Plus, got a spy in your backseat? I list the top spots for hidden cams in your car. ChatGPT had it’s bias exposed, Allie’s got a neat trick on how to restart your phone with just your voice. And jumpstart your reselling business online with our pro guide. Get a headstart at Komando.com/makemoney.
Steps to cleaning smart TVs the right way
It’s nuts how cheap you can get a smart TV these days. Let me rephrase: It’s nuts how much of our data we’re willing to hand over for a cheap TV.
Alas, you still want yours to last. That means you need to do a lot more than dust the screen now and then.
But you might as well do that right, too
Use a dry, soft cloth to wipe away dust and debris. I always have a stack of microfiber cloths around because they don’t scratch. Press gently if you have an LCD TV.
For oil spots and fingerprints, spray electronics cleaner on a cloth and gently rub the area until it’s clean. Or take the easy route as I do and pick up this $5 pack of wipes.
Just say no to ammonia, acetone and alcohol.
Banish the dust
Vents keep your TV cool and prevent overheating. They’re on the back and maybe the sides of your TV. Before you clean them, unplug your TV. A duster works, but a vacuum is better.
Don’t forget the ports
Ports are usually on the back, sides or sometimes below or above your TV screen. A cotton swab might break those delicate connections and leave a trail of fuzz.
Grab a can of compressed air. Never shake the container and never stick the nozzle inside your TV ports. Hold the nozzle about an inch away and spray at an angle. If you don’t like the waste, try a rechargeable electronics duster.
Sanitize the remote
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3 tricks to see if your passwords are being sold on the Dark Web
Hackers can make a ton of money by selling your private information on underground forums. It’s possible that your passwords are being sold on the Dark Web right now. That’s why you should run a cybersecurity check now and then.
Tips to avoid big return fees
Some gifts don’t quite make the cut. Here’s your guide to returning them without any extra charges.
Ancient recorder: Thanks to AI, a Greek philosopher’s thoughts on pleasure are finally revealed after 2,000 years. A Nebraska student bagged $40,000 for bringing Herculaneum scrolls to life. His discovery? A millennia-old guide to living the good life.
5 ways to lower your energy bill this summer using tech
It’s getting hot out there, and you’re probably itching to hit the road. Have an older car? Rather than dropping a fortune on a new one, try these upgrades to revamp your ride.
You may not have enough money to travel by car or plane if you don’t get a handle on your bills. Energy prices are high and are expected to stay there for some time. Here are some clever tips to lower energy bills.
How to see everything Amazon knows about you
Tech giants don’t become enormous by guessing what users want or need. Behind the scenes is a complex operation of algorithms, customer information and personal data. That information must be gathered from somewhere.
Controlling lightning using lasers
Humans have been using lightning rods to protect buildings and people from the devastating power of lightning for hundreds of years. But we still can’t defend things like airplanes and boats. Scientists are now trying a new technology to guide lightning to a safe place — and even to trigger lighting at will.
Drop a pin to send your location to anyone
Lost on the beach and can’t find your friends? Discover how your smartphone can guide you back with my simple trick, in 60 seconds.
How to go on a treasure hunt for money that's owed to you
Did you know you might have unclaimed money waiting for you? In just 60 seconds, I’ll guide you through the process of finding it.
Get GPS directions from Arnold Schwarzenegger
Tired of hearing Siri give you directions? Here’s the way to make your own GPS voice guide in just one minute.
When to hire an employee vs. a contractor
So you need new talent to lighten the workload, but you aren’t sure about how much you should commit. If you’re wondering if you should hire an employee or an independent contractor, you’ve come to the right place. First, you need to break down exactly what you need and what you can afford.
Reader question: 'Can you help me pick a dashcam?'
Uber and Lyft have become overwhelmingly popular in America to make extra cash. Drivers can sign up in minutes, fill in their information and be up and running as an employee in just a few days.
But using your car to earn income comes with liability issues. What if you get into an accident or one of your riders becomes combative? Even if you don’t drive for a living, proving fault in a crash can be difficult. To avoid he said she said, you’ll need to protect yourself.
Gift guide: The best streaming devices and smart TVs
Are you ready to get the latest and greatest streaming TVs and gadgets? If it’s been a while since your last television and streaming device update, you may be surprised at how many new features, channels, apps and more are available.
Alexa isn't the only thing to call your Echo - Here's what all the other names do
Smart assistants like Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home can make your daily tasks easier. They can also update you on traffic conditions and nudge you with specific reminders.
Even though they are only electronics at heart, you still need to call them by name to get their attention. While the standard “Hey, Alexa” will prick her ears every time, did you know that you can call her something else? Tap or click here to enable celebrity voices like Shaq on your Amazon Echo.
Complete guide to robocalls: How to stop them once and for all
Robocalls are the most annoying modern tech drawback found on phones. In fact, when my team publishes an article on Komando.com about stopping robocalls, we know it’ll be one of our most-read articles of the week.
It’s not hard to see why. Robocalls interrupt us constantly, fool us into answering with numbers that look a little too familiar, and scam Americans out of millions of dollars every year.
Amazon warehouse hit by coronavirus - do this now to protect yourself
It might be summer vacation for America’s kids and students, but COVID-19 hasn’t taken any breaks at all. In the weeks since reopening measures kicked into gear, there have been multiple spikes of infection in several hot spots around the country.
Try your hand at this viral TikTok challenge
These days, it doesn’t take much for a video or tweet to go viral on social media. As a society, our attention span is short, and there’s an endless supply of content creators out there who deliver laughter and cringe-inducing material in equal doses.
The secret of success: Building sustainable habits
What’s the key to success? Habits! In this episode of Komando On Demand, Kim brings you truly life-changing stories and tips from highly motivated movers and shakers. Meet VU Dream founder and podcaster Mark Metry, as well as CEO and renowned attorney Joseph Harary. They chat with Kim about how they became successful and what they did to get there. By the end of this podcast, you’ll be loaded with tools to guide your own transformation.
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5G coverage is expanding - Find out if it's near you
Just recently, Verizon officially announced that it’s launching its new 5G network in NFL stadiums across the country, with 13 scheduled to be live by the top of the 2019-20 football season. Here’s where they’re expanding, along with which other areas are 5G ready in the near future.