Technologies

iOS 15: How to FaceTime between iPhone and Android

Non-Apple users can now hop on calls with iPhone buddies who have iOS 15.

If you’re on the lookout for an alternative to Zoom or Microsoft Teams, you may want to check out this new FaceTime feature in iOS 15. (Here’s how to download the OS if you haven’t already.) Widely seen as the tech giant’s answer to Zoom video calls, Apple has made it possible for people who have Android phones or Windows laptops to join FaceTime calls— no iPhone required.

That isn’t to say that Apple devices are cut out of the process. In fact, FaceTime relies on the new iOS 15 operating system — now available to download free — to look and work more like Zoom and Microsoft Teams. In addition to letting you video-chat with people outside Apple’s bubble, FaceTime updates include a new grid view, Portrait mode, the ability to schedule calls and a watch party feature called SharePlay.

Here’s how to join FaceTime calls with iOS 15 no matter what device you’re using.

How do I start a FaceTime call with Android or Windows users?

The key here isn’t that the FaceTime app is coming to Android and Windows. It’s that you’ll be able to jump on a FaceTime call using a link, so long as the person scheduling or starting the call has an Apple device and an Apple account. If you’re an Apple user and have downloaded iOS 15, here’s how to get a FaceTime call started with people on Android or Windows devices.

1. Open the FaceTime app on your phone.

2. Tap Create Link.

3. A screen will slide up from the bottom that says FaceTime Link. You can click Add Name to enter a name for your chat.

4. On the same screen, you’ll see options to share the link through text, email, Twitter, calendar or other apps you have on your phone. Or, you can copy and paste the link yourself.

5. To join the call yourself, tap the name of the chat you just created, and tap Join.

6. When the Android or Windows user clicks the link, it will take them to a waiting room where you can allow them to join the call by tapping a check next to their name.

How do I join a FaceTime call using Android or Windows?

To join a FaceTime call on an Android or Windows device, all you need is the link sent to you by the person with an Apple device. You don’t need to download a separate app. Here’s how to join a FaceTime call through a shared link.

1. Open the FaceTime link from wherever it was shared with you.

2. The link will open in your browser (you’ll need the latest version of Chrome or Edge). Enter your name, and tap Continue.

3. The screen will say «Waiting to be let in» until the person who invited you approves you to join the call.

That’s it! Happy video chatting.

Apple noted at WWDC in June that even on the web, FaceTime calls are always end-to-end encrypted.

For more, check out these FaceTime tips and tricks and everything else to know about iOS 15.

Technologies

Dyson Reveals Futuristic Farming Vision

Dyson, a company best known for its vacuums and hair dryers, has unveiled a new rotating farm design that aims to make food production more local, sustainable and dependable.

Dyson, a company best known for its vacuums and hair dryers, unveiled a new circular farm design featuring rows of strawberry plants that rotate to share sunlight, robots that do everything from harvesting to releasing helpful insects, and sensors to help farmers keep an eye on things.

The company is also getting into the renewable energy game. Check out the video in this article to find out how it all connects and what it could mean for the future of food.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for July 14 #498

Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for July 14 No. 498.

Looking for the most recent Strands answer? Click here for our daily Strands hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Today’s NYT Strands theme set me to humming the theme from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. When you find the answers, they’re pretty easy, though one is quite long to unscramble. If you need hints and answers, read on.

I go into depth about the rules for Strands in this story.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far

Hint for today’s Strands puzzle

Today’s Strands theme is: Won’t you be my neighbor?

If that doesn’t help you, here’s a clue: Different jobs.

Clue words to unlock in-game hints

Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle’s theme. If you’re stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints but any words of four or more letters that you find will work:

HEAR, REAM, LIME, RAIL, TRAIL, ROIL, COIL, BLUR, FIRE, FIGHT, FIGHTER, COME, COMET, ROAM.

Answers for today’s Strands puzzle

These are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you have all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers:

MAYOR, JANITOR, TEACHER, LIBRARIAN, FIREFIGHTER.

Today’s Strands spangram

Today’s Strands spangram is COMMUNITY. To find it, look for the C that’s four letters down on the far left, and wind up and around.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for July 14, #764

Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for July 14, #764.

Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

There are some TV and movie references in today’s NYT Connections puzzle. If you spent your childhood in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, you’re sure to get one of them. That purple category, though … good luck! Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.

The Times now has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.

Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time

Hints for today’s Connections groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Think paint and crayon names.

Green group hint: Vroom-vroom.

Blue group hint: King Friday XIII and Queen Sara Saturday.

Purple group hint: Twist some Disney names.