How Xmiramira Disrupted 'The Sims' to Help Bring Diversity to Streaming

From modder to streamer to game changer Amira Virgil is driven. That is her brand. “I didnt even know about the gaming space online. Amira Virgil I discovered everybody when I started [streaming] and started Googling. I was wondering where are the Black creators? Where are the Black women,” she said in a phone interview with Lifewire. TBS/EA Her success has been prolific, to say the least. Her preferred stomping ground?...

April 15, 2025 · 2 min · 293 words · Lisa Cooper

How Yahoo Answers Shaped the Way We Use the Internet

or “How do you make a weeji board?” The intention and purpose of this little online forum was to help one another out. Even though there are now sites like Quora and Reddit, these wouldnt exist without Yahoo Answers. Scott Barbour / Getty Images And while the posts like, “Can you get pregnant from a hot tub?” “It was definitely a huge part of our internet culture,” Perkins added. “Now we’ll never know the title of that song that goes da daaa da da daaa....

April 15, 2025 · 1 min · 85 words · William Adams

How You Could Benefit From Smaller Quantum Computers

The uncertainty principle at home? Dont give up your smartphone just yet, however. Quantum computers also could fuel drug discovery by running molecular level simulations more efficiently than using current computers. Just_Super / Getty Images Some scientists speculate on even more exotic possibilities for quantum computing. This is as significant for the future of quantum computers as the microchip itself was for commercializing traditional computers. Quantum computing is an entirely different technology than classical computing, both at a hardware and software level....

April 15, 2025 · 1 min · 118 words · James Rhodes

How Your Apple Watch Could Ditch the iPhone

That could soon change as companies like Apple work to put more user control directly on your wrist. “Right now, most people who buy a smartwatch already keep their phone on them at all times. Even people who own iPhones can decide if they want to just wear their watch.” Apple Luke Chesser / Unsplash

April 15, 2025 · 1 min · 55 words · Dalton Huerta

How Your Brain Functions in Certain Ways Could Be Key to Quantum Computing

The scientists measured brain functions correlated with short-term memory performance and conscious awareness. The results, they claim, suggest quantum processes are part of cognitive and conscious brain functions. Understanding quantum computing and the associated algorithms could reveal some of the deeper workings in the brain. agsandrew / Getty Images “If the known systems entangle, the unknown must be a quantum system, too. It circumvents the difficulties of finding measuring devices for something we know nothing about....

April 15, 2025 · 1 min · 189 words · David Simmons

How Your Email Might Be Spying on You

Its thanks to “spy pixels,” andtheyre everywhere. Email is just about the least secure way to communicate. But email always has been that way. Maxim Ilyahov / Unsplash Tracking pixels are even worse. They give the sender an obscene amount of information about you, without once asking for your permission. Can you protect yourself? What Is a Tracking Pixel? When you launch the email, it loads all the images contained in the message, including these pixels....

April 15, 2025 · 2 min · 344 words · Anna Martinez

How Your iPhone Could Soon Help You Understand Your Car Better

Theupcoming iOS 17has a newly upgraded feature called Visual Look Upthat lets you decodethe messages in your cars. Experts say the ability is long overdue. A screenshot posted to Reddit shows that lights on your dashboard will be read with your iPhone. Automobile dashboard lights.Martin Hospach / Getty Images The phone will show a pop-up at the bottom of the screen displaying the meanings of the symbols. This can save drivers time, money, and stress and prevent further car damage....

April 15, 2025 · 1 min · 186 words · Andrea Hunt

How Your Smartphone Snaps Award Winning Photos

TheiPhone Photography Awardsrecently announced the winners of the 14th annual international competition. The photos show the work captured with just an iPhone and an eye for composing pictures. Developing a Photographers Eye Smartphone camera technology has rapidly advanced in recent years. The winning photo by Istvan Kerekes.Istvan Kerekes “I can give the same advice as with cameras. Look for unique themes and unique perspectives, practice a lot, and develop a unique vision....

April 15, 2025 · 1 min · 208 words · Kristi Elliott

How Your TV's Contrast Ratio Impacts Viewing Quality: What You Should Know

But what does this measurement mean, and how do you know whether your display has good contrast? This article will help you understand contrast ratios and how they impact your viewing experience on various devices. What Is a Contrast Ratio? Toru Yamanaka_Getty Images What Is a Good Contrast Ratio? As previously mentioned, a higher contrast ratio has its benefits but isnt the only thing you should consider. Contrast ratios can also vary significantly across different display types....

April 15, 2025 · 1 min · 163 words · Marcus Davies

How YouTube Leads the Way to Better Kids' Content

It’s one of several media companies trying to improve content for kids. The move comes as parents and educators express growing alarm about the effects of social media on children. “Our kids need better content,“parenting psychologist Dan Peterstold Lifewire in an email interview. valentinrussanov / Getty Images Other platforms also are putting limits in place to identify, remove, and limit harmful content. For example,Facebook has a reporting featurethat allows users to notify the company of inappropriate content....

April 15, 2025 · 1 min · 111 words · Stephen Thompson

How YouTube Premium Highlights the Regular Version’s Flaws

Ads block the videos you actually want to see and seemingly stop and start at random. All this nonsense instantly disappears if you sign up for Premium, formerly called YouTube Red. Finally, YouTube acts like a normal streaming service. Anatoliy Sizov / Getty Images This isnt acceptable in 2020 and its all fixed with Premium. But do upgrades like this justify Premiums $12 per month price tag? But as the coronavirus pandemic winds on, my credit card bill is mounting with streaming charges....

April 15, 2025 · 1 min · 210 words · Amy Owens

How YouTuber Deligracy Became One of Twitch’s Top Sim Gamer

Conquering YouTube and Twitch with creativity Aussie-born YouTuberDeligracyis your typical YouTuber turned Twitch streamer. Deligracy “I decided to get into streaming because the area was gaining popularity. These types of games, she said, allowed her to express herself through storytelling and character development. Deligracy Eventually, the streamer would settle on the worlds largest digital dollhouse: The Sims. Both her YouTube and Twitch channels are largely dedicated to content surrounding the EA powerhouse....

April 15, 2025 · 1 min · 145 words · Jeffery Taylor

How YouTube’s ‘Watch on’ Button Could Change Video Embeds

YouTube users recently started seeing a “Watch on YouTube” button on embedded video players. “This is a natural move for YouTube,” Ed Laczynski, CEO ofZype, toldLifewirevia email. Increasing Click-Through The “Watch on YouTube” button isnt a new feature entirely. This is a natural move for YouTube. YouTube needs to create growth like any other web company. Things like annotations and badges are key ways that creators can push viewers to check out their other content....

April 15, 2025 · 1 min · 104 words · Larry Armstrong