Current:Home > MarketsLooking for technology tips? We've got you covered with these shortcuts and quick fixes. -Thrive Success Strategies
Looking for technology tips? We've got you covered with these shortcuts and quick fixes.
View
Date:2025-04-11 15:52:50
You need a timer and you need it fast. Do a Google search for “timer” and one appears right there for you to use. There’s a stopwatch option too. Easy, right?
Here’s another smart tech tip I’m surprised so many people mess up. Most people fill in the email recipient section before writing the message. That's a mistake. Make that your very last step – that way, there's a much lower chance you'll send an email before it's truly ready to send.
Don’t stop there. Let’s dive into easy, quick tech tips you’ll use all the time.
Cybersecurity 101: After you download a PDF file online, look at the file extension. You’re looking for .pdf. If the filename ends with .exe, delete it – it’s likely malware.
Get tips like this straight to your email with my free daily newsletter. Join over 509K people and sign up here.
Shhh: You can instantly silence incoming calls on your smartphone by simply pressing the side button, volume up, or volume down button once. Nice.
YouTube shortcuts: On your computer, tap keys 0 through 9 to skip to a specific percentage of the video. Press 5 for 50%, 8 for 80% and so on. But wait, there’s more! Press J to rewind and L to fast forward. (“JLo” is an easy way to remember that.) But press K to pause first.
Forgetful? Do this! Are you that person who reads an email or text, mentally reminds yourself to reply later … and never does? Stop relying on memory alone! Mark the text or email as unread. You’ll find this in the options of your email or convo. You can also say, “Hey Siri/Google, remind me to share Kim’s newsletter at noon.”
Skip the garage: Next time you hang a frame, grab your phone instead of finding a level. On iPhone, open the pre-installed Measure app. Tap Level, then hold your iPhone against an object. On Android, open the Google app and search for “bubble level.”
Perfect podcast: Get tech smarts every single day with my award-winning daily podcast. I pass along the latest tech news, tips and give advice to callers like you.
Quick text search: You know you sent someone a pic but can’t find it. On iPhone, open Messages, tap a convo then the person’s profile photo or group name. Scroll to Photos > See All. On Android, open Messages, then tap the search bar at the top.
Get perfect action shots: Touch and hold the shutter button if you have an iPhone X or earlier. Swipe the shutter button to the left if you have an iPhone Xs or later. Either way, lift your finger to stop burst mode. Select the best shots by tapping Burst > Select > Done. On Android phones, hold down your camera’s shutter button to enable burst mode.
Tab shortcuts: Here’s a faster way to navigate when you have lots of tabs open. Hit Ctrl + 1, 2, 3 and so on to go to that tab number. On Mac, it’s Command + a number. To cycle through tabs, hit Ctrl + Tab on Windows or Cmd + Tab on Mac.
Send it later: It’s 9 p.m. and you’re writing an email. Instead of sending it immediately, schedule it for the morning when you know your recipient will see it. In Gmail, click the arrow next to Send, then Schedule send. Most providers have something similar.
Getting rid of an old printer? Factory reset it to erase the details of what you’ve printed over the years (like, you know, your tax forms). Unplug the printer, then find the Reset button on the back or bottom. While holding Reset, plug it back in. Once the lights stop flashing, all your personal data has been erased.
Printer out of black ink? Change the color to #010101. It’ll look black, but it’s really 99% gray. While you’re at it, knock down the font size and switch to Courier New or Garamond. They use the least ink.
Hard refresh: Clearing the cache on your browser can fix those annoying displays or loading issues in a pinch. With your browser open, hit Ctrl + Shift + R on Windows or hold down Shift + click your browser’s Refresh button (the one that looks like this – ⟳ – next to the address bar).
Keep your tech-know going
My popular podcast is called “Kim Komando Today.” It’s a solid 30 minutes of tech news, tips, and callers with tech questions like you from all over the country. Search for it wherever you get your podcasts. For your convenience, hit the link below for a recent episode.
PODCAST PICK:Google date-me docs, light bulb bans & burner email addresses
Check out my podcast “Kim Komando Today” on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.
Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, “Komando.”
Learn about all the latest 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 daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website.
veryGood! (559)
Related
- Don't let hackers fool you with a 'scam
- Prime energy, sports drinks contain PFAS and excessive caffeine, class action suits say
- Mount Everest pioneer George Mallory's final letter to wife revealed 100 years after deadly climb: Vanishing hopes
- Save $126 on a Dyson Airwrap, Get an HP Laptop for Only $279, Buy Kate Spade Bags Under $100 & More Deals
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Call Her Daddy Host Alex Cooper Marries Matt Kaplan in Intimate Beachside Wedding
- Trump to receive 36 million additional shares of Truth Social parent company, worth $1.17 billion
- Tyler, the Creator, The Killers to headline Outside Lands 2024: Tickets, dates, more
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- Chicago’s ‘rat hole’ removed after city determines sidewalk with animal impression was damaged
Ranking
- Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
- The Best Concealers for Dry, Oily, and Combination Skin, According to a Makeup Artist
- Grand jury indicts man for murder in shooting death of Texas girl during ATM robbery
- IndyCar disqualifies Josef Newgarden, Scott McLaughlin from St. Pete podium finishes
- Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
- Mega Millions winning numbers for April 23 drawing: Did anyone win $202 million jackpot?
- New music from Aaron Carter will benefit a nonprofit mental health foundation for kids
- Terry Carter, 'Battlestar Galactica' and 'McCloud' star, dies at 95
Recommendation
The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
New music from Aaron Carter will benefit a nonprofit mental health foundation for kids
Apple announces 'Let Loose' launch event
Attempt to expedite ethics probe of Minnesota state senator charged with burglary fails on tie vote
Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
The Best Concealers for Dry, Oily, and Combination Skin, According to a Makeup Artist
Trump to receive 36 million additional shares of Truth Social parent company, worth $1.17 billion
Divided Supreme Court wrestles with Idaho abortion ban and federal law for emergency care