Technology can be amazing, but it can also be frustrating. Especially when you don’t know how to use all of the features that are built into your devices. In this blog post, we will discuss 13 tips and tricks that will help you feel like a wizard with technology! These tips include keyboard shortcuts, gestures, and other hidden features that you may not have known about. So if you’re ready to take your technology skills to the next level, keep reading!
1. There’s a hidden menu that lets you type emoji on a desktop computer.
Did you know that there’s a hidden menu that lets you type emoji on a desktop computer? To access this menu, simply press Control + Command + Space. A small pop-up window will appear with all of the different emoji options. So next time you want to add an emoji to your emails or social media posts, you’ll know exactly how to do it!
2. The space underneath your charger cable arms is the safest place to label it.
One of Mac’s coolest features is the ability to create custom keyboard shortcuts. This can be done by going to your System Preferences and then selecting “Keyboard.” Next, select “Shortcuts” and then “App Shortcuts.” From here, you can add a new shortcut for any application on your computer. For example, you could create a shortcut for “Open Safari” or “Create a New Document.” This is a great way to save time and be more productive!
3. Use command (⌘) + space to perform quick calculations in Spotlight search.
Do you ever find yourself needing to do a quick calculation, but you don’t want to open up the Calculator app? Well, there’s actually a built-in calculator in Spotlight search! Just press command (⌘) + space and then type in your equation. For example, if you type “command (⌘) + space, then ’45+75′,” the answer will pop up right in Spotlight. This is a quick and easy way to do simple calculations without having to open up another app.
4. The Mac equivalent of the “Home” and “End” keys are fn + left and right arrow, respectively.
Did you know that the Mac equivalent of the “Home” and “End” keys are fn + left and right arrow? This keyboard shortcut is super useful when you’re trying to quickly get to the beginning or end of a document. Another great keyboard shortcut is cmd + shift + T, which opens a new tab in your web browser. If you’re like me and you have too many tabs open at any given time, this shortcut is a lifesaver!
5. Received a document in need of your initials or signature? Just open the “Preview” app.
Do you need to sign a document but don’t have a printer? Preview to the rescue! Just open the document in the “Preview” app and click on the “Sign” icon. Then, use your trackpad or mouse to sign your name.
6. If you hate how slow iPhoto is, use Image Capture to upload pictures instead.
Do you hate how slow iPhoto is? If so, there’s a quick and easy fix. Use Image Capture to upload pictures from your iPhone or iPad instead! This tip will save you tons of time and frustration.
7. Reject a call by pressing and holding the middle button for 2 seconds.
Do you ever get calls from unknown numbers and just want to quickly reject them? Well, there’s a built-in feature that can help with that. Just press and hold the middle button on your iPhone for two seconds and the call will be rejected. This is a great way to avoid those pesky telemarketers!
8. Close up to three apps at once.
If you’re ever in a hurry and need to close out of multiple apps at once, this is the shortcut for you! Simply hold down the Command key and click on up to three app windows that you want to close. All of the selected windows will Close without having to go through each one individually.
9. Missing something? Just Google “find my phone.”
If you’re Missing something, just Google “find my phone.” You can also use this trick to find your lost keys, wallet, or anything else that has a GPS tracker.
10. Screenshot on your Mac
Looking for a quick way to take a screenshot on your Mac? Just press Shift + Command + # (number sign). This will take a picture of your entire screen and save it to your clipboard.
On an iPhone, you can take a screenshot by pressing the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button at the same time. The image will be saved in your Photos app.
If you’re using an Android device, press the Volume Down and Power buttons at the same time to take a screenshot.
11. Magnifying glass on Mac
Magnifying glass so you can see what’s underneath it. This is especially helpful when you’re trying to select a small link or button.
12. To minimize all of your windows, shake the active one.
Do you ever feel like you have too many windows open on your computer screen? To minimize all of your windows and get back to your desktop, simply press the “Command + Option + M” keys on a Mac. On a PC, you can achieve the same effect by pressing the “Windows key + D” keys. If you only want to close a single window, you can shake the active one. On a Mac, this is done by holding down the “Command” key and then moving your mouse back and forth. On a PC, you can do this by holding down the “Alt” key and then moving your mouse back and forth. Either way, this is a quick and easy way to get rid of unwanted windows!
13. Not a fan of the new tiles? Go straight to desktop by selecting this setting.
Do you ever feel like you’re constantly being bombarded with notifications? Well, there’s a setting for that! Not a fan of the new tiles? Go straight to desktop by selecting this setting. This will allow you to disable all of the live tiles on your Start menu and go directly to your desktop when you startup your computer. If you’re using an iPhone, you can save time by using the keyboard shortcut “Command + Spacebar.” This shortcut will bring up the Spotlight search so that you can quickly find what you’re looking for. And on Android devices, you can enable a gesture that will allow you to take a screenshot simply by swiping down with three fingers.
There are so many hidden features and shortcuts built into our devices, and learning about them can make using technology a much more enjoyable experience. We hope that you found these tips helpful and that you’ll start using them in your everyday life! Thanks for reading!
