Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. If you own an iPhone 16 or an iPhone 17, you'll find different buttons around the sides of your smartphone. Older iPhones have fewer, depending on the model, but all of these buttons are multitaskers: They come with secondary functions as well as primary ones. For example, did you know you can use either of the volume buttons to snap pictures when you're in the Camera app? This can make it easier to capture photos, compared to trying to hit the circular button on screen.

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. To play, press and hold the enter key.

Alexa users can always count on Amazon's voice assistant for a hand, and with the $129.99 Echo Loop smart ring, they can have Alexa wrapped around their finger. Currently available on an invitation-only basis, the Loop is an Amazon Day 1 Edition product (essentially a beta device you pay for) that gives you access to Alexa with the tap of a button. As usual, you can ask Alexa to answer questions, set reminders, create to-do and shopping lists, get directions and the weather, control connected smart home devices, make calls, and more. If you're a virtual assistant power user, it offers a new level of convenience, letting you summon not only Alexa but Google Assistant or Siri wherever you are without having to reach for your phone.

An apparent problem with new software means that some iPhone X users are not able to activate Face ID on their handsets. The mysterious bug means that for to unlock their devices they have to enter their pass code manually. Frustrated Apple users are taking to Twitter and Reddit to complain about the problem which causes a'not available' message to show up on the screen. The issue has been linked to the latest iOS 12.1 version upgrade, according to reports from customers on social media. Frustrated Apple users are taking to Twitter and Reddit to complain about the mysterious bug that causes a'not available' message to show up on the screen, pictured Then press and hold the Power button until you see the Apple logo on-screen.

Now available, Apple's smart speaker has integrated Siri support, so wake it up and ask a question or give a command. You probably know about Siri's funny responses to questions like "What's the meaning of life?" or "Are you alive?" And you may have complained when the assistant stumbles or can't follow your question. Spoiler alert: This column won't show you how to make Siri fault-proof. But it will help you get more out of it, particularly when you're in situations where you couldn't or shouldn't be using your hands.

By default, both iOS and Android let you access their digital assistants--Siri and Google Assistant, respectively--right from the lock screen (unless the phone owner has disabled the feature). To pull up the assistant on an iPhone other than the X, press and hold the Home button (for the iPhone X, press and hold the Power button instead). On Android, tap and hold in the bottom left corner of the display (where the microphone icon apppears) and then drag your finger up to the middle of the screen. Once you've accessed Siri or Google Assistant, try saying "Call mom," "Call home," or another command that might access one of the phone's owner's contacts. Siri also has a trick that Google Assistant doesn't: Ask "Whose phone is this?" to bring up contact details for the owner.

Apple's decision to remove the home button means there can be an unexpected learning curve when using the iPhone X for the first time. Many tasks that used to be executed by tapping or holding the home button, like launching Siri or closing apps, have now been assigned new gestures. Here's a quick overview of the most important iPhone X tips and tricks, from taking a screenshot to force restarting the phone. To take a screenshot on the iPhone X, press and release the side button and the volume up button at the same time. When using an app, swipe up from the bottom of the display to return to the home screen.

Sky viewers can now search for TV programmes and films using just their voice. The latest Sky Q remote comes with a voice button linked to a microphone which users can speak into to search for content. The new software can search for shows by title, actor, genre or star rating. The voice recognition technology picks up on phrases such as'action movies with Tom Cruise' and'kids' movies rated U' to find personalised content. 'You can search for shows by specifying title, actor, genre or even star rating,' a spokesperson for Sky said.

Now on Tap was one of the marquee features of Android Marshmallow when Google first announced this update to its mobile operating system last year (which is now already being eclipsed by the next version: Android Nougat). It allows you to quickly find more relevant information and context about what's currently on your phone's or tablet's screen when you press and hold the home button. Today, Google is adding three new features to Now on Tap that should make the service even more useful and smarter. The first of these new features allows you to easily translate text from any application. Chrome has long featured a built-in translation feature, but that's obviously not available in other native apps.