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Can you trust it? And if you’re selling, how can you make sure it actually reflects your home’s true value?
Breaking news and tips
Stop your devices from listening
What’s the obvious downside for always-on devices that constantly listen for commands? They’re always listening. Voice-activated tech uses microphones that listen for wake words, meaning they can hear personal conversations you don’t want them to hear. Don’t worry, you can stop it.
The tech you can’t see
“Ultrasonic” refers to radio waves humans can’t hear. It’s like a secret language for your smart devices. And guess what? Apps are using this tech to listen in.
Sneaky apps listen for “beacons” to determine where you shop and what you buy. They then pair browser cookies to your device to track you. The good news is you can outsmart this technology, and it’s as simple as flipping a switch (well, almost).
Turn off microphone access for apps without a logical reason to use it. Think flashlights and other apps that don’t need to listen.
Note: The steps may vary depending on your device’s model and operating system version.
On iOS:
- Open the Settings app, then scroll and tap Privacy & Security.
- Locate the menu labeled Microphone and tap it.
- Find the app you want to turn off the mic for and toggle the green switch to the off position.
On Android:
- Open the Settings app, then scroll and tap Security & Privacy.
- Tap Privacy, followed by Permission manager.
- Tap Microphone and locate the app you want to turn the mic off for.
- Toggle the slider to the off position.
Stopping voice assistants
Now, let’s tackle those helpful (yet sometimes nosy) virtual assistants.
Staple of the team
📝 These nifty upgrades go a long way.
- Turn any space into a mini-office with a portable lap desk (13% off).
- When you’re at your desk, kick your feet up on an ergonomic footrest.
- Keep your tech tidy with a valet tray (12% off) that charges ’em wirelessly.
- More ports, less stress. This USB C hub (24% off) simplifies your dongles.
- Scan and upload your notes to the cloud with a reusable spiral notebook.
💻 Privacy, please: Keep prying eyes away with a laptop screen for your MacBook or PC (10% off).
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Flying or cruising? They’re watching you.
You might not realize it, but airlines and cruise lines collect a lot of data, from your seat choice to the websites you browse on their Wi-Fi.
When you book a flight or cruise, they collect the usual stuff, including your name, email, phone number, passport info and payment details. But it doesn’t stop there. They also track:
Use Google Docs at work? You may have the Gemini AI bot to help write. Hover over the star icon next to your pic that says Ask Gemini. Click on it to open a sidebar with the writing tools. Choose options like Refine or Rephrase this document, or type in your ideas at the bottom.
The future of robotics: A Swedish startup just built “Luna,” a robot dog that adapts like a human — no preprogrammed data, no training simulations. Instead, it’s one of the first examples of physical agentic AI, meaning it can think, make decisions and act on its own. Since it learns through experience, they’re going to hire a dog trainer to teach it. Wild. Watch it here.
Is your video doorbell at the right height?
Porch pirates stole over $12 billion worth of packages last year. Make sure your doorbell cam is in the right spot to catch them.
State of inn-ertia: This is nuts. A woman found a deal on Expedia and got a message from the hotel asking her to cancel because the rate was “too low.” Expedia reassured her that as long as she didn’t cancel, the hotel had to honor it. But the hotel threatened to cancel the room unless she backed out.
$65 a night
What it’ll cost you to skip the hotel and stay in a convent run by sisters in Rome. Rooms come with the basics like a single bed, drawers and a sink (paywall link). Plus, there’s a simple buffet-style breakfast waiting for you every morning at 7 a.m. Blessings included, obviously. Remember to leave some Rome in your suitcase for souvenirs. (Oh, it’s a good one!)
Amazon records everything you tell your Echo
Every embarrassing thing you ask your Echo? That’s being stored and reported back to Amazon. Starting March 28th, every request you make goes straight to them. Plus, Google’s Gemini robot, ChatGPT will roast you for fun, and heat’s aging your DNA.
💵 A dollar here, a dollar there: It seems like every subscription is more expensive than when I signed up. Use the Rocket Money app to see what you’re paying for. I do! They’ll even cancel a subscription for you if it’s not worth the money anymore.
🚂 Thieves’ loco motives: I never thought of this crime. Gangs hitting railroads jumped 40%, costing over $100 million. Around $4 million of that comes from the BNSF railroad in California. They’re using bolt cutters to break into shipping containers to steal electronics, sneakers and toys.
Flying soon? Here’s how airlines track you
From the moment you book, airlines collect data on your habits, web activity, and even your complaints. Here’s how to protect your privacy in the skies.
👔 Verify your LinkedIn profile: LinkedIn has verified over 55 million accounts. The platform says verified profiles are seeing 60% more views, 30% more connection requests and a 50% boost in post engagement. Bonus: If you’re hiring, use the hashtag #Hiring on your profile photo, and here’s my special link for a free job posting. Nice.
Egg prices got you scrambling?
Rent a chicken. Seriously. Rent The Chicken lets you “borrow” hens for fresh eggs at home. For about $140 a month, you’ll get two hens, a portable coop, feed and instructions to keep them happy. Expect one to two dozen eggs per week.
5 text scams going around right now
It’s not just clingy exes popping into your messages out of the blue. Scammers are ramping up phony texts across the country. You can make the texts stop (more below). Here are the latest ones making the rounds and the red flags to watch for:
SpellRing can translate sign language: This is something. Researchers developed a ring for your thumb, and as you sign, it sends out sound waves. A microphone picks them up, AI analyzes them and gestures become letters on a screen. It’s already 82% to 92% accurate.
The gardener wet his plants.
🌸 Tomorrow’s the first day of spring! Time to kick off your cleaning.
- Fix those little “oops” moments on your walls with a handy repair pen (17% off).
- From your floors to ceiling fans, this six-piece washable duster does it all.
- Steam your way to spotless surfaces with a multi-surface steamer (22% off).
- For tight spots, this three-pack of crevice-cleaning brushes (50% off) has you covered.
- Skip the car wash (Go ahead, sing it out loud!). Just attach a foam gun (20%) to your garden hose and let it shine.
📱 Ring, ring: Got a smudgy phone screen? This spray and wipe kit (23% off) will leave it looking crystal clear.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Coming to Google Gemini: Show to tell
Soon, you can open up your phone’s camera with Google Gemini to know what you’re seeing or answer questions in real time. Watch it in action. Now, imagine all the uses from knowing what you’re looking at when traveling to identifying a skin rash that your doctor will say, “You’re a sight for psoriasis.” (I saw you smile!)
117 years old
The remarkable age Maria Branyas Morera reached before passing away last August. Scientists discovered her secret: genes that kept her cells acting 17 years younger and gut bacteria as healthy as an infant’s. Longevity goals, anyone?
The FTC is coming for Click Profit: The company scammed customers out of at least $14 million, promising their AI supercomputer picks the best products to sell on Amazon. All you had to do was hand over tens of thousands of dollars. It was all bogus. Folks made little to no money and were stuck with unsold inventory.