Here are some tips and life hacks that can make using and managing your gadgets easier and more effectively every day.
And most of them only require household objects that you probably already own.
These simple solutions can also save you time and money – something we could all use a lot more of.
1. PLAY GAMES AD FREE
There are a lot of free apps that serve up ads while you’re playing. These can be annoying but one way to stop them is to turn your device on to Airplane mode.
If your game doesn’t require an internet connection you’ll be able to keep playing without those pesky little ads.
2. ORGANISE YOUR DESKSIDE CABLES
Instead of having a mess of cables on the floor below your desk, take some bulldog clips and attach them to the side of your desk and loop your cables through the handles.
Now the charger and USB cables are neatly organised and at your fingertips.
3. CLEAN YOUR KEYBOARD WITH A POST-IT NOTE
Our keyboards can collect plenty of debris while were working and eating our food above them and trying to get the grit out from between the keys can be a challenge.
Grab a Post-It note or any other note with one sticky side and dab the sticky end between the keys to pick up the crumbs.
4. CREATE A SMARTPHONE SPEAKER
You can invest in a Bluetooth speaker or you can try some household objects to make your music loud enough to fill the room.
One easy way is to sit your device inside a large glass or mug which will increase the volume as the sound rumbles around inside.
Another option is to cut a slot into a toilet roll and insert the smartphone into the hole. You can then stand it upright with a couple of tacks or paper clips.
5. CHARGE YOUR PHONE THROUGH YOUR TV
Most of today’s televisions have a USB port to attach hard drives, flash drives and other devices.
If you’ve got your smartphone’s cable you can plug it into the USB port on the TV and charge the device.
This is a handy tip if you’re travelling – you can use the hotel room’s TV as your charger.
6. USE AAA BATTERIES INSTEAD OF AAs
Ever been caught without the right batteries. If you’re in a spot you can get away with using AAA batteries when AA batteries are required.
Grab some aluminium foil and bunch them up at the end of the battery so it fills the gap and also conducts the charge from the battery to the device.
7 MOUNT YOUR DEVICES ON THE WALL EASIER
Trying to line up the holes on the back of the router, speakers and other products to you can mount it on the wall can be difficult.
Forget the tape measure – photocopy the back of the device and use that as your guide to drill the holes or place your hooks in the right place.
8. LABEL YOUR CABLES
Working out which cord from your TV goes to what source is tough as all of the cables look the same. Same thing for remembering which cables and chargers belong to which products.
Collect a few of the small plastic tabs that keeps your loaf of bread fresh and clip one on each of your cables and use a permanent marker to label each one.
9. STRENGTEN YOUR CABLES
The ends of cables can fray or break when they are bent or folded near the port or charging point.
One way to strengthen your cables is to take the spring from an old pen and put it on the end to stop them splitting or breaking.
10. ELASTIC BAND IN-CAR PHONE HOLDER
It’s illegal to hold your phone while you’re driving and you’re too stingy to but a windscreen mount?
Grab a long elastic band and loop it through the air-con vents in your car and securely attach your device so it stays and is positioned for easy viewing if you need to use a GPS app or to see who’s calling.
Related Stories
10 things you didn’t know your smartphone can do
Top 10 tips to improve your smartphone’s battery life
