😳 A billion records stolen, is your data in there?

Welcome to a spectacular Saturday, {{first_name | friend}}. Ever paused mid-scroll and wondered, “Wait … how did this random raccoon with a harmonica get 7 million views?” Meanwhile, your thoughtful mini-documentary on artisan sourdough got six likes (three from your mom). Why? Because TikTok’s algorithm decides who gets popular. And no, we’re not talking about the band the Al Gore Rhythms.

📈 Guess what tells TikTok a video should go viral? Is it: A) The first two seconds, B) How fast you scroll past it, C) Comments with emojis, or D) If you watch it twice? Take a swipe at it. The algorithm’s got a type, and it’s picky. Answer drops at the end (no scrolling past this one).

Clicking isn’t just clicking. When you tap a link in this newsletter, you’re telling your email provider’s algorithm, “Hey, this stuff matters. Keep it coming.” And when you hit a link to check out a sponsor or two? You’re not just being curious. You’re helping me run this whole thing free to you: the internet lines, the email software costs, the tech crew, the writers … even the coffee.

🙏🏻 So thanks for clicking at least five links a day. As long as you do that, you’ll never be left behind in the digital dust. Let’s do this! — Kim

📬 Was this forwarded to you? Be the first to know, not the last to hear. Sign up now. It’s free!

“Alexa, what’s new?” Oh, just about everything.

Amazon just dropped a truckload of new gadgets, including smarter speakers, sharper sound and security tech that practically thinks for you. Don’t worry, I’ve translated all the techie stuff into plain English, so you know what’s worth your money.

And hey, if you’re thinking, Kim, I’d never let a smart speaker or security cam into my house, I’ve got you covered, too. Scroll on down to the Web Watercooler where the news about the USPS will deliver.

Meet the Echo Dot Max ($100), with three times the bass of the old Dot. The LED light ring and controls are front and center, making Alexa look more “alive.” Need more sound? Get the bigger Echo Studio ($220).

The Echo Show 8 and 11 ($180, $220) ditched their clunky bezels and now rest on fabric-wrapped bases. Improved cameras even spot you faster.

A sleeper hit is the new smart remote ($20). Not flashy, but four programmable buttons let you set routines with Alexa. Think: One for “bedroom lights,” another for “adjust thermostat.” This is going to be a huge seller!

✅ Bonus: These Echos give you early access to Alexa+, with better search, personalization and more natural chats. Free for Prime members (or $20/month). Not a Prime member? Hit this link for a 30-day free trial.

The Fire TV Stick 4K Select ($40) will soon have Xbox Cloud Gaming and Amazon’s Luna. Translation: Play without a console.

Need a TV? The new Omni QLED Series TVs are 60% brighter than before and auto-adjust colors based on room lighting. They have “Omnisense,” which can light up the screen with info like weather, calendars, you name it, when you walk into the room. Screens range from 50 inches ($480) to 75 inches ($1,200).

On a budget? Check out the smaller 2-Series (starting at $160) and 4-Series (starting at $330) that also have Omnisense built in.

The Blink Mini 2K+ ($50) and Blink Outdoor 2K+ ($100) security cameras have 4x zoom, two-way talk with noise cancellation and color night vision. Plus, the Blink Arc ($20) combines the feeds from two outdoor cams into a single shot. No more checking multiple angles. Nice.

And porch pirates beware, the Ring Wired Doorbell Pro ($250) added AI-powered “retinal vision” to sharpen details. It’s also on the new 4K Pro versions of the Ring Outdoor Cam ($200), Spotlight Cam ($250) and Floodlight Cam ($280). 

Pro tip: Ring’s Search Party uses footage from nearby Ring outdoor cameras when a dog goes missing. The problem is you’re opted in by default, and those cameras track people, too. Tomorrow, I’ll tell you how to opt out. 

Before you hit “buy now,” check Amazon’s trade-in program. Send in your old gadgets, and Amazon will knock up to 20% off your new device. Less clutter, more savings.

Streaming dominates while traditional TV fades fast. Nielsen says cable viewers are mostly down to a few channels: ESPN, a cable news pick and a lifestyle network, proving we have left linear TV behind.

Listen on Komando.com →

🎧 Subscribe on your favorite platform:

😳 Salesforce, meet Failforce: Imagine waking up, checking your email and realizing all your data and info about every single one of your clients, contacts, vendors and more are in a hacker group’s hands because it was stored on Salesforce. That’s what’s happening at 700+ organizations including Google, Allianz, Toyota, Disney, FedEx, Workday, Qantas, Marriott, McDonald’s, Walgreens, Adidas, Stellantis, Saks, TransUnion and the list goes on and on. Hackers say they have 1 billion to 1.5 billion records and are demanding a huge ransom. If there’s even a dotted line between you and these organizations, hackers have your info. I’ll keep you posted on this one. Salesforce says it’s fine. Blink twice if it’s not.

Porsche dream gone wrong: Michael Foley thought he’d scored a vintage Porsche 911 in Europe. Instead, he wired $20K to scammers with a fake listing, forged docs and promises of a Euro road trip. Now he’s got no car, no cash, just the memory of telling his scammer, “Thank you, I’ve wanted this car for years.” Ooof.

🕹️ You buying this thing? The Xbox Ally X is here Oct. 16, with a $1,000 top-tier version. Scalpers are charging $2K for, get this, a device that’s still in stock. May your dreams be as bold as theirs. It’s good for the hardcore handheld gamer who wants PC-level power on the couch, but probably overkill if you just play Stardew.

It’s a mail-dominated industry: Remember yelling, “Just need to drop this off!” in the post office line? USPS heard you. They’re trying to cut wait times by 40% by redesigning 2,600+ locations with techy lobbies, 24/7 lockers and kiosks. But, yes, it still smells like paper and stress in there.

⚠️ Your identity is at risk every day. NordProtect monitors the dark web for your personal info, sends instant alerts for suspicious activity and helps you recover your identity if it’s stolen. Protect your finances, credit and peace of mind for just $5.22/month.*

AI chat ad trap: Meta’s creepy AI chats will fuel even creepier ad targeting. Starting in December, anything you tell the chatbot, “best hikes in Sedona” or “I have IBS,” could shape your ads and feed. One billion users, one giant data grab. So yeah, maybe don’t trauma-dump to the algorithm unless you want an ad for probiotics.

💾 You’ve got no mail: Goodbye forever, dial-up. AOL finally shut down this week when traffic is up 20%. The AOL brand will live on with Italy’s Bending Spoons, who are buying it from Yahoo for $1.4B because it still pulls in ad money and subscription cash. And to honor AOL’s modem sounds, a nod to my geeky readers. Watch this video about how one guy literally daisy-chained 12 dial-up modems into a 668kbps Frankenline. Incredible.

⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Hate when pasted text shows up with random fonts and colors? Easy fix to remove the formatting. On Windows, hit Ctrl + Shift + V. On Mac, use Cmd + Option + Shift + V. Works in most apps.

Watch your wallet. Big wireless promises “free phones,” but it comes with an overpriced monthly plan. I chose Consumer Cellular instead and get two lines for $60/month, reliable coverage and top-rated U.S. service. Use code KIM25 at ConsumerCellular.com/KIM for $25 in savings.*

💬 Reply from lock screen: iPhone makes it easy to fire off a text without fully unlocking. When a message pops up on your lock screen, just long-press the preview, punch in your passcode, and a mini Messages window with keyboard appears. Type, send, done. Fast replies, zero app hunting.

Compare docs the easy way: Collabing in Google Docs can get messy fast. Skip the side-by-side chaos of spotting changes manually. Instead, go to Tools > Compare documents and select the other file. Google creates a new doc with deletions crossed out and additions highlighted. Lifesaver. 

🗑️ Don’t waste money on outdated tech: Before buying a cheap phone, tablet or e-reader, check if it’s still supported. Visit endoflife.date and search the model to see if updates have ended or it’s discontinued. If it’s past its prime, that usually means no more security updates, which is a big no-no.

👏 When I’m not putting together this awesome newsletter, I’m behind the mic hosting a nationally syndicated radio show on over 425 stations. Every episode is packed with smart tech that actually makes life better. A lot goes into making the show, and I want to give you a peek inside the studio.

📞 An unsolved mystery: David from Gainesville called to get advice on how to grow his fine art business and told us a story about a heist, redacted FBI documents and an episode of Unsolved Mysteries that we couldn’t believe. Click here to visit his site and get the full story!  

😳 Never do this: A scammer’s golden rule is to never get caught, but there’s one thing they all do that can give them away. You need to see this video! 

💬 Want to share your story? I’d love to hear it straight from you. Make an appointment to speak with me, and you could be featured on the show. Book your spot.

You can’t afford to miss it! Listen anywhere you get your podcasts!

Ever wanted to steer a motorcycle with your ears? Yeah, me neither, but buckle up, because this idea really turns heads.

A new iOS game called RidePods transforms your AirPods into head-tilting handlebars. Finally, Spatial Audio has a purpose beyond hearing your friend’s “K” texts in cinematic surround.

Every subtle nod, tilt or bob steers your motorcycle through traffic. No swipes, no taps, just pure ear-odynamics. It’s like Mario Kart meets chiropractics.

Great, now I can game and get whiplash!

👀 The answer: D) If you watch it twice. Yup, that’s the TikTok algorithm’s love language. Turns out, watching that squirrel do a backflip off a trampoline twice is like whispering sweet nothings to the For You Page. TikTok treats those replay loops as engagement gold, way more than likes or LOL emojis in the comments. 

A bad one for the road: What do you call a man obsessed with algorithms? An Algo-holic. (I warned you.)

🥳 Did you win? Sunday was the answer for the biggest streaming day, but today could be your payday. I pulled 10 random winners from my last contest. Each gets a $50 Amazon gift card. 👉 Check the list to see if your name made the cut. Thanks for playing, and congrats to the lucky stream team!

Alrighty, drop a rating and a comment below. I read them all. This is the #1 free tech newsletter in the United States. Tomorrow, how your selfies, vacation snaps and “just sold my PS5” posts help scammers get rich off you. Your feed’s snitching.

🧠 Look at you! You’re three tabs ahead of the internet. — Kim

📣 Don’t keep me a secret: Send your friends to GetKim.com

Photo credit(s): Amazon, Apple

Companies noted with an asterisk (*) sponsor my national radio show. Also, as an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

This newsletter and its content are intended for informational purposes only. They are provided without warranty of any kind. You shouldn’t construe anything provided here as legal, health, medical, technical, tax, investment, financial or any other kind of advice.

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