All tech. No filler.
Join 900,000+ people who stay ahead of the tech curve with The Current, delivered daily. No fluff, no BS.
Breaking news and tips
How to freeze your credit and protect your identity
First, look at the handy AI photo. If only, I’d be so good at multitasking. (lol)
“Hey, Kim, I just was notified that my personal data was part of the recent SimonMed data breach. My data’s already out there from another breach. Does it even matter anymore?” — Sara in Newport Beach, CA
Hearing about breach after breach at banks, hospitals, insurance companies, even schools, it’s easy to feel like throwing your hands up.
Your Social Security number? Gone. Your passwords? Already for sale. So does protecting your identity still matter?
Absolutely. More than ever.
Here’s the deal: You can’t stop your info from leaking. That ship has sailed. But you can stop criminals from ruining your life with it.
✅ Here’s how to protect yourself
- Set up an IRS online account: You’ll be able to spot suspicious activity early. Go here.
- Get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN): It’s a six-digit code that locks down your tax return, so no one can file in your name without it. Get your PIN here.
- Pull your credit reports: Head to AnnualCreditReport.com. It’s free, and you’ll see if anything weird pops up.
- Freeze your credit for free: Note there are four credit bureaus now.
You might not be able to stop the next breach, but you can stop it from wrecking your finances, your credit and sanity.
🛟 An extra layer of protection
I had LifeLock until I got tired of paying nearly $300 a year and being constantly upsold. Now I use NordProtect, and only pay $51.24 a year. That’s 71% off when signing up for two years using my promo code. Big difference.
Just the other day, I got an alert that my personal info was exposed in a site’s data breach. Thanks to NordProtect, I knew right away. I deleted the account and stopped any trouble before it started.
A brew-tiful Monday starts here
Only steamy finds that actually earn a spot on your counter.
🫖 Electric kettle (25% off): Built-in infuser = perfectly steeped tea. Even shuts off on its own, so you don’t panic mid-Zoom call.
Silverware organizer (39% off): Tame that junk drawer. This expandable tray keeps every utensil in its own lane.
🍫 Chocolate molds (33% off, set of six): Whip up peppermint bark bites, hot cocoa bombs or DIY stocking stuffers.
Air fryer liners (23% off): The lazy cook’s secret weapon. Just toss one in for a nearly spotless basket. 4.6 stars & 28K+ reviews.
☕ Coffee machine descaler (20% off): Hard water got your brew tasting “blah”? These tabs get your cups back to café-fresh.
💕 My favorite earbuds (20% off): 32-hour battery life, fabulous sound, noise cancellation, and since every ear is different (obviously), they come with 6 different-size gel tips to fit any size.*
😋 Still stir crazy? Check out 35 more of my faves over on Amazon. Great way to kick off early gift shopping.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Your password is too short. Let’s fix that
I hate passwords. They are a total pain in the butt. Now don’t kill the messenger…
Hackers have amped up their game and are using powerful AI software that can rip through millions of password combinations in seconds. Brace yourself, your password really needs to be at least 20 characters, and there should be a completely different one for each account.
🎁 Get a free smart home energy checkup: Want to see how much energy your gadgets are really using? Many utility companies offer free smart home energy audits, some even throw in free smart plugs, LED bulbs or thermostat rebates. Just search “[Your Electric Company] free energy audit” to see what’s available in your area. Some companies also offer free Nest or Ecobee thermostats if you enroll in energy-saver programs.
🏎️ Apple enters the pit lane: Apple just dropped $750 million for exclusive U.S. rights to stream Formula 1. For the next five years, every race, practice and crash will be on Apple TV. They’re borrowing commentary from F1 TV or Sky Sports, at least for now. If you’re a zoom-zoom fan, better find your Apple ID fast. Speaking of… What is the best liquor for watching Formula 1? Rrrrruuummmmm!
Is the Apple Vision Pro still worth it?
It’s anything but a success. Sales are gloomy. Apple’s still selling it. Why? Here’s my take in this short podcast.
How ChatGPT helped me win in court
Staci from New Mexico got sued for alleged $5,200 debt. Instead of hiring a lawyer, she hired AI. She got $2,000 back. Wow. Plus, satellites that leak too much info, ChatGPT goes NSFW, and a webcam scam that’ll make you cover your camera.
📶 Android hotspot not working? Make sure Mobile data is on, then go to Settings > Connections > Mobile Hotspot and Tethering > Mobile Hotspot. Turn it off, scroll to Network name and rename it. Set the Band to 2.4 GHz, hit Save and turn it back on. Still no luck? Forget the network and rejoin, or restart your phone.
3 ways to practice self-care with tech
It’s time to take a breather. Feeling a little burnt out? Try these tech tools for a happier, healthier you.
🎥 AI’s next film class: Google’s new Veo 3.1 can generate eerily realistic videos complete with audio, edits and, this is a big one, TikTok-ready vertical frames. It’s rolling out across Gemini and YouTube Shorts, which means spotting what’s real online just got harder. If you blink, you might miss the line between “content” and “AI slop.”
Get your home holiday-ready
The busy season’s creeping in fast. Jump on these steals before the rush.
✨ Permanent outdoor lights (40% off): Keep your place glowing all year long. Set them up once and never drag out another string.
Foldable step stool (17% off): Sturdy, lightweight and folds in seconds. Perfect for grabbing your festive decor from the top shelf.
🎃 Pumpkin carving kit (23% off): Ditch the flimsy tools, and craft jack-o’-lanterns that actually look like your Pinterest inspo.
Christmas gift tags (15% off, 500 pieces): These little labels take your presents from last-minute to perfectly put together.
🎁 Wrapping paper set (14% off): Add a pop of fun with 10 sheets that help all your gifts stand out from the pack.
🍂 Get ahead of the chaos: Explore today’s top deals for more easy seasonal wins.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
When robots start flying us
Imagine boarding a plane, looking toward the cockpit … and no one’s there. No captain, no copilot. Just empty seats and a glowing dashboard. Sounds like sci-fi, right? Nope, it’s real, and it’s already flying.
Ever feel like your body’s buffering? Check out Native Hydrate from NativePath. With clean energy and zero sugar, it actually helps me feel more awake and focused. It’s my little daily recharge. Use my link to give it a try, and get 44% off!
Prosper got popped: Your identity might be someone else’s new side hustle. If you ever applied for a loan with Prosper, your name, SSN and income are probably on the dark web. They say no money was touched, but that’s not the part thieves want … yet. You know the drill, watch out for phishing scams. I’d be remiss if I did not remind you of the affordable identity theft protection offered by my radio sponsor, NordProtect. Hit this link to save up to 71%.
📵 Make your iPhone less distracting: If social media keeps pulling you in, try this focus trick. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Color Filters, then toggle it on. Your screen will turn Grayscale, instantly dulling that dopamine hit. Best part? You’re not blocking apps, just making them a lot less tempting.
Apple’s new M5 chip: What you need to know
The AI computer era is here. Apple’s M5 chip is rolling out in the MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Vision Pro. Then, a wild call from Eileen, who’s helping her friend after an IT shop scam cost thousands. Plus, billionaire bunkers, Jeff Bezos’ space dreams, and more big tech updates.
Real-life energy vampires
In today’s AI-powered podcast, find out which everyday electronics are draining your power bill. Spooky! Also, how easy (and fast) it is for scammers to clone your voice. Don’t miss these simple ways to protect your privacy, save money and stay tech ahead!
🖥️ Speed up Windows startup: You can make your PC boot faster. On Windows 11, open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options. Click Choose what the power buttons do, then select Change settings that are currently unavailable. Check Turn on fast startup (recommended) at the bottom and hit Save changes.
🕵️ Legal stalking: Well, this is creepy. A Nebraska woman thought she’d lost her AirPods, but it turns out, she found four tracking devices hidden under her car. Four! Investigators say her ex used them to stalk her. Get this, it’s not technically illegal in Nebraska to plant trackers. What? Lawmakers are now pushing to close that terrifying loophole.