Most of us can’t do without a smartphone. The gadget helps us communicate easily, find the information we’re looking for, shop for our favorite products, and so much more. On the downside, we spend hours glued to our screens. This can take a toll on our personal lives, affect physical and mental health, and even cut short the life of our devices. Here are some harmful smartphone habits to break immediately. Scrolling before bedtime Endless scrolling on social media before bedtime makes it hard to fall asleep at night, leading to restlessness and tiredness the next day. Screens emit a blue light that affects melatonin production in the brain, the hormone that controls a person’s circadian rhythm or sleep-wake cycle. Without melatonin, it can be difficult to fall or stay asleep. Experts advise keeping the phone away for at least an hour before bedtime. You can instead read a book or listen to a podcast to relax your mind.  Always keeping the phone with you If you keep your phone in your pocket, you’ll be constantly tempted to pull it out and browse. Not to mention, you’ll be on the alert for notifications. Therefore it’s best to carry it in your purse or backpack.

One of the more popular choices to power electronics at home amongst consumers is lithium-ion batteries. This is because of the large amount of power they can use at a given size and weight. But occasionally, we hear about such batteries failing and bursting into flames. The phenomenon can result in mild or severe damage in its surroundings. This article discusses five top reasons why some lithium-ion batteries may malfunction. Read on to learn more. Manufacturing defect The functionality of a battery is based on the quality of its manufacturing process. Any flaws during production may lead to impure metallic particles seeping into the unit during assembly. Thinning of separators while manufacturing may also have adverse effects on the health of the battery. So manufacturers must ensure each cell is made in controlled cleanrooms and conduct quality-control tests and validation before being sold. Design flaw While the manufacturing process of a battery might be carried out without hiccups, a flaw in the design might ruin the entire batch. A poor design can cause damage to the electrodes or separate them and lead to a short circuit. Therefore, those designing batteries should check the design multiple times before manufacturing the lithium-ion battery.

The use of smartphones, including other technology, has become an integral part of our daily life. Like most smart technology, these smartphones help us carry out business-oriented tasks and offer entertaining and informative content. However, considering the growing number of spurious websites, our smartphone data, such as passwords and other important data are often at risk of theft. So here are five common mistakes to avoid while surfing the internet to safeguard sensitive credentials. Opening unverified links Many websites often ask users to click links to download a free song, movie, or other content they would otherwise have to pay for. Clicking on links that are not verified may lead to installing viruses on your smartphone. These viruses can leech sensitive information from your device, compromising factors like the password. Outdated browser software Hackers will always look for loopholes in a device’s software to steal vital information. This is why smartphone and browser manufacturers roll out over-the-air updates to ensure the devices are safe from such individuals. Therefore, not updating the software may lead to password theft when one accesses such websites. Allowing cookies every time Cookies are files created on the computer whenever a user visits a website. These files store information that must be available during each session.

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution has started altering how we interact with technology. For example, humanoid robots can engage in conversation, while natural language processing (NLP) chatbots can write entire lines of code or essays in seconds. And while the improvements in AI are exciting, they also bring about nervousness, primarily because they may overtake jobs created for humans. So here are six such jobs that Artificial Intelligence might impact. Salespersons Companies have started to substitute salespeople with AI for advertising and retail activities. Advertising software allows advertisers to create custom content for various types of audiences. Moreover, the implementation of AI instead of a salesperson has enabled customers to research products for themselves without the help of another person. Taxi and truck drivers Autonomous driving has become an emerging trend in the country and globally, with cab and truck aggregators switching to robot drivers instead of hiring humans. Apart from savings costs, it also fills the void of the shortage of such drivers because of the relatively low pay structure. Proofreaders and translators Today many AI-powered tools help writers self-check their writing. While it has not reached perfection yet, the natural processing capability of these AI tools allows writers to check their work for spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, and readability issues.

The internet plays an indispensable role in one’s daily life. The digital realm offers unparalleled convenience, from enabling communication and education to shopping and entertainment. But the more the online world is embraced, the more people are exposed to potential privacy breaches in increasingly innovative ways. Protecting one’s privacy online has become an essential skill to master, and fortunately, there are several effective strategies one can employ to do this. 8 Simple Ways to Protect One’s Privacy Online Create Strong and Unique Passwords Passwords are one’s access to all personal information, so one is advised to opt for long and complex passwords. They can include a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. Use Two-factor Authentication (2FA) Two-factor authentication is often used by businesses and banks. This secondary verification step adds an additional layer of protection and may include a text message, an email, or a specialized authentication app. So, even if an unauthorized individual gains access to one’s password, they would be unable to infiltrate one’s accounts without the next step. Update the Software The updates often prompted by operating systems, web browsers, and apps contain security patches aimed at rectifying vulnerabilities that hackers could potentially exploit. So, updating them ensures that one’s software is the latest, most fortified version.

The internet is one of the richest information sources and a platform to enjoy content. However, the flip side to the net is that there are too many ways one could fall prey to scammers, hackers, or viruses. While it could happen to anyone, seniors who do not fully understand the internet might be at a greater risk of getting scammed. Here are five tips to help safeguard everyone’s interest, including seniors, while navigating the internet. Avoid unsecured transactions While the internet has made paying for things much easier, one should never do this on a public, unsecured network. Sometimes, scammers intentionally create these networks to gain access to all the sensitive information a user has on their device. Update systems regularly Hackers constantly look for loopholes to access user data. This is why manufacturers work around the clock to patch these weak points and strengthen a device’s security. Therefore, it is essential to update each device regularly to keep it safe from cyber threats. Do not click on unfamiliar email links If one receives an email from an unfamiliar address, one should not open or click links in its contents. These links could secretly install malware on an electronic device, such as a computer, and damage it.

A portable monitor is a compact display that one can carry around with a laptop. Using it, one can expand their screen, stay mobile, and easily accomplish tasks. While many types of portable monitors are available in the market, the battery and USB-powered ones remain in high demand. However, choosing the right portable monitor isn’t as easy as it seems. Therefore, here are some key tips for buying a portable screen monitor. Tips to buy a portable screen monitor Determine the need Everyone has unique needs, including gamers and business travelers. Therefore, it’s important to consider factors like screen size, resolution, and display type when choosing a portable monitor. Full HD resolution is the standard for most monitors, but those who require higher quality can opt for 4K or Quad High Definition (QHD) display options. Consider the monitor’s weight When choosing a portable screen monitor, it’s essential to consider its weight. Ideally, it should be between 1.3 and 2.2 lbs, making it easy to carry around without straining one’s back. This also comes in handy for business travelers who want to avoid paying extra fees for overweight baggage. With a lightweight screen, it can easily fit into a bag and be transported wherever needed.

The last major sales event of the year is Cyber Monday, so if you have missed the Black Friday sales, you can still shop for the best deals. This year, Cyber Monday is on November 28th. And it is worth paying attention to the deals if you consider investing in the latest tech. As there is still time for Cyber Monday, here is a look at the best tech sales of last year. Smartwatches Look out for Cyber Monday deals on these smartwatches: Apple Watch 7 series Retailing at $399, Amazon offered the Apple Watch 7 (GPS/41mm) for $379. The Apple Watch 7 (GPS/LTE 41mm) was also available at a discount of $20 and might be on sale for $479. Apple Watch SE One of the best wearables you can get hold of on a budget is the Apple Watch SE. On Amazon, you could buy the Amazon Watch SE at $60 off its regular price of $220. Fitbit Sense Available at a massively discounted price of $190 against its original price of $300, this deal was perfect for fitness lovers. The smartwatch comes with free six-month membership to Fitbit Premium. Laptops Here are three laptops that you shouldn’t miss when the sale starts: