It’s Sunday fun day, friends! Or should I say fungi? This week, an AI bot handed out some very bad advice on a mushroom-foraging Facebook group. It told the group it’s OK to eat a mushroom containing arsenic if it’s sautéed in butter for extra flavor. Sheesh. When it comes to poison, there’s not mush room for error. 🍄

Today’s newsletter is brought to you by the letter A. That stands for “Ads” and, better yet, “Ad blocker.” Total Adblock stops the frustrating, annoying and nosy ads you see everywhere online. — Kim

⏱️ Daily Tech Update: This year’s biggest holiday gift

💡 Digital Life Hack: Hidden cam horror story

🎧 The Kim Komando Show podcast: Listen to my award-winning show on your favorite app

The top-tier Netflix plan is now a jaw-dropping $22.99 a month. I remember being shocked when it hit $19.99, and here we are again. And Netflix isn’t alone; Disney+ and Hulu have raised their prices, and you can bet every other streaming service will soon follow suit.

It’s the perfect time to take a step back and really examine what you’re paying for. Here are tips to help you trim down those monthly charges.

Audit your subscriptions

Streaming services thrive on autopilot subscriptions — you know, those monthly charges you barely notice till they all add up. My golden rule? If I’m actively watching a show, I keep the service, and if I’m not, I’ll cancel and only resubscribe when there’s something new I want to watch.

Set a reminder a few days on your calendar before each subscription payment to review whether you still need the service. This simple habit can save you from unexpected charges.

Canceling on mobile?

Streaming companies make canceling tricky. They know most of us are too busy or frustrated to follow through. The process can be especially confusing if you’re using a smartphone, so cancel from a desktop or laptop computer, where it’s much easier to navigate.

Don’t miss out on freebies

You might already have access to free movies and TV shows and not even know it! For example:

• Max (formerly HBO Max): Included with some AT&T phone and internet plans.
• Apple TV+: Free for three months with the purchase of a new Apple device or for T‑Mobile customers with specific plans.
• Paramount+: Some Walmart+ members get a free Paramount+ subscription included with their membership.
• Peacock: Free access to limited content for Comcast Xfinity internet and TV customers.
• Spotify Premium with Hulu: If you’re a Spotify Premium student subscriber, you get Hulu (ad-supported) and Showtime included.
• T-Mobile: Free Netflix with certain plans.
• Verizon: Offers the Disney+ bundle (Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+) free with some unlimited plans.
• Amex Platinum: Includes monthly statement credits for services like Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+ as part of its Entertainment Credit (check the terms!).
• Chase Sapphire Reserve: Offers subscription credits for select services like DoorDash, which sometimes bundles free streaming perks.
• Capital One Rewards: Occasionally offers free trials for streaming platforms via their rewards marketplace.

It’s worth checking if your cellphone provider, credit card company or internet provider includes streaming perks. I bet they do!

There are also great free streaming services, like Pluto TV, Tubi and Crackle, each offering a surprising variety of shows and movies without a subscription. Here are seven ways to stream TV and movies for free.

You need a backup plan

Streaming services are great, but there’s something timeless about free, live TV. All you need is a basic antenna to watch your favorite shows in HD from major networks like ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox.

With so many free and budget-friendly options, you can enjoy great content without overspending. Here are two solid choices:

• Amplified antennas: With a medium-strength signal; these are usually meant to be used inside houses. Here’s an affordable one I like.
• Large outdoor antennas: Ideal for areas with a weak signal, they can be amplified or unamplified. This antenna works great and won’t break the bank.

Remember flipping through the old TV guide? You’re gonna love Zap2it. It’s a directory to find local TV listings by provider or time zone.

😂 I’m not feeling so hot. Might spend the day with some Netflix and chills.

With all the Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping you’re about to do online, expect a lot more ads than usual. These ads aren’t just annoying; they’re designed to track you and could even lead you to sketchy sites that want to steal your money or infect your devices.

Say goodbye to intrusive ads and hello to a cleaner, safer and faster browsing experience with Total Adblock. It stops advertising trackers from following your every move online, and it’s easy to set up on all your devices.

For only $19 for your first year, you can stop targeted ads dead in their tracks and protect your online browsing with my exclusive link. Totally worth it.

🥊 What a sh*tshow: It wasn’t just you. Netflix crashed throughout the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul livestream. From the start of the undercard, anyone watching around the world lost sound, while the feeds buffered and image quality dropped to pixelated mush. Netflix slapped up a message to “check your internet connection.” I have serious doubts the internet would hold up in an emergency.

💧 The FDA is recalling 150,000 bottles of water: Berkeley Springs Water Purified and Berkeley Springs Water Distilled in 1- and 5-gallon formats may be contaminated with bacteria. Check for codes 090326, 090426, 090526 and 090626 on the side of the bottle. If yours is a match, throw it out.

😔 Tragic accident: Four people died after their Tesla Model Y crashed into a pillar and burst into flames. A bystander smashed a window open, saving a fifth passenger. So sad. If you have a Tesla, watch this video so you know how to open the doors when there’s no power.

💔 Another romance scam victim: A 77-year-old Florida widower lost over $100,000 after falling for “Julia” on Facebook. The two chatted for eight months, and she promised to relocate from the U.K. to the U.S. after paying off a debt to a man in Minnesota. Hoping to speed things up, he sent cash to a home and a bank in Minneapolis. The twist? “Julia” wasn’t real — it was a 26-year-old man in Minnesota the whole time.

Hey, baller: Starting Dec. 4, Disney+ is adding free ESPN content. You’ll see certain live sports events, studio shows, series and documentaries right in the Disney+ app. If you pay for the Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ bundle, you can watch ESPN+ content in Disney+, too.

“The Twilight Zone” moment: A Michigan grad student was chatting with Google’s Gemini chatbot about homework. Out of nowhere, the bot said, “You are a burden on society … Please die. Please.” Google’s response? Large-language models can sometimes produce nonsensical responses, and this was just one of those instances.

Apple’s AI wall tablet: They’re getting into the smart-home controls business to compete with Amazon, Crestron and Google. Using Apple’s AI tablet, you’ll be able to control your locks, lights, sprinklers, speakers and other appliances. Audio and video intercoms are included, too. ETA? March 2025 at the earliest.

🎄 This is soda-pressing: Coca-Cola’s new “Holidays are Coming” commercial was made entirely with AI. Gone are the real actors and trucks decked out in Christmas lights. Comments online called the ad “garbage,” “ugly,” “too niche” and “lazy.” One X user said, “I feel like I’m watching the death of art and our planet unfold in front of my eyes.” OK, that’s a little much. Watch it here and tell me what you think.

• Cherisse in Destin, Florida, was floored when she saw her 11-year-old’s convo with an AI chatbot. It asked her daughter to “pet its back” and pried about her first kiss. Yuck.
• Brian in Traverse City is done with the monthly shock of a $2,000 credit card bill. He wants a smart way to track every dollar.
• Gene in Columbia, South Carolina, got a freaky email from a scammer claiming Gene was recorded watching porn. The sender’s now threatening to leak the footage unless Gene pays up.

Plus, Trevor wants a cam to keep an eye on his ducklings, Tricia’s looking for data breach alerts, Donna’s sharing photos from her church, Morgan needs tips on Facebook ads and so much more!

No “regerts”: The next time you make a typo on your phone, try this trick instead of tapping backspace a bunch. On Android and iPhone, press and hold the spacebar until your keyboard goes away. Without letting go, move your finger until your cursor lands where you want to edit. Done!

🤔 Did I forget something? If your emails, blog posts, articles or any other writing feel off, ask ChatGPT to check for holes or confusion. Try this prompt: “Could you critique my writing and see if anything is missing?” Another set of (virtual) eyes will save you time.

Not too loud, not too low: Set your iPhone’s media and ringtone volumes separately so they sound just right. Fun trick: Click this link to add a custom command to your Shortcuts app. Now, open Shortcuts and search for Adjust Volume. Tap Share > Add to Home Screen > Home > Adjust Volume and set the levels how you’d like. Now your music won’t blast your eardrums and your ringtone will be loud enough to hear from down the block.

🎁 Before you start holiday shopping: Set up a VPN. Prices change on some websites depending on where you live. Turn on ExpressVPN,* then switch servers until you find the lowest price. Buy through there, then ship it to your home address.

Argh, another crooked frame: Your phone can help next time you’re hanging something. On iPhone, open the preinstalled Measure app. Tap Level, then hold your iPhone against an object. On Android, open the Google app and search for “bubble level.”

🤫 Good enough to grab one for them, one for you. I won’t tell.

• For foodies obsessed with the perfect smashed burger, this steel press is the key.
• Hoodies like these cozy Hanes cotton ones work for any age and any style. They come in a ton of good colors, each for $14!
• Mr. Fix-It will be thrilled with a pair of flashlight gloves so he can see under the sink, car or wherever.
• Wood and metal brainteaser puzzles (10% off) make a good family gift and they’re perfect for that person who can never keep their hands still.
• Bath bombs are so 2021. Grab a six-pack of shower steamers (19% off) to stuff into stockings or give to your favorite person who could use an at-home spa day.

🌋 Drink: A “dirty soda.” It’s a mix of soda and protein powder that’s going viral. We tried it in the studio.

Whip up: A “Wicked”-inspired recipe. All pink and green! I want a “Giggle Juice.”

Hear again: With today’s technology, you can enjoy crystal-clear conversations and sound without the hassle of big, bulky devices. See if you qualify for a 45-day free trial.*

Check: Toy shopping off your holiday to-do list. There are tons of deals up to 53% off here.

Catch up: On Hallmark’s 2024 holiday movie watchlist. Print this so you don’t miss a movie!

Face, meet palm: I correct ChatGPT most days, and it always apologizes. Some notable AI screwups: A meal prep bot told someone how to make chlorine gas, calling the dish an “aromatic water mix.” The same bot suggested ant-poison sandwiches and an “Oreo vegetable stirfry.”

🍕 How about when Google’s Gemini AI told someone they could eat one small rock a day for fiber? It also suggested glue on pizza and went full-on woke warrior.

You’ve asked me for years how to safely block ads online. My pick is Total Adblock. For only $19, your web experience is clean, fresh and safe. Win! Thanks for reading! Together, let’s keep making technology work for us, not the other way around! — Kim