Plus, I’ve got a game-changing hacker tool that tracks down DJI drone operators to their exact location, new way for satellite emergency texts for non-Apple phones, and a shocker — what social media sites are tracking us and now charging for features that were once free.
Emergency settings to check on your iPhone now before you need them
Your phone is always with you and can be a lifeline in an emergency. By activating your iPhone’s Emergency SOS feature, you can call local emergency services and update your chosen contacts when needed.
With Apple’s latest iPhone models, you can connect with emergency services even when you don’t have a signal. Here’s how to set up and use the emergency features on your iPhone.
Sending out an SOS
What’s the first thing you do in case of an emergency? Dial 911. This is standard practice, but you can go a couple of steps further. If you share your Medical ID, your iPhone can send your medical information to emergency services when you call or text 911 or use Emergency SOS.
With Emergency SOS, you can quickly and easily call for help and alert your emergency contacts. Let’s go through each of these features.
Set up your Medical ID
Let’s say you pass out and can’t use your phone. If someone nearby calls emergency services, first responders can access your critical medical information from the lock screen without needing your passcode. They can also see who to contact in case of an emergency.
You just need to set up your Medical ID to include the following information about you:
- Name.
- Age.
- Medical conditions.
- Medications.
- Allergies.
- Emergency contacts.
Here’s how to set up your Medical ID:
- Open the Health app and tap your profile picture.
- Tap Medical ID.
- Tap Edit in the upper-right corner.
- To make your Medical ID available from the Lock screen on your iPhone, turn on Show When Locked.
- To share your Medical ID with emergency responders, turn on Share During Emergency Call. When you call or send a text to emergency services on your iPhone or Apple Watch, your Medical ID will automatically be shared with emergency services.
- Enter your health information.
- Tap Done.
RELATED: Here’s what adding your number to the National Do Not Call Registry does
iPhone trick: How to copy and paste text and images from your photos
Safety is a selling point of Apple’s latest offering. The iPhone 14 has improved car crash detection and even emergency SOS via satellite. Tap or click here for instructions on sending an emergency text when you have no signal. It could save your life.
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If you live in a busy city, you can be excused for taking fast, reliable internet service for granted. Internet service providers prefer densely populated areas for the more extensive potential customer base, which means more subscribers.
We rely on GPS satellites to help us figure out exactly where we are. How many of them are orbiting Earth right now? Is it … A.) Four, B.) 15, C.) 24 or D.) 31?
The first iPhone 14 satellite emergency rescue
Do you have an iPhone 14? It could save your life — even when you don’t have an internet connection. Here’s how, in 60 seconds.
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Say goodbye to AT&T TV - Here's what's replacing it
Between the internet, cable, network television, satellite and streaming services, there is no shortage of ways to watch movies, television shows, special events and live content. Additionally, the pandemic has resulted in more at-home content than ever before.
Money-saving tip: Find out if you're paying too much for internet service
When you signed up for home internet service, you had to choose from several options. Each plan promises certain download and upload speeds, but how do you know which one is right for you?
Those speeds are a big factor in how much you’ll shell out for the internet each month. Faster capabilities mean higher costs and you’ll pay less for slower speeds. But speed is just one factor when it comes to your internet bill. There are others you might not know about. Tap or click here to change this one setting for faster internet speeds.
Free alternatives to Netflix to stream TV shows and movies
Well, 182 million people can’t be wrong. That’s how many people subscribe to streaming video service Netflix each month.
If you are one of them, you’re using a streaming media player, smart TV, phone, or computer to watch a lot of good content. Stuff like “Stranger Things” and “Ozark” are super popular. Tap or click here for ways to make binge-watching Netflix even easier.
9 streaming service pro tips to save money
The whole streaming scene is confusing. DirecTV Now changed its name to AT&T TV Now and can’t seem to settle on plans and pricing. Tap or click here to parse the options. Disney+, Apple TV and HBO Max joined the party — and each one wants your money.
Cut the cord: Best streaming options for $20, $30 and $50 per month
Cord-cutting isn’t just a passing craze anymore. In the second quarter of 2020 alone, more than 1.3 million homes dropped cable or satellite TV. And based on streaming platform performance during the pandemic, that number will only grow.
Know where your loved ones are at a glance with this GPS app
Peace of mind is a tough thing to come by these days. The world is still a generally safe place, but we hear news stories about predators both real and virtual. Small wonder the first time our kids get a smartphone is not a calming moment for parents.