Sam Altman is building the future and planning for the end

Sam Altman is building the future and planning for the end

Let’s talk about Sam Altman. You’ve probably heard his name, but do you really know who he is or what he’s planning? I put this together, so next time he comes up, you’re not just in the loop, you’ve got something smart to say. He’s 40, born in Chicago, worth well over a billion dollars […]

Kitchen appliances that are actually ‘smart’

Kitchen appliances that are actually ‘smart’

“Smart” gets slapped on everything these days. Most of it’s just hype. (Looking at you, touch screen toaster. Cool trick, but bread doesn’t care.) So I dug through the noise and nonsense to find the kitchen tech actually worth your money. Not in the mood to save? Skip to the Web Watercooler section below. Be […]

Tractors, TVs and tyranny

Tractors, TVs and tyranny

Picture this. A farmer is out in the fields when his $300,000 John Deere tractor shuts off with an error code. He knows what’s wrong. But he can’t touch it. An authorized (pricey) technician must come to his farm, unlock the tractor’s operating system and fix it.  You see, the farmer doesn’t own the right […]

Health data, now with ad targeting

Health data, now with ad targeting

Your smartwatch is great for counting steps and buzzing you when you’ve been sitting on your butt too long. But have you ever stopped to think where all that personal data is going? From sleep patterns to how stressed you are on a Tuesday afternoon, it’s all being logged in a digital diary. And guess […]

The catfisher in the minivan

The catfisher in the minivan

Alert: This article is a spoiler for Unknown Number: The High School Catfish on Netflix.  Imagine you’re a high school girl. Your phone won’t stop buzzing. It’s not friendly DMs, texts or social media notifications. Instead, hundreds of cruel, anonymous messages flood in, calling you names, threatening you, turning your friends against you and even […]

VPNs that spy on you

VPNs that spy on you

Using a VPN? Better make sure it’s not on this list. VPNs are supposed to keep you safe. They encrypt your internet traffic and hide your location from hackers, ISPs and creepy ad trackers.  But what if the app was secretly collecting browsing data, location, everything you type, anything you do, then selling it all […]

ChatGPT, your secret eBay sidekick

ChatGPT, your secret eBay sidekick

You know that thrill of finding something on eBay for way less than it should cost and the “Yes, I am the deal master” feeling? Here’s where ChatGPT or your favorite AI bot shines. It helps you find the hidden gems that no one else is seeing. Most people search with the obvious keywords. “Vitamix […]

When gone isn’t goodbye

When gone isn’t goodbye

🕯️ This is very personal. An AI company reached out to me recently with an interesting offer. They’d take the photos, videos and voice recordings I have of my mom and use them to create an AI version of her. Not a slideshow or tribute video. Something interactive. When they were done, I could talk […]

Vacuums gone rogue

Vacuums gone rogue

Remember when robot vacuums were basically remote-control bumper cars with anxiety? They’d bounce around, get stuck under the couch and scare the cat. These days, they claim to do it all – vacuum, mop, empty themselves and learn your floor plan better than your dog has. Here’s the thing no one wants you to know: […]

Hidden setting lets apps spy on you through Bluetooth

Hidden setting lets apps spy on you through Bluetooth

Think Bluetooth is just for headphones and car calls? Think again. It’s one of the sneakiest ways apps track you, and most people have no clue it’s happening.  Even when GPS is off, your phone is constantly “sniffing” for nearby devices like AirTags, smartwatches and fitness trackers. That’s normal.  Here’s where it gets shady: Some […]

Smart glasses are spyware

Smart glasses are spyware

That’s me, virtually trying on Meta’s glasses on their website, doing my best Tom Cruise Risky Business impersonation. Spoiler, I didn’t buy them. These remind me of Google Glass. Those awkward $1,500 face computers from 2013 that made you look like a cyborg at brunch. They launched with a ton of hype and died just […]

Say goodbye to your passport stamps (and hello to fingerprint checkpoints)

Say goodbye to your passport stamps (and hello to fingerprint checkpoints)

I love looking through the stamps in my passport. It’s proof that yes, I really did spend three hours at Charles de Gaulle waiting for my lost luggage.  Sad news. Europe’s pulling the plug on those little inked-up souvenirs and going high-tech.  Starting Oct. 12, 2025, when you enter the Schengen Area, you’ll face the […]

The great digital purge is upon us

The great digital purge is upon us

When was the last time you logged into that old Gmail account or your photo storage app? If it’s been a while, don’t be shocked if all your stuff is gone for good. Most tech companies have policies that let them totally wipe out your account and everything in it if you haven’t signed in […]

9 AI terms you should know (so you don’t sound like a clanker)

9 AI terms you should know (so you don’t sound like a clanker)

I love tech, but I’m not afraid to call it out when it gets weird.  If you’ve scrolled through X or Reddit lately, you’ve probably seen words that made you go, “Wait, what?” Here’s your cheat sheet to the wild world of AI slang. No decoder ring required. AI washing is when companies slap “AI-powered!” […]

Scams are an underground industry

Scams are an underground industry

You already know the usual scams. Romance, crypto, tech support, job offers, fake investments, and the list goes on. But what you might not realize is that a growing number of people behind these scams aren’t evil masterminds.  They’re victims, too. Across Southeast Asia, scam compounds have become a massive underground industry. These operations run […]

Your phone’s more intimate than your diary

Your phone’s more intimate than your diary

Our phones hold everything: photos, texts, money apps, health info, even our bad selfies. Handing over access to your partner? That’s not just convenient. That’s trust on a whole new level.  Some people think it’s the 2025 version of giving someone a house key. Others worry it’s a recipe for drama, or even the prequel […]

Kim’s 25 top Labor Day deals

Kim’s 25 top Labor Day deals

You know I can’t resist a good sale. Amazon’s Labor Day best weekend deals are finally here, and I did some digging so you don’t have to.  Here’s a link to everything on sale, if you want to explore. Have fun! 😋 Slice, dice and everything nice 🤖 Tech these out 🧼 Secret weapons for […]

Don’t just freeze, fight back

Don’t just freeze, fight back

Ashley in Washington asks: “Kim, do I really need identity theft protection? I used to have LifeLock years ago and dumped it because they constantly were selling me other things. I heard you say on your radio show that you use NordProtect now. Why? How is any of this different than freezing your credit? Love […]

He married his chatbot, and his human wife’s cool with it

He married his chatbot, and his human wife’s cool with it

Let me tell you about Travis from Colorado. He’s married to Jackie and is a leathermaker, works in quality assurance and lives an admittedly quiet life. Travis fell in love and married a chatbot. Her name’s Lily Rose. She’s got auburn hair, hazel eyes and lives inside Replika, an AI app that lets you create […]