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Friday, March 13th
The App of the Day: Endel. My apologies but the spring flowers have stolen my voice. I can barely speak over a whisper, or if I force it, I sound like the love child of Demi Moore and John Cougar Mellencamp. I’m uploading a story I did in December 2024 on this sleeping app called Endel. It’s still one of the most popular sleeping apps and the tech it uses is based on science. It’s a lot more than just another sleep sounds app.
Thursday, March 12th
your TV is a computer. We don’t think of it this way. We look at our TVs as an appliance that shows movies and other programming. But today’s TVs are connected to the internet, they run apps, need software updates, and can even be hacked. Plus, they’re used by some companies to spy on us. This is a reminder that your TV is not just a TV. It’s a computer and should be treated as one.
Wednesday, March 11th
It’s back. Everyone’s most hated Facebook scam is viral again, disguised as something else. Remember the OMG it worked scam? People are now sharing a similar post that they don’t recognize as fake. I’m looking at the scam, why it works, and why sharing it is just helping scammers scam your friends.
Tuesday, March 10th
We all understand that ChatGPT and the other AI bots can be wrong. But they can also be dangerous. To see this for myself, I entered a simple question in each AI platform. Alexa returned an answer that, if I had followed it, would have made everyone in my house seriously ill, and it could have even been worse than that. It would have created elements that are sometimes used in chemical weapons.
Monday, March 9th
Free trials cost us a fortune. Have you ever downloaded an app to use a free trial and forget you did it? Then you see on your credit card that you were charged an awful lot of money. Some people have even accidentally paid over $100 for an app they only used once. It happens all of the time. I’ve found a simple way to prevent this from happening. I’ll explain and how these apps use free trials to make most of their money.
Friday, March 6th
Sleep apps. Many of us will spring forward this weekend. I’m looking at apps to help you go to sleep early and how to absolutely make sure you get out of bed on time. I will not mention daylight savings time in the package because Hawaii and Arizona stations don’t have to deal with daylight savings time. But it will be in the anchor intro.
Thursday, March 5th
Why you should like about your age on the internet. Kids do it all the time to make themselves older to use some social media apps. Teenagers have used fake IDs to buy alcohol for generations. Now adults should lie anytime a website or app asks for their birthdate. I’m explaining why, and a few other white-lies that could protect your identity.
Wednesday, March 4th
Why people are dropping ChatGPT. Many devoted ChatGPT users are downloading another AI app. Claude is now the #1 app in the app stores and subscriptions to ChatGPT have plummeted. Why? And what’s the difference between the two?
Tuesday, March 3rd
Spotting hidden cameras in rental properties. It happens every spring. Someone finds a hidden camera in a hotel room or AirBnb. I’ve picked up a couple of these tiny cameras and we’ll see if we can spot them. And how to check your rental yourself.
Monday, March 2nd
The most important step you can take to protect your tax refund. The IRS says every year it flags around 2 million for possible fraud. The Service offers taxpayers a Tax Identity Pin to protect their returns and refunds but just a small percentage of Americans know it exists.
Friday, February 27th
The app of the day: Seedtime. It’s almost time for long lines at yard centers and nurseries. Before you plan your garden for summer, you might need some assistance in the form of a digital green thumb. Seedtime is a smartphone app and website to help gardeners decide what to plant, when to plant, where to plant, and everything else they might need. There are over a hundred gardening apps in the app stores and this just might be the best of them all.
Thursday, February 26th
Instagram’s new tools for parents. It’s been a busy few months for Meta as it continues providing more tools for parents to protect their children on the platform. Another tool, announced this morning, alerts parents if their teen searches for posts about suicide and self-harm. I’m doing a roundup of what parents need to know.
Wednesday, February 25th
AI and your power bill. President Trump didn’t talk much about tech in last night’s State of the Union speech, but he did address AI data centers and your power bill. Most people don’t understand the environmental impact of AI. I’m taking a look at what we all need to know about the cost of data centers and why the President’s plan is bigger than you might think.
Tuesday, February 24th
I bet you didn’t know your iPhone could do this. It’s time to take a look at a few hidden tricks that will not only be things you use every day, but will blow your mind. From saving screen shots to recording video, these secret features will make you say “what?….”
Monday, February 23rd
Secret lockers. Parents may think they’ve got a good handle on what their kids are doing on their phones, but even if they check their phones daily they could miss this trick. Secret locker apps are popular with sneaky kids. They can put anything in them disguised as a calculator or music app. And even if a parent gets on to their trick, these apps have another secret.
Friday, February 20th
The App of the Day: Hallow. Maybe you noticed the Super Bowl commercial starring Mark Wahlberg and Chris Pratt talking about this app. Hallow is currently the #1 app in the app stores (pushing out ChatGPT). It’s a prayer app. I’m talking to one of the co-founders and ask the question: do we really need an app to pray?
Thursday, February 19th
Have you ever run low on storage on your phone? We all have. You can start deleting photos, videos, music, and apps, or you can do it a better way. If you use Facebook, Instagram, or other social media apps they likely are hogging a lot of storage space. I’ll look at how to get rid of the “other” stuff clogging up your phone.
Wednesday, February 18th
Why you should update your phones ASAP. I often talk about the importance of keeping your phones updated but this time it’s more serious. What is a Zero Day threat and why Apple is urging everyone to update their phones now.
Tuesday, February 17th
yesterday we looked at Lockdown Mode, the extreme way to protect your phone. Today, a much easier step to keep someone from unlocking your phone. The court system and law enforcement can require you to unlock your phone using Face ID or fingerprint. It is illegal for them to require you to enter your passcode. Whether it’s law enforcement or just someone who grabbed your phone, there’s a very quick way to lock it so they’ll need your passcode.
Monday, February 16th
The most secure way you can lock down your phone for privacy and security. Lockdown mode is making the news this week. What is it? And should you take the extra precaution to protect yourself? I’m digging into the setting and why you may, and definitely don’t want to use it.
Friday, February 13th
The app of the day. Actually, it’s two this week. Productivity apps to help you stay on track. You know when you start working on a project how a notification on your phone to check a text or email can turn into a 20 minute visit to TikTok, Instagram, or something else? Facedown Timer and Not Boring Timer, are unique ways to work or take a break without interruption.
Thursday, February 12th
a hotspot secret most people don’t know. If you ever lose internet at home, you might choose to use your phone’s WiFi hotspot. That might work okay, but there’s another, faster way to connect to the internet. I’m looking and trying the option to use a phone’s USB cable to connect laptops and computers to the internet. Does it work? And why it could save you in case of an outage.
Wednesday, February 11th
Can you imagine losing every photo you’ve ever taken in the last 5-10 years? It happens every day. When people go cleaning out their phone storage they often look first at deleting photos. Thinking those photos are saved in the cloud. But a common mistake deletes those photos from everywhere, even your family member’s phones. I’m looking at how this happens, and what you should do instead.
Tuesday, February 10th
It’s safer internet day and I’m looking at a privacy issue that should make you feel very uneasy. Websites that list almost everything about you that anyone can see. When someone enters your name into these websites they will see your phone numbers, family members, addresses of almost everywhere you’ve ever lived, and even your friends information. I’m looking at what these sites reveal and how to remove your name and information.
Monday, February 9th
The weird AI Super Bowl ad that sent people to a website that asked for their credit card. I was as confused about the second-half commercial for Ai.com. It created an urgency to visit their website and sign up for a handle before someone else does. It also asked for a credit card. So many people scanned the QR code and visited the website that it crashed the server. What is it? I’ve been looking for answers since it aired and I’ll tell you what I found.
Friday, February 6th
update: power went out and there’s no word how long it will be out. And I still have no internet.
The app of the day story comes from last August. It’s Nugs, an app and website for music fans to see their favorite bands live as if they’re at the concert.
Fingers crossed things will be back to normal here over the weekend.
The App of the Day: Cleanup. Everyone has duplicate photos in their camera roll taking up a lot of space. And have you taken a look at your contacts lately? Many of them have a first name only, some are just a number. You can spend hours sifting through them all and deleting ones you don’t need, but can an app do it for you? I’m trying this Cleanup app to see if it really works, and the one thing you don’t want to do that could accidentally cost you over $500.
Thursday, February 5th
what really happens when you report a scam text as “spam”? It not only blocks them to your phone but for everyone else. I’m looking at whether reporting them as spam really helps, and what you should do BEFORE you report them.
Wednesday, February 4th
By now you’ve seen people posting caricatures of themselves created by ChatGPT or another AI platform. Is this safe? And what does it tell us about what AI knows about us all? I’m digging into how the trend works and whether it’s something you want to do. Also, what we can learn about what ChatGPT knows.
Tuesday, February 3rd
Turning off iOS 26. Millions of people updated to iOS 26 and hate it. The operating system completely changes how iPhones look and, in some cases, works. Can you roll it back? Im looking at some of the biggest complaints and how to turn them off.
Monday, February 2nd
Big TVs are on sale for Super Bowl Sunday. Traditionally, this week has been the best time to find deals but that’s changed. I’m looking at some of the Super Bowl TV sales and why it’s no longer the big week for discounts. And, what’s actually at the best prices of the year.
Friday, January 30th
The App of the Day: Speechify. This app uses AI to read and even type what you’re working on. It reads PDFs, text files, articles, and even Kindle books. It also works as your personal assistant to dictate notes, emails, and anything else. And it does all of this in a much more natural voice than the other AI engines.
Thursday, January 29th
I’m going on 100 hours with no power and no computer. I’m unable to do a fresh story again today. My house is apparently one of the very last in all of Middle Tennessee to have power restored. Thankfully, we’ve been shacking up with a friend these last few days and are warm. I’m more hopeful that we’ll have power back by Thursday evening. fingers-crossed. In the meantime, I’d like to suggest “9-29 Apple and Google passwords.” This is another evergreen story from the last 4 months. It’s still relevant. Please look for it in the Dropbox. I hope to have a fresh story for you Friday. And you’re absolutely right: this sucks.
Wednesday, January 28th
Didn’t think i’d still be without power. There is a package from last September in the Dropbox. 9-4 old devices, new life. It’s evergreen and of interest to just about everyone.
Tuesday, January 27th
still no power and barely any internet. I can’t be able to do a story. Please consider running the story 10-21 AI invisible threat. Fingers crossed we’ll get power soon. It’s 47 degrees in my house.
Monday, January 26th
i am not able to do a story today. I haven’t had power since Sunday morning and barely enough cellar to send this. And am iced-in. I went back thru what’s in the Dropbox. The story from10-22 on invisible messages would be fine to use and is still relevant. No word when I’ll get power restored. It’s pretty bad in nashville.
Friday, January 23rd
The App of the Day: Splat. This is primarily an app for kids so it’s a great app for parents who want to give their kids a few minutes of doing something fun. You take a photo of your family, house, pets, or anything else and Splat turns it into a coloring book page. It’s pretty cool and the kids will love it. But there are some drawbacks and stiff competition. I’m taking a look to see if it’s worth the download.
Thursday, January 22nd
Tech in case of an emergency. Some markets are expecting bad weather this weekend. Even if your market is affected, there will be times in the future when you may need to prepare for an emergency, such as a power outage. I thought this would be a good time to take a look at a technology emergency kit we should all have on standby.
Wednesday, January 21st
The tech gadget graveyard. New tech is flashy and everyone talks about it. In the past ten years some of those gadget trends resulted in billions of dollars in sales and investments. And then…went up in flames. I’m looking at the a few pieces of technology that was thought to be the next big thing, and now you can’t even find it.
Tuesday, January 20th
Change how your Facebook and Instagram work. If you’re sick and tired of the things Meta pushes to the front of your Facebook Feed, you can change it. Get rid of the ads, see more friends. It has nothing to do with the scam that makes the rounds every few months. It is a very real option to reclaim your feed. I don’t think most people know about this and Facebook hides it pretty well in settings. I’ll also show how to refresh your Instagram and TikTok algorithms.
Monday, January 19th
Wireless TVs. No matter how beautiful your TV is, there’s an ugly side. Wires. They make for a wad behind the set and there are wires hanging down everywhere. I’m looking at the world’s first totally wireless TV. Not only does it run on batteries, you can mount it anywhere using suction cups. You’ve got to see it to believe it.
Friday, January 16th
The App of the Day: Are you dead yet? This is a real app that has jumped to the top of the app store charts. The Chinese app aims to protect people from dying alone. It’s a weird idea but it’s kind of genius at the same time. By the way, this story will be very short. It’s a simple app to explain and there’s really only one button. I find it fascinating and it’s a talker.
Thursday, January 15th
Accessibility. One of my favorite tech areas to visit at CES is Eureka Park. It’s a section of the show where inventors unveil their latest ideas. And one of the biggest parts of Eureka Park is accessibility. I’m looking at a few gadgets and new tech designed to help people who are aging, or have mobility, loss of sight or hearing. Some of these tech inventions are quite interesting and could help someone in your family.
Wednesday, January 14th
when we think of scams we often picture older adults. It’s true that scammers target people over the age of 70, but the fact is, young people are twice as likely to fall for a scam than their grandparents. I’m looking at which scams target age groups. It’ll give you a reason to talk to your kids.
Tuesday, January 13th
Settings to change on your iPhone before you go to bed. Whenever I get a new phone there are a few settings I make sure to change right away. Some are for security and some that just make the phone easier to use. I’m looking at 3 things that are easy to change and that will make your daily experience much better.
Monday, January 12th
what happens to small businesses and big brands after CES ends? I always find it interesting to hear why some of those small companies and inventors invest the money to display their technology. I talked to several companies about why and what they do when they return home.
Friday, January 9th
CES Day 5. the wild and the weird. I’ve looked at over 100 gadgets this week. Some are brilliant but others? They’re pretty weird. I’m wrapping up this week of stories with a look at some of the things that made me say “but why?”
Thursday, January 8th
CES Day 4: robots. They’ve always been a fixture at CES but this year brings more excitement because they’re actually doing things to help. If the only robots you’ve seen are vacuum cleaners, wait until you see these humanoid robots. They look straight out of Star Wars and are ready to go to work.
Wednesday, January 7th
Day 3 of CES and I’m looking at health tech. Not long ago health tech here meant advances that could be found in hospitals. Today, health tech is more consumer driven. I’m looking at tech devices that can help us live longer.
Tuesday, January 6th
Day two of CES is actually the day the doors open for the big show. Before it gets going though, I’m looking at some helpful tech from smaller companies. Tech solutions for things you probably haven’t even thought of. A pet smoke alarm, a set of earbuds you’ll never lose, a smart ring to record anything you want it to, and a smart doggy door that lets your pooch come and go without you needing to open the door.
Monday, January 5th
sorry for the late pitch here. time change. This is day one coverage of CES and I’m focused on the weird or “oh-wow” products from small companies and entrepreneurs.
Friday, January 2nd
Since CES begins next week I’m looking at some of the weirdest things I’ve seen. Things that make a splash and then disappear. I’ll also look ahead at some of the biggest flops. It’ll be a piece to promote our coverage next week and how your station will be the only one in the market who’s sent a reporter to the show in Vegas.
Thursday, January 1st
Happy New Year. I’m wrapping up the “best apps of the year” with RoboForm. We should all resolve to do better with our passwords. RoboForm is a password saver app that sets impossible-to-guess passwords and remembers all of them for you.
Wednesday, December 31st
App of the Year: Touch Grass. If we admit it, we all feel we spend too much time on our phones. This app, Touch Grass, does what most apps don’t do: helps us put the phone down. If you spend too much time scrolling TikTok or Instagram, Touch Grass will shut it down after a certain amount of time. To open the app again, you must literally go outside and Touch Grass. And if you skip? It costs you real money.
Tuesday, December 30th
App of the Year: Focus Friend. This app was created and developed by a YouTuber named Hank Green as a way to help people with ADHD stay on a task. It was released earlier this year and quickly jumped to the top of the app stores. Focus Friend gives you a little buddy to help you focus on one thing without interruptions or temptations from a smartphone.
Monday, December 29th
All this week I’ll be looking at the top apps of 2025. I reviewed 52 apps this year and have marked these as the best of the year. Apps that deserve a space on your home screen. Today, it’s a look at Google Gemini and how even iPhone users may want to use it rather than Siri.
Friday, December 26th
It’s common that WiFi connections slow down in the days following Christmas. Maybe Netflix is suddenly buffering, video games stop, and laptop browsing slows to a crawl. It isn’t that your WiFi suddenly got slower, it just got a lot busier. I’m looking at what’s affecting your internet connection and how to speed things up.
Thursday, December 25th
Over the next week or so people will begin packing up the tree and all of the ornaments and put them back in storage. We try to keep them organized but every year, when we’re pulling them out again, we wish we’d done a better job of it. I’m looking at an inexpensive solution to storing Christmas decorations, or anything for that matter. It’s QR code stickers and a phone.
Wednesday, December 24th
Merry Christmas Eve. In the next few days, viewers will be buried in a stack of empty shipping boxes, many of which would normally end up in landfills. This story shows how those boxes can be repurposed through “Give Back Box,” a program that lets people refill boxes with items they no longer use and ship them as donations to partner charities at no cost.
Tuesday, December 23rd
There’s nothing worse for kids on Christmas morning than to have to wait hours to play with the gift they’ve been asking for all year. If you’ve already wrapped some things and put them under the tree, you might need to open them before the kids wake up. I’m looking at which gifts need to be unwrapped and plugged in before Christmas morning. And why.
Monday, December 22nd
You know about last-minute gifts, how about last-second? Let’s say someone gives you a present and you didn’t get them anything. I’m rounding up a few ideas, dare I say genius ideas, that you can give them by simply leaving the room for a few minutes. And some of them could be the best thing they get all year.
Friday, December 19th
Holiday highway travel is expected to hit record levels, and millions of people will be spending hours on interstates trying to get home to family. One of the biggest travel stressors is deciding when to exit for gas, food, or a bathroom break. Today’s App of the Day solves that problem in real time. iExit shows exactly what’s at every upcoming exit before you pass it. Restaurants, gas stations, hotels, even rest areas. Drivers can stop guessing, stop arguing with the GPS, and stop taking exits they regret two minutes later.
Thursday, December 18th
Gift ideas for someone who works from home. Someone on your list probably sits at a desk and stares at a computer all day. Rather than giving them just another sweater, or gift card, an office gadget will be something they use every single day. I’m rounding up a few ideas to make WFH, a lot easier.
Wednesday, December 17th
Top tech for kids to keep them off screens. Lots of parents would love to help their kids unplug but the big temptation is to give them video games and more screens. I’m looking at a few tech toys to encourage learning and fun without having to go online.
Tuesday, December 16th
Tech gadget stocking stuffers. Most kids ignore the Christmas stocking. There’s usually not much in it other than a piece of fruit and some candy canes. I’m rounding up some small tech gadgets that are perfect for slipping into the stocking for a big surprise.
Monday, December 15th
The best tech gadgets of the last 10 years. I buy and try an awful lot of tech gadgets. Most that I review come and go. A few stand the test of time. I’ve rounded up some things I use almost every day. Tech that may be expensive but I think are worth every penny.
Friday, December 12th
The app of the day: Tiimo. This is Apple’s App of the Year. Designed to help kids with ADHD and autism, many adults have found it to be their personal go-to app to keep them on schedule. It’s a planner and To-do app powered by AI.
Thursday, December 11th
Instagram is pulling back the curtain on everyone’s least favorite thing about social media. The algorithm. New AI tools were introduced yesterday that allows Insta users to see why the algorithm shows you some subjects more. Plus, it allows users to choose what subjects they want to see more of, and which ones they don’t want to see at all. It’s a major improvement. I’ll explain how it works and how to make some changes.
Wednesday, December 10th
the most personal Christmas gift idea of all time. Many of us have old VHS tapes lying around the house filled with family memories. What we don’t have are ways to watch them. You can send them off to a company and pay several hundred dollars to have them digitized, or you can pick up a gadget and do it yourself. Whether you’re planning to give someone those family videos as a gift, or if they love doing it themselves, I’m showing an inexpensive gadget to preserve videos from decades ago.
Tuesday, December 9th
Gift ideas for zoomers and streamers. Ten years ago no one had even heard the words. Now? There are millions of people who go on Zoom every day. And if you have a younger person on your list, they might regularly stream live from their desk, bedroom, or another room in the house. They’d love to make their videos look and sound better. I’m taking a look at some gadget gift ideas sure to be of interest to anyone who ever sits in front of a webcam.
Monday, December 8th
Tip your driver. Amazon delivery drivers are some of the hardest-working people in America during the holidays. Over 250,000 people spend up to 9 hours a day driving around towns and walking packages to doorsteps. Now you can give them a $5 tip without costing you anything. Amazon has returned it’s “Tip Your Driver” feature for Prime members. How does it work? I’m looking at what you need to do and why it won’t come out of your pocket.
Friday, December 5th
Two sisters had a problem having a family gift exchange. Some of their family members were spread out over other states. The husband of one sister came up with the idea for the app “Elfster”. It helps families and other groups organize dirty Santa/Yankee swap or other gift exchanges. It’s brilliant.
Thursday, December 4th
Millions of dollars in merchandise is on delivery trucks. Shoppers who’ve ordered them are excited to get them. Scammers know this and are sending fake text messages saying there’s a problem with the shipment. The FCC says young people are the targets. I’m looking at how these text messages appear, what happens if you click on one and why they’re so successful.
Wednesday, December 3rd
Gadget gift ideas for dad. Most dads love gadgets and tools. I’ve rounded up some gift ideas they might not only like, but will make their dad friends a little jealous.
Tuesday, December 2nd
Gadget gift ideas for mom. Most mom’s I know don’t think about they need or will even use a tech gadget. But no matter what your mom enjoys, she can use at least one of these gadgets.
Monday, December 1st
If you have someone on your list who travels, it’s lucky for you. They’re very easy to buy for. I’m rounding up some useful gadget gifts for anyone who’ll be traveling next year.
Friday, November 28th
Not sure what to give someone on your list? Rather than settling for a gift card, Giftster allows everyone to mark what they’d like to get. It’s a group-wide shopping list with a few really cool features.
Thursday, November 27th
Happy Thanksgiving. We’ve been shopping online for over a decade now and we’re still talking about porch pirates. It’s a huge problem for shoppers, and Amazon for that matter. I’m looking at the problem and a few tips on how to guard your deliveries before you order them. For any station that needs more content, see the note above about an extra story on shopping online and popular products.
Wednesday, November 26th
Everyone will shop on their phones on-the-go during the holidays. Is it safe? Not always. While phones have become much better at keeping your credit cards and information safe, criminals are still using trying to trick people into giving their information away. They set up their own WiFi network and hope someone will use it. Experts say it’s been around for over a decade but it still works, especially in airports and hotels. I’m explaining how it works and the best way to avoid it.
Tuesday, November 25th
Everyone will be shopping online over the holidays, but when is the best time to shop? Believe it or not, the best deals are at specific times of day. Research shows it’s better to shop sometime other than when you’re at work and on Fridays and Saturdays. I’m looking at this research to pinpoint the best times to find deals.
Monday, November 24th
Don’t you miss family sitting around the Thanksgiving table, eating and talking? Now, someone always takes out their phone and is immediately taken somewhere else. I have an idea to get people to leave their phones behind and it works. I’m showing how to politely get people off their phones by connecting quickly to your WiFi, putting the phones in a basket and then having everyone download any updates they need.
Friday, November 21st
The App of the Day: Tasty. There are dozens of recipe and cooking apps in the app stores. Tasty is perhaps the best for amateur chefs. If you’ve ever tried following a recipe on your phone you know it requires a lot of taps, a lot of swipes, and sitting through long videos to see watch someone else prepare it. Tasty makes it a lot easier and could be your favorite app over the holidays.
Thursday, November 20th
The question I get from viewers more than anything else is “help me get my Facebook account back”. It often happens because someone hijacks your account but it primarily happens because people forget their Facebook password. And what happens if you get locked out? You’ve lost all of those photos, contacts, memories, and everything else you’ve ever posted or shared. But you can protect your account ahead of time by downloading your Facebook uploads. I’m showing how to do this and why you should do it right away.
Wednesday, November 19th
I’m doing the Roblox story today. I hope you were able to shift gears for the story on Cloudflare yesterday.
Roblox to require photos to prove the age of users. Roblox, the insanely popular game platform for kids, will soon require kids to upload selfies to verify their ages. It’s come under fire many times for allowing adults to contact and have conversations with children. It’s being sued in three states for failing to protect children. I’m looking at the steps its taking to keep strangers away from children by estimating their ages.
Tuesday, November 18th
update, change of story
I’m shifting gears to do something on the Cloudflare outage. Explaining why these things can happen. I’ll save the Roblox story for tomorrow
I’ll explain what Cloudflare is and does, and why so many websites go down if it is affected. There are some suspicious things that are raising some concern. Could it have been an attack from a state-sponsored hacking group? I’ll have this story done by 4PM today if you want to run it in an early newscast.
Monday, November 17th
Dollar deals at Amazon. If you’re paying $140 a year for Amazon Prime just to get free shipping, you might want to do it some other way. Anyone can get free shipping if they spend at least $35 on an order. That isn’t always easy but a new website can help find cheap items to reach the minimum order to get free shipping. And for Prime members, just one of these cheap items can get your orders delivered overnight.
Friday, November 14th
The App of the Day: WhatNot. Want to make some money for the holidays? This is an app that can quickly turn into a side hustle. WhatNot (I can’t believe how many people have never heard of it) allows users to walk around their house, show things they want to sell, and sell it to people. It’s like an easy yard sale without needing to haul everything outside. It’s also a good place to buy Christmas presents.
Thursday, November 13th
Does it seem you’re getting more spam calls and texts? It isn’t your imagination. This is peak spam season and you may be getting more spam than actual texts and calls. Spammers are taking advantage of open enrollment and medicare enrollment to trick people into talking to bots and scammers. But iPhone and Android have added blockers to keep these things from interrupting your days. But you may need to turn it on. I’m looking at why spam texts are up and how to activate the new blockers. How well do they work?
Wednesday, November 12th
Wrapping up a look at the streaming wars uncovering what needs to be known about a relatively small-player “DirectTV Stream”. It’s the service most like cable and satellite. It doesn’t do as much advertising as the other services so there are a lot of questions about it. I’m trying it out to see if it’s a good option to YouTube, Hulu+, and the others.
Tuesday, November 11th
Streaming wars part two. YouTubeTV and Hulu are the two biggest players in the streaming platforms. I’ve talked to a lot of YouTubeTV people who wonder about Hulu+ Live TV. I’m comparing the two. Channels, price, bundles, and other things you need to know before choosing one or the other.
Monday, November 10th
There’s been a good bit of engagement on the stories about streaming options. This week I’m going to devote time to looking at the pros and cons of each one. I’ll be talking about some of the options each day to help people make a good decision. Today, I’ll take a closer look at Fubo and Philo. One targets sports fans and one is for viewers who aren’t interested in sports. Are they a good deal?
Friday, November 7th
The App of the Day: Tody. Are you having trouble getting the kids to help with the housework? Maybe your spouse or partner never seems to lift a finger to dust or scrub the bathrooms. There’s an app for that. Tody assigns chores and tracks when they’re being done. Not only that, it sets up a schedule for when it needs to be done again. Parents say it’s very helpful with neurodivergent children.
Thursday, November 6th
Remember when we loved hearing “You’ve Got Mail”. Email was so much more interesting then. Today, our inboxes are out of control. If you’ve been using the same email address since 2010, it might be time to make a change. I’m looking at the reasons you might want to get a brand new email address to save yourself from junk, spam, and scammers.
Wednesday, November 5th
What’s hot this Christmas? Google just released its list of 100 hot gift ideas, based on what people are searching or ‘Googling’. It’s a good indicator of gifts that could sell out early. If you have one of these gifts on your shopping list, you may not want to wait til Black Friday to get it.
Tuesday, November 4th
If you have an IPhone or iPad and you hate the look of your phone since installing the last update, you know have a chance to reverse what many call an ugly update. Liquid Glass? Many users say it makes it harder to see the screen, camera app always opening on accident? You can keep it from happening. There are many changes in the latest iOS, and you don’t want to miss them.
Monday, November 3rd
About 10 million YouTube TV subscribers are reviewing other streaming services while Disney and Google feud over money and the rights to include ESPN, ABC, and other Disney-owned properties. What’s the difference in YTTV, Hulu+ Live TV, Fubo, and Sling? Can you save money? Can you get the channels you want? I’m comparing the four services to help you pick the one that’s right for you and your wallet.
Friday, October 31st
The App of the Day: “Flight Tracker+”. If you spend time in airports, you might need an app to keep you notified of delays, cancellations, and changes. This app uses data straight from the control towers to show, not only when you’ll leave or arrive, but the plane’s daily history, where to pick up your bags, and other information that can save you time and headaches.
Thursday, October 30th
A good time to shop outside Amazon. Sure, Amazon has fast delivery and endless options, but with tariffs and short supply on some items, visiting the manufacturers’ websites is worth the effort. Sony, Apple, Samsung, and Dell are offering special deals if you shop directly with them. I’m comparing a few prices and looking at why they’re worth the visit.
Wednesday, October 29th
how to choose the ideal size of a TV for the size of a room. Many people will buy new TVs during the holidays and many of them will choose a TV that’s far too big for the room. Seems everyone wants an 85” TV. You can save hundreds of dollars or get a better TV, by selecting an ideal size. I’ve got a simple rule-of-thumb to help decide, plus what do all of those terms (OLED, UHD, Super UHD, etc) mean?
Tuesday, October 28th
Safe trick-or-treating. Your kids know where the good candy is, but do you know who lives there? There are 850,000 convicted sex offenders living in neighborhoods all over the country. Some state laws prohibit them handing out candy, decorating, or even keeping the lights on Halloween night. (check your state’s laws). I’m looking at a public database of sex offenders and how to check your neighborhood before the kids leave the house.
Monday, October 27th
A warning about Apple AirTags. A sheriff’s department in Florida arrested two suspects and charged them with stalking and kidnapping a couple after hiding an AirTag under their car. There’s video of the suspects approaching the couple when they arrived home and forcing them into the garage. I’m looking at the dangers of AirTags and how you’ll know if one is following you. Maybe.
Friday, October 24th
The App of the Day: JustWatch. It’s the very best way to find Halloween and holiday movies. I’m always surprised when someone says they’ve never heard of it. If you subscribe to multiple streaming channels it’s impossible to search for something to watch unless you open and close each streaming service individually. JustWatch puts all of your options in one place.
Thursday, October 23rd
Meta launches new tools to help seniors. No one is scammed more than seniors on Facebook. They lose billions every year to scammers on fake websites, links, and messages. Meta just launched some tools to help protect them. I’ll explain the scams they fall for the most and whether you need to turn them on.
Wednesday, October 22nd
Yesterday’s story mentioned how cyber criminals are hiding text to trick AI. Did you know the trick they use has been used for years among kids cheating on tests and hiding things from their parents. Cheating adult partners have used it to hide their little secrets. I’m taking a look at how they pull this off and what parents and suspicious spouses ought to know.
Tuesday, October 21st
You’ve probably used the AI tools now embedded in nearly all web browsers. Maybe you like them, maybe you don’t. They’re helpful but they are also vulnerable to attacks. Hackers are hiding code in websites to try and get your personal and private information. I’m explaining what you need to know about AI browsers and, if you’re concerned, how to turn them off.
Monday, October 20th
I’ve fought with the story I pitched this morning most of the day. Turns out it isn’t as simple as I thought it would be and not everyone will be able to set it up. It depends on which version of each AI platform you use. So, until I get that figured out I’m going to refresh a story from earlier this year on TV antennas and why everyone needs one. I’ll get back to the assistant at another time.
Turn an old phone into a personal assistant. Who wouldn’t want a personal assistant to book restaurant reservations, get feedback on an idea, or just ask for information? If you have an old phone or tablet lying around, you have a voice assistant just waiting to be put to work. I’m looking at a new use for an old phone, using an AI platform to create your own work buddy.
Friday, October 17th
The App of the Day: RoboForm. Passwords are hard if you do them right. A solution is a dedicated password manager. There are several to consider and RoboForm is the oldest, and most secure. Plus, it costs much less than the others. I’m looking at this app, how it works, and why it’s a must-have if you don’t already use a password manager.
Thursday, October 16th
Meta says Facebook takes action on billions of fake accounts every year. About a billion a quarter! Most of those are caught before they go live but it shows just how many fake bots are trying to create profiles to scam us. Fortunately, there’s a clue as to whether a profile is fake or real. It’s just two words: Digital Creator. I’m looking into how bots set up fake accounts and how to spot them.
Wednesday, October 15th
Have you ever noticed some people who have their Facebook pages “hacked”, or cloned, seem to be scammed over and over and over again? There’s a major reason why this happens and yet few people know about it. I’m looking at why Facebook profiles get cloned and how to prevent it from happening to you.
Tuesday, October 14th
Would you walk up to someone and tell them where you live? If a cyber crook targets you and gets your address they can see exactly where you live on Google Maps or Earth. They can see what cars are in the driveway, whether there’s a fence in the backyard, where the doors are, etc. I’m showing why this is a problem and how to remove your house from Streetview.
Monday, October 13th
It’s Cyber Security Awareness Month and unless something in the tech world becomes a big deal, I’m going to focus on protecting yourself online all week. Today, it’s the biggest scam of 2025: AI voice clones. You get a call from your daughter or your mom in the middle of the night and they are crying and asking for money. I’m showing how easy it is for someone to pull off the scam and how to protect yourself and your family.
Friday, October 10th
It’s party time people. With the holidays approaching, hosts will soon plan their parties. E-vites are definitely the way to go but what should you use? Facebook Messenger or Events? Text? Email? What’s the best way to get the word out and give invitees an easy way to respond? This app of the day “Partiful” makes it easy to create and send high-quality evites.
Thursday, October 9th
Okay, I admit tying a tech story to Columbus Day (Monday) seems a big stretch, but I’ve been considering this since last year. Columbus relied on the stars to find his way. We just punch an address into an app. How does your phone know where you are? It’s satellites, of course, but there are some interesting points most people don’t know or even think about. I’m looking at how it works and how new phones even use barometric pressure to find out exactly where you are.
Wednesday, October 8th
Is the gift you receive this Christmas “thoughtful” or Chat GPT? Gift suggestions is one of the most common AI prompts. If you’re sitting around the tree and everyone gets the same unique gift? That’s AI. I’m looking into how Chat GPT goes about suggesting gifts and why it often misses the mark.
Tuesday, October 7th
What are the risks of Amazon’s “Buy Now, Pay Later” option? With Prime Days here, millions of people will use BNPL to split the costs of what they order. Who is it for? Is it better than using a credit card? What every shopper needs to know before taking clicking the button.
Monday, October 6th
Cleaning out old email. Some of us have thousands of old emails clogging up our inbox. My wife? She has more than 15,000 old emails taking up over 90% of her Google storage limit. You can go through and delete the ones you don’t need one at a time, or use a little trick to delete thousands of them in one fell swoop. This is a how-to story that should live a long time on your websites.
Friday, October 3rd
The App of the Day, Focus Friend. This app was created for people who suffer from ADHD, but I think most of us can use it. Focus Friend makes it easy and fun to set timers on things you’re supposed to be doing. Very helpful for young kids and anyone with learning and comprehension issues. It’s also good for anyone who gets addicted to a particular app. Set a timer and a Bean friend makes a game out of focusing. It blocks apps after setting time limits, and rewards users who stay on task.
Thursday, October 2nd
Are social media sites REALLY listening to you? We’ve all had it happen, we’re talking to a friend about running shoes and suddenly, you’re seeing ads and clips about running shoes all over Facebook and Instagram. So, these platforms have to be listening to you through your phone’s microphone. Right? Instagram’s CEO released a video insisting it isn’t. But he also alluded to something most of us have never considered. I’m looking at the internet-age-old question and find a possible answer.
Wednesday, October 1st
How might the government shutdown affect tech? Some things you may not have thought about. Sure, the shutdown will affect national parks, the TSA, and Medicaid and Medicare payments may be delayed. But there’s one thing you can count on:scammers will take advantage of the shutdown. I’m looking at the most likely scams hitting your phone and email, and what to watch out for.
Tuesday, September 30th
How to claim your share of Amazon’s billion-dollar settlement. The FTC is ordering Amazon to pay out over $2.5 billion to customers after finding the retailer made it too difficult to cancel Prime accounts. I’m looking at who’s eligible to file a claim, how, and how much you can expect to receive.
Monday, September 29th
Passwords are the bane of our existence on the internet. So many to remember and they must be difficult and different for each account. If you have an iPhone it’s now easier, even if you do work on a PC. I’m looking at Apple’s new(ish) Passwords app and how it can protect you online while making it easy to remember the hundreds of passwords you’re supposed to know.
Friday, September 26th
The app of the day Notion. Is it possible to be so organized you’re unorganized? If you’re like a lot of people you save ideas, notes, websites, calendar updates, and contacts in a number of different places. You may also have a ton of apps that you think will keep you on track. Notion is perhaps the best app I’ve found that does all of those things, no matter if you’re on a phone or a computer. It just added an AI tool that can even replace Chat GPT.
Thursday, September 25th
Some of us have great memories of walking through K-Mart, Circuit City, Forever 21, and Radio Shack. Those retailers filed for bankruptcy and closed all of their stores in recent years. But if you’re feeling a bit nostalgic or tired of giving Amazon all of your shopping dollars, you might be interested to know. you can still shop at those closed stores. Yes, you can still shop at K-Mart online. Who’d have known?
Wednesday, September 24th
Remember when cord cutting was a cost-saving decision? Hulu and Disney+ have announced another price increase. If you subscribe to one of those or YouTube along with Netflix you may be shocked to see how much those prices have gone up since many of us canceled cable. I’m looking at what we paid a few years ago and what we’re paying now. And it’s a lot like cable prices. I’ll also look at the best way to save money when it comes to streaming.
Tuesday, September 23rd
Did you get an email or text about receiving a payout from Facebook’s Privacy Settlement? It could be a scam. Facebook settled a class action lawsuit for $725 million for using your data without permission. Those who joined the suit earlier this year are getting notifications saying their money is available. Scammers are taking advantage of it. I’m looking at what the notifications look like, how to tell if its a scam, and how much it should be.
Monday, September 22nd
What you need to know about traveling with tech. If you’re traveling overseas you’re gonna need to plan ahead to keep things charged and use a hairdryer. The plugs you see in Europe, Asia, and other parts fo the world aren’t like the ones we use here. But it’s more than just how many prongs are on your chargers. One false move can blow up a hairdryer, curling iron, or even phone chargers.
Friday, September 19th
Greystones 5: is there anything we can learn from this small Irish town? Can cities, parents, schools, classes or just a friends group do the same thing? Is there a secret to starting an “It Takes a Village” in your community? The folks in Greystones who’ve made it work have some advice.
Thursday, September 18th
Greystones 4: How do kids feel about the voluntary ban on smartphones? The secret seems to be how schools and parents framed the initiative as not taking something away, but giving the kids something. This story looks at how phones and social media can rob kids of their innocence and I talk with the kids who are okay with it.
Wednesday, September 17th
In the town where kids have no phones, parents were the key in its success. They get a chance to share their opinions today. How this pact made it easier for them to make the decision, and the differences they’ve seen in their children since they and their friends left smartphones behind.
Tuesday, September 16th
The children without smartphones. It’s been 2+ years since parents in Greystones, Ireland made the pledge to hold off on giving kids smartphones. What’s been the impact? I’m talking to teachers and a chaplain who say grades and behavior have improved among the kids without phones.
Monday, September 15th
The children without smartphones. I’m kicking off a series of stories today about Greystones, Ireland. A town where parents made a pact to delay giving their children smartphones. In America, about half of all children under the age of 12 have phones. Greystones educators discovered they’re causing a big problem with their children. Today I’m looking at how the initiative got started.
Note: I will have these stories done and uploaded by 1PM every day if you want to air them all this week. There’s also two promos in the Dropbox. One is :05, the other :15. Sorry I didn’t do more or time them better, but they’re there if you want to do something with them.
Friday, September 12th
The App of the Day “Crash Companion”. I’m refreshing this story from last year. If you’ve ever been in a minor fender-bender, you probably know it can take police a very long time to respond. Minor accidents are not a priority in most cities. Crash Companion, is a free smartphone app to help people involved in those accidents, compile all of the information they’ll need for insurance. It’s an especially helpful app for young people and seniors who may be rattled by the accident and not gather the information. I featured this app last summer and am refreshing it as a new piece.