How To: Recover Deleted Text Messages on iPhone without Backup for FREE

If for some reason you want to restore that crucially important text message on iPhone that was deleted by accident or maybe you've bricked your phone and wanted to recover those important text messages, chances are you'll immediately hop back to your computer and look for backups to restore.

But what if you don't always have a scheduled backup and you desperately need to retrieve that lost text message?

Fret not! As dodgy as it may sound, you can fully recover deleted text messages on iPhone even if you don't have a backup. And best of all, you don't have to spend a penny to restore those deleted precious text message data.

How it's possible to recover text messages on iPhone

When you permanently delete a message on your iPhone, you're not actually deleting the data itself. What iOS' Message app does is it only removes the indexing file.

So you can imagine your actual SMS data still sits inside your iPhone's internal memory and can be fully restored even if that message is deleted.

iPhone Message Recovery: A FREE Text Message Recovery Tool for iOS That Actually Works

Everyone, meet iPhone Message Recovery. It's a tiny piece of app currently available for Mac that lets you recover accidentally deleted text messages on iPhone at no cost. I was told Windows version is in the works, so maybe a little wait is required for Windows users.

I nearly had to shun and skip this tool thinking maybe this is yet another garbage app that secretly installs malware instead of delivering the promised iPhone text message recovery as advertised. But the entire install file is just below 15MB so me being too skeptical had to give it a go.

To my surprise, iPhone Message Recovery actually works like a charm! After just a few scans, the app was able to recover my deleted text message and lets me preview those deleted text messages! Sweet.

Here's how to restore deleted text messages on iPhone without backup

1. Download and install iPhone Message Recovery for Mac (14.6MB). It's FREE, no sign-ups needed.

2. Launch iPhone Message Recovery on your Mac, it should prompt you like this

   

3. Once installed, connect your iPhone to your Mac. It should automatically detect your iPhone

   

   There are two sources for text message data recovery: Device or Backup. Be sure you're selecting Device mode.

4. Click Next, it should immediately start the scan. Analyzing your iPhone data can take a while, so wait for a few mins and do not disconnect your iPhone.

   

5. As soon as you're done with the scan, the app prompts you this:

   

   If you're recovering just standard plain text message, just toggle Messages and click Next

6. Let iPhone Message Recovery app do its thing and wait until you're taken to this screen

   

   You'll notice that two striked-through items being the deleted text messages. And see how I can easily preview them even if they're deleted inside my iPhone.

Wrapping it up

iPhone Message Recovery is not your typical dodgy data recovery app you've come to know from other data recovery apps. It's a fully functional data recovery app for iPhone that brilliantly recovers lost text messages data and even recover iMessage's photos and videos attachments in one go.

Create Single Multilingual Google Form and Display Questions Based on Selected Language

Google Forms, without a doubt, is still the best polls creation tool available to date. It's a free service from Google packed with all the essential features that make it tad easy to create quizzes or surveys on the fly.

While Google Form has all the components needed to create surveys real quick, it can be disappointing to note that the platform lacks the ability to collect users' inputs using the latter's language of choice. Google Form doesn't have multilingual support yet. However, as what the popular adage goes, there's always a way out.

In this article, we'll show you how you can easily create a single multilingual Google Form that prompts users their preferred language before finally asking survey questions. This is not a perfect solution but offers a neat workaround to collect users' info using their preferred language.

If you know a much better way, please buzz us off.

How To Create Single Multilingual Google Form

For the sake of this tutorial, we'll be re-creating this Demo Multilingual Google Form I previously built. Notice how it prompts you with preferred language before finally asking actual questions.

1. First off, you'll need to go and create your first Google Form. Give your form a sensible name.

2. Let's create your first question. Your first question should be of Multiple Choice type that asks users their preferred language. You can add as many language as you can.

   

3. Let's add at least three sections. In this tutorial, we'll be supporting three languages, hence, the three sections. Google Form's section works like a group that lets you separate your poll questions.

   

4. Each of this section holds the initial poll question from each supported language. So your three sections may look like these:

   

   

   

5. Now, scroll up and navigate back to your first question (Preferred Language prompt). Click any of the options to bring the destination selection box. At this point, you can now instruct Google Form to jump to English section when English option is selected, Go to section X (Spanish) if Spanish is selected, and so on and so forth.

   

If you wish to create additional questions for each supported language, just add another three sections and redo steps three to five above.

All responses will be automatically stored in a Google Sheet, and each question and answer gets its own column in that sheet.

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Creating a multilingual Google Form may not be as straight-forward as you might think. Until Google rolls out an update to their poll-creation platform, we can take refuge at the above method to add a multi-language support to Google Forms.

Long Commute? Get Power Naps and Get A Phone Call When You Arrive At Your Destination

The older we get, the less time is spent on quality slumber. Blame it to the corporate life' stress, household responsibilities, or maybe that's just how adulthood simply works?

That's why we always try to snatch that much-needed naps whenever we can, whether on a bus or a train.

So, if you're among those millions of nine-to-five warriors who commute your way to work, or you're a backpacker with long trips to the countryside, here's a neat trick how to sleep off your commute without worrying about missing your stop. Let your phone automatically alerts you when you're about to enter your destination just in time.

What you need

• IFTTT app (available on Android, iOS)
• Mobile data connection

For the uninitiated, IFTTT (short for If This, Then That) is a powerful web-based service that lets you perform actions based on user-defined triggers. We call these actions as “applets”. IFTTT works like Zapier but much easier to use.

Let Your Phone Alerts You When You Arrive At Your Destination

The goal here is to create an IFTTT applet that notifies you when you arrive at your destination. To do this, we'll use both Location and VoIP Calls services. Here's how to get started:

1. Install IFTTT app (iOS, Android), and sign-up.
2. Create your first applet by going to My Applets tab and click on + icon top right.
3. Now, you'll be asked to define the trigger and action, like this:

   

4. Tap on this and search for Location > You enter an area and specify the area you want to be notified.

   

5. Once done you'll be taken back to step 3 where you create an action. Just tap that and search for VoIP Calls service where you can fire Call my device action, as seen below:

   

6. Save your applet and ensure your IFTTT is running in the background. You're done.

   Use IFTTT As A Spy App: Secretly Copy, Collect iOS Photos on iPhone, iPad (No Jailbreak)

While Google Maps' previous update already has a push notification that alerts you when you're approaching your stop, I find it too unreliable to be honest. A VoIP call works better, ensuring you get off the bus or train just in time.

Listen Google Podcasts on Desktop Web Browser Without Google Podcasts App

Trying to get its share from the pie in a market dominated by Apple, Google Podcasts was launched back in 2018 exclusively for Android, allowing non-Apple users to discover and enjoys shows at their fingertips. Google Podcasts democratizes podcast discovery and consumption, allowing podcast creators to connect with millions of untapped Android users around the world.

The app uses Google's algorithm that recommends shows based on people's listening habits. It has all the features we are all familiar with as a podcast app.

In spite of being a Google technology, Google Podcasts sadly lacks the ability to be played on a desktop or in a web browser. One has to download the dedicated Android app so you can access and enjoy publicly available shows.

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Now, if you're curious about how to listen to Google Podcasts on a desktop web browser, here's a neat trick.

Here's how to stream Google Podcasts on desktop web browsers

1. Obtain Google Podcasts episode feed URL. To do that, open the podcast episode on your Google Podcasts Android tap and then click the three-dot menu button in the top right corner, then click Share. Copy the URL or email it to a friend.

   

   The generated Google Podcasts feed URL normally look like this: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed={a-very-long-hashed-feed-url}

2. Rename the URL. Now, just rename the URL to https://podcasts.google.com?feed={a-very-long-hashed-feed-url} to make it playable straight in a web browser (no need for Android app).

See Google Podcasts in a web player in action.

Being able to play Google Podcasts on a desktop web player is prove useful if you want to share a podcast episode to a friend who doesn't have an Android device.

Do you find this entry useful? Share it to your friend or subscribe below.

LOOK: Upcoming Google Chrome Feature Lets You Organize Active Tabs into Groups

The Google Chromium team is currently brewing a new feature to its beloved Google Chrome browser that lets you mitigate tab overload, or at least that's what they try to solve.

Judging from the above screenshot, the upcoming release of Google Chrome enables users to declutter and organize multiple active tabs into one or more groups.

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Such a feature is sure a relief for those power user who constantly juggles between multiple tabs. You can simply move your work-related active tabs into one group and separate the others, creating a less messy working environment.

Google Chrome is not the first browser that implements such Tab Groups feature. In fact, Firefox used to incorporate it first but later discontinued because only a small number of Firefox users were actually using the feature and that maintaining such unpopular feature turned out to be costly for the Firefox team.

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Tab Group is one of the biggest updates of Google Chrome so it might take a couple of months to finally hit the online shore. For the meantime, check out these third-party Chrome extensions that help you manage tab overload.

Vont: Canva for Video Alternative that Lets You Easily Add Custom Text to Videos (iOS)

Not everyone has the time and skill to generate a simple 2-3 minutes social video for Facebook or Instagram. Stitching your video clips and adding music can be all easy to achieve on iOS, but adding styled, custom text? It can be bloody difficult feat especially for a non-techie person who easily gets intimidated by video editing apps.

iOS' built-in video editing app iMovie doesn't make the cut either. Their “Add Text” overlay functionality is just plain boring, unusable. iMovie is decent enough in combining your clips with nice transitions and custom audio background but not in adding custom styled text.

The hunt for Canva for video

I had this interesting challenge last week where I needed to add a few texts to my travel videos. And me being a non-multimedia person, I'd rather do it straight on my iPhone and totally skip the headache of editing them with Adobe Premier or Quik, which for me are all complicated to use.

With that said, I had to check out and try nearly almost all video editing apps on iOS that allow me to add a text overlay for my videos. Some are very promising but one app that really stood out: Vont.

What is Vont?

Vont, currently available on iOS, lets you add highly customizable text overlays to videos. You have the flexibility to choose your own font or use Vont's font collections, change font sizes and colors. And the best part? It lets you insert multiple text overlays to any given video timeframe.

New AI-Powered Apps Help You Generate Captions, Hashtags for Instagram

And the fun doesn't stop there. Vont also lets you add transitions to each text overlay, giving you full control how you want your text enters the viewport.

Here's Vont in action:

It's easy to imagine Vont as Canva for videos. First off, Vont interface is so neat and it's a delight to use, almost similar to Canva.

For the uninitiated, Canva is a must-have app that lets you create professional-looking photos and banners for all your social media needs. Its suite of pre-made layouts makes it easy to create graphics, cards, flyers, invitations, and posters straight from your iPhone or iPad.

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The true strength of Canva lies in its ability to let anyone — with or without design experience — generate professional-looking visuals for their marketing needs.

Now, if you're looking for Canva for video alternative offering the same editing experience, then, you've got to check out Vont.

New AI-Powered Apps Help You Generate Captions, Hashtags for Instagram

Whether you're using Instagram for business or not, writing a killer caption and well-optimized hashtags is a must. Ask any Instagram marketer it's second most tricky part immediately next to generating the visuals to post on Instagram.

A good caption should drive user engagements and virality, while a relevant set of hashtags ensures you have the most optimal reach to get the exposure you need. People discover interesting posts thru hashtags, and it's a good opportunity for your brand to get discovered and ultimately earn followers.

While the best way to come up with words to accompany your Instagram post is to write it yourself, it doesn't hurt to try and get some assistance from new breed of apps to do just that.

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In this post, we'll be featuring an Android and iOS app that should help you decide what captions to post next.

Caption AI - Your Smart Instagram Caption Assistant ()

Caption AI currently hosts 15,000 captions (and growing) grouped into easy to navigate categories. Running out of caption idea for your next Instagram post? Just launch the app, open an image to post and Caption AI will automatically detect what caption and hashtags to post based on your picture.

Not happy with the generated caption? Just tap on any of the categories like Nature, Fitness, Travel, and Caption AI automatically suggests a caption for you.

Of course the auto-generated captions aren't original. They're mostly coming from third-party sources that curate popular lines and quotes from notable people and writers. Perhaps in the next update the developer gives proper attribution to each line.

This Android app can also suggest the most popular hashtags relevant to your post. So next time you're stuck deciding what to post, check out this app.

Auto Caption - Get Caption Ideas for Instagram (, )

Another app that I am pretty much impressed is Auto Caption for iOS. The moment you open a photo to post, it automatically detects whether it's ocean, mountain or food. Auto Caption will then suggest a caption and hashtags based on what it sees.

It's pretty clever and helpful app ideally recommended for Instagram marketers or casual Instagrammers.

Wrapping it up

Again, the above-mentioned apps aren't for everyone. A more personalized and well-thought out captions will still do wonders in your Instagram marketing efforts. But if doing so takes you forever, then, maybe time to explore those apps?

How To: Browse, Extract Contents Inside Zipped Files in Google Drive

You probably have noticed that while inside Google Drive, one cannot easily extract nor preview zipped files straight from Drive's interface. Google Drive is still deprived of that native functionality and one has to manually download the entire archived file to obtain its contents.

I've been using Google Drive since its initial rollout. Although not my main virtual drive for backups, I use it primarily to store personal documents and some work-related files. And Google Drive being developed by Google gives you tight integrations with other G Apps.

And for occasions when you need to recover a file inside a large compressed ZIP file hosted on Google Drive, you better skip the hassle of manually downloading it yourself and just browse it on-the-fly.

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Here we will show you a smarter way to unzip archived files and browse extracted straight from Google Drive.

Browse Contents Inside Zipped Files On Google Drive

The trick is easy. While you're on your Drive's folder, just right-click any zipped file and click on Connect more apps. Just search for “Zip Extractor”.

Once installed, refresh your Drive's page. You can right-click again the zip file and Google Drive now gives you the option to open it with Zip Extractor.

Zip Extractor will prompt you a one-time authorization request so it can do its thing. After that, you can unzip and browse zipped files with its neat interface. You can also selectively extract specific files inside a zipped file. Just uncheck

Another decent Drive app is Zip, Unzip App. Just like Zip Extractor, it lets you preview and browse zip files straight from Google Drive. What I like about Zip, Unzip App is that it quickly gives you a unique URL for each file found inside your zip file. The UI may need attention though but for a simple task of obtaining a specific file inside a ZIP file on Google Drive? I would go for Zip, Unzip App.

Conclusion

There you go! Google Drive definitely needs a lot of catching up when it comes to dealing with common file types like ZIP files. Being able to preview what's inside a zipped file is already a built-in feature in DropBox, but not in Google Drive.

Excel Gets OCR Support, Lets You Snap Tables and Convert Into Editable Spreadsheet

Microsoft just rolled out an update to their spreadsheet editing app Excel that allows you to point your phone's camera into printed tables and turn them into editable spreadsheets.

The update is made possible by artificial intelligence (AI) trained to recognize characters and detect datasets inside printed tables before finally importing them as spreadsheets. If you're familiar with how Google Translate app works that translates words in realtime when you point your camera to a foreign text, you can expect the same capability with this update but for printed tables.

The update is first available on Android, but iOS should expect the roll out in the coming days.

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Excel is not the first app that gets AI treatment from Microsoft. A few weeks ago, Microsoft-owned Skype also gets AI-assisted background-blur support that smartly obscures your often messy, distracting background.

Satya Nadella's helm at Microsoft continues to deliver the much-needed disruptions and innovations. And with its billions of cash being pumped into their Machine Learning (ML) department, we can expect few more nifty advancements in AI in the next few years.

5 High-Capacity Laptop Power Banks for Your On-The-Go Lifestyle

If you're a traveler who wants to stay productive while on-the-go or you're a digital nomad who loves to mix leisure and work, chances are you'll need a decent power bank for your laptop more than you'd imagine.

An extra power bank that can charge your Mac or laptop ensures you have extra battery juices you can turn to when you needed to do last minute work while your laptop's battery is dead empty. A portable power bank that fully supports your Mac or Windows laptop is especially useful if you're in the most remote part of the country where rotational brownouts are expected.

In this article, we will show you top-of-the-line power banks for your Mac or Windows computer that guarantee to give you those extra hours without hurting your wallet. We specially hand-picked below's list with charging speed/time, safety, and capacity as criteria.

The Best Laptop Power Banks You Can Carry Anywhere

1. Crave PowerPack Power Bank (50000mAh)

   

   Topping from this list is this 50,000mAh backup power bank from Crave PowerPack. Crave PowerPack CRVPP101 is your compact, high-density travel companion guaranteed to fully charge your devices anywhere you go. This power bank has two laptop power supply ports and universal compatibility with virtually any mobile devices.

   Capacity: 50,000mAh Laptop Compatibility: Acer, Asus, Compaq, Dell, Fujitsu, HP, IBM, Lenovo, NEC, Samsung, Sony, Toshiba (Apple Laptops draw > 5 Amps, not supported) Port Compatibility: 1 20V/3 Amp Port for Laptops

2. Mophie Powerstation (22,000mAh)

   

   Powerstation AC is another strong contender under this category. This quick-charging emergency power bank offers you a legit AC port that gives your notebook or Mac a safe 100W power (110V) and a USB-C charging port that provides 30W power.

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   Although not as big as Crave PowerPack's 50,000mAh, Mophie Powerstation AC should be enough to give your laptop additional 15+ hours emergency battery.

3. Omnicharge AC/DC (20,400mAh)

   

   Omnicharge's 20,400mAh power bank is another easy favorite amongst travelers and digital nomads, and it's easy to see why. This emergency power bank is well-equipped with fast-charging USB ports and a 100W AC outlet that can power your MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Microsoft Surface Pro 3/4, Lenovo, Dell, HP Laptops, DSLR cameras, and even DJI drone's battery.

4. MAXOAK Laptop Power Bank (50,000mAh)

   

   MAXOAK's 50,000mAh power bank is your compact and lightweight external battery pack ideally recommended for Windows-based laptop. This power bank has a total of 6 charging ports: one 20V/5A for laptops, one 12V/2.5A for digital cameras, two 5V/2.1A, and two USB 5V/1A for iPhones, tablets. MAXOAK has a wide laptop compatibility support which includes Dell, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft Surface Pro, Sony, Samsung, Acer, and Toshiba.

5. AC Jackery PowerBar (23,200mAh)

   

   Jackery PowerBar 23200mAh external battery pack delivers 85W of power via AC outlet and a few powerful outputs including Quick Charge 3.0, USB C, and 5V/2.4A, making it an indispensable travel companion. This power bank can charge your 15.4" MacBook Pro and other 15'' laptops, GoPros and other hand-held devices.

There you have it! So next time you embark on another beach pilgrimage or go in an adventure, be sure to bring one of these power banks for your laptop!

This Augmented Reality App Lets You Create Your Own Portal, Teleport to New Places (iOS)

Since the release of Apple's ARKit back in 2017, we've seen how it stirred the pot of curiosity among app developers wanting to deliver a whole new level of user experience.

Online retailers like Lacoste for instance now employs AR app to let customers virtually try on shoes. IKEA also has an AR app where customers can visualize how a piece of furniture fits and looks in their homes.

Augmented Reality isn't only disrupting retails. Right now, we're also seeing cool AR apps that virtually take you to other places around the world.

One of those apps that caught our attention is Portal: Learning with AR. It's a fun app best played with kids that let you explore the world at your fingertips.

Currently available in iOS, Portal: Learning with AR lets you create portals where you can walk right in and experience a different world (virtually of course). The portal is quite immersive; you can interact and walk around.

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Portal: Learning with AR is one basic Augmented Reality app that proved fun and useful. You can let your kids or students visit ancient medieval Rome or a green energy field.

LINK: Portal: Learning with AR

How To: Prevent WhatsApp from Automatically Downloading Photos, Videos

Unless you're on an unlimited data plan and your phone still has gigabytes of extra space at your disposal, you can skip this guide now. However, if you are a heavy WhatsApp user under a throttled, capped data plan and notice that sudden drop of available phone storage space, then, this guide is for you.

In this article, we will show you how you can save precious data and free up some space on your iPhone or Android by restricting WhatsApp from automatically downloading shared photos, videos, and documents on your phone. WhatsApp by default automatically downloads photos or videos being shared within the app so you get the best possible user experience. But if that UX feature means exhausting our data plan fast while shrinking our storage space, then, we don't want that.

Save Data and Space - Restrict WhatsApp from Automatically Downloading Photos and Videos

The process is easy, you just need to go to WhatsApp Settings tab and just fiddle around those toggles and checkboxes.

For Android:

• Navigate to Settings > Data and storage usage.

  

• Just scroll down and under Media auto-download, tap on When using mobile data. It should bring you a dialog. Just uncheck Photos, Audio, Videos, and Documents.

  

• Do the same process for When connected on Wi-Fi and When Roaming options.

For iOS

• Go to Settings > Data and Storage Usage

• Tap Photos and select Never option to stop downloading photos automatically

  

• Do the same for Audio, Videos, and Documents

You're done!

WhatsApp Web Now Lets You Watch Shared YouTube, Facebook Videos Within the App

Restricting WhatsApp from automatically downloading photos or videos is one simple action that can save you both space and data.

How To: Remotely Spy, Monitor SMS Text Messages on iPhone, Android (UPDATED)

WARNING! The SMS spy applications detailed below are intended to be used only for private and legal purposes. They cannot be used for violating anyone's rights, spying or other illegal purposes. User of any of these spying software takes all responsibility for using these applications in any illegal use cases.

Tired of cheating husband? Do you ever suspect your wife or girlfriend is making an affair? Do you suspect your kids are secretly buying stuff they're not supposedly getting? Ever wondered who's that someone trying to interact with your daughter? If yes, then, a remote SMS monitoring spy app for Android or iPhone is all you need.

Below are some of the best and free and paid SMS monitoring apps that you can install on your iPhone, Android and even Symbian and Blackberry device. These remote SMS monitoring mobile apps allow you to remotely spy and monitor text messages, SMS of your cheating husband, kids without their knowledge.

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Best & Free Remote SMS Monitoring App For Android, iPhone

1. SMS Replicator Android Secret Spy App - Spy, Read Someone's Inbox

   SMS Replicator, one of the most controversial applications for Android, does almost the same with SMS Monitor. It automatically forwards another copy of every successful text message, SMS sent. This SMS spy app works well with Android and can be used to spy on your girlfriend/boyfriend or kids or simply for fun. Simply grab the phone while they are taking bath. Download and install SMS Replicator for Android, configure it with your number. Once done, the app will run in the background and it will forward incoming messages to you.

   If successfully installed, this SMS remote spy app for Android has no icon so it is impossible to find on phone and will run on its own. The only way to reveal the app is to text the phone with your secret password. Just text "000" to the phone to open the secure settings and choose the forwarding number.

   In my test, it really worked like a charm and felt that uncomfortable feeling of guilt of being able to monitor whoever I want to track. So please use it at your own risk.

   SMS Replicator, being a controversial Android app, cannot be downloaded on PlayStore so you have to look for it on Google or other file hosting sites. I previously hosted it at 110mb.com but apparently the hosting site is already unavailable, and I don't have backup :( Sorry about that.

2. Mobile Spy - The most advanced, next generation remote SMS spying software for iPhone

   UPDATE: I originally wrote this article back in 2011 so I can no longer vouch if Mobile Spy still works for iPhone, considering the often-updated, walled ecosystem of iOS. However, you can go give it a try, request a demo and see if it's what you need.

   However, the closest alternative I can think of to somehow monitor your kids is to use IFTTT and track every single snap without them knowing (no Jailbreak required). Follow this guide how you can Use IFTTT as a spy app to secretly copy, collect iOS photos on iPhone, iPad.

   Mobile Spy is your ultimate solution for remote mobile spying needs. This is a subscription-based app, with great handset support, and comes with advanced remote monitoring functions.

   Mobile Spy uses the Internet capabilities of your phone, records your text and call activities, and logs your GPS locations. All data are then quickly uploaded to your Mobile Spy account so that you can monitor the activity of your cheating husband or kids via web. To download, visit Mobile Spy website.

   Remotely Lock, Password-Protect Your Lost/Forgotten Phone Via SMS

   Your two timer husband is less likely to make the same crime again if you install SMS spying/monitoring app on his phone. If you manage a business, your employees are less likely to abuse their SMS privileges.

3. SMS Monitor - Get instant copy for every SMS, text message sent and received by your husband or kids

   This is one of my favourite apps back in Symbian days (Nokia) so if you have old Symbian device lying around, you can use below's app. Otherwise, you can skip this part.

   SMS Monitor is a powerful tool for remote sms-monitoring. It was purposely created for security audit and parental control. You'll be able to read every single text message/SMS being sent and received.

   SMS Monitor Key Features:

   - the app secretly sends incoming and outgoing SMS from mobile phone where it is installed to an admin number (you)

   - all messages would be sent in hidden mode

   - application is not shown in phone menu (there's no way for them to jon and uninstall)

   - the app does not keep copies of SMS in sent and reports folders

   - the app is not shown in Task List

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   SMS Monitor perfectly works on any s60v3 and s60v5 Nokia Symbian handsets. Download, sign and install the app called SmsMonitor.v1.0.sis, just google it. Remember to install the app to your kid or husband's phone (of course, do it behind closed doors). After installation the application starts in hidden mode. To prepare it for work, just grab another phone -- your phone (not necessarily Symbian) and text "set admin" (without quotes) to your kid or husband's number. The message should be received and deleted automatically. If successfully installed, you should receive all inbound and outbound SMS/text messages being sent or received by your husband/kid.

If you know any other remote SMS spy app, please email me (or comment below) and I will update the list.

Easiest Way To Play YouTube in the Background on iPhone, iPad + Auto Play While Keeping Other Apps Opened

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you needed to play that awesome YouTube channels containing your favorite music covers straight from your iPhone or iPad? Well, probably, not once.

While consuming those eargasmic treats and performances from your favorite artists is a straight-out simple to do on YouTube's official iOS app, you'll be forced to keep the YouTube app opened or else video playback will stop as soon as you exit or open another app.

How To: Download Specific Parts, Portions Of YouTube Videos

YouTube makes money through ads. So it just makes sense for them to disallow video playback in the background on iPhone or Android to maintain the ad impression count. In the current YouTube iOS app, there's no background playback support and it's always impossible to continuously enjoy YouTube videos while you're busy browsing Safari or chatting a friend on Messenger.

However, if you really need to play YouTube in the background on your iPhone or iPad while giving you the freedom to open other apps, here's a simple trick.

How to add background playback support to YouTube on iPhone, iPad

The quickest way to continuously play YouTube in the background on iOS is to play it in Opera Mini.

Once you have Opera Mini installed, just launch that browser and go to youtube.com and search for your video or you can simply paste the video URL in the address bar.

As soon as your YouTube video begins to play, click the iPhone's home button to exit the app, which normally pauses the media playback. Next, bring in iOS' Control Center and hit on the Play button to continue YouTube's media playback.

You should be able to continue to audio-stream that YouTube video, as seen below:

This trick works well even if your lock screen is active or you open other apps. And the best part? It can auto-play succeeding videos as long as you enabled auto-play in the video player and iPhone's Background Refresh is turned on.

How To: Watch YouTube, Netflix on Sticky, Floating Window While Keeping Other Apps Opened

YouTube, being the second largest search engine in the world, hosts a staggering 5+ billion of videos as of 2018, ranging from user-generated tutorials, guides, music videos, movie trailers and more. With that figure, it's easy to see why the video platform snags a whooping 500+ millions of views daily on smartphones alone.

5 Surprisingly Cheap IoT Devices to Easily Upgrade Your Home for Less

These are the most essential smart home devices to give you a headstart with smart home living without breaking the bank. These smart home devices we hand-picked are all affordable, requires no technical know-how, and an absolute joy to use.

Unless you’re in a cave in the past few months minding your own business, skipping all the smart home technology headlines, you probably have heard of Internet-of-Things (IoT) and connected smart home devices.

Internet-of-Things (IoT) explained

The easiest definition of Internet-of-Things (IoT) I can think of is that it’s just a network like an internet where all your smart home devices are connected. IoT typically operates on top of your existing home WiFi network, so you can just simply imagine of IoT as a network of home devices within your existing home network.

Forbes predicts that by 2022, people would spend $1.22T on IoT devices and a global market that will continue to burgeon each year. No wonder the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) continues to surprise us with cool and bizarre IoT gadgets, ranging from robotic cleaners, smart locks and pet food dispenser.

Smart home technology or IoT devices - what are they?

At the heart of IoT network are your connected home devices that able to send and receive commands at a swipe of a finger or by your voice, giving you:

• the ability to automate routinary tasks like preparing your morning brew, starting your heater, turning on your cooling system at home while driving from work, turning off virtually any appliance at a certain time (and save money in the process), etc.

• the ability to secure your home from burglary and unwanted entries inside your premises while you’re away from home

• the convenience and efficiency, saving both time and money (later we’ll tell you how some IoT devices can cut your electric bills)

One popular notion of having connected home devices setup is that it’s going to cost you a fortune and it’s bloody rocket science to set up. That’s plainly wrong. While some well-promoted IoT devices can be costly, that doesn’t mean you need to follow the herd and just buy what other people buy.

We can just start off with the basics, the least costly ones, to give you the feel what it’s like to have IoT at home. And in this guide, we’ll even skip using smart home hubs and controllers like Amazon Echo or the highly recommended Wink Hub 2. Hubs and controllers are all optional.

Below are essential smart home devices you should start using for smarter homes

IoT on a Budget: 5 Surprisingly Cheap, Essential Smart Home Devices to Automate Your Home

1. Smart Plugs (~$15)

   

   No must-have smart home devices list is complete without smart plugs. Also known as Wifi Smart Sockets or Smart Wifi Outlets, smart plug essentially lets you wirelessly control nearly every single home appliance using your iPhone or Android device. This magical device gives your home appliance wireless connectivity so you can remotely turn them on or off right at your fingertips or schedule your appliance to be automatically turned on or off at a certain time.

   I have an old window-type aircon which unfortunately doesn’t have a timer, but with Wifi Smart Sockets, I can easily put a timer and let it automatically turn off at 3 am without interrupting my slumber.

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   Do you want to wake up from the smell of freshly brewed coffee in your kitchen? Simply prepare the beans/filter a night before and plug your coffeemaker in a smart plug. You can get it to automatically brew your coffee the next day or brew it using your iPhone while you’re in bed scanning your emails.

   Of course, the fun doesn’t stop there. You can plug in your other home appliances like electric fans, water heaters and control them wirelessly at your fingertips.

   There are a plethora of smart wifi sockets to choose from, some even have nifty features like energy usage tracker, Amazon Echo, and Google Home integration so you can simply control them with your voice. The most important Wifi Smart Socket feature to look for is a timer, where it completely cuts power after a timer expires.

   You can score a decent smart plug at Amazon like the Orvibo S25 Wi-Fi Smart Socket which starts at $15 as of writing or from your local online store.

2. Smart Bulbs and Lighting (~$34)

   

   What if you can dim your light or control your ambiance within your iPhone or Android device or by simply asking Siri or Alexa to do so?

   That’s exactly what smart lighting is all about. You get a smart bulb and a special device (bridge) acting as a connector so you can remotely control the bulb wirelessly.

   In smart lighting category, Philips Hue Smart Lighting Kit is definitely king. But it comes at a price. However, there is decent Philips Hue alternative you can try like the cheaper, all-white version Philips Hue White. Or if that’s still expensive, Eufy Lumos Smart Bulb is a good Philips Hue line alternative.

3. Sound and Motion Sensing Device (~$25)

   

   Another welcome addition to your home security system, this category of the internet-connected device lets you monitor your home away from home. This top-rated monitoring device Wyze Cam Pan for instance alerts you when there are possible intrusions within your premises. It has a night vision capability, can track moving object and can detect sounds.

   Most smart motion-sensing devices usually work with Alexa so you can simply ask Alexa to show your front door, kid’s room, or anywhere else you have your Wyze Cam Pan.

4. Smart Smoke Detector (~$120)

   

   Smart smoke detector? Why not!

   I’m extra paranoid when it comes to fire so I don’t mind forking out a few bucks for smart smoke alarms. Smart smoke detector essentially alerts you when there’s a fire even if you’re miles away from home. This special type of device connects to your iPhone or iPad over wifi or cellular so you’ll be quickly alerted when there are smokes detected.

   Nest Protect is always a good one you can invest in but there is also excellent Nest Protect alternatives you can check in. Just search for it on Amazon or eBay.

5. Robotic Vacuums and Cleaners (~$179)

   

   Just when you thought IoT can’t be any cooler, I’m ending this list with smart home cleaners. This category of a connected home device can do all the dirty work of keeping your room dust-free. Robot vacuums normally come with a smart app where you can schedule or initiate cleaning session or you can simply ask Alexa or Google Home to start the job.

   Ecovacs Self-Charging Robot Vacuum Cleaner is a popular option under this category, but feel free to explore more that works for you.

That’s it!

Again, smart home hubs and controllers like Amazon Echo are all optional. The above-mentioned smart home devices will continue to work without Amazon Echo or Google Home unless you’re willing to spend more and take your home automation game to the next level.

5 Top Rated Netflix Films Shot Entirely On iPhone

The availability of advanced camera capabilities on iPhones truly brings a surprising level of creativity amongst unorthodox filmmakers, inspiring them to skip the traditional, costly production of filmmaking.

Award-winning director Steven Soderbergh’s High Flying Bird probably is the latest from this trend, pushing the limits of iPhone being the new medium in filmmaking. Currently streaming on Netflix, Soderbergh's High Flying Bird once again proved that you don't need the most expensive pieces of equipments to produce high-caliber, full-length films.

Below is a short list of five top-rated Netflix films you won't believe shot on iPhone:

High Flying Bird (2019)

Shot on: iPhone 8

Currently streaming on Netflix, High Flying Bird is an American sports drama film that portrays the sour reality of NBA players and the politics (and drama) they're beholden to. High Flying Bird is the second film in a row by Soderbergh, starred by Zazie Beetz, Melvin Gregg, Sonja Sohn, Zachary Quinto, Glenn Fleshler, Jeryl Prescott, Justin Hurtt-Dunkley, Caleb McLaughlin, Bobbi Bordley, Kyle MacLachlan and Bill Duke.

Unsane (2018)

Shot on: iPhone 7 Plus

Another film shot entirely on iPhone from director Steven Soderbergh, Unsane is a psychological horror film that tells the story of a woman who is convinced she has a stalker and later questioned her own sanity after she was confined to a mental institution against her will.

Starring Claire Foy, Unsane was shot entirely on iPhone 7 Plus in 10 straight days.

Tangerine (2015)

Shot on: iPhone 5S

Tangerine is a 2015 award-winning comedy-drama film directed by Sean Baker that follows a transgender sex worker who discovers she has a cheating boyfriend. The film was shot entirely on iPhone 5S, earning it a sweet spot in film making history.

I Play With the Phrase Each Other (2014)

I Play With the Phrase Each Other is not your typical film. The film was built entirely on conversations and phone calls, creatively enhanced by the technical aspects of iPhone filmmaking.

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I Play With the Phrase Each Other earned the viewing public's nod and won the Special Jury Prize at Slamdance in 2014.

Searching for Sugar Man (2012)

Shot on: iPhone 4S

Searching for Sugar Man is an Oscar award-winning documentary film that tells the story of two die-hard, South African fans of Rodriquez. Rodriguez was a Michigan-based artist whose music had never achieved success in the US but unbeknownst to him he was a huge star in South Africa. Sadly though probably because of the lack of fame, Rodriguez was rumored to be dead, inspiring the two Cape Town fans to embark on their quest to find out whether or not the rumored death holds water.

Searching for Sugar Man wasn't entirely shot on iPhone. It was only toward the end of the filming when director Malik Bendjelloul ran out of money and decided to use iPhone with the help of 8mm Vintage Camera app to finish the job.

What made these movies stand out was not the story itself but how they are made.