Current:Home > MarketsLooking for technology tips? We've got you covered with these shortcuts and quick fixes. -USAMarket
Looking for technology tips? We've got you covered with these shortcuts and quick fixes.
View
Date:2025-04-15 18:17:03
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! (5)
Related
- A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
- Georgia carries out first execution in more than 4 years
- March Madness predictions: 7 Cinderella teams that could bust your NCAA Tournament bracket
- Vehicle Carbon Pollution Would Be Cut, But More Slowly, Under New Biden Rule
- South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
- March Madness schedule today: Everything to know about NCAA Tournament games on Thursday
- 'Selling Sunset' alum Christine Quinn's husband arrested, faces felony charge
- Some Georgia workers would find it harder to become union members under a new bill
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- Businessman pleads guilty in polygamous leader's scheme to orchestrate sexual acts involving underage girls
Ranking
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- These Zodiac Signs Will Feel the First Lunar Eclipse of 2024 the Most
- Woman’s body found in rubble of Utah house explosion
- Coroner identifies man and woman shot to death at Denver hotel shelter
- Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
- California voters pass proposition requiring counties to spend on programs to tackle homelessness
- Texas wants to arrest immigrants in the country illegally. Why would that be such a major shift?
- Trump suggests he’d support a national ban on abortions around 15 weeks of pregnancy
Recommendation
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
Reddit poised to make its stock market debut after IPO prices at $34 per share amid strong demand
Kelly Ripa Says Mark Consuelos Kept Her Up All Night—But It's Not What You Think
Federal officials want to know how airlines handle — and share — passengers’ personal information
Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
With Netflix series '3 Body Problem,' 'Game Of Thrones' creators try their hand at sci-fi
Mother, 37-year-old man arrested after getting involved in elementary school fight: Reports
$6,500 school vouchers coming to Georgia as bill gets final passage and heads to governor