Stop the binge: Streaming apps usually queue up the next episode of a show automatically, but most have a setting to stop this. On Netflix, click your account picture (top right), then Manage Profiles and your profile to find the option.
Tech spring cleaning: Guide to a fresh phone, computer and TV
Moment of honesty. When was the last time you cleaned up your digital life? Maybe you dusted your monitor, cleared your inbox and sanitized your devices a couple of months ago.
Good for you! And for the rest of us, it’s time for a fresh start.
Even a few minutes of physical and digital decluttering can go a long way to improving productivity — and it’ll make you feel better. Here’s how to get started.
Start with your phone
It’s easy to forget how much junk we accumulate on our phones. Yeah, I’m talking about all the screenshots, blurry photos, spammy texts and old contacts. There’s a lot you could focus on here, but let’s start simple.
- If you only have a few minutes: Take a quick look through your apps and delete any you’re not using anymore. If it’s been months, you’re not going to use it. Trust me. And even if you do want it later, great, download it again. While at it, remove the apps you want to spend less time using (Instagram for me) off your phone’s home screen. You can hide the app or just move it to another page or folder.
- If you have more time: Tackle your photo collection or contacts. Do whichever is the messiest or most aggravating. I’ll be honest: Neither task is particularly pleasant, but you’ll feel enough satisfaction when you’re done to make up for that. Put in a good podcast, turn on your favorite TV show or blast some music and get it done. Here’s how to clean up your iPhone contacts. Use these steps to get it done on Android (scroll to No. 8).
Bonus points if you sanitize your phone. You take it to the bathroom with you. Enough said.
Tackle the TV
I put a fair bit of thought into maintaining my phone and computer. The TV? Not so much. Let’s do better.
- If you only have a few minutes: Dust! You don’t realize how much dust collects on the screen and back of the TV. Too much dust in all those vents and ports can also reduce your TV’s life, so give it a good wipe down. You can clean the back with a vacuum (use the brush attachment so you don’t scrape anything) or use a high-powered air blower. That will work best, but be prepared to vacuum or sweep up all the dust after you’re done.
- If you have more time: I once signed up for a free trial of an add-on channel to watch a movie I couldn’t find anywhere else. You can guess what happened. I never watched the movie, but I did pay for six months of Sundance. Time to do an inventory of your streaming apps. Here’s our guide to this easy way to save some cash.
Pro tip: There’s a right and a wrong way to clean fingerprints and smudges off your TV screen.
Finish up with your computer
Scammers are using your TV against you to get you to pay up
Anything that connects to the internet can be hacked. However, many people wrongly assume that smart TVs are immune. Tap or click here for four vital steps to protect your online accounts from hackers and scammers.
While there isn’t much personal information stored on your TV, hackers can cause trouble in other ways. A new trend is thieves forcing pop-ups onto unsuspecting victims’ smart TVs. If you fall for them, you’ll end up handing your money to crooks.
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Streaming is big as it’s ever been as more people are cutting the cord in favor of instant access to their favorite television shows and movies. You have plenty of options when it comes to streaming services, with the heavy hitters vying for your business with more content than ever.
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