The Current-Sat Plus: Secret Amazon discount, ‘Sorry to bother’ scam, talk to your kids about Roblox In partnership with Incogni | Hello, weekend tech warriors! Today, we’re combining our trivia with a tech tip. Here we go: Three-quarters of “knowledge” workers say they’re using AI tools at work. But what percentage of those workers use it with their company’s knowledge? Is it … A.) 22%, B.) 32%, C.) 52% or D.) 72%? Answer’s at the end — plus today’s tech tip. Talk about smart. I used Incogni to wipe my personal info from 212 different data-broker and people-search sites. I get no more spam calls and texts. You need to do this, too! Try it yourself for 60% off with the code KIM60. On to bestowing you with massive tech know‑how! — Kim 📫 First-time reader? Sign up here. (It’s free!) IN THIS ISSUE 🤖 Automate your routines 🤑 Secret Amazon discount 🟥 Roblox adds ads |
TODAY'S TECH HACK The future just called … Wanna feel like you’re living in 2075? Start automating your phone tasks, friends. Yep, your phone has a shortcut feature you’re probably not taking advantage of. You can trigger multiple actions at once just by asking Siri or Google Assistant! Shortcuts work slightly differently on iPhone compared to Android, but the goal is the same: To automate mundane tasks (and make you feel like you’re in “The Jetsons”). Once you start using them, you won’t go back. Create a morning routine Kick off your daily tasks without lifting a finger. With shortcuts, you can … Turn off your alarm. Send a good morning message to your partner or kids. Put on your favorite morning playlist. Open your to-do list for the day. … All before that first sip of coffee. You can set the automation to trigger when you turn off your alarm or at a specific time in the morning. Cool, right? How to get started on iPhone: Open the Shortcuts app. (Bet you didn’t even know it was there!) Create a new shortcut: Tap on the Automation tab at the bottom, then tap on the + (plus sign) in the top right to create a new automation. Choose a trigger: Select Create Personal Automation, like time of day, arriving at a location or connecting to a certain Wi‑Fi network. Select your actions: Tap Add Action to start building. You can select from hundreds of preset actions, like sending a message, playing a playlist, setting your alarm or opening a specific app. Customize the details: For example, if you're sending a message, you can specify the recipient and the content. If you're playing music, pick a playlist (like “Wake-up tunes”). Review and save: Choose whether the automation requires confirmation before running, then tap Done. On Android: Open the Google Assistant app > Assistant settings. Under Popular settings, tap Routines > New > Personal. Add a starter: This could be a voice command, a specific time, sunrise or sunset, when you arrive at a location, or even when a smart device turns on or off. Add actions: You could play music, get reminders, read texts or get your traffic report for the commute home. Follow the directions on your screen, then tap Save. Tip: You can also create personal routines in the Google Home app. If you’re making routines on shared devices, you’ll need to enable “Personal results.” Here’s how. Now, if you wanna get really fancy … You can connect your routines with smart devices in your home, like lights, locks and thermostats. Imagine leaving for a vacation, saying, “Hey Siri (or Google), I’m going on a trip!” and having your virtual assistant turn down your thermostat, turn off all your lights and lock your doors behind you. Seriously, have some fun with these. Some routines are more of a novelty — like making a GIF from your past five photos — but some are super useful. I can’t imagine what they’ll be able to do in 10 more years. ⌛ One for the road … The past, present and future all walk into a bar. It was tense. |
Just when you think it can't happen to you ... It does. At least, that’s what loyal listener and reader Racquel in Minneapolis says. She emailed me after dealing with an angry customer at her job. Racquel did all she could to help and thought that was the end of it. Guess again. The customer called Racquel’s personal phone and left a voicemail threatening to find out where she lives. “Coincidentally enough, I had just signed up for Incogni about a week earlier. They went to work right away,” Racquel says. Incogni immediately removed Racquel’s data from over 50 sites, and at least 50 more requests have been sent. Incogni can protect your privacy, too. Use my link to get 60% off and the peace of mind you deserve. Be smart like Racquel and try Incogni. → |
WEB WATERCOOLER 🚨 Careful what you post: Criminals are crawling social media accounts for videos of folks talking. Just 10 seconds is enough for AI tools to rip off your voice to scam loved ones and break into voice-authorized accounts. Come up with a safeword with your family to use if they ever get a distressed-sounding call from “you.” Earth without “art” is just “eh:” Apple's new iPad Pro "Crush!" ad is … disturbing. It shows a hydraulic press squashing symbols of human creativity — musical instruments and art supplies. Then, voila — a new, super-thin iPad Pro appears. The message? Tech trumps all. Apple apologized: "We missed the mark … we’re sorry." Ya think? 📺 Bravo! Samsung has a new TV that comes with a free 8K TV, valued at $8,000. The 114-inch “ultra-premium” set costs $132,630 and uses Micro-LED display tech for enhanced colors, brightness and response times. They're also throwing in a discount on a new pair of speakers and a $2,200 hotel stay. Sorry, but this offer's for Korea only for now. Talk to your kiddos: Roblox is adding paid ads in virtual billboards to its game. Brands like Walmart are already lining up to advertise to nearly 72 million daily players. With 43% of players under 13, they’re going to make so much money rocking the blocks. “Hi, sorry to bother. Do you shop through Amazon?” It’s a scam email, and it keeps ending up in Content Queen Allie’s inbox. If you respond, some jerk will try to convince you they have Amazon gift cards they’ll trade for cash. Hit “spam” and move on. Tech on a budget: You don’t have to spend $200 or more for high-quality earbuds. Raycons have studio-quality sound and a whopping 32 hours of battery life, and they fit comfortably in every ear with precise fittings. Grab ‘em for 20% off (and free shipping!) at BuyRaycon.com/kim.* |
LISTEN UP | Spies want in on your router Is yours at risk? Hackers' new side hustle is charging Chinese and Russian spies and scammers for access to old home routers so they can launch denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. Plus, Google blocks a romance writer, the worst airlines for luggage and Microsoft gets hacked. Play Now • 35:52 ▶ |
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TECH LIFE UPGRADES Restart Chrome: That’s the easiest way to update. The latest patch fixes a zero-day flaw. Translation: Hackers know about it, so update your Chrome browser now. Phone screen out of control? Group your apps by category. Here's an option: Set your home screen to include only personal and family apps. Swipe to the next screen for all your work apps. On another screen, add all your entertainment apps. Amazon’s secret 25% discount: Send your old tech to Amazon through its Trade-in Program, and get a gift card for the value. Bonus: You’ll get an extra 20% off if you’re upgrading to a new Amazon device, like an Echo or Kindle. 📼 When you don’t know what to watch: Hit up moviewiser.com. Type in the mood you’re going for, and it’ll spit out a list of movies that fit the bill. I searched for “summer love story,” and winners include “The Notebook” and “About Time.” Put down your phone: After you finish this newsletter. Researchers found scrolling social media for just 15 minutes less improved subjects’ health, immunity, sleep, anxiety, depression and loneliness. |
DEALS OF THE DAY Cheap phone-free cameras I love having a really good camera on my phone, but I don’t always want my phone with me. That’s why I’m glad cameras still exist — and they’re totally back in with the younger crowd. Disposable: Kind of surprised they still make disposable cams but also thrilled they do. I used to love giving Ian one of these when he was a kid and seeing what he’d captured. Maybe I’ll give this one to Barry! It’s 16% off ($14.29). 35mm: For a reusable option, you can’t beat the price of the Sprite 35‑II from Ilford ($23.99). Lightweight and light on the wallet. Don’t forget the film! Digital: The marketing copy on this baby: “Shoot decent images with ease.” Love the honesty. A decent digital camera! Nab it now for 20% off ($39). |
WHAT THE TECH? Sneaky-sneaky, but now you know their tricks! |
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UNTIL NEXT TIME ... The answer: A.) 22% of people who use AI at work are doing it on the up-and-up. That means 78% are opting to BYOAI — Bring Your Own AI — and not telling their bosses. ✅ Do yourself a favor: Check out Incogni and save 60% right now. It’s your personal privacy service, finding your info on creepy people-search and data-broker sites and doing the work for you to get it removed. It’s a service that’s def worth the money! See you right back here tomorrow with hidden tricks for all your favorite social media apps. I’ve got some good stuff up my sleeve! Until then, my friend, embrace your new tech intellect, delivered free of charge with the best tech newsletter in the USA! — Kim | |
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