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Friday, September 11th
The App of the Day: My Mind. My daughter told me about this app that her friends are using. It’s an app that allows you to save things in one place. Find a blog post to read later? A recipe you want to try? A post on social media that you’ll share later? Whether you find it on your phone or on a computer, you can save it in My Mind. Other apps can do this, but people seem to love this one because it’s so simple to use.
Thursday, September 10th
what do they mean AI will kill us? You probably saw the headline yesterday, a chief scientist with Anthropic (the company behind Claude) quit his job and warned AI could end humanity within the decade. And other AI experts agree. A 10% chance! How? What do they mean? Is it robots? Or something else?
Wednesday, September 9th
It’s Apple Release Day. And it’s a big one. Apple is set to unveil a new foldable iPhone, an iPhone 18, a new Apple Watch, and Airpods with built-in cameras. The event starts at noon CT. I’ll wrap things up with what’s coming in time for Christmas and why the prices have gone up. One new iPhone will cost more than 3 Macbook Neos.
Tuesday, September 8th
This pitch page did not update this morning from my iPad. My apologies. Have you ever put something somewhere and then can’t remember where you put it? We all have. Now, AI can remember for you. Not all AI. Not Siri. Not Alexa. Not ChatGPT. But Gemini has a new memory feature that can tell you, months from now, where you put something.
Monday, September 7th
Happy Labor Day. Have you seen the posts warning people that thieves are stealing cars by hijacking key fobs after the driver parks and walks away? It’s true. You park your car, lock it with a key fob and think it’s secure. Nearby, a couple of crooks are using a tech device to clone your key fob and unlock the car. I’m explaining how this works and what (if anything) you can do to protect yourself.
Friday, September 4th
The App of the Day: Zigazoo. I wanted to include this app in last week’s app of the day segment. But the restrictions on who can set up an account is legit. No one can have an account without uploading a video selfie with parent and child. And my tricks didn’t work. That’s great news for parents. It’s another “TikTok for kids” app. And one of the most secure apps I’ve ever seen.
Thursday, September 3rd
Download these apps for Labor Day travel. Lots of folks will pack into the car for a three-day weekend celebration to end summer. If you’ve got kids, or even if you’re traveling without them, there are several apps you’ll want to have on your phone before pulling out of the driveway. I’m looking at apps to help save money, keep people occupied, keep your phone charged, and just a little more fun without TikTok or Instagram doomscrolling.
Wednesday, September 2nd
The football season kicks off in earnest this weekend, and your TV may not be ready. I don’t know how many people spend hundreds of dollars on a big-screen 4K TV, but the picture looks terrible. Especially for sports. I’m looking at a few settings you should check, and probably change, before the coin toss.
Tuesday, September 1st
Have you ever been watching a football game and hear the neighbors scream about a touchdown 30 seconds before you see it on TV? There’s a reason for that. Football season kicks off this weekend for many fans who’ll watch more than a few games on their streaming platforms. Delays are frustrating, especially if someone in another room is watching 20-30 seconds ahead of you. I’m looking at why this happens and a simple trick to get closer to watching live.
Monday, August 31st
Have you been ‘flocked’. The Flock debate heats up a little more everyday. Has your license plate been “flocked”? I’m looking at a website that might show you exactly when and where your tag was captured and searched for using the Flock system.
Friday, August 28th
The App of the Day: CoverStar. Kids want TikTok. Parents want something safer. Let’s not even pretend that TikTok is only for people 13 and over. Some younger kids spend hours scrolling the videos and they might run across something inappropriate for their age. Coverstar claims it’s a ‘safer kid-friendly TikTok’.
Thursday, August 27th
Chat GPT for teens. Open AI introduced a teen version of Chat GPT last week. It is to address a couple of serious issues and concerns. It has guardrails to keep teens from engaging with AI at the risk of personal relationships and from getting all the answers and help with school. I’m looking at what it is and why parents shouldn’t think they don’t need to monitor Chat GPT
Wednesday, August 26th
A breaking news WTT story. Meta has agreed to pay over $16 and a half billion to states that brought a lawsuit alleging Meta doesn’t do enough to protect teens on the platforms. But there’s much more. Meta is changing HOW teens can use Instagram and Facebook. Setting closing times at night and during school along with other safeguards. I’m taking a look at the changes and what it means to parents.
Tuesday, August 25th
Answering viewer email. She received a popup on her phone saying her phone had over 121 viruses and urging her to install a ‘cleaner app’, to remove them. This viewer was very concerned something was spying on her phone and she almost installed it. But she asked first. I’m looking at how these strange popups can appear on the screen and whether anyone needs an app that claims to protect your phone.
Monday, August 24th
Does Digital ID work? A few months back I covered Apple’s new Digital ID. It allows you to walk through airport security without your passport or driver’s license. Just tap your phone at the TSA entry point. Does it work? I tried it last week at three airports to see if it does. The answer plus why you shouldn’t rely on it.
Friday, August 21st
The App of the Day: Coin Snap. An old coin just sold at auction for $27,000. And some old change you have around the house might be worth than you think. Most of the time a penny just looks like a penny. I’m looking at an app that uses AI to identify any coin with just a photo. It also tells you what it’s worth.
Thursday, August 20th
Can you still trust 5-star reviews? It’s easy for anyone to use AI to create glowing reviews. How easy? I’m using AI to create reviews for a fake restaurant to see just how good it is and tricking people. I’m also looking at some best practices to check reviews and what companies are doing to combat it.
Wednesday, August 19th
with school starting back a new set of parents are dealing with the “when to give my kid a phone”. Parents want to know where their kids are, but everyone agrees giving a children a smartphone too soon. Last year I gave an 11 year old a Bark phone, a phone that gives parents control over what they can do and what they can see. A year later I’m talking with the boy and his mom about what they’ve found and what they think about the phone.
Tuesday, August 18th
Today’s story on the Bark phone completely fell apart about 45 minutes before deadline. actions wouldn’t work. audio was lost. I’m pulling out this story from last March on how some free apps can cost hundreds of dollars a year, if you’re not paying attention.
Monday, August 17th
Facebook Marketplace scams. Meta says 3.5 million items are listed on Marketplace every day. And scammers are following the money. I stumbled on a new scam when a friend posted an item for sale. I’m looking at how an old scam is evolving to trick people using online payment methods.
Friday, August 14th
The App of the Day: ElevenReader. Back to school means back to reading assignments, text books, and other sometimes-boring content. For students who learn better by listening, ElevenReader may be a solution. This app turns any text into speech. But the cool thing is it uses AI to mimic the voices of famous people. Maya Angelou reads Chapter 2 of a science textbook. Burt Reynolds reads your class notes.
Thursday, August 13th
What’s worse than weak passwords? Weak PIN codes and Passcodes. Sure, a scammer getting hold of a password can cause trouble but if a thief grabs your phone knowing a PIN code, they can take everything. Control of your bank accounts and credit cards, they can lock you out of your Apple account, send themselves money through Venmo or the Cash app, and steal your identity. All in a matter of minutes. Police report an increase in phone thefts with a twist. The thief sneaks a peek at your passcode before swiping it. I’m looking at best practices with PINs, and the weak codes everyone’s using.
Wednesday, August 12th
The next iPhone will reportedly cost more. The new Pro Ultra is projected to start at around $2,000 while the least expensive is said to be around $1,099. Should you upgrade? Many people get the new phone every time it’s released but the 38% increase along with a new Apple policy on the lease may make you think twice. I’m looking at who shouldn’t upgrade and why, for others, you might need to.
Tuesday, August 11th
Following up on Monday’s story about accounts left behind, I’m looking specifically at how to share passwords after you’re gone. Most people have hundreds if not thousands of passwords for online accounts. Many of those (I hope) are unique to each account. So how do you make sure a trusted friend or family member can get them after you pass away? It’s something we don’t like to think about, but it’s actually very important and takes a lot of burden off your family. I’m looking at a couple of ways to do it.
Monday, August 10th
There are nearly 70 million Facebook profiles belonging to deceased people. Those are just people from the U.S. And many of them are just sitting there because friends and family members can’t log into it. When someone dies, people know what happens to the house and the car, but they also leave behind an extensive digital estate. What happens to the photos, contacts, documents, and everything else no one can access? I’m looking at how to make things easier on your family.
Friday, August 7th
The App of the Day: Seller. Facebook quietly rolled out a new app for Facebook Marketplace sellers. Seller is a standalone app where Marketplace users can better keep track of their listings and improve them more easily. I was skeptical of it being much more than marginally better than opening the Facebook app, but for people who use Marketplace a lot (there are over 400 million listings at the moment), this is a big improvement.
Thursday, August, 6th
Following up on yesterday’s Digital Creator story, I’m looking at why someone should and should not turn on professional mode on Facebook. How much can you earn from your posts? And what are the downsides? There are viewers who should not even consider becoming a digital creator.
Wednesday, August 5th
have you noticed more Facebook friends who now say they are a “digital creator”? It’s everywhere now. That first-grade teacher from 20 years ago is now a “digital creator” according to Facebook. What does this mean? And what happens if you turn on professional mode? I’m looking at the pros and cons of doing what Facebook wants you to do.
Tuesday, August 4th
What you need to know about chargers and cables. Many schools now send students home with iPads or Chromebooks, which gives parents just one more thing to think about every night: making sure they’re fully charged each morning. The same is true for all of us these days. There is a big difference between charging cables and blocks, and using the wrong one can keep you from leaving the house with a fully charged device. Just because a cable fits doesn’t mean it works.
Monday, August 3rd
The dangers of hotel WiFi. Microsoft issued a security warning that hotel and other hospitality WiFi networks are being compromised by Russian hackers. Users are following the sign-in pages for logging into free WiFi but are taken to pages that look legitimate but steal the user’s data. If you stay in hotels, you most likely log into the hotel WiFi. I’m looking at the threat and what we should all do instead.
Friday, July 31st
The App of the Day, “RunPee”. Going to see The Odyssey? Or another summer blockbuster? 3-hour movies pose a challenge. Not having to get up to go to the bathroom and miss something important or exciting. The App of the Day can tell you EXACTLY when to get up and go pee. It’s powered by other users who suggest 3-5 minute moments when nothing’s really happening. And when you do get up and leave, it’ll tell you what you missed.
Thursday, July 30th
What the robot ban means for your vacuum cleaner. The FCC just banned robots coming into the US. It isn’t science fiction. The robotics on the lists include vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers, and any robotic products that can create maps. I’m looking closer at the ban and what this means for any robotics you have now, and what you might have been planning to get this Christmas.
Wednesday, July 29th
Yesterday I listened in on a conversation between my mom, niece, and sister, who are all convinced their phone is listening to them. Convinced. We were talking about something and suddenly a Facebook post or ad was about exactly what they were talking about. About half of smartphone users think their phones are listening. I’m looking at what’s actually happening and why it might be even more concerning.
Tuesday, July 28th
Do you need to pay more for faster internet, or just invest in a new WiFi router.? When Netflix continues to stop and buffer several times during a movie you might think you need to call your provider and pay for faster speeds. But even the fastest internet package available isn’t going to solve the problem if you have an outdated router. I’m comparing one home’s internet setup before and after a new router. The difference is dramatic.
Monday, July 27th
What to do with that “extra” paycheck. Many people who get paid every two weeks will get an extra paycheck in July. Rather than letting it just disappear, or spending it all on DoorDash, I’m looking at a few tech devices/gadgets that aren’t just cool, they’re an investment that could save you money or avoid a disaster.
Friday, July 24th
the app of the day: cleanmyPhone. we’ve all shuffled through photos and videos looking for things to delete. It can take a long time on our own. I’m looking at one of the more popular cleanup tools in the app store. what can you do without paying extra?
Thursday, July 23rd
More seniors are living independently in their homes that at any time in our history. There are challenges though that might concern their families. If they have an Alexa device (which many do), it can not only help them day-to-day, but give their children and grandchildren some peace of mind. I’m looking at a few hidden features of Alexa that can help keep someone safe every single day.
Wednesday, July 22nd
This is one of the worst times of the year to buy tech. But not all tech. It is the worst time to buy things like Apple devices, smart home devices, TVs, and other gadgets. But it’s one of the best times of the year to buy some devices used for back-to-school. I’m looking at which devices you should wait a couple of months to buy, and which devices to buy now.
Tuesday, July 21st
Tech school supplies. If you’ve walked into Walmart lately, you’ve noticed aisles filled with school supplies. Yep, it’s almost back-to-school time. I’m rounding up a few brand-new tech gadgets for college kids heading back to campus soon. Gadgets that not only will make a college dorm room feel more like home, but will actually improve grades. Maybe.
Monday, July 20th
I’m a little surprised how often I get this question: How do I stop someone from spying on my phone? It’s usually in domestic and divorce cases. One spouse figures out how to see everything on the victims phone. Location, emails, texts, social media. Everything. And the victim has no idea how this happens and how to stop it. I’m looking at a few settings that might allow someone to spy on you.
Friday, July 17th
The app of the day: Mivo. If we’re all being honest, we spend too much time doomscrolling. Open Instagram and you’re there for an hour or longer without even realizing it. Mivo keeps track of how long you spend on an app and gives you a moment to reconsider. Unlike similar apps, Mivo isn’t so strict that it locks you out for a long time. It keeps you mindful, not handcuffed.
Thursday, July 16th
Discovering your phone has been stolen is one of the worst feelings in the world. What if they unlock it? What will they do with the information? Will they use your payments and credit cards? Crooks know what they’re doing and in a matter of seconds, they can lock you out of your Apple account. The best way to prevent this is something called “Lockdown Mode”. I’m looking at why you might want to use it, and why you definitely might not.
Wednesday, July 15th
Tech and the cyclosporiasis outbreak. Experts say it is going to get worse and spread across the country. How can tech help? If you see a food recall, how many times do you remember if it’s in your fridge, or you’ve already eaten it? There’s a simple way to find those answers, and you may already use it. I’m looking at the advantages of joining your local supermarket’s loyalty program.
Tuesday, July 14th
The new iOS 27 is available to download. At least the beta version. There are a lot of people interested in getting the beta version to use the new features. But, there are some things you need to know and need to do before taking the chance it’s ready to go.
Monday, July 13th
Save your Facebook! Almost every week I hear from someone who says they were locked out of their Facebook account and asking how to get their information back. Many people don’t know you can download a full backup of everything you’ve ever uploaded. I’m looking at why avid Facebook users should do this right away and how to do it.
Friday, July 10th
The App of the Day: Long Shout. Every now and then I think I’ve featured every unique app in the app stores. Nothing new under the sun. And then I run across an app like Long Shout. An app that seems so silly, but actually solves a problem. It turns your conversation into a huge message that takes up the screen. I’m showing how it works and when you might need it.
Thursday, July 9th
The best use of AI for business owners, hobbyists, and readers. If you’re always asking ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude for answers to questions about the same type of thing, you’ll find this AI tip the most valuable thing you’ll ever use. And most people, even those who use AI all of the time, don’t know about it. It’s creating a board of directors of famous people.
Wednesday, July 8th
Continuing the ‘how to use AI’ theme this week: What if the best thing you could do with AI is to tell you you’re wrong? If you use ChatGPT or Gemini, or Claude, you may have noticed that sometimes it thinks you’re brilliant. Run an idea past them and they love it. But by telling it to tell you why you’re wrong or why an idea doesn’t work, could be the smartest thing you do.
Tuesday, July 7th
Everyone uses AI to ask questions and do tasks, “Plan a vacation“, “write an email”, “Which computer should I buy?” But you may never have thought about having AI ask YOU questions. Once you’ve tried these prompts you may never use AI the same way again.
Monday, July 6th
It’s the slooow season for tech news. So I’m looking at something most of use and use in a way that could put our personal information at risk. Public WiFi. When you’re at a coffee shop or the airport you’ll see a free public WiFi network, and most of us hop on it. But if you’re not taking precautions, someone else can spy on what you’re doing.
Friday, July 3rd
The app of the day Water Llama. Staying hydrated is important no matter what time of year. But in the summer months, it’s critical. There isn’t a great way to keep track of water intake with a stock phone app. That’s where Waterllama comes in.
Thursday, July 2nd
Get the best photos of a fireworks show. The best you’ve ever taken. If you’ve taken photos of a fireworks show before you know they hardly ever look good or worth sharing. You can change some settings, but there’s a new way. Using AI. And you’ll never want to do it any other way.
Wednesday, July 1st
It’s one of the most interesting statistics I run across. If you’re planning your 4th of July weekend you’ll want to remember; The most dangerous day for smartphones is July 1st. More phones disappear, are stolen, or are simply killed by accidents. I’m looking at why you might want to be extra careful over the weekend.
Tuesday, June 30th
Do websites charge you more because the retailer and AI know too much about you? Surveillance pricing isn’t just about in-store shopping. It’s even easier to charge different prices in online stores. I’m taking a look at what we all need to know.
Monday, June 29th
You pay $9 for a bottle of shampoo but the guy behind you pays only $6. Not because of a coupon, but because AI thinks you can afford to pay more. It’s called surveillance pricing and lawmakers are scrambling to stop it.
By the way, I’ll also do a story tomorrow about surveillance pricing when you shop on the internet.