Amazon's smart shopping cart

I love the idea of being able to skip checkout and still pay for my stuff. One of my biggest questions is how much prices will differ depending on where you live.

Power bill-saving moves, all under $30

  • Create a schedule for your appliances or an auto-off timer with a pair of these smart plugs, on sale for $14. Bonus: Enable the “Away mode” for that hall lamp to fool bad guys while you’re on vacation.
  • These LED bulbs are super versatile and dimmable with five options for brightness. Get four for under $10.
  • Install a door sweep if you have gaps between areas where you’re air conditioning and not. This one is a steal at $9.93.
  • This rechargeable table fan can move around the house, keeping your cooling bill down. A few colors are available too, at $12.
  • Blackout curtains can save you money by keeping that sunny room cooler. They come in tons of colors and are on sale for $18.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

“Alexa, who plays [character] in [movie or show]?” That phrase, which you can say to any smart assistant, just solved your next three TV-related fights.

Even celebs and smart people get scammed

Open/download audio

Even the rich and famous aren’t immune — just ask billionaire Mark Cuban. Hear how he got scammed by a fake Google call and learn from his costly mistake. 

Smart idea: Android 15 is going to include Desktop mode. In this demo video, you can see multiple apps running side by side with some clunky window snapping (hey, it’s in beta). Sounds snazzy, and Apple will probably copy it within five years.

$300 more revenue

Per month, if you offer extras with your Airbnb. Owners are tacking on things like airport transfers and local tours to boost their Airbnb incomes with almost no overhead. Oh, and be smart with your pricing; folks expect to pay a little more during peak seasons.

Keep your iPhone locked, even if it's lost!

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.

Bright idea

A ton of you asked me to share more lights since you loved my flashlight pick the other day. I did the work to find you the best ones.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

🚀 Post a job opening for free on LinkedIn: Attract top talent effortlessly. Use smart tools to auto-reject unqualified candidates and write compelling job descriptions. Streamline your hiring process and find the best fit today for free!Love that price, don’t you?

Get smoke and CO alarm alerts from your smart speaker

Open/download audio

Did you know your smart speaker can double as a safety device? Here’s how yours can alert you to smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, even when you’re not home.

Seoul you wanna start a revolution: I thought this was super interesting. Korean activists are using 3D-printed smart balloons to send messages deep into North Korea. Each balloon costs up to $1,000 and can carry up to 16.5 pounds of cargo, like leaflets or mini speakers. The mission: Undermine dictator Kim Jong Un.

Make the smart business move: You need to make sure your business can compete in this new AI world. Take a free test drive of Oracle’sAI tech right now, before it’s too late.

Tech how-to: Get YouTube notifications

This is a smart way to always know when your favorite creators (ahem, me!) have a new video live.

You’re here because you’re smart: If you want to add a smarty-pants to your team at work, start with LinkedIn.Use my link to post a job for free. Try it and I bet you’ll find your next superstar. 

😎 Super useful: ShadeMap shows where shadows fall around your home at any given time of day. Smart to check if you’re taking photos, installing new blinds, planning a garden and so on.

Blessing in disguise: Back in 2013, a guy lost access to his digital crypto wallet filled with 43.6 bitcoin. The file with his 20-character password got corrupted, and it seemed like the money was lost forever. Fast-forward to now: Some very smart hired help cracked the code, and the guy’s now sitting on nearly $3 million. Bet he’s really glad he didn’t sell early.

Control smart home devices with Google Home or Amazon Echo

Open/download audio

You don’t need a big budget to create a smart home. These smart speakers can help you set up your own command center.

Let the gun times roll: Google’s former CEO, Eric Schmidt, says AI systems eventually will be so smart that we’ll have to guard them with “machine guns on military bases” to keep them out of enemy hands. How far in the future does he think this will happen? About five years. Cool … cool, cool, cool.

Scammers use your videos for deepfakes

Open/download audio

Plus, an interview with a a guy who lost big money to fake investments — and he’s smart, folks! It could happen to anyone. 

Unique bag bling

I always pop an AirTag in my checked bag, just in case it doesn’t turn up on the baggage carousel. But I also need a different kind of bag finder for when it does turn up so it’s not lost in a sea of black suitcases.

  • Luggage tag: This silicone bag tag with an initial ($7.99) has 26 letter choices and three color options. Green “K” for me, thanks.
  • Bag belt: A multifunctional bag belt ($9.99) keeps your stuff from spilling onto the tarmac and makes it easy to spot.
  • Strap cover: Another two-for-one luggage identifier, these neoprene bag handle wraps ($9.99) are cushy for carrying and bright for spotting. So smart.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.