Google’s Waymo took the lead in the self-driving robotaxi race with over 3 million driverless rides across three cities this year. We could see autonomous Teslas in 2025 and Amazon’s Zoox is opening up to customers in early 2025. OK, this made me laugh: A confused cop trying to pull over a car with no one in the driver’s seat.
Life after death: AI chatbots bringing lost loved ones back
© Dzmitry Ryzhykau | Dreamstime.com
For me, the holidays are when I miss my parents, grandparents and loved ones who’ve passed away the most. But maybe we can still keep our lost family and friends with us in a different way.
You see, there’s been an upsurge in people tapping into AI to create virtual versions of their loved ones. I wanted to get a deeper look, and now you can, too.
We are so back
Founded in 2017 (ancient history in tech time), StoryFile offers a couple of options to immortalize loved ones while they’re still on Earth.
At the basic level, a laptop and webcam capture their image and likeness in an interview-style fashion — by an actual historian, for an extra fee. StoryFile’s AI uses the material to create a digital persona. Today, over 5,000 people have created profiles.
Loved ones can ask the persona a question, then the system sifts through corresponding interview clips to find an intuitive response. Just imagine a loved one you’d love to chat with again.
Another company, HereAfter AI, came along in 2019 and added another element: Interactive videos where subjects make eye contact, breathe and blink as they respond to questions. It’s super lifelike … but also surreal.
Legends live on
You might be thinking, “So, who’s doing this?” The answer: Folks from all walks of life.
Lynne Nieto, founder of Life Fitness, created a StoryFile before her husband passed away from Lou Gehrig’s disease. She did it mainly for their grandchildren. She watched the file for the first time about six months after he died. Lynne says it was a little hard to view, and it felt a bit raw.
I’m not surprised to hear that. I don’t know how I’d feel about seeing my mom or dad again, but I’m pretty sure it’d be overwhelming.
StoryFile interviewed actor Ed Asner eight weeks before he died in 2021. They sent Ed’s StoryFile to his son, Matt, who couldn’t believe his eyes. He says it was like his dad was looking right at him, answering his questions.
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 earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
🆓 Free magazines: With an Amazon Prime account, you get access to a rotating library of popular magazines for free. Check them out here. Now you can read the latest weird royal rumors without paying for the mag.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Amazon Prime or Walmart+: Which one wins?
Let’s compare Walmart+ to Amazon Prime. From price to inventory to bonus perks, there’s a lot to consider.
Jeff needs the money: Amazon added more commercials to Prime Video. All over the internet, people are saying it’s become unbearable to watch. You can pay $2.99 more to cut the ads … but most of us are already paying $139 a year for Prime. Come on.
It’s a new year
🥳 So try something new! These all sound like a blast to combat the post-holiday blues.
- This pickle kit lets you ferment and pickle anything your heart desires. My favorite? Red onions, yum!
- Crotchet a cute little dinosaur with a crotchet kit for beginners ($25). The step-by-step video tutorials are so helpful.
- Want to get into podcasts (ahem, like mine)? You need a nice set of earbuds like these* that sound great, have a 32-hour battery life and are a fraction of the price of AirPods.
- This cocktail codex (52% off) shows you the fundamentals of drinkmaking and how to make every kind of cocktail. It even gives substitutes if you’re missing any ingredients!
- Try your hand at calligraphy with this workbook for beginners (29% off, $20).
- An indoor herb garden kit (19% off) lets you grow your own herbs and veggies. It comes with a bunch of different pre-seeded pods that make it easy.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
No one needs to know: Archive Amazon orders you don’t want someone else to see. On a computer, hover your cursor over Account & Lists and click Orders. Find the order you want to hide, click View order details, and tap Archive Order. Click Archive Order again to confirm.
Rock your resolutions
💡 Don’t go it alone. Sometimes, a simple tool can take your goals from “impossible” to “no biggie.”
- Save money: A smart light switch (33% off, $30) cuts your electric bill by letting you turn off lights from your phone. It works with Alexa and Google Home, too.
- Get better sleep: A white noise machine (47% off) blocks out all the little creaks and noises so you can sleep easier. Plus, this one’s under $20 right now.
- Lose weight: A mini pedal exerciser lets you stay active while sitting at your desk or vegging out on your couch. Or try a $100 walking treadmill when you’re watching TV or working.
- Drink more water: Get a smart water bottle that reminds you to take a slug of the mug. It glows when you should take a sip!
- Exercise your brain: Start every day with a new brainbuster with this ”Jeopardy!” day-to-day calendar (50% off, $9).
- Get creative: This $8 embroidery kit is great for beginners. Already know how? Try a woodcarving kit!
- Pray more: I like this book that gives daily devotionals. If you scroll down, there are several more to choose from you might like.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Don’t get shelf-conscious
🧘 The first step to an organized mind is an organized home.
- Stop worrying about closet space and send your summer clothes into exile with vacuum storage bags ($19).
- As much as I love having to dig around cabinets on my hands and knees, these storage boxes (32% off) are nifty.
- It’s kind of unbelievable how messy cables can make a room look. Send them to
prisona cable management box (14% off). - Hanger stackers ($28) are something I’d see in stores and wish I had at home. Now, I do …
OK, this shoe organizer ($30) will double your closet space.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
🎮 Free games: Your Amazon Prime membership includes games through Amazon Luna. Play Fortnite, Trackmania and others on devices you already own for no extra charge. If you really get into a game, add more to play with Ubisoft or Jackbox Games. Game on.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Let me sweep you off your feet
🧽 Let’s face it, the holidays turned your house into a disaster zone.
- Pop these cleaning pods ($10) into your Keurig to clean any gross residue and buildup.
- A squeegee broom ($35)?! Genius. Pet hair doesn’t stand a chance.
- Spray on this shower cleaner (12% off) today and rinse it off tomorrow. Boom — a clean shower.
- Grandpa’s favorite chair is looking rough. Try a leather conditioner (29% off).
This window blind duster cleans the tops and bottom of blinds at the same time, and it’s only $7.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
One email cost this man $167K
Pat Lawlor was happy to buy his first home — until he received a fake email from someone he thought was his escrow officer. Plus, closing apps doesn’t save iPhone battery, a flame-throwing robot dog, and Amazon’s new grocery delivery.
Start 2025 right
💪 Focused on your health in the new year? Grab your supplies now!
- Not into going to the gym? A dumbbell set is perfect for at-home workouts.
- Walking is one of my favorite ways to move. Replace your worn-out sneakers — options for guys and gals.
- Get your protein on with an easy-to-use personal blender.
- Keep your calories in check with a food scale. This one has an app with a nutritional calculator.
- I love doing Pilates to get strong. Grippy socks are great and work for barre and yoga, too.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Hosting a New Year’s Eve party?
🕺 3, 2, 1 … Make it count!
- Grab a felt letterboard (8% off) to customize a cute welcome message for your guests.
- Forget political talk; use conversation-starter cards to spark some fun discussions.
- When else would it be socially acceptable to drink sparkly champagne? This cocktail glitter ($9) is completely edible!
- It’s not a real party until someone spills their drink. A red wine stain remover (9% off) should come in handy.
- Your guests don’t want to cheer with mugs. Pick up some pretty champagne flutes!
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
🗣️ “Hey, Alexa”: The voice of Amazon’s smart assistant doesn’t belong to actress Kristen DiMercurio, and she wants to make sure others know it. She’s heard on over 8,000 projects and is often mistaken for Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant. Her TikTok video about the mix-up (and the real Big Tech voices) has racked up nearly 28 million views. She’s got skills.
December 28th, 2024
Billionaires like Bezos and Zuckerberg are building underground bunkers. What are they preparing for? Plus, a smear campaign targets Blake Lively, Bond vs. Amazon, and a clever telemarketer prank.
About to see way mo’ Waymos: Google’s Waymo took the lead in the self-driving robotaxi race, with over 3 million driverless rides across three cities this year. In 2025, we could see autonomous Teslas, and Amazon’s Zoox plans to open up to customers early next year, too. OK, this made me laugh: A confused cop tried to pull over a car with no one in the driver’s seat.
I love a deal
❄️ Amazon’s Winter Sale is here, with discounts of up to 40%. Gift yourself the thing you really wanted this year.
- There’s nothing better than sitting in front of the fireplace with a blanket, hot cocoa and a nice pair of fuzzy socks (23% off).
- Time to tear down the Christmas tree … and throw away that old box you used to store it. A tree storage bag (40% off) is so worth it.
- Somehow, no one got you new slippers for Christmas. Get ‘em yourself: Women’s and men’s picks that are comfy and affordable.
- A pair of Beats Studio Pro headphones ($170) is 50% off right now. Go, go, go! 🏃💨
- Upgrade your upcoming travels with nice, new luggage (41% off) in a fun color. This way, it’s so much easier to find your bags at the airport!
- OK, this is as cheap as Apple AirTags get — 29% off!
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Did ChatGPT kill the search engine?
You no longer need to visit Google and sift through hundreds of links to get your answers. Chatbots can pretty much do it all for you. Is it the end of the webpage? Plus, downsides to ‘Buy Now, Pay Later,’ how much your passwords are worth, and tricks to make money on Amazon.