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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How to Select and Copy Part of a Text Message in iOS 26

How to Select and Copy Part of a Text Message in iOS 26

Trimming down a long text to just the essential lines used to require workarounds on iPhone. With iOS 26, Apple finally added a way to select and copy only the words you need.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

January 29, 2026

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If you’ve ever wanted to grab just a phone number, address line, or specific snippet from a message without copying the entire bubble, you know how frustrating it has been. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Copy a Part of a Text Message in iOS 26.

Prior versions of iOS forced you into awkward edits or managing a pasteboard cleanup after pasting everything you didn’t want. iOS 26 changes that by letting you highlight and extract the exact text you need straight from the Messages app.

Feature Explanation

In iOS 26, the Messages app introduces a new “Select” option when you long-press a message bubble. This lets you zoom in on parts of the text and choose just the portion you want to copy. 

It works in both standard SMS and iMessage threads and matches copy behavior found in third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram.

What You’ll Gain

• Copy only the relevant text you need.
• Reduce editing time after pasting.
• Use extracted text in other apps or documents.
• Faster workflows for business or personal use.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here's how to do it.

iOS

1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone running iOS 26.
2. Tap the conversation containing the message you need.
3. Press and hold the message bubble until a menu appears.
4. Tap Select in the menu.
5. Drag the selection handles to highlight only the text you want.
6. Tap Copy in the floating toolbar that appears above the selected text.
7. Paste the copied text into your destination app.

fig. 1 - Select Message Text Example

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Saves time by avoiding full message copies and edits.
• Works for both SMS and iMessage conversations.
• Matches modern user expectations for text selection.

Cons

• Requires iOS 26 or later.
• Some users may still face quirks depending on device and build.

Feature Access

Partial text selection in Messages is part of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. 

If you do not see it, update your device to the current available iOS version. 

Availability may vary by region and beta status.

Score

Criterion  |  Score (0–10)  |  Justification

Value 9

Substantial improvement for everyday messaging efficiency.

Usability 8

Easy to use, intuitive for experienced users.

Wow Factor 7

Not flashy, but solves a longstanding pain point.

Total: 24/30  👍 Good

A practical enhancement that brings Messages in line with expectations for text control.

Key Takeaways

iOS 26’s partial text selection makes grabbing exactly what you need from a message fast and clean. It streamlines workflows where only a snippet is relevant to your next task.

Cool Tip Snapshot

• Feature Name: Partial Text Selection.
• Platform(s): iOS 26, iPadOS 26.
• Quick Benefit: Copy only the text you want.
• Access Type: Free with iOS update.

Try It Yourself

Open Messages on your updated iPhone, find a long text, and try selecting just a phrase you need.

Leave a comment on your experience and share this tip with your colleagues and friends.

READ MORE

• Alarm Reminders in iOS 26.2: Turn Reminders Into Can’t-Miss Alerts
  
• Send Messages Later on iPhone
  
• Spice Up Your Texts: Master Emoji Layering in iMessage
  
• MORE iOS 26 Cool Tips

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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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Copyright © 2008-2026 | www.OneCoolTip.com | All Rights Reserved

How AI Actions in File Explorer Speed Up Your Windows 11 Day

How AI Actions in File Explorer Speed Up Your Windows 11 Day

AI is creeping into Windows in a practical place: the File Explorer right-click menu. If you manage lots of files, these new “AI actions” can save real time by launching smarter image edits and generating quick document summaries without the usual app-hopping.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

January 28, 2026

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Have you ever opened three different apps just to clean up a photo, grab a quick summary, and then email the result? 

That workflow is exactly what AI Actions in File Explorer tries to kill.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use 'AI Actions' in Windows 11 File Explorer.

Microsoft is wiring AI directly into the right-click menu so you can act on files in place instead of bouncing between apps. 

It feels small at first glance, but for anyone who lives in shared folders, OneDrive, or project libraries, this is the kind of friction that quietly eats hours every month.

Explore Search Trends with Gemini

Explore Search Trends with Gemini

Turn raw search data into instant insight with AI-powered explanations, comparisons, and context that save hours of research.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

January 26, 2026

Subscribe  |  Read the Newsletter Version.

Google Trends has long been the gold standard for understanding what the world is searching for, but finding the exact right terms to compare has always been a manual, trial-and-error process. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Google Trends Now with Gemini.

A new integration with Gemini now automates the heavy lifting, instantly suggesting relevant comparisons and explaining the "why" behind the data.

Why You Should Care

• Instant Context: Gemini explains why a topic is trending, not just that it is trending.
• Better Comparisons: Automatically generates up to eight relevant comparison terms (e.g., searching "dog breeds" auto-populates "Golden Retriever," "Poodle," etc.).
• Time Saver: Eliminates the guesswork of finding related keywords for market research or content planning.

Feature Explanation

The "Explore with Gemini" feature is a new side panel integrated directly into the Google Trends Explore page. 

Instead of manually typing in five different search terms to see how they stack up, you can now enter a broad topic or question. Gemini analyzes your input and uses its semantic understanding to populate the comparison graph with the most relevant sub-topics or related queries.

It essentially acts as a junior data analyst. 

You give it a broad directive, and it sets up the charts, selects the variables, and even offers a summary of what the data suggests. 

This allows journalists, marketers, and curious users to move from a vague idea to a concrete data visualization in seconds.

Step-by-Step Instructions

How to Use It (Web)

1. Go to trends.google.com and select the Explore tab from the main menu.
2. Look for a new side panel or a prominent "Suggest search terms" button near the top input bar.
3. Instead of a specific keyword, type a general category (e.g., "Vegan desserts" or "2026 Technology Tip Trends").
4. Gemini generates a list of specific search terms (up to eight).
5. Click the generated terms to populate the main graph. Gemini may also provide a short textual summary explaining the relationship between these terms.
6. Use the follow-up prompts suggested by Gemini to dig deeper into a specific niche.

fig. 1 - Find Search Trends Example

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Reduces Bias: AI might suggest relevant competitors or terms you personally wouldn't have thought to include.
• Speed: Turns a 15-minute research session into a 1-minute query.
• Accessibility: Makes complex data comparison accessible to non-analysts.

Cons

• Hallucination Risk: As with all LLMs, Gemini might occasionally suggest terms that are semantically related but effectively irrelevant to your specific goal.
• Desktop First: Mobile users may have to wait for the full experience.
• Limited Historical Context: The AI suggestions are excellent for current trends but may be less effective for obscure historical data prior to 2004.

Feature Access

• Platform: Web (Desktop/Laptop recommended).
• Cost: Free.
• Rollout Status: Currently rolling out to users globally as of January 14, 2026. If you do not see it, check back in a few days.

Score

Criterion Score (0–10) Justification (1–2 sentences)

Value 9

Saves massive amounts of time for anyone doing research or content planning.

Usability 9

The side panel is intuitive and requires no prompt engineering skills.

Wow Factor 8

Watching the graph auto-populate with relevant data feels like magic.

Total: 26/30 🌟 Excellent

This is a massive upgrade for Google Trends that transforms it from a simple data lookup tool into an intelligent research assistant.

Key Takeaways

• Automated Research: Gemini does the "thinking" to find the best keywords for you.
• Broader Insights: You will discover related topics you might have missed manually.
• Free Upgrade: This powerful analytics capability is available at no extra cost.

Cool Tip Snapshot

• Feature Name: Explore with Gemini
• Platform(s): Web (trends.google.com)
• Quick Benefit: Instantly finds and graphs relevant comparisons for any topic.
• Access Type: Free

Try It Yourself

Go to Google Trends right now, type in a hobby you love (like "pickleball" or "sourdough baking"), and let Gemini show you what else the world is searching for related to that passion. 

Let us know what you find in the comments!

READ MORE

• Google Search Just Added a Plus Button
  
• How to Use Google to Understand What's Trending
  
• The Many Searches of Google
  
• MORE Google Search Cool Tips

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Explore More

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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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Cool Tech Tips for a Cooler Life!

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Copyright © 2008-2026 | www.OneCoolTip.com | All Rights Reserved

Paste To Link In Word: The Tiny Shortcut That Saves Big Time

Paste To Link In Word: The Tiny Shortcut That Saves Big Time

Add hyperlinks in Word without breaking your writing flow. This small change quietly fixes one of Word’s most annoying habits.  Word now lets you paste a link directly onto selected text so it instantly becomes a hyperlink. If you live in documents all day, this one shortcut can save hundreds of clicks a week.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

January 25, 2026

Subscribe  |  Read the Newsletter Version.

How many times today have you opened the Insert Link dialog in Word and sighed a little? 

If you work in proposals, reports, lesson plans, or documentation, hyperlinking is constant, repetitive, and just fiddly enough to slow you down.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Paste a Link Directly Onto Text in Microsoft Word.

Previously, if you pasted a URL over selected text in Word, it nuked the text and left you with a raw link. 

Then you had to undo, open the link dialog, paste again, confirm, and finally get back to your sentence. 

Now Microsoft has quietly aligned Word with how modern editors behave: select text, paste a link, keep typing. It feels obvious in the best possible way. 

How to Use Google Gemini to Crush the SAT

How to Use Google Gemini to Crush the SAT 

Stop paying hundreds for test prep. Gemini now offers full-length, Princeton Review-vetted SAT practice tests for free.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

January 24, 2026

Subscribe  |  Read the Newsletter Version.

College prep is stressful enough without the added anxiety of a price tag. 

Did you know the average private SAT tutor charges between $70 and $200 per hour? 

For many families, that cost is a barrier to entry that feels impossible to overcome. 

But imagine having an on-demand tutor who knows the material, tracks your pacing, and explains every mistake instantly, all for free. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Google Gemini for SAT Prep.

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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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Copyright © 2008-2025 | www.OneCoolTip.com | All Rights Reserved

ChatGPT Predicts Age to Make AI Safer

ChatGPT Predicts Age to Make AI Safer

ChatGPT is beginning to infer whether a user is likely a minor or an adult, not to profile people, but to adjust safety protections in real time. This behind-the-scenes shift matters for parents, educators, and anyone who cares about how AI behaves responsibly.

Byline: By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

January 24, 2026

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What if an AI could tell when it should slow down, simplify, or refuse certain requests based on who might be on the other side of the screen? 

As generative AI becomes part of everyday life, from homework help to workplace research, age awareness is emerging as a quiet but significant safety lever.

Explore Space with Space Telescope Live

Explore Space with Space Telescope Live

See the universe as professional astronomers do, in real time, with live data from orbiting space telescopes. Ever wondered what the Hubble or James Webb Space Telescope is observing right now? Space Telescope Live turns cutting-edge astronomy into a live, explorable experience anyone can access.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

January 23, 2026

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Most people experience space through carefully curated photos released weeks or months after they are captured. 

But what if you could peek behind the curtain and see what space telescopes are doing right now? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Visit Space Telescope Live.

Space Telescope Live answers that curiosity by showing real-time observations, telescope positions, and upcoming targets, all in a clean, interactive dashboard built for curious minds.

Alarm Reminders in iOS 26.2: Turn Reminders Into Can’t-Miss Alerts

Alarm Reminders in iOS 26.2: Turn Reminders Into Can’t-Miss Alerts

In iOS 26.2, Apple added a practical upgrade to Reminders: mark a task as Urgent and your iPhone schedules an alarm when it’s due. If you rely on Reminders for time-critical work, this change makes missed tasks a lot less likely.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

January 22, 2026

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If you’ve ever had a reminder fire while your phone was silenced, you know the problem: you get a polite notification at the exact wrong moment, and it disappears into the chaos. 

For some tasks, “polite” is not good enough. Paying a bill. Joining a call. 

Taking medication. 

Leaving for the airport.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Try the new Urgent Alarm feature in the Reminders App.

iOS 26.2 lets Reminders schedule an alarm for tasks you mark as Urgent, including when your device is silenced or a Focus mode is active. 

Windows 11’s New Battery Colors Make Power Status Obvious At A Glance

Windows 11’s New Battery Colors Make Power Status Obvious At A Glance

Windows 11 is finally giving the tiny battery icon a big usability upgrade, with color cues that tell you exactly how worried you should be about your remaining charge. If you live on a laptop all day, this small change can save you from surprise shutdowns and constant percentage checking.

Byline: By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

January 21, 2026

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You have probably stared at that tiny battery icon in the corner of your Windows 11 taskbar, trying to guess whether you have enough juice to finish a meeting or a flight. 

The old monochrome icon did not help much. 

It was small, vague, and forced you to click just to see the percentage.

Here's a Cool Tip:  The New Battery Colors Make Power Status Obvious.

A recent Windows 11 update changes that experience with a more colorful, more informative battery indicator. Green, yellow, and red now signal your power situation at a glance, and a clearer percentage readout makes it easier to plan your next charge. 

It is a subtle change that can have a big impact on how confidently you use your laptop away from an outlet.

Google Translate Now Lets You Choose: Classic Speed or Gemini Precision?

Google Translate Now Lets You Choose: Classic Speed or Gemini Precision?

Google Translate now offers a "Model Picker" that lets you toggle between instant "Classic" results and nuanced "Advanced" translations powered by Gemini. Discover how this new feature works and when to switch modes to avoid awkward phrasing in your professional and personal communications.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

January 20, 2026

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Have you ever used a translation app and ended up with a phrase that was technically correct but socially awkward? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Pick Your Model in Google Translate.

Google Translate is solving this problem by giving you a choice between raw speed and AI-powered nuance.