OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4o can “think,” write and talk in real-time. Check out this video to see it in action. Listen to that laugh! Crazy stuff.
All signs point to yes: Want to find out if you’re a data breach victim at this very moment? Here’s one option — and another. Type in your email address to check.
Turn your TV into a digital photo frame
Not sure what to do with all those cellphone pics? Check out this great tip!
Slap on the wrist: Verizon, AT&T and T‑Mobile will pay $10.22 million to a group of states to settle claims of false advertising. Their ads promised unlimited data plans and free phones, but guess what? Restrictions applied, conditions had to be met, and hidden fees lurked in the fine print. Check your bills.
In 2004, an escaped convict nicknamed the “Rooftop Robber,” or simply “Roofman,” hid for six months in which shuttered tech superstore: A.) CompUSA, B.) RadioShack, C.) Circuit City or D.) Fry’s Electronics?
🐽 Memory hogs: Sometimes, your system runs background apps that can tax your device’s CPU and RAM. If you’re on a Mac, check the Activity Monitor and turn off any CPU-sucking apps. On a PC, check Task Manager. Get in-depth steps here. Oh, you’re gonna be glad you did!
Because you’re mine, I walk the line: You just sang that, didn’t you? Say you’re editing with a group and need to reference line by line. Google Docs can save you the headache. Go to Tools > Line numbers > check Show Line Numbers, and you’re all set. Sweet!
Online selling savvy: Whether it’s a baseball card or a used car, there’s an excellent tool to determine its worth: eBay. Don’t waste time scrolling through active listings. Search for an item, then go to Filter and scroll to Sold Items. Tap or check the box to enable this filter. This gives you a better idea of the prices folks are willing to pay.
Check your inbox: If you’ve ever used the mental health platform BetterHelp, you may be one of the 800,000 folks now eligible for part of a $7.8 million settlement. To check, search for an email from “Ankura Consulting Group.” The FTC says BetterHelp shared consumer health data with third parties for advertising. Questions? Email info@betterhelprefundprogram.com.
On Windows, get a detailed report that includes usage, capacity and battery life estimates. Open the command prompt by hitting the Start menu, then typing in cmd or cmd.exe in the Run command box. Press Enter. Now, smarty-pants, type or paste in the following: powercfg /batteryreport
Going shopping? AI is watching you
Sam’s Club is using AI to check what’s in your shopping cart — it’s supposed to make your trip to the store 23% faster. When will humans go extinct? Scientists claim to know when. Plus, precise friend-tracking with the iPhone 15, and a Dropbox data breach.
Sam’s Club is rolling out AI to stop theft: After you check out, you’ll pass through a big, blue gateway where cameras snap pics of your cart to compare with your order. It’s supposed to make shopping 23% faster. Expect it in stores nationwide by the end of the year.
If you have a Ring doorbell, check your PayPal account: Amazon’s Ring is coughing up a $5.6 million settlement. A May 2023 FTC complaint accused the doorbell cam giant of skimping on security, which allowed hackers and Ring’s own employees to access private video feeds and accounts. If you filled out a claim, you have 30 days to collect it.
🥩 Check your fridge: The FDA says a bunch of ground beef might be contaminated with E. coli. Impacted products have a packaging date of “032824” and a use-by or freeze-by date of April 22, 2024. They’re also marked with “EST. 960A” inside the USDA inspection stamp. Toss ’em or return ’em.
It’s-a me in the Daily Mail! I’m super excited about my new weekly column in the Daily Mail! This week, I helped someone avoid a crypto scam and a woman being tracked. Check it out, leave a comment (I read them all. Let’s get some USA folks on that page!), and share it with a pal. Your support means a ton.
You can count on me: There’s a new option in Google Docs to display your file’s word count as you type. Hit Tools > Word count > then check the box next to Display word count while typing. Pro tip: Highlight a sentence or paragraph to see how many words are in just that section.
Check before you travel: A Florida man was hit with a whopping $143,442.74 phone bill from T-Mobile for roaming costs when traveling in Switzerland. He thought he was covered. Nope. They reversed the charges. Pro tip: There’s a $50-per-month T-Mobile travel plan to prevent stuff like this. Most providers have something similar.
How to check if your e-bike battery is legit
E-bike batteries have been lighting up more than just the road — they’re sparking fires. I share tips on how to make sure yours is safe.
Catch creepy Airbnb hosts
Airbnb is banning indoor cameras — but not every host will comply. Here’s how to check your rental for prying eyes.
Princess Kate has cancer
Check if you’re on a Boeing flight, the solar eclipse is coming, and Replika founder and CEO Eugenia Kuyda on the rise of AI romance.