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The sound police are coming for ya
Look at that picture. What we’ve got here is not just another traffic camera, but a fully deputized decibel detective. Meet the sound police.
These new noise cameras are the cousins of speed and red-light cameras, but instead of catching you with a heavy foot, they’re busting you for a heavy exhaust.
No radar guns here, just sensitive microphones measuring every decibel you dish out. Too loud? Ticket’s on the way, courtesy of the volume vigilante.
🔊 Silence of the lambos
Each setup has super-sensitive microphones paired with a camera. If your car’s exhaust note tips over the legal decibel limit (often in the low 80s), the mic triggers the camera. It snaps your license plate faster than you can say “downshift,” and a ticket is on its way.
No police officer, no flashing lights, only stealthy surveillance keeping score 24/7. A story in The Wall Street Journal (paywall link) highlighted Newport, Rhode Island, where two of these were placed along scenic Ocean Avenue.
Within days, a Mustang GT got nailed for hitting 85 decibels, only two over the limit, and was slapped with a $250 fine. New York City’s had them since 2021. Get caught repeatedly, and you could be out nearly $2,500. Ouch.
🏎️ Too loud and furious
If you’re a neighbor who’s sick of the late-night “look at me” exhaust revs, you’re probably cheering. Imagine sitting on your porch and hearing the ocean instead of a rolling car meet.
Some of these tickets hit totally stock, street-legal cars.
And here’s where I gulp: When I’m in my Porsche and flip into manual mode, rowing through the gears with that beautiful exhaust note singing … let’s just say I’d better be ready for my close-up (and maybe my checkbook).
🚔 Roar and peace
Grime time
🏠 Mess is inevitable. Being ready for it is the real magic.
- 🔌 Cut the cord: The 60-min battery on this cordless vacuum (38% off) powers through your place in one go.
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- ♻️ The right fit: These leak-proof mini garbage bags (15% off) are perfect for small bins.
⭐ Best of the best: See what’s topping Amazon’s Best Sellers chart, and shop my handpicked favorites on my storefront. Just a click away!
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
🎥 She rang his doorbell. Smiled. Took his bank card. Then drained his bank account.
Scott Merovitch did everything right, or so he thought. A longtime Wells Fargo customer, he got a call that seemed totally legit. The person on the line knew his recent transactions. They said his debit card had been compromised and the bank needed to send someone to his house to collect it.
💥 Rename your Windows 11 PC: I called mine “Sir Crash-a-Lot.” Personalize it by going to Settings > System > About > Rename this PC. Type your new name, click Next, then Restart to apply. Now it’s easier to identify your computer when you’re on a network or connecting via Bluetooth. Nice.
Are you on carrier cruise control? I use Consumer Cellular, which offers the same reliable coverage as the big guys but for much less. Two lines for just $60 with unlimited talk, text and data. No hidden fees, just great coverage and U.S.-based customer service. AARP discounts available, too. Save $25 with the code KIM25.
A big hit by a fake band
Spotify’s top artist is 100% AI, from the songs to the photos. Here’s what to know.
$645 million
That’s the price tag on Bill Gates’ hydrogen-powered superyacht. Well, allegedly his. The 390-foot climate-conscious leviathan is up for sale, even though Gates reportedly never set foot on it. Complete with a movie theater, gym, library and 14 balconies, because one just won’t do when you’re pondering your legacy in a hydrogen bubble bath.
🔌 Running out of power outlets? I use multi-plug extenders around my house. Here’s one for under $10 that turns 2 wall outlets into 5. It also adds 4 USB ports, so you can charge multiple devices at once. Oh, and there’s a built-in 1680-joule surge protector to keep your electronics safe. You’re welcome.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Instagram is tracking you right now
Two creepy new Instagram features could expose your likes and location. If you value your privacy, turn them off now!
💨 Kale, yeah: Amazon now delivers groceries like milk, meat and veggies the same day. Great when your stomach needs instant gratification. It’s live in 1,000 cities and will reach 2,300 by year’s end. Orders over $25 ship free for Prime members, with insulated bags keeping things fresh. Top sellers? Strawberries, limes and avocados because guac waits for no one.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
The right ‘pour’ decisions
👩🍳 Big flavor doesn’t need a big footprint, just these handy tools.
- ☕ Sip happens: Keep your coffee or tea piping hot with a smart mug warmer (50% off).
- 💦 Pitcher perfect: Snag this 10-cup pitcher (20% off) with 4.6 stars and 15,000+ rave reviews.
- 🥫 Can-do attitude: One touch and this electric can opener (40% off) handles any lid size.
- 🍱 No microwave? No prob. This heated lunchbox (21% off) serves a toasty meal in 30 minutes.
- 🥬 Lettuce stay fresh: These fridge containers (20% off, three-pack) double as strainers. Neat.
😋 Stir up some more: Hit this secret link for more extra-hot deals. Then, browse my Amazon shop for a full buffet of clever kitchen gear.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
3-second tech genius
No skills? No problem. George, your AI host, shows you AI art tools that bring your craziest ideas to life. Plus, secret hacks to supercharge your gadgets … and a surfing cat.
Charlie Chaplin’s in theaters after 100 years
Charlie Chaplin famously rereleased his 1925 silent classic The Gold Rush in 1942 with new narration and edits, believing it would connect better with modern audiences. Now, thanks to film archivists and AI, the silent masterpiece has been painstakingly restored. The 4K version just premiered at Cannes and hit 250 theaters worldwide.
📎 Clippy’s cursed reboot: Microsoft dropped “365 companions,” mini-apps that haunt your task bar like friendly ghosts of productivity. They do just enough (search files, poke calendars, hover over your contacts) to pretend they’re helpful.
Filter Spotlight search on Mac: Next time you search with Command + Space, add the filter kind: followed by a term. For example: kind:mail invoice only shows results in Mail, kind:pdf invoice finds PDFs, or kind:folder invoice searches a specific folder. Smart.
AI brings back a school shooting victim
Jim Acosta interviewed an AI avatar of Joaquin Oliver, a 17-year-old killed in the Parkland shooting. Was that too far? A listener uses ChatGPT to get better at painting. Plus, Zuckerberg’s Hawaiian compound, a scary new bank scam, and AI wedding vows.
Adapt with the times
👩💻 Complicated setups are out. Simple, smart solutions are in.
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- 🔊 Beats on the go: A waterproof portable speaker (21% off) makes a great gift year-round.
🤖 Skip the endless scrolling: I’ve put today’s top tech deals all in one place … aka my Amazon storefront. That click will save you a ton of money!
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
🌐 Better Chrome: You can change those little shortcut icons in the middle of the Google home page. Open a new tab, click Customize Chrome (bottom right) and scroll to Shortcuts. Toggle on Show shortcuts, and select My shortcuts or Most-visited sites. To remove one, click the three-dot menu and hit Remove.
NYC’s newest side hustle: Gotta give it up to ingenuity! A woman’s making cash “car-sitting” so folks don’t get street-cleaning tickets. In New York, if you don’t move your car, you get fined. Her gig? You stay at work while she chills in your ride until the sweeper passes. Beats paying the $65 ticket.