Step change

January 8, 2025

Step change: Mark Zuckerberg is replacing fact-checking with “community notes” on Meta, just like on X (they didn’t even change the name) to “restore free expression.” He’s been cozying up to the incoming Trump admin, but he’s not alone; Amazon, Apple, Meta, OpenAI and others gave $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund. Zuck’s trying hard to clean up Meta’s reputation of censorship, especially after the 2016 election.

Tags: Amazon, Apple

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Keep hackers out of your online life

Cybercriminals never stop coming up with ways to steal your info, so I’m always on the hunt for tools that make your digital life safer. One of their sneakiest tricks? Keyloggers.

Keyloggers secretly record every single thing you type — passwords, credit card numbers, private messages, you name it. They send your info straight to the person controlling the malware, giving them a backstage pass to your life.

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CES 2025: What’s coming at this year’s tech show

The big CES 2025 event kicks off tomorrow in Las Vegas with over 100,000 attendees. I’ve got the inside scoop on what’s hot this year.

LG’s hoping to steal the show with its Zero Connect box. No cables — it wirelessly transmits 4K video at 144Hz. Plus, LG will introduce its Dynamic QNED Color Solution system, better HDR and sound optimization, and a Magic Remote, a voice-controlled and gesture-enabled universal remote that doubles as a mouse for your TV. (Smart — the LG remote is horrible now.) They’ll also unveil the UltraGear GX9, a bendable 45-inch monitor with a 5K2K resolution (5120×2160) and a 21:9 aspect ratio.

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It’s winter travel season

Make it easier on yourself.

Store this collapsible cup ($20) in your bag whenever you’re not using it. Great for getting through the TSA lines! Click the coupon box for 25% off.
Ever tried fixing your makeup in a plane bathroom? Horrible. A travel vanity mirror ($15) solves that problem.
A security belt keeps cash safe from pickpockets.
For the over-packers: Compression packing cubes ($23) are a lifesaver (and space saver).
These mini portable chargers plug directly into your phone so you won’t have annoying cords hanging around. Click the coupon box for 15% off.

🧳 Replace your crappy old suitcase with nice new luggage. Amazon is having a big sale! Pro tip: Get a bright color so it’s easy to find at the airport.

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

$80,000 a year

For being a pal. After Shoji Morimoto in Japan got fired in 2018 for being lazy, he started renting himself out to strangers who needed a friend. He charges $65 to $195 to join folks at parties and concerts — nothing sexual, though.

$799 baby bouncer

Your little one can use only for six months. The Elvie Rise is a fancy bouncer and bassinet combo that debuted at CES. You can control it from your phone, but it’s only suitable for babies under six months, or until they can sit up on their own. At that price, this thing should get ‘em through kindergarten.

$19 trillion

In bitcoin transactions last year. To put it into perspective, bitcoin transactions totaled $8.7 trillion in 2023. This marks the first time since 2021 that the price of bitcoin has gone up, not down. How can you tell who owns bitcoin at a party? Don’t worry, they’ll tell you.

40 and older

Is totally hot right now. New movies like Nicole Kidman’s “Babygirl” and Anne Hathaway’s “The Idea of You” celebrate middle-aged women. Hollywood finally agrees that, yeah, older women are hot!

$10,000

Worth of a 1999 Georgia state quarter. Check the couch cushions! They were printed with all kinds of errors, and that makes them valuable. One of the rarest variations is thicker than normal, with a gold-greenish tint and no copper edge. Hit this list for the details.

$26 million

In rare medical book sales predicted for the 2020s — everything from guides to bloodletting to how-tos for treating a gunshot wound with boiling oil (paywall link). Last year, a 1555 edition of the anatomy book “Fabrica” sold for $2.2 million. Time to start browsing yard sales for old medical texts.

Nearly 200% more

Radiation level exposure for those uploading videos in rural areas using 5G, compared to someone in the city. Researchers think the extra radiation doesn’t come from the 5G towers but from mobile devices working overtime to get out the signal. Guess those hiking pics can wait, huh?