Go back on a Mac: Plug in your drive, and Time Machine will prompt you to set it up for automatic backups. On Windows, connect your drive, go to Settings > Update & Security > Backup, click Add a Drive, and turn on Automatically back up my files.
Mac and Windows how-to: Add widgets to your desktop
Right on my Mac desktop, I can check my mouse battery (38% and dropping), see where my son Ian is (at work), get the latest weather update (hello, sunny Phoenix!), and even keep track of time with a world clock.
Widgets are like mini windows into your favorite apps, giving you instant info without the hassle of opening them up. Want to set yours up? I’ve got you covered!
For all my Windows pals
These steps may vary if you’ve already played around with widgets. Windows displays widgets in a board you can access by hovering over the weather icon in your taskbar or pressing Windows + W.
- Click the + (plus) at the top to add new widgets, then Pin any you like. To see more options, follow Find more widgets.
- Click the three dots (top left) on any widget to remove or customize it. For the stocks widget, for instance, you can pick which stocks are shown.
⭐ Photos and Shopping are useful, but look around and see what works for you. To put widgets on your actual Windows desktop, not a pop-up panel, you’ll need a third-party app, like the freemium Widget Launcher.
If you’re using macOS
On your desktop, click the date and time in the top right corner. The notification center pops up. That’s where you’ll find widgets.
- Click Edit Widgets at the bottom of the panel to add new ones. You can also hit Cmd + click on the desktop, then pick Edit Widgets to add them directly. You’ll get lots of choices, from news feeds to sticky notes.
Drag widgets down from the notification center to the desktop to move them. macOS will arrange them in a grid to keep your desktop tidy.
Pro tip: If you’ve got a MacBook, you definitely need the battery widget. It’ll remind you how much juice is left in your laptop aka how quickly you need to find a charger.
🤣 Why’d the pirate update his MacBook? His matey told him he needed an iPatch. (Sorry, had to.)
iPhone iOS 18.3: Don’t upgrade yet
Apple’s new update fixes bugs and improves AI, but it’s draining batteries and slowing down phones. Here’s why you should wait.
Copilot is back: A recent Windows 11 update removed the app from some devices. Microsoft rolled out an emergency update that should reinstall it on your system. Haven’t seen it yet? You can manually install it from the Microsoft Store.
38,000 mph
Speed of an asteroid hurtling toward Earth. There’s a 2.3% chance it’ll impact in 2032. That’s the highest chance of any space rock we’ve spotted. At 460 feet wide, 2024 YR4 is 500 times more powerful than an atomic bomb. We’ll get a better look at where it’s heading in 2028. I’ll set a calendar reminder to update you!
💬 Scam detector: Google Messages’ new AI tool will alert you if someone is scamming you. If it spots anything suspicious in your SMS, MMS or RCS convos, a warning will pop up. Just hit Report & block. Check your Android for the latest update or download it here.
🛠️ Bricked no more: Great news if your Chromecast recently stopped working. Google’s rolling out an update that should fix it. If your second-gen Chromecast or Chromecast Audio got bricked, check the Google Home app to update it there.
Useless $2,000 soundbar: This is big. Turn off automatic updates now if you have Samsung’s flagship HW-Q990D Dolby Atmos soundbar. A recent update just bricked them all over the world — no sound output and unresponsive. The HW-Q800D and HW-S801D models have had similar issues. What a mess.
🔒 It’s about time: Apple is finally going to encrypt messages between iPhones and Androids. That means any RCS messages sent between the two will be secure, with only the sender and receiver able to read them. Not Apple, not Google and not your phone carrier. As for how to enable it? Sit tight. It’ll update automatically.
🚗 Meanwhile, have a second-gen Rivian? A new update lets you drive with your hands totally off the wheel. It only works on 135,000 miles of “compatible highways” in the U.S. and Canada. I wouldn’t trust it.
Don’t use that tone with me: HP owners are pissed. A recent firmware update bricked HP’s LaserJet M232-M237 even with official HP toner installed. One small-business owner wasted $60 on new cartridges that didn’t work. HP is working on another better update to fix the last disaster of an update. What could possibly go wrong? 🙄
🖨️ Oh Brother: The printer manufacturer quietly pushed a firmware update that blocks third-party ink cartridges. It gets worse. They scrubbed older firmware versions from their support site, so there’s no way to roll back. If you haven’t updated, keep your device offline and reject firmware updates.
Net-tricks scam spreading: Look out for a phony Netflix email with the subject line “Let’s tackle your payment details.” Click the red update button to update your card, and you’ll land on a sign-in page primed and ready to steal your info. Never stops.
The fix that didn’t: Fitbit pushed out a mandatory update to stop batteries from overheating and burning you. Turns out it also cut battery life in Sense and Versa 3 models from up to six days to … one day. Fill out this form if you want $50 as their “oops, sorry.”
Update your PC: Like, now! This month’s Patch Tuesday update fixes four zero-day vulnerabilities and 55 other issues. Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and hit Check for updates. By the way, you can update your iPhone to 18.3. It’s all good.
The coast is clear: If you were waiting while Apple ironed out the bugs, it’s now safe to download the new iPhone update, iOS 18.3. Reader Cara T., who just asked, there you go!
Under the radar: A flaw in Microsoft’s Windows BitLocker encryption system could expose your sensitive data, including passwords in unencrypted form. BitLocker is meant to protect your data if your laptop or PC is stolen by encrypting your hard drive. The fix? Update to the latest version of Windows. PSA: I only work with brands I trust to keep you secure. Hit this page to see the five must-have tools I recommend.
🌆 I’m surprised they’re not charging for it: Roku’s iconic animated screensaver is getting a glow-up. Since its last update six years ago, Roku City has been stuck at 720p resolution. Now it’s in full 1080p HD with Easter eggs like a train station and interactive billboards for Roku’s own stuff.
🏈 What’s the score? In the Alexa app, open Settings > Sports Update. Add your teams (you’ll find all major American sports leagues). Now, say, “Alexa, give me my sports update” for scores and schedule info.
If your Apple Watch detects sleep apnea
Apple’s latest update promises to track your sleep and spot serious health risks, but there’s a catch. I’ll explain what your watch can and can’t do…