Sensors in today’s smartwatches can detect your heartbeat, track how you sleep and even monitor blood oxygen levels. If Apple gets its way, your watch will be able to track your blood sugar (and possibly send reports about it to your doctor).

If you’ve ever wondered, “Just how accurate are these smartwatch readings?” You’re far from alone, so I took a look. Smartwatches and fitness watches have some serious flaws you should know about.

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When it comes to tech myths, I’ve heard ‘em all. That’s why I’m here — to help you keep a handle on what’s real and what’s not. For each of the myths below, I’ve got a step you can take to stay safe or a tech rule of thumb to live by. 

Myth: Private browsing is totally private.

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Your iPhone comes preloaded with many features you may not be aware of. Some are for fun, while others are crucial to keeping you and your phone safe.

Your phone can be a lifeline in an emergency. By activating your iPhone’s Emergency SOS feature, you can call local emergency services and update your chosen contacts when needed. Tap or click here for emergency settings to check on your iPhone now before you need them.

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Are you someone who likes to keep a super clean home? It can be therapeutic, to say the least. But now that your house is spick-and-span, you might want to start cleaning other things. Tap or click here for instructions on how to disinfect your smartphone.

Once you are done cleaning your home and phone, try digging a little deeper. Having tons of photos can take up precious space on your device. Imagine how much space they occupy if you have multiple copies — what a waste. Take advantage of the following free apps that will help you track down and delete all those duplicates.

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Apple’s Messages app has undergone many changes over the years, and why not? Text messaging is one of the core components of any smartphone.

One thing that sets iPhone messaging apart is its higher file size limit. If you’ve ever tried sending a picture from an iPhone to an Android, you’ve probably noticed the degradation in quality. Tap or click here for one way to get around this annoying issue.

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You can have some fun with ChatGPT and even use it to help craft emails, recipes and essays, but there’s one thing you should never do with any chat app.

No surprise here: The hype around ChatGPT has made it a prime target for hackers and scammers. Several fake OpenAI/ChatGPT apps were found on the Mac App Store. The apps mimic the logo and color schemes used by OpenAI. Here’s what you need to know.

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You can’t predict emergencies (that’s what makes them emergencies). But thanks to smartphone tech, you can be prepared. Check these settings on your iPhone before you need them.

Your phone’s Do Not Disturb mode is handy when you’re busy at work or want some peace and quiet. It silences calls, alerts and notifications while your phone is locked.

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It’s no secret: TikTok gathers a ton of data on its users and sends the information straight back to the Chinese government. The app is a threat to your privacy and security even if you don’t have it installed. Here’s how to avoid TikTok’s clutches.

TikTok is not the only Chinese app you have to worry about. A shopping app downloaded by millions of Americans comes with all sorts of sneaky tricks to keep an eye on you.

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Using an app exposes you to tracking, but it’s particularly dangerous with certain ones. TikTok has been banned from government and military devices in the U.S., and there’s been a push for its Chinese owners to sell their shares in the company. And that’s not all. Watch out for these other Chinese apps.

It’s not just apps you have to worry about. The threat may be closer to home than you think.

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You spend a lot of money on electronics, so why not keep them in tip-top shape? When it comes to computers, speed is the name of the game. Is your PC or Mac running slow? Take these simple steps to speed things up again.

The same applies to your smartphone. Everything you do, from sending messages to browsing the internet, becomes highly frustrating when your phone is crawling along.

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We’ve all tapped our phones only to sigh with frustration when the wrong app, letter on the keyboard or setting opens up. Stylus pens aren’t just for tablets. You can use them for better precision on your smartphone, better efficiency with editing apps and more accurate typing. These are our favorites.

Bargains Depot fine tip stylus pen

These inexpensive stylus pens work with iPads, Samsung tablets and smartphones. They’re made of lightweight aluminum to help make them dent-resistant even with heavy use. With four color options available, you can make your stylus match your phone or case color.

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What’s dirtier — your phone or toilet? The answer probably won’t surprise you. Your gadgets get constant use, and this adds to the grime. Here are the top five dirtiest devices.

Apart from spreading germs and turning your stomach, a dirty phone can cause you to question your hearing. We’ll explain below.

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Just about every connected device you have can be used to spy on you, and this isn’t limited to smart speakers and webcams. Many smart TVs come equipped with cameras that you don’t even know exist. Tap or click here for tips on stopping your TV from tracking you.

You probably know a few people who prefer texting over calling. It’s a convenient and familiar way to stay in touch and exchange information. If you prefer text messages over voice calls, you’re not alone!

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With iOS 16.2, Apple rolled out Freeform, a whiteboard app that lets you collaborate on journals, mood boards, games, notes and more with others. Tap or click here for more information about this inspiring app.

Apple released iOS 16.3 this week, adding security features and cosmetic options. Here’s what’s new.

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Modern smartphones come with built-in tools in case of emergency. It’s not always easy (or possible) to alert your loved ones when the unexpected happens, but thanks to Emergency SOS, you can put those fears to rest. Tap or click here for steps on enabling this vital setting on your phone.

You can receive emergency, government and public safety alerts on your phone related to severe weather, missing children, natural disasters, national security, public safety threats and more. Not all alerts are available everywhere, and you may only get one if you’re in an affected region.

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When you install an app, do you read the fine print? You know, all those terms and conditions you may have blindly agreed to when you clicked “Agree.”

Guess what? You may have given those apps permission to listen to you using your microphone. Want to find out which apps are spying on you? Tap or click here and Kim will show you how to find them and put a stop to it.

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Do you find yourself forgetting things from time to time? We all do. But it’s important to identify when there’s a problem and apply a solution.

If you have a voice assistant, you can ask it to remind you about anything, anytime. For example, you can ask it to remind you to call your mother in the afternoon on her birthday. Wouldn’t that be so nice of you? Tap or click here for seven must-try voice commands to use with Siri and Google Assistant.

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No matter how good a deal you find on a new tech device, you should avoid off-brand or knockoff products, which have a greater potential for failure or injury. This isn’t to say that big-name devices are entirely safe, however.

Many smartwatches have built-in sleep trackers to help identify problems and improve sleep habits. They’re made to be worn to bed. This may not be the best practice, as one Samsung Galaxy smartwatch owner woke up with burns on his wrist. Tap or click here for the full story and tips on preventing incidents like this.

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How much thought do you put into downloading a new app? You check out its page on the app store, read reviews, or maybe get it on the advice of a friend. That’s all fine, but you’re not doing enough.

Depending on the app, you could give up a lot of personal information. Some of the biggest names in tech release apps that collect your name, payment methods, location, purchases, contacts, browsing history and diagnostics. Tap or click here for the most invasive apps when it comes to privacy.

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You’re not alone if your monthly internet bill puts a big dent in your bank account. Use this tip to discover three ways to get fast and affordable home internet.

When you’re paying for high speeds, you know the frustration of not getting all that you’re promised. We’ll even show you how to report when your ISP isn’t delivering. Tap or click here to report slow internet speeds to the FCC.

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