I commonly block ads for people as I service their computer. Advertisements are a common vector for scams and malware to enter your life! And it is easy for me to quickly install a free browser extension on any given computer to help with that. But more and more, people ask me: What about my … Read more
I get a lot of questions about HEIC files. Specifically, clients tell me: “I just received this picture file and can’t open it! I just wanna see this picture of my grandkids…” If someone sends you an unusable photo, this may help you figure out what the HEIC is going on. What is HEIC? HEIC … Read more
It happens to everyone, eventually: You’ll be watching a commercial, sitting down at a stadium or strolling through the grocery. And that song playing overhead will stop you in your tracks. You know this tune, but the name will elude you. What’s that song they’re playing? You’ve just got to know! Good thing you have … Read more
Wi-Fi Calling is a commonplace function, built into most smartphones by now. But as ubiquitous as it is, I still meet people unfamiliar with it, or suffering without it. So here’s all you need to know about it: The Basics Wi-Fi Calling (rarely called Voice over Wi-Fi calling or VoWiFi) is another service that allows … Read more
Smartphones offer you an important tool for hiding photos on your phone. Whether you have an Android or an iPhone, you should consider using this function! For Android users: Google gives you the ability to securely stash photos in the Locked Folder, in the Google Photos app. Here’s a simple Google article on how you … Read more
Everyday, I see this posted to social media: “I found someone’s phone, anyone know whose it is?” And it rarely works. It can’t hurt to crowdsource the request, but please know that you should first check the found phone for Emergency Info. The following screen may reveal one or more Emergency Contacts. Tap on an … Read more
Tech jargon is confusing enough as it is. But then some geniuses had to go and name two completely different technologies the same thing (5G). Not helpful…. I’m referring to the label “5G”, which can be used regarding your home Wi-Fi or with cellphones. I continue to find that people conflate the two technologies when … Read more
Did you know that you can tap on the back of many smartphones, to trigger an app or special function? iPhones Most iPhones have a largely unknown feature called Back Tap. If you turn on this special ability, Back Tap will let you trigger an app or function when you tap the back of your … Read more
Creating QR codes is easy and free for anyone! There are plenty of ways for making your own QR code for free, and download/save/print it immediately: Free Websites QR Code Generator QR Code Monkey My WiFi Sign I notice that I can create QR codes when using Canva, as well. Adobe also makes QR codes … Read more
The title says it all, but I’ll go into more detail: When you see a QR code in public, use your cellphone’s camera. You can immediate scan QR codes with your phone’s camera to see what info lay inside! If you open your camera and point it at a QR code, the camera software can … Read more