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iScam, you scam: Cybercriminals are sending fake emails claiming your Apple ID is suspended, urging you to click a link to “verify” your info. Don’t fall for it. Apple never asks for sensitive info via email.
Tags: Apple, cybercriminals, cybersecurity, emails, fake
Your smartwatch is great for tracking steps, but have you ever thought about where all that personal data actually goes?
From sleep patterns to calorie intake, it’s like a digital diary — and it’s worth billions to insurance companies, marketing outfits, advertisers and, of course, hackers. Don’t panic! I’ll walk you through how to lock down your privacy.
🔒 Keep your passport safe: Don’t carry it around with you on vacation. A photo of it is good enough in almost all cases, so snap a pic and show that on your phone. Bonus: The pic will make getting a new passport much easier if you lose it or it gets stolen. If you truly need the real thing, secure it close to your body. I like this option.
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Traveling solo? Share your location with your family and friends. On iPhone, open the Find My app and tap People (bottom of the screen) > + (plus icon) > Share My Location. Then, select a contact, hit Send and choose the duration. In Google Maps, tap your profile icon (top right) > Location sharing > New Share and send the link through your messaging app. Safe travels!
🎶 Don’t stop the music: Download your jams for your road trip so they don’t cut out mid-sing-along when your phone has no signal. On Spotify, look for download (down arrow icon) next to one of your playlists. FYI, only Premium subscribers can download music, and you can’t grab individual songs. On Apple Music, click the + (plus icon on the right) to add to your library, then hit download (down arrow) to listen offline.
Sharing is caring: Bruce in Reno called my show with a bright idea. He just got an iPad and wants to watch movies on it with his wife on an upcoming trip. “Is there a way to split the audio signal?” There sure is, Bruce. This handy gadget connects two sets of Bluetooth headphones to any device with a headphone jack. Sweet.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Cut through legal jargon: AI can translate complicated legal docs into something you’ll actually understand. Say you’re signing a lease and the contract is confusing. Copy and paste the text into ChatGPT and ask for a simpler explanation. When in doubt, check with a lawyer since AI is far from perfect.
Focus on what’s important: Android phones now let you choose to record a single app instead of your entire screen. In Quick Settings, tap Screen record > Record one app. Then, choose the app you want recorded. Now, Grandma won’t see your texts while you’re trying to show her how Gmail works.
✈️ PSA for if your holiday flight is canceled: You’re entitled to a full refund or compensation for any controllable cancellation caused by the airline, like a maintenance or crew issue. The weather, though, is a wholly different beast. Be sure to download your airline’s official app for alerts and notifications about flights and gate changes.
📏 Resize your iPhone apps: Want bigger or smaller app icons? Long-press on the home screen, tap Edit in the upper left corner, then hit Customize. A menu will pop up — choose Small for compact icons or Large for bigger ones. FYI: Selecting Large hides the app names for a cleaner look.
Synced your phone to a rental car? Wipe your data so the next driver doesn’t get your texts. On the car’s infotainment system, go to Settings and look for a factory reset option. Every car’s system is different, so check the manual or ask the rental company if you can’t find it.
