Q. Is there a quick way to open your most used app on an iPhone?
A. Siri, the sometimes-maligned voice assistant, is generally fast at opening a named app. Skip the “Hey Siri” phrase and use the hot key to invoke Siri. The hot key is different on different iPhone models, but it’s usually the home button or the power button.
On my phone, tapping the power button and saying “open camera” is faster than finding and tapping the camera icon. As long as I use the same name that appears under the app’s icon, it works nearly every time. If you just installed a new app, it might take a bit of time for Siri to recognize it.
But there are two other options you should consider. First, the newer iPhones that have an “Action” button. Second, a tap gesture on the back of the phone.
If you have an Action button, customize its behavior by going to Settings -> Action Button.
To configure the back tap, open Settings -> Accessibility -> Touch and scroll down to the Back Tap. There you can choose two behaviors, one for a double tap, and one for a triple tap.
If you’re not sure which app would be the most helpful, consider “Magnifier” which is an unsung hero I use for everything from reading menus to grabbing model numbers on appliances.
Q. I am on Windows 10 would like to upgrade. What are my options?
A. In some ways, there has never been a better time to look at Windows 11. It has already been through several years of continuous improvement, and recently Microsoft has beefed up the tools for migrating your data from Windows 10 to 11. Some of those tools are still undergoing testing, and I recommend you wait until they are released before making any changes.
The first question you need to ask yourself is if your current hardware is supported by Windows 11. Obviously if the answer is no, it means new PC hardware is part of the decision.
Regardless of whether you intended to upgrade your hardware in place or switch to a new computer, protecting your personal data is usually the most challenging task.
For upgrades on the same hardware, a good backup is essential. In addition to traditional third-party and bundled backup solutions, there is an option that allows you to back up the entire computer to OneDrive for a fee.
There is speculation that an upcoming version of Windows 10 Backup will include a new option for a direct connection to transfer the data to a new computer.
My suggestion is to research the hardware options available to you. Wait a little while until the PC-to-PC transfer tool debuts on Windows 10, then move ahead.
Q. Is the Nintendo Switch 2 good enough to justify upgrading from an original Switch?
A. We became a two Switch household in early June, which has given me an excellent opportunity to compare the new Switch 2 with an original Switch.
Everything about the Switch 2 is an upgrade except for one small detail I will get to soon.
The new kickstand is sturdier. The magnetic clasps for the Joy-Con 2 controllers are a delight compared to the metal slide-and-click method used on the original Switch.
The bigger, brighter screen makes the old Switch look dated, and the improvement in the video image when docked to a TV is subtle but unmistakable. The size and sharpness difference of the built-in screen makes the Switch 2 friendly to players with less than great eyesight, but for everyone I think comparing the two makes the older model look like a compromise, and the Switch 2 looks like a state-of-the-art handheld game platform.
The speed of gameplay is perhaps the nicest part of the new design. Games have long used cut scenes and other distractions to help make wait times “feel” shorter, but nothing beats fast performance.
There are a couple of details to know before you upgrade: The original Nintendo Pro Controller cannot power up a sleeping console. Also, some games require a paid upgrade to get the Switch 2 extra features.
Overall, I think the upgrade is worth it if you play more than a few hours a week.
Bob has been writing about technology for over three decades. He can be contacted at techtalk@bobdel.com.
Wander the Web — Here are my picks for worthwhile browsing this month:
Comedy Museum
This is not a joke: there is a real museum dedicated to the topic of comedy located in Jamestown, NY.
Cool Thoughts
A guide to snowflakes, crystals, and ice. A single source of everything you ever wanted to know about snow.
Owls in Towels
A photo gallery of owls wrapped in towels. Celebrate the wildlife rescuers who do this work!
