Stop using your laptop’s low-quality webcam! Here’s how to use your Android phone as a camera on Windows 11 instead

I frequently use my Google Pixel as a webcam, particularly when I’m traveling. I can simply unplug the USB-C cable that came with the phone from its charger and connect it to most laptops for a clearer picture. However, some brands like Samsung and Motorola don’t allow you to use your Android phone as a webcam through a USB connection, which makes setting it up a bit more complicated.

Windows 11’s Taskbar search box is getting a handy upgrade soon

Microsoft is launching a new feature called Copy & Search that lets you instantly search any text you’ve copied to your clipboard. After copying text in Windows, a small indicator will appear in the search box. Clicking this indicator will automatically paste the copied text into the search field, allowing you to search for it right away.

What are “TMR” sticks, and do you really need them in a controller?

TMR, which stands for Tunneling Magnetoresistance (and we won’t type that out again!), is a way to sense magnetic fields without physical contact, similar to Hall Effect sensors. However, TMR works by measuring changes in electrical resistance caused by magnetic fields, rather than changes in voltage. This allows TMR sensors to detect even the smallest movements and provide more accurate readings.

While the technology isn’t new – it was first used in the 1990s for hard drives and has been used in industrial and automotive applications for years – it’s recently become popular in gaming controllers. This is because the sensors have become smaller and cheaper, letting scientists miniaturize them so everyone from casual to competitive gamers can benefit.