The Change Healthcare hack in February was entirely avoidable; the company neglected basic software updates. So, what does this hack mean for you? Spoiler: a lot.
From self-parking to color-changing, what’s new in cars
If you’ve listened to my show or read my newsletter for a while, you know I’m a car gal. There really isn’t much rhyme or reason to my car collection; you might see me rolling around in my 1946 Chevy truck, 1964-1/2 Mustang or 2015 gull-wing SLS Mercedes. My daily ride is my G-Wagon.
I always pay special attention to the automotive tech at CES. Sure, this year’s show in Vegas revealed flying taxis and Honda’s DMC DeLorean clone. But let’s check out some of the tech coming to our cars sooner rather than later. I’m talking about things like:
- BMW’s 32-inch dropdown screens — they’re cool, but keep a barf bag handy.
- Volkswagen’s new climate-control system begins to heat or cool as the driver approaches.
- Forget heated seats for EVs. Soon, we’ll have heated seatbelts and steering wheels that can increase an EV’s range on cold days by up to 15%.
What else is on the way? Let’s dive in.
¡Ay, car-amba!
You’re driving down the highway and the car alongside you changes colors from black to white. You’re not losing your mind. It’s going from heat-absorbing black to a reflective white to deal with the blazing sun.
Sounds like sci-fi, but BMW is experimenting with a car covered with “digital ink” that can switch to one of 32 colors on the fly. Yes, I def would make sure my car matched my nails.
Drive-thru discounts
Ever used an E-ZPass toll? That same RFID technology can allow your car to pay for your fast-food order, and some people are thinking even bigger — like the Volvo VP who said they want their cars to become “essentially just like Apple Wallet.”
Look, Ma! No hands!
Cars will be equipped with a sophisticated array of sensors, along with multiple high-resolution cameras, advanced ultrasound features and radar systems. Plus, LiDAR technology will be baked in for precise distance mapping and AI-driven analytics.
- AR dashboards: On your windshield, you’ll see restaurant reviews, hotel room rates and more. Get this: If anyone walking on the street is in your contact list, your windshield will “highlight” them in a bright color.
- Connected vehicles: These high-tech cars communicate not only with each other but with road systems, too, helping to reduce traffic jams and accidents. Eventually, one car will be able to “tell” another car where the potholes are located!
- Autonomous driving: Sit back and relax. It’s coming, and it will work.
- Smart tires: Get real-time alerts on tire health and road conditions.
- Biometric access and start: Say goodbye to keys with fingerprint or facial recognition for car access.
- Car wheels: They’ll rotate 360 degrees so you can finally parallel park.
- AI-enabled voice chat: Get directions, music selections or just have someone to talk to on a lonely drive.
4 tips to maximize browsing speed and improve performance
Nothing is more frustrating than trying to browse the internet and having to wait (and wait and wait) for pages to load. Sometimes, it’s a momentary glitch, but more often than not, a sluggish browsing experience can be attributed to something amiss behind the scenes.
Never comes with a lifetime guarantee: The FTC found only 11% of smart devices say how long they’ll get software updates. It’s required by law for anything with a written warranty over $15. Check endoflife.date to see if any of your gadgets are ready for retirement.
Don't get fooled into buying a useless Chromebook
When you think of expired items, your mind likely wanders to things like food, beauty and household products. However, computers can go bad, too … especially Google’s Chromebooks, and they’re not passing the sniff test.
Is your EV a target for hackers?
Car theft looks a lot different in today’s tech-powered world. Instead of bashing your window in old-school style, modern hackers have found a much sneakier way to access your car. If you have an electric vehicle (EV), you’re the most at risk.
🍏 Using old Apple tech? Starting Dec. 18, there’ll be no more iCloud backups for devices running on iOS 8 or earlier. Device-wise, that’s anything older than an iPhone 4s or iPad 2. Check if you can update to iOS 9 via Settings > Software Update. If not, it’s time to move on, friend. Cheap upgrades: iPad (10th-gen) for 20% off and the iPhone 12 (16% off).
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
🥽 So long, farewell: Microsoft is pulling the plug on its HoloLens headsets, once promised to power the future of virtual worlds. Womp, womp. The HoloLens 2 will receive security and software updates until the end of 2027. If you own the original HoloLens, software support ends Dec. 10. Don’t buy one if you see it on sale.
Anti-theft software patch available for 8 million Hyundai and Kia models
Viral TikTok videos have shown vulnerabilities in millions of Hyundai and Kia vehicles that have led to many thefts. Several models were sold missing critical anti-theft software. That made it easy for thieves to steal those cars without needing a key. A software patch is finally rolling out to help stop auto thefts.
Update your PC! Microsoft releases 14 patches for Windows 10
Not all software updates are bad news. Sometimes, it’s just a bit of maintenance that enhances your experience.
That’s the case with the latest Windows 10 update from Microsoft. Even though the update is optional, you should still install it as it corrects 14 issues. There are no security updates in this patch.
The latest iPhone update introduced a bug - Try this if your Wi-Fi is spotty
It is increasingly rare for software updates to be glitch-free. Over the last few years, there have been numerous instances where a new operating system, software upgrade or firmware update introduced weird bugs.
And the tech giants are not immune to these bugs, either. Microsoft’s Windows 11 launch generated several bugs, and now Apple’s latest iOS update is acting up for some users. If you notice that your Wi-Fi is losing connection, it’s most likely this latest glitch.
Hackers can get into these popular smart home gadgets
As technology improves and internet access gets faster, it’s incredibly convenient to have smart home gadgets. Tap or click here to learn how to build a smart home on any budget. Devices like Amazon’s Echo or Google’s Home Hub can schedule your day, tell you about the weather and keep track of loved ones.
One thing you must do before you upgrade to Windows 11
Software updates are a necessary part of technology — and something that can drive us up the wall when they happen when you’re trying to get things done.
If you’re ready to make the jump from Windows 10 to Window 11, you can download a clean copy of Windows 10 to save for future use just in case. This download is legal, free and fairly simple to do. Plus, it will ensure you have a way to reboot Windows 10 in the future if problems occur.
5 dangerous cybersecurity mistakes you’re probably making
The FBI’s latest Internet Cybercrime Report paints a bleak picture. Last year, Americans lost more than $6.9 billion to cyber crooks.
Don’t think you’re too smart to fall for their tricks. Even savvy people can get conned out of money before realizing what happened. Tap or click five simple, effective ways to secure your smartphone.
These printers are vulnerable to hackers - Update yours now
Some of the essential gadgets you must keep updated include your router and mobile devices. If hackers manage to breach those, they could steal a wealth of information. But that doesn’t mean you can overlook other household electronics.
A hidden way to boost your car's value
If you’re looking to sell a used car, you’re in luck. Used vehicles are worth a record amount of money right now. Tap or click here to see what your car can fetch.
This is excellent news since, typically, it’s the other way around. Usually, cars lose value when you drive off the dealership’s parking lot. The used car bubble won’t last forever, so it’s better to sell sooner than later.
There's a big change coming to the way you update your Windows PC
Microsoft seems to be focusing all its developmental energy on the recently released Windows 11 operating system. The OS has seen several updates since its launch, but it hasn’t been without a few problems. Tap or click here to find out why you have a ton of empty folders on your PC.
Want a TV that lasts? This brand promises 4 more years of updates (even for older models)
Technology from companies like Amazon, Microsoft and Google has spoiled many of us into demanding faster, better, and more powerful gadgets. Sometimes features can be added through firmware or operating system updates.
Is banking on your phone safe? 6 ways to make sure you're not scammed
Banking on your phone opens up a whole new world of convenience — as well as a new world of risks. Nowadays, you don’t have to drive down to your local bank branch to make a deposit. Instead, you can bank from the comfort of your home.
Think twice about upgrading to Windows 11 - Here's what's going wrong
Windows 11 is here and rolling out to users everywhere. Depending on your hardware and its age, you may not be offered a free upgrade just yet, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
As with any other Microsoft release, Windows 11 has its share of problems. Early adopters are reporting issues such as slow internet, memory leakage and problems with the search bar in the Start menu. Tap or click here for more details about these problems and how to resolve them.