The smart way to shop Prime Day
Plus: Testing T-Mobile Satellite, Ring cams now find lost dogs & Gemini comes home
Greetings, and thanks for checking out this week’s newsletter.
It’s been a busy one! I’ve been answering lots of emails about the Windows 10 situation, finally got my new Nest thermostat up and running, and tested T-Mobile’s satellite service — which is seriously impressive. I also stopped by UCLA’s new gaming lounge (very slick setup) and celebrated my kid’s birthday. Google Photos keeps reminding me with those little memory clips of how tiny they once were — a good nudge to just enjoy it all while it’s happening.
On top of that, it’s Prime week. My tip: hold off on hitting “buy” for now. Instead, load up your Amazon cart and keep an eye on prices Tuesday and Wednesday when the deals hit.
Let’s dive in.
Amazon’s latest lineup
This week Amazon unveiled a flood of new gadgets — everything from Kindles to Ring cameras, Blink cameras, Fire TV devices, and Echo speakers. A lot of these are just refreshes, so you don’t need to upgrade unless you’ve been waiting. But here are the highlights worth knowing about:
Kindle
Amazon refreshed its Scribe line, including a thinner model and a new color version. My advice: stick with black-and-white unless you truly need color. The contrast isn’t as high on the color displays.
Ring cameras
The new models have what Ring calls “retinal vision” — higher clarity that makes it easier to identify people or objects, especially in low light. They’ve rolled out 2K and 4K options, and AI will increasingly scan footage for events.
Beyond new hardware, Ring is adding features to current devices:
Alexa+ door answering – Alexa can now interact with visitors, not just play a canned response.
Familiar Faces – reduces notifications by recognizing routine visitors like a family member taking out the trash.
Search Party – perhaps the most interesting: if you lose a pet and post in the Ring app, AI will scan neighbors’ outdoor cameras for matches. If a possible match is found, the camera owner is alerted and can choose to share the footage.
This could be a powerful tool for finding lost dogs and cats — and even helping with silver alerts or missing-person cases — but it also begs the question of where we draw the line. It’s smart that Ring is tiptoeing into this with lost dogs, but now that this technology is here, you can bet there will be some dilemmas in the future of how to use it.
If you’d rather not participate, you can opt out: open the Ring app → Menu → Control Center → Search Party → toggle off. (It was enabled by default on mine.)
Fire TV & Echo
Amazon also introduced a cheap new 4K Fire TV Stick, plus a lineup of new Echo speakers and displays. The real shift here is Alexa+, their AI-powered assistant, which should make these devices more capable and easier to use.
Google smart home changes ahead
Google had some big smart home news this week.
The headline: Gemini is coming to many Google smart home devices from the past 10 years. That’s a huge upgrade.
You’ll also notice the Google Home app is getting a major redesign — mine already updated, so keep an eye out. As for Gemini replacing Google Assistant on Nest speakers, that rollout will take longer. I’m still waiting on mine. Assistant has become a bit less helpful lately, often just spitting out web results. Gemini should make it feel more natural, conversational, and even proactive — like suggesting actions before you ask.
New Nest cameras and doorbells are also on the way. They now record in sharper 2K, with a wider and taller field of view. Each comes with six hours of event history by default (double the previous amount), and AI lets you search footage using plain language, like “show me the red bicycle near my house.”
If you’re paying $20/month for Google’s AI plan, you’ll also get Google Home Premium bundled in, unlocking advanced Nest camera features. On the budget side, Google is teaming with Walmart to sell super-cheap options: a $23 indoor camera and a $50 wired video doorbell under Walmart’s Onn brand.
Google also previewed a new Google Home speaker — but here’s the catch: it won’t ship until spring 2026. Not sure why they’re teasing it this early.
On a personal note: after 11 years, I finally swapped out my original Nest thermostat for the latest model. It looks futuristic, feels cleaner, and even supports remote sensors to balance temps across different rooms. If you still have a first- or second-gen Nest from 2011 or 2012, heads up — Google is shutting down app support on October 25th. You’ll lose remote access, though it will still work on your wall.
Google is offering special upgrade pricing if you qualify. Look for an email from googlehome@google.com with the subject line: Important service update for your Nest Learning Thermostat (1st or 2nd gen). Worth searching for before it’s too late to redeem in November.
Sponsored: What if Best Buy and Amazon actually paid you to shop there?
Prime Big Deal Days are coming up next week, and I found an app that makes those deals even better. It’s called ShopBack, and here’s why it’s worth downloading before October 7.
ShopBack gives you real cash back - not points that expire or gift cards you’ll forget about. The money goes straight to your PayPal account. What caught my attention is their Flash Sale during Prime Days: 50% cashback for one hour on October 7 at 5PM Pacific. It’s capped at $15 but you’d get that on top of whatever Prime deals you’re already saving on.
Even outside that one-hour window, they’re running deals through October 12th on Amazon. You can get 15% cashback on October 7-8 during their Lightning Deals Day. The rates are way higher than other cashback apps - typically 3X better - and it works with over 3,000 stores, not just Amazon.
Download the ShopBack app or grab their browser extension before Prime Big Deal Days kick off. Available on mobile, desktop, and as a browser extension. Visit ShopBack.com to get started.
Rates available for a limited time only.
Windows 10 support is ending soon
Microsoft will officially end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Your computer won’t suddenly stop working, but it will stop getting security updates — meaning it could become more vulnerable to hackers.
There are a couple of options if you want to stay protected. One of them is signing up for Microsoft’s year of free security updates, which buys you more time to upgrade. I even walked viewer and listener Pat through the process in my segment this week.
If you’re still on Windows 10, now’s the time to make a plan — whether that’s updating to Windows 11, buying a new PC, or taking advantage of Microsoft’s free updates while they last.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW HERE
UCLA levels up with new gaming lounge
Computer labs have come a long way. This week I visited UCLA’s brand-new Esports & Gaming Lounge — a far cry from the beige desktops I remember in school. Inside: 30 high-end Alienware PCs loaded with the latest NVIDIA graphics, Intel processors, wireless mouse, keyboard, and headset — plus super-comfy chairs to match. Where was this when I was in college?
Tech Tidbits
Samsung Wallet + Coinbase: Sign up through Samsung Wallet and get a $25 crypto credit.
Meta AI & ads: Starting December 16, Meta will use your AI chats to target ads. There’s no opt-out.
Adobe Premiere for iPhone: The new mobile editing app is fast and simple. Core tools are free, while AI extras cost more. It competes with Instagram’s Edits app (iOS & Android) and TikTok’s CapCut (iOS & Android), which still leads on captions.
Xbox Game Pass hike: Price jumps from $20/month to $30/month.
Peloton hike: Membership climbs from $44/month to $50/month; app-only plan rises from $24 to $29/month.
Wearable warning: A swollen Samsung Galaxy Ring is a reminder of the risks of electronics worn on your body.
OpenAI Sora: A new app mixing Instagram vibes with AI deepfakes — upload yourself, then let AI generate surreal short videos starring you.
Hands-on with T-Mobile Satellite
This week I finally got to try out T-Mobile Satellite — and it feels like the future of staying connected.
I signed up for the beta the day it launched, but after swapping out one of my test phones, I lost access. Logging back in wasn’t easy either, since the system kept sending verification texts to a number I no longer had. Credit to T-Mobile’s team — they helped me regain access, and I was able to install the app on my iPhone.
I was out at a park where there’s usually no cell service and saw the notification: “You can now use satellite.” From that moment, it just worked. When you’re outside coverage, your phone connects to Starlink satellites, shows “SAT” in the corner, and you can text like normal — no awkward phone positioning required. It’s faster, more forgiving, and feels seamless compared to Apple and Google’s more limited satellite texting options.
Even bigger: T-Mobile just announced that certain apps now support satellite data, including Google Maps, AllTrails, WhatsApp (including video, audio and text), and X. That’s a big deal if you spend a lot of time off-grid.
For T-Mobile customers, Satellite is included with top-tier plans. Verizon and AT&T users can add it for $10/month (though that price may rise). Do you need it? Maybe not. But if you hike, camp, or spend time in remote areas, this is far more useful than the satellite features built into iPhones and Pixels. After trying Apple’s version recently, I can say this works way better.
It’s wild to think we’ve reached a point where you can be nearly anywhere — even deep in the woods — and still stay connected to the outside world. A safety net if you need help, and a convenience if you just want to send a message or pull up a map.
Amazon’s Prime sale this week
Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days happen October 7th and 8th, and once again they’re promising millions of discounts. Prime members can already grab early perks — $15 off at Amazon Fresh, four months of Amazon Music Unlimited free, and $30 off a One Medical membership.
When the sale goes live, the best place to start is the Today’s Deals page, which also has the time-sensitive Lightning Deals. Expect the steepest discounts on Amazon’s own brands — think Fire TV, Kindle, Ring, Amazon Basics, and Essentials — though there will also be cuts on big names like LEGO, KitchenAid, and Bose.
Pro tip: load your cart now with the items you’re eyeing, then watch for price drops. Also check the Buy Again page for deals on things you regularly purchase.
Amazon highlights discounts with a red banner, but don’t just take their word for it. Use Yahoo Shopping, Google Shopping, PayPal Honey, or CamelCamelCamel to confirm whether you’re actually getting a deal. You can even ask Rufus, Amazon’s built-in AI shopping assistant, for price history.
Of course, Target and Walmart will be running competing sales — but to shop Amazon’s offers, you’ll need to be a Prime member.
Personally, I’ve already got a cordless vacuum and a travel pillow sitting in my cart, waiting to see if the prices drop.
Thanks to shopping expert Trae Bodge for some of these tips!
Feedbag: Windows 10 Fix
Robbie writes in…
I really enjoy your show and learn something new every time. I was trying to enroll in Windows 10 ESU and couldn’t find the option in settings. You told me to make sure all updates were installed. After switching back to my admin account, changing the password, and running all the optional updates, the enrollment option finally appeared. A couple of clicks later, I was in. Thanks for the quick response, Rich—I don’t know how you find the time to answer individual emails.
Shh… don’t let the secret out. As much as I love hearing from folks, I can’t possibly respond to every email — but I sure do my best ;)
That’s it for this week’s newsletter. I hope you’ll join me on my radio show Saturday at 11 AM PT on KFI AM 640 in Los Angeles or streaming live on iHeartRadio. You can also catch the rebroadcast on 710 WOR in New York Sunday night at 5 PM PT — or subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode.
If you enjoy these newsletters, the one thing I ask is that you share it with a friend or family member. It really helps spread the word.
Rich