All tech. No filler.
Join 900,000+ people who stay ahead of the tech curve with The Current, delivered daily. No fluff, no BS.
Breaking news and tips
This 15-digit code is your stolen phone insurance
If your smartphone was ever lost or stolen, would you know what to do? Lock it remotely, call your carrier or use a tracking app. That’s a start.
But you know what weapon most people sleep on?
That weird 15-digit code called your IMEI. Your IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is like a Social Security number for your phone. Every phone has one, and it’s not tied to your phone number or SIM card.
Why does this matter?
Let’s say someone nabs your phone and jams in a shiny new SIM. They think they’re slick. But your carrier can use your IMEI to block the hardware itself from the entire mobile network. Boom. The phone is now a $900 coaster.
It doesn’t get you the device back. Think of it as your phone’s self-destruct button, minus the explosions. Those cost extra.
Find your IMEI
This part is easy. Just open your phone app and dial: *#06#
That’s star, pound, zero, six, pound. You don’t even have to press call. Your IMEI number will pop right up on your screen.
Grab a pen. Take a screenshot. Email it to yourself. Save it in a secure notes app. Etch it into a cursed amulet you hang above your door. Whatever works.
Just don’t only store it on your phone (reminder: likely the missing item in this future scenario). This is one of those tiny tech things that makes a big difference, and that’s exactly why I’m here. 😉
Down to business
📅 New week, same desk, unless you upgrade it with these goodies.
- Keep your pens ready to roll with a two-pack of rotating pen holders ($19).
- This mini desktop vacuum ($13) sucks up keyboard gunk like a pro.
- An adjustable laptop stand (25% off) lifts your screen and your posture.
- Print right from your phone with a wireless mini label maker (53% off).
- Snag a paper shredder (7% off), so sensitive docs are confetti.
- No more juggling cables with this USB-C hub (25% off) that turns one port into five.
😎 Shop my tech picks that are on sale right now!
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
The $55K FaceTime car scam
Sarah’s $55,000 lesson: The online car dealership that wasn’t
Even smart shoppers can get taken; here’s how to make sure you don’t.
Sarah from Salt Lake City did everything right, or so she thought. She was looking for a used car online and found what looked like a legitimate dealership.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Want a personal note stash? Text yourself — start a solo chat to save links, reminders or files. Brilliant, I know.
❌ Apple says all iPhones need to ditch Chrome: Why? The browser doesn’t protect your data like Safari does. Case in point: Remember when Google promised to kill third-party cookies that track you? Yeah, that never happened. Advertisers still stalk your every move online and hit you with targeted ads.
Selfies at the Pope’s funeral
Some moments are meant for respect, not your camera roll.
😤 Sick of strangers selling your personal info? That’s why I use and trust Incogni. It forces data brokers to delete your private information automatically. Right now, you can get 60% off with my exclusive deal . It’s a small price to pay for real peace of mind. Take back control of your privacy today!
36
The exact age scientists say bad habits really start wrecking your health. A study tracked hundreds of kids born in 1959 to 61 years old. Those who smoked, boozed and skipped workouts ended up sicker and more depressed. Great news if you’re 35, you’ve got 12 months left to be an absolute disaster on purpose.
100% critics’ score for Netflix’s new comedy series
That’s the critics’ score for Netflix’s new comedy series North of North. It follows a young Inuk mom who moves back to her small hometown after leaving her husband. It’s like Gilmore Girls meets snow meets 9,000 percent more gossip. The trailer looks pretty good.
Showered with love
💐 Just two weeks till Mother’s Day! Here’s your baby shower or new baby gift cheat sheet.
- Keep little hands out of cabinets with child safety locks (8% off).
- These Tide pens (13% off) are a lifesaver for surprise spills.
- Baby burps? Grab a set of anti-colic bottles ($25) for 3- to 6-month-olds.
- Trim tiny nails safely with a baby electric nail trimmer ($35).
- Stay cool on summer walks with a handheld stroller fan (15% off).
- This bassinet (24% off) easily turns into a bedside sleeper or playpen.
💝 The mother load: I couldn’t fit in all the goodies, so head over to my Amazon page for the gifts I want for Mother’s Day. Your grandma, mom, wife or daughter will love ’em, too.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Traveling abroad? Don’t let sky-high roaming charges ruin your trip! Get the eSIM I use for affordable, secure mobile data in over 200 destinations worldwide. Download the Saily app, pick a plan and enjoy instant connection, all without a physical SIM! So easy! Learn more and get 10% off now.
Quick trick to clean out your inbox
Are you inbox zero? If not, here’s a simple way to get rid of all those junky emails.
🤳 Selfie sin? Yep, it happened. Some folks actually took selfies next to Pope Francis’ body at St. Peter’s Basilica (paywall link). Blasphemy? Definitely, but the problem isn’t just tech. Phones are changing how we act in public. From loud music on buses to zombie-like sidewalk scrolling, it’s like we’re losing track of what’s OK to do in public. What do you think?
🖼️ Adobe’s new app protects your work: It’s called Content Authenticity, and it lets you add tamperproof metadata to images. There’s also an option to label files with things like “don’t train AI on this.” It’s free for now … you just need an Adobe account.
👎 Social media is over: That’s what Mark Zuckerberg says. Meta’s being sued by the government for acting like a monopoly, but Zuck says every app does the same thing. TikTok and YouTube are just news, celebrity promos and AI slop now, like Meta. So really, what hold do they have? The days of friends posting real updates are long gone (paywall link).
Influencers bought and sold
The Los Angeles Times uncovered a covert electioneering campaign involving over 500 social media creators. Here’s the scoop.
19
The number of bites of chicken per week that could start shaving years off your life, according to a new study. Congrats to all the vegans, you’ve been training for this moment. Turns out “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner” was actually a eulogy.
6.7%
PC shipments jumped 6.7% last quarter as people rushed to replace old Windows 10 laptops before support ends and tariffs yeet prices into the stratosphere. Brands like Lenovo, HP and Dell are trying to move inventory fast, before things get messy.
How to take a screenshot on your phone
Turns out, tons of people still don’t know how to do it. If that’s you, here’s the quick fix for iPhone and Android.