Which streaming player is best? Kim breaks down the options and tells you why you may want to choose one device over the others. Whether you’re looking to cut the cord and ditch cable, or just get access to even more content, this complete guide to the top streaming devices can help.
Not sure what books to buy for Christmas? Let Bill Gates help
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When it comes to wealth and prestige, few names are more iconic than Bill Gates. As the founder of Microsoft and one of the world’s richest men, Gates has made numerous contributions to the world of tech. He has also spearheaded several projects with the goal of reducing poverty and hunger in developing countries.
But even billionaires need to unwind now and then, and when Bill Gates does, he chooses to spend his time reading. He reportedly reads around 50 books a year, and his tastes span genres from historical fiction to educational and scientific texts.
And now, just in time for Christmas, Bill Gates has released a new list of his favorite books from 2019. Books always make great gifts, and with the help of this reading list, you’re sure to find the perfect present for the special people in your life.
‘These Truths: A History of the United States’ by Jill Lepore
How much do you really know about U.S. history? As it turns out, our high school classes tend to gloss over some of the more fascinating details from the story of America. This paints an incomplete picture of the rich history of our nation.
“These Truths: A History of the United States” covers some of the untold chapters in American history, and offers a fascinating look at some of the steps we took to become the nation we are today.
‘Why We Sleep’ by Matthew Walker, PhD
Do you get enough sleep every night? Most people will simply sip their coffee and say “yes,” but our caffeine-addled brains are disguising an important fact: Sleep is essential for our health and well-being.
What are the long-term effects of sleep deprivation? Is it a preventable cause of death and poor health? This book discusses all these controversies and more and illustrates the importance of taking enough time every night to catch some Z’s.
‘Growth: From Microorganisms to Megacities’ by Vaclav Smil
Vaclav Smil is one of Gates’ favorite authors, and the man claims to anticipate his books the way fanboys do for “Star Wars” movies. In “Growth,” Smil talks about the limits of unrestrained development in economics and society, as well as the consequences such a thing can lead to.
Smil covers a broad variety of subjects in relation to accelerating growth — including culture, technology and the environment. It’s a window into a future that may end up being all too real.
Amazon's top-selling items will surprise you
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Amazon had a record-breaking year in 2019. Prime Day was the biggest in the company’s history, with millions of transactions taking place around the world. In addition, Black Friday and Cyber Monday came and went with stellar results, with the latter being the biggest shopping day in the company’s history.
No more Netflix on these TVs: How you can keep streaming without built-in services
Nothing lasts forever, especially when it comes to tech. Years ago, it might have been decades before you considered replacing a household appliance or entertainment system. Nowadays, it doesn’t take long before your smartphone or TV is obsolete or on the way out.
How to stop robocalls with free solutions from AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint
Robocalls have tormented us for years. They’ve interrupted our conversations, dominated our work lines and spread erroneous information across the country. The nation’s Do Not Call registry is pretty worthless at stopping them.
Everything you need to know about the latest Windows update
There are more updates being released to Windows now than at any other point in the operating system’s lifespan. The reasons for this range from new apps and features all the way to cybersecurity concerns — but nobody can deny that Microsoft is stepping up its software game in a major way.
Teen sexting
Making sure you teach your kids about online safety is important but you can never be too careful. This can come down to even the way they talk to their friend through text. Here is what to watch out for.
How to remove your personal data from broker sites and protect your privacy online
You might be shocked to see how much of your personal info is floating around online. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. We’ll show you how to keep your private information locked down and how to remove it from data broker sites that store and sell your details.
How to spot spy cameras in your vacation rental: Common hiding places | DIY Security
We’ve all heard stories of people finding hidden cameras in vacation rentals. If you’ve ditched hotels and prefer to book accommodations through sites like Airbnb and VRBO, how do you ensure your privacy isn’t being violated? In this DIY Security tip, Kim reveals common hiding places for surveillance cameras, plus shows you how sneaky hosts could conceal monitoring devices.
Why you never see brilliant blue fireworks
What’s in a firework? I’m sure you know some of it at least — a bit of gunpowder, a dash of color-changing chemicals, and a propellant to launch them into the air, right? Well, the chemistry behind fireworks is a lot more complex. Even tiny details like color are fragile enough to restrict firework makers. Now, see why blue varieties of fireworks are a rare breed to see.
Notre Dame: an exclusive first look at restoration work
Notre Dame’s tragic fire was a shock to the entire world. The centuries-old cathedral lost its magnificent gothic spire and roof in the aftermath of the blaze, but thanks to the efforts of the Paris FD, the structure of the building was saved. Now, restoration has finally begun — and everyone is excited to see Notre Dame restored to its former glory. Get a sneak peek at what’s coming in this insider video.
30 amazing colorized photographs from the 1800s
The 19th century may seem like a distant era of the past, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s not that long ago. After all, we had working cameras back then — even if they weren’t able to shoot in color. Now, thanks to the miracle of computers, we can see the subjects of these photos as they were in life. Will you take a step into the past?
5 sites for streaming TV for free
Streaming video is still a relatively young technology, but most of us can no longer imagine sticking a disc into a DVD player. Yes, some of us still enjoy our Redbox rentals, and Blu-ray still offers some of the best imaging available.
Former FBI, CIA director takes on a phone scammer
Robocalls and phone scammers are getting worse. Most are merely annoying, but some can be terrifying, like the scammer who threatened to kill Lynda and William Webster. Webster’s name may sound familiar: He’s the former head of the FBI and CIA. Everyone is a target for scammers, from the average person to the powerful.
Forget cats vs. dogs! Who would win, cougar vs. wolf?
Cats and dogs are traditional rivals for household dominance. Though some get along just fine, “fighting like cats and dogs” is so common that the image has become ingrained in popular culture. Now imagine that fight but taken to the extreme — with larger, meaner wild forms of our furry companions. Don’t worry, no animals were harmed in the making of this video, but this hypothetical match up puts two apex predators to the test.
Smart home tips from a guy who did it and lived to tell
You’ve decided to upgrade your home to a smart home but, where do you start? Maybe some smart lightbulbs or a smart thermostat? Should you use an Amazon Alexa, Google Home or Apple Home Pod to connect your devices?
Amazon is delivering in new ways
If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you probably love the free 2-day shipping. But there are many more benefits that you might not know about.
Check out these nine great Amazon Prime perks that you’ll wish you knew about sooner. Even though deliveries are already Amazon’s specialty, it’s always looking to make it better.
Create easy-to-remember yet super-tough passwords
In the wake of password exposures and account hacks, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of basic safety measures. Having a secure program to guard your personal information doesn’t do you much good when your password is “12345.”
Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas (1999)
Finally, one for the kids. Mickey and his friends tell three Christmas stories: “Donald Duck: Stuck on Christmas,” a reminder that Christmas is so special because it only comes once a year; “A Very Goofy Christmas”, which finds Goofy trying to teach his son the joys of Santa Claus; and “Mickey & Minnie’s Gift Of The Magi”, which recreates the classic tale with the Disney icons.
There’s a deadly oasis in the Sahara Desert
In the desert, any patch of green may seem like a lifesaver, with water and shade. But for some places in the Sahara Desert, an oasis may not be so for all who travel there. For underneath the lush exterior, something more sinister waits.