Don’t want to be stuffed in traffic? Google Maps just released the best times to drive — stick to these, and it’s all gravy.
A note from Kim: So much to be thankful for
Thanksgiving has always been about family, tradition and gratitude. I think about my Dad carving the turkey with his large Russian hands, showing me exactly how to do it. My Mom always made the turkey until she couldn’t and I took over. We recorded her making it two weeks before she was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in 2017, her face and voice with instructions I’ll treasure forever.
Technology has found its way into Thanksgiving, but instead of replacing memories, it adds to them. Here are a few tech things I’m thankful for and how they help me carry a bit of the past into the present.
My iPhone 16 Pro Max
Remember when a quarter for a payphone was your lifeline? Dad would hand me one before I left the house. Today, my iPhone is that, and it’s my camera for capturing memories and having video calls, my connection to family far away, and my assistant to get things done.
Smart speakers
Aunt Patty was the unofficial family entertainer, part comedian and part Patsy Cline wannabe. Dang, she could sing “Crazy.” Today, Alexa has taken on some of those roles, including playing music, telling jokes and answering trivia questions.
Cloud storage
Videos of my mom are safely stored in the cloud, where I can watch them whenever I want. It’s not just a Thanksgiving Day recipe; it’s her voice, her smile and my heart, forever.
Big-screen TVs
Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without football. I remember when we all crowded around a tiny TV, adjusting the antenna on the roof to get a picture. Now, it’s all about the big screen, where we can see every blade of grass and questionable call in high def.
This one’s not tech
Every Thanksgiving, I pull out my grandmother’s old aluminum roasting pan to make her stuffing. There’s something magical about using the same pan she did, surrounded by the smells and laughter that have filled my family’s kitchens for generations.
Winter essentials to grab before they sell out
Don’t wait for the holiday chaos to hit. The best shopping trick this season isn’t about gifts — it’s about stocking up on essentials now. Beat the rush, avoid packed stores and snag better prices while you still can. This will save you time, stress and money. Get it done today and make your winter easier.
33 days
How long the average home cook spends planning Thanksgiving. That’s two weeks each on the guest list and menu planning, plus three days of food prep and cooking. Get going! You don’t want to make Thanksgiving a cluster-pluck.
Traveling for the holidays? Best days to book
It’s beginning to look a lot like … fall. Before you enter a pumpkin-spice stupor, do your future self a favor and get this year’s travel plans organized.
From the best times to book to how to search for flights, I’ve got everything you need to score the sweetest deal on your holiday season trip.
5 smart tech tips for the best road trip this holiday season
Planning a road trip? You’ll want to make sure your car is safe for travel. Tap or click here for five maintenance checks to do every month.
AAA predicted 54.6 million people would travel 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving. That’s a 1.5% increase over 2021 and 98% of pre-pandemic volumes. 49 million said they would travel by car.
How to get great food pics this Thanksgiving
This Thanksgiving, I’ve got a fun challenge for you: Take the best pics of your turkey ever.
How Siri and Amazon Echo can help make the perfect turkey
You have enough on your plate this Thanksgiving. Let your smart assistant do some of the dirty work.
Tips to take the best pics
Want to take better photos than ever before this Thanksgiving? Just use these tips. Here’s what to do, in 60 seconds.
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Most confusing shopping season ever
Happy Thanksgiving! Are you ready for the stampede of Black Friday shoppers? In one minute, I’ll prepare you for the front lines.
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Thanksgiving tech wishes
Are you ready for the most hectic Black Friday in history? Listen now for my top tips.
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A letter from Kim: Happy Thanksgiving to your and yours
Hello friends,
Last year, our family had Thanksgiving over a Zoom call as the virus was taking hold. It was different, yes, but the bonds that bind a family are not easily broken. I have to tell you something very personal.
Tips to capture authentic moments this Thanksgiving Day
This Thanksgiving Day, armed with your smartphone’s camera, I challenge you to take fabulous photos you’ve never taken before. Listen now for a few tips to get the perfect shot.
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Best deals on streaming devices
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and holiday shopping goes full throttle. And even though we’re dealing with product shortages, there are still some deals. Listen now for the best ones.
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Prepping for Thanksgiving? Onions recalled in 38 states
(Updated Nov. 22, 2021 – The FDA and CDC are reporting more cases of salmonella linked to the onion recall from last month. There are now nearly 900 reported cases of illness and 183 hospitalizations. Keep reading for details on the outbreak and what you should do next.)
Dress up your phone! 6 sites to find great seasonal wallpapers
Are you ready for the holiday season? Ready or not, Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Tap or click here for five sites to find Thanksgiving recipes to impress everyone at the table.
But if you haven’t tapped into the holiday spirit yet, why not let tech lend a hand? One fun idea is to add holiday-themed wallpaper to your phone.
PSA: Buy your holiday turkey soon or you may be paying $100+
Lots of holiday prep talk has been around shopping earlier than usual because of chip shortages, supply chain issues and more. There’s also a shortage of cargo containers and labor slowing everything down.
Prices for tech, toys, furniture and more are set to increase as availability becomes more scarce. You might want to get a jump on things ahead of the inevitable Black Friday shortages. Tap or click here for our list of 6 things you should buy now.
Visiting family and friends for Christmas? Use this map to see the risk
The number of COVID-19 cases started spiking again recently. Medical experts believe it’s due to a combination of cold weather across the U.S. and a large number of gatherings that occurred over the Thanksgiving holiday. Let’s face it, people are getting tired of being quarantined.
COVID super spreaders surprise
Tons of news reporters think we’ll see a spike in COVID-19 cases because of Thanksgiving travel. But travelers aren’t the only super-spreaders. Here are some places you’ve got to watch out for.
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Where to stream all our favorite holiday movies
The Thanksgiving feast is over. You’ve just finished scavaging all of those great Black Friday deals online. Still need to pick up some stocking stuffers that won’t break the bank? Tap or click here for 15 great gift ideas.