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Will Nicol

Will Nicol

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Will Nicol is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends. He covers a variety of subjects, particularly emerging technologies, movies and TV, and more. He has keen interest in technologies that can transform society, and also has hot takes about Game of Thrones. When not working, Will enjoys practicing guitar, learning Spanish, and spending too much money building Magic: The Gathering decks.

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What is a VPN? Here’s what they do and why you need one

Virtual private networks are a great way to protect your privacy online, but how do they work? Here is our guide to the essentials.
Computing Guides
A person using a laptop at a desk.

A beginner’s guide to Tor: How to navigate the underground internet

Privacy is a rare commodity these days. If you need a basic intro to an underground route to the web, we've got the beginner's guide to understanding Tor.
Computing Guides
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The best moneymaking apps for Android and iOS

Did you know that your smartphone can actually be a source of income? We've rounded up the best apps for earning cash on the side, from surveys to rebates.
Mobile Guides
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How to hack an NES Classic to play more than 700 games

Despite only shipping with 30 games, the NES Classic is basically an emulator in a box. Here's how to hack a NES Classic to play most games on the system.
Gaming Guides
AR Emoji

How to make your own emoji

When you can't quite get your meaning across with a standard Unicode emoji, here's how to create an emoji to use on Slack, Discord, or other chat services.
Mobile Guides
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The best sleep gadgets

Sleep is crucial for our health, so why not do everything you can to get your eight hours or so? Here are some of the best sleep gadgets to help you rest easy.
Health & Fitness Guides

The best Fallout 4 settlements and structures

We've searched the internet for some of the biggest, most intricate, and most creative Fallout 4 settlements and structures out there to give you inspiration.
Gaming Guides

The best educational apps for Android and iOS

A proper education is crucial to success, but you don't need to go back to school to stay sharp, as there are plenty of apps to help you educate yourself.
Mobile Best-ofs
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The best Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus accessories for 2022

The Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus are still excellent phones with a lot to offer, and this selection of top accessories will elevate your phone to a new level.
Mobile Best-ofs
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The best comic book apps for Android and iOS

There are plenty of comic book readers out there that will enable you to read digital comics on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Here are some of the best.
Mobile Best-ofs
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Eat and be eaten: How to survive and thrive in Agar.io

Agar.io is a blob-eat-blob world, one best played while keeping a few things in mind. Check out our quick game guide for a recap of controls and strategies.
Gaming Guides

How to recycle your old computer

Need to rid yourself of old computers or components that are collecting dust? Here's how to properly wipe, reuse, or recycle your hardware and electronics.
Computing Guides
woman sitting and using laptop

The best YouTube channels

So many videos, so little time. Our curated list of the best YouTube channels helps you catch up on all the must-see videos, from educational to entertaining.
Web Guides
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The best radio apps for Android and iOS

Whether you want great music or talk programs, the best radio apps offer a curated alternative to on-demand services like Spotify and Apple Music.
Mobile Best-ofs

The best car chargers

From a budget-friendly model to a high-end one with Bluetooth and a handy car finder, here are some of the best car chargers for your Apple and Android device.
Cars Best Ofs
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The best true crime podcasts

Skip the hardboiled detective stories -- the best crime stories are true. We've curated a list of the best true crime podcasts to keep you up at night.
Mobile Best-ofs
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How to drive in the snow

Driving in the snow isn't nearly as scary or as dangerous as it sounds if you take a few basic precautions.
Cars Videos
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Can A.I. solve one of the oldest mysteries of linguistics?

Lost languages like Linear A have confounded researchers for decades, but as artificial intelligence advances, could technology crack the case?
Emerging Tech Features
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The best tech gifts under $25

You don't need to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on tech gifts. We've rounded up some of the best deals under $25, just in time for the holiday season.
Emerging Tech Products
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What you need to know about Epic Games’ feud with Apple (and Google)

Epic Games, developer of Fortnite, is feuding with Apple and Google. Why? It's a sticky situation involving app store revenue cuts and antitrust law.
Gaming News
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Apple Watch Series 3 vs. Series 4

In 2018, Apple released the Apple Watch Series 4 with a new design and health-tracking features. We loved the Series 3, but is the Series 4 worth the price?
Wearables Guides
Contact Tracing app illustration

Can the next generation of contact-tracing apps avoid past mistakes?

Contact -racing apps have had middling success so far, but a nonprofit called the PathCheck Foundation hopes to change that.
Mobile Features
neuralink progress update 2020

Elon Musk says Neuralink will be like a ‘Fitbit in your skull with tiny wires’

At a live demonstration streamed on Friday, Elon Musk and the Neuralink team showed off the latest version of the device, and talked about the future.
News
Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris is Biden’s VP selection, and that may be good news for Big Tech

Joe Biden has chosen Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate in the 2020 presidential election. That might be good news for the tech industry.
News
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Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico suffers damage from broken cable

The Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico suffered damage from a broken cable on Monday. No word yet on what caused the break.
News
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How does a blast wave work? The physics behind the phenomenon

When a high explosive detonates, the increase in pressure is so rapid that the waves move faster than sound, creating a shock wave
News
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Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Everything we know

The latest Assassin's Creed game, Valhalla, casts players as Vikings during the invasion of England. Here's everything to know about the upcoming release.
Gaming News
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The Big Tech antitrust hearing is today. Here’s why it matters

The CEOs of Apple, Amazon, Google, and Facebook will face a congressional hearing on Wednesday, July 29. Here's why it matters.
Emerging Tech Features
trump versus biden

Election 2020: The presidential candidate’s views on tech

Tech issues loom large over the 2020 election. We've broken down the issues, examining Trump and Biden's views on them.
Web Features
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9 military robots that are totally terrifying … and oddly adorable

Robots are the future of most industries, and nowhere is that more apparent than the military. Here are some of the coolest military robots.
Emerging Tech Guides
Coronavirus dashboard as of March 11

Trump’s CDC data policy won’t hurt your favorite coronavirus tracker

The White House told hospitals to bypass the CDC and send COVID-19 data to HHS, but Johns Hopkins' coronavirus dashboard gets its data elsewhere.
News
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What is the EARN IT Act? The bill that has privacy advocates worried, explained

The EARN IT Act is making its way through the Senate, and privacy advocates are worried. What exactly does it do, and what do critics say? Read our explainer.
Web Features
Contact Tracing app illustration

Contact-tracing apps have been a disaster, but could they still save us?

Contact-tracing apps were touted as tech's solution to the coronavirus pandemic. Despite the hype, many have been ineffective or outright disastrous.
Mobile Features
A suit of power armor in a ruined DC.

Fallout TV series coming to Amazon from Westworld creators

Westworld creators Lisa Joy and Jonah Nolan are working on a series for Amazon based on the Fallout video games. Details are scarce at the moment.
Entertainment News
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