upgrades Archives

Cheap ways to make your old tech better

ID 164132612 © Alessandro Biascioli | Dreamstime.com

Reading this on a 6-year-old iPhone 11? It’s well past the average smartphone lifespan of 2.5 years … and I’m impressed you’ve hung onto it this long. Btw, Apple typically provides iOS updates for five to six years after a model’s release.

Upgrading your laptop or smartphone is inevitable. But wait before you throw out that clunky computer. Even when a piece of tech starts showing its age, you can give it a new lease on life.

Make room for vacation photos

Most modern phones don’t have memory card slots. Expand your cloud storage to offload photos, videos and other files to free up space. Use the option built to work with your phone.

Android friends, Google One upgrades start at $2 for 100GB.
For iPhone, iCloud+ pricing starts at $1 for 50GB.

Pro tip: If you and the family all use iPhones, share an iCloud+ account to save some money. I do this with Barry and Ian.

Playing the oldies

Want to get Spotify or Apple Music streaming around the house? You don’t have to invest in a set of pricey wireless speakers if you’re still rocking the older wired kind.

Add a Bluetooth adapter (like this Esinkin model), and those old speakers can play anything right from your phone or computer.

Wi-Fi from anywhere

Blast internet dead zones with a Wi-Fi extender like the Netgear EX6400. Way cheaper than buying a whole new router or mesh system, so if you’re having connectivity issues, it’s a good place to start.

Increase your TV’s IQ

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We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Sky-high car insurance rates? Blame it on all the tech in our cars

My car insurance just went up 32%. Did I have an accident or get a few tickets? Nope. Across the U.S., the average full-coverage car insurance bill went up 25% last year. In some states, it was closer to 40%. Geez.

The main reason? Today’s high-tech vehicles cost way more to repair. You don’t need to own a high-tech car to feel the pinch, though; it’s hitting everyone.

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Bed-ly in need of sleep

😴 Here’s your A-list of bedroom upgrades for top-tier zzz’s.

Wake up without bedhead with a two-pack of sleep bonnets ($13).
Can’t reach your nightstand? Grab a handy bedside caddy ($16.49).
These cooling gel pillows ($46) are great for back and side sleepers.
Guests coming over? This air mattress (20% off) has a built-in pump.
A four-pack of bedsheet organizers (40% off) keeps your linens tidy.

🌃 Cosmic dreams: Turn your ceiling into a starry sky with a galaxy projector (44% off) that looks like a cute astronaut.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Battle of the betas: Be the first to try Motorola’s and Samsung’s AI features, now in beta. Motorola’s upgrades include notification summaries and meeting transcriptions; Samsung’s update includes call transcriptions, AI writing tools and a revamped camera interface. The betas are open for Razr, Edge and Galaxy S24 smartphones. Have fun! Just remember, beta software glitches out sometimes.

🤖 Gemini gets beefy: At tomorrow’s Google I/O conference, I expect to see the next-gen Gemini Ultra and two heavier subscription tiers. Also coming: AI agents that browse the web for you (finally someone to blame for your weird search history), shelf-worthy Android tweaks and some spicy fake podcast upgrades. Also on deck: XR smart glasses collab with Samsung.

Fix your website! 4 ways to get more people to your site using SEO

A savvy business owner knows the value of website optimization. In today’s cutthroat digital marketplace, an SEO-friendly website with solid keyword research, meta tags, good page speed and backlinks helps you stand out. If you want to know how to improve search engine rankings for small business websites, you’ve come to the right place.

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Small-biz tip: Don't overlook this digital danger

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Are you the type of business owner who forgets about ex-employees as soon as they’re gone? Failing to remove former employees’ access to your systems and data could lead to security breaches. Don’t let poor offboarding practices be the weak link in your cybersecurity chain.

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👍 Tech upgrades $10 or less

Score! Little things can make a huge difference.

A criminal with the right gear can copy the signal from your key fob. Toss it in a Faraday bag (two for $10) to block them out.
Earbuds get crusty. Use an $8 kit to keep yours gunk-free without damaging the speakers.
Can’t remember keyboard shortcuts you want to try? Slap a cheat sheet sticker on your computer. Here’s one for Mac; this one’s for Windows.
Are they watching? Know for sure with a $7 cam cover you can use on your phone, tablet or computer.
I keep my phone on a stand while working at my desk. Nice in the kitchen, too.
I’ve got a whole page packed with goodies under $10.

✅ Not tech, but I take two scoops of collagen a day: It’s good for bone density, makes your nails and hair stronger, and can help smooth wrinkles. Use this link for 45% off* if you want to try it, too.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Sleeping bag = nap-sack

😴 Hey, sleepyhead. These bedroom upgrades will help you wind down.

Scroll hands-free with a phone holder that mounts on your nightstand.
Some dusk-to-dawn night-lights (9% off) give your room a soft glow.
This galaxy projector (40% off) brings the night sky indoors.
Drift off to your favorite tunes with a sleep mask with built-in Bluetooth.
Got neck pain? Rest easy on an ergonomic memory foam pillow.

🛍️ Hang on: Organize your closet and shave minutes off your morning routine with these metal hangers for pants and skirts.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

🧬 Evolution ain’t finished: Scientists think we’ll look a lot different in 1,000 years. Theories include darker skin, better-looking faces from selective dating, smaller brains, freakishly long arms, shorter statures, and big eyes made for low gravity and dim light. Oh, and let’s not forget the biohacking and cybernetic upgrades. Here are a few pics.

All bright and shiny

☀️ Hello, sunshine! Let’s brighten your day with a few little upgrades.

I don’t like dark hallways and stairwells. These night-lights look nice and cost less than $10 for eight. Click the extra coupon!
Guys and gals, bags under your eyes make you look older. Swipe on some gentle under-eye cream (44% off).
Now, use some redness-banishing eye drops (8% off) so you’ll look like you got a great night’s sleep!
Do you floss every day? Uh-huh, sure. A water flosser (40% off) is easier and keeps your teeth sparkling.
White taper candles with no smell ($15 for 20) are my go-to for dinnertime.

Just in case you need it: A bestselling ice and snow scraper to toss in the car. Stay safe!

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Jobs at stake: In the coming weeks, OpenAI is expected to announce Ph.D.-level bots capable of handling complex human tasks. This is what Mark Zuckerberg mentioned recently on Joe Rogan’s podcast. AI upgrades this year could replace mid-level software engineers and write their own code. We’re moving far beyond single command prompts, folks. Good thing you’re here so you’re in the know.

Why you can’t access some sites while you’re on a VPN and what to do

Photo © Tero Vesalainen | Dreamstime.com

Let’s say you’re browsing the web with a VPN. You’re protecting privacy, so you’re confident hackers and advertisers can’t track you. Then you try to go to a site, and it just won’t load.

This can throw a wrench into productivity when working. Or it can ruin your mood when trying to have fun online.

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Hiring or looking for a job? Upgrade your LinkedIn profile to stand out

When most people find themselves unemployed or are looking for a career change, they head to a job board. But have you heard of LinkedIn? It’s a social media platform with a twist.

LinkedIn also offers excellent options for those looking to hire employees who don’t want to wait for a sea of faceless applications to pour in. It provides prospective employees unique ways to stand out and gives companies a fresh way to look for new talent. Tap or click for smart things you should be doing with your LinkedIn profile.

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Reader question: 'What can I use instead of QuickBooks?'

If you’re a business owner, you don’t need us to tell you that running a business is tough. Don’t let QuickBooks and spreadsheets slow you down, making things more complicated than necessary. It’s time to upgrade to our sponsor NetSuite.

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3 security steps every small business needs to take right now

Business accounts can be hacked as easily as personal accounts. Imagine all your hard work being held at ransom by a hacker or your data falling into the hands of someone who can sell it to the competition.

You need to secure your business as best you can, and here are three crucial tips to get started. This tip is brought to you by our sponsor, NetSuite.

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Small business owners: Simplify your life with one financial tool that does it all

Are your finances as organized as you’d like them to be? Come on, be honest. For most business owners, the answer is a reluctant no.

As your company grows, you will have more expenses, contractors, KPIs and hands managing it all. If your communication happens through email, over the phone, in messages, and via spreadsheets, you will hit a wall sooner or later.

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Our favorite cleaning products to get your home sparkling

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Over the next couple of days, the team and I are sharing what you’ve been asking me for all month: Shopping picks! The goal is to take all the dread out of checking all your people off your list.

Some of you will think this is weird, and others will shout, “Me too, Kim!” I love getting my house sparkling clean after Thanksgiving. I put on some tunes, scrub every corner and then the house is ready for Christmas decorations. Here are some tools to make it easier.

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Google launches Pixel 8 and more new tech - Everything you need to know

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Apple’s fall device drop gets all the love, but Google wants you to remember it’s here, too — with lots of shiny new tech and some seriously impressive AI upgrades coming soon to a phone near you.

Let’s break down everything Google just announced and see how the Pixel 8 stacks up against the new iPhone 15.

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Best free home inventory apps to rule the roost in style

Imagine waking up in the middle of the night to the sound of fire alarms blaring. You quickly realize your home is on fire and rush your family out of the house safely. Then you realize you never took inventory of your belongings.

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