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Happy Valentine’s Day! A little tech love
Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples. It’s the perfect excuse to spread a little love in the simplest ways. A quick heart emoji, a sweet message to a friend or even just a kind word can make someone’s day. And if you’re flying solo? Treat yourself to something special and enjoy a little you time.
Speaking of things I love, here are some tech tools I use every day to make life easier, safer and more fun.
💙 Find My: It’s how I know where my phone is, find my headphones and know my son Ian landed safely after a flight without having to text him to check. (Mom win!)
💜 Family group chat: It’s me, my siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles sharing jokes, stories and hellos. My sweet cousin Arlene sends a daily prayer. It’s a small reminder that connection matters.
💚 AllTrails: A little time outside makes me feel like me again. I use this app to find the best hiking, biking and walking trails (iPhone, Android). Sort by distance, views and dog-friendliness.
💖 Apple Pay: On an Android, it’s Google Pay. I don’t like carrying a purse, so it makes life so much easier! And, yes, I stick some cash in my phone case just in case someplace doesn’t allow tap to pay.
❤️ Home security cameras: I use an app called Virtual Keypad (iPhone, Android) to control the alarms at my house in Phoenix, my studios and my home in Santa Barbara. My favorites are the notifications from the gate cam in SB. The random 4 a.m. buzzes are always bobcats walking by.
💖 AirTags: No joke, I own probably 20. The tiny trackers (29% off) are in all my cars, my bags and basically everything Barry owns. For Android, Chipolo and Tile (40% off) work, too.
💜 Wireless earbuds: I love noise cancellation. Now, Barry doesn’t like them so much since he’ll talk to me for five minutes before he realizes I can’t hear him.
💚 Siri: Google Assistant for my Android pals. I use Siri every day to text for me. I just taught Barry this one: “Hey, Siri, open [whatever app you want] for me.” No more searching apps. Oh, and “Siri, turn on my flashlight” is a good one, too! Yes, you can also turn it off this way.
💛 CarPlay: It’s amazing. Directions, traffic alerts, music and podcasts, calls, and messages, all in one spot. Remember (gasp) the days of MapQuest?
🩷 Robo-vacs: I resisted for so long and now I’ll never go back. The mop version is a game-changer in my house. It’s connected to Alexa so I can say, “Alexa, wash the floors.” Whoa, this one is 45% off.
💚 Photo memories: Google and Apple Photos do a dang good job compiling old pictures to scroll through. Pro tip: If you name a person or pet, your memories are even better.
In Apple Photos:
- Open the Photos app and choose a photo.
- Swipe up to show the details. People and pets pop up in the bottom left corner. There will be a question mark next to anyone you haven’t named.
- Tap the person or pet > Name This Person or Name This Pet. Enter their name, then hit Done.
In Google Photos:
- Open Google Photos and hit Collections at the bottom.
- Choose People & pets. Tap on a face. At the top, choose the three dots > Edit name label to change it.
- For anyone without a name, tap the circle, then tap Add a name at the top.
Pranks are my love language
One of the best reasons to own an Amazon Echo is Alexa Blueprints. You can set up a custom question and answer. I did one on Mother’s Day one year to remind Ian who the best mom in the entire world is. I also set up a snarky weather reminder for my sweet husband, who refuses to look out the windows.
- Hit this link, select Custom Q&A, and follow the steps onscreen to add in a question and whatever answer you want Alexa to give. Have fun!
🤔 This Valentine’s Day, I’m sending telepathic gifts. It’s the thought that really counts.
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Tags: Amazon, Apple, gifts, Google, security
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