A: If you’ve ever clicked “Sign in with Google” to skip creating yet another username and password, you’ve used what’s called single sign-on and you’re in very good company. It’s one of those shortcuts that’s actually smarter than it might seem, but like most things in tech, the full picture is worth understanding before you rely on it for everything.

The security case for single sign-on

It may seem counter-intuitive, but using your Google or Apple account to sign into other apps is often a genuine security upgrade over creating a new login. The reason is simple: your primary account almost certainly has stronger protections two-factor authentication, login alerts, suspicious activity monitoring than the average website you’re signing into. You’re effectively outsourcing your security to a company that’s far better at it than most apps will ever be.

You’re also not handing over your password to the third-party app. What you’re sharing is typically just your name, email address and profile photo nothing more unless you explicitly approve it.

That said, not all single sign-on options are equal. Signing in with your Apple account provides the most privacy of the major options. Apple allows you to mask your real email address entirely, generating a unique relay address that forwards to your inbox. Google and Facebook pass along your actual email. If privacy is a priority, Apple’s option is worth choosing when it’s available.

The risk most people overlook

Here’s the part that catches people off guard: every app you connect to your Google account creates a persistent link between that service and your Google identity. Over time, those connections accumulate. If you’ve been doing this for years, you may have dozens of apps with access you’ve long forgotten about.

More importantly, if you ever lose access to your Google account through a hack, a forgotten password or an account recovery failure you could lose access to every service you signed into with it simultaneously. That’s rare, but when it happens, it’s a seriously complicated problem to resolve.

This is why your primary Google or Apple account needs to be treated like the master key it is. A strong unique password and two-factor authentication aren’t optional if you’re using it to access everything else.

When to use it and when to think twice

Single sign-on is a smart choice for low-stakes accounts: news sites, forums, apps you’re trying out or services you don’t plan to use long-term. It’s also a good alternative to reusing a weak password, which is far riskier.

For financial services, work-related tools or any app requesting access beyond basic profile information, creating a separate dedicated login gives you more control and limits your exposure if something goes wrong.

Quick housekeeping steps

Visit , click Security and scroll to “Third-party apps with account access” and revoke any you no longer use. For Apple users, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, select Password & Security, then tap “Apps Using Apple ID” to do the same.

The better question isn’t whether single sign-on is safe for most everyday use, it is. The real question is whether the account you’re connecting everything to is as protected as it needs to be because it’s the one account you truly can’t afford to lose.

Ken Colburn is founder and CEO ofĚý. Ask any tech question onĚý´Ç°ůĚý.

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A: This is one of the most common questionsĚýwe hear,Ěýand the good news is that a sluggish computer doesn’tĚýautomatically mean you need to go shopping for a new one.

As always, start with a fresh reboot to replenish resources and finalizeĚýany background updates that may be in process.

In many cases, the issue isn’t inadequate hardware — it’s the way your system is configured. Windows includes several default settings that prioritize background activity over raw performance, and most users never revisit them after the initial setup. While Microsoft has focused heavily on stability in recent years, day-to-day performance still depends on how you manage these “hidden” resource-hogs.

Here are six tips in the settings menu that can improve performance:

Reclaim your startup

Over time, many programs sneak onto your “startup list,” meaning they launch the second you turn on your computer. The more items on that list, the longer it takes to boot and the fewer resources your computer will have for the tasks you actually want to do. Review your startup programs under “Startup apps” in Settings and disabling anything you don’t need to load automatically.

Silence background apps

Even when you aren’t actively using them, many apps continue running behind the scenes. This quietly consumes memory, processing power and internet bandwidth. Reviewing app permissions and limiting background activity helps ensure your computer is focused on the window you’re currently using.

Adjust your power plan

If you use a laptop, Windows often defaults to a “Balanced” power mode to conserve battery life. This places a practical speed limit on your processor. When you’re plugged into a wall outlet, switching to “High Performance” can noticeably improve responsiveness, especially when multitasking.

Manage aggressive updates

Windows updates are more persistent than they used to be. If your system is downloading or preparing an update in the background, overall performance will slow. In the “Windows Update” section, you can set “Active Hours” so updates do not run while you’re working. You can pause updates for several days of weeks if you’re in the middle of a big project.

Trim the eye candy

Windows uses visual effects, such as animations, shadows and transparency to make the interface look polished, but these require constant work from your graphics hardware. Turning off these visual flourishes in the “Visual effects” section can make an older or midrange machine feel faster.

Let Storage Sense do the chores

Digital clutter, such as temporary files and leftover system data builds up over time. Instead of cleaning it manually, enable “Storage Sense” in the Storage section. This allows Windows to automatically delete unnecessary files, keeping your system lean without any effort on your part.

It’s easy to assume a slow computer is outdated, but that’s often not the case. Windows does more behind the scenes than ever before, and buying a new computer without adjusting or maintaining these settings can lead to similar frustration down the road.

Ken Colburn is founder and CEO ofĚý. Ask any tech question onĚý´Ç°ůĚý.

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If you missed the panic, consider yourself lucky — because the scariest version of this story isn’t accurate. But there’s enough truth buried underneath to make it worth your attention.

Here’s what actually happened: In November 2025, a well-respected cybersecurity firm published a report suggesting Gmail’s “Smart Features” settings were being used to train Google’s AI models — and that users had been silently enrolled.

The story spread like wildfire. Within days, Google pushed back hard, calling the reports “misleading” and stating clearly that Gmail content is not used to train its Gemini AI model and that no settings had been changed.

The cybersecurity firm that started the storm issued a correction, acknowledging it had “contributed to a perfect storm of misunderstanding” caused by Google changing the wording and placement of existing settings — not the settings themselves. Snopes investigated and reached the same conclusion.

Gmail has always read your emails

What is true is that Gmail does read your emails — and has for years.

Think of it like hiring a tax accountant. If you want them to do your taxes, they have to see your most personal financial details. That’s not surveillance, that’s the service working.

Gmail scans your messages to power spam filtering, spell check, smart replies, and inbox sorting. These are many helpful features that we’ve counted on for years.

The question isn’t whether Google reads your emails — it’s whether you’re comfortable with how that data is being used and whether your current settings reflect your actual preferences.

The settings to check

That last part is where this story still has legs.

The controls are genuinely confusing, buried in two separate locations, and some users find themselves reenrolled in features they had previously turned off. That’s worth fixing regardless of the AI training debate.

On desktop, open Gmail and click the gear icon, go to the “General” tab, and look for “Smart Features.” Uncheck it if you prefer to opt out.

Then click “Manage Workspace Smart Features” in that same section and toggle those off as well.

On mobile, go to “Settings,” tap “Data Privacy,” and make the same two changes there.

Keep in mind, all of those helpful “smart” features will no longer work.

Take five minutes for a full privacy checkup

While you’re at it, run Google’s .

It walks you through what activity Google is storing, what you’re sharing across services, and how your ads are being personalized.

Most people have never visited this page despite using Google products every day.

The real lesson here isn’t that Google is secretly training AI on your personal messages. It’s that most of us accepted default settings years ago and never looked back.

That’s the habit worth breaking.

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A: Home internet has traditionally meant one thing: wires. Whether cable or fiber, someone had to run a line into your house. A newer option — 5G home internet — cuts the cord entirely and delivers service over the same cellular networks your smartphone uses.

The technology has matured quickly and, for many households, it’s no longer a fringe option. The real question is whether it fits your specific situation.

A small gateway device connects to a nearby cell tower and broadcasts Wi-Fi throughout your home. Setup is refreshingly simple — plug it in, place it near a window, and you’re usually up and running in minutes, with no technician visit required, no drilling and no annual contract.

How it actually performs

Typical speeds range from 100 to 300 Mbps — more than enough for streaming, video calls and a home full of connected devices, but the tradeoff is consistency.

Unlike a wired connection dedicated to your home, fixed wireless shares tower capacity with nearby users. During peak evening hours in dense neighborhoods, you may notice slowdowns. Rural users, paradoxically, often report the most consistent experience because there’s less competition for tower bandwidth.

If fiber is available at your address, it remains the gold standard for performance and consistency. But if your current option is overpriced cable or a slower DSL, 5G home internet is absolutely worth considering.

The main providers

T-Mobile has the broadest availability and most consistent performance across most markets at around $50-$70 per month with no hard data caps and no annual contracts.

Verizon starts around $35 per month for existing customers for their slower base option and offers a faster 5G tier on its ultra-wideband network — it’s the fastest fixed wireless option on the market where it’s available.

AT&T offers fixed wireless primarily in rural and suburban markets where its fiber build-out hasn’t reached. Speeds and pricing trail the other two, but it’s worth checking if your options are limited.

Mint Mobile launched MINTernet in late 2025 with the most aggressive pricing in the category — $30 per month for existing Mint customers and $40 as a standalone service. It runs on T-Mobile’s network using similar equipment, so coverage is identical. Two fine-print items worth knowing: data throttles after 1TB monthly and Mint customers may experience lower network priority during peak congestion compared with direct T-Mobile subscribers. It’s a value play, not a performance focused option.

Should you switch?

Fixed wireless is worth a serious look if you’re paying over $80 per month for your current service, if you move frequently, if you’re a snowbird splitting time between homes or if you’re simply tired of promotional rates that expire without warning.

It’s less ideal for households with multiple simultaneous 4K streamers, serious gamers sensitive to latency or anyone in a densely populated area with heavy tower congestion.

It’s easy to test

There’s no need to guess whether it’s effective in your situation. T-Mobile offers a 15-day trial, Verizon offers 30 days and Mint offers 14 days.

Start by entering your address on each provider’s website to confirm availability. Keep in mind, your best deal will likely be with your current cellular provider. Be sure to test thoroughly before you cancel your current home internet service.

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A: Private browsing — called Incognito in Chrome, InPrivate in Edge and Private in Safari and Firefox — is one of the most widely misunderstood features in consumer technology. Most people assume it hides their online activity. It doesn’t, at least not in the way you may think.

Here’s what private browsing actually does: it prevents your browser from saving your browsing history, cookies, site data and information entered in forms on your local device. When you close the private window, that session disappears from your browser as if it never happened.

That’s genuinely useful in certain situations. If you’re shopping for a surprise gift on a shared computer, searching for a surprise pet on a family laptop or logging into a website on someone else’s machine, private browsing keeps that activity off the local device. For those scenarios, it works exactly as intended.

What it doesn’t do

The privacy ends at your device. Every website you visit, every search you conduct and every video you stream is still fully visible to your internet service provider. Your employer can see everything if you’re using a work network. The websites you visit collect your IP address and can track your behavior just as they would in a normal session.

If you’re on your home network, your router logs that traffic. If you’re at a coffee shop, the network operator can see it too.

In 2024, Google settled a class-action lawsuit originally seeking $5 billion from users who claimed Google misled them about what Incognito mode protected. Google paid no money — but was required to delete billions of browsing records and update its privacy disclosures

The tracking that follows you everywhere

Even without cookies, advertisers have increasingly sophisticated ways to identify you across sessions — a technique called “browser fingerprinting.” Your browser’s unique combination of screen resolution, installed fonts, time zone, language settings and dozens of other attributes creates a fingerprint that’s often specific enough to identify you without a single cookie.

Private browsing does nothing to hide your fingerprint, so the websites you’re visiting will still know it’s you.

What provides more privacy

If genuine privacy from your ISP and network operator is the goal, a reputable virtual private network is your best tool. It encrypts your traffic and masks your IP address from outside observers — though the VPN provider itself can still see your activity, so choosing a trustworthy one matters.

A more technical approach is to use Ěýbecause it routes your traffic through multiple servers, making tracking significantly harder, though it comes with a noticeable speed tradeoff.

For most people, the right mental model is simple: private browsing hides your activity from others who use the same device. It does not hide your activity from the internet.

Before you rely on it for something sensitive, ask yourself whether your concern is about the person sitting next to you or the companies and networks on the other end of your connection. The answer tells you exactly how much protection you’ll actually have.

Private browsing plus a VPN is the most practical combination for everyday users who want reasonable protection without technical complexity.

Ken Colburn is founder and CEO ofĚý. Ask any tech question onĚý´Ç°ůĚý.

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A: Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming part of everyday life, which has a lot of people wondering what it means for their jobs and businesses. From writing emails to generating computer code, AI systems are getting better at handling tasks that usedĚýto require a human touch.

That naturally leads to the question: which businesses are safest from AI disruption?

The short answer is that the businesses least likely to be replaced by AI tend to involve physical work, human relationships or unpredictable real-world environments. AI excels at processing information, but the real world is still messy, complicated and very human.

Hands-on work still wins

Many of the hardest jobs to automate involve skilled trades that require working with your hands in constantly changing environments. Think electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians and auto mechanics. Every home, building or vehicle presents a slightly different challenge requiring experience and real-time problem-solving.

AI can help diagnose problems faster, but someone still has to show up with tools and fix the issue. The same applies to landscapers, house cleaners, movers and pest control crews — work that must be done on-site and in person, every time.

Health care and caregiving

This is arguably the largest AI-resistant sector, and it often gets overlooked.

Nurses, home health aides, physical therapists and eldercare workers rely on human presence, physical touch and emotional attunement in ways that technology simply cannot replicate. The same is true for child care workers and mental health professionals — therapists and counselors provide something that goes well beyond information processing.

As our population ages, demand for these services will only grow, making them among the most durable careers of the next generation.

Trust and relationships matter

Another resistant category involves businesses built around personal trust and judgment. Financial advisers, attorneys, real estate professionals and consultants all rely on relationships that clients value when making major decisions.

It’s also worth noting that some of these professions carry legal and licensing barriers that limit how much AI can formally replace them — not just cultural preference, but regulatory reality.

The real-world problem solvers

Ironically, businesses that fix and support technology may become more important as AI advances.

As devices, networks and smart systems grow more complex, the average person often feels more overwhelmed — not less. When something stops working or a security issue appears, people want a real person to explain what happened and help solve it. That’s one reason technology support services remain in strong demand even as the technology itself grows more powerful.

Keeping the fear in perspective

Concerns about technology eliminating all work are not new. People worried that ATMs would wipe out bank tellers, that spreadsheets would eliminate accountants, and that e-commerce would end retail entirely. In each case, the technology changed those fields significantly — but didn’t erase them.

AI will almost certainly follow a similar pattern. The most dramatic predictions tend to underestimate how much humans adapt, how many new roles emerge and how deeply people still want human connection in the work that matters most to them.

AI as a tool, not a replacement

The key takeaway is that AI will transform many industries without eliminating the need for people. Businesses built entirely around digital information processing face the most exposure. But businesses grounded in physical work, caregiving, real-world problem solving and human relationships are built to last.

There’sĚýeven an upside: as knowledgeĚýwork gets disrupted, skilled trades and care professions may see a surge in demand and wages — not just survival, but a long-overdue recognition of their value.

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A: Tax scams aren’t new — but the technology behind them has changed dramatically. In 2026, criminals aren’t just sending sloppy phishing emails. They’re using artificial intelligence, stolen data, voice cloning, deepfake video and even legitimate tax preparer credentials to manufacture trust.

AI-generated IRS emails and text messages

Phishing messages are now polished, personalized and timed perfectly with filing season. AI tools allow scammers to craft messages that read as if they came straight from a government agency.

You might receive a text that says your refund is “on hold” pending verification. The link takes you to a website that looks nearly identical to IRS.gov but is designed to capture your Social Security number and bank details.

The IRS does notĚýinitiateĚýcontact through unsolicited text messages ´Ç°ůĚýemails. If you get one,Ěýdon’tĚýclick — navigate directly to the official website yourself.

Voice cloning and AI phone calls

One of the more unsettling trends this year is AI-powered voice impersonation.

Scammers can now generate realistic voices that sound calm and authoritative. Some calls claim to be from an IRS enforcement unit demanding immediate payment or a non-existent ‘tax resolution and assistance office’. Others impersonate certified public accountants or financial advisers requesting tax documents.

The technology doesn’t have to be perfect — it just needs to sound real long enough to create urgency. The IRS does not call demanding immediate payment or ask for gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency.

Early filing fraud

Identity theftĚýremainsĚýa major threat, but technology has made it more efficient.

Using data gathered from prior breaches, criminals file fraudulent returns before you do and route the refund to their own accounts. You only discover the problem when your legitimate return is rejected.

Filing early and requesting an can significantly reduce this risk.

Fake tax preparers and PTIN abuse

AnotherĚýtrend in 2026 involves tax preparer credentials.

Every paid preparer must have a PTIN (Preparer Tax Identification Number). Scammers are now displaying fake PTINs in online ads to appear legitimate. Others are stealing real PTINs from preparers and filing fraudulent returns using those credentials.

You might hire someone promising a “maximum refund guarantee,” see what looks like valid credentials and later discover false information was filed in your name.

Always verify a preparer’s PTIN through the

Check whether they are a CPA, enrolled agent or licensed attorney.

Bad tax advice going viral

Another growing issueĚýisn’tĚýimpersonation —Ěýit’sĚýmisinformation.

Social media posts and influencer-style videos are promoting “little-known credits” or self-employment refunds that many peopleĚýdon’tĚýqualify for. The posts often link to unofficial preparation services that collect your personal information — or encourage filing claims that can trigger audits and penalties.

Highly personalized scam attempts

Because criminals can now purchase and aggregate personal data, scam messages are much more targeted. A fake IRS email might reference your employer or your city. That personalization isn’t proof of legitimacy, but it is proof that your data is circulating.

How to protect yourself

Technology is makingĚýscamsĚýmore convincing, but the fundamentalsĚýhaven’tĚýchanged:

• Don’tĚýclick links in unsolicited messages
• Navigate directly to official websites
• Use multifactor authentication
• File early
• Verify preparer credentials independently

ScammersĚýare blendingĚýAI,ĚýpersonalizationĚýand stolen data to create schemes that feel real. Your best defenseĚýisn’tĚýbeing a cybersecurity expert —Ěýit’sĚýslowing down, verifyingĚýeverythingĚýand refusing to let urgency override common sense.

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A: The recent headlines about investigators retrieving video from a doorbell camera — even without an active subscription — have understandably made people uneasy.

If you have cameras inside or outside your home, it’s natural to wonder: Is everything I’m doing being stored somewhere? And who can access it?

The short answer is that your cameras are almost certainly capable of capturing more than you realize, but that doesn’t automatically mean you should panic.

Let’s break it down.

How home cameras store video

Most doorbell and security cameras are cloud-connected. When they detect motion, clips are transmitted to company servers. A paid plan usually determines how long you can view and store those clips in your account.

Even without a subscription, short-term data may briefly pass through back end systems before being deleted. That technical nuance is what fueled concern in the case of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.

If footage exists on a provider’s servers — even temporarily — it can potentially be obtained through proper legal process, just like email or social media data.

That doesn’t mean someone is casually watching your feeds. It does mean cloud-connected devices create digital trails.

What about cameras in TVs, laptops and phones?

This is where fear tends to outpace reality.

Most smart TVs today do not include cameras. A handful of older models once offered built-in cameras for video calls or gesture control, but the feature never gained traction.

If your TV has a camera, it will be obvious — typically centered at the top bezel or retractable. If you don’t see one, you likely don’t have one.

Laptops, tablets and smartphones absolutely do have cameras and microphones, and they are internet-connected by design.

However, modern operating systems tightly control camera access. Apps must request permission before using the camera, and visual indicators now appear when the camera or microphone is active.

On iPhones and many Android devices, you’ll see a green dot when the camera is in use.

On Windows and Mac laptops, an indicator light is wired to the camera hardware itself, so it physically illuminates when the camera is powered on.

The far more common threat isn’t secret government monitoring — it’s malware or a compromised account granting unauthorized access.

Should you cover them?

Covering a laptop camera is a reasonable precaution if it gives you peace of mind. A simple sliding webcam cover works well and won’t damage the device.

On smartphones and tablets, covering the camera isn’t practical. Instead, focus on:

• Keeping your operating system updated
• Installing apps only from official app stores
• Reviewing camera permissions in settings
• Using strong passwords and two-factor authentication

smart TVs without cameras don’t need covers. If yours does have one and you don’t use it, disable it in settings or physically cover it.

Where you should be most careful

Interior security cameras pose the highest privacy risk because they’re intentionally designed to stream and record.

Before installing them, ask yourself if the benefit outweighs the exposure. Hallways and entry points are one thing. Bedrooms and bathrooms are another.

Technology isn’t inherently invasive — poor security habits are.

Understand which devices actually have cameras, know how they store data and secure your accounts properly.

If a small piece of tape over a webcam helps you sleep better, that’s fine too.

Peace of mind comes from understanding your tech, not fearing it.

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A: Lightweight laptops are incredibly popular right now, and for good reason. If you travel, commute or simply move around the house a lot, carrying a three-pound laptop instead of what feels like a load of bricks can make a big difference.

But going lighter isn’t just about weight. It comes with some trade-offs you should understand before you make your final decision.

Start with weight — but don’t stop there

For most people, “lightweight” means something in the 2.5- to 3.5-pound range. That usually puts you in the 13- to 14-inch screen category, which strikes a nice balance between portability and usability.

Smaller machines are easier to carry, but they also come with smaller keyboards and screens. If you spend hours typing or working in spreadsheets, that compact design may start to feel cramped.

Performance still matters

A thin laptop shouldn’t mean a slow laptop. Look for a current-generation Intel Core i5/i7 or AMD Ryzen 5/7 processor. For RAM, I’d opt for 16GB to extend the computer’s usable life.

Where lightweight systems often compromise is cooling. Thinner machines have less room for fans, which means under heavier workloads — video editing, gaming or large spreadsheets — performance can throttle to keep temperatures under control. They’re designed for efficiency, not sustained horsepower.

Storage and speed

Make sure it has a solid-state drive (SSD) that’s at least 256GB. If you don’t do everything in the cloud or plan to install a lot of programs, I’d recommend 512GB or more.

It’s also smart to check how much storage your current computer is using so you have a realistic sense of your needs.

Battery life: A bright spot

One area where lightweight laptops shine is battery life. Efficient processors and solid-state storage mean many will run 8 to 12 hours on a charge. That’s a real advantage if you work remotely or travel frequently.

Just remember that manufacturer claims are optimistic. Real-world usage will likely be less — and battery performance will gradually decline over time.

Ports and connectivity

Thin laptops often sacrifice ports. You may get two USB-C ports and that’s it. If you rely on USB-A devices, HDMI connections or SD card slots, you might need external hubs or a docking station.

Adapters aren’t the end of the world, but they’re one more thing to carry — and potentially forget.

Build quality and durability

Lightweight often means thinner materials, so look for models made from aluminum or magnesium alloy. Budget lightweight systems may use flexible plastic that won’t stand up to years of heavy use.

The major trade-offs

Here are the biggest trade-offs: most lightweight laptops have nonupgradeable memory and storage, so what you buy is what you have to live with.

Going lightweight means choosing portability over raw power and expandability.

If your daily routine involves web browsing, email, documents, streaming and video calls, a lightweight laptop should be more than enough. If you regularly edit large videos, game heavily or run demanding software, you may feel constrained.

For most people, the sweet spot is a 13- or 14-inch laptop around three pounds, with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. That combination delivers mobility without long-term frustration.

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A: If searching your photos — and especially your videos — feels worse than it used to, you’re not imagining it. Many users can no longer find pictures or clips they know are there, even though the same searches worked perfectly fine in the past.

The issue isn’t that your content disappeared; it’s that Google Photos changed how its search works — and not in a way that always matches how we remember things.

From keywords to confidence scores

Google Photos used to behave like a filing system. If a photo had location data, dates or simple tags, search would show it — even if the match wasn’t perfect.

Now, search is driven by artificial intelligence that tries to interpret what’s actually in your photos and videos. It looks for faces, objects, scenes, text and activities, then assigns an internal confidence score. Only photos and videos that pass their “confidence threshold” appear in search results.

That’s the key change, and the main source of frustration for users.

Why simple searches work better than specific ones

When you search for one word, such as “dolphin,” Google only has to answer a single question: Is there a dolphin here? That’s often easy, so results appear.

But when you search “dolphins in Greece,” Google treats that as one combined idea. Now it must be confident about multiple things at once: that there are dolphins, that there may be more than one and that the photo or video was taken in Greece. If any part of that is uncertain — weak GPS data, offshore photos or older images — the result gets filtered out.

Nothing is missing. The AI just isn’t confident enough to show it.

Why videos are even worse

Videos suffer the most under this system. A photo is judged from one moment. A video contains hundreds or thousands of frames, and Google has to decide what the video is about.

If a dolphin appears briefly in a long ocean clip, the AI may decide it’s an “ocean video,” not a “dolphin video.” If a sunset only dominates part of the clip, it may not count as a sunset at all. If the main subject isn’t obvious across most frames, the video often won’t show up in a search.

That’s why scrolling by date and scrubbing through videos still works — search hides uncertainty, scrolling shows everything.

There’s no way to go back but you can make searching better

Many people look for a setting to turn the AI off. In most versions of Google Photos, there isn’t one anymore. AI-based search is now baked into the core of the app. The old keyword-driven system is gone.

So instead of changing the app, you have to change how you search in it.

Start broad, then narrow:

• Search for the strongest visual concept (“dolphin,” “sunset,” “receipt”)
• Then, narrow by date or suggested location
• Avoid stacking multiple ideas into one search

For anything that really matters:

• Add a short caption (for example “dolphins in Greece”)
• Put photos and videos into albums with descriptions
• Mark key items as favorites

Captions and albums don’t rely on AI confidence — they give the system anchors it won’t second-guess.

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If you’ve ever searched for ways to clean up or speed up your Windows PC, you’ve probably seen plenty of third-party utilities promising dramatic results. Microsoft’s answer to that category is Microsoft PC Manager, a free tool designed to bundle several basic system-maintenance features into one place. The big question is whether it actually adds value — or just duplicates what Windows already does.

What PC Manager is trying to do

PC Manager is essentially a dashboard. It pulls together tools that already exist in Windows and presents them with big buttons and simplified language. The main features include a one-click “boost” that clears temporary files and closes background processes, basic storage cleanup, startup app management, a health check and quick access to Windows security settings.

None of these tools are new. Disk cleanup, startup controls, virus protection and memory management have been part of Windows for years. PC Manager’s goal is convenience, not innovation.

Where it can be useful

For less technical users, PC Manager can act as a gentle guide. Instead of hunting through Settings menus, you get a single app that points out common issues, such as low storage, too many startup apps or outdated updates. If you like the idea of a “control panel” that simplifies decisions and nudges you toward good habits, PC Manager can serve that role.

It’s also relatively safe compared to many third-party “optimizer” tools. There are no ads, no scare tactics, and no attempts to upswell you into a paid version. That alone puts it ahead of much of the competition.

Where it falls short

Despite the name, PC Manager doesn’t actually manage your PC in any deep or intelligent way. The “boost” feature clears temporary files and frees memory, but Windows already does this automatically when it needs to. Closing background apps may give you a short-term sense of speed, but it rarely produces lasting performance gains.

There are no shortcuts when your computer has built up a bit of a mess.

Another limitation is transparency. PC Manager doesn’t always explain what it’s changing or why it matters. For example, a health warning might sound urgent even when the issue is minor or already handled by Windows in the background.

Should you use it?

If your computer is running well, you really don’t need PC Manager. Windows 10 and 11 already include built-in tools that quietly handle security, storage management and performance tuning without your involvement. Adding another layer doesn’t make your PC healthier.

If you enjoy simple dashboards and want an easy way to review basic system status, PC Manager won’t hurt anything. Just don’t expect it to magically speed up an aging computer or fix underlying hardware problems.

A slow PC is usually slowed down by too many startup programs, low storage, outdated hardware or software conflicts — not by a lack of cleanup tools. No app can compensate for those fundamentals.

PC Manager is fine as a convenience tool, but it’s not essential. Think of it as a simplified window into Windows — not a tuneup technician.

Ken Colburn is founder and CEO of . Ask any tech question on or .

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A: If you’ve traveled internationally lately, you’ve probably seen eSIM ads everywhere: “Instant data in 190 countries!” “No SIM card needed!” And the convenience is real. You land, scan a QR code, and you’re online.

But the question many may have is: are eSIMs safe to use?

In general, yes — eSIMs are very safe. The bigger risk usually isn’t the eSIM technology, it’s choosing the wrong provider that doesn’t have good coverage or services for the country you’re visiting.

What is an eSIM?

An embedded Subscriber Identity Module, or eSIM, is simply a digital version of the little plastic SIM card that used to live in your phone. It stores the information your phone needs to connect to a cellular network. Instead of swapping cards, you download a plan onto your phone using a QR code or an app.

From a security standpoint, eSIMs can actually be more secure than physical SIMs because they can’t be removed and inserted into another device as easily.

The real safety question: who are you buying it from?

Most travel eSIM providers are legitimate, but the market has attracted plenty of “too-good-to-be-true” deals. A questionable provider may not “hack” your phone, but they can still create problems: unreliable coverage, confusing limitations, poor support or sloppy handling of your personal information. Some may also not include voice or SMS services.

How to spot a reputable eSIM provider

Here’s a quick checklist to use:

• Independent reviews: Look beyond app store ratings. Search for real traveler feedback on Reddit, Trustpilot and other travel forums. Consistent reports across multiple trips matter more than five-star hype.
• Transparency: Reputable providers clearly list supported countries, expected speeds, hot spot rules and which local networks they use. Vague details are a red flag.
• Reasonable pricing: If the plan is unbelievably cheap, there’s usually a catch: throttled speeds, weak coverage or restrictions that appear after you’ve already paid.
• Customer support: Test them before you fly. Send a question and see if you get a clear, human response.
• Refund and expiration policies: Good companies spell out how long the plan lasts and what happens if you don’t use it.

Names that oftenĚýcome up in traveler discussions include Airalo, Holafly, Nomad, Saily and Ubigi. You still need to compare plans by country and usage, but those are commonly used options.

Before you buy anything, check your home carrier

This is the step many people skip. Your current provider may offer an international day pass or travel plan that keeps your normal number active. That can be a big deal because your phone number is tied to important things like banking alerts and two-factor authentication codes.

Home-carrier plans are often more expensive than travel eSIM data, but they’re usually the simplest option for short trips or for anyone who doesn’t want to troubleshoot their settings while overseas.

Don’t forget the basics

Even with a good eSIM, your phone still needs good security habits: keep your operating system updated, use a strong passcode, enable Face ID/Touch ID and turn on two-factor authentication. If you’re doing banking or business work abroad, using a VPN is still a smart extra layer.

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A: If your laptop’s mouse pad (aka the trackpad or touch pad) has started acting up, it’s not uncommon. If it’s smooth and accurate one day, and the next it’s skipping, lagging, ignoring taps or randomly sending your cursor on a sightseeing tour, the cause can range from a dirty pad or fingers to software issues.

The good news is that most trackpad problems can be fixed in just a few minutes.

Start with the simplest fix: Clean it

Trackpads are extremely sensitive to oils from your fingers, hand lotion, food residue or just everyday grime. Even a thin film can reduce accuracy and make the pointer feel “slippery” or unpredictable.

Power down the laptop and use a microfiber cloth lightly dampened with water. If it’s really greasy, use a tiny amount of isopropyl alcohol on the cloth — not directly on the laptop. Wipe the pad and the area where your palm rests, then let it dry completely before turning it back on.

And, yes, washing your hands helps too. A trackpad can be a drama queen about clean fingers.

Stop the cursor jumping while you type

If your cursor jumps around while you’re typing, your palms may be brushing the trackpad. Most laptops have palm rejection, but it’s not perfect.

On Windows, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > TouchPad and look for sensitivity options. On a Mac, go to System Settings > Trackpad and adjust tracking speed and tap-to-click behavior.

If you do a lot of typing, try turning off “tap to click” and relying on the physical click instead. It can reduce accidental clicks dramatically.

Use keyboard shortcuts to avoid right-clicking

When your trackpad is finicky, right-clicking can feel like trying to thread a needle while riding a roller coaster. The solution is to let your keyboard do more of the heavy lifting.

On Windows, Shift + F10 or Fn + Shift + F10 opens the same menu you’d normally get from a right-click. Many keyboards also have a “menu key” near the right side that does the same thing. On a Mac, Control + Click brings up the right-click menu without requiring a perfect two-finger tap.

And, while we’re at it, don’t forget the classics: Ctrl + C / Ctrl + V (Windows) or Command + C / Command + V (Mac) for copy and paste.

If your trackpad is acting up, keyboard shortcuts can keep you productive without fighting the cursor.

Update the drivers (it matters more than you think)

On Windows laptops, trackpads rely on drivers, and outdated or buggy drivers can cause lag, gesture failures or scrolling issues. Visit your laptop manufacturer’s support site and download the latest touch pad driver for your exact model.

Mac users don’t manage trackpad drivers directly, but keeping macOS updated achieves the same goal.

Watch for a bigger problem: Battery swelling

If your trackpad suddenly feels stiff, won’t click normally, or behaves erratically, check the bottom of the laptop. A swollen battery can press upward and interfere with the trackpad mechanism.

If you see bulging, stop using the laptop and get it checked immediately as this could become a fire hazard.

Now, if all else fails, you can purchase an inexpensive wireless mouse and turn off the trackpad altogether.

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A: When a computer starts crawling, most people assume it’s old, broken or infected. In reality, it’s often just overwhelmed. One misbehaving app, too many open browser tabs, or background process can bring an otherwise healthy system to its knees. The fastest way to see what’s really going on is a built-in tool called Task Manager.

On a Windows PC, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open it instantly. If you see a very simple window, click “more details” at the bottom to unlock the full troubleshooting tool.

Start with the ‘processes’ tab

The “processes” tab shows everything currently running, grouped by apps, background processes and Windows processes. Across the top, you’ll see columns for CPU, memory, disk and network usage. The numbers being displayed are your clues to what’s using the most resources.

Click on the “CPU” column to sort from highest to lowest. If something is constantly pegged at a high percentage when you’re not actively using it, that’s a red flag. The same goes for the “memory” column — if one app is consuming gigabytes of working memory (RAM), it can starve everything else and cause slowdowns.

Disk usage is another common culprit. If the percentage for the “disk” usage sits above 75% to 80% for long stretches, especially on older hard drives, the system will feel painfully sluggish. Sorting by “disk” quickly shows which process or application is doing the most reading and writing.

Don’t panic — interpret

Seeing high numbers doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong. Video calls, photo editing, cloud backups and software updates all legitimately use lots of resources. The key question is whether the activity makes sense for what you’re doing.

If your computer is slow and the top offender is a program you don’t recognize — or one you’re not actively using — that’s when it’s time to dig deeper.

Use end task carefully

If an app is clearly frozen or misbehaving, you can right-click it and choose “end task.” This forces it to close. Stick to obvious apps like browsers or third-party software. Avoid ending Windows system processes unless you’re absolutely sure what they do. When in doubt, leave it alone.

Check the startup tab

Many slowdowns happen before you even start working. Float your mouse over the icons along the left side until you see “startup apps,” which will show you what programs launch when Windows boots. You’ll often find cloud tools, updaters and helper apps quietly starting every time and reducing your overall resources.

Look at the “startup impact” column. If something is marked “high” and you don’t need it running constantly, right-click and select “disable.” This doesn’t uninstall the program, though, it just stops it from auto-launching.

Performance gives the big picture

The “performance” tab shows real-time graphs for CPU, memory, disk and network. This helps answer a different question: is your computer simply underpowered for what you’re asking it to do?

If memory usage is always near the limit, or your CPU is maxed out during routine tasks, hardware limitations may be your problem.

Clean up or upgrade

When memory resource usage is always high, you can either reduce the load by clearing out unnecessary items or upgrade the RAM to better match how you use your computer.

If your computer hasn’t been cleaned up in a while, that would be your best first step to better performance and to fully determine if upgrading is even necessary.

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A: If your Gmail account is warning you that storage is full — or worse, rejecting new messages — you’re running into a common problem: your Google account only includes 15GB of free space, and that total is shared across Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos. That means you can delete hundreds of emails and still be out of room if your drive or photo library are stuffed with old files or backups.

Before deleting anything, the smartest first step is understanding what’s actually using the space. will show you a breakdown so you know where to focus your efforts.

Start with the quick wins

Two spots to check right away are your spam and trash folders. Anything sitting in either of those still counts against your limit until you permanently remove it.

Think of trash like a holding tank; nothing really disappears until you empty it yourself. Doing this alone can free up space in seconds, especially if you’ve deleted a lot of items recently.

Hunt down the space hogs

Big attachments are the usual suspects. Instead of scrolling forever, use Gmail’s built-in search filters.

Typing “has:attachment larger: 10M” will round up the emails carrying the heaviest load. Once you delete them, make sure to empty trash again to actually reclaim the storage — otherwise, it’s like taking out the garbage but leaving the bin in the kitchen.

If you’ve been using the same Gmail address for years, chances are you have thousands of messages you’ll never need again. Searches like “older_than: 1y or even older_than: 5y” can help you resurface the dead weight. Newsletters, automated receipts, outdated photos and long-finished conversations are all fair game for cleanup.

Automate the cleanup going forward

A smart long-term approach is that automatically archive or delete specific categories of email — newsletters, marketing mail, social media notifications, etc.

You can even apply these filters to existing messages to clear them out retroactively. This turns maintenance into a background task rather than an emergency project.

Don’t forget the other culprits: drive and photos

Here’s where many people get stuck: Gmail isn’t always the real problem. If you work with large files in drive or have years of full-resolution photos backed up, those may be eating the bulk of your 15GB.

Visit to sort drive files by size and remove the worst offenders. Check for large videos and images in Google Photos as well, especially if you’ve been backing up in “original” quality. And just like Gmail, both services have trash bins that must be emptied to finalize the space recovery.

If cleanup isn’t enough

There comes a point where manual cleanup isn’t worth the time, especially if you rely on Gmail for work or family communication.

In that case, upgrading to a paid Google One plan might make sense. It’s inexpensive, gives you more breathing room and avoids the constant delete-and-empty cycle.

The bottom line

Start with the easy fixes, target the biggest files, automate future cleanup and remember that Gmail isn’t the only piece of the puzzle. A little focused maintenance can save you some money and a lot of frustration, and ensure important messages aren’t bouncing when you need them most.

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