Buzz
Let's be honest, there are still plenty of people who aren’t tech-savvy. The late-night calls from grandma and grandpa, panicking because their router is blinking red instead of a solid blue, serve as clear evidence that many people are still confused by technology. While you may calm grandma down and assure her the router isn’t going to explode, you might still find yourself believing in a few tech myths that many of us still fall for today.
10. Freezing Batteries Makes Them Last Longer
I remember those moments all too well. After hours of playing Pokémon on my Gameboy, and having drained my last AA batteries, my epic gaming session would come to a sudden halt as my game powered off. Feeling desperate, I would toss my batteries into the freezer, hoping that they would magically last longer so I could continue my quest for legendary Pokémon. Unsurprisingly, this never worked.
Fun fact: putting batteries in the freezer actually reduces their lifespan. When you freeze the batteries, the temperature inside drops (obviously), and when you remove them, the rapid temperature change can cause condensation, leading to corrosion. Some experts even warn that this might cause a battery to explode. The bottom line: don’t store your batteries in the freezer.
9. Charging Your Phone Overnight Damages the Battery
How often have you heard that charging your phone overnight will ruin the battery? Fortunately, more people are realizing this isn’t true, and I’m hearing less of this myth. However, if you still believe it, it’s time to let go of that misconception.
We live in an age where technology, especially smartphones, allows us to accomplish amazing things. These devices are designed to slow the charging rate as they approach 100%, and once fully charged, they don’t get overloaded with extra power, as many people fear. So feel free to leave your phone on the charger overnight—doing so won’t harm the battery.
8. Sitting Too Close to the TV Is Harmful
Alright, sitting directly in front of the TV might not be the best idea, but not for the reasons you think. Oh, the nostalgia. I can vividly remember pressing my face up to the screen while watching my favorite cartoons as a child. It felt like I was getting closer to the characters, almost as if I was breaking the fourth wall and stepping into their vibrant world. Every time I did this, my mom would scold me and urge me to 'move back' as quickly as possible.
The myth that TVs are harmful originated from the days when they emitted X-rays from the screen. Today's TVs release almost no harmful waves, so they won't pose any danger unless you're literally glued to the screen 24/7. Even then, it’s unlikely to cause significant harm. But hopefully, you didn’t act out the poltergeist scene and press your palms flat against the screen like Carol Anne did, because the TVs from the 50s and 60s were far more powerful in terms of X-ray emission.
7. MacBooks Are Immune to Viruses
I fell for this one myself. When I first got my shiny new MacBook, I was thrilled by the idea that I wouldn’t have to worry about dreaded blue screens or the annoying viruses that Windows computers seem to attract. What I didn’t realize—or didn’t care to learn—was that, just like anything else, there are always people looking to mess things up. While it's true that there are fewer viruses targeting MacBook’s operating system, they can still get infected. It took a brilliant mind to create the MacBook, but it also takes clever hackers to steal your info through unknown software. So, before clicking on suspicious links or visiting shady websites, think twice. There's only so much a half-eaten apple can protect you from, and blocking viruses isn't one of them.
6. Incognito Mode Hides Your Browsing History
It’s late, and your wife is fast asleep. You try to wake her gently by whispering her name, but she remains in a deep slumber. Relieved, you sneak off to the bathroom with your phone for a bit of privacy, and start browsing the internet. Wanting to keep your browsing activity completely under wraps, you open up Google Chrome and activate incognito mode. Now, with a sense of security, you search for 'last-minute anniversary gifts,' because let’s be honest, pretending you didn’t forget your anniversary is the only reason you’d need incognito mode, right?
However, there’s one catch: your data is still being stored by the websites you visit, and hackers could still access your information. While your browsing history may be hidden, if your wife were to contact your internet provider, she could potentially find out what you've been up to.
5. You Need an Expensive HDMI Cable
Here’s a myth that many of Mytour’s readers will be happy to learn about, as it might help save a few bucks. People tend to think that pricier HDMI cables perform better than cheaper ones, but the reality is, they all function the same. The only real reason to spend more on an HDMI cable is if you need one that’s longer. Otherwise, don’t waste your money. This logic applies to many cables, including audio cables for sound systems and recording gear!
4. It's Dangerous to Use Your Phone While Charging
Word of mouth can be a powerful tool when used properly, but when people spread unfounded claims without critical thinking, some laughable myths come to life. Whether there's a small kernel of truth behind this or it's just another urban legend passed around for the sake of sounding interesting, it’s clear that this myth isn't accurate.
Phones have indeed exploded in the past. Take a moment to look up some videos of phones bursting in people's pockets. It happens. But charging your phone while using it won’t lead to your phone exploding like a grenade. In short, feel free to plug in your phone and scroll through TikTok all night; it won’t harm you.
3. You Should Avoid Third-Party Chargers
I can imagine it now: a group of secret shoppers hired by Sprint, lurking around the off-brand chargers, warning customers that they could 'damage your battery.' How else would such a myth get around? There must be some marketing trick to prevent people from buying third-party chargers, right? Alright, maybe I'm overthinking this, but it sure sounds plausible.
In any case, you can save a few bucks by buying third-party chargers for your phone; they won’t harm your battery. So, the next time someone says, 'That’ll ruin your phone battery,' when you buy a Walmart charger for your Android, just assume they’re working for Sprint or another big-name phone company.
2. You Have to Shut Down Your Computer Every Night
Even though I know this is just a myth, I still make it a habit to turn off my computer every night. Some people believe that shutting down your computer every night helps it run better and extends its lifespan. In reality, computers, like many devices, have built-in power management systems to prevent excessive power usage, so leaving it on overnight isn’t a concern.
1. Hair Dryers Don’t Cure Coronavirus
I’m sure most people have figured this one out, but there might still be a few who buy into this myth. No judgment here, though.
The myth about using a hairdryer to kill the virus likely emerged during one of the most challenging periods we’ve faced. People were desperate for ways to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus. The idea was that heat could kill the virus, so some people decided to try using a hairdryer on their nose, hoping to 'cook out' the virus. This and other home remedies didn’t work. The takeaway? Always rely on vitamins, medicine, and whatever advice your doctor gives you during pandemics.
