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Ditch expensive tax software! The IRS lets millions file for free. Here’s how to set it all up.
Larry Ellison, AI and a future right out of ‘1984’
AI is all over the news and for good reason: Whoever controls AI controls geopolitics and economics. One big player in the AI world is Larry Ellison. He never finished college; he left to start building databases for the CIA. After that, he co-founded Oracle, and now, depending on the day, he’s the fourth-wealthiest person in the world.
This video is all over social media: It shows Angela Yang and Sean Kay, two of the young figure skaters who died in the Washington, D.C., crash, taking home gold in a November competition. Their excitement and smiles are just heartbreaking, considering what happened. Be sure to have tissues nearby if you watch the video.
Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS): This tech detects when two aircraft are about to converge and gives pilots a warning. The alerts are limited at low altitudes, though, to prevent risky maneuvers. That’s why it couldn’t help the jetliner and military helicopter in last week’s crash in Washington, D.C., which killed 67 people (paywall link). The jet and copter were flying somewhere between 200 feet and 400 feet above surface level. So sad.
Watch what you say: Ever chat with Meta AI on WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger? Now, the bot will remember everything. If you say you’re hungry, it’ll suggest your favorite foods by picking up clues. Meta says it’ll only remember things from one-on-one convos, not group chats. Pro tip: Tap the three-dot icon next to the chat to delete your history.
📞 “Hi, it’s Jessica”: No, it’s a scammer pretending they’ve been trying to reach you about your loan application. All they need is to verify a few details … like your bank account and Social Security number. If you’ve actually applied for a loan, hang up and call the company directly.
💰 Apple Watch class-action settlement: The tech giant is coughing up $20 million for selling Apple Watches with batteries that swelled up. You could get up to $50 if you bought a first-gen model or a Series 1, Series 2 or Series 3 Apple Watch between April 24, 2015, and Feb. 6, 2024. Confirm your payment info by April 10.
Even the pros get targeted: An engineer almost fell for a next-level Google phishing scam after a call from “Google” claiming his account was under attack. When he asked for proof, they sent an email from “important.g.co” — a legit Google-owned domain. He still didn’t buy it. PSA: Google will never call you to tell you your account is in jeopardy.
✋ New study out on data-hungry apps: Facebook and Instagram take the crown, sharing a whopping 68.6% of your personal info with third parties. Amazon, YouTube, Candy Crush Saga and Bumble aren’t much better. Now, go check your app permissions, because an alarm clock app doesn’t need to access your contacts.
🐶 Lost and found: Such a great story! Paul Guilbeault’s dog, Damian, ran away while he was moving from Massachusetts to Arizona in 2017. Fast-forward to a couple of weeks ago, when Paul got a text: “Damian’s been found.” The American Kennel Club tracked his chip all those years later! Paul drove 14 hours to Oklahoma City for the reunion. The pup’s cataracts made him a bit slow to recognize him, but, once he did, it was pure joy.
Read all about it: Does your town still have a newspaper? An average of 2.5 newspapers close each week, and 200 U.S. counties are now considered “news deserts.” Facebook groups are stepping in, covering everything from events to weather. Some have almost as many members as their town’s population. Search for your town’s name to see if there’s a group for you.