of us reading this grew up with. Here’s everything you need to know.

Taking a look back at seven days of news and headlines across the world of Android, this week’s Android Circuit includes third-party destructive reviews of the Galaxy S8, Samsung’s problems with Bixby, why the Note 8 will have to fight the S8, a curved screen for the new Pixel smartphones, the return of the Note 7, Android Pay’s steady improvements, WileyFox’s move back to stock Android, and asking if Microsoft should start shipping an Android handset.

The battery tech that powers most of our smartphones hasn’t changed much in the past few decades, but common knowledge about how to keep them in tip-top shape? That’s even worse. Here are the top five most common smartphone battery-life myths that need to die if you want to prolong your phone's overall lifespan, straight from the world’s leading battery experts.

YouTube will soon offer a streaming TV service for people who don't want to pay for traditional cable.  Google launched YouTube TV on Tuesday, which will cost $35 a month and offer access to content from broadcast networks as well as YouTube.  YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki said people around the world watch one billion hours of YouTube content each day, and younger generations don't want to consume television through traditional channels. 

So you've got an iPad, but have come to the dawning realisation that you've got no cash left to buy any games for it. Have no fear, because the App Store offers plenty of iPad gaming goodness for the (unintentional or otherwise) skinflint. Haven't bought an iPad yet and not sure which is best? We've got them listed on our best iPad ranking - or you can check out the best tablets list to see the full range available now.