No more Chromecast

August 9, 2024

🆕 No more Chromecast: It’s being replaced by the $99 Google TV Streamer, which ships in September. The new streaming device is equipped with Gemini AI and better specs, like on-screen smart home controls, detailed video summaries and finetuned recommendations.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Tags: device, Google, home, recommendations, smart home, streaming, streaming device, video

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Biggest data breaches of 2024 (so far)

From big banks to car dealerships, 2024 has been a banner year for data breaches. Yes, I mean that in the worst way possible. I’d be shocked if there’s any American left unexposed at this point.

Let’s take a walk down the data breach memory lane. I’ve got steps for remediation at the end for you and everyone you care about.

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Dog sets the house on fire

An indoor cam caught a dog chewing on a lithium-ion battery power bank, which then set the house on fire. The flames spread through the living room in minutes. The family (and all their pets) got out safely. Note to self: Keep power banks up high away from Abby.

$14,200 a month

To answer questions from his couch. A mechanic quit his full-time job at Ford after he started making more money helping folks on JustAnswer. He works hard for that money — eight to 10 hours a day, seven days a week. I’m signing Barry up!

Hacked Ring camera

Ausharee Mcleod says her 5 year old son’s Ring camera was hacked after he heard a voice whisper “hey” in the middle of the night.

$1,000,000 bounty

For anyone who catches a major Samsung security flaw. Bag a local arbitrary execution to score $300,000. Remote code execution vulnerabilities are worth up to $1 million. If you know what those terms mean, get to work.

64% fewer stolen cars

After Kia and Hyundai’s anti-theft software upgrades. The 2023 free update fixed shoddy security measures that made it way too easy to steal the vehicles. Drive one and not sure if you got the update? Call your dealership.

$600,000 lost

After a homebuyer’s law firm was hacked. Now he’s suing them. Richard Bates hired the firm to help him buy a house. Hackers broke into their email and stole enough to trick Bates into wiring them his home payment. Bates says it wouldn’t have happened if his lawyers had basic cybersecurity like 2FA. Well, he’s not wrong.

50% decline

In brain volume loss for folks trialing a drug similar to Ozempic. Liraglutide simulates the hormone GLP-1, which regulates appetite and blood sugar. It might be a tool to fight Alzheimer’s, too. Participants saw an 18% slower decline in cognitive function. Promising, right?

43% use Roku

Among 8,000 households surveyed. It’s the most popular streamer of the bunch, followed by Amazon Fire devices, with 35%. Apple TV and Chromecast finish out the top four.

42% drop

In Xbox Series X and S sales since 2023. Sales of Microsoft’s four-year-old console have been on a steady decline since 2022 — a way quicker drop-off than most consoles. For context, the seven-year-old Nintendo Switch still sold 1.96 million consoles in the first quarter this year, double the estimated Xboxes sold.