and “0.1% lows” But what does this term mean, and why does it matter? Buckle up, because it’s lesson time. What Is a 1% or 0.1% Low? Josh Hendrickson / How-To Geek This is typically measured in frames per second (FPS). A higher frame rate generally equates to smoother gameplay. However, consistency in frame rates is just as important. This is where the concept of 1% lows and 0.1% lows comes into play....

One of the core components of Android apps is “activities.” Without activities, you’d always be opening the app to the same main screen. Activities make it possible to take shortcuts to different parts of the app. Justin Duino / How-To Geek That’s what we can leverage to create shortcuts to a bunch of different places inside of apps. There are a couple of ways you’re able to do this. We’ll show you a very simple method and a slightly more involved, but more powerful method....

Here’s what you should shut down, what you shouldn’t, and when. Why Unplug and Turn Things Off When You’re On Vacation? There are three good reasons to unplug or turn off certain things around your home while you’re gone. First, the low stakes reason. You’ll save money. In addition to saving money, unplugged devices are safe from power surges. And the single best precaution you might take toprotect your electronics and appliances from power outagesis to unplug them....

It’s the perfect platform for a home theatre PC since it features some knockout features. Share your files as normal and access them using a gear running Kodi on the same web link. There’s also “very limited support” for AirPlay streaming, with Kodi acting as a server. Jason Montoya / How-To Geek This includes movies, TV shows, music, music videos, and more. This includes cover images like box art, descriptions of media, fan art, and other information....

it’s possible for you to also use MMI or USSD codes to check your call forwarding status. But how can you tell if your phone is being tapped, and how do you protect yourself? But can you even tell if someone’s hacked your phone? Hannah Stryker / How-To Geek Here are a few things to look out for. If you’re already a heavy phone user, your battery probably gets hot anyway....

Some of our tech is even better. It showcased technologies that were miraculous for the era it was born in. Fast forward to today, and we can see Star Trek’s influence on our technological landscape. Rob Lavers RIBA ARPS/Shutterstock.com Take the communicators in the original Star Trek series. Various companies and research institutions are now working on creating real-world versions of the tricorder. Star Trek’s voice-activated computer systems are another technological prophecy that’s come to fruition....

Quick Links Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are a handy tool. Here’s how to avoid them and get the most out of your VPN service. In many ways, a VPN is analogous to aburner phone. Jason Fitzpatrick / How-To Geek But misunderstanding, overall, whata VPN can and can’t dois the second biggest mistake people make. You don’t need a third-party service to access files on your home web connection securely. Second, you’re limited to the speed of your home connection....

Quick Links Not sure whether to buy an Apple Watch? What if you could measure the wearable’s value in more than just features and convenience? If you’re rendered unconscious by an accident, Crash Detection will ensure that help is on the way. Tim Brookes / How-To Geek You might need toturn it off if you’re headed to a theme park, though. The feature is on by default but can be toggled under the Watch app’s Emergency SOS menu....

If your BIOS is reset in the morning, you need a battery change. Are you worried your PC’s CMOS battery is dead or dying? Here’s how to test your CMOS battery and replace it if needed. Jason Fitzpatrick / How-To Geek What Is the CMOS Battery on a PC? TheCMOS(Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) battery on your setup’smotherboardacts as an emergency power for theBIOSand date and time controls. In the morning, connect the PSU cable and turn on the PC....

Related Smoke detectors save lives. And thanks to smart technology, smoke detectors are more effective than ever. UPDATE: 02/02/2024 We’ve updated our Best for Alexa smoke detector with a new model. For a start, it’s all too easy to leave run-of-the-mill smoke detectors unattended or forgotten for months. Who knows if the batteries are still good? Will the alarm still sound in an emergency? Many smart smoke detectors can perform self-tests and provide you with a diagnostic report via its companion app....

A new security flaw can do serious damage if you don’t have the latest version. Apple has released iTunes 12.12.9 for Windows, which contains fixes for two reported security vulnerabilities. The flaw was discovered by a security consultant at Synopsys. It’s not clear if either vulnerability has been used in the wild so far. iTunes 12.12.9 is available to download fromApple’s websiteand theMicrosoft Store. Source:Apple,Synopsys Via:MacRumors

One such innovation was the two-picture TV. So, what happened to this promising feature? This was achieved through a feature that Sony calledSimulView. Pincasso/Shutterstock.com Related:What Ever Happened to Plasma TVs? The technology relied on active shutter3D technology. The TV would rapidly alternate between two different full-screen images. Famous Examples TheSony PlayStation 3D Displayis the most well-known example of a two-picture TV. Released in 2011, this 24-inch display was primarily aimed at gamers....

Let’s fix some mistakes. Android is designed tomanage running appsin the background for you. When resources are needed, it will automatically close apps that haven’t been used in a while. Justin Duino / How-To Geek You should onlyforce close Android appsif they’re misbehaving. Otherwise, it’s a much better practice to keep your hands off and let Android do its thing. You should always go with “Precise” whenever you’ve got the option to....