Modern rockets use liquid fuel to propel them with enough thrust to reach space. But, 70 years ago, NASA was trying to achieve the same results using nuclear power. So, what happened and why did it end up not working?
Quickly access the secret menu on your Android phone
When cell phones first came out, they did one thing: Make phone calls. Our smartphones now are supercomputers stored in our pockets, and most of us don’t tap into their true potential. Tap or click here for seven things you didn’t know your Android could do.
From hacks and tricks to secret options, iOS and Android have hidden ways to get the most out of your expensive accessory. If you own an Android phone, there’s a hack that you might find handy.
If your phone is malfunctioning or you are curious to check out new features, you can locate a diagnostics menu to assist you. Certain Android smartphones have a secret menu, and we’ll show you how to find it.
What’s in the secret menu
This secret menu was developed for technicians to quickly look at your phone and see what was functioning or what wasn’t. As it was designed for technicians, not everyone knows about the menu.
RELATED: Free up space on your Android by updating a single app
If your phone is malfunctioning, you can test the diagnostics menu to see if certain features function correctly. You can check the components of your phone like the display, speaker, S-Pen and more.
This feature is only available on specific Samsung models, so not everyone will have access.
How to locate it
Instead of tapping on the back of your phone or swiping a finger, this menu can be pulled up using the dialing pad. Here’s how:
- Open the dialing pad as if you were making a phone call.
- Type *#0*#.
- The menu will appear automatically.
The diagnostics menu will pop up as a grey screen with white buttons. Be careful what you press, though, as this menu was made for trained technicians, not everyday users.
🧽 Bathroom brighteners
Little helpers to make your washroom sparkle, your loo shine, your powder room glisten, your restroom glitter … Sorry, I got carried away.
- Get soap scum off your shower walls (with minimal scrubbing!) with the Magic Eraser Ultra Bath. Click the coupon for $3 off.
- Keep that shower bright and shiny with Spray Wet & Forget (20% off). Spray it once a week, leave it on overnight, and say “See ya!” to soap scum and mildew.
- Foaming bathroom cleaner from the folks behind The Pink Stuff works on everything else. It’s 40% off, dang!
- The absolute easiest way to clean a toilet: Clorox ToiletWand, under $14. Or maybe you prefer gel cleaner.
- Clear the gunk from shower corners and grout lines with the Rubbermaid power scrubber. No sweat, literally.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Quick Android refresh: Hold the power and volume-up buttons simultaneously to do a soft reboot. Think of it as a fast way to end processes and speed up your phone.
3 ways to charge your phone faster
Did you forget to power up your phone overnight? Here are some quick tips to help speed up your charging time so you can get back to full battery.
🌾 Mow problems: Honda is recalling lawnmowers and pressure washers after nearly 5,000 reports of failures and 38 injuries. That means you if you have a model HRN216 or HRX217K6 lawnmower and/or a GCV170 or GCV200 G5B power washer. Stop using it immediately, then call Honda toll-free at 888‑888‑3139 for a free inspection and repair.
How does your smartphone’s computing power compare to the guidance computer aboard the 1969 Apollo 11 lunar module? Is a smartphone … A.) About as powerful, B.) 120 times more powerful, C) 12,000 times more powerful or D.) 120,000 times more powerful?
1,600% increase
In power costs in Texas. Things are bigger in Texas, but that’s nuts. Hotter temperatures are sending energy prices soaring (paywall link). Here’s how to lower your bills.
Nvidia's big bet on AI
A Silicon Valley success story no one saw coming — Nvidia’s now the world’s top company, worth $3.42 trillion, thanks to its AI chips. They power everything from gaming to your car. Plus, employees sue over returning to work, iPhone 16 changes, and catching creepy Airbnb hosts.
🔖 Easier than bookmarks: Set all your tabs to open when you start your browser. In Chrome, click the three vertical dots, then Settings. Click On startup > Continue where you left off. Steps for Safari, Firefox and Edge here. Power move!
Don’t miss the pic: On an Android, double-press the power button to quickly launch the camera, even when your phone’s locked.
DIY on the cheap: Some local libraries rent out power tools. Who knew? If you’re planning a summer project, it’s worth stopping by your nearest branch to ask.
Employees are suing over going back to work
With the COVID emergency long gone, can employers fire workers who refuse to come back into the office? Plus, Apple Watch gets the FDA green light, why you should power down, and watch for this TSA scam.
Too much power: Advertisers can now use Walmart’s shopping data for targeted ads on Disney+ and Hulu. Disney Advertising and Walmart Connect’s partnership gives marketers access to 145 million customers. They say they’ll match users’ data “without violating their privacy,” but they always say that.
Save energy, save money, save the world: Open up Settings in Windows, then choose System and Power (or Power & battery on a laptop). At the top of the screen, you’ll see recommendations for cutting down on your computer’s energy use.
So long, farewell: Anyone who upgraded to Windows 11 on an old PC that technically doesn’t meet the latest operating system requirements is out of luck. Folks are reporting their tech dinos are stuck in a reboot loop. If you’re in the market, our IT genius, John, recommends this solid PC for under $650 that’ll last for years. If you edit video or need more power, here’s his pick for well under $1,000.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
More life out of your dying phone: On an iPhone, enable Low Power mode. Open Settings, scroll and tap Battery, then toggle on Low Power Mode. On Android, it’s called Battery Saver. Open Settings, then tap Battery > Battery Saver and turn it on.
Don’t just hold down the power button: There’s a better way to reboot your grumpy PC that shuts down all the background processes. Before you click to restart, hold down the Shift key. Keep holding until the machine powers up, then click Continue.
4 ways to charge your phone faster
Need to use that low-power phone ASAP? Here’s how you can charge it up super quick.
See your phone's battery power
Notice how your phone doesn’t seem to hold a charge like it once did? I’ll tell you why, in 60 seconds.