Imagine a world sans cellphones. It’s tough to grasp, right? It’s the 50th year of the cellphone, and we’re honored to have its inventor, Marty Cooper, on The Kim Komando Show. Marty Cooper is a trailblazer whose game-changing invention has transformed our world. He shares insights on the cellphone’s journey and discusses its future prospects.
Smartphone charging mistakes you're making and how to fix them
Sometimes we take our phones for granted. They’re powerful, incredible devices that we tend to misuse without meaning to. Some common mistakes you’re making with your smartphone now could damage its battery and reduce its lifespan.
We’ll explain how to properly take care of your smartphone to avoid these common mistakes.
Stop using cheap chargers
Some inexpensive charging cables from no-name brands are pretty terrible. The concept of having a wire draw power from the wall isn’t that difficult, but it isn’t enough to keep your smartphone safe.
Name-brand chargers have circuits inside of them that switch off when there’s too much power draw. This protects your phone battery from overcharging, breaking, or overheating your phone and damaging it further.
The chargers below are certified by Samsung and Apple, respectively. These chargers (and many other name-brand chargers) are the only ones you should use to keep your smartphone safe from overheating.
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Be careful with power banks
You don’t have to avoid them altogether, but remember that power banks from inferior manufacturers don’t have overcharge protection. It’s a similar problem with inexpensive chargers.
Avoid power banks with quick charge options unless they’re from a brand you trust. Rapid charging can send too much electricity to your phone and cause battery damage. This high voltage could, at the very least, shorten your battery lifespan.
Quick charging cables and power banks mention that they charge the first 80% quickly because their onboard chip slows down charging when it reaches higher levels where overcharging is a more significant issue.
5 signs you need a new laptop
Even the most reliable laptops have an expiration date. But it can be hard to tell whether your machine is dying or just in need of repair. Luckily, you can look out for a few surefire signs you need a new one.
Need a new laptop but can’t afford it? Just take my one-minute laptop quiz. You’ll answer a few questions about your needs and price range. Then, I’ll tell you which laptop is your best fit.
Smartphone security: Do you need a VPN on your phone?
Compared to computers, smartphones have weak defenses and easy-to-crack passwords. They’ve also got a ton of valuable data. Just think about everything on your phone.
Chances are your work email is connected, which means a savvy cybercriminal could steal your company’s secrets. There’s also your contacts list, which is stuffed with phone numbers and maybe even emails.
5 ways to block or hide your number when making calls
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Robocalls have been an annoyance for years, and with technology constantly advancing, it’s only going to get worse. And they’re not just interruptions these days. Many are calls from scammers looking to rip you off.
That’s why it’s important to be proactive and stop these calls dead in their tracks. You have several clever ways to keep scams and robocalls at bay. Tap or click here to stop robocalls for good. How are these callers getting ahold of your number in the first place?
Clever uses for your old phone: Security camera, alarm clock, emergency calling
Most of us have a drawer full of old gadgets lying around. Letting them pile up and collect dust isn’t just a waste of money but also a missed opportunity. You’d be surprised by how many useful things your old phone is capable of. In this Komando DIY, we’ve got four things you can do with your old smartphones after you upgrade.
Lock down your phone from snoops and hackers
Your phone is full of secrets, whether you think about it that way or not. Would you want just anyone to see your private conversations, swipe through your photos, or open up your emails? Of course not.
There are digital spies to worry about, too. Tap or click to see which apps are accessing your camera or microphone.
True or false: you should plug in your phone before bed
Many tech myths are floating around, like more bars on your phone means better service. Type *3001#12345#* into your dialer and press the call button to access “Field Mode” to get details about local networks and cell towers. Tap or click to learn what the test results mean.
5 simple ways to speed up your smartphone
Long gone are the days of upgrading your phone every year, at least for most of us. It’s expensive and just plain overkill when today’s smartphones last much longer than that.
If you’re keeping yours for the long haul, that means you need to treat it better, too. Are you making any of these common mistakes that can kill your phone a lot faster?
Best smartphone cameras available now, ranked
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Smartphones are expensive these days, which makes choosing one a major decision. Aside from price and performance, features like 5G, durability, and cameras are all important to consider.
Smartphone cameras are good enough today that they can replace point-and-shoot cameras for many people. Some are even sufficient for business and work purposes. Tap or click here to see how to turn your smartphone into a webcam.
Google just announced $350 loaded phone to take on the iPhone
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If you’re in the market for a new phone, you don’t have to break the bank to get a model with a high-powered camera, fast processor and extra goodies like fingerprint sensors.
In fact, budget smartphone models are starting to make a comeback in a major way. Between a shrinking economy and cheaper parts, device manufacturers like Samsung and Apple have recently delivered quality phones for well under the $1,000 mark. Tap or click here to see our favorite budget smartphone picks.
T-Mobile's new Scam Shield helps you fight annoying robocalls
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The war against robocalls has been an unforgiving one. Just as it seems like consumers take one step forward, it’s two steps back as the people behind the calls switch up their tactics and figure out new ways to clog up our inboxes.
Kill the germs on your phone with this UV light case
Your phone frequently touches your face and hands. Keep it clean with this UV Sanitizer that bathes your smartphone in UV-C light, which actually breaks down the DNA of bacteria and other microorganisms.
Hello, 2020 resolutions! 5 life-changing wellness gadgets
StackCommerce
New Year’s resolutions: Remember them? We are a ways into 2020, after all. If you’re still determined to improve yourself in this brand new decade, help is on the way.
The tech world has come up with some innovative ways to enhance your wellness in recent years, and you’re raring to try them but. But where should you start?
This handy kit lets you test your vision with your smartphone
StackCommerce
Considering how essential our eyesight is, it’s surprising how often we neglect it. Anyone with a halfway decent dental plan gets their teeth checked and cleaned on a regular basis, but our eyes? The only time they get to see an optometrist is when we drag ourselves in for a new eyeglass prescription.
How to stop robocalls with free solutions from AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint
Robocalls have tormented us for years. They’ve interrupted our conversations, dominated our work lines and spread erroneous information across the country. The nation’s Do Not Call registry is pretty worthless at stopping them.