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You might not realize it, but airlines and cruise lines collect a lot of data, from your seat choice to the websites you browse on their Wi-Fi.
Breaking news and tips
Stop your devices from listening
What’s the obvious downside for always-on devices that constantly listen for commands? They’re always listening. Voice-activated tech uses microphones that listen for wake words, meaning they can hear personal conversations you don’t want them to hear. Don’t worry, you can stop it.
The tech you can’t see
“Ultrasonic” refers to radio waves humans can’t hear. It’s like a secret language for your smart devices. And guess what? Apps are using this tech to listen in.
Sneaky apps listen for “beacons” to determine where you shop and what you buy. They then pair browser cookies to your device to track you. The good news is you can outsmart this technology, and it’s as simple as flipping a switch (well, almost).
Turn off microphone access for apps without a logical reason to use it. Think flashlights and other apps that don’t need to listen.
Note: The steps may vary depending on your device’s model and operating system version.
On iOS:
- Open the Settings app, then scroll and tap Privacy & Security.
- Locate the menu labeled Microphone and tap it.
- Find the app you want to turn off the mic for and toggle the green switch to the off position.
On Android:
- Open the Settings app, then scroll and tap Security & Privacy.
- Tap Privacy, followed by Permission manager.
- Tap Microphone and locate the app you want to turn the mic off for.
- Toggle the slider to the off position.
Stopping voice assistants
Now, let’s tackle those helpful (yet sometimes nosy) virtual assistants.
The gardener wet his plants.
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We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
5 text scams going around right now
It’s not just clingy exes popping into your messages out of the blue. Scammers are ramping up phony texts across the country. You can make the texts stop (more below). Here are the latest ones making the rounds and the red flags to watch for:
📍 Friend finder: Meeting up can be tricky if your friends use different phones. If you all have Facebook, use Messenger to share your location. Open the Messenger app, then create a chat group with your crew. Tap the plus sign, then Start Sharing Live Location. You can do this on Google Maps, too.
🖼️ Hue here among us can Saturate me: Google’s new Gemini AI Flash 2.0 Experimental mode lets you edit images by simply asking. Want to add or delete objects, change scenery or zoom in and out? Just type it in, and boom, done. Don’t worry, Photoshoppers, you get to keep your job for a while. I used it to create an image of me, on a dolphin, in Hawaii at the end.
Flying soon? Here’s how airlines track you
From the moment you book, airlines collect data on your habits, web activity, and even your complaints. Here’s how to protect your privacy in the skies.
Microsoft is paywalling Notepad and Paint: If you don’t have a Microsoft 365 subscription ($9.99/month), in Notepad, options like Rewrite, Make shorter, Make longer, Change tone and Change format will be grayed out. Over in Paint, the Image Creator will be blocked. Seriously, who uses Notepad or Paint anyway?
4,000 mph
Speed the SR-72, a top secret hypersonic jet, is said to reach. The U.S. aircraft is anticipated to break the sound barrier this year at speeds exceeding Mach 6, making it the fastest plane ever. You could fly from New York to Los Angeles in under 37 minutes. Vroom-vroom! Watch this video about it now.
Secret phone hack
Plus: Gmail and Outlook hack alert, Google’s AI mess, Chromecast fix, Roku nerve and more to know
Want to improve Apple Maps? A new app called Maps Surveyor lets you take pictures of street signs and roadside details on assigned routes. But there’s a catch: You’ll need to have the Premise app installed first. That’s a platform that rewards people for completing small tasks. So yes, you might get paid!
🛠️ Bricked no more: Great news if your Chromecast recently stopped working. Google’s rolling out an update that should fix it. If your second-gen Chromecast or Chromecast Audio got bricked, check the Google Home app to update it there.
Clear signs you’re using AI to write
Use ChatGPT, Gemini or Claude to craft that perfect office email? From overused words to perfect grammar, here’s how to avoid sounding like a robot.
Egg prices got you scrambling?
Rent a chicken. Seriously. Rent The Chicken lets you “borrow” hens for fresh eggs at home. For about $140 a month, you’ll get two hens, a portable coop, feed and instructions to keep them happy. Expect one to two dozen eggs per week.
What really happens when you delete a text?
We’ve all had those texts we want to delete — from bad jokes and typos, to (gulp) sending something sensitive to the wrong contact. Can you really ever remove a text from your life? Is a deleted text really deleted for good? It’s complicated.
✅ 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. So easy! Save 60% with my special link.
Steamy savings
🛀 Let’s face it: Your bathroom deserves a glow-up.
- Turn your shower into a spa with these steamers to fill the air with fresh scents.
- Drink or read in the tub? Grab a bathtub tray (25% off) to hold ’em while you relax.
- Step out onto a bath mat (20% off) that’s slip-free and easy to clean.
- Tired eyes don’t stand a chance against these under-eye masks (38% off).
💋 Treat yourself: Check out my page for more self-care picks to help you feel your best.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Coming to Google Gemini: Show to tell
Soon, you can open up your phone’s camera with Google Gemini to know what you’re seeing or answer questions in real time. Watch it in action. Now, imagine all the uses from knowing what you’re looking at when traveling to identifying a skin rash that your doctor will say, “You’re a sight for psoriasis.” (I saw you smile!)
36,000
Cases of cancer each year are linked to CT scans. Some radiologists are using up to three times the radiation to get clearer pics, even if a lower dose would work. About 90 million scans are done in a year. This could cause 2% of all diagnoses.
TikTok on the clock: The latest plan to save TikTok by April 5 comes with a big catch (paywall link). Oracle is the front-runner, but it will only take a small stake to look after your data. The app’s algorithm? Surprise, surprise, China will still control it. The algorithm is what makes TikTok tick.