‘Wheelie’ having a good time
Wheelie having a good time: On the web version of Google Maps, click Layers, then Biking. You’ll see all the smaller paths and dirt trails on the map alongside the main roads.
Tags: Google Maps, tips and tricks
Google alternatives that don’t sell all your data
Google is one of the best examples of “If it’s free, you’re the product.” And its employees, business decisions, stock price, biases and preferences have a big impact on what its “products” (Smile! That’s you and me!) see when we use Google Search.
Turn on your phone's theft protection
Your phone is very valuable in the wrong hands — and not just if you have a snazzy, new iPhone 16 Pro Max that costs as much as a mortgage payment. Even a cheap smartphone is loaded with logins, personal data and financial info. Think of it as instant access to everything.
Attn., business owners: Do this! Verify your business with Apple, and your logo will now pop up in the iPhone’s Phone, Mail, Maps and Wallet apps. Start by signing into Apple’s Business Connect page with your Apple account. Add your company info, register for the service, and you’re good to go.
$300,000 or 6 years’ worth
Of lost retirement savings for serial job hoppers. It all comes down to retirement savings rates. When you switch to a new job, you’re starting back at 3% and adding a percentage each year. Too many job changes can lead to a 41% smaller nest egg.
What makes a good VPN? 3 features to look for before you spend a dime
What you do online should be your business. That’s not the world we live in, though. Your internet service provider can see every site you visit, even in incognito mode, and your data is routinely packaged up and sold to the highest bidder.
✈️ Travel hack: Google Flights is rolling out a “cheapest” tab for rock-bottom fares. On your phone, search flights.google.com, and you’ll see the “best” options. Now there’s a “cheapest” tab to the right, focusing strictly on price. The catch: Inconvenient times, layovers or returns to a different airport. Hey, but you’ll save money!
🚨 QR code scam spreading: Watch out for malicious QR codes in your email, posing as your bank or shipping services. Scan one and you’ll land on a fake login page hungry for your real username and password. Always check the sender’s full email address, watch the URL you’re redirected to, and turn on multifactor authentication for every app and service you can. I know it’s a pain.
🔞 OnlyScams: The sexy gal on OnlyFans might just be some dude in another country. To keep up with the huge volume of texts, agencies hire low-paid “chatters” (or even AI) to create the illusion of personal interaction. Cue the class-action lawsuit seeking billions in damages and pushing OnlyFans to be more transparent about who’s really on the other end. Think about those sexy pants.
If police try to get you to unlock your smartphone: Say no. Under the Fourth Amendment, they need a warrant to search it. Once they’re in, they can access your private info and, theoretically, use it to pressure you into a confession. That’s where the Fifth Amendment comes in: The government can’t force self-incrimination. It pays to know your rights.
Three words that scream “text scam”: “Would you kindly.” It’s not a common phrase in the U.S., so it’s a tip-off you’re dealing with someone from afar. “Kindly settle your balance” is another. One more: A random number texting “Hi, how are you?” isn’t a sign from the universe; it’s a scammer trying to get you to reply so they can steal from you someday.