Give your PC a boost: Trim down startup programs that take forever to load. Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc, then hit the Startup tab to view all the programs that fire up when Windows starts. Right-click and disable any you don’t need right away when your system reboots.
Get a free 4K TV … with 1 key trade-off
A startup from the co-founder of Pluto TV is giving out at least 500,000 free TVs. Yep, you heard me right. The company started shipping them in July last year and planned to send half a million sets by the end of 2023. But it’s still accepting reservations, so it’s not too late to put your name on the list. More on that later.
The 55-inch 4K models from Telly have all the bells and whistles. The only catch? You pay with your data.
One long commercial break
The TVs have 4K HDR displays (not the very best you can buy, but totally solid), a built-in five-driver soundbar and a free 4K Android streaming stick. They have a dual-screen design combining a 55-inch 4K HDR Theater Display with a second Smart Screen.
You can control it with your voice — “Hey Telly” — or through built-in motion sensors. There’s also a camera for video calls.
The kicker: About a quarter of the smaller screen under the main one shows ads. And you can’t opt out of your TV’s tracking.
How smart is too smart?
In reality, all smart TVs are tracking what we do and watch — then packaging that up to sell to advertisers.
Take Vizio. The company made $1.6 million in gross profit selling TVs in the first quarter of 2023. But they earned $73.8 million in profits on the Platform Plus business — which includes selling advertising and viewer data. Yup, Vizio TVs are just there to sell ads and data.
So, how much money is Telly bringing in with these ads? The numbers are difficult to track down, but Connected TV (CTV) advertising generated nearly $26 billion in 2023 and is expected to keep growing. Yikes! FYI, CTV ads are the ones you see on streaming platforms.
When the product is free …
You’re the product. I say this all the time. To see what Telly gets, look no further than the terms of service. I read it, so you don’t have to.
Windows gotchas: How to avoid the top 5 most common mistakes
When was the last time you checked your computer’s available storage? Too much clutter slows everything down. Here’s a quick tip to find out how much storage is on your PC.
Next time you install a new program, don’t fall for some developers’ tricks to sneak in software you don’t want or need. Do this one step before installing any programs on your computer.
This California startup will pay you for your personal data
Curious about what’s in it for you? In this one-minute podcast, I’ll reveal the intriguing offer.
A side hustle that won’t work: Pay a startup $30 a month and they’ll auto-post AI-generated vids to social media for you. Pick a topic (like motivation), and they’ll generate a script, voiceover, background track and AI images. The idea is to help you build an audience and start making money. Remember Shrimp Jesus (paywall link)?
On this day in 1903, Henry Ford started his company with 10 investors and how much in startup cash? Was it … A.) $1,800, B.) $13,500, C.) $28,000 or D.) $54,000?
Bad Windows default settings you should change today
Whether it’s a smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop, your devices come loaded with settings, apps and bloatware. They exist for many reasons: To give you a free tease of a paid program, to collect data or simply part of a deal with other companies.
End these Windows Task Manager processes to make your PC run faster
Processes could be significantly slowing down your PC right now. One way to find out what’s going on is to check the Task Manager. It shows what processes are running on your PC. It’s a window into how your PC is running, including CPU performance, Wi-Fi usage and graphics card processes.
Waiting, waiting, waiting: If your Windows PC takes forever to start up, you’re not alone. Microsoft just released a new support page to help you spot the issue and fix it. Pro tip: The fewer programs that open on startup, the speedier your machine will be.
$1.5 billion raised
By AI defense tech startup, Anduril. It’s run by the founder of Oculus VR, Palmer Luckey, who wants to create a Tesla-style factory that pumps out autonomous drones and other AI battlefield tech.
Wildfire drones: Startup Rain is equipping helicopters with software that lets them fly and drop water autonomously. The shorter response time could help catch fires early — before they get out of control. Firefighters can then step in to finish the job (paywall link). Talk about lifesaving.
Dawn of the dead: A German startup, Tomorrow Bio, wants to bring you back from the dead for a “cool” $216,500. They’ll freeze your body in liquid nitrogen immediately after you die and revive you when (if?) the technology catches up. Seriously, 650 folks and pets are already signed up. If you can’t swing that price, they’ll freeze just your brain for a mere $80,000.
“Magical teleprompter”: That’s how startup Final Round AI markets its Interview Copilot app for job seekers. Their tech listens in while you complete a job interview from home and feeds you the perfect answers on screen in real time. Whether or not you think it’s “cheating,” the person interviewing for the job you want might be using it.
🔖 Easier than bookmarks: Set all your tabs to open when you start your browser. In Chrome, click the three vertical dots, then Settings. Click On startup > Continue where you left off. Steps for Safari, Firefox and Edge here. Power move!
The average startup founder’s age is 42. But for the most successful tech companies — we’re talking the top 0.1% of revenue — the average age is a little different. Are the most successful tech companies founded by someone older or younger than 42? (Hey, you have 50-50 odds today!)
Flock, the startup that’s all about catching criminals with its license plate cams, finds itself on thin ice, legally. They “forgot” to secure installation permits in Florida, Illinois, South Carolina, Texas and Washington.
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.
Tech Tip: Set your browser to start fresh or reopen your tabs on startup
High-speed internet makes everything better. You can stream to your heart’s content or open 20 tabs when researching a new recipe to try out.
You may be paying for fast service, but your internet speeds rely on more than just bandwidth. Your browsing habits and the health of your computer also impact how fast your system works. Tap or click here for five ways to speed up a slow browser.
Tech 101: What to do when your computer freezes
Pop quiz: How often do you need to restart your computer for best performance?
Here’s a hint. If you only do it when your machine crashes or needs to update, that’s not enough. Tap or click for my recommendation for keeping your computer happy.