Rick's Daily Tips

Rick’s Daily Pick: Duracell Coppertop Long-Life AA Batteries (24 count)

Posted on August 7, 2026

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

My “Pick” for today is this fantastic 24 pack of Duracell Coppertop Long-Life AA Batteries.

Are you tired of paying big money for batteries that last about as long as a glass of milk that’s left in the hot sun?

Or perhaps you want to stockpile some batteries for potential emergency situations and know they’ll still be good several years in the future?

These gems from Duracell are the best batteries I have ever used, bar none. I’ll never buy any other brand again.

Click here to check out the Duracell Coppertop Long-Life AA Batteries (24 count) at Amazon.

Did you miss (or want to revisit) one of my earlier picks? You might find it right here.

Picture of the Day: “The beauty of rural America”

Posted on August 7, 2026

Today’s POTD features the awesome beauty of rural America and one of the many picturesque farms in the Friendship community of Washington County, Virginia. I hope you like it.

Have lots of treasured photos of your own that you’d love to display in your home but you have limited wall space? A digital picture frame (#ad) is an excellent solution. Check them out!

Enjoy these Pictures of the Day? Sign up for my free Rick’s Tech Tips Newsletter and you’ll never miss one (or any of my tech tips either)!

Monthly Tech Giveaway – August 2026

Posted on July 31, 2026

Note: The links on this page are affiliate links.

August’s winner will receive a fantastic Ambient Weather WS-2000 Smart Weather Station with Wi-Fi Remote Monitoring and Alerts.

If you’re a weather buff like I am you’ll love this personal weather station. It’ll keep you up-to-date on what’s happening outside your own home in real time.

All subscribers to the Standard edition of my Rick’s Tech Tips Newsletter have an equal chance to win.

Premium subscribers have two chances to win (their email addresses are added to the “pot” twice).

Not a subscriber? Just enter your email address in the sign-up form on this page.

Once subscribed you’ll be eligible to win each month’s drawing – starting with this month. Better yet, opt for a Premium subscription for double the chance to win!

The drawing for this month’s prize will be held on August 31 and the winner will be notified by email. The winner will be selected at random.

Good luck!

Q&A: Which phone do you use to take your photos and videos?

Posted on August 7, 2026

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Question from Angela: The photos and videos you post on social media are so crisp and clear, and the colors are amazing.

If you don’t mind saying, what type of phone do you use to take them? I’d love to have one like it if it isn’t too expensive. [Read more…]

Q&A: Will a USB 3.0 external hard drive work with a USB 2.0 hub?

Posted on August 7, 2026

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Question from Melissa: Hi, Rick. I just bought this 4TB external hard drive to back up the hard drive in my new laptop.

I really like this drive because it will store a LOT of photos (I’m a photographer).

Due to a dearth of USB ports, the external hard drive will have to connect to the computer through a USB hub.

My question is can I use the hub I already have or will I need to buy a new one? [Read more…]

Q&A: Is there a way to boost the weak cellular signal in my home?

Posted on August 6, 2026

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Question from Deneen: My husband and I recently moved into a new home that’s located in a very hilly area.

We both have iPhones but the T-Mobile signal inside the house is very weak. We have no problem sending and receiving texts but we have lots of really irritating dropped calls.

We sprung for Xfinity Internet when we moved in, but we’d rather not have to install a landline phone if we can help it.

Is there any way we can boost the weak cellular signal enough to prevent the dropped calls? [Read more…]