Printer WeekAnalysis

Printer ink is a scam. Here’s how to spend less.

Americans waste $10 billion each year on name-brand ink. So we tested low-cost options including remanufactured cartridges, ink injection kits — and even making our own.

By Geoffrey A. FowlerJuly 12, 2023

You can say no to a TSA face scan. But even a senator had trouble.

Some airport travelers, including a U.S. senator, are having trouble saying no to security technology that's supposed to be voluntary.

By Shira OvideJuly 11, 2023

We hate printers as much as you do. Printer Week is here to help.

The Help Desk’s series of stories and investigations into the state of printers is happening July 10 to 14.

By Geoffrey A. FowlerJuly 11, 2023

Life after Twitter? Here are alternatives for anyone looking to leave.

The best alternatives to Twitter for people who don't want to stay on the Elon Musk-owned site.

By Heather KellyJuly 6, 2023

Loneliness is taking friend-making apps mainstream

Post-pandemic loneliness is driving young adults to seek friends more intentionally.

By Tatum HunterJuly 3, 2023

Meeting friends online is normal. Here’s how to do it.

Post-pandemic loneliness is driving young adults to turn to the internet to find real-life friends, rather than to rely on circumstance.

By Tatum HunterJuly 3, 2023
Help DeskAnalysis

Those 10,000 5-star reviews are fake. Now they’ll also be illegal.

As much as 30 or 40 percent of online reviews are fake. Now the FTC is cracking down with new rules and hefty fines.

By Geoffrey A. FowlerJune 30, 2023

E-bike batteries are a fire risk. Here’s how to protect yourself.

Lithium-ion batteries power our smartphones, laptops and electric transportation. They’re also a safety risk we need to take seriously.

By Shira OvideJune 30, 2023

Hot phone? Here’s how to cool it down (say no to the fridge)

As record-breaking heat waves bake areas of the United States and Europe, here is the Help Desk's tips to keep our hot phones cool.

By Chris VelazcoJune 29, 2023

I moved my Gmail to a less creepy email. It was surprisingly easy.

I transferred 15 years of Gmail messages to a smaller email provider. My email switch was almost as easy as ordering a pizza.

By Shira OvideJune 27, 2023

How to find trustworthy repair help for your busted iPhone or TV set

Here's advice on how to find a reliable electronics repair shop, what questions you should ask and steps you can take to make sure your repair ends happily.

By Shira OvideJune 23, 2023

Overwhelmed by subscriptions? Here are 8 tips to save money

Save money and sanity by getting your subscriptions in order and cancelling anything that costs more than it's worth.

By Heather KellyJune 22, 2023

Why you should skip a VPN and identity-theft monitoring

Should everyone use a VPN? What’s the best way to save digital photos? A selection of reader questions and responses.

By Shira OvideJune 20, 2023

The do’s and don’ts of posting photos of your kid on social media

Consider asking your child’s permission before you post and other guidelines for parents.

By Shira OvideJune 16, 2023

Love plants? Want to stop killing them? Try these garden apps and gadgets.

Plant people take their hobby seriously. That's why the green thumbs in your life need all the best new tech for keeping plants happy, healthy and gorgeous.

By Tatum HunterJune 15, 2023

Parts of Reddit are staying dark. Our search results may suffer for it.

Whether you linger there or not, people share real insight on Reddit. Now, a feud is keeping that information locked away.

By Chris VelazcoJune 14, 2023

5G was an overhyped technology bust. Let’s learn our lesson.

Phone companies and Apple promised that 5G would be an awesome improvement. Nope. How can we believe in promises now of technology that will change our lives?

By Shira OvideJune 13, 2023

Apple Vision Pro: What we learned so far — and what to consider before release

We tried Apple’s ambitious -- and imperfect -- headset to answer your lingering questions

By Chris VelazcoJune 8, 2023

The best air quality index apps to check wildfire smoke near you

Low air quality amid wildfires makes it unsafe to go outside in some parts of the Eastern U.S. and Midwest, but weather apps can help you check your risk.

By Tatum HunterJune 7, 2023