9 Smartphone And Computer Life Hacks For Technology Novices

Our gadgets can do so much for us, and the reality is that we haven’t even touched the surface of it. If you’re someone who is not very well-versed in technology but are looking to learn something new, you have come to the right place. There are tonnes of technology life hacks that you might be unaware of but would love to try out and make your life easier. So here are some simple smartphone and computer hacks that will definitely help you become the technical whiz you want to be:

1. Shop In Incognito Mode

Incognito mode is not just for “private time” and stalking your ex. You can also use incognito mode to shop online. Certain targeted discounts have hidden costs that you may not be aware of until you actually click on the product and see what it’s about. These usually happen because your browser saves cookies. When you use incognito mode, you don’t have to worry about cookies being saved in your browser, and thus you will see the actual discounted price.

2. Easily Capitalize A Word

Don’t you hate it when you accidentally forget to capitalize the first word of a sentence on your android phone and then have to backtrack all the way? Well, there’s a simple solution for that. The easiest way to make a letter capital is to double-tap the word and then press the shift key. This way, you don’t need to bother retyping the entire word.

3. Use Google Lens To Add New Contacts

Google lens is one of the most useful features to have on your smartphone. Not only can it help you scan barcodes, translate languages in real-time, and find clothes to shop for, but it can also help you save contact numbers to your phone. If you take a picture of a business card with the app, you will get the option of adding and saving the contact to your phone. This would be easier than manually typing out numbers.

4. Turning A Youtube Video Into A Gif

You don’t need to look for gif creators online and pay excessive amounts of money to find the right gif maker. All that you need to do is to type “gif” in front of the youtube.com web address to get the video link. This will then direct you to a free, special editing software that will allow you to pick and choose the part of the video you liked and turn it into a gif.

5. To Copy A File

In order to create a duplicate version of a file on your MacBook, you can simply hold down the Alt button, click and hold the file. After this, you drag the file to where you want to make the copy. For computers running Windows, you repeat the same process but with the Ctrl button instead of Alt.

6. To Download Youtube Videos Quickly

If you hate having to get additional software to download youtube videos to watch offline, then we’ve got a solution for you. The step is as simple as saying your ABCs or counting from 1 to 3. All that you need to do is open the video that you want to download and add “ss” before the “youtube,” and click enter.

7. Protect Your Devices From Viruses In PDF Files

When you download PDF files that end with the words .exe, there is a high probability that there could be a virus present. If this is the case, you can delete the file immediately or check for its safety using an application by the name of Microsoft Process Explorer. It is a reliable tool that does not require installation.

8. How To Find Hidden Files On A Macbook

This easy, breezy shortcut for your keyboard can protect your MacBook from malware that could cause severe damage to it. If you’ve noticed that your usually speedy MacBook is slowing down, then you might just have some serious malware on your laptop. Use Command + Shift + Period to instantly see any hidden files that might be sneakily hidden in your laptop. Using this, you can see any malware that may be disguised as a file.

9. Use A Temporary Mail Id To Avoid Spam

If you have to sign up for a website that you may not trust, there is a simple way around it. You can make use of a temporary email and special sites like 10 Minute Mail, MailDrop, and Throw Away Mail to make yourself one. This will ensure that your primary email folder is free of any spam that might be coming your way. Even if you do trust the website but simply could not be bothered with the multiple spam emails that they will send your id, you can use a temporary one.

You don’t have to be an expert to learn something new. There are tonnes of technology hacks out there that would make your life a lot easier. Did you learn something new? Tell us your thoughts on this article in the comment section below?

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Niharika NayakBA (Media & Communication)

 

Niharika has a passion for all things art, music, and travel and has over 4 years of experience in writing for social media. During her spare time, she likes experimenting in the kitchen, playing video games, and hanging out with stray animals.

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