Do you do private stuff on your phone or laptop when you’re out and about? Here’s what you’re risking.
5 ways you’re ruining your expensive phone, laptop, tablet and TV
Our devices are significant investments. You need to treat your tech well to get your money’s worth. Regular maintenance is one way to stay ahead of the game. Tap or click for six checkups to avoid a hefty repair bill.
Based on calls to my show, emails and questions posted on my website’s tech support forum, here are five common mistakes that could cost you.
1. You’re charging too much
Do you keep your phone plugged in all the time? Apple says that when your iPhone “remain(s) at full charge for prolonged periods of time, battery health can be affected.”
Android phone manufacturers, including Samsung, say the same. “Do not leave your phone connected to the charger for long periods of time or overnight.” Huawei says, “Keeping your battery level as close to the middle (30% to 70%) as possible can effectively prolong the battery life.”
The official word is to keep your phone charged — but not fully charged. Get in the habit of unplugging your tech after it is fully charged.
More tech smarts: Tap or click for tricks to keep your phone battery in tip-top shape.
2. You wait too long to charge your laptop
Laptop batteries have a finite number of charge-discharge cycles. If you frequently let your battery entirely run out of juice, it affects the charge-discharge cycle and diminishes its intended lifespan.
Your laptop battery can also lose efficiency in another way. Let’s say you regularly charge your laptop from 30% to 50%, or about 20% each time. Well, do that five times and you’ll have completed one battery cycle because you’ve charged your laptop 100% in total.
A good rule of thumb is to keep your battery charged to at least 40% most of the time. Tap or click here to check your laptop’s battery health.
3. You go with the cheapest option
It’s summer! Protect your tech from the heat
Tech is expensive, and there are endless ways to ruin yours. Scan this list of five ways you might be destroying your phone, laptop, tablet and TV.
While we’re talking money, I put together a list of tech freebies you can grab right now.
RIP, No. 2 pencils: You were No. 1 in my heart. It’s official. The SATs are going digital. Students will take the new version of the college admission test on a laptop or tablet. It’s also an hour shorter and packed with digital tools like highlighters and graphing calculators. It’s not an open-browser test, though; it’ll still be administered under strict watch in test centers and schools.
Windows and Mac tricks you'll use all the time
There are some tech tricks that you only know if someone clues you in.
Take the humble USB cord. If you’re constantly plugging in the wrong way, here’s the secret: The symbol on one isn’t just branding or decoration. That symbol will point up if you’re plugging in horizontally. If you plug a cable vertically, the USB symbol will face you.
Revive your old PC or Mac with this free download
Many computer users feel the need to keep their devices up to date with the latest hardware. After all, if you don’t have the latest components or accessories, your laptop or desktop computer might not be compatible. Tap or click here for seven laptop maintenance steps you should do regularly to keep yours happy.
Don’t buy a Surface tablet: Microsoft is dropping the first “AI PCs” on March 21. The OLED Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 are decked out with next-gen processors, upgraded displays, and all the AI bells and whistles. Copilot essentially turns everything you do on the PC into something you can search for later. Feature or flaw? That’s up to you.
Here's what to do with a stolen laptop
Your computer is the key to all your data. What happens if you lose it? I have tips to protect you, in 60 seconds.
Upgrading to a new computer soon? Don't make this big mistake
Do you have any old tech piling up and collecting dust? If so, you may be thinking about donating or selling it. This is a good idea, especially since gadget prices are skyrocketing. Many people are in the market for a gently used smartphone or computer rather than spending big bucks for a brand-new one.
Check this list before you buy a Chromebook
There are plenty of laptop models to choose from, so deciding which one is right for you can be challenging. But if you prefer a system that requires minimal maintenance and gets automatic updates, you should consider a Chromebook.
Is it OK to put your laptop in the fridge to cool it down?
Is your laptop heating up faster than a hot potato? You need to cool it down. Here’s how in this one-minute podcast.
Tidy your tech: Best cable organization and cord management options
Everyone seems to own laptops, smartphones, desktop computers, Internet of Things devices and so much more. It’s great to be connected, but what isn’t great is all those tangled cords.
Thankfully, there are tons of organizing tools to choose from. Whether you want to hide those cables swinging from your TV or move the wires out of your way on your computer desk, we’ve got the right organizers for you.
Do this when leaving your device unattended or you could be hacked or worse
With constant network connections and so many bad actors out there, you must always remain vigilant. They’re always looking for ways to get you, and your phone has one vulnerability you probably never thought about. Tap or click here to stop making this simple and dangerous mistake you’re making every day.
Hackers want Google accounts. Give yours this security check now!
Here’s a nightmare scenario: You’re enjoying your hard-earned vacation when you realize your phone or laptop is missing.
Beyond the cost of replacing it, you may have lost years of photos and other files — and opened yourself up to some pretty scary consequences. Tap or click for steps to wipe your tech remotely in case this ever happens.
List: 50+ laptop models are a security risk after bad update
It is always a good idea to update your computer’s operating system and software to the latest versions. This ensures that any security vulnerabilities are patched and that hackers can’t breach your data. Tap or click here for instructions on downloading the latest Windows update, which fixed six zero-day flaws.
It's important to check your laptop battery's health - here's how
Batteries aren’t meant to last forever, including the battery that powers your laptop. It might seem like the power source that gives life to your device should be the tech equivalent of an everlasting gobstopper, but as with any other battery, your laptop battery has a life cycle that ends at some point.
Stop the buzzing and beeping: How to set up quiet hours for iPhone, Android, PC and Mac
You are connected to everything and everywhere between your smartphone, smartwatch, laptop and tablet. Tap or click here for 10 handy tech tips you’ll use over and over.
This can be an absolute lifesaver if you forget something or need access to the internet, but what if you need complete silence and someone is trying to get in touch with you? Loud notifications might suddenly attack you in every direction if you have multiple gadgets.
Security tip: 5 reasons you need to replace your router now
Your router is responsible for sending Wi-Fi signals to your phone, laptop, smart TV, security cameras and more. This makes you especially vulnerable if your router is hacked. Yes, that can happen.
Chinese threat actors are going after routers, telephone networks and online storage and using their combined power to target critical and military targets, steal login credentials and hijack banking information. Tap or click here to secure your home network.
7 tech gems that make life easier and save you time
Our everyday devices make life easier, but they can be huge time sucks. Here are seven nifty ways tech can help you streamline your life.
You don’t need a smartwatch to measure your heart rate. Cardiio: Heart Rate Monitor is an iPhone app that uses your phone’s camera to take a reading of your pulse. Place your index finger on the back camera, and the app will measure your heart rate by detecting color changes. Be sure to hold your phone steady and keep still. It works with iPads, too.
Cable companies offering free internet service - See if you qualify
Access to the internet is, for many, a basic necessity. The pandemic has proven a need for stable, high-speed connections so that people can work from home. But it also serves as a vital tool for those looking for employment.