Devices

The gift that keeps on charging you

Not all gifts are created equal. Some come with surprise monthly charges.

Memories, megabytes & mashed potatoes

Tech can’t replace Thanksgiving, but the right stuff helps bring back the people and moments that matter.

Smart mirrors for your bathroom are here

I remember the first time I saw a bathroom mirror with a built-in TV. I was at a ski lodge in Vail and called Barry to come see it.

Tech secrets only the pros know

We’ve all been there. Your screen goes black, but you can still hear the audio. You’re trying to move the cursor on your phone, but your thumb’s too big to land in the right spot. Or your Android suddenly turns into a sluggish mess, and you’re ready to throw your $1,000 phone out the window. […]

Unleash your inner IT overlord

I read every comment you leave at the end of this newsletter, and one theme always stands out: You want to know all the hidden things your tech can do!  Lucky for you, uncovering those “I had no idea!” moments is my superpower.  🪟 Secret Windows restart trick Frequent shutdowns can fix most computer issues, […]

7 quick tech fixes that’ll make you feel like a genius

It’s Saturday, which means two things: So let’s channel that procrastination energy into productivity. I’m talking about the satisfying kind where you fix stuff in under a minute and feel wildly accomplished. Here are tech issues you can squash today. No tools, tech support or curse words required. 1. Fix your smart TV Screen flickering? […]

Your camera roll deserves a cleanse

I remember my parents saying, “Kim, stop wasting the film.” Oh, yes, this was back when we’d put film in a camera, take up to 36 pictures, then wait for the roll to get developed to see if any of the shots were good. Those days are long gone, fortunately. Now, the average American takes […]

You asked how a smart ring sent a guy to the ER. Here’s the full story.

Recently here in The Current, I mentioned a YouTuber who ended up in the ER because of a smart ring. A bunch of you left me comments asking the same thing: “How does that even happen?” Let me explain, because this wasn’t the guy’s fault. It was a complete tech failure. 💍 Ring of fire […]

How not to explode

Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere, powering your phone, laptop, iPad, toothbrush, e-bike, EV and power bank. We love them because they’re compact, rechargeable and efficient. But when things go wrong? They go really wrong. Fires caused by lithium batteries are becoming more common and more dangerous. A small phone battery can ignite a couch. Now imagine […]

Slay your vampire electronics

Since Halloween’s in the air, let’s talk about something spooky: vampire electronics. These everyday gadgets quietly suck electricity (and money) when you’re not using them. They’re called “phantom loads” or “standby power,” and they’re everywhere from your cable box to your soundbar to your printer. Even when they’re “off,” they’re drawing power.  The Department of […]

Get a free second phone number

Here’s something smart to start your week. Get a free, private second phone number you can use from your smartphone. It’s perfect for keeping your personal number personal.  With Google Voice, you get a real U.S. phone number that rings to your cell, computer or tablet. You can call, text, screen calls and get your […]

The tech myths we can’t stop repeating

Tech myths have a way of sticking around like those 99 browser tabs you keep open, harmless at first, but over time, they slow everything down. They spread in group texts, get repeated by well-meaning relatives and pop up like spammy ads from 2003.  Let’s bust five of the most common myths I hear all […]

About 99% of the internet flows through undersea cables

I bet you imagine the internet as a magical cloud floating wirelessly between satellites and Wi-Fi routers. Nope. It’s mostly underwater.  Nearly all of your “in the cloud” traffic actually travels through fiber-optic cables laid along the ocean floor. These thin strands of glass are buried in some places and simply resting on the seafloor […]

Your new router might be a waste of money

You’ve probably seen the sales pitches. “Get blazing-fast Wi-Fi 7 with internet speeds like you’ve never seen before. Just $600 for a new state-of-the-art router!” Let me save you money. 🤑 The reality check Yes, Wi-Fi 7 is fast. Theoretical speeds reach up to 46 Gbps. That’s 46,000 Mbps, compared to Wi-Fi 6, which tops […]

Tractors, TVs and tyranny

Picture this. A farmer is out in the fields when his $300,000 John Deere tractor shuts off with an error code. He knows what’s wrong. But he can’t touch it. An authorized (pricey) technician must come to his farm, unlock the tractor’s operating system and fix it.  You see, the farmer doesn’t own the right […]

Health data, now with ad targeting

Your smartwatch is great for counting steps and buzzing you when you’ve been sitting on your butt too long. But have you ever stopped to think where all that personal data is going? From sleep patterns to how stressed you are on a Tuesday afternoon, it’s all being logged in a digital diary. And guess […]

Vacuums gone rogue

Remember when robot vacuums were basically remote-control bumper cars with anxiety? They’d bounce around, get stuck under the couch and scare the cat. These days, they claim to do it all – vacuum, mop, empty themselves and learn your floor plan better than your dog has. Here’s the thing no one wants you to know: […]

Hidden setting lets apps spy on you through Bluetooth

Think Bluetooth is just for headphones and car calls? Think again. It’s one of the sneakiest ways apps track you, and most people have no clue it’s happening.  Even when GPS is off, your phone is constantly “sniffing” for nearby devices like AirTags, smartwatches and fitness trackers. That’s normal.  Here’s where it gets shady: Some […]

Smart glasses are spyware

That’s me, virtually trying on Meta’s glasses on their website, doing my best Tom Cruise Risky Business impersonation. Spoiler, I didn’t buy them. These remind me of Google Glass. Those awkward $1,500 face computers from 2013 that made you look like a cyborg at brunch. They launched with a ton of hype and died just […]

Your phone’s more intimate than your diary

Our phones hold everything: photos, texts, money apps, health info, even our bad selfies. Handing over access to your partner? That’s not just convenient. That’s trust on a whole new level.  Some people think it’s the 2025 version of giving someone a house key. Others worry it’s a recipe for drama, or even the prequel […]