Tips - Komando.com

Most accurate weather apps depending on where you live

I was talking to my brother, who got 7 inches of snow in Florida the other day. Wow!

We’re on the edge of a weather forecasting revolution. Google’s AI weather forecasting system, GenCast, can predict as far out as 15 days with up to 97% accuracy. We’re entering the age where severe weather will no longer surprise anyone.

Until these new tools are completed, though, we still have to rely on imperfect data and apps that are, well, kinda right. Weather apps pull information from different data networks, and those networks vary in quality, as reported by tools like ForecastAdvisor. I’ll share the most accurate apps, depending on where you live.

A change in the weather

Search online and you’ll see Global Weather Corporation (GWC) recommended as one of the most accurate weather forecasts. It’s true, but GWC isn’t available to regular folks anymore; their services have been bundled and sold off to automotive and data companies so only they can access them. Womp, womp.

The Weather Channel

Best for: Florida, the South and the Midwest, along with snowstorm-prone states like North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and Vermont.

Who’s really surprised Weather.com is still at the top of the game when it comes to accuracy? Several apps pull their info from Weather Channel data, so you’ve got some choices other than The Weather Channel app.

Weather Underground is known for its hyperlocal weather data and unique network of personal weather stations. You can also check out Storm Radar or the Google Weather app, which pulls data from The Weather Channel.

Weather in MSN

Best for: East Coast states and, for you snowbirds, Hawaii.

Microsoft? A weather guru? MSN (Start) has a proprietary weather app named the “most accurate global forecast provider.” Microsoft commissioned the study, though, so take that with a grain of salt.

Continue reading →

How apps you use got hijacked into selling your location

Playing Candy Crush, swiping left on a dating app and checking your Yahoo inbox shouldn’t expose your location. I say shouldn’t, but those apps and thousands more were likely hijacked by data brokers who turned your personal info into cash.

Continue reading →

‘How do I reset my old router?’

After I shared my router picks (and so many of you realized you have a TP-Link …), my inbox is flooded with this one: “What do I do with my old router after I upgrade?” Good question. A factory reset wipes your username, password, Wi-Fi network name or SSID, and any security settings.

Step 1: Look for a small button on the back or bottom of your router. It’s usually recessed (so you’ll need a paper clip to press it in) and may be labeled “Reset.”

Step 2: Do a 30-30-30 reset. It’s a bit of a pain but works for every router model I’ve come across. Here’s how:

👉 With your router plugged in, hold down the reset button for 30 seconds.
While still pressing reset, unplug your router from the power source and count for another 30 seconds.
Finally, still holding reset, reconnect the router to the power cord and count another final 30 seconds. Done!

Minimize your stress: Pressing Windows key + M on a PC or Cmd + Option + H + M on a Mac minimizes all your windows so you don’t have to do it one by one. To minimize all but the one you’re using, use Windows key + Home on a PC or Cmd + Option + H on a Mac.

🤺 Who are their competitors? You’re researching a new service for your business and don’t know who to compare it to. Or maybe you’re looking for new sales prospects. Ask ChatGPT or your favorite AI bot! It’ll spit out a list. Take it with a grain of salt; some results could be outdated.

Pay for YouTube Premium? Hit this page for beta features you get to try out first. A new one lets you jump ahead to what the algorithm thinks is the best part of a video. Don’t you dare try it on my videos!

Ditch the subscriptions you don’t use: Doing it by hand takes forever. I used the app that makes it easy: Rocket Money. They find everything and cancel whatever you no longer want.

🐟🎣 = Fishing for compliments: Most people think the smiley-faced emoji (🙂) is the digital equivalent of a fake smile. Pick something happier. I like 🤗, 🥰 and 😃. Lately, I’m all about the 💯.

Turning off alerts from your video doorbell is a mistake: Instead, set up custom motion zones. For a Ring doorbell, open the Ring app and select your device. Go to Motion Settings > Edit Motion Settings. To go into full don’t-bug-me mode, choose People Only.

Because who uses Samsung Internet? Your phone probably has a couple of browsers. Disable or delete the unused one to save your battery life, free up storage space and prevent accidental opens. On Android, open Settings > Apps. Find the unused browser, then tap Disable or Uninstall. On iPhone, go to Settings > Apps > [browser] > Default Browser App. Then, manage or delete the other browser under Settings > General > iPhone Storage.

I did the work for you: Protecting yourself online doesn’t have to be complicated. I’ve handpicked the five best tools to safeguard your devices, data and identity.

Nosy, nosy: On your iPhone, bring up a list of all the apps with access to your contacts. Open Settings > Privacy & Security > Contacts. Tap Limited Access for any that shouldn’t get every little detail.

🖨️ Printer secret: Most printers have a “Draft mode” that uses less ink when you don’t need anything fancy. (Some call it “Economy mode” or “Fast mode.”) To try it, open a document or file, hit Print, then go to Properties or Preferences, and look for Draft mode.

Cheap gas? Yes, please: The free Upside app gives you cash back on gas, groceries and dining out. Download Upside and use promo code Kim to get an extra $0.25 back for every gallon on your first tank of gas.

Bonus keyboard shortcut: In Word, Google Docs and lots of other programs, you can add a hyperlink to your existing text. Highlight the text you want to link and hit the Windows key + K (Windows) or Cmd + K (Mac), then paste or type in the web address. Done.

Google Docs shortcut: Editing a doc? There’s an easy way to open links with no mouse required. With your cursor over the link, on Windows, hit Alt + Enter. On a Mac, it’s Option + Enter.

🔌 There are never enough airport outlets: Smart charging protects your phone’s battery over time by only topping you up to 85%. But if you’re on the go or need every bit of juice, you can turn it off. On iPhone, head to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging, then turn off Optimized Battery Charging. On Android, go to Settings > Battery > Adaptive Charging, and turn off Use Adaptive Charging.

Cool, calm and collected: AI can draft a message and keep it chill, even when you’re not. It’s good for something like, “My heating hasn’t worked for two weeks. I told my landlord, but it’s still not fixed. Help me write a polite but firm note reminding them and requesting a timeline for repairs.”

🕵️ Cheater, cheater: A TikTok PI revealed a sneaky trick cheaters use, and it’s one I’ve been warning you about for a decade. In the Apple Notes app preinstalled on every iPhone, you can share a note. It’s way more hidden than talking through text. A note has been shared if there’s a little icon of a person next to it. I’m not telling you to go spy; I’m just sharing the tricks of the trade.

Stop putting it off: With Fabric, you can get term life insurance set up in a few minutes with no health exam required. You’ll be glad to check that off your to-do list.