What is The Shortcut?
The Shortcut was launched by tech expert Matt Swider on November 8, 2021 and has one million social media followers. He has 25 years of experience being a renowned technology journalist, is the former US Editor-in-Chief of TechRadar and is among the top tech reporters in the US on Twitter. He has has his journalism degree from Penn State University and launched Gaming Target while also contributing to publications Ars Technica, G4TV, GamePro, PlayStation: The Official Magazine and even some local US newspapers.
Matt has grown a team of credible journalists at The Shortcut, including former TechRadar members Adam Vjestica and Kevin Lee, following success helping people with each PS5 restock and the ongoing PlayStation Portal restock. Matt has most recently launched his Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review, exploring the colors and specs of the new phone and offered a first look the Samsung Galaxy Ring. His years of mobile review expertise including offering an in-depth iPhone 15 Pro Max review and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 review.
About The Shortcut
I started The Shortcut to simplify your life. I'm here to tell you what technology to buy and how to save money – right in your email – without burying the answers in the fifth paragraph. I have a motto for The Shortcut: "Down with dwell time," unlike websites that try to artificially keep you on pages longer (it’s not you’re imagination – they really do that). I get straight to the point to save you time and track deals to save you money.
I've proven that I can deliver timely information to purchase hard-to-find products, adding 1 million Twitter followers in 2022 with my PS5 and Xbox restock tweets
I'm an early adopter of tech, yet I still find clever ways to get major discounts and to work more efficiently than most people. That speaks to the name The Shortcut. I want to pass on that time-and-money-saving information to people in their inboxes, like any good journalist would want to do.
Why subscribe to The Shortcut?
I’ve helped you secure a PS5, Xbox or other hard-to-find gadgets
You don’t yet have PS5, Xbox, etc and need my help!
You want to support independent journalism
You love technology and saving money
I've proven that I can deliver timely information to purchase hard-to-find products while supply is constrained, adding 1 million Twitter followers with my PS5 restock and Xbox restock tweets. I struggled to deliver that on a normal website. It was luck if consoles were in stock when people were on those pages. Pushing my alerts directly to consumers' Twitter notifications and email inboxes is a game-changer.
Please consider subscribing to support my quest to continue to help people.
My PS5 restock information and strategy tips – which have worked for the 200,000 people I've coached – is a launch point for the advice I want to deliver. But it's just the start of the relationship I want to build with my Substack subscribers.
But it's just the start of the relationship I want to build with my Substack subscribers.
The Shortcut and Matt Swider in the news
My ability to help people with “service journalism” during the global chip shortage has been written about by several top publications. Here are some a sample:
Techmeme: We’re often linked on Techmeme each week
Buzzfeed News: How A Guy Who Tells You How To Buy A PS5 Accidentally Became The World’s Most Powerful Tech Journalist
The New York Times: A Journalist, a Philosophy Major and the Mad Scramble for Video Game Consoles,
CNN: A new crop of shopping tools aims to help consumers beat the supply chain crunch and the bots
Protocol: Rise of the restock account: How the PS5 shortage changed online shopping
CBS News: Why the PS5 video game console is still so hard to find — and tips on how to score one
Android Central: Supply chain issues turned shopping into a rigged game, but companies don't care enough to fix it
Who is Matt Swider?
I’m a tech journalist who’s been writing about gadgets and video games for 25 years. At age 14, I started a video game news and reviews website called Gaming Target and spent 9 years at TechRadar.com, where I became the US Editor-in-Chief.
I’ve tested 1,000+ gadgets and games in my lifetime and I don’t plan to stop seeking what’s new and novel, and then tell you about it on Substack and other platforms.
Will there be tech reviews on The Shortcut?
Yes, my Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review shows I’m emphasizing two things:
Brevity – no one wants to read a 10,000-word review. Often, people just want to ask: “Is this good? Should I buy something else?”
FAQs – I want YOU to ask my questions when I haven’t covered a topic. You can reach out to me via Twitter.
My work ethic has enabled me to risk everything to start The Shortcut
Final pitch: how about a 1:1 experience?
This is designed to be a 1:1 experience. I reply to about 1,000 messages each week, and I love the support I’ve gotten from everyone in return. My work ethic has enabled me to risk everything to start The Shortcut and I hope you come along for the ride.
The Shortcut is a tech publication based in New York City.
The Shortcut LLC
31 W 34th Street, Floor 7
New York, NY 10001
