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Breaking news and tips
Who’s watching your phone?
I’ve been hearing lately from more and more people who believe they’re being watched or listened to through their phones. Whether it’s an ex, a snooping spouse or someone with too much time and too little ethics, digital stalking is real and it’s sneaky.
If your gut is telling you something’s off, don’t brush it off. Here are a few simple checks you can do right now to take back control.
🔁 Check for text message forwarding
This is a hotbed for creep behavior. Someone could be reading your texts, and you wouldn’t even know.
- On iPhone: Go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Text Message Forwarding
If you see a device you don’t recognize, that’s a red flag. Turn it off and change your Apple ID password ASAP. - On Android: Open Messages > More (three dots) > Settings > Permissions > SMS
If there’s an app listed you don’t know, it could be intercepting your texts. Contact your carrier right away.
📍 Who’s tracking your location?
Built-in location sharing is helpful, but only if you control it.
- iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Share My Location
Tap Find My and check who can see you. Remove anyone suspicious. - Android: Open Settings > Location > Location services > Google Location Sharing
Look at who has access. If you don’t recognize them, cut them off.
🎤 Check your camera and mic access
Apps don’t need to be spying tools unless you let them.
- iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera and Microphone
Turn off access for apps that don’t absolutely need it. - Android: Settings > Security and privacy > Permission Manager, then check Camera and Microphone permissions.
Be ruthless. You’re the boss of your phone, not some creepy app.
👤 Review your account access
What dreams are made of
😴 Tired of being tired? These sleep helpers are your answer.
- Read with a dimmable wall light (8% off) that won’t wake your partner.
- This bedding sheet set (45% off) has deep pockets and feels breezy.
- Use a wedge pillow ($30) to stop things from slipping behind your bed.
- Too hot? Too hard? A cooling mattress topper (21% off) will fix both.
- Inflate this camping pad (15% off) in a minute, using its built-in pump.
🐞 Don’t let the bedbugs bite: Plug in a pack of indoor fly traps (10% off) so that buzzing turns into zzz’s.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Real tagline or fever dream?
It’s Friday, and while I have my usual mix of news and tips to keep you tech ahead and not tech left behind, let’s have some fun, too. I’m sure you know that companies toss millions of dollars into the marketing volcano, hoping to birth the next “Just Do It.”
🚨 A sneaky virus could be to blame. I always say it’s better to be safe than sorry, which is why I trust TotalAV. For just $19 for the first year, you get rock-solid antivirus protection on up to five devices. It’s smart, simple and keeps your tech safe without breaking the bank.
🌀 Selfies, but cinematic: Google’s Gemini AI can now turn a single image into a full five-second video. It’s launching with the Honor 400, which sounds like a hovercar but is actually a smartphone. Finally, your brunch avocado toast can have its own origin story.
Does this stop phone radiation?
Products like stickers and blankets claim to shield you from your phone’s EMFs. Here’s what works and what to skip.
$800 million
The estimated value of unsold Cybertrucks collecting dust on Tesla lots. With over 10,000 cars sitting in dealer inventory, the stainless-steel behemoth is shaping up to be less “futuristic tank” and more “Elon’s very expensive parking lot decor.” Turns out the PS1-looking fever dream isn’t exactly America’s sweetheart.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: On LinkedIn? You can turn off “seen” receipts under Settings > Communications > Read receipts.
The rise of grandfluencers
You don’t have to be a 20-something to get noticed. There’s a whole new generation of trendsetters taking over online.
Madonna’s biopic got scrapped: But don’t panic, we’re getting a Netflix miniseries instead. Honestly, that’s way better. You really think you can squeeze her entire, drama-packed life into two hours? Please. Word is Julia Garner might play her, but who knows who’ll take on Sean Penn or Warren Beatty. Either way, I’m watching.
Dirt stops here
🧽 Cleaning doesn’t have to suck (unless we’re talking about vacuums).
- Tackle tight crevices with a three-pack of cleaning brushes ($5).
- Stainless steel polish (20% off) makes your appliances shine like new.
- Keep your leather from drying out with a handy care kit (31% off).
- This electric air duster (43% off) is like a tiny leaf blower for your tech.
- Suck all that lint from your dryer using a vent cleaner kit (38% off).
👠 Shoe, don’t bother me: Toss these deodorizer bags ($11) in your gym bag or sneakers to soak up any funky smells.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Scammer ruins a 45-year marriage
What’s worse than your mom leaving your dad for a guy she met on Instagram? Finding out he’s a romance scammer and she knows — but she’s still in love. That’s what happened to Grant Inman. Now, the My Funeral Home Stories host is trying to help his mom see the truth.You, 21 min
40-foot submarine-hunting drone
The “BlueWhale” uses special sensors to spot underwater and surface threats, and can help clear mines. The cool bit? It’s fully autonomous and runs on batteries for weeks. Basically, a Roomba’s scarier cousin with serious military vibes.
💬 Got a weird text from Home Depot? Like “your order is ready,” but you didn’t buy anything? Someone might’ve typed in your number by mistake, but it could also be a scam. Hackers can spoof five-digit numbers to send “view your order” phishing links. Don’t click anything. Log in to your account to check.
🖨️ Low on ink? Before you print, change the color to #010101. It looks black, but it’s really 99% gray. In Google Docs, highlight your words, click the text color tool, and pick Add a custom color (+). Type in the number and hit OK. FYI, thin fonts like Courier New or Garamond save even more ink.
Delete a selfie? Facebook saw it — May 10th, Hour 1
Post a pic. Regret it. Delete it. Facebook tracked when teen girls did that, says a former company exec. Then, at that moment, it allegedly hit them with beauty ads. Plus, NYC tests crime-predicting AI and drivers want buttons back in cars. I also talk to Ken from Ohio, who says his Apple Watch saved his life.
Don’t miss ‘Amazon Pet Day’
🐱 Today’s your last chance to fetch more savings.
- Walk with a no-pull harness (11% off) that won’t choke your pup.
- Muddy paws? This washable doormat (28% off) catches all that dirt.
- Snag a pet door (22% off) with three flaps to lock the weather outside.
- This smart fountain (43% off) tracks if your kitty is drinking enough water.
- Clean your furball with a vacuum (20% off) that comes with seven tools.
- And a pet bed (5% off) shaped like ramen. Weird? Yep. Comfy? Totally.
🐾 More pawsome picks: That’s just a taste. Hit this link for more Amazon pet steals your furry friend will bark (or purr) for.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Free up space on Fire Stick: These little guys don’t have much storage, so they can slow down pretty fast. To improve performance, try removing apps you haven’t used in a while. Go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications > Sort by App Size, pick an app, hit Uninstall and Confirm.