Lease on life: If you buy a new Android phone, it could last up to eight years. The catch? Only pricey phones like the OnePlus 13 and Samsung Galaxy S25 with upgraded chips get this long life. The iPhone 16 may be supported until 2036, and the almost 7-year-old iPhone XS is still getting security updates.

Once a week

How often the NSA says you should turn off your phone. Turn off your phone, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on. This works to combat zero-click exploits where a hacker can get in simply by sending you the right code.

Do you bank on your phone

Do you bank on your phone? What about checking email and shopping? If you said “yes” to any of those, you’re a target. A keylogger captures everything you type, including your account numbers and passwords. Encrypt your keystrokes with EndpointLock. Hit this link for 10% off.

RIP

RIP: Check your phone’s end-of-life (EOL) date. That’s when it’ll no longer get security updates aka when you really should stop using it. Try endoflife.date to find your EOL.

Two heads = better than one

Two heads = better than one: In Google Docs, look for the star-shaped icon next to your pic that says Ask Gemini. Click to open a sidebar and check out its writing tools. If you want to mention another file in your prompt, type @

Less clutter, more focus

📱 Less clutter, more focus: Too many apps on your home screen make it way too easy to get distracted. Clear them out! On iPhone: Press and hold the app > Remove App > Remove from Home Screen. On Android: Long-press the app > Remove. You can find them later in your App Menu or Library

Dress like your favorite TV character

Dress like your favorite TV character: ShopYourTV tells you exactly what they’re wearing and where to buy it, down to the season and episode. The site links to Amazon and they get a commission on what you buy.

$236,835

If you invested $1,000 in Nvidia 10 years ago. If you were smart enough to throw them a grand when they went public in 1999, you’d have $5.2 million. Excuse me while I cry.

What the heck does that say

🔍 What the heck does that say? You can magnify a Mac app. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Zoom and toggle on “Use scroll gesture with modifier keys to zoom.” Set your modifier key to Control. Now, with an app open, hold Control + Scroll Up with your mouse. 

I love the weekend

I love the weekend: My national radio show is airing all across the country. With over 400 stations strong, find your closest one using our super-duper station locator map. And because I aim to please, you can listen to my show as a podcast or watch it on YouTube.

61%

Of folks who cancel Netflix come back within a year. They’re better at luring back subs than all the other streaming options (paywall link). That’s my strategy, btw. Cancel when your show ends and come back when something new pulls you in. Psst, I use Rocket Money to find subscriptions I’m paying for and cancel them.

Excel is so 2010

Excel is so 2010: It’s easy to be a spreadsheet wiz in Google Sheets now that Gemini is built in. With a prompt, you can generate charts, analyze data and automate spreadsheet tasks. Open a new Sheet and click the Gemini icon (it’s a star) next to your profile picture. Love this tip? Try this on your dating app. “Are you a related data set in a separate table? Because I INDEX/MATCH you.” Yup, geek humor right there.

Now you see them, now you don't

🙈 Now you see them, now you don’t: Hold down Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) and click on multiple tabs to select them all at once. Now hit Ctrl + W or Cmd + W to make them all vanish.

Is that a computer in your pocket?

Is that a computer in your pocket? Samsung DeX connects a Galaxy phone or tablet to a monitor or TV. Plug a USB-C to HDMI adapter into your phone and, voila, mini computer! Add a mouse and keyboard to make it even better!

$539

Lost to the average deepfake call. Criminals use AI to impersonate Medicare workers, politicians, Amazon reps, insurance agents, you name it. When in doubt, hang up.

Pump it down

Pump it up down: Your iPhone’s speaker goes a lot louder than what’s good for your ears. From Settings, pick Sounds & Haptics > Headphone Safety > Reduce Loud Audio. This one’s good to adjust for the kids, too.

I told you about this weeks ago: Now it’s hitting mainstream news sites. Google secretly installed an app on Android phones called SafetyCore. It scans all your photos, theoretically to provide Sensitive Content warnings. Hit this link on your Android and hit uninstall if you don’t want it eating up 2GB of space.

Outsmart your rivals

🤑 Outsmart your rivals: Try this AI prompt to stay ahead in your industry. Ask ChatGPT or any bot, “Analyze my competitors in [industry] and give me three strategies to stand out.” Super smart!

Up to $65 an hour

Wage for remote AI trainers. Can you code, research and write? Fact-checking AI data might be up your alley. Perfect for introverts, even if the repetitive tasks are “mind-numbing.” Links here if you want an AI gig.

Have a college student at home

Have a college student at home? Prime Student is half the cost of a regular Prime membership, and you get a six-month free trial to boot.