Has your connection been spotty lately? It’s not just you — seasonal decor can make your Wi-Fi slow.
6 signs your phone is on its last legs
There are two kinds of people: Those who upgrade to new devices anytime something shiny catches their eye and those who wait until their beloved gadgets finally bite the dust before upgrading.
When it comes to phones, there are warning signs yours is on the way out. My recommendation: Save your money and wait till you can say “Yes” to most of the tells on this list before buying a new one.
Lagging: Remember when your apps ran seamlessly? Now, transitions may feel like slow-motion replays. New phones come loaded with up to 12GB of RAM for swift multitasking. Older models with 2GB or less can’t compete.
- Action step: Regularly clear your phone’s cache and avoid overloading storage. If your performance doesn’t improve, you’re due for an upgrade.
Battery blues: If your phone’s gasping for juice by midday after being fully charged in the morning, it’s a big sign. The average smartphone battery retains up to 80% of its charge capacity after 500 full charge cycles.
- Action step: Dive into your phone’s battery health settings. If your battery capacity’s below 80%, it’s decision time.
Storage wars: The dreaded “Storage Almost Full” notification is more than an annoyance. With app sizes getting larger and high-res 4K videos becoming the standard, even 64GB of storage might feel cramped pretty quickly.
- Action step: Use cloud backups and offload unused apps. Still crowded? Time for a storage upgrade.
Camera woes: If the photos you’re snapping with your phone look like 2010 throwbacks, there’s an issue. Optical image stabilization and larger sensors have revolutionized phone photography.
- Action step: Regularly clean your phone’s camera lens(es) to get images as clear as you can.
Update agitation: If you’ve missed the last two operating system (OS) updates, whether you’re on an Android or an iPhone, you’re on borrowed time. Manufacturers typically support devices for about 4 to 5 years.
- Action step: No more updates? Sorry, but it’s time to say goodbye. This is a security nonnegotiable.
Plug in your address to see if you’re overpaying for internet
Your router is years old, but you don’t think about it because it just sits there, pumping connection to your devices. Before you upgrade, know this: You need one that’s Wi-Fi 6 ready.
Maybe your router and modem are fine until your internet gives out. Here’s the right way to reset things. Don’t just unplug, plug it back in immediately and call it good!
Mickey needs the money: Disney+ subscriptions are now limited to one household based on using the same internet connection regularly. It’s a way for them to make more money, of course. Add an extra member to your household for $6.99 per month with a basic Disney+ subscription or $9.99 a month for premium plans.
Tech fix: What to do when you can't download apps to your Android phone
Unfortunately, there are times when the apps you want to add to your Android won’t download. You may try and try but end up staring at the screen, waiting endlessly for the app to load on your device.
Complicating the issue is there are tons of reasons apps won’t download. Here are some steps to troubleshoot the problem and download apps again on your Android.
Weak signal? How to get better Wi-Fi on your Android
You rely on your phone for a lot. It helps to give your tech a checkup now and then to avoid more severe and costly problems later. Tap or click here for six ways to get started.
What’s more frustrating than lousy Wi-Fi when you’re trying to get something done? Your Android phone loses much of its functionality without a solid network connection. The problem could be coming from several sources, and we’re here to help you narrow them down and get your internet back on track.
💊 This is nuts: Anyone with an internet connection and a few thousand in crypto can make $3 million worth of fentanyl. Chinese sellers will ship you the compounds in about six weeks. It’s 50 times stronger than heroin, and cartel cooks say it’s as easy to make as chicken soup. So scary. You’re gonna wanna read this one.
🖨️ Printer alert: HP is discontinuing its LaserJet e-series printers that require a permanent internet connection and force you to use super-expensive HP-original ink and toners. It’ll continue to work if you still have one, but you’ll have to deal with HP+. Sell yours now while you can.
Is LinkedIn the new love connection? Relationship counselors say it gives you a more authentic look into someone’s life, work and social contacts. The real trick is figuring out when to take things offline. But heck, at least you know they have a job.
Addicted to AI: Teens spend up to 12 hours a day on AI-powered chatbot sites like Character AI. Now, parents are worried their kids are using them to replace a human connection. Character AI’s most popular bot? A “psychologist” that also claims to be a therapist. Make sure your kids are forming friendships IRL, too.
Save offline maps for Christmas vacations
Does your phone signal throw off your connection to Google Maps? Listen to this one-minute podcast for a quick and easy solution.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
3 simple ways to make your Wi-Fi faster and more stable
Game time. Work time. Chill time. All rely on lightning-fast Wi-Fi. Little is more frustrating than slow internet.
Many things can cause your connection to falter from unauthorized users to a poorly-placed router and even an outdated modem. What’s the best way to get faster internet? We can help.
Need some calm? Listen to the sounds of forests around the world
Amid all the noise in today’s culture, it is common to feel bogged down or unable to relax completely. This is why it is important to find specific ways to calm our minds.
You can try things like meditation, a quiet walk in the park or even an intense workout at the gym. Tap or click here for a list of meditation apps that can ease the stress in life.
How to turn your Android into a mobile hotspot
Internet is more reliable now than ever. But there are times when we lose connection, which could impact getting work done in time.
Thankfully all hope is not lost. You can create a mobile hotspot straight from your phone. You’ll be able to connect to anything that offers wireless connectivity, like laptops or tablets.
5 common VPN issues and how to fix them
VPNs, or virtual private networks, are typically set and forget services that don’t require a lot of troubleshooting. Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean there aren’t problems with VPNs you might have to address from time to time.
Tech 101: How to use your iPhone as a mobile hotspot
If you have a laptop, you can get some work done on the go. That is if you have an internet connection. The thing is, we’re not always near a trustworthy network. Tap or click here for four ways to get internet in your RV: Antenna, Wi-Fi extender, booster and hotspot.
Change this one setting to get faster internet speeds
Slow internet speeds are incredibly frustrating. You pay a boatload of cash to your internet service provider, and your connection is spotty and slow.
Many things could be causing delays in your connection speed. We’ll go over each of these things at the end of the article, but we’re going to focus on your DNS or domain name system for now.
This guy rents himself out for $100 to 'do nothing'
At a certain point in your life, someone has told you that you can be whatever you want to be. Most will aspire to take on a noble profession as a doctor, scientist or fireman. Thinking of a career change? Tap or click here and let this tool help.
From my home to yours, Merry Christmas!
We were all reminded these past months just how instrumental technology is in all our lives. It has powered so much connection and togetherness in a time when we’re apart from those we love. Think about all the families and friends staying in touch via Zoom and the businesses, like mine, operating from home.
The best way to host a virtual holiday dinner
Families across the world are figuring out how to spend the holidays together amid the pandemic safely. A Consumer Reports poll showed just 36% of Americans surveyed planned to host or attend a get-together outside their household.