10 Best News Apps for Android and iOS

By

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December 26, 2023

Are you tired of sifting through countless websites and social media platforms to get your daily dose of news? Well, you’re in luck! We’ve done the legwork for you and compiled a list of the best news apps for Android and iOS.

Contents

1 Why Mobile News Apps?
2 Best News Apps for Android and iOS:

Why Mobile News Apps?

What are. the reasons for choosing an app for reading news on Android and iOS:

Convenience: Get all your news in one place.
Customization: Tailor your news feed according to your interests.
Stay Informed: Never miss out on crucial updates, from natural disasters to political events.
Quick Sharing: A couple of taps to share articles across social media or messaging apps.

Best News Apps for Android and iOS:

1. Artifact

Artifact is an advanced AI-powered news app for Android and iOS to curate a news feed tailored to your interests. Whether you’re into tech, movies, or cryptocurrencies, this app has got you covered. You can even log in to your subscriptions, and Artifact will recommend the best articles from your paid sources. The app analyzes user behaviour and preferences to provide tailored news recommendations, ensuring users receive relevant and engaging articles. Artifact isn’t just about news; it allows users to explore links from across the web, including product pages, app reviews, and even architecture galleries. The visual feed of links is driven by AI and community contributions, making it a diverse platform for information. Additionally, Artifact employs AI-generated summaries and contextual insights, offering concise summaries and background information for a deeper understanding of news stories.

Google Play

AppStore

2. Google News

Google News is a one-stop-shop for all your news needs. The news app stands out as a personalized news aggregator designed to keep you informed and engaged. Google News shows personalized news recommendations based on user preferences and reading habits. The app’s “For You” section presents trending and relevant stories, while the “Full Coverage” feature provides a comprehensive overview of news topics from various sources. Google News also supports offline reading, allowing users to download articles for later consumption. With its combination of AI-driven customization and intuitive design, Google News ensures that users stay informed with tailored news content that aligns with their interests.

Google Play

AppStore

3. Flipboard

Flipboard is a highly regarded news app for Android and iOS known for its visually captivating magazine-style layout. It lets users personalize news feeds by selecting topics and following specific publications. With a vast array of content from reputable sources, Flipboard ensures users have access to diverse perspectives. Its content curation capabilities, driven by algorithms and human editors, provide personalized news collections and magazines based on users’ interests. Flipboard sets itself apart with its “Flipboard TV” feature, enabling users to watch video news content within the app. Additionally, users can create their own magazines, curating and sharing articles based on their preferences.

Google Play

AppStore

4. Apple News

Apple News is a revolutionary news aggregator app designed specifically for iOS users. Developed by Apple Inc., this app provides users with a seamless reading experience across all their devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs. With Apple News, users can easily stay updated on the latest news and information that matters most to them. One of the key features of Apple News is its editorially curated content. Experienced editors handpick the day’s top stories from trusted sources, ensuring that users receive accurate and reliable information. Additionally, advanced algorithms help users discover new topics and articles based on their interests and preferences.

~~Google Play~~

AppStore

5. SmartNews

SmartNews is a popular news app that provides users with a personalized feed of news articles from multiple sources. The app’s main feature is its ability to analyze millions of articles daily and deliver the top trending news stories influencing the world at present. Users can browse headlines quickly, customize their channels, and read news offline, making it an excellent free alternative to other popular news apps for Android and iOS.

Google Play

AppStore

6. Inshorts

Inshorts is not just another news app for iOS and Android; it’s a unique approach to news consumption. Inshorts has become a go-to source for quick and reliable news updates. The app curates the latest and most relevant news from multiple national and international sources and presents them in a concise 60-word format. This makes it easier for users to stay informed without having to sift through lengthy articles. The app is available in both English and Hindi, catering to a broader audience.

Google Play

AppStore

7. Way2News

Way2News is a standout news app for iOS and Android — particularly for those who prefer their news in local Indian languages. The app provides hyperlocal short news in various Indian languages like Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi, Malayalam, Marathi, Bengali, and Gujarati. This makes it an excellent choice for people who want to stay updated on local events in their native language. The app covers a wide range of topics, from politics and business to entertainment and sports, ensuring that there’s something for everyone.

Google Play

AppStore

8. Pocket

Pocket is a versatile app that goes beyond news reading by allowing users to save articles, videos, and web pages for later consumption. It offers a clean and user-friendly interface, making saving and organizing content easy. Its offline reading feature enables users to access saved articles without the internet, which is ideal for on-the-go reading. Pocket also synchronizes saved content across multiple devices, ensuring a seamless reading experience across platforms. Its integration with other apps allows users to save articles from various sources in one centralized location. Additionally, Pocket’s discover feature suggests new articles based on users’ interests and saved content, expanding their reading horizons.

Google Play

AppStore

9. Feedly

Feedly is a powerful news aggregator app that allows users to gather and organize their favourite news sources in one place. With a clean and intuitive interface, Feedly provides easy navigation and access to many news articles. It stands out as the best app for reading news due to its comprehensive collection of reputable news sources, ensuring a diverse and well-rounded news reading experience. Feedly’s powerful organization system allows users to categorize subscriptions into folders and tags, enabling efficient management of news feeds and prioritization of specific topics. The app also offers unique features such as “Read Later,” allowing users to save articles for future reading, and collaboration capabilities for sharing and curating content.

Google Play

AppStore

10. Microsoft Start

Microsoft Start, formerly known as Bing News, is a highly personalized news app for mobile that offers a visually appealing interface and curated news content. The app delivers a personalized news experience by learning from users’ reading habits and interests, ensuring a customized news feed. Microsoft Start also provides a seamless cross-device experience, allowing users to access their personalized news feed and saved articles on different devices. One unique feature is its integration with other Microsoft services, enabling users to access news content directly from the Start menu on Windows devices.

Google Play

AppStore

So, you’ve made it to the end of this comprehensive guide, and you’re probably wondering, “Which news app should I download?” The answer is as unique as you are. Your choice will hinge on various factors — your preferred platform, your news consumption habits, your tolerance for ads, and even your appetite for global perspectives.

End of Support: About 240 Million Windows 10 PCs Could Soon End Up in Trash

By

Adwaith

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December 26, 2023

Windows 10 PCs Could Soon End Up in Trash

Microsoft has announced plans to end support for the Windows 10 operating system by October 2025. This move is expected to result in the disposal of approximately 240 million PCs, potentially leading to a considerable increase in electronic waste. The anticipated e-waste from these devices could weigh around 480 million kilograms, equating to the heft of 320,000 cars, as per Canalys Research‘s estimates.

The cessation of Windows 10 support is poised to create a mountain of electronic waste, posing a significant challenge to global waste management and recycling efforts. If these computers were laptops folded and stacked, they would form a towering pile over 4,000 kilometers high, surpassing the moon by 600 kilometers. This vivid illustration highlights the scale of the potential e-waste problem that could emerge in the wake of this technological transition.

From an economic perspective, the end of Windows 10 support presents a dilemma for both individual users and businesses. Microsoft’s plan to offer security updates until October 2028, albeit at an undisclosed annual cost, raises questions about the cost-effectiveness of maintaining older PCs versus investing in new ones. This decision could significantly influence market dynamics, potentially leading to a surge in PC replacements.

Transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is not a straightforward process. PCs must meet specific hardware requirements, including a compatible 64-bit processor, a minimum of 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, and the crucial TPM 2.0 for enhanced security. This technological barrier means that a substantial number of PCs, currently running Windows 10, may not be eligible for the upgrade, rendering them obsolete.

The impending end of Windows 10 support has sparked concern among environmental groups and public interest research groups (PIRG). They warn that this move could lead to the obsolescence of more computers than any other action in history. In response, there have been calls for Microsoft to extend the support timeline, highlighting the potential conflict between the company’s environmental goals and the consequences of this decision.

As the 2025 deadline approaches, the tech industry and consumers are faced with a critical challenge. Balancing technological advancement with environmental responsibility has never been more crucial. This situation presents an opportunity for innovation in recycling and refurbishing technology, as well as in developing more sustainable computing solutions.

15 Best Habit Tracker Apps For Mobile To Quit Bad Habits In 2024

By

Sabarinath

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December 24, 2023

Breaking bad habits can be a Herculean task, but with technology at our fingertips, it’s becoming easier to foster healthier behaviors. From gamified experiences to insightful analytics, habit tracking apps are revolutionizing the way we approach personal development. Let’s dive into some of the best habit tracker apps designed to help you ditch detrimental routines and adopt healthier ones, ensuring you’re not just tracking habits, but transforming your life.

Contents

1 Habit Tracker Apps To Quit Bad Habits:

Habit Tracker Apps To Quit Bad Habits:

1. QuitNow!

QuitNow is a comprehensive app recommended by the WHO, designed to help users quit smoking. It tracks your smoke-free days, money saved, and cigarettes avoided, offering a clear view of your progress. The app sets achievable goals and celebrates your milestones, enhancing motivation. A unique feature is its community chat, where ex-smokers share experiences and support each other. QuitNow also shows health improvements over time, based on WHO data, and includes a helpful FAQ section and a responsive bot for additional queries.

Google Play

AppStore

2. Quitzilla

Quitzilla is a versatile and user-friendly mobile application designed to assist individuals in overcoming self-harming habits and addictions. It features a Sobriety Counter to track days of abstinence, showing money and time saved. The app includes an Addiction Tracker for logging struggles and progress, and a Rewards system that calculates money saved from not indulging in bad habits. Additionally, it offers motivational quotes and detailed statistics about each habit.

Google Play

AppStore

3. HabitShare

HabitShare is a social habit tracker app for mobile that allows users to track and share their habits with friends for extra accountability. It offers unique features like privacy controls, reminders, messaging with gifs, streaks, and charts. Designed for both iOS and Android, HabitShare’s user-friendly interface makes habit tracking engaging and communal, encouraging users to stay motivated through shared goals and support. Recent updates have enhanced its functionality, focusing on user experience and connectivity.

Google Play

AppStore

4. Badabits

Badabits is a child-friendly app designed to help kids develop good habits and break bad ones through a fun, game-like experience. It features an adventure where children transform monsters (Badabits) back into helpful creatures (Goodabits) by practicing healthy habits. The app includes 18 different habits to improve, 12 unique characters, and rewards for good behavior. It’s free, ad-free, and prioritizes children’s privacy, making it an engaging and safe tool for parents to encourage positive habit formation in their kids.

Google Play

AppStore

5. Headspace

Headspace is a popular app designed to improve mental health and wellness. It offers over 500 guided meditations on various topics, including stress relief and sleep improvement. The app also features sleep sounds, calming music, and focus-enhancing tracks. Headspace helps users manage anxiety, improve sleep, and practice daily mindfulness.

Google Play

AppStore

6. Sober Time

Sober Time designed to help individuals overcome addictions like substance abuse and alcoholism. It features a sober day counter, a supportive community, and a personal journal for tracking progress. The app motivates users with daily messages, allows tracking of multiple addictions, and shows money saved over time. Its community aspect offers a platform for sharing experiences and gaining support.

Google Play

AppStore

7. StickK

StickK designed to help users achieve their goals through a unique combination of commitment contracts, financial stakes, and social accountability. Created by behavioral economists, it allows users to set personal goals, choose an accountability partner, and optionally place a monetary stake on their commitment. The app emphasizes personal, financial, and social accountability, encouraging users to stay on track with their objectives. StickK offers a supportive community and a structured approach to goal-setting, making it an effective tool for anyone looking to make significant life changes or break bad habits.

Google Play

AppStore

8. Helpic

Helpic allows users to select a habit, assess its impact, and track progress. The app includes features like a reset timer and rewards for self-restraint, aiding in breaking bad habits and fostering positive change. It’s a user-friendly tool for anyone looking to transform their lifestyle and develop good habits.

Google Play

~~AppStore~~

9. Streaks

Streaks is an award-winning iOS habit-tracking app. It allows tracking up to 24 tasks daily, aiming to create long streaks of consistent behavior. The app is highly customizable with various themes and icons, syncs across Apple devices, and integrates with the Health app. It’s available for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch, priced at $4.99, making it a versatile tool for personal improvement and habit management.

~~Google Play~~

AppStore

10. Loop Habit Tracker

Loop is an open-source Android app and totally free habit tracker app with no ads to keep track of various types of habits that you have proposed to implement in your life. Key features include a simple, modern interface, a unique habit strength score, detailed graphs for tracking progress, and flexible scheduling for various habit frequencies. It also offers personalized reminders, home screen widgets for easy tracking, and is completely ad-free and open-source. Respecting user privacy, it works offline and allows data export for further analysis.

Google Play

~~AppStore~~

11. HabitHub

HabitHub is a comprehensive habit tracking app designed to help users develop and maintain good habits. It features streaks for motivation, a full-featured calendar, and powerful reminders, including smartwatch compatibility. The app offers flexible habit scheduling, categorization, and insightful progress graphs. With user-friendly themes, widgets, and data safety features, HabitHub is an effective tool for personal growth and habit management.

Google Play

~~AppStore~~

12. Freedom

Freedom is a versatile app designed to help users break free from bad habits like smoking, alcohol addiction, excessive screen time, and more. It tracks the time and money saved from avoiding these habits, providing motivational support and progress visualization. The app emphasizes replacing negative habits with positive ones, aiding users in their journey towards a healthier lifestyle.

Google Play

~~AppStore~~

13. Bad Choice Tracker

Bad Choice Tracker focuses on building awareness of negative behaviors rather than immediate improvement. Key features include quick logging, trend analysis, and correlation between bad choices and daily events. The app emphasizes privacy with data stored locally and an optional Google Drive backup. It’s a useful app for those seeking to understand and change their habits by increasing self-awareness.

Google Play

~~AppStore~~

14. Break Bad Habits

Break Bad Habits features a unique habit management system where users can track each bad habit with a timer and a personalized icon. The app includes a Habit Event Calendar for visual tracking of habits, an Abstinence Schedule to monitor periods without the habit, and detailed statistics like average and maximum abstinence times. Additionally, it offers a home screen widget for easy access and motivation.

Google Play

~~AppStore~~

15. No Relapse

No Relapse is a Made in India habit tracker app that help you to quit bad habits. It features a simple interface, a sobriety clock for tracking progress, and a section filled with motivational quotes and images. It is a valuable tool for anyone looking to break free from harmful habits and addictions.

Google Play

~~AppStore~~

The journey to break bad habits and form positive ones is challenging yet fulfilling. These habit tracker apps offer diverse approaches, from data-driven analytics to fun, gamified experiences. By leveraging these tools, you can make significant strides towards a healthier, more productive lifestyle. Remember, the power to change lies within you; these apps are merely catalysts in your transformative journey.

Apple Wants to Run AI Tools Like ChatGPT Directly on the iPhone

By

Amaya Simon

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December 24, 2023

Apple is making strides in artificial intelligence, with significant implications for its flagship product, the iPhone. Researchers at Apple have recently published studies revealing a series of AI-driven features that could potentially transform the iPhone user experience.

Unlike its competitors, Apple has maintained a low profile in its AI advancements. However, the recent publication of research papers indicates that Apple is preparing to introduce new functions for iPhones. These developments include a rumored chatbot and a project involving digital avatars.

One of the most notable advancements is Apple’s development of a method to operate large language models (LLMs), like those powering ChatGPT, on iPhones with limited DRAM memory. This would allow iPhones and iPads to run AI systems directly, instead of relying on external servers. The research, titled “LLM in a Flash,” addresses a significant computational bottleneck by optimizing data transfer and reading in the memory flash, offering a more efficient approach to running these models.

Apple is reportedly working on its own generative AI model, tentatively named “Ajax” or “Apple GPT.” With an impressive 200 billion parameters, Ajax is designed to rival OpenAI’s GPT-3 and GPT-4 models in language understanding and generation. Also, at the end of last month, Apple introduced MLX, a framework for developing machine learning models.

Apart from that, Apple is using LLM technology to revamp Siri into a more powerful virtual assistant. This development is part of a broader effort to integrate AI into Apple’s suite of applications, with expectations for a reveal at the WWDC 2024 during the iOS 18 developer preview.

Another intriguing project involves creating animatable digital avatars from brief videos. This AI generative tool, HUGS, can generate animated avatars from 50 to 100 frames of video, offering potential applications in social media, gaming, and augmented reality. The capacity to animate and place avatars in various scenes, utilizing the iPhone’s camera and processing power.

Apple’s AI endeavors come at a time when the mobile industry is increasingly focusing on AI. Competitors like Google, Microsoft backed OpenAI are also exploring AI integration in smartphones. Market research predicts that by 2024, over 100 million AI-centric smartphones will be shipped, with a projection that 40% of new devices will offer AI functions by 2027.

7 Benefits of Converting Your Website into an App

By

Subith

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December 24, 2023

Consumers interact with businesses online in several ways these days. Websites still form an important part of the user experience, but apps have become just as important, if not more so.

While people use apps primarily to execute daily tasks, apps are also useful as a way to store and access knowledge or references. If your company is in the ecommerce niche, turning your website into an app is a no-brainer.

If you’re wondering how to make a website into an app, there’s good news. This process can be relatively simple. What’s more important is that you understand the benefits you receive when turning your business’ website into an app.

Contents

1 Better UX
2 Native Mobile Feature Access
3 Greater Brand Recognition
4 More Retention
5 Offline Access
6 More Monetization Opportunities
7 Reach More People
8 Apps Are a Great Choice

Better UX

Mobile usage is more prevalent than ever, with apps accounting for about 88% of the time people spend on their phones. In this sense, creating an app puts your business in line with usage trends. Apps are designed for smaller mobile screens and offer a far more optimized user experience than a website.

Often, scaling websites down to mobile-friendly versions breaks their functionality, and you might find yourself making design compromises when doing so. The result is less than ideal UI that costs you conversions.

Mobile apps don’t face such issues and offer fast loading times, smooth navigation, and more user engagement.

Native Mobile Feature Access

Access to native features is also compelling several businesses to convert their websites into apps. Smartphones come with several powerful features built in, and leveraging them makes sense for most companies.

For instance, you can create offers for customers who are close to one of your locations. You can do this by creating an app that uses the phone’s GPS location signal. These experiences are highly challenging to deliver via a website, or close to impossible.

By leveraging native features, you can increase user engagement. For instance, push notifications can help you alert customers to offers. You can also learn more about your audience’s preferences by analyzing app usage data and creating more interactive experiences. At the end of the day, apps involve users more and can be tailored around your customers’ choices.

Greater Brand Recognition

People spend a ton of time on their mobile devices, and having an installed presence on them is a great way of boosting brand recognition.

With push notifications and an app icon, your customers will be more likely to remember you when they have a need.

A creative icon also helps you stand out in ways that a website cannot deliver. The sum of all these features is that your brand gains more recognition through an app compared to a website.

More Retention

Customer retention is a significant problem for most companies these days. Consumers have more choice than ever, and competing for their interest often leads to excessive budgets and poor ROI.

An app is an organic and potentially inexpensive way of boosting customer retention. With push notifications, creative branding, and customized experiences, you can engage your users more, keeping them returning to you at all times. You can even offer them different preferences within the app. These features allow them to customize their experience in ways a website cannot.

For instance, you can send notifications when new products or features are available. With a website, you’ll have to send emails without knowing whether your customers are reading them.

Apps thus boost customer retention and help you grow revenue over time.

Offline Access

While most apps need internet connectivity to work, you can offer your customers some offline features. These features increase customer loyalty since a website cannot offer offline perks.

Giving customers offline features also shows that you empathize with their experience and wish to assist them at all times, not just when they’re online.

These features uplift brand perception and help you build loyalty amongst your customer base.

More Monetization Opportunities

While most businesses sell their products via their apps, they can leverage alternative streams of revenue.

For instance, a popular app might be a good place for ad monetization, giving you a passive income stream.

While ad monetization isn’t a default choice for many business apps, you can leverage affiliate marketing and other channels to boost revenue without sacrificing user experience.

Reach More People

Every app that’s launched on Google and Apple’s stores can give you a new channel to reach customers. If your app trends in those stores, attracting new customers is easy.

As downloads increase, you can entice these people to remain by offering them customized features and using other engagement tactics.

In short, by launching an app, you can increase your brand’s discoverability among an entirely new base of customers.

Apps Are a Great Choice

Converting your website to an app might sound like a daunting task, but thanks to modern tools, you can receive the benefits of launching an app with minimal friction and spend. Before launching your app, consider whether your customers might find using it valuable compared to a website. If you’re confident that they would, then launching an app is a no-brainer.

DeepSouth: The Supercomputer Set to Rival Human Brain Power

By

Avinash A

-

December 22, 2023

Australia is on the verge of introducing DeepSouth, a supercomputer with the unprecedented capability to simulate the human brain’s functionality. This project, a collaborative venture led by Western Sydney University and the International Centre for Neuromorphic Systems (ICNS), is expected to be operational by April 2024.

DeepSouth, drawing its name from IBM’s pioneering TrueNorth system and the chess champion-defeating Deep Blue, is poised to be the first machine of its kind. It employs a neuromorphic system, which mimics biological processes, setting it apart from traditional computing systems that rely on the Von Neumann architecture of separate CPU and memory.

The supercomputer’s hardware is designed to emulate large networks of neurons, achieving a staggering 228 trillion synaptic operations per second. This design not only enhances its computational power but also ensures greater efficiency in energy consumption and space utilization.

In comparison, the human brain can process an exaflop — a million trillion mathematical operations per second — using just 20 watts of energy. DeepSouth aims to replicate this level of efficiency, a feat that current standard computers, using Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) and multi-core Central Processing Units (CPUs), struggle to achieve due to their high energy consumption and slower speeds.

The implications of DeepSouth extend far beyond raw computational power. It holds the potential to revolutionize the field of neuroscience by providing insights into the functioning of the human brain, an area where progress has been hindered by the limitations of current simulation capabilities.

Moreover, DeepSouth is expected to have practical applications in various industries, including biomedical, space, and robotics. The supercomputer could facilitate the development of more efficient artificial intelligence processes, surpassing the capabilities of current models. This aligns with global technological trends, such as China’s recent initiative to develop advanced humanoid robots by 2025, which underscores the integration of robotics with AI.

DeepSouth’s scalable and reconfigurable system allows for the addition of more hardware to create larger systems or the reduction of its size for smaller, more portable applications. This flexibility could lead to the development of more powerful and efficient smartphones and other devices. The use of commercially available hardware components also means that DeepSouth can be replicated in other data centers worldwide, overcoming the limitations and high costs associated with custom-designed neuromorphic systems.

15 Ways To Save Battery Life On Android Smartphones

By

Avinash A

-

December 21, 2023

Simple Hacks To Save Battery Life In Android Smartphones

Are you struggling to save battery life on Android devices?

All of us hate frequent charging. Battery backup always matters now when we plan to buy our new smartphone.

Lots of Android smartphones are out there in the market with good battery backup but unfortunately, they don’t have endless battery life. So here are some simple hacks to save battery life on your Android devices.

So why we have to plug in our Android smartphones into power socket every day?

A number of factors have conspired to reduce gadget endurance over the past several years. Thinner designs with less room for batteries, larger and brighter screens, faster quad-core processors, more software that runs in the background, and power-hungry GPS radios all share responsibility. The move from 3G to 4G to 5G networks has also taken its toll.

Contents

1 Save Battery Life On Android Devices :

Save Battery Life On Android Devices :

Here are the golden tips to extend your Android handset’s battery life :

1. Black wallpaper save battery life

Yes, its strange but true, black wallpaper can save battery life of your Android smartphone.

Why black wallpaper? — Because most smartphones in the market AMOLED screen which only illuminate the colored pixels. And black pixels are unlit, so the more black pixels you have, or the darker pixels, the less power is needed to light them up.

2. Find out who drains your battery

This method is important, just find the culprit who is responsible for draining your battery.

You can do it by going to “Settings > Battery“.

This option will breakdown what’s consuming your phone’s battery. Applications and features will display in a descending list of battery hogs. If you find an application that you barely use or a feature you never use, you’ll want to uninstall the app or turn off the feature.

3. Home screen widgets and live wallpaper are bad

Lots of people are using home screen widgets on their smartphones, they think it will ease up their work. But it makes an adverse effect on battery life. Since widgets function took more RAM and also the background process will fasten draining of your battery. If you really want to save your battery life avoid adding widgets to the home screen.

Yes, live wallpapers give life to your smartphone home screen. But don’t forget it’s using a lot of battery life because live wallpapers make screen always active and this consumes battery. So go for regular still images as wallpapers or as we already said use black wallpapers and save battery life.

4. Turn off automatic brightness

Automatic Brightness — sounds useful feature, but don’t go for it.

Actually, automatic brightness is usually way brighter than you really need. It’s better to manually set the brightness to a level that is low but comfortable, and bump it up when necessary. This is one of the best ways to save battery life because the screens are one of the biggest battery suckers.

5. Control apps refresh frequency

The next method is controlling refresh frequency of some apps. Apps checking for new emails and other data in the background updates frequently to fetch new information. This frequent background fetching of data will drain your battery fast.

So to disable this just go to “Settings > Accounts” and uncheck Auto-sync data to prevent your Android device from automatically syncing with your Google accounts (and other accounts) in the background. uncheck Auto-sync data to prevent your Android device from automatically syncing with your Google accounts (and other accounts) in the background. And also force off apps that work on background.

6. Shorter screen timeout setting saves battery life

Set your display’s screen timeout to as short a time as is practical for you.

Just think, if your screen timeout is set to a minute, it’ll use four times more power than if it were set to 15 seconds. Studies report the average smartphone user turns their smartphone on 150 times a day, so the difference between a long screen timeout and a short one soon adds up. Reducing it will help keep your battery running for longer.

7. Switch off vibrate

Switch off vibrate. Unless you really need that added awareness, turn off vibration alerts for incoming calls. It actually takes more power to vibrate your phone than it does to ring it.

8. Use lock screen notifications or widgets

Lock screen notifications or lock screen widgets can also help save battery life. This is because you can see your notifications at a glance without having to turn your whole screen on. This is especially useful if you get lots of notifications that aren’t worth following up on immediately.

9. You don’t need to be connected 24/7

You don’t have to be connected to the internet 24/7, which will increase your data usage and also drains the battery. So use the internet when you needed, like turnoff it during your sleep hours and office hours.

10. Only use original batteries

This one is important, use only original batteries – direct from the manufacturer. Saving a few bucks on a battery that might damage your beloved smartphone is a poor choice indeed, and may also deliver sub-standard battery performance.

11. Use lite version Android apps

Opting lite versions of Android apps over there main edition will definitely help you to lower the consumption of the battery. Since lightweight Android apps are slimed versions of the main app, though you may have to compromise some features for the greater good — to save your Android device battery life.

12. Turn off animations

Altering animations settings is another best option to optimize battery consumption on Android devices. But to change animation settings you have to access “Developer Options” — an option that is hidden inside your Android settings.

To enter into Developer mode, go to “Settings>>About phone” and tap on “Build number” a few times and then go back to the main settings page to find the activated “Developer Options”. Now go to enabled Developer Options, and scroll down to find three options namely “Window animation scale“, “Transition animation scale” and “Animator duration scale” and turn them off.

13. Turn off unwanted services

Sometimes we forget to disable some services like WiFi, GPS, NFC, Bluetooth after their use without knowing their negative impact on your Android device battery life. For your information, most of these services are constantly polling for routers — to find nearby Bluetooth devices or WiFi connection or GPS satellites — even though they are unavailable at that time.

So swipe down your notification bar and disable all these services after their use to save your device battery life.

14. Use Greenify

Unlike any other third-party apps which claim to save battery consumption on Android — Greenify is the trusted one. Greenify saves your battery life by pushing apps into a kinda hibernation mode and stop them from running background until you reopen them again. Since some of the advanced features of Greenify work only on the rooted device — though still works well on non-rooted devices too.

15. Keep your device at the moderate temperature

Yes, the temperature can manipulate the battery life of your device. So always remember to remain your device at moderate temperature — neither too hot nor too cold.

These are some tips to save battery life of your Android smartphone. If you know some other methods to save battery life do comment below.

This is the Metacritic’s List of Worst Games of 2023

By

Vidhu Prathapan

-

December 20, 2023

Metacritic, a trusted source for game reviews and ratings, has compiled a list that no game developer aspires to be on — the ten worst games of 2023.

2023 has been a year of contrasts in the gaming world, with some titles reaching new heights of success and others falling short. This list from Metacritic serves as a reminder of the challenges faced in game development, from technical issues to unmet player expectations. As the industry moves forward, these examples highlight the importance of quality and innovation in creating successful and engaging video games.

Contents

10. Gargoyles Remastered

Metacritic Score: 49
Key Issues: This remaster of the beloved ’90s animated series was expected to rekindle nostalgia. However, it received criticism for minimal updates and improvements, failing to justify its existence as a remaster and not meeting the expectations of fans.

9. Loop8: Summer of Gods

Metacritic Score: 49
Key Issues: As a JRPG, Loop8: Summer of Gods faced the challenge of standing out in a niche genre. It was primarily criticized for its flawed combat system and a story that failed to captivate the audience, leading to a lackluster overall experience.

8. Gangs of Sherwood

Metacritic Score: 48
Key Issues: This game’s unique blend of Sherwood Forest lore with steampunk elements initially seemed promising. However, its overly simplistic difficulty level and lack of depth in gameplay mechanics led to a disappointing reception among players.

7. Hellboy: Web of Wyrd

Metacritic Score: 47
Key Issues: Based on the popular comic book character, this game was expected to offer an exciting experience. However, it was criticized for repetitive gameplay and a lack of challenging content, failing to capture the essence of its source material.

6. Crime Boss: Rockay City

Metacritic Score: 43
Key Issues: Despite featuring a cast of well-known actors, Crime Boss: Rockay City was deemed dull. The game’s narrative and gameplay failed to engage players, leading to its underwhelming performance despite its star power.

5. Testament: The Order of High-Human

Metacritic Score: 41
Key Issues: This game was criticized for its convoluted gameplay ideas, which resulted in a disjointed and unsatisfying experience. IGN’s recommendation to avoid the game underscored its failure to cohesively integrate its various gameplay elements.

4. Quantum Error

Metacritic Score: 40
Key Issues: Quantum Error was initially promising in its previews but ultimately failed to deliver. The game’s ambition was not supported by an adequate budget, leading to a final product that couldn’t fulfill its initial promises. This gap between expectation and reality was a primary factor in its poor reception.

3. Greyhill Incident

Metacritic Score: 38
Key Issues: This game attempted to join the popular alien-themed horror genre but fell short due to its lackluster narrative and subpar acting. The game’s focus on story-driven gameplay did not translate well in execution, leading to a disappointing overall experience.

2. Flashback 2

Metacritic Score: 35
Key Issues: As a sequel to the classic 1992 game, expectations were high. However, Flashback 2 was plagued with technical issues that detracted significantly from the player experience. These technical glitches not only disrupted gameplay but also failed to connect with the nostalgic charm and innovation of its predecessor.

1. The Lord of the Rings: Gollum

Metacritic Score: 34
Key Issues: This game was anticipated to provide an immersive experience in the rich world of Middle-earth. However, it was marred by a multitude of bugs that severely impacted gameplay, rendering it nearly unplayable. The game’s release in this unfinished state was a significant letdown for fans and critics alike, failing to live up to the high standards set by the beloved franchise.

As the gaming community looks towards 2024, the lessons learned from this year’s disappointments will undoubtedly influence future developments. The industry continues to evolve, with player satisfaction and technological advancements at the forefront of game development. The hope is that the coming year will see fewer entries in Metacritic’s list of underperformers, as developers strive to create more immersive and bug-free gaming experiences.