Google News - POPSUGAR

How to Turn GIFs, Videos, and TikToks Into Live Wallpaper on Your Phone

Image Source: Unsplash / soheyl dehghani Did you know that your phone's lock screen doesn't have to be just a simple photo? While it's nice to have a flower or family photo to look at every time you reach for your phone, that can get a bit boring after a while. The good news is that there are a few ways you can take your iPhone wallpaper to the next level: with live photos, videos, and GIFs! And they're incredibly easy to do. Here's a simple breakdown for each. Live Photos As long as you have an iPhone that takes live photos, you can have an animated wallpaper. To make a live photo your wal...

POPSUGAR2 days ago

Celebrate Mother's Day in Virtual Style With These 5 Free Zoom Backgrounds

If you want to do something special for Mom this Mother's Day but can't physically be together, we have an idea that comes close to being smack dab in front of her. Step one: download Zoom. Step two: upload one of Behr's Mother's Day background images by following these steps. Step three: give her a virtual call! These Mother's Day Zoom backgrounds allow you to "decorate your apartment" in both subtle and surprising ways to make your mom feel extra special. Whether you're celebrating over a mimosa brunch or a casual chitchat, she'll appreciate the gesture. Swap your usual apartment backdrop...

POPSUGAR2 days ago

Google Brought Back Some of Its Most Popular Doodle Games, and We Know What We're Doin' Tonight

Google has the cure for any boredom you're experiencing right now. The popular search engine, which is also known for its incredible Google Doodles that coincide with holidays and events, is reviving 10 of the most popular Google Doodle games from over the years. It started rolling them out at the end of April, and soon all 10 will be available to play while you enjoy quiet time at home. You can try your hand at coding a path for a rabbit to eat carrots from or make beautiful music that also paints a pretty picture. To play the games, just go to Google.com and click on the current Doodle. I...

POPSUGAR3 days ago

Zoom Friends From Chili's, Panera, McDonald's, and More With These Free Restaurant Backgrounds

Staying connected is super important, especially during these uncertain times. While it's nice to Zoom with family, friends, and coworkers from the comfort of our homes, a change in scenery is always refreshing. Instead of hosting a regular happy hour, call up colleagues and friends and ask them to "meet" you for lunch at Panera Bread, or, if they're not feeling sandwiches and salads, try Baskin-Robbins for a delicious dessert - because DoorDash is offering downloadable Zoom backdrops that will transport you to your favorite eateries. There are tons of restaurant backdrops to choose from, a...

POPSUGAR4 days ago

La Croix Is Offering Fruity Zoom Background Images and Videos, So Uh, Is It Summer Yet?

At this stage in the game, we've become pretty accustomed to our virtual chats. Whether it's a happy hour with friends, a catch-up with family, or a meeting with coworkers, most of our Zoom routines are fine-tuned to a science. However, if you're looking to switch up your virtual calls, La Croix has some fresh backgrounds for the job. You can now Zoom friends in a La Croix paradise, with little La Croix beverages floating around you left and right - cute right? Or, if you don't want video, there are fun background images to choose from, too. No matter what you pick, these backdrops will add...

POPSUGAR8 days ago

This Browser Extension Takes You Directly to Recipes on a Site, So No More Endless Scrolling

Have you ever been looking for a recipe online and thought you found it only to have to scroll down the page for what seems like forever just to find the ingredients? Or worse, scrolling up and down constantly because the blogger decided to talk about their life story in between each step or instruction? While there's nothing wrong with that, sometimes I just want to get to the point, and that annoyance is enough to make me give up and have cereal for dinner. Luckily, there's a really easy (and pretty unknown) solution. It's a browser extension called Recipe Filter, which, instead of forcin...

POPSUGAR11 days ago

Amid Everything Happening in the World, I'm Really Grateful For Having Phone Calls Again

For my entire life, I've hated talking on the phone. I would dread having to call anyone and did everything in my power to either avoid making a call completely or get someone else to do it for me. I never thought I would get to the day where my phone is practically my lifeline and making calls has become the highlight of my day. But here we are, in the middle of a pandemic. I haven't been outside my apartment in three weeks, and the only person I've actually seen is the guy who dropped off my groceries last week. I now spend at least an hour on the phone every single day, always with my pa...

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The Color Selector Filter on TikTok Focuses on Just 1 Color in Videos, and the Effect Is So Cool

From DIY hacks to delicious recipes, we're extremely grateful for the plethora of content TikTok has gifted us. Although going viral can be as easy as choreographing a new dance challenge, it really boils down to grabbing viewers' attention, and the best way to do that is with visual effects, the newest being the color selector filter. The color filter has quickly become popular among TikTokers, the most common way of use being to debate someone's hair or eye color. When applied, the color selector focuses on only one color and graying out the rest. Apart from settling hair- and eye-color d...

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7 Disney Channel Show Zoom Backgrounds That Will Transport You Back to the Early 2000s

Get ready to take a trip down memory lane, because these Disney Channel Zoom backgrounds will transport you back to the early 2000s. We're talking about the days of Hannah Montana, Kim Possible, The Jonas Brothers, Wizards of Waverly Place, and the Proud Family, and if those shows don't make your inner preteen self scream, we're not sure what will. Whether you enjoyed watching Kim and Rufus fight crime or Miley Cyrus live a glamorous double life, Disney never had a shortage of great programming to tune into. If you're ready to feel like a Disney Channel star (without playing dress-up in fro...

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If You Love All Things Disney, Test Your Knowledge With These Princess-Themed Brain Teasers

Image Source: Everett Collection Disney fans - if you're in need of a little magic in your stay-at-home life, we've found a few games that might do the trick. Popular Instagram account Riddle Me This recently posted two Disney princess brain teasers, and let's just say if you don't know Moana or Ariel, we suggest doing some research (and watching some movies) before playing. The tests, which make you guess Disney princess identities based on just silhouettes and colors, are made for fans who know all 12 Disney princesses like the back of their hands. If you think you've got this in the bag,...

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Nikon Is Offering Free Online Photography Classes, So Sign Us Up!

In today's news that we absolutely love: Nikon is offering free online classes right now to help amp up your picture-capturing game! Taught by a range of professional photographers, the diverse selection of courses available for streaming through the end of April are the perfect way to occupy your extra time. Whether starting a new hobby or advancing an old favorite, you can brush up on everything photo and video without even leaving your sofa. You had us at free, Nikon. (And sofa.) For those looking to step up from smartphone snapping, this is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of t...

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The 16 Coolest Gadgets of 2020 Will Make Your Life 10 Times Easier and Happier

In 2020, we're looking to streamline our lives. Whether you need more time in your day or to keep things all in one place, gadgets are being designed to make everyone's day better. From the kitchen to your closet, there's tons of inventions that will leave you sighing with relief. Instead of trying to keep up with the constant stream of new stuff coming to the market, let us be your guide. Up ahead, we rounded up the most mesmerizing, useful gadgets you'll want to get this year. Check them out. Related: This Is the Phone Sanitizer I Always Use, and It's a Game Changer Nobody will ever see t...

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10 Bingeworthy Nintendo Switch Games For Adults

If you've had a Nintendo Switch ($300) for a while now, you know just how much fun it is. And if you're new to the gaming device, welcome! All of your free time is about to go right out the window. Whether you like to play solo, with family and friends, or online with thousands of other players, this compact system offers over 2,000 games to choose from. From decade-long cult classic sagas like Mortal Kombat to beautifully illustrated adventure games like Night in the Woods to recent favorites like Animal Crossing, the Nintendo Switch has every type of gamer covered. If you're needing some ...

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Seeing Animal Crossing Everywhere? Here's Everything You Need to Know About the Popular Game

It doesn't matter if you're an avid gamer or not, chances are you've heard of a little game called Animal Crossing, right? From listening to your friends talk about creating islands, picking fruit, and hanging out with their virtual friends to seeing images of the game online, you might be wondering what it is exactly and how you can play it, too. And we've got you covered! Animal Crossing is a Nintendo video game that lets you live out a virtual life in a colorful cartoon village, and once you start, it's hard to stop! Keep reading for everything you need to know about the game before you ...

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Transport Yourself to Hogwarts, Disney World, and Beyond With These Fun Zoom Backgrounds

While video chatting with friends, family, and coworkers is a great way to keep in touch, at times it can be challenging to make our calls creative. Once the basic catch-up questions are asked and you've touched upon the weather, it's easy to think: now what? Luckily, Zoom has found a way to make v-chats a million times more fun with the option to add a background, and the outcome is so cool! You can officially Zoom coworkers and loved ones while "on a vacation in Paris," sitting at Leslie Knope's desk from Parks and Recreation, or in the comfort of "your high-end kitchen," while not liftin...

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Instagram's New Stickers Are Making It Easier to Support Small Businesses Right Now

Instagram is helping small businesses stay afloat during this challenging time. Shortly after launching a cowatching capability to liven up video chats, the social media app rolled out new gift card, online food order, and fundraising features so businesses can better spread the word to those staying home right now. Here's how it works: using Instagram Stories stickers or buttons located in their bio, businesses can easily direct followers to where they might be able to place a food order, purchase a gift card, or donate to a Facebook fundraiser. Followers can then also reshare those sticke...

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The 4 Best (and Free!) Apps For Limiting Your Screen Time and Staying Present

If you've ever searched for an app to limit your screen time, you've probably noticed that most of the market is geared toward parental controls. But more and more, adults are looking for ways to spend less time on their phones, even attempting full-on digital detoxes. And while Android users have Google's Digital Wellbeing tool and iPhone users have Apple's Screen Time setting, we're so obsessed with our phones that putting these simple app limits in place isn't always enough to truly unplug. Using your phone less might seem like an impossibly hard task, but once you experience the benefit...

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Catch Me Using These Disney Park Zoom Backgrounds in All Video Calls From Now On

The Disney parks may be closed for the time being, but that doesn't mean we can't take a mental vacation and pretend we're hanging in the land of churros and Dole whip. Luckily, we now have more than just our imaginations to help, thanks to the ready-to-download Zoom backgrounds recently shared by the Disney Parks Blog. The free backdrops feature picture-perfect scenes from various amusement parks across the globe, including Disneyland Paris, Aulani in Hawaii, Epcot, and Tokyo DisneySea. It's pretty hard to pick a favorite! To pretend you're posted up in front of Cinderella's Castle or Epco...

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Your Most-Asked Zoom Questions Answered - Useful Tips to Help You Navigate the App

As Zoom meetings, happy hours, and daily check-ins become the norm, learning how to properly use the app is one of the best ways to get the most out of your video calls. From hopping online to take a work call to enjoying some time with your friends from afar, Zoom has made us feel much more connected during this period of self-isolation. If you're new to Zoom, we curated a list of the most-asked Zoom questions by users to help you understand the application. If changing your username is trickier than you thought or adding your favorite Snapchat filter to your call is all you want to do, we...

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Here's How to Use All Your Favorite Snapchat Lenses During Zoom Calls

As hilarious as it is to put a mustache on your dog and give yourself the most glamorous flower crown in the group chat, that isn't all Snapchat's lenses can do. The app's downloadable Snap Camera, which allows the full lens studio to be available during video chats, makes it so that your Zoom calls are just a little more fun to sit through with colorful backgrounds, special effects, and silly characters. So, to keep yourself from becoming the woman who turned herself into a potato during a conference call and couldn't change herself back, check out a few supereasy Snap Camera tips ahead. H...

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25 Cute PopSockets That Will Instantly Take Your Phone From Blah to B*tchin'

Avoiding the infamous "OMG, did the screen crack?!" fiasco after accidentally dropping your phone has never been easier, thanks to PopSockets. The must-have phone accessory has exploded in popularity in recent years thanks to the increasingly fragile style of phones being released. PopSockets are super easy to install, and with their strong adhesive grip, you can now take better selfies and securely text with one hand. And they aren't just for phones! They can work on other electronics like tablets, making it convenient to watch videos anywhere. It can be a bit tricky picking out a PopSocke...

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The 12 Easiest Ways to Keep Your Touchscreen Clean - Because It's Disgusting AF

Neglecting to clean your cell phone is a nasty tech habit that everyone should break. Cell phones have been proven to carry bacteria, germs, and even feces. Yes, feces. If there's one new routine to create for yourself, it should be keeping that smartphone shiny and clean (your health will thank you). Ahead, check out a few of our tech-friendly tips to clean that gadget. Related: Cleaning Your AirPods Is Super Easy - Here's How to Do It Clean your screen. Cleaning your smartphone's touchscreen is like cleaning your LCD monitor: you don't want to use any harsh chemicals or, even more damagin...

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You Can Change the Highlight Color on Your Mac, and We Love the Pink!

@_mad_dawg17 your welcome😗 ##fyp ##foryourpage ##hacks ##dayattheoffice ♬ original sound - favsoundds Unlike our phones, which we can customize with cases, PopSockets, ringtones, and more, our computers can be a little plain. But that's all about to change, because we just found a new way to spice up our Mac aesthetic that seriously elevates the look of the screen. The hack, which was shared on TikTok from user @_mad_dawg17, shows you how to change the highlight color on your Mac. Just a quick change in System Preferences can turn your highlight color to any shade you want (check "Other" i...

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Cleaning Your AirPods Is Super Easy - Here's How to Do It

AirPods, Apple's take on the traditional headphones, have become increasingly popular in the years since their release, and understandably so. The wireless design allows for easier use, their battery life is great (15 minutes of charging equals 3 hours of battery life!), and they offer optimum sound quality. Not to mention they also have some cool hacks that people can't get enough of. It seems that the hefty price tag (they retail for $159 on Apple's website) may be well worth the investment. If you made the plunge from EarPods to AirPods, it's important to know how to keep them clean so t...

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The 4 Best Online Hangout Apps For Keeping in Touch Without Going Out

Physical distance doesn't have to mean complete social isolation, and there is most definitely an app for that! Whether you're working remotely on a normal basis or you just miss your friends, hangout apps can really help you stay connected, even if you can't hang out in person. Having virtual hangouts doesn't have to just mean phone calls and texting - you can still see your friends' faces, play games, collaborate on projects, and more. There are tons of options out there when it comes to conferencing software and chat apps, but a handful rise head and shoulders above the rest due to their...

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