Welcome to Monday, friend. Let’s kick off your week with a motivational success story. Which of these brands was rejected by all the sharks on Shark Tank but went on to become a $300 million success story? A) Squatty Potty, B) NetZero, C) Kodiak Cakes or D) Tubi? Make your best guess, and see if you’re right at the end. 🦈

🏃‍♀️ While you chew on that, I’m serving up tech tips and digital smarts to keep your week running smoother than a Roomba on Red Bull. If something jumps out at you — fun, helpful or just plain wild — hit those share buttons and pass it along to someone who needs it! — Kim

If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your phone, laptop or maybe finally grabbing that gaming console, here’s your sign: Do. It. Now. Not “next paycheck” now. But now. 

🚨 Thanks to a fresh batch of tariffs, tech prices are about to go full popcorn ceiling, high and not looking cute.

What’s happening?

As of April 2, 2025, President Trump rolled out hefty tariffs targeting electronics imported from three countries that, spoiler alert, make tons of our gadgets.

Here’s the breakdown: Chinese goods now face a 54% tariff, Vietnam is hit with 46%, and India gets 27%.

Most of our electronics come straight from these countries.

Translation: The next wave of iPhones, laptops, TVs and consoles will cost more before they even hit the boat.

But how much more?

Grab a stress ball.

• The base model iPhone 16, currently $799, could jump to around $1,142. And the iPhone 16 Pro Max? Try nearly $2,300. Nearly all iPhones are made in China.
  
• Around 80% of laptops (and tablets) sold in the U.S. are made in China. With that 54% tariff, you’re looking at about $350 added to your next laptop.
• Most gaming consoles are built in China and Vietnam. Prices could jump 58%, meaning a $500 console could soon cost you $790. Nintendo already delayed preorders for the upcoming Switch 2 because of tariffs.
• Tariffs on Chinese-made e-bikes soared to 79%.

⏰ Why you need to act now

The tariffs only apply to new imports. What’s in stores and warehouses right now was brought in before the tariffs hit. But once that inventory is gone, up go prices. 

This is your Black Friday-in-April moment. No camping required.

What should you grab?

• Smartphones, especially if yours needs a walker.
• Laptops and tablets, for work, school or backups.
• Gaming consoles. If it’s on your radar for a gift or upcoming release, don’t wait.
• Home electronics like smart TVs, speakers and anything you’ve been eyeing for your setup. 

Tariffs might boost U.S. manufacturing in the long run, but in the short term, your tech wish list just got more expensive. Shop now, future you will thank you. 

😎 I shot the tariff. But I did not shoot the subsidy.

The weather’s warming up and so are these fitness finds. Summer bodies are made in spring … or at least added to cart in spring.

• Get more than just your weight with a smart scale (17% off) that syncs to health apps. Step on, scream, repeat.
• Resistance bands (36% off) are great for stretching and strength workouts, or launching snacks across the kitchen. 
• I love Pilates. An exercise ball ($20) takes it up a notch.
• Nonslip socks ($14) help keep you steady in a bunch of colors. Basically tires for your feet.
• Snag a gym bag for women (48% off) or men with a USB port to charge your phone, headphones or whatever.

I ♥️ this: Track your heart health at home with a blood pressure monitor (23% off) or a less-expensive ECG monitor (18% off).

🛡️ 1 billion malware programs, 1 easy fix: Antivirus software scans your system for viruses, ransomware and other threats and removes them before they cause damage. Protect five devices for only $19 — cheaper than your last impulse DoorDash.*

😱 Airbnb nightmare: A couple on vacation found a hidden camera above their bed after a steamy evening. Turns out it was disguised as a smoke detector, complete with night vision and remote access. When they opened it, they found an SD card full of other people’s, uh, vacation memories dating back to 2020. No surprise they’re now suing Airbnb. This hidden camera detector ($39.97, 20% off) is essential.

🖼️ Midjourney V7 is here: It’s the first big update for the image generator in nearly a year, and apparently the AI is much smarter at understanding text prompts, sharper and slightly less cursed when it comes to hands. FYI: It’s an early release, so features like upscaling and retexturing are still missing but should roll out in about two months.

👀 Smile, you’re on 15 different cameras: A journalist drove 300 miles across rural Virginia, then filed public records requests to see how often his car was caught on surveillance. The short answer: a lot, proof that even on the quiet backroads, Big Brother is watching and judging your late-night Taco Bell runs.

🔎 NotebookLM is getting an upgrade this week: Until now, you had to manually upload files and links for the AI research assistant. Well, not anymore. A new Discover button (look for the magnifying glass) is coming to the Sources panel. Click it, type in a topic or question and the AI will search the web and return up to 10 links with summaries. Pretty neat. 

🪀 RIP, cheap stuff: The days of filling carts with $2 eyebrow stamp kits and glow-in-the-dark toilet lights might be numbered. Global trade crackdowns (like killing the “de minimis” tax loophole) are making it harder for cheap imports from places like Temu and SHEIN to flood U.S. markets. Goodbye, weird little gadgets. You served … some purpose.

⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Quickly mute and unmute on Zoom by holding down the space bar.

🖥️ Unfreeze that screen: Stuck computer? Close those unresponsive apps. For Windows, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager. On a Mac, hit Cmd + Option + Esc to get to the Force Quit menu. And no, shaking your monitor won’t help. It’s the digital equivalent of “pull yourself together.”

💬 From basic to bold: Want your YouTube comments to pop? To write in bold, put an asterisk (*) before and after the word: *like this.* For italics, put underscores on both sides: _for example_. Head over to my channel and give it a shot. I’ll see you in the comments. 

📊 Track your stats: Boost your LinkedIn content by checking your analytics. Open the app and head to your profile. Scroll down to Activity > Show all posts. Tap the [number] impressions or View on any post to see details like engagement, demographics and more.

🎧 Old headphones, new tricks: Still clinging to those trusty wired earbuds like it’s 2012? Make ’em wireless with a Bluetooth adapter. Plug the adapter into the 3.5mm jack, pair it with your phone, and boom, you’re listening wirelessly. Here’s one for $11 on Amazon.

💬 Text yourself: Set up a contact called “Me” with your own phone number. Send yourself reminders, photos or anything else important. Just open your Contacts app and tap (+) to create it. That way it’s always at your fingertips. Smart!

The answer: C) Kodiak Cakes. The founder pitched the high-protein pancake mix to the Sharks in Season 5, asking for $500,000 for 10% of the company. Kevin O’Leary called it “a commodity product,” and Barbara Corcoran said she didn’t see it standing out in a crowded market. 

After the show, Kodiak Cakes landed a deal with Target, leaned into the protein trend and built a breakfast empire. By 2021, the company was bringing in over $160 million a year and is now valued at over $300 million. Moral of the story? Sometimes the biggest wins come after the biggest “no.” 💪

🥞 Barry makes the thinnest pancakes. I really should be honest and tell him I’m sick of his crepe.

Tomorrow, I’m covering crypto in the best free newsletter in the USA. Catch you in your inbox later, alligator. 🐊💌 — Kim

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