This post provides tips for handling AI-generated summaries in Google search results. It explains how to disable these overviews using specific search modifiers.
RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2 July 23, 2024 – 3 minutes read time
This is for devices running Google or Bing. Screenshots are from Windows 10 desktop
Get the Latest Desktop Google Update
Open Google, click the 3-dot menu icon (upper right corner), then click the Settings option. If Google is outdated, it will automatically update.
Why You Will Like This Tip
View your Google or Bing search results without an AI-generated summary.
Narrow your search results to what you just want to preview.
Overview
We rely on Google every day to provide us information. But what happens when our source of knowledge becomes messy and unreliable? AI Overviews utilize Google’s Gemini AI to provide an answer to your query right on the search page; no need to click.
Using the AI Modifier
Still in its infancy, this feature occasionally surfaces incorrect information, so some web surfers look to disable it entirely. There are a few ways to make an AI Overview go away, but no method is as simple as tricking Google itself into getting rid of it. Google uses search modifiers, named operators, which help narrow search results. Here are a few examples:
Use quotations (” “) to search for the exact phrase
Add site: to search a single website
Search for a certain type of file with filetype:
Exclude terms with a minus (-) symbol. The minus symbol stands for NOT.
If we ask “who owns Facebook” an AI-generated summary will be displayed. Refer to the below image:
With AI-generated summary
And if you add the term -AI at the end of the query, an overview is not generated. It’s a very simple solution to the AI Overview problem that can be quickly repeated on subsequent queries without needing multiple steps. See the below image:
Without AI-generated summary
However, it’s worth noting that this does not work because of the -AI modifier. On subsequent tests, we found that putting pretty much anything in there (Ex: -i, –sports, -farm) also did the same thing.
Summary
So, no, Google did not add a secret AI kill switch to its search engine. Instead, AI Overviews are likely only available under certain conditions, and by using a search modifier, you circumvent those parameters. Still, it’s an easy way to game the system until we get an easier way to disable these overlays.
Disclaimer
Technology is always changing. Rarely is there static tech for smartphones and desktops. Thus, the contents of this post are only valid at the time of writing. Blog posts older than six months may have directions incompatible with your device or OS. Hopefully, older post content will continue to work as advertised. Thank you for reading TechSavvy.Life for Technology at Work For You.
Quote For the Day
“Real gs move in silence like lasagna.”
Lil Wayne
X (Twitter) Info
That was easy. Please feel free to share this post! One way to share is via Twitter.
Just click the Tweet icon below. This will launch Twitter where you click its icon to post the Tweet.
Checkout TechSavvy.Life for blog posts on smartphones, PCs, and Macs! You may email us at contact@techsavvy.life for comments or questions.
Was this post helpful? We would love to hear your comments. 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 you are using. To help us, you can send screenshots of the data related to your question.
The author’s Vietnam eBook on the “Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath” can be accessed from a Kindle device or the Kindle App for a desktop or smartphone. The apps are free.
The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath
Social media feeds are controlled by algorithms that track user interactions to serve content. Although helpful, they can misinterpret preferences. To regain control, users can reset their watch history on YouTube, adjust settings on Facebook and Instagram, and modify interests on LinkedIn and Twitter, or even create new accounts for a fresh start.
RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2 October 15, 2024 – 9 minutes read time
This is for devices using Social Media. Screenshots are from iPhone 14 Pro running iOS 17.6.1
Click here to learn how to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.
Overview
Almost everything you see in your social media feeds today is governed by algorithms. Think of them as the digital rules and intelligence that social media companies use to deliver a steady stream of interesting content to your eyes. They are invisible conductors that note everything you like, click, or comment on and use that information to serve up more content you likely engage with.
Algorithms are far from perfect, though. Sometimes, they pick up on the wrong signals and stuff your feed with things you do not care about. If you find yourself increasingly uninterested in the posts you see in your feed, it’s often possible to reset those algorithms. Doing it correctly can completely change what your social networks show when you log in.
Let’s explore how to take back control of your social media.
YouTube
YouTube feeds you content based on what you watch, search for, and subscribe to. As YouTube says on some pages (accessible below), “Keeping your history makes YouTube more personal.” But familiarity can breed contempt.
First, reset your Watch History. On the mobile app:
Tap your name > Cog icon> Settings > Manage All History
Refer to the below image:
Manage YouTube history
From here, you have a few options. You likely have Auto-Delete (Off) set up; click that, and you can tell YouTube to delete the tracked history of anything older than 36, 18, or 3 months. The shorter the time frame, the bigger the reset to your suggestions will be.
Alternatively, click where it says DELETE with a down arrow to access a menu to delete what you have seen today, in a custom range of time, or everything for all time. That final one is the nuclear option. Your suggestions will be totally fresh.
While here, click the Saving Your YouTube History link to change what YouTube saves. You may not want it to save searches because you may look for some wacky stuff. Or set it to turn off any YouTube history saving whatsoever. Scroll down the page to YouTube Customize Your Feed Feedback and click Delete to get rid of videos you specifically picked for your home feed in the past.
(On the desktop, click your avatar at the upper right and select Your Data in YouTube. Scroll down to YouTube Watch History and toggle the On button to Off so your history storage is paused. Click Manage your YouTube Watch History to access the menus as mentioned above, like Auto-Delete).
Clicking “NotInterested” under select videos can also impact the algorithm.
For a genuinely full reset, unsubscribe to every YouTube channel you follow.
On mobile, click Subscriptions at the bottom, then click All at the top, and you will see the full list. Click the bell icon to the right of each for a menu that includes Unsubscribe. (On Desktop, use Subscriptions> Manage to get to the list with the menus.)
Facebook
Facebook’s main display is called the Feed. It features updates, photos, videos, and more from people, Pages, and groups you follow. posts based on what it believes you will like.
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to adjust the FacebookFeed. Click your avatar profile pic at the upper right on the desktop and go to
Settings and Privacy > Feed
You will see options here to manage your favorites (people/groups you want to see the most), unfollows (people you do not want to dump, but do not want to see as much of), snoozes (people you want to temporarily unfollow), and reconnect (it lets you turn off unfollows). See the below image:
Manage Facebook feed
You can also opt to avoid looking at Facebook’s main page. Go right to Feeds (via the left-hand navigation), and then you can view only the Favorites, Friends, Groups, or Pages you want to see.
As you use Facebook daily, be sure to perform hides, snoozes, and unfollows on posts as you encounter them to “train” the algorithm and steer it toward the kinds of content you actually want to see.
You also can and should go into Facebook Ad Preferences and change things so you can impact the advertising in your Feed. You can also do this with ads as they pop up. Click the X to hide an ad immediately, or use the three-dot menu to hide or report it. You can also limit advertising topics you see by going to:
Settings & Privacy > Settings > Account Center > Ad Preferences > Customize ads
then click “See All” next to Ad Topics.
You can use Page Moderation to block certain words or phrases so they do not appear, at least in the comments. Go to:
Settings > Followers and Public Content > Hide comments containing specific words
You choose the list of words to block.
Since everything you see on Facebook is tied entirely to who you friend and follow, a complete reset would require you to unfriend everyone. Starting a new profile is more manageable. This is also pretty easy; click your profile pic to see a button that says See all profiles. In the following menu, it shows + Create new profile or Page. A personal profile is just for individuals, but you can make a new one to get a fresh, clean feed. A page is more for a business or organization, that multiple people can control. No matter what you create, you can easily switch back and forth between the profiles/pages. See the following image:
Create Facebook profile
Instagram
Instagram is part of Meta, just like Facebook, so many of the same rules we listed above apply. For example, the Ad Preferences/Ad Topics are similar. Access them by clicking:
Menu > Settings > Account Center > Ad Preferences.
Again, there’s no direct way to reset the algorithm, but you can manipulate things by clicking the three-dot menu on posts to set the person as an unfollow or to add to favorites. Click into the account of someone you see, and on the following menu, you can add a person as Close Friend, Favorite, Mute (Posts and/or Stories), Restrict (which limits interaction without a complete block), or Unfollow.
Under Settings, you will find Muted accounts, Blocked accounts, Close Friends, and other lists you can change as desired.
The best reset is to open a new account. You can do that by logging out of Instagram and creating a new user profile. After that, log in to either account, go to:
Settings > Account Center > Accounts > Add Account
and log into the second one. You can link the two accounts (or even a Facebook account) and switch between them. Remember, if you follow all the same people on the new account, it will look like the previous one.
X (Twitter)
Twitter gives you so little control over your feed that if you want to reset the type of content that the platform serves you, your best bet is to start a totally new account. If that’s a bit too drastic for you, try to adjust your existing feed by going to
Settings & Privacy > Privacy and Safety > Content You See
This will let you uncheck topics and interests the service believes you are into. Sadly, you can not uncheck them all at once. Also, under Privacy and Safety, scroll down to Ads Preferences, and uncheck all that.
When using the service, click the 3-dot ellipsis menu on any ads you do not like to block them. Same with anyone you follow that you have lost interest in. If you want to really get rid of everyone you follow to start fresh, go to Following and click the Following button (it will turn to a red Unfollow) next to every name to unfollow; this will take a while if there are a lot of them. If you do not want to do it manually, there’s a Chrome extension called X (Twitter) Mass Unfollow.
LinkedIn
Microsoft’s social network for businesspeople (or those looking for work) does a pretty good job of just showing you the people you follow, but likes to sneak in a few ads based on what it thinks you like. Under your profile, pick:
Settings & Privacy > Advertising Data > Interests and traits
uncheck anything you are not into. Or turn them all off, but of course, then your ads are less relevant. In fact, go through all the “Data collected on LinkedIn” and “Third-party data” entries. If you turn them all off, you will get a totally new feed, albeit probably irrelevant.
Source: Social Media platforms
Disclaimer
Technology is always changing. Rarely is there static tech for smartphones and desktops. Thus, the contents of this post are only valid at the time of writing. Blog posts older than six months may have directions incompatible with your device or OS. Hopefully, older post content will continue to work as advertised. Thank you for reading TechSavvy.Life for Technology at Work For You.
Quote For the Day
“Proverbs are all very fine when there’s nothing to worry you, but when you’re in real trouble, they’re not a bit of help.”
LM Montgomery
X (Twitter) Info
That’s it. Please feel free to share this post! One way to share is via Twitter.
Just click the Tweet icon below. This will launch Twitter where you click its icon to post the Tweet.
Checkout TechSavvy.Life for blog posts on smartphones, PCs, and Macs! You may email us at contact@techsavvy.life for comments or questions.
Was this post helpful? We would love to hear your comments. 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 you are using. To help us, you can send screenshots of the data related to your question.
The author’s Vietnam eBook on the “Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath” can be accessed from a Kindle device or the Kindle App for a desktop or smartphone. The apps are free.
The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath
This post provides instructions for protecting your privacy on Yahoo Mail for iPhone and PC. It explains how to prevent Yahoo from selling your information and control personalized ads.
RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2 October 1, 2024 – 4 minutes read time
This is for the iPhone and PC running Yahoo Mail. Screenshots are from iPhone 14 Pro running iOS 17.7
Overview
Most companies today are selling your information in some way or form. Luckily, most companies allow you to opt out of having your data sold; if you know how to ask for it.
While you would think the “do not sell my personal information” setting would be on the Yahoo security page, you will find it under a different menu. Let’s explore telling Yahoo, “Do not sell my personal information” and control personalized ads.
System Requirements
Yahoo Mail
iOS 16 or later
Browser
Windows 11/10
iPhone
Click here to learn how to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.
Why Apply This Post
Protect your privacy by stopping Yahoo from selling your information.
Make sure your data stays out of the hands of third parties.
Opening Settings
First, open the Yahoo Mail app. Next, tap your profile icon in the upper left. Now, tap Settings. Refer to the below image:
Accessing Settings
Accessing Privacy
First, scroll down and tap Manage account privacy. Next, tap Your Privacy controls. Now, tap the Yahoo logo. See the below image:
Accessing Privacy
Setting the Do Not Sell Option
First, you will be prompted to log into your Yahoo mail account. Enter your username/email address, tap Next, and follow the on-screen prompts to log in. Next, After logging in, scroll down to the Sale and sharing of personal information and tap the link. See the following image:
Accessing the Sale and Share link
Disable the Do Not Sell Option
First, tap the toggle. The default is set to AllowYahoo to sell your data. Next, the page and its toggle will turn gray, indicating that the setting has been disabled. Refer to the below image:
Setting the Do Not Sale option
You may want to read the “fine print” about setting the option to Don’t Allow. If you clear cookies for your browser, the option is reset to Allow. See the below image:
The fine print
While here, go back to the Sale and sharing of personal information screen to control ads. Tap the Personalized ads link and turn off any option on delivering ads. See the following image on the first of four options:
Turning off Personalized ads
Using a PC Desktop/Laptop Running Windows 10/11
Open Yahoo Mail
Click the Gear icon in the upper left below the Home icon
Click the More settings link
Click About our Ads menu option. You would think of accessing the Security and Privacy menu option, but Yahoo wants to hide selling your data.
Under What choices do I have section, click View our other Privacy Controls
click the Yahoologo, and sign in
Click the Sale and sharing personal information link
Click the toggle. The default is set to AllowYahoo to sell your data. Next, the page and its toggle will turn gray, indicating that the setting has been disabled. If you have set the toggle to Don’t Allow on your iPhone first, the toggle will already be disabled.
Disclaimer
Technology is always changing. Rarely is there static tech for smartphones and desktops. Thus, the contents of this post are only valid at the time of writing. Blog posts older than six months may have directions incompatible with your device or OS. Hopefully, older post content will continue to work as advertised. Thank you for reading TechSavvy.Life for Technology at Work For You.
Quote For the Day
“I play to win, whether during practice or a real game.”
– Michael Jordan
X (Twitter) Info
That’s it. Please feel free to share this post! One way to share is via Twitter.
Just click the Tweet icon below. This will launch Twitter where you click its icon to post the Tweet.
Checkout TechSavvy.Life for blog posts on smartphones, PCs, and Macs! You may email us at contact@techsavvy.life for comments or questions.
Was this post helpful? We would love to hear your comments. 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 you are using. To help us out, you can send screenshots of the data related to your question.
The author’s Vietnam eBook on the “Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath” can be accessed from a Kindle device or the Kindle App for a desktop or smartphone. The apps are free.
The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath
This post provides a guide on turning on flash notifications for iPhone, especially beneficial for the deaf or hard of hearing. It includes system requirements, and step-by-step instructions.
RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2 September 24, 2024 – 3 minutes read time
Overview
How do you turn on the flash notification on your iPhone? Sometimes we might need an extra alert if an important message or phone call is expected.
This feature is intended to be used by the deaf or hard of hearing, but it can be helpful for anyone who would rather receive visual alerts. Be aware that turning on this feature could deplete your battery life rather quickly, depending on how many notifications you get throughout the day. Let’s explore how to turn on flashlight notifications on iPhones.
System Requirements
This post works on iPhones running iOS 16 or later. Screenshots are from iPhone 14 Pro running iOS 17.6.1
Click here to learn how to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.
Reasons For This Tip
Get an extra visual alert any time you receive notifications.
Make sure you never miss an important text or phone call.
Turn on Flash Notifications
Open the Settings app, and tap Accessibility. Refer to the below image:
Selecting Accessibility option
Tap Audio & Visual. See the below image:
Selecting the Audio & Visual option
Select LED Flash for Alerts. See the following image:
Selecting LED Flash for Alerts option
Tap the toggle next to LED Flash for Alerts to enable this feature. Refer to the below image:
Toggle to enable LED Flash for Alerts
By default, the LED will only flash if your iPhone is locked and the ringer is on. However, two toggles allow you to make it so that the flash will still go off when your device is unlocked or if Silent mode is enabled. See the below image:
Other options for flash alerts
That’s how to use your iPhone flashlight for notifications. Since the flash is on the back of your phone, placing your phone face down when you set it down is best. Just make sure you have a good scratch-protectant cover on the screen.
Disclaimer
Technology is always changing. Rarely is there static tech for smartphones and desktops. Thus, the contents of this post are only valid at the time of writing. Blog posts older than six months may have directions incompatible with your device or OS. Hopefully, older post content will continue to work as advertised. Thank you for reading TechSavvy.Life for Technology at Work For You.
Quote For the Day
When times are bad is when the real entrepreneurs emerge.
Robert T Kiyosaki
X (Twitter) Info
You are finished. Please feel free to share this post! One way to share is via Twitter.
Just click the Tweet icon below. This will launch Twitter where you click its icon to post the Tweet.
Checkout TechSavvy.Life for blog posts on smartphones, PCs, and Macs! You may email us at contact@techsavvy.life for comments or questions.
Was this post helpful? We would love to hear your comments. 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 you are using. To help us, you can send screenshots of the data related to your question.
The author’s Vietnam eBook on the “Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath” can be accessed from a Kindle device or the Kindle App for a desktop or smartphone. The apps are free.
The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath
Apple faced backlash for slowing down older iPhone models to preserve battery life. Users can now monitor battery health and enable optimized battery charging to prolong battery lifespan. Additionally, they can track battery usage by app and learn to conserve battery and prevent overheating.
RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2 September 17, 2024 – 4 minutes read time
Overview
Apple landed in hot water with customers several years ago when a feature designed to slow the processors of older iPhone models to keep them from suddenly shutting down came to light. Critics maintained that Apple was throttling the speed of earlier iPhone models to push customers toward newer devices. At the same time, Apple insisted that the feature was necessary to cope with aging batteries. Now, Apple lets users monitor the health of their iPhones’ battery. Let’s explore this feature.
System Requirements
This post works on iPhones running iOS 15 or later
Click here to learn how to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.
Check Battery Health
First, open the Settings app, and tap on Battery. Refer to the below image:
Accessing the Battery option
Next, tap on Battery Health & Charging. See the below image:
Accessing the Battery Health option
Now, you will see your battery capacity next to Maximum Capacity. See the following image:
Viewing the Maximum Capacity of the battery
The Maximum Capacity tells you your iPhone battery’s capacity compared to its capacity when it was brand new. For example, if your Maximum Capacity is 85%, that is all your battery can charge. On this screen, you can also enable Optimized Battery Charging, which reduces aging by optimizing how your battery behaves when charging. Refer to the below image:
Enabling Optimized Battery Charging
If your battery’s Maximum Capacity has dropped below 80%, a message like this will pop up on your screen if you experience an unexpected shutdown. See the below image:
Viewing Battery Health degradation warning message
You can tap Disable to turn off battery throttling on your iPhone or you may want to consider replacing your battery to improve your iPhone’s performance and the amount of time it can operate between charges.
Track Battery Usage by App
To view your battery usage by app, go back to:
Settings > Battery
Swipe down on the Battery settings screen and you will discover battery usage by app, starting with the biggest battery hogs. By default, the tool shows you the percentage of battery charge by each app. Tap Show Activity or a specific app, and the information changes to display the time the app has used the battery, both in the foreground and background. See the following image:
Viewing Battery Usage
Conserve Battery
Besides Optimized Battery Charging you can conserve your battery, turning down the brightness of your screen will increase battery health. To adjust the screen brightness, head to:
Settings > Display & Brightness
and moving the slider. Refer to the below image:
Turning down Brightness to conserve battery usage
Keep Your iPhone Cool
Using your iPhone in hot conditions can permanently shorten battery life. Store your device where the temperature is between -20º and 45º C (-4º to 113º F). Do not leave your device in your car, because temperatures in parked cars can exceed this range.
If your device gets too warm or too cold, certain features might become temporarily disabled. In extreme conditions, your device might become temporarily disabled. A temperature warning screen will be displayed. See the below image:
iPhone is too hot warning message
Disclaimer
Technology is always changing. Rarely is there static tech for smartphones and desktops. Thus, the contents of this post are only valid at the time of writing. Blog posts older than six months may have directions incompatible with your device or OS. Hopefully, older post content will continue to work as advertised. Thank you for reading TechSavvy.Life for Technology at Work For You.
Quote For the Day
The real secret to a life of abundance is to stop spending your days searching for security and to start spending your time pursuing opportunity.
Robin S. Charma
X (Twitter) Info
That’s it. Please feel free to share this post! One way to share is via Twitter.
Just click the Tweet icon below. This will launch Twitter where you click its icon to post the Tweet.
Checkout TechSavvy.Life for blog posts on smartphones, PCs, and Macs! You may email us at contact@techsavvy.life for comments or questions.
Was this post helpful? We would love to hear your comments. 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 you are using. To help us, you can send screenshots of the data related to your question.
The author’s Vietnam eBook on the “Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath” can be accessed from a Kindle device or the Kindle App for a desktop or smartphone. The apps are free.
The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath
The post provides instructions for blocking contacts and numbers. It covers blocking contacts in the phone app and blocking numbers from recent calls.
RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2 September 10, 2024 – 3 minutes read time
Overview
You can easily block any number if you receive texts and calls from a saved contact or a random number. Let’s explore how this is accomplished.
System Requirements
This post works on iPhones running iOS 15 or later. Screenshots are from iPhone 14 Pro running iOS 17.6.1
Click here to learn how to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.
Block a Person in Your Contacts
If the person you want to block is already saved in your iPhone’s contact list, you can block them via the contacts tab in the Phone app.
First, open your Phone app. Refer to the below image:
Accessing your Phone app
Next, tap the Contacts icon. See the below image:
Selecting your Contacts icon
Now, tap the contact you want to block. See the following image:
Selecting a Contact to block
Next, tap the Block Caller option. Refer to the below image:
Selecting the Block Caller option
Now, tap the Block Contact menu option. See the below image:
Selecting the Block Contact option
Block a Number
If the number you want to block is not saved in your iPhone contact list, you can still block it in the Phone app.
First, open the Phone app. Refer to the below image:
Accessing your Phone app
Next, tap the Recents icon. See below image:
Selecting your Recents icon
Now, fund the number you want to block and tap the Info button. See the following image:
Selecting the Info button of the number to block
Next, tap the Block Caller option. Refer to the below image:
Selecting the Block Caller option
Now, tap the Block Contact menu option. See the below image:
Selecting the Block Contact option
And that’s how you block a number or a contact on your iPhone. You can always unblock a caller by the above steps and tapping the Unblock Caller option.
Disclaimer
Technology is always changing. Rarely is there static tech for smartphones and desktops. Thus, the contents of this post are only valid at the time of writing. Blog posts older than six months may have directions incompatible with your device or OS. Hopefully, older post content will continue to work as advertised. Thank you for reading TechSavvy.Life for Technology at Work For You.
Quote For the Day
“Success is not achieved by winning all the time. Real success comes when we rise after we fall. Some mountains are higher than others. Some roads steeper than the next. There are hardships and setbacks but you cannot let them stop you. Even on the steepest road you must not turn back.”
Muhammad Ali
X (Twitter Info
Yea, you are finished. Please feel free to share this post! One way to share is via Twitter.
Just click the Tweet icon below. This will launch Twitter where you click its icon to post the Tweet.
Checkout TechSavvy.Life for blog posts on smartphones, PCs, and Macs! You may email us at contact@techsavvy.life for comments or questions.
Was this post helpful? We would love to hear your comments. 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 you are using. To help us, you can send screenshots of the data related to your question.
The author’s Vietnam eBook on the “Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath” can be accessed from a Kindle device or the Kindle App for a desktop or smartphone. The apps are free.
The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath
This post provides instructions for using the Dynamic Island feature to control the flashlight on iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15 models. The upcoming iOS 18 update will introduce new features for controlling the flashlight.
RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2 September 3, 2024 – 3 minutes read
This is for iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Max, and iPhone 15 running iOS 17+. Screenshots are from iPhone 14 Pro running iOS 17.5.1.
Click here to learn how to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.
Overview
Did you know you can use the Dynamic Island to control your iPhone’s flashlight? The Dynamic Island is one of the most useful features, thanks to shortcuts like this.
There are many different ways to turn off the flashlight on your iPhone. The iPhone 14 Pro and any iPhone 15 models introduced an extra option for switching off your flashlight with Dynamic Island. Let’s explore this feature.
What is Dynamic Island
The Dynamic Island is a relatively new interactive iOS 16 feature housing the TrueDepth front camera notch.
Dynamic Island is a pill-shaped zone on the upper side of the iPhone display. It adapts the camera hardware and is a shape-shifting hub for vital iPhone alerts or your ongoing activity. Since the feature is triggered automatically, you can view a multitasking bar within seconds without additional actions.
This UI area displays;
Alerts and Notifications
Background Activity
Access to Controls
Real-Time Updates
Turning On/Off the Flashlight
First, access the Flashlight by swiping down on your Home Screen from the upper right. Refer to the below image:
Swiping down to reveal the Control Panel
Now, the Control Center will be displayed. See the below image:
Your Control Panel
Next, tap the Flashlight icon. See the following image:
Selecting the Flashlight icon
Now, you will see a tiny flashlight icon in the Dynamic Island. Tap it. Refer to the below image:
Taping the Flashlight icon in the Dynamic Island
Next, your Flashlight status will be shown in the Dynamic Island. Tap the icon to turn off the Flashlight. See the below image:
Taping the Flashlight icon to turn it off
New Flashlight Feature
In the September 2024 iOS 18 update Apple will add swipe capabilities to control the Flashlight beam and brightness.
Disclaimer
Technology is always changing. Rarely is there static tech for smartphones and desktops. Thus, the contents of this post are only valid at the time of writing. Blog posts older than six months may have directions incompatible with your device or OS. Hopefully, older post content will continue to work as advertised. Thank you for reading TechSavvy.Life for Technology at Work For You.
Quote For the Day
. “Real science can be far stranger than science fiction and much more satisfying.”
– Stephen Hawking
X (Twitter) Info
You are finished. Please feel free to share this post! One way to share is via Twitter.
Just click the Tweet icon below. This will launch Twitter where you click its icon to post the Tweet.
Checkout TechSavvy.Life for blog posts on smartphones, PCs, and Macs! You may email us at contact@techsavvy.life for comments or questions.
Was this post helpful? We would love to hear your comments. 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 you are using. To help us out, you can send screenshots of the data related to your question.
The author’s Vietnam eBook on the “Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath” can be accessed from a Kindle device or the Kindle App for a desktop or smartphone. The apps are free.
The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath
The post discusses the accessibility features on iPhone and iPad, emphasizing their importance for users with visual or audio impairments. It provides a detailed guide on enabling Accessibility Shortcut and Back Tap gestures, highlighting various options such as AssistiveTouch, Color Filters, and Voice Control.
RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2 August 20, 2024 – 7 minutes read time
This is for iPhone and iPad. Screenshots are from iPhone 14 Pro running iOS 17+
Accessibility is always important since it makes devices easier for those with visual or audio impairments. Apple always does a great job with accessibility, and you will find plenty of accessibility options on your iPhone or iPad to make life easier. Perhaps you need to have more sound on one side of your favorite headphones, or you just need to make text easier to read. No matter what you need, iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 are very inclusive, so you will not feel left behind. And to make it even easier to access your favorite accessibility tools, there is the Accessibility Shortcut on your favorite iPhone or iPad.
How to Enable
Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap on Accessibility.
Tap on Accessibility Shortcut; it’s all the way to the bottom. Refer to the below image:
Selecting Accessibility Shortcut option
Tap the action you would like to perform when you triple-click the Home or Side button so that a blue checkmark appears next to it. You can assign multiple functions to the shortcut.
If you want to reorder the options, just drag and drop. Tap and hold the handle on the right side of each option to move it.
Triple-click your Home button (Touch ID devices) or Side button (Face ID devices) to perform the action you have assigned to the shortcut.
If you have assigned multiple options, simply choose the action you want to perform from the menu. See the below image:
Assigning multiple shortcuts and reordering them
Here’s a brief description of the options you have and what they are:
AssistiveTouch: Adds the ability to access many common hardware buttons and gesture controls with single taps; a useful feature for those with motor impairments.
Background Sounds: A new feature in iOS 15, Background Sounds lets you play soothing white noise to help you concentrate. Using the Accessibility Shortcut toggles your selected sound. First, you need to set up your Background Sounds.
Classic Invert Colors: A great option for anyone with a visual impairment such as color blindness. All colors across iOS will be inverted.
Color Filters: Changes the color layout of the screen for those with color blindness.
Full Keyboard Access: This allows you to navigate the iOS interface without using touch input. A physical keyboard is required to use this feature.
Increase Contrast: This will increase the contrast of visual elements on the screen, making it easier to see and read text.
Left/Right Balance: This turns on your custom audio balance setting if you have one set up. For example, if you want more sound on the left or right side of your earbuds or headphones, you will want to adjust that audio balance. Turning this off will go back to the default setting.
Magnifier: Triggers a camera-style viewfinder with sharp zoom controls so you can see small text. You will need the Magnifier enabled to have this option available.
People Detection: With People Detection, your iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 uses Machine Learning with the LiDAR scanner to determine if an object in the camera is a person. You will receive audio feedback to help you determine how far away or close a person is to you.
Reduce Motion: This turns on the Reduce Motion setting, which reduces motion in the user interface, including the parallax with app icons. This can also help conserve some battery power.
Reduce Transparency: This reduces the transparency used in apps and websites, including blurred backgrounds. Having this on improves the legibility of text.
Reduce White Point: Reduces the intensity of bright colors for those with sensitivities or color blindness.
Smart Invert Colors: Same as Classic Invert Colors, except it does not change photos, media, and some apps.
Switch Control: This lets you use external switches, or the screen itself, as a switch for motor accessibility.
Voice Control: This lets you speak commands to your iPhone or iPad.
VoiceOver: Allows your iPhone or iPad to speak to you when enabled. Commonly used by folks with visual impairments.
Zoom: Allows you to zoom your content for better visibility. You can then use two and three-finger gestures to tap and pan around.
Guided Access: This keeps the iPhone in a single app and allows you to control which features are available. You need the Guided Access feature enabled before it is available as an Accessibility Shortcut option.
Once you have made your selection for the Accessibility Shortcut on iPhone and iPad, you can simply triple-click the Home button or the Side button on iPhones and iPads with Face ID from anywhere, not just from Settings, and your iPhone or iPad will enable the function you have selected. To disable it, just triple-click the button again. If multiple functions are assigned, tap the option you want to use.
Back Tap
iOS 14 added a new Back Tap gesture. With the Back Tap, you can double-tap or even triple-tap the back of your iPhone for quicker access to some commonly used actions, such as accessing the Notification Center or Control Center. You can also use the Back Tap gesture to launch Shortcuts that you have created, opening up a whole new world of possibilities.
Launch Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap Accessibility.
Tap Touch. See the following image
Selecting the Touch option
Tap Back Tap at the bottom.
Tap Double Tap or Triple Tap to choose an action. Refer to the below image:
Selecting Back Tap options
Select an action for your chosen Back Tap. Options include the Accessibility Shortcut that we just created, or you can choose from System, Accessibility, Scroll Gestures, or your own Shortcuts actions. See the below image:
Selecting Double and TripleTtap functions.
Quick Access
As you can see, having an Accessibility Shortcut and Back Tap gestures can make your life easier. It adds another layer of customization to your device, and you do not need to fiddle around in the settings every time to get to certain accessibility actions. Even if you are not visually or hearing impaired, these accessibility features are handy for everyone.
Disclaimer
Technology is always changing. Rarely is there static tech for smartphones and desktops. Thus, the contents of this post are only valid at the time of writing. Blog posts older than six months may have directions incompatible with your device or OS. Hopefully, older post content will continue to work as advertised. Thank you for reading TechSavvy.Life for Technology at Work For You.
Quote For the Day
“Real work is completed in silence and strikes a chord in the minds of only a very few.”
CG Jung
X (Tweeter) Info
That’s it. Please feel free to share this post! One way to share is via Twitter.
Just click the Tweet icon below. This will launch Twitter where you click its icon to post the Tweet.
Checkout TechSavvy.Life for blog posts on smartphones, PCs, and Macs! You may email us at contact@techsavvy.life for comments or questions.
Was this post helpful? We would love to hear your comments. 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 you are using. To help us out, you can send screenshots of the data related to your question.
The author’s Vietnam eBook on the “Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath” can be accessed from a Kindle device or the Kindle App for a desktop or smartphone. The apps are free.
The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath
This post emphasizes the importance of strong, unique passwords and the use of password managers to enhance security. It highlights the risks of using common or personal information-based passwords and provides tips for creating and managing secure passwords.
RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2 August 13, 2024 -9 minutes read time
This is for devices using passwords. Screenshots are from iPhone 14 Pro running iOS 17.5.1+
If you are still using “qwerty” or “starwars” as a password, you should stop doing this. Let’s find out what makes a bad password, why you should care, and how to make a good one.
The Case For Strong Passwords
Don’t have the password to get into your bank account? You are out of luck unless you can trick the bouncer into telling you the password is “kangaroo.” A simple password like that would be a terrible choice to protect your access to a bank site. And yet, chances are good you are using something just as bad, because stronger passwords are too hard to remember.
The only safe way to store proper passwords is in a password manager. If you are not using one, you probably rely on a highly crackable password like “baseball” or “12345”, or you have memorized one complex password, like “Jazz2day4Me!” and use it everywhere. Password security is no small matter. Given the enormous risk, you need to keep your passwords safe.
Even the best password manager does not guarantee the safety of your accounts; not if you use it to store the same old, tired passwords. You have to switch out your old and weak passwords for new and stronger ones.
Once you have replaced all your lame passwords with strong, unique ones, you can relax, at least until a data breach forces a change. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NST) no longer recommends changing passwords every 90 days. NIST now recommends using long phrases like “Correct-Horse-Battery-Staple” and changing them only when necessary. If you have terrible passwords, “when necessary” means right now.
Bad passwords
Just what makes a bad password? Let’s look at some of the attributes of terrible passwords, and then some pointers on improving them.
Ditch the Dictionary
Every few months a news outlet posts a list of the worst passwords. We see a lot of easy-to-type options, like“12345” and “qwerty”. Easy for you to type? Sure. But also easy for hackers to crack. Other common (and poor) passwords consist of simple dictionary words, like “baseball”, “monkey”, and “starwars” in the list of worst passwords. These, too, are easy to crack.
A few of the best password managers (tap or click a button to view):
Some secure websites lock down after a given number of wrong password attempts, but many do not. For those with no bad guess lockout, hackers can cross a list of email addresses with a list of popular passwords and set up an automated process to keep trying combinations until they get in.
A properly secured website does not store your password anywhere. Instead, it runs the password through a hashing algorithm, a one-way encryption. The same input always produces the same output, but there’s no way to return to the original password from the resulting hash. If the password you type hashes to the same one that’s stored, you gain access. Even if hackers capture the site’s user data, they do not get passwords, just hashes.
But smart hackers can crack weak passwords if they know the site’s hashing function. They start by running a huge dictionary of common passwords through the hashing function. Then they look for the resulting hashes in the captured data. Each match is a cracked password. Sites with the best security enhance the hash function with password salting, which makes table-based cracking impossible, but why take the risk? Just stay out of the dictionary.
Think Differently
What about this perfect password: 1qaz2wsx3edc4rfv. You just “type” it by sliding a finger down four slanted columns of the keyboard. You think it’s so perfect, that you use it everywhere. And that is a big mistake.
Hardly a week goes by without news of a breach at some company or website, exposing thousands or millions of usernames and passwords. Smart victims change their passwords immediately. Those who ignore the problem may find themselves locked out of their accounts after the hackers have reset your passwords.
Those hackers know that all too many people recycle their passwords. Once they find a working username and password pair, they try the same credentials on other sites. You may not be so worried about losing access to your old Dropbox account, but if you used the same login on your bank’s website, you are in big trouble.
Using the same credentials on websites
It gets worse. If someone else takes control of your email account, they can lock you out by changing the password. Then they can break into your other accounts by having a password reset link emailed to that account. Worried yet? You should be!!!!
Stay Away From Being Personal
Using personal information as the basis for your passwords is awfully tempting, but it’s a bad idea. Whether your dog’s name is Fifi or Khaleesi, that name probably appears in the dictionaries hackers use for brute-force attacks. Other possibilities such as the initials and birthdate of a family member probably will not fall to a brute-force attack. If someone wants to hack your account specifically, that personal data can fuel a trial-and-error guessing attack.
Do not think for a minute that your personal details are private. There are dozens of sites people can use to find details about anybody: address, birthdate, marital status, and more. Your social media posts can be another source of personal info, especially if you have not properly secured your accounts. A determined hacker (or a nosy neighbor) can probably guess any password you build based on your data.
Shut the Back Door
If you are not using a password manager, you have surely experienced forgetting the password for a site. It’s all too common. That is why virtually every login page includes a “Forgot your password?” link. Some sites send a reset link to your email address, while others let you reset the password after answering your security questions. And that opens a back door to anyone wanting to hack your account.
Most sites offer abysmal options for security questions like:
What is your mother’s maiden name?
Where did you go to high school?
What was your first job?
As noted, your personal life is an open book to anyone with internet searching skills. When possible, ignore the preset questions. Create your own question, with a unique answer you will always remember but nobody else could guess.
It’s harder when the site does not let you define your own questions. In that case, your best bet is to use a memorable answer that’s a total LIE like:
My mother’s maiden name is Fauci.
I went to school at More Science High School.
For my first job, I was a linotype operator.
There is an element of risk since you might forget which lie you chose. We suggest storing these oddball answers in the iPhone Notes app or onGoogle Drive.
What To Do Now
We hope we have convinced you that using common passwords is a rotten idea, as is building passwords from personal information. Even the best strong, random password becomes a liability if you use it everywhere. If you are ready to spring into action, here are some starting points:
Use a password manager
Switch to a better password manager
Remember an extremely secure master password for your password manager and keep it on another app. Better yet, just remember the master password.
Take advantage of a random password generator to upgrade your old, bad passwords
You could even create your own random password generator in Excel
Enable multi-factor authentication wherever available
If a secure site does not take care of security, you could still lose that site’s credentials to a data breach, but by making all your passwords long, strong, and unique, you can rest assured that you have done everything you can to protect your online accounts from password-based attacks.
Risky password behavior
You may want to switch to using Passkeys or Passphrases.
Source: PC Mag
Disclaimer
Technology is always changing. Rarely is there static tech for smartphones and desktops. Thus, the contents of this post are only valid at the time of writing. Blog posts older than six months may have directions incompatible with your device or OS. Hopefully, older post content will continue to work as advertised. Thank you for reading TechSavvy.Life for Technology at Work For You.
Quote For the Day
“Try and keep on trying until that which seems difficult becomes possible and that which seems only possible becomes habit and a real part of you.”
Dieter F Uchtdorf
X (Twitter) Info
That’s it. Please feel free to share this post! One way to share is via Twitter.
Just click the Tweet icon below. This will launch Twitter where you click its icon to post the Tweet.
Checkout TechSavvy.Life for blog posts on smartphones, PCs, and Macs! You may email us at contact@techsavvy.life for comments or questions.
Was this post helpful? We would love to hear your comments. 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 you are using. To help us, you can send screenshots of the data related to your question.
The post provides advice on cleaning Apple AirPods to prevent dirt and bacteria accumulation, which can affect performance and cause irritation or infection. It provides specific cleaning instructions for AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. Regular maintenance is emphasized to extend their life. Additionally, the post advises on cleaning the case.
RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2 August 6, 2024 – 5 minutes read time
This is for Apple AirPod. AirPod Pro and AirPod Max.
Overview
AirPods, Pro, and Max can accumulate dirt and bacteria you do not want to introduce into your ear canal because they can cause irritation or infection. As for your AirPods, an accumulation of wax, sweat, and other substances can affect their performance.
Cleaning those small white AirPods and AirPods Pro can seem pretty delicate. And even the bulky AirPods Max can be baffling because of the mix of materials they are made out of. Let’s explore how to clean your AirPods.
AirPodsAirPods ProAirPods Max
Prevention
The first thing you can do is a bit of prevention. To keep AirPods and AirPods Pro out of dirt and water as much as possible, consider getting a third-party strap so they are attached to each other, making them less likely to fall. You can find many styles, from simple silicone to glitzy gold. When your AirPods Max are not in use, stash them in their case instead of leaving them out or letting them go loose in a bag.
Products to Use and Avoid
The things to have on hand if you want to keep your AirPods clean are pretty simple: lint-free cloths, cotton swabs, and a bit of water will do the job in most instances.
Apple used to only recommend water and lint-free cloths for cleaning most of its products before the pandemic. Now it says it’s okay to use 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes, 75% ethyl alcohol wipes, or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes on the exterior parts of AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. But you should avoid using such wipes on the knit mesh or ear cushion parts of the AirPods Max.
And you should not use bleach or anything with hydrogen peroxide to clean any AirPods.
Maintenance
Maintenance is key to extending the life of your AirPods. For maintenance, clean AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max with a dry, lint-free cloth. It does not have to be expensive or fancy like the $19 Polishing Cloth Apple sells. You can clean any microphone and speaker meshes with a dry cotton swab.
Dive Into a Deeper Clean
If your AirPods have gotten something on them like lotion or food (it happens), or have stood up to a lot of sweat, you can take a lint-free cloth, dampen it with a bit of water, and give them a light rubdown. Dry them off with a lint-free cloth and then let them sit out a bit before you put them back in the case. If there’s earwax present, hold your AirPods with the mesh facing toward the ground and go over the mesh lightly with a dry cotton swab. If it’s still stuck, carefully try a toothpick or other small pointed object around the edges of the mesh but be aware that if you exert too much force, you can loosen or dislodge the mesh itself.
The AirPods Pro has an ear tip, so if you want a more thorough cleaning, remove the tips and rinse them with water. If there is earwax or anything else still stuck to them, use a dampened cotton swab to remove it. Dry the ear tips with a lint-free cloth and don’t put them back on until they’re thoroughly dry.
For the AirPods Max, a good cleaning involves wiping them down with a slightly dampened lint-free cloth and then a dry one after. Because the AirPods Max are headphones, there’s more surface area to attract dirt. If the cushions and headband look or feel grimy, you can give them a bit of a wash. Remove the ear cushions first to clean them separately. Then combine a teaspoon of mild detergent with a cup of water and use a lint-free cloth to wipe the band and cushions down with the solution. Follow that with a wipe of just water on a cloth and then dry all the components completely.
Cleaning Your Case
Since your AirPods are often in their case, you also want to keep that clean. You can use a clean, lint-free cloth slightly dampened with water or an alcohol wipe if the case really needs it. Ensure the case is completely dry before you put your AirPods back in. You would do well to turn the case upside down while it dries.
Disclaimer
Technology is always changing. Rarely is there static tech for smartphones and desktops. Thus, the contents of this post are only valid at the time of writing. Blog posts older than six months may have directions incompatible with your device or OS. Hopefully, older post content will continue to work as advertised. Thank you for reading TechSavvy.Life for Technology at Work For You.
Quote For the Day
Tell the world what you intend to do, but first show it.
Napoleon Hill
X (Twitter) Info
That’s it. Please feel free to share this post! One way to share is via Twitter.
Just click the Tweet icon below. This will launch Twitter where you click its icon to post the Tweet.
Checkout TechSavvy.Life for blog posts on smartphones, PCs, and Macs! You may email us at contact@techsavvy.life for comments or questions.
Was this post helpful? We would love to hear your comments. 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 you are using. To help us out, you can send screenshots of the data related to your question.
Tech Savvy Life 