here's the thing
  • how-tos
    • iOS (iPhone & iPad)
    • Android phones
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Facebook
  • categories
    • Phones
    • Tablets
    • Laptops
    • Social networks
    • Privacy
    • Online security
  • about
    • About us
    • Community policy
    • f.a.q.
  • tech deals
  • ask ben
Select Page
Google tip: Download a giant archive of all your Google data

Google tip: Download a giant archive of all your Google data

by ben patterson | Dec 12, 2013 | how-tos, online services, security, the cloud

So, how long have you been using Google? A few years? Ten? A dozen? (In my case, more than a dozen—yikes!) And in all that time, how many Gmail messages, contacts, calendar events, YouTube videos, and more have you saved, sent, uploaded and otherwise stored on its...
DVD/Blu-ray tip: Testing Vudu’s instant “disc-to-digital” service

DVD/Blu-ray tip: Testing Vudu’s instant “disc-to-digital” service

by ben patterson | Jun 5, 2013 | apps, home video, reviews, the cloud

Ever wish you could take your old DVD collection and zap it into the “cloud”—perfect for watching your favorite movies on any device you want, whenever you want? That’s the promise behind Vudu’s new “disc-to-digital” service, which...
Android tip: Scan and upload receipts to Google Drive

Android tip: Scan and upload receipts to Google Drive

by ben patterson | May 28, 2013 | apps, how-tos, phones, the cloud

Are you a stickler for keeping your receipts? If so, there’s a new feature in Google Drive for Android that’s right up your alley. The latest version of the Google Drive app lets you scan just about any paper document—yes, including receipts—using your...
Gmail tip: 12 gotta-know Gmail keyboard shortcuts

Gmail tip: 12 gotta-know Gmail keyboard shortcuts

by ben patterson | Mar 29, 2013 | desktops, how-tos, laptops, online services, the cloud

Want to check your Gmail inbox without pointing and clicking? You’ll barely have to touch your mouse with these handy keyboard shortcuts at your fingertips. You can compose a new message, archive old ones, jump back and forth between email threads, and more, all...
Google Drive tip: How to preview a file (or files) with a single click

Google Drive tip: How to preview a file (or files) with a single click

by ben patterson | Mar 18, 2013 | how-tos, the cloud

Nope, there’s no need to open a bunch of browser tabs to sneak a peek at your Google Drive documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more. Instead, you can use Google Drive’s new “Preview” feature to take a quick look at a file—or an entire...
Gmail tip: 5 ways to go back (almost, anyway) to the old Gmail

Gmail tip: 5 ways to go back (almost, anyway) to the old Gmail

by ben patterson | Mar 6, 2013 | desktops, laptops, the cloud

Remember the old Gmail—you know, before instant chat, the preview pane, the automatic message sorting, and the much-hated “new look”? Here’s five ways to turn back the clock on some of Gmail’s latest (and for some, most annoying) new features, starting with… 1....
iPhone tip: Why are my husband’s apps showing up on my iPhone?

iPhone tip: Why are my husband’s apps showing up on my iPhone?

by ben patterson | Feb 5, 2013 | how-tos, phones, the cloud

Beth writes: Hi Ben! Here’s my question. My husband, son and I are all using my iTunes account. It was originally set to my iPhone, but now whenever either one of them gets an app (free or otherwise) on either the iPad or iPod, I end up with a copy of that app on my...
5 things to know about Office 365, a.k.a. Office “in the cloud”

5 things to know about Office 365, a.k.a. Office “in the cloud”

by ben patterson | Jan 30, 2013 | apps, desktops, how-tos, laptops, the cloud

There’s a new, cloud-friendly version of Microsoft Office in town. Perhaps more importantly, though, there’s a new and potentially less painful way to pay for Office: with a subscription fee. Meet Office 365 Home Premium, Microsoft’s bid to get a...
iCloud tip: What’s hogging all your backup space? (reader mail)

iCloud tip: What’s hogging all your backup space? (reader mail)

by ben patterson | Jan 28, 2013 | how-tos, phones, tablets, the cloud

Sarah writes: I keep getting a message that says I don’t have enough available storage to back up my iPhone 4S. I have the free 5 GB account and only 1.5 GB available. I am truly not a geek who saves everything. Any suggestions as to where I might look what is...
Free phone calls through Gmail: 8 things you need to know

Free phone calls through Gmail: 8 things you need to know

by ben patterson | Jan 7, 2013 | desktops, how-tos, laptops, the cloud

If you’re in the U.S. or Canada and you’re a Gmail user, heads up: you can make free phone calls through your PC or Mac to any domestic cell phone or landline. As always, though, there are a few ifs, ands, and buts. Google has been offering free domestic voice...
« Older Entries
  • how-tos
  • deals
  • about
  • f.a.q.
  • ask ben
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • RSS
© 2011 - 2019 here's the thing | privacy policy | terms & conditions