Blog Posts

Blog Posts

Comparison of Flat vs. Round Ethernet Cables: Which One is Superior?

one of the various kinds of Category (Cat) Ethernet cabling. You might have also observed several distinct colors of Ethernet cables, each potentially signifying something different. These cables frequently connect your cable modem to your wireless router.

Additionally, several other devices in your household could utilize Ethernet cabling, like the majority of contemporary video game consoles, laptops, and desktop computers. An Ethernet cable offers a quicker and more dependable internet connection, which might be a valid reason to think about not linking your smart TV to Wi-Fi. This also renders cables a favored option for gamers and companies that require constant uptime.

However, what you might have recognized is that Ethernet cables are available in two primary formats: the more traditional rounded cables that look like most electronic wiring, and the flat cable variety. If both cable types serve the same function, then what is the reason for selecting round over flat, or vice versa? And is one type of cable genuinely superior to the other?

Some applications favor round cables, some prefer flat cables

Consumer Reports Unveils New Dominant Player in Automotive Brand Reliability, Ousting Subaru

Consumer Reports has unveiled its 2025 list of the most dependable vehicles. Last year, Subaru held the leading position for reliability; however, this year Subaru has fallen to second place, with Toyota securing the top position by a narrow margin. Lexus occupies the third slot on the rankings. Consumer Reports conducts an extensive survey analysis to establish these rankings.

These rankings include car models generally from the years 2000 to 2026, but it necessitates that at least two models reviewed are from the years 2023 to 2026, ensuring that the reliability of the newest models is appropriately considered alongside those that have been in use for a longer period. This latest report assessed 380,000 vehicles and considered crash test results, safety features, and the specific owners’ perceptions of their reliability over time.

Toyota and Subaru are not just leading this reliability ranking. The Toyota Corolla and the Subaru Crosstrek have also made it onto the list of the five best affordable cars to purchase. I still recall my Toyota Corolla that was given to me when I started college. At the bottom of this year’s Consumer Reports reliability list are Jeep, Ram, and Rivian, with Rivian taking the last position.

The most dependable of the Toyotas

Uncover the Concealed Helpful Functionality in Your Pixel Phone’s Settings

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL. We will guide you on how to activate and utilize it.

How to configure the back-tap gesture on your Pixel phone

Activating the back-tap gesture on your Pixel phone is quite simple. Here’s the process:

  1. Open the Settings application.
  2. Select “System.”
  3. Tap “Gestures.”
  4. Go to “Quick Tap to start actions.”
  5. Turn on “Use Quick Tap.”
  6. Under “Tap back of phone twice to,” choose your desired action:
    1. Take a screenshot: Captures a screenshot as usual.
    2. Access your digital assistant: Activates Gemini or Google Assistant, based on your initial choice of digital assistant (note: Gemini is set to fully replace Google Assistant in 2026, indicating that the AI assistant may be your sole option moving forward).
    3. Play or pause media: Controls audio and video playback.
    4. See recent apps: Displays the list of recent apps.
    5. Show notifications: Reveals your current notifications.
    6. Toggle flashlight: Activates the LED flash.
    7. Open app: Starts an app of your choice.

If you select “Open app,” press the gear icon to choose your preferred application. Some apps provide multiple actions, which you can explore by tapping the gear icon next to the app. For example, Camera allows you to choose between launching the app, recording a video, or snapping a selfie.

Once you’ve set up Quick Tap, try double-tapping the back of your phone, ideally in the center area. It should automatically execute the action you configured. If you wish to prevent accidental triggering of Quick Tap—such as when you’re simply holding your device or it’s stored in your pocket or bag—you can enable “Require stronger taps” from the Quick Tap menu.

The Way a USB Drive Can Safeguard and Rejuvenate Your Computer

flash drives have mostly been rendered obsolete due to the emergence of cloud backups and portable SSDs that accomplish tasks much more quickly. Moreover, computer manufacturers are progressively transitioning from USB-A to USB-C ports, making many current flash drives incompatible with newer systems.

Nonetheless, there remain some applications for USB sticks in 2026 that everyone should be aware of. An old or new flash drive can be converted into a recovery drive that, should a hardware failure or another significant computer problem arise, can restore your device to its original factory settings. Your recovery drive will house the Windows Recovery Environment, a toolkit utilized for troubleshooting issues that hinder Windows from launching correctly, along with essential Windows files and any updates that have been installed. 

Setting up a recovery drive is quite straightforward, and having one could potentially save your computer from problems down the line.

How to transform a USB flash drive into a recovery drive

Before detailing how to convert your USB stick into a Windows recovery drive, it’s essential to clarify that your drive does not serve as a backup for personal files. Those, along with any installed applications, will be erased when you utilize the recovery drive. You will also require a stick with a minimum of 16 GB of storage, ideally one that is empty, as any pre-existing data will be deleted during the procedure. Thankfully, flash drives of that capacity typically cost around $15, with many options available for an even lower price.

Here’s a guide to configuring your USB stick as a recovery drive:

  1. Look for “Recovery Drive” in the Start menu, or input the command “recoverydrive.exe” to launch the tool.
  2. Ensure “Back up system files to the recovery drive” is checked, then press “Next.”
  3. Connect the USB drive you wish to utilize, select it, and click “Next.”
  4. Choose “Create.”

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Sotomayor’s Wabi Sabi is the Funniest Record of 2026

Shout out to subscriber N_Gorski for today’s pick. They popped into the comments on last week’s recommendation to ask what I thought of the new Sotomayor record. Well, I hadn’t actually heard it yet, but now I’m obsessed. The group consists of siblings Raul and Paulina Sotomayor from Mexico City. Wabi Sabi is their first […]