Walking on sunshine

April 2, 2024

Solar-powered lights and gadgets for power outages, camping and fun.

A $20 solar-powered universal phone charger for your go bag (or regular bag).
A solar radio so you can tune in to The Kim Komando Show, even when the power’s out.
This is a very reasonable price for a very short sun-warmed shower. (Good for camping!)
This handheld color-changing lantern would make a great nightlight.
Upgrade your birdbath with a solar fountain. Tweet!

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

Tags: phone, upgrades

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Cheap tech upgrades anyone can do

Reading this on a two-year-old iPhone SE 3? Go ahead and make those over-the-hill jokes — it’s reaching the average smartphone lifespan of 2.5 years.

Upgrading your laptop or smartphone is inevitable. But wait before you throw out that clunky computer. Even when a piece of tech starts showing its age, you’ve still got options to give it a new lease on life.

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OK, it’s really cold: 11 tricks and gadgets to keep you warm

Yesterday, my Daily Tech Update heard on 350+ radio stations about how EVs don’t like cold weather hit home with a ton of folks. You see, even if you charged up to prepare the night before, the battery could be dead or pretty close to it when you wake up. Wow, so many people told me they had no idea this would happen when they bought an EV.

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Many big tech brands sell refurbished gadgets — not brand-new but fully checked and working. Apple has refurbished MacBooks, computers and AirPods with a one-year warranty. Amazon Renewed has everything from the 2022 Apple Watch model to Beats headphones and smart TVs.

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

2.6M fewer Amazon shoppers

Are active each month compared to two years ago. During that same stretch, the Chinese-owned shopping site Temu has grown to 54 million active users. Maybe that’s why Amazon’s pulling out all the stops for its Big Spring Sale. (FYI, I won’t use Temu. Here’s why.)

Unlock the secrets of your slumber: Best sleep-tracking tech

Ah, sleep — the one thing we all love but never seem to get enough of. You’re tossing and turning, counting sheep, or maybe out like a light but still wake up feeling like you’ve pulled an all-nighter. How can you crack the code of quality slumber?

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10 tech freebies everyone should know about

The iPhone 15 Pro Max with tons of storage costs $1,599. The Razor Blade 18 gaming laptop starts at $2,899.99. Bang & Olufsen’s Beoplay H95 over-the-ear headphones? $999.

You get the point. Tech can set you back a whole lot of money. That’s why you should take every freebie you can get — with one caveat. Security programs, antivirus and VPNs are common honeypots for scammers. This list, though, you can trust.

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Ask Kim: 'Can you help me choose an Echo device?'

Absolutely! First things first, here’s how I like to use mine:

Both are totally solid, but I would go with the Echo Show 10. It’s bigger, faster and newer, and just about every spec is upgraded. The Echo Show 8 is certainly more affordable, but this is something you want to buy once and forget about for a few years. This model is already over two years old.

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

Ask Kim: 'Can you help me find a dashcam for Mom?

If a creep follows your mom to her car, a dashcam can capture videos to later use as evidence in a criminal case. Reputable options like the Ovedisa or BlackVue are both excellent choices.

🚙 Get her a dashcam that records what’s happening in front of and behind her vehicle. This option connects to an app that lets you view, download and share videos. It’s 30% off now, and be sure to check the box for another $30 off. (Makes a great gift, btw.)

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

Shopping under surveillance: How retailers track you and how to be invisible

If you have a pulse and an internet connection, companies want all the details they can fetch on what you’re willing to buy — and it’s getting harder to tell where they’re obtaining all that info.

Retailers can now track what customers purchase to influence their buying patterns. Loyalty programs collect data on your purchases, frequency and preferences — in exchange for deals.

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The most popular Amazon Subscribe & Save products

Do you use Amazon’s Subscribe & Save feature? They lure you with an excellent discount to set it up, and you can choose how often you get something auto-delivered (two weeks to every six months). It’s handy for things you buy again and again.

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