Automating Customer Service Using MetaDialog AI

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Leveraging MetaDialog AI to Automate Customer Service

Building a sustainable business requires increasing engagement and establishing long-term relationships with clientele. Trying to scale up operations, companies face a difficult choice between hiring new staff and implementing innovative solutions. The adoption of AI technology streamlines dealing with large volumes of queries due to task automation and optimizing customer support (CS) processes.

Selecting a reliable provider with a team of experienced developers facilitates the integration of AI tools with legacy systems. MetaDialog builds easy-to-customize AI models compatible with dedicated software, messengers, and other services employed by CS agents. In this article, we will examine the key upsides to using AI-enabled CS products to see whether they allow firms to automate daily tasks.

Benefits of Automating Customer Service 

AI-driven CS bots rely on the power of machine learning (ML) and natural language processing (NLP), allowing enterprises to embrace a personalized approach when interacting with clients. MetaDialog builds customizable AI models to help its clients automate up to 87% of CS interactions. Integrating AI customer service solutions with legacy systems has multiple advantages:

  • Short response times: Using AI tools, small, medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and large enterprises provide replies 2 times quicker and reduce the average resolution time to 20 seconds.


  • Ability to process many queries during peak times: Increasing CS teams’ productivity by 5x allows firms to scale up operations and handle requests during peak hours.


  • Personalized approach: Complex AI models trained on datasets analyze past interactions and select the most relevant responses to solve issues efficiently. Tailoring replies in accordance with customer needs and providing relevant recommendations fosters stronger relationships with the target audience. 


  • 24/7 availability: Unlike regular CS teams, chatbots are available even outside regular business hours, which improves a satisfaction rate and enables companies to build long-lasting relationships with their clientele.


  • Enhanced satisfaction: After communicating with MetaDialog’s chatbots, the number of people happy with the provided support services increases by 28% on average. AI systems analyze client behavior and detect dissatisfaction.


  • Cost saving: AI-powered tools enable firms to reduce expenses and allocate funds to development and innovation. Instead of hiring new employees, SMBs and large firms optimize CS processes using AI.


  • Accurate responses: AI chatbots find the right answer in a fraction of a second providing the information clients need. Even though their replies may contain a bias, training AI models using datasets and adding a human to the loop solves the problem. Such tools do not make mistakes even when answering queries across multiple communication channels. Besides, they escalate tasks to live agents when it is necessary.

As building AI-based support platforms from scratch requires a high level of technical expertise, outsourcing this task to a trusted service provider like MetaDialog allows businesses to save valuable resources and invest them in future development.

How MetaDialog AI Works

Utilizing custom large language models (LLMs) trained on extensive datasets enables companies to reply to customer queries promptly. MetaDialog builds AI chatbots from scratch and integrates them with existing solutions to ensure its clients get multi-language support across various communication channels. Based on NLP technology, AI tools perform the following tasks:

  • Generate human-sounding replies;

  • Converse on difficult topics;

  • Gauge customers’ moods;

  • Dissipate concerns;

  • Provide recommendations about items and services.

When training AI models, MetaDialog utilizes textual content, including CRMs, documents, and databases. Employing machine learning algorithms enables the company to build chatbots capable of learning and improving the accuracy of responses based on past conversations and user feedback. 

All chatbots are deployed on-premises for top-grade security. MetaDialog’s specialists integrate AI tools with clients’ platforms within 5 hours. Providing context-relevant responses in real time across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and other channels, AI chatbots answer queries, analyze customer needs, and make it easier for people to find the right information.

Challenges and Considerations

Integrating AI-powered solutions with legacy systems requires specific skills and an extensive technical background. As hiring in-staff engineers may be too expensive for some, companies benefit from finding a service provider knowledgeable about potential implementation issues they could face. 

Let’s consider the most common problems related to the usage of AI:

  • Training AI models utilizing fact-based insights: Using reliable datasets facilitates fine-tuning chatbots and improving their ability to process queries automatically. Accurate data about past interactions enables AI models to learn and adjust their responses. However, ensuring that datasets are free of possible biases and incorrect information may be an arduous task.


  • Data privacy: Governments across the globe tighten regulations aiming to protect user data from being accessed by third parties. Nevertheless, some AI models may accidentally disclose sensitive data which raises concerns about the safety of their usage.


  • Embedding AI tools on web-based platforms: Integrating an AI-driven chatbot with existing systems may be challenging without understanding how to edit code, perform testing, and fix bugs. Outsourcing this task to MetaDialog enables firms to leverage chatbot functionality.

AI integration often necessitates cultural and organizational changes, including adapting workflows, upskilling employees, and fostering a culture of experimentation and innovation. Resistance to change and internal alignment can pose significant barriers.

Future of Customer Service Automation

Building a sustainable business necessitates reducing expenses. With over 63% SMBs and corporations employing AI to increase the efficiency of CS teams, implementing AI models becomes a must for those who want to keep a cutting edge over competitors.

The increased adoption of AI in retail, healthcare, and financial sectors is likely to be accompanied by the development of the following trends:

  • Voice-controlled virtual assistants: AI chatbots decipher recorded conversations and react to voice commands to provide personalized responses, which contributes to improved satisfaction.


  • Self-service platforms: Due to the intuitive interface of such sites and integrated AI tools, users can place orders and solve any issues they may face.


  • AI-driven CS team training: Generative AI models facilitate training employees using specific scenarios based on the history of real conversations.

Choosing AI models and tailoring them to the needs of a business enhances the performance of CS teams, increases client loyalty, and builds trust in a brand.

Conclusion

Automating the most difficult CS tasks allows companies to improve every step of a customer’s journey, increase client satisfaction, and build a positive brand image. By making response times shorter and providing tailored replies to queries, companies boost the retention rate and expand their target audience. Reducing the number of manual tasks allows firms to optimize the work of CS teams and handle increased volumes of requests. 

Implementing AI-powered products and integrating them with existing systems may be a challenging endeavor without the assistance of seasoned developers. If you are looking for an authoritative service provider, schedule a demo at MetaDialog’s website and make its AI-based CS tools an integral part of your workflow.

How to Expand Your MacBook Storage Permanently for Less

MacBooks are top-of-the-line computers, but their high price, especially for higher storage options, can be a deterrent. Here’s an inexpensive way to expand your MacBook’s storage without buying a new one.

Affordable Storage Expansion

You know it’s 2024 and the SSD storage is quite affordable. There are tons of external SSD options available on amazon. You can easily find a 1 TB SSD for around $100. Hack you can even go for it 2 TB SSD.

But the question is, how to carry it around conveniently?

Get A Magnetically Attached Storage

Well initially what I used to do was I used to tape my Samsung T5 SSD to the lid of my Macbook. Although it looked ugly, it got the job done. But since it’s a common problem, hence the solutions have now emerged.

Here’s a cool product on Amazon called an SSD sleeve. It magnetically attaches to your MacBook’s lid, staying with you all the time. And doesn’t look ugly at all.

Make it Sleeker and Clean Connection

Most SSDs come with a 1-ft Type-C cable. However, for a sleeker look with minimal cable visibility, consider getting a short, right-angled Type-C cable from Amazon. I have found this one.

Cost-Effective Upgrade

This method costs under $150, a significant saving compared to a laptop upgrade costing at least $300.

SSD Performance

While slower than the built-in SSD, most tasks will run smoothly on an external SSD. Video editors and users of heavy software might require the inbuilt storage for rendering large files.

Real-World Use Case

I edit 4K videos in Final Cut Pro directly from the SSD storage without any issues.

Does attaching SSD, drain the batteries faster?

Running sst does require power but it is quite minimal, good thing is, the latest macbook computers that are powered by Apple’s own M series chipsets, are quiet power efficient. You will easily get 10 hours of battery life on a single charge. And if you attached an sst, reduce 2 hours from it.

I think it’s a fair trade off.

Buy these Products

Get the SSD Sleeve

Get the Right Angle Type C Short Cable

Additional Tips

Sync iPhone Text Messages to Mac: A Seamless SMS Experience

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Apple’s ecosystem is known for its seamless integration, and that extends beyond just phone calls. If you own a MacBook and an iPhone, did you know you can receive and reply to SMS messages directly from your Mac? This feature is remarkably convenient, especially for quickly accessing OTPs (One-Time Passwords) for secure online transactions. Let’s dive into how to enable it!

Step 1: Enable Messages in iCloud (Mac)

  1. Open the “Messages” app on your Mac.
  2. Navigate to “Settings” (found in the Messages menu bar).
  3. Click on the “iMessage” tab.
  4. Ensure the box next to “Enable Messages in iCloud” is checked. This step is crucial for syncing your messages across devices.

Step 2: Enable Text Message Forwarding (iPhone)

  1. Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down and locate “Messages.”
  3. Find the “Text Message Forwarding” section and tap on it.
  4. You’ll see a list of devices signed in to your Apple account. Locate your MacBook and toggle the switch next to it to the “ON” position.

Why This Feature is Awesome

Now, whenever a text message arrives on your iPhone, you’ll also see it on your Mac. This saves you the hassle of reaching for your phone every time you need to reply to a text or grab an OTP code for logging into your bank account or other secure websites.

Important Note: For smooth syncing, ensure you’re using the same Apple account on both your Mac and iPhone.

Why this feature might not be for you.

While it is an excellent feature for productivity, it has its own cons. If you have private messages incoming, you might want to receive on the device which is with you all the time.

If you share your macbook computer with anybody else which is unlikely but a possibility, then it is not a good idea to have your text messages land on your computer as well because, Privacy.

Let me know if you’d like assistance with optimizing other tech articles on your blog!

Also, if you are a visual guy, here is youtube video showing you how to do it.

How to Save Time Deleting Dozens of Emails

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If you’re like me and find yourself overwhelmed by a cluttered Gmail inbox, I’ve got a quick tip that can save you a lot of time. Want to learn more? I’ve also written a detailed article on techtripper.com, and you’ll find the link in the description below.

The Tip

Instead of clicking through dozens of emails to find the ones you want to delete, try this:

  1. Select All Unread Emails: This highlights all the emails you haven’t opened yet.
  2. Deselect Emails You Want to Keep: Scan the list and uncheck only the emails you want to read. Since most of your unread emails are likely unwanted, this is much faster than selecting the ones to delete individually.
  3. Delete the Rest: With a few clicks, you can clean out your inbox in seconds!

Example

Let’s say I have all these unread emails. Out of this whole list, I only want to read this one and maybe this one. Instead of selecting all the rest for deletion, I’ll leave these two checked and then delete the remaining emails. That just took a few seconds, way faster than the old way!

Watch this video tutorial

Boost Your Productivity with a Clipboard Manager for Mac

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Copying and pasting between documents is a common task, but constantly switching between windows slows you down. A clipboard manager app is the answer for speeding up workflows on Mac.

Watch the Video

The Problem with the Default Clipboard

Mac’s built-in clipboard only remembers your most recent copy, forcing constant switching between apps to paste content. This fragmentation kills your productivity momentum.

For research and compiling data, you likely need to:

  • Copy text, links, images from various sources
  • Paste these clips into a working document
  • Rapidly access clips you copied earlier

The default clipboard fails at quick access and chaining these capture-paste cycles.

How a Clipboard Manager Improves Your Workflow

A dedicated clipboard manager app enhances the copy-paste process:

  • Saves your clipboard history – access anything copied previously
  • Organizes clips for easy retrieval
  • pastes clips with one click back into documents

No more wasting time toggling between apps to paste one item at a time. Your entire clipboard is preserved in one place for instant pasting when needed.

Top Clipboard Managers for Mac

Here are top-rated clipboard managers for Mac:

  • Copy’em Paste – Free, unlimited clibpoard history
  • Alfred – Robust paid app with clipboard plus automation
  • PasteBot – Cross-platform and iCloud syncing options
  • ClipMenu – Lightweight and customizable

Try the free tools to experience the convenience of clipboard history. Some paid apps add bonus features like text expansion and automation.

Supercharge Your Mac Copy-Paste

A clipboard manager optimizes your ability to quickly access, manage, and paste clips you’ve copied. Key benefits:

  • Stop wasting time finding clips to paste
  • Assemble research and notes efficiently
  • Retrieve anything you copied with ease

Install a clipboard manager and see your productivity soar. No Mac user should be without this game-changing utility!

Best 5 Clipboard Manager Apps for Mac

ClipboardManager

A powerful and customizable clipboard manager and launcher. Allows you to easily access your clipboard history, create text snippets, integrate with system actions, and launch apps.

Copy’em Paste

A simple clipboard manager that stores unlimited clipboard history. Allows you to easily access and paste previous copies. Has cross-device syncing between Mac, iPhone and iPad.

Pastebot

Clipboard manager with robust search and organization features. Saves unlimited clipboard history, allows tagging copies for easy search, and has customizable hotkeys.

Clipboard

Lightweight clipboard manager that runs in the menu bar. Saves clipboard history and allows you to quickly search and paste previous copies.

CopyClip – Clipboard Manager

Open source clipboard manager with a minimal interface. Automatically saves clipboard history and makes copies easily accessible through a menu bar icon. Has text formatting and editing options.

These apps help you quickly access your clipboard history, manage and organize copies for reuse, and save time by eliminating repetitive typing or switching between documents. They provide a variety of useful features while keeping the clipboard easily accessible.

Supercharge Your ChatGPT Experience with This Free Mac Utility

For those of us who rely on ChatGPT in our daily workflows, the quest for tools that enhance productivity is never-ending.

Enter a game-changer: a free utility for Mac computers that seamlessly integrates ChatGPT into your menu bar.

In a world where various wrapper apps charge monthly fees for specific use cases, this utility stands out by offering a straightforward solution without breaking the bank.

Try MacGPT: Download and Installation

Simply download and install it from Gumroad, and you’re ready to take your ChatGPT experience to the next level. The utility provides the flexibility to use either your own API key or the free web version available to everyone.

Enhanced Productivity with these two Awesome Features

Here’s where using your OpenAI API key becomes a game-changer. Two standout features significantly improve your ChatGPT productivity:

Global Controls

This feature empowers you to ask ChatGPT any question from anywhere, triggered by a simple keyboard shortcut. The conversational mode adds another layer, allowing you to speak into the microphone and have ChatGPT respond.

MacGPT Inline

This feature allows you to access ChatGPT seamlessly from any window on your computer, using a trigger keyword. Imagine creating a note or drafting an email while effortlessly integrating ChatGPT to enhance your content or decision-making process.

Here’s an Example Use Case

Let’s dive into a practical example. Say you want to create a daily routine. Using the trigger keyword, followed by a prompt detailing your waking and sleeping times, and daily activities, MacGPT gets to work.

With a press of the enter key, the MacGPT app generates a personalized daily routine. This efficient integration showcases the utility’s versatility and time-saving capabilities.

No more window-switching hassle. Perform any task in any window while harnessing the power of ChatGPT, thanks to this utility.

It’s Also Very Cost-Effective

Unlike many monthly subscription models, this utility follows a pay-as-you-go approach. Your OpenAI API key, which is reasonably priced, allows you to use this tool efficiently without breaking the bank.

I am not a fan of monthly subscription. Either I’m willing to pay a fixed, one-time fee or would want to opt for pay-as-you-go model. I am writing this article on 10th November and my usage has been just four cents. I haven’t used it much, and this is what I like about this pay as you go model. I only pay for what I use.

Explore More from the Developer

As an added bonus, the same developer has also crafted Mac Whisper, a tool that utilizes OpenAI’s Whisper AI for transcription.

This tool, too, is free to use and works seamlessly. Check out our article to learn how you can leverage transcription services on your Mac without incurring additional costs.

So, this free Mac utility offers a streamlined solution for maximizing your ChatGPT experience. With features like Global Control and MacGPT Inline, you can enhance productivity without the need for complex setups or monthly subscriptions.

Download the utility and discover a new level of efficiency in your daily workflow.

How to Use OpenAI’s Text-to-Speech API with this Free Tool

Recently, OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT, made some groundbreaking announcements regarding new features related to ChatGPT and other AI tools. One particularly exciting revelation is the opening of the API key for their text-to-speech services.

This development complements their existing transcription AI, Whisper AI, which specializes in speech-to-text conversion. Now, with this new text-to-speech service, users can input text, and the system will generate human-like audio output.

Watch the Video Tutorial

What are its use cases?

The text-to-speech service with human-like voices opens up a myriad of use cases. In the realm of content creation, users can leverage this tool for voiceovers and tutorial videos, especially in situations where recording personal audio might be impractical, such as during travel.

Bloggers can transform their articles into audio formats, making them suitable for distribution as podcasts. Additionally, companies can integrate this service into Interactive Voice Response (IVR) automated call systems. The versatility of the tool ensures its applicability across various domains.

Download Voices for Mac

For individuals who require a user interface to harness the power of OpenAI’s text-to-speech services, there’s an invaluable tool called Voices. Developed by the creator of Mac Whisper and MacGPT, this application is available for free download and serves as a bridge between users and OpenAI’s API key.

How to Get Started with Voices:

Download and Installation

  • Voices is currently available for Mac users.
  • After downloading the tool, users receive an email containing the download link.
  • The file comes in a zip format, requiring extraction and installation.

Acquiring OpenAI API Key:

  • Users need to visit OpenAI’s website to create an API key.
  • Ensure you have signed up and obtained free credits or purchased them.
  • API keys can be created in the Billing section.

Using Voices Application:

  • Launch the Voices application and paste the API key in the designated section.
  • The user-friendly interface allows voice selection, output quality adjustment, and choosing the desired output format.

Testing Voices: Quality and Options:

The Voices application provides users with a range of high-quality voices, each with its distinct characteristics. Users can experiment with different voices and observe how the tool interprets variations in intonation, punctuation, and emphasis. The tool’s intelligence is evident as it adjusts its output based on the input’s nuances, making the generated speech sound remarkably human-like.

Cost Consideration

The nominal charges associated with the Voices application make it an attractive option for those who prefer a pay-as-you-go model. Unlike other tools in the market that often rely on monthly subscriptions, Voices offers a cost-effective solution for users who may not require continuous access to text-to-speech services.

OpenAI’s new text-to-speech API, coupled with the user-friendly Voices application, represents a significant stride in AI technology. The seamless integration of human-like voices into content creation processes, along with the pay-as-you-go pricing model, positions this tool as a valuable asset for various professionals and enthusiasts alike.

As the field of AI continues to evolve, innovations like Voices contribute to making advanced technologies more accessible and user-friendly.

For more detailed information and a step-by-step tutorial, refer to the written article linked in the video description. Stay tuned for more updates and tutorials on similar tools.

Take Notes with Apple Watch | Never Forget an Idea Ever

When it comes to creativity, you can get any idea anywhere and at any point of time. And if you rely on your mind to remember it so that you can execute it later, it will be lost forever. So, the rule is to always capture your ideas whenever it strikes, no matter where you are.

AI Tools Make it Easy To Take Notes

And technology has made it easy. You have your smartphone all the time, so you can use it to note down your ideas or you can speak into your microphone and it will transcribe it for you nicely.

There are so many AI tools available. Even my extension, even my iPhone shortcut, Dictation Pro is quite useful for this exact use case.

Watch the video tutorial

Take Notes on Apple Watch, With your Voice

I came across another app that takes it even one step further. If you are in Apple ecosystem already, and if you have an Apple watch, you can use this app on your Apple watch.

Which means even if you have that idea in the middle of the night, you don’t have to look for your smartphone. You can simply tap on your smartwatch and capture that idea. And it works anywhere, wherever you don’t have your smartphone with you and your watch is always on your wrist.

How to use it?

The app is called Whisper Memo. The name comes from the Whisper, the name is inspired from OpenAI’s Whisper AI model, which is amazing. And this app brings that technology to your Apple watch, install it from the app store and then go to the app watch on your iPhone where you can install this app for watch. Once you have installed it, you can use it on your Apple watch.

Access it faster on your Apple Watch, using complications 

Even better, you can add a complication. You can add a shortcut to your watch complication so that you can enable it in just one tap. It starts recording right away and when you stop it, it gets uploaded to your iPhone. I don’t think it can get easier than this.

Freemium Model

This app is not free, there is a limit of the number of times you can do the transcription on your mobile phone. But if you use it on your Apple Watch, it will still upload the audio to your iPhone and process it, and the limit doesn’t count here, at least for now.

This app is called Whisper Memos. You can install it on your iPhone and there is also an Apple watch app available that can be installed on watch.

Read more productive related articles here

How to Create the Viral Infinite Zoom Videos from Photos Using AI | Step by Step Tutorial

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You may have seen those viral infinite zoom videos that seem to zoom endlessly into an image, revealing finer details with each magnification.

While these videos can sell the illusion of infinite scale, they are actually clever video effects created with AI.

Here’s how to make your own infinite zoom videos from still photos.

Watch the Short Video Tutorial

What is the Infinite Zoom Effect?

The infinite zoom effect, also called a fractal zoom, appears to seamlessly zoom in on a static image, uncovering more facets and patterns continuously. In reality, this effect is produced by AI generative algorithms hallucinating artificial details and enhancements.

Each “zoom” is just an AI rendering more image content that doesn’t exist in the original. But the effect mesmerizes viewers when well-executed.

Using AI to Create Infinite Zooms

Specialized AI tools can transform photos into infinite zoom videos automatically:

  • Online AI services like MidJourney use text prompts to generate fractal zoom animations. This requires a paid subscription.
  • Video editing apps like VideoLeap offer infinite zoom templates. However, some features require paid upgrades.

Creating Infinite zoom video using Mid Journey

If you want to create infinite zoom video using Mid Journey, you will have to use a combination of tools to do that because mid journey will only give you an output of a zoomed out photo.

You will have to do this a couple of times. For example, you can put your picture in Mid Journey’s discord server (I hope you know how Midjourney works), with a prompt, now when you get the output, repeat the process, 2 to 3 times.

This way, you will get multiple photos at different zoom levels. You can then import these photos in your favourite video editor, to make them look like as if it is a single file.

If you have no idea how to do that and it’s looks quite complex to you. Here is an easier one click solution. Like I said, there are multiple free tools available that will let you do this infinite zoom effect.

While AI-powered mobile apps may have limitations, they provide easy infinite zoom creation without advanced creative skills.

Creating Infinite zoom video using Videoleap

My favourite tool is Videoleap, which is available for both android and iPhone. And it is pretty easy to create this effect on any photo. The only catch is, free version will have a watermark on the output. If you want a watermark free video, you can upgrade to the pro version.

But, if you don’t want to spend money, here is how you can use the free version and still be able to remove the watermark, well, technically.

Install the Videoleap app on iPhone, or Android and then open it. You will find plenty of AI features on the start-up page. Select the infinite zoom effect. After that select the photo you want to add effect on.

Tips for Making Compelling Infinite Zooms

  • Use portrait orientation photos without too much clutter.
  • Photos with geometric patterns or fractal-like details work best.
  • Overlay music for added mesmerizing impact.

You will have to wait for up to 60 seconds to get the output. Once you get the output, you can save it on your mobile phone.

this output will actually have a watermark. If you’re using the free version so here is how to remove the watermark or actually hide it.

When you are posting it on your story or posting it as a Reel. Add a caption on your video. You can use AI tools like ChatGPT to come up with a creative caption, if you are lazy like me.

Add the caption just wear the watermark is appearing. This will hide the watermark. Genius, isn’t it?

With the power of AI, infinite zoom illusions are now accessible to anyone. Let your viewers get lost exploring an endless vortex hidden within a single static glimpse. Just be sure to credit the AI assistant who brought your imagination to life!

Here’s Five Best Accessories for iPad to Make the Most out of it

If you recently have an iPad or are planning to buy one, here is my recommendation for buying accessories. 

The hardware of the iPad is capable of being used as a full-fledged computer, but the iPadOS is a bit limiting when compared to a full-fledged operating system like macOS or Windows OS. 

Regular computing to get things done can be achieved if you purchase the accessories that will help you use your iPad in the best way possible. 

Watch the Video

Get a magnetic case for the iPad

The #1 accessory is to get a magnetic case. When you buy such an expensive device, you should spend some money to buy a good case to protect it. 

But at the same time, it should not be clumsy or bad and quality that takes away the joy of using such a nicely built iPad. That’s why I recommend everyone to get a magnetic case. Surely, it’s double the money. But it’s double the fun as well.

Magnetic cases can be easily removed from the iPad, so you can take off the magnetic case and enjoy it when you’re using your iPad for watching Netflix or random browsing while in your bed. It will also be lighter since the case will not be extra weight.

Logitech K380 Bluetooth Keyboard

It is one of the cutest keyboards I purchased for using it with my MacBook when I use it in closed-display mode, but I found that it is also compatible with iPad. It is even advertised as one. 

So, if you need more money to spend on the Apple Magic keyboard, this is the second best, affordable choice. It is also travel-friendly, so you can easily slide it into your bag and carry it with your iPad if you plan longer writing sessions.

I cannot stress enough how useful it is to have a physical keyboard. Read our full review

A ₹2500 Apple Pencil Knockoff 

If you are an artist who loves to sketch and have bought the iPad to try drawing or learn it, I suggest you go for the official Apple Pencil. 

But if you want to experience what it is like to use a pencil on an iPad for highlighting or doing signatures, then you can get those third-party Apple Pencil knockoffs. 

These will be one-fourth of the price of the original Apple Pencil but will have 90% of the functionality. 

The only thing missing would be wireless charging and pressure sensitivity, which is crucial for drawing. 

I have been using a knock for the last several months, and the way I use it, I am thankful that I have yet to spend money on Apple Pencil because it would have been a waste of money. Read full review

Samsung T5 SSD

I have the 64GB internal storage, fourth-generation iPad Air, and I opted for the 60 4GB version, which has effectively got around 50 GB of storage, which is less if you install many apps. 

This is why getting an SSD can be really helpful. All the iPads have type C slots, and the SSD can be easily connected to them. 

Apps like LumaFusion will let you directly edit files from the SSD. 

A USB type C Hub

iPad is a fantastic device, but it only has one slot type. You can use it for data synchronisation, adding accessories or charging it. 

This is why a USB type C hub is crucial because he can do all of these things simultaneously. 

You can connect it to a monitor to get a more prominent display. The latest iPads covered by M1 chip can extend the display to an external monitor, giving you more room to work on your apps. Other USB type C hubs can be used for adding additional accessories, such as the SSD. 

How to Use Your iPhone as a Wireless Mic for Your Mac

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Thanks to the Continuity Camera feature in macOS Ventura, you can use your iPhone as a wireless microphone to dictate, record, and capture audio on your Mac.

This provides a convenient way to add high-quality audio input to your Mac even when you’re away from your desk.

What You Need

  • An iPhone running iOS 16 or later
  • A Mac running macOS Ventura or later
  • Both devices signed into the same iCloud account

Setting Up Your iPhone as a Microphone

First, make sure your Mac and iPhone are updated to the latest operating system versions.

On your Mac, go to System Preferences > Sound. Under the Input tab, you will see a device option labeled “iPhone Microphone.” Select this as your input source.

That’s all you need to configure your iPhone as a wireless mic for your Mac!

Using Your iPhone for Dictation and Recording

With your iPhone set as the microphone input, you can now use it for:

  • Dictating messages, notes, documents etc. into any app
  • Recording vocals or instruments in GarageBand
  • Using Siri hands-free commands
  • Making and receiving phone calls through your Mac
  • Capturing audio for videos or podcasts

The iPhone mic will work anywhere a mic input is required on your Mac. You’re free to move around while maintaining high quality audio capture.

The benefits of This Integration

Using your iPhone as a Mac microphone provides great flexibility. Key benefits include:

  • Mobility to move around while dictating or recording
  • Leverages iPhone’s high-quality microphones
  • Easy access to notes or messages captured on iPhone
  • One less hardware peripheral needed

With just a quick settings change, your Mac can tap into the power of your iPhone’s mic. This brings convenience and great audio performance thanks to Apple ecosystem integration.

Exploring new use cases

The new MacBook Pro and MacBook Air are equipped with high-quality microphones which can record studio quality audio. But older Mac computers, where there is no high-quality microphone, and it is still upgradable to macOS Ventura, you can utilise this feature to record high-quality audio.

You can also use the iPhone’s microphone for zoom meetings or simply for doing voice overs. It just lets you use a high-quality camera that is already in your pocket, without having to spend money on any additional hardware.

What’s the Next Best Solution?

I know it’s cool to use this setup for recoding your audio in high quality, but it requires you to have both the devices. That’s why I recommend the Rode Wireless GO II mic for every creator. You get all the benefits of Wire-free experience without compromising with the quality.

It’s a must have for every content creator out there. Read my review of how I am utilizing it in different use cases.

AudioScribe Lets Your Random Thoughts into Meaningful Text

I am a big fan of tools that speed up my work, so that I can become more productive. 

On the blog, I have shared quite a lot of useful tools for that. 

Watch the Video

Write Faster (and Better) with Voice to Text Tools

Here is another cool tool that will let you write anything without actually typing on your keyboard. The best part is, it works on mobile phones as well. 

And it is quite useful on smartphones, because you can’t really type fast on virtual keyboards.

The tool is called Audio Scribe from Dictanote. It is actually from the same developers who have created this amazing chrome extension called VoiceIn

The VoiceIn Chrome extension gives you real time transcription, just like like you get in Google Docs Voice Typing, because it uses the Google speech to text API.

Voice to Text Powered by AI

Audio Scribe, is powered by AI, which does an amazing job at transcription. This tool also fixes your random words into sensible sentences using the AI.

Currently, there is no app which you can install on your mobile phone so the Web App will be accessible on any web browser but for iPhones it only supports the Safari browser.

Simply open Dictanote.co, sign up and find Audio Scribe in the left sidebar (on desktop) and on bottom right (on Mobile), tap on the record button (allow the browser to use microphone) to start recording your audio. 

The free version let’s record audio for three minutes. An order then automatically stops and start transcribing and giving you a formatted output.

If you subscribe to their Pro plan, you will get to record 15 minutes of audio at a time, with some more functionalities which you can check out on their subscription page.

A Tool Similar to AudioScribe

Previously, I have shared a similar tool called Audio Pen which works exactly like this one. I’m surprised it took so long for the developers to replicate something like that. 

Well, these both the web apps are quite amazing, especially because they are accessible on smartphones and you can talk into your microphone. Whatever idea you have and it will format it nicely so that it makes sense to you when you read it after a few days.

The Limitations of AudioScribe (and Similar Tools)

The only issue is the default formatting option in the free version is too restrictive and sometimes summarise your audio way differently than you would want it to.

And yes, the developers have solved this problem by offering the solution. But the solution is behind the pay wall. You have to subscribe to their provision to get these options.

If you’re okay using the free version, it’s still great to simply note down something that is in your mind and you don’t want to type using the keyboard. In fact, if you write long form content on social media platform or on a blog, this can be really useful.

Use my Custom Shortcut – Dictation Pro

But if you don’t want that limitation and on an iPhone here is an iPhone shortcut that I created for myself. I have named it dictation Pro and it works quite similar to these web apps.

But instead of having a limitation of only three minutes of recording, you can use it to transcribe after 30 minutes of audio. It will transcribe and format it and then automatically save it in your notes app on your iPhone..

The only thing required is Open API key, and you will be charged of your usage. Here are the plans from the open AI pricing page

ModelInputOutput
GPT-4With broad general knowledge and domain expertise, GPT-4 can follow complex instructions in natural language and solve difficult problems with accuracy. Learn about GPT-4$0.03 / 1K tokens$0.06 / 1K tokens
8K context$0.03 / 1K tokens$0.06 / 1K tokens
32K context$0.06 / 1K tokens$0.12 / 1K tokens
GPT-3.5 TurboGPT-3.5 Turbo is optimized for dialogue. Learn about GPT-3.5 Turbo
4K context$0.0015 / 1K tokens$0.002 / 1K tokens
16K context$0.003 / 1K tokens$0.004 / 1K tokens
Audio modelsWhisper can transcribe speech into text and translate many languages into English. Learn about Whisper
Whisper$0.006 / minute (rounded to the nearest second)
Older modelsWe continue to improve our models and periodically retire older, less used models. View pricing and info for older models

Here is a simple calculation for you, like how much will it cost you for one minute of audio transcription. 

Download My custom iPhone shortcut from this link, It costs $1, and you can have it for the lifetime. The API cost will depend on your usage, but it will be still way less than the monthly subscription plans of these web apps.

I am personally comfortable paying for what I am using or getting an unlimited plan rather than subscribing to another monthly plan. If you feel the same and you own an iPhone, you can use the Dictation Pro iPhone shortcut.

Easily Remove Vocals From Music With this AI Tool

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Need to isolate vocals or instrumental music from an audio track? Thanks to advancements in AI, specialized web apps can magically separate vocals and music with just a few clicks.

Check out the Video

Check out VocalRemover.org

VocalRemover.org is a free web app powered by AI that splits audio into two isolated tracks:

  • Vocals only
  • Music/instrumentals only

It works by analyzing the unique characteristics of vocals compared to accompanying music. The AI then intelligently extracts the voice, leaving just instruments behind.

To use it:

  1. Go to VocalRemover.org
  2. Upload your chosen audio file or enter a YouTube link
  3. Click “Separate Vocals” and wait for the AI to work its magic
  4. Download the isolated vocal and instrumental tracks

VocalRemover does an shockingly good job isolating the vocals, providing studio-grade splits.

Use Cases for Vocal Removal

There are many creative uses for stripping vocals from music:

  • Make custom karaoke tracks by removing vocals from popular songs
  • Sample acapella vocal riffs for remixes or music production
  • Create meme-worthy clips from movie dialog with music removed
  • Produce soundtrack instrumentals for video projects
  • Remove background music from audio recordings to isolate speech

For Content Creators

For YouTubers, streamers, podcasters and other content creators, VocalRemover is an invaluable tool. You can erase background music from clips flagged for copyright issues. Or liven up stale footage by laying new music underneath.

The AI vocal/music separation opens up new creative possibilities for audio and video editing. And it’s completely free!

I have previously shared a similar type of trick to remove background music from vocals. The tool is called Descript.

While descript provides similar vocal isolation capabilities, its limited free plan makes VocalRemover.org an appealing forever-free alternative for casual users.

By leveraging the power of AI, tools like VocalRemover make tasks like music production, editing, and content creation far more accessible. The future of AI-assisted creativity is bright!

If you are a content creator, check out our Content Creator Guide series to make better content.

How to Block Adult Sites for Kids

As a parent and a member of your family, you may not want certain sites to be accessible to kids or even grown ups on your household.

In today’s age, when everyone has their own devices, keeping a tab on everyone’s online activities is quite hard. Surely, you can make a set of rules to be followed. Here are some general tips that may be helpful.

Educate Your Kids About Online Safety

  • Have open conversations with your kids about online safety and setting boundaries on what sites they visit. Establish shared guidelines.
  • Use parental control features built into your operating systems and devices. All major platforms like Windows, iOS, Android have options to restrict access.
  • Install family safety apps or DNS filtering services designed to block unsuitable material. Research reputable services.
  • Enable safe search settings on browsers, YouTube, and search engines to filter explicit results.
  • Place internet-connected devices in open family areas rather than private spaces.
  • Set screen time limits on devices to control exposure.
  • Monitor browsing history periodically, with your child’s knowledge.

The most effective strategies involve education, communication, and mutual understanding.

Despite doing all this, but content, not suitable for kids, will still find its way to their devices. This is why you need to use solutions available to block these websites.

Using DNS Filtering for your Home Wi-Fi

DNS (Domain Name System) filtering allows you to block certain websites and content by routing domain requests through a filtered DNS server.

Rather than connecting directly to the website’s IP address, requests first pass through the filtering DNS which can deny access.

Benefits of DNS Filtering

Some benefits of setting up DNS filtering on your home WiFi include

  • Blocking access to inappropriate, dangerous or distracting sites like pornography, gambling, etc.
  • Safeguarding children from viewing adult content and predators.
  • Increased privacy by blocking ad trackers and malware domains.
  • Ability to set filtering rules and whitelists for each device.
  • Works across all connected devices and browsers that use the WiFi.
  • Many free and paid filtering server options.

How to Set Up DNS Filtering

To enable home DNS filtering, you’ll need to:

  1. Choose a filtering DNS provider like OpenDNS Home or CleanBrowsing.
  2. Configure your router’s DHCP settings to assign the filtering DNS servers rather than your ISP’s servers.
  3. Set your router’s DNS settings itself to also use the filtering servers.

With the right DNS filtering service configured on your home router and WiFi, you gain better control, security and privacy across your networked devices.

Do it on Individual Devices

If you don’t want to put restrictions on the entire home network, you can block sites, on individual devices.

For Android Devices

Go to your Android phone’s settings. Search for Private DNS and open it. Tap on Private DNS and type in DNS Provider Hostname ‘family-filter-dns.cleanbrowsing.org‘. Save it. Now, no adult website will open.

For Apple Devices

To set this in your iPhone, go to Cleanbrowsing.org/filters Scroll down and tap on Family Filter. Here, you have to do Download Configuration. Press Allow.

Then, go to iPhone’s settings. Go to Profile Download and tap on Install. Install again and done. No wrong websites will open.

If your kids are under 13 years of age, and they have their own devices, you should consider creating their Gmail accounts, which will let you control ther devices as parents. It has more control than just blocking unwanted sites. Check out detailed article.

How to Track Your Lost Android Mobile using Google Find My Device

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Losing a smartphone is always a Nightmare especially when does not want his expensive and you have got a lot of personal data on it.

Thanks to the technology available, it is now possible to track a mobile phone, and thanks to Google for making it easier than ever before so that anyone can track their own mobile phone using their Google account credentials.

Before we go any further to talk about how you can track your lost Android mobile, I would like to mention a few important things that will allow you to use this feature.

Here are the things you should do if you lose your Mobile Phone. This is Important

✔ You should have a Google account added to your Android smartphone. This is very likely that you do have Google account added if you have used Play Store to install apps, navigated using Google Maps and whatnot.

✔ Just make sure you know your Google account login credentials because you will be needing them to login clear Google account from PC.

✔ The other thing is that, in order for this feature to work, your phone needs to be connected to the internet. Fortunately, with mobile data getting cheaper and more accessible majority of us have got at least the mobile data on, on our smartphones.

Enabled ‘Find My Device’ on Android ASAP

You need to have this enabled before it gets lost. If this is not enabled, this method will not work. 

You can enable Find my Device by going to the security section from *Settings then tap on Device manager. You will find the ‘Find my device’ option and make sure it is checked.

*This may be different depending on the smartphone OEM.

Tap on back to go back to the settings area again then tap on ‘Location’, and make sure it is turned on with location method being ‘high accuracy‘.

Below the same window, you will find ‘Location history‘ make sure it is also turned on. If you have multiple devices signed into a single Google account, make sure all your devices are turned on for location history.

Note: Mostly all these settings are turned on by default, but it is better to verify it to avoid any mishappening.

How to track your lost Android mobile using Google find my device manager

Open Google Chrome Browser on your laptop or PC, and make a Google search something like ‘find my phone location‘ or, ‘track my phone‘. You will find the option to track your mobile phone right on the search result.

You get two direct options one is to Ring your smartphone, which will bring it for next 5 minutes (even if your phone is on silent mode),

This is quite helpful even if your phone is not lost and you just looking at it in your home and it’s on silent. Using this trick you can bring your phone and find it, I guess 5 minutes are more than sufficient to turn your phone upside down to look for the smartphone.

Anyway containing to the tutorial,

You can click on the ‘Recover’ option on the search result to find more information about your smartphone. Alternatively, you can click on this link to go directly into Google Find My Device Manager.

You can also type directly in your browser address bar, it would be ⟶

myaccount.google.com/find-your-phone.

In Google Find My Device Manager, you can locate your smartphone on Google Maps to a very high accuracy.

Please note that Google would show the last location recording when the internet was enabled on the smartphone.

  • You can also check whether the smartphone is connected to a Wi-Fi and how much battery is left on the smartphone.
  • You can Ring your phone,
  • You can lock it down and log out of your Google account, and,
  • You can even erase all the data on your device remotely, which would be the last resort and it’s just the data you are worried about.

Check out this video tutorial showing you how this feature works.

If you’re looking to track your lost iPhone you can check out this article.

What To Do If You Lose Your Mobile Phone – A Step-By-Step Guide

Losing your mobile phone can be extremely stressful. Your private data, accounts, and contacts are suddenly compromised. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to protect your information and prevent misuse if your device goes missing.

Act Quickly to Remotely Lock Your Phone

Immediately remote lock your phone using the device manager app. For Android phones, use Find My Device. For iPhones, use Find My iPhone.

Remote locking secures the device with a passcode and displays your contact details on the lock screen. This prevents access and alerts good Samaritans about returning your phone.

Temporarily Suspend Service to Disable Functionality

Contact your mobile carrier quickly and request suspension of service for the SIM card in the lost phone. Temporarily deactivating service renders the phone unusable for calls, texts, and data.

This is crucial to prevent misuse of calling, messaging, and consuming mobile data on your account. Most carriers can instantly suspend service once notified.

Erase All Personal Data Using Remote Wipe

If there is no hope of recovery, remotely factory reset the phone using your device manager app. This erases all accounts, contacts, apps, media, and other private user data.

Wiping the data ensures your info doesn’t fall into the wrong hands if the device isn’t retrievable. It’s an essential safeguard of your privacy.

Change Passwords and Beef Up Account Security

Take action to protect online accounts that may have been logged in on the lost device:

  • Update passwords on accounts like social media, email, and financial apps.
  • Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.
  • Watch for unauthorized access attempts and review account activity regularly.

Removing Access and Unlinking the Lost Device

Go through accounts connected to the lost phone and unlink it:

  • Remove the phone number from online accounts like social, shopping, and other apps.
  • On iPhones, use Find My iPhone to unpair the missing device from your iCloud account.
  • On Androids, remove device access via your Google account settings.

Inform Contacts About the Missing Phone

Let friends, family, and coworkers know about your missing phone in case they are contacted fraudulently from your number.

Warn them not to send sensitive info or engage with any suspicious communications from your device. This helps prevent social engineering attempts.

By taking quick, proactive measures, you can mitigate risks and prevent negative consequences if your mobile phone is lost or stolen. Act fast to lock it down, wipe it out, and wall it off.

5 Ways to Retrieve Your Mobile

After you have done the following steps mentioned in this article, you can try retrieving your mobile phone.

If there is mobile data connection on your mobile, all is not lost. You might still be able to retrieve your mobile phone. Check out this article that goes in detail about different ways you can try retrieving mobile phone.

How to Track Your Lost Android Mobiles

If you have lost your android mobile phone, you might be able to get your smartphones location using google feature called find my Device.

For this to work, you will require the same google account which is locked into your android mobile. Use a computer and or different mobile phone to access find my device. Do a google search with the keyword ‘Find my device’ and click on the first link, or directly click on this link. Check out this article for a detailed step by step guide

How to Track Your Lost iPhone

Similar to the Android’s ‘Find My Device’, the iPhone also has a feature called ‘Find My’. In fact, it’s a better than Android’s ‘Find My Device’, because even when your iPhone’s battery dies, some amount of battery is reserved to make the phone findable.

Which means, you will be able to track the exact location of the lost iPhone. There are also some third party apps that can help you find your lost iPhone.

Check out this article that goes in detail about different apps that will help you get your iPhone back.