You heard it here first

November 25, 2024

You heard it here first: In May 2023, I told you about TSA’s facial recognition program. Basically, you look into the camera and it takes your pic to verify you. Now, some senators are saying the TSA wants it mandatory in over 430 airports, but we don’t know where this data is going or how it’s protected. You can opt out: Step back from the camera, politely tell them you decline facial recognition and present your ID instead.

Tags: airports, camera, data, facial recognition, flying, identification, transportation, travel

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Holiday tech hacks: Digital cookbook, easier cards, group pic tips

I’m not sure where this year went, but it’s time to dive headfirst into the festive frenzy. I’ve got some tech tips up my sleeve that’ll sprinkle a little magic on your celebrations. You’re gonna love ‘em!

If your recipes are printed or handwritten, snap a pic with your phone or tablet. Add them all to one folder (or try the Notes app on iOS or Google Keep for Android) for easy swiping. Listen here for more tips about that.

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🌲 Over the river and through the woods: See the best time to leave for Grandma’s house (or anywhere else) without arguing. In Apple Maps, press the Now button on the left to open a calendar. In Google Maps, tap the three dots at the top right. For both, select Leave/Depart at or Arrive by and hit Done.

Stop creating the same proposal from scratch: In Google Docs, create a template with placeholders like “[client name]” or “[date].” To reuse it, go to File > Make a copy. In Word, create your doc, then select File > Save As > Word Template. Open it for future proposals, fill in the placeholders and save it like normal. Genius.

Ship smarter: This website compares rates for all available carriers, including UPS, FedEx and DHL, so you know the best price. They include current discount codes, too. Score.

Take screenshots on your Kindle: Tap the upper-right and lower-left corners at the same time. You’ll see a flash when it saves. To view it, connect your Kindle to a computer. You’ll find the image as a PNG file in the root folder.

Skip the lines at U.S. Customs: The Mobile Passport app is your secret weapon. It’s free, secure, and lets you submit your passport and customs info right from your phone — no forms needed! Plus, you get access to fast-track lanes at participating airports and cruise ports.

📍 Explore along your route: Make your road trip more scenic with a hidden feature in Google Maps. Enter your destination, tap Directions and press Add stops. It’ll show you the best places to eat, shop and other gems along your drive.

Binge-watch at 30,000 feet: Just download a movie or show while you’re at home. For Netflix, click the title > Download (down arrow icon). For kiddos watching Disney+, open the app and hit download below the title. You’ll see a checkmark when it’s done. Heads-up: Not all content is downloadable.

Speed matters: If your website is too slow, customers leave. Use Google PageSpeed Insights to analyze your site’s performance. Enter your URL for a detailed analysis and steps, like compressing too-big image files and optimizing CSS code. Aim for a score of at least 90 for mobile and desktop.

So that’s what that does: On Windows, press F11 in most web browsers to quickly toggle your full-screen and regular browsing modes. Hit F2 to rename a selected file or folder and F3 to search within an open or active application. Alt + F4 closes your active window and F5 refreshes a page or document window.