Spring clean your PC: Microsoft just updated its free Windows optimizer, PC Manager. Its biggest new feature? Files Cleanup, which helps you manage your storage and free up space by deleting unnecessary or bulky files. Download it here in the Microsoft Store.
How NASA plans to back up data on lunar soil
Let me ask you a question: Do you think the cloud is a safe place to back up your data, the world’s treasures and government secrets? In a world of increasing breaches, hackers and threats, even cloud storage might not be enough.
Welcome to the next frontier: Lunar backups. NASA is teaming up with Lonestar, a Florida-based startup, and the Isle of Man, that self-governing British Crown Dependency you might’ve never heard of, to store data on the moon. Think of it like the ultra-secure Fort Knox but for digital information.
🚀 Blockchain goes intergalactic
How do you keep data safe on the moon? By using a blockchain — the same tech behind crypto. It ensures data is secure, genuine and tamper-proof. This isn’t your mom’s filing cabinet; it’s out of this world.
The first data cube, “Freedom,” landed on the moon in February 2024, proving the concept works. Lonestar’s first commercial mission takes off in 2026. Oh, and the Isle of Man’s post office got in on the fun, too, sending digital stamps to the moon. Now that’s first-class mail.
🌝 Why the moon?
The moon isn’t becoming a storage locker for your embarrassing selfies. The mission is first to preserve humanity’s crown jewels — our most vital data. Think of it as Earth’s external hard drive or a modern Library of Alexandria (hopefully, with a less tragic end).
What’s on the moon-bound list? Obvious candidates include:
- Scientific research: DNA sequencing data, climate models and pandemic studies.
- Cultural archives: Literary classics, historical texts and digitized art collections.
- Financial records: Stock market data, transaction histories and economic models.
- Health care information: Genome mapping and medical research.
- National security data: Sensitive classified information.
- Tech blueprints: Designs for critical infrastructure, from power plants to the internet backbone.
- “The Kim Komando Show”: Audio files of all my shows, because they’re that important to all mankind. (OK, I made that up!)
🌎 Earth vs. the moon
Not everyone’s on board with storing data on the moon. It’s not like you can send a tech to fix things. And retrieving something? Think “break glass in case of emergency,” not your daily backup.
Accessing lunar data would take spacecraft, encryption and dealing with space itself. Long-term storage? Sure. Easy? Not at all.
3 tricks to see if your passwords are being sold on the Dark Web
Hackers can make a ton of money by selling your private information on underground forums. It’s possible that your passwords are being sold on the Dark Web right now. That’s why you should run a cybersecurity check now and then.
See what's taking up all the storage on your phone
Do you quickly use up your smartphone’s storage space? Listen to this one-minute podcast for a quick fix.
🎮 New Xbox consoles drop Oct. 15: The 1TB Xbox Series X now comes without a disc drive and starts at $450 ($50 less). The Xbox Series S gets a storage upgrade to 1TB (up from 512GB), but the price jumps to $350. The special edition Xbox Series X with 2TB of storage? $600. If you already have an Xbox, save your money and get a storage expansion card. Yup, Santa’s bag is going to be loaded.
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15 items that will actually solve problems
Amazon
It’s fun to buy stuff you don’t always need. But products that actually solve problems are a better way to spend money. We’re talking about items that help with everyday tasks.
Check out our list of 15 problem-solving items below.
Storage 101: How to keep your USB drives and external hard drives safe for years to come
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We all need more storage nowadays, but buying an external hard drive or USB drive isn’t as simple as just “plug and play.” You have to keep your data secure by maintaining the hardware itself. Far too few people safeguard their hardware, leading to data loss and corruption.
Messy photo gallery? Tricks to clean it up once and for all
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The temperature outside is dropping, and you know what that means — holiday photo cards! If you want your card to command some real estate on your loved ones’ refrigerators, the easiest trick is to bring in your pet! Tap or click here for creative ways to include your furry friend in this year’s holiday cards.
Our favorite laptops at every budget (PC, Mac and Chromebook)
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Most people have one or two gadgets running simultaneously and can do fine keeping them charged with a couple of cables and a wall outlet. But for those who have multiple devices, that’s simply not enough. Tap or click here for the top charging stations for all your devices.
See what's taking up all the storage on your phone
Do you quickly use up your smartphone’s storage space? Listen to this one-minute podcast for a quick fix.
Instantly get more storage space on your phone
Do you panic when you run out of storage space on your phone? Listen to this one-minute podcast for a speedy solution.
iPhone secret setting to reduce photo and video storage space
Are you running out of storage space on your phone? Listen to this one-minute podcast for a secret setting you should turn on immediately.
Best DVRs for cord cutters
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You can find great deals on a new TV this time of year, but people are often disappointed after buying a new set. The picture quality simply doesn’t live up to expectations. But you can change that at home. Tap or click here for tips on getting the most out of your new TV.
Shopping guide: Ben's best-reviewed products of 2021
Over the past year, I’ve reviewed dozens of products, from battery chargers to motorized standing desks. While not every new gadget managed to wow me, quite a few made a positive impression.
They might do the same for you. There could even be a few that would make an excellent gift for someone you know — especially those who are difficult to buy for.
New M1 MacBook Air is on sale for the lowest price it's ever been
Credit: Apple.com, Amazon.com
The MacBook Air M1 is cheaper than ever. Normally, you have to pay $1,000 for this lightning-fast gadget. But now, you can grab the powerful 256GB model for a more affordable $899 on Amazon.
If you need more storage power, the 512GB MacBook Air M1 is $150 off. These laptops are more advanced than previous MacBooks, thanks to their pièce de résistance: the M1 chips. Thanks to this fantastic technology, these Macs wake up the moment you open the lid.
3 reasons the new Kindle Paperwhite is worth the upgrade
Credit: Amazon.com
You probably know that reading is better for your brain than social media. Healthline reports that reading can even prevent age-related cognitive decline. But most of us spend more time scrolling on our phones than reading.
iPhone 13: All the new features in Apple's latest smartphone
Apple.com
Apple makes an event of all of its major releases, whether it’s hardware or software. Even when public gatherings are discouraged, the Cupertino company drums up excitement with streaming presentations.
This year’s Worldwide Developers Conference is focused on iOS 15. iPadOS 15 and watchOS 8 are also rolling out. Tap or click here for our WWDC roundup.
3 smoking computer and server deals from Dell's Semi-Annual Sale
Here at the Komando HQ, we use the best computers for business. In other words, we use Dell setups. If you’re a fan who wants a similar setup to our resident pros, you’re in luck.
Right now, our sponsor Dell is throwing its semi-annual sale, which slashes prices on some of its best computers. You can even snatch up to 45% off the desktop we use around the office. We searched the sale and pulled out three of the best deals you can get for a limited time.
Too many photos? Insider tricks to organizing, sorting and storing for the long-term
Do you have more photos than you know what to do with? Kim, Allie and Ben dive into the best ways to get rid of all the junk and duplicates — like memes and screenshots — hiding the important pictures you want to keep. Plus, how to back-up and store your collection for easy browsing and long-term storage.
Upgrade to the latest iPad Air at a record low price
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If you’re in the market for an iPad, now’s the best time to buy. One of the most impressive models is being sold at a deep discount on Amazon. That’s the iPad Air, which is now $40 off its normal price.
Or maybe you’re in the market for a new computer. Well, iPads are a lot more powerful than you think: with a few accessories, you can turn this tech into a full-fledged computer. Tap or click here for steps on turning an iPad into a powerful PC.