“No, I hear you. You are telling me that true ‘synergy’ can only be achieved through ‘blue-sky pondering’ and giving it ‘110 percent,’ right?” (iStock)
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If you happen to’ve ever wandered around a hot car parking zone looking for your automobile, you will love me for this tip.
Next time you park, open Google Maps, tap the blue dot that shows your location, and choose Set as parking location. Easy, right? Tap or click for a buried Google Maps security setting you need to change now.
These little tech tricks might make you think that, “Why didn’t someone tell me that sooner?” I did! Tap or click for 10 incredibly useful iPhone and Android tricks that make your life easier.
Within the spirit of living a greater digital life, listed below are five smart ways you should utilize your gadgets to cure a few of life’s little annoyances. These are also fun to share with family and friends. Just imagine how impressed they’ll be.
Problem: You’re sick of notifications but don’t wish to miss what matters
If you will have mobile notifications on for each email you receive, how distracting all of the buzzing and beeping might be. Perhaps you switched yours off altogether.
Did you may activate alerts and sounds for less than vital emails? I’ll show you ways, using Gmail for example.
A latest study found that Google’s Gmail favors liberal politician candidates, allowing emails from most left-wing politicians to land within the user’s inbox while greater than 75% of messages from conservative candidates are marked as spam.
( Mateusz Slodkowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Follow these steps in your iPhone, iPad, or Android:
- First, open the Gmail app.
- Tap the three-line menu, then scroll right down to Settings.
- Select your account.
- Then, tap Email notifications. Select High priority only.
How does Gmail determine what’s high priority? It makes its best guess based in your behavior. You will help the AI to make this more accurate.
On mobile:
- Open an email within the Gmail app. Tap the three-dot menu within the upper right corner.
- Tap Mark vital.
On desktop:
- Open Gmail. In your inbox, you will notice a small arrow next to every email. If you happen to don’t see the arrow, you will notice a star. Click the arrow or star to show it yellow. This means the e-mail is significant.
- Alternatively, if the arrow or star is yellow on an unimportant email, click the arrow to indicate Gmail you don’t see the e-mail as a high priority.
Think your inbox is private? Bad news. Hidden trackers lurk inside many popular and free email providers. Tap or click here for the key advertisers don’t want you to know.
Problem: You possibly can’t find your favorite vacation shots
We have all been there. You are scrolling too long in search of a photograph is in your phone. Facial recognition, scene and object detection, and artificial intelligence make finding what you wish only a search away.
On an iPhone:
- Open the Photos app and tap on the magnifying glass icon within the lower right-hand corner.
- Enter the name of a spot, an individual (for those who’ve assigned them within the Photos app), or search term. You can even search by month or yr, category, or business name.
Take the identical steps within the Android photo app. Again, mess around with different names, places, events, and things.
- Open the Gallery app, then tap the magnifying glass icon near the highest.
- Enter your search term to display matches.
If you happen to use Google Photos, its search features are powerful, too.
- Open the Google Photos app.
- Select an individual or pet, see places or things, and even browse by category, like screenshots, selfies, and videos.
- To search for something specific, type it within the search bar at the highest of the page. Results will pop up, probably before you even finish typing.
SMILE! Proven ways to look higher in selfies and group photos
Problem: You dig out your phone, only to see it’s one other scammer
I really like this tip. I set this up myself recently to see who is asking without taking my phone out of my pocket, no smartwatch required.
You realize which you can assign ringtones to specific contacts, but you too can set unique vibration patterns. Meaning you’ll give you the option to inform who’s calling just by the buzzing pattern.
On an iPhone:
- Launch your Phone app and tap Contacts. Then, select a contact from the list.
- Within the top-right corner of the screen, tap Edit.
- Hit Ringtone for those who want the phone to vibrate or Text Tone for those who want vibrations for texts.
- Next, tap Vibration. Under the Standard list, select a vibration.
- To return, tap Ringtone or Text Tone.
- Tap Done twice to wind up.
If you will have an Android, you’ll need a third-party app to get this done. Buzzkill is extremely reviewed, but it surely does cost $2.49. On the brilliant side, it doesn’t hook up with the web, so your data doesn’t leave your device.
One other handy feature: You possibly can arrange Buzzkill to notify you just once when someone texts you many times in a row. Cool.
Problem: You hung yet one more frame crooked on the wall
If it’s essential to hang an image, you don’t have to grab a level — your phone can do it for you.
On an iPhone:
- Open the Measure app, then tap Level on the underside right.
- The extent will appear on the screen and is able to use.
On an Android:
- Open the Google app or your browser and seek for “bubble level.”
- Use it similar to you’d a traditional level, placing it on a surface.
Taking over a house renovation project? Tap or click for 7 apps that may show you how to get your DIY job done right.
Problem: You waste time typing in handwritten notes
Sometimes it’s just easier writing something by hand — but it surely’s a pain to type every thing in once you must edit or send it digitally. Here’s a better way: Use the free Google Lens app.
It turns your handwriting into text right before your eyes. Google Lens is pretty amazing. Tap or click here for direct links to download and more handy features.
If you happen to don’t like using Google products, try the Evernote app or Microsoft’s OneNote. Each let you are taking an image of your writing so you may edit all of it.
The caveat, after all: In case your handwriting isn’t fairly legible, the apps won’t work well. If you will have chicken-scratch writing, voice dictation will prevent from typing, too. Tap or click for professional suggestions for higher leads to Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
PODCAST PICK: AirTag travel hack, protect Alexa privacy, texting tricks
One man found his lost luggage because of an Apple AirTag. I’ll inform you how these trackers can show you how to, together with how you should utilize Apple’s latest self-service repair program. Plus, you will soon see Prime delivery on all types of online stores. Here’s why. You may also learn a Google privacy trick, why physical metaverse stores are opening up and more.
Take a look at my podcast “Kim Komando Today” on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.
Hearken to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just seek for my last name, “Komando.”
What digital lifestyle questions do you will have? Call Kim’s national radio show and tap or click here to search out it in your local radio station. You possibly can hearken to or watch The Kim Komando Show in your phone, tablet, television, or computer. Or tap or click here for Kim’s free podcasts.
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Study all the most recent technology on The Kim Komando Show, the nation’s largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her day by day suggestions, free newsletters, and more, visit her website at Komando.com.
