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Xiaomi’s 100W Super Charge Turbo Fast Charging Tech Coming to Devices Next Year: Reports

Xiaomi first showcased its 100W Super Charge Turbo wired fast charging technology earlier this year and now the company has reportedly revealed that we can expect to see it in commercial devices next year. According to reports on Chinese social media, the smartphone maker announced the timing as a part of its developer conference in its home market earlier this week. There is still no word on which will be the first smartphone to use the 100W fast charging technology.

As per multiple user reports on Weibo, apparently from people that were present at Xiaomi’s developer conference, Xiaomi offered another look at its 100W Super Charge Turbo wired fast charging technology and noted that it will be arriving in devices next year. Given Xiaomi has been working on 100W fast charging for some time now, it doesn’t seem too far-fetched to expect to see it in a phone next year, in fact any later than next year may be too late.

According to Xiaomi, the 100W fast charging technology will allow a 4,000mAh battery to fully charge in just a matter of 17 minutes. Xiaomi isn’t the only company to claim 100W or more fast charging speed, Vivo had also earlier showcased its 120W fast charging technology that it claims can charge a 4,000mAh battery in just 13 minutes. Neither Xiaomi nor Vivo have thus launched their fast charging technologies in commercial devices. Like Xiaomi, Vivo could also release a phone with 120W fast charging support next year.

There is some speculation on Weibo that Mi Mix 4 could be the first smartphone with 100W fast charging support, however there is no credible evidence to support the rumour.

Meanwhile, Xiaomi is currently preparing to launch Redmi K30 5G next month in China. The phone is rumoured to come with a dual hole-punch display.

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Lenovo ThinkBook 14, ThinkBook 15 With Up to 10th Gen Intel Core i7 Processors, Dual Drive Support Launched in India

Lenovo on Tuesday launched the ThinkBook 14 and ThinkBook 15 in India, two new notebooks designed for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Unveiled at IFA 2019 in Berlin back in September, the ThinkBook 14 and ThinkBook 15 come with up to 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processors and feature zinc-alloy hinges. The new Lenovo laptops also have USB Type-C ports to enable faster data transfer. Lenovo has also offered dedicated graphics up to AMD Radeon 620 to deliver an enhanced graphics experience out-of-the-box. The Lenovo ThinkBook 14 and ThinkBook 15 will go on sale in India from December 1 with a starting price of Rs. 30,990.

As showcased at IFA 2019, the Lenovo ThinkBook 14 and ThinkBook 15 come with an optional Smart Power On feature that uses the fingerprint reader-integrated Power On button to turn on the device only after recognising the fingerprint patterns of authorised users. The notebooks also use built-in Wi-Fi security feature Lenovo Vantage that is touted to detect and notify users about malicious networks in a real time.

The ThinkBook 14 and ThinkBook 15 are equipped with a physical shutter that is designed to keep the built-in webcam covered when not in use. Lenovo calls its new feature ThinkShutter. The notebooks also have dual drive support. Furthermore, there are Skype Hot Keys to let users answer or hang up Skype for Business calls with a single press of a button.

To enhance your Web communication, the Lenovo ThinkBook models have dual-array, Skype for Business-certified microphones and stereo speakers with Dolby Audio. The laptops also have the RapidCharge technology that is rated to charge up to 80 percent of the battery in one hour.

The Lenovo ThinkBook 14 features a 14-inch full-HD IPS display and is powered by up to 10th Gen Intel Core i7 SoC, along with AMD Radeon 625 graphics. It comes with dual drive support with up to 2TB HDD and up to 1TB M.2 PCIe SSD.

In contrast, the Lenovo ThinkBook 15 has a 15.6-inch full-HD IPS display and is powered by up to 10th Gen Intel Core i7 SoC, coupled with AMD Radeon 620 graphics. The notebook has dual drive support with up to 2TB HDD and 1TB M.2 PCIe SSD.

Both Lenovo ThinkBook models have up to 24GB DDR4 RAM and a battery life of up to 12 hours. The laptops have USB Type-C (Gen 2), hidden USB port, and Wi-Fi 6 support as well as up to Windows 10 Pro. Furthermore, there is a full-sized keyboard with optional backlight and one-piece touchpad.

Lenovo claims that it is offering business-grade services along with the new ThinkBook models to offer international warranty and support for up to five years. Offerings such as next-business-day repair service and prioritised parts access also come bundled with the new models.

Microsoft Updates Cloud Contracts Following EU Privacy Probe

Microsoft has announced an update to the privacy provisions in the Microsoft Online Services Terms (OST) for its commercial cloud contracts, providing more transparency over data processing to its customers in the Microsoft Cloud.

The company said in a statement late Monday that the new contractual terms will apply to all commercial customers — public sector and private sector, large enterprises and small and medium businesses — globally at the beginning of 2020.

“At Microsoft we consider privacy a fundamental right, and we believe stronger privacy protections through greater transparency and accountability should benefit our customers everywhere,” said Julie Brill, Corporate Vice President for Global Privacy and Regulatory Affairs and Chief Privacy Officer.

Following EU privacy probe Microsoft said it will increase data protection responsibilities for a subset of processing that Microsoft engages in when it provides enterprise services.

“In the update, we will clarify that Microsoft assumes the role of data controller when we process data for specified administrative and operational purposes incident to providing the cloud services covered by this contractual framework, such as Azure, Office 365, Dynamics and Intune,” said the company.

The company said it remains committed to listening closely to customers’ needs and concerns regarding privacy.

Apple May Be Building Next-Gen Media Apps for Windows, Job Listing Suggests

Apple is looking to build media apps for Windows, and is actively hiring software engineers with UWP app-building experience for the same. Apple has iTunes and iCloud as Windows apps currently, but these apps are quite dated and haven’t received the attention they deserve. For instance, Apple revealed earlier this year that it looks to break iTunes into three apps for macOS – Podcasts, TV, and Music. On Windows, the dated iTunes app remains, so Apple TV+ users will have to make do with the Web version on Windows PCs, as there is no dedicated app right now.

However, Apple looks to change that if a new job listing is to be believed. Apple has published a job listing earlier this month, and the position is titled ‘Senior Software Engineer- Windows Media Apps’. Key qualifications include at least four plus years of experience, deep understanding of the API design principles, and ‘UWP experience is a big plus’. The listing also notes that, ‘cross platform experience with Mac and Windows is highly desired’. These hints at better continuity and syncing that will be paramount especially for Apple TV+ subscribers. Neowin was first to spot this job listing.

Furthermore, Apple’s job description clearly says that the employee will be involved in building Windows apps. “The Media Apps team is looking for a creative Senior Software Engineer to work on the next generation of media apps for Windows. You will help build innovative features that will delight millions of customers around the world.”

Apple investing in building Windows apps would also enable the tech giant to expand its service and product portfolio to both Windows 10 and Xbox One as well. Currently, there is no way Apple TV+ service can be accessed on the Xbox One.

Of course, Apple is still hiring employees, which means it could be a while before any Windows app announcement will be made. However, the beginning of this process will give Surface and Windows device owners hope that they will be able to use all Apple service apps in the future.

Realme X2 Pro to Launch in India Tomorrow: Expected Price, Specifications, Everything You Should Know

Realme X2 Pro is all set to launch in India tomorrow. The new Realme phone was launched in China last month, and its key highlights include the Snapdragon 855+ SoC, 90Hz Fluid Display, its quad camera setup at the back with a 64-megapixel main sensor, and 50W Super VOOC fast charging technology. The company claims that the 4,000mAh battery on the Realme X2 Pro can fully charge in about 33 minutes. The phone was launched with up to 12GB RAM and up to 256GB storage option.

Realme X2 Pro event time, live stream, pre-bookings
The Realme X2 Pro launch event in India will begin at 12.30pm IST on Wednesday i.e., tomorrow. The launch event will be held in New Delhi, and should be live streamed on their YouTube channel or via social channels. Realme should post live streaming details on the company website, and announce it via its Realme Twitter handle soon. All those attending the event and have bought tickets are assured goodies worth Rs. 2,100 that include a Realme Power Bank and an R-Pass with Rs. 855 discount on Realme X2 Pro. Currently, the company is taking registrations of interest on the company website. The Blind Order sale is also live, and today is the last day to reserve the phone by paying a Rs. 1,000 deposit.

Realme X2 Pro price in India (expected)
Realme X2 Pro has been teased on Flipkart and it should go on sale on the Realme online store as well. The pricing is still a mystery at this point, but all details will be unveiled in a day’s time. The phone was launched in China, with a price starting at CNY 2,699 (roughly Rs. 27,200) for the 6GB RAM + 64GB storage configuration, while the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage option is priced at CNY 2,899 (roughly Rs.29,200) and 12GB RAM + 256GB storage variant carries a price tag of CNY 3,299 (roughly Rs. 33,200). All three variants come in White and Blue colour options with a gradient finish on top.

There was also a Realme X2 Pro Master Edition launched in Brick and Cement finish, and it is offered in a single 12GB RAM + 256GB storage configuration. This variant is priced at CNY 3,299 (roughly Rs. 33,200) in China. The Realme X2 Pro pricing in India should be close to the China pricing range, and it remains to be seen whether all the variants come to India or not. Realme has also confirmed that it will launch the Realme 5s smartphone at the event as well.

Realme X2 Pro specifications, features
Because the Realme X2 Pro has already been launched in China, the phone’s specifications are already known. The dual-SIM (Nano) Realme X2 Pro runs Android 9 Pie with ColorOS 6.1 on top and features a 6.5-inch full-HD+ (1080×2400 pixels) Super AMOLED Fluid display with 20:9 aspect ratio, 90Hz refresh rate, 135Hz touch sampling rate, DC dimming 2.0 technology support, and a 91.7 percent screen-to-body ratio as well as Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection.

Furthermore, the phone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ octa-core SoC, paired with 6GB, 8GB, and 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM. The Realme X2 Pro has 64GB (dual-channel UFS 2.1), 128GB (UFS 3.0), and 256GB (UFS 3.0) storage.

Coming to the cameras, the Realme X2 Pro has a quad rear camera setup that includes a 64-megapixel Samsung ISOCELL Bright GW1 primary sensor with a six-piece, f/1.8 lens. The camera setup also comprises a 13-megapixel secondary sensor with an f/2.5 telephoto lens, 8-megapixel tertiary sensor with a 115-degree ultra-wide-angle lens that has an f/2.2 aperture, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. For selfies, the phone has a 16-megapixel Sony IMX471 camera sensor at the front with an f/2.0 lens. The front camera supports portrait shots.

Realme has provided a 4,000mAh battery on the Realme X2 Pro with 50W SuperVOOC Flash Charge support. The proprietary technology is touted to charge the phone fully in just 33 minutes. Further, there is 18W USB PD and Quick Charge support. Connectivity options on the phone include 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth v5.0, GPS/ A-GPS, NFC, USB Type-C, and 3.5mm headphone jack. There are dual speakers with Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio technology support on the phone. There is additionally an in-display fingerprint sensor.

Huawei Nova 6 5G to Launch on December 5, Teasers Suggests Dual Hole-Punch Display, Night Scene 2.0, More Features

Huawei Nova 6 5G is now confirmed to launch on December 5. Chinese media has now received invites for a launch event, and this phone is tipped to be powered by the Kirin 990 SoC and pack a 4,000mAh battery. New teasers were also revealed on Weibo, and they confirm that the phone will sport a dual hole-punch display with cut-outs for two selfie cameras. The Huawei Nova 6 5G phone is also teased to sport Night Mode 2.0, and be able to capture 105-degree wide-angle selfies as well.

A Chinese blogger has posted an invite of the Huawei Nova 6 5G confirming that the phone will launch in China on December 5. Huawei has posted several video teasers of the Huawei Nova 6 5G on Weibo as well. One of the video teasers shows the Nova 6 5G sporting a dual hole-punch display, and it will be able to capture 105-degree wide-angle selfies. In a separate video teaser, the main camera is also said to have super night scene 2.0 mode as well. However, the feature hasn’t been detailed as yet, and only its arrival has been teased.

A recent leak suggests that the Huawei Nova 6 5G will feature a 6.44-inch full-HD+ (1080×2340 pixels) IPS LCD 60Hz display, and may be powered by the Kirin 990 SoC paired 8GB and 12GB RAM options, and 128GB and 256GB storage options. Camera details include a 60-megapixel Sony IMX686 main sensor, 16-megapixel sensor, and two 2-megapixel sensors at the back. The dual selfie set in the front to include a 32-megapixel camera and a secondary 12-megapixel camera. Also, the phone is tipped to pack 4,000mAh battery with 40W Magic Charge fast charging technology.

The same leak also mentions the probable price of the Huawei Nova 6 5G. The price of the phone should start at CNY 3,499 (roughly Rs. 35,500) for the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage options, CNY 3,799 (roughly Rs. 38,500) for the 8GB RAM + 256GB storage option, and go up to CNY 4,099 (roughly Rs. 41,500) for the 12GB RAM + 256GB storage option.

10 Ways to Restore Your Creative Energy Using Technology

Whether you’re a DIYer trying to solve a problem, a writer working on a new story, or a designer looking to spice up an old model, perhaps you need help restoring your creative energy.

This article is designed to help you restore your creative energy when it has upped and left you. Maybe one tip will do the trick, or perhaps you’ll have to work your way through the list.

1. Go for a Walk

If you’ve been working on the same thing for a long time, your creative juices may be running dry. If so, it’s time to take a break by doing something else entirely.

One simple idea is to go for a walk. It might not sound like much, but a short walk can reset your system and break the monotony of working.

If you’re feeling lazy, fitness trackers (the best fitness trackers with heart rate monitors) can be of great help. These devices can help keep you motivated when doing exercise. Their constant feedback about the calories you burn will help you go the extra mile. You can even add friends on some of these devices and compare your activity data.

2. Get Rid of Distractions

If you’re unable to get creative because you open Facebook or check your messages every five minutes, you need to get rid of these distractions.

While smartphones are amazing devices, they can also make us less productive. To fix this problem, you can uninstall the distracting apps from your phone or disable notifications on your phone to work free from distractions.

You can also try apps that limit your time on social media. We recommend OFFTIME, Moment, or Flipd.

3. Have a Snack

Hunger can play havoc with our ability to get things done. A research paper published by Science Daily shows that our stomach produces ghrelin, a hormone that affects our decision making abilities and can lead to impulsive choices.

There are several helpful apps such as Noom that will not just find the right snack according to your cravings, but also find a way for you to achieve your fitness goals.

Once you’ve satisfied your stomach your brain may just let you get back to work.

4. Come Up With 100 Bad Ideas

Instead of coming up with something good, come up with something awfully bad. And a lot of it. So that there’s no pressure on you.

If you’re a writer, come up with 100 bad story ideas. If you’re a musician, come up with a 100 awful tunes. And if you’re an architect, come up with 100 bad designs for buildings.

You can create your list of bad ideas on apps like Evernote or Google Keep. These apps store all of their data in the cloud, meaning you can revisit it at any time.

The logic behind this method is that out of those 100 ideas, a couple will always turn out to be good. When you try to create something absurdly bad, you utilize a creative side that you hadn’t ever explored before.

5. Change your Surroundings

You don’t have to make big changes. Just change something in your environment. Replace the items on your desk and reorganize the space you’re in. If you work in a typical office cabin environment, try adding some colors to your cabin.

Make use of apps such as Houzz to give your home workspace a virtual makeover before investing any real money. You can also get ideas from Pinterest or Tumblr.

Fresh surroundings make way for fresh ideas.

6. Organize Your Thoughts Visually

There are several platforms that let you organize your thoughts in a better way to help your creativity. Websites like Coggle, Popplet, and MindMaster help you visualize your ideas using flowcharts or drawing tools.

This lets you get a better picture of your ideas and reach solutions faster.

7. Discuss Your Ideas Online

You’ll find several forums where there are experts who will happily share their opinion on your creative piece. For example, if you are an artist, you can showcase your art on DeviantArt and interact with other users. There’s a thriving community that can offer you support and inspiration.

Reddit is full of great communities on every subject you can think of. And you can either be a passive participant reading other people’s threads or an active member starting conversations. Either way, as you discuss things with others, you might find a creative angle you didn’t consider earlier.

8. Listen to Happy Music

Research suggests that listening to happy music can trigger creativity. Music is known to enhance cognition and improve memory and learning, which boosts creativity as well.

Maybe all you need to restore your creative energy is a little dose of happy music. And all you need to do to find it is open up your favorite streaming service—whether it’s Apple Music or Spotify—and search for “Happy Music”.

9. Meditate to Regain Focus

It sounds cliche but if you get rid of all thoughts (or at least try to clear your current thoughts), you get to reach your spiritual side. Even if you don’t have a lot of time, it’s the consistency that matters and not the duration. If you can spend just 3-5 minutes a day meditating, it can help your creative energies.

While most people have heard of meditation, many don’t try it because they find it difficult to focus. If you’re one of these people, you can seek help from meditation apps such as Insight Timer and Calm.

10. Enjoy a Little Humor

If you’re planning to reap the benefits of technology to be creative, have fun while you’re at it. Research suggests humor can enhance creative thinking as it lets you associate ideas more broadly and freely.

So don’t hesitate to watch funny videos on YouTube or to browse funny GIFs on Giphy.

Creativity cannot be forced. Let go of the pressure and have a laugh. But make sure online entertainment doesn’t become too much of a distraction for you. Remember, everything is good in moderation.

Carry on Training Your Brain

Creativity is like a muscle. If you don’t use it for a long time, it will lose its strength. You need to flex it every day so that it stays healthy. While some people are naturally better at it, others can build it with practice.

To flex your creative muscles, keep training your mind constantly. You can do this by playing brain exercise games on your smartphone.

How to Set Up a Wireless Home Network With a Mobile Phone

Not every home has a fast internet connection. If you’ve just moved into a new flat, or live in a rural area, you may be missing broadband internet. Until you can arrange for an engineer to visit, you’re stuck without internet.

Unless, of course, you can use your smartphone. Android and iPhone devices feature a built-in tool that lets you share your mobile internet connection. Here’s how to setup a home Wi-Fi network using your mobile.

What About USB and Bluetooth?

Just so we’re clear, using your phone as a Wi-Fi router means utilising the wireless hotspot feature. But this isn’t the only connectivity option.

All three platforms that we’re looking at support connecting your smartphone to a computer over USB or Bluetooth. However, this will limit what you can do. In short, while Bluetooth might support multiple devices, USB will limit you to just one.

The shortcoming with Bluetooth, however, is that it is slow. It’s best avoided except in emergencies.

So, if you’re only using your smartphone with just one device, you might prefer to tether using USB or Bluetooth.

Otherwise, for multiple connections, rely on Wi-Fi hotspot functionality for your smartphone home router.

Set Up Wi-Fi at Home Without a Router

Before you start using your smartphone like a wireless router, you’ll need to understand the advantages and disadvantages.

First, this really should be just a temporary measure until you have a fixed solution. Long-term use as a router isn’t healthy for a smartphone, not least because it will need to be permanently charging.

Of course, it doesn’t have to be your main phone you use as a router. Setting a phone up as a wireless router is one of several uses for an old smartphone.

Before you start configuring your smartphone as a home router, consider the following:

Signal strength: if you’re receiving speeds of 3G or less (EDGE, HSPA, etc.) this is only useful for email. You need 4G or 5G for the best results.

Platforms: most mobile platforms feature tools to share mobile internet. Below, we’ll look at Android, iOS, and even Windows 10 Mobile.

Data limits: Remember, your smartphone contract is most likely capped. You only have perhaps 5GB of data per month. Beyond that, you’ll be charged per GB, at quite a high cost.

Device bandwidth: in addition, the number of concurrent connections your phone can handle is limited.

With all these potential pitfalls in mind, let’s look at how to set up your phone as a wireless router.

How to Set Up Wireless Internet With a Mobile Phone

Most mobile platforms provide tools to set your phone up as a mobile hotspot. This lets you create a home Wi-Fi network. However old your device is you can configure a Wi-Fi network with Android, iPhone, and even a Windows 10 Mobile.

Just make sure mobile internet is enabled before proceeding.

Create a Wireless Network on Android

Setting up Android like a wireless router is straightforward.

On Android, open Settings > Network & internet > Hotspot & tethering.

Next, select Portable hotspot.

Tap On then confirm the message regarding interruptions to existing connections.

Click Configure hotspot.

Set a Network name (SSID)—this can be anything.

Choose the Security level—WPA2 PSK is the strongest.

Set a new Password.

When you’re done, tap Save.

With the hotspot enabled, you’ll be able to use your phone like a home wireless network.

Set Up Wireless Internet on iPhone or iPad

iPhone users can use their phone like a Wi-Fi router by using the hotspot feature.

Open Settings.

Tap Personal Hotspot.

Enable Allow Others to Join.

You’ll see a message labeled Bluetooth is Off.

Select Turn on Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and USB Only, as per your preference.

Tap Wi-Fi Password to set a new passkey.

With all options set, your iPhone will be running as a wireless hotspot—essentially, a mobile router for your home!

Use Windows 10 Mobile as a Wireless Router

If you have an old phone you plan to use as a wireless router, it might be a Windows 10 Mobile.

Swipe down from the top and long-tap Mobile hotspot.

Tap the Share my mobile data switch to On.

Ensure Share my mobile data connection is set to Wi-Fi.

Tap Edit to set a Network name and new password.

When you’re done, tap the Back

Windows 10 Mobile features an option to remotely enable the mobile hotspot feature over Bluetooth. To do this, enable Turn on remotely. If your second device (perhaps a remote control or headset) is connected to your device over Bluetooth, this will work.

Connect Devices to Your Home Mobile Wi-Fi Network

With your smartphone set up as a Wi-Fi router, you’ll be ready to start connecting devices. For the best results, keep this to as few devices as possible. A couple of tablets or laptops is a smart idea; a games console, less so.

To do so, simply connect them as you would to any other wireless router. The broadcast name (SSID) you specified will be displayed. Simply enable Wi-Fi on your device, find the SSID, and enter the password your specified.

It’s that simple!

Is a Smartphone the Best Home Network Setup?

Admittedly, a smartphone is a stopgap. Eventually, you’re going to have to upgrade to an internet connection with a standard router. If anything, it’s better for your phone this way. Leaving your phone plugged in to maintain the charge is not good for the battery.

Then there’s internet caps, which are in danger of being reached if your smartphone is your primary internet connection. So, what is the answer?

Well, if you cannot get cable internet, then a mobile internet package with a dedicated 4G or 5G router might be the answer. Your internet connection will be available over the air, as with mobile internet, but the subscription will be a domestic one.

Otherwise, just use a dedicated mobile hotspot. Our guide to the best portable mobile Wi-Fi hotspots will get you connected.

What Is a Social Media Handle?

If you’re not a frequent social media user, you might find some of its terms confusing. One of these being “social media handle”.

In this article we take a look at social media handles, explaining what they are, how to pick one, and how websites use them.

What Is a Social Media Handle?

A social media handle has nothing to do with grasping something.

Rather, a social media handle is a public username that represents people on social media sites. The public distinction is important, as usernames exist on other sites where they don’t serve the same purpose.

For example, when you sign into your bank’s website, you have to provide your username and password to log in. But this username isn’t a handle, since it’s not used as a public identifier. Nobody needs to know your banking username except you.

Where Does the Term “Handle” Come From?

Your next question after hearing this might be “what is a handle?” As it turns out, “handle” didn’t originate online.

The term was used by CB (Citizens Band) radio users before the internet was around. These folks identified themselves by nicknames, which were eventually called “handles.”

Once the internet brought message boards and other forms of discussion to the masses, people started using “handle” to refer to their usernames.

Where Are Social Handles Used?

As you’d expect, handles are most common on social media websites.

Because these websites have millions of users, many of them with similar or identical names, social media handles allow everyone to have a unique identity on the service. Thus, when you create an account on a social media site, it checks to make sure your chosen handle isn’t already taken.

Let’s examine some of the most popular social media websites to see how they implement handles.

What Is a Twitter Handle?

The term “handle” is closely associated with Twitter, as the service has called its usernames handles for some time.

When you create an account with Twitter, you set up a unique handle for yourself. In addition, you can add your first and last name, which is different from your handle. You can see in the below tweet that my social media handle is @stegnersaurus, but my name is Ben Stegner:

This allows you to provide more information to others. You might have a preferred handle that has nothing to do with your name, so adding your name lets people find you more easily.

Twitter is built around sending short messages called “tweets.” If you want to mention another user in your tweet, you can include their handle using the @ symbol. For example, MakeUseOf’s handle on Twitter is @MakeUseOf. Below is an example of a tweet that includes it:

The act of including someone’s social media handle in a tweet is called “tagging.” By default, being tagged sends that person a notification. You can also click on the @handle to view that user’s profile.

Check out our guide to Twitter if you’d like more help getting started with it.

What Is a Facebook Handle?

Facebook is a little different when it comes to usernames. The site doesn’t use @handles like Twitter and Instagram do. This is primarily because Facebook is designed for more personal connections than Twitter and Instagram, so it uses your real name when you sign up.

If you want to tag someone in a Facebook post or comment, you can still type the @ symbol followed by their name. This notifies them that you’ve mentioned them and lets people click their name to see their profile. The only difference is that it uses their real name instead of a username, and doesn’t show the @ sign.

However, Facebook does have a username feature. Its main purpose is to provide a unique URL that goes right to your page.

You’ll see this on business cards and in company advertisements. A business will often have its Twitter @handle next to the Twitter logo, then put /acme.corp next to the Facebook logo. This lets you know you can go to Facebook.com/acme.corp to visit them.

You can check your own username by logging into Facebook, clicking the small arrow in the top-right corner, and choosing Settings.

From the left side of this page, choose General, and you’ll see a Username field where you can change your username. By default, Facebook sets this to your first and last name separated by a period, which works fine.

If you don’t have one set, it’s a good idea to pick one. Otherwise, your profile URL will consist of random numbers, which aren’t easy to remember.

How to Pick a Social Media Handle

Social media handles are quite important for brands and online influencers who want to maintain a consistent presence across the web. While they aren’t as vital for an average user, you can still follow a few general guidelines to create a solid handle.

A tried and true handle is your first name and last name. Something like @MarkJohnson isn’t fancy, but it is easy to remember.

If you don’t want to use your real name, nicknames are good fits for handles.

A shorter username is better. The longer it is, the harder it is to type and remember. There’s also a greater chance for typos.

Numbers can make your handle harder to remember, and might make you look unoriginal. It’s a good idea to avoid numbers unless they’re connected to you, such as a jersey number for a sport.

Want to spruce up your handle? Try adding terms like “The Real” or “I Am” before your username. “TheRealAlexHodges” has a fun air about it.

If the service allows capital letters in usernames (Instagram is all lowercase), use them to make your username easy to read. “GregWhiteBlogs” is clearer than “gregwhiteblogs”.

Namechk is a great resource for checking the availability of social media handles. You can type in the username you’re interested in and see the sites where it’s already taken.

Have Fun Picking Your Social Media Handles

In this article we’ve looked at what a social media handle is, how the biggest social media websites use it, and offered up some tips for creating your own. If you haven’t created a public username yet, creating one will make it easier for people to find you on the web.

To learn more about this topic, check out the social media slang terms you should know.

7 Fixes When Bluetooth Is Not Available on Your Mac

Bluetooth a technology that most people tend to forget about until it doesn’t work. For example, you might feel that everything is going along swimmingly until your AirPods decide not to connect. Most of the time, this is a relatively easy fix. But sometimes it can be a bit tricky.

One of the most frustrating issues is when suddenly Bluetooth is not available on your Mac. At least, that’s what it seems like, but can you really be sure? Without a clear indicator of what’s going wrong, troubleshooting Bluetooth on your Mac can be like walking around in the dark.

Here’s how you can fix macOS Bluetooth issues.

1. Bluetooth Not Available? Reboot Your Mac

Yes, this is the step you always hear about, but there’s a reason for it. More often than not, a reboot will solve a batch of problems with your Mac—Bluetooth issues among them.

Rebooting your Mac under Apple menu > Restart will fix almost every Bluetooth problem, particularly those where the Bluetooth module has crashed and you’re experiencing an unresponsive system. According to Apple, removing any USB devices can help, so you might want to give that a try too.

Before proceeding, you should also review our introduction to using Bluetooth on macOS to make sure you understand how it works.

2. Check Your Mac’s Bluetooth Device Settings

To connect to your Mac, your Bluetooth device needs to be turned on and have some battery charge. This might sound obvious, but it’s worth checking before you go to great lengths fixing a problem that doesn’t really exist. If you haven’t paired this device before, make sure you’re doing it correctly (and that it’s visible to your Mac).

If you’re trying to get a Bluetooth speaker or other audio device working, have already paired it, and are wondering why you can’t hear anything, then you’ll need to make sure it’s selected as your primary output under System Preferences > Sound > Output.

The same goes for Bluetooth headsets with microphones: head to the Input tab and choose your Bluetooth device there. Your Mac should remember your choice for the next time you connect a wireless audio device.

You can also click on the Volume button in the menu bar and pick your audio device there. If you don’t see the button in your menu bar, you may need to enable it. Go to System Preferences > Sound > Output, then choose Show volume in menu bar at the bottom of the window.

3. Disable and Re-Enable Bluetooth

To reset Bluetooth without restarting your whole Mac, head to System Preferences > Bluetooth and click Turn Off. You can also toggle Bluetooth by clicking on the menu bar icon—click Turn On to try again. If you’re having trouble using AirDrop on your Mac, toggling this setting can often solve your problem.

You can also try killing the Bluetooth process entirely, though this isn’t always effective. Open Terminal and enter sudo pkill blued followed by your admin password. This should kill and restart the background process, allowing you to try again.

4. Pair Your Bluetooth Device With Your Mac Again

If you’ve already paired the device in the past, another option is to tell your Mac to forget it and start again. You can reveal all currently paired Bluetooth devices under System Preferences > Bluetooth.

Find whatever is causing you problems, select it, then click on the X followed by Remove to get rid of it.

You’ll now need to pair the device again, which most of the time involves holding a button till a light flashes. Check the device’s manual if you’re not sure.

5. Reset Your PRAM and/or SMC

Though it’s a more complicated process, resetting your Mac’s PRAM or SMC is one of the most commonly recommended fixes for a whole host of issues. The system management controller (SMC) is far less likely of a culprit than the PRAM or NVRAM when it comes to Bluetooth. That said, resetting both can’t hurt, since an underlying issue could be causing your Mac Bluetooth problems.

People often do both of these steps at once, which is why they’re listed here as they are. See our detailed guide on how to reset your PRAM and SMC to perform the process, no matter which type of Mac you have.

6. Delete a Few Key PLIST Files

macOS stores information about Bluetooth devices in two files on your hard drive: one that is personal to you and another which is used by all users on your Mac. Deleting these files is often recommended when you encounter Bluetooth issues, as it forces macOS to create fresh ones when your computer restarts.

Both files are PLIST files, which are used all over the operating system for storing application data in XML format. To delete and recreate these files:

Open Finder and click on Go > Go to Folder from the menu bar.

Type or paste /Library/Preferences.

Look for a file called com.apple.Bluetooth.plist and drag it to the Trash.

Click Go > Go to Folder again and type or paste ~/Library/Preferences/ByHost.

Look for a file that starts with com.apple.Bluetooth followed by numbers and letters (ending in .plist) and drag it to the Trash.

Disconnect any USB devices and shut down your computer.

Turn off your Bluetooth devices and start up your Mac again.

Enable Bluetooth on your devices and attempt to pair again.

7. Reset Your Mac’s Bluetooth Module

As a last resort, you can try resetting your Bluetooth module to factory settings. This means you will lose all existing paired connections. If you’re still having issues after trying all of the above, that’s a small price to pay to get your device working again.

If you don’t have a Bluetooth icon in the menu bar, head to System Preferences > Bluetooth and check Show Bluetooth in menu bar. Now hold Shift + Option and click on the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar. In the menu that appears, select Debug > Reset the Bluetooth module. You can now try re-pairing your devices.

One final tip here is to start re-pairing your devices by importance. You don’t want to pair your headphones only to find that the mouse and keyboard you depend on are still having issues, for example. Once you get the important hardware connected, then you can focus on other issues.

Still Have Problems With Bluetooth?

Most issues should disappear after deleting system files, resetting PRAM, and reverting your Mac’s Bluetooth module to factory settings. If you still have problems, it’s likely your Mac is experiencing hardware issues, though you might want to try a fresh install of macOS too.

The best option is to purchase a dedicated USB Bluetooth adapter and use that instead. Older Apple computers are more likely to have issues than newer ones, so the price of a repair is often not worth it when compared with the price of a USB dongle. The Hideez Key USB Smart Bluetooth 4.0 Dongle is inexpensive and should do the trick.

If you bought your Mac recently and it’s still under warranty, or you purchased Apple Care with your Mac, you should make an appointment with Apple. A technician will look at the problem and fix it for free. This could be indicative of a broader hardware issue with your system, so it’s a smart idea. If you’re serious about getting the issue fixed but aren’t covered, you can take it to Apple and pay for the repairs.