Share tabs across iPhone and iPad: On both devices, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud. Turn Safari on. Now you can tap the Tabs button (overlapping squares) > iCloud Tabs. Tap to see what’s open on your other devices.
Mac and Windows how-to: Add widgets to your desktop
Right on my Mac desktop, I can check my mouse battery (38% and dropping), see where my son Ian is (at work), get the latest weather update (hello, sunny Phoenix!), and even keep track of time with a world clock.
Widgets are like mini windows into your favorite apps, giving you instant info without the hassle of opening them up. Want to set yours up? I’ve got you covered!
For all my Windows pals
These steps may vary if you’ve already played around with widgets. Windows displays widgets in a board you can access by hovering over the weather icon in your taskbar or pressing Windows + W.
- Click the + (plus) at the top to add new widgets, then Pin any you like. To see more options, follow Find more widgets.
- Click the three dots (top left) on any widget to remove or customize it. For the stocks widget, for instance, you can pick which stocks are shown.
⭐ Photos and Shopping are useful, but look around and see what works for you. To put widgets on your actual Windows desktop, not a pop-up panel, you’ll need a third-party app, like the freemium Widget Launcher.
If you’re using macOS
On your desktop, click the date and time in the top right corner. The notification center pops up. That’s where you’ll find widgets.
- Click Edit Widgets at the bottom of the panel to add new ones. You can also hit Cmd + click on the desktop, then pick Edit Widgets to add them directly. You’ll get lots of choices, from news feeds to sticky notes.
Drag widgets down from the notification center to the desktop to move them. macOS will arrange them in a grid to keep your desktop tidy.
Pro tip: If you’ve got a MacBook, you definitely need the battery widget. It’ll remind you how much juice is left in your laptop aka how quickly you need to find a charger.
🤣 Why’d the pirate update his MacBook? His matey told him he needed an iPatch. (Sorry, had to.)
Get everything Amazon collects and tracks about you
I was doing some research about Amazon and ran across a golden nugget I couldn’t wait to share with you. We all know Amazon tracks everything including what you browse, buy, watch and even ask Alexa.
But here’s the surprise: You can download all of it. I’ll show you how.
Safe Wi-Fi anywhere: Using public Wi-Fi is risky no matter where you go. It doesn’t make a difference if you stay at a five-star luxury hotel, have lunch at your hometown diner or you’re at the airport. The easy way to protect yourself? Turn on a VPN.
I order supplements online: Mix two scoops of collagen into your coffee or smoothie. I do this every morning to keep my skin, bones and joints happy. (Psst, it’s 45% off and you’ll get free shipping with my link.)
💬 Discord is super popular with kids: If yours use it the chat app, go to User Settings > Privacy & Safety > Safe Direct Messaging > Keep Me Safe. This enables the explicit media content filter. It’s worth explaining to your kiddo why you’re turning this on.
This is important: Global myopia rates have tripled since 1990, increasing the risk of cataracts, glaucoma, and blindness (paywall link). The culprit? Too much screen time. Reminder: Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds to protect your eyes. I like puns about eyes, the cornea the better.
Sign language AI: This is amazing. Nvidia’s new AI helps you learn American Sign Language right in your browser using your webcam. If you already know ASL, you can record signs to build out their dataset.
Missing Fire Stick remote? With the Amazon Alexa Voice Remote Pro, say, “Alexa, find my remote.” It’ll ring if it’s connected to your Fire TV and within 30 feet. For an older remote, use the Fire TV app.
🌊 Wipe out: Paste text without copying all the extra formatting like size, font and color. Hit Control + Shift + V on Windows or Command + Shift + V on Mac. This tip alone was worth the cost of the subscription to this newsletter. Oh, right … it’s free.
🍑 Imagine accidentally leaking your own nudes: That’s what happened to one guy thanks to a little-known Google Pixel setting. Pressing the power button five times activates Emergency SOS. It calls emergency services and sends a video recording to your chosen contacts. He was naked in bed and half asleep. You can turn it off under Settings > Safety & Emergency > Emergency SOS.
“Hey, Kim, what was the name of that …” I get so many questions about our security sponsors. You need five security products. I put together a handy resource where you can find what they do, links and deals I’ve negotiated just for you.
Always impresses me that this is free: DaVinci Resolve is pro-grade video editing software you can download and use for free. There are tons of training videos here if you want to learn new tricks.
Ban these buzzwords from your LinkedIn profile: “Specialized,” “focused,” “strategic,” “experienced,” “passionate,” “creative” and innovative.” The hot term now is “high agency.” Hiring? Use my link to post a job free to LinkedIn’s huge network.
Not right now! Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad, then scroll and tap Siri & Search. Tap Listen for and select Off. You can also turn off Allow Siri When Locked to prevent Siri from activating if a button’s pressed in your pocket.
Wake me up before you go go: iPhone alarm being finicky? Check these settings. In Settings > Sounds & Haptic, turn the alarm slider all the way up. Under Settings > Focus, make sure Sleep is off.
👀 This is auto-installed on most Androids: Go to Settings > Apps > See all apps and search for SafetyCore. It’s the app that checks for NSFW content in photos. Delete it if you don’t want it.
Turn it off and on again like a boss: There’s a better way to reboot your grumpy PC that shuts down all the background processes. Before you click to restart, hold down the Shift key. Keep holding until the machine powers up, then click Continue.