Ryan Lynch, Author at Make Tech Easier

Where to Obtain Legal Video Game ROMs

Ryan Lynch — Thu, 14 Jul 2022 00:25:00 +0000

In recent years, old school games have experienced a full-blown renaissance. This is in large part due to the release of a slew of mini consoles, replicas of classic arcade games and the availability of older titles on newer consoles.

If you’re someone who wants to revisit yesteryear and feed your nostalgia with and relive the era of button mashing and pinpoint platforming, you may be tempted to make your own retro gaming set-up. This can be a done a number of ways. You can use your PC to run emulators or you can grab one a single board computer like the Raspberry Pi to run RetroPie or Recalbox. The only issue you may face is, where do you get your hands on the games (legally)?

How to Configure DIG Emulator Frontend for Android

Ryan Lynch — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 21:25:00 +0000

DIG is a one of the best emulator frontends for Android devices. DIG makes categorizing your video game emulators and ROMs easy and attractive. With support for Android, everyone can now take advantage of DIG to play retro games.

Content

What Is DIG and What Does It Do?
What Is a ROM? What Is an emulator?
1. How to Install DIG
2. Add ROMs to Your Device
3. Scan for ROMS
4. Configure the Emulators
5. Change the Default Emulator
6. Scrape for Missing Cover Art and Metadata
7. Customize the Theme
8. Customize How Games Are Displayed
9. Set DIG to Auto-Start
Frequently Asked Questions

What Is DIG and What Does It Do?

There are a ton of emulators available for Android devices that mimic the hardware of retro video... Read more

How to Identify Songs from Movies and TV Shows

Ryan Lynch — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 21:25:00 +0000

With many shows boasting high production values, everything including the soundtrack is impressive. While many people are watching their favorite show, their ears perk up, thanks to the soundtrack. Great music-identifier apps like TuneFind and Shazam do the job better than ever, but there are many ways to identify your favorite songs! If you’ve always wanted help identifying the earworms you’ve heard on TV and in movies, don’t fret, as your phone is here to help.

Content

IMDb
Google Assistant/Siri
TuneFind
WhatSong
Shazam
SnapChat
SoundHound
Soundtrack.net
AdTunes
Frequently Asked Questions

IMDb

Most likely you have heard of IMDb. The Internet Movie Database is home to information about virtually every movie and TV show ever produced. IMDb is truly a treasure trove for pop culture junkies. It includes... Read more

The Best Websites to Find Images with a Transparent Background

Ryan Lynch — Tue, 17 May 2022 21:25:00 +0000

If you spend a lot of time in Photoshop, you probably often have the need for images with a transparent background. Unfortunately, tracking them down can be frustrating. One would think that using Google Image Search to find images with a transparent background would be easy. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth. Thankfully, there are a number of websites that host images with a transparent background, making sourcing images for your next project a breeze.

Content

What is a transparent image and why would I want one?
1. IMGBIN
2. CleanPNG
3. StickPNG
4. PNGTree
5. FavPNG
6. FreePNGs
7. removebg
Frequently Asked Questions

What is a transparent image and why would I want one?

Transparent images are pictures that are partially transparent or see-through. Most often, transparent images refer... Read more

6 of the Best Super Portable USB Flash Drives

Ryan Lynch — Sat, 14 May 2022 15:25:00 +0000

Are you looking for a USB flash drive that you can bring around with you? There are a number of super small, ultra portable USB flash drives available. Read on to explore our choices of six of the best portable USB drives.

Content

1. Transcend JetFlash 710
2. SanDisk Cruzer Fit
3. SanDisk UltraFit
4. Samsung Fit Plus
5. Silicon Power Jewel J50
6. PNY Elite-X Fit
Frequently Asked Questions

1. Transcend JetFlash 710

The JetFlash 710 by Transcend is a USB 3.1 compatible flash drive that weighs in at a mere 3.3 grams. It’s so small, that it barely protrudes from your computer’s USB port. This minimizes the chance someone may bump into it and break it on a desktop PC. Furthermore, it means you can leave it plugged into your laptop without having to worry about stowing it away when moving from place to place.

Furthermore, the drive is housed in a sturdy metallic... Read more

9 of the Best Alternatives to Apple’s Magic Keyboard

Ryan Lynch — Fri, 13 May 2022 15:25:00 +0000

Do you need to replace your Mac’s Magic keyboard but don’t really want to pay the “Apple tax”? Or what about that hated default Butterfly keyboard that leads you to use an external keyboard instead? You’re in luck. We’ve assembled a list of some great alternatives that maintain the functionality and mimic the aesthetics of Apple’s Magic keyboard. Furthermore, we’ve organized the list from lowest to highest list price (USD) so that you can find a Magic Keyboard alternative that fits your budget.

Content

Under $20: iHome Full Size Mac Keyboard
$30 All-Rounder: OMOTON Bluetooth Keyboard for Mac
$30-60: Macally Ultra-Slim USB Wired Keyboard/Macally Slim USB Wired Compact Mini Keyboard
$80: Satechi Aluminum Bluetooth Keyboard
$80 Mechanical Keyboard: Keychron K8
$100: Logitech K750 Wireless Solar Keyboard

Under $20: iHome Full Size Mac Keyboard

iHome has been making Apple-compatible peripherals for years, so... Read more

PS4/PS5 Controller Alternatives for Those Who Prefer the Xbox One Controller

Ryan Lynch — Thu, 05 May 2022 15:25:00 +0000

Sorry Sony, but the DualShock and the DualSense controllers don’t hold a candle to the Xbox controller. Microsoft’s controller features a more comfortable offset analog stick layout and proper shoulder triggers instead of clunky bumpers. While it can be argued that the Sony consoles have a significantly better game library than the Xbox and despite both connecting through Bluetooth, there’s no way to use your Xbox One controller on your PlayStation natively. If you’re a PS4/PS5 fan but have always been envious of the Xbox One controller, there are a few third-party controller manufacturers that have answered your prayers.

Content

Do Any of these Controllers Work on PlayStation 5?
1. Hori ONYX
2. Nacon Asymmetric Wireless
3. Nacon Revolution Unlimited Pro
4. SCUF Vantage
Frequently Asked Questions

Do... Read more

How to Format an Xbox One External Hard Drive for Use with a PC

Ryan Lynch — Sun, 01 May 2022 21:25:00 +0000

The storage capacity of Microsoft’s Xbox One console can easily be upgraded with an external hard drive. However, if you no longer need the extra storage, you can’t simply just plug that drive into your computer and start using it.

In fact, your PC won’t even recognize that the drive is plugged in. Well lucky for you this article will walk you through how to format your Xbox One external hard drive so it can be used on a PC.

Content

Why Can't a Drive Used for Xbox One Be Used Simultaneously with a PC?
What to Do Before You Disconnect Your External Drive from Your Xbox One
How to Format Your Xbox One External Hard Drive

Why Can’t a Drive Used for Xbox One Be Used Simultaneously with a... Read more

Which Parts Should You Salvage from a Laptop?

Ryan Lynch — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 00:25:00 +0000

Most of us have an old laptop sitting around somewhere. While it’s always a good idea to recycle your old electronics, before you do so, you may want to spend some time stripping it for parts. Whether you’re looking for a DIY project or want to earn a little extra cash, there could be some useful parts inside. Read on to learn which parts you can salvage from your unused laptop.

Content

Issues with Newer Laptops
M.2 Solid State Drive
RAM Modules
2.5" Storage Drive
CD/DVD/BluRay Drive
Power Supply
LCD Screen
Recycle Whatever You Don't Use
Frequently Asked Questions

Issues with Newer Laptops

If you have a relatively modern laptop that has bit the dust, there may be some parts on the inside that you can salvage. Unfortunately, newer laptops tend to be much... Read more

Your PC Can’t Run Windows 11? Try Changing These Settings

Ryan Lynch — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 21:25:00 +0000

Tried upgrading to Windows 11 only to discover Microsoft’s latest OS version can’t run on your PC? Before you run out and buy a whole new computer, there are a few things you can try first. Here’s what to do.

Content

Windows 11 Hardware Requirements
Run PC Health Check
How to Find Out if Your PC Has a TPM
How to Enable TPM on Your PC
How to Enable Secure Boot
Frequently Asked Questions

Windows 11 Hardware Requirements

Before you do anything, you’ll want to make sure that your PC has the following minimum hardware requirements necessary to run Windows 11. Unfortunately, if your PC doesn’t meet these requirements, you won’t be able to run Windows 11.

How to Use Your Xbox’s Co-Pilot Mode

Ryan Lynch — Sat, 02 Apr 2022 05:25:00 +0000

The video game industry is absolutely massive. However, despite raking in the cash, there is still a large segment of the population that cannot enjoy gaming. Thankfully, Microsoft has been a leader in making video games more inclusive. One of Microsoft’s most well-known efforts is the Xbox Adaptive Controller, which was designed for people with disabilities, to help make user input for video games more accessible.

However, the Adaptive Controller isn’t the only thing Microsoft has cooked up. In fact, there’s a little known feature built in to the Xbox One and Xbox Series X that can help people get more out of gaming: Co-Pilot Mode. This article looks at how you can use this feature.

Content

What Is Co-Pilot Mode?
Co-Pilot Mode & Young Gamers
Co-Pilot Mode & Disabled Gamers
How to Turn on Co-Pilot Mode
Frequently Asked Questions

Shut Down vs Sleep vs Hibernate vs Fast Startup: Windows Power Settings Explained

Ryan Lynch — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 05:25:00 +0000

Some folks shut down their PC the moment they step away from it. Others prefer to put their PC to sleep so that they can jump straight back into the action after a break. Some don’t bother shutting their PC off at all. But which method is best?

If you have a laptop, you might be concerned about battery life. Perhaps you are environmentally conscious and want to be as energy efficient as possible. Whatever your reasons, you’ve come to the right place. In this article we’ll break down the differences between the power settings found in Windows and explaining their advantages and disadvantages.

Content

1. Shut Down
2. Sleep
3. Hibernate
4. Related Settings
Frequently Asked Questions

1. Shut Down

Let’s start with the one that everyone is pretty familiar... Read more

How to Play PS4 & PS5 Games on your Phone or Tablet

Ryan Lynch — Fri, 18 Mar 2022 21:25:00 +0000

You can play your favorite PlayStation 5 or PlayStation 4 games on your mobile device with the PS Remote Play app,. The app streams the action from your console to your phone or tablet, effectively turning your mobile device into a wireless screen for your PlayStation console.

Content

What Does PS Remote Play Do
Remote Play Requirements
Install Remote Play on Your Mobile Device
Prepare PlayStation 4 for Remote Play
Prepare PlayStation 5 for Remote Play
Start Remote Play on Your Mobile Device
Remote Play Controls on Mobile Device
Quit Remote Play
Frequently Asked Questions

What Does PS Remote Play Do

The Remote Play app (Android | iOS) allows users to play games, navigate the console home screen and browse the console’s menus, all from your mobile device. You... Read more

Steam Deck Alternatives You Can Buy Right Now

Ryan Lynch — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 06:25:00 +0000

The Steam Deck from Valve is out in just over a week, and we’re not going to sit here pretending we’re not super-excited about it. We are, because it looks like one of the most forward-thinking pieces of handheld tech in years. Sure, it borrows the design from the Nintendo Switch, but has a deceptive amount of power, lovely innovations like those haptic pads, and of course much of the choice and freedom of the PC gaming market.

With that said, availability will be limited on its launch day, and should you miss out on Steam’s handheld machine then here are a bunch of excellent alternatives for you.

Content

Steam Deck Availability
1. Nintendo Switch OLED
2. AYA Neo
3. GPD Win 3
4. OneXPlayer
5. OneGX1 Pro
Frequently Asked Questions

The Best Wireless Chargers and Buying Criteria to Watch For

Ryan Lynch — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 22:25:00 +0000

With more and more devices supporting wireless charging, there’s no reason not to consider picking up a wireless charger. A quick Amazon or Google search will yield hundreds of different wireless chargers from a variety of manufacturers. This guide lists the best wireless chargers and the buying criteria you should watch for.

Content

How Does Wireless Charging Work?
1. Make Sure It's Qi-Certified
2. Choose USB-C Over Micro USB
3. Higher Wattage, Faster Charging
4. Pad vs. Stand Design
Best for iPhone: Apple MagSafe Charger
Best Stand-Style Wireless Charger: Anker 313 Wireless Stand Charger
Best Wireless Car Charger: Mophie Snap+ Vent Mount
Best Budget Option: Yootech 10W Wireless Charger
Frequently Asked Questions

How Does Wireless Charging... Read more

How to Turn an Amazon Fire Tablet into a Stock Android Device (Almost)

Ryan Lynch — Sat, 01 Jan 2022 01:25:00 +0000

The Amazon Fire tablets are an excellent value for money; however, there are some significant disadvantages. The Fire tablets all run FireOS, which is a fork of Android. Unfortunately, there are some pretty big compromises users will make when opting for a Fire Tablet. Follow along in this guide to learn how to turn your Amazon Fire tablet into a stock Android device – with some exceptions.

Content

Fire Tablet Disadvantages
What Will Happen to Your Amazon Fire Tablet If You Do This?
What You'll Need to Convert Your Fire Tablet into an Android Device
1. Prep Your Fire Tablet
2. Install Fire Toolbox
3. Plug Your Fire Tablet into Your PC
How to Use Fire Toolbox
Install Google Play and Google Services
Manage Preinstalled Amazon Apps
Install a Custom Launcher
Disable Lockscreen Ads
Frequently Asked Questions

Fire Tablet Disadvantages

At first glance, the operating system running Amazon Fire devices appears as though it is Android. While that is technically... Read more

11 of the Best Christmas Movies to Stream for the Holidays that Don’t Cost a Penny

Ryan Lynch — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 22:25:00 +0000

It’s that time of year again, where pumpkin spice steps down from the throne and egg nog ascends to its rightful place as the holiday beverage of choice and Christmas music is leeching out of every speaker imaginable. Whether you’re a Grinch or prefer to spend your December rockin’ around the Christmas tree, everyone loves a good holiday-themed flick. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a dime to watch some excellent Christmas and Christmas-adjacent movies. Make some hot chocolate, curl up on the couch and revel in some big-screen holiday magic.

Content

1. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
2. Black Christmas (2006)
3. Carol (2015)
4. Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)
5. Jingle All the Way (1996)
6. Die Hard (1988)
7. Die Hard 2 (1990)
8. Better Watch Out (2016)
9. Black Christmas (1974)
10. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
11. Zoey's Extraordinary Christmas

Jailbreak an Amazon Fire TV Stick: Everything You Need to Know

Ryan Lynch — Wed, 24 Nov 2021 01:25:00 +0000

Amazon’s Fire TV Stick is an incredibly popular streaming device that is easy to install and even easier to use. The Fire TV Stick has a proven track record of being an affordable device that can turn any TV with an HDMI port into a media streaming mecca. If you want to do even more, you may want to consider jailbreaking one. Follow this guide to learn how to jailbreak an Amazon Fire TV Stick.

Content

What Is "Jailbreaking"?
Why Would I Want to Jailbreak My Fire TV Stick?
Is Jailbreaking a Fire TV Stick Illegal? Is It Safe?
How to Jailbreak Your Fire TV Stick
Apps to Install on Your Jailbroken Fire TV Stick
Frequently Asked Questions

What Is... Read more

How to Sideload Apps on Fire TV, Roku, Android TV, Google Chromecast

Ryan Lynch — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 21:25:00 +0000

What is sideloading? Simply put, sideloading refers to the process of installing an application to a device without downloading it from an official app store. In this case, sideloading essentially allows you to install “missing” apps to enhance the experience on your media streamer. Learn here how to sideload apps on Android TV, Roku, Fire TV, and Google Chromecast.

Content

What's the Purpose of Sideloading?
Is Sideloading Safe?
How to Sideload Apps on Roku Devices
How to Sideload Apps on Fire TV
How to Sideload on Google Chromecast
How to Sideload Apps on Android TV
Accessing Sideloaded Apps on Android TV

What’s the Purpose of Sideloading?

As mentioned above, sideloading apps has significant advantages, such as adding new functionality to your device. Users who opt to do this benefit in a variety of ways.

For example, all apps undergo a review process before they can be listed on official platforms. Unfortunately, this can take some time. Sideloading allows users to install an app direct from a developer without having to wait for... Read more

5 Sites to Stream Free Scary Movies for Halloween

Ryan Lynch — Fri, 08 Oct 2021 21:25:00 +0000

What’s your favorite scary movie? If you’re in the mood to spice up your Halloween with some delightfully spooky movies, you’re in luck. While movies on the big screen like “It” and the upcoming “Jigsaw” will be scaring cinema-goers, you’ll be happy to know you don’t have to stray from the couch to get in the Halloween spirit.

Join us, if you dare, as we take a look at the best available horror movies to stream for free from content providers like IMDB, Crackle, PopcornFlix, TubiTV, and Archive.org.

1. Popcorn Flix

Popcorn Flix is a free, ad-supported movie and TV streaming service available to US viewers (or anyone with a VPN – as tested by yours truly in the UK). It is home to a wide variety of independent cinema as well as original content... Read more