Smart how-to today: Set up Apple’s Stolen Device Protection setting. This hack only works if you set it up before your iPhone goes missing, so do it now before it’s too late.
The sound police are coming for ya
Sorama
Look at that picture. What we’ve got here is not just another traffic camera, but a fully deputized decibel detective. Meet the sound police.
These new noise cameras are the cousins of speed and red-light cameras, but instead of catching you with a heavy foot, they’re busting you for a heavy exhaust.
No radar guns here, just sensitive microphones measuring every decibel you dish out. Too loud? Ticket’s on the way, courtesy of the volume vigilante.
🔊 Silence of the lambos
Each setup has super-sensitive microphones paired with a camera. If your car’s exhaust note tips over the legal decibel limit (often in the low 80s), the mic triggers the camera. It snaps your license plate faster than you can say “downshift,” and a ticket is on its way.
No police officer, no flashing lights, only stealthy surveillance keeping score 24/7. A story in The Wall Street Journal (paywall link) highlighted Newport, Rhode Island, where two of these were placed along scenic Ocean Avenue.
Within days, a Mustang GT got nailed for hitting 85 decibels, only two over the limit, and was slapped with a $250 fine. New York City’s had them since 2021. Get caught repeatedly, and you could be out nearly $2,500. Ouch.
🏎️ Too loud and furious
If you’re a neighbor who’s sick of the late-night “look at me” exhaust revs, you’re probably cheering. Imagine sitting on your porch and hearing the ocean instead of a rolling car meet.
Some of these tickets hit totally stock, street-legal cars.
And here’s where I gulp: When I’m in my Porsche and flip into manual mode, rowing through the gears with that beautiful exhaust note singing … let’s just say I’d better be ready for my close-up (and maybe my checkbook).
🚔 Roar and peace
I wasted 36 hours trying to do it myself
© Fizkes | Dreamstime.com
So many of the calls, emails, messages and DMs I get are about privacy and security. I can’t remember the last time I had a full day where no one asked me some version of “How do I get all this info about me off the internet?”
Signs of a SIM swap attack
Is your phone suddenly not working? It might be scammers hijacking your number. Here’s how to protect yourself with a simple PIN setup.
Don’t live in fear: Get the best home protection with no wires or contracts, and setup takes just 30 minutes. You’ll get sensors, HD cameras and 24/7 monitoring. Right now, get 50% off a new system when you sign up for a professional monitoring plan.
⌚ watchOS 26: If you’ve got a Series 9 or newer, or the Ultra 2, when a notification or alarm pops up, just flick your wrist away from you to return to the Home screen without pressing the Digital Crown. FYI: No setup needed, it works with the update.
Need help setting up your home security system? SimpliSafe is just a call away
By now, it’s crystal clear that a home security system is a literal lifesaver. Depending on your choice, your cameras can catch burglars and even call for emergency help. Despite the many benefits, a few key concerns stop people from buying one.
Get 40% off home security tech, like video doorbells, outdoor cameras and window sensors
Credit: SimpliSafe.com
Now is the best time to protect your home with tech. Thanks to a home security sale from our sponsor SimpliSafe, you can get steep discounts on everything you need to stay secure. Grab motion sensors, security cameras, burglary alarms and more.
Don’t live in fear: Get the best home protection with no wires or contracts, and setup takes just 30 minutes. You’ll get sensors, HD cameras and 24/7 monitoring. Right now, get 50% off a new system when you sign up for an awesome monitoring plan.
Want real home protection without the hassle? I love this system; no wires, no contracts, and setup takes just 30 minutes. It comes with sensors, cameras and 24/7 monitoring. Snag this deal while it lasts. For a limited time, get 50% off!
If you’re a podcaster, you’re now a target: A scammer impersonating “The Bill Simmons Podcast” almost took over Magic Singh’s socials using a fake interview setup. They even tricked his management. The red flag? A “test call” that ended with a sketchy dude asking for Facebook Business access. Nope.
Want real home protection without the hassle? I love this system! No wires, no contracts, and setup takes just 30 minutes. It comes with sensors, cameras and 24/7 monitoring. Snag this deal while it lasts. For a limited time, get 50% off!
👾 Remote jobs, real spyware: A Minnesota woman ran a “laptop farm” letting North Korean IT workers pose as U.S. remote hires. Her setup funneled $17M to the DPRK before the FBI shut it down. Workers used stolen IDs, hacked into American companies and even got jobs at top tech firms. The woman says she didn’t know; the feds say, “lol, not ok.”
🤖 Fast AI help: You don’t need to leave Chrome to ask Gemini anything. Just type “@” in Chrome’s address bar and select Chat with Gemini. Ask your question, and you’ll be sent to gemini.google.com for your answer. First time using it? You’ll see a quick setup page.
Android vs. phone thieves: Starting later this year, if your phone’s setup wizard gets skipped post-theft, the OS forces a second reset and locks down the phone until it gets proof of life, aka your old screen lock or Google login. Next up: Android yelling, “WHO SENT YOU?!” after every reboot.
🛍️ Set up shop: Turn your followers into customers with an Instagram shop. You’ll need a Business profile, which you can create during setup. Just go to the Facebook Shops page, click Get Started and follow the steps. Once approved, tag products in posts, so your followers can buy them easily. Buy my shirt, my ego and the dream I had when I posted this.
🏥 Paging Dr. Holo: Cancer patients in rural Tennessee and Mississippi can now talk to their oncologist via hologram. Your doctor appears in a $70,000 box and communicates via a camera. Proto Hologram (paywall link), famous for concert tech, makes it. Patients feel like the doctor’s in the room. Check out a pic of this cool setup toward the end of this newsletter.
Bulletproof headphones, credit report change, new Zoom trick
Have you ever bought something, only to pay for it later? Lots of shoppers love this setup — but now it will show up on your credit report. Speaking of shopping, you can buy a vertical mouse or life-saving headphones. (Yep: one gamer’s headphones saved him from a stray bullet.) In this episode, I’ll share AirTag news as well as a cool new Zoom trick that lets you speak with your hands.
Need to set up a security system? Hire the pros
© Kittipong Jirasukhanont | Dreamstime.com
DIY projects have gotten incredibly popular during the pandemic. Folks are posting videos of themselves crafting slime — and sometimes spilling it everywhere. Some people are creating their own robots, NFTs and more.
Security tip: How to set up a VPN on all your devices
If you’re security and privacy-conscious, you need to take all the steps you can to keep yourself safe online. That starts with the right VPN.
Not using a VPN is like leaving your front door unlocked every time you go out. Sure, nothing might happen for years, but when something does happen, it’s devastating.