🎵 Cool site: Spotlistr turns any list of songs into a Spotify playlist you can stream or share. Paste in a list in pretty much any format, connect your account, and then wham, bam, a playlist without all the manual searching.
Tech how-to: 4 secret things your TV can do
I always want you to get the most out of the goodies you buy. Your TV isn’t just for watching Netflix or live sports; with a little know-how, it can become a productivity powerhouse, a charging station, a photo album and a streaming hub (even if it’s old). Let me show you how.
1. A big honkin’ workstation
Working on a tiny laptop screen is no fun, especially if you’re staring at spreadsheets, giving a presentation or trying to join a Zoom meeting. Use the big screen instead.
How to: Connect an HDMI cable to your TV and to your laptop. Pair a keyboard and mouse, too. If your TV has Bluetooth capabilities, you can connect directly; if not, use your laptop to pair these devices while your TV acts as a monitor.
Get the gear: An HDMI cable with 4K support will give you the best display quality. For seamless compatibility, grab a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse combo like Logitech’s.
💡 Pro tip: If your keyboard and mouse won’t pair, try turning them off and rebooting your TV. Here’s the trick: Be patient! Wait 30 seconds to let everything fully disconnect before you try again. You’ll get a fresh start, and it should pair like a charm.
2. An extra spot to charge
Ever feel like you never have enough outlets? Here’s where your TV’s USB ports come to the rescue. Plug your charging cable directly into the TV. USB ports typically deliver less power than a wall outlet.
How to: Plug in your charging cable, and you’re all set.
Get the gear: Keep a few spare USB cables handy for emergencies. A dual-purpose cable with multiple connector types (like USB-C and Lightning) can save the day.
3. Turn your TV into a digital photo album
Many TVs let you cast photos directly from your phone, but not all of them make it easy. If yours is older, you probably thought you were out of luck.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Protect your data before catastrophe strikes – after is too late
I know you felt it because I did, too. Watching coverage of the Los Angeles fires and, now, the destruction left in their wake, has been heartbreaking. A reader emailed me: “People had very little time to gather anything before they had to leave their houses. I’d appreciate your advice on what to do before a catastrophe.”
DeepSeek told me some weird things
DeepSeek, the blockbuster AI chatbot from Communist China, told me that 95% of global internet traffic flows through undersea cables. That wasn’t surprising, but what came next was:
This is from the state-approved chatbot that’s gone viral for blocking anything Communist China deems inappropriate.
Netflix is $25 a month now: How much do you spend on streaming? Use the Rocket Money app to see what you’re paying for. I do! They’ll even cancel a subscription for you if it’s not worth the money.
Shift + Delete is forever: On Windows, hitting Delete sends files to the recycle bin. But if you hold down Shift + Delete, the file skips the bin and is gone-gone. On a Mac, hold down Option + Cmd + Delete to say bye forever.
Hidden HDMI hack: Look at your TV. Spot an ARC port? You can use the Audio Return Channel to connect a soundbar or AV receiver with just one cable. Sweet — better audio quality and no extra wires.
📺 Binge in bulk: New to iPhone, you can download an entire season of a Netflix show with one tap. Season Download works on Android, too. In the app, open the show’s page. The Download Season button is on the right, next to Share. Tap it, and the season starts downloading. Easy.
No judgment: AI can explain things you might be embarrassed to ask another person. Try prompts like, “Explain this like I’m a fifth grader” or “Give me a plain English breakdown of this.” I used that last one to learn about yield curve inversions. 💅
From Ed in Florida: “Kim, I want to get away from Google. If I sign up for StartMail, will it import all my email and contacts?” Yup. You can transfer your entire mailbox, including messages and contacts, with zero downtime and 100% security. Save 60% with my special link.
“Kim, how is EndpointLock different from a VPN?” Lots of you smarties asked! A VPN encrypts your internet connection and hides your web activity. EndpointLock encrypts your keystrokes so no one can copy what you type. It’s a must for me. Hit this link for 10% off.
Wait, wait, don’t tell me! Your sleep score (from an Apple Watch, Fitbit, your smart mattress or other device) can make or break your day. Researchers told people they slept horribly, and they performed worse on tests. If folks were told they slept like a champ, they performed better. Try this: Don’t look at your sleep score until later in the day so you can decide how you feel.
Impress your boss: Download NetSuite’s free knowledge e-book, “The CFO’s Guide to AI and Machine Learning.” No matter what you do, you should know more about AI.
💬 Get a transcript for anything: Let’s say you’re watching a YouTube video that’s packed with helpful info. Cool! Grab the written transcript and save it to read or review later. Hit this site, paste in the YouTube link, and watch the entire script load right there on the page.
If you think it’s annoying when your phone gets brighter or dimmer on its own, turn that off. On iPhone, open Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and toggle off Auto-Brightness. On Android, you’ll find it under Display settings.
⚡ Find it fast: If this one is new to you, you’re going to be so happy with me. Use Ctrl + F on Windows or Cmd + F on Mac to quickly find words or phrases in any document, webpage or app. I use this every single day.
AI 101: You’ll use this tip all the time. Open ChatGPT or your chatbot of choice the next time you’re struggling to get through a report, long email, research paper or whatever. Copy and paste it in, then say, “Summarize this in three sentences” or “Give me the key takeaways.”
Kim K. uses the FaceTune app: Not me — the other Kim K. She’s one of the many celebs who use it to look great in every photo on social media. It’s free to download, but there are a ton of in-app purchases. Expect to shell out $30 a year for all the editing features and to remove watermarks. More here.
68 to 70 degrees: Your thermostat’s sweet spot during winter to keep you comfy without raising your heating bill. Pro tip: Turn it down by 7 to 10 degrees for the hours you’re at work. You may save up to 10% a year. A smart thermostat makes it easy to maintain a schedule.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
📍 Google Maps pro tip: You don’t need to know the exact name of something to find it. Search Maps for general terms, like “plants and trees,” “frame shop” or “dog park,” and Google will find you spots that match.