New Adaptive Power in iOS 26

New Adaptive Power in iOS 26

Apple’s new Adaptive Power mode in iOS 26 quietly reshapes how your iPhone manages energy throughout the day. It promises longer battery life with fewer compromises, especially when your phone senses heavy use ahead.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

December 18, 2025

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Have you ever watched your iPhone battery plunge faster than expected on a busy day and wished it would adapt before things got critical? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Turn On Adaptive Power on the iPhone.

Instead of waiting for you to flip on Low Power Mode, your iPhone now makes proactive adjustments based on how you actually use it.

Feature Explanation

Adaptive Power is a new battery management option in iOS 26 that dynamically balances performance and efficiency throughout the day.

Unlike traditional Low Power Mode, which applies broad restrictions once your battery drops, Adaptive Power works continuously in the background.

The system analyzes usage patterns such as app activity, background processes, and expected demand. 

It then makes subtle adjustments to reduce energy drain while preserving responsiveness. 

The goal is to extend battery life without the noticeable trade-offs users associate with aggressive power-saving modes.

Why it matters is simple. Battery anxiety remains one of the top iPhone frustrations, especially for professionals and travelers. 

Adaptive Power aims to reduce that anxiety by smoothing out energy use before the battery becomes a problem.

What You’ll Gain

• Longer battery life during busy or travel-heavy days.
• Fewer interruptions from sudden Low Power Mode prompts.
• Smarter background activity management without manual tweaks.
• A more consistent iPhone experience from morning to night.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here's how to do it.

iOS

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Battery.
3. Select Power Mode.
4. Toggle Adaptive Power to On.
5. Toggle Notifications to On if you want visibility into when iOS makes power adjustments.
6. Once enabled, Adaptive Power works automatically. There are no daily actions required.

fig. 1 - Set Adaptive Power Example

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Improves battery longevity without obvious performance hits
• Requires no daily management once enabled
• Ideal for unpredictable schedules and heavy app usage

Cons

• Less transparency into which adjustments are being made
• Power users may prefer manual control via Low Power Mode
• Availability may vary by device and region during rollout

Configuration Guide

You can manage Adaptive Power in Settings > Battery > Power Mode.

Key points to know:

• Adaptive Power can be enabled independently of Low Power Mode.
• Low Power Mode still overrides Adaptive Power when manually activated.
• Default behavior depends on your device and iOS 26 configuration.

Feature Access

Adaptive Power is available on supported iPhones running iOS 26. 

Users should ensure their device is updated to iOS 26 to see the option.

Score

Criterion  |  Score (0–10)  |  Justification

Value 9

Battery life improvements benefit nearly every iPhone user without added effort.

Usability 8

Simple toggle with no learning curve, though advanced users may want more visibility.

Wow Factor 7

Quietly effective rather than flashy, but impactful over time.

Total: 24/30 👍 Good

Adaptive Power is a practical evolution of Apple’s battery strategy, offering smarter efficiency than traditional Low Power Mode with fewer compromises.

Key Takeaways

Adaptive Power shifts battery management from reactive to proactive. 

It works best for users who want longer battery life without micromanaging settings. 

Once enabled, it fades into the background and simply does its job.

Cool Tip Snapshot

• Feature Name: Adaptive Power
• Platform(s): iOS
• Quick Benefit: Smarter battery use throughout the day
• Access Type: Free with iOS 26

Try It Yourself

Turn on Adaptive Power today and see how your battery holds up over the next few days. 

Share your experience in the comments, subscribe to the One Cool Tip newsletter, and pass this tip along to your team, family, and friends.

READ MORE

• View and Manage Visited Places in Maps on iPhone
  
• How to Add Your Passport to Apple Wallet and Speed Through Travel
  
• How to Add Backgrounds in Messages on iPhone
• MORE iOS 26 Cool Tips

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New Windows 11 Themes Bring Personal Style to the Microsoft Store

New Windows 11 Themes Bring Personal Style to the Microsoft Store

Windows 11 is getting more personal. Microsoft has introduced a new wave of curated themes in the Microsoft Store, making it easier to customize your PC with just a few clicks.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

December 17, 2025

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When you sit down at your PC every day, does it feel like yours or just another generic desktop?

Microsoft is betting that personalization matters more than ever, especially as work and home computing continue to blur. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use the Microsoft Store for New Windows 11 Themes.

With new Windows 11 themes now available directly in the Microsoft Store, Microsoft is reframing desktop customization as a first-class experience rather than a hidden settings tweak.

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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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Talk to Mr. Darcy? How NotebookLM Brings Jane Austen to Life

Talk to Mr. Darcy? How NotebookLM Brings Jane Austen to Life

Ever wished you could ask a question about Pride and Prejudice and get an instant, citation-backed answer? Google's NotebookLM makes it possible by turning classic literature into an interactive AI experience.

Fun Fact: Today is Jane Austen's Birthday She is best known for her novels about the lives of landed-gentry in Regency-era England.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

December 16, 2025

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Have you ever struggled to remember exactly how Captain Wentworth and Anne Elliot rekindled their romance in Persuasion? 

Or perhaps you want to compare the theme of inheritance across all seven of Jane Austen’s novels simultaneously. 

In the past, this required hours of flipping through pages or searching disparate websites. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Ask Jane Austen's book in NotebookLM.

Today, you can simply ask the books. 

Google’s NotebookLM has evolved from a simple note-taking tool into a powerful engine for interacting with massive amounts of text, and a new shared notebook containing the collected works of Jane Austen proves just how game-changing this is for readers, students, and book clubs.

🎨 Make Your Google Docs Look Amazing - OCT Newsletter 12-15-2025

 🎨 Make Your Google Docs Look Amazing - OCT Newsletter 12-15-2025

Discover the latest edition of the One Cool Tip Newsletter! 

This week, we dive into enhancing your Google Docs with stunning cover images, helping you create professional and engaging documents that stand out. 

Plus, stay informed about AI trends in the workplace and protect yourself from job scams. 

Don't miss out! 

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Give Your Google Docs a Visual Makeover with Cover Images

Give Your Google Docs a Visual Makeover with Cover Images

Learn how to instantly upgrade the look of your documents by adding full-width cover images.  This Cool Tip walks you through the simple steps to turn boring text files into engaging, professional wikis and reports that elevate your corporate branding and impress clients.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

December 15, 2025

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Have you ever opened a Google Doc and felt immediately bored by the endless wall of white background and black text? 

We have all been there. 

While tools like Notion and Coda have long allowed users to beautify their workspaces with splashy header images, Google Docs often felt strictly utilitarian. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use the Cover Image feature in Google Docs.

Google has introduced a native Cover Image feature that allows you to add a splash of personality, branding, or visual context right at the top of your document. 

It is a small change that makes a massive difference in how your work is perceived.

Feature Explanation

The Cover Image feature allows users to place a large, edge-to-edge image at the very top of a Google Doc. 

This is distinct from simply inserting an image into the body of the text. 

A cover image sits above the title, acting as a visual header similar to a blog post or a social media profile banner.

However, it also functions in standard paginated mode, adding a defined visual block at the top of the first page. 

It transforms a standard document into something that looks like a published article or a polished internal wiki.

For business professionals, this feature transforms standard documentation into branded assets. 

It allows teams to align client-facing proposals with corporate identity or visually distinguish internal project hubs for better team navigation.

What You’ll Gain

• Instant Polish: Make internal memos and project specs look like professionally designed assets.
• Visual Context: Use images to immediately signal the topic (e.g., a code snippet image for technical documentation).
• Brand Consistency: Apply company branding or colors to client-facing documents without complex formatting.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here's how to do it.

Web / Desktop (Chrome, Edge, Safari)

1. Launch Google Docs and open the file you wish to edit.
2. Go to File > Page setup and select Pageless for the best visual effect.
3. Click on Insert in the top menu bar.
4. Click Cover image from the dropdown list.
5. A sidebar appears:
• Select Generate an Image (AI, requires subscription).
• Select a file from your computer.
• Choose from your Google Photos library.
• Select from a curated gallery of high-quality stock photos provided by Google.
6. Once the image loads, hover over it and click the Reposition button (icon with arrows) to drag the image up or down for the perfect crop.

fig. 1 - Google Docs Cover Image

iOS & Android

• You cannot currently add a cover image from the mobile app. You must use a computer to insert the image.
• Once added via desktop, the cover image is visible on your mobile device when you open the document in the Google Docs app (iPhone / Android).

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Aesthetics: Instantly makes documents feel modern and engaging.
• Ease of Use: No need to mess with margins or header settings; it just works.
• Stock Library: The included gallery provides high-quality, royalty-free options so you do not have to hunt for images.

Cons

• Screen Real Estate: On smaller laptop screens, a large cover image pushes the actual content "below the fold."
• Printing: In paginated mode, cover images can sometimes use a lot of ink or create awkward page breaks if not sized correctly.
• Mobile: You cannot currently insert or reposition cover images using the iOS or Android apps; these actions are restricted to the desktop version.

Feature Access

This feature is widely available to all Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. 

It has rolled out globally to all regions.

Score

Criterion | Score (0–10) | Justification

Value 8

It does not change the data, but it drastically improves the consumption experience of the data.

Usability 9

Extremely intuitive; the "Reposition" tool makes it nearly foolproof to get a good look.

Wow Factor 7

It catches Google Docs up to competitors like Notion, finally shedding the "boring office suite" vibe.

Total: 24/30 👍 Good

A welcome visual update that brings Google Docs into the modern era of document creation. While functionally simple, it allows users to create work that feels polished and web-native.

Key Takeaways

Cover images transform Google Docs from static text files into engaging, visual workspaces. 

They work in Pageless mode for a modern, app-like feel. 

This feature is free and available to everyone, making it an easy win for your next report.

Cool Tip Snapshot

• Feature Name: Google Docs Cover Images.
• Platform(s): Web, iOS, Android.
• Quick Benefit: Adds a professional, full-width header image to documents.
• Access Type: Free.

Try It Yourself

Open a Google Doc you use frequently, switch it to "Pageless" view, and add a cover image from the stock gallery today to see how much more inviting your work can look. 

Tell us in the comments if this changes how you use Docs, and please subscribe to the One Cool Tip newsletter!

READ MORE

• Unlock Your Productivity Potential: A Deep Dive into Google Docs' Enhanced Templates
  
• Unlock the Google Docs Time Machine
  
• Enable Markdown in Google Docs: The Cool Tip You Need to Know
  
• MORE Google Docs Cool Tips
• MORE Back-To-Work-Monday Cool Tips

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How to Use Google Chrome’s New Tab Split View

How to Use Google Chrome’s New Tab Split View

See two websites side by side in one browser window and stop juggling tabs. Google Chrome’s new Tab Split View makes it easier to compare content, copy information, and work faster without bouncing between tabs. 

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

December 14, 2025

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How often do you flip back and forth between tabs just to compare two pages or reference information while you work? 

For years, power users relied on window snapping at the operating system level or third-party extensions to solve this problem. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Chrome's Tab Split View.

Chrome is addressing it directly with Tab Split View, a built-in way to place two tabs side by side inside a single browser window.

This is not flashy, but it is one of those features that immediately earns a permanent spot in your workflow once you start using it.

Control Your Instagram Reels Algorithm

Control Your Instagram Reels Algorithm

Take back control of what shows up in your Reels feed with new tools that let you shape, reset, and fine-tune what Instagram recommends. With a few taps, you can steer recommendations toward what actually matters to you.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

December 13, 2025

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Have you ever wondered why your Instagram Reels feed suddenly fills up with videos you never asked for, or why one accidental like seems to haunt your feed for weeks? 

For years, the Reels algorithm felt like a black box. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  See and Control Your Reels Algorithm.

Instagram is now opening that box, giving users direct tools to understand, adjust, and even reset how Reels recommendations work.

🧽 SpongeBob is Your Co-Pilot! - OCT Newsletter 12-12-2025

 🧽 SpongeBob is Your Co-Pilot! - OCT Newsletter 12-12-2025

Dive into the latest edition of the One Cool Tip Newsletter! 

This week, we highlight the exciting "Drive with SpongeBob" feature on Waze, transforming your daily commute into a whimsical adventure. 

Plus, stay informed about crucial tech updates, including a Chrome security alert and casting scam warnings. 

Don't miss out on our daily tech tips, humor, and engaging content. 

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