Use the Notes App on Your Smartphone
It has come to my attention that a lot of people don't use the Notes app on their smartphone. That's too bad because, IMO, it's one of the most useful apps on your phone. I don't use it to "take notes," but it's my go-to app for jotting down quick things that I don't want to forget.
Examples of notes that I've created and use regularly:
- People I've met (but don't get their contact information) - For example, I sometimes note the name, date, and place of a salesperson I meet while shopping, so I can remember them next time I visit.
- Recommendations people give me - If someone says I should try a specific restaurant or visit a certain place, I often jot it down, since I'll most likely forget if I don't.
- Funny quotes - Sometimes, someone says something so funny, it's worth writing down. It often makes the person laugh when I bring it up months or years later.
- Funny ideas - If if I think of a funny joke or situation, I try to write it down before I forget about it.
- Movies I've watched on planes - I travel a lot, so this helps me remember which movies I've watched. I also keep a list of movies I'd like to watch, so I don't have to scroll through all 400 movies Delta offers each time.
- Books to read - Whether they are recommendations from others or books I'm interested in reading, the Notes app is an easly place to keep track of my list.
These are just a few of the many notes I have on my iPhone. They automatically sync with the Notes app on my Mac, so I can add and edit notes using whatever device is more convenient. If you use an Android device, you can usually sync your notes with your PC as well (like Samsung Notes).
2025
2024
December | Leave Your Phone Behind |
November | Pack USB Adapters When You Travel |
October | Use Dictation on Your PC |
September | Don't Share PII with LLMs |
August | Monitor Your Screen Time |
July | Compress Your Backups to Save Disk Space |
June | Don't Use an Ad Blocker |
May | Use Your Phone to Charge Your Devices |
April | Empty Your Trash or Recycle Bin (Automatically) |
March | Customize Your Workspace Lighting |
February | Hold Your Phone with Each Hand |
January | Check Your Spam Folder Once a Month |
2023
December | Try a Smart Doorbell |
November | Use a Silent Mode Backup |
October | Know the Difference Between Bytes and Bits |
September | Check Your Internet Speed |
August | Regularly Restart Your Computer |
July | Scan Your Documents and Receipts |
June | Try a Hard Mouse Mat |
May | Use a Mouse Wrist Rest |
April | Use an External Microphone |
March | Give Your Speakers Time to Break In |
February | Search to Open an App |
January | Choose an SSD instead of an HDD |
2022
December | Wait to Enter Your Email Address |
November | Cancel Your Subscription Immediately |
October | Email Files as Compressed Archives |
September | Clean Out Your Downloads Folder |
August | Perfect Punctuation is Not Necessary |
July | Clean Out Your PC |
June | Choose the Best Video Orientation |
May | Take Digital Call Logs |
April | Choose a Good Email Subject |
March | Turn Off Your Smartphone Camera |
February | Remove Tracking Parameters from URLs |
January | Exercise More at Work |
2021
December | Turn Off "Do Not Track" |
November | Reduce Screen Glare |
October | Lower Your Hands for Correct Typing Posture |
September | Test Your Audio Before the Call |
August | Use Multiple Browsers |
July | Block Spam Calls on Your Smartphone |
June | Wash Your Hands Before You Type |
May | Fix Bright Spots on a Flatscreen Display |
April | Wait to Upgrade (Your Hardware) |
March | Use Your Smart TV Apps |
February | Organize Your Photos Monthly |
January | Use Online and Offline Backups |
2020
December | Try Third-Party Peripherals |
November | Change Your Scenery |
October | Use a Power Conditioner |
September | Select Text Using Keyboard Shortcuts |
August | Verify Secure Websites |
July | Begin Emails with a Name |
June | Send Text Messages From Your Computer |
May | Top 10 Tips for Better Video Conferencing |
April | Add a New Line in a Message |
March | Don't Skimp on Your Internet Connection |
February | Try HiDPI |
January | Perform Monthly File Maintenance |
2019
December | Detect Fake Emails |
November | Use LED Lighting |
October | Use a Generic Name for Your Home Network |
September | Keep Your Workspace Active |
August | Drive Handsfree |
July | The #1 Tip for Choosing Good Speakers |
June | Monitor Your Energy Usage |
May | Use Multiple Chairs |
April | Don't Pay the Ransom |
March | Store Your Receipts Electronically |
February | Learn How to Type Faster |
January | Free Trial? Mark It On Your Calendar |
2018
December | Try Dark Mode |
November | Don't Upgrade |
October | Clean Your (Physical) Desktop |
September | Remember to Reload |
August | Schedule a Monthly Recharge |
July | Use Your Function Keys |
June | Take a Social Media Hiatus |
May | Use Secure Email |
April | Don't Keep All Your Photos |
March | Make Use of Travel Lock |
February | Manage Your Cables |
January | Back Up Your Backup |
2017
December | Navigate With Your Keyboard |
November | Keep Your Files Organized |
October | Record Call Logs |
September | How To Use Cellular Data Internationally |
August | Protect Your Ears |
July | Let Electronics Dry Before Using Them |
June | Remember to Set Reminders |
May | Limit Your Fonts and Colors |
April | How To Quickly Select a Web Address |
March | Remember to Right Click |
February | Set Your Audio Output Level Correctly |
January | Don't Change Your Password |
2016
December | Use Speech Recognition |
November | Don't Drop Your Phone |
October | Try a Laser Printer |
September | Get Rid of Audio Noise |
August | Use Your Lighting Wisely |
July | Keep Your Phone Cool |
June | Forget That Network |
May | Consolidate Your Questions |
April | Format Email Addresses Correctly |
March | Let Ink Dry Before Scanning |
February | Don't Email Passwords |
January | Get Organized (Electronically) |
2015
December | Bank Electronically |
November | Don't Skimp When Buying A Computer |
October | Charge Consistently |
September | Use Surge Protection |
August | Don't Drive Distracted |
July | Restart Your Voicemail Message |
June | Text Using Two Hands |
May | Try a New Keyboard |
April | Go Paperless |
March | Take Screenshots for Reference |
February | Read Your Email Before Sending It |
January | Back Up Your Data Online |
2014
December | Put Your Phone Away |
November | Use Two Mice |
October | Double-Check Your Email Address |
September | Check Your Sources |
August | Taking Photos? Look Behind You |
July | Traveling? Bring an Ethernet Cable |
June | Think Before You Share |
May | Clean Your Camera Lens |
April | Know the Difference Between Login and Log In |
March | Don't Share Your Password (With Anyone) |
February | Don't Get Scammed |
January | Navigate Your Computer With Your Keyboard |
2013
December | Find the Best Wi-Fi Connection |
November | Don't Just Sit There |
October | Secure Your Wi-Fi Network |
September | Record Video in Landscape Mode |
August | Copy Form Data Before Submitting It |
July | Use Multiple Monitors |
June | Rest Your Wrists |
May | Let Your Smartphone Sleep |
April | Think Before You Post |
March | Use Quotes in Your Search Queries |
February | Clean Your Screen |
January | Include Your Name in Your Email Address |
2012
December | Post Proper Pictures on Facebook |
November | Take a Mini Break |
October | Wait to Upgrade |
September | Use a Cell Phone Headset |
August | Don't Spill Your Drink |
July | Pack Extra Power When You Travel |
June | Extend Your Battery Life |
May | Add More Memory |
April | Video Conference Professionally |
March | Clean Up Your Desktop |
February | Check Your Backup |
January | Choose the Right Printer Paper |
2011
December | Record Better Videos |
November | Learn Your Keyboard Shortcuts |
October | Find Content within a Webpage |
September | Clean Your Computer |
August | Organize Your Files by Date |
July | Take Fewer Pictures |
June | Take Better Pictures |
May | Forward Email Properly |
April | Lower Your Display Brightness |
March | Let Your Computer Sleep |
February | Back Up Your Power Supply |
January | Back Up Your Data |
2010
December | Manage Multiple Logins |
November | Improve Your Posture |