Network meltdown

February 23, 2024

📵 Network meltdown: A massive outage across AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile left about 80,000 folks without service yesterday. No calls — a total mess. In a pinch, text 911, use Wi-Fi calling if you need to reach someone, or try data roaming. The cause? Still a big question mark. I share my hunch on the video podcast.

Tags: calls/callers, network, outage, service, T-Mobile, Verizon, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi calling

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Stop and think before you click that link! Bad Google results are increasing

So, you accidentally booked the wrong nights for an upcoming hotel reservation. Hey, it happens.

You do a quick Google search to find the hotel’s phone number, call the one at the top, and a representative answers right away. You give them your info, read off your card number, and then they hang up. Something feels … off. My friend, you may have been scammed.

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Blockbuster had around 9,000 video-rental stores worldwide at its peak. When it filed for bankruptcy in 2010, it had just 1,700 stores. How many are open today: One, 10, 18 or 30?

Find the answer here →

49-fold increase in head trauma injuries

From riding electric bikes from 2017 to 2022. Why? Helmet use is down almost 6% each year. Folks, protect your noggin. You only get one.

Pro tip: Scan it and you’re in

Instead of giving guests your Wi-Fi password, post a QR code they can scan with their phones. It’s a secure shortcut with your password hidden inside.

QIFI.org is a free online QR code generator for Wi-Fi access that works with Apple and Android. You need three pieces of info to use it:

Look at the back of your modem for the SSID. It might be shown as “Wi-Fi Network Name (SSID).” It’ll be about a dozen numbers and letters; type those where it says “SSID” on QIFI’s Code Generator page.
Choose your secure network type; the site defaults to WPA/WPA2/WPA3, but you may have WEP. (Really bad news if you do — get a new router.) If you don’t know, ask your internet provider or your home’s resident geek.
And, lastly, type in your router’s security key password.

Print your unique code, put it in a nice frame and your guests will just need to scan it to join the network. Smart idea to use at your home or if you run a coffee shop or another biz with Wi-Fi access!

$6,500 more for paint

That’s how much a colorful Cybertruck will cost ya. Tesla just released paint film wraps in three colors: Slip grey, satin rose gold and satin abyss blue. A Cybertruck starts at $60,990, and some owners say the finish is rusting. Oh, the irony.

26 feet long, 440 pounds

Is the size of the world’s largest snake. The recently discovered reptile is as thick as a car tire, has a human-sized head and is an actual nightmare for me. Don’t hiss me off.

75,000 Reddit fans can buy shares in the upcoming IPO

This is usually reserved for only big investors. Redditors will be super happy if the stock flies … and have a ton to talk about if it flounders.

30,000 feet in the air

That’s the April 8 lunar eclipse view from Delta flight 1218. Chosen for its extra-big windows, the A220-300 will take off from Austin at 12:15 p.m. CT and is expected to land in Detroit at 4:20 p.m. ET. The flight is almost sold out, but backup flights are here.

What inspired the iconic ding sound that welcomes you when booting up a Mac computer? Was it a … A.) Tibetan singing bowl, B.) Beatles’ song, C.) Cash register opening or D.) Classical piano key note?

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90% accuracy

AI’s guess at whether you’re a man or woman based on brain scans. Research has always been iffy on whether men and women have truly different brains. This is an interesting wrinkle.