Across 266 school districts, K-12 students are testing a new AI tutor. Khan Academy’s Khanmigo runs on OpenAI’s tech. helps answer students’ questions, flags other AI-generated answers and creates lesson plans for teachers in seconds. FYI, “Conmigo,” means “with me” in Spanish.
Your next phone will work around the world
If it’s one thing you can bet on, there’s always newer, better and faster tech begging you to open your wallet. With that said, you probably haven’t heard about BlueBird yet from AST SmartMobile out of Texas. They’re working with AT&T to launch the world’s first space-based cellular broadband network.
Each of these communications satellites is about half the size of a basketball court (about 700 feet wide!). So far, five are orbiting Earth, with plans for another 85 satellites to blanket the planet.
When that happens, no matter where you’re standing, you won’t have to deal with crappy cellphone service or zero bars. I love that. Don’t you? Keep reading — I’ve got a payload of a space update with need-to-know details you’ll want to tell your family and friends.
Call me, maybe
With BlueBird satellite access, your trusty smartphone transforms into a satellite phone — no extra gadgets needed. Forget about searching for those elusive cell towers! This is a total game-changer, especially for those in rural areas with bad (or nonexistent) internet or cell service.
AT&T Chief Operating Officer Jeff McElfresh summed it up like this: “It’s a future where our customers will only be hard to reach if they choose to be.” In other words, no more excuses, like, “Honey, I couldn’t call to tell you I was going to be late because I had no bars.”
Currently, it’s the top dog in commercial communications, hovering in low-Earth orbit. As exciting as these advancements are, scientists are already sounding the alarms about overcrowded skies. A study in Nature found BlueBird’s predecessor was as bright as over 22% of the brightest stars in the sky.
BlueBird’s satellites are about to get much bigger — about 2,425 square feet in diameter each. To put that into perspective, the average single-family home in the U.S. is around 2,400 square feet. Imagine 90 homes orbiting Earth.
And that extra light? It’s making it harder for scientists to peek into the cosmic mysteries. After all, if a meteor’s zooming our way, it’d be great to get a heads-up, don’t you think?
Star light, star bright
Speaking of space clutter, Elon Musk’s SpaceX just hit 6,370 Starlink satellites in orbit. Not bad, given it started in 2019. Musk has plans to launch 42,000 satellites — possibly more. At this rate, we’ll soon have more Starlink satellites in the sky than visible stars (about 9,000).
A standard Starlink satellite is way smaller than a BlueBird satellite, measuring 9.2 feet long and 4.7 feet wide when its solar panels are tucked in. Once deployed, those panels stretch the satellite to 36 feet across.
Best Amazon Black Friday deals on tech and everything
Just about everything on Amazon is on sale. Here’s a handy link to the top Black Friday deals. New ones are popping up all day, so it’s worth checking a few times.
✅ Oh, and here are all the coupons available right now on one money-saving page. Yeah, you’ll def want to bookmark that link. Happy shopping!
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Futuristic finds
🤖 Gifts that’ll make ‘em feel like the future is now.
- Channel “Blade Runner” with an LED shower head ($20). Disclaimer: No promises they’ll look as cool as Harrison Ford.
- Give them the tech to sit back with a glass of wine while an automatic pot stirrer handles the chili.
- An automatic dustpan sucks up everything, so they never have to look at that little dustpan line again. Click the box for $20 off.
- It’s cold and there’s about to be a new season of “Squid Game.” Grab mirror glasses ($13) for your most Netflix-obsessed pal who wants to watch in bed.
- This blush oil goes on clear and transforms into the perfect shade based on the wearer’s skin pH. Cheeky!
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
No-tech zone: A friend did this with her kids and it’s so smart. She made a couple of special areas around their house “tech-free spots.” The family room couches and kitchen table are both no-tech zones. Beware: It only works if adults follow the rules, too.
What 32-degree weather does to your phone
Winter weather isn’t just tough on you. It’s tough on your tech, too. Here’s why your phone struggles in the cold.
Heads-up, Apple shoppers: Scammers are walking into Apple Stores with fake IDs and QR codes to steal laptops before the real buyers show up. It’s not quite clear how the shysters are getting the intel, so keep an eye on your order status and pick up your new tech ASAP.
56% fewer
Job postings out there for software developers. AI tools are taking the place of entry-level developers. The tech boot camps (paywall link) that used to help up to 90% of people get jobs are now helping only 50%. One analyst says it’s the worst hiring period for entry-level tech jobs in 25 years. Tell your kid to major in something else.
Are we alone? Coast to Coast AM's George Noory on UFOs, alien tech, and hidden truths
At 11, he had an out-of-body experience. Now, Coast to Coast AM’s George Noory is the top expert on the unexplained. He shares proof of alien visits, explains recent congressional hearings, and reveals incredible alien tech. Wondering what’s really out there? This might change how you see the universe.
Don’t count on math teachers: Across 266 school districts, K-12 students are testing a new AI tutor. Khan Academy’s Khanmigo runs on OpenAI’s tech. It creates lesson plans for teachers in seconds, answers students’ questions and flags kids’ AI-generated info. Watch it in action. “Conmigo” means “with me” in Spanish.
Frank Abagnale on the comeback of check fraud
Check fraud is up 400%. What’s bringing this old scam back? Frank Abagnale, the ex-con turned security expert and inspiration for Catch Me If You Can, is here to explain. In the movie, Leonardo DiCaprio played his life of expertly forged checks that fooled banks worldwide. Now he breaks down how new tech gives today’s scammers an edge.
🏠 We have Fort Knox at home: Facial recognition and 3D surveillance are just the first steps for Silicon Valley tech elites turning their homes into military-grade fortresses. The startup Sauron (named after the villain in “The Lord of the Rings”) uses drones to create a “deterrence pod” that projects a searchlight to scare off trespassers. Boy, I could’ve used that when Chilean gangs targeted my home and the Phoenix SWAT team saved the day.
Your inner child just fist-pumped: A new Kickstarter lets you scan any object with its forthcoming Brick My World app, and its AI-powered tech will show you what to buy on the Lego marketplace. Don’t waste your money; Brickplicator does the same thing if you upload a 3D model. While Brickplicator isn’t as snazzy as the Brick My World app’s Kickstarter promises, you can use it now.
Stuck at the airport? Use this tech to take control
Fort Lauderdale and Miami led in holiday delays last year. Don’t let travel chaos ruin your plans — airline apps and knowing your rights can keep you in control.
Watch Christmas movies with someone far away
Missed holidays at home? With this tech trick, you can still enjoy classics with loved ones — no matter where they are.
The bread broke up with margarine for a butter lover: Researchers have created a “lick-able” VR device that uses electric currents to simulate up to nine flavors. The tech is still in its early stages but will be available for gaming, TV shows, and even shopping. You know it’s just a matter of time before the porn industry taps into this tech. 🙄
💨 5G holds 6G’s beer: The next-gen 6G tech just set a new record, blazing speeds 45 times faster than those for 5G. But that’s nothing; eventually, 6G could reach speeds 13,400 times faster than 5G. That’ll make using 5G like driving a Ferrari a steady 30 mph. Expect to see 6G starting around 2030, and it’ll likely use satellite tech, not cell towers.
High tech porch pirates
This holiday season, doorbell cameras are capturing more porch pirates, and the thieves are finding new ways to avoid being caught.
🛒 AI-tention, shoppers: The Caper Cart is wired with AI-powered cameras and scanners that apply coupons, weigh your produce and pay right from your handlebar. Instacart owns it and paid around $350 million for the tech. If only the carts could return themselves.
The agony of de feet: Scientists have created robotic shorts that help people walk farther using less energy. WalkON wraps around your waist with a harness and has artificial Kevlar tendons that attach to your legs. As you walk, the shorts analyze your movement patterns and help take the strain off your hips. So many people will benefit from this cool tech.