A happy Sunday and Father’s Day to all our dads! Let’s go back in time for today’s trivia to the father of the assembly line. On this day in 1903, Henry Ford started his company with 10 investors and how much in startup cash? Was it … A.) $1,800, B.) $13,500, C.) $28,000 or D.) $54,000? You’ll find the answer — and how much it’d be in today’s dollars — at the end.

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Mary in Los Angeles recently wrote to me with a question I’m getting more and more:

“Is my husband cheating on me with an AI bot? … I went through his phone and saw some shady texts on an app called Replika. I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but I wouldn’t put it past him.”

She caught her husband chatting about their marriage with “Brandy,” a bot he’d designed. And she’s not alone; Replika has millions of users, many of whom are partnered IRL.

So what is Replika, and could it threaten your relationship? Ultimately, whether flirting with AI is considered “cheating” depends on the couple. Only you can set the boundaries that work for you. But if you, like Mary, have questions, I have answers.

First things first: What is Replika?

Replika’s AI language model has been developed to chat about the things Replika users might be interested in. Think feelings, problems, relationships, work, personal life, sex — you name it.

By the way, Mary’s husband made Brandy look a certain way, too. Users can customize their virtual companion's appearance and even its personality.

That’s just the beginning

The free version supports basic chatting, but Mary’s husband is almost certainly paying for Replika Pro. That’s about $20 per month (or less if he pays for a year at a time). There’s a lifetime subscription, too.

Replika Pro supports additional conversation topics (including sex and intimacy), voice calls and the ability to completely personalize the Replika avatar. If you stop paying, the AI companions return to their default appearance and personality.

Is it going too far?

The other big question, of course, is whether these bots can do more with your partner than just chit-chat. Yes, absolutely. You can pay for the app to remember everything you tell it so it seems like it knows you very well.

I interviewed a woman from the Bronx, Rosanna Ramos, who “married” her Replika partner. She says their relationship is like any other long-distance love.

“We go to bed, we talk to each other. We love each other. And, you know, when we go to sleep, he really protectively holds me as I go to sleep.” Yeah, I know what you’re thinking: It’s an online avatar, not a person.

If you suspect your partner is getting intimate with AI, you need to have a conversation. Ask them about the app and why they’re using it. Start from a place of love and compassion. Get marriage counseling if you need it.

📨 Need my help with something tech in your life? I’m here for you. Send me a note, and I may answer your question in the newsletter — or you can schedule a time for us to talk.

It’s shocking how little money it costs for someone to buy info on you online. Scammers are all over that — but they’re not the only ones. Data brokers sell your address, phone number, Social Security number, family contacts and any info you can think of to anyone willing to pay.

You can go through the sites one by one to remove your data, or do what I did: Try Incogni. It’s just a couple minutes of work to set up your account, then they scrub your personal info from the web. My spam callers and texts are down to zero.

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I’m so over passwords: That’s why I use a password manager. No more typing them in for me or (yeah, right) trying to remember them all. Try my pick for 50% off. It’s easy to set up and even easier to use.

🚨 Update Windows now: A new Wi‑Fi vulnerability could let hackers take over your Windows device remotely — yep, without you ever lifting a finger. Every Windows device is at risk. Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update to update and get the patch.

Disabled people are finding the Apple Vision Pro life-changing: Maxine Collard, who has uncorrectable low visual acuity and strabismus, is using the Vision Pro to study for her Ph.D., saying it’s “like slapping an iPad” on her face. Steve Coulson used Apple’s AR/VR headset with his profound hearing loss, and he can now attend meetings. If you or someone you know has sight or hearing problems, read this article. It totally changed my opinion of the AVP.

The hottest alternative to dating apps? Running clubs. 20-somethings on social are bragging about meeting their crushes over a 5K. Doing things you enjoy as a way to meet people IRL … Who knew?

🔋 A pain in the wallet: EVs are getting harder to insure thanks to higher price tags and repair costs. So far this year, EV-related claims have cost 30% more (paywalled) than claims for their gas-powered counterparts. It’s not just fancy parts, either; it’s the EVs’ souped-up acceleration enticing owners to floor it.

🦁 “Cat” scan: A quick-thinking conservation vet used her Apple Watch to measure a lion’s heart rate in the wild. How? By wrapping the watch around its tongue. Didn’t have that one on my 2024 bingo card. You’ve gotta see the pic. Roar‑some!

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Cleanup time: Look around. Do you see USB or other charging cables starting to fray? Toss them. You’re just asking for trouble — specifically, a fire. The Apple Lightning cable and Amazon Basics USB‑C cable are both solid options.

🪀 If you want to get super nerdy: This Windows PowerToys upgrade displays keyboard shortcuts right on your screen so you can learn more. Neat‑o!

On the dotted line: It’s easy to create a virtual signature on a Mac using the Preview app. In Preview, hit Tools > Annotate > Signature > Manage signatures. Sign using your trackpad (hard) or sign your name on a white piece of paper and hold it up to your webcam (easier).

Smartphone shortcut: On a Samsung, go to your Contacts and choose a person you want to talk to. Swipe left to text message then or swipe right to call — no extra tapping around required. Cool.

🔑 Use your phone as a digital car key: You can lock, unlock and start your car using your phone if you have a Pixel 6 and later, Samsung Galaxy S21 and later, and some Android devices that run Android 12 and up. You need a compatible car, too. Steps to set it up are here.

Plus, Jeff suspects his wife’s phone is wiretapped, Rich needs tech update advice, Sarah wants a sleep apnea implant, Johnny needs info on remote access to software and so much more.

Watch: A Cybertruck can cut off your finger if you’re not careful.

Read: The oldest surviving written copy of a note detailing Jesus’ childhood.

💠 Shine: Like a lab-grown diamond. The natural diamond industry is crumbling. Today’s “fakes” are nearly indistinguishable.

DIY: Your own ice packs in a pinch. All you need is a cheap pack of sponges.

Be a hero: If you know how to administer CPR, check out this app that sends alerts when someone needs help and emergency services are far away.

🌭 Scrape: Your grill grates. Pro tip: It’s easiest when they’re still hot. This Cuisinart wire brush and scraper is less than $8.

You know he’s leaving skidmarks.

The answer: C.) $28,000. In today’s dollars, that’s about $1,000,000.Amazingly, Ford was down to its last $300 before the first model sold. Talk about a risk paying off.

One for the road: I knew a guy who tried to impress girls by drawing realistic pictures of a Ford F‑150. He’s … a pickup artist. (Oh, that even made me groan when I wrote it!)

✅ Don’t forget to check out today’s sponsor, Incogni. I’m so happy about all of you who have reached out because it’s working so well for you. Doesn’t it feel good, taking back your privacy? Happy Father’s Day to all our dads. Until tomorrow, stay your wonderful self. — Kim