Tech Refresh: Search scams, Apple's privacy dud, vaccine selfies

February 5, 2021

Apple’s new app privacy labels are here. So far, they’re not all they’re cracked up to be. Plus, a reason to think twice before posting a certain photo if you got the vaccine. We’ve got details on a big upgrade to Google Maps for Android, and a deep dive into food delivery. And can Ben break his Brand New or Not True losing streak?

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The pandemic may have killed your credit score - Here's how to check

As the U.S is slowly making progress in returning to normal, the COVID-19 pandemic has been wreaking havoc with people’s finances and credit. Workers have been furloughed in record numbers and unemployment skyrocketed last summer.

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Speed up your slow Android phone with this one trick

Many factors can slow down your Android phone. In a worst-case scenario, you may have picked up a virus along the way. Tap or click here for details of a serious security flaw that a recent update patched.

But sometimes, what’s causing your device to run slow is something simple, like a full cache. A cache is temporary data storage that apps use, so they don’t have to repeatedly download the same information. It’s useful and can make sites load faster, but clearing out the cache can help speed things up.

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True or false: Never charge your phone overnight

When it comes to charging your smartphone battery, everyone suddenly becomes an engineer. Some people say you should never fully charge your phone, while others say that modern batteries are designed to allow it.

You want to keep your battery in top condition, but at the same time, a dead one renders your phone useless. Have your charging habits stayed the same throughout your smartphone history? Have you been doing things right or wrong when it comes to keeping the juice flowing to your phone?

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Tips and tricks for buying a used Peloton bike

The pandemic has not only forced people to rethink their working routines but also where to exercise. Social distancing protocols and mask-wearing ruled out going to the gym for many.

Through these trying times, Peloton’s exercise equipment became all the rage. And where demand is greater than the supply, it can be rather tough to get your hands on a Peloton Bike right now. Tap or click for fitness gadgets you can pick up right now.

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Stay connected on the road: How to get internet in your RV or truck

Heading out to campgrounds or national parks in an RV has always been a popular way to spend the summers. There are plenty of people who prefer this type of getaway over resorts or big vacations with the family.

The current pandemic has only increased the popularity of camping culture. After all, it’s much safer to trade in a flight across the country for a socially distant ride in an RV. Over the last several months, the roads have been filled with these types of recreational vehicles. Tap or click here for the 10 best apps for camping, RV travel and road trips.

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Quick and easy way to stop phone notifications for good

It’s happened to the best of us. You are out with friends, coworkers or that special someone and your phone is on the table next to you. A notification pops up on your screen. Congrats, you won that eBay auction for a Justin Bieber box set. Good luck explaining that it’s for your nonexistent younger cousin.

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Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos steps down. Who's taking over?

Amazon is a modern-day empire that, for a time, made CEO Jeff Bezos the richest man in the world. With a net worth of $184 billion, he turned a humble online bookstore into the world’s most powerful company.

Now, the emperor is stepping down. After 27 years of leadership, Bezos is ready to set down the crown. He announced Tuesday he will transition to a new position later this year.

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Reddit: Beginner’s guide to using the front page of the internet

It doesn’t matter if you’re a tech-savvy internet warrior or an occasional web researcher. Chances are if you’ve searched the web for answers for any topic, you’ve stumbled upon a website called Reddit.

It’s not just the place where viral content is born. It’s also a venue where questions are answered, debates are waged and community knowledge is shared. And now Reddit is being used to manipulate the stock market. Tap or click here for details on GameStop’s wild ride and the lawsuit it brought on.

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Netflix for Android just got a big upgrade - here's how to use it

Streaming services make it easy to get all of the content you’re looking for without the high cost of a cable subscription. They’ve really come in handy during the pandemic.

But while there are plenty of streaming services to choose from, you may not know which one works best for you. There are tons of different options, from Netflix to Hulu and even lesser-known services that recently rolled out. Want to save even more money? Tap or click here for money-saving streaming pro tips.

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Comparison: SimpliSafe vs. ADT vs. Vivint

This is pretty cool. We wanted to do a visual comparison to show you how SimpliSafe is the better choice for home security, so we decided to look at two big-name competitors — ADT and Vivint.

You never know what’s going to happen when you compare a sponsor to its competitors, but we were thrilled with what we found.

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