Welcome to One Cool Tip

Welcome to OneCoolTip.com

OneCoolTip is for people who use technology every day and want it to work better, faster, and with less frustration.

One practical tech improvement. Every day. In under two minutes.

One Cool Tip shows you small changes that make a real difference; new features, smarter settings, and overlooked tools that save time and reduce friction across the tech you already use.

What You’ll Find Here

• Windows 11 - Productivity boosts, hidden settings, and quiet improvements you probably missed
• iPhone & iOS 26 - Everyday shortcuts that save taps and time
• AI That’s Actually Useful  - Practical uses of ChatGPT, Gemini , and Copilot
• Work & Home Tech – Smart, realistic tips for daily digital life

What makes One Cool Tip different?

• No fluff, no hype, no vendor agendas
• Written by a working technology expert, not a content farm
• Focused on changes you can apply immediately

Read by thousands of professionals, home users, and curious tech users every day.

Start with the latest Cool Tips below, or use the topic links on the right to jump straight to what matters to you. 👉

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Alexa+ Personality Styles: Finally, an AI That Matches Your Vibe

Alexa+ Personality Styles: Finally, an AI That Matches Your Vibe

Customize how Alexa responds so it feels less like a device and more like a digital companion that fits your mood and workflow. Amazon’s new Alexa+ introduces personality styles that let you tailor how your assistant talks and reacts. If you’ve ever wished Alexa sounded more energetic, more concise, or more conversational, this update puts you in control.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

February 28, 2026

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Ever wished your smart assistant could read the room? 

Amazon just rolled out a game-changing feature for Alexa+ users that allows you to choose from different 'personality styles' to change the tone and delivery of responses. 

No more one-size-fits-all interactions; now your AI can match your mood, whether you want quick facts or friendly chatter.

Feature Explanation

Amazon has launched three new personality style presets for Alexa Plus users in the US: Brief, Chill, and Sweet. 

Think of it as giving your digital assistant an emotional wardrobe. 

The company says the new personalities rest on five dimensions, expressiveness, emotional openness, formality, directness, and humor.

Brief delivers short, direct answers with no extra chat, perfect for busy professionals who just want the facts.

Chill offers a relaxed energy with conversational flow that feels natural without being overwhelming. 

Sweet brings warmth, enthusiasm, and offers encouragement alongside the answer, ideal for families or anyone who enjoys a more personable interaction.

What You'll Gain

• Personalized Communication.
• Match Alexa's tone to your preferences and situation.
• Reduce friction in daily interactions.
• Create more natural conversation flow.
• Customize responses for different household members.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here's how to do it.

Voice Command Method

1. Say "change your personality style to [Brief, Chill, or Sweet]".
2. Test the new style with a simple question.
3. Adjust again if needed using the same command.
4. To return to the original, balanced-style, say "Change to Alexa style".

Microsoft Web/Desktop Instructions

1. Launch your web browser (Edge, Chrome, Firefox, etc.) and go to alexa.amazon.com.
2. Log into your Amazon account with your credentials if not already signed in.
3. Type: "change your personality style to [Brief, Chill, or Sweet].
4. Test the updated personality by asking your device a question to experience the new response style.
5. To return to the original, balanced-style, type "Change to Alexa style".

fig. 1 - Change Alexa+ Personality Style example

Alexa App Configuration (iOS / Android)

1. Open the Alexa app on your mobile device.
2. Log into your Amazon account with your credentials if not already signed in.
3. Type: "change your personality style to [Brief, Chill, or Sweet].
4. To return to the original, balanced-style, type "Change to Alexa style".

Example scenario: Ask "What's the weather like?" and notice how :

• Brief gives you just the temperature and conditions, 
• Chill adds some conversational context, while 
• Sweet might encourage you to have a great day based on the forecast.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Workplace efficiency: Brief mode eliminates small talk during busy periods.
• Family-friendly: Sweet mode creates warmer interactions for children and elderly users.
• Contextual flexibility: Switch styles based on time of day or activity.
• Reduced annoyance: No more overly chatty responses when you're in a hurry.

Cons

• Limited to Alexa+ subscribers: Free users miss out on customization.
• US-only rollout: International users still waiting for availability.
• Learning curve: May take time to find your preferred style for different situations.
• Potential attachment concerns: Sweet mode might create unhealthy AI relationships.

Feature Access

• Alexa+ subscribers only.
• Geographic availability: United States.
• Device compatibility: All Alexa-enabled devices with app version 2.2.556789 or later.
• Subscription requirement: Amazon Prime or Active Alexa+ membership.

Score

Criterion  |  Score (0–10)  |  Justification

Value 8

Significantly improves user experience by matching communication preferences. Addresses long-standing complaints about AI personality mismatch.

Usability 9

Simple voice command or app toggle makes switching effortless. Clear personality differences make the feature immediately noticeable and useful.

Wow Factor 7

Innovative approach to AI personalization that feels genuinely useful. Not groundbreaking but addresses real user pain points effectively.

Total: 24/30 👍 Good

This feature delivers meaningful personalization without gimmicky complexity, similar to how smartphone focus modes adapt your device to different contexts.

Key Takeaways

Alexa+ personality styles transform your smart assistant from a rigid robot into a flexible communication partner. 

The feature addresses genuine user frustrations while opening new possibilities for contextual AI interaction. 

For Alexa+ subscribers, it's a compelling reason to stick with Amazon's ecosystem.

Cool Tip Snapshot

• Feature Name: Alexa+ Personality Styles
• Platform(s): All Alexa-enabled devices (US only)
• Quick Benefit: Customize AI communication tone to match your preferences
• Access Type: Amazon Prime, Alexa+ Subscription ($4.99/month)

Try It Yourself

Ready to give your Alexa a personality makeover? 

Try saying "Alexa, change your personality style" and experiment with all three options. 

Share your favorite style in the comments below, subscribe to the One Cool Tip newsletter for more AI insights, and pass this article along to your smart home enthusiasts, they'll thank you for the upgrade tip!

READ MORE

• Amazon Alexa Plus Turns Your Smart Speaker Into a Real AI Assistant
  
• May the Fourth Be With You: What Happens When You Tell Siri, Alexa, and Google "I Am Your Father"?
  
• Simplify Your Life with Alexa's New Timed Commands

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Rodger Mansfield, a seasoned technology expert and editor of OneCoolTip.com, transforms complex tech into practical advice for everyday users. His Cool Tips empower readers to stay productive, secure, and one step ahead in the digital world.

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Discover Masterpieces in Minutes

Discover Masterpieces in Minutes

Explore museum-quality art through a beautifully curated digital experience that feels more like a gallery stroll than a search engine. The Tenth Muse is a minimalist art discovery site that surfaces iconic and lesser-known masterpieces in an elegant, distraction-free interface. If you enjoy visual inspiration without algorithm overload, this may become your new favorite browser tab.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

February 27, 2026

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When was the last time you wandered through a museum without checking your phone? 

Now imagine that quiet, contemplative experience distilled into a single web page. 

No pop-ups. No comment sections. No trending noise. Just art.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Discover Art with The Tenth Muse.

The Tenth Muse rethinks how we discover visual culture online. 

Instead of pushing viral images or commercial galleries, it presents curated works that invite exploration. 

It feels intentional. 

And that matters in a world where most digital discovery tools are optimized for speed rather than depth.

Snapseed Camera Comes to iPhone

Snapseed Camera Comes to iPhone

Shoot, edit, and share with Google’s iconic photo tool, now built right into your camera workflow. Snapseed is stepping back into the spotlight, this time with a new camera experience on iPhone. If you love shooting and editing on your iPhone, this update could reshape how you capture photos from the start.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

February 26, 2026

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What if your camera app understood editing before you even tapped the shutter?

For years, Snapseed has been a go-to mobile photo editor. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use the Snapseed Camera for iPhone.

Google is introducing a Snapseed camera experience on iOS, bringing capture and editing closer together. 

For iPhone users who care about tone, texture, and storytelling, this is more than a cosmetic update.

It signals a shift from post-processing to intentional shooting.

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Rodger Mansfield, a seasoned tech expert, is the mastermind behind www.OneCoolTip.com where he serves as both writer and editor. With a keen eye for simplifying complex tech, Rodger delivers practical advice that empowers readers to navigate the digital world with confidence. Dive into www.OneCoolTip.com for a treasure trove of savvy tips and tricks that keep you one step ahead in tech.

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Extract Text from Any Image with the Windows Photos App

Extract Text from Any Image with the Windows Photos App

Windows 11 hides a powerful OCR tool inside the Photos app that instantly pulls text from images. If you take screenshots, snap whiteboards, or store receipts as photos, this feature can save you hours of retyping.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

February 25, 2026

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Have you ever stared at a screenshot and thought, “I just need that one paragraph”? 

Maybe it was a Wi-Fi password, a quote from a PDF, or handwritten notes from a meeting. 

Traditionally, that meant retyping everything or installing a third-party OCR tool.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Windows Photos App to Extract Text.

Windows 11 now includes built-in text recognition inside the Photos app. 

It works quietly in the background and makes text selectable and copyable directly from your images. 

No subscription. 

No browser extension. 

No scanning app required.

For business users, and home users alike, this is one of those practical upgrades that removes friction from daily work.

Feature Explanation

What it is:

• The Windows Photos app in Windows 11 includes optical character recognition, or OCR, that detects text inside images and allows you to copy it.

How it works:

• When you open an image in Photos, the app analyzes the image for recognizable characters. If text is detected, a “Copy text” or “Scan text” option appears. You can select specific lines or copy all detected text.

Why it matters:

• Screenshots, scanned contracts, printed forms, whiteboards, and even photographed documents become searchable and editable. This eliminates retyping and reduces errors.

Lock Down Your Chats with WhatsApp’s Strict Account Settings

Lock Down Your Chats with WhatsApp’s Strict Account Settings

WhatsApp has introduced new Strict Account Settings designed to strengthen privacy and reduce unwanted contact. Here’s how the feature works, who gets it, and how to configure it for maximum control.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

February 24, 2026

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How many times have you been added to a random group chat or received a suspicious message from an unknown number? 

Messaging apps are essential for business and personal communication, but convenience often comes at the cost of privacy.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Set WhatsApp's Strict Account Settings.

WhatsApp’s latest privacy update, called Strict Account Settings, aims to rebalance that equation. 

These new controls give users stronger defenses against spam, unwanted group adds, and visibility exposure while preserving end-to-end encryption.

If you use WhatsApp for business coordination, family communication, or client outreach, this is a feature worth enabling.

Feature Explanation

Strict Account Settings adds an extra layer of privacy controls inside WhatsApp. 

It builds on existing settings such as Last Seen, Profile Photo, and Groups, but shifts your account toward a more restrictive posture by default.

In practical terms, it:

• Limits who can add you to groups.
• Reduces visibility of your profile details to unknown contacts.
• Strengthens controls around messaging requests.
• Helps prevent mass-add spam behaviors.

The feature is designed to provide stronger privacy protection while maintaining encrypted messaging.

Why it matters: 

• Spam and phishing increasingly originate inside messaging platforms. Reducing unsolicited contact lowers social engineering risk for both home users and business professionals.

What You’ll Gain

With Strict Account Settings enabled, you can expect:

• Fewer unwanted group chat invitations
• Reduced exposure of your profile information
• Lower risk of messaging-based scams
• More control over who can reach you

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here's how to do it.

iOS

1. Open WhatsApp.
2. Tap Settings in the bottom-right corner.
3. Select Privacy.
4. Select Advanced.
5. Locate the new Strict Account Settings option.
6. Enable the toggle.

fig. 1 - Take Control of Your WhatsApp Security

Android

1. Open WhatsApp.
2. Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
3. Select Settings.
4. Tap Privacy.
5. Scroll to the bottom and tap Advanced.
6. Enable Strict Account Settings or enhanced restrictions.

If you do not see the feature yet, it may still be rolling out.

Please note that these settings can only be managed from your primary mobile device. 

You cannot enable or disable Strict Account Settings from WhatsApp Web or the Desktop app.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Stronger spam protection that reduces unsolicited group invites for professionals.
• Better client privacy for consultants, educators, and business owners.
• Low-friction activation with simple toggle-based setup.
• Preserves encryption while improving exposure control.

Cons

• May limit networking if strict filtering blocks legitimate outreach.
• Rollout timing varies, so some users may not see it yet.
• Requires periodic review if your communication needs change.

Feature Access

• Strict Account Settings is currently rolling out globally across iOS,  and Android. 
• Availability may vary by version and region.
• No subscription is required. WhatsApp remains free to use.

Score

Criterion  |  Score (0–10)  |  Justification

Value 9

Strong protection against spam and unwanted contact, especially valuable for business users.

Usability 8

Simple toggle-based activation, but requires manual review of related privacy settings.

Wow Factor 6

Incremental improvement rather than a breakthrough feature.

Total: 23/30  👍 Good

A practical and necessary privacy upgrade that compares well with Telegram’s strict group controls and Signal’s privacy-first approach.

Key Takeaways

Strict Account Settings strengthens your control over who can contact you and view your profile. It reduces spam, protects sensitive information, and requires only a few minutes to enable.

Cool Tip Snapshot

• Feature Name: Strict Account Settings.
• Platform(s): iOS, Android.
• Quick Benefit: Reduces unwanted contact and protects profile visibility.
• Access Type: Free, currently rolling out.

Try It Yourself

Open WhatsApp today, enable Strict Account Settings, and review your privacy controls. 

Share this article with your team, family, and friends. 

Subscribe to the One Cool Tip newsletter for daily tech insights.

READ MORE

• WhatsApp’s Improved About Feature Finally Makes Status Updates Useful Again
  
• Schedule a Call in WhatsApp
  
• Let AI Help You Write in WhatsApp
  
• MORE WhatsApp Cool Tips

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Edit Slides in NotebookLM: No More Starting Over

Edit Slides in NotebookLM: No More Starting Over

Google has finally added the ability to edit individual slides within NotebookLM using simple text prompts. This update also introduces a long-requested PowerPoint export option for professional workflows.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

February 23, 2026

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Have you ever spent twenty minutes waiting for an AI to generate the "perfect" slide deck, only to realize that slide seven has a glaring typo or an image that looks nothing like your brand? 

Until now, NotebookLM users faced a frustrating "all or nothing" choice: keep the flawed deck or roll the dice on a full regeneration. 

Here's a Cool Tip: Edit Slides in NotebookLM.

Google has quietly upgraded its research powerhouse with a surgical editing tool that allows you to fix individual slides without touching the rest of your presentation. 

It is the bridge between AI creativity and human precision that business professionals have been waiting for.

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