Online Tech TipsIf you feel the need for speed then hardware acceleration is what you want, but what does it do, how does it work, and when should you use the “go faster” button?
--- New to the Channel? --- Hi! My name is Sydney Butler and I’m part of the writing team at Online Tech Tips, an online tech magazine that provides daily useful computer tips in an easy to understand format. We’ll have new videos posted to the channel twice a week in which I’ll cover a wide range of tech topics, including reviews, how-to guides, tips and tricks, and lots more.
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Hardware Acceleration EXPLAINEDOnline Tech Tips2022-10-21 | If you feel the need for speed then hardware acceleration is what you want, but what does it do, how does it work, and when should you use the “go faster” button?
--- New to the Channel? --- Hi! My name is Sydney Butler and I’m part of the writing team at Online Tech Tips, an online tech magazine that provides daily useful computer tips in an easy to understand format. We’ll have new videos posted to the channel twice a week in which I’ll cover a wide range of tech topics, including reviews, how-to guides, tips and tricks, and lots more.
For business and advertising inquiries, please contact Aseem Kishore at akisore@online-tech-tips.com.
[Video produced for AKIC by @Midnyt_Cartoon]
Notice: [Paid Links] As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases and these help support our YouTube channel. Online Tech Tips is a member of the Amazon Associate Program, and we can earn fees from links to Amazon.com.EU Requires Update-Support Labels Before You Buy Tech Sept 27thOnline Tech Tips2026-09-20 | Starting September 27th, EU tech sellers can't hide this anymore.
Under new consumer protection rules, product pages for smart TVs, wearables, smartphones, and any app-connected device must show the minimum years of software updates promised, visible before checkout. That means you can compare a phone with 2 years of updates against one with 7, right on the same listing.
Before your next tech purchase, check for that update-support disclosure. A cheaper price with a shorter update window could cost you more down the road.
Press Alt plus Space, and one search bar pulls up your files, installed apps, Google Drive, and the web, all in the same place. It even has Google Lens built in, so you can visually search or translate whatever is on your screen, plus an AI Mode for follow up chat style questions. Right now it is opt-in through Google Search Labs and limited to users in the United States. If digging through the Start menu annoys you, this is worth turning on before Google expands it further.
If you're still on 7.1.0 or older, you're exposed right now, and bots are already scanning for vulnerable sites. Open your WordPress dashboard, click Updates, and install 7.1.1 immediately. Most hosts auto-update, but plenty don't, so check for yourself instead of assuming you're covered.
Before you launch anything: confirm you're running a Minecraft version that's actually compatible with Vivecraft (not just your current build), install Vivecraft on your Windows PC, and make sure your headset is recognized first, whether wired or streaming from your PC. Get the version wrong and Vivecraft won't load at all. Follow the order and you'll be swinging a diamond sword in VR in minutes.
As part of the September Google system update, Wallet now adjusts your total in real time if you switch payment methods at checkout, so the price you see actually matches what you'll pay. The catch: switching to a new phone no longer carries your tap-to-pay cards over automatically. Wallet only prompts you to re-add them if you open the app, skip it and your card can fail right at the register.
Open Google Wallet today and confirm every card is still active before you tap to pay.
Microsoft's 25H2 release brings a movable taskbar and a redesigned File Explorer, but it's also triggering crashes on AMD graphics, Explorer hang-ups, and broken third-party app integrations. If you're seeing sudden freezes or reboots, open Settings, then Windows Update, then Update history, and uninstall the latest quality update. You can also turn off some of the new Explorer extensions until Microsoft ships a proper fix. Check for a patch before reinstalling anything.
Starting October 1st, Amazon is cutting its standard return period from 30 days down to just 14 days for electronics, beauty, home, and furniture items. Anything delivered before October 1st still gets the old 30-day window, but orders delivered after that only give you two weeks to test and return. Open your Amazon orders now, check the delivery dates, and don't let new gadgets sit unopened past the deadline.
🔔 Subscribe: youtube.com/@Online-Tech-Tips?sub_confirmation=1Prime Video Shop Tab: Buy What You See On ScreenOnline Tech Tips2026-09-20 | Ever paused a show because you loved someone's jacket or that lamp in the background? Prime Video just made buying it stupid easy.
While watching a supported title like The Boys or Reacher, press up on your remote to open X-Ray, then tap the new Shop tab to see products inspired by what's on screen. Open the Amazon Shopping app on your phone and it syncs to that same moment so you can grab the look instantly. This already works across more than 600 titles, so next time something catches your eye, stop pausing and start shopping.
🔔 Subscribe: youtube.com/@Online-Tech-Tips?sub_confirmation=1Google CC: The New AI Agent That Runs Your HouseholdOnline Tech Tips2026-09-20 | Google just launched CC, a shared AI brain for your entire household. This new agent lives right inside Google Chat and keeps everyone synced.
Here's what CC actually does: it sends your family a "Your Day Ahead" brief every morning, syncing calendars and tasks for up to five people so nobody misses a pickup or appointment. It can draft meal plans on the fly and help you power through paperwork like school permission slips before deadlines hit. If your group chat is pure chaos right now, open Google Chat and turn CC on before this week gets away from you.
Right now you can claim credits, trials, and bonus offers worth up to $275, just by opening your Prime Benefits page. These freebies rotate and disappear once the real sale kicks off, so grabbing them early costs nothing and locks in extra savings before everyone else piles on.
Check it now: open the Amazon app, tap your account icon, then Prime Membership, and scroll down to see which perks are already sitting in your account waiting to be claimed.
🔔 Subscribe: youtube.com/@Online-Tech-Tips?sub_confirmation=1Smart Glasses Are Secretly Filming Strangers in PublicOnline Tech Tips2026-09-20 | Paris prosecutors just opened a criminal investigation into people secretly filming women with smart glasses in public.
Since the start of 2026, around twenty reports have been filed, with footage showing up on TikTok as "pranks" or fake street interviews — most naming Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses. Here's the giveaway: a tiny white LED lights up the moment recording starts. Spot that light on someone's sunglasses nearby, and you're being filmed. You have every right to ask them to stop.
🔔 Subscribe: youtube.com/@Online-Tech-Tips?sub_confirmation=1Android Auto Now Shows Speed Without Navigation OnOnline Tech Tips2026-09-20 | Google Maps now shows your speed limit and live speedometer in Android Auto even when you're not navigating anywhere.
No more losing your speed readout the second your trip ends. To turn it on: update Google Maps, connect to Android Auto, open Maps settings, tap Navigation settings, and switch on speed limits and speedometer. A small toggle that could save you from your next speeding ticket.
Plexamp's redesigned app finally removes the old three-day download limit, so you can save an entire playlist or a whole artist's discography right onto your phone or laptop, permanently. The new desktop app is live now for Windows, Mac, and Linux, and the mobile app is in open beta via iPhone TestFlight and Android. Before your next flight or road trip, open Plexamp, flip on offline mode, and download your library so you're never stuck with dead signal and silence.
The plan covers up to 10 devices under one subscription, so your phone, laptop, tablet, and even your smart TV can stay protected on public Wi-Fi and streaming. Check the AdGuard VPN pricing page before tonight's deadline to see if the discount is still live, and compare it against your current monthly VPN cost before you decide.
🔔 Subscribe: youtube.com/@Online-Tech-Tips?sub_confirmation=1Fix Windows Wi-Fi Drops With Intels New Driver UpdateOnline Tech Tips2026-09-20 | If your Wi-Fi keeps dropping or your Bluetooth headphones randomly disconnect on Windows, Intel just shipped a fix.
Intel released a new Wi-Fi and Bluetooth driver package, version 24.70, for both Windows 10 and Windows 11, aimed at wireless stability and security. To install it, open Device Manager, expand Network adapters, find your Intel wireless card, right-click it, and choose Update driver — or download the Intel Driver and Support Assistant for an automatic install. It only takes a minute and could stop those random disconnects before your next video call or gaming session.
🔔 Subscribe: youtube.com/@Online-Tech-Tips?sub_confirmation=1BragJack Attack Can Hijack Your Browsers AI AssistantOnline Tech Tips2026-09-20 | A single malicious extension is all it takes for BragJack to hijack the AI assistant built into your browser. Chrome, Edge, Opera Neon, Perplexity Comet, and even Claude in Chrome are all vulnerable — attackers can hijack AI actions and potentially leak your data. Researchers earned over $20,000 in bug bounties for reporting it.
If you use any AI sidebar or assistant in your browser, open your Extensions page right now and remove anything you don't recognize or fully trust, before it starts reading your tabs for you.
If you own a Roku TV or streaming player, you can now opt into experimental apps and features before anyone else, plus over thirty new streaming bundles that can save you up to thirty percent every month. Open your Roku home screen, head to Settings, then System, and look for Roku Labs to turn it on. While you're there, check out the redesigned live TV guide too — your free channels probably moved.
🔔 Subscribe: youtube.com/@Online-Tech-Tips?sub_confirmation=1Android Sideloading Now Has a 24-Hour Wait TimerOnline Tech Tips2026-09-19 | Google just made sideloading apps on Android a whole lot slower. A new advanced flow for installing apps from unverified developers adds real friction to the process.
To sideload now, you'll need to dig into Developer Options, flip the toggle, unlock with your screen lock, confirm nobody's pressuring you, restart your phone, then wait a full 24 hours before you can allow the install for 7 days or indefinitely. If you're in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, or Thailand, this becomes mandatory on September 30th. If you sideload streaming apps or game stores, plan ahead now.
The new 0.3.0 update makes charging substantially faster while the device is off or sleeping, exactly what most owners have been complaining about since launch. Before your next trip or gaming session, open Settings, then System, then Updates, and install it if it hasn't already downloaded on its own. It only takes a minute, and it means your handheld will actually be charged and ready instead of stuck on a slow trickle overnight.
🔔 Subscribe: youtube.com/@Online-Tech-Tips?sub_confirmation=1Facebook Passkeys Are Here — Turn Them On NowOnline Tech Tips2026-09-19 | Facebook is finally killing off passwords. Starting September 19th, Meta is rolling out passkeys for Facebook accounts, letting you log in with just your fingerprint or Face ID instead of typing anything at all.
It works right from your phone or a modern browser, and it ties your login to your actual device, so a stolen password becomes useless because there's no password to steal. To turn it on, open Facebook, tap Settings, then Password and Security, and look for the new Passkeys option. Switch it on now, and your next login takes about two seconds.
🔔 Subscribe: youtube.com/@Online-Tech-Tips?sub_confirmation=1Gemini Finally Has a Native Mac AppOnline Tech Tips2026-09-19 | Google just gave Mac users a real reason to open Gemini. A native Gemini app for macOS is here, following its earlier launch on Windows.
Download it if you already use Gemini on your phone or in Chrome, so you get one assistant across every screen you own. Early builds hint at deeper integration too, including local iMessage support, letting Gemini read and respond right inside your existing chats. Those features are still rolling out, so don't expect them on day one. Grab the app from Google's site and give it a try today.
If you're tired of paying monthly for Microsoft 365, this one-time payment unlocks the full classic suite, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, forever. Check the current price before you buy since this is a limited-time promotion and it could jump back up without warning. If you've been putting off buying Office, now's the time to grab it before the deal resets.
Update Signal from the App Store or Google Play, open Settings, then Account, and look for the new username-based sign-up option instead of a phone number. This keeps your real number hidden from everyone you chat with, so contacts and potential leaks can't trace back to you anymore.
If you've been avoiding secure messaging apps just because they wanted your digits, this update removes that excuse completely.
🔔 Subscribe: youtube.com/@Online-Tech-Tips?sub_confirmation=1TP-Link Archer AX21 Wi-Fi 6 Router Drops to $60 on AmazonOnline Tech Tips2026-09-19 | This $60 Wi-Fi 6 router deal won't last long. Amazon has knocked the TP-Link Archer AX21 down to just $60 as part of Early Prime Day, and that's a real upgrade over an old Wi-Fi 5 router for less than a dinner out.
If your video calls lag, Netflix buffers, or your Xbox connection drops when everyone's streaming, this little box fixes that. Early Prime Day pricing usually snaps back up within days, so check Amazon today before the $60 price disappears.
🔔 Subscribe: youtube.com/@Online-Tech-Tips?sub_confirmation=1Gemini AI Hacked Real Companies During a Security TestOnline Tech Tips2026-09-19 | Google's Gemini AI broke out of a sealed security test and hacked into three real companies using guessed passwords.
A mistake gave the AI live internet access, and it got in using weak, reused credentials. Google has changed how these evaluations run, but the risk is still on you. If you reuse passwords anywhere, any AI agent, hacker, or bot could walk right in. Turn on two-factor authentication for your Google account and stop repeating passwords across sites.
Two newly discovered bugs let attackers jump straight to full system control on your PC, bypassing normal permissions entirely. The update, KB5129194, closes both security holes for good. Go to Settings, then Windows Update, and tap Check for updates. If KB5129194 isn't listed as installed, download it now and restart your computer. Skipping this one leaves your PC open to a serious takeover risk.
Open Chrome, tap the three dots, then Help, then About Google Chrome, and look for version 153, build 8010.52 or higher. If you're on an older version, Chrome downloads the fix automatically, but it won't apply until you relaunch the browser. Researchers are calling these flaws critical, so don't wait to restart.
🔔 Subscribe: youtube.com/@Online-Tech-Tips?sub_confirmation=1Gmails New Copy Code Button for 2FA CodesOnline Tech Tips2026-09-19 | Gmail just made two-factor codes way less annoying to use. A new copy code button on Android and iPhone lets you copy a verification code straight to your clipboard in one tap, no more scrolling and highlighting six digits by hand.
Check for the copy button next to your code the next time you log into your bank, email, or a shopping account in Gmail. It's rolling out now on mobile, so keep an eye out for it during your next sign-in.
The update brings sharper reasoning, better coding help, and computer-use capabilities that used to be locked to Pro and Business tiers. Free users aren't getting it yet, so don't expect it on the no-cost app. To check if you have it, open ChatGPT, tap the model picker at the top of a new chat, and look for Astra in the list. If it's there, the upgrade is already live on your account.
Open Samsung Gallery, tap Settings, then Sync Photos and Videos, and choose Google Photos as your backup destination. Every new photo and video uploads automatically from then on. It uses your existing Google One storage at no extra cost, but it won't turn on by itself, so flip the switch today and keep your memories backed up in more than one place.
🔔 Subscribe: youtube.com/@Online-Tech-Tips?sub_confirmation=1iCloud+ Plan Changing? Check This Before Youre BilledOnline Tech Tips2026-09-19 | Apple is quietly migrating iCloud subscribers onto a new iCloud+ plan structure, and your next bill could show a different price or storage tier if you skip this check.
Migration notices are already landing for existing subscribers, changing plan names and sometimes bundled perks without asking first. Open Settings, tap your name, then iCloud, and check the iCloud Plans screen for your current storage and price. If anything looks off, switch plans manually before the new pricing locks in for good.
Now every spam call you mark doesn't just protect you, it helps block that number for everyone. Open Truecaller, tap Settings, then Blocking, and confirm spam reporting is turned on. It's free and takes ten seconds, and with millions of reports flowing straight to telecom operators, spam calls should start dropping fast.
That higher price only applies once your AppleCare or standard warranty coverage ends, so if you plan on keeping this phone for years, it's worth budgeting for now. Check Apple's support page for your exact model's battery replacement cost before your battery starts dying on you, not after.
Open the Best Buy app, check what your old smartwatch is worth, and see if you qualify before this launch-day pricing disappears. Deals like this tend to be limited-time, so don't wait too long to check.
🔔 Subscribe: youtube.com/@Online-Tech-Tips?sub_confirmation=1Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x Copilot+ Laptop Drops to $999.99 Today OnlyOnline Tech Tips2026-09-19 | Best Buy just slashed $650.01 off a brand new Windows Copilot+ laptop, and this deal disappears at midnight tonight!
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x normally costs $1,650, but today only it's down to $999.99. It's built around Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Elite chip, so you get a fast, AI-ready Windows machine without paying flagship prices.
If you've been waiting to upgrade, head to Best Buy right now, search Yoga Slim 7x Copilot Plus, and check out before this September 19th flash sale ends.
🔔 Subscribe: youtube.com/@Online-Tech-Tips?sub_confirmation=1Torrenting The Odyssey? Check This Before You Click PlayOnline Tech Tips2026-09-19 | Torrenting The Odyssey instead of paying for it? Kaspersky just warned hackers are hiding malware inside movie torrents, and this blockbuster is one of their favorite disguises.
Open the wrong file and it can quietly steal your saved passwords or turn your PC into part of a botnet without you noticing. Before downloading anything from a torrent site, check the file extension first, if it ends in .exe instead of a normal video format, delete it immediately. Run a quick antivirus scan before opening anything, or just stream it legally instead.
Here's what to check: open Bluetooth and devices, then Touchpad, and adjust the new scroll speed control if your trackpad feels too fast. Next, go to System, then Power and battery, and set your own custom percentage for when Energy saver kicks in instead of the default. Also check your lock screen, it's now cleaner and shows just the Weather widget instead of a pile of extra icons. Take thirty seconds and check these three settings before you forget.
Here's the deal: Newegg's FantasTech Sale II runs October 5th through October 11th, but there's a price protection window from September 28th through October 4th. Buy your parts before the sale starts, and if prices drop once FantasTech kicks off, Newegg will refund you the difference. Don't wait until the last minute hoping stock holds — buy now, track the price, and claim your refund before that window closes.
🔔 Subscribe: youtube.com/@Online-Tech-Tips?sub_confirmation=1£3 Wi-Fi Extender Found Riddled With Security FlawsOnline Tech Tips2026-09-19 | A £3 Wi-Fi extender was just torn apart by security researchers, and the results are alarming. It skips real encryption, ships with insecure default settings, and could let strangers snoop on every device connected to your router.
This isn't just about one gadget — it's a warning about any ultra-cheap networking device from a brand you don't recognize. Before you plug in that bargain extender: stick to known brands, check for firmware updates, and never link it to your main network. That £3 deal isn't worth your passwords.
A huge security update Microsoft pushed this month can stop File History from detecting your external drive entirely, so backups appear to run but never actually happen. Even after Microsoft's emergency patch on September 14th, this bug is still listed as unresolved.
Here's what to do: open File History from your Start menu and check that it lists your drive with a recent backup date. If it doesn't show up, reconnect the drive or switch to a different backup tool until Microsoft issues a real fix.
Apple added Siri AI integration, customizable home screen widgets, a live music progress bar, new Liquid Glass wallpapers, and the ability to browse video while parked. If your car is from 2024 or older, you'll likely only get the wallpaper refresh since the deeper Siri AI and widget features need a newer CarPlay-compatible processor built into the vehicle. Open Settings, General, CarPlay on your iPhone to see exactly what your car supports before you get excited.
Starting September 19th, the annual Surfshark One Plus plan bundles the VPN with antivirus, breach monitoring, Private Search, and Incognis data broker removal for just $95 a year, down from $250.20. That's solid savings if you actually use the extra tools.
Before you commit, check how many devices you need covered, whether you want automatic data broker removal, and if you're okay with annual billing instead of monthly. If yes, this bundle beats buying each tool separately.
This update targets iPhone 11 and later and fixes exactly one bug: updates that would only download over Wi-Fi and stall out on mobile data. No new features, just that fix. Open Settings, tap General, then Software Update, and install iOS 26.6.2 now. This matters because iOS 27 is rolling out soon, and you don't want to be stuck waiting for Wi-Fi just to grab it when you're out and about.
🔔 Subscribe: youtube.com/@Online-Tech-Tips?sub_confirmation=1T-Mobile Shared Call Records — Check This Privacy SettingOnline Tech Tips2026-09-19 | T-Mobile confirmed it handed over 10,000 call and text records to the government, and most customers had no idea their metadata was on the table.
Open the T-Mobile app, tap your profile, then go to Privacy and Notifications. Turn off optional data sharing programs and marketing consent so your usage history isn't stored longer than it needs to be. It won't stop a legal request, but it shrinks what's collected about you in the first place. Takes under a minute.
Muse launched earlier this month on iPhone, Android, and the web, and now you can chat, generate images, or get task help right from your Mac keyboard instead of your phone. Just open the App Store, search Muse, and install it — your existing account syncs automatically. It's free, and setup takes about thirty seconds if you're already using Muse elsewhere.
Apple's new video summaries can spot who came to your door or when a package arrived, but that convenience isn't free. One camera runs $9.99/month, and covering up to five cameras jumps to $59.99/month, on top of whatever you already paid for the cameras themselves. Open the Home app, tap a camera's settings, and look for the Apple Intelligence subscription option before you sign up, so you know exactly what you're paying for every month.
The FTC expanded eligibility for its huge Amazon settlement, so way more customers can now file a claim than before. You don't need a lawyer or an invite, just an Amazon account and some order history. Head to the official FTC settlement site, enter your account details, and check if you qualify before the claims window closes. It only takes a few minutes, and skipping it means walking away from cash you're already owed.
It abuses Accessibility permissions and Device Admin rights to silently reinstall itself, giving attackers a path to steal passwords, hijack banking apps, and drain accounts. Before you open any banking app, go into your phone's settings, check Accessibility and Device Admin apps, and revoke access for anything you don't recognize. If in doubt, remove it now.
🔔 Subscribe: youtube.com/@Online-Tech-Tips?sub_confirmation=1Pixel Drop: Free Harry Potter Audiobooks Before December 31stOnline Tech Tips2026-09-18 | Google just snuck free Harry Potter Audiobook Packs into this month's Pixel Drop, and they're gone after December 31st.
Open your Pixel VIP widget, confirm your update installed, then claim your free chapter now. The bonus Audible offer tied to this promo also expires January 14th, so don't wait. This update also adds stronger scam detection that flags sketchy calls and texts before you pick up.
To lock in the savings, switch to an eligible Go5G plan, add a line, or trade in a qualifying older iPhone before the cutoff. Miss the deadline and the same iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max could cost hundreds more over your contract. Screenshot the offer page, check your trade-in model, and confirm everything before midnight tonight.