On the earth of tech, there’s a slew of recent options and hidden methods hiding in your on a regular basis gadgets. 

Ever marvel what the key white dot within the iPhone climate app means? I noticed it in my every day forecast and thought, “What on this planet is that?” Faucet or click on right here to unravel this tech thriller. 

Typically “hidden” isn’t a very good factor. Take the hidden map in Google Images that reveals you all over the place you’ve been — and each picture you took there. Faucet or click on right here to cease this monitoring. 

I’ve a ton of tech methods up my sleeve. We’ll begin with a typical drawback: Getting a stranger to answer a chilly e-mail. 

1. Get a whole stranger to learn your e-mail 

Chilly-calling is hard. Nobody solutions their telephone anymore. Chilly-emailing is simpler, however how do you not find yourself within the trash folder? 

All of it begins with the topic line. Get the recipient’s consideration with the primary 5 phrases within the topic line. Make the topic private through the use of “Referred to you by” or “Fast query” with the individual’s identify. 

Within the physique of the e-mail itself, get to the purpose. You probably have a mutual acquaintance, embrace that individual’s identify within the first sentence. Write such as you’re speaking to the individual. Keep away from corporate-speak like “synergy” or “paradigms.” 

You should definitely inform the individual what you need, and be particular. And don’t neglect to proofread earlier than you hit ship. 

Questioning whether or not somebody learn your e-mail? Faucet or click on right here for strategies to inform should you’re nonetheless sitting in unread. 

Man composes e-mail on smartphone. 
(iStock)

2. Purchase present playing cards at a reduction (or promote ones you don’t need) 

If you’re shopping for present playing cards on-line, you may go on to the location you need to store at — however right here’s the key. There are specialty websites that promote present playing cards at a reduction. Professional-tip: Don’t Google low cost present playing cards. You’ll most likely find yourself at a rip-off web site.  

Two respectable websites that promote discounted present playing cards are CardCash.com and Increase.com. Now, in fact, there’s a threat that scammers could have entry to the present card numbers. For those who purchase any discounted present playing cards on-line, make certain you redeem the quantity as quickly as doable. And when you’ve got present playing cards you’re not utilizing, these websites will purchase your unused present playing cards, too. 

Procuring on Amazon? I put collectively a listing of fast and straightforward methods to economize. It is a must-read! 

Girl utilizing telephone whereas holding bank card.
(iStock)

3. Enhance your TV’s image 

Hidden deep in your TV’s settings menu is an possibility referred to as movement smoothing. It sounds good, however you need to disable this function. 

Movement smoothing artificially provides frames to no matter you’re watching. It’s typically referred to as the cleaning soap opera impact if that helps you think about how this appears. Movement smoothing will be useful if you’re watching sports activities or enjoying video video games.  

Quick-moving content material is rather a lot clearer, however there’s a draw back. A soccer shifting quick throughout the display screen appears faux as extra frames are added. With video video games, movement smoothing provides lag.  

Faucet or click on right here for instructions to show this setting off on a Samsung, Roku TV, LG, Panasonic, Android TV, or Vizio. And whilst you’re in there tweaking issues, you’ll most likely like cinema or film mode greatest for no matter you’re watching.  

Modify the settings in your TV to enhance the image.
(iStock)

4. Cease questioning who can see your previous posts 

For those who’re on Fb, you may need years and years of posts and pictures seen to anybody on the web. Relying on what you’ve posted, that’s troubling. 

Take a second to ensure your previous Fb posts aren’t seen to simply any one that comes throughout your profile. Right here’s how.  

• In your Fb account settings, go to Privateness Instruments and Settings.
• Underneath Your Exercise, discover the part that claims, Restrict the Viewers for Outdated Posts on Your Timeline.

Right here, Fb will change something you share publicly or with buddies of buddies to accessible solely to your pals. With all of the scammers and trolls on-line, it’s a sensible transfer to minimize your digital footprint.  

Fb has a shiny new Privateness Middle that will help you hold tabs on what it collects and is aware of about you. Faucet or click on right here for tricks to navigate it. 

5. Channel James Bond and discuss secretly 

You need to change texts and footage with one other individual, and also you don’t need any random one that picks up your telephone to see them. There are completely harmless causes for this, like snoopy roommates or children who all the time choose up your telephone. There are just a few methods to do that with out downloading any shady apps. 

One possibility is to make use of a Google Doc. Be sure you each have entry to the Doc, however delve into the Share Settings menu. Right here, you may disallow the opposite individual from downloading, printing, copying, or sharing it. 

You probably have an iPhone, use the Notes app. Underneath Share Choices, select Can Make Modifications. Ship your observe by textual content or e-mail. The individual you have added to the observe could make modifications, as are you able to. You possibly can talk privately, and it will not present up in your textual content messages.  

In search of different methods to maintain your conversations non-public? Faucet or click on for strategies to encrypt your emails and messages. 

Bonus Tip: A unbelievable story about hackers hitting a hospital up for ransomware 

Ransomware hackers just lately hit a hospital, and the whole lot from the cardiac machines to IV pumps stopped working. Medical doctors and nurses had to make use of pen and paper. There have been no digital affected person information. However what occurred when the hackers came upon it was a hospital will undoubtedly shock you.  

Try my podcast “Kim Komando Explains” on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast participant. 

Hearken to the podcast right here or wherever you get your podcasts. Simply seek for my final identify, “Komando.” 

What digital life-style questions do you could have? Name Kim’s nationwide radio present and faucet or click on right here to search out it in your native radio station. You possibly can hearken to or watch The Kim Komando Present in your telephone, pill, tv, or laptop. Or faucet or click on right here for Kim’s free podcasts. 

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Study all the most recent expertise on The Kim Komando Present, the nation’s largest weekend radio discuss present. Kim takes calls and dispenses recommendation on at present’s digital life-style, from smartphones and tablets to on-line privateness and information hacks. For her every day suggestions, free newsletters, and extra, go to her web site at Komando.com.