Share:
3 quick tech fixes for life’s little annoyances
Let’s take a minute to appreciate something: Today’s tech can solve our problems. All of them? No, definitely not. Some major annoyances? Yep! Let’s do this.
It’s stuck in your head
When you can’t figure out what you’ve been humming all day, grab your phone. These tricks also work when a song comes on and its name is stuck on the tip of your tongue.
- Option 1: Open the Google app or search. Tap the microphone icon and say, “What’s this song?” or click “Search a song.” Then, hum the tune for 10 to 15 seconds.
- Option 2: For songs playing around you, use Shazam. On an iPhone, open the Control Center and tap the Shazam button. Let Shazam listen for a few seconds, and you’ll get the song’s title. On an Android device, download the app.
- Option 3: For songs on ads, TV shows, movies or video games, go to Tunefind.
You always lose your stuff
I was sick of Barry losing his wallet and keys, so I put AirTags on everything he owns. You think I’m kidding — I’m not. I also put one in each of my cars, all my luggage, my bag and on Abby, our golden retriever.
- Apple AirTags are 14% off today and a no-brainer if you’re an iPhone person.
- Chipolo’s ONE ($25) is like an AirTag that works with iPhone and Android. It connects to your phone via Bluetooth, and there’s an app that tracks the location even when it’s out of range.
- Chipolo also makes a card version ($30) that you can insert in your wallet or stick on the remote.
- Tile trackers work with iOS and Android, and they’re 28% off right now!
The dialogue is too hard to hear
When you’re streaming, the audio, sound effects, music and voices are compressed into one soundtrack to fit the available bandwidth — your internet speed. The result? Sometimes, you can’t understand a thing you’re hearing.
No matter what device you’re using or who makes it, you can turn on captioning in your phone’s accessibility settings. These features are designed to help people with disabilities use technology more easily — and people like me understand Scottish accents when I watch “Outlander.”
- On your device, look in the Accessibility settings and find Live Captions.
- Turn it on. You’ll see the text written out in the center of your device’s screen whenever speech is detected.
Don’t get left behind – Stay tech ahead
Award-winning host Kim Komando is your secret weapon for navigating tech.
- National radio show: Find your local station or listen to the podcast
- Daily newsletter: Join 575,000 people who read The Current (free!)
- Watch: On Kim’s YouTube channel
- Podcast: “Kim Komando Today” – Listen wherever you get podcasts
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Tags: Android, Apple, Google, internet, settings, speed
Share: