The Tech Compass Blog

Quick Summary: iCloud Private Relay is a built-in privacy feature for Safari that prevents any single party—including Apple—from knowing both your identity and the websites you visit. While it is not a full VPN, it is an essential layer of protection for Apple users with an iCloud+ subscription. Tracking on the web often starts with your IP address and the sites you visit. iCloud Private Relay helps hide both pieces from the same party while you browse in Safari on Apple devices. It is not a VPN and works exclusively within the Apple ecosystem. If you want to reduce a website's ability to track you with zero effort, Private Relay is well worth using. New to privacy tools? You may also like our post on Best VPNs and Tools to Protect Your Privacy . How iCloud Private Relay Works Private Relay uses a "dual-relay" architecture. When you browse, your request is sent through two separate systems: Relay 1 (Apple): Sees your IP address but not the website you are...

Quick Summary: Managing internet on a cruise ship is all about preparation. To save money and avoid frustration, pre-download your media, utilize airplane mode to prevent roaming charges, and only buy the connectivity level you actually need for essential communication[cite: 4]. Planning for internet on a cruise ship is not that difficult. What will you really need online? What can you save offline? This guide keeps it brand-neutral and straightforward so you can apply it to any ship and any route. Always check with the cruise line a day before you sail to ensure policies haven't changed. For more travel tech tips, visit our full archive . Essential Pre-Sail Checklist Set Your Online Goal: Decide if you want a total disconnect, light messaging, or full streaming access. Check Plan Tiers: Pre-purchasing your Wi-Fi plan online before you board is often significantly cheaper than buying it on the ship. Install the Ship App: Most lines use a free onboard app for...

Quick Summary: Digital time capsules are intentional snapshots of your current life—photos, videos, and documents—sealed for future discovery. They are resurging in 2026 as a way to preserve our digital legacies against changing file formats and degrading physical media. Remember the idea of burying a box of letters, photos, and treasures for future generations to find? That analogue concept is getting a modern makeover. As lives increasingly unfold online and moments are captured in pixels, the idea of the "time capsule" is shifting into a digital form. In this article, you'll learn why digital time capsules are resurging now, the benefits they offer, and how you can start your own. If you've ever wondered how to preserve your digital footprint for the future, this guide will give you a clear roadmap. Why Digital Capsules are Resurging Now Most of our memories now live as digital files. While physical media like film and paper can degrade, a digital time c...

Quick Summary: Choosing the right AI depends on your specific devices and daily workflow. Apple Intelligence is best for Apple users, Copilot for Microsoft 365, Gemini for Android, ChatGPT for general creativity, and Claude for deep analysis[cite: 14, 15]. Selecting from today's top AI systems can be overwhelming. Each one promises to write, plan, summarize, and help with daily tasks. The trick is matching the tool to your world—your phone, your computer, and your work. This guide keeps it simple by highlighting the five current leaders. Regardless of this list, what matters is compatibility. Features like Apple Intelligence are only valuable if you use Apple hardware. If you're new to AI, start with our beginner's guide first. The Top 5 AI Leaders Compared 1. Apple Intelligence — Best for the Apple Ecosystem Best at: Private, system-wide help like Writing Tools for proofreading and Image Playground . Where it runs: Latest iOS, iPadOS, and macOS relea...