Here's the phone most of you use...
Plus: Amazon's new gas discount & the surprising way most people listen to podcasts
Thanks for taking a look at my newsletter! Let’s get to it!
Check out this view from the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Hollywood. It was spectacular! I was there to host an awards ceremony and I need to take the time to go back and actually check out the museum exhibits.
First Up
Last week, I asked you which phone you use. It turns out that the iPhone is the top choice. I guess that makes sense since many of you found me through my iPhone tips and tricks books.
My main phone number is on an iPhone, but I also use the Samsung S24 Ultra and the Pixel 9 Pro. I love all of these devices for different purposes.
The iPhone is super customized to my liking and paired with the Apple Watch, it’s an amazing combo. The camera is solid and the video is second to none. I love the clean and organized nature of Apple’s software and there are a ton of accessories to go along with it.
As for the Samsung S24 Ultra, I love that Android lets you make everything your own. You can do things your way, and if the method isn’t built into the OS, you can download an app and quickly fix that. I also think Android's voice-to-text and voice search functionality is way better than iOS.
As for the Pixel, what can I say? I’m a sucker for Google’s super clean and intelligent software. The camera is fantastic and the phone feels one step ahead of me at all times.
TV Segment Recap
This week, I shared my review of the $600 automated kitty litter box from Neakasa. In a word, it’s life-changing. No more daily scooping; it’s quiet, doesn’t smell, and it works. Several people came up to me and told me how much they enjoy having one of these at home.
I don’t know if it will cause me to adopt a cat instead of fostering them, but it’s come pretty close to pushing me over the edge. Keep in mind that over Prime Day, the price fell to $400.
I also attended LA Bitcoin Day, and it was quite the experience. Lots of dedicated crypto folks extolling the virtues of digital currency. While I still think the idea has a long way to go, I do think it’s neat to have a digital currency that works the exact same way no matter where you are in the world.
I also watched the new HBO Max documentary Money Electric. It’s worth watching if you’re curious about Bitcoin.
Tech News to Know
Eero has a new weatherproof outdoor WiFi unit that will blanket your backyard with a speedy signal. It costs $350 and will be available on November 13.
Tech Q&A
Timothy from San Diego writes in...
"Hey Rich! Listen to you on KFI Saturdays. Can you tell me the best place online to get business cards? Must be more than Vista Print. Thank you so much."
I rarely carry physical business cards anymore, although I still think they are the best solution compared to digital cards.
The last time I ordered I used Canva, and I was very happy with them.
Before that was Vista Print and Moo is also popular.
However, if you want to go digital, Popl is a great way to exchange your digital info, while WSJ tech columnist Joanna Stern posted a way to share your LinkedIn profile using a QR code.
Tech Tidbits
US Mobile now lets you activate an Apple Watch cellular plan. The service has two options - a stand-alone plan, or you can bundle it with a cellular phone plan from them. Either way, the price is right - $9.50 cents a month if you pay monthly or $6.50 a month if you pay for the year in advance. This is now the easiest way to activate a stand-alone cellular Apple Watch for an aging parent, kid, or yourself. The best part: no need to go through the Apple Watch app. You can do it directly through the US Mobile website. There are also no hidden or activation fees, a stark contrast to the $30 major carriers will charge you. Another major carrier charged me $15 a month just to suspend my kid's Apple Watch cellular plan for three months. Use my referral link if you sign up!
Speaking of “other carriers,” you can now test drive the AT&T network for free for 30 days and set it up right from your phone without changing your existing plan or phone number. The deal only works for iPhones.
No surprise here: Big companies - through their respective trade organizations - are suing the FTC so it can’t enact it’s new Click to Cancel rule, which says subscriptions have to be as easy to cancel as they are to sign up.
Download This
I'm always looking for a new way to find cool restaurants, and this one already proved itself in about five minutes. We were looking for a place to eat near the play we're going to see, and the new Eater app was able to help me find a place quickly, so I made a reservation. (I’ll let you now how the place is in an upcoming newsletter)
The Eater App is a free (iOS only) way to access over 10,000 restaurant recommendations across more than 100 destinations worldwide, pulled from Eater's restaurant guides and reviews. The app helps you discover nearby restaurants, search by cuisine type, and make reservations.
Dealspotter
Amazon has a new perk for Prime members: 10 cents off per gallon of gas you buy at BP, Amoco, and Ampm. Amazon says the typical member will save about $70 a year. To get started, you’ll have to download an app and link your Amazon account.
Cybersecurity Corner
Vic from Covina, CA writes in...
"I saw your segment this morning on how to retrieve your locked Facebook account by sending a selfie. I called what I thought was Facebook Customer Service and had someone telling me my phone had been used to buy bitcoin and crypto! He tried to get me to access my bank account! I hung up. How can I retrieve my account safely? Please help! Thank you."
Vic! Be careful! NEVER call a customer service number you find through an online search. Scammers have been known to hijack those search results, leading you directly into their arms, as you found out the hard way.
My rule of thumb is to always look for the actual phone number on a statement, the back of your card, or on the service's website itself.
Some online services, like Facebook and Instagram, don’t have phone numbers. You’ll have to get support through a help ticket, email, or chat.
The website is facebook.com/hacked
Or you can try the method that worked for this woman.
GetHuman is also a handy way to find a company's phone number and learn the best way to reach an actual human.
This Week’s Podcast Episode
Before we get to the podcast, I was surprised to learn that YouTube seems to be the top way to listen to podcasts. This doesn’t seem to make sense to me, as YouTube is a video platform, but I guess a lot of the big podcasts are doing video now as well.
In my podcast this week, I discuss the colorful new Kindle and iPad Mini and the best way to track your cats.
Gadget of the Week
I can’t wait to try this out. It’s a case that turns your phone into a more Kindle-style device. It’s called the Bookcase from Astropad, and it’s basically a grip that holds your phone. Just use MagSafe to attach your phone to the center, and use the side grips to read more comfortably. There’s even NFC that triggers your favorite reading app to open when you dock your phone. As much as I love my Kindle, it often sits on my bedside while I scroll because my phone is just easier sometimes. $50, available soon.
Tech Trivia
“Eight in 10 teens on social media reported seeing posts that spread or promote conspiracy theories, and of those, 81% said they are inclined to believe one or more of them” via the News Literacy Project.
Tech Life Hacks
A famous food critic says if you want to hear better in restaurants, activate the Conversation Boost and Ambient Noise Reduction features on the AirPods.
Remember, the AirPods hearing aid feature is launching this week for the AirPods Pro 2.
Feedbag
Angel writes in...
"Hi Rich, As a non-tech person who finally upgraded from an ancient Motorola phone to a gently used Pixel 8, I appreciated the timely newsletter. The articles will help me understand what else I can do since I finally upgraded to have a decent camera, but I know it can do a lot more."
Want to send me a note? Drop me a line here
Support this Newsletter
I hope you find this weekly newsletter valuable. It’s completely free every week.
If you want to upgrade to a paid membership, you’ll support my time and effort in compiling this and get access to the archive on the website and my podcast ad-free.
Join Me for an Evening of Tech Insights!
I’ll be discussing technology at the Future Foundation event on November 14, 2024, in Thousand Oaks. You can RSVP here - a $10 donation is requested at the door.
Subscribe & Follow!
Remember to tune into my radio show this weekend. In Los Angeles, it’s on KFI AM 640 on Saturday from 11 AM to 2 PM PT. You can listen anywhere by streaming on the iHeartRadio App or asking Alexa to “stream KFI AM 640” to listen instantly.
You can also listen later to the podcast.
That’s all for now. Have a great weekend.
If you like what you read each week, please share with a friend!
Rich