Author: Raymond

I am Raymond Oglesby, an Information Technology (IT) specialist with 30 years in the field. I have taught Microsoft Applications and troubleshot computers in 15 countries and many States. My career was focused on mainframes and desktops from application development to implementation. I have written hundreds of programs for various architectures. I decided to start a blog to share my knowledge and experiences with you. I plan on updating this blog at least twice a week about smart phone apps to Windows. Please feel free to leave a Comment or Tweet. I would love to hear from you. Do you have a computer tech question? I will do my best to answer your inquiry. Please mention the app and version that you are using. To help me out, you can send screenshots of your data related to your question.

How to Edit Office Documents Directly in GMail

Google is making it even easier to work with Microsoft Office files, with the company now allowing you to directly edit attached Office files in Gmail as well as Google Docs, Sheets and Slides. It’s available to all Gmail users, free and paid accounts. No more document conversion hassles, at long last!

Google is making it even easier to work with Microsoft Office files, with the company now allowing you to directly edit attached Office files in Gmail as well as Google Docs, Sheets and Slides. It’s available to all Gmail users, free and paid accounts. No more document conversion hassles, at long last!

This is for devices using Google Gmail

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Google Editing Explained

Previously, documents had to be imported into Google Drive in order to edit or modify them; while emailed attachments were only able to be viewed.

The new workflow, however, streamlines that process considerably. Now, you can directly open and edit an Office file using the Google Docs editor just by clicking on it; just like you would a native Google Docs. But the new editing function does not convert Office files into Google Docs, instead preserving the original file format.

Gmail will allow you to respond to the original email and include the now-updated file (still in an Office file format) without first requiring you to download and re-attach the updated file.

This means you can now edit your Word, Excel and PowerPoint files without ever leaving Gmail.

For example, when you receive a Word document as an email attachment, you can open it and start editing in Docs with a single click while still preserving the Word file format.

With the new change, Microsoft Office attachments will have a new “edit” option and when edits are complete, there will be a new option to share the document via email.

Remove a Chrome Extension

First, you must remove an Extension (if installed) from Google Chrome.

Sign into your managed Google Account.
In a Chrome browser, click More.
Scroll down to More tools.
Click Extensions.
Find the Office Editing for Docs, Sheets. & Slides extension and click Remove.

Once you have removed the Extension you can use the Office editing feature.

Directly Edit Office Attachments

Any incoming email with a Microsoft Office document appears in the Inbox list with icons, preview pane, and the name of the document attachment. Refer to below image:

Gmail 1 — Accessing the email with attached Office files

Clicking one of those panes opens a pop-up windows with various options. At top right there is a download button; use that to save a copy for opening in Word, Excel or PowerPoint on your computer. Now, click on the Edit icon to edit your file. See below image where we are selecting the Word file to edit:

Gmail 2 — Selecting the Edit for a Word file

Hover your mouse over each attachment to see some options:

Download – save to your computer
Save to Google Drive
Edit with Google Docs – opens a new browser window ready to edit.

After Google Editing

Once you have edited the attachment, there are various options for sharing the revised document. Look under the File menu. See following image for the Email option:

Now, checkout your various options to save the document. Refer to below image for the Download options:

Google Editing of Office Files

Word docx files can be edited directly with Google Docs, look for the .DOCX icon at top left. See below image:

Excel xlsx files can be edited directly with Google Sheets look for the .XLSX icon at top left. See following image:

PowerPoint .pptx files can be edited directly with Google Slides, look for the .PPTX icon at top left. Refer to below image:

Note! There may be compatibility problems between Excel and Sheets or PowerPoint and Slides.

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Please feel free to leave a comment. I would love hearing from you. Do you have a computer or smart device tech question? I will do my best to answer your inquiry. Just send an email to contact@techsavvy.life. Please mention the device, app and version that you are using. To help us out, you can send screenshots of your data related to your question.

The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong: Events and Aftermath

How to Control Exposure in Camera App on iPhone in iOS 14

The iPhone’s user-friendly Camera app makes it possible for anyone to take great photos. But the app does not get it right every time, and sometimes you might want to brighten or darken your scene.

The iPhone’s user-friendly Camera app makes it possible for anyone to take great photos. But the app does not get it right every time, and sometimes you might want to brighten or darken your scene.

To do that, you will need to use the Exposure Compensation dial. Apple added it in the iOS 14 update released in September 2020. This built-in feature works on the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and newer iPhones. On older iPhones, you will have to use a third-party camera app.

This is for the iPhone running iOS 14

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Exposure Compensation Dial

To enable the Exposure Compensation dial, launch the Camera app, and tap on the arrow at the top of the viewfinder in portrait orientation.

A row of icons will appear just above the shutter button. The Exposure Compensation slider is the plus/minus (+/-) icon. Tap on it and a new slider will appear along the bottom of the frame.

You can now move the slider left and right to decrease or increase the amount of light in your scene.

If you tap on the plus/minus (+/-) again, you will get back to the main row of icons. You can close the menu using the arrow at the top of the viewfinder. Keep in mind that, if you set an exposure compensation value, it will persist until the next time you open the camera app; even if you close this menu.

The Exposure Compensation feature added in iOS 14 is not full manual control, but fine-tuning of a scene. As you move around the Camera app will continue to adapt to lighting conditions unless you manually lock exposure and focus. It is an effective way to get more control over the image without having to go fully manual.

If you do not have an iPhone 11 or newer, you will not see this option as it is not available on older devices.

Third Party Apps

If you own an iPhone XS, XR, or earlier, you will not be able to access the Exposure Compensation dial. You’ll have to make do with the old method of doing things, which means locking focus and exposure to a single point and then making micro-adjustments inside the yellow box.

If you have an older device and want to set exposure and focus separately in a more intuitive way, try VSCO, Manual, or Camera+ 2. My favorite is the latter, Camera+2.

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How to Disable ‘Meet Now’ in Windows 10

Meet Now in Windows 10 is a new feature that allows users to host and attend meetings remotely using Skype. Microsoft quietly introduced this feature in Windows 10. It was released to the general public in version “20H2” in October 2020.

Meet Now in Windows 10 is a new feature that allows users to host and attend meetings remotely using Skype. Microsoft quietly introduced this feature to the Windows 10 taskbar. It was released to the general public in version “20H2” in October 2020.

Since the feature was announced, folks have had mixed feelings about Microsoft’s approach, with some users calling ‘Meet Now’ bloatware. Author Note! Unless you have and use Skype, there is no reason to store the icon in your taskbar. With that said, let’s explore how to hide or disable this feature.

This is for devices running Windows 10

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The Meet Now

The Meet Now icon looks like a small video camera symbol with curved lines above and below it. By default, it appears in the notification area of the Windows 10 taskbar. Refer to below image:

Meet Now 1 — The Meet Now icon in your taskbar

When clicked, the Meet Now button opens a small pop-up window that includes links to start or join meetings using Skype, a teleconferencing service owned by Microsoft. See below image:

If you do not have the Skype application installed, both links open the Skype website in your default web browser. If you do have Skype installed, the links will open the Skype application. There is no ‘Meet Now’ application.

How to Hide Meet Now

To hide the Meet Now icon, right-click it and select Hide from its context menu. See following image:

The Meet Now icon in the taskbar will disappear. It will not reappear unless you enable it again (see the section at the end). This action effectively “disables” Meet Now, since the button is merely a set of links to Skype.

How to Disable Meet Now

First, launch Settings by clicking the gear icon in your Start menu (in lower left-hand corner) or by pressing Windows + I on your keyboard. Refer to below image:

Next, click the Personalization option. See below image:

Meet Now 5 — Accessing the Personalization option

Now, click the Taskbar option. See following image:

Meet Now 6 — Accessing the Taskbar option

Next, in the Taskbar settings menu, scroll down and locate the Notification Area section and then click the Turn system icons on or off link. Refer to below image:

Meet Now 7 — Accessing the Turn system icons on or off link

On this page, locate the Meet Now option (usually at the bottom right of your screen) and toggle the switch to turn it Off. See below image:

Meet Now 8 — Disabling the Meet Now option

Now, the Meet Now icon will be disabled.

How to Restore Meet Now

If you have hidden or disabled the Meet Now button and you would like to see it again, open Settings by clicking the gear icon in your Start menu (in lower left-hand corner) or by pressing Windows + I on your keyboard. Now, navigate to

Personalization > Taskbar > Turn system icons on or off

Next, flip the toggle beside Meet Now (usually at the bottom right of your screen) to turn it On. See following image:

Meet Now 9 — Enabling the Meet Now option

The Meet Now icon will appear in the taskbar immediately, and it will remain there unless you hide or disable it again.

You are done with the Meet Now feature. Please feel free to share this post! One way to share is via Twitter.

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How to View an Alphabetical List of Your iPhone Apps

The App Library is an iPhone-only feature in iOS 14 and above bringing, among other things, an overview of all the apps installed on the iPhone, that can be sorted alphabetically for quick and effortless browsing,

The App Library is an iPhone-only feature in iOS 14 and above bringing, among other things, an overview of all the apps installed on the iPhone, that can be sorted alphabetically for quick and effortless browsing,

This is for the iPhone

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Find Your App Library Page

To find the App Library, visit your iPhone’s Home Screen and swipe left as many times as it takes to reach the App Library screen or tap, hold, and swipe right on the Dots Bar to move quickly through your pages. Refer to below image:

Alpha 1 — The Dots Bar to swipe through pages quickly

This is always the last page after your Home Screen icons. Once you are there, you will see groups of app icons sorted automatically by category. See below image:

Note! If you do not see it, you have yet to update to the latest version of iOS.

Using Your Alphabetical List

To see an alphabetical list of apps, swipe downward from the middle of the App Library screen or tap the Search bar at the top. See following image:

A new screen will appear that lists your apps sorted by the first letter of each app’s name. Refer to below image:

Alpha 4 — Alphabetical listing of the App Library

You can swipe your finger up and down to browse through the list. To launch an app, just tap it.

If you would like to quickly scroll through the list of apps, slide your finger along the vertical letter index on the far right side of the screen (on your iPhone it’s very small letters) and the list will quickly navigate to that position. See below image:

Alpha 5 — Alphabetical listing using the list on right side of your screen

You can also type a search in the Search bar at the top of the screen, and the results will immediately appear below. Once again, tap an app to launch it. See following image:

Alpha 6 — Alphabetical listing using the Search bar at the top of your screen

Cancel Your Alphabetical List

If you would like to return to the App Library screen, tap Cancel just to the right of the Search bar. Refer to below image:

Alpha 7 — Return back to your App Library screen

You are finished. Please feel free to share this post! One way to share is via Twitter, as mentioned below.

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How to See Thumbnails of Open Windows in Windows 10

Windows 10 includes a number of ways to manage application windows. One of them is Task View, a built-in feature that shows thumbnails of all your open windows.

Windows 10 includes a number of ways to manage application windows. One of them is Task View, a built-in feature that shows thumbnails of all your open windows.

While using Windows 10, it’s easy to see thumbnails of all your open windows. Lets explore how to view your thumbnail in Windows 10.

This is for devices running Windows 10

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Open Task View

Click the Task View button on your taskbar, which is located just to the right of the Start button. Or you can press Windows+Tab keys on your keyboard. Refer to below image:

If you can not find the button, right-click the taskbar and enable Show Task View Button in the context menu. See below image:

Once Task View opens, you will see thumbnails of every window you have open, and they will be arranged in neat rows. See following image:

Task View 2 — Your open Windows 10 screens

Manage Task View

While open, use your keyboard’s arrow keys to select the window you want to view, then press the Enter key. Or you can just click the thumbnail with your mouse.

If the window you selected was already open, Windows 10 will open it in front of all other open windows. If it was minimized it will be restored and brought to the foreground.

If you want to close a window, hover over its thumbnail with your mouse until the “X” button appears, then click it. Alternately, you can select the window using your cursor keys and press the Delete key to close it. Refer to below image:

Close Task View

To close Task View and return to the desktop, just click any blank area of the screen or press the Escape key.

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How to Mark Text Messages as All Read on iPhone or iPad

If you have a large number of unread text messages on your iPhone or iPad, dealing with them one-by-one can be a hassle. Thanks to Apple, it’s easy to mark every one of your unread messages as read but the feature is not well known. Let’s explore how to mark all text messages as read.

This is for iPhone and iPad

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First, open your Messages app. Now, on an iPhone, look in the upper-right corner of the screen and tap the ellipses button, which looks like three dots in a circle. Refer to below image:

For the iPad, tap the Edit button in upper left-hand corner.

A pop-up menu will be displayed. Next, tap the Select Messages option. See below image:

Now, your messages will enter “Edit” mode. But you don’t need to deal with individual messages. On both iPhone and iPad, look for the Read All button in the lower left- hand corner of your screen and tap it. See following image:

At first glance, you may be thinking that the Read All means “I am going to read all my messages”. Actually, it means “I have read all my messages”. Apple should have put in a clarification note as to what Read All means.

After that, all unread messages will be marked as read. You will receive no notification that they all read but they will be. Cool feature!

That’s it. Please feel free to share this post! One way to share is via Twitter, as mentioned below.

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How to Enable Edge’s InPrivate Mode for an Extension

Microsoft Edge is the default web browser app in Windows 10. It’s a universal Store app which has extension support, a fast rendering engine, and a simplified user interface. If you are using its InPrivate feature frequently, you might want to enable your favorite extensions in private mode.

Microsoft Edge is the default web browser app in Windows 10. It’s a universal Store app which has extension support, a fast rendering engine, and a simplified user interface. If you are using its InPrivate feature frequently, you might want to enable your favorite extensions in private mode.

By default, Microsoft Edge disables extensions in InPrivate mode to prevent unintentional privacy leaks. But sometimes you might need to use an extension while staying private.

The browser allows making specific extensions available in InPrivate mode. This can be done for each extension individually. Let’s explore how to do this.

This is for devices using Edge in Windows 10

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First, open Edge. Now, in any Edge window, click the menu button (the three dots in upper right-hand corner) and select Extensions. Refer to below image:

Next, in the Extensions tab, you will see a list of extensions you have installed, and each will have its own box. Now, locate the extension you would like to enable in InPrivate mode and click its Details link. See below image:

Edge 2 — Accessing an installed Extension details

Now, on the Details screen for the extension, scroll down and check the box beside Allow in InPrivate. This will enable the extension to be used during private browsing.

Note! After checking this box, the extension could potentially collect and share your browsing history with a third party, so be sure you trust the extension before turning this feature on. See following image:

Edge 3 — Enabling InPrivate browsing for an installed Extension

The change will take effect immediately. If you would like to use other extensions while private browsing, press back once to return to the Extensions screen and repeat these steps with each extension you would like to enable in InPrivate mode.

When you are done, close the Extensions tab. The next time you open an InPrivate window, you will notice that the extensions you enabled now work in that window too.

You are finished. Please feel free to share this post! One way to share is via Twitter.

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How to Use Different Time Zones in Google Calendar on Mobile Devices

You can change your time zone and create events with certain time zones. This helps if you will be traveling when the event happens, or if you are creating events for people in different time zones.

Time might be constant, but your time zone does not have to be. You can set a one-off time zone to an event, or set primary and secondary (desktop version only) time zones for an entire calendar or account.

This is for Android, iPhone, and iPad running Google Calendar

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How Your Calendar Uses Time Zones

According to Google:

For Events; When you create an event, you will see it in your local time zone. It will also show up in the local time zones for anyone you invite, even if they are in a different time zone.

For Reminders: Reminders always show up at the same hour regardless of time zone. For example, a daily 9 AM MT reminder becomes a 9 AM ET reminder if you travel from Denver to New York.

For Tasks: Tasks adapt to the new time zone if the Calendar’s time zone is changed after a task is created. For example, a 9 AM MT task changes to an 11 AM ET task if you travel from Denver to New York.

Confused, I am. Why not make all these options the same? I do not know why Google treats each option differently. Lets explore how to set a Google Calendar time zone.

Change Your Time Zone for One Event

You can change the time zone for a new or existing event in the Google Calendar app on Android, iPhone, and iPad.

To create a new event, click the Add button in the bottom-right corner and select the type of event you wish to create. Refer to below image:

To edit an existing event, tap on that event in your calendar view and then tap the Edit Event button. See below image:

Next, in the event details menu, tap the current time zone. (Note!. You may have to tap More options to see the time zone). See following image:

Calendar 3 — The current time zone for the Event

In the next menu, search for a country or specific time zone. Next, tap one of the results to select it as the new time zone. (Note! I kept the Event in CST). Refer to below image:

Calendar 4 — Selecting a time zone for the Event

The time zone for the event will be added immediately after selecting it from the Search menu.

Confirm the rest of the event details are correct. Now, tap the Save button in the top-right corner to save the Event with the new time zone details. See below image:

Change Your Time Zone Settings for All Events

When you travel to a different time zone, you can see your calendar in the local time. This can be confusing. The time zone is updated depending on if you are creating an event, reminder, or task. To keep your event times in your local time, I recommend not to create events, reminders, or tasks while in a different time zone, espicially if you are only going to be away from home a short while; wait till you get back to your local time zone to create them.

To change this setting:

Launch the Google Calendar app.

Next, tap the Menu hamburger icon in top left of your screen. See following image:

Now, swipe down and tap the Settings option. Refer to below image:

Next, tap the General option. See below image:

Now, tap Use device time zone on or off. If On, your device will update automatically as you travel. See following image:

Calendar 9 — Selecting Use device time zone toggle

If Off, you can select a new time zone from the drop down menu. (Note! I kept the Events in CST). Refer to below image:

Calendarr 10 — =Select a time zone for all Events

The new time zone for Google Calendar on your device will be applied automatically. Any entries in your Google Calendar will now be displayed in this new time zone on your mobile device. As I mentioned previously, this can be confusing, at least to me it is, so make sure what time zone you want to create events, teminders, or tasks. Now, tap back and exit Settings.

You are finished. Now you know how to see time zones in Google Calendar for events, remindars, or tasks. Please feel free to share this post! One way to share is via Twitter, as mentioned below.

Just click the Tweet icon below. This will launch Twitter where you click its icon to post the Tweet.

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How to Easily Open Chrome to Incognito Mode

If you do not want Google Chrome to remember your activity, you can browse the web privately in Incognito mode.

If you do not want Google Chrome to remember your activity, you can browse the web privately in Incognito mode.

It is easy to quickly open an Incognito window using a keyboard shortcut. Lets explore how to do this.

This is devices running Google Chrome

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First, open Chrome. Next, with any Chrome browser window open, press the following keyboard combination to open a new Incognito window:

Windows, Linux, or Chrome OS: Press Ctrl + Shift + N.
Mac: Press ⌘ + Shift + N.

After pressing the keyboard shortcut, a special Incognito window will open. If you want to block third-party cookies, just toggle the switch to On, the default setting. Refer to below image:

Whenever you are in Incognito mode, you will be able to tell because the Chrome browser window’s toolbar will have a darker color scheme and there will be a small Incognito icon beside the address bar in the toolbar. See below image:

Incognito 2 — The icon and text telling you are in Incognito mode

You can switch between Incognito windows and regular Chrome windows. You will only browse in private when you are using an Incognito window.

While browsing within an Incognito window, Chrome will not locally store your browsing history, site data, cookies, or saved form data once you close the Incognito window. However, downloaded files and bookmarks will be saved unless you manually remove them.

At any time, you can press Ctrl+T (or ⌘ + T on Mac) to open a new tab within the Incognito window, and browsing activity within that tab will be locally private as well.

Remember that Incognito mode is not perfect, and it does not protect you from those who might view your activity on the web remotely, such as your employer, school, ISP, or the websites you visit. It is only to prevent local snooping of your browsing history.

If you see a number next to the Incognito text at the top right, you have more than one Incognito window open. See following image:

Incognito 3 — The number of Incognito windows open

When you are ready to stop private browsing, you will need to close the Incognito window(s). To do so using a keyboard shortcut:

Windows, Linux, or Chrome OS: Press Alt + F4
Mac: Press ⌘ + Shift + W

Or you can just click the “X” in the corner of the window with your mouse.

That’s it. Please feel free to share this post! One way to share is via Twitter, as mentioned below.

I hope you have found this post helpful. If so, click the Tweet icon below. This will launch Twitter where you click its icon to post the Tweet.

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How to Identify Music on iPhone or iPad

Apple released a software update for iPhones and iPads in their operating system that includes a built-in music recognition icon that can help you quickly identify a song that is playing.

Apple released a software update for iPhones and iPads in their operating system that includes a built-in music recognition app that can help you quickly identify a song that is playing.

It is one way Apple is using Shazam, which it acquired in 2018. Since it is built-in, you don’t need to have the Shazam app installed for this to work. All you do is add a button to the Control Center menu and then, when you hear a song you like and want to know who the artist is, you just tap the button.

This is for iPhone and iPad

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Setting Up Music Recognition

We need to check your software updates, enable Siri, and download/install the Shamaz app.

First, let’s check your software updates. Head to

Settings > General > Software Update

for the iOS or iPadOS 14.2 update (or higher) and update if necessary.

Next, head to the Apple Store to download/install the Shazam app.

Here.is how the feature works. When you tell your iPhone to listen for a song, it uses its microphone to record the audio around you. That audio data is uploaded to a server and analyzed, matching it to a known song in a database.

Listen by Siri

Let’s examine another built-in feature that does not require the lastest software update; Siri. To enable Siri, go to

Settings > Siri & Search

and toggle on Listen for Hey Siri. You may also want to enable Press Side Button for Siri. Refer to below image:

You can ask Siri what song is playing by saying something like “What’s that song?” or “What’s playing?”.

To activate Siri, long-press the Power button. Say “What’s that song?”. If you have Hey Siri set up, you can also say “Hey Siri, what’s that song?” without pressing any buttons.

Siri will pop up and say something like “Let me listen” or “Naming that tune.” Be sure your iPhone can hear the music properly. If you are in a noisy location or someone is talking loudly over the music, it might not hear the song well enough. If you have a problem, try moving your iPhone closer to the sound source playing the music, reducing noise in the area, or turning the volume up on the speaker playing the song. See below image where Siri is listening for a song:

If your device hears the song well enough, it will show you the song. If not, you will receive a message like “I can’t seem to recognize this song”.

Listen by Shazam in Control Center

As of the iOS and iPadOS 14.2 update, there is now a quick Control Center button you can use to start identifying a song. However, it is not enabled by default. Why; I do not know. Why does Apple want to hide this feature? But that is the reason for this post; to show you how to setup and use the Shazam built-in app.

First, head to Settings (the gear icon). See following image:

Next, scroll down to Control Center. Refer to below image:

Music 3 — Accessing Control Center option

Now, scroll down and tap the plus (+) sign to the left of the Music Recognition button to add the feature to the Control Center. If you do not see this option on the Settings screen, you have not updated your iPhone or iPad to 14.2 or higher yet. See below image:

Music 4 — Enabling Music Recognition in Control Center

You can then drag it up or down in the list to rearrange the Control Center layout.

With the button added, you can now swipe down from the top-right corner of your device screen to open the Control Center. (On an older iPhone without a notch, you will have to swipe up from the bottom of the screen instead.)

Now, tap the button with the Shazam logo. The button will light up and pulse while it listens to the audio around you. Ensure your iPhone can hear the audio source properly. See following image:

Music 6 — Listening by Shazam in Control Center

When the process is complete (it can take 10-15 seconds), you will see a “Music Recognition” notification banner showing you what song is playing. This notification appears along with all your other apps’ notifications in your notification center. If it can not identify a song in that period of time, you will see a notification saying a song was not detected.

Listen by the Shazam App

If you want more features, you will need a separate music recognition app on your device. The integrated music recognition features rely on Shazam, the music recognition app Apple purchased.

Shazam still has an app for your device that you can install, and it has more features. For example, the Shazam app supports Autp Shazam. In this mode, Shazma will stay in the background on your iPhone or iPad, listen to everything around you, and store a history of songs it’s heard. For example, let’s say you are at a party or ballroom dance competition and you love the playlist. You can enable Auto Shazma mode and your phone or tablet will automatically remember all the songs that was played. You can even keep using other apps on your device while Shazma listens.

To use this feature, install the Shazma app as mentioned in the beginning of this post. Now, launch it, and long-press the big Shazma button, to enable Auto Shazma mode. Refer to below image:

Listen by Google

Although, not an Apple product, here is another music recognition method.

If a song you are trying to identify is trapped in your head and all you can remember is the song’s melody, there is still something you can do. With the Google app, you can hum or whistle a song’s tune to identify it.

Launch Google Search
Tap the microphone icon
Tap the Search A Song button

Now, start humming or whistling the song you are trying to identify. If Google can find similar matches, the results will appear labeled with match percentages. Tap More Results to see more possible matches. If Google does not find a match, you will receive a message saying so.

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