Speed Up Your PC for Free With This Hidden Microsoft Tool
Plus, Apple’s surprise Android app, the best portable chargers, and a YouTube trick every parent should know
Hey there, and welcome to another edition of the Rich On Tech Newsletter!
After a rainy week in Los Angeles, the sun is finally back. I know—we’re total weather wimps here. Any break from the usual sunshine throws us off!
On a personal note, this week marks 14 years of covering tech at KTLA. It’s been an incredible journey, and my mission has never been clearer: helping you navigate the ever-changing tech world with news, tips, and reviews that matter. Thanks for being part of it!
Apple’s Surprise Move: An Apple TV App for Android
My jaw just about dropped when I heard Apple was making an Apple TV app for Android. The idea of Apple even acknowledging Android—let alone embracing it—is a shock.
The new app, now available on Google Play, lets you stream Apple TV+ and MLS. The real play here? Apple wants its growing streaming service on as many screens as possible, including the millions of Android devices out there. They’ve even gone as far as supporting Google Play billing for new subscriptions!
There’s a catch, though. The app doesn’t give you access to movies or TV shows you’ve purchased (or rented) from your iTunes library. No word yet on whether that functionality will come later.
Still, it’s a start. You can download Apple TV on Android phones and tablets and even sign up for a one-week free trial. Their latest movie, The Gorge, stars the lead actress from The Queen’s Gambit. I might check it out—maybe I’ll even watch it on my phone.
Apple Teases a Big Announcement—Is a New iPhone SE Coming?
Apple is hinting at an announcement on Wednesday, February 19, and all signs point to a new iPhone SE.
According to the excellent MacRumors Buyers Guide, it’s been 1,074 days since the last SE model dropped—so an update is long overdue.
Expected upgrades: A bigger screen, Face ID replacing the home button, a USB-C port, a faster processor, and maybe even MagSafe. This is Apple’s entry-level iPhone, and while the price is expected to go up slightly, it should still come in under $500.
If you’ve been holding out for an affordable iPhone with modern features, this could be it. Stay tuned!
Need a Better Cell Plan? Here’s a Site to Check
I recently had cell phone reviewer Stetson Doggett on my radio show, and I was seriously impressed by his knowledge of mobile plans.
He runs a few helpful sites, including BestPhonePlans.net, which makes it easy to compare carriers and find a plan that fits your needs and budget.
Some of his top picks:
✅ US Mobile – $25
✅ Visible – $45
✅ Boost Mobile Infinite – $65
✅ Mobile X – Varies
✅ US Mobile (low-data option) – $10
If you’re looking to switch plans or just want to save money each month, it’s definitely worth a look!
How to Lock YouTube for Little Ones
I’m not a big fan of kids watching a lot of YouTube, but sometimes, it’s unavoidable. A friend recently handed their phone to their toddler and asked how to “lock it down” so the child couldn’t exit the video or tap around.
You could use:
• iOS Guided Access (Settings > Guided Access)
• Android App Pinning (Settings > Security & Privacy > More security settings > Allow apps to be pinned. Then, swipe up to show recent apps, tap the app icon at the top, and choose “Pin this app.”)
But there’s an easier way built right into YouTube:
1. Start playing a video.
2. Tap the gear icon in the upper right.
3. Select “Lock Screen.”
This prevents little fingers from messing with the screen. To unlock, tap once and hit “Tap to Unlock.” Older kids may figure this out quickly, but for younger ones, it’s a simple solution.
Microsoft Has a Free App to Speed Up Your PC
Did you know Microsoft has a free app designed to optimize your computer’s performance? It’s called PC Manager, and I’m surprised it’s not just built into Windows.
The app works on Windows 10 and 11 and offers one-tap tools to boost performance, free up storage by clearing large files, and scan for viruses and threats. From what I can tell, it also nudges you toward using Edge and Office.
It’s worth trying if you want to clean up your PC, but don’t expect miracles. If your computer is seriously slow, this won’t fix deeper hardware or software issues.
One important note—if you download it, make sure to get it from the official Microsoft site. There are plenty of copycat apps with similar names.
A Must-Try Speech-to-Text App for Mac
On the Mac side of things, I’ve been loving a speech-to-text app called Wispr Flow. It’s almost magical in how accurately it transcribes speech into clean, well-formatted text.
When I first discovered it, it was only available for Macs with Apple’s own chips, but now it works on older Intel-based Macs as well.
What sets Flow apart from other voice-to-text apps is how it uses AI to truly understand what you’re saying—even the way you’re saying it. The accuracy is uncanny, and I’ll be honest—it’s my secret weapon for replying to emails fast.
The free plan lets you transcribe up to 2,000 words per week, but somehow, I never even hit that limit. It’s definitely worth checking out.
The Best Portable Battery Banks Right Now
Let’s face it—you should be carrying a portable battery bank. Whether you need something rugged for outdoor adventures or just a simple backup for everyday use, I’ve rounded up some of the best options available.
You can find links to all my picks here.
Maximizing Points & Travel Perks
Are you a points fanatic? If you listen to my radio show, you know I mostly use debit for everyday spending—it helps me budget better. But I do use a credit card for bigger purchases and anytime my card leaves my hand. That means I haven’t racked up a ton of points, but I do play the game when I can. It’s always nice to score a free flight or hotel stay.
Brian Kelly—The Points Guy—knows the game better than anyone. I recently caught up with him to talk about some of his favorite travel websites (besides his own). He also has a new book, How to Win at Travel, which is a great guide not just for points but for smarter travel in general. Worth a read if you’re looking to up your game.
Feedbag: Galaxy S25 Ultra Camera Lens Protector
Cornelius from San Diego writes in...
I have a new Galaxy S25 Ultra and have never used a camera lens protector before. I see one on Amazon—is this really necessary?
Great question. The phone accessory industry was worth over $90 billion in 2024, which means manufacturers will sell you just about anything if they can.
I’m all for cases and screen protectors—they help protect your phone from drops and keep its resale value high by preventing dings and scratches.
But I draw the line at lens protectors for one simple reason: I don’t want a cheap piece of material interfering with my photos. Apple, Samsung, and Google spend millions perfecting their camera setups, and covering the lenses with extra glass or plastic doesn’t make much sense.
My advice? Skip the lens protector and instead, get a case with a raised lip around the camera. This way, the lenses won’t touch surfaces when you set your phone down.
Tech Tidbits
• Planning for the Digital Afterlife – The New York Times has a good article on how to prepare your digital life for when you’re no longer around. Worth a read if you haven’t thought about what happens to your accounts and data.
• The Death Clock App – This app claims to predict the exact day and year you’ll die based on a series of health and lifestyle questions. It’s meant for entertainment, but after the results, it tries to sell you a $40 longevity plan. Take it with a grain of salt.
• YouTube Turns 20 – Hard to believe, but YouTube launched 20 years ago this week. From cat videos to full-length movies, it’s changed the way we consume content forever.
• Merging Apple Accounts – If you’ve accumulated multiple Apple IDs over the years, you can now consolidate them. Finally, a solution for all those duplicate purchases and subscriptions.
Super Bowl Streaming Sets a New Record
Did you watch the Super Bowl? The game itself was a bit of a letdown, but Tubi’s 4K coverage was nothing short of incredible. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a sharper, more vibrant sports broadcast. The streaming quality was flawless—zero buffering. Maybe they can teach Netflix a thing or two.
Clearly, their strategy paid off. According to Variety, Super Bowl LIX set a new streaming record with 13.6 million viewers on Tubi alone. It’s a big win for streaming sports, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see more major events heading in this direction.
Feedbag: NYC Radio Expansion
This week, I broadcast my first radio show in New York City—a fun personal milestone. Believe it or not, I was actually nervous, even after more than two years on the air in Los Angeles.
You can catch my show Saturdays from 11 AM to 2 PM PST on KFI AM 640 in LA and Sundays from 8 PM to 11 PM ET on 710 WOR in NYC (same show, just different time).
Here are a few of your kind words:
Manny says, “Congratulations on the NY gig!” Randy keeps it short with, “CONGRADS!!!!!!” Gary says, “Congratulations on your expansion in the NYC market.” Nelson adds, “Congratulations, Rich. I’m sure you’ll be a hit.” Ruthie writes, “Wow!! WOR is a HUGE station in NYC! Congrats are in order!!” Michele celebrates with, “Yaay! So happy for you! I remember your very first show—January 7, 2023.” Rick says, “Well done!”
I appreciate all of you for listening and taking the time to write in!
That’s a Wrap!
That’s it for this edition of the newsletter—thanks for checking it out!
Have a great weekend!
Rich