Happy Valentine’s Day! A little tech love

Happy Valentine’s Day! I share some of my tech loves that you’ll love, too.

How to remove personal data from data broker sites (Spoiler: I use Incogni)

I’ll never forget when my son, Ian, asked me where in Los Angeles I lived. I told him I couldn’t remember — it was 30 years ago, and I lived there for maybe six months. A few minutes later, he called and had the address. It was available for free to anyone on the internet […]

Elon Musk and Sam Altman are fighting like kids on the playground

I’ll break down why and what it could mean for the future of AI.

'Forever chemicals' are everywhere in our tech and almost impossible to avoid

Have you heard of “forever chemicals?” I’ll break down PFAS and explain why you should be worried.


Tech how-to: Check your phone for signs someone is watching

Worried someone is watching what you do? Check these settings on your phone.


Tech myths: Streaming, AI, phone and computer ‘wisdom’ that isn’t

When it comes to tech myths, I’ve heard ‘em all. Here are some popular ones, debunked.

Breaking news and tips

Small-biz tech advice: How to make more money

I’ve run a broadcast business for over 25 years. I joke I’m an overnight success, but the truth is it took a long time to get here. In the beginning, it was like any new small biz, shoved into a small, crappy workspace with bills piling up.

Whether you already run a small business or you’re thinking about starting one, I can help. By popular demand, I’m launching a small-business edition of this newsletter, packed with tech tips, smart strategies and insider tricks to help you grow and make money.

Hit this link to get on the list so you don’t miss issue No. 1 when it drops.

Now, let’s dive into some must-know tips for every business owner.

How to get your business and website listed in AI answers

This one is all over my inbox. The funny thing is your website and online search reputation are the big drivers to getting your company and your content to display in AI results. Yep, AI is fed by the thing it is killing. A few pro tips:

Keep your website fresh. AI is looking for clear, helpful content about your products, services or whatever. The algorithms value reliable sources, so make sure your “About” page boasts all about your qualifications and your FAQ page answers common questions.

Use natural language. Chatbots are trained to prioritize real-world phrasing. Write how you’d talk to a customer.

Ask your loyal customers to pitch in. AI looks for signs people are talking about you. Reviews get the most weight, then social media comments and mentions, too.

Write better CTAs: That’s a call to action, and no matter what you do or sell, yours should be clear, compelling and action-oriented. Skip “Click here” and try something that speaks directly to your audience’s needs. Instead of “Sign up,” try “Get your free guide.” Instead of “Learn more,” play with something like “See how it works.” Struggling? Paste your CTAs into a chatbot and ask it for help making them more clickable.

“Where am I leaving money on the table?” Ask ChatGPT. Never feed in your finances or exact reporting, but you can tell it about your company, what you do and how you make your money, and see if it has any bright ideas to get revenues up.

📈 Cheaper, more effective Facebook ads: Use engagement custom audiences to target people who’ve already interacted with your content, like someone who’s liked one of your posts or watched a video. This cuts the cost of getting a qualified lead. Love that! To get started, go to Ads Manager > Audiences > Create a custom audience.

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Big things in small packages

These must-haves bring peace of mind to your family’s busy life.

  • Protect little ones from sharp corners on furniture with a 12-pack of safety bumpers ($8).
  • Tame your kid’s stuffed animals. A hammock (38% off) keeps them tidy and easy to grab.
  • Ooh-la-la. a rotating jewelry box (20% off) with five drawers and 18 necklace hooks.
  • Planning a trip? Order TSA-approved travel containers (23% off) now so you’re not panic-running to Target the night before your flight.
  • Big sound, little earbuds, great price! Raycon’s earbuds (20% off) sound just like the fancy-schmancy pairs* but without the fancy-schmancy price tag!
  • This compact travel document bag (20% off) has three layers of protection against fires and floods.

👜 Gen Z wishlist: What the heck do teens want? I’ve gotcha. Check out my list of stuff they’ll love.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

🚲 Wheel-y safe: Registering your bike with your local police makes getting it back easier if it’s stolen. Just search online for “bicycle registration” plus your city name and look for an official website ending in .gov. Pro tip: Wire locks are easy to cut, so go for a U-lock instead. I found one (15% off) that has great reviews.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

🎓 Fake it till you make it: On TikTok, people of all ages are pretending they got into Harvard. The viral videos are funny, but it’s no joke that lawsuits have exposed donors and alumni kids getting special treatment. Speaking of … A Texan went to an Ivy League party on the East Coast. He walks up to a group of young women and asks, “Howdy, which school did y’all go to?” One of the women replied, “Yale.” The Texan asked again loudly, “WHICH SCHOOL DID Y’ALL GO TO?” (I saw you smile!)

Modern day Jonah

A dad watched a giant whale swallow his son and caught the whole thing on video. Phew, the kid survived! The whale spat him and the kayak he was in out after a few seconds. One moment he’s paddling, the next he’s completely gone.

Free package on your doorstep?

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Hackers are mailing fake Amazon packages with QR codes inside. Scan it, and malware hijacks your phone in seconds. Here’s how to stay safe. 

🙏 Siri to the rescue: I love stories about tech saving lives. A 70-year-old in Florida had a stroke and couldn’t reach his landline. He spent 48 hours drifting in and out of consciousness, then he crawled into the living room. He yelled for Siri to call his daughter, who then contacted 911. He’s doing well! Most stroke patients need help within an hour. Talk about beating the odds.

By the numbers

57 years old

The new Spanish Scrabble world champion. This is wild. Nigel Richards is from New Zealand and doesn’t speak any Spanish. He has an encyclopedic memory, memorizing words as soon as he reads them. He’s also won the Scrabble world championship multiple times in French and English (paywall link). Reminds me … My dog accidentally swallowed some Scrabble tiles. Her next poop could spell disaster. (Oh, that was so good.)

ROG Ally X: Can this gaming handheld replace your laptop?

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Andrew and new co-host Joey put the ROG Ally X to the test. Sure, it’s great for gaming, but can it really replace your computer? Plus, a deep dive into the Insta360 camera and its AI tricks. Are these guys the tech experts we need? Listen to find out!

I did the work for you: Protecting yourself online doesn’t have to be complicated. I’ve handpicked the five best tools to safeguard your devices, data and identity.

Rude awakening: Ever fall asleep watching TV? If you have a Roku, press the asterisk button on your remote to open the menu. Scroll to Volume mode and use the arrows to change it. Leveling makes sounds even so things like ads won’t jolt you awake. Night mode makes quiet sounds like whispering louder and lowers more intense sounds, like shouting.

3 ways to use Google Lens

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Snap a pic, get answers. Google Lens helps you shop, translate text, and solve problems fast.

Fewer bells, fewer whistles: The average CPU performance is dropping for the first time in 20 years. It’s not because chips are getting weaker. Most folks don’t need a powerhouse processor to check emails and scroll social media, so the cheaper option works just fine.

Severance — Official Trailer | Apple TV+

One more place to watch out for TV spoilers: A podcast about the dystopian TV series “Severance” on AppleTV+ included an ad for an episode that hadn’t aired yet. Director Ben Stiller dropped a bombshell (paywall link). Yeah, fans are peeved. “Severance” is fantastic and weird. Here’s the spoiler-free trailer if you need a new show.

Data brokers are cashing in, but you can stop them

Everyone wants your Social Security number. Some requests are legit, like when you’re starting a new job, applying for a loan or verifying your identity.

But countless others, from data brokers to scammers, are after your nine-digit code, too. In fact, an estimated 2,400 data brokers operate in the U.S., collecting and selling billions of personal records, often without your knowledge. Some even offer “credit header data,” which includes Social Security numbers, for as little as $5 per record.

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You might need this: OpenAI’s fancy ChatGPT deep research agent pulls info from multiple sources but takes 30 minutes per search. It’s coming to Free and Plus tiers pretty soon, not just the $200-per-month option. The catch? Plus users get 10 prompts a month and Free users get two. I’ve mentioned before this is great to use with medical issues, business ideas and just about anything that needs a ton of research.

Got a side hustle? Watch out for this tax change

Every morning, I sit down with my amazing executive producer, Madi, to plan what tech tidbits I’m going to bring you in my national radio shows, podcasts and this newsletter. Today, she came in with a doozy.

Her boyfriend got an email with a tax form he wasn’t expecting. Last year, he made about $20,000 on eBay selling comics, some bikes and a few other things. Like most folks getting a 1099‑K for the first time, he has no idea just how much he’ll owe yet.

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Wisconsin Cheese Mart: Gemini in Google Docs

🧀 Gouda grief, not again: Google had to edit one of its Super Bowl ads after its AI butchered a fact about Gouda. In the original video, Gemini said Gouda made up 50% to 60% of the world’s cheese consumption. Spoiler: It doesn’t. The fixed version calls it “one of the most popular cheeses in the world.” Another reminder AI loves to make crap up or, as the AI companies say, “hallucinate.”

By the numbers

$439

For AirPods that aren’t the default Apple white. ColorWare sells custom-painted earbuds in neutral skin tones with names like “Glaze,” “Toasty” and “Java.” Heads-up: You don’t need to waste money. A colorful AirPod cover is around $5 if you want to jazz yours up.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

🦉 Gone but not forgotten: RIP to Duolingo’s green owl mascot. In a very strange marketing stunt, the language-learning app put up a video that shows the little guy getting run over by a Cybertruck, shooting through the sky, past space and straight into hell. Now there’s a reward for anyone who IDs the driver. Hey, it worked, because #RIPduo is trending.