2025 May eBytes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AI Essentials: 27 Ways to Make Gen AI Work for You, According to Our Experts
Don't Hoard Old Tech. CNET Survey Finds 31% of US Adults Hold Onto Unused Devices
How to Remove Your Personal Information From Google Search
Let ChatGPT Turn You Into an Action Figure. Here's How It Works
The best smart home devices you can buy: Expert tested
Tariff-Free Shopping: 10 Things to Know Before Buying Refurbished Electronics
I Slashed My Streaming Costs Without Missing a Single Show
Your Info Is on the Dark Web: Use These 4 Tips to Protect Yourself
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AI Essentials: 27 Ways to Make Gen AI Work for You, According to Our Experts
Where are you on your gen AI journey? This guide by CNET's experts will point you in the right direction.
How to Train an AI Tool to Get the Best Answers - Here's how to interact with ChatGPT so that it knows more about you. Just keep that sensitive info away from it.
https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/how-to-train-an-ai-tool-to-get-the-best-answers/
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Don't Hoard Old Tech. CNET Survey Finds 31% of US Adults Hold Onto Unused Devices
Only 37% of people trade in their old devices, while a quarter sell them. If old tech is cluttering your home, you're sitting on extra cash.
https://www.cnet.com/tech/recycling-tech-survey-2025/
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How to Remove Your Personal Information From Google Search
Want more privacy? Here's how to remove your phone number, email, physical address, and other data from Google's search results.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-remove-your-personal-information-from-google-search
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Let ChatGPT Turn You Into an Action Figure. Here's How It Works
Jump on the AI action figure "Barbie box" trend. All you need is a full-body photo and ChatGPT.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The best smart home devices you can buy: Expert tested
From smart lights to smart speakers, I've tested the best smart home devices that can help make your life easier. Here are my top picks.
https://www.zdnet.com/home-and-office/smart-home/best-smart-home-device/
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tariff-Free Shopping: 10 Things to Know Before Buying Refurbished Electronics
Worried about import taxes on your tech? Refurbished products are already in the country and typically sell cheaper than brand-new devices. Follow these tips avoid being ripped off when buying renewed electronics.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/10-things-to-know-before-you-buy-refurbished-electronics
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I Slashed My Streaming Costs Without Missing a Single Show
A few smart swaps can cut your streaming bill without cutting your shows.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your Info Is on the Dark Web: Use These 4 Tips to Protect Yourself
Let's be real: Your data has probably been exposed in a breach. I spoke to security experts for their best tips on minimizing the chances of having that data used against you.
https://www.pcmag.com/articles/your-info-is-on-the-dark-web-use-these-tips-to-protect-yourself
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Links - News, Tips, & Downloads
How to Organize Your Files in 4 Simple, Foolproof Steps - Our veteran productivity expert details her method for managing digital files: It's simple to implement, and since it's foundational, it will help you organize practically everything in your life.
https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/how-to-organize-your-files-in-4-simple-foolproof-steps
How to Manage, Sync, and Share Files in Microsoft OneDrive - OneDrive lets you back up and sync your folders and files in the cloud, then share them with friends, family, and colleagues.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/manage-sync-and-share-files-in-microsoft-onedrive
Running Out of Storage? Clean Up Apple Messages to Free Up Space - Don't let videos, photos, GIFs, and stickers buried in text messages fill up your storage. We show you how to dig them out of the Messages app on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/running-out-of-storage-clean-up-apple-messages-to-free-up-space
Think You Need to Delete Stuff to Free Up iPhone Space? Think Again - Unused apps = wasted space. Ditch them and free up your iPhone fast.
44 Excel Tips for Becoming a Spreadsheet Pro - Microsoft's spreadsheet program can do way more than you might realize. Become an Excel wizard in no time with these hacks and tricks.
https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/excel-tips-for-becoming-a-spreadsheet-pro
How to Stop Windows Apps From Launching at Startup - Too many startup apps can be a drag on your PC’s performance. Here's how to prevent apps from automatically starting when you sign into Windows 10 or 11.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/stop-windows-10-apps-from-launching-at-startup
Choosing Between Fiber and 5G Internet? Here’s Everything You Need to Know - 5G home internet is growing in popularity, while fiber internet is touted as the "gold standard" of broadband. Here's how they compare.
https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/fiber-vs-5g-home-internet/
5 Things I Love About My Experience With T-Mobile 5G Home Internet (and a Few Bummers Too) - I’ve lived with this cellular home broadband service for over two years. It's superior to DSL but has some interesting quirks.
https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/my-t-mobile-5g-home-internet-experience/
The Best Adobe Photoshop Alternatives - Adobe Photoshop is the finest photo editing software we've tested, but its subscription price adds up. The best Photoshop replacements can do what you need for less money.
https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-adobe-photoshop-alternatives
Stop the Madness: How to Block Spam Calls and Robocalls - Getting too many phone calls from spammers and telemarketers? Here are several steps you can take to stop spam calls and unknown callers.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/block-robocalls-and-spam-calls
Are these cheap Android tablets legit? I tested one, and it beat my iPad in a major way - Blackview's Tab 90 is an affordable Android tablet at roughly $140, but its 11-inch display is one of its many strengths.
The Best Ad Blockers for 2025 - We tested the most popular ad blockers to determine which one provides the best distraction-free browsing experience.
https://www.pcmag.com/picks/best-ad-blockers
Here's What We Think About T-Mobile 5G Home Internet - T-Mobile’s 5G Home Internet service is available in some areas where wired services are not and offers multiple price tiers with no contracts, but speeds are limited.
https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/t-mobile-5g-home-internet
The Best Cheap Phone Plans for 2025 - If you're looking to save money on your wireless bill, these lesser-known, lower-cost cell phone plans might be the ticket.
https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-cheap-phone-plans
Don't Start From Scratch: How to Back Up and Restore Your iPhone - You can back up your iPhone and restore all your data through iTunes, iCloud, Finder, or Google One. Here’s how to get it done.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/back-up-and-restore-your-iphone
Is It Safe to Use an Old or Used Phone? Here's What You Need to Know - If your phone is more than a few years old, it may not be safe to use anymore. Here's how to protect yourself.
https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/is-it-safe-to-use-old-used-phone-heres-what-you-need-to-know/
Apple iPhone 16e vs. iPhone 16: What's the Difference? - The iPhone 16e looks a lot like the iPhone 16 but costs $200 less. What's the trade-off and which phone should you buy? We break down the differences to help you decide.
https://www.pcmag.com/comparisons/apple-iphone-16e-vs-iphone-16-whats-the-difference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ask a Question - Send any Tips & Downloads, Ask a Question, For Sale, or articles to: TheMiningPCC@gmail.com
**********************************
Q. From a neighbor - Just wondering if other people who have cell phone service with AT&T, have been having problems with dropped calls. I have an iPhone 13 Pro. We live off of Randolph and Snelling. Since January, I can only be on the phone on our second floor--otherwise, calls are dropped 5 minutes in. I want to be able to be on the phone in my porch or living room! I've called AT&T customer service 3 times. They've reset my network each time, to no avail. They keep saying that the towers are being worked on. (with no end in sight, apparently). I took the phone to the Apple store. It's not my phone. It seems it started when the Spanish Immersion pre-school went live on the corner of Niles and Snelling. (we're around the corner.) I asked AT&T for a cell phone tower booster, but they want to charge me over $230. They didn't seem to care that it means I might switch carriers, even though we've been with them for decades. We bought a cheaper booster ourselves, but it's not changing anything. I'm reluctant to switch to Verizon or T-Mobile, because of the hassle. All 4 family phones are with AT&T--But, may be our only option. Advice please!!!?
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. One way to fix a poor reception is to use WiFi for calling when available. https://www.att.com/features/wifi-calling/
Your reception from a cell tower can be effected by trees, neighbors devices, and 1000s of other objects. Providers like AT&T are constantly adding, moving, and upgrading their service. Check your phone and see how strong/bars you have at multiple locations in the house. It will vary greatly from room to room or even if you stand or sit. Another factor you may have is the painting of the Highland Water tower if that was where you getting your cell connection from before. Not sure when that work will end.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. From a PCC Member Tom Kreuzer - I received an email from “Facebook Internet Tracking Settlement Administrator has sent you $40.67 USD into your PayPal account”. First I did not recall signing up and thought it might be a scam. There were no links, buttons, or phone number to call, so it did look valid. To check about the money I signed into my PayPal account and saw that the $40.67 had been deposited. I then recalled I had signed up for the “Facebook Internet Tracking Settlement” and had selected to have it deposited into my PayPal account instead of waiting several month for a check to be sent out. Before I had signed up for the lawsuit I did check that the signup was not a scam to collect private info. I found many sources online that said it was valid, so I signed up several years ago. It can talk 1-3 years for a settlement like this to take place and money to get sent out. It was a nice email and not a scam.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------