Tech Refresh: Smartphone warning, car rental scams, new private search engine

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It’s time to upgrade your phone. Issues are plaguing iPhone and Android models. Plus, a new privacy-focused search engine just launched to take on Google and DuckDuckGo. Should you use it?

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Can this new privacy-first search engine beat Google and DuckDuckGo?

Google is a major player when it comes to search engines. The tech giant is estimated to perform nearly 5.6 billion searches every day. Now that’s a lot!

The problem with Google is that it knows an incredible amount of information on all of its users. It’s the main reason many people are looking for alternatives to take back some of their privacy. Tap or click here for alternatives to Google for search, email, messaging and more.

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The Windows 10 update mistake you're probably making

Technology is constantly evolving, and there is a good chance that the computer you bought six months ago has already needed updates several times. Windows computers need to be updated regularly to work properly. Tap or click here to find out how to update Windows the right way.

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How you lost the right to repair your tech — and the fight to get it back

Across the nation, people like you are fighting for the right to fix their tech gadgets. It all comes down to a simple issue: If your iPhone breaks down, do you know how to repair it?

Unless you’re a certified technician who works with Apple, the answer is probably “no.” You can’t just open up YouTube and find a one-minute do-it-yourself tutorial. You’ll have to head to a specialized store and ask an expert to do it for you.

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From lossless music to spatial audio: How to get the most out of Apple Music's latest features

It seems not too long ago that MP3s were on everyone’s minds. Where to get them, how to share them and how many can we fit on our devices. Streaming audio has eliminated the need for all those concerns, offering huge libraries you can access from connected devices anywhere, anytime. You can usually listen to streaming music offline as well.

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Medicare scam: Don't fall for offer of 'free' genetic test

Knowing your family history can be important, especially if you want to find out what illnesses are present in your family tree. One way to do this is through genetic testing, where doctors take a sample of your DNA and test it for specific markers. The good thing about this is that Medicare usually covers it.

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It's World Wi-Fi Day! 8 ways to boost your home's connection

Today is World Wi-Fi Day. So what does that mean for you?

World Wi-Fi Day is a worldwide initiative organized by the Wireless Broadband Alliance under the leadership of the Connected Community Forum (CCF). Is your home Wi-Fi sluggish? Tap or click here for the best ways to boost your Wi-Fi for good.

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Whoops! Google reveals the words misspelled most in each state

Were you a good speller back in your grade school days? Even if you weren’t winning spelling bees, you probably have a good grasp of grammar these days. But if you still struggle with spelling, you’re not alone.

Do you know the difference between “there,” “their,” or “they’re?” What does “I” before “E” except after “C” even mean? Even some of the easiest words to spell can really make someone scratch their head in deep thought. If you need a little help, tap or click here for five sites for checking your grammar.

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Amazon just booted a phone battery and charger brand! Do you use these products?

Online shopping is, and many would agree, one of the greatest inventions of the last few decades. You can virtually buy whatever you want, and while you can’t physically see or touch the product, you don’t have to leave your house.

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Google drops 3 new Android features - Time to update

Google might be the creator of the Android operating system, but it also makes its own mobile phones. Google Pixel was first released in 2013 and has since spawned five different versions.

While the models have had varying degrees of success, speculation points toward the Pixel 6 Pro coming soon. Of course, nothing has been officially announced yet. In the meantime, the company is giving its operating system the biggest update in years.

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Still using Internet Explorer? Here's another reason to stop

Even now, millions of people still use Internet Explorer. But Microsoft has been nudging people to move to its Edge browser for quite some time. Tap or click here for details on the Microsoft Edge browser.

Microsoft is now trying a different approach to get people to move to Edge. So why should you make the switch? It’s simple. The tech giant is no longer supporting Internet Explorer, and it is not safe to use.

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