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Chandra Steele

Senior Features Writer

My Experience

My title is Senior Features Writer, which is a license to write about absolutely anything if I can connect it to technology (I can). I’ve been at PCMag since 2011 and have covered the surveillance state, vaccination cards, ghost guns, voting, ISIS, art, fashion, film, design, gender bias, and more. You might have seen me on TV talking about these topics or heard me on your commute home on the radio or a podcast. Or maybe you’ve just seen my Bernie meme

I strive to explain topics that you might come across in the news but not fully understand, such as NFTs and meme stocks. I’ve had the pleasure of talking tech with Jeff Goldblum, Ang Lee, and other celebrities who have brought a different perspective to it. I put great care into writing gift guides and am always touched by the notes I get from people who’ve used them to choose presents that have been well-received. Though I love that I get to write about the tech industry every day, it’s touched by gender, racial, and socioeconomic inequality and I try to bring these topics to light. 

Outside of PCMag, I write fiction, poetry, humor, and essays on culture.

My Areas of Expertise

  • Making incomprehensible tech news easy to understand

  • Expanding the boundaries of topics covered in the industry

  • Figuring out tips and tricks in apps and on devices and letting you know about them

  • Putting together gift guides for everyone in your life 

The Technology I Use

All that gadgets is gold for me: my iPhone 11 Pro, my fifth-generation iPad that I use only for streaming videos and music, my iPad mini 4 that I like to take with me whenever I carry a bag that can fit it, and my MacBook Pro. Why are they all different shades of gold, though? What’s going on, Apple? 

None of them quite live up to my two past loves: my LG Lotus LX600 phone and my Sony Walkman NW-E005 MP3 player. 

I've never given up wired earbuds so I was ahead of all those trend pieces. I use a Mangotek Lightning-to-3.5mm headphone jack adapter to connect them to my phone. 

I have had so many ebook readers, but I prefer paper to them all. Still, my Kindle Paperwhite is perfect for traveling or when I’m too impatient to wait for a book to be released in paperback.

Recent Articles by Chandra Steele

High-Tech Dorm Room Essentials Every Student Needs

Dorms often feel cramped and chaotic, but with the right gear, you can transform your room into a cozy and coordinated study space. Here's what we recommend.

By Chandra Steele

Ready for College? Download These Essential Apps First

These are challenging times for everyone, but college students have extra worries. These apps can help you manage your money, time, mind, and more.

By Chandra Steele

What to Stream This Weekend

If it's too hot to be active, you can live vicariously through Ralph Macchio, Natalie Portman, or Simone Biles.

By Chandra Steele

Must Watch: The Most-Streamed TV Shows and Movies This Week

Need something to binge this weekend? Here are this week's most-watched titles from Apple TV+, Disney+, Hulu, Max, Netflix, Paramount+ With Showtime, Peacock, Prime Video, and more.

By Eric Griffith  & Chandra Steele

How to Hide Your Contacts and 6 Other Ways to Stay Safe on Venmo

As GOP VP nominee J.D. Vance just found out, Venmo leaves several features public by default. Here's what you (and the senator) should change to ensure your account is private and secure.

By Chandra Steele