Ctrl + Alt + Goodbye: If you’re using Windows 11 Home or Pro (version 23H2), you get no more security patches or bug fixes on Nov. 11, 2025. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates to upgrade. FYI: Enterprise and Education editions get support until Nov. 10, 2026.
The sound police are coming for ya
Sorama
Look at that picture. What we’ve got here is not just another traffic camera, but a fully deputized decibel detective. Meet the sound police.
These new noise cameras are the cousins of speed and red-light cameras, but instead of catching you with a heavy foot, they’re busting you for a heavy exhaust.
No radar guns here, just sensitive microphones measuring every decibel you dish out. Too loud? Ticket’s on the way, courtesy of the volume vigilante.
🔊 Silence of the lambos
Each setup has super-sensitive microphones paired with a camera. If your car’s exhaust note tips over the legal decibel limit (often in the low 80s), the mic triggers the camera. It snaps your license plate faster than you can say “downshift,” and a ticket is on its way.
No police officer, no flashing lights, only stealthy surveillance keeping score 24/7. A story in The Wall Street Journal (paywall link) highlighted Newport, Rhode Island, where two of these were placed along scenic Ocean Avenue.
Within days, a Mustang GT got nailed for hitting 85 decibels, only two over the limit, and was slapped with a $250 fine. New York City’s had them since 2021. Get caught repeatedly, and you could be out nearly $2,500. Ouch.
🏎️ Too loud and furious
If you’re a neighbor who’s sick of the late-night “look at me” exhaust revs, you’re probably cheering. Imagine sitting on your porch and hearing the ocean instead of a rolling car meet.
Some of these tickets hit totally stock, street-legal cars.
And here’s where I gulp: When I’m in my Porsche and flip into manual mode, rowing through the gears with that beautiful exhaust note singing … let’s just say I’d better be ready for my close-up (and maybe my checkbook).
🚔 Roar and peace
110 million to 115 million years old
Dinosaur tracks were uncovered in Travis County, Texas, after July’s horrific floods. A volunteer helping clear debris found 15 three-clawed footprints in a crisscross pattern, each 18 to 20 inches long. So what was it? Experts think they belonged to a meat-eating dino like the 35-foot Acrocanthosaurus. Imagine that thing chasing you.
▶️ Control Facebook video autoplay: You can choose whether videos in your feed play automatically. On PC, go to Settings & privacy > Settings > Media and toggle off Autoplay animations. On mobile, go to Settings & privacy > Settings > Media > Autoplay and tap Never or On Wi-Fi only.
📍 AirTag to the rescue: A missing 71-year-old Pennsylvania man with dementia was found thanks to the Apple tracker. His family had attached one to his clothes. Pro tip: They’re under $25 and could save you a lot of panic.
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Streaming’s newest power couple: Fox One ($19.99) and ESPN’s new DTC ($29.99) launch Aug. 21, but on Oct. 2, there’s a $39.99/month bundle. You get the NFL, NBA, Big Ten and 47,000 live events a year, aka the “you’re not leaving the couch” sports fan package. Pay less than cable, yell at your TV just as much.
📬 First-class felony: Here’s your daily dose of “oof!” news. In 2022, Paychex sent Dylan Handy’s $114K 401(k) rollover via mailed checks. Thieves intercepted them, cashed them, and now he might owe taxes on stolen funds. Forty-three percent of rollovers still use paper checks. Skip the delays and fraud risk. Choose direct transfers.
$14.5 billion
Biggest crypto theft ever. In 2020, a hacker cracked one of the world’s largest Bitcoin mining pools using a laughably weak 32-bit security system you could brute-force with a gaming PC. They drained 127,000 Bitcoins (worth $3.5B then, $14.5B now) from over 5,000 wallets and then just left the stash untouched for five years.
👁️ A vision of perfection: I told you this would be reality 11 years ago! New FDA-approved VIZZ drops promise crisp near vision for 10 hours, no glasses needed. Using aceclidine, it “pinhole” focuses your pupils without messing with distance sight. Basically, your eyeballs get an instant camera upgrade. This is great, now I can read warning labels before ignoring them. (lol)
34 years
That’s how long AOL’s dial-up has been screeching. Come Sept. 30, 2025, the iconic modem handshake will join Blockbuster late fees in the nostalgia graveyard. Broadband won years ago, this is just a very late funeral. If you’ve never heard it, imagine R2-D2 having a panic attack through a kazoo. Hey, in the mood to go back in time? Check out these home pages from way back to log on to memory lane.
Safes cracked in seconds: Researchers revealed two ways to break into Securam ProLogic electronic safes (used for guns, cash, etc.). No drills or special gear required for eight brands. If your lock says “Securam ProLogic” on the keypad, it’s at risk. Only fix? Swap the lock. Company’s not patching old ones.
🤓 Bookworms are winning on dating apps: Looking for love? A new study says 75% of people would rather date someone well-read than someone hot. Yup, apparently emotional intelligence is beating out abs and jawlines. So go ahead, hold a big ol’ novel in your profile pic. It might be your best wingman to make sure you’re booked solid. (See what I did right there?)
$300,000 in 1883
On HBO’s The Gilded Age is about $9 million to $10 million today. Shoes cost $3, a dentist visit was 50 cents and a fully furnished 2,000 sq. ft. home went for $12K to $15K. The kicker? The mega-rich didn’t pay income tax (paywall link). If you did not see that series, stream it today. It’s fantastic!
Tesla pulls the plug: If this is true, it’s crazy. Rapper Big Huey says his Cybertruck got remotely shut off after he released his song “Cybertruck.” He even claims Tesla mailed him a cease-and-desist. That’s one way to take “don’t kill my vibe” very literally. Next up: Spotify turns off your fridge for skipping Ed Sheeran too much.
🧳 Travel warning: Here’s something I never even thought of. Then again, I’m not a thief. Scammers are hanging around baggage claim areas grabbing the luggage tags you throw away. Why? The tags contain your name and flight info, which can be used to file fake missing item claims and get cash from airlines. Folks, keep those tags on until you’re home.
4.56 billion years old
The age of a meteorite that crashed through a Georgia home back in June. Scientists say it’s roughly 20 million years older than Earth itself. Oh, and this wasn’t a one-off, it’s the 27th meteorite recovered in the state. Talk about Skyfall, no Adele needed.
💄 Supermodel looks, standard dating app chaos: Oh, cover girl problems in life. Sailor Brinkley-Cook pulled a little stunt. She uploaded a pic of her mom, icon Christie Brinkley (yes, still glowing at 71), to a dating app. Within one hour? Same matches. Same bios. The app didn’t care which Brinkley was which … it just said “yes, please” to both. Talk about being haute and bothered.
#1
That’s the position Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, just snagged on Tripadvisor’s list, beating Disney and Universal to become the Jolene of U.S. theme parks. With coasters, live shows, a 35-acre water park and two-days-for-the-price-of-one deals, you’ll be singing “I Will Always Love You.” Oh, I hope you Parton my excitement. 🎢
▶️ Find your liked videos on YouTube: Tap the three-line menu in the top left and select Playlists. Your liked videos will be right there. To keep something for later, tap the Save button below the video player and select Watch Later. Head back to Playlists to find it in the list.
Siri and I are in a toxic relationship. I ask, she lies, I forgive: Apple finally gave up making their own AI. Thank goodness! Instead, GPT-5 will power Siri, Writing Tools and Visual Intelligence starting next month with iOS 26. Your iPhone might actually know what you meant. Soon, Siri will analyze photos, translate in real time and help write texts that don’t sound like you drafted them in the drive-thru.