Technologies

Ditch Apple’s Mail and Safari apps on your new iPhone or iPad with this feature

If you want to use Gmail, Chrome or a third-party email or web browser, here’s how to set them up as the default.

A new iPhone can be a great holiday gift. You can pack it full of fun apps, use it for amazing photography, and just generally enjoy using it day after day. But, for a long time, you also got stuck with Apple’s default mail and web-browsing apps, regardless of your preferred defaults.

Fortunately, Apple has been loosening its grip on the iPhone and iPad by adding the option to put widgets on the iPhone’s home screen, create custom app icons and, although somewhat limited, change the default apps for email and web browsing. (Here are some of our other favorite features from iOS 15.)

That means you can use Gmail or Google Chrome — or another app of your choice — on your new iPhone and finally leave Safari and Apple Mail behind. It’s a big win for iPhone and iPad users.

Read more: The best iPhone 13 cases

The process to change over your default mail and browser app is really simple, but also somewhat hidden. Apple doesn’t make it as easy as Android, where there’s a dedicated section for setting default apps in settings. You have to know where to look, and below, we’ll show you where that is.

Set your default mail or browser

In order to use another app as an email or web browser replacement, the developer will need to update the app with support for the new feature. Make sure to check the App Store for any updates before trying to change your default app. Here’s what you need to do.

Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Scroll down until you find the app you want to use. For example, find Google Chrome if you want it to be your main browser. Or Outlook if you want to use it as your email app and tap it. Select the appropriate option, either Default Browser App or Default Email App. Pick from the list of available apps on the next screen, then back out of settings.

With a new default app set, anytime you click a link, your preferred browser will open. Or whenever you tap an email address, your email app will launch. It’s about time Apple added this capability.

Default apps aren’t the only cool feature in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 — we found a bunch. We also figured out some specific tricks, like how to get free iCloud storage.

Technologies

Nintendo Switch 2 Blows Past Records to Sell 3.5 Million Consoles in Just 4 Days

Nintendo’s new handheld console has reached the highest global sales of any Nintendo device in the same timeframe.

We knew it was highly anticipated, but Nintendo on Wednesday confirmed that its new Switch 2 handheld game console has sold more than 3.5 million units worldwide within the first four days of release. This makes it the fastest-selling Nintendo device ever, flying past other releases like the original Switch, which by comparison sold 2.74 million units in its first month.

The Nintendo Switch 2 launched at a price of $450 for the standard America version of the console, which has yet to be affected by the latest tariffs.

It features a larger screen, revamped Joy-Con controllers, more advanced processors and backwards compatibility with original Switch games. It currently features updated versions of classics like Breath of the Wild, as well as the exclusive new game Mario Kart World.

Despite massive early-day sales, the Switch 2 still has a long ways to go to catch up to the original Switch, which has sold over 150 million units since its 2017 release date.

If you’ve been looking but haven’t been able to buy one yet, check out CNET’s Switch 2 tracker for where it’s still in stock.

Nintendo America did not immediately respond to a request for further comment.

Technologies

This $19 Spigen 2-Port USB-C Charger Is Perfect for Your Nintendo Switch 2, Phone and More

You need never run out of juice on the road again with this 75-watt charger deal.

A great in-car USB-C charger can be worth its weight in gold, especially when you’re between locations. Whether you’re charging your phone for navigation or want to keep your kid’s Nintendo Switch 2 powered during a long road trip, this two-port charger is the answer — and now it’s available for just $19.

This is the lowest price that we’ve seen in a while, albeit a couple of dollars more than the lowest ever. But with a massive 53% off Amazon’s usual price and even more off the price Spigen would sell it for, this USB-C charger deal is still a no-brainer.

This charger slides right into your car’s 12-volt charging port and has more than enough power to charge the latest phones and tablets. There are two ports with a combined 75 watts of power split between them. The top can charge your most power-hungry devices at up to 45 watts while the bottom is limited to 35 watts.

Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.

Aside from your phone, this charger can power your tablet as well as any laptops with USB-C. The bigger, more powerful laptops will charge more slowly than if you were using their AC adapter, but hey, beggars can’t be choosers, right?

To boot, Spigen has given this in-car charger protection technologies that ensure your devices only charge as quickly as they need to, to avoid any potential for battery damage. Finally, the charger is nice and small, so it won’t stick out too far, especially when it isn’t being used.

Why this deal matters

While batteries in our devices have gotten better over the years, they still need to be charged. You can bet that will happen at least once when you aren’t near an AC outlet. This charger gives you the ability to charge on the go, and at this price, it’s an absolute steal.

Technologies

Anker Recalls PowerCore 10000 Power Banks Because of Fire Risks: What to Know

The recall affects more than 1.1 million Powercore units sold in the US.

The electronics maker Anker recalled its PowerCore 10000 power banks with the model number A1263 after receiving 19 reports of fires and explosions.

According to an alert posted Thursday by the Consumer Products Safety Commission, more than 1.1 million of the products sold in the US are affected by the recall. The company plans to replace the charging devices, but customers who have them must submit photo evidence of ownership and also prove that they’ve disposed of the PowerCore devices properly before receiving a replacement. It recommends contacting a local hazardous waste collection center versus disposing of it in the trash or through standard recycling services.

In addition to instructing customers to stop using the chargers immediately, the CPSC says:

To receive a replacement, consumers will be required to submit a photo of their recalled power bank showing the model number, serial number, their name, the date of the photograph, and the word «recalled» written on the power bank in permanent marker. A purchase receipt will be requested but will not be required to participate in the recall. Consumers will also be required to confirm disposal of the power bank in accordance with applicable laws and regulations before receiving a replacement.

The PowerCore, made in China, is one of four current power bank recalls that have been issued by Anker. The others include the 334 MagGo 10K battery, the 321 Power Bank (5K) and the 535 Power Bank (20K).

Airlines have taken note of portable battery hazards. Recently, Southwest Airlines changed its policy on charging devices inside of cary-on bags. Some international airlines have also begun limiting the types of lithium chargers fliers can bring on planes due to risks of overheating.