All those constant dings, beeps, and buzzes? They’re killing your concentration. I found a fix that works on both iPhone and Android. It’s not an app, it’s already built into your phone.
Tractors, TVs and tyranny
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Picture this. A farmer is out in the fields when his $300,000 John Deere tractor shuts off with an error code. He knows what’s wrong. But he can’t touch it. An authorized (pricey) technician must come to his farm, unlock the tractor’s operating system and fix it.
You see, the farmer doesn’t own the right to repair something he paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for. That’s not just a farmer’s problem. It’s yours and mine, too.
🚜 Why this matters
This isn’t limited to tractors. The same issue affects our phone, TV, car, smart fridge, laptop, home automation system and more.
If a part breaks, the manufacturer can decide whether or not you’re allowed to fix it. Companies use proprietary screws, secret tool kits and software locks to trap us in their repair quicksand. They can make parts and tools unavailable. They can lock you out of the software. Even worse, they can void your warranty if you dare take it to anyone outside their little repair club.
John Deere now faces a major lawsuit from the Federal Trade Commission and several states for blocking farmers from fixing their own machines. The courts recently ruled the case can move forward, and that’s a big win.
Right to repair laws would force companies to make parts, tools and manuals available. They would stop manufacturers from using software to block you from changing a battery, replacing a screen or updating a component without their say-so.
📈 How tech companies rate
I took a look at The Public Interest Network’s “Failing the Fix” report that graded various tech companies:
- Smartphones: Apple and Google top the list with B– grades; Motorola trails at C+ and Samsung lags with C–.
- Laptops: ASUS leads with an A–; Acer follows with B+; Dell, Samsung and Microsoft tie at B–; HP scores C; Apple earns C–; and Lenovo falls to F, due to no repair data on most models.
You can see the entire report here. I thought it was interesting.
🕺 What you can do
Musk vs. Wikipedia: Elon Musk says he’s building Grokipedia, an AI-powered rival to Wikipedia using his Grok chatbot. He claims it’ll fix “bias” and “half-truths.” Meanwhile, Wikipedia’s founder basically went, “Good luck, buddy.” Hey, I’m just hoping my own Wikipedia page doesn’t get “corrected” into fan fiction. (Yes, it’s real: Kim Komando).
⌚ Keep apps open longer: Does your Apple Watch jump back to the clock face too fast? You can fix that. On your watch, go to Settings > General > Return to Clock. It’s usually set to Always, but switch it to After 2 Minutes so your app stays open until you’re done or press the Digital Crown.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Hate when pasted text shows up with random fonts and colors? Easy fix to remove the formatting. On Windows, hit Ctrl + Shift + V. On Mac, use Cmd + Option + Shift + V. Works in most apps.
Reset Kindle reading time: At the bottom left, tap to see how long’s left in a chapter or the whole book. If you fall asleep or leave it open, the estimate gets thrown off. To fix it, tap the Search icon at the top, type ;ReadingTimeReset and hit Enter. It’ll say no results, but it works.
Fix the iPad pointer: After updating to iPadOS 26, see an annoying circle cursor instead of an arrow? To switch back, go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch, and toggle off AssistiveTouch. That’ll restore the arrow. Now go to Settings > Accessibility > Pointer Control to adjust size and color again.
📚 Make Kindle pages cleaner: Ever notice a faint imprint of the last page after you turn? Fix it by forcing a full refresh each time. Go to All Settings > Home and Library > Reading Options > Page Refresh. FYI: It may nibble a bit more battery, but you’ll barely notice.
📱 Fix misbehaving Android apps: If something keeps freezing or crashing, clearing its cache usually helps. Go to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Storage & cache (or Storage), and tap Clear cache. Careful though: Don’t hit Clear data. That wipes your settings, logs you out and resets the app completely.
Fix Windows without wiping everything: PC acting weird? Don’t rush to reinstall. Instead, reset while keeping your personal files. Go to Settings > System > Recovery > Reset PC, then select Keep my files. Apps and settings get removed, but documents stay safe. Bonus: Always back up to the cloud or a portable hard drive first.
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Search goes live: Google just dropped Search Live in the U.S. You point your camera, talk out loud, and it feeds you answers plus links in real time. Ask which munchies to grab or how to fix your busted fan, and boom, Google talks back. Free, no sign-up required. At this point, even my snacks are getting SEO’d.
Bad news for photodumps: The new iPhone 17s, yep, the $1,200 ones, are apparently glitching if you take pics near bright LED lights, like at concerts. One reviewer found black boxes, missing chunks, ghostly squiggles. Apple says it’s rare and a fix is coming, but for now? Your pics might look like abstract art.
Fix Windows 11 right-click menus: Microsoft messed with context menus so you only see “important” options, and the rest are hidden under Show more options. Annoying, right? Quick fix: Hold Shift + right-click on any file or folder to see the full menu instantly. So much for simplifying things.
🔥 Email land mines: Your emails might feel polite, but phrases like “per my last email” or “thanks in advance” can make you sound like a corporate arsonist. Executive coaches say these slipups read passive-aggressive, erode trust and cost promotions. The fix? Cut the fluff, set clear asks and maybe stop accidentally weaponizing your correspondence.
Et tu, ChatGPT? Geoffrey Hinton, the “godfather of AI,” says his ex used ChatGPT to break up with him, by having it explain “what a rat” he was. The Nobel winner wasn’t too fazed, though. Already dating someone else, he still warns that AI could end humanity but also admits he asks it how to fix his appliances.
🗂️ Show hidden files: By default, Windows 11 hides certain system files and app data. But sometimes you need to see them to clean up old folders or fix an issue. Open This PC or any folder, click the three dots at the top and choose Options. In the new window, go to View and toggle on Show hidden files, folders, and drives.
🤳 Fix blurry phone photos: If tapping to focus isn’t working, your lens is probably dirty. After all, your phone lives in your pocket, collecting dust and grime. Folks, don’t reach for your T-shirt. Go with proper lens wipes that are scratch-free and streak-free. I found a pack of 200 for under $10.
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AI went way too far: This is so incredibly sad. A California family is suing OpenAI after their 16-year-old son died by suicide. They say ChatGPT not only discussed methods but helped improve them. The boy had confided in the bot for months. If you have a few minutes, read some of the conversations (paywall link). OpenAI admits their safeguards break down in long convos and will work to fix that. Too late for this family. Talk to yours about this story.
Windows 11 update breaks SSDs: Last week’s KB5063878 update is making storage drives vanish, showing up as unallocated space. Since the update rolled out automatically, the only real fix is to roll it back. Here’s how.
Fix your mouse on MacBook: Go to System Settings > Mouse > Tracking speed to adjust how fast the pointer moves. If you’re coming from a Windows PC, go to Secondary click and set it to Click Right Side for a more familiar feeling. Bonus: You can also try out the free Mos app for smoother scrolling.