https://devsmithtools.com Guides, comparisons and reviews of software and AI tools. en-us https://devsmithtools.com/blog/windows-11-black-screen-after-update https://devsmithtools.com/blog/windows-11-black-screen-after-update Recent Windows 11 updates left some PCs with a black screen and crashing File Explorer after logging in. The quick workaround and the update that fixes it. How-to Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/windows-11-26h2-should-you-update https://devsmithtools.com/blog/windows-11-26h2-should-you-update Windows 11 26H2 is out, with three known issues Microsoft hasn't fully fixed. Who should install it now, who should wait, and how to pause the update. Software Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/windows-10-security-updates-2027 https://devsmithtools.com/blog/windows-10-security-updates-2027 Microsoft extended free Windows 10 Extended Security Updates for home users to October 12, 2027. How to check you're enrolled, how to sign up, and when to upgrade. Software Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/should-you-buy-iphone-duo-now-or-wait https://devsmithtools.com/blog/should-you-buy-iphone-duo-now-or-wait Cracked screens, letterboxed apps and no telephoto lens. An honest look at who should buy Apple's $1,999 foldable today and who should hold off. Phones Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/pixel-11-no-signal-wifi-fix https://devsmithtools.com/blog/pixel-11-no-signal-wifi-fix Some Pixel 11 owners see full 5G bars but no internet, or Wi-Fi that drops. These seven fixes work for most people, plus how to tell if it's a hardware fault. Phones Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/one-ui-9-battery-drain-fix https://devsmithtools.com/blog/one-ui-9-battery-drain-fix Galaxy S24 and S25 owners report big battery drops after the One UI 9 (Android 17) update. Why it happens, how long it lasts, and the settings that help. Phones Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/oled-macbook-pro-worth-it https://devsmithtools.com/blog/oled-macbook-pro-worth-it Apple's first OLED, touch-screen MacBook Pro starts at $2,899. What you get over the mini-LED model, who should pay the extra, and who should save their money. Laptops Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/iphone-duo-screen-cracking https://devsmithtools.com/blog/iphone-duo-screen-cracking Some iPhone Duo inner displays are cracking along the hinge within days. What the problem looks like, what Apple has said, and how to get a free replacement. Phones Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/iphone-duo-getting-hot https://devsmithtools.com/blog/iphone-duo-getting-hot Lots of new iPhone Duo owners say the phone gets very warm with light use. Here's what's normal, what isn't, and the settings that actually help. Phones Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/iphone-duo-apps-black-bars https://devsmithtools.com/blog/iphone-duo-apps-black-bars Instagram, banking apps and games often don't fill the iPhone Duo's inner screen yet. Why that happens, when it'll get better, and how to live with it. Phones Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/iphone-18-pro-speaker-crackling https://devsmithtools.com/blog/iphone-18-pro-speaker-crackling Some iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max owners hear clicks and pops from the earpiece speaker. What triggers it, whether updates fix it, and when to ask Apple for a swap. Phones Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/ipad-mini-oled-vs-ipad-mini-7 https://devsmithtools.com/blog/ipad-mini-oled-vs-ipad-mini-7 The new iPad mini has an 8.5-inch OLED screen, A20 Pro chip and IP67 water resistance for $699. How it compares with the iPad mini 7 and who should upgrade. Versus Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/ios-27-2-should-you-update https://devsmithtools.com/blog/ios-27-2-should-you-update iOS 27.2 fixes more than 160 security holes and adds new Siri AI languages, Apple Pencil on the iPhone Duo and Apple TV profiles. Here's whether to install it now. Phones Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/how-to-play-netflix-games-on-phone https://devsmithtools.com/blog/how-to-play-netflix-games-on-phone Every Netflix plan includes mobile games with no ads or in-app purchases. How to find them, download them on iPhone or Android, and what happens when a game leaves. Games Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/gta-6-release-time https://devsmithtools.com/blog/gta-6-release-time GTA 6 unlocks at midnight local time on November 19. New Zealand gets it first. Here's when that is where you live, and how preload works. Gadgets Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/gta-6-ps5-storage-space https://devsmithtools.com/blog/gta-6-ps5-storage-space GTA 6 needs 212GB of free space on PS5, and preload opens November 10. How much room your console really has, what to delete, and the right SSD to add. Gadgets Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/games-like-valiant-hearts https://devsmithtools.com/blog/games-like-valiant-hearts Valiant Hearts: Coming Home is still on Netflix. If you've finished it, these mobile games have the same mix of heart, history and simple puzzles. Games Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/games-like-oxenfree-ii https://devsmithtools.com/blog/games-like-oxenfree-ii Finished Oxenfree II on Netflix and want that same spooky, talky, late-night feeling? These are the mobile games I'd play next, most of them free with Netflix. Games Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/games-like-highwater https://devsmithtools.com/blog/games-like-highwater Highwater's flooded world, chill radio soundtrack and slow boat trips are hard to replace. These mobile games, mostly free with Netflix, come closest. Games Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/ftc-phone-number-fraud-scam https://devsmithtools.com/blog/ftc-phone-number-fraud-scam Scammers posing as FTC agents say your number is tied to overseas fraud, then demand money. How the script works, the red flags, and what to do if they called you. How-to Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/chatgpt-locked-chats https://devsmithtools.com/blog/chatgpt-locked-chats ChatGPT now lets you hide private conversations behind a PIN or Face ID. How to lock a chat, where locked chats go, and the one mistake that deletes them for good. AI Tools Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/black-friday-2026-tech-deals-guide https://devsmithtools.com/blog/black-friday-2026-tech-deals-guide Black Friday is November 27 and Cyber Monday November 30, but Target, Best Buy and Walmart start early. Key dates, what to buy, and how to tell a real tech deal. Buying Guides Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/best-story-games-on-netflix https://devsmithtools.com/blog/best-story-games-on-netflix Netflix's games library has shrunk, but the story games still there are excellent. My picks for iPhone and Android, plus which favourites have already left. Games Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/apple-homeview-explained https://devsmithtools.com/blog/apple-homeview-explained Apple's HomeView is a 7-inch smart display with Siri AI, face recognition and Matter support. What it does, the hidden costs, and whether you should buy one. Gadgets Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/android-auto-disconnecting-one-ui-9 https://devsmithtools.com/blog/android-auto-disconnecting-one-ui-9 Samsung Galaxy owners report Android Auto dropping out and stuttering audio after One UI 9. Google says a fix is rolling out. What to update and what to try meanwhile. How-to Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/iphone-battery-replacement-cost https://devsmithtools.com/blog/iphone-battery-replacement-cost Apple's out-of-warranty battery prices by model, from $99 to $129 for the iPhone 18 Pro, when it's worth replacing, and how to check your battery health. Phones Thu, 22 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/iphone-battery-drain-ios-27 https://devsmithtools.com/blog/iphone-battery-drain-ios-27 Why your iPhone battery drops faster after updating to iOS 27, how long it should last, and what to do if it doesn't get better after a few days. Phones Thu, 22 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/mailchimp-vs-kit-vs-brevo https://devsmithtools.com/blog/mailchimp-vs-kit-vs-brevo Three very different pricing models: Mailchimp by contacts, Kit free for 10,000 subscribers, Brevo by emails sent. Here's which one costs least for your list. Versus Wed, 21 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/learn-to-code-with-ai https://devsmithtools.com/blog/learn-to-code-with-ai AI can make you a faster learner or a very confident beginner who can't code. A few simple rules decide which one you become. AI Tools Wed, 21 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/iphone-duo-vs-ipad-mini https://devsmithtools.com/blog/iphone-duo-vs-ipad-mini The $1,999 iPhone Duo folds out to 7.6 inches. The $599 iPad mini has 8.3 inches. Which makes more sense for reading, work and travel, and the cheaper combo. Phones Wed, 21 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/iphone-duo-explained https://devsmithtools.com/blog/iphone-duo-explained Apple's foldable iPhone Duo costs $1,999 and launches October 23. What it does, how it differs from the iPhone 18 Pro and who it's actually for. Phones Wed, 21 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/how-to-choose-web-hosting https://devsmithtools.com/blog/how-to-choose-web-hosting That $2.99 a month deal often renews at $10 to $18. How hosting pricing really works, which type you need and the questions to ask before you pay. How-to Wed, 21 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/better-ai-prompts https://devsmithtools.com/blog/better-ai-prompts Most bad AI answers come from vague questions. These seven habits take ten extra seconds and make ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini far more useful. AI Tools Wed, 21 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/best-crm-small-business https://devsmithtools.com/blog/best-crm-small-business HubSpot, Zoho CRM and Pipedrive compared for small sales teams: free plans, real costs per user and when a spreadsheet is still enough. Software Wed, 21 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/ai-tools-for-small-business https://devsmithtools.com/blog/ai-tools-for-small-business No hype, no expensive consultants. Real, specific tasks where AI saves small business owners time today, from emails and reviews to bookkeeping prep. AI Tools Wed, 21 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/how-to-start-a-blog https://devsmithtools.com/blog/how-to-start-a-blog Pick a topic, choose a platform, set up a domain and write posts that rank on Google. A practical, no-fluff guide from people who run a blog. How-to Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/how-to-set-up-google-business-profile https://devsmithtools.com/blog/how-to-set-up-google-business-profile A free Google Business Profile puts your business on Google Search and Maps. Step-by-step setup, verification and the details that help you rank locally. How-to Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/how-ai-chatbots-work https://devsmithtools.com/blog/how-ai-chatbots-work What really happens when ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini answers you: predicting words, training, and why they sound so sure even when they're wrong. AI Tools Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/best-laptop-for-nursing-students https://devsmithtools.com/blog/best-laptop-for-nursing-students Most nursing schools use ExamSoft's Examplify for exams, and it won't run on Chromebooks. Here's what to buy, what to avoid and how to check before you pay. Laptops Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/best-ai-image-generators https://devsmithtools.com/blog/best-ai-image-generators Midjourney, ChatGPT, Gemini and Adobe Firefly compared for blog images, social posts and product mockups, plus the licensing questions to ask first. AI Tools Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/apple-september-2026-event-recap https://devsmithtools.com/blog/apple-september-2026-event-recap A quick recap of Apple's fall 2026 launch: the foldable iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, and price changes. Tech News Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/best-phones-under-500 https://devsmithtools.com/blog/best-phones-under-500 Budget phones got pricier this year. The Pixel 10a, Galaxy A37 and other good phones that still cost around $500 or less, and what to skip. Phones Mon, 19 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/which-iphone-to-buy https://devsmithtools.com/blog/which-iphone-to-buy From the $699 iPhone 17e to the $1,999 iPhone Duo. Current prices after Apple's September increases, and the right iPhone for each kind of person. Phones Sun, 18 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/run-ai-model-on-your-laptop-ollama https://devsmithtools.com/blog/run-ai-model-on-your-laptop-ollama Install Ollama, pick a model that fits your RAM, and chat with an AI that never sends your data anywhere. Takes about 15 minutes. How-to Sun, 18 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/galaxy-s26-ultra-vs-s25-ultra https://devsmithtools.com/blog/galaxy-s26-ultra-vs-s25-ultra Brighter camera lenses, 60W charging and a newer chip. What actually changed from the S25 Ultra, and who should upgrade or keep their phone. Phones Sun, 18 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/best-password-manager https://devsmithtools.com/blog/best-password-manager Bitwarden doubled its price and is still the best deal. Here's how it compares with 1Password, Proton Pass and the free one already on your phone. Buying Guides Sun, 18 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/ai-excel-formulas https://devsmithtools.com/blog/ai-excel-formulas Describe what you want in plain English and let AI write the formula. Real examples for SUMIFS, XLOOKUP, dates and messy data, plus how to check it. AI Tools Sun, 18 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/git-commands-for-beginners https://devsmithtools.com/blog/git-commands-for-beginners Git has hundreds of commands. You need about twelve. Here they are, in the order you'll use them, with plain-English explanations. How-to Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/best-email-marketing-software https://devsmithtools.com/blog/best-email-marketing-software Mailchimp, Kit, Brevo and MailerLite compared on free plans, price as your list grows and ease of use. Mailchimp is no longer the obvious default. Software Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://devsmithtools.com/blog/best-ai-coding-assistants-2026 https://devsmithtools.com/blog/best-ai-coding-assistants-2026 Copilot moved to credits, Cursor now belongs to SpaceX, and Claude Code comes with a chat plan. Here's what each one costs and who should pick which. AI Tools Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT