Magazine

Storing and sharing files online with proper hotlinking supported: PixelDrain hands-on review

PixelDrain stands out from myriads of websites letting one store files such as videos online and easily share them with friends and strangers alike via a direct, permanent link. It has multiple advanced features such as rclone sup...

Sergey Tarasov, 18 May 2025 11:38

Suit up and have some breakfast before taking off to save the day in the upcoming Superhero Simulator (Image Source: Superhero Simulator Steam)

Superhero Simulator offers you a chance to save the city and save your sanity

CheckMag Superhero Simulator, developed and published by Mightyraccoon! Studios, is an upcoming open-world game that will finally offer players the chance to experience the dual life of a superhero. Set in the city of Goldpine, the game ch...

Santiago Nino, 17 May 2025 17:45

The Google TV launcher is a mess of adverts, but this replacement is a clean, beautiful, ad free alternative

CheckMag The Google TV Launcher has become an advertising platform for a bunch of streaming services you probably don't subscribe to. Even on premium hardware, we are forced to endure unwanted ads. Thankfully, there is a great alternative,...

David Devey, 17 May 2025 15:35

Hundreds of millions of pixels are regularly advertised for smartphone cameras, but that doesn't mean your photos will look better. (Image source: Juan Carlos Bagnell)

A friendly reminder that resolution tells you (almost) nothing about camera quality

Millions of dots on a camera sensor might seem impressive, but there are other more important metrics to consider. The issue is, those other specifications are a bit trickier to understand.

Juan Carlos Bagnell, 15 May 2025 22:41

This browser extension made YouTube usable again for me

CheckMag Tired of YouTube feeling like a distraction trap? The Untrap browser extension lets you take control, cut the clutter, and finally use YouTube the way you actually want to.

Antony Muchiri, 12 May 2025 19:17

Samsung is all set to announce the S25 Edge. Rumors indicate a high price tag. (Pictured: concept image, image source: Technizo Concept)

The Galaxy S25 Edge shows Samsung has run out of ideas

What do we really get when the main selling point of a gadget is "thinness"? Samsung will ask consumers to pay a lot for the new Edge smartphone, but consumers aren't getting more for their money.

Juan Carlos Bagnell, 10 May 2025 23:29

What Google Fiber costs and where you can get it in 2025

CheckMag Google Fiber has expanded to Fort Mill and Tega Cay, bringing gigabit internet speeds of up to 8 Gbps to South Carolina for the first time. This article breaks down where Google Fiber is available, what each plan offers, and how y...

Antony Muchiri, 10 May 2025 14:00

Brave browser in split screen showing Notebookcheck.net and Reddit pages

Firefox still sucks on Android tablets despite making progress on the desktop

CheckMag Recent updates to Firefox on desktop added vertical tabs, tab groups, and profile switching, but the Android version of the app still just kind of sucks. Firefox on Android is far behind its competitors, like Brave, Vivaldi, and e...

Julian van der Merwe, 09 May 2025 20:22

Doom: The Dark Ages launches on May 15 on Xbox Series S|X, PlayStation 5 and PC (image source: Anil Ganti, Notebookcheck)

Doom: The Dark Ages review: Cleave and reave till it be finished

Doom Returnal Doom: The Dark Ages is idSoftware's newest entry in the franchise that made FPS games what they are today. It brings forth many elements never seen before in a Doom game. In this review, we'll take an in-depth look at them and det...

Anil Ganti, 09 May 2025 16:00

Confusing customers with naming: Why you should be very careful when choosing the CPU of any 2025 laptop with Intel CPUs (Pictured: ThinkPad X1 Carbon. Image source: Notebookcheck)

Confusing customers with naming: Why you should be very careful when choosing the CPU of any 2025 laptop with Intel processors

CheckMag In 2025, customers buying a Windows laptop have as much choice as never before when it comes to processors. Snapdragon X, Krackan Point, Strix Point, Arrow Lake, Lunar Lake, it is easy to get confused. Especially confusing this ye...

Benjamin Herzig, 07 May 2025 22:14

Among Us 3D can be played on PC without a VR headset (Image source: Inner Sloth)

Best laptop for Among Us 3D - best, mid-range, and budget picks

Among Us 3D is here! We’ve rounded up top picks across premium, mid-range, and budget categories. Check out the specs, pros, cons, and expert verdicts to find your perfect match!

Nitisha Upadhye, 06 May 2025 19:00

How to reset all network settings in Windows 11 (Image Source: Unsplash)

How to reset your network settings in Windows 11

CheckMag As a last resort, resetting your network settings can help restore your internet connection. This article explains how to do it in Windows 11.

Antony Muchiri, 05 May 2025 13:53

The OnePlus 13T is one of several premium compact phones available in China but not globally. (Image Source: Flying Bun on Weibo)

Fantastic OnePlus 13T sales highlight the rising demand for premium compact phones

The OnePlus 13T recently went on sale in China, with the company confirming its impressive commercial success, highlighting the demand for compact, premium phones in China. The global market may be an entirely different matter, ho...

Ricci Rox, 04 May 2025 22:52

Angled view of the Bianchet B 1.618 UltraFino highlighting the flying tourbillon and textured dial design (Image source: Bianchet Official Website)

Bianchet's UltraFino tourbillon integrates the Golden Ratio into modern watchmaking

Bianchet's B 1.618 UltraFino tourbillon integrates Golden Ratio principles with high-performance titanium or carbon composite, and a lightweight flying tourbillon. The UT01 calibre offers a 60-hour power reserve in an ultra-thin, ...

Louise Burke, 04 May 2025 19:30

The Shield remote certainly serves its primary function, but it does have some quirky design choices (Image Source: Notebookcheck)

Everything wrong with the Nvidia Shield remote can be fixed with this free, 3D printable case

CheckMag Whether it's a broken battery door from years of abuse by children and cats, the irritatingly easy to press Netflix button, or the complete inability to place the remote flat on a table, this genius Nvidia Shield remote case can b...

David Devey, 03 May 2025 10:01

EA Steam sale slashes up to 85% off everything from African mythological indie gem to legendary Star Wars shooter

CheckMag The EA Games 2025 publisher sale has officially kicked off on Steam, offering as much as 95% off the retail price of both some of the biggest AAA games of the last few years and some highly rated indie gems alike.

Julian van der Merwe, 02 May 2025 20:51

Gigabyte X870 motherboard shows Ryzen 7 9800X3D instability in Gamers Nexus RMA Rescue test

CheckMag Gamers Nexus launches a new RMA investigation series, uncovering potential AM5 platform instability with Ryzen 9000X3D chips—though testing is halted by physical damage to the socket.

Sebastian Jankowski, 01 May 2025 18:43

Almost 20 years after the release of the original game, fans can finally get their hands on The Elderscrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. (Image source: bethesda.net)

A hero in new armor: Why Oblivion Remastered inspires – and frustrates at times

The emperor is murdered, portals to hell open up – and once again, we charge into the next cave like it’s 2006. The Oblivion remaster brings back a flood of nostalgia, but also reminds us that some adventures are timeless – flaws ...

Marius Müller, 30 Apr 2025 15:59

Nintendo Switch being held with Super Mario 3D World Virtual Game Card displayed.

Virtual Game Cards arrive in 20.0.0 Nintendo Switch Update; How to utilize them

The Nintendo Switch has received its 20.0.0 update, introducing Virtual Game Cards and the new Gameshare feature ahead of the Switch 2 release. We share how to use the new Virtual Game card feature as well it's limitations in addi...

Sasha (Tristan) Mathews, 30 Apr 2025 14:45

Google Wallet brings digital IDs to more US states (Image Source: Antony Muchiri)

You can now add your driver’s license to Google Wallet in more US states — here's how

CheckMag Google Wallet is expanding support for digital IDs, letting residents in more U.S. states store their driver's licenses or passports on their phones. The update also brings new privacy-first age verification using zero-knowledge p...

Antony Muchiri, 30 Apr 2025 11:45

Casio is bringing a whole slew of new launches in the coming weeks. (Image source: Great G-Shock World, Casioblog, @morgan_gshock on Instagram, MyNavi)

Casio April 2025 Roundup: All the G-Shock and Pro Trek watch leaks in one place

CheckMag Casio’s April leaks preview a packed summer lineup, with the return of G-Lide, a new Hidden Shine series, artist collabs like Mooze’s GA-2100, and high-end Pro Trek lume dials. New models span fitness, anime-themed drops, and prem...

Anubhav Sharma, 30 Apr 2025 09:12

The Nintendo Switch pictured with 3DS eShop bag and Mii Matt in front (Image Source: Creative commons/Nintendo)

Nintendo Switch: The charm of previous consoles has vanished, it seems

When one thinks of Nintendo, many may think of consoles they grew up with and their unique charm, such as the GameCube's boot logo. Lately, consoles like the Switch (and potentially the upcoming Switch 2) no longer have that same ...

Sasha (Tristan) Mathews, 29 Apr 2025 09:14

The Vivo X200 Ultra with grip and teleconverter: Reviewers have already taken awesome photos and videos with the new Zeiss camera flagship (Image source: Weibo)

Shot on Vivo X200 Ultra: First reviews, pictures and videos of the new Zeiss camera flagship phone

CheckMag The Vivo X200 Ultra has already made it to early adopters and some reviewers, primarily in China. Anyone browsing Chinese networks can already find many outstanding photos and even a product video for the Porsche 911 produced enti...

Alexander Fagot, 27 Apr 2025 21:11

How to transfer your Apple Music playlists to YouTube Music and vice versa

CheckMag Switching between Apple Music and YouTube Music? Don't leave your playlists behind. This guide covers some of the the best free and paid methods to transfer your music—from official tools to third-party solutions—plus key limitati...

Antony Muchiri, 27 Apr 2025 09:58

An APU that won't ship until Q3 versus graphics cards that won't be stable until then. Can we just give CES to the charging toasters and rollable TVs instead? (Image source: @all_the_watts)

A quarter into the year, CES 2025 has already aged like milk

CheckMag Broken promises or over-hyped expectations aren't uncommon after big announcements, but year's raft of disappointments is a whole other ball game.

Matthew Lee, 25 Apr 2025 03:21

You don't have to spend flagship prices on a Light Phone to get a similar experience (Image Source: Notebookcheck)

Turn any Android device into a Light Phone without sacrificing the features you can't live without

CheckMag The Light Phone is a noble attempt at reducing our dependence on smartphones. But when banks, payment services and even public transport all require the use of an app, adopting one means making some significant sacrifices. However...

David Devey, 24 Apr 2025 12:56

Retailer websites have been in chaos since midnight EST (Image Source: Nintendo, Various other retailers - see Sources)

Preorders for Switch 2 have gone awry: Retailer sites are unstable

Target, Best Buy, and Walmart are all available for preorder, but it's been a messy and overall unstable mess for each website, resulting in preorder pages like Target's being review bombed.

Sasha (Tristan) Mathews, 24 Apr 2025 08:15

Manjaro keyboard shortcuts (Image Source: Antony Muchiri)

These Manjaro KDE keyboard shortcuts may help give your productivity a boost

CheckMag As a tech journalist and cybersecurity analyst running Manjaro KDE, these keyboard shortcuts have greatly transformed my workflow. From instant window switching to formatting-free pasting, these tricks save me hours every week—and...

Antony Muchiri, 22 Apr 2025 06:21

Futuristic illustration that combines traditional loudspeakers and directed acoustic energy systems (Image source: OpenAI/DALL·E)

From loudspeakers to precision acoustic tools: The engineering behind modern directed sound systems

Directed acoustic energy systems represent an evolution from traditional loudspeakers to precision instruments for security applications. Modern iterations, such as the LRAD series, utilise focused sound waves for targeted communi...

Louise Burke, 21 Apr 2025 03:30

Stripping away almost everything that makes this Surface a Microsoft product, leaves a surprisingly capable tablet (Image Source: Notebookcheck)

If you like the ROG Flow or iPad's form factor, the Surface Go is still a compelling purchase in 2025

CheckMag The market for ultra-portables that bridge the gap between a decent desktop and media consumption has dwindled to almost nothing. A space now dominated by iPads and Android tablets with terrible multitasking, file management and m...

David Devey, 20 Apr 2025 22:07

Microsoft Surface Pro OLED for Business (Image source: Notebookcheck)

Microsoft's Windows-on-ARM approach for private users damages the reputation of Surface devices

The new Intel version of the Surface Pro convertible is not really interesting for private users due to the high price, but this problem is artificially created by Microsoft. This will damage the reputation of its own products and...

Andreas Osthoff, 19 Apr 2025 14:09

The Gorilla God's Go-To Girl promo image shows off the leading lady and her suitors. (Image source: Kadokawa)

The Gorilla God's Go-To Girl is retro romance anime gold

Romance anime fans who love a good fight are in luck this spring. The Gorilla God's Go-To Girl balances action, social politics, and romance with a retro style that plenty of anime fans will love to see!

Megan Miranda Reyes, 19 Apr 2025 02:04

Title card for My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, featuring The Crawler, Pop Step, and Knuckleduster. (Image source: Bones Film)

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes offers fans more super-powered action

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is the first anime spin-off of the wildly successful shonen and promises plenty of action ahead of the final season of MHA. The first two episodes are streaming now on Crunchyroll!

Megan Miranda Reyes, 19 Apr 2025 01:17

Apple community support (Image source: Apple - screenshot)

Apple’s Support Forums are a black hole for user feedback

CheckMag Apple likes to position itself as a company that values user experience above all. But spend just a few minutes in their official Support Communities, and a very different picture emerges — one of tightly controlled messaging, sup...

Sebastian Jankowski, 18 Apr 2025 20:26

Google Chrome illustration (Image source: Growtika on Unsplash)

How to make Google Chrome uniquely yours

CheckMag Tired of Chrome looking and feeling the same as everyone else's? This guide breaks down a few ways you can customize it to your liking.

Antony Muchiri, 17 Apr 2025 21:03

How to check how much you've spent on Steam games

CheckMag Ever wondered how much you've actually spent on Steam? A viral Reddit thread has revealed how to check your lifetime spending and the shocking totals might make you rethink your game purchases.

Antony Muchiri, 17 Apr 2025 19:10

eSIM - generic image (Image source: Opal Pierce on Unsplash)

How to convert your physical SIM to eSIM on iPhone and Android

CheckMag eSIMs are fast becoming the new standard. This guide breaks down the quick conversion process for both iPhone and Android users, helping you transition seamlessly to digital SIM technology.

Antony Muchiri, 11 Apr 2025 07:43

Unfortunately, it's not super obvious where to even find the RAM/VRAM setting for the Ryzen AI Max (Image source: Notebookcheck)

How to toggle the unique flexible RAM features of the AMD Ryzen AI Max series

CheckMag Users can reserve a massive 96 GB of RAM for the integrated Radeon 8060S GPU, but the setting is hidden under multiple submenus in the BIOS.

Allen Ngo, 10 Apr 2025 21:31

Nintendo Switch 2 vs. Switch 1 (Image source: Nintendo)

Nintendo Switch 2 vs. Switch 1: Is it time to upgrade?

CheckMag Nintendo is back with the Switch 2, a major upgrade promising 4K visuals, improved Joy-Cons, and powerhouse performance. But is it truly a next-gen leap or just a smarter, sleeker iteration of the original? I break it all down in ...

Antony Muchiri, 09 Apr 2025 19:59

Pictured: Pedro Pascal in a teaser image for The Last of Us Season 2 (Image Source: Warner Bros. Discovery)

The Last of Us returns on April 13th with Season 2

CheckMag The critically-acclaimed video game adaptation "The Last of Us" returns on Sunday, April 13th with its second season. This season's tagline is "Every path has a price." referencing the fateful decision Joel made at the end of last...

Sasha (Tristan) Mathews, 08 Apr 2025 09:27

My travels took me all around the world, and high-end smartphones for taking pictures were always with me (Image source: Notebookcheck)

I traveled the world with a dozen camera smartphones. Which one took the best travel photos?

CheckMag For almost a year, I've been testing and comparing the photo quality of smartphones all around the world. What was my motivation, what have I learned, how did my trip look like and which smartphone did I like the most? Read on to ...

Florian Schmitt, 08 Apr 2025 01:03

Taking screenshots on Windows 11 (Image Source: Antony Muchiri)

These are my favorite shortcuts for taking screenshots on Windows 11

CheckMag Windows 11 offers a dizzying number of ways to take screenshots, but I’ve narrowed it down to four shortcuts that actually make sense. In this guide, I break down the only screenshot methods I use and what to do if your keyboard d...

Antony Muchiri, 06 Apr 2025 18:47

From left to right, Razer's Skibidi headset, Casio's E-Shock, and the Oppo X³ cube-shaped smartphone. (Image source: Razer, Casio, Oppo - Edited)

7 of the best April Fools' tech gags from 2025, including Casio’s Tamagotchi and Razer’s Skibidi headset

CheckMag Popular tech brands used April Fools' Day 2025 to post about quirky pranks, from cube-shaped phones and gaming frisbees to Tamagotchi watches and earphones with 50-meter long cables. Here are seven of our favorite gags from this y...

Anubhav Sharma, 03 Apr 2025 15:11

With the Nintendo Direct Switch 2 event wrapped up, we are yet again expected to pay full price for games that are on sale everywhere else (Image Source: Nintendo)

Nintendo Switch 2 game lineup reveals a range of outrageously priced games you probably already bought cheaper elsewhere

CheckMag Nintendo has a history of selling full price games that have been available on sale for every other platform for years. Unfortunately, the Switch 2 seems unlikely to break from that tradition with a range of old, but admittedly gr...

David Devey, 02 Apr 2025 19:10

Apple Intelligence (Image Source: Apple)

Apple’s AI dilemma: A crisis of trust, timing, and technological ambition

CheckMag Apple's AI ambitions have hit a wall, with repeated delays and an underwhelming rollout of promised features like the Siri overhaul. While rivals push forward, Apple’s AI strategy seems tangled in internal struggles and cautious e...

Antony Muchiri, 02 Apr 2025 11:37

The Casio A158WA (which shares the Casio F-91W’s module) can display "Casio" on the display, as does the newer W-217H. (Image source: Wikimedia)

Easter eggs on your wrist: Secret features hidden in Casio watches

CheckMag Casio's watches often include hidden features like display tests, backlight logos, and button combos. These subtle Easter eggs aren’t widely known, but they’re found across several popular models. Here's a look at some of the more...

Anubhav Sharma, 01 Apr 2025 12:33

Bazzite on the ROG Ally X is an easy way to turn your handheld into a compelling Steam Deck alternative (Image Source: Notebookcheck)

Guide: How to dual boot Bazzite on your gaming handheld of choice and why you would want to

CheckMag With official Steam OS just around the corner, Bazzite might seem irrelevant. However, Steam OS is currently still in beta, some functions don't work, and it has a far shorter supported device list. Bazzite on the other hand suppo...

David Devey, 29 Mar 2025 11:54

Remove personal information from Google Search results (Image source: Antony Muchiri, Notebookcheck)

How to remove your personal information from Google search results

CheckMag If your personal info like your address or phone number appears in Google searches, you can request its removal to protect your privacy. This guide explains how to submit takedown requests and manage your online exposure.

Antony Muchiri, 26 Mar 2025 19:37

Starlink Mini still has a long way to go before approaching the affordability of the Standard dish (Image source: SpaceX)

Starlink Mini dish price is coming down in the US, but it still falls short of Musk’s budget-friendly vision

CheckMag Initially teased by Elon Musk as a potential game-changer in affordable satellite internet, the Starlink Mini hasn't exactly lived up to that billing in the US market. While the price is trending downwards, it's still significantl...

Kristen Spradlin, 25 Mar 2025 15:02

On paper, the Legion Go could nicely fill a niche between work and play, but ultimately it fails at both (Image Source: Notebookcheck)

I swapped my Steam Deck for a Legion Go and ended up hating it in every way possible, and no, it wasn't Windows

CheckMag On paper, the Legion Go is a great compromise. The bigger than average screen and detachable controllers could feasibly pull double duty as a gaming and highly portable productivity machine, negating the need to carry a handheld f...

David Devey, 24 Mar 2025 12:51