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A secret trick to turn your iPhone into a countdown timer for any occasion

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A secret trick to turn your iPhone into a countdown timer for any occasion

Do you have an event that you are looking forward to?

Maybe it’s your birthday, your anniversary, your graduation, an election or your vacation.

Whatever it is, you can make it feel more exciting and special by creating a countdown on your iPhone with the “How Many Days Until” shortcut. It’s easy, fun, and customizable.

Here’s how you can do it in a few simple steps.

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Open the Shortcuts App

The Shortcuts app is a powerful tool that lets you automate tasks and create personalized actions on your iPhone. You can find it by swiping down on the top of your phone screen and searching “Shortcuts.” If you don’t have it installed, you can download it for free from the App Store.

Shortcuts app on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Find the ‘How Many Days Until’ Shortcut

  • Once you open the Shortcuts app
  • Click on the Gallery icon on the bottom right of the screen
  • Then type in “Days”
  • You will see a shortcut called How Many Days Until that calculates the number of days between today and a date of your choice
  • Go ahead and click on the How Many Days Until shortcut to add it to your shortcuts
  • Next, tap Set Up Shortcut

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Steps to find “How Many Days Until” shortcuts app on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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How to configure the ‘How Many Days Until’ Shortcut

Once you tap Set Up Shortcut, a screen will pop up that lets you configure the “How Many Days Until” shortcut. You will need to input two things: the date of the event and the name of the event.

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  • For example, if you want to create a countdown for your birthday on February 14, 2024, you will enter “02/14/2024” as the date
  • Then tap Done
  • Then click Next
  • Now, you will then be asked, “What is the name of the event?” Type “My Birthday” as the name.
  • Then tap Done
  • Then click Add shortcut

Steps to configure the shortcut on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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If you want to create more than one ‘How Many Days Until’ shortcut

If you want to create more than one “How Many Days Until” shortcut, you’ll want to rename each shortcut to differentiate them.

  • Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone
  • Tap on the Shortcuts tab at the bottom left of the screen
  • Then tap All Shortcuts 
  • Find the How Many Days Until shortcut you want to rename and long press on it
  • Scroll down and tap Rename
  • Then next to “How Many Days Until,” add the event. For example, “How Many Days Until Vacation.” (Note: You’ll want the event to match the name of the event you originally called it when you created the shortcut)
  • Then tap Done

Steps to rename the shortcut on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Run the shortcut manually or by asking Siri to run it

Now that you have set up the “How Many Days Until” shortcut, you can run it from the app by tapping on the shortcut, and the time left to your event will appear at the top of the screen, or by asking Siri to run it for you. Just say, “Hey Siri, How Many Days Until?” and Siri will display the time left until your event at the bottom of the screen. That is if you’ve only set up one “How Many Days Until” shortcut. 

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Results of running the “How Many Days Until” shortcut (left is manual; right is with Siri) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Now, if you have more than one “How Many Days Until” shortcut and you are using Siri, you’ll need to include the event when speaking. For example, “Hey Siri, How Many Days Until Vacation?” or “Hey Siri, “How Many Days Until My Birthday.” 

MORE: THE NEW IPHONE SECURITY THREAT THAT ALLOWS HACKERS TO SPY ON YOUR PHONE

How to edit a ‘How Many Days Until’ shortcut

  • Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone
  • Tap on the Shortcuts tab at the bottom left of the screen
  • Find the How Many Days Until shortcut you want to edit and long press on it
  • Tap Edit and make the changes you want in the shortcut editor.

How to share a ‘How Many Days Until’ shortcut

  • Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone
  • Tap on the Shortcuts tab at the bottom left of the screen
  • Find the How Many Days Until shortcut you want to share and long press on it
  • Tap Share and choose how you want to share the shortcut, such as via Messages, Mail, etc.

 How to delete a ‘How Many Days Until’ shortcut

  • Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone
  • Tap on the Shortcuts tab at the bottom left of the screen
  • Find the How Many Days Until shortcut you want to delete and long press on it
  • Scroll down where it says “Delete” and tap it
  • Confirm your decision by clicking Delete Shortcut

Kurt’s key takeaways

You now know how to create a countdown for your event. You can check it anytime you want and feel the anticipation and excitement. You can also create multiple countdowns for different events. You can even let your friends and family know you are counting down to your event and invite them to join the celebration.

How do you celebrate the events that you are counting down to? Do you have any rituals, traditions, or surprises that you like to do? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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

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Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Technology

YouTube made its video player easier to navigate on TVs

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YouTube made its video player easier to navigate on TVs

The YouTube watch screen has been given a new look on TVs. The redesign aims to provide a “more intuitive experience with easier navigation,” according to YouTube’s announcement, relocating the video title and several controls, and adding a new “Description” button to access creator information and other video features.

I’m already seeing the update on my own Nvidia Shield Pro streaming box and native Phillips TV OS, and I do think it makes it easier to find specific video features and controls. My colleague Thomas Ricker says he isn’t seeing the redesign in Apple TV’s YouTube player, however, so they may still be rolling out. These changes are pretty delayed, considering YouTube announced in April that they would arrive “this summer.”

Videos on the YouTube app for TV will now show the title in the top left corner of the screen instead of just above the video scrubber at the bottom of the page, and the title can no longer be clicked to open comments, metadata, and information about the creator. Instead, those controls are now available by clicking the new “Description” button. The channel thumbnail and subscribe function have also been separated into two buttons, with the creator’s thumbnail now taking users directly to their channel.

Controls have been reorganized into distinct groups under the video scrubber: Channel, Description, and Subscribe on the left, Previous, Pause/Play, and Next in the center, and Like, Dislike, Comment, Save, Closed Captions, and Settings placed into two groups on the right. YouTube says the Subscribe button will remain visible to subscribers, adapting to flag pay-gated content or alert users to new live streams. A “Multiview” control has also been added for live sports content, while Music and Premium subscribers will see a new “Display Mode” control.

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Android Emergency Live Video gives 911 eyes on the scene

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Android Emergency Live Video gives 911 eyes on the scene

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Holiday travel and winter storms create risky moments for drivers and families. Stress rises fast during emergencies, and describing the scene to 911 can feel overwhelming. 

Now, a new Android feature closes that gap by providing live visual information that helps responders act with speed and accuracy.

If you use an iPhone, Apple offers a similar tool through its Emergency SOS Live Video feature. You can learn how it works right here.

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Android Emergency Live Video gives 911 a secure live view of the scene, so responders understand what is happening right away. (Cyberguy.com)

What Android Emergency Live Video does

Google is rolling out Android Emergency Live Video to give dispatchers a secure view of the scene during an active call or text. A dispatcher can request a live video stream through your phone when it is safe for you to share it. With a single tap, you can stream real-time video that helps responders understand what is happening.

This can help during car accidents, medical emergencies or fast-moving hazards such as wildfire conditions. Live video can also help dispatchers guide you through steps that save lives, such as CPR, until responders arrive.

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How the Android Emergency Live Video feature works

Android designed this tool to work with no setup. When you call or text 911, the dispatcher reviews the situation. If they decide video would help, they will send a request to your phone. You see a clear prompt that lets you choose whether to start the secure stream. The feature uses encryption and gives you full control. You can stop sharing at any moment.

The feature works on Android phones running Android 8 or newer with Google Play services. It is rolling out across the U.S. and select regions in Germany and Mexico. Google plans to expand coverage with more public safety partners.

How to use Emergency Live Video on Android

You cannot turn this feature on in advance. It appears only during an active 911 call or text.

1) Call or text 911 on your Android phone. The dispatcher reviews your situation.

2) Watch for a request on your screen. If the dispatcher decides live video will help, they send a prompt to your device.

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3) Tap the notification that appears. You will see a clear message asking if you want to share live video.

4) Choose Share video to start streaming. This opens your camera and begins a secure live feed.

5) Tap Stop sharing at any time. You stay in control the entire time and can end the video at any time.

With one tap, you can choose to share real-time video during a 911 call or text which gives dispatchers the clarity they need to guide you. (CyberGuy.com)

Why Emergency Live Video on Android matters now

Emergencies create confusion. Sharing details verbally takes time and can lead to miscommunication. Video removes guesswork. Responders gain clarity in seconds, which can speed up help and improve outcomes. This tool builds on Android’s safety features, including Satellite SOS, Fall Detection and Car Crash Detection.

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Alastair Breeze, a Software Engineer for Android, tells CyberGuy that the team built this feature with one goal in mind. “Providing people peace of mind is at the core of Android’s safety mission. Android Emergency Live Video gives you the ability to securely share real-time video to provide dispatchers the critical eyes-on-scene context they need to assist in emergencies.”

What this means to you

If you carry an Android phone, this feature adds another layer of protection during moments that demand quick action. You stay in control of when the video is shared. You also get a simple way to show the situation when describing it feels impossible. Faster clarity can lead to faster help, which can shape how an emergency ends.

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The feature works on Android phones running Android 8 or newer and helps responders act faster during emergencies when seconds matter. (Tony Giberson/tgiberson@pnj.com / USA TODAY)

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Android Emergency Live Video brings real-time awareness to moments when every second matters. It gives responders a clear view, so they can guide you through urgent steps if necessary. Most of all, it adds peace of mind during situations no one plans for.

Would you feel comfortable sharing live video during an emergency if it helped responders reach you faster? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved.

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The Game Awards 2025: all the news and announcements

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The Game Awards 2025: all the news and announcements

The Game Awards are back once again to showcase a metric ton of commercials, provide the gaming public with their monthly dose of Muppets, and validate gamers’ opinions on which title should be named the Game of the Year. I don’t wanna say it’s a foregone conclusion what this year’s GOTY will be — Silksong may surprise us — but it’s pretty obvious that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the frontrunner and for good reason. It’s netted 12 nominations, the most out of this year’s contenders, including all five craft awards (Direction, Art, Music and Score, Narrative, and Audio Design).

On the announcements side, Crystal Dynamics and Amazon Games are planning something related to the Tomb Raider series. Keighley also probably had plans to reveal big news about Resident Evil: Requiem, but unfortunately it got spoiled early thanks to some leaked key art on the PlayStation Store. Here’s all the news, announcements, and trailers from The Game Awards 2025.

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