Did you know that snow can do a number on your gadgets? Listen to this one-minute podcast to keep your phones safe in cold weather.
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OK, it’s really cold: 11 tricks and gadgets to keep you warm
Yesterday, my Daily Tech Update heard on 350+ radio stations about how EVs don’t like cold weather hit home with a ton of folks. You see, even if you charged up to prepare the night before, the battery could be dead or pretty close to it when you wake up. Wow, so many people told me they had no idea this would happen when they bought an EV.
Yeah, it’s cold all across the country — Babbitt, Minnesota: -15°, Dubuque, Iowa: 3°, Sioux Falls, South Dakota: 6° and Chicago, Illinois: 10°. I’m freezing in Phoenix, where it’s 53° as I type, and I have a space heater on under my desk. (Insert wha-wha sound here!)
Fear not, dear one, for I have hot tech tips to keep you nice and toasty.
Never miss a cold snap: Smart speakers can give real-time weather alerts. Try saying, “Alexa (Siri or Google) tell me when there’s a severe weather alert,” to know when a freeze warning, snowstorm (or any other major weather event) is coming.
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Weather, then tap Always.
- Turn on Precise Location to receive the most accurate notifications for your current location.
- Open the Weather app on your iPhone, then tap the list icon to display your weather list.
- Tap the three dots in the corner, then tap Notifications. If prompted, allow notifications from the Weather app.
- Below Current Location, turn on notifications for Severe Weather and Next-Hour Precipitation (green means it’s on).
- Tap Done.
A breath of fresh air: Cold weather means super dry air. Forget that old humidifier. It’s 2024! Get a smart humidifier you control with your phone. This one has a 50-hour runtime (20% off!) and uses sensors and algorithms to keep the perfect humidity levels. Super quiet, too!
With the accompanying app, you can adjust mist settings, timers and even ambient lighting using your smartphone, Alexa or Google Assistant. Nice.
Heaters gonna heat: Grab a smart plug to set a schedule for your space heater — or turn on and off when you’re not home. Worth it for the peace of mind. And let me tell ya, a smart thermostat is a no-brainer, so your house is warm and toasty when you return from work or errands.
One smart cookie: A smart thermostat is a no-brainer. You can make sure your home is warm and toasty when you return from work or errands. It can also monitor your HVAC system’s performance and efficiency by delivering usage reports, equipment alerts and maintenance reminders. Never forget to replace a filter again!
Shocking electric bills? Use a thermal leak detector or an infrared camera attachment for your smartphone to identify where heat is escaping. You can fix these energy wasters with insulation or draft stoppers. Not sure how? Hit YouTube for videos.
Warmth in a flash: Your smartphone’s flashlight generates a small amount of heat. For a quick hand warmer, turn on the flashlight and hold your hands around it. Yes, this works — but it will drain your battery if you do it for too long. Instead, pick up these hand warmers for $2.68 (44% off!). Love these!
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
True or false: Extreme cold is as bad for your phone battery as heat
We all know that high temperatures can cause your smartphone to run slowly and even damage it permanently in some cases. Tap or click here to see why your iPhone struggles in hot weather – and how to fix it. But does cold weather also impact your phone’s battery?
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Before video doorbells, you had to peek through peepholes to see strangers standing on your front porch. If vengeful exes or armed robbers are waiting on the other side of the door, standing too close can put you in danger. Luckily, with video doorbells, you can see who wants to come in from your smartphone.