Tips
Best Account Security Methods
Here Are the Best Account Security Methods, According to Google – By David Murphy, Email, Twitter, Posts, lifehacker.com
Everywhere you turn, someone is handing out advice about account security and privacy. And while it never hurts to be reminded about all the ways you can protect your critical data, have you topped to wonder whether any of the various security measures you’re taking are actually effective?
WebAuthn Web Authentication with YubiKey 5 – By Todd A. Jacobs, www.linuxjournal.com
A look at the recently released YubiKey 5 hardware authenticator series and how web authentication with the new WebAuthn API leverages devices like the YubiKey for painless website registration and strong user authentication.
Google data shows 2-factor authentication blocks 100% of automated bot hacks – By Napier Lopez, thenextweb.com
Two-factor authentication is annoying. Getting flustered because you have to find your phone and tap on a prompt every time you log into your accounts from a new device is peak first-world problems. But if you ever had any doubt whether it really made you that much safer, Google has the data to dispel that uncertainty.
Google Photos Fixed Photo Organization
Google Photos Fixed the Bad Photo Organization That I Spent Years Creating – By David Nield, gizmodo.com
If you’ve lived long enough to remember the early days of digital photography, you may well have hundreds of thousands of pictures squirreled away on your computer, from various cameras and phones and the web, all terribly organized and almost beyond hope as far as sorting and cataloging goes. That was my situation—until Google Photos came along.
How to use Windows 10’s Your Phone experience
How to use Windows 10's Your Phone experience – By Mark Hachman, www.pcworld.com
Microsoft’s Your Phone app bridges the gap between your Windows 10 PC and a smartphone, allowing quick interactions with images shot with your phone’s camera and the ability to send and receive texts right from your PC. Having tried, and abandoned, using the phone as your PC with Continuum, Microsoft apparently settled upon an assistant role via the Your Phone app. Eventually, Microsoft hopes that Your Phone will evolve into something even bigger, so it’s worth checking out.
– Use Google Maps to help someone find you
How to use Google Maps to help someone find you – By Jr Raphael, www.theverge.com
Google Maps is great for helping you find your way — or even helping you find your car — but the app can also help other people find you.
Make Your Own Free Multipurpose Web Page With Google Sites
Make Your Own Free Multipurpose Web Page With Google Sites – By Visiting These, www.makeuseof.com
Google Sites is one of the best online tools available to create your own free web page. Many people use it as a quick way to publish a personal portfolio page The Best Website Builders to Create a Clean Online Portfolio The Best Website Builders to Create a Clean Online PortfolioHaving an online portfolio is critical for today's digital worker. Which free website builder is best for your portfolio? We help you pick out the suitable one from the ten contenders. Read More or a simple business website. None need any special web design skills or coding knowledge.
Set Up Your Blog With WordPress: The Ultimate Guide – By Dan Price, www.makeuseof.com
Want to start your own blog, but don’t know where to start? You should really look into WordPress, the simplest and most powerful blogging platform available today. Powering over 50% of all blogs, and more than a few other websites, WordPress makes the task of content-management easy for anyone.
How to Create a Custom Gutenberg Block in WordPress (Easy Way) – By Editorial Staff, www.wpbeginner.com
Do you want to create a custom Gutenberg block for your WordPress site? After the WordPress 5.0 update, you need to use blocks to create content in the new WordPress block editor.
Google Tools and Apps
8 Useful Google Tools and Apps You May Have Overlooked – By Megan Ellis, www.makeuseof.com
Google’s ecosystem of services has exponentially ballooned over the years. Whether it’s the smart home market, mobile, entertainment, or the web, Google has managed to attain a dominant position in a wide range of sectors.
Wyze Sense review
Wyze Sense review: This $20 sensor system is a steal for security DIYers – By Michael Ansaldo, www.techhive.com
Wyze Labs turned our conception of home security cameras on its ear with the Wyze Cam and Wyze Cam Pan. These two convention-defying cameras pack premium features like Full HD video, motion detection and tracking, and smart home integration into easy-to-install devices for just $20 and $30, respectively. Now they’ve done much the same by introducing a $20 home sensor system.
Why Android Users Need Windows 10’s “Your Phone” App
Why Android Users Need Windows 10’s “Your Phone” App – By Josh Hendrickson, www.howtogeek.com
Windows 10’s Your Phone app links your phone and PC. It works best for Android users, letting you text from your PC and wirelessly transfer photos back and forth. Notification sync and screen mirroring features are on the way, too.
Android Messages for Web
If you're not using Android Messages for Web to text by now, you're doing it wrong – By Shelby Brown, www.cnet.com
Nothing is more irritating than swapping back and forth between your computer and phone while trying to work and text someone. It's hard to stay in a good workflow and, depending on what else you need your phone for, your battery suffers. For years, Android phone users had no choice but to use other messaging apps if they wanted to chat with friends from their desktops. But if you didn't know, you can use Android Messages on your desktop browser to type. Google calls this Messages for Web.
– Guide to Google Sheets a reliable data source
The ultimate guide to Google Sheets as a reliable data source – Keep calm and use lots of data validation
I occasionally need to grant a non-technical colleague the ability to input information into our data warehouse on an ad-hoc basis. For example, our customer service team at Milk Bar maintains a list of special wedding cakeorders in Google Sheets that we need to collect data from for downstream calculations.
Watch out for this Microsoft Windows tech support scam
Watch out for this Microsoft Windows tech support scam by clark.com
A particular type of scam phone call is making the rounds again and victimizing unsuspecting people. This time, it’s the old Microsoft tech support scam call.
Scammers are using technology to pose as employees of Microsoft and other companies. Here’s how to avoid being scammed.
Things Google Sheets Can Do Tips & Tricks
21 Awesome Things Google Sheets Can Do Tips & Tricks by Benjamin Mangold
I love Google Sheets. It has a clean interface, it’s easy to collaborate with people and it integrates with other Google products that I use every day (like Google Analytics and Google Data Studio). It’s really easy to start using Google Sheets, but did you know it offers some great ways to get even more our of your data?
Useful Google Sheets Formulas
The 7 Most Useful Google Sheets Formulas By Aja Frost, blog.hubspot.com
Lately, the best part of my day has been figuring out the cool new things I can do in Google Sheets — which, yes, definitely means I need to get out more, but also means I can share my favorite formulas with you.
How to Automate Google Sheets With Macros By Brady Gavin, www.howtogeek.com
Google Sheets lets you automate repetitive tasks with macros, and you can then bind them to keyboard shortcuts to execute them quickly. They work using Google Apps Script to capture your actions for later use.
How to Protect Cells From Editing in Google Sheets
How to Protect Cells From Editing in Google Sheets – By Brady Gavin, www.howtogeek.com
Protecting individual cells in Google Sheets is a great way to prevent data in your spreadsheet from getting changed—accidentally or intentionally—by anyone viewing the sheet. Fortunately, Sheets provides a handy tool to protects people from altering cells in your document.
Google Fi Now Supports Visual Voicemail on iPhone
Google Fi Now Supports Visual Voicemail on iPhone – By Paul Thurrott, www.thurrott.com
The new version of Google Fi for iPhone now supports that platform’s visual voicemail functionality, a significant improvement.
Waze vs. Google Maps:
Waze vs. Google Maps: Which App Will Navigate Home Faster – By Christian Bonilla, www.makeuseof.com
When Google acquired Waze back in 2013, a lot of users thought it meant lights out for the Israel-based mapping service. But that hasn’t been the case. Instead of being entirely folded in, Waze continues to exist alongside Google Maps.
– Never Lose Access to LastPass with Account Recovery on Mobile
Never Lose Access to LastPass with Account Recovery on Mobile – By Amber Steel, blog.lastpass.com
LastPass takes away the burden of remembering passwords – and getting locked out of your accounts. But what if you forget your LastPass master password? It’s the one password you still need to remember. Because of our zero-knowledge security model, LastPass never knows your master password and therefore can’t reset it for you. So, what do you do if you’ve forgotten it?
How Password Managers Work
How Password Managers Work – Computerphile – By Computerphile, www.youtube.com VIDEO
Password1 is a terrible password, but how can I remember different secure passwords for each login? Use a password manager. Dr Mike Pound explains how they work. Computer Science at the University of Nottingham:
You Can Now Stream Locals For FREE Thanks to Locast
You Can Now Stream Locals For FREE on Android TV Thanks to Locast – By Luke Bouma, www.cordcuttersnews.com
Locast a new live TV streaming service that launched back in January in New York City to offer access to 15 stations including ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC. Recently Locast expanded into a 7th market with the addition of Washington DC. and Baltimore. Don’t look for Locast to stop there according to the people behind the service they plan to keep expanding into other markets later this year. With Locast you can stream ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC among others for free in Denver, Washington DC., Baltimore, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, and New York.
Watch Your Local Broadcast TVFor Free!
Locast is a not-for-profit service offering users access to broadcast television stations over the internet.
We stream the signal over the Internet to select US cities. We are trying to help broadcasters reach people just like you over the internet.
The Best Way to Use Two-Factor Authentication
The Best Way to Use Two-Factor Authentication – By Bree Fowler, www.consumerreports.org
In a world plagued by cyber threats, it takes more than a strong password to protect your personal information. According to security experts, you need a second layer of defense for your online accounts, complements of two-factor authentication (2FA).
If you’re not texting with Android Messages for Web by now, you’re doing it wrong
If you're not texting with Android Messages for Web by now, you're doing it wrong – By Shelby Brown, www.cnet.com
Nothing is more irritating than bouncing back and forth between your computer and phone while trying to work and text someone. For years, Android phone users had no choice but to use other messaging apps if they wanted to chat with friends from their desktops. But if you didn't know, you can use Android Messages on your desktop browser to type, as long as your phone and computer are connected to a network. Googlecalls this Messages for Web.
Windows 10 tools you might not know about
10 truly helpful Windows 10 tools you might not know about – By Brad Chacos, www.pcworld.com
So you’ve mastered Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts and Snap open windows like a boss. Now what?
Chromebook How-To Website
Google Corrals Chromebook How-To With Update Website – By Gabriel Brangers, chromeunboxed.com
Finding information on how to use your shiny, new Chromebook just got a little bit easier.
Should you buy a Google Wifi in 2019?
Should you buy a Google Wifi in 2019? – By Rebecca Lee Armstrong, www.androidcentral.com
Best answer: Even though the system came out in 2016, its tech is still relevant and can give your home network a boost. Google Wifi is worth the investment if you're looking to upgrade your home network, or even if you just want to get your network to reach that one dead spot in your house. It's a solid and easy-to-use mesh router that stands out among other home Wifi systems because of its low entry price and streamlined simplicity.
– How to organize your Google Photos collection
How to organize your Google Photos collection – By Jr Raphael, www.theverge.com
Google Photos makes it possible to store a lifetime of memories, often without paying a single dime. But when you have thousands upon thousands of images, actually appreciating all of them isn’t always easy.
How To Get Free YouTube Music Playback on Google Home Speakers
How To Get Free YouTube Music Playback on Google Home Speakers – By Robby Payne, chromeunboxed.com
When you buy a smart speaker or smart display, listening to music is one of the primary uses, right? There are tons of services out there already that offer a bit of playback for free, and to be fair, they already work just fine with the family of Google Assistant speakers.
Google Earth Releases New Feature
Google Earth Releases New Feature That Lets Travelers Virtually Tour National Parks Across the U.S. – By Evie Carrick, www.travelandleisure.com
With more national parks than states, most people will never have the time to visit every protected landscape in the U.S. These parks — which range from the geologically stunning Grand Canyon to breathtaking vistas of the Shenandoah Valley — are not usually located near a major airport and take some planning to access.
Why a Chromebook isn’t the same thing as a budget laptop
Why a Chromebook isn't the same thing as a budget laptop – By Matt Elliott, www.cnet.com
If your MacBook or Windows laptop is on its last legs, you may find yourself tempted to replace it with a Chromebook. But whether you're attracted to the lower price or simplicity of use, it's worth making sure it'll meet your needs before you hand over your money.
Android phones transformed into anti-phishing security tokens
Android phones transformed into anti-phishing security tokens – By John E Dunn, nakedsecurity.sophos.com
Google just announced a new security feature that allows users of Android 7 and later to use their smartphones to authenticate themselves to their Google accounts.
– How to Use Groups in Google Contacts
How to Use Groups in Google Contacts (2019 Labels Tutorial) – By Simpletivity, www.youtube.com VIDEO
Creating labels (also known as groups) in Google Contacts can save you so much time! Not just in Gmail but in many other Google apps where you have access to your contacts. In this video, Scott Friesen shows you everything you need to know about groups in Google Contacts along with his best labels tips.
How to print from a Chromebook
How to print from a Chromebook – By Jr Raphael, www.theverge.com
While Google’s Chromebooks are all about online services, sometimes you need a good old-fashioned printout to accompany your digital adventures.
Google Pay can automatically integrate loyalty cards and passes from Gmail
Google Pay can automatically integrate loyalty cards and passes from Gmail – By Alex Wagner, www.phonedog.com
Google Pay is adding a new trick to its arsenal.
You can now allow Google Pay to integrate things like loyalty cards, movie tickets, airline boarding passes, and more from Gmail. Once enabled, these passes will automatically appear in your Google Pay app.
Atlas Obscura
At Atlas Obscura, our mission is to inspire wonder and curiosity about the incredible world we all share.
We are a global community of explorers, who have together created a comprehensive database of the world’s most wondrous places and foods —17,580 of them contributed by our community so far, and more every day, from a secret apartment atop the Eiffel Tower to bridges built out of living roots, from a temple shaped like a chicken to an island ruled by cats, from a fruit that tastes like chocolate pudding to a spicy chutney made out of red ants.
How Much Internet Speed Do You Really Need
How Much Internet Speed Do You Really Need? – By Anthony Heddings, www.howtogeek.com
Tomislav Pinter/ShutterstockPhoto by: Tomislav Pinter/Shutterstock
Internet service providers always want to sell you a faster connection. But forget marketing: How much speed do you really need? The answer is more complicated than you might expect. Higher speed tiers aren’t always worth the money.
Best Gmail Features You Might Not Have Found Yet
21 of the Best Gmail Features You Might Not Have Found Yet – By David Nield, gizmodo.com
Almost everyone is using Gmail these days, but how many of those users know all the tricks and features Google has dropped into its email platform over the last 15 years? How many neat options on the web and mobile remain undiscovered by the Gmail masses? Let us bring you right up to speed with the best Gmail features you might not have found yet.
Two-Factor Authentication: Who Has It and How to Set It Up
Two-Factor Authentication: Who Has It and How to Set It Up – By Eric Griffith, www.pcmag.com
In 2014, the Heartbleed exploit left everyone's login information potentially up for grabs thanks to one itty-bitty piece of code, and in the past few years our security nightmares have only gotten worse. In fact, more data was leaked in the first half of 2017 than in all of 2016 combined.
5 best two-factor authenticator apps for Android – By Contact, www.androidauthority.com
Two-factor authentication is a popular and powerful security tool. It requires you to verify that you actually logged into whatever account you logged into. This adds a personal touch. In order to hack your account, someone would need more than just your password and username. Of course, it’s not an end all, be all solution. However, it is nice having an extra layer of security. There are a few decent apps for this, although most sites use your phone number for text messaging. Those who want to use authenticator apps have only a few good choices. Here are the best ones for Android!
How to use your Android phone as a two-factor authentication security key – By Shannon Liao, www.theverge.com
Google added a new way to verify your logins this week: using your Android phone as a physical security key for two-factor authentication. You should be using two-factor authentication to log onto websites, so that even if someone has your password from a data breach, they won’t be able to get in. And now with the new feature, if you have an Android phone running 7 or higher, you also have a convenient security key.
– Chrome Features That Will Make Your Life Easier
20 Hidden Chrome Features That Will Make Your Life Easier – By Evan Dashevsky, www.pcmag.com
Browsers offer us a window into the magical world of the internet, and they do far more than you realize. It's not just about visiting webpages anymore— browsers function as something of an operating system in their own right, which is really not all that far off with Chrome OS now powering Google's Chromebooks.
How to Not Get Locked Out With Two-Factor Authentication
SecurityWatch: How to Not Get Locked Out With Two-Factor Authentication – By Max Eddy, www.pcmag.com
Security tools often create a certain amount of anxiety. What happens if I lose my password? Or if my antivirus deletes my stuff? The advent of two-factor authentication has created a new twist on a familiar anxiety: what happens if I can't use my second factor and get locked out of my account?
Two-factor authentication explained: How to choose the right level of security for every account – By Michael Simon, www.pcworld.com
If you aren’t already protecting your most personal accounts with two-factor or two-step authentication, you should be. An extra line of defense that’s tougher than the strongest password, 2FA is extremely important to blocking hacks and attacks on your personal data. If you don’t quite understand what it is, we’ve broken it all down for you.
Your Android phone can now be a security key for your Google account
Your Android phone can now be a security key for your Google account – By Alex Wagner, www.phonedog.com
Two-factor authentication helps to secure your online accounts by adding a second step to the login process. Today Google is making it easier for Android users to add 2FA to their account.
Android 7.0+ Phones Can Now Double as Google Security Keys – by krebsonsecurity.com
Google this week made it easier for Android users to enable strong 2-factor authentication (2FA) when logging into Google’s various services. The company announced that all phones running Android 7.0 and higher can now be used as Security Keys, an additional authentication layer that helps thwart phishing sites and password theft.
The Best LED Light Bulbs
The Best LED Light Bulbs We’ve Found For The Entire House – By John Petersik, www.younghouselove.com
At least five times a day Sherry gets asked: “What are those LED bulbs that John loves?” Sometimes it seems even more popular than the ever-present “where you’d get that thing in your house?” question (all answers are here, btw) or “what are those short girl jeans Sherry wears constantly?” (they’re these). Because as anyone who has listened to our podcast knows, I am, shall we say, particular about my light bulbs.
How to Zip or Unzip Files on a Chromebook
How to Zip or Unzip Files on a Chromebook – By Brady Gavin, www.howtogeek.com
Want to send off a bunch of files in an email, or maybe you received a compressed ZIP file as an attachment on your Chromebook? Whether you want to zip or unzip files, Chrome OS makes it a breeze to do without any additional applications.
Drive smarter and safer with Android Auto
Drive smarter and safer with these Android Auto tips – By Derek Walter, www.greenbot.com
Most of the infotainment systems that come with cars are terrible. Voice recognition feels like it’s from the 1980s, and the navigation scheme would fail most usability tests.
Laptop vs. Chromebook: Picking the best computer for you
Laptop vs. Chromebook: Picking the best computer for you – By Joshua Goldman, www.cnet.com
Chromebooks first arrived in 2011, however it's only in the past couple years that they've gained ground on traditional laptops. That's mainly due to widespread adoption by schools, but their overall simplicity and low cost are undeniably attractive for home and work use, too.
– How to Turn Any Android Smartphone into a Google Pixel
How to Turn Any Android Smartphone into a Google Pixel – By Brendan Hesse, lifehacker.com
Android’s flexibility means manufacturers can build their own versions of the OS to suit their hardware, but there’s an elegance to the stock Android experience found on Google’s devices—one that other Android smartphones can’t match.
The best science podcasts to make you smarter
The best science podcasts to make you smarter – By Sophie Bushwick, Sara Chodosh, And Rachel Feltman, www.popsci.com
This post has been updated, and will probably be updated again, because that's how best-of lists should work.
I love podcasts, you love podcasts, your grandma probably loves podcasts. Looking for some science you can enjoy while your eyeballs do stuff that isn't reading? Perhaps hoping to regurgitate something that sounds smart while sitting around with family on a summer vacation? Great. Read on.
Gmail gaining better Smart Compose
Gmail gaining better Smart Compose, support for scheduling emails By Alex Wagner, www.phonedog.com
Today is Gmail's 15th birthday, and Google is celebrating by giving us some new Gmail features.
Smart Compose in Gmail is getting better by gaining support for Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese and expanding to more Android devices after being exclusive to the Pixel 3. Don't fret, iOS users, because Google says that you'll get Smart Compose for Gmail "soon".
Gmail Tips That Will Help You Conquer Email
38 Gmail Tips That Will Help You Conquer Email – By Eric Griffith PCmag
Gmail has come a long way. It's not perfect and occasionally prompts ripples of outrage across its user base. But let's be honest: with Gmail you get plenty for nothing.
21 of the Best Gmail Features You Might Not Have Found Yet – By David Nield, gizmodo.com
Almost everyone is using Gmail these days, but how many of those users know all the tricks and features Google has dropped into its email platform over the last 15 years? How many neat options on the web and mobile remain undiscovered by the Gmail masses? Let us bring you right up to speed with the best Gmail features you might not have found yet.
35 Tech Podcasts Worth Listening To
35 Tech Podcasts Worth Listening To By The Mission, medium.com
Discover the Best Tech Podcasts in the World
New technology is emerging every day, and it can be difficult to keep up with the latest research and trends. That’s why our team at The Mission has compiled this list of our favorite tech podcasts!
Google Photos for Android rolling out ‘Crop & adjust’ suggestions for documents
Google Photos for Android rolling out ‘Crop & adjust’ suggestions for documents By Abner Li, 9to5google.com
At I/O 2018, Google Photos added suggested actions to automatically brighten, share, rotate, or archive an image. The Android app this week is adding a new “Crop & adjust” feature specifically for pictures of receipts and other documents.
Here Are 5 Signs You’re Overediting Your Photos (VIDEO)
Here Are 5 Signs You're Overediting Your Photos (VIDEO) www.shutterbug.com
One of the most difficult things with photo editing, according to landscape photographer Mark Denney, is "knowing when to say when." Truer words may never have been spoken when it comes to powerful software such as Photoshop.