🖨️ Printer smarts: Turning off your printer can trigger maintenance tasks when you turn it back on, which sucks up expensive ink. Instead, let your printer go into energy-saving mode when it’s not in use.
Bursting into flames: Protect yourself from lithium-ion battery hazards
Powering my cellphone? A lithium-ion battery. E-bike? Lithium-ion. Same goes for my iPad, MacBook, electric toothbrush, portable battery pack. I could go on.
The same goes for your tech. As it starts to warm up, we need to talk about safety. Fires from our little gadgets can get out of control quickly.
Here’s the know-how to protect yourself from a major battery blow-up. And, yes, it’s the reason I’m very particular about where I keep my e-bike.
Hot battery horror stories
Lithium-ion batteries squeeze a ton of battery life into a tiny package. But they’re made with flammable materials, making them even more dangerous when misused or improperly stored.
Larger tech, like e-bikes and EVs, use much bigger batteries than a smartphone. So when a fire happens, yup, it’s way more dangerous.
Flammable materials inside the batteries can experience “thermal runaway,” a chain reaction that essentially puts a battery in an uncontrollable, self-heating state. That’s when explosions happen.
Thermal runaway gets triggered by a number of things, like a battery being overheated or punctured. It can also be caused by an electrical fault, like a short circuit or manufacturing defects. That’s why I always warn you to stay away from cheap tech!
Battery safety 101 for laptops
- Don’t leave your laptop in a hot car, by a sunny window or near a portable heater.
- If it feels hot, shut it down and give it a break. Pop out the battery if you can.
- Consider using an app to monitor your laptop’s temperature in real time. CoreTemp and Real Temp for Windows are good options. Anything higher than 176 degrees Fahrenheit is bad news.
Have an old phone or other device with a lithium battery? Don’t just toss it in a drawer. It’s worth buying a fireproof bag to store it.
Battery safety 101 for e-bikes
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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.
🛑 Thinking of driving for Uber? Pump the brakes. Dean Ceran, an Uber vet since 2016, grossed $100,000 in 2023 … and ended up with a measly $20,000. Most goes to taxes, maintenance and Uber’s hefty slice.
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.
Best ways to charge your phone’s battery
We spend so much on tech that it’s incredibly frustrating when our devices break. A little prevention can go a long way. Here are six checkups to give your tech now to avoid a shocking repair bill later.
Regular maintenance is vital to longevity. Tap or click for my simple action plan to get more years out of your iPhone or Android.
Revive your old PC or Mac with this free download
Many computer users feel the need to keep their devices up to date with the latest hardware. After all, if you don’t have the latest components or accessories, your laptop or desktop computer might not be compatible. Tap or click here for seven laptop maintenance steps you should do regularly to keep yours happy.
Best apps to troubleshoot your bad Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is one of the most precious commodities we use daily. Everything is right with the world when it’s running smoothly. But when there’s any disruption, it can feel like a day-ruining experience, especially if you work from home. Tap or click here for essential work-from-home tips.
Check this list before you buy a Chromebook
There are plenty of laptop models to choose from, so deciding which one is right for you can be challenging. But if you prefer a system that requires minimal maintenance and gets automatic updates, you should consider a Chromebook.
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.
Recall alert: Dodge SUVs and 59K car seats recalled
Regular maintenance can help keep your vehicle safe to drive. Sometimes, an automobile can roll off the factory floor with problems that are only discovered much later. When that happens, manufacturers trigger a recall. And that’s precisely what is happening with some Dodge models.
Update your PC! Microsoft releases 14 patches for Windows 10
Not all software updates are bad news. Sometimes, it’s just a bit of maintenance that enhances your experience.
That’s the case with the latest Windows 10 update from Microsoft. Even though the update is optional, you should still install it as it corrects 14 issues. There are no security updates in this patch.
This woman's home was stolen right from under her - Don't let it happen to you
Your home is likely the largest purchase you’ll ever make. Homeownership is a lifelong commitment between mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, maintenance, renovations, repair, and decorating.
Think about how much email correspondence you get just for your home. Bills and other important documents can get lost in the clutter of your inbox. You can prevent this by creating an email address just for your home. Tap or click here to learn more.
Review: Smarter Keurig lets you brew coffee from your phone
For many of us, that morning cup of coffee is necessary to start the day on the right track. It’s usually more than a couple of cups for me, but I could rarely get through a whole pot when I used to own a traditional brewer.
Amazing iPhone audio trick you need to try with a friend
Wireless earbuds are everywhere. They’re great for listening to tunes and podcasts during your commute and work just as well for calls and videos. They pair to your device via Bluetooth and are available from many manufacturers.
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.
Navigation, parking, maintenance and more: 6 best car apps
Hitting the road before winter fully kicks in seems like a great idea. With so many options and locations to choose from, it can be difficult to pin down where exactly it is that you want to go.
But no matter where you are going, make sure to take safety precautions ahead of time. Tap or click here for five smart travel tips to keep you safe. You’ll also want to plan, so you know the perfect destinations, money-saving ideas and more.
Make sure you’re giving your tech these checkups if you want it to last
You get regular oil changes, and you remember — even if it’s late — to swap out your AC filters from time to time. Life is full of maintenance, and our tech shouldn’t be any different.
When you invest hundreds or, more likely thousands, of dollars into a gadget, you want it to last. That means some easy upkeep for your phone to keep your ports clear, your screen protected, and your phone’s hardware running strong. Tap or click here for my guide to making your smartphone run like new, inside and out.
More printer issues for Windows? Microsoft releases another fix
This year hasn’t been the best time for Microsoft’s Windows and printer drivers. On several occasions, the company had to release a patch or fix for vulnerabilities.
Its troubles don’t seem to be over because Microsoft rolled out another quick fix to correct pesky printer software. But you don’t need to stress about hackers exploiting the flaw. The update isn’t security-related, but more maintenance.
6 checkups to give your tech now to avoid a shocking repair bill later
Your tech works only as well as your level of care for it. Whether it’s a phone, tablet, computer or laptop, you can keep any device running smoother and longer with some basic maintenance and checkups. Not only will you get more use out of them, but you can fend off bigger problems that cause headaches down the road.