Technology
The 7 Best Gmail Tips and Tricks for the Traveler on the Go
Gmail is a relatively new player in the email game, especially when compared to its competitors. Despite that, Gmail dominates.
Gmail boasts a staggering 1.5 billion users across the world, a tally the company is adding to every day. As a matter of fact, since you’re reading this post, we’re guessing that you’re an advent Gmail user as well.
If you love using Gmail almost as much as you love traveling, this post is for you. In it, we share useful Gmail tips and tricks that can help you keep your messages organized, safe, and effective no matter where in the world you are.
- Let Google Help You Write
When you’re traveling, do you want to spend your time having to flex your creative brain to craft impactful emails? We hope you answered no to that question because while on the road, your time is so much better spent enjoying your surroundings than being hunched in front of your computer.
Enter Smart Compose!
Smart Compose is a feature you can tick on in your Gmail settings that will have Google’s bots try to intelligently finish your sentences. If you like what they come up with, you can hit the tab key and the information they’ve suggested will auto-fill.
Don’t like what Smart Compose is coming up with? No problem!
Just keep typing through its suggestions and they’ll automatically disappear.
- Share Your Situation in Your Signature
Email signatures are by no means new technology. Still, they’re insanely helpful when you’re trying to push a consistent message to the people you’re in contact with.
When you’re traveling, you’ll probably be in situations where you’re without WIFI and can’t respond to notes as quickly as you typically might. To keep your recipients in the know regarding your response capabilities, consider using Gmail’s signature feature to share your whereabouts or at least to share that you’ll be slow to reply.
You can find your signature options in your Gmail’s settings.
- Schedule Emails for When You’ll Have Internet
In those moments on the road where you’re waiting for a bus trip to end or a raft ride to subside, you might want to compose a few emails to send off. The problem with that is finding solid WIFI while on the move.
Don’t let that ruin your productivity though!
With Gmail’s scheduled mail feature, you can draft notes whenever you’d like and set a timer for when you’d like Gmail to send those notes, presumably when you’re in range of WIFI.
- Keep Your Messages Secure
Have you ever had to send sensitive emails while traveling and worried that the note might fall into the wrong hands? Gmail has a solution for that.
A little known option in Gmail which is called “Self-Destruct” lets mail senders put a timer on how long their notes can sit in someone’s inbox. With that option ticked, sensitive notes will not only expire in the amount of time that you’ve allotted but will also prevent recipients from copying the message’s text, forwarding the message, and more.
For all of the features in Self-Destruct to work properly, you’ll want to make sure you’re sending your note to another Gmail account.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Turn on Auto Respond
You’re not always going to be available to respond to emails while traveling. Sometimes, your intention will be to avoid emails so you can enjoy as much time in your new destination as possible without distraction.
If hiding away from emails sounds like something you’re interested in, use Gmail’s auto-respond feature to let senders know you’re away from your computer. You can even tell people when you plan on returning so they can set their expectations around when they’re likely to get a response.
Gmail’s auto-respond or “vacation responder” options can be found in your Gmail settings.
- Get Organized
We recommend getting your inbox organized before you start traveling but hey, if you have some downtime on the road, definitely lean on this Gmail tips and tricks must!
Gmail has several features to help get your inbox cleaned up. For example, you can learn how to create a new folder in Gmail and organize notes into that folder based on rules you set. You can also learn how to use Google’s tabs feature to easily sort through promotional emails, business emails, and personal emails.
The more rules you set for your inbox and the more granular your folders are, the easier it’ll be to find important information.
- Let More Friends in on the Fun
Have you ever had a fun email chain going between yourself and friends while traveling? Have you ever wanted to add additional people to the chain in the middle of conversations?
Gmail makes doing that easy!
All you have to do is type “+your friend’s name” in the body of your note and if Gmail has your friend saved in your contacts, it’ll automatically loop them in.
Great Gmail Tips and Tricks Can Make Email a Lot More Streamlined
We love learning and implementing new Gmail tips and tricks to help make our use of email more productive. That’s especially true when we’re on the road and time is at a premium.
Our team hopes our insight help you get more out of your Gmail experience and perhaps even inspire you to explore other fun tips that we didn’t mention.
If you’d like additional insight on travel, technology and more, we welcome you to browse the newest content we have available on our site!
Technology
5 Countries With The Fastest Internet Around the World
The Internet has become a crucial part of our daily lives. We need it in all circumstances, from checking the weather to building a business and everything else in between. However, not every country, big or small, has a solid broadband network. The global average broadband download speed is 81Mbps, and upload of 42Mbps. While this is quite an increase from previous years, a few outlier countries far exceed these averages.
Why is Fast Internet Important?
Having a lightning-fast internet connection should be possible for anybody considering what an essential part of our lives. Although broadband is usually pretty fast, the upcoming release of 5G will cover mobile devices as well. This is important as many users choose a mobile device over a desktop one.
Countless day-to-day activities like work, streaming, and even gaming are tightly tied to the internet. Even simpler games like the casino ones rely on the internet to provide a good user experience. An online casino app like Gaminator can be downloaded for free from Google Play, but users need the internet to perform this action. Once the app is downloaded, you can access it without the internet. However, if you want to gamble in a virtual casino and interact with other players and dealers, you need a fast and consistent internet connection.
Depending on your region, your internet may or may not be above the average. Below, we’ve prepared a list of the five countries with the fastest internet connection in the world. The data and list are according to the Speedtest Global Index by Ookla.
Singapore Internet
Singapore is widely known for its surprisingly-fast internet connection. It’s ranked first with a total download speed of 213Mbps and 220Mbps for upload. Singapore is also a coworking and freelancing hub, the second-fastest growing country in this industry. They only reach 13th for mobile speeds with an average of 56Mbps.
Hong Kong Wi-fi
Hong Kong comes second on our list, close to Singapore, with a download speed of 202Mbps, and 193Mbps for upload on a broadband connection. The average latency is also only 12ms which should be good enough for most digital services. The mobile situation is slightly different as Hong Kong only ranks 19th in this category with a download speed of 53Mbps.
Thailand Internet
Thailand is a hub for travelers, freelancers, and remote workers thanks to its natural beauty, affordable living, and reliable internet. It ranks 3rd with 171Mbps download speed and 134Mbps upload. While their broadband is pretty solid, the mobile rate is relatively low. Thailand is ranked 59th with 32Mbps on mobile. It gets the last place for mobile speeds among the five countries mentioned in this list.
South Korea WI-Fi
South Korea gained three positions in the last couple of months, ranking 4th in the Speedtest Global Index with a fixed broadband download speed of 169Mbps and 165Mbps for upload. This provides a pretty consistent experience for all users. Moreover, South Korea ranks 2nd for mobile with a download speed of 109Mbps, close to their broadband connection. South Korea used to rank 1st for mobile, but they got overtaken by the United Arab Emirates by a single point.
Romania Internet
Romania is widely known for its powerful and inexpensive fiber internet connection. Nine of its cities used to be ranked in the top 15 cities with the fastest internet around the world not long ago. Romania has the fastest internet in Europe, with 167Mbps download speed on average and 120Mbps upload. Although they are only ranked 45th for roaming rates with an average download of 38Mbps, their local telecommunication companies are pushing innovation by deploying 5G networks.
Technology
Taimi: The Gay Dating App That Doubles As a Social Network
Online dating is often considered an adverse platform by those who have been a part of it.
Why Download a Gay Dating App?
In today’s fast-paced environment, the thrill of the chase is often thrown out the window. No one holds a conversation anymore in a world of instant hookups and matchups. It’s either go big or go home (or both) for almost everyone who signs up for these dating sites and apps.
This is especially true when it comes to gay dating platforms. While gay men enjoy friendships, intimacy, and romance just as much as a straight person could, the media created for them only cater to the instant gratification aspect. That is why apps such as Grindr are only good for casual meets.
Indulging in some harmless fun isn’t a bad thing at all. With a suitable space of mind, it could be pretty enjoyable. But it’s just that it can get tiresome for those looking for a more profound connection. Unfortunately, given how the current gay dating apps are designed, finding meaningful connections seems next to impossible.
What is Taimi?
Created in 2017, Taimi is a gay dating and networking app for iOS and Android designed to double as a social network. Taimi aims not only to facilitate those who are looking for casual meet-ups but also those who are searching for an elusive deeper connection.
Considering this, the Taimi app has all the features of GPS and intelligent distance-based pairing, which are now staples of online dating. But with that, it also allows its users to have dedicated profile pages on which they can share anything through the app’s social media posting feature. They could follow like-minded people or have others follow their profiles, creating connections and friendships.
This dual approach is one of the many things that sets the Taimi gay app apart from its competitors.
The Gay App Prioritizes Safety
According to the Taimi team, the app has been created to become a safe space for those who want to connect with like-minded people. Regardless of whether they want that like-minded approach to translate into a short yet enjoyable connection or something that is turned into a friendly relationship that stems into a deeper bond.
The Taimi app uses state-of-the-art security mechanisms to make sure that operating on the platform is a pleasant experience for users and a safe one.
While apps such as Grindr have come under fire for sharing their users’ HIV status and other information with third parties, Taimi ensures that its users’ data remains safe and private at all costs. For that, the app uses state-of-the-art security mechanisms and internal policies.
Taimi doesn’t only stop at the safety precautions there. It also ensures that verified profiles are only using the platform with no intention to harm people. The app uses artificial intelligence (AI) in combination with hand-picked moderation to verify accounts. This verification ensures that users who connect with others can feel safe about doing so without the fear of being duped or catfished by others.
It Allows Video Calling
Taimi also allows its users to connect via live video calls. This makes sure that users can connect that way without sharing their phone number or Snapchat handle.
This adds another layer of privacy and convenience for its users, who do not have to use Taimi as a temporary solution until exchanging phone numbers with their connections. If they have Taimi, they most likely don’t need another app to connect to the same people via advanced features.
It Makes for a Stellar Social Network
The social posting and connectivity features mentioned earlier only add to all of this and make Taimi a must-have app for gay men who want to feel safe in their online pursuit of meaningful connections.
This makes Taimi an excellent choice for a social network dedicated to a community that has long needed such a space for itself.
It is Expanding Its Outreach
While Taimi is only catering to gay and bisexual men, for now, it plans to expand its operations to offer the same features to the larger LGBTQ+ community.
Taimi is free to use, with some of its most advanced features included in the free version of the app. But if you need more, you could subscribe to the app’s paid service and enjoy additional features and filters.
Taimi is available for iOS and Android and already has many online users. Click here to give the app a try and see how it fits your pursuit of joy.
Technology
10 Benefits of Self Storage
Storage space is a concern every person has when they have too many items. The question of where to put your belongings can be a headache. It’s especially stressful during home renovation or moving.
One solution to address this is self storage. Getting a storage unit answers your concerns about cramping too many items. Read on and learn why you should get a self storage unit today:
1. Removes Clutter from Home
One benefit of having a self storage unit is freeing up your house. Clutter can affect your health negatively, making you feel stressed. If you go for a storage unit, you can reduce the number of items lying around your living space.
2. Keeps Items Safe
If you want to protect items, get a controlled climate storage unit. It works when you want to keep them in a safe environment.
It stores items the elements will otherwise damage. It includes artworks, documents, and photos. Climate-controlled storage also stores electronics and furniture.
3. Provides Necessary Space
If you need to free up space in your home or business, a storage unit helps. You can move up items in a storage unit to make your home more livable. It’s your best bet when freeing up a room for a different purpose.
4. Guaranteed Security from Theft
Security is another storage unit feature. Storage unit providers ensure your items remain secure in their containers while giving you full access to them. Storage companies also have CCTV surveillance systems to track the premises both inside and outside.
5. Temporary Storage for Items
You might have seasonal items used for a moment then stowed away after. These could be for your boat, RV, and so on. Opt for bigger storage units to help store them better.
You can learn more when you check out Titan Storage. They can help with storing your boat, RV, and other valuables.
6. Cost-Effective
A storage unit helps you worry less about expenses. When comparing between a storage unit and an apartment for storage, the former gives more features for less.
7. Can Work for Business Purposes
You might need storage for products or materials for your business. Storage units offer the necessary space to keep your business assets secure.
8. Eases with Transition Between Homes
Moving between addresses gets tough, especially when you have a lot to pack and unpack. A storage unit is best when moving bulkier items. Some also offer moving services.
9. Ensures Safety at Home
During a renovation, you’ll have tools and equipment sitting on location. A self storage container stows these items when not in use. It’s a good way to maintain safety standards.
10. Helps with Downsizing
At some point, you might end up downsizing. A storage unit can help those efforts, especially during retirement. After all, you have lots of storage options to work with.
Try Self Storage Today
Self Storage comes with a wide variety of uses. They’re suitable for any situation. Consider using one whenever necessary.
Are you looking for more informative guides? Check out our articles for more.
We have been wearing out our jandals (Kiwi for flip-flops) on our travel adventures around the world since 2009. We think our blog is thought provoking and a little witty. But we have been proven wrong before. Find out more about us here...
