Please Stop Making New Smartphones Every Year

February 22, 2023

Before Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone, it wasn’t strictly customary for smartphone manufacturers to introduce a new device generation every year. Now, it’s the norm. Each year companies like Apple, Samsung, Google, and more hold huge press events to announce what amounts to the next incremental step of their ever-improving smartphone lines. But is this really necessary? In our top story, Cory makes the case (that’s shared by much of the Review Geek staff) that companies could scale back their new-generation-every-year model and put resources that could benefit the lives of their customers in other ways than having “this year’s model” smartphone.

Other Highlights:

• You no longer need an audio interface to use the NT1 Studio Mic.
• Is the base model Ford F-150 Lightning worth buying?
• Porsche is ready to ditch one-pedal driving.
• … and more!

— Danny

Every year all the big players release new smartphones. Sure, they’re shiny and have big spec lists, but the $1,200 Galaxy S23 Ultra, expensive iPhone 14 Pro, and others aren’t the huge upgrade we want them to be. Maybe it’s time to stop releasing phones every year. Read More »

These flavored toothpicks are made from American northern white birch and come in a wide variety of flavors such as Mint, Bourbon, Cinna Mint, Single Malt, and more! Daneson also helps combat deforestation by planting one-hundred trees for every one they cut to make their toothpicks. Check Them Out >>

There once was a time when people thought self-care was a luxury. Thankfully, we now realize that taking care of ourselves is essential. While some forms of self-care are things you can’t buy, such as setting boundaries and getting enough sleep, others are available in the form of gadgets. Read More »

Sometimes you want an incredibly involved board game that employs multiple strategies and moving pieces. Other times, you just want a simple game that’s easy to play while you’re talking with friends or family. Planted is the latter. Read More »

Wordle was just too easy, wasn’t it? You probably left that behind and moved on to Quordle, the true “hard mode” of the word-guessing game format. But now you’re stuck and so close to failing. Don’t worry, we’re here to help with a hint—and if you really need it, today’s Quordle Answers. Read More »

Are you a huge fan of Wordle and absolutely stuck today? Let me guess; you’re hanging out on guess four or five and feeling the pressure. We get it entirely: nothing feels worse than losing your streak. If you’re not ready to outright cheat, we have you covered with hints and today’s Wordle answer. Read More »

There’s nothing more awkward than holding a flashlight (or smartphone) while replacing a lightbulb or digging under your car’s hood. So, why not buy a flashlight that holds itself? This Cliplight magnetic flashlight sticks to any metal surface, it can hang from objects using a built-in hook, and it has a swivel base to turn in any direction. It’s simple, it’s affordable, and it’s a no-brainer.

The Porsche Taycan is a bit of an oddball in the EV world. Instead of bolstering its regenerative braking system with one-pedal driving, it simply operates like a gas car—the brakes engage when you press the brake pedal. Now, Porsche explains why its upcoming Macan EV also lacks one-pedal driving. Read More »

I’ve been driving Uber for nearly five years. It started as a side-gig and became my full-time job during the pandemic. People have many questions for their Uber drivers, especially if they want to become one. Here are the answers to my passengers’ most common questions about driving for Uber. Read More »

Vodafone is showing off a “prototype” Mobile Private Network device that runs on a Raspberry Pi 4 computer and a Lime SDR XTRX board. The company believes that it could be a low-cost solution for businesses or individuals who want a private cellular network. Read More »

Now that the NFL Sunday Ticket is headed to YouTube TV in 2023 and will no longer be offered by DirecTV, many wonder how much it’ll cost. And while pricing and options remain a mystery, YouTube TV is already hinting at “special early offers” for current customers. Read More »

The base model Ford F-150 Lightning EV only costs $40,000, and this week the official EPA rating emerged confirming the promised 68 MPGe and an estimated 230-miles of range. So, is the F-150 Lightning Pro EV a good deal considering the price and its competition? Read More »

Skip the expensive audio interface and go straight to recording with Rode’s 5th gen NT1 microphone. This beloved studio mic now offers USB connectivity with “unclippable” 32-bit float digital output, marking a new era for amateur podcasting and music recording. Trust me; this is a big deal. Read More »

For the past few months, many YouTube TV subscribers have had trouble using the service on Apple TV 4K devices. When users launch the YouTube TV app after powering up the set-top box, they often get a black screen. YouTube TV acknowledged the problem on Reddit and promised a fix. Read More »

When the dark, chilly days turn bright and sunny, it means it’s time to open windows, let the cool breeze in, and start making your home look and feel anew. With spring cleaning season right around the corner, we wanted to ensure we were ready to give our home a sparkly new makeover. Read More »

Want to host the ultimate movie night? How about split-screen Mario Kart on a display that feels like every player has their own TV? You can have all this, and more, if you bite the bullet and buy a projector. But there are some drawbacks to know about, as we’ll explain. Read More »

Many people use their primary email to sign in to practically everything. That’s a privacy nightmare, and you might be shocked to see how easily someone can use it to effectively stalk you and violate your privacy. Read More »

Hide.me is a VPN service that’s been around for a while and which goes heavy on the marketing, claiming many firsts and positioning itself as the best in many fields. I took a hard look at Hide.me and its claims to see how it stands up to scrutiny. Read More »

You might have been told it takes more effort to frown than to smile. So why not turn that frown upside down? That’s the piece of conventional wisdom you’ve probably heard at some point. But is there any truth to it? Read More »

You’re home from a casual day at the office or have finished running a few errands. All you want to do is change out of your jeans and into loungewear. So should you toss that denim in the wash? Read More »

Earl Grey is a staple of many a tea aficionado’s pantry. But have you ever wondered where the tea gets its name? Read More »

Advice abounds when a thunderstorm finds you and your home. Sometimes, though, it can be confusing to know what advice is a myth and what is legitimate. Read More »