Windows 10 is officially done October 14. RIP. Don’t worry — you can pay Microsoft $61 per device for extended support. And it doubles every year. Cool. Plus, the “Hello, pervert” scam sweeping inboxes, side hustles that actually pay, and AI gunning for your job.
👁️ Bionic book buddies: Get this, a paper-thin electronic implant is helping people with macular degeneration see again. It’s called the Prima implant, and they tuck it under your retina, then pair it with fancy AR glasses that beam images straight to your brain. The sight of 84% of people was restored after being fitted with the device. Wild. Blink to accept terms and conditions.
📶 Stay private wherever you connect: Internet providers can see (and sell) what you do online. I use ExpressVPN to stop that. It encrypts everything, hides your location and keeps you anonymous on any device with one tap. Get 4 extra months free at ExpressVPN.com/Kim.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: On a Chromebook, you can customize your keyboard and touchpad. Go to Settings > Device > Touchpad or Keyboard. Try changing what a right-click does or make the top row work as function keys. Fun!
Sync your Kindle devices: Reading the same book on your phone and e-reader? No need to remember the last page. Go to Settings > Device options and toggle on Sync. Your reading position, notes and highlights update automatically, so you can pick up right where you left off. FYI: Both devices must be connected to the internet.
Turn gadgets into gift cards: Got old tech collecting dust? Amazon takes e-readers, smart speakers, phones and more. Tell them what you’re trading in and its condition to get an estimated value as an Amazon Gift Card. Bonus: If you trade in Amazon gear like a Fire Tablet, you’ll also score 20% off a new device.
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🔐 Lock down your digital life: If you’re still reusing the same passwords (or just adding “123”), it’s time for a real fix. NordPass keeps every password safe behind one master key. Even if someone gets your device, they’re still locked out. It’s fast, smart and packed with features like Password Health, Secure Sharing and Email Masking. Get 58% off plus 4 extra months free with my exclusive link.
🔊 Fix crackling laptop speakers: Open Device Manager > Audio inputs and outputs > find your speaker > right-click > Update driver > Search automatically for drivers. No luck? Go to Settings > System > Sound > More sound settings > Playback. Select your speaker > Properties > Advanced, untick Enable audio enhancements, then hit Apply and OK.
FDA chokes out Dechoker: A Colorado couple made $8.2 million selling “Dechoker,” a plunger-for-humans they claimed was FDA-approved. Spoiler: It wasn’t. The FDA told them to stop in 2023, but they kept selling on Amazon anyway. Now the feds have seized their cash. The Dechoker didn’t even clear airways, just mangled tongues, and it was more of a Tom and Jerry prop than lifesaving device. If you have one, throw it away.
Stop auto driver updates: On Windows 11, you don’t have to let updates mess with hardware that’s already working fine. Go to Settings > System > About > Advanced system settings. In System Properties, head to Hardware > Device Installation Settings, toggle No, and Save Changes. Very important: Don’t forget to manually check for security updates.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: If an app, service or your internet seems down, check Downdetector. Search the name to see current outages along with problems reported in the past few hours. And if there are none, reboot your device.
🐾 Doggy surveillance default: Ring cameras are now default detectives, scanning outdoor feeds for missing dogs if a neighbor posts on the app. If your cam spots one, you’ll get a ping, but the opt-in switch flipped without asking. Amazon insists it’s only for pets, but facial recognition just launched, too. You can see where this is headed. Suddenly Fido’s not the only one being tracked. To turn it off: Open the Ring app > go to menu (☰) > Control Center > tap Search for Lost Pets > toggle off for every device. Good thing you have me on your side.
🕹️ You buying this thing? The Xbox Ally X is here Oct. 16, with a $1,000 top-tier version. Scalpers are charging $2K for, get this, a device that’s still in stock. May your dreams be as bold as theirs. It’s good for the hardcore handheld gamer who wants PC-level power on the couch, but probably overkill if you just play Stardew.
Art heists, redacted documents and iPads … Oh my!
I talk to David from Gainesville, Florida, who was looking for advice to beef up his business but ended up spilling the tea on a wild unsolved mystery. Then, how that tracker on your cat could double as the perfect stalking device. Plus, why your computer may be headed for the garbage, Microsoft’s debut in the world of fashion, and why you’ll be seeing more iPads on college football sidelines this season.
💍 Ring of fire: YouTuber Daniel Rotar’s Samsung Galaxy Ring swelled mid-trip, clamping his finger like a lithium bear trap. Airport security screeners wanted him to take the ring off, but he couldn’t, forcing him and his bulbous device to wait until doctors iced and lubed it off. Samsung paid his hotel, but he’s done with smart rings.
Turn off sleep mode in Windows 11: Go to Settings > System > Power > Screen, sleep & hibernation timeouts. Set Turn my screen off after, Make my device sleep after and Make my device hibernate after all to Never. But if you’re on a laptop, this will drain the battery when it’s not charging.
📦 Don’t let old gadgets collect dust: Amazon will happily take your old tablets, phones and smart speakers off your hands. Tell them the condition, and you’ll get a gift card in return. Sweetener? Trade in Amazon gear like a Ring Camera and score 20% off a new device. Hoarding problem solved.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Your smart speaker is building a case against you
Alexa might be listening more than you think. George, your AI host, breaks down how much data your smart speaker is really grabbing, plus the Venmo ‘oops’ scam that could cost you big, fragile iPhone 17s, the MGM hacker teen, and device advice you need to hear.
🔒 Lock your Kindle library: Make sure no one snoops on your books. On the Home screen, tap the three-dot menu (top right) > Settings > Device Options > Device Passcode. Enter a code, confirm it and hit OK. Done.
📱 Apple ups privacy: Websites can still track you by stitching together your IP, device info and time zone into a “fingerprint.” No opt-out. iOS 26 (out tomorrow) will auto-block that in Safari. Add in spam call screening and link-tracking protection, and Apple’s getting a privacy facelift.