Brush up: Microsoft offers free online training for Office programs, including video tutorials, interactive guides and practice exercises. Sorry, there’s no secret for making Teams better.
Cheap ways to make your old tech better
Reading this on a 6-year-old iPhone 11? It’s well past the average smartphone lifespan of 2.5 years … and I’m impressed you’ve hung onto it this long. Btw, Apple typically provides iOS updates for five to six years after a model’s release.
Upgrading your laptop or smartphone is inevitable. But wait before you throw out that clunky computer. Even when a piece of tech starts showing its age, you can give it a new lease on life.
Make room for vacation photos
Most modern phones don’t have memory card slots. Expand your cloud storage to offload photos, videos and other files to free up space. Use the option built to work with your phone.
- Android friends, Google One upgrades start at $2 for 100GB.
- For iPhone, iCloud+ pricing starts at $1 for 50GB.
Pro tip: If you and the family all use iPhones, share an iCloud+ account to save some money. I do this with Barry and Ian.
Playing the oldies
Want to get Spotify or Apple Music streaming around the house? You don’t have to invest in a set of pricey wireless speakers if you’re still rocking the older wired kind.
Add a Bluetooth adapter (like this Esinkin model), and those old speakers can play anything right from your phone or computer.
Wi-Fi from anywhere
Blast internet dead zones with a Wi-Fi extender like the Netgear EX6400. Way cheaper than buying a whole new router or mesh system, so if you’re having connectivity issues, it’s a good place to start.
Increase your TV’s IQ
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Quick tech cleanup: Do this every 3 months
© Iakov Filimonov | Dreamstime.com
When was the last time you cleaned up your digital life? It’s not fun, but just a few minutes of physical and digital decluttering can work wonders. It boosts productivity, clears mental clutter and leaves you feeling like you’ve done something great. Ready? Let’s do this!
Rent-A-Hitman owner, AI lifeguard & fake travel guides
Plus, concerned about ChatGPT scraping your data? I’ll show you how to stop it. Also, people are finding creative ways to earn money by renting out their Starlink satellites. Don’t miss Google’s latest gadgets, opportunities to earn money with your car, and tech travel tips you’ll use repeatedly.
⚠️ Scamming scammers: Some TikTokers claimed you could file a fake CFPB complaint and get a check from Zelle or Cash App. Millions watched. Some paid $77 for their “templates” and $24.99 for credit repair guides. It’s all bogus. “Just lie to the government” is not financial advice.
22%
That’s how much of its workforce Chegg is laying off because of AI. Students are skipping the homework-help site and heading straight to tools like ChatGPT. With traffic and subscriptions tanking, cutting costs will save up to $110 million by 2026. Study guides couldn’t prep them for this.
🤖 Free AI classes from Google: Google’s got an AI learning hub that’s worth checking out. Learn prompting basics, how to use chatbots like Gemini effectively and ways AI can help with marketing and automation. There are mini guides on getting your business on Google for more visibility. And yes, it’s free.
‘Can you tape that?’ Phrases tech has killed off
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I’m sure you remember this: “You hang up first.” “No, you hang up first.” Not quite as romantic when you fumble for the “End call” button on your iPhone, eh? As times change and our tech changes, so, too, do the phrases we use.
Bank fraud is rising – How to protect yourself
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The scams don’t stop — and here’s another one you need to know about. Your phone rings. It’s a rep from your bank, and they’re warning your account has been compromised. You’re smart, so you immediately suspect it’s a scam.
📝 Need to brush up? Microsoft offers free online training for its Office programs, including video tutorials, interactive guides and practice exercises.
🍏 iPhone manuals still exist: New iPhones don’t come with printed guides, but you can still find them online. Just go to Apple’s website and look up your model (they’ve got everything from the original iPhone to the latest iPhone 16). You’ll find the user guide, info sheet and even the official repair manual.
Cash dive: It’s happening across the country. The NY Times spotlighted how UNC is turning its diving team into influencers with sponsorships, style guides and TikTok training. It’s all part of the school’s push to make every athlete a content creator. Imagine getting cut from the team for poor engagement and bot followers.
Have some free time today? Check out OpenAI’s Academy. It’s loaded with guides, live streams, videos and in-person events. You’ll find everything from how to build custom GPTs to crafting a storyboard. It’s free if you create an account. Check it out. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: AI won’t replace your job. Someone with AI skills will.
Say you’re starting a new hobby: Buying a how-to book used to be a safe bet. Now, AI is flooding Amazon with crappy guides full of nonsense, misused terms and stolen designs. Apparently, lace-making books are popular enough right now to target. Before you buy, scan the reviews and check the authors.
$26 million
In rare medical book sales predicted for the 2020s — everything from guides to bloodletting to how-tos for treating a gunshot wound with boiling oil (paywall link). Last year, a 1555 edition of the anatomy book “Fabrica” sold for $2.2 million. Time to start browsing yard sales for old medical texts.
History teachers are in the past: An online charter school in Arizona is ditching human teachers. Kids get two hours of academic instruction daily taught entirely by AI. The rest of the day is dedicated to life skills workshops covering subjects like financial literacy, goal setting and entrepreneurship led by “guides.” Bet they make even less than teachers.
Antivirus isn't just for your computer - Here's why you should protect your smartphone, too
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You probably know that antivirus software is essential for your computer. Without it, you’re browsing without protection, exposing yourself to ransomware, viruses, Trojans, spyware and countless other threats. But your computer isn’t the only gadget that needs antivirus protection.
Secrets to growing your business quickly
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I’m proud to say that I built my multimillion-dollar enterprise with no debt and no investors. It’s rewarding for me to help the many small business owners who call and need a hand getting their company off the ground or breaking past a big hurdle. I’ve been there myself.
5 free resources to grow your business
Entrepreneurs and small business owners need all the help they can get. When you’re a self-starter, you’re constantly on the go, multitasking and doing all you can to grow your company quickly. Luckily, there are a ton of free small business resources that can help you along the way.
Everything new coming to iOS 18
Apple.com
I’ve been testing the beta version of Apple’s latest operating system, iOS 18, to give you a preview of what’s to come. The final version drops on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, but I know you like to be tech-ahead and not tech-behind, so here’s a preview of the good stuff.