Lock it away: Your most private notes can be locked behind a face or fingerprint scan in the Notes app on your iPhone. With a note open, tap the three dots at the top right and then Lock.
A safe way to sign PDFs and convert them to different formats
PDFs are useful for sharing documents in their original format and layout. They can be used for manuals, forms, resumes, contracts, scanned material, pages from a book, eBooks and more. A PDF will be correctly displayed on any device you send it to and look the same for everyone.
What do you do when you come across a webpage you want to save? You can take a screenshot, but this will retain ads and other things you don’t need. Copying the text works, but then you lose images. There are easy ways to export web pages as PDFs. Tap or click here for instructions for Mac or Windows users.
Sharing a PDF is as simple as sending an email or text, but creating one of these files isn’t always easy. You may associate PDFs with Adobe Acrobat, and why not? Adobe created the Portable Document Format. While you have to pay for premium services from Adobe, some don’t require this.
Be aware of what’s out there
Adobe Acrobat is comprised of a group of programs designed to help you work with PDFs. Services include reading, editing, creating, signing, printing, converting and managing PDF files.
RELATED: iPhone trick: Use the Notes app to scan documents
You don’t need to use any Adobe software to work with PDFs. Do a Google search, and you’ll get all kinds of results promising PDF functionality. Unfortunately, some of these sites are sketchy. They’ll lure you in and ask for personal information. In worse cases, you’ll download malware disguised as an app.
There’s Adobe Acrobat Standard DC if you want to edit and convert PDFs into file formats like Excel and Word. This premium service starts at $12.99 per month and lets you scan, sign, track and send PDFs. There’s a free 7-day trial available, after which you are charged unless you cancel.
Adobe Acrobat Reader is a free program that lets you view, sign, collaborate and annotate PDF files. While you can create an account or sign in with Google or Apple, you don’t even need to take this step at first.
Adobe online
Adobe has a page offering free online PDF tools for anyone to use. You can convert various files to PDF and vice versa. You can reduce file size and edit PDFs, including adding notes and reordering and merging pages. You can also sign PDFs and request signatures.
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3 ways to fax documents without a fax machine — for free
Faxing seems archaic, but occasionally you may need to send one. Many businesses and organizations use them for communication. Take doctor’s offices, for example.
Sometimes, you need to share essential documents and email isn’t an option. That’s because faxes are much more secure. In comparison, email inboxes can come with spam, viruses and blocked messages. Tap or click here for our take on the best secure email providers.
🦁 “Cat” scan: A quick-thinking conservation vet used her Apple Watch to measure a lion’s heart rate in the wild. How? By wrapping the watch around its tongue. Didn’t have that one on my 2024 bingo card. You’ve gotta see the pic. Roar-some!
Don't scan that QR code! Hackers are using them to steal your info and money
Scan a QR code and you can get information such as recipes, menus, website links, contact information, links to download apps, coupons and more. Quick Response (QR) codes are a barcode that can be read by a digital device and were initially created to track automotive parts.
Did you recently purchase a 5400 RPM hard drive for your NAS? Not if you bought Western Digital
When you buy a computer or similar piece of hardware, you expect it to work the way that it says on the box. If it isn’t, this can make your purchase seem like a defect (or if its better than advertised, a lucky break). This is especially true for hard drives, which make up the core of our computer’s storage system.
Have old photos to scan? Before you do, wipe off any dust or fingerprints with a soft cloth to get the clearest scan possible. Give your scanner a dusting while you’re at it.