Tech Tips: 10 useful technology tricks that will make your work very easy

Here are 10 tech tricks that will make your life a lot simpler. In today’s world, where computers and smartphones have become indispensable, they are loaded with features that can streamline your daily activities and enhance your overall experience. Using search operators is one of the most effective techniques when performing a Google search. This not only speeds up the process but also helps you find the exact information you need quickly. Additionally, mastering keyboard shortcuts can save you valuable time by bypassing lengthy processes.

Additionally, features like Night Light on Windows can really be a game-changer, as they protect you from the potential harm of prolonged screen exposure by adjusting display settings. Making changes to the configuration of your frequently used applications can also make a big difference. For example, setting a delay to send emails gives you extra time to reconsider messages before sending them. You can also employ speech-to-text functions to speed up your typing tasks, making text input more efficient.

Incorporating these simple yet powerful tips into your daily tech routine can significantly enhance your life by simplifying tasks and increasing productivity. Adopting these strategies is a step towards a more comfortable and stress-free existence in our technology-driven world.

1. Use ChatGPT to write emails, captions, and more

Using ChatGPT for time-consuming tasks like writing routine emails, official invitations, and customer service complaints is the ultimate tech trick that can help consumers save time. Language processing technology can produce finished content sent that is grammatically correct and easy to read. Users only need to present the tool with some context, their preferred tone and writing style, and any other necessary data, such as dates or names.

2. Speak instead of typing and save time

If you are short on time or have trouble typing due to an injury, use the voice typing tool. It is available in Google Docs and Microsoft Word. To enable this feature simply select the Dictation option from the Home menu or press Windows key + H to access the Dictation toolbar in Word. You can then begin dictating text by selecting and clicking the microphone. Say it out loud to add any punctuation. Google Docs works similarly. Select the Voice Typing option under Tools from the menu. Once you’re done, you need to click on the microphone to start using it.

3. Proofread Long Articles with Google Translate

If you are a student or content writer and you are having trouble finding someone to proofread your work then Google is your friend. Finding flaws in your writing after a long writing session can be challenging. Luckily, you can rely on your ears instead of your vision.

4. Use Google Search Operators

Search operators are special commands that can be used to help users who are having trouble finding relevant results from a Google search. Users can narrow their searches using these operators. For example, the ‘site:’ operator returns specific results from a certain website. For example, enter “site:screenrent.com”, the search term “apple vision pro” will display all published articles that contain this term. The ‘-‘ operator is another search tool that can exclude a certain term from the results.

Another search operator is ‘weather:place name’. To see the weather forecast for a specific location, simply type the name of the site. Users can search records related to a specific date using ‘before:’ or ‘after:’ operators. Entering “site:screenrent.com” will give a clear idea. All results that contain the keyword “Apple Vision Pro After:2023-10-10-iPhone” and were published on or after October 10, 2023, have been returned.

5. Learn keyboard shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts are another tech trick that simplifies users’ lives. On Windows, the most common are “Ctrl + C” to copy, “Ctrl + V” to paste, and “Ctrl + X” to cut items. However, users can accomplish much more through keyboard shortcuts. For example, typing “Windows + D” brings up the desktop, pressing “Shift + Spacebar” scrolls up a webpage, and so on. By pressing “Cmd + 2,” “Cmd + 3,” or “Cmd + 4,” you can move between list, column, and gallery views in the macOS Finder. To reopen a previously closed tab in Google Chrome, Windows users can click “Ctrl + Shift + T” and macOS users can type “Cmd + Shift + T”. Just as Mac users can access the download page by typing “Cmd + Shift + J”, Windows users can also do the same by pressing “Ctrl + J”. Windows users should use “Ctrl + H” to access the history page, while Mac users should press “Cmd + Y”. Needless to mention, pressing “Ctrl + L” takes users to the search box instantly and makes it easier to type short commands. Win + D: This helps you hide or show the desktop at once, regardless of how many tabs and windows are open on your desktop. Spacebar: This allows you to scroll.

6. Increase Email Unsend Time on Gmail

Undoing a send in Gmail can save users’ lives, especially when they realize they sent something by mistake. By default the ‘Undo Send’ button is only visible for five seconds after an email is sent, which may not be long enough for some users. The good news is that Gmail for desktop users now allows users to maximize the Undo Send window. To do this in Gmail, click the gear symbol in the top right corner and select ‘See all settings’ from the Settings menu. In the “Send cancellation period” menu, select an option of 10, 20, or 30 seconds. Then, look for the “Undo Send” option.

7. Mute a Disturbing Email Thread

Email threads can be frustrating, especially if multiple coworkers keep sending responses to the same mail path. Luckily, Gmail gives users the option to mute email threads to block out unnecessary notifications. Open the email thread, tap the three dots at the top of the interface, and select “Mute” from the list of options to complete it. Users can select the ‘All Mail’ option from the sidebar on the left to view the dialog.

8. Enable Night Light feature on your computer

For users who use their computers at night, Windows and macOS have a built-in Night Light option that controls color temperature and reduces blue light, which can be bad for the eyes. On Windows, enter “Night Light” in the search bar, click the top result, then select “Turn on now” to enable the feature. Mac users need to choose “System Settings” from the Apple menu in the top menu bar. Go to ‘Display’ and select ‘Night Shift’. From this point, users can activate Night Shift, choose a time for it to start, and modify the color temperature.

9. Share Wi-Fi with others via QR code

This advice is more effective for Android users. Android users can create a QR code for a Wi-Fi network, allowing other users to join the network instead of manually exchanging Wi-Fi passwords. Simply go to Settings > Wi-Fi Networks, tap the Settings icon next to the name of the connected Wi-Fi network, and then select the ‘QR Code’ button at the bottom. To scan the code and connect to the network, go to the Wi-Fi settings menu and press the scanner button in the upper right corner of the screen. Apple devices also provide a function that enables someone already connected to the network to give the password to another person who wants to join.

10. Take screenshots like an expert

The most common way to take a screenshot is to press the PrtSc key on a Windows computer or the ‘Cmd + Shift + 3’ key on a macOS device. However, both operating systems offer more effective ways of taking screenshots, allowing users to select only the required portion of their screen. Windows users can accomplish this by launching the Snipping Tool by pressing “Start + Shift + S,” then selecting a portion of the screen with the mouse or trackpad. On the other hand, macOS users should press the “Cmd + Shift + 5” keys simultaneously to open the Screen Capture window, which enables users to capture particular parts of the screen.

– Animesh Sharma