The Guinness Book of World Records is full of incredible feats. From the highest tightrope walk to the deepest underwater dive. But what about window washing? One man made it his goal to become the fastest window washer in the world. This is how he did it.
5 ways you’re ruining your expensive phone, laptop, tablet and TV
Our devices are significant investments. You need to treat your tech well to get your money’s worth. Regular maintenance is one way to stay ahead of the game. Tap or click for six checkups to avoid a hefty repair bill.
Based on calls to my show, emails and questions posted on my website’s tech support forum, here are five common mistakes that could cost you.
1. You’re charging too much
Do you keep your phone plugged in all the time? Apple says that when your iPhone “remain(s) at full charge for prolonged periods of time, battery health can be affected.”
Android phone manufacturers, including Samsung, say the same. “Do not leave your phone connected to the charger for long periods of time or overnight.” Huawei says, “Keeping your battery level as close to the middle (30% to 70%) as possible can effectively prolong the battery life.”
The official word is to keep your phone charged — but not fully charged. Get in the habit of unplugging your tech after it is fully charged.
More tech smarts: Tap or click for tricks to keep your phone battery in tip-top shape.
2. You wait too long to charge your laptop
Laptop batteries have a finite number of charge-discharge cycles. If you frequently let your battery entirely run out of juice, it affects the charge-discharge cycle and diminishes its intended lifespan.
Your laptop battery can also lose efficiency in another way. Let’s say you regularly charge your laptop from 30% to 50%, or about 20% each time. Well, do that five times and you’ll have completed one battery cycle because you’ve charged your laptop 100% in total.
A good rule of thumb is to keep your battery charged to at least 40% most of the time. Tap or click here to check your laptop’s battery health.
3. You go with the cheapest option
Don’t want to drop $1K on a new phone? Do this instead
It was a little anticlimactic when I went from the iPhone 14 Pro Max to the 15 Pro Max. Side-by-side, they look an awful lot like the same phone. The one thing that stood out was how shiny and clean the 15 looked.
You don’t have to shell out a lot of money — jump into the settings and use a little elbow grease to make your current phone sparkle.
How to wrangle all your cords and cables
It’s surprisingly easy to ruin your expensive devices’ screens and internal workings. Here’s my cheat sheet for cleaning electronics. (Hint: Put down the paper towels!)
Don’t forget the TV remote, the hidden germ carrier everyone touches.
The future is here: Amazing robots that cook, clean and carry your stuff
Did you ever watch “The Jetsons” and wish the robotic maid Rosey was real? She was responsible for many household tasks, including cleaning, cooking and caring for the family — George, Jane, Judy, Elroy and their pet dog Astro. And boy, oh boy, Rosie was built.
Simple ways to make extra money for Christmas gifts
I know. I said it. The holidays are — somehow, some way — approaching. The good news is you have some time before the madness begins. It’s the perfect time to pick up extra cash to get you through an expensive season.
Steps to cleaning smart TVs the right way
It’s nuts how cheap you can get a smart TV these days. Let me rephrase: It’s nuts how much of our data we’re willing to hand over for a cheap TV.
Alas, you still want yours to last. That means you need to do a lot more than dust the screen now and then.
How to clean up junk files on your Android
Unless you’re a professional photographer, there’s not much need to carry a camera. Your smartphone is quite advanced and can be used for anything from point-and-shoot images to full-on photoshoots. That said, the pros can work wonders with a phone camera.
The big mistake you’re making cleaning your TV
Once the TV is on and you’re watching your favorite show, you have something else to contend with: All that tracking. Yes, your TV will likely keep tabs on you and share that data. Tap or click here for the steps you can take to stop the privacy invasion.
20+ companies canceling free returns
I thought this stat was interesting: The National Retail Federation reports for every $1 billion in sales, the average retailer incurs $165 million in merchandise returns. You know what this means: Say goodbye to free shipping and free returns when buying stuff online.
5 handy Google apps you should be using on your Android
The best Google apps for Android go beyond the basics. You’re likely already using Google Calendar, Google Maps and your beloved Gmail inbox. We’ve rounded up five Google apps that should also be on your list.
Accessibility? Culture? An app that transforms the real world into one giant, Google-able oyster? Explore the world with your Android device through a few helpful apps.
Find and delete duplicate photos with these free apps
Are you someone who likes to keep a super clean home? It can be therapeutic, to say the least. But now that your house is spick-and-span, you might want to start cleaning other things. Tap or click here for instructions on how to disinfect your smartphone.
Your tech is gross! 5 things you forget to clean
Bad habits can catch up with you. Like any other chore, keeping your tech clean can almost feel like a full-time job. Tap or click for steps to clean tech the right way.
You probably give your smartphone screen a good wiping down now and then. You might even dust your PC keyboard from time to time. But we’re sure there are tech gadgets that you don’t think about cleaning. No worries. We can help.
Tech is expensive! Ways you’re wasting money and smart fixes to save
Look around your house. How much do you think you have spent on gadgets and tech subscriptions over the years?
With shiny new gear popping up daily and yet another streaming service there to woo you, it’s hard to stop the flow of cash. I can help. Here are all the best ways to scan without shelling out money for a scanner. You’re welcome.
Here are the cities with the highest Airbnb fees
Here’s one major problem with the rental platform Airbnb. You go online, find a property with a price that works for you and book it — only for the total cost to skyrocket. What gives? Here’s a trick to avoid getting hit with those hidden fees.
This powerful duster is so good I stopped using compressed air
When you think of electronics and dust, what comes to mind? Yep, a good old can of compressed air. But here’s the problem: It runs out so fast. Before you know it, you’re halfway through getting the crumbs out of your keyboard and the can is empty.
Tech spring cleaning: Guide to a fresh phone, computer and TV
Moment of honesty. When was the last time you cleaned up your digital life? Maybe you dusted your monitor, cleared your inbox and sanitized your devices a couple of months ago.
Good for you! And for the rest of us, it’s time for a fresh start.
Remember that bulky old TV you had in the '90s? You might be owed money
Most TVs in the ’90s and early ’00s used Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT), which gave them a prominent bulge at the back. But it wasn’t just TVs, as many computer monitors used the same technology. This technology is back in the news for all the wrong reasons.
Struggling with Excel? 3 tips and tutorials to help you out
Ah, Excel. It’s been around since the ’80s, yet it can still stump many of us. There’s a lot to learn, from creating complex formulas to navigating pivot tables.
So, where do you turn? You can buy a paid course, which will give you a lot of bang for your buck, but you can also start smaller — and free.
8 handy products to make gross household chores easier
As the saying goes, cleanliness is next to godliness. But not all of us want to pour countless hours into the never-ending battle against dirt, dust and grime. Tap or click here for the best way to clean all the dirt and grime off your tech.