Tag: Android

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Tech secrets only the pros know

We’ve all been there. Your screen goes black, but you can still hear the audio. You’re trying to move the cursor on your phone, but your thumb’s too big to land in the right spot. Or your Android suddenly turns into a sluggish mess, and you’re ready to throw your $1,000 phone out the window. […]

Watch out for these cunning scams

I don’t want you to be a statistic.  Google put out a quiet but urgent warning: Online scams are on the rise, and they’re getting harder to spot. Even savvy folks are getting blindsided.  According to FTC data cited in Google’s November 2025 advisory, 57% of adults were targeted by a scam in the past […]

Unleash your inner IT overlord

I read every comment you leave at the end of this newsletter, and one theme always stands out: You want to know all the hidden things your tech can do!  Lucky for you, uncovering those “I had no idea!” moments is my superpower.  🪟 Secret Windows restart trick Frequent shutdowns can fix most computer issues, […]

Your camera roll deserves a cleanse

I remember my parents saying, “Kim, stop wasting the film.” Oh, yes, this was back when we’d put film in a camera, take up to 36 pictures, then wait for the roll to get developed to see if any of the shots were good. Those days are long gone, fortunately. Now, the average American takes […]

Geocaching turns 25, and it’s never been cooler 🎉

The weekend is here, and it’s hard to believe that geocaching recently turned 25 years old. It’s still going strong with over 3.4 million caches hidden around the world. I used to do geocaching with my son Ian. It’s a lot of fun.  Whether you’re looking for a new way to get your steps in, […]

Hours left for ‘Prime Big Deal Days’

⏰ Tick, tick, tick! Prime Big Deal Days wrap up tonight at midnight. Once they’re gone, that’s it. You’ve still got time to hit “Buy Now” before it’s all over. I saved some of the best for last and pulled together 20 more gems. 😋 Fast, fun and flavorful 💦 Splash into self-care Pro tip: […]

Prime Big Deal Days: 20 genius buys you can’t miss

Prime Big Deal Days just kicked off, and the clock’s ticking. This is your last chance to score big before the holiday madness begins. I dug through the deals (so you don’t have to) and found the ones actually worth your cart space. 🧼 Let’s get your things spotless 🏠 Clever home helpers 👩‍💻 Tech […]

The privacy threat no one blocks

You mention Antarctica once. Just a throwaway joke near your phone, “Wouldn’t it be cool to go freeze my face off?” Suddenly, your phone, laptop, smart TV, smart speaker and even your fridge are pitching you parkas like it’s QVC Arctic Edition. 🥶 Chances are, you were hit by ultrasonic cross-device tracking. This high-frequency sound […]

Get a free second phone number

Here’s something smart to start your week. Get a free, private second phone number you can use from your smartphone. It’s perfect for keeping your personal number personal.  With Google Voice, you get a real U.S. phone number that rings to your cell, computer or tablet. You can call, text, screen calls and get your […]

Hidden setting lets apps spy on you through Bluetooth

Think Bluetooth is just for headphones and car calls? Think again. It’s one of the sneakiest ways apps track you, and most people have no clue it’s happening.  Even when GPS is off, your phone is constantly “sniffing” for nearby devices like AirTags, smartwatches and fitness trackers. That’s normal.  Here’s where it gets shady: Some […]

Kim’s Outlet picks: All 50% off or better

Hidden gems, big discounts, and yes, I dug through the digital outlet bins so you don’t have to. Amazon’s Outlet is packed with brand-name gadgets.  The best part? Everything here is at least 50% off. 🔊 Monster Bluetooth speaker – $30 (75% off) Crank it up in the shower, on the beach or at your […]

The secret science squad in your pocket

Think your phone is just for calls, texts and scrolling? Think again. You’re carrying around a secret lab in your pocket.  The accelerometer that flips your screen when you turn it? That’s what your fitness app uses to count steps. The barometer that helps your weather app? It can tell if you’ve climbed a flight […]

No translator, no problem

I’ll never forget the time I was in Paris, sitting at a café, staring down at a menu I couldn’t read. Out came Google Translate on my phone, and suddenly I thought, Wow the future is here. Fast-forward to this fall, and that “future” looks downright primitive compared to what Apple and Google are about […]

🚗💨 Your ‘smart’ car could be days away from going dumb

Here’s something used car dealers and private sellers won’t shout from the rooftops. The average new car has 1,400 to 1,500 semiconductor chips. And high-end EVs? Try 3,000. Those computer chips power everything from heated seats to emergency crash alerts.  The problem: When the car’s network or software support ends, so do those fancy features. […]

Your phone is tracking you even when you think it’s not

You know that little GPS icon that pops up when an app is using your location? That’s the polite part. The tip of the iceberg. The warm handshake before your phone whispers your every movement to Big Tech behind your back.  Your phone has more than one way to know where you are. Cell towers, […]

Bank app settings that actually protect your money

This is not the most exciting way to start a week. But it’s super important. Let’s talk about your banking app. It does more than show your balance. With the right settings, it can protect your money, catch fraud fast and help you avoid nasty surprises. Most people never touch the app’s security or alert […]

How to save important voicemails

There’s one voicemail I’ll never delete. It’s from my mom. She’s been gone for almost four years, but every so often, I play it back. It’s nothing dramatic, just her voice asking if I could buy her a gallon of milk on my way home. (In her Brooklyn accent, “Kim, make sure it’s 2%, not […]

🎬 Where can I watch that? These sites have the answer

You know the feeling. You want to watch a specific movie, maybe an old favorite (hello, 1999’s The Mummy) or that buzzworthy show everyone’s talking about, but you have no clue where to find it.  Instead of spending those precious moments actually watching it, you’re playing streaming detective: Netflix? Hulu? Prime Video? Is it free? […]

Your pocket scientist is smarter than you think

I read a geeky article that I think you’ll also find amazing.  Google quietly used its Android operating system to turn billions of phones into the largest earthquake detection network in human history. Your Android phone can warn you about an earthquake before the shaking even starts. It’s built right in. You can do the […]