They get ya when you’re in a rush

February 21, 2024

You don’t want to miss the last available spot for dinner tonight, so you let a reservation-booking app access your Google Calendar. Harmless, right? Wrong.

The more apps you give access to your account, the more you’re exposed. And if an app suffers a data breach, that puts you at risk.

The good news is it’s easy to revoke third-party app permissions. Here’s how:

Log in at myaccount.google.com and tap Security.
Scroll to Your connections to third-party apps & services > See all connections.
Select the app or service you want to review, then choose See details.
Click Stop using Sign in with Google and confirm your selection.

NOTE: This does not delete your account with that app. It may request access to your Google account again the next time you open it, so be on the lookout.

🤣 Where’s the best place to hide a body? Page 2 of the Google search results.

Tags: Google, security

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Tech that’s changing the world (not just AI!)

“Kim, what’s coming soon that will change the world?” I get this question a lot. “AI” is a definite answer. But what about life changers that have nothing to do with AI?

Like this one. Infection after surgery occurs in one of every 10 patients. A genius high-schooler created a special suture that changes color when an infection is present. Amazing, right? Here are some others that I bet you’ll want to tell your family and friends about. Shout out to Reader’s Digest for compiling a great list.

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Tech hack: Make your computer more useful with widgets

I’ve been writing this newsletter for almost a year, and somehow, some way, we’ve never talked about widgets. “Whoa, Kim! Too exciting for a Wednesday!” I know, I know. But trust me, you’ll be glad you spent a few minutes fiddling with your computer to set these up.

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✍️ That was easy: Adobe has two URLs for the next time you need to adjust a PDF or add your signature: edit.ing and sign.ing. Yep, those are real URLs.

Simple side hustle: Put your truck or SUV to work moving oversized items for people with cars too small for that couch or fridge they just bought. TaskRabbit or GoShare are good options. GoShare says drivers make a whopping $45 to $168 an hour.

📘 Time to upgrade: Still use a Nook e-reader from Barnes & Noble? It’s retiring some of the older models. You’ll still be able to use it, but you won’t be able to access your Nook account or buy new books. Good time to switch to a Kindle.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Taking a trip soon? Do what I do. Before you get on the plane, Team Android, stick a Tile Mate tracker (or, Team Apple, an AirTag) into your suitcase. If the airline loses your luggage, the app can help track it down.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

A bag of rice doesn’t work: Apple now says forget the rice. If your phone gets wet, turn it off immediately to prevent a short circuit. Remove the cover, wipe down the phone, then let it air dry in a cool place. Keep it upright with the ports facing downward to let any water drain. The hardest part? Waiting at least 24 hours to turn it back on.

You’ll never believe this: No need to screenshot your weird ChatGPT convos. With “shared links,” whip up a unique URL for your chat and ping it to a friend. Try it!

Job-hunting advice: When submitting your resume online, put about 10 keywords from the job description at the end of your document in a white font. The bots that filter resumes will “see” these words and look upon you favorably, but human eyes won’t detect them.

Not lost in translation: Gmail’s app for iOS and Android lets you translate emails right on your phone. You’ll see a Translate banner at the top of the message if it’s in a foreign language. Pretty slick.