A spectacular Sunday is upon us, friend. How’d that extra hour of sleep treat you? Let’s start with a little brainteaser. When you set up your iPhone, invisible dots create a detailed map of your face so you can open your phone just by looking at it. How many dots are used to map a face? Is it … A.) 7,500, B.) 18,000, C.) 30,000 or D.) 50,000? You’ll find the answer at the end of this newsletter.

I’ll be your chore pal. Use the links below to catch up on my podcasts. While you’re at it, open up your favorite podcast player, search for “Kim Komando” and subscribe. Thanks for helping us grow! Every listen counts! — Kim

🆕 Today's podcast: Hospitals using AI tool that fakes medical records

⏱️ Daily Tech Update: TikTok’s addiction trap exposed

💡 Digital Life Hack: Let AI plan your movie night

Today, by popular demand, I’m sharing some of my most-used apps and a few other great ones you might not know about. Most of these are free with in-app purchases.

Apps I use

5 more worth checking out

And one more: MyRadar is Barry’s favorite weather app for hyper-local forecasts and notifications. (iPhone | Android)

😂 Speaking of … I meant to download a calendar app for my phone, but I downloaded a colander app. Now, my battery just keeps draining.

🤢 There’s a certain kind of gross that’s also very satisfying.

🚨 FBI alert: Fake videos are all over social media! One video claims the FBI busted three groups for “ballot fraud,” while another drags in Kamala Harris' husband. There’s even a phony clip with people supposedly from Haiti claiming to vote illegally in Georgia counties. These are designed to mess with our trust in elections, so keep an eye out and don't fall for it!

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes: Nvidia will replace Intel in the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) on Nov. 8, 2024. Nvidia's seen significant growth in recent years, mostly driven by AI, while Intel continues to fall big-time. FWIW, paint-maker Sherwin-Williams will come to the DJIA, replacing Dow Inc., too. You know what I say: If you don’t innovate, you evaporate!

🩻 Elon Musk wants your medical images: Your X‑rays, PET scans and MRIs will be used to train Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok. Grok will check if your doctor missed something, and submission of your medical images is free. I think Musk is brilliant, and maybe, one day, Grok will be something. For now, though, it’s a no for me. Who knows where those images end up?

Many parents trust AI over doctors: Researchers asked parents to rate advice on topics like infant sleep and nutrition, and most found AI’s answers more reliable than actual health care pros. It’s always good to get a second opinion but remember — AI’s known to “hallucinate,” aka make crap up.

Have an iPhone 14 Plus? There’s a problem with the rear cameras on phones manufactured between Apr. 10, 2023, and Apr. 28, 2024. Use this serial number checker to see if yours needs the free fix.

🎬 The Wookie’s cookie is a little Chewie: "Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” drops on Disney+ on Dec. 3. Set during the same era as "The Mandalorian" and "Ahsoka," the series follows a group of kids who discover a spaceship and embark on an adventure. It stars Jude Law as a Jedi and looks like a 1980s Steven Spielberg movie. Check out the final trailer.

Many parents trust AI over doctors: Researchers asked parents to rate advice on topics like infant sleep and nutrition, and most found AI’s answers more reliable than actual health care pros. It’s always good to get a second opinion but remember — AI’s known to “hallucinate,” aka make crap up.

🎻 Keep calm and cello on: A Swedish composer put together a symphony with a robot cellist playing in sync with humans. But there’s good news: Afterward, the composer said, “It will be impossible to replace all human musicians with robots.” Watch the video here. It’s really something.

AI is changing the game, and small to large businesses are transforming at lightning speed. But here's the good news: It's not too late to get in on the action and take your business to the next level. That’s where Oracle comes in.

You know AI is the future — now’s your chance to test-drive it with Oracle. You have nothing to lose and so much to gain.

🏠 More accurate than Zillow: Ever driven by a beautiful house and wondered how much it cost? Find its sale price on your county assessor’s site. These government-run sites list the buyer, the square footage and, yep, how much a house last sold for, too. Here’s the Maricopa County assessor’s site. To find yours, search “[your county] + assessor.” Happy snooping.

Drop the drop shippers: On Etsy, the whole purpose is to buy something handmade. If you’re not sure what you’re getting is legit, check if it’s genuine or mass-produced junk by doing a reverse image search. Click on the item’s image, then drag and drop it into Google Images. Major red flag: You see the exact same thing on other sites.

I put my supplements on auto-ship so I never run out: I’ve been taking magnesium for years, and it’s my secret to good, restful sleep. Want better z’s? Try BIOptimizers and their Magnesium Breakthrough supplement. Use code KK10 to get an additional 10% off.

🤐 Get off my PC: Windows 11 crams ads for apps into the "recommended" section of the Start menu. Yes, it’s on by default. I've got the fix: Go into Settings and select Personalization > Start. Then, toggle off "Show recommendations for tips, app promotions and more."

Record your Mac screen: Maybe you’re sharing directions or want to show something to a friend. Hit Cmd + Shift + 5. A toolbar will pop up. Here’s a quick look at what each tool does. Pick your fave, hit Record, then press Stop when you’re done.

Plus, Mena asks if Apple Pay is safe, Connie wants to share YouTube vids with grandkids, Mitch looks for a welfare check app, Eddie questions AI chatbots and so much more!

Get a jump: On holiday gifting. I put together sweet gift guides to help you out. Shopping for someone or something specific? I can help you! Just shoot me a note or reply to this email, and tell me what you need.

🍏 Bake: A fall dessert. I have five words for you: Glazed apple cider doughnut cake.

Relax: You can stop your plants. These watering globes are beautiful. Handblown glass for $13, dang!

Stop Big Tech in your email: StartMail is truly private email without the tracking. You can import your old emails from other services. Try it free, and if you love it, you’ll get a 60% discount, but you have to use this link.*

💩 Play: Spot the difference, emoji edition. Fun little brain break!

🫶🏻 I want to be your secret helper and mentor: Take a second and record a voice memo with a question about anything digital, something you want to know more about, getting your business to the next level, or just a comment. I’ll play the best ones on my show or podcast. Be sure to tell me your name and where you’re from. Send it to podcasts@komando.com.

The answer: C.) 30,000. Each scan completed in milliseconds converts your facial dot pattern into a mathematical model. This lets you open your phone with sunglasses. Pretty amazing, right?

While on the topic of faces … A Tibetan monk sees the face of Jesus in a tub of margarine. He raises his eyes to the heavens and exclaims, “I can't believe it's not Buddha!” (Yeah, you can steal that one from me!)

☀️ Follow me on social! I’m on Instagram, X, YouTube, Facebook and everywhere else! Enjoy your Sunday, friend. It’s an honor to be in your inbox. Take a second and rate this issue below so we know how we’re doing here in Komandoland. And in case no one told you today, I think you’re awesome! — Kim