When you use a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, you become accustomed to the shortcuts and quick ways to do things.

Whether you’re opening a new browser tab, accessing Google Maps offline, or trying to edit text, we get accustomed over the years to doing things a certain way.

And we forget not everyone knows the same tips and tricks we do.

Or we may not be aware there’s a faster, more efficient way of doing something.

That’s one of the reasons I love conducting user research!

I enjoy watching how people navigate websites to complete tasks, use their mobile device to find information, or learn what a web application can do for them.

I always discover something new about how people work with their digital devices!

So, here are my top three technology tips that I share almost every week with my friends, colleagues, and clients.

Some of my tips work on laptops/computers while others are mobile only.

Technology Tip 1: Opening a Link in a New Browser Tab

If you’re a mouse user, take your mouse and hover over a link on a page. Click down on the mouse wheel.

Voilà!

The link will open in a new browser tab.

You can do the same thing on a touchpad using a three-finger tap.

Or you can right-click the link.

A context menu will appear and you can select the option to open the link in a new tab.

Technology Tip 2: Download Google Maps Directions to Use Offline

I can’t begin to count the number of times this tip has saved me while I was out on Michigan back roads searching for birds, without any Internet access.

When you have a connection on your smartphone, enter the address/location you want. Enter the location you’re leaving from.

When the map displays, select the option “Tap to download offline directions for spotty connections on your route.”

You now have a downloaded map you can use when you have no Internet connection, or a spotty connection.

Technology Tip 3: Select Text with Clicks

Do you know the difference between double clicking and triple clicking text?

I have to admit it took me years before I know about triple clicking text.

Double clicking or double tapping with the touchpad on text will select a single word.

Triple clicking on text will select a paragraph of text. You can triple tap on the touchpad for the same results.

And if you point and click, for example, on the left margin, you can select an entire line of text.

Wrapping Up

They’re small things, but my three technology tips can save you time and help you work more efficiently online.

Do you have any favorite tech tips? Share them in the comments.