Welcome to Wednesday! This is not the same as my free morning edition, which is loaded with the latest tech news, data breaches and trends. If you’re not getting that, sign up here while thinking about it.

⌛ Quick OS tip: You need to update your computer. Yes, you. Windows just rolled out its monthly patch, and it fixes 25 issues. Using a Mac? I’d wait a touch longer to download Sonoma. The macOS 14.0 update dropped late last month. I say give it until the first major update comes out if you’re waiting to switch from Ventura. — Kim

The clock is ticking, folks! Amazon's big fall sale ends at midnight. I tracked down even more killer deals you can't miss. Hope you find what you're looking for! I even added gift ideas, if you want to get some of your holiday shopping out of the way.

Smart home

Computers, tablets and accessories

More tech

Games for the whole family

Holiday gifts for everyone on your list

✅ Secret Prime Day page: I hunted and found an Amazon page listing all the deals. Warning: There are tons! Not a Prime member? Sign up for a 30-day free trial.

☀️ You are my sunshine: Apple Watches, starting with Series 6, now track how much time you spend outside. Just be warned clouds, shade and even long sleeves can confuse the watch. Most of us need more sunshine (15 minutes daily is the minimum rec), so bring it on.

Better than smoking in the bathroom: In another example of Gen Z’s ingenuity, teens use TikTok’s new Shop feature to make money marketing clothes and other products online. Some teens are even recording infomercials in class. TikTok prohibits minors from selling their own goods, but there’s nothing in place to stop them from marketing things other people are hawking.

“Alexa, don’t tell Jeff”: A new study from Oxford shows people trust Amazon’s Alexa enough that they’re not worried about surveillance. The funny part: Even those who don’t trust Amazon say Alexa feels like a separate entity they can rely on. Haven't they seen “Ex Machina”?

🧘 Finding some zen: Gen Zers and savvy influencers are rebranding social media detoxes as #MonkMode. You don’t need to visit a Himalayan monastery to try it. Folks use their phone’s built-in apps or third-party options like Freedom to block pesky social media apps. Another (free!) option: Turn it off.

📼 When you don’t know what to watch: Hit up moviewiser.com. Type in the mood you’re going for and it’ll spit out a list of movies that fit the bill. I typed in “festive comedy for the family.” Options included “Elf,” “Home Alone,” “A Christmas Story,” “Polar Express” and “Jingle All the Way.” Nailed it.

👆 Use your fingerprint or face and ditch the overused passwords. Whether you’re Team Apple or Team Android, passkeys can’t be guessed like a password.

Side biz at your main gig: Amazon is using small businesses as delivery partners — think local coffee joints, florists or yoga studios. If you have a small biz, this might be a way to earn extra money! Apply here.

Yes, there’s a reason some microfiber cloths have two sides. The fluffy one is for picking up dust, while the scrubby side is for removing stubborn dirt. Use them dry to pick up dust, then dampen them to clean fingerprints, smudges and stuck-on gunk.

OK, that’s AFTER you’ve read this newsletter. But you’re here so you’re doing that!

🦷🥚🚽 While you’re brushing your teeth, cooking eggs or, uh, using the bathroom, update yourself with my Daily Tech Update podcast. In just 60 seconds, I’ll catch you up on the big tech news story of the day.

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❓ Have a question for me? Drop it right here, or leave me a voicemail at 602‑381‑8200 ext. 290.

Protect your privacy by giving a burner number from TextNow to all the websites that want your contact info. The only downside? Banner ads at the bottom of your conversations, as the developers make money through ads. Seems worth it to me!

Ring, ring →

The grammar joke is solid, but where are his pants?

That’s all, folks. Thanks for letting me in your inbox. Don't hesitate to bring your friends on our tech-savvy journey — the bigger our crew, the better! — Kim