Technology

Five smart, simple tech changes to make 2024 better

Published

2 years ago

January 3, 2024

Five smart, simple tech changes to make 2024 better

New year, same you. And that’s OK! You don’t need to makeover your entire life to have a good 2024.

But I can tell you firsthand it’s totally worth it to spend a few minutes cleaning up your tech life. Keep reading for steps to banish junk mail, make your phone less annoying and improve your cybersecurity. You got this!

I share tips like this every day in my free newsletter, The Current. Join 500K smart people who read it. You’ll be glad you did!

TWO MINUTE TECH TRICKS: START THE YEAR WITH A CLEAN INBOX

1. Automate a no-brainer security step

You forget to lock your computer when you get up. Welcome to the club. Be smart and tell your Windows or Mac to do it for you! You can set your computer to auto-lock if you’ve been inactive for a certain amount of time.

On Windows:

Open Settings and go to Personalization, then Lock Screen.
Click Screen saver settings and select any option (except “None”) from the Screen saver dropdown menu.
Set a time for Windows to wait before locking. Check the box for On resume, display logon screen. Hit OK.

On a Mac:

Click the Apple menu > System Preferences > Desktop & Screen Save > Screen Saver. Use the slider to choose a time.
Click Show All to go back to the main System Preferences window.
Click Security, then Require password to wake this computer from sleep or screen saver.

Man looks onto his computer (Cyberguy.com)

You can also set up your PC to lock based on where your phone is. Think about it: If your phone’s nearby, so are you — and so your computer stays open. You walk away, it locks.

2. Say goodbye to group chats that drive you up the wall

Group chats are fun when you’re happy to be there and awful when you don’t care about the convo. The adult move is to ask whoever added you to remove you …

Or do the ol’ Irish exit if you have an iPhone. Tap the thread, then select the group icon at the top. Scroll and tap Leave this Conversation. Save this for when you’re desperate.
You can also go the subtle route and mute the convo. (This is what I usually do.) Tap the group text message, select the group icon at the top of the thread, then scroll and toggle on Hide Alerts.

YOUR SMART ASSISTANT IS LISTENING, BUT DOES THAT IMPACT THE ADS YOU SEE?

On Android, muting is your best option — unless you’re up to telling Aunt Kathy you’re out.

If you use Google Messages, open the group text, then tap the three-dot menu > Group Details > Notifications. Select Silent. Ahh, better.
For other Android apps, look through your messaging menu options for an option to mute the conversation.

3. Fix the home security mistake even I was making

Back in the day, I turned off all my home security alerts because they were annoying — bad move. What you want to do is adjust your camera’s sensitivity (or upgrade to better cams) if yours are always going off accidentally.

Ring cameras are used by most people to capture footage around their homes. (CyberGuy.com)

You can usually find controls to adjust motion sensitivity in your security system app. Systems go by different names, so I’ll cover the steps for two.

Adjust your camera sensitivity with SimpliSafe

Open the SimpliSafe app and tap Cameras at the bottom of the screen.
Tap the gear icon at the top right of the screen.
Choose the camera you would like to change.
Choose Motion Detection and make your adjustments to the sensitivity.

FIVE DUMB TECH SECURITY MISTAKES YOU’RE MAKING

Adjust your camera sensitivity with Ring

Open the Ring app and tap the gear icon for a camera.
Tap Motion Settings > Motion Sensitivity. Adjust the slider.

4. Organize your cords and cables the way pros do

When everything’s jumbled up, it’s impossible to tell what goes where. Try this super-smart trick.

Get some stickers. These can be labels you write on or color-coded dots. One of my readers, Tony, suggests using colored foil stars.
Create a system that works for you. Write on the labels or use colors to represent the cord type (e.g., red for USB-C, blue for HDMI).
Affix the same label or colored sticker to the cable and the port on the device. When you plug in the cord, simply match the cable’s sticker to the port.
Place the sticker in the same position on each cable. Try putting it on the top of the cord to quickly find the correct orientation into the port.

5. Less junk mail to deal with

Is your mailbox overflowing with unsolicited credit card and insurance offers? You can thank the big four credit reporting bureaus: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion and Innovis.

Closeup of two modern black and brown metal red flag mailboxes at single family home in residential suburbs with nobody and house in background (iStock)

Each bureau provides lists of consumers, based on specific criteria, to credit and insurance companies for prescreened offers. Yes, it’s completely legal. But don’t worry, there’s a solution: Opt Out Prescreen, a tool developed by these very credit bureaus.

Visit optoutprescreen.com. You can choose to opt out for five years or forever, then fill in the form.
Opting out permanently? You’ll have to use snail mail, but it’s worth it. Print, sign and mail a confirmation form.

Keep your tech-know going

My popular podcast is called “Kim Komando Today.” It’s a solid 30 minutes of tech news, tips, and callers with tech questions like you from all over the country. Search for it wherever you get your podcasts. For your convenience, hit the link below for a recent episode.

PODCAST PICK: Billionaire doomsday preppers, p*rn copyright trolls & nasty Amazon scam

Plus, my 2024 tech resolutions and ways to have AI help you craft yours. California bans this ultra-weird product from Amazon — and yes, it involves donkeys. Peloton tablet goes obsolete, and I’ve got five tech road trip tips.

Check out my podcast “Kim Komando Today” on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.

Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, “Komando.”

Sound like a tech pro, even if you’re not! Award-winning popular host Kim Komando is your secret weapon. Listen on 425+ radio stations or get the podcast. And join over 400,000 people who get her free 5-minute daily email newsletter.

Technology

YouTube made its video player easier to navigate on TVs

Published

10 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

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.

Technology

Android Emergency Live Video gives 911 eyes on the scene

Published

11 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

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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HOW ANDROID MALWARE LETS THIEVES ACCESS YOUR ATM CASH

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.

APPLE NOW LETS YOU ADD YOUR PASSPORT TO YOUR PHONE’S WALLET

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.

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.

NEW ANDROID ATTACK TRICKS YOU INTO GIVING DANGEROUS PERMISSIONS

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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Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com.

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)

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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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

The Game Awards 2025: all the news and announcements

Published

22 hours ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

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.