Being able to see color is a significant evolutionary trait. We can see how blue the sky is or how beautiful fresh flowers are. But, it turns out not all of us see color the same way, and scientists now believe women can see more colors than men. So why is this?
Use this calculator to determine your risk of contracting COVID-19
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As the Delta variant forces us to change strategies when dealing with COVID-19, more tools are available to give us a hand. Each state has its own policies and rate of infection, which also factor into the mix.
The Mayo Clinic has an interactive map that shows a rolling average of daily COVID cases for the past week across the U.S. It also has an option to look ahead for two weeks. Tap or click here for more information on this helpful tool.
Tracking the spread of the virus is one thing, but wouldn’t you also like to get an idea of how likely you are to get infected? A new online tool is aiming to do just that. Read on for more details.
Knowing the odds
The microCOVID Project uses your location, activity level, and acceptance of risk to give you an idea of how vulnerable you are to contracting COVID-19. The metric is measured in “microCOVIDs.” One microCOVID is a one-in-a-million chance of getting COVID. Each time you participate in an activity, such as grocery shopping or going on a date, your budget is affected.
For most healthy people who aren’t around vulnerable people such as the elderly or immunocompromised, the creators of the microCOVID Project suggest that an annual risk budget of a 1% chance of catching COVID is “reasonable.” This comes out to 10,000 microCOVIDs in a year.
According to the tool, “An activity that’s 20,000 microCOVIDs means that you have a 2% risk of getting COVID every time you do it. An activity that’s 20 microCOVIDs (or 0.002%) is relatively safe, as you could do it every week for a year and still have only accumulated about a 0.1% chance of getting COVID.”
RELATED: Have you taken a COVID test at Walgreens? Your personal information might have been leaked.
Using the tools
The microCOVID Project lets you build a scenario to figure out your weekly risk. First, enter your location by state and county. Now enter details of a scenario. You can choose from a list of premade scenarios that include a plane ride, outdoor party or eating at a restaurant. Alternatively, you can select a custom scenario.
Next, select your vaccine status, how many people are nearby, how long you are out for, the risk profile of those close to you and their vaccine status (of course, you may not know these latter two factors).
Now choose your precautions. Are you inside or outside? Are you masked or unmasked? Are the people around you wearing masks or not? How loud are they talking?
This new COVID scam tries to lure you in with a refund on your phone bill
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By now, you should know that scammers and criminals will do almost anything to get their hands on your data and money. There is seemingly no length that they won’t go to, even if that means using the pandemic as a lure.
If you get a document from a stranger, delete it! Here's why
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Updated 09/13/2021 – Since this vulnerability was disclosed last week, security researchers have seen exploits in the wild and found the flaw is more dangerous than originally thought. Keep reading to find out how to stay protected.
Have a SimpliSafe system? There's a brand new HD outdoor camera to add to your home's arsenal
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When it comes to home security, you need a company you can trust. Traditional home security companies are all about the bottom line. You work with a salesperson to find a system, someone comes over to install it, then you’re locked into a long contract with high monthly fees.
5 TikTok appliance cleaning hacks you have to see
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Cleaning hacks have been all over the popular video-sharing app TikTok. Millions tune in to watch people clean their toilets, mop their floors, scrub their showers and even clean out their refrigerators. Tap or click here for our TikTok beginner’s guide.
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.
Ding, dong: 6 funniest moments caught by video doorbells
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Sure, you probably know all about the ways doorbell cameras like SimpliSafe can boost your home security system. Connect them to your phone, and you get a 24/7 live stream of everything going on in your home. With these nifty tools, you can catch burglars, find missing children and even tell your neighbors about a fire.
3 ways to make sure Facebook really isn't listening
We all know that Google can listen to your conversations, but what about Facebook? The social media giant claims that it doesn’t eavesdrop, but how often have you seen ads for products relating to a recent conversation?
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.
Where Spotify beats Apple Music – and where it doesn't
Apple Music grew in popularity when programs like Napster were making paying for music less than favorable. Since then, no other music platform has been able to beat them out. That is until Spotify entered the market.
6 essential features you need in a home security system
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Most people who don’t have home security systems yet are probably still planning on installing one in the future. How many times have you left your home thinking, “I wish I had some kind of protection system in place?”
How carbon nanotubes will change the world
In 1991 a Japanese physicist created a new form of carbon. These tiny threads of carbon turned out to be amazingly strong and durable. Now known as carbon nanotubes, this amazing material is set to make an enormous impact on the world of engineering. But how exactly will it be used?
Tile trackers vs. the new AirTags – What's the difference?
You might be wondering, what in the world are trackers? They have been around for years, and like every revolutionary product, Tile’s competitors finally caught up.
If you’ve ever lost your car keys or smartphone, you’re perfect for trackers. They were invented to solve this pesky problem by helping you track your stuff anytime it went missing. This includes your phone, car keys, wallet, etc. Hey, maybe even your kids? Slip a tracker in their pocket!
Royal Marines using jet suits to board a ship
Jet packs used to be just a thing in science fiction movies. But they have finally become a reality. The British military is trying out these amazing pieces of tech to board ships, and seeing them in action is truly amazing.
Headed back to the office? Best way to keep an eye on your home from anywhere
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You know the stress of being a parent. When the kids were young, you jumped at every sneeze, cough and wobbly step.
Now that they’re young adults or teenagers, there are different stresses. Are they driving while distracted by texts and social media messages? At home, are they safe? Are they being responsible for getting home on time from school, not raiding your liquor cabinet and staying out of trouble?
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.
Amazon Echo warning: Think twice before enabling Alexa skills
Thanks to smart speakers, you can get daily news briefings, set a timer and order dog food without lifting a finger. Just say the words and it’s done.
No matter how careful you are, you give up some privacy when using a phone, tablet, smart speaker or laptop. They can sometimes listen to you without you even knowing it. Tap or click here to keep Big Tech from listening in on your private conversations.
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?
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.