Category Archives: Technology

Technology

How to Fix a Non-Working Laptop Touchpad

If you’re facing issues with the touchpad on your Windows laptop, the most likely cause is the drivers. Unless there is a hardware problem, which would be easily noticeable, the problem is likely related to the mouse and pointer drivers. There are two options you can try to fix the issue.

Option 1: Update the Driver

  1. Type “Device Manager” in the Start menu search bar.
  2. Open the Device Manager.
  3. Expand either the “Human Interface Devices” or “Mice and other pointing devices” tab.
  4. Locate your trackpad on the list.
  5. Right-click on your trackpad and select “Update driver”.

The update wizard will automatically check for driver updates and install them if available.

Option 2: Reinstall the Driver

  1. Type “Device Manager” in the Start menu search bar.
  2. Open the Device Manager.
  3. Expand either the “Human Interface Devices” or “Mice and other pointing devices” tab.
  4. Locate your trackpad on the list.
  5. Right-click on your trackpad and select “Uninstall device”.
  6. Confirm the uninstallation.
  7. Restart your PC.

When your PC restarts, Windows will automatically detect the missing driver and reinstall it, hopefully resolving any touchpad issues in the process.

Technology

5 Of The Best Tesla Powerwall Features

The Tesla Powerwall offers attractive pricing, warranties, and maintenance costs to make it appealing to customers seeking reliable and efficient energy storage solutions. The cost of installing a Tesla Powerwall varies depending on factors like the number of Powerwalls needed, installation complexity, and regional considerations.

The estimated price range for a Powerwall is between $9,200 and $14,200 (location dependent), excluding any incentives. While the upfront cost may seem high, customers can justify the expense by considering the long-term benefits of backup power and potential cost savings through solar generation.

Buyers also get an impressive warranty, including a 10-year battery lifetime, free replacements and repairs, an unlimited cycle warranty, and 24/7 support. The Tesla Powerwall warranty ensures that their investment is protected and provides reassurance regarding the longevity of the Powerwall.

The Powerwall has minimal ongoing maintenance expenses as well, reducing long-term ownership costs. The low maintenance requirements make the Powerwall a convenient and hassle-free solution for homeowners and businesses alike. If the price is still too steep, there are Tesla Powerwall alternatives worth considering as well.

Technology

Snapchat My AI Vs. ChatGPT: Which AI Chatbot Is Best?

When it comes to AI chatbots, ChatGPT and Snapchat My AI offer different features and experiences. ChatGPT has gained attention with its “CatGPT” tool, which provides funny cat GIFs with every response. While this is a unique and impressive feature, it doesn’t automatically make ChatGPT the winner in terms of aesthetics.

On the other hand, Snapchat My AI aims to integrate the chatbot into the Snapchat app and allow users to personalize it according to their preferences. With My AI, users can customize its name and wallpaper, making it appear as a friend on their Chat tab. Additionally, they can even give My AI a Bitmoji makeover to match their own style. This personalized approach aims to create a more interactive and enjoyable chatting experience.

However, the transition of My AI from being exclusive to Plus subscribers to being available to all Snapchat users didn’t receive a warm response. This change was met with mixed reactions, similar to U2’s controversial move of adding “Songs of Innocence” to every iTunes account. While ChatGPT offers a more straightforward and serious experience, Snapchat’s My AI adds a touch of quirkiness and color to conversations.

Technology

CPU Purchasing Tips: 5 Key Considerations for Choosing the Right Processor

When buying a new processor, it’s important to select the right one based on your specific needs. While a mid-range processor can handle basic tasks, more demanding activities like gaming or video editing require high-performance processors with multiple cores and faster clock speeds.

Gamers should prioritize processors with high single-core performance to ensure smooth gameplay and avoid bottlenecks. The Intel Core i5-13600K or AMD Ryzen 5 7600X are good options that offer a balance between price and performance, delivering sufficient power for modern games.

Professionals working on tasks like video editing and 3D rendering need processors that excel in multi-threaded performance. For these purposes, processors with higher core counts and faster clock speeds, such as the Intel Core i9-13900K or AMD Ryzen 9 7950X, are more suitable. These processors provide the necessary processing power to handle complex computations and reduce rendering times significantly.

Aside from core counts and clock speeds, there are other important factors to consider, including integrated graphics, cache size, and platform compatibility.

Technology

How To Connect A Canon Printer To WiFi

Photograph from Canon printer Bloomberg/Getty Images

It’s a little disheartening to think about just how many of our once-beloved devices have become largely obsolete. Good old CD and DVD players, for instance, have been left behind by millions with the advent of streaming services leaving a sizable dent in the very concept of physical media. A trusty printer, however, is still a precious commodity.

Industry behemoth Canon is one of the biggest manufacturers of these office staples. A crucial part of its success, naturally, would be adapting the product to the market and to customers’ requirements, ensuring convenience and ease of use. In the case of a printer specifically, the ability to connect to the device via WiFi is a huge boon for avoiding cable-wrangling or USB port juggling.

Luckily, many Canon models make this process easy. Here’s how to do it on some of the manufacturer’s most popular models, and how to adapt the process depending on whether you’re using Mac or PC.

Connecting the Canon Pixma TS702 and TS6220 to WiFi

A Canon TS6330 printer Bloomberg/Getty Images

Canon’s Pixma TS702 Wireless (the PIXMA line remaining a standout in its field) is, as the title implies, wireless. A WiFi connection, as such, is crucial for use, as are mobile devices for its scanner function. It’s fortunate, then, that the manufacturer ensured the process of connecting it is rather simple. Here’s how it’s done on a TS702:

  1. Open the Setup Menu by pressing Setup on the front of the unit.

  2. Scroll to Wi-Fi setup, confirm, and opt for Manual connect.

  3. Choose the router you wish to connect to from the Select router menu and confirm again.

  4. On the next screen, input the password for the chosen router. After briefly holding the button to confirm a third time, the display will read, Apply?

  5. Opt to apply the settings you’ve selected.

  6. If the TS702’s display now features those iconic bars displaying connectivity, you have been successful.

  7. Canon adds that, per the wireless model’s needs, the software to use the device must be installed on the device used with it.

Canon’s TS6220 model also offers a function the manufacturer deems Easy Wireless Connect. Here’s how to utilize it:

  1. Press the button marked by the icon of two looped paper clips, and select Yes when prompted that “Settings will be made on a computer, smartphone etc.”

  2. As before, run the associated software, depending on whether the printer will be controlled via a PC or Mac. The associated software is available on Canon’s Support page.

Cableless setup

Canon Selphy CP1200 WiFi printer Alex Wong/Getty Images

Canon’s PIXMA E484, 494, and 495 models can be connected using a feature that Canon calls Cableless setup. To do this, the process is similar to that of the Pixma TS702:

  1. Select setup from the front of the device, then scroll to Wireless LAN setup.

  2. Confirm your choice of Other setup, followed by Cableless setup from the following screen.

  3. As before, the relevant software for the device that will control the printer will be needed. Canon’s Consumer Product Support page provides the software for these three models for users on Windows.

As tends to be the case with manufacturers, the instructions to connect a Canon printer to WiFi don’t differ very much from model to model. The process has refined somewhat over time, though (the Product Support page for these models suggests CD-ROM installation for the software, a function that many computers won’t have access to), so it’s crucial to have access to appropriate troubleshooting help should things go awry. To this end, Canon support offers a “Select your product” search box that allows users to find documentation specific to the model in question. There are tips that can be helpful for all printers (should they be working slowly, for instance), too, though.

Technology

Enabling Dark Mode On Any Website: A Step-By-Step Guide For Android

When using the web on an Android device, enabling Dark Mode can have critical benefits such as reducing eye strain and improving battery life, especially on OLED screens.

The comfort of Dark Mode comes from the reduced brightness and contrast it offers, which helps alleviate eye strain. Bright screens can lead to computer vision syndrome, but with Dark Mode, the lower luminance provides a more relaxing viewing experience, especially in low-light conditions.

For Android devices with OLED screens, enabling Dark Mode also has a significant battery-saving advantage. Unlike LCD screens that use a backlight to illuminate all pixels simultaneously, OLED displays have individual pixels that emit their own light. As a result, dark pixels on OLED screens consume less power, allowing for better battery performance and longer usage away from the charger.

Whether you want to reduce eye strain or conserve battery life, enabling Dark Mode can significantly enhance your browsing experience on Android. Follow this step-by-step guide to turn it on and enjoy the benefits.

Technology

All The Most Popular Map Apps For Android Ranked Worst To Best

When it comes to navigation apps, convenience and ease of use are crucial. However, one particular app, CoPilot GPS Navigation, may not be the most user-friendly option for Android users. Despite its attractive graphics and popularity, CoPilot’s setup process can be quite challenging.

Upon opening the app, users are immediately faced with a mandatory sign-up page that cannot be skipped. This means users are required to create an account without the option for guest access, and there is no need for email verification. Following this step, users must then decide the type of vehicle they are using, whether it’s a car, semi-truck, or RV. This choice comes with restrictive warnings and potential additional purchases.

After facing complicated menus, long downloads, and anxiety-inducing warnings, users finally have their CoPilot app ready for navigation. However, before they can even enter their first destination, a pop-up appears informing them that this is just a 14-day trial, and they must purchase the app for continued use.

It’s important to note that CoPilot GPS Navigation is a paid app with a high price tag. Considering the abundance of other navigation apps available, it may be hard to justify investing in CoPilot. While it does offer offline maps, turn-by-turn directions, and voice guidance, there are alternative options that provide a smoother and more user-friendly experience at a lower cost.

Technology

11 Essential Free Apps for Mac Users

When it comes to video editing, many Mac users rely on iMovie, which is a pre-installed and free-to-use software. However, iMovie has its limitations and might not meet everyone’s needs. While there are premium options like Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere Pro available, they can be expensive.

Fortunately, Mac users can explore DaVinci Resolve, a completely free video editing software that offers a lot of functionality even in its basic version. Although there is a paid version, the free version of DaVinci Resolve surpasses iMovie with features such as color correction, 8K editing, and visual effects.

Technology

5 Reasons Why You Should Choose Google Bard Over ChatGPT

Google Bard surpasses ChatGPT in multiple aspects. Unlike ChatGPT, which only accepts written prompts, Google Bard supports both written and spoken inputs. With its microphone access feature, users can interact with the AI chatbot using their voice. By simply clicking on the microphone icon, users can speak their prompts, watch Bard transcribe it, and receive a response. This feature makes Google Bard more inclusive and user-friendly, especially for individuals who are unable to physically use a mouse and keyboard.

Google Bard allows users to utilize audio inputs similar to text prompts. Instead of typing a request, users can comfortably communicate with Bard through speech. Whether it’s inquiring about recent news, requesting a Facebook caption for a store anniversary, having it generate code for a Raspberry Pi project, or even translating languages, Bard’s audio prompts prove to be highly advantageous. While it currently supports only three languages (U.S. English, Korean, and Japanese) at the moment, the developers are actively working on expanding the language options, providing users with the possibility of utilizing additional languages in the future.

News, Technology

Squarespace to Acquire Google Domains Assets from Alphabet

Squarespace has announced its plan to purchase the assets of Google Domains, making it the new marketplace for almost 10 million domains previously associated with Google’s short-lived venture. To address concerns about domain renewal, Squarespace guarantees that it will honor the existing renewal prices for Google Domains customers for at least 12 months after the transaction is complete.

Both companies claim that the process of transferring domains will be smooth, although this is usually not the case. It is uncertain whether Squarespace will increase prices or promote its website-building services after the 12-month period of honoring renewal rates.

Nevertheless, this acquisition presents a significant business opportunity for Squarespace. According to the company’s announcement, it will be the exclusive domain marketplace for individuals seeking a domain with a minimum three-year subscription to Google Workspace. Squarespace, known for its website-building platform, also offers domain name registration services. For current Google Domains customers, no immediate action is required. Squarespace allows users to transfer their website to its platform and move their custom domain from one site to another, as long as it is hosted on Squarespace servers.