Use a Mac? Find the list of startup programs under the Apple menu > System Preferences > Users & Groups. Select your user account, then click Login Items. Easy-peasy.
Avoid these costly mistakes when sending money
You and a friend split some apps and cocktails. Cash? Nah, payment apps make it way easier. Type in the amount, hit send and boom, you’re set.
But every time you send money, there’s a risk it could end up in the wrong place. That’s why I’m here to help you get it to the right place. Let’s dive in.
💸 Use a money order
For my Gen Zers, you can find these at your bank, credit union, USPS and some grocery stores. There’s a $1,000 limit and a small fee of a few bucks. But it’s more secure than sending cash or a check that can get lost or stolen.
USPS only takes cash, debit cards and traveler’s checks. Fill out the form, pay the amount (plus the fee), and track it on the USPS app. It usually takes a few business days to arrive. The person you sent it to will need to pick it up in person.
🛑 Caution: Money orders aren’t easy to reverse once they’re cashed. That’s why scammers love them. Never send it to someone you don’t trust.
📱 There’s an app for that
Payment apps like Venmo, Apple Pay, CashApp and Zelle are great because they’re quick and easy. Here’s the deal: If you send money to the wrong place, you’re not getting it back.
Always verify the recipient’s username, email or phone number. A single wrong digit can send your money into the void. For pals and people you send to often, don’t type in their info each time. Your app of choice saves previous recipients.
Need to send a lot of money? Start with a small test transfer to confirm it goes to the right place.
🛑 Use Venmo? You might not know that every time you send or receive money, it’s public by default.
Anyone (including shady folks) can see how much you sent your roommate for rent. Make your Venmo feed private so you don’t become a target.
Happy Valentine’s Day! A little tech love
Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples. It’s the perfect excuse to spread a little love in the simplest ways. A quick heart emoji, a sweet message to a friend or even just a kind word can make someone’s day. And if you’re flying solo? Treat yourself to something special and enjoy a little you time.
The new Apple iPhone 16e
Want a cheaper iPhone? The iPhone 16e is here. It’s still not cheap, but under $600 is easier to handle.
Whoa, it’s not an iPhone SE 4! Apple’s newest budget model ($599) is the iPhone 16e. It’ll have a 6.1-inch OLED screen, 48MP Fusion Camera, 5G modem, Apple Intelligence and a beefier A18 chip. What’s missing? MagSafe, the old Home Button and zippy Wi-Fi 7. Preorders start on Friday. Both the iPhone 14 and iPhone SE were discontinued, too.
$439
For AirPods that aren’t the default Apple white. ColorWare sells custom-painted earbuds in neutral skin tones with names like “Glaze,” “Toasty” and “Java.” Heads-up: You don’t need to waste money. A colorful AirPod cover is around $5 if you want to jazz yours up.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
'Forever chemicals' are everywhere in our tech and almost impossible to avoid
The term “forever chemicals” is floating around more than ever. If you’re wondering why folks are so worried about them, the clue’s in the name.
These substances stick around for a long, long time, and it’s not clear how safe they are. They’re also everywhere, from your phone and smartwatch tech to carpets to nail polish.
Tech how-to: Check your phone for signs someone is watching
I get so many calls during my national radio show and DMs from folks who think they’re being stalked. Sometimes, the person is seeing signs that aren’t there. Other times, it’s clear there’s something going on. It’s not surprising, given how easy it is for tech to watch someone’s movements.
🍏 It’s Apple launch day: They’re rolling out a new iPhone SE without the old home button, revamped AirTags with a longer range and a speaker that’s harder to remove. Watch it live on Apple’s YouTube channel at 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. ET). While you’re at it, don’t forget to subscribe to mine, too.
Are we getting a new iPhone?
Goodbye home button, tiny screen, and Lightning cable. Apple is set to unveil a brand-new iPhone SE with USB-C and a more powerful processor.
Take part in research: Apple’s looking for 350,000 people for a new health study about how mental health impacts heart rate and sleep affects exercise. Spoiler: Joining means sharing a lot of personal data. Hopefully, we’ll get another useful tool like the AirPods hearing test.
Bad weekend to buy Apple or Amazon gear
New Apple and Amazon products are dropping soon. If you’re thinking about upgrading, wait a few days or risk buying last year’s tech.
You can watch “Severance,” too: For the first time, Apple TV+ is available on Android. The app has been around for years and the reviews stink, so expect some bugs along with the $9.99-per-month charge.
Share apps on your iPhone and iPad: Yay, finally! Apple made it so you can move all your apps, songs and movies to one account. Make sure you’re logged into your main iCloud account. Now, under your secondary ID, go to Settings > [your name] > Media & Purchases > View Account. Tap Migrate Purchases and follow the steps on your screen. Once you see Purchases Have Been Migrated, sign in with your main account. Btw, don’t buy an iPad right now.
I 🫶 this: Apple’s new $250 Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds have built-in heart rate monitoring that kicks in when you start working out. Whoa, no more clicking buttons on a watch to track a run? Its battery life is good, too, at 45 hours with the charging case and 10 more hours if you turn off noise cancellation.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Almost three years after the iPad 10: Apple’s new base model iPad 11 is coming this spring with a chip upgrade from the A14 Bionic to A17 Pro (about 40% faster), double the RAM (4GB to 8GB) and Apple Intelligence. If you don’t care about AI, the 10th-gen iPad is 20% off right now.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
8 years later, he found his missing dog
Paul Guilbeault lost his Miniature Pinscher, Damian, when he moved to Phoenix and thought he was gone forever — until now. Plus, a ‘Free Gift’ scam is making the rounds, T-Mobile’s Starlink deal, and Apple’s secret robot project.
💡 Watt a good idea: Apple is working on a new robot that could one day replace your HomePod, Amazon Echo or smart speaker. It looks and moves exactly like the Pixar lamp. Apple wants to make robots interact more naturally with us. Ask “How’s the weather?” and it’ll literally turn its head toward the window before answering. Here’s the video.
💸 Budget iPhone? Rumor has it Apple will drop the iPhone SE 4 next week for around $429. It’s packing a 6.1-inch OLED screen, a 48 MP camera, an A18 chip and 8GB of RAM, and it can even run Apple Intelligence. Pretty tempting, but I’d still wait for reviews to see how well it actually performs. For all the bells and whistles, consider spending a little more on a renewed iPhone 15 Pro instead.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Apple’s folding iPhone is (finally) coming
Rumors say Apple is working on a foldable iPhone, possibly launching late this year. After years of waiting, will it be worth it?