It used to be that cellphones would allow you to send an email to a person’s phone number, and it would be received as a text message. And the reverse also worked: someone could send a text to an email address, and that message would arrive in the recipient’s inbox. But no longer. Please know: … Read more
If you use the HP Smart App (for scanning or other advanced printer functions), please know that it will soon be replaced. When I opened HP Smart this morning, it gave me a small message that it would soon be discontinued: The Download Now link led me to the newly refurbished HP App. It downloaded … Read more
Samsung users: This might be relevant to you. Samsung is discontinuing its Messages App, and urging its users to move to Google Messages. If you are getting notices about this on your phone, do not ignore them. You’ll need to make the change before July 2026! Not Sure Which Messaging App You Have? For starters, … Read more
When switching to Gmail from another email address, many people connected the two addresses using a handy hidden feature. Google allowed us, for many years now, to “check” another email and pull those messages into a Gmail inbox. But that time is coming to an end. If you’ve been using this tool, you’ll need to … Read more
Facebook Messenger is alive and working well. But some people were greeted with a disappointing message today, as Meta killed off the Messenger desktop app. If this looks familiar to you, don’t worry — this is just a speedbump. Only the Facebook Messenger App for computers has been discontinued. The Messenger app on your mobile … Read more
In the past, HP would install a variety of software and desktop icons, for you to use with your printer. One app in particular was called the HP Print & Scan Doctor. While many of you may still have and appreciate this fix-it tool, I must now recommend you remove it from your PC. Because … Read more
Publisher users, take note! Microsoft retires their beloved Publisher app in October 2026. If this affects you, here’s what to know and do in preparation: What You Will See Happen For now, absolutely nothing changes. If you have MS Publisher installed on your PC, it will work as expected up until October 2026. In October … Read more
Today, Microsoft announced that Skype is shutting down in May 2025. Specifically, we can expect Skype to stop working on 5/5/2025. If you still use Skype, please consider moving over to Microsoft Teams. If you’re on a Windows computer, you probably already have Teams on your system. Microsoft has been proactive about pre-installing Teams. Check … Read more
Microsoft, in their inestimable wisdom, has quietly removed Wordpad from Windows. This has been a long time in coming, and a recent update finally nixed it. If you never used this app, this may be no big deal to you. But if you still like it and use it, here’s how to get Wordpad back … Read more
If you’ve bought your smartphone through Verizon Wireless, then this may be relevant to you. Verizon is getting rid of their text messaging app, and pushing its users to move to another one. If you are getting notices about this on your phone, do not ignore them. You need to do this! Why is this … Read more