Why you should not use WhatsApp
“Kim, I heard the call with the man who lost $60,000 in a crypto scam. You said anytime someone wants to move the conversation to WhatsApp, it’s a scam. Why is that?” — Dennis in Washington
Thanks for the question, Dennis. I’m glad you heard that call. Heartbreaking. And unfortunately, it’s not rare. When someone says, “Let’s move this conversation to WhatsApp,” it’s almost always the beginning of a scam.
🚇 Off the rails: I thought this was interesting. NYC dropped big bucks on a computerized train signal system 25 years ago, and it’s already headed for retirement. ICYDK, it was supposed to let trains run faster and closer together. Meanwhile, the 100-year-old clunky mechanical system is still doing its thing, chugging along like your grandma’s toaster that refuses to die.
📢 Check for recalls: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission site is worth checking now and then. You can search by categories, filter by date or hazard and sometimes get a refund or replacement. And if there’s ever a big recall, don’t worry, I’ll warn you here in my newsletter, too.
100x
That’s how often grocery prices can change in a single day at some stores. One blink and your eggs are cheaper. Or not. Welcome to grocery aisle gladiator match, where price tags refresh more than your Instagram feed, thanks to electronic shelf labels (ESLs) (paywall link).
The great iPhone rapture
It starts like any typical night out. You’re sipping something overpriced and half-listening to your friend’s relationship drama. Then, you check your pocket. Empty. You think maybe it was a pickpocket. But the reality is far stranger.
😳 Oklahoma school board scandal: During a Board of Ed meeting, someone streamed a video of nude women gathered around a “chiropractic table” on the big screen. So there’s a full-blown investigation, and fingers are pointing at Ryan Walters, the state’s head of education. He’s denying everything, of course.
🍏 iPhone 17 Pro rumors: It’s getting a major camera upgrade, like 8x optical zoom instead of the 16 Pro’s 5x. Apple’s also working on a special pro camera app and adding a new button on the top edge for quick shots. It might even support 8K video recording. Now everyone can see your nose hairs.
Your AI confidant isn’t confidential: Thought your sob session with ChatGPT was sealed tight? LOL. CEO Sam Altman just confirmed that all your convos, with juicy, emotionally messy details, could end up in court. Yes, even the stuff you deleted. Unlike therapists, AI bots don’t get client privilege. Good to know.
🤖 Who’s the bot now? ChatGPT’s new agent tool snooped its way through a human verification test by clicking the “I am not a robot” checkbox. Yes, it passed a bot test as a bot. Even narrated the click like it was writing its memoir. Somewhere, a human is failing the same CAPTCHA and crying into their LaCroix.
3x
That’s how much Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses sales grew in the first half of this year. Zuck wants your face real estate (paywall link). Apparently, we also want our sunglasses to take selfies and hear voices. Meta is staking its claim before your sunglasses start running ads, really.