Operating system families

While we're long past the days where a wired USB to Lightning connection was necessary to install iPhone software updates, sometimes it's still an easier way to go — for example, if you have a limited data connection and no Wi-Fi available. And if you run into the dreaded "iPhone Unavailable" error, you may not have any other option but to plug your iPhone in and restore it to factory settings the old-fashioned way. While this process runs smoothly most of the time, there are scenarios where you may run into a snag.…

Cloud storage platforms are a great way to store and safeguard important files and folders, and Microsoft OneDrive is one of the best platforms for the job. Offering numerous ways to back up Windows and Microsoft 365 content, the OneDrive suite is available for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Kindle, and Xbox One, so you definitely won’t have to worry about compatibility. If OneDrive sounds like a backup tool you’re interested in using, you might be curious as to how you’ll go about syncing files and folders to…

Whether you want to capture friends and relatives making funny faces on Skype or need accessible photos of online resources or programs, screenshots benefit users in many ways. Since the Surface Pros are a bit different than other 2-in-1 laptops, however, you may find yourself wondering how to take a screenshot on one. Here, we take the mystery out of the But what if you want to take a screenshot on a tablet? Most methods for doing so feature capturing an image via a button combination or tool. For Microsoft…

SD cards are incredibly versatile and can be used across a wide range of devices. However, most SD cards need to be formatted before they can be properly used on a new laptop or camera. If you don't format the card, you'll likely run into compatibility issues and problems storing all your files. Formatting is also a great option if your card is receiving errors, as it'll essentially return it to its factory settings. Need help performing the task? Here's how to format SD cards on Mac. The process is rather simple…

iPhone has a bunch of cool features, but few are as useful as contact groups. As of iOS 16, Apple lets you pool contacts together into groups, making it easy to spam out messages to family, friends, or colleagues without needing to tinker with a bunch of clunky settings. You don't even need any extra software or apps – as long as you're running iOS 16 or later, you can quickly make a contact group on your iPhone. In this guide, we'll show you exactly how to create a contact group on your iPhone, how to send…

Windows 11 is a pretty powerful operating system for productivity. And its ability to snap windows in various configurations is incredibly helpful as it makes multitasking a breeze and managing multiple applications much more efficient. But Windows 11's split screen features can't help you if you don't know how to use them. In this guide, we'll show you how to use the operating system's split screen tools, including Snap Layouts and Snap Assist. And we'll even go over how to disable Windows 11's split screen…

Microsoft Most Windows users will agree that one of the most annoying things about the operating system is the updates. While Windows Updates are necessary, they often tend to come up at the worst possible time, interrupting work and gaming sessions with persistent reminders that the system needs to reboot. Microsoft might be fixing that problem in the upcoming Windows 11 24H2 build, but it’s still too early to bid farewell to those ill-timed reboots. As spotted in the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26058,…

Joe Maring / Digital Trends Motorola and Lenovo have just announced Smart Connect at MWC 2024. Smart Connect allows users a seamless multi-device experience between their PC, phone, and tablet. Basically, it’s like the device integration you expect in Apple’s ecosystem but with Motorola and Lenovo devices. Smart Connect is a big step for both Motorola and Lenovo, as it shows off both companies’ commitment to delivering a smarter software solution for everyone. The Smart Connect ecosystem will benefit all consumers,…

Xiaomi Remember when you could change the faceplate on old Nokia phones? Well, Xiaomi has updated that feature for 2024 and applied it to a smartwatch instead. On the new Xiaomi Watch S3 (announced at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024), you can twist and remove the bezel around the screen and replace it with another for a new look, then see the watch face automatically switch to an exclusive one that complements it. You can also match it with a new strap. The options include Chrome Yellow, Rainbow, Dual-tone…

Your desktop, whether Windows or Mac, is the handiest spot for the applications, files, and folders you use most. Maybe you’d like to organize your desktop icons by placing some in a folder. Or perhaps, you want to set up a folder for new files you plan to create for quick desktop access. Whatever your reason or purpose, here’s how to create a folder on your desktop on Windows and Mac. Create a folder on a Windows desktopCreating a folder on your Windows desktop is super simple and you have more than one way…