Consumer Tech Update

Pixie Dust is a decade old Wi‑Fi exploit that can crack your router in seconds and most devices are still vulnerable. Researchers found only 4 of 24 devices patched and seven never updated. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Driverless cars are hitting the roads in major cities, but when they break traffic laws, police are left scratching their heads. Who gets the ticket when there's no driver behind the wheel? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Got an old laptop or PC? Don't toss it. Install Chrome OS Flex and bring it back to life for free with minimal hassle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Microsoft is ending Windows 10 support on October 14, leaving over 400 million PCs vulnerable. Without costly extended updates, students and small businesses face tough choices on security and upgrades. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Always the peacemaker? You've been running an unpaid role as everyone's feelings manager. Here's how ChatGPT can help you stay calm, clear, and in control without burning out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Streaming dominates while traditional TV fades fast. Nielsen says cable viewers are mostly down to five channels: ESPN, a cable news pick, and a lifestyle network, proving we have left linear TV behind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Think your neighbor's package mix-up is innocent? It could be a scam to get free stuff from Amazon. Here's how the trick works and what you should do instead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A shutdown won't cut your internet or cell service, but it could mean flight delays, stalled tax refunds, and federal services grinding to a halt. Here's what it means for you and your family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The average American spends nearly $200 a month on streaming and internet. Chances are, you're paying for shows you don't even watch. Here's how to audit your subscriptions, cut the fat, and still catch every show you love. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After years of forcing us to fumble with glossy touch screens, carmakers are finally listening. Mercedes, Volkswagen, Tesla, and more are bringing back buttons and knobs in 2026 models so drivers can keep their eyes on the road instead of the dashboard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scammers know exactly how to trap you. When a friendly message on social media suddenly moves to WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram, it's a red flag.  Here's how to spot the warning signs and stay safe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cracker Barrel changed its logo after an online backlash, but nearly half the outrage came from bots. Real customers followed the fake mob, and the chain's growth stalled almost overnight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Georgia couple found hidden cameras in their Puerto Rico Airbnb, capturing private moments with their kids.Here are four smart steps to spot hidden cameras, protect your privacy, and stay safe while traveling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The government has spent $42 billion to connect rural homes to broadband and not a single one is online. Meanwhile, Starlink is already delivering internet nationwide without taxpayer money. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drowning in junk mail? Credit bureaus sell your info to banks and insurers, fueling all those “pre-approved” offers. Here's how to stop them for good. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Forget phones. Students are turning Google Docs into secret chat rooms. With invisible text and shared files, it looks like homework but it is really the new way to pass notes in class. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One Ohio mom turned $45 into $93,000 on Etsy by selling simple printables. Here's how you can start your own side hustle with templates people actually buy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fake AI apps are flooding app stores, stealing logins, and tricking users with bogus reviews. Here's how to spot them and keep your phone safe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Small businesses are under attack with fake Google Reviews demanding cash. Here's how scammers target contractors, movers, and repair shops and what you can do to protect your reputation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amazon admits misleading 40 million customers into Prime. The FTC trial ends with a $2.5 billion payout. Here's how much you could get back and what to do next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ChatGPT can help you turn your knowledge into real income by publishing and selling books on Amazon. With the right topic, a little guidance, and free tools, you could earn thousands a year from what you already know. Here's how to get started. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

YouTube admitted it suppressed COVID dissent after daily pressure from the White House. Google says it will reinstate suspended accounts but offers no apology. Here is the proof and what it means for free speech online. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A “wrong number” cash drop on Zelle or Venmo is not a mistake. Criminals use stolen cards to make you the fall guy, tricking you into sending your own money. Here is how to spot it and stay safe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A nationwide SMS flood almost struck New York. While the Secret Service shut down a massive SIM server ring that could have sent 30 million texts per minute and knocked out 911, the threat shows how vulnerable our networks remain. Here is what happened and how to stay prepared. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bluetooth is tracking you even when your GPS is off. Apps use it to map your movements and build profiles. Here's how to stop them and protect your privacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prime is easy to join but a nightmare to cancel. Millions are suing as the FTC says quitting takes navigating multiple pages and answering endless questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stop wasting hours hunting for files. Learn how AI in Google Workspace and Microsoft Copilot can find your documents in seconds and boost your productivity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apple's new iPhone Air is making headlines as the thinnest iPhone ever, lighter than Samsung's slimmest models. But with a single camera and a $1,000 price tag, is it worth it? Here's what you need to know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hit the trails smarter. From AllTrails' 450,000 mapped routes to Cairn's safety check-ins and PeakFinder's mountain IDs, these hiking apps turn your phone into the ultimate trail guide. Here's what you need to know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oakley and Meta just launched sunglasses that look normal but secretly record everything you see. The AI-powered Oakley Meta Vanguard could change privacy, sports, and even journalism forever. Here's what you need to know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Forget the myths about cheap flights. Google Flights crunched billions of bookings and found the real hacks: book five weeks ahead, fly Wednesday, and skip the Tuesday ticket myth. Here's what you need to know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Apple Watch just leveled up. Beyond EKGs and blood oxygen it can now detect hypertension, the silent killer that strikes without warning. Here's how Apple's newest health feature could save your life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tired of wasting hours on hold? Google Pixel and iPhone can now do the waiting for you. Hold for Me and Hold Assist let your phone handle customer service calls so you never miss a beat. Here's how to set it up and reclaim your time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tired of wasting hours on hold? Google Pixel and iPhone can now do the waiting for you. Hold for Me and Hold Assist let your phone handle customer service calls so you never miss a beat. Here's how to set it up and reclaim your time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI is scraping billions of selfies from social media to train facial recognition. Bots target unmarked photos, but a simple watermark can protect your images. Here's what you need to know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Social media's dark side is growing. Reports show Meta profited from ads selling child-like sex dolls, even as scams and exploitation spread across its platforms. With billions in resources and AI tools, why is Big Tech still failing to stop it? Here's what you need to know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling nervous before a job interview? Stop. Studies show saying “I'm excited” boosts your chances. Here's how AI and ChatGPT Voice Mode can help you practice answers, simulate a recruiter, and get interview-ready with no pressure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In San Antonio, vandals have set fire to 22 cell tower sites, but the bigger story is Starlink's satellite network that could make cell towers obsolete and give your phone a signal anywhere on Earth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Instacart is convenient, but it could be costing you big. Prices are often higher than in-store, fees add up fast, and substitutions can spike your total. Here's how to shop smarter and keep your grocery bill under control. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI isn't just changing tech. It's fueling the economy. Data centers are being built faster than office buildings, creating jobs, driving spending, and boosting growth that few are reporting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Train AI with your own emails, proposals, and FAQs so it responds in your voice, your style, and your standards. This scales you without replacing you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Altman claims ChatGPT is smarter than people. Is he right, or is true intelligence still only human? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Keep your old phone number while getting a new one with Google Voice. Forward calls and texts seamlessly, dodge spam, and manage both numbers from the same phone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If your business uses AI for legal, medical, financial, or investment advice, you are fully liable for everything it generates. AI mistakes can cost you big, and insurance won't cover it. Protect your company and share this warning with your team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unlock your Kindle's hidden features. Send PDFs, borrow library books, track reading speed, use dyslexia-friendly fonts, and listen to audiobooks via Bluetooth. Read smarter and faster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI is helping scammers create eerily realistic attacks. From cloned voices to perfect phishing emails and fake websites, criminals are using technology to trick you. Stay alert and protect your money. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Turn your AirTag or tracker into a personal safety tool. Share your location, set up check-ins, and alert loved ones instantly. Works with Apple or Android devices for peace of mind anytime, anywhere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scammers are lurking in airline DMs, pretending to help upset passengers. Here's how to spot the fake messages and protect your bookings and credit cards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Take control of your home Wi-Fi with a tap. Here's how to pause the internet by device, set schedules, and finally win the “five more minutes” battle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scammers are sending fake sextortion emails claiming they hacked your camera and contacts. It's all a bluff. Here's how to spot the scam and why the best response is to do nothing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don't ditch your old iPhone. From security cam to kid-safe game device, here's how to give it a second life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices