Byte-By-Byte Column

“Temperature is   109F, feels like 125F,” read my phone’s home screen today. August in the Middle East is one of the hottest parts of the year. I was lucky enough to escape the first few days while away in Iceland. The contrast between the two countries in terms of climate – environmental and otherwise – was as stark as the dune landscape.

Now in year two of pandemic, how this summer will look is anyone’s guess. Many are hopeful that springtime declines in local covid rates, bold moves by local governments to allow various versions of re-opening, and the increasing availability of COVID-19 vaccines will lead to a summertime chance at travel and interaction. Yet, the past year has taught us that it’s better to be pessimistically prepared than optimistically out of luck – and toilet paper.

While the resolutions people make for 2021 may look very different from those of years past, the turn of the year is bound to bring new commitments and goals, regardless. While resolutions usually revolve around fitness and diet, technology is just as important a component of lifestyle to re-examine and shape up. Consider committing to one or all of these five tech tasks for the new year: 1.