TechTheDay

Technology is meant to be a useful tool for humanity. It is supposed to make things easier for everyone, to facilitate the more efficient accomplishment of tasks. There are many, however, who fail to make the most of the available technologies. There are those who have not been using technology the way it’s supposed to be used. You could be one of them.

The following are some examples of everyday technologies used wrongly or in a less-than-efficient manner:

1. Always Leaving Bluetooth and Other Wireless Sensors On

Bluetooth connectivity is already a standard in almost every phone. However, it is not something that is constantly used. In most cases, Bluetooth is only used for quick file transfers when Wi-Fi is not available on the other device with which a file transfer has to be undertaken. Bluetooth is also used to connect to speakers, earphones, and other devices that are not always used. To avoid wasting power, it’s advisable to only turn Bluetooth connection on when it is needed. Turning it on or off is unlikely going to be a difficult task since most phones nowadays provide quick toggles to activate or deactivate it with just a few swipes.

2. Pointing Your Car Remote Control at Your Car Hoping It Will Improve Range

If you are unable control your car from a certain distance, presumably beyond the remote control’s range, don’t bother trying to make the remote control work by aiming it at the car. Even if you try different positions, it’s unlikely going to work. The right way to amplify your remote is to make the remote touch your head. You can press it on your chin or make it touch your head or temple. A number of people can attest that this works like a charm. An article on Tom’s Guide by William Van Winkle even claimed that this technique can double the remote control’s range. This works because the head or the human body in general is mostly conductive so it serves as an antenna for the remote.

3. Testing Batteries by Trying Them on Your Devices

This one is a very common practice. Most people check the usability of batteries by actually using them on battery-operated devices. While this method is not that senseless, there is a better way to do it. This impressively simple way to test batteries is to put them straight up on a table and apply a slight shake on the table. The unusable ones easily get toppled while the good batteries remain standing still. The explanation for this is the accumulation of gas inside a worn down battery. Naturally, batteries with gas inside them will have difficulties balancing compared to those that have no hollow internals.

You can also test a battery through its sound. Drop a battery from a short distance onto a hard surface. A dead battery produces a muffled sound, a noticeable difference from the solid thump produced by a charged or new battery.

4. Regularly Deleting Your Emails

Unless you are someone who has the obsession not leave any trace of your online activities, regularly deleting all of your emails in an attempt to free space up is unnecessary. This is not a productive way of using your email account. Even free email accounts nowadays come with gigabytes of storage. There are even some that offer unlimited storage. Saved emails may even be used as reference in the future so having them stored online can be very convenient.

5. Using Linux or Non-Mainstream Software to Avoid “Threats”

If you are using some alternative software, use it for the right reasons. Just because it’s not the software everybody else is using doesn’t mean that it is already safe or secure. It is also important to realize that the popularity of a software also affords a good deal of convenience. More popularity means greater support for the software and more users sharing their experiences and tips especially when it comes to troubleshooting.

These are just a few examples of the inefficient ways of using everyday technology. Many are likely guilty of committing them. They show how there is a need to promote a better understanding of the many devices available for even the commonest of tasks. To make the most of the technologies already available, it is important to understand how they work instead of relying on habit or less-than-sensible common sense. While it could be true that too much use of technology can make you dumb, it is more unintelligent using technology the wrong way.