When someone blocks your number, they’ll no longer receive your calls or texts. On iPhones, even your iMessage and FaceTime won’t get through. How can you tell if someone blocks your number? Here are a few signs that may clue you in, including how many rings you’ll hear when you call and a message you could hear. Plus, get tips for what to do if you suspect you’ve been blocked but want to be sure.
5 ways to connect when you’re apart for the holidays
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Christmas Eve is here. It’s a time for joy, laughter and cherished moments with loved ones. I know how busy this day can get, but a little bit of tech-savvy can help make it even more special.
Here are five quick and simple ways to use technology to connect with family and create memories without taking up too much time.
1. Share a quick video call
Even if you’re rushing between cooking, wrapping and organizing, a video call makes you feel close to distant loved ones. Apps like FaceTime, Google Meet or Zoom make it easy. I text in advance to agree on a time since folks are running around today.
- Pro tip: Set a timer for 10 minutes to say hello, show off your tree or share a quick holiday toast.
2. Snap and share holiday photos
Capture candid moments of your Christmas Eve fun and share them with family using Google Photos, Apple’s Shared Albums or even a private Facebook group.
- Pro tip: Use apps like Canva to create quick, festive photo collages. It’s fun and you’ll be happy to look back on them later.
- Facebook tip: Create a private group to upload and comment on photos throughout the night. It’s a fun way to be “together” from afar.
3. Send a digital holiday card
If you haven’t sent cards this year, it’s not too late! Hit up Canva (free), Adobe Express (30-day trial) or Paperless Post (about 25 cents per card). Choose a template, whip up a greeting and send it in just a few minutes — no printing or trip to the post office required.
- Why it works: A quick note of love and holiday cheer can mean the world to someone who may not expect it.
4. Watch a movie together from anywhere
This Zillow update makes home shopping easier
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This was a rough year for Zillow. The company wanted to flip homes to make big cash, so its algorithm bought up properties like hotcakes — but the whole affair flopped.
On Nov. 2, Zillow reported a third-quarter net loss of $328 million. On the bright side, that means many of its homes are selling for low prices. Tap or click here for Kim’s guide to home shopping.
AI salary bumps, China sinks data center & email marketing pro tips
Plus, Amazon’s slashing seller fees to rival Shein, and I look into a pill that tracks your health internally. Quick tip: disable this iPhone feature on FaceTime. I’ll also share unspoken email etiquette and clever tech hacks to reduce holiday stress, including how to avoid Amazon spoilers and capture great family photos.
💻 macOS 26: Translation is built in more than ever. In Messages, your Mac can auto-translate text and show it alongside the original. In FaceTime, you’ll get live translated captions during calls. The Phone app even adds spoken translations for regular calls. FYI: Some features require Apple Intelligence, so you’ll need a Mac with Apple Silicon.
5 ways tech can help you stay sane while you stay home
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I can’t stop thinking that I am in the middle of a thriller about a sinister virus that causes a global pandemic. But this is no made-for-Hollywood screenplay. It’s a real catastrophe.
Many people are dealing with frustrating tech challenges while trying to find a new normal. You can Google anything; it’s just that you never know if the search results are legit. That’s why, in my Komando Community, I’m helping readers and listeners just like you get answers to their tech questions.
👁️ Look ’em in the eye: On iPhone video calls, eye contact’s tricky since you’re looking at the screen, not the camera. Apple’s Eye Contact feature uses AI to adjust your gaze automatically. Turn it on in Settings > FaceTime > Eye Contact. Cue the staring contest.
No FaceTime or Skype? No problem. Try WhatsApp for Mac when you want to include Android pals, too. You can add eight people to a video call or 32 for audio-only. Hit this link for the Windows version.
Turn off this FaceTime feature now
Need to make an important video call? Be sure to take off this embarassing feature.
Digital Life Hack: Android users can now use FaceTime
Are you ready to start using FaceTime from your Android? Listen now for the steps you need to follow.
Digital Life Hack: How to look good on video calls
Are you embarrassed by the way you look on video? Listen now for a few easy ways to improve the way you look on Zoom, Google Hangouts, FaceTime and other webcam calls.
Watch out for the new prank that targets your phone
If you use an iPhone or iPad, a new prank is spreading. You answer your phone or see a text from iMessage. You’ve been added to a FaceTime call with a group of people who you don’t even know. Here’s why that can be dangerous.