From the “whatever” department: Amazon, Google and Best Buy are working on a “hacker-safe” label for smart devices. Scan the QR code for info on your new doorbell or TV, and see if it meets certain cybersecurity standards. The ETA for the label is later this year, but hackers always find a way.
The buggiest apps of 2024
When I saw this, I knew I had to share it with you. Researchers over at Electronics Hub did the thankless work of going through 400 of the most-used apps on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store and thousands of user reviews — all to find the buggiest, most frustrating-to-use apps.
Take a look at this list, and remember: Sometimes, it’s not about you not knowing how to use your phone; it’s the apps.
Someone call pest control
Here are the worst app offenders of 2024:
- Shopping: Convenience chain Wawa’s app topped the list, with issues on order pickups and redeeming fuel points. Other big brands have big app bugs, too; the Target, Best Buy and CVS Pharmacy apps all ranked among the worst.
- Dating: If you’re trying to find a match on Grindr, it’s the glitchiest of the dating apps and has frequent messaging issues.
- Food and drink: Craving a late-night burrito? You should probably hit the Taco Bell drive-thru. The fast-food chain’s app was the buggiest, with the Wendy’s, Sonic and Chick-fil-A apps right behind.
- Social: Many people say the latest updates for Amino, a social app for niche interests, don’t actually fix bugs. Telegram is really bad, too — not what you want from a “privacy-focused.” app.
- Gaming: Anyone still playing Pokémon GO? If so, the app crashes shortly after launching or when you open an in-game map.
- Productivity: The prize goes to GTL’s GettingOut app, which is used to communicate with loved ones in prison. The app regularly freezes and has issues sending and receiving pics. Business apps Notion and Google Docs ranked high on the list for this category, too. 🙄
- Banking and finance: Drum roll, please … the Go Program Way2Go Card app isn’t just the buggiest finance app — it’s the buggiest app overall. Not cool. It’s used by state governments to deliver child support payments and unemployment benefits. The Navy Federal Credit Union app came in second. Yeesh.
Squash those bugs
Before you delete that buggy app and throw your phone out the window, try a force restart.
- On Android: Hold your finger on the app’s icon and click the “i“ in the top right corner of the pop-up. Then, click Force Stop in the bottom right.
- On iPhone: Swipe up on the problem app to close it, then tap its app icon to relaunch it.
Didn’t work? Restart your phone. Failing that, I have a bunch more tips here on my site here.
Android
- Sync your phone with Google’s servers. Go to Settings > System > Date and Time. Turn off the automatic time zone and date and time settings, change the time and date to be incorrect, and then turn the automatic date and time settings back on.
- Make sure your phone has the latest updates installed. Go to Settings > System > Advanced > System Update to check.
- Make sure you’re using the latest version of the app. Go to Manage Apps and Devices to check.
- Clear the app’s cache and data. Go to Settings > Apps, then choose the app that’s having issues. On the next page, select Storage.
- Delete the app from your phone, then reinstall it.
Apple
Our favorite cleaning products to get your home sparkling
Over the next couple of days, the team and I are sharing what you’ve been asking me for all month: Shopping picks! The goal is to take all the dread out of checking all your people off your list.
Some of you will think this is weird, and others will shout, “Me too, Kim!” I love getting my house sparkling clean after Thanksgiving. I put on some tunes, scrub every corner and then the house is ready for Christmas decorations. Here are some tools to make it easier.
What percent of e-waste — think old computers, phones and other tech — gets recycled? Is it … A.) 50%, B.) 90%, C.) 20% or D.) 10%?
Awesome way to turn trash into treasure
Food labels are hard to make sense of — Do we really need “use by,” “best buy” and “sell by”? — and lead to a lot of food waste, to the tune of 80 million tons each year.
That’s why Carlos Thompson’s company created Reusables, an augmented-reality filter that shows what you can do with the food you don’t want to eat anymore.
Memorial Day weekend do’s and don’ts
Do you want to do some shopping this Memorial Day weekend? Here’s what’s worth buying and what you should definitely wait on, courtesy of the shopping pros at RetailMeNot.
✅ Check this secret link out: Amazon’s having a huge Memorial Day Sale. Savings of up to 50% across every product category. Here’s a link where you can search just what’s on sale.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
In 2004, an escaped convict nicknamed the “Rooftop Robber,” or simply “Roofman,” hid for six months in which shuttered tech superstore: A.) CompUSA, B.) RadioShack, C.) Circuit City or D.) Fry’s Electronics?
What percent of e-waste — old computers, phones and other tech — gets recycled? Is it … A.) 50%, B.) 90%, C.) 20% or D.) 10%?
How Amazon, Target and Walmart will pay you for old stuff
Several online platforms help sell your old stuff. Tap or click for a few options that are better than Craigslist.
But most people aren’t aware that their favorite retailers can do a lot of the heavy lifting for you. Many offer superior trade-in value for your stuff. Chances are, you’ll be able to get rid of your clutter without venturing further than your local shopping center.
8 things that are cheapest to buy in February
It’s no secret that consumer prices fluctuate with the seasons. Every month brings new deals that you can count on yearly. February is no exception. With excellent sales and blowouts for holidays like Presidents Day and Valentine’s Day, you’ll be sure to save big on select goods.
Don't waste money on this tech rip-off on Amazon
Amazon is a great place to buy almost anything you need. There is usually an extensive selection of retailers selling similar items, so the prices are competitive. But every so often, a deal pops up that seemingly beats all others.
Return policies for all the gifts you don't want
Remember that cheesy sweater your aunt got you last year? The one with the light-up Rudolph nose? It’s still hanging in your closet, untouched, where it has been since Dec. 26, 2021. You should have exchanged it for one of these tech gifts instead.
Can't find printer ink? Blame the chip shortage
Computer chips are used in almost anything electronically powered, ranging from handheld devices to kitchen appliances and everything in between. But the global pandemic has caused a significant shortage, and the automotive industry has been hit especially hard.
Before you log in to Facebook or WhatsApp again, read this warning
There are plenty of ways cybercriminals steal your details. One of the most common methods is directing you to a fake website through text messages or phishing emails.
While the phishing email’s wording can differ, scammers regularly use legitimate brands to lure you in. By spoofing an email from a social media platform or service provider, they hope that you won’t notice minor differences from the real thing. Tap or click here for subtle clues that email is a clever phishing scam.
Is Best Buy's $200 annual membership worth it? Here's everything you get
Any machine, device or gadget you buy is eventually going to need maintenance and repairs. The internet provides help in forums, expert videos and replacement user manuals. But people don’t always have the time or knowledge to fix their stuff. There’s always someone out there who can help, but finding the right person at the right price can be a challenge.
11 must-have pet products dog and cat owners swear by
Fluffy and Fido aren’t just pets. They’re family. So why not treat them to a few new toys and maybe even some tech now and then?
Our furry friends only get about a decade with us, so it just makes sense to shower them with all the love, toys and treats we can. They love us unconditionally, so the least we can do is spoil them, right?
Hurry! Holiday shipping deadlines are almost here
Every year around the holidays, there are shipping issues. The USPS gets so overwhelmed with the number of holiday cards and packages being sent it causes massive delays with deliveries. This means the last-minute gift you send will arrive even later.
8 Memorial Day tech deals you can't afford to miss
It’s Memorial Day weekend and we’d like to begin by thanking everyone who has served in the U.S. military. So, thank you!
Now, with Memorial Day picnics and parades, we’ve also come to expect another major seasonal milestone: Memorial Day sales. You don’t even have to leave the comfort of your home to score these awesome tech deals.
Seniors can get a $49 Apple Watch 5 - see if you qualify
The Apple Watch is one of the best smartwatches you can buy today. But there’s just one little problem with it: It’s expensive enough to be out of reach for many people.
Though you can buy older models for a discounted price, you’re still looking at upwards of $200. Meanwhile, many of Apple’s competitors like Fitbit offer similar features for a much lower price. Tap or click here to read more about Fitbit’s range of fitness trackers.
Data breach reveals Walmart, ICE and Best Buy's dealings with facial recognition app
Facial surveillance is coming whether we like it or not. The technology is already here, and is inside many of our phones and laptops, but it’s only a matter of time before we see it implemented for use by law enforcement and government agencies.