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
This phone is made in the USA
“Kim, I love my iPhone 16 but hate it’s made in China and apps track everything you do including your bowel movements. Is there a phone made in the USA that doesn’t track you?” — Paul in Tampa, Florida
Well, Paul, there’s exactly one, the $1,999 Liberty Phone from Purism. If the name makes you want to stand up and salute, you might sit right back down when I tell you the rest.
📱 Parts
First, it’s made in California with mostly American parts. Key components though, like the screen, battery and camera, are from China, South Korea and India.
The Liberty Phone has a 5.7-inch LCD display at 720-by-1,440 resolution (yes, 720p in 2025). The iPhone 16 has a 6.1-inch OLED screen at 2,556-by-1,179 resolution, with over three times the pixel density.
The Liberty Phone is like an Etch A Sketch but grumpier.
It’s 9.5 ounces compared with your 6-ounce iPhone. The Liberty Phone battery is lame, barely gets through a full day.
🚀 Performance
The Liberty Phone runs on an NXP i.MX 8M chip, a processor used in things like smart thermostats. It’s slow. Combine that with just 3GB of RAM, and you’ll feel the lag.
The iPhone 16 runs on Apple’s new A17 chip with 6GB of RAM. It’s like comparing a scooter to a Porsche.
📸 Camera
The Liberty Phone gives you a 13MP rear camera and 8MP selfie cam. There’s no portrait mode, no low-light correction, no HDR.
Big-brained buys
🧠 You don’t need to be a genius to use today’s picks.
- ⚡ End the outlet wars: This power strip tower (22% off) has 16 plugs. Plus, four USB ports and a 10-foot-long cord.
- 🔌 Split ends: No, not your high school haircut. One USB-C cable (8% off, two-pack) charges four things at once.
- 🙈 Hide those wires: A cord management box (10% off, two-pack) is the adult way to tidy up your tech mess.
- ⌨️ Typing ninja? Switch between your phone, tablet or laptop with this Bluetooth keyboard (5% off).
- 🛜 Bye, dead zones: A Wi-Fi extender ($9.99) covers up to 45 devices. No more buffering in the bathroom (lol).
- 📺 Movie-theater level magic: If you can swing it, this 4K smart TV ($699.99) has flicker-free tech.
🛍️ Treat your digital self: My Amazon shop is packed with more smart buys I know you’ll love.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Early flights, cheap seats, less trauma
Thinking about a summer getaway? Whether you’re dreaming of golden beaches or a family battle royale at Disney, it’s officially “stop refreshing and actually book your flight” season.
Let’s break it down.
Tell me something I don’t know about myself: You might be surprised at ChatGPT’s answer. Try that as a prompt. I got, “People don’t just listen to you because you’re smart. They listen because you’re on their side. If that resonates, you already knew it deep down.” I am and I did. 😊
🤖 Dirt = debt: Watch out the next time you rent a car. Hertz renters are getting slapped with $195 to $440 charges for microscopic car damage, like a wheel scuff or tiny dent, caught by new AI scanners at drop-off. PSA: Take a video of the entire car before you drive off the lot.
How to blur your house on Google
Home burglaries are down but the bad guys have gotten smarter. Here’s how they use tech to steal.
Over 35,000
People were paid by Stanford to quit Instagram or Facebook for six weeks. The goal? See what happens to emotional well-being. Turns out there was only a slight mood boost. The biggest gains came from people over 35 quitting Facebook and women under 25 leaving IG.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Use your phone’s Notes app (iPhone) or Google Drive (Android) to scan documents.
Three free AI courses anyone can take
No tech degree? No problem. These fun, free classes will teach you AI basics without frying your brain.
Another Anker recall: Five more power banks are being pulled over fire risks. Affected models include: Anker Power Bank A1257 and A1647, MagGo A1652, and Zolo A1681 and A1689. You’ll find the model number on the side or back. Fill out a recall form to get a free replacement or a gift card.
From grimy to shiny
🏠 Your cleaning MVPs have entered the chat.
- ✨ Grout wants its sparkle back: Hit it with a stain cleaner (38% off) and wait a few hours. Boom, scrub-free clean.
- 🧽 Where’s that sponge? This stainless steel sink caddy (28% off) keeps it handy. Bonus: removable brush holder and cloth hanger.
- 🐶 Shed happens: Suck up pet hair fast with this handheld vacuum (29% off). Works on fabric, carpet, sofas, you name it.
- 🚽 Drop it like it’s hot: Plop a cat-shaped tablet ($17.99, three-pack) into your toilet. Cleans with every flush.
- 🧼 Big clean, tiny sheet: Toss a detergent sheet (9% off, three-pack) into your wash. 4.3 stars and 15,000+ reviews.
- 👕 Damp clothes? Not in this house. Dehumidifier bags ($21.99, 10-pack) last for weeks. Just hang ’em in your closet.
▶️ Want more cleaning genius? Tap into my Amazon store for more of the good stuff.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Google’s eating itself alive
Google’s new AI-powered search is tanking its own traffic. Plus, your ChatGPT chats live forever, a job offer scam, and a car rental side hustle making real money. Then I talk to Holly from Kentucky, whose kiddo ordered 70,000 suckers on Amazon.
$144 million
That’s how much the new F1 racing movie made globally on its opening weekend. It’s Brad Pitt’s biggest debut ever, beating World War Z’s $112 million. This thrill ride cost $200 million to $300 million to make. I’m definitely going to see this movie!
👨💼 AI coworkers are here: Bank of New York Mellon is now using “digital workers” alongside staff. They have company logins and handle tasks like coding and payment instruction validation on their own, then report to managers for approval. Next up? Giving them email addresses and Teams access to chat with colleagues.
Protect your data! I trust TotalAV to guard against viruses, ransomware and hackers in real time. It’s powerful, simple and just $19 for the first year. Stay safe online with TotalAV today.
Viral missing cop post is a scam – June 28th, Hour 1
A viral Facebook post says a 27-year-old cop vanished. Here’s the deal: Sgt. Katie Cunningham is alive and well. She joins us to set the record straight. Plus, the truth behind the latest TikTok ban rumors and how tariffs could boost your YouTube views.
Driving this Independence Day?
🇺🇲 Before you hit the road, make sure your car is road-trip ready.
- 📱 Team Android or iPhone? Either way, this phone mount (14% off) doesn’t let go. 4.4 stars and 31,000+ reviews.
- 🔒 Thief repellent: A solid steering wheel lock (20% off) says “not today” to would-be carjackers.
- 😎 Your visor’s BFF: These magnetic suede holders ($9.99, three-pack) keep your shades in reach.
- 👍 Thumb lifesaver: Got arthritis or long nails? This seat buckle tool (17% off) pops child car seats in a pinch.
- 🚗 Oldie but goodie: No batteries. No screen glare. Just an analog tire pressure gauge (31% off) that’s reliable.
- 🧽 All in the details: Soft but tough, these microfiber towels (32% off) kick hitchhiking dirt to the curb.
📅 Prime Day’s not waiting: The big day starts July 8, but early deals are already rolling in. Check ’em out and more on my storefront.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
🎙️ Missed my show this past weekend? I’m not mad. I’m just disappointed. (Can you tell I’m a mom, too?) The good news is you can listen to it when and where you want. Here’s a one-click link to my show on the most popular podcast players.
Crypto tax panic: Crypto traders are freaking out after a huge spike in official letters from the IRS, some warnings, some with fines already baked in. Even people who’ve played by the rules say they’re getting flagged. If you’ve been diligently reporting your Fartcoin profits like a responsible adult, congrats: You’re now on the audit express.