No console

July 15, 2024

🎮 No console? No problem: You can play hundreds of Xbox games without an Xbox console if you have the latest Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max or Fire Stick 4K and a controller. Download the Xbox app to your Fire TV device from the Amazon app store, then sign in with your Microsoft account. FYI: You’ll also need an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription for $19.99 per month.

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Tags: Amazon, apps, download, games, play

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Fun, free AI tools to try

I’m not an artist. My brain just does not work that way. I tried to learn Photoshop but gave up. Now, I create fun images using AI — like the potato at the bottom of today’s newsletter.

Some AI tech is kind of freaky (like this brain-powered robot), but many of the new AI tools out there are just plain fun. The ones I found for you below are awesome to try and free!

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House swapping is hot right now – Do it the right way

Want to try out a new city or travel over the long term for cheap? You need to know about home swapping. There are dozens of home-swapping groups on Facebook for everyone from women over 50 to vegans who like baseball. But it’s not for everyone, and you have to do your homework.

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Fired for his OnlyFans

Joe Gow and his wife Carmen are facing backlash after Joe’s employer, a university, found the couples’ OnlyFans account. His tenure is at risk, but he’s not giving up just yet.

Boy robot: When 12-year-old Howard had to miss months of school for chemotherapy, a nonprofit gifted him a robot stand-in. Now, “AI Howard” sits in classes for him so the real Howard can learn and socialize. His friends even carry the bot between classes! I just love it.

In 1981, Nintendo debuted Mario as the hero pitted against Donkey Kong. What was Mario’s name in his first game appearance? Was it … A.) Jumpman, B.) Plumber Pete, C.) Mr. Mustache or D.) Super Joe?

Find the answer here! →

10- to 20-minute “fart walk”

For happy digestion. That’s the funny name for a jaunt to kickstart digestion and help with bloating and gas. Science supports this. Btw, I learned an important lesson while hiking Machu Picchu: Never trust a fart.

Talk to the kids: Influencers and athletes are pushing highly addictive nicotine pouches on social media. They’re marketed to teens as flavored little bags in colorful containers. Brands include Velo, On! and Zyn.

🦟 Mosquitoes suck: Try the Weather Channel app’s new mosquito forecast that analyzes weather info and real-world mosquito data to predict activity by ZIP code. Download the app (iPhone and Android) > add a ZIP code > tap Daily at the bottom of the screen > and scroll down. OK, now I’m itchy.

⚠️ Keep it real: More folks than ever are trying out AI companionship. You create your dream partner, and the bot finetunes its responses to match your exact needs. But this sets you up for IRL failure; real people aren’t instantly available, and they def won’t do or say everything you want.

🚨 Shed light on this: The FTC says most subscription apps and websites use “dark patterns.” These manipulative design techniques push you to buy things and/or put your privacy at risk. Examples: Being forced to enter payment details for a free trial or upload your contacts to access features. Watch out for this.