Read me: On a Kindle, it’s a pain to get to the home screen. With a book open, tap the top of the screen > back arrow > Home. From the Kindle store, hit the X icon > Home. FYI, if your Kindle is old, look for a house icon (top left of the screen) or even a physical home button.
One buried Google Maps setting you need to change now
Remember the old GPS units we used to get around with back in the day? Before that, maybe you printed directions from MapQuest or another site. And before that, we relied on actual maps that no one knew how to fold quickly.
Today, you open up your phone and click an app. It’s easy, sure, but you might not think much about how much information you give away with every trip and every search.
Before you use Google Maps to get somewhere, you can make one simple change to take back at least a piece of your privacy.
See everywhere you’ve gone
Did you know Google Maps works even if you don’t have a Google account connected to it? You won’t get all the features, though. Signing in allows you to save locations, like your home and work, and remember your preferred routes.
Like any navigation app, Google Maps uses the GPS location on your phone to determine where in the world you are. Every time you navigate somewhere, your location is stored in your profile.
That might not seem so bad. After all, your navigation app needs to know where you are. But all that info is seldom deleted from your account. For instance, you can check where you were on this day five years ago.
It is eye-opening to check this list. Maybe it’ll feel like a fun walk down memory lane. Or perhaps it will creep you out.
DONE WITH BIG TECH? Google Search alternatives that respect your privacy
Here’s how to see your history:
- When signed in, click on your profile picture to open your Google Account or go to your Google Account page.
- On the left, click on Data & privacy.
- Under “History Settings,” click on Location History.
- At the bottom, click Manage history.
You will see a map with details like your saved home and work locations and all the recorded trips you’ve made over the years. You can use the Timeline box in the top left corner to search by year or down to a specific day.
Calling all landlubbers: Free … lighthouses?
Enjoy gorgeous 360-degree views. Fall asleep to the sound of waves crashing. Start the morning with a cup of coffee and a fresh ocean breeze.
All that could be yours for free if you’re willing to maintain a historic lighthouse. Thanks to GPS, lighthouses aren’t necessary for navigation like they once were. The U.S. government is hunting for groups to take over six of these historic local landmarks.
How I avoided a $40K scam
Paul emailed me about a $39,500 invoice, demanding I pay up ASAP. The problem? I didn’t owe him a cent. Plus, AI is eyeing 60 million jobs, Gen Z is trauma dumping on TikTok, and a woman was rescued after falling 60 feet off a mountain thanks to her navigation app.
✈️ Hundreds of flights a day are under attack: GPS spoofing is an electronic warfare tactic that sends fake signals to disrupt aircraft navigation. Pilots get false warnings (like “pull up”), clocks reset and flight paths go off course. The scariest part is we won’t see an equipment upgrade or fix until next year, at the earliest (paywall link). Scary.
We rely on GPS satellites to help us figure out exactly where we are. How many of them are orbiting Earth right now? Is it … A.) Four, B.) 15, C.) 24 or D.) 31?
$30 game controller
Could cost OceanGate $50 million. The family of a crew member who died in the Titan sub implosion is suing. They blame, among other things, the decision to rely solely on a cheap Logitech F710 controller for navigation. Game controllers are common in military and space flights, but there’s always a secondary, hard-wired backup option.
This hidden trick will make it easier to use your Android phone
When controlling your Android phone, gestures will always be paramount. You can operate your OS and get more done faster through these simple commands.
Our favorite Android tips and tricks all have a lot in common. We love simple gestures that allow us to make quick decisions or get from one app or utility to another in record time. Tap or click here for more of our best tips for Android.
Privacy tip: How to clear all the places you've been from Apple Maps
Nearly everything you do online is tracked or recorded and used to learn more about you. Most companies claim they need this data to serve you with targeted ads. This is the case whether you’re on your computer or phone.
Paper maps never win at poker. They always fold.
No Waze! Navigation apps are turning men into worse drivers. A study shows female voice assistants trigger mating-related cues, like risky behavior. Seriously, 40% of men in the experiment were more likely to run a yellow light. Switch to a male voice, dudes.
Dress for the slide, not the ride: Harley-Davidson’s 2024 Road Glide and Street Glide bikes are the first to get Skyline OS, a new touchscreen infotainment system. It’s replacing the traditional analog gauges with a 12.3-inch touch display that includes turn-by-turn navigation, Apple CarPlay and voice-command compatibility.
🚚 If only Red Bull gave you wings: An 18-wheeler loaded with Red Bull got stuck on a muddy mountain road after the driver followed Google Maps’ instructions to Utah. Reminder: Google Maps is optimized for cars. Giant trucks need special navigation software that considers their dimensions and cargo size. For that, Garmin is a solid pick.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Solar storm tech issues: There weren’t too many disruptions from the recent global light show, but Starlink’s satellites had a few glitches. Interestingly, GPS navigation systems used by John Deere tractors and other brands to create ultra-tight, straight lines for planting were knocked out — and during a peak planting season. I was so bummed I saw nothing in the skies over Phoenix.
This simple Android location setting saves your privacy
Privacy is more important than ever. Beyond fraud and identity theft risks, access to your information could also impact personal safety.
Your phone doesn’t need your exact location at every given moment. It doesn’t need to know where you are unless you use a program like Google Maps.
8 Google Maps tips to ease your holiday travels
Have you done all your holiday shopping? We’ve got you covered if you’re having trouble finding the perfect gift for that special someone. Tap or click here for 10 great gift options to spoil your favorite person.
December is flying by, and you’re probably making holiday travel plans. Whether you’re flying or driving, it always helps to be prepared.
Use this inexpensive GPS tracker? It has a dangerous security bug
Delivery vehicles, long-distance trucks or transporters of valuable cargo often have a global positioning system installed. This lets the vehicle or cargo owner keep track of its movements. Tap or click here for how to find hidden trackers on your car.
Use a Roku? Check out this new Live TV section
Finding something to watch on television or your favorite streaming service can be a bit of a chore. You often spend more time browsing than watching with thousands of shows to choose from. If that sounds like you, these handy sites can help you find the streaming shows you’re looking for.
3 map apps that are better than Google if you have multiple stops
When you get in the car for a trip, work meeting, or run an errand, it’s never as simple as traveling from Point A to Point B. Sometimes, there are also points C, D, E, F, and G. To make matters more complicated, the route you take could mean a massive difference in time and money.
Want to know where a product was manufactured? Check this site
During the pandemic, virtual travel gained traction when flights were restricted, and countries implemented quarantine or outright bans to travelers. You can go online and take virtual tours around the world without leaving your home.