Life should be easy. It should be simple. It should flow freely. And you know what? It can if you let tech do the hard work for you.
That being the vase, let’s take a look at 25 tech hacks that will make your whole life easier.
1. Automate the Boring Stuff
If your motto is "I'll automate that later," it's time to embrace tools like IFTTT (If This Then That) or Zapier. Automate tasks like backing up photos, managing your calendar, or even turning on your lights at sunset. Your future self will thank you.
2. Master Keyboard Shortcuts
Become the wizard of spreadsheets and the sorcerer of word processing with keyboard shortcuts. Ctrl + C, Ctrl + V, and Ctrl + Z should be just the start. Dig deeper, and you’ll save more time than you can count.
3. Reduce Chrome Memory Usage
Does your laptop sound like it’s about to blast off whenever you open more than two tabs in Chrome? Is it so slow you can’t get your work done efficiently? You need to reduce chrome memory usage stat. Dive into Chrome's Task Manager (hit Shift + Esc) to see what's gobbling up your memory and close any unnecessary tabs or extensions. It's like a digital detox for your browser.
4. Unsend That Email
Ever had that heart-stopping moment after sending an email? Gmail has a solution. Enable the 'Undo Send' feature in settings to give yourself a grace period after hitting send. Breathe easy.
5. Charge Your Phone Faster
Need a quick charge before heading out? Put your phone on airplane mode while it’s plugged in. Less background activity means faster charging. You'll be at 100% before you know it.
6. Use Your Phone as a Level
Hanging pictures? Forget the toolbox; grab your smartphone. Both Android and iPhone have a built-in spirit level, often hidden within the compass app. It’s spot on!
7. Revive Your Old Laptop
Is your old laptop collecting dust? Install a lightweight Linux distribution and give it a new lease of life. It's perfect for basic tasks, and you’ll feel super tech-savvy too.
8. Get Wi-Fi Names and Passwords
At a friend’s house and need the Wi-Fi? On Windows, you can find previously connected network passwords by going to Network Settings > Network and Sharing Center > Wireless Properties > Security and check 'Show characters.' No more awkwardly asking for the Wi-Fi password every visit.
9. Streamline Your Reading
Too many articles, not enough time? Use an app like Pocket or Instapaper to save articles offline, so you can read them later without distractions or the need for Wi-Fi.
10. Organize Your Cables
End the reign of tangled cables. Label them, color code them, or even use binder clips to keep them in check on the edge of your desk. Simple, yet revolutionary.
11. Keep Your Old Phone Numbers
Switching phones but worried about losing texts or contacts? Use Google Drive or iCloud to back up your old phone's data before making the switch. Seamless and secure.
12. Use Your Watch as a Remote Camera Trigger
Taking a group photo but no one’s around to snap it? Use your smartwatch as a remote trigger for your smartphone camera. Now, everyone’s in the shot!
13. Silence Unknown Callers
If random calls during dinner drive you nuts, switch on 'Silence Unknown Callers' on your iPhone or use similar features on Android. If it's important, they’ll leave a voicemail.
14. Maximize Your Wi-Fi Speed
If your Wi-Fi feels sluggish, place your router in a central location away from walls and metal objects. You can also update your router's firmware or switch to a less congested channel to improve performance. Apps like Wi-Fi Analyzer can help find the best channel.
15. Turn Your Smartphone into a Document Scanner
Need to send a document quickly but don't have a scanner? Use your smartphone! Apps like Adobe Scan or Microsoft Office Lens let you capture high-quality scans of documents using your phone’s camera. They can even convert images into editable text.
16. Use Voice-to-Text for Note-Taking
Whether you’re in a meeting or brainstorming session, use voice-to-text features available on most smartphones and computers to take notes hands-free. It's faster and lets you stay engaged with the conversation.
17. Schedule Emails to Send Later
Draft an email but think it’s too late to send? Use scheduling features in Gmail or Outlook to send it out at a more appropriate time. Maintain communication etiquette, especially across time zones.
18. Expand Your Screen Real Estate
Working on a laptop can feel cramped. Connect your laptop to a larger monitor or use a tablet as a second screen. Tools like Duet Display make it possible and increase productivity.
19. Use Night Mode on All Devices
Protect your eyes and improve sleep by turning on 'night mode' on your devices after dark. This reduces blue light exposure which can interfere with sleep patterns.
20. Create Strong, Unique Passwords
Don’t just use “password123.” Use a password manager to create and store unique, strong passwords for each account. This boosts security without the need to remember each one.
21. Remote Desktop Access
Need to access your home computer while on the go? Set up remote desktop access using tools like Google Remote Desktop. Work from anywhere as if you’re right in front of your home PC.
22. Quickly Find Your Lost Phone
Set up "Find My Device" on Android or "Find My iPhone" on iOS. Not only can you locate your phone on a map, but you can also lock it, make it ring, or erase it remotely if lost or stolen.
23. Control Your Home Remotely
Embrace home automation by using smart plugs and apps to control your lighting, heating, or appliances from anywhere. Set up routines in Google Home or Amazon Alexa for added convenience.
24. Automate Your Emails and Social Media
Use tools like Buffer or Hootsuite to schedule posts and manage your social media profiles all from one dashboard. Automate email responses with Gmail’s predictive smart replies.
25. Quick Currency Conversions
Need a quick currency conversion? Type the conversion directly into Google, like “100 USD to GBP,” for an instant answer. Perfect for travel or online shopping from international sites.
Taking the vast capabilities of everyday technology and tuning them to make your day-to-day just a little bit easier is really a no-brainer when you think about it, and these hacks will let you do exactly that, so what are you waiting for, right?
