Rich discusses helpful travel sites for flights and turbulence forecasts, Nothing Ear buds review, portable chargers for smartphones, AI recommendations, Instagram unskippable ads, Netflix ending support for older Apple TVs, Android Find My Device Network, iMazing for data transfer, Apple's software support timeframe, smartphone update policies, Google Pixel 8a review, data breaches, credit reporting services, identity theft protection, Windows Hello features, book release news, Kinney wireless motion sensor device, and tips on avoiding phishing scams.
Utilize travel sites PointsYeah and Turbli for points and reward programs, monitor turbulence, and find the best travel deals.
Consider Nothing Ear buds for exceptional sound quality and comfort during use.
Select portable chargers with higher mAh for multiple charges, USB-C for faster charging, and choose reliable brands like Anker and Belkin.
Explore different AI options for specific needs: ChatGPT for chatbot activities, Gemini for real-time info, Claude for language skills, CoPilot for creativity.
Deep dives
Inspiration to Visit Every Country
Drew Binski shares his inspiration for visiting every country, sparked by childhood travels and a love for exploration.
Insights from visiting 197 Countries
Visiting every country taught Drew that people are universally kind and that the world is safer than perceived, highlighting the importance of face-to-face connections.
Useful Tech Tools for Travel
Drew recommends using Google Maps for offline navigation, Aerolo for eSim access in 200 countries, and highlights the versatility of AI in research and communication.
The Impact of Technology on Travel
Technology has significantly eased travel, enhancing communication, navigation, and research capabilities, making it more accessible and engaging for travelers worldwide.
Innovative Device to Monitor Movement and Ensure Safety
An innovative wireless motion sensor device called Kinney was created to monitor movement discreetly and ensure safety. Inspired by the need to protect children from accessing unsafe items like guns, this device alerts users via text/email when movement is detected. The Kinney's easy setup and battery life of over a year make it suitable for various applications, from monitoring liquor cabinets to ensuring medication compliance.
Increased Phishing Reports and Strategies to Avoid Scams
The Better Business Bureau reports a surge in phishing incidents, with over 23,000 reports in 2021 alone. Phishing tactics include emails, texts, and calls tricking users with fake alerts to obtain personal information. To avoid scams, be cautious of unsolicited messages, check sender details for inconsistencies, and refrain from clicking on suspicious links. Stay vigilant and report suspected fraud to relevant authorities.
Rising Subscription Prices for Streaming and Tech Services
Streaming and tech service providers like Spotify and Max are increasing subscription prices, impacting users' monthly fees. Spotify's individual plan now costs $12, up by $1, with corresponding adjustments for other plans. Max's ad-free membership rises to $17 monthly, aligning with ongoing cost shifts in the digital subscription landscape. As consumers evaluate expenses, service pricing updates continue to influence users' choices and spending habits.
Rich mentioned two helpful travel sites in his Newsletter: PointsYeah allows you to search across multiple points and rewards programs at once for flights and hotels, and Turbli allows you to check the turbulence forecast for your flight.Rich says the Nothing Ear buds are excellent.Rich talked about portable chargers for your smartphone. The more mAh, the more charges you’ll get (10,000 is a good bet); look for USB-C charging in AND out for faster charging. Anker and Belkin are good bets.Keith in Andover, Kansas wants to know which AI to use. Rich likes ChatGPT for general, overall chatbot activities, Gemini for access to real-time information and the web, Claude for excellent language and summarization skills, CoPilot for creativity and Perplexity AI for “book reports” on a topic.Roxton in Ventura is having issues with his Moto 5G.Instagram is testing unskippable ads.Netflix is ending support for second and third-generation Apple TVs on July 31, 2024.Jay from Woodland Hills has a Samsung S10 and wants to put an AirTag equivalent in his car and wants to know which one. You want a tag that works on Android’s Find My Device network. Rich says to look at Chipolo and Pebblebee but the shipping times are delayed.Sean in La Costa, CA wants to switch back to an Android after using an iPhone for a bit. Rich recommends iMazing, AltTunes and SMS Backup & Restore.Apple says it will support the iPhone 15 and later models for at least 5 years, but historically, they have done software updates for six years.Rich highly recommends the $500
