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Windows 8 tip: View the taskbar anytime, even in a Windows 8 app

Windows 8 tip: View the taskbar anytime, even in a Windows 8 app

by ben patterson | Apr 10, 2014 | desktops, how-tos, laptops

Yet another barrier between the new Windows 8 “Start” screen and the good-old Windows desktop just melted away, thanks to a just-released Windows update. Until now, the familiar Windows taskbar, which (typically) sits at the bottom of the screen in the...
iOS tip: Create custom vibrations for your iPhone contacts

iOS tip: Create custom vibrations for your iPhone contacts

by ben patterson | Apr 9, 2014 | how-tos, phones

Want to know whether that buzz from your silenced iPhone is a call from your spouse, boss, or babysitter, and not just some random cold call? Good news: your iPhone will let you create custom vibration “patterns” that you can assign to any contact you choose. iOS 7...
Mac app: Keep an eye on your mobile data usage (Bandwidth+)

Mac app: Keep an eye on your mobile data usage (Bandwidth+)

by ben patterson | Apr 8, 2014 | apps, desktops, how-tos, laptops

I’ve written before about how easily data use on a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot can creep up on you, particularly when you’re out and about with a laptop. The culprits, of course, can be many—anything from system updates quietly downloading in the background to...
iOS 7 tip: 4 gotta-try camera tricks for iPhone & iPad shutterbugs

iOS 7 tip: 4 gotta-try camera tricks for iPhone & iPad shutterbugs

by ben patterson | Apr 1, 2014 | how-tos, phones, tablets

Wish you could snap an iPhone or iPad photo by squeezing an actual button? Want to take a “burst” of pictures rather than just one? Or maybe you’d rather pick the focal point of your snapshot rather than letting your iPhone do it for you? Read on for...
5 essential makeover tips for your Windows desktop

5 essential makeover tips for your Windows desktop

by ben patterson | Mar 31, 2014 | desktops, how-tos, laptops

Is your cluttered Windows desktop getting you down? Want an easy way to organize all your icons, a revamped desktop theme, or even a new look for your mouse pointer? Read on for five ways to tidy up—and spruce up—your old Windows desktop, starting with… 1....
Android app: Pinpoint battery-draining apps and settings (Battery Doctor)

Android app: Pinpoint battery-draining apps and settings (Battery Doctor)

by ben patterson | Mar 27, 2014 | apps, how-tos, phones, tablets

So, the battery in my Android phone was sitting at a decent 59-percent capacity, but it was draining at a steady clip; indeed, I had less than 12 hours left before it went kaput. In a few taps, though, I learned that I could squeeze another two hours of life out of...
Mac tip: 6 easy ways to tidy up your desktop

Mac tip: 6 easy ways to tidy up your desktop

by ben patterson | Mar 26, 2014 | desktops, how-tos, laptops

Got a jumble of icons cluttering your Mac’s desktop? Are the icons themselves too big—or too small? Wish they would just arrange themselves? Read on for six ways to whip your messy Mac desktop into shape, starting with… 1. Arrange your icons automatically Want...
iOS 7 tip: 5 tasks that Siri does better than your fingertips can

iOS 7 tip: 5 tasks that Siri does better than your fingertips can

by ben patterson | Mar 25, 2014 | apps, how-tos, phones, tablets

OK, I admit it: I used to roll my eyes whenever the subject of Siri came up. Sure, it’s neat that Siri can answer questions like “Do I need an umbrella today?” and “Who was Benjamin Franklin?”, but that gets old pretty fast. And no way am...
Email tip: How do I get email on my Mac to sync with my iPad?

Email tip: How do I get email on my Mac to sync with my iPad?

by ben patterson | Mar 24, 2014 | apps, desktops, how-tos, laptops

Charles writes: Ben, how do I sync email between a Mac and my iPad? I delete email from my Mac and they still appear in the inbox on my iPad. Hi Charles! Well, the answer to that question depends on the type of email account you’re using—and yes, things may get...
iOS tip: How to color-code your Calendar events

iOS tip: How to color-code your Calendar events

by ben patterson | Mar 19, 2014 | apps, how-tos, phones, tablets

Maria writes: Ben, love your site! I have a question. How do you color-code events in iOS 7.1 Calendar on my iPhone? You had mentioned you can color-code events but there weren’t any links for additional information. Hi Maria! Great question, and sorry for not...
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