Technology

5 digital cleanup hacks you didn’t know you needed

Published

1 month ago

May 2, 2025

5 digital cleanup hacks you didn’t know you needed

Let’s face it, our digital lives get messy.

Whether it’s thousands of unread emails, random screenshots cluttering your desktop or a downloads folder that’s basically a graveyard, the digital gunk adds up fast. But cleaning it all up doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

With a few smart automations and tools, you can tidy up your tech and keep things running smoothly, without lifting a finger every week.

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A woman staring at her laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Here’s your digital detox starter pack

1. Auto-archive or auto-delete old emails

Still holding on to newsletters from 2017? Set up filters to automatically archive or delete emails that are older than six months or from specific senders.

For Gmail users

Search for old messages:

In Gmail, type “older_than:6m” in the search bar.
In Outlook, sort by date or use Advanced Find to locate older emails manually.

Set up automatic cleanup:

In Gmail, click the sliders icon in the search bar, then select “Create filter.”
Choose “Skip the Inbox (Archive it)” or “Delete it.”
Then click “Also Apply to matching future emails.”
Then tap “Create Filter.”

For Outlook users

In Outlook, go to “File” > “Manage Rules & Alerts” > “New Rule.”
Start from “Apply rule on messages I receive.”
Filter by sender or subject, then set an action like moving to a folder or deleting.

For longer-term automation in Outlook:

Use AutoArchive under “File” > “Options” > “Advanced.”
Define what counts as old and choose whether to archive or delete those messages.

For AOL users

Search for old messages:

Use the search bar at the top of your inbox and type “before:01/01/2024” (adjust the date as needed).
Then select “Search in Mail” from the dropdown menu.

Set up automatic cleanup:

Unfortunately, AOL Mail doesn’t offer advanced filters like Gmail or Outlook.
Instead, select multiple emails manually using the checkboxes, then click Delete or Move to archive them.
Pro tip: You can sort by sender or date to make bulk actions easier.

For Yahoo users

Search for old messages:

In Yahoo Mail, type “before:2024/01/01” in the search bar to find messages before a specific date.

Set up automatic cleanup:

Yahoo doesn’t offer true automatic filters for deleting old emails by age, but you can:Click the three-dot icon on the left-hand menu.Go to Settings (gear icon) > Personalize your inbox > then toggle on “inbox categories.”Set a filter to move certain emails to folders, then manually delete or archive from there.For manual cleanup, sort by date or sender and bulk delete/archive as needed.
Click the three-dot icon on the left-hand menu.
Go to Settings (gear icon) > Personalize your inbox > then toggle on “inbox categories.”
Set a filter to move certain emails to folders, then manually delete or archive from there.
For manual cleanup, sort by date or sender and bulk delete/archive as needed.

It’s out of sight, out of mind.

HOW TO REMOVE YOUR PRIVATE DATA FROM THE INTERNET

2. Clean up your photo album

Sort and delete screenshots and duplicate photos

Screenshots, burst photos and accidental snaps can take up more space than you’d expect. Here’s how to clean things up, whether you’re on Team iPhone or Android.

How to find screenshots:

On iPhone

Click the Photos app.
Scroll down and tap Media Types.
Tap Screenshots. This will show all your screenshots in one place.

Sorting screenshots

In the Screenshots album, you can tap the up/down arrow on the bottom left to reveal sorting and filtering options.
Now you can click “Sort by Oldest First,” “Sort by Newest First” or “Filter.”

Remove duplicates:

Open the Photos app.
Go to Albums and scroll down to Utilities, then click on Duplicates.
Tap Merge to automatically combine identical photos and save space.

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

On Android

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.

Find screenshots:

Open the Photos or Files app
Look for a folder labeled Screenshots (location may vary by device or Android version)
Open screenshots in grid view and manually long-press to select and delete multiple images at once

Find duplicates:

Open the Photos or File app and go to the Clean tab
Tap it to review and delete duplicate photos, blurry images and other junk
Confirm deletion to reclaim storage

Note: Steps may vary slightly based on your iOS version or Android device.

An Apple desktop computer on a desk (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

TIDY UP YOUR TECH: SPRING CLEANING TIPS FOR SAFEGUARDING YOUR DATA

3. Automate your downloads folder

Set it and forget it
Every file you’ve ever opened? Probably still hanging out in your Downloads. Luckily, both Macs and PCs offer built-in tools to keep them clean.

Mac:

Click on Finder in the dock.
Scroll down to applications and click Automator.
Choose “Folder Action” when prompted.
At the top, set “Folder Action receives files and folders added to” > Downloads.
In the search bar, find and drag in “Filter Finder Items.”
Next, add “Move Finder Items to Trash” or choose a different folder.
Save the workflow. Your Mac will now automatically clean up files older than 30 days. Set it to: Date Last Opened > is not in the last > 30 days.

PC:

Turn on Storage Sense via Settings > System > Storage > Configure Storage Sense. Set it to clean up downloads after 30 days.

You’ll never have to manually empty that folder again.

4. Create a ‘junk drawer’ photo album

Keep the clutter, but corral it
Instead of letting random screenshots, receipts, memes and throwaway photos pile up in your main library, give them a home you don’t need to maintain. It’s like a digital junk drawer.

On iPhone:

Open the Photos app.
Go to the Albums tab.
Tap the + in the top-left corner and select “New Album.”
Name it something like “Junk” or “Throwaways.”
When reviewing photos, tap Select, choose the ones you don’t need long term, then tap Add To and move them into your “Junk” album.

On Android (Google Photos):

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.

Open the Google Photos app.
Tap Library > + New Album.
Name the album “Junk” or “Throwaways.”
While browsing your photos, tap and hold to select multiple images, then tap the three-dot menu and choose Add to album.

Why this helps:

Makes it easy to batch-delete throwaways when you’re low on space.
Keeps your main photo library clean and easier to navigate.
Creates a mental cue during photo reviews; if you wouldn’t miss it, send it to Junk.

A man scrolling on his smartphone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

HOW TO REMOVE MY LOCATION FROM PHOTOS TO STAY SAFE

5. Rotate and strengthen old passwords

Use a password manager to audit your logins
Old passwords are digital skeletons in the closet. A password manager can help you find weak, reused or outdated passwords and suggest stronger ones.

When it comes to choosing the best password manager for you, here are some of my top tips:

Deploys secure.
Works seamlessly across all of your devices.
Creates unique complicated passwords that are different for every account.
Automatically populates login and password fields for apps and sites you revisit.
It has a browser extension for all browsers you use to automatically insert passwords for you.
Allows a fail-safe in case the primary password is ever lost or forgotten.
Checks that your existing passwords remain safe and alerts you if ever compromised.
Uses two-factor authentication security.

Get more details about my best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 here.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Taking control of your digital clutter isn’t just about esthetics, it’s about efficiency and peace of mind. Setting up filters in Gmail and Outlook automatically helps clear out emails you don’t need. Renaming and organizing your screenshots keeps your folders from turning into chaos. Automating cleanup tasks in your Downloads folder saves you time and stress. Creating a “junk drawer” album for throwaway photos helps keep your camera roll clean. And rotating your passwords with the help of a password manager strengthens your security with minimal effort.

Got a tip you’d like to share and/or what other everyday tech challenges would you like help solving? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Technology

Inside Mark Zuckerberg’s AI hiring spree

Published

16 hours ago

June 14, 2025

Press Room

Inside Mark Zuckerberg’s AI hiring spree

AI researchers have recently been asking themselves a version of the question, “Is that really Zuck?”

As first reported by Bloomberg, the Meta CEO has been personally asking top AI talent to join his new “superintelligence” AI lab and reboot Llama. His recruiting process typically goes like this: a cold outreach via email or WhatsApp that cites the recruit’s work history and requests a 15-minute chat. Dozens of researchers have gotten these kinds of messages at Google alone.

For those who do agree to hear his pitch (amazingly, not all of them do), Zuckerberg highlights the latitude they’ll have to make risky bets, the scale of Meta’s products, and the money he’s prepared to invest in the infrastructure to support them. He makes clear that this new team will be empowered and sit with him at Meta’s headquarters, where I’m told the desks have already been rearranged for the incoming team.

Most of the headlines so far have focused on the eye-popping compensation packages Zuckerberg is offering, some of which are well into the eight-figure range. As I’ve covered before, hiring the best AI researcher is like hiring a star basketball player: there are very few of them, and you have to pay up. Case in point: Zuckerberg basically just paid 14 Instagrams to hire away Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang.

It’s easily the most expensive hire of all time, dwarfing the billions that Google spent to rehire Noam Shazeer and his core team from Character.AI (a deal Zuckerberg passed on). “Opportunities of this magnitude often come at a cost,” Wang wrote in his note to employees this week. “In this instance, that cost is my departure.”

Zuckerberg’s recruiting spree is already starting to rattle his competitors. The day before his offer deadline for some senior OpenAI employees, Sam Altman dropped an essay proclaiming that “before anything else, we are a superintelligence research company.” And after Zuckerberg tried to hire DeepMind CTO Koray Kavukcuoglu, he was given a larger SVP title and now reports directly to Google CEO Sundar Pichai.

I expect Wang to have the title of “chief AI officer” at Meta when the new lab is announced. Jack Rae, a principal researcher from DeepMind who has signed on, will lead pre-training. Meta certainly needs a reset. According to my sources, Llama has fallen so far behind that Meta’s product teams have recently discussed using AI models from other companies (although that is highly unlikely to happen). Meta’s internal coding tool for engineers, however, is already using Claude.

While Meta’s existing AI researchers have good reason to be looking over their shoulders, Zuckerberg’s $14.3 billion investment in Scale is making many longtime employees, or Scaliens, quite wealthy. They were popping champagne in the office this morning.

Then, Wang held his last all-hands meeting to say goodbye and cried. He didn’t mention what he would be doing at Meta. I expect his new team will be unveiled within the next few weeks after Zuckerberg gets a critical number of members to officially sign on.

Tim Cook.

Getty Images / The Verge

Apple is accustomed to being on top of the tech industry, and for good reason: the company has enjoyed a nearly unrivaled run of dominance.

After spending time at Apple HQ this week for WWDC, I’m not sure that its leaders appreciate the meteorite that is heading their way. The hubris they display suggests they don’t understand how AI is fundamentally changing how people use and build software.

Heading into the keynote on Monday, everyone knew not to expect the revamped Siri that had been promised the previous year. Apple, to its credit, acknowledged that it dropped the ball there, and it sounds like a large language model rebuild of Siri is very much underway and coming in 2026.

The AI industry moves much faster than Apple’s release schedule, though. By the time Siri is perhaps good enough to keep pace, it will have to contend with the lock-in that OpenAI and others are building through their memory features. Apple and OpenAI are currently partners, but both companies want to ultimately control the interface for interacting with AI, which puts them on a collision course.

Apple’s decision to let developers use its own, on-device foundational models for free in their apps sounds strategically smart, but unfortunately, the models look far from leading. Apple ran its own benchmarks, which aren’t impressive, and has confirmed a measly context window of 4,096 tokens. It’s also saying that the models will be updated alongside its operating systems — a snail’s pace compared to how quickly AI companies move.

I’d be surprised if any serious developers use these Apple models, although I can see them being helpful to indie devs who are just getting started and don’t want to spend on the leading cloud models. I don’t think most people care about the privacy angle that Apple is claiming as a differentiator; they are already sharing their darkest secrets with ChatGPT and other assistants.

Some of the new Apple Intelligence features I demoed this week were impressive, such as live language translation for calls. Mostly, I came away with the impression that the company is heavily leaning on its ChatGPT partnership as a stopgap until Apple Intelligence and Siri are both where they need to be.

AI probably isn’t a near-term risk to Apple’s business. No one has shipped anything close to the contextually aware Siri that was demoed at last year’s WWDC. People will continue to buy Apple hardware for a long time, even after Sam Altman and Jony Ive announce their first AI device for ChatGPT next year. AR glasses aren’t going mainstream anytime soon either, although we can expect to see more eyewear from Meta, Google, and Snap over the coming year.

In aggregate, these AI-powered devices could begin to siphon away engagement from the iPhone, but I don’t see people fully replacing their smartphones for a long time. The bigger question after this week is whether Apple has what it takes to rise to the occasion and culturally reset itself for the AI era.

I would have loved to hear Tim Cook address this issue directly, but the only interview he did for WWDC was a cover story in Variety about the company’s new F1 movie.

AI agents are coming. I recently caught up with Databricks CEO Ali Ghodsi ahead of his company’s annual developer conference this week in San Francisco. Given Databricks’ position, he has a unique, bird’s-eye view of where things are headed for AI. He doesn’t envision a near-term future where AI agents completely automate real-world tasks, but he does predict a wave of startups over the next year that will come close to completing actions in areas such as travel booking. He thinks humans will need (and want) to approve what an agent does before it goes off and completes a task. “We have most of the airplanes flying automated, and we still want pilots in there.”
Buyouts are the new normal at Google. That much is clear after this week’s rollout of the “voluntary exit program” in core engineering, the Search organization, and some other divisions. In his internal memo, Search SVP Nick Fox was clear that management thinks buyouts have been successful in other parts of the company that have tried them. In a separate memo I saw, engineering exec Jen Fitzpatrick called the buyouts an “opportunity to create internal mobility and fresh growth opportunities.” Google appears to be attempting a cultural reset, which will be a challenging task for a company of its size. We’ll see if it can pull it off.
Evan Spiegel wants help with AR glasses. I doubt that his announcement that consumer glasses are coming next year was solely aimed at AR developers. Telegraphing the plan and announcing that Snap has spent $3 billion on hardware to date feels more aimed at potential partners that want to make a bigger glasses play, such as Google. A strategic investment could help insulate Snap from the pain of the stock market. A full acquisition may not be off the table, either. When he was recently asked if he’d be open to a sale, Spiegel didn’t shut it down like he always has, but instead said he’d “consider anything” that helps the company “create the next computing platform.”

If you haven’t already, don’t forget to subscribe to The Verge, which includes unlimited access to Command Line and all of our reporting.

As always, I welcome your feedback, especially if you’re an AI researcher fielding a juicy job offer. You can respond here or ping me securely on Signal.

Technology

AI tennis robot coach brings professional training to players

Published

17 hours ago

June 14, 2025

Press Room

AI tennis robot coach brings professional training to players

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Finding a reliable tennis partner who matches your energy and skill level can be a challenge.

Now, with Tenniix, an artificial intelligence-powered tennis robot from T-Apex, players of all abilities have a new way to practice and improve.

Tenniix brings smart technology and adaptability to your training sessions, making it easier to get the most out of your time on the court.

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Tenniix, the AI-powered tennis robot (T-Apex)

What is Tenniix? Meet the AI tennis robot transforming practice sessions

Tenniix is an AI-powered tennis robot that is compact and weighs only 15 pounds, which is much lighter than traditional ball machines. Despite its small size, it serves balls at speeds of up to 75 mph, with spins reaching 5,000 RPM, and holds up to 100 balls at a time. The robot’s movable base allows it to deliver shots from different angles, keeping practice sessions dynamic and engaging.

TENNIS PRO ERIN ROUTLIFFE EXPLODES OVER LACK OF ‘ROBOTS’ AT AUSTRALIAN OPEN

A player lifting the Tenniix, an AI-powered tennis robot, out of the vehicle. (T-Apex)

NO TENNIS PARTNER? NO WORRIES WITH THIS AI ROBOT

AI tennis coaching: How Tenniix delivers realistic, pro-level practice

One of the standout features of Tenniix is its AI-driven coaching. The robot has been trained on over 8,000 hours of professional tennis data, allowing it to adjust its shots based on your position and playing style. This gives you a realistic and challenging experience every time you step on the court. Tenniix offers a wide variety of training modes, with more than 1,000 drills and three skill levels, so you can focus on everything from timing and footwork to shot accuracy.

Tenniix, the AI-powered tennis robot being carried (T-Apex)

WILL 3D TECH CHANGE SPORTS FOREVER?

Smart and simple: How to control Tenniix with voice, gestures or your phone

Controlling Tenniix is simple and intuitive. You can use voice commands or gestures to change spin, speed or shot type without interrupting your practice. Tenniix also features convenient app controls, letting you select training modes, adjust settings and review session data right from your smartphone for a fully customized and trackable experience. The robot’s modular design means you can start with the model that fits your needs and upgrade as your skills improve. With a built-in camera and AI chip, Tenniix analyzes your shots and provides instant feedback, helping you track your progress over time.

Tenniix, the AI-powered tennis robot (T-Apex)

SKYROCKET TO A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE WITH THIS GEAR IN 2025

Advanced tracking and movement: How Tenniix adapts to your game in real time

Tenniix uses a combination of visual tracking and ultra-wideband sensors to know exactly where you and the ball are on the court. Its motorized base moves smoothly to deliver a wide range of shots, from high lobs to fast groundstrokes, at different speeds and spins. The battery lasts up to four hours, which is enough for a solid training session.

Tenniix, the AI-powered tennis robot (T-Apex)

BEST FATHER’S DAY GIFTS FOR EVERY DAD

Practice like the pros: Train against Nadal-style shots with Tenniix

Another feature that sets Tenniix apart is its ability to mimic the playing styles of tennis greats like Nadal and Federer. This helps you prepare for matches by practicing against shots and spins similar to those you’ll face in real competition. Coaches and players have noted how Tenniix creates realistic rallies and adapts to different skill levels, making training both efficient and enjoyable.

Tenniix, the AI-powered tennis robot (T-Apex)

Portable, smart and backed by support: Why tennis players love Tenniix

Tenniix is easy to carry and set up, making it convenient for players who want to practice anywhere. With thousands of shot combinations and drills, your workouts stay fresh and challenging. The smart technology, real-time tracking and instant feedback help make every session productive. Each robot comes with a one-year warranty and reliable customer service.

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

Tenniix, the AI-powered tennis robot (T-Apex)

Tenniix models and pricing: Which AI tennis robot is right for you?

There are three Tenniix models to choose from. The Basic model is priced at $699, the Pro at $999 and the Ultra at $1,499. Each model offers a different set of features, with the Ultra version including advanced options like the movable base and enhanced vision system. Tenniix was launched through a Kickstarter campaign, giving early supporters a chance to back the project and receive the robot at a special price.

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Tenniix, the AI-powered tennis robot (T-Apex)

Kurt’s key takeaways

Tenniix feels less like a machine and more like a smart tennis partner who’s always ready to help you improve. Whether you want to polish your technique or get serious about your game, it offers a flexible and engaging way to train. If you’re looking for a training partner that adapts to you, Tenniix is worth checking out.

Would you rather challenge yourself playing against a robot like Tenniix, or do you prefer training with a human opponent? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

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Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions:

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Technology

Google is shutting down Android Instant Apps over ‘low’ usage

Published

2 days ago

June 13, 2025

Press Room

Google is shutting down Android Instant Apps over ‘low’ usage

Google has confirmed that it plans to shut down Android’s Instant Apps later this year, attributing the decision to “low” usage of the functionality.

Instant Apps were introduced in 2017, and allow developers to create mini versions of Android apps that load, well, instantly. Users can try apps and demo games from the click of a link, without having to fully install them. That makes the experience easier for users to navigate and provides developers with more ways to find new audiences.

Android Authority first reported that Google is moving on from the feature, which came to light after developer Leon Omelan spotted a warning about the change in Android Studio:

“Instant Apps support will be removed by Google Play in December 2025. Publishing and all Google Play Instant APIs will no longer work. Tooling support will be removed in Android Studio Otter Feature Drop.”

Google spokesperson Nia Carter confirmed the decision to The Verge, explaining that Instant Apps simply haven’t been popular enough to continue supporting.

“Usage and engagement of Instant Apps have been low, and developers are leveraging other tools for app discovery such as AI-powered app highlights and simultaneous app installs,” Carter says. “This change allows us to invest more in the tools that are working well for developers, and help direct users to full app downloads to foster deeper engagement.”