Inspired by the movie Dune, NASA gives you…recycled drinking water.
Do you need the latest and greatest phone?
Shiny, new things sure have their appeal — take the brand-new Apple iPhone 16. But are the newest flagship phones and laptops worth the extra premium you pay to get them?
Most of the time, and for most people, no. There are a few good reasons why. If you’re tempted by a new smartphone that costs more than a mortgage payment, keep reading. I’ll help you figure out what’s right for you.
Remember this time last year?
Everything from Apple revolved around how amazing the iPhone 15 was. And while the iPhone 16 is now grabbing everyone’s attention, the iPhone 15 hasn’t suddenly become a dud. It’s all a gimmick, and Google, Samsung and every other device maker pulls the same marketing trick.
The iPhone 15 is on sale, starting at $100 less than the iPhone 16. And get this: It still runs the same iOS 18 software. You do miss out on some of the Apple Intelligence (AI) features, but I bet there’s a side of you that might consider this a blessing …
Rule of thumb: Go one generation back
Nearly new is often the way to go with phones, tablets, laptops and other tech. I don’t mean used (though I’ll get to that below) but, rather, the generation. For most folks, the previous version (or two) works just as well as the bright and shiny new ones.
And remember, retailers want to sell the latest and greatest, so devices that have just been replaced get the biggest discounts.
Be honest with yourself about what you really need. For some, it’s the fastest possible speeds and cutting-edge features. That’s why I bought the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Plus, a Digital Goddess can’t be sporting old tech!
Barry wants to trade up from his iPhone 14 Pro Max to my iPhone 15 Pro Max. It’s still a great, fast, top-of-the-line phone. But Ian’s iPhone 13 is starting to show its age.
How to buy the right tech for you
It’s hard to navigate all the marketing speak and selling points. That’s why it’s good you have me!
Should you splurge on a Copilot+ AI PC?
Anymore, every company (and their mother) seems to be slapping “AI” on their product marketing and charging you a boatload. Microsoft and its new line of Copilot+ PCs are no exception.
Let me give it to you straight: Microsoft is pushing these laptops hard, but in this case, what they sell isn’t exactly what you get. If you’re considering buying one, read this first.
Boost your company’s productivity with this AI-powered documents solution
Accountants, real estate agents, construction companies and marketing agencies — pretty much everybody is using Tungsten document automation to streamline workflows.
Dealing with documents in the digital age can feel like a throwback to an earlier, less efficient era. You’re buried in paperwork, navigating tons of files, and manually inputting data. It’s time-consuming, error-prone, and let’s be honest, a bit outdated.
Buying guide: How to choose the right Amazon Echo
I got a nice note from Gary in San Antonio, Texas, the other day. To answer your questions, Gary: Yes, Komando is my real last name — and yep, I definitely can help you choose a smart speaker.
Gary asked about Amazon Echos, in particular. Even though I use an iPhone, I also went with an Echo over the Apple Home. They’re a lot more affordable and easy to use, and I already have an Amazon account. You probably do, too.
Do you know when your phone expires?
All phones have expiration dates but they vary brand to brand. To save you the trouble, I put together a list of all phones and their expiration dates. Just search ‘phone expiration.’
Foldable Macbook could be coming soon
Do you need your laptop to fold up this small? Could be pretty neat — a laptop in your pocket!
Thermonator: The flame-throwing dog
How is this legal in 48 out of 50 states? You can purchase one of these robo-dogs for just under $10,000. It’s a pass for me.
Komputer Tutor: My infomercial from the '90s
I sold 150,000 tapes at $80 each. You could say, “I blew up!”
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.
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?
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.
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.
Don’t make these 5 big mistakes when buying electronics on Amazon
Shopping on Amazon can be a great way to save money on otherwise expensive tech. Tap or click here for quick and easy ways to save money when filling your cart. Just avoid the most common mistakes people make when buying electronics on Amazon.
Use tech to have the spookiest house on the block this Halloween
Spooky season is well underway and you should be expecting some trick-or-treaters soon. Before you get the candy ready, take some time to ramp up your security.
Vandalism and property damage are more common during the holiday season. Whether you’re home or away, you’ll want to keep an eye on things. A video doorbell is a simple way to secure your home. Tap or click here for my favorite video doorbell to keep an eye on what’s happening out front.
Best smart LED lights for the money
I’m new to the smart light revolution, and I’m not turning back. Let me explain. I lived in my last home for 17 years, and while it needed upgrades throughout, the lights were the least of my worries.
Moving into a new place, I had to either hire an electrician to install the kitchen’s under-counter lights or try to do it myself with smart lights. I opted for saving money and getting my tech hands dirty.
A powerful router if you have lots of devices: ASUS RT-AX3000
When you have a lot of gadgets and a larger home, you need a router that can keep up. The ASUS Wi-Fi 6 Router RT-AX3000 is an excellent option to deliver fast Wi-Fi to up to 30 devices.
ASUS says the tech behind this router provides four times greater network capacity and efficiency in homes up to 3,000 square feet with high traffic, meaning this is the choice for those of you with multiple people using several devices each day. For even stronger coverage or to bring Wi-Fi to areas further from the router, you can add optional mesh points.
Best router for homes under 1,500 square feet: NETGEAR Nighthawk R6700
According to your answers, the NETGEAR Nighthawk R6700 is the perfect router for your household. It also happens to be our top budget pick for smaller homes. This router is ideal for homes, apartments, condos and offices up to 1,500 square feet.
A solid router option for homes up to 2,500 square feet: TP-Link AX3000
According to your answers, the TP-Link AX3000 Smart Wi-Fi Router is the ideal router for your home. It’s handles dozens of devices, is Wi-Fi 6 enabled and comes with advanced security features right out of the box.
Wi-Fi 6 technology offers up to three times faster speeds, four times higher capacity and 75% lower latency compared to Wi-Fi. Tap or click here to learn more about Wi-Fi 6 routers. Along with an Intel dual-core CPU, you can expect smooth, buffer-free streaming and gaming.