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Love, hearing loss and Bluetooth settings
Barry and I were on vacation in the Bahamas, soaking up the sun and enjoying island life until he caught a nasty virus. The next morning, he woke up and said, “I can’t hear out of my right ear.”
Just like that, his hearing was gone.
He saw a doctor on the island who put him on a steroid immediately. Once we got home, he started a series of injections right into his ear to try to restore the hearing. Nothing worked.
🧏🏼 That’s when reality set in
He’d permanently lost the hearing in one ear.
At first, it was just little things. We avoided our favorite restaurants because they were too noisy. Conversations turned into misunderstandings. I’d start to tell a story, then stop halfway through because it was frustrating for both of us when he couldn’t quite catch the details.
Barry, like a lot of people, didn’t want to get a hearing aid. “They make you look old,” he’d say. And I get it, no one wants to feel like they’re falling apart.
But hearing loss doesn’t just affect one person. It changes how we connect with the people we love. We’ve been married 25 years. I wanted us back.
📱 Tech to the rescue
I helped him tweak his iPhone when he first lost his hearing.
- I went into Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > Balance to shift sound to his good ear.
- While there, I turned on LED Flash for Alerts for texts and calls so he wouldn’t miss them.
- I also activated Background Sounds to cut out unwanted chatter.
That really didn’t help much.
My heart is racing
🔎 Think size matters? These tiny tools work hard.
- This wrist brace (29% off) is like a hug for your hand.
- Make your feet baby soft with a callus remover ($20).
- Grab a variety pack of bandages ($10) to cover up cuts.
- Headache? Pop on this relief cap (26% off) and chill out.
- Get an armband monitor ($45) for a cheaper fitness tracker.
🏃♀️ Go the distance: Get your steps in without leaving home on this smart treadmill (9% off) that folds up for easy storage.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Wi-Fi in the sky without paying a dime (or close to it)
Is it just me, or does it feel downright offensive to pay $25 for in-flight Wi-Fi that barely loads your email?
Here’s the nasty truth: Some folks on your flight are scrolling TikTok or answering emails for free.
Create a stunning website like a pro: Just drag and drop. Bring your ideas to life with easy-to-use tools and no coding required. Try Framer for free today. Use promo code Kim to knock 25% off specific plans right now.
🚨 Fake crypto apps will make you cry: Again, this happened. Over 20 were found posing as popular wallets like SushiSwap, PancakeSwap and more. They asked folks to enter their 12-word mnemonic phrase, which could give hackers full access to their crypto. PSA: App icons can be deceiving; make sure the dev is verified and always double-check those reviews.
Apple’s lost its mojo
Apple’s WWDC 2025 is just as disappointing as expected. Has the company lost its magic touch?
95%
A new blood test is that good at spotting early signs of Alzheimer’s. It checks for two proteins tied to the disease: amyloid beta 42/40 and p-tau217. People with Alzheimer’s usually have more of the second one. The best part? The test is already FDA-approved and way cheaper (and less scary) than a spinal tap. Science wins again.
😊 Add emojis fast: Want to add some spice to your messages? You don’t have to hunt for the right emoji or symbol. On Windows, press the Windows key + period (.). On Mac, hit Control + Command + Space. The full emoji panel will pop up right where your cursor is.
Lexis Nexis data breach: See if you’re at risk
The data broker had a massive data breach, leaking personal info on hundreds of thousands of people. Here’s what you need to know.
Search cannibalism: I called it three years ago. As the once search giant Google morphs into a chat-style (paywall link) “answer engine,” clicks are drying up and traffic is cratering all over. The Atlantic’s CEO said to assume “Google traffic drops to zero.” Google once said, “Don’t be evil.” Today, it reminds me of Goya’s “Saturn Devouring His Son.”
Tech me with you
🤖 These make working, creating and staying connected easier.
- Carry a laptop backpack (32% off) with a built-in USB port.
- Plug in a Bluetooth transmitter (21% off) for your old gear.
- A stylus (5% off) that feels like a real pen? You betcha.
- Spot issues fast with a refrigerant leak detector ($27).
- This cordless hot glue gun (33% off) has an anti-drip nozzle.
😎 Your eyes = upgraded: Save big on AI-powered Ray-Ban Meta glasses (20% off). Classic look, high-tech features.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
WWDC 2025: iOS 26, Live Translation, and Apple’s next AI moves
Is Apple running out of new ideas? We break down everything from WWDC 2025, what’s legit, and what’s noise. Plus: A cyberattack takes down a major food supplier, AI goes head-to-head with cancer, and ChatGPT loses at chess to a console from 1977.
Titan submersible update
It’s been almost two years since the tragedy that killed all five onboard. Now, investigators are revealing some chilling finds from the ocean floor. In a new documentary, they say they found part of the OceanGate founder’s sleeve, with a pen, business cards and Titanic stickers still inside. So sad.
🌀 Bricks, bots and bad intel: When ICE protests broke out in L.A., social media broke with it. Old conspiracy theories, fake Obama quotes and a still from a 1983 helicopter movie (paywall link) all got reposted like it was open mic night at the misinformation improv club. Even a Malaysian brick company got dragged into the chaos. PSA: Verify before you share.
Alexa’s on the case: Wondering where your Amazon package is? You could hit this link or just say, “Alexa, where’s my stuff?” or “Alexa, track my order.” She’ll give you a quick update on your delivery status. Hands-free and hassle-free.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Collecting data on all Americans — June 7th, Hour 1
Palantir is a data analytics giant. Is it building a massive government database with your info? Here’s fact vs. fiction. Plus: a North Korean smartphone, a viral math trap, and 93 billion browser cookies for sale. And I help Steve from Phoenix edit his podcast with NotebookLM.
Grime’s going down
🧽 Only tools that don’t mess around … unless it’s to clean one up.
- Poof! An expandable wand (10% off) makes windshields shine.
- Stick on these ceiling fan filters ($22) to catch dust for you.
- Toss in some dryer balls (13% off) for softer, fresher laundry.
- Scrub your cup’s crusty crevices with a brush set (17% off).
- Keep your gear handy in this cleaning apron (8% off).
🐱 Fur be gone: Snag a steam brush ($26) to comb and de-shed your furry friend in one go. Your couch will thank you.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
🙈 No peeking: Disabling message previews keeps prying off your texts. On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications > Messages. For Android, it’s Settings > Notifications > App Notifications > Messages > Lock screen. Now that “urgent code” from your bank won’t show up while your phone’s unattended at a café.
📉 Pocket, zipped: Mozilla’s Pocket app — yes, the “save it for later” one — is shutting down July 8. Mozilla reasoned it needs to focus on Firefox, of all things. Data vanishes in October. If you’ve got a decade of unread articles, now’s your moment. Or just accept you’ll never finish that 2016 “Rise and Fall of Vine” op-ed.