Rick's Daily Tips

How to use your smartphone as a metal detector (yes, really)

Posted on July 9, 2025

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Most folks love upgrading to a new smartphone at every opportunity, and chances are you have several unused, but working phones tucked away in a drawer somewhere.

If you’re like me, you probably hate having a perfectly good portable computer (that’s really what a smart phone is) doing nothing more than gathering dust.

I’ve written several posts in the past explaining how to give an old smartphone a new life by turning it into something useful simply by installing an app. I have another such tip for you today. [Read more…]

How to charge any laptop (or most any other gadget) with your car

Posted on July 9, 2025

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These days it’s hard to imagine taking a long drive without having a car charger on board to keep the battery in your cell phone topped off.

But what about your laptop?

While some modern laptops can be charged with a standard USB-type car charger and a compatible cable, there are plenty of others that can only be charged using the AC power brick that came with the laptop. [Read more…]

How to make full-screen YouTube videos always fill the entire screen

Posted on July 8, 2025

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Do you enjoy watching YouTube videos on your smartphone or tablet?

If so, you’ve probably noticed how some videos don’t fill the entire screen even when you’re watching them in full-screen mode.

Most videos are formatted to cover the entire screen, but the ones that aren’t show up with black bands on at least two sides.

You can always use the “pinch and zoom” technique to expand the video to fill the screen, but there’s a simple setting in the YouTube app that will automatically force oddly formatted videos to cover the entire screen by default. [Read more…]

Here’s an easy way to fool burglars into thinking you’re at home

Posted on July 5, 2025

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Did you know that many burglars actually knock on the victim’s door or ring their doorbell before breaking into a home?

Well, it’s true, and there’s a reason why: If no one answers the door, they know there’s a good chance that nobody’s home.

But you don’t have to fall victim to burglars in this way. Simply install a Ring Wi-Fi Enabled Video Doorbell and you’ll be able to answer your door from anywhere in the world. [Read more…]