Dumb it down: Google just dropped a rare AI tool that doesn’t hallucinate, lie or ask you to eat glue. It’s called Simplify, and it turns complex web text into plain English, right inside the Google app. It’s not a summary, it’s a real-time dumb-down filter. It’s like a CliffNotes for the information overloaded.
🖨️ Low on ink? Before you print, change the color to #010101. It looks black, but it’s really 99% gray. In Google Docs, highlight your words, click the text color tool, and pick Add a custom color (+). Type in the number and hit OK. FYI, thin fonts like Courier New or Garamond save even more ink.
Recover copied items: Ever copied a link or some text and wished you could get it back later? On Windows, turn on Clipboard History to save your most recently copied items. Go to Settings > System > Clipboard and toggle it On. Next time you need something, just press Windows key + V to view and paste.
🔔 See old notifications: Swiped an alert away too fast? Turn on Notification history on your Android. Go to Settings > Notifications > Advanced settings > Notification history and toggle it On. Bonus: If a text or DM popped up before it was deleted, you might still catch it here.
Tidy text: Ever copy and paste and get weird fonts? Here’s how to cut the formatting. On a Mac, press Cmd + Option + Shift when you paste. For PC, it’s Ctrl + Shift + V in most apps. Pro tip: If that doesn’t work, first paste into Notepad, then copy that into your document. Neat.
🖥️ Windows is getting AI agents: This is great. Microsoft just announced a new feature that lets you change computer settings just by asking. In Settings, you can type stuff like “my text is too small” or “control my PC with voice,” and the AI will handle it. No more digging through menus. It’s coming to Copilot+ PCs first, with more devices to follow.
🎨 Use your exact brand color: In Google Docs, highlight your text, go to highlight color in the menu and click Add a custom color (+). Then, type your hex code (like #000080 for navy blue) and apply it. Nice.
💬 Wrong number scams: It starts with a random text like “Emily from the gym?” You reply “wrong number.” But instead of leaving you alone, they get friendly, pull on your heartstrings, then pitch an investment scam. Blame AI. It’s now easier to craft messages that feel personal. If you get one, don’t reply. Just block the number.
🚗 Rides for Grandma: This is a great idea! Lyft Silver may be rolling out in your city this week. There’s bigger text in the app for older adults to read, simpler navigation and priority rides with cars that are easy to get in and out of. The best part? Real people answering customer service calls. Open the app > tap You > turn on Lyft Silver to get going.
🔎 Skip the scroll: Need to share a specific spot on a web page? In Google Chrome, highlight the text, right-click your selection and choose Copy Link to Highlight. When someone opens your link, they’ll land right on that exact section.
▶️ Caption that: Subtitles help grab your viewers’ attention, especially when their sound is off. For longer clips, create an SRT file. Open a text editor and write, “00:00:01,000 → 00:00:05,000” (Hours:Minutes:Seconds,Milliseconds). Type your caption below each one and save it with a .srt extension.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Want a personal note stash? Text yourself — start a solo chat to save links, reminders or files. Brilliant, I know.
❌ Right outta here: Stop backspacing one letter at a time. On a Mac, try Cmd + Fn + Delete to erase the words to the left of your cursor and Cmd + Delete to clear text on the right. On a PC, it’s Ctrl + Backspace (left) and Ctrl + Delete (right).
🚨 Android alert: Watch out for a fake bank text asking you to call about a suspicious transaction. That’s when they’ll get you to share your card info and install a so-called Reader app. Next, you’re told to tap your bank card to your phone, and just like that, the app steals the card’s chip data with full access to your bank account.
Mouse moves: Move text around with just your mouse. Just highlight the words you want, hold Ctrl (PC) or Cmd (Mac), then click and drag them to a new spot. Let go, and boom, your text will be right there. No need to copy and paste.
⌨️ iPad typing trick: Did you know you can use the space bar as a trackpad? Just tap and hold the space bar, wait for the keys to fade out and you’ll be able to move the cursor through text easily. Trying to select text? While still holding down, tap once on the keyboard with another finger, then let go. You can now highlight the text you want.
🤔 Lyft’s up to something: This is crazy. A Toronto woman took a ride with her roommates and later got a text with a transcript of their private convo from inside the car. She called Lyft, and first they said it was a pilot program. Then Lyft blamed the driver. Now, it’s saying it might’ve been a pocket dial. Next update lets your driver live-tweet your breakup in real time.
📳 Who’s texting you? Set custom vibrations so you know without even checking your screen. For iPhones, go to Contacts > contact name > Edit > Text Tone > Haptics. On Android, open your Contacts > name > More (three dots) > Change ringtone/vibration > Call vibration. These may vary depending on your Android.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Snap a photo of handwritten notes and upload it to Notion AI or ChatGPT with Vision. It’ll convert it into text or a to-do list. Finally, your chicken scratch notes get their PhD.
📝 No scanner? No worries. On your iPhone, go to the Notes app > create a new note > Attachment button (paper clip icon) > Scan Documents to open your camera. Tap Insert to grab the text. For Androids, open Google Drive > (+) icon > Scan document > Save > Upload, and you’re good to go. Congrats, your phone is now a scanner/copier/fax from 2002.