Jedi mind tricks: Neurable is creating mind-reading headphones. The sensors pick up tiny electrical impulses from your skull, which you can view in an app to see how intensely you’re focusing. Telepathy might be next. In one of their gamified exercises, the more you focus, the faster you make a rocket accelerate.
Safe Search: 3 ways Incognito mode can save you
We willingly give our most personal data so often to advertisers, Big Tech, scammers and everyone looking to make a dime off us. Want to take control back? Start with changing a few settings that make it easier for strangers and companies to pinpoint who you are in your Chrome browser.
While at it, take a minute and look at your Facebook account settings. Tap or click for three steps to limit or stop targeted ads.
Your browser offers Incognito or private mode. It’s not a privacy catch-all, but it can make a real difference.
Is Incognito mode private? Sort of …
While Incognito mode in any browser provides more privacy than if you’re not using it, it isn’t as private as we were led to believe.
When you surf the web incognito, your browser doesn’t save your browsing history, cookies, site data or information you enter in forms. However, it keeps any downloaded files or bookmarks created during the session.
Your internet service provider (ISP) can still see your activity, as can a school or employer providing your internet access or computer. Want to stop that? You need a VPN.
That leads us to the question, “Is Incognito mode even worth using?” Yes. Let’s look at three situations when it’s necessary.
1. Trying to keep gifts a surprise
When you shop online, your browser keeps tabs on what you’ve perused. Later, you’ll see ads on other sites that try to get you to come back to make the purchase — even if you’ve already bought the item.
You might not be the only person seeing those ads. If the person you’re buying the gift for uses your computer, tablet, or smartphone, they will see the same ads. They may also see them on their devices since you share an IP address.
Of course, these ads tip them to what you’re up to. That won’t happen if you shop in Incognito mode.
Your tech could interfere with medical implants — How to stay safe
Most of us know someone with implanted pacemakers or defibrillators — and I’m willing to bet those people use tech in their everyday lives.
Here’s the scary news: Magnetic fields from everyday tech can cause life-saving devices to malfunction. Yes, iPhones are on the list, but so are iPads, Apple Watches, AirPods, Macs, HomePods and Beats.
Don’t sleep through these deals
🛏️ You spend around one-third of your life sleeping. Give your bedroom an upgrade.
- Put motion-activated lights (14% off) under your bed to light the way when you get up.
- Nightstand overflowing? Here’s a wall mount ($16) to hold all your tech.
- Now you have room for an alarm clock that doubles as a mirror.
- If you need a little white noise, try these comfy sleep headphones (33% off).
- Breathe better with a smart humidifier ($40) that works with Alexa.
🏡 The rest of your home? I’ve got you covered. Check out my page for more goodies I think you’ll like.
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The 60-60 rule: Docs say these two steps will keep your ears safe while wearing earbuds or headphones. First, keep your volume no higher than 60%. Second, take a short break after 60 minutes of listening.
He fell for an online Ponzi scheme
YouTuber Antenna Man is opening up about being a victim of the Agridime Ponzi scheme. He hopes others don’t fall into the same trap. Plus, a woman tracks down a thief with an AirTag, and someone hacks a guy’s Bluetooth headphones — creepy stuff!
Are noise-canceling headphones bad for your brain? Scientists warn blocking out background noise 24/7 might train your brain to “forget” how to filter sounds naturally. This could lead to auditory processing disorder (APD). Share this with the kids in your life.
$3,600 Hermès bag
Up for grabs in a claw machine in Queens, New York. It’s the game you remember (move the claw, drop it down, pray), except there’s a $50 buy-in (paywall link). Other prizes ripe for the plucking include $549 AirPods Max headphones and a $600 Chanel wallet. Why can’t anybody win at a “Frozen” claw machine? Because it will always let it go.
Traveling soon? 5 smart tech steps to take before you hit the road
Travel now means your tickets, maps, hotel, rental car and more are all stored on your phone. But what happens if that goes missing? Here’s how to find your phone when it’s lost — even if the battery is dead.
The other big phone emergency? Your battery is dying and you have to leave for the airport. Whoops. Tap or click for smart ways to get more life out of your battery.
My son's headphones are in Africa?!
My son had his headphones stolen in LA but when we track them, they’re in Cameroon, Africa…
I love a deal
❄️ Amazon’s Winter Sale is here, with discounts of up to 40%. Gift yourself the thing you really wanted this year.
- There’s nothing better than sitting in front of the fireplace with a blanket, hot cocoa and a nice pair of fuzzy socks (23% off).
- Time to tear down the Christmas tree … and throw away that old box you used to store it. A tree storage bag (40% off) is so worth it.
- Somehow, no one got you new slippers for Christmas. Get ‘em yourself: Women’s and men’s picks that are comfy and affordable.
- A pair of Beats Studio Pro headphones ($170) is 50% off right now. Go, go, go! 🏃💨
- Upgrade your upcoming travels with nice, new luggage (41% off) in a fun color. This way, it’s so much easier to find your bags at the airport!
- OK, this is as cheap as Apple AirTags get — 29% off!
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Sharing is caring: Bruce in Reno called my show with a bright idea. He just got an iPad and wants to watch movies on it with his wife on an upcoming trip. “Is there a way to split the audio signal?” There sure is, Bruce. This handy gadget connects two sets of Bluetooth headphones to any device with a headphone jack. Sweet.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Jedi mind tricks: Neurable is creating mind-reading headphones that pick up tiny electrical impulses from your skull. Telepathy might be next. In one of their gamified exercises, the more you focus, the faster you make a rocket accelerate. Watch the video here — and while you’re watching, think where this tech will be in five years!
Before you toss your headphones because they won’t pair: Turn them off and switch off Bluetooth on your phone. Here’s the trick: Be patient! Wait 30 seconds so everything can fully disconnect, then you’ll get a fresh start.
Drive-by theft: Thieves are snatching $550 AirPod Max headphones right off people’s heads. As your music blasts, they sneak up on a peddle bike or moped, and before you realize it — poof! — those pricey headphones are gone.
Cancel out noise
- Outfit your office with acoustic panels. These are under $20 and work on different types of surfaces.
- Slide this stopper (25% off) under the door, and your room is instantly cushioned from sound outside.
- Reduce up to 90% of noise with these over-the-ear headphones (43% off). Switch to Transparent mode when you need to hear the dog or kids.
- White noise machines can help cancel out chatter coming from elsewhere or help you focus. This one is portable and offers six white noise sounds. Get it on sale for $24.
- New parents (or grandparents) can keep this noise-canceling ear protection on hand for infants and toddlers up to age 2. These kid-approved earmuffs are on sale for $16 and last.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Ear-replaceable: New AI noise-canceling headphones will let you listen to a single person’s voice in a crowd just by looking at the individual once. The wearer can then walk around as usual while tuning in to the person’s conversation. The headphones are still in development, but I can only imagine how they’ll use them in covert ops. I really just want them for group dinners …
🎧 It’s quiet … too quiet: Too much time in noise-canceling headphones can cause ear pain, nausea and headaches. It can also create “listening loss,” which is when your brain’s sensitivity is altered irreversibly to sound sensitivity. Try to limit your use to places that are actually noisy — not all day in your home office.
Calling all night owls: Have an older Roku model and a house full of light sleepers? Upgrade to the Voice Remote Pro (on sale right now) and get Headphone mode. Plug in your headphones, and enjoy the full sound of your favorite show without waking anyone up. Sweet!
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.