Ahoy, on this bright and shiny Monday … unless it’s raining where you are. Did you know Amazon wasn’t Jeff Bezos' first rodeo? Was his first business a … A.) Summer camp, B.) Limeade stand, C.) Traveling bookstore or D.) Boat cleaning service? Answer at the end!

⭐ We have a big day of tech news ahead, my friend. Let’s do this thing. — Kim

Apple just dropped all the details on its new lineup of phones, watches and headphones — but, to me, the biggest news is the FDA-approved Apple AirPods hearing aid feature.

Why? Only one in six Americans with hearing loss wears hearing aids. Such a shame. Most folks don’t realize how far the tech has come, that insurance will usually cover the costs and what an impact hearing aids can make in their daily life.

Let’s take a closer look, and I’ll share my trusted pick if your hearing loss is more than mild.

Hearing is so very important

To use your Apple AirPods as hearing aids, you’ll need:

• AirPods Pro 2 earbuds: The only model numbers that work are A2931, A2699, A2698, A3047, A3048 and A3049. To find yours, go to Settings > Bluetooth. Find your AirPods in the list (e.g., "Kim’s AirPods"). Tap the More Info button next to your AirPods.
• An iOS 18-compatible iPhone or iPad: Scroll to the very bottom of this page to see the list.

Once you’ve updated your device to iOS 18, you can take a hearing test there. Your AirPods will adjust based on your results.

Know the different levels of hearing loss

Apple’s new AirPods feature is only good for folks with mild to moderate hearing impairment. Here are the common levels of hearing loss, in decibels (dB):

• Normal hearing (0 to 25 dB): You can hear pretty much everything just fine, from soft whispers to loud noises. Everyday conversations are clear, even in noisy places.
• Mild hearing loss (26 to 40 dB): You have trouble hearing soft sounds like whispers or distant conversations, especially when there's background noise.
• Moderate hearing loss (41 to 55 dB): You ask people to repeat themselves or speak louder. Soft sounds, like a ticking clock or birds chirping, are hard to catch. You struggle in group conversations or noisy environments.
• Moderately severe hearing loss (56 to 70 dB): It’s difficult to keep up with conversations unless people talk loudly. Quiet or moderate noise, like normal speaking voices, might sound like murmurs to you, and you can’t hear soft noises like a fan or rustling leaves.
• Severe hearing loss (71 to 90 dB): You likely won’t hear anything unless it’s really loud, like shouting or a car horn. Everyday conversations are almost impossible to follow. Quiet sounds are completely out of reach.
• Profound hearing loss (91 dB and above): At this point, you can only hear very loud noises, like a truck passing by or fireworks. Speech is difficult to understand.

What if hearing issues are more than mild for you or someone you love? I’ve done the research and found a solution you can trust. The Horizon IX hearing aids are a total game‑changer.

Not your grandparents’ hearing aids

The Horizon IX hearing aids include two state-of-the-art computer chips for the clearest result possible. They process speech and background noise independently, then recombine them for crystal-clear sound. Yes, the tech nerd in me thinks this is so cool.

They’re more like earbuds than old-school hearing aids, really.

• The Horizon IX hearing aids connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth.
• You can take calls, listen to podcasts and stream music right through your hearing aids.
• They don’t look like the bulky hearing aids you might be picturing. They’re designed to be stealthy and hide in or behind your ear.

I checked out the tech and the company

The company behind the Horizon IX hearing aids has an A+ BBB rating and a 4.9 out of 5 rating with Consumer Affairs. With insurance, flexible financing options and a 100% money-back guarantee, getting great hearing aids has never been easier. Get a free hearing evaluation now from a doctor.

Research shows untreated hearing loss increases the risk of social isolation, depression, cognitive decline and frailty. The impact is so powerful, using hearing aids could lead to a longer life. See if you qualify for a 45-day no-risk trial of the Horizon IX hearing aids right now.

💛 Do your loved ones a favor and share this if there’s someone in your life who could use it. FYI, I don’t get any residuals or kickbacks when you buy. I’ve seen how big a difference the right hearing aids can make with folks in my life, and I want that for you, too!

Little helpers to make your washroom sparkle, your loo shine, your powder room glisten, your restroom glitter … Sorry, I got carried away.

• Get soap scum off your shower walls (with minimal scrubbing!) with the Magic Eraser Ultra Bath. Click the coupon for $3 off.
• Keep that shower bright and shiny with Spray Wet & Forget (20% off). Spray it once a week, leave it on overnight, and say “See ya!” to soap scum and mildew.
• Foaming bathroom cleaner from the folks behind The Pink Stuff works on everything else. It’s 40% off, dang!
• The absolute easiest way to clean a toilet: Clorox ToiletWand, under $14. Or maybe you prefer gel cleaner.
• Clear the gunk from shower corners and grout lines with the Rubbermaid power scrubber. No sweat, literally.

🚨 Bogus captcha tests: Instead of picking images or typing words, these shady tests ask you to press Windows + R and Ctrl + V. Doing so then pastes in a Windows PowerShell script that unleashes Lumma Stealer malware. Stay alert: These fake captchas are popping up on random websites and in phishing emails.

Ultimate power move? Using a dumbphone like the Punkt MP02. Some bosses are switching to old-school tech to cut out distractions and constant notifications. Snap’s Chairman swears by fax machines, saying they’re more secure than email and grab others’ attention because they’re so rare (paywall link).

A side hustle that won’t work: Pay a startup $30 a month and they’ll auto-post AI-generated vids to social media for you. Pick a topic (like motivation), and they’ll generate a script, voiceover, background track and AI images. The idea is to help you build an audience and start making money. Remember Shrimp Jesus (paywall link)?

Hackers are targeting VPN wireless routers: ASUS, TP‑Link, Zyxel and Ruckus have already been hit. How it works: They break in, infect your router with malware, then use it to infect others. Warning signs you’re part of a botnet: Weird PC behavior, slow speeds when your internet is working fine, and strange emails and messages you didn’t send. Keep your router updated and run antivirus software.*

🍬 Trauma dumping: Gen Zers on TikTok are spilling everything from breakups to eating disorders and even abuse. Candy Salad vids pair the heavy stuff with tossing candy into a bowl. It’s a coping mechanism to feel less alone … but the internet is forever, and not all comments are supportive. Talk to your kids about spilling their deepest secrets online.

Imagine that! Dependable internet on a plane: United Airlines is joining other airlines like Hawaiian to use Elon Musk’s Starlink for better in-flight Wi‑Fi. Testing starts soon; look for it on passenger flights by late 2025.

🌺 Hula you kidding? A newspaper in Hawaii just “hired” AI reporters that analyze news articles and transform them into “live broadcasts.” Look close and you’ll notice they don’t blink, their mouths are out of sync and they don’t actually answer each other’s questions. Those AI bots need to go back to school: Kamana Wanna Lei U. (Oh, I heard you laugh!)

What the heck does “xiphoid” mean? Sweet iPad trick for you: Next time you read a word that stumps ya, press and hold down on it, then select Look Up for the definition. Works on a Kindle, too!

Buzz off: Your Amazon Echo will store your voice recordings for analysis — unless you tell it not to. From the app on your phone, choose More > Settings > Alexa Privacy > Review Voice History.

🐽 Can the spam: You can set up rules in your inbox so your uncle’s rants or high school friend’s pyramid scheme emails are automatically filed away in a folder of your choosing. In Outlook, Gmail or Apple Mail, go to your filters and look for an option like “Skip the inbox.”

Swiper no swiping: This hidden Samsung trick will make you feel a little like a magician. Swipe the edge of your hand across the screen to take a screenshot. Here’s how to set it up.

🏈 Miss the game? You can watch NFL games for free using Tubi. You won’t be watching live games, but Tubi offers replays after they air. If you don’t mind a delay, this is a solid pick.

Going to the dentist to have a tooth pulled in 1892. Yikes!

The answer: A.) Summer camp. In high school, Bezos ran the Dream Institute, an educational camp for fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders. My first job? I worked at Target in the photo department. It didn’t last long; my boss said I had no focus.

🩷 Before you go: You matter, and you should be able to hear the world around you. If you’ve been hesitant to try hearing aids, take this as your sign to give ‘em a shot.

See ya back here bright and early tomorrow, my friend! Drop me a line here if there’s something tech you want to know. Have a wonderful day and stay awesome! 😎 — Kim