cameras Archives

Insurance rates rising, here’s what you can do

ID 343799145 © Pravinrus Khumpangtip | Dreamstime.com

My car insurance just jumped 32%. No, I didn’t get into an accident or rack up a few speeding tickets. Since 2020, car insurance rates have skyrocketed by 37%, and in 2024 alone, they climbed another 16.5%. Some states saw hikes of over 50%!

Even if your ride isn’t fresh off the lot, you’re paying the price.

🚗 New cars = $$$ repairs

Bumpers used to be, well, bumpers. Now? They’re loaded with radar sensors, cameras and computers for crash prevention and parking assist. Even a minor fender bender can cost thousands to fix. But there’s more…

💡 LED headlights are brighter: Gone are the days of swapping out a $20 bulb. A new LED headlight? $1,500 or more.

⚡ EVs cost more to repair: On average, EV repairs cost $6,618, compared to $4,437 for gas-powered cars. Why? Battery replacements, software issues and the average EV repair take 20 days. That’s 40% longer than gas cars.

🛠️ Aluminum is lighter: Manufacturers use aluminum to boost fuel efficiency and safety, but it’s harder to repair than steel and costs more.

💰 How to save on your car insurance

Review your coverage – Do you really need full coverage on an older car? Raising your deductible can lower your monthly payment.
Ask about discounts – Got an anti-theft system? Accident-free record? Defensive driving course? Call your agent and ask what you qualify for.
Try usage-based insurance – If you don’t drive much, programs like Mile Auto or Nationwide SmartRide could save you 30% or more.
Bundle up – Combining auto, home, life or even pet insurance with one provider can unlock serious discounts.
Compare rates – Use sites like The Zebra or Insurify.

🧭 What about those trackers

“Just pop a tracker in your car, and boom, lower rates!” Sounds good, right?

Well, that device tracks your speed, braking and every trip you take. I hear you: “Kim, our phones already track us.” True, but I’m not handing over even more data for a tiny discount.

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Carmakers fight a rule that could save thousands of lives

ID 99418422 © Kwangmoo | Dreamstime.com

I want you to stay ahead of the tech stories the mainstream media won’t touch. The other day I watched a Waymo speed up to run a red light. No matter how safe the autonomous car industry says they are, I still won’t get in one. I’d rather trust my own eyes.

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Stuff I use a lot and like

Help! My cart is overflowing!

I wear this weighted vest (20% off) when walking to burn more calories and increase my bone density. Pro tip: Order one that’s 10% of your body weight.
I love to make a pot of soup and freeze it in this silicone container. I have lunch for the whole week.
This whitening toothpaste (20% off, $12) is my absolute favorite. Keeps me sparkly for the cameras.
I use these inexpensive blades to shape my eyebrows and get rid of the fuzz on my face, along with those hairs that pop up out of nowhere.
The bristles of this cleaning pen ($9.48) get into every crevice of your rings and necklaces to make diamonds and other gems sparkle.

🛌 I love sliding into fresh sheets. If yours have seen better days, these crazy-popular cooling sheets are extra soft and on sale right now (41% off, $30).

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

🎞️ Look better in pics: Don’t face the camera straight on. Instead, position your body at a far more flattering 45-degree angle. Put your weight on your back foot and lean your torso slightly forward. This tip was brought to you by 20 years of broadcasting and looking fabulous each time … well, most of the time!

America’s most surveilled city

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The average U.S. city has six cameras recording for every thousand people. Think that’s a lot? Atlanta takes it to another level. Plus, why I’m not surprised people are saying no to new cars and a chilling AirTag stalking story you need to hear.

😱 This is horrifying: A mom says she’ll never let her daughter go to another sleepover again. Why? Her 11-year-old found cameras in her friend’s bedroom. The parents said they were “for security” but turned off. Except … the light was on. So she covered them with a shirt. The parents came in, removed it and that’s when she called her mom to pick her up.

$900,000 watch

On Zuck’s wrist when he announced Meta went MAGA and put an end to fact-checking. He was wearing the Greubel Forsey Hand Made 1; only a few are made each year. His collection includes a $90,000 De Bethune, a $141,000 Patek Philippe and a $12 Seiko. Next week, I’ll wear my favorite watch on my podcasts and show it to the camera. Spoiler: It’s a Rolex a big daily TV host wears, too.

Weird things on Google Earth

blog.google, © Seemanta Dutta | Dreamstime.com

I spent the first 10 years of my life in New Jersey. I still remember when I knocked out my front tooth on the swings and the time I threw a snowball at a police car and hit the cop inside on the head. That was bad.

Seeing the house on Google took me back. Yup, click that link to see where I grew up. And while you’re at it, take yourself on a walk down memory lane, too.

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6 signs your vacation rental is a scam

It’s that time of year when so many of us are planning vacations and booking a rental. Sadly, scammers are very aware of that, and they’re always changing their tricks to fool people out of their money, rentals — or worse.

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The final countdown

It’s now or … go to the mall. Good thing you can overnight these.

PSA: Check the shipping date! When I did, these all arrived before Christmas.

This instant-print camera (10% off) is made for toddlers and kids.
For your fave birdwatcher, binoculars (20% off) with low-light vision.
These inkless handprint kits (13% off) are perfect for couples, parents, fur parents and anyone else who loves sentimental gifts.
There’ll be no more stuffed animal casualties at the hands (paws) of your pup with a stuffed animal storage hammock (38% off, $10). Cute and practical.
This clip-on strainer ($10) will become their new kitchen must-have.
This desktop CD player has built-in speakers and Bluetooth. CDs are totally back in.
Some people don’t realize how much time they spend hunched over their iPads. Get them a holder (62% off, $9!).
This travel backpack ($24) is water-resistant and has a USB charging port, a shoe pouch and a laptop pocket. It’s basically five gifts in one.

For the organizer, a Bluetooth label maker (under $30).

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Beam me up, Kimmie: By the end of this year, Google and HP are set to make video calls freakishly realistic. Their new tech uses AI and multiple cameras to create real-time 3D images, making it look like the other person is right in front of you. Yup, think “Star Trek”! No price yet (paywall link).

Don’t look up: Chinese scientists built a surveillance camera that can see your face from space. In a ground test, it locked onto a target 62 miles away and picked up tiny details with scary accuracy. It’s supposedly “100 times” better than today’s top spy cameras and lens-based telescopes.

Amazon’s shutting down Prime Try Before You Buy: It’s all over at the end of this month. Now, they’re pushing AI features like Virtual Try-on AR, which lets you see 3D renders of shoes on your feet, for example, using just your smartphone camera.

January 11th, 2025

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Do you own a TP-Link router? Lawmakers are questioning its ties to China. Plus, my chat with Noland Arbaugh, the first Neuralink recipient, on controlling computers with his mind. Also, Meta shuts down millions of scam accounts, and Gen Z brings back retro cameras.

Lights, camera, AI: Johnny Depp says scammers are using AI to fake his voice and attempting to steal cash and personal info. He told his Instagram followers he’s not on X, Snapchat or Discord, so anyone claiming to be him is a fake. Reba McEntire and Kelly Rowland are targets, too. If your idol wants your money, it’s a scam.

I spy a killer: This is a strange story. Ring camera footage caught Maria Munoz confronting her husband’s mistress and giving her cheating spouse, Joel Pellot, an ultimatum on the doorstep. Maria died days later. Her husband said she overdosed, but toxicology results didn’t add up. He secretly poisoned her with drugs he stole from the hospital he worked at just to avoid an expensive divorce. He’s serving a life sentence.

Don’t buy a new drone now: Coming soon is the DJI Flip, a leaked folding drone priced at $829 that will offer first-person streaming. It has a 34-minute flight time with its 3110mAh battery and a three-axis gimbal camera — geek-speak for impressive.

🔦 Bright idea: Apple iOS 18 lets you customize your iPhone’s lock screen and choose different defaults than the camera and flashlight. Long press your screen > Customize > Lock Screen. Remove any button with the – (minus sign) and hit the + (plus icon) to replace it. Tap Done (upper-right corner) to finish making it more “you.”

🤳 Look your best: Ever been caught checking your hair in a video call? Kind of embarrassing. Adjust yourself and the lighting before the meeting. On a Windows PC, open your Start menu and search for the Camera app; on a Mac, open Photo Booth.

Feeling the pressure? I’ve got ya!

🎁 These gifts come just in time for Christmas.

A Polaroid camera (20% off) with Bluetooth and an app you can use to edit your photos. The future is now!
Oakley sunglasses are a spec-tacular gift.
For the traveler: a nice laptop backpack ($70) saves time while going through TSA security checkpoints.
My niece uses this skincare brand, and she freakin’ glows. The set comes with a bunch of goodies.
For their 2025 walking resolution, Reebok sneakers (for men and for women).
Honest Beauty’s mascara is to die for. It’s also under $20.
This hair-drying wand (20% off, $120) is the perfect alternative to Dyson’s $600 Airwrap.
A shiny new golf bag would be an un-fore-gettable gift. 🏌️
I don’t know how they did it, but this is the best workout mat (15% off) I’ve ever owned. (I gifted myself a Peloton Tread, and it’s great.)
For the person obsessed with their journal, colorful ballpoint pens. They’re under $10, too.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.