Packed with must-bookmark links!
Plus – what is DeepSeek and why has it upended AI?
Greetings!
Hope you’re having a fantastic weekend so far. If you’re an early riser like myself, you’ve got plenty of time to make it a great one.
For some reason, I came across an unusual amount of helpful links this week, so I’m filling the newsletter with them. Get your bookmarks ready.
But before that, let’s start with the week's big story.
What is DeepSeek?
There’s been a lot of talk about AI lately, but this one surprised a lot of folks—and even sent tech stocks tumbling.
DeepSeek is a Chinese AI startup that took the world by storm. Why? Because they claim to have built an AI model for a fraction of what U.S. companies like OpenAI, Google, and Meta have spent on similar technology.
Not only that, but they used lower-end chips—proving that AI can run on less computing power than investors expected (hence NVIDIA’s stock drop!).
Oh, and they open-sourced the entire model, meaning anyone can use it as a foundation to build something of their own.
Translation? We thought AI required mountains of cash and high-powered chips, but DeepSeek just forced everyone to rethink what’s possible.
Is all of this true? Hard to say just yet. But one thing is clear: DeepSeek has put Silicon Valley on high alert.
Remember MySpace? It was the social network—until Facebook came along.
Remember Google? It was the search engine—until ChatGPT disrupted search.
Remember DVRs? They were the way to watch TV—until streaming took over.
The point? Technology is never set in stone. It’s always evolving, finding better, more efficient ways to do things.
For what it’s worth, I’ve played with DeepSeek, and it’s… fine. It feels more like a proof of concept at this point. I’ll stick with ChatGPT and Gemini for now, but the industry shift is real. And it’s exciting to see the competition heat up in this race for what’s next.
High Tech RV
Speaking of Silicon Valley startups, Pebble is trying to shake up the RV industry with an all-electric, tech-first trailer. The coolest feature? You can literally control it with an iPad.
I tried it. You just move it around like a remote control car. It’s such a strange feeling because when you first see it in motion, your brain expects it to drift into the nearest wall. But it doesn’t.
It also hitches itself to your tow vehicle, and with built-in solar, it can double as a mobile office, an ADU, or even an emergency power source.
I’ve never wanted an RV before—but now I do.
More cool cars…
CES is a tech show, but it’s also part auto show now. Here are some of the coolest car innovations I spotted this year in Las Vegas.
A near-perfect Android phone…
OnePlus gets a lot right, and their yearly phones always pack impressive specs that Android enthusiasts love, at a price that’s usually very competitive. This year’s OnePlus 13 is no exception—they nailed almost everything. It’s a great size, fast and powerful, and the software is solid. But the camera? A bit hit or miss for my taste.
Quick Hits
Amazon Music is raising prices by $1 a month. Your best bet to save is to prepay for the year.
Had an early Apple Watch with battery swelling issues? You might be able to claim some cash.
Who’s got the fastest mobile and fixed internet speeds? Here’s the answer.
Finally! Google Photos now lets you flip a photo with a single tap—perfect for fixing reversed text in selfies.
Love Disney music and have a new baby in the family? Check out the new "Disney Baby" playlists on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music—perfect for little ears!
Bookmark These!
Vetted aggregates product reviews from top sources into a single AI-generated summary. The interface is minimal, resembling a chatbot, so you can ask questions in natural language. It takes a moment to compile results, but it’s a handy tool for smarter shopping.
Delete Desk is a great resource for ditching accounts you no longer need. With over 10,000 guides—from LinkedIn to Google—they provide direct links, step-by-step instructions, and even a difficulty rating so you know what you’re in for.
Got points? Roame helps you find the best ways to redeem them! It searches across 21 airline loyalty programs and lets you filter by bank programs and more. The best part? You can use it for free—just with a 7-day search window instead of 60 days for paid users.
Not sure if that email or text is a scam? Screenshot it and upload it to Scam AI. It uses—you guessed it—AI to analyze and tell you if it’s real or fake.
Just for fun
Pop the Confetti is a website that lets you… well, pop confetti. That’s it. But it’s oddly satisfying—especially the little sound it makes each time.
Voicemail hack
A family member asked me this week: How do I check my voicemail if my phone doesn’t show I have one?
Easy—just press and hold the "1" key on your keypad. It should dial your voicemail instantly.
Science is fun
As a kid, I loved Mr. Wizard’s World. Back when appointment viewing was a thing, you had to be in front of the TV at the right time to catch it. I’m pretty sure this show sparked my love of science and magic.
The other day, as my kid watched his 100th nonsensical YouTube Short, I wondered—can I find this show on demand?
Sure enough, Pluto TV has what looks like the entire catalog available. We’ve been watching the little experiments, and honestly? It still holds up.
Best part? It’s completely free, and so far, not a single ad.
Q&A: Apple AI Concerns
Michelle writes in…
I don’t trust a lot of people online talking about Apple features—just you! I listen to your tech advice if it applies to me. Lately, I’ve seen video reels claiming Apple’s latest update will automatically install Apple AI. Is that true? Can we really disable AI? Please ease my mind—this stuff is making me nervous!
Hey Michelle, I appreciate the trust! You can easily turn it off by going to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri > Apple Intelligence (toggle off).
I hope that helps!
Feedbag
Rita writes in...
"Rich, I appreciate all the work you do. You make the world of tech understandable for this boomer, and your open, sensible thoughts about life keep me listening. Thank you so much. God bless you!"
Thanks, Rita, and I appreciate you supporting this newsletter!
Best Frozen Pizza?
It’s not tech, but my love for the Bettergoods Margherita Pizza has taken on a life of its own. I spotted it at Walmart and, always up for trying a new frozen pie, decided to give it a shot. After one bite, my wife and I looked at each other like, how is this so good?
Turns out it’s made in Italy, and somehow, they nailed the crust, sauce, and crispiness. I challenge you to find a more authentic Italian-style frozen pizza without flying to Rome. Oh, and did I mention it’s under $7? If you try it, let me know what you think!
BTW, Bettergoods is a Walmart house brand.
That’s all for now! Hope you tune into my radio show live or listen to the podcast later.
Rich
Rich, Another Home Run. Best Rich