Hello, it’s a terrific Tuesday! Here’s today’s tech trivia. In 2019, Google Maps shared just how many miles its Street View vehicles and devices had photographed to date. What was that total? (Hint: It’s in the millions!) Make your best guess now and you’ll find the answer at the end.

🔥 We're delivering with full force the world's premier tech newsletter. Let's ignite your intellect. — Kim

Quick! Name things with expiration dates. Eggs, milk, makeup, medications, driver’s licenses and laptops. Wait, what?

Yes, those cheap laptops that run on Google’s ChromeOS all have Auto Update Expiration (AUE) dates. That death date is when it stops receiving important updates, like security patches and new features. Sure, it still turns on and functions, but it’s not wise to use a laptop that hackers can break into more easily.

“Oh, but they wouldn’t sell expired computers, Kim.” Time to wake up. Au contraire! The U.S. Public Interest Research Group just found a ton of computers on Amazon past their shelf life.

Secret no one wants you to know

Since it's back-to-school time, I want to make sure you don't waste your money. You can currently buy an Asus Chromebook Flip C302 on Amazon for $550 (or $820 on Walmart Marketplace). Get this — it reached its AUE on June 1. Yup, it’s dead, Jim.

A total of 13 Chromebooks expired this summer. Do not buy any of these:

• Acer Chromebook 11 (C771, C771T), Acer Chromebook 14 for Work (CP5-471), Acer Chromebook Tab 10 D651N
• Asus Chromebook Flip C302, Asus Chromebook Tablet CT100, Asus Chromebook Flip C101PA
• AOpen Chromebook Commercial Tab
• TL Chromebook Tablet Tx1 for Education
• Dell Chromebook 13 (3380)
• HP Chromebook 13 G1
• Lenovo ThinkPad 13
• Samsung Chromebook Pro, Samsung Chromebook Plus

3 Chromebooks you should buy

We have your back. If you want a Chromebook to use as your second computer for your financial work only, or if you need one for a student, here are our picks and their expirations:

• Flips to tablet mode: Lenovo 2022 Flex 3 Chromebook, June 2028 (40% off)
• All the basics: Acer Chromebook 315, June 2027 (67% off)
• Powerful and sleek: Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2, June 2028

Pro tip: How to check the AUE

Before hitting “Add to cart” on a Chromebook, check its AUE:

• Head to Google's Auto Update Policy page.
• Choose a manufacturer from the list.
• Look for your desired Chromebook model. (Pro tip: Use Ctrl + F on Windows or Cmd + F on a Mac and type in the name to speed this up.) You’ll see the AUE next to the model number.

⏳ What if you already own a Chromebook? Head to my site for steps to check its expiration. (Sorry, no room here!)

🚨 A real travel bug: Researchers spotted big security problems in the travel rewards system that powers Delta SkyMiles, Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors. Your personal details might've been exposed, and those hard-earned points? Log in to see if they’ve vanished. There goes that dream trip to Honolulu.

Get government money for the internet: They’re handing out a new $75 monthly subsidy for broadband. It's not clear yet where the benefit will apply, so if you're struggling, here's the deal: Prove your financial need and you might be eligible for relief.

Tweets legal treats: Elon Musk says he’ll support anyone facing work consequences or a firing over their X (formerly Twitter) activity. No limit on the cost of legal aid. Here's the thing: How do you actually claim it? That part is still very fuzzy.

📅 Mark your cal: The iPhone 15 announcement will be on Sept. 12 or 13, and the newest models will start shipping on Sept. 22. If you have an iPhone 8 or X, it’s losing support, so put this on your radar. Can’t afford a new phone? Buy the iPhone 13 or 14.

🪙 PayPal’s new stablecoin: Stablecoins are crypto backed by real-world assets like the U.S. dollar. People without bank accounts, trade in crypto or transfer money internationally use it. Soon, you'll be able to transfer PayPal USD between your PayPal account and other wallets and use it for payments during checkout. This isn't the same thing as the mafia's app … Pay(up)Pal.

AI tour guide: If traveling to the south of France, don’t waste money buying a guidebook about it on Amazon. The site is filled with crappy AI-written travel guides with a lot of misinformation. Need a trusty way to get around a foreign land? Stick with tried-and-true books from Lonely Planet.

U.N. employed: The U.N. woke up and is calling for a global ban on smartphones in schools. They say removing phones will impact your kiddos’ well-being, tackle cyberbullying and lead to better academic performance. Ahem, what took them so long to reach this bright idea?

🧘 Yoga, dance classes and a cafe: No, these aren’t the amenities offered by tech companies. The WSJ (interesting read, paywall link) says it’s hard to attract workers to Asian factories. Young adults want more free time, less stress and better opportunities. But Americans are spending like crazy on apps selling foreign junk. Look for those prices to creep up beginning in October.

In my no-nonsense, straight-talking podcast, I serve up everything tech in digestible, fun-sized pieces. New to the tech scene? Or maybe you're a pro? Doesn't matter. I’ve got you covered.

👉 Get my podcasts today!

I can't imagine we'll stop saying "Google it" when referring to finding info online anytime soon, but, in reality, the way people search the web is changing. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT are part of it, but don't discount how many use social media to find information.

If you run a business or have anything to do with products, marketing or sales online, consider this required reading.

‘How do I ...’

The smart folks over at HubSpot surveyed over 600 consumers, and the results were so interesting, I had to share them:

• 31% use social media to find answers to questions. (12% said they use AI like ChatGPT.)
• 15% prefer searching on social media over true search engines. (That number is 31% for Gen Z!)
• 86% say search engines are the best way to get info. (A real “do-as-I say, not-as-I-do” situation, eh?)
• 54% primarily use their phones to search online. (That number is 80% for Gen Z, 62% for millennials and 66% for Gen X.)

Class, what did we learn?

Brands and sites that rely on search traffic need to make some serious changes. Make your site smartphone-friendly, and consider amping up the time and money you put into social media.

❓ My team might be mad I spilled the secret, but we’re kicking around the idea of a small-business-focused version of The Current. Let me know when you rate this NL if you’d like to see it!

Speaking of … A guy from Jersey bought a search engine and some fireworks. He bought-a-bing and bought-a-boom!

Ever wonder why you see certain ads on your phone or computer? It all has to do with companies that track what you do online and what you buy. They use tokens to show you ads called Interest-Based Advertising, or IBA.

The Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA) has a new tool for you to say, “No, thanks” to letting these companies track you by email address or phone number. By using this tool, you can stop these personalized ads and tracking.

Don’t worry — the DAA is a legit organization and doesn’t use your email address or phone number for anything other than the opt-out process, and the hashed versions are automatically deleted after 30 days. 

I opted out with my primary email address and cellphone number.

Opt out for free here.

✅ Want more great tips like this? Be sure to get me in the afternoons with my free Tech Hacks newsletter. Sign up now!

Want to get the visibility and control you need to make the right business decisions instantly?

Come see why over 36,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the No. 1 cloud financial system that streamlines accounting, financial management, inventory, HR and more.

NetSuite offers customized solutions for all of your KPIs in ONE efficient system. It’s ONE source of truth to manage risk, get reliable forecasts and improve margins.

It’s everything you need, all in ONE place. That’s why over 36,000 businesses that have already upgraded to NetSuite.

My parents had one! Today, we use our phones. Talk about a rude awakening.

🗺️ The answer: In 2019, Google said Street View had captured over 10 million miles of imagery worldwide. If you were to drive this in a straight line, you’d circle Earth more than 400 times. Use this fun fact to win a bet with your friends — but I’m sure that number is higher today.

Got a bizarre email this morning explaining how to read maps backwards. Turns out it was spam. Oh, I heard you groan!

Phew, that was a packed newsletter. Hope you smiled and learned something new. That was AI Kim because I just got a corneal transplant and needed to take it easy. I’d love to get more readers. You can help me out by using the referral link below. Thank you in advance! — Kim