Dress for the slide, not the ride: Harley-Davidson’s 2024 Road Glide and Street Glide bikes are the first to get Skyline OS, a new touchscreen infotainment system. It’s replacing the traditional analog gauges with a 12.3-inch touch display that includes turn-by-turn navigation, Apple CarPlay and voice-command compatibility.
You or a loved one switched to an iPhone 15? The right and wrong chargers
OK, honesty time: I bought the new iPhone 15 Pro Max. I opened up my fancy $1,600 smartphone to realize … it was the same as the iPhone 14 Pro Max I was already using.
The big (only?) change I can spot is the charging port on the bottom. After all these years, Apple is ditching its Lightning cable for the one every other tech company uses for charging and data transfer: USB-C. Some new AirPod models are getting the same treatment.
The switch to a USB-C port spells a headache for the holidays if you have Apple fans on your list. If you want to gift someone a new charger, how do you know their iPhone will work with it? What kind of AirPods are the “right” ones now? What does “USB-C” even mean? I’ll help make your list and check it twice.
Don’t be a drain: Buy the right chargers!
While USB-C may be the sexy, new standard for the iPhone, everyone else has been using it for years, so your charging options abound.
With that said, I recommend sticking with Apple’s chargers or another very reliable brand when buying. This is also good to keep in mind if you plan to upgrade to an iPhone 15 soon. Yep, you’ll need a full charger refresh.
All iPhone 15 models (including the 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, etc.)
- A new iPhone 15 has a USB-C cable but does not come with a charger. If you’re buying additional iPhone 15 cables, they’ve got to be USB-C.
- It requires a USB-C charger with at least 20W for the best results. USB-C is smaller and rounder than USB-A, which is blockish.
- Qi-standard wireless chargers will work with the iPhone 15 just fine, no matter their connections.
- If you see a lightning-bolt icon, that represents Thunderbolt compatibility, a different kind of data standard that works with USB-C (and is not super important in this case).
All iPhone 14 models and earlier models
- All older iPhones require Lightning cables, which typically end in a USB connector for a compatible charger, which can be USB-A or USB-C.
- Lightning cable connectors are smaller and thinner than USB-C, and don’t have any icons.
- Lightning cable connectors are easy to spot because they have clear pin markings on the outside of the connector.
- Only Apple makes legitimate Lightning cables and chargers, no other brands.
- Again, Qi-standard wireless chargers work fine with all these phones as long as they support wireless charging.
The good news is that USB-C has already come to iPad Pros, MacBooks and other devices, so it should be pretty familiar territory for your gift recipient if you just want to ask them for a handy Christmas list.
Don’t be that person …
Find out now if your iPhone supports Apple's iOS 17
If you’re clutching your trusty iPhone like it’s the last piece of chocolate in a candy jar, it’s time to brace yourself for a digital reality check. Apple’s latest software iteration, iOS 17, is knocking at the digital door, bringing sweeping changes.
Want to try Netflix with ads? It doesn't work on these streaming devices
When it comes to bills, one or two streaming services may be manageable but many people share their accounts to get access to even more content. But watch out: Netflix is cracking down on account sharing. Tap or click here to see what will happen if you’re caught.
Android 13 is here — If you have this phone
Apple’s iOS 16 will launch later this year. Updates include the ability to edit and unsend texts and check if anyone has your passwords. Tap or click here for more on what to expect with Apple’s next mobile operating system.
Stop renting your modem and buy one instead - Here's why
Anyone who has ever set up at-home internet knows the importance of a modem and router. You may not know how many options you have when shopping for these gadgets, though. Many folks just rent a modem/router combo from their internet service provider since the costs of buying one can seem too high.
Think twice about upgrading to Windows 11 - Here's what's going wrong
Windows 11 is here and rolling out to users everywhere. Depending on your hardware and its age, you may not be offered a free upgrade just yet, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
As with any other Microsoft release, Windows 11 has its share of problems. Early adopters are reporting issues such as slow internet, memory leakage and problems with the search bar in the Start menu. Tap or click here for more details about these problems and how to resolve them.
Windows 11 update not on your PC yet? Here's how to skip the line
After months of the usual teasers and hype from Microsoft, Windows 11 has officially arrived. Microsoft’s latest operating system has relocated the Start menu and taskbar, added features lifted from gaming consoles, packed in more widgets and given Android users the ability to run apps on their PC.
Will Windows 11 run on your PC? Check the requirements now
Updated July 1, 2021: A glitch with Microsoft’s PC Health Check app has forced the company to take the tool down. It was giving people wrong and confusing information on whether their PC is capable of running Windows 11. There is no date yet on when it will be available. Microsoft now says its, “coming soon.” Click here for Microsoft’s full explanation and your system’s minimum requirements.
Smart home 101: Making incompatible devices work together
There are so many smart home devices these days and so many manufacturers making them all. The competition has led to the invention of some great tech and cool features, but it’s also led to a rift in compatibility.
For example, you might want a Google smart plug but you have an Echo speaker. Those devices aren’t inherently compatible, though big tech companies are starting to create universal standards in smart tech. Tap or click here to see how big tech wants to make all your smart home devices work together.
iPhone update could be a lifesaver if you still use an older model
Like clockwork, Apple iPhones get a major update each year with the release of the latest version of iOS. These come with security and software improvements, as well as new features and that trend continued with last fall’s release of iOS 13.
iPhone users will love this new Windows 10 feature
Everybody knows Apple makes more than just phones. In fact, iPhones are part of a deeply-integrated ecosystem of products designed for maximum compatibility with one another. Although Apple has seen some criticism for its “walled garden” approach to design, complaints are few when everything works.