Talk about distracted driving, am I right?
WTH do I do now? Jim in Philly wrote to me because he downloaded an app that totally screwed up his phone — random ads everywhere. Sorry, Jim, but you need to do a full factory reset. It’s a royal pain in the rear, I know, but it’s the only way to ensure your phone is clear from adware and malware. After that, do like I do and get a solid AV software on your phone.
Bosses are firing Gen Z workers fast
Gen Z grads are getting the axe — 6 in 10 employers have already let them go. Plus, a massive security breach exposed the private info of millions. Find out how one guy spent $1K on Facebook Ads to find love and about a new law that could change your car radio.
Just in time for holiday shopping: Amazon is making it much easier for us to spend all kinds of money with a redesigned homepage. Expect bigger images, new product groupings and a lot more horizontal scrolling. The catch? They’re also adding more ads and deals while you shop. It looks cluttered to me.
Blast from the past
The classic puzzle game Minesweeper is now on Netflix. This colorful, reimagined version features an ocean-like setting where you find underwater mines in locations around the world. No in-game ads, no in-app purchases and no extra cost to play.
💸 Bots mark the spot: Starting Nov. 8, X will stop paying accounts for showing ads. Now, you’ll only make money based on how much engagement — replies and retweets — your posts get from Premium (aka paying) subscribers. The bots are going to be busy!
AI brings dead celebs back to life
Well, kinda… Hollywood is spending millions to resurrect the likeness of screen legends like Judy Garland with AI. Creepy or fine? Plus, YouTube’s new pause ads, why to skip the blue light filter, and a warning for iPad Pro owners: iOS 18 is bricking devices!
AI will watch everything you do
Are you behaving badly? Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison predicts that AI will soon keep you in line. In other news: MoviePass fraud exposed, Snapchat uses your face for ads, and the story behind the viral ‘Hawk Tuah’ girl.
The broken promise of 'ad-free' TV
Streaming was supposed to be ad-free, but now ads are sneaking into paid plans, and free ones are packed with them. What happened? Plus, is Facebook listening through your phone? I’ll cover that, how tech is making us lonelier, and the latest AI threat.
Big Tech listens to your convos
At least one media group gathers info from conversations and uses it for targeted ads. Plus, a new sextortion scam tactic, Amazon’s “Just Walk Out” tech hits more NFL stadiums, and police are towing Teslas from crime scenes.
The Echo is a resounding success: Amazon is yanking the main feature of the Echo Show 8 Photos Edition: Showing your photos endlessly. Starting Sept. 23, it will display ads after three hours. Btw, this model costs $10 extra, plus there’s a $2 monthly subscription. I’d be mad, too.
How to go Google free
With Google guilty of illegally monopolizing search and ads, here’s what you can do to loosen its hold on your online experience.
Online tool to stop ads
Ever feel like online ads know too much about you? I’ll share a simple tool that lets you stop companies from tracking you across the web — and it’s totally free.
Where there’s smoke: Mark Zuckerberg has three weeks to tell Congress why drug dealers are allowed to advertise on Facebook and Instagram. We’re talking ads featuring piles of pills, weed and bricks of cocaine, all directing you to chat apps and drug dealers. Wonder how he’ll spin this one.
Watch out for scam ads on social
Scammers are upgrading their tactics. The latest scam uses enticing ads featuring AI art, making everyone think they too can be a content creator.
Do you know a kid obsessed with Roblox?
Roblox is adding paid billboard ads within the game, making it the largest playground for product pushing. Do you think kids have selective vision when their game is covered in ads?
📮 Stick with me, and we’ll go places: The prices for U.S. first-class postage stamps are going up to $0.73 in July, and lots of fake postage stamp sites and social media ads are popping up. PSA: There’s no such thing as half-price stamps. It’s a scam.
Ad-free streaming isn't ad free
The promise: Cut the cable and no more ads. It lasted a while, but now? Not so much.
Watch out — fake billionaires trick people out of money
Be careful of ads with stock tips from big names like Bill Ackerman. Kim and Andrew also break down who could be the next owner of TikTok if it gets the boot. Plus, Gen Xers and Baby Boomers don’t get these emojis, and Texans look for VPNs after P**nhub ban.
Mistakes people make buying ads on FB
Many small businesses advertise on Facebook. And far too often, they end up losing a ton of money.