Are Amazon extended warranties worth it, or a scam?

While warranties can last a few years, recalls can occur anytime. Some defects are harmless and only affect functionality, but others can be dangerous.

When you buy a TV, blender or smartphone on Amazon, you’ll see a message asking you to purchase an extended warranty. Sure, you can, but should you?

Do you know what’s in those warranties? While each is a little bit different, they follow a similar pattern. If you buy anything on Amazon and you’ve spent money on an extended warranty before, you can’t afford to miss this information.

Asurion warranties don’t cover much

Asurion protection plans cover items for everyday wear and tear, defects in quality and materials, and mechanical and electrical breakdowns. If you break it yourself, you’re out of luck. This is pretty standard.

The biggest issue with these inexpensive warranties is that they don’t cover much. Dig through the details and you’ll find that they’re simply extended durations of manufacturer defect warranties.

That doesn’t mean Asurion is bad or that the warranties are worthless. If you have a device that you plan to use for five years or more, it’s nice to know any defects that pop up will be covered.

The reality

You must know that most manufacturer defects become apparent shortly after using a device. If something detrimental could break your purchase, it’ll happen early on. The standard one-year warranty on most products should cover this.

Asurion warranties come in handy if the manufacturer issues a warning due to wiring or power issues for electronics since that comes down to a safety issue. These cases are few and far between, though.

RELATED: The one word you should never say to a telemarketer or scam caller

Are Asurion warranties the only ones I can get on Amazon?

Continue reading

Privacy tip: How to delete cookies from your phone

Make no mistake: You’re being tracked. Want to be shocked? Look at the secret map on your smartphone that watches your every move. Tap or click here to see the map tracking you and wipe it clean.

What about advertisements that follow you across the web? Facebook is one of the biggest data hogs. Tap or click for ways to stop or limit targeted ads on Facebook.

Continue reading

The unsurprisingly silly history of Silly Putty

Unless you grew up under a rock, you have heard of Silly Putty. It’s the oh-so-bendable and stretchable goo that every kid loves to play with. But this classic toy’s history probably isn’t what you think.

Apple's new Reality Pro: the hype, expectations versus reality

Open/download audio

Could this VR headset replace the iPhone? Here’s why it could be the biggest disruptor in tech history, in one minute.

Security tip: Unlink third-party apps from your Microsoft account

Connecting your Google account to multiple devices gives you access to services like Gmail and Google Maps, no matter where you are. But be careful to check this when selling your phone or giving away your laptop. Here’s how to remove devices from your Google account.

Continue reading

Mapping your family tree? Try one of these free templates

Free family tree templates can help teach your children where they come from. It’s also a fun way to learn more about your history. Not all family tree sites are safe, though. Some put your personal information on the web for anyone to see. Tap or click here to delete yourself from this scary site.

Continue reading

The amazing history of popcorn

There is nothing like sitting down to watch a movie with a nice bowl of freshly made buttery popcorn. Did you know this warm treat has a fascinating history that goes back almost 9,000 years?

This site tells you exactly what happened the day you were born

If you love birthday trivia, you will adore this incredible website. It can tell you everything you want to know about the day you were born, including how many days ago it was.

Let’s dive into random factoid trivia, one of our favorite things of all time. It’s all relevant to the day of the year you were born.

Continue reading

Do you remember the year? This simple browser game is a fun history test

In olden times you’d have to buy a videogame console to have fun playing games at home. Nowadays, you can find many games online without needing to purchase anything. Tap or click here for six games to play with your friends and grandkids online.

Continue reading

Don't miss your chance to shape the future of AI policy in the U.S.

It’s not every day that regular folks like you and me have the opportunity to influence the course of history. But thanks to a recent request for comment from the U.S. government, we have the power to help shape the future of AI. That means you can tell Uncle Sam if you think it’s time to put the brakes on AI. Here’s how.

Continue reading

The incredible history of concrete

There is more concrete used in construction than any other material. More than wood, steel and even glass. So what makes this super-substance so strong, and how did humans perfect it over 2,000 years ago?

Will the 21st century be the most important in history?

The first and 20th centuries are both renowned for their world-changing events, but what about the 21st century? What types of technologies could drive the advancement of humanity in our current century?

The thick and tangy history of ketchup

Have you ever thought about the history of ketchup? This tangy, sweet, slightly spicy condiment can add zest to any meal. But how did it become so widely loved, and how long has it been around?

Browser crashed? Here's how to get your tabs back

Have you ever lost important tabs while working on something urgent? We’ve been there. Instead of trying to piece your session back together one window at a time, we’ve got solutions that can be used on whichever major browser you prefer.

Continue reading

Things that were discovered by accident

The path of science is often a slow one, taking years of research and effort to bring ideas to life. Every once in a while, luck strikes and something new is suddenly born. And you won’t believe it, but some of the most important inventions in history were actually discovered by mistake.

Which apps are worth your location data?

Open/download audio

Are you letting your apps access your location history? Here’s why that’s dangerous, in one minute.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you share a Netflix account? That's about to be banned

Netflix is undoubtedly one of the most popular streaming services. By the end of 2022, it had just over 220 million subscribers worldwide.

Imagine how many subscribers Netflix would have if so many people didn’t share passwords. Well, you won’t have to imagine much longer. The streaming giant is banning account sharing in March. If you have a profile on someone else’s account, it’s time to transfer it and create your own account.

Continue reading

Explaining the pickleball phenomenon

Pickleball has been called the “fastest growing sport in America” and it’s easy to see why. Throughout the pandemic, the sport moved out of retirement homes and into the mainstream. Now famous athletes like Lebron James have started their own league and millions of people are playing every day. What’s the history behind this sport and why has it become so popular?

Historic weapons that were complete failures

War has been a constant throughout human history. In some cases, war led to ingenious innovation — and other times, it led to abject failure. In this video, go back in time to see weapons once lauded as the next game-changers. In reality, they were never used in combat or failed once deployed.

You can make money donating your poop (Yes, really)

Everybody eats. And, by extension, everybody poops. It’s the circle of life. To many, it’s one of nature’s little inconveniences.

As far as side hustles are concerned, few of us consider our daily bowel movements to be a potential source of income. That is, until now. Yes, we’re serious. Tap or click here for 10 part-time jobs that offer health insurance.

Continue reading