How to find and stop hidden fees
When I’m booking air travel, it seems like the price goes up with every click. By the time I pay to check a bag or two, that “great deal” isn’t looking so, well, great.
So of course airlines are fighting the Biden administration’s “junk fees’” rule, which would make them show their fees upfront for checking bags, carrying on a bag, and changing or canceling a reservation.
📧 AI coming to Gmail inboxes: Soon, a “smart assistant” will summarize email threads and suggest responses. A Q&A tool (powered by Gemini) will dig through your emails to answer questions like, “I got three bids for a new roof. Which one is the best?” Once it’s live for everyone, I’ll show you how to use it.
There’s a new theory making the rounds on TikTok all about generational texting. The claim is that your texting technique is a solid tell for your age. So, how does Gen Z text? Is it with … A.) One thumb, C.) Two thumbs, C.) Two thumbs and an index finger, or D.) An index finger?
You have to be smarter than this: Over 10% of people still use 1234 as their four-digit PIN. Other most-used options include 1111, 0000, 1212 and 7777. If this is you, time for something more complex — and no, your birth year or address won’t cut it. On iPhone, upgrade to six digits. On Android, stick with your fingerprint if your phone has biometrics.
Between a rock and a creeper: A family in Southern California found a camera disguised as a rock pointed at their home. Footage showed the scooter-riding culprit planting it — while wearing garden gloves and a motorbike helmet. Theories range from someone casing their house for a burglary (or worse) to someone trying to watch the family’s kids walking home from school. Scary.
🤳 You do you, boo: Women on Reddit are asking guys to rate their nudes. Whether it’s just for the thrill or an honest opinion, r/RateMyNudeBody enforces strict rules — no insults, nothing “overly sexy.” FYI: Men can upload theirs, too, but they typically don’t get as many comments. Ya think?
🌾 Mow problems: Honda is recalling lawnmowers and pressure washers after nearly 5,000 reports of failures and 38 injuries. That means you if you have a model HRN216 or HRX217K6 lawnmower and/or a GCV170 or GCV200 G5B power washer. Stop using it immediately, then call Honda toll-free at 888‑888‑3139 for a free inspection and repair.
Tag, you’re it: Watch out for tagged posts from random people on Facebook. You can’t stop the tags completely (thanks, FB), but you can turn on “tag review.” That lets you review tags before they’re posted to your feed. Go to your Profile > Settings & privacy > Settings > Privacy > Profile and Tagging > Review tags. Hope you like Whac‑A‑Mole.
The first mistake: A children’s jewelry maker promoted its products using photos of a 5-year-old girl on Instagram. Guess what? The ad mainly reached adult men. The New York Times (paywall link) repeated the test, attracting convicted sex offenders and solicitations. IG’s blaming the algorithm again.