In the ’90s, an iconic character in Microsoft Office programs named Clippy was created. This helpful little anthropomorphic paper clip could teach you little tricks to help you use the programs better. But the story behind the character is fascinating.
Android tip: 7 surefire ways to take better photos every time
There’s an amateur photographer inside each of us. For years, iOS devices constantly outperformed many Android devices regarding camera quality and built-in camera modes. But that’s changing.
Now that Android phone cameras are punching up with better hardware and software, you can take stunning photographs like a DSLR camera. This guide will teach you how to unlock the features in your Android phone, frame your shots and make share-worthy photographs that look highly professional.
Keep reading for tips and tricks to help you capture the best photos possible on your Android phone.
1. Basic tips before you start taking photos
Before you can flip into photography mode, we should get a few things in order first. Do these quick setup tips so you can focus on the fun part without running into problems.
Clean your camera lens with a microfiber cloth
Microfiber cloths are excellent because they won’t scratch lenses. Wipe down your lens for 10 seconds to clear any dust or debris. Always store your phone in a case or bag that minimizes the risk of scratching the lens.
Find your camera specifications
Your camera specs will impact what type of photos you can take. Find out what megapixel (MP) resolution it takes pictures in and if it has a high dynamic range (HDR). Optical zoom will also be helpful; the digital zoom is not. You’ll find the specs in your phone’s manual. Don’t have it on hand? Tap or click for thousands of free manuals online.
Double-check your storage
With the correct settings enabled, high-quality photos quickly add up and take up a lot of space. Check your phone’s internal storage and take a practice photo with your correct settings. Check the photo file size to give yourself a rough idea of how many you can take before you run out of storage space. You can always expand your phone storage with a micro SD card.
Now that you understand the basics let’s move on to some pro photography tips.
7 quick ways to get more out of Chrome on your Android phone
Chrome is the dominant browser on your Android phone. It’s designed to be simple, but Chrome includes some surprisingly helpful tools to enhance your browsing experience when you get under the surface.
From constant security updates to excellent speed on both desktop and mobile, Chrome covers everything you could want in a browser. Tap or click here for 10 tips to keep Google’s Chrome browser secure.
5 tricks to speed up your slow computer
Computer running at a snail’s pace? I give you tips and tricks to speed it up without breaking the bank, in 60 seconds.
Quickly access the secret menu on your Android phone
When cell phones first came out, they did one thing: Make phone calls. Our smartphones now are supercomputers stored in our pockets, and most of us don’t tap into their true potential. Tap or click here for seven things you didn’t know your Android could do.
Hidden apps on your smartphone and how to find them
There’s a slew of features baked into smartphones most people don’t know about. Tap or click here for my favorites, from seeing where a plane overhead is going to quickly delete your last few searches.
Some of the most valuable tricks are hiding in your phone’s accessibility menu. These features make things easier for folks with vision, hearing, and motor impairments. Tap or click for 10 handy accessibility settings anyone can use.
Ford F-150 Lightning catches fire
Ford paused production on its $62,000 electric tricks for five weeks after three caught fire. Ford says whatever caused the fire is “rare” and not related to a design flaw in the F-150 Lightning.
Sick of Google Assistant butting in? How to turn it off on your Android
Siri. Alexa. Google Assistant. We love our smart assistants, and we know you do, too. Sometimes, though, enough is enough. Tap or click for six fixes for annoying Google Assistant problems.
If you’re sick of Google Assistant butting in when it’s unwanted, we feel you. But how do you disable Google Assistant on Android? Luckily, it’s easy to disable with only a few quick commands.
How to change the default browser and search engine on Windows
Many factors, including speed, appearance, ease of use, privacy and customization options can determine your choice of search engine. Some people stick to the default search engine included with their browsers. But it would be best if you took the time to choose a search engine that works best for you.
5 hidden Google Assistant tricks for your Android
Virtual assistants can be used with smartphones, tablets, computers and smart devices, including speakers, TVs, lightbulbs, thermostats, surveillance cameras and more. While Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Cortana, Bixby and others are designed to make your life easier, it helps to know everything they can do.
Use this trick to stop spam texts on your Android phone
Spam messages are no longer confined to your email inbox. They can now show up on your phone as text messages. Spam messages can range from harmless and annoying to invasive and dangerous.
Carriers and smartphone developers offer built-in tools to combat spam. You can block calls and filter numbers from unknown senders if you have an iPhone. You can even report spam messages as junk. Tap or click here to learn more.
This might be the best iPhone feature you never knew existed
It’s no wonder iPhones are so popular. Even though the high-end models will set you back $1,000 or more, they’re undeniably easy to use and packed with incredible features.
Did you know you can use the Notes app as a document scanner? You can upload a document and share it however you like in just a few clicks. Tap or click to try this super easy tip.
Email tips: 4 pro tips to get more out of Outlook
Outlook’s undoubtedly changed a lot over the years. Some updates are fantastic. Others? Maybe not the best, but it’s still an incredibly robust way to correspond with others.
These Microsoft Outlook tips can streamline daily tasks no matter which version you’re using. We’ll show you things like how to sort through your messages and organize the most important ones.
3 tricks to see if your passwords are being sold on the Dark Web
Hackers can make a ton of money by selling your private information on underground forums. It’s possible that your passwords are being sold on the Dark Web right now. That’s why you should run a cybersecurity check now and then.
11 iPhone texting tips you'll wish you knew sooner
Texting is one of the best modern tech conveniences around. Instead of fussing with a phone call, you can compose messages and send them at any time. You can keep them short and sweet or long and strong. You can even spice them up with photos, GIFs, emojis, animojis and videos.
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.
Best hidden iPhone messaging tips and tricks you should be using
Apple’s Messages app has undergone many changes over the years, and why not? Text messaging is one of the core components of any smartphone.
One thing that sets iPhone messaging apart is its higher file size limit. If you’ve ever tried sending a picture from an iPhone to an Android, you’ve probably noticed the degradation in quality. Tap or click here for one way to get around this annoying issue.
Windows gotchas: How to avoid the top 5 most common mistakes
When was the last time you checked your computer’s available storage? Too much clutter slows everything down. Here’s a quick tip to find out how much storage is on your PC.
Next time you install a new program, don’t fall for some developers’ tricks to sneak in software you don’t want or need. Do this one step before installing any programs on your computer.
Hidden Mac features everyone should know
Whether you use your computer for work, gaming or browsing, you’ll want to keep it in tip-top shape. The more programs and files you add, the slower your computer will run. Here’s a quick tip to give your Mac or PC a boost.
Skip the life story, jump straight to the recipe
Tired of recipe sites with long-winded stories? Get the ingredients and instructions only with my tricks, in 60 seconds.