ChatGPT-4o dropped some of its newest features that are free to everyone! The odds that they charge for them in the future is high. They want to get you hooked now.
Automakers want to get rid of AM radio
When I was growing up, my dad worked for United Airlines, and I traveled a lot. I would always sneak a portable AM radio in my backpack, and as the plane crisscrossed the country, I would tune into various stations along the way. Never would I have imagined what that little hobby would become for me.
While FM radio listening is huge, AM radio is still massively important. When hurricanes knock FM stations off the air, AM stations are often more resilient.
AM radio is so crucial that FEMA is installing emergency studios, transmitters and generators at 77 mostly AM radio stations nationwide to maintain communications in the event of the worst (with special thanks to all ham radio operators!).
The car companies making decisions
You need to know several automakers told a Senate committee they’ll nix (or have already nixed) AM radios in all their vehicles. This includes BMW, Mazda, Polestar, Rivian, Tesla, Volkswagen, Volvo, Porsche and Mercedes.
Ford has since reversed its decision (at least temporarily) after considerable negative feedback. Ford says no one listens to AM radio anymore. Huh?
Know the numbers
Every day in America, at least 4,185 AM radio stations broadcast news, talk shows, sports and other important programming. AM radio draws an audience of 82.3 million people — more than one in three American radio listeners — each month.
Get this: 57% of AM radio listeners tune into news/talk stations, the very outlets that carry breaking local news. Plus, in rural areas where FM radio signals are iffy, people rely on AM to stay plugged in.
Thanks to its long broadcast range, listeners can still tune into an AM station, regardless of where they are. Think about that the next time you’re road-tripping off the grid. So, why remove AM radios?
The REAL reason
Electromagnetic interference in electric vehicles. Because the electric motors in EVs throw off harmful static, AM radio quality suffers in an EV to the point where it’s unstable and unlistenable.
Add a little ambiance to your home with these 13 upgrades
When you look around your home, does it make you feel relaxed? Comfortable? Maybe you’ve finally reached a point where you’re living in the lap of luxury.
No? Well, saddle up because all it takes is a new set of curtains here and an area rug there to make your home look radiant.
I need a better way to …
- Clean the blinds. Use this microfiber tool made for the job and only $7.
- Charge all my stuff. Grab a handy charging station with five USB slots.
- Track my weight for the doc. Smart scales do it for you.
- Get organized. Love this huge pack of different-shaped sticky notes for 55% off!
- Stay hydrated. This 90-serving container of electrolytes is cheaper than the single-serve packets and they taste great.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
GPS dog collars are smart: Use Battery Optimization mode so you don’t have to charge the collar so frequently. As long as your furbaby stays in a safe zone, it’ll check less often, saving your battery. If they leave the safe zone, real-time tracking will kick in. My golden retriever, Abby, wears a Fi collar, and this is her favorite ball (10% off today!).
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
3 ways to charge your phone faster
Did you forget to power up your phone overnight? Here are some quick tips to help speed up your charging time so you can get back to full battery.
🔥 Jeeps recalled: Nearly 200,000 plug-in hybrid SUVs can catch on fire, even with the ignitions off. Yikes! If you have a 2020 to 2024 Wrangler 4xe or 2022 to 2024 Grand Cherokee 4xe, call your dealership ASAP. Don’t charge it, and be sure to keep it outside, away from all structures.
ASUS Chromebook Flip
If you like Chromebooks, how about an evolved version? It’s an upgraded version of a beloved computer — and you can bet it has the chops to match.
With a bright screen and a flexible design, the ASUS Chromebook Flip is nifty, portable and powerful. It lasts for 12 hours on a charge and has 16GB of memory. It also has a hefty storage space — 512GB. Check out more of its specs below.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
New computer? Here are 4 things you should do right away
Picking out a new computer can be tough. With so many features to choose from, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Don’t worry, just click here for a list of the things you should look into before choosing your next computer.
🛰️ Bound to happen, lunar or later: Starlink’s new plan to stop scalpers from buying their cheaper satellites and hawking them elsewhere? An “outside region fee.” If you buy a satellite internet kit (standard or mini) from one region and activate it in another, expect an extra charge of up to $300.
In Zelle hell: One tech pro lost $1,600 using Zelle. Eventually, Wells Fargo credited him for the fishy charge. He agrees with lawmakers who say Zelle and banks are quick to blame victims for using it “wrong.”
Suddenly, I’m not hungry: Want unlimited grocery delivery from Amazon? That’ll be $99, in addition to the $139 annual charge for Amazon Prime. It works on orders over $35 from Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods and select retailers on Amazon.com. I’ll stick with Instacart.
Paying more for your groceries based on your income
Kroger might charge you more if you seem wealthy! They’re testing AI to hike prices for shoppers with expensive tastes.
California tests car tracking to tax your driving
California’s new road charge will track your mileage and charge you a fee based on how far you drive. Here’s my take in this short podcast.
For all my readers: The Kindle Scribe, Amazon’s bigger and fancier e-reader, is $100 off right now. It’ll house all your books and notes, plus it comes with a stylus. FYI, Kindles go weeks on a single charge.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
4 ways to charge your phone faster
Need to use that low-power phone ASAP? Here’s how you can charge it up super quick.
See your phone's battery power
Notice how your phone doesn’t seem to hold a charge like it once did? I’ll tell you why, in 60 seconds.
What's EV anxiety?
There’s a lot to like about electric cars, but what happens when you can’t find a place to charge? Here’s what you need to know about EV anxiety, in 60 seconds.
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Is it time to replace your Android battery? Signs, symptoms and fixes
Your Android phone is your everyday companion, so you notice when it’s not holding a charge as long as it used to. You’re starting to wonder if there’s a problem with the battery. That means it’s time to do a little sleuthing.