👻 Now you see it, now you don’t: “Vanish mode” turns Instagram into a Snapchat copycat, where messages disappear after you’ve viewed them. To try it, open a direct message in IG and swipe up from the bottom of your screen. That’s it. Swipe up again to turn it off.
The morning habits of CEOs (including me!)
I ran across this story (paywall link) about the morning routines of tech billionaire CEOs. It was interesting but not that thorough, so I did additional research. Here’s what I found, and even though I’m far from a billionaire, I’ll share my morning recipe for success, too.
Jeff Bezos (Amazon): Likes to “putter” in the morning, reading newspapers and having coffee with his wife-to-be — no phones allowed! Then, breakfast with his kids. Jeff likes “breakfast octopus.” Oh, and he says his brain is most alert at 10 a.m., so that’s when holds his most important meetings of the day.
Sam Altman (OpenAI): He likes a big shot of espresso as soon as he gets up, followed by a fast for about 15 hours — no breakfast. While catching up on emails, he uses a full-spectrum LED light for 15 minutes to make him more alert. Altman doesn’t hold meetings in the mornings, preferring afternoons. I saw one of his two $27 million McLaren F1s parked outside the Rosewood Hotel in Montecito. It must’ve been an exception, as he was having Sunday brunch.
Evan Spiegel (Snapchat): He wakes up at 5 a.m. for “Evan time,” which includes alone time, checking emails and enjoying a shot of double espresso. This is followed by 45 minutes at the gym or Kriya meditation. He also reads the Wall Street Journal and Financial Times. His wife says he likes morning exfoliating masks, too. Relatable.
Mark Zuckerberg (Meta): Zuck begins his day around 8 a.m. by checking Facebook, Messenger and WhatsApp on his phone, a habit he acknowledges isn’t ideal. He’s giving up running for practicing jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts. He likes to wear similar outfits daily so he can focus his mental energy on more significant decisions.
Bob Iger (Disney): He wakes up at 4:15 a.m. and immediately works out alone on a Versaclimber in a dark room with a TV on mute. He doesn’t like distractions and doesn’t even check his phone until his workout is done. He gets to work at 6:30 a.m. and is usually the first person in the office, turning on lights and making coffee.
Tim Cook (Apple): Tim wakes up between 3:45 and 5:00 a.m. and reads about 700 emails from customers and employees for an hour. Then, he heads to the gym for an hour. Morning workouts are pretty common for CEOs; it sure helps me focus.
Peter Warwick (Scholastic): He wakes up between 5:30 and 6:00 a.m. and reads the news (the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Financial Times). Then, he takes a long walk with his wife, followed by a walk to work, picking up an avocado toast and skinny latte on the way. Yes, every day.
Check out these ChatGPT-powered chatbots
One of ChatGPT’s most enticing features is that it’s completely free to use. But you know what we always say when it comes to tech, you’re offering something in exchange for free stuff, whether you realize it or not. Here’s what you’re giving up to OpenAI’s world-famous chatbot.
AI will watch everything you do
Are you behaving badly? Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison predicts that AI will soon keep you in line. In other news: MoviePass fraud exposed, Snapchat uses your face for ads, and the story behind the viral ‘Hawk Tuah’ girl.
Oh, Snap: A new lawsuit is calling out Snapchat for not doing enough to warn about sextortion schemes targeting kids. Online predators pressure kids into sending explicit images, only to blackmail them later. In 2022 alone, Snap was getting around 10,000 sextortion reports a month. An employee says that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Which social media platform was originally named Picaboo? Was it … A.) Instagram, B.) Snapchat, C.) Twitter or D.) Pinterest?
3,398 days (and counting)
For the longest-running Snapchat streak. That’s over nine years! Hannah and Lauren Luckey have snapped each other every day since the streak feature rolled out on April 6, 2015. If you’re dating someone and they can’t text you back, just show them this stat.
How to see all the data the world's most popular messaging app has on you
Most social apps have some direct messaging system built-in. Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat are a few examples. Facebook replaced its chat function with Messenger in 2011, which is now a standalone app.
Until a few years ago, you could create a Messenger account without ever having a Facebook account. That’s not the case anymore, but you can create a Facebook account with Messenger and then deactivate Facebook. Tap or click here to learn more.
This app is one of the biggest drains on your battery - Here's how to stop it
Even though mobile phones released in the last few years have larger batteries, there seems always to be something that drains them faster than before. A recent update to Apple’s operating system caused battery issues.
Speaking of AI photos: Snapchat’s My Selfie feature creates neat AI-generated pics of you. The catch (there’s always a catch): If you use it, you’re giving Snap permission to use your face in ads and sponsored content, and you won’t get paid for it. No, thanks. To disable this, go to your profile photo > tap the Settings cog > toggle off See My Selfie in Ads.
Forced advertising: Soon, you’ll see ads on Snapchat next to messages from your friends. Sponsored snaps will show as unread messages in the main chat tab, but they won’t trigger push notifications, at least. Snap’s stock price is hovering near an all-time low. This is def not a coincidence.
Stalker alert: A North Carolina man used Snapchat’s live location feature to track down a woman in an attempted kidnapping. He found her in a parking lot and held her at gunpoint before she convinced him to let her go. The creep has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. Please, turn off location sharing in your apps.
🚨 Grooming is a big problem: A Georgia man was sentenced to life in prison after he stalked and almost killed a 15-year-old girl. The two met on Snapchat, where he chatted with her until she invited him over. He showed up with duct tape, rope and a knife and sexually assaulted her before stabbing her 86 times. She survived but will likely suffer a lifetime of anguish. Please, I’m begging you to watch your kids.
Which tech CEO was the youngest when they founded their first business? Was it … A.) Evan Spiegel (Snapchat), B.) Jack Dorsey (Twitter), C.) Whitney Wolfe Herd (Bumble) or D.) Bill Gates (Microsoft)?
Facebook is changing its name - You have to see these suggestions for a new one
Social media giant Facebook has decided it’s time for change — by changing its name. But before you think that you’ll have to log in to some different website, it’s only the name of the company that’s changing, not the name of the social media site.
Make your video calls better with this comic book add-on
If you’re like many of us, your average workday has been chock full of cameras and screens. We’re talking, of course, about Zoom — the video conferencing service used by companies everywhere.
Zoom and similar video chat services have helped businesses keep their operations running smoothly during the COVID-19 pandemic. And since so many people are using it, a new industry has emerged for Zoom add-ons and extras. Tap or click here to see some of our favorite Zoom add-ons.
5 apps draining your iPhone battery
Let’s face it, life is short. It’s sensitive, filled with surprises and can sometimes be a nuisance. To clarify, we’re talking about your device’s battery life. It’s become a well-known fact the main reason phone batteries suffer is due to the heavy usage of certain apps.
How to use fun Snapchat filters on your next video call
It’s time to kiss those boring old video meetings goodbye. Changing out your background can be fun, but sometimes you need something more to liven things up. Enter Snap Camera, a free app from the company behind Snapchat.
Binge everything in 10 minutes or less with this new streaming service
Since the mid-2010s, short-form videos have been some of the most popular means of viral entertainment. Apps like TikTok, Snapchat and Vine have changed the way we consume content, proving short videos still have staying power in a digital ecosystem that demands “engagement.”
Smartphone apps your kids use that you don't know about
Teenagers are drawn to secretive behaviors. It’s all part of growing up and becoming independent. You want to respect their privacy but, at the same time, make sure they’re safe. Well, here are 10 apps you’ll want to scan their phones for and what you should know about them.