Reddit's latest features will help you navigate without feeling lost or helpless.

      Reddit

      Reddit is not typically the first platform that comes to mind when discussing UX design or seamless functionality. There's a reason that numerous third-party Reddit clients like Apollo thrived before the platform imposed regulations that effectively banned such apps. Now, about two years later, Reddit is taking some much-needed steps to improve, even though the overall design remains the same. The platform is introducing new features aimed at simplifying content posting, especially for those unfamiliar with the specific rules and moderator guidelines.

      On the composer page, a new checking tool will automatically review the post's content against community rules. If there’s any discrepancy, users will be informed why their submissions may be unsuitable for posting and at risk of removal. Additionally, Reddit will display the rules upfront, including Karma requirements or content violations, prior to a post going live. If users find that their content has been removed by moderators, a new "Post to a different community" option will allow them to share it in another subreddit.

      You won’t feel completely lost anymore.

      Some of Reddit's top communities, which attract a large user base, have strict rules, and new contributors often face limitations on posting. Only after achieving a certain level of engagement, such as accumulating Karma from other users, can they start making original contributions. Posts frequently get removed right after they are published by moderators, leaving new users stuck, especially if they are unaware of similar communities. Reddit aims to assist with this issue as well.

      When users are creating their posts, a recommendation button will appear at the top, providing a list of all communities where they can share their content. Reddit claims that these suggestions are generated based on the content to find an appropriate fit. The last new feature is an insights dashboard, allowing users to monitor engagement on their content, including upvotes and shares. All of these features are currently being rolled out to Reddit users on both desktop and mobile devices. The proactive rule check system will begin testing on mobile platforms soon.

      Nadeem is a tech and science journalist who began reading about fascinating smartphone technology out of curiosity and soon started...

      What is Bluesky, and should you consider joining?

      X, formerly known as Twitter, has been entangled in controversy since its inception, but this has intensified during the era of Elon Musk. Regardless of your stance on X's current condition, it's apparent that a significant number of users are searching for an alternative, and the emerging social media platform Bluesky has emerged as a leading contender. Over 1 million users in the U.S. joined Bluesky in the week following Donald Trump's presidential reelection in November 2024, helping it surpass the 15 million user mark and ascend to the top of the App Store rankings. Previously, signing up for this new social media platform required an invitation, but the removal of invite-only access facilitated a smoother transition from X to Bluesky for everyone.

      So, what exactly is Bluesky, and how can one sign up? Here’s a detailed explanation of what you can anticipate from the new Twitter alternative, Bluesky.

      What is Bluesky?

      You’ll have to wait a bit longer for a new base model iPad.

      Apple has had a hectic year on the iPad front. Just last week, the company introduced the iPad mini (2024). In the spring, it launched next-generation models of the iPad Air (2024) and iPad Pro (2024). The entry-level iPad is the only model that hasn't seen an update this year – and it likely won’t. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple isn’t expected to reveal a new regular-sized iPad until 2025. Thus, we can anticipate the arrival of the 11th-generation iPad in the first half of the year, accompanying the much-anticipated iPhone SE 4 and the next-gen iPad Air versions.

      Concert overload? Apple Music’s new feature can assist you in making a choice.

      It's an exciting time for music lovers, as there's a plethora of fantastic new releases constantly appearing. Artists like Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter are producing catchy hits, while classic bands like Linkin Park and Breaking Benjamin are making comebacks. If you’ve had to choose between concerts this year, it’s probably been a challenging decision; however, Apple Music is rolling out a new feature that could help you out.

      Apple Music will soon introduce a tool that allows musicians to create specific playlists based on the setlists of their current shows. If multiple concerts are scheduled at the same time, you’ll be able to examine the setlist and see which songs are being performed. If one artist is playing your favorite album while another isn’t, the decision becomes much simpler.