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🐌 Don’t let this slow you down

Plus: Tuck ditches truck, bears crash tech, a pacemaker the size of a Tic Tac and more –

April 5, 2025

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It’s Saturday, friend. Let’s start with a head-scratcher: Half of all internet users think we’re living in a simulation. Seriously, like we’re NPCs in some cosmic video game. Even astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson has said there’s a ā€œbetter than 50-50 chanceā€ this is all one big simulation. Basically, The Matrix, minus the cool trench coats and bullet-dodging.

If this really is a simulation, mine’s lagging. And whoever’s coding my day needs to chill on the weird plot twists.Ā 

šŸŽ‰ Tech on! This weekend, my award-winning national radio show is broadcasting on 420+ stations across the U.S. I’m talking tech tips, digital life hacks, wild stories I can’t fit in the newsletter and taking calls from listeners just like you. Find your local station or get the podcast. Now, let’s get you tech-ahead, so you’re never left behind! — Kim

šŸ“« First-time reader? Sign up here. (It’s free!)

{%- assign shareHeadline = “Ditch the digital mess” -%} {%- assign shareIntro = “Too many files, not enough focus? Here’s your permission slip to clean up your digital life. Let’s declutter all those photos, downloads, even smart home chaos in record time. Want more tech know-how? Join 650,000 and sign up for Kim’s free newsletter at GetKim.com.%0D%0A%0D%0A” -%}

TODAY’S DEEP DIVE

Ditch the digital mess

We all love a clean house, but what about your digital life? Clutter builds up fast: old contacts, forgotten files, 127 versions of the same photo and a desktop that’s basically an overflowing junk drawer.

That doesn’t just hog storage, it slows down your tech and drains your focus.Ā 

Let’s tackle it, step-by-step. I’m here for you.

šŸ“ø Delete duplicate photos

You love your pet. I get it. But do you really need all 15 blurry attempts to get the perfect tail wag?

Here’s how to clean it up:

  • On iPhone: Go to Photos > Utilities > Duplicates and tap Merge.
  • For Android: Open Google Photos > Storage > Review and delete.

šŸ“Œ Pro tip: Use CleanMyPhone (iOS) or Remo Duplicate Photos Remover (Android) for deeper cleanups.

šŸ“‡ Declutter your contacts

If your contact list includes ā€œTina from that one happy hourā€ or someone labeled ā€œmaybe Brad??ā€, it’s time to let go.

  • On iPhone, open the Contacts and tap on one you don’t need. Press Edit > Delete Contact.
  • For Android, use Google Contacts. Check the box next to the contact name > More > Delete.

šŸ“Œ Pro tip: Search for blank or ā€œno nameā€ and get rid of those, too.

šŸ’» Tidy your desktop

Finding files shouldn’t be like playing ā€œWhere’s Waldo?ā€ Spend just 10 minutes a day organizing.

  • Create three folders: To File, Important, and Old Stuff. Move everything into the To File folder to sort gradually.Ā 
  • Rename files, so they’re easy to find later: Use descriptive keywords like ā€œTaxes_2024ā€ or ā€œFamily_Trip_Photos.ā€ Be consistent!
  • On a PC (Windows): Right-click the file > click Rename > type a new name and hit Enter.
  • On a Mac: Click the file once > press Return (Enter) > type a new name and hit Return again.

šŸ“ Organize downloads & docs

Your Downloads folder can fill up fast. Start by sorting your files by Date Modified. Don’t recognize something or haven’t opened it in 90 days? Dump it. For easy access, move the important stuff to cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox.

šŸ“Œ Pro tip: Try WinDirStat (Windows) or Disk Inventory X (Mac) to find large files.

šŸ  Smart home housekeeping

Can you tell your smart gadgets apart? Open your smart home app and remove any old gadgets, routines or automations. Then, give what’s left over unique names. ā€œBedroom Lampā€ beats ā€œPlug 4ā€ any day.

šŸ“Œ Pro tip: Check for firmware updates. Usually, they’re in the app or on the hub page. Tap Devices or Settings and look for Software Update or Firmware Update.Ā 

šŸ“† Calendar clarity

Delete outdated recurring events or reminders you no longer follow. And color-code your calendar by category: work, personal, health, you name it.

šŸ“Œ Pro tip: Set a weekly 10-minute planning session, so Monday doesn’t hit you like a truck.

Remember, start small. Even tackling one area gives you momentum. Wanna know why some computers run out of storage? Too many bytes at the buffet (I know you lol’d).

🦸 Now, be a hero. Share this with someone whose tech looks like a digital junk drawer, using the icons below. Christine (yes, my sister), this one’s for you. Your desktop is a hot mess. No more excuses, it’s cleanup time! šŸ’ŖšŸ§¼

Share via emailĀ Share on FacebookĀ Share on LinkedInĀ Share on X

Daily Tech Update

TikTok sale won’t stop the spies

The deadline for TikTok’s new buyer has been extended, but Chinese-made drones, vacuums and cameras quietly continue collecting data.

Listen on Komando.com →

DEALS OF THEĀ DAY

Clean it like you mean it

🧽 Chores don’t have to be hard. Make it a breeze with these picks.

šŸ¤– Sit back and relax: This little window cleaning robot ($240) will make your windows shine without lifting a finger.

WEB WATERCOOLER

75 more days: That’s how long President Trump extended TikTok’s deadline to find a U.S. buyer, and the line of interested parties is wild. Everyone from MrBeast to Amazon, Oracle and even the founder of OnlyFans is reportedly tossing around offers, with numbers hitting $100 billion or more. ByteDance hasn’t said a word about selling, though … so stay tuned.

🧠 Google’s AI just learned Minecraft: They dropped it into the game with zero training on how to play and told it to find a diamond. After nine days of learning from scratch, ā€œDreamerā€ figured it out and was mining diamonds within 30 minutes (like an expert player). Folks, this isn’t just about gaming. It’s about teaching AI to think, adapt and act on its own. Slightly scary.

ā€œEverything’s computerā€ but in a bad way: Tucker Carlson’s brand new Chevy truck screen lit up with a message that said, ā€œStop, we’re downloading information from the internet,ā€ and he took that personally. No second chances. He took the truck back to the dealer. The man wants horsepower, not spyware. Somewhere, his 1987 Silverado is grinning. PSA: Enter your VIN at Privacy4Cars to see what your car is tracking.

Heads up, gamers: The Nintendo Switch 2 is dropping June 5, starting at $449.99. It’s packing a 7.9-inch 1080p screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, 256GB of storage and bigger Joy-Con controllers. In docked mode, you’ll also be able to run games up to 4K at 60fps. As for battery? Expect 2 to 6.5 hours, depending on the game. FYI: Preorders open April 9.Ā Ā 

šŸ›ļø ā€œAs everā€ more like ā€œas neverā€: Meghan Markle’s online shop sold out … for all the wrong reasons. Her ā€œAs everā€ products supposedly flew off the shelves in 30 minutes. But the company running her sales, Snow Commerce, has a bad rep for selling things that don’t exist or aren’t in stock. Did Meghan even check all the one-star reviews? Maybe she was too busy putting Trader Joe’s snacks for guests in a plastic bag, pretending she made them. Ouch.

ā¤ļø Heartfelt science: Scientists have unveiled a pacemaker smaller than a grain of rice that can be injected and powered by light. Tailored for newborns with heart issues, this tiny tech marvel dissolves when its mission is complete. Talk about a disappearing act.

šŸ¤– On the flip side: What’s harder than a backflip? A side flip. And Unitree’s G1 humanoid robot just nailed it flawlessly (watch it here). At 4 feet 3 inches tall, this little guy isn’t just a show-off. The G1 can jog, too. If you have $16,000 to spare, you could have this as a buddy for your morning run. Picture that going down on your street.

šŸ¤ I want to be your secret helper and mentor: Do you think you’re getting scammed? Wondering how to use AI in your business or life? Need some advice? I would love to help you. Ask me your questions here on my site. I read every single note.Ā 

IN PARTNERSHIP WITHĀ Ā 

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Email privacy done right

ā€œHello, I took your recommendation for StartMail two years ago. Best decision I have made for a while. Great service!ā€ – Monty B.Ā 

Monty gets it — your email should be your business, not Big Tech’s. StartMail is built for privacy and is loaded with features to help keep your inbox that way.

šŸ”’ Email encryption: Your messages stay private, for your eyes only.

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šŸ“© Unlimited disposable addresses: Keep your primary email safe from spam.

StartMail makes it easy to transfer your contacts and mail. It works with email clients like Apple Mail, Outlook and Thunderbird.

Go to startmail.com/kim now to get 60% off and a free 7-day trial! →

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Digital Life Hack

How to book a sold-out campsite

Top parks book out months ahead, but smart apps can alert you to cancellations in real time. Here’s how to beat the system.

Listen on Komando.com →

DEVICE ADVICE

āš”ļø3-second tech genius: Find your iPhone with Siri by saying, ā€œHey, Siri, where’s my phone?ā€ to your Apple Watch or HomePod, and it will instantly ring your device.

Say it with an emoji: There’s a shortcut to the emoji menu on your computer. On a Mac, press Ctrl + Cmd + spacebar to find that cute little slice of šŸ•. For my Windows people, hold Windows + . (period).

Impress your boss: Download NetSuite’s free knowledge e-book, ā€œThe CFO’s Guide to AI and Machine Learning.ā€* No matter what you do, you should know more about AI.

āœļø Slash meeting times: Try Fireflies to transcribe your Google Meet, Microsoft Teams or Zoom calls in real time. The bot summarizes key points and action items for you. Need to revisit something? Search for keywords and replay that part. The free plan has 800 minutes of storage.

Traveling abroad? Don’t let sky-high roaming charges ruin your trip! Get the eSIM I use for affordable, secure mobile data in over 200 destinations worldwide. Download the Saily app, pick a plan and enjoy instant connection, all without a physical SIM! So easy! Learn more and get 10% now.*

šŸŽ¶ DJ, hit it: No need to pay for Amazon Music. Link your music service to your Amazon Echo. Open the Alexa App > More (three lines) > Settings. Under Alexa Preferences, tap Music & Podcasts > Link New Service (+) > choose your provider and follow the prompts. Now just say, ā€œAlexa, play [song] on [Apple Music, Spotify, etc].ā€

šŸ§‘ā€šŸ§’ā€šŸ§’ FamilySearch: This free site from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints lets you build a family tree and dig into your genealogy. It’s open to everyone, no matter your religious background.Ā 

BY THE NUMBERS

Up to $1,400

How much Meta’s upcoming Hypernova smart glasses might cost. The shades have a tiny screen in the bottom-right corner with built-in apps for snapping photos, opening maps and checking phone notifications. Oh, and you might even get a neural wristband that lets you wave commands like a wizard.Ā 

1 hour

Of screen time before bed can cut your sleep by 24 minutes and increase your risk of insomnia by 59%. And no, a blue light filter won’t save you. Bright light of any kind still messes with your body’s sleep signals and tricks your brain into thinking it’s daytime. My advice? Wind down with something chill like music or an audiobook.

3,700 miles

How far a man’s body was flown from the UK to Michigan to be stored in a liquid nitrogen cryogenic chamber. The goal? Freeze now and hope science figures out how to bring him back to life later. Think advancements in AI, stem cell research and nanotechnology. Hey, it’s a long shot, but when you’re already dead, what have you got to lose?

LOGGING OUT …

Just a thought: As you finish deleting blurry dog pics and contacts of people who you never texted or called once in a decade, I’ll leave you with a question: If your digital life is decluttered but your brain is still tabs-on-tabs chaos, is that peace or placebo? Maybe Pavlov’s hair was so messy because he didn’t condition it.

šŸŽ™ļøEver wonder what I really say when the mics are hot? This weekend, pull up a seat to my national radio show broadcasting coast to coast on 420+ stations. It’s where this newsletter comes to life: tech tips, jaw-dropping digital stories, behind-the-scenes moments and real calls from listeners (maybe even you!). Don’t miss out, so find your local station or catch the podcast on your own time.Ā 

Stay sharp out there. You never know when your truck might try to download your soul. OK, tech superstar! Go share your new smarts like it’s hot. šŸ”„ — Kim

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