Clearing Storage of Junk From Samsung and Pixel Phones

On Samsung Phones: SysDump menu is a hidden feature that lets you clear temporary system logs. Over time, all this data can quietly pile up and take up a lot of storage, so regularly clearing it is an easy way to free up space. To access it, open the Phone app on your Samsung device and dial *#9900#. Tap the Call button, and a menu will suddenly appear on your screen. Look for the option labled "Delete dumpstate/logcat" or something similar and tap it. Confirm by tapping OK, and the system will clean up those hidden logs. Thus, with just a few taps, you can reclaim storage that was quietly being used in the background without having to delete any of your apps or data that's important. Using this hidden menu on a Samsung phone helps you reclaim valuable storage and also improves your device's performance by reducing lag caused by accumulated system logs. The best part is that this process does not touch your personal data, apps, or any other important files, making it a safe and reliable way to clean up your phone. It won't cause any issues on your phone and will give it more room to breathe and operate smoothly. PS: I've added *#9900# to my Google Contacts for ready reference as part of my routine maintenance.

On Pixel Phones: This MUO article will walk you through the process.

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From America First to America Alone

This will not come as news to readers because an earlier post made the precise point ("The world is moving on to a place where what you know who and his cult call America First is becoming America By Itself"). But what is interesting is that it comes from a source not hostile to or critical of Trump. Thus, as this CNBC article reports, "Trump’s 'America First' trade and foreign policy has alienated allies, with punitive trade tariffs and repeated criticism encouraging them to forge closer bonds with each other. The new year has seen a number of nations and power blocs forge closer relationships and trade deals, but not the U.S. And Trump’s volatility and unpredictability, as well as tariffs and territorial threats, have spooked erstwhile allies." In fine, "the U.S. is looking increasingly isolated when it comes to its global geopolitical and trade relationships as allies reassess their ties to the world’s largest economy and consider going it alone."

[EOP]

Feedback re the PBS News Hour

Here is the text of an email sent to PBS (to viewermail@newshour.org): "I am a devoted fan of the PBS News Hour. I watch it every night and am a financial supporter of my local PBS station. I especially like the political commentary on Monday nights of Tamara Keith and Amy Water and the Friday night political commentary of one liberal (usually Jonathan Capehart) and one conservative (usually David Brooks). I appreciate that the News Hour attempts to give balanced views on critical issues. All that said, the comments of Gary Abernathy on your January 30 episode were not thoughtful or insightful comments of any kind. Indeed, they were nothing short of MAGA-propaganda, divorced from the facts, as mindless, slanted, and uninformed as one might find on any outlet dedicated to always supporting whatever Trump does or wants supported. I have no doubt I am not alone in my view of Mr. Abernathy's comments--Mr. Capehart's facial and verbal unease were patent. Beyond this feedback, the only thing I can do in protest of what I saw last night is this: If Mr. Abernathy shows up again, that will be the last PBS episode I will have watched and there will be no further financial support from me. I trust you will consider this feedback and find it helpful in making your programming choices."

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Why Do These People Want (and Take) These Jobs?

Except for the truly evil ideologues like Stephen Miller and Corey Lewandowski, who for the most part lurk in the background, nearly everyone who enters the Trump orbit comes out of it badly. And, while in it, they look like ridiculous fools who have made the Faustian bargain to have surrendered their integrity and reputation chasing a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. What makes the Kevin Warsh selection for Fed chair so fascinating is, as the WSJ reports, the multi-pronged full-court press Warsh pursued to get the job. He appears to be eminently qualified. But, unless Shakespeare has been repealed, is there any doubt how Warsh's tenure ends up given this endorsement from Trump: “I have known Kevin for a long period of time, and have no doubt that he will go down as one of the GREAT Fed Chairmen, maybe the best. On top of everything else, he is ‘central casting,’ and he will never let you down."

PS: The question many have is how these Trump-sycophants can look their children in the eyes and say, "Yeah, I'm giving you the best model I can for you to emulate." The remediation many have suggested is that child protective services should place their children in safer and healthier environments.

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Banks vs Crypto

As this WSJ article reports, as crypto moves swiftly into the mainstream of American finance, some of Wall Street’s heavyweights are waking up to the threat. While banks have embraced some aspects of crypto—helping people invest in bitcoin and using digital assets to make money transfers more efficient—they are drawing a line at encroachment on their core business: consumer deposits. Banks and Coinbase are at odds over whether crypto exchanges should be allowed to offer consumers regular payouts for holding digital tokens. These so-called rewards would pay holders of stablecoins a recurring fee, say 3.5%. Stablecoins are digital assets pegged to real-world currency like dollars. To put it graphically, "Brian Armstrong, CEO of the biggest U.S. crypto company, was having coffee with former U.K. prime minister Tony Blair at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week when JPMorgan Chase’s Jamie Dimon cut in. “You are full of s—,” said Dimon, a longtime crypto skeptic who previously called bitcoin a fraud, his index finger pointed squarely at Armstrong’s face. Dimon, in a nutshell, told him to stop lying on TV, according to people familiar with the conversation. In appearances on business- television programs earlier that week, Armstrong had accused banks of trying to sabotage legislation that would set a new regulatory framework for digital assets. The confrontation wasn’t quite in line with the annual forum’s mission to foster cooperation among global leaders." Here are two factoids that put some perspective as to the stakes on all this: (i)  The amount in deposits a government report said could leave banks if stablecoin issuers are able to offer attractive rewards to consumers is $6.6 trillion; and (ii) the amount that Coinbase put into the 2024 election through super PACs was $75 million.

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Downside of Fast-Charging EVs (and an Upbeat Note)

As this Gizmodo article reports, EVs heavily using North America DC “fast-charging” public charging stations suffer from almost twice the level of battery degradation than the similar vehicles charging at less than 100 kW, according to a study by Geotab, released this month. Geotab, which monitors battery life in EVs, said its annual survey showed a 2.3% annual loss in initial capacity among 21 models. Those using fast-charging stations more than 12% per cycle showed an average 2.5% annual loss, twice as high as EVs using DC charging less than 12% of the time. Still, it’s not all bad news. Geotab concludes that EV batteries are lasting well beyond initial expectations and likely beyond the typical life of a vehicle on U.S. roads, which was nearly 13 years as of last year, according to S&P Global.

[EOP]

théa Rooftop Dining - The Global Ambassador (Phoenix Restaurant)

[Prefatory Note: This review is from a blog staff member whom we trust]

théa Rooftop Dining at The Global Ambassador gets glowing reviews for the Mediterranean food, views, ambience, and service. Contrary to Open Diner's suggestion as to dressing up, shorts and jeans are fine, and apparently there is no dress code, although baseball hats might be a no-no. The tabbouleh, spaghetti, and Spanakopita get rave reviews, but why the group inexcusably passed on the open faced lamb pita is a complete, head-scratching mystery.

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What Is Needed From the Next Dem Presidential Nominee

To get the votes to win, the one group the next Dem presidential nominee does not need to worry about is the anti-Trumpers. While their vote is secure, the election will be determined by those who see in a candidate something to vote for in addition to what the candidate is against. Affordability might carry the day in the mid-terms, but everyone is in favor of affordability and a successful presidential candidate needs a soaring message. Charisma matters. I know some political figures who see themselves as viable presidential candidates. I'm not sure I do. But I do know, anyone who secured the Dem nomination for the 2024 election is not viable. And given the way the Dem leadership folded on the first government shut-down, and the way it looks like they are going to get rolled on this second one, it needs to be someone from a new generation who understands how and, beyond saying they are going to fight for us, is willing to use the levers of power that they have.

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PS re Decline in the Dollar

An earlier post addressed the issue of the dollar's declining value. Lest anyone think it is some kind of random event, Greg Ip's piece provides a cogent analysis of how a lower dollar fits what Trump wants, how Trump's Fed appointment will push the dollar lower, and how the Treasury's actions will as well. While a declining dollar can have a substantial impact on various asset classes in the U.S. markets, international markets, and emerging markets, you can take comfort in Ip's conclusion: "What won’t happen: panic selling of the dollar of the sort that has brought smaller countries to their knees. Whatever its flaws, the world has no alternative as a reserve currency. That is one assumption about the world that looks safe." So did the Titanic until it didn't.

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Must Have Kitchen Utensil: The Spootle

The Spootle is a hybrid of a spoon and a spatula. This somewhat silly spoon might not be riveting to many people, but for me, someone who obsesses over kitchen tools regularly — personally and professionally — discovering the Spootle felt akin to spotting a unicorn in the wild. It was unique, unlike any other wooden spoon I had seen before, with its nifty, flat spatula-like edge. I instantly knew it was coming home with me, despite its nonsensical-portmanteau name. Since joining my collection, it’s become an everyday cooking essential. I reach for it almost daily, whether to stir a pot of cinnamon-apple oatmeal for breakfast or to scrape the stuck-on bits of charred meat from my frying pan after sautéing chicken breasts for lunch or to prepare a batch of creamy risotto for dinner. You can go for a cheap imitation, but do yourself a favor and get it from Jonathan's Spoons.

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Good News on the Life Expectancy Front

 

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A Tale of Two EVs

The Best EV: This is the car I want, and hope it is available here or in Canada soon. It's the Xiaomi SU7, which I got to drive. I fell hard for the whole vehicle: its very attractive and sleek, the big beautiful infotainment display, the smooth software, the extended battery range, and the Xiaomi gadgets that all connect seamlessly to the car. It’s a high-end EV experience for a not-high-end price. In China, launch pricing started at 299,900 yuan—roughly $43,000. What’s so striking about driving the Xiaomi is how clearly you can see where Chinese EV makers have vaulted ahead on the digital-first experience. Outside of companies that build the full hardware-and-software stack—Tesla and Rivian being the obvious U.S. examples—very little here feels comparable. Ford and GM know this, which is why they’ve been rebuilding platforms and software architectures from the ground up. It seems clear to me that Chinese EVs have paved a new road. It may be closed to Americans right now—but not forever.

Tesla 3: I had the honor of giving a friend a lift to pick up their Tesla 3 from having service done. Part of the service was for repairs of various features in addition to the routine service that was required as well. There's no service tech one deals with ... it's all done without any human contact through one's phone. The problem is there's no one readily available to "talk" to when it turns out  some of the fixes weren't done. Among the other complaints I heard during the 30 minute drive (the service center was in a remote area of Phoenix I never knew existed much less had ever gone to) was the audacity of Tesla doing recalls for features and then charging for the fixes required by the recall. I'm sure other Tesla owners feel different, but this person would not buy another one. Put me down as one of those others--I'd buy one tomorrow if given permission (although I would switch immediately to the Xiaomi SU7 as soon as it became available). 

[EOP]

Benefit of the US Withdrawal From the World Health Organization (WHO)

As a funding member of the WHO, the U.S. had a "seat at the table" and a voice as to what the WHO would do in terms of research, education, policy, and everything else. Having withdrawn, the U.S. will have no seat at the table, a "seat" that would have been occupied by Rubio, RFK, Jr., and their appointees. Now, the WHO can function without their corrosive, anti-scientific effects. I know what you're about to say, but wait, here's the really good thing: China, Switzerland, and other countries have committed to make up the funding shortfall resulting from the U.S. withdrawal (which was about 18% of the WHO's budget). 

PS: This is one instance that's paralleling what's happening with world trade and security alliances. The world is moving on to a place where what you know who and his cult call America First is becoming America By Itself.

[EOP]

Typeless: New and Highly Recommended Android Dictation App

I don't dictate emails or texts because of the goofs that can show up. But for those of you who do or who want to, and there are plenty of you, there's a new Android dictation app called Typeless that you should be using. According to this ComputerWorld article, it's the cat's pajamas and the bee's knees of a dictation app. I'll continue typing, but this is a must app for when choosing to dictate.

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Protecting Your Phone From Cold Weather

Cold weather can be really harmful to a cellphone. There are two things you can do to protect your phone: Move to Phoenix or take a look at this cnet article. You should avoid exposing your iPhone or Apple Watch to freezing temperatures (anything colder than 32 degrees Fahrenheit), according to Apple. Below that threshold, the lithium-ion battery of your iPhone or Apple Watch may drain faster (though battery life will recover once its temperature returns to normal). If the temperature drops below 4 degrees Fahrenheit, you should power off your device. Same goes for Android devices.

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Buffer ETFs

As this WSJ article reports, buffer ETFs—exchange-traded funds that protect investor returns from market downturns while capping the upside— have drawn in tens of billions of dollars in recent years from baby boomers and near-retirees. But, as the article explains, if you are paying over 1% for your buffer ETF, you are better off going with a balanced portfolio of your own creation.

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What Happens When You Go Off Weight Loss Drugs

As this WSJ article reports, "The blockbuster drugs—known as GLP-1s—are increasingly marketed as lifestyle fixes to help take off some weight. But they are actually designed as lifelong treatments for chronic diseases, namely obesity and Type 2 diabetes. That distinction matters. While nearly 18% of U.S. adults have taken a GLP-1 drug for weight loss or to treat a chronic condition, about half of the people will stop taking it within a year. Often, they don’t understand what is likely to come next. Studies show that after stopping the drugs, people typically regain lost weight within about 1.5 years. And any improvements in blood sugar, blood pressure or cholesterol are reversed. People who take GLP-1s regain weight four times faster than those who lose weight through lifestyle interventions, according to a recent analysis published in the British Medical Journal. The depressing results raise the question: Are the drugs worth starting if you can’t stay on them long-term? Doctors largely say yes but caution the need for proper counseling and lifestyle changes."

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Do the Young Give Us Hope for the Future

The baby boomers might be the most anti-Trump age-demographic group, but we remain mortified and ashamed at the world we are turning over to our children and grand-children. You would think and hope that younger people will put Trump-ism and MAGA-ism in a state of disgrace. These numbers don't preclude that from happening, but they don't assure it either:

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Tips re Maximizing Functionality of a Soundbar

Some TVs have better sound than others, but in almost all instances, a soundbar will beat a TVs sound like a drum. This BGR article has three tips to insure you are getting the best out of your soundbar with: proper placement; fine-tuning; and software updating.

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Understanding How Belichick Did Not Get Voted Into the HOF and the Remedy

How It Happened: There is no way, based on any criteria, that Bill Belichick should not be a first-ballot HOF inductee, but he is not going to be. The best way I can explain what happened is by (an albeit not perfect) analogy to a true story. A young person with an outstanding undergraduate record at Harvard applied to several medical schools and was rejected by the University of Arizona. The explanation of their admission's committee was they expected he would be accepted elsewhere, which he was (at Harvard Medical School), so they didn't vote to accept him. The 50 people who had ballots for the NFL HOF, could vote to admit 3 candidates, and 40 votes were required to be admitted. That means 11 or more of them figured everyone else would vote for Belichick so their vote was not needed. PS: If there had been 3 candidates facing their last year of eligibility, the vote would be a bit more understandable--not excusable but understandable. However, there was just one such candidate.

Remedy: Make those who did not vote for Belichick identify themselves, and turn them over to ICE. If they won't identify themselves, turn the entire committee over to ICE. PS: Turning over to ICE would be an appropriate sanction for referees and replay reviewers who make outlandish officiating errors.

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Benefits of a Touchscreen Laptop

I have a touchscreen laptop but, even when traveling, I don't use the touchscreen (although I don't use the computer during flights). This MUO article says I'm missing out, and strongly suggests one should always opt for a touchscreen for several reasons, especially when traveling on a plane (e.g., you don't need to deal with the keyboard or the cursor). The article makes sense and some very good points.

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2026 JD Power Ratings of Wireless Network Services

As this article reports, according to J.D. Power's 2026 U.S. Wireless Network Quality Performance Study, T-Mobile is your best bet for the strongest wireless network quality. The latest edition of the annual study took a look at how consistently top networks place at or near the top across every region measured. And while Verizon Wireless came out ahead in the North Central U.S. and tied T-Mobile in a few others, the magenta-colored mobile network still ended up with fewer problems reported per 100 uses overall.

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Best Time to Weigh Yourself

You'll get the most accurate reading from your scale if you weigh yourself first thing in the morning. Do it after using the loo and before eating breakfast or drinking any water. According to experts, the morning is the best time because you've given your body a chance to properly digest what you ate and drank the previous day, leaving your stomach relatively empty.

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Protect Water Pipes From Freezing

Freezing temperatures can be dangerous for people and for water pipes. One way to avoid freezing temperatures is to move to Phoenix. One way to prevent water pipes from freezing is do this:

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Bridgerton (8EP Series on Netflix)

Season 4 of Bridgerton drops on January 29. Can't say there's any compelling reason to watch it, but can't blame anyone who decides to watch it. Note: Unlike Netflix's generally dropping all EPs of a season series at once, while the first 4 EPs drop on Jan. 29, the remaining 4 EPs don't drop until Feb. 26. 

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Implications of the Decline in the Dollar

The dollar has continued its decline against essentially all other currencies, and that decline is expected to continue. This is the result of the Fed's cutting interest rates, policy uncertainties and fiscal concerns, doubts about the Fed's independence, global capital reallocation, and a "sell America" sentiment. Seeing those causes, it is expected that the dollar's decline will continue and might even accelerate. I have no advice as to what to do investment-wise in view of the declining dollar. But what I will share is what most analysts and advisers would say: When the U.S. dollar falls, investors should consider shifting toward assets that act as hedges against currency devaluation, such as gold, foreign currencies, non-U.S. stocks, and commodities. A weakening dollar typically boosts commodities and makes international investments more attractive, as these assets often appreciate in dollar terms. 

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So You Want to Play in the NBA

Many kids in high school and college come to me for advice as to what they should do to help them make it in the NBA. What I tell them is, it's simple: Watch Doncic pass.

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Fire TV Stick Apps

This article identifies some Fire TV Stick apps you might not be aware of. The most interesting one, which is very useful, is the one that lets you choose to pin your favorite apps to the home screen.

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TV Backlighting: Easy to Do and a Big Payoff

As this Wirecutter article explains, among all of the upgrades that you can invest in to enhance your home-theater experience — from exotic audio setups to marginally higher-resolution displays —  none of them add as much to the basic video-viewing experience as backlighting. Compared with the effect of other home-theater tech, backlighting’s effect is less subtle, especially in a darker room. It expands the movie-watching experience into the space around the TV. It’s immersive. And it goes a long way toward bridging the gap between watching a movie at home and experiencing more-premium in-person movie-theater offerings. The article then covers the low-cost option to get the backlighting you deserve.

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Protecting Yourself Against a Cellphone Outage

Joanna Stern offers some useful advice for anyone concerned about a future cellphone outage such as Verizon customers experienced a short while ago. Some of her suggestions are: Have off-line maps downloaded for any place you are in and need them for navigation; have a back-up phone line (land-line or cell) or have a newer cellphone that has dual SIM card capability; and have a newer cellphone that has satellite messaging capability. Alternatively, you can grumble and curse the darkness, but don't say I didn't bring to your attention how to light a candle.

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Super Bowl Trivia (Courtesy of a Loyal Reader)

 1.  Five universities have produced both a president of the United States and a Super Bowl winning quarterback.

Delaware -- Biden and Flacco

Naval Academy -- Carter and Staubach

Michigan -- Ford and Brady

Stanford -- Hoover and both Elway and Plunkett

Miami (OH) -- Harrison (Benjamin, not Wm Henry) and Roethlisberger

If New England defeats Seattle, there will be a sixth:  North Carolina -- Polk and Maye

2.  Seattle and New England both started the season with 60-1 odds to win the Super Bowl.  This is the second time in the last 40 years that two teams have reached the finals of an NFL/MLB/NHL/NBA season with odds that long.  The other:  the 1991 World Series.  The Twins started the year with 80-1 odds and the Braves with 120-1 odds.  Knowledgeable baseball fans uniformly recognize that the 1991 World Series was the greatest World Series ever played.

[EOP]

Another Shot at STRs

Text of Letter to WSJ: "Allysia Finley (Jan. 2) correctly points out that institutional investors are not the cause of high home prices. But to lay so much of the blame on governmental policies misses a huge driver limiting the supply of houses: Short Term Rentals (STRs). In Phoenix, for example, 20% of all single family residences have been converted into STRs and thus have been taken off the market, i.e., shrinking the housing supply by 20%. And in the main, these are not units owned by institutions or institutional investors. They are "second" homes owned by individuals who got in for the most part when mortgage rates had cratered. The irony is that allowing STRs to flourish not only shrinks the housing supply, it produces for these absentee owners a wealth effect as a result of the rise in home prices they have caused."

PS: This letter was submitted only after an email making the same point was sent to Ms. Finley who did not respond.

[EOP]

The End of the Most Joyous Days

The absolute most joyous days for any kid growing up in the 1950s-60s were snow days that closed the schools. With schools now opting to remain "open" for remote learning, they have deprived children of what it's like to experience the most glorious pleasure imaginable. Shame on the computer!

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Two Wirecutter Recommendations: E-Reader and Vibrator

Re E-Readers: A dedicated ebook reader is pretty astonishing. It puts an entire library of books in the palm of your hand, it’s smaller than a paperback, it lasts for weeks on a single charge, and it gives you an excellent reading experience. After testing every competitive ebook reader available in the US, we can say that Amazon’s 2024 Kindle, its cheapest model, is the best for almost everyone.

Re Vibrator on a Chain Necklace: Our favorite necklace also happens to be a vibrator. A surprisingly great vibrator, in fact. It’s one of those for folks who don’t want something as large (or loud) as a Magic Wand. And like a Magic Wand, which is as useful for whole-body massage as it is for sexual stimulation, the Crave Vesper 2 also has a double life. In addition to being a sex toy, it’s a minimalist pendant that resembles Joan Holloway’s iconic gold pen necklace from Mad Men.

[EOP]

2018 NFL Quarterback Draft

The 2018 NFL Draft featured a historic quarterback class with five selected in the first round: Baker Mayfield (No. 1, Browns), Sam Darnold (No. 3, Jets), Josh Allen (No. 7, Bills), Josh Rosen (No. 10, Cardinals), and Lamar Jackson (No. 32, Ravens). All 2018 draft first round QBs except Rosen received NFL MVP. Guess which of them has or will have made an appearance as a player by the time Super Bowl LX has ended? Hint: It's not the QB that one person we know keeps claiming is the GOAT because he's made some incredible plays during the regular season.

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History of the Stock Market in Mid-Term Election Years

History is a reliable predictor for some things and a terrible predictor for others. With that caveat, note this: The S&P 500’s average return in midterm-election years since the Kennedy administration has been 1.9%. According to this WSJ article, there's actually a reason for this.

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Choosing an eSIM for International Travel

As this Arizona Republic article explains, eSIMS are safe, convenient, and cost-smart for international travel, but the real risk is choosing the wrong provider that doesn’t have good coverage or services for the country you’re visiting. The article explains how to navigate the risks.

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People We Meet on Vacation (2026 Movie on Netflix)

Poppy wants to explore the world and Alex prefers to stay home with a good book, but somehow they are the very best of friends. They live far apart, but for a decade they have spent one week of summer vacation together. You might guess what happens, although I really don't know because it would be after the first 25 minutes of People We Meet on Vacation. I can't tell you not to watch it. But what I can say is this: If what is undoubtedly a predictable, overly-cute, overly-acted, series of contrived scenes with inane dialogue sounds appealing to you, pull up an easy chair, settle in, and have at it. The NYT might have a different view of this movie. I could not bring myself to read it, but in the interest of fairness and being the kind of person I am, I present their review here for your convenient reference.

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Two Take-Aways From the Broncos/Patriots Game

1. There is great joy in many quarters that Sean Payton's opting not to go for a field goal and take a 10-0 lead early on was one of the worst coaching decisions in the history of the world, deserving of opprobrium of the highest order.

2. Anyone who defends the NFL's overtime rule is lucky this game did not go into overtime where, given the wind and snow conditions, having choice of the side of the field to defend likely would have determined the outcome.

[EOP]

A Do-Over For Democracy

Text of Letter to the NYT: "When the issue was healthcare costs and food stamps, the Democrats folded, and in so doing emboldened Trump. The Democrats have been given a do-over with the issue of funding DHS. What the country is watching in Minneapolis is not a clash of political philosophies as to which reasonable people might disagree. This is not an occasion where calm discussion or respectful debate would be helpful. This time, the stakes are as high as they can be: Democracy is truly on the line. And if the Democrats cave again, one can only imagine where an even more emboldened President Trump and his jackboots will go."

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When the Jackboots Come to Town

It is expected that there will be an ICE crackdown in Arizona. One issue that's very difficult, as AG Mayes has noted, is the conflict between Arizona's stand-your-ground law and ICE's home invasions without judicial warrants or actual identification. But, wherever you are, this Arizona Republic article has an informative overview about taking videos of federal agents. And this PBS piece has an informative overview of one's legal rights when confronting ICE agents in public and when they appear at the door.

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Keep Your Smart TV 's Software Up to Date

Just as it is important to keep your phone, computer, tablet, and other smart devices' software and apps up to date, as this BGR article explains, so too for your smart TV. In short, doing so is important for three reasons: bug fixes and new features; avoiding app incompatibility; and keeping the TV secure and protected against malware attacks.

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Apps to Customize Your Android Experience

Your Android device is more than just a communication tool—it’s a versatile platform that can be tailored to suit your lifestyle, enhance your productivity, and improve your overall digital experience. By using the right apps, you can unlock its full potential, making it a hub for efficiency, creativity, and convenience. This article discusses eight exceptional Android apps that excel in customization, functionality, and productivity. Each app is designed to simplify your daily tasks, improve your workflow, and elevate your device’s usability. I don't use any of them.

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Brooke Henderson's Caddie Change

Brooke's older sister Brittany has been Brooke's caddie for every victory. A caddie change is in the offing. No, there's not a rift between the sisters. Brittany is pregnant, and she and her husband told me they look forward to the birth of their first child. We are very happy for them and wish them all the best.

[EOP]

Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! (2026 2EP Documentary on HBO/Max)

Recommended to us by an impeccable source as a "hoot," Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! is we will concede is a hoot. Actually, it is a collection of many hoots. But it's more than that. It's touching and poignant and educational about a life and times that are now gone and which you might not remember or know about. 

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Interpersonal Synchrony

The peculiar alchemy that causes us to click with some people and not with others—romantically or platonically—has been a preoccupation of poets for centuries, but it has only recently drawn the attention of scientists. Advances in biometric and brain-scanning technology have given researchers startling new insights into what occurs when we socialize. Not only do we tend to mirror each other’s movements, postures, facial expressions, and gestures; we also uncannily sync up our heart rates, blood pressure, pupil dilation, and hormonal activity. During meaningful conversations, there is an associated syncing, or coupling, of neural patterns or brain waves. You and the other person are, at that moment, of like minds. Neuroscientists call such coordinated movement and autonomic activity “interpersonal synchrony.” Kate Murphy's piece explains further.

[EOP]

Republicans Cannot Put Country Over Party Even When Retiring

Text of Letter to the NYT: "Twenty-seven Republicans have announced they will not seek re-election. You would think at least a few of them have made that decision based on the view that Trump and the Republicans are taking this country not only in the wrong direction, but possibly over a cliff. If instead of holding on to their seats (and paychecks) to their bitter end, they would resign now, allowing control of the House to flip so that Congress might again stand as an effective check on executive overreach. Alas, ever true to their enabling posture, the Republicans shout back, fat chance!"

[EOP]

Big Possible Losers in NFL Conference Championship Games

When the Rams/Seahawks and Patriots/Broncos games are over later today, there will be two winning teams and two losing teams. But there will be other losers as well, such as: (i) if the Broncos lose, Bill Belichick who was unable to produce a winning team much less a championship team without Tom Brady which Mike Vrabel did in two years; (ii) relatedly, if the Broncos lose, the University of North Carolina which will be wondering what they were buying when they hired Belichick; (iii) if the Broncos win, Bo Nix whose credit for turning the franchise around will come under question; (iv) if the Seahawks win, the Vikings for dumping Sam Darnold; and (v) if the Rams win, the Detroit Lions for trading Matthew Stafford. You can think of more of these.

[EOP]

If You Must Do Red Meat, Think Flank Steak

We have sworn off red meat and encourage others to do so, but sometimes, such as when hosting a meal for steadfast carnivores, serving red meat might be the proper, polite, and gracious thing to do or, at least, it's excusable. One problem with the premium red meat cuts (e.g., prime rib, rib-eye, and the like) is that they have become outrageously expensive. A second problem is they are more difficult to make and don't taste as good as flank steak. In short, flank steak remains affordable, can be prepared with or without a marinade (and if with a marinade, any marinade will work), cooks in 12 minutes with one flip at the 8-minute mark and little mess (the Google has a zillion recipes but they are all simple), has virtually no fat or bones, and is delicious served immediately and as left-overs.

[EOP]

Keeping Guacamole From Turning Brown

We were stunned at a recent soiree where the host apologized for the guacamole having turned brown. We had no idea that there were still guac-ignorantes. As we tactfully explained to the host, guacamole turns brown when oxygen triggers an enzyme reaction, and while plastic wrap can slow that process briefly, it won't protect guacamole for more than a couple of hours. Testing shows that covering the surface with a thin layer of fresh lime juice creates a far more effective, healthier, and eco-friendlier barrier, keeping guacamole bright green for up to three days.

[EOP]

PS re Android Reading Mode App

We have been advised by an astute and learned reader that "[t]he reviews on reading mode app [noted in a post here yesterday] are not good." We appreciate the input. If you download the stand-alone app and don't like it, uninstall it. 

[EOP]

Caution re "Remote Invite" Scam

Security experts say a new scam is spreading fast, and it looks like something many people get all the time: A simple calendar invite. However, clicking on the link can give scammers access to everything on a computer. Further information is provided in this article. We are aware of staff and readers of this app have gotten such invites, but didn't realize how pervasive a scam they have become.

[EOP]

Preview of a Finalist in This Week's New Yorker Cartoon Contest

The finalists for this week's New Yorker cartoon contest are not announced until February 2. The finalists are determined by readers' rating at this website. We expect to get more than enough votes to make this one of the three finalists:

Just wait until they hear us play the sound of one hand clapping.

[EOP]

Great Story Beats Great Brands

As this article reports, Indiana versus Miami was most-watched college football game since the first CFP title game between Ohio State and Oregon in 2014-15 (33.9 million viewers), the second-most watched National Championship of the CFP era and the second-most watched cable telecast on record. Even more impressive, Indiana versus Miami crushed last year's National Championship viewership number of 22.1 million between Ohio State and Notre Dame, which are historically two of the sport's biggest brands. It also beat traditional SEC powers Georgia and Alabama, which drew 28.7 million viewers in their 2018 overtime thriller. Go even further back, and the Hoosiers and Hurricanes' matchup is the fourth most-watched college football game of the last 30 years and the ESPN's eighth-most watched production ever.

[EOP]

Two Ways to Turn Your Tablet Into An e-reader

If you read books on your tablet, there are two simple things to do that will give it the feel of an e-reader: (i) put on a Paperlike screen protector which will eliminate glare and give the screen a matte finish making it gentler on the eyes; and (ii) turn on grayscale in the tablet's Accessibility settings. You can thank me now or thank me later.

[EOP]

Raycast: Emoji Picker and a Whole Lot More

Raycast is a free app that can replace many utilities in Windows 11 including clipboard history, task manager, video downloader, and media converter. As explained in this XDA article, its emoji picker is  "perfect." 

[EOP]

Android Reading Mode

Once you’ve got Reading Mode up and running, you can just press your phone’s physical volume-up and volume-down buttons together anytime — with any manner of text-oriented material on your screen, from any app you’re using — and, poof: In the blink of an eye, your phone will pop up a panel that transforms whatever text is in front of you into a nicely formatted, clutter-free presentation that’s not only tolerable but actually even enjoyable to read.

[EOP]

Being An NFL Team Owner Doesn't Mean You're Not a Total F-Up

In what has to be one of the worst prepared statements for a press conference, particularly a presser that didn't need to be held, here is the owner of the Buffalo Bills explaining why he fired one of the winningest coaches in the history of the NFL. No one needs any comment from me to understand how many norms this idiot violated and how the only way to come away from watching is: This guy is one of the supreme jerks whoever walked this earth. You have to wonder who is going to take what is one of the two prime openings (along with the Ravens) for head coach. Not me, I'll tell you.

[EOP]

Options re Broken Necklace Chain

Links in a necklace chains, especially if there is something dangling from them, will ultimately abrade causing them to break unexpectedly. Here are your options: (i) The broken links can be soldered (and the other links checked for their integrity) by a professional jeweler for a charge; (ii) a professional jeweler will buy it from you to melt down (if it's silver, you'll get a couple of bucks; if it's white gold, you'll get more); and (iii) throw it away and buy another one.

[EOP]

The Stock Market and the Economy

This piece by Spencer Jakab has an innovative take on the relation between the stock market and the economy. Wall Street’s health might not faithfully reflect what’s happening on Main Street, but at historical extremes the two can have a nasty, co-dependent relationship. This could be one of them. The share of U.S. household financial wealth derived from stocks has never been so high, easily exceeding the peak of the tech bubble. Zooming in on who owns the lion’s share of it explains a lot about recent consumer behavior. A sustained drop in Meta, Nvidia, or Microsoft stock probably wouldn’t make a tech billionaire cancel their yacht delivery. It certainly could affect a planned car purchase or vacation of someone worth a few million dollars though—even if they weren’t planning on selling any stock to pay for it. The market is up because the economy is growing and consumer spending is strong. A lot of that might be the tail wagging the dog.

[EOP]

Amazon Might Become a Big-Box Store

Many people bash Amazon because of the harm it's supposedly done to brick-and-mortar stores (at least those who have chosen not to grow their business through online sales including sales through Amazon). Well, as the WSJ reports, in a fascinating turn-about, Amazon took a small step for a retailer but a giant step for retailing by opening a big-box store. Given the difficulties we have with Costco's check-out and customer service, if Amazon emulates the good things about Costco (especially, its extended no-question return policy on electronics), sign me up.

]EOP]

Shelf Life Explained

The U.S. Department of Agriculture explains on its website what is meant by the various dates on food labels.

“A ‘Best if Used By/Before’ date indicates when a product will be of best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.

“A ‘Sell-By’ date tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inventory management. It is not a safety date.

“A ‘Use-By’ date is the last date recommended for use of the product while at peak quality. It is not a safety date except when used on infant formula.”

“A ‘Freeze-By’ date indicates when a product should be frozen to maintain peak quality. It is not a purchase or a safety date.”

[EOP]

The Long National EV Nightmare Will Soon Be Over

China's BYD EV is the best selling EV in the world, and for good reason. It's good-looking, charges really fast, and is quite affordable. In response to Trump's treatment of Canada, Canada is breaking with the past and allowing Chinese EVs to be sold in Canada. There's no reason we can see why Americans cannot buy them in Canada and bring them home.

PS: One irony: Tesla might benefit as well by being able to import its Chinese-made Teslas into Canada.

[EOP]

Secret Video of ICE Hiring Practice

While they know we don't do politics here, this video was submitted by a so-called reader with a demand that it be posted here and, as will be obvious upon viewing it, a demand that the identity of the reader (who claims to have been the cinematographer) not be disclosed. 

[EOP]

Tip re Recouping Amazon Price Reductions

As we've noted before, if you buy something on Amazon and its price drops within a week or so, Amazon more often than not, upon being asked, will refund the amount of the price reduction. Putting an alert on the item will keep you informed without you having to do anything, but you do have to contact Amazon and ask. Your odds of getting a favorable response will increase if, instead of asking for a "partial refund," ask for a "courtesy credit on your account. The reason: Some products are excluded from being "price-reduction-refund-eligible," but a "courtesy credit" can be given for any product or reason. Further, to get through quickly, call 1-206-922-0880, and just keep saying "talk to representative about an existing order."

[EOP]

If You Don't Think the World Is Turning Upside Down, See This WSJ Editorial

Holman Jenkins, a member of the WSJ editorial board, is no lefty pinko. So, it is quite something when his column (entitled "Greenland Is Trump's White Whale") takes this kind of position when it comes to Trump:

"Trump’s preoccupation with owning Greenland, like his Nobel Prize obsession, would be best addressed elsewhere: in therapy. I’m perfectly serious. Once he started unburdening himself of his insecurities and traumas, he probably wouldn’t stop for a week. The world, and the U.S., would be better for it."

"This isn’t international law, MAGA types, it’s U.S. law. A Trump order to occupy an otherwise peaceful and unthreatened Greenland would likely be illegal six ways from Sunday. The U.S. military wouldn’t obey it. The Supreme Court would enjoin it. Congress might promptly remove such a president through impeachment."

PS: To understand the U.S. law point, note this:  The U.N. Charter, adopted by the Senate 89-2 in 1945, giving it also the force of U.S. law, bans the U.S. from issuing the “threat or use of force against the territorial integrity” of a nonoffending member state. In 2023, for the benefit of any adjudicating judge, Congress further expressed its will by preventing a president from withdrawing from NATO without a two-thirds Senate vote.

[EOP] 

Irony of Getting to Housing Affordability

A principal driver of housing unaffordability is the lack of supply of housing units for sale. The main drivers of lowered supply are: (i) short-term rentals which in many areas take 20% of the potential supply off the market; and (ii) the more than 50% of homeowners with ultra-low mortgage rates who are unwilling to move where doing so means an over 6% mortgage rate. We have offered solutions that address both issues (tax STRs to the point where it becomes more profitable to sell them to live-in-owners than to keep renting them out; allow for portable mortgages), which have fallen on deaf ears. In any event, here's the irony: If our proposals were adopted, and housing supply expands and prices drop, there would be a major dent to the presumed wealth-effect that the majority of homeowners enjoy, which could have substantial dampening effect on the economy, which would not be good for first-time home buyers. Makes you think.

[EOP]

France Is Worse Than the Democrats

In opposing Trump, being the minority party in both chambers, the Democrats are limited in what they can do. No one likes a government shut-down. But it was the only weapon the Democrats had. In sharp contrast, the world has many options to back Trump off his various insane things. Retaliatory tariffs are one tactic, but there are others that are more creative, and will do more to stir the passions of the world's people. By way of example, just think about a boycott that would prohibit any team (but especially, England, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Argentina, and Brazil) participating in any U.S. venue for the upcoming World Cup.  Although it's moot at this point given Trump's dropping of both taking military or tariff action to get Greenland in favor of a "concept of a deal," France's saying it would not pull its team from the World Cup is the kind of unilateral disarming the leader of a country should know better than to do. Anyone watching Obama do the same would know better.

[EOP]

Three Firewall Rules for Home Networks

When it comes to network security, I usually adhere to the approach of less is more. All you need is one rule policy: default deny. This is the one firewall rule policy I always ensure is active on all networks, regardless of size or complexity. A default deny policy essentially blocks all traffic unless explicitly permitted. Although this is technically one policy, it actually consists of three firewall rules: Deny all inbound traffic by default; deny all inter-VLAN traffic by default; deny all outbound traffic by default. This XDA article explains this in further detail.

[EOP]

Two More Blog Mileposts

Yesterday, as the number of posts went over 14,000, the number of hits on this blog went over 1.2M. We have no clue why the bots are so attracted to us. If we could just count them as real eyeballs, we could monetize this thing. Most amazing of all, I actually can recall all the posts, except for an occasional movie that I might unwittingly watch and review twice.

[EOP]

Suggesting a Word for Spelling Bee

Spelling Bee's "dictionary" is missing some common words found in Merriam-Webster. If you find such a word, you can easily submit it to Spelling Bee for them to consider adding it. At the top of the Spelling Bee page, click on More/Suggest a word and fill out the form and hit Submit.

Note: The Spelling Bee used to say "not a word" when it didn't recognize the input. In response to our pestering them, they conceded that was inaccurate and misleading, and changed it to read "not in [our] word list." 

[EOP]

Why College Football Increasingly Looks More Like NFL Football

Indiana's team average age is around 23.4. NFL average age is 26.5.

Miami's offensive line average is around 330 lbs. NFL average line is 310-315 lbs.

Mode college football career: 4 years (while 5-6 years is becoming more common).

Average NFL career: 3.3 years. 

[EOP]

Why a Bluetooth Device Might Keep Disconnecting

My phone's Bluetooth connection to the bucket-of-bolts I'm driving often is lost requiring me to go through the setup again. I can do so fairly quickly, but it's annoying. That's why I was so pleased to see this MUO article which reviews the various culprits, including: running THTE phone on power saver mode (which I do), being close to a source to which I had connected to before (e.g., the Prius, which has remote start and other cool features, in the carport stall next to my bucket-of-bolts), and more.

[EOP]

Why and How to Reduce Your Screen's Refresh Rate

Phone screens have gotten really good over the past few years, thanks partly to the faster refresh rates manufacturers have implemented. Whether it's 90Hz, 120Hz, or even faster, increasing the times a screen refreshes helps make animations, scrolling social media, and everyday interactions feel smoother and more responsive. Unfortunately, a high refresh rate also means increased battery usage--so if battery life is an issue for you, you might be better off disabling the feature. Here's how: Open Settings/Display, and you'll find the settings to configure your refresh rate. Most smartphones call the feature something different; Google labels it "Smooth Display," while Samsung calls it "Motion smoothness." Find the setting associated with the refresh rate and revert to the standard rate. Your screen will likely seem a bit choppier as a result, but that's completely normal. It simply means it's operating at 60Hz, the speed at which even the best phones used to run a few years ago.

[EOP]

NetAlertX: Understanding Your Home Network

NetAlertX isn't the most comprehensive network management tool around. What it does is focus on the task of monitoring and giving you alerts. NetAlertX gives more visibility into one's home network by letting one see exactly what's on there, when it's there, and when it's not. That alone goes a long way toward helping you better understand your network and diagnose issues. And for the most part, once you install it, you don't really need to actively check in. Set up alerts, or log in once every few days, and the logs will paint an overview for you. This XDA article gives a fuller explanation.

[EOP]

Europeans vs Democrats

The Democrats had Trump on the ropes in the government shut-down, and folded. Not only did they gain virtually nothing, they emboldened Trump. That's what appeasement does. We are about to see if the Europeans have more spine than the Democrats. I passionately hope they do. And when they back him down, my wish is they annex, buy, or take by military action Arizona for their national security and my peace of mind. This is the MAGA hat they are wearing in Europe now:

[EOP]

Helping Gmail to Remind You That You Might Have Forgotten to Attach Something

Gmail sometimes reminds you if you forgot to attach an attachment, but  sometimes won't. It all depends on where and how you reference the attachment. Putting the reference in the Subject line won't trigger the reminder. Gmail looks in the email's body for phrases like "attached is," "see attached," "I've attached," or "attached file." It won't catch variations like "please find it attached." Images in your signature or directly in the body might be seen as attachments, which would prevent the reminder from being triggered.

[EOP]

So-Called Student Athletes and Their Teams

Soc-Called Student Athletes: As a loyal reader reported: "If anyone doubts that major college football is anything other than a collection of professional football teams, try this. Carson Beck, who quarterbacked Miami in the CFP championship game Monday night, graduated two years ago. And not from Miami. He earned his degree at Georgia.  Which had nothing to do with why Miami agreed to pay him $3-$4 million this year, plus up to an additional $2 million for performance incentives. And so, he did not go to class, which makes it seem as if players no longer have to remain eligible by maintaining a grade point average in at least 12 hours of course work per semester. And if that's true, would someone please explain what the mission of major universities is."

Their Teams: As the WSJ reports, college football teams are now worth billions—and their values are skyrocketing.

[EOP]

Rams vs. Seahawks

The Rams and the Seahawks will face each other for the NFC championship and the right to go to the Super Bowl. I have been asked to handicap the game for the many readers who will be betting huge sums on the outcome and on the over/under. Here's what I've said. They have met twice this season. Each has won once and lost once. The largest point differential in the two games was 2 points. The Rams scored 58 points, the Seahawks 57 points. The Rams racked up 830 yards, the Seahawks 829 yards. My prediction: It's going to be a blow-out.  

[EOP]

Pop Wordle Quiz

 

                                           

Sneaker Waves

Sneaker wave warnings have been put in effect in California and Oregon. To our shock, some people never heard of sneaker waves.  According to the NWS, sneaker waves are powerful, “potentially deadly waves” that can unexpectedly—with no warning—rush in, surging further up beaches than usual, sweeping unsuspecting beachgoers from the beaches into the sea. The waves can be so powerful that they can move large, heavy objects, such as rocks and logs, which can also knock people over or trap them underneath. The NWS advises people in affected areas to remain extra vigilant when warnings are issued for sneaker waves. Even walking on the beach can be dangerous if people aren’t alert. Those who do visit beaches in the areas while warnings are in place should avoid rocks and jetties and stay further up the beach than usual because sneaker waves can sometimes run up the beach by at least 150 feet. Remember what we always say: You can't step into the same sneaker wave twice.

[EOP]

Smaller Airports Can Mean Lower Airfares

Smaller airports often will have lower fares than nearby larger airports because their landing fees and passenger taxes are lower. When you look at flights on the CheapOAir website, it automatically will include flights to nearby airports. That said, it's an aesthetically unpleasant website.

[EOP]

Can We Now Stop With the Lamar Jackson Replays

Scene: Rams/Bears playoff game to see who faces Seattle for the conference championship; 4th period, 27 seconds to go; Bears down by a touchdown; its 4th down and 8 yards to go: Here's what happens.

[EOP]

The Rip (2026 Movie on Netflix)

With Ben Affleck and Matt Damon as its stars, and Kyle Chandler showing up, The Rip is almost assuredly a no-miss movie. And it doesn't miss. It's very good. If you like action movies, you'll love this, but even if action movies are not your thing, if you like being challenged trying to figure out what's going on, you'll really like it. It's not your usual story although it says it is based on true events: A group of Miami cops discovers a stash of millions in cash, leading to distrust as outsiders learn about the huge seizure, making them question who to rely on. It's gotten good reviews by the msm and by real people, including readers and publishers of this blog.

[EOP]

When It Comes to NFL Officiating, You've Got to Be Kidding

No one outside of Denver wanted to see Denver win or have to hear any more from Sean Payton. But the Bills' losing to them was not the outrage of the game. As explained in this article, the game-changing ruling (of an interception instead of a completed pass) at the end of the game in overtime was not reviewed “to move the game along.” Yeah, the only other game that day (Niners/Seahawks) would be starting in hour or so. I'm glad the season is over.

[EOP]

Windows Storage Sense

Even an ultra-fast SSD can’t perform at its best when it’s maxed out. Storage drives need breathing room to avoid stalling; ideally, you should make room before you run into a problem. The best Windows setting to control clutter is Storage Sense, which is like the old Disk Cleanup tool, but more modernized and automated. Go to Start>Settings>System > Storage > Storage Sense to access it. Here, you’ll see various options that let your computer automatically clean itself up. For instance, you can set Storage Sense to clean up unnecessary files when your disk space gets low, delete old files from the Recycle Bin or Downloads folders, and remove downloaded cloud files so they’re online-only. I don’t recommend automatically clearing out your Downloads folder, since you might want to keep the items there, but cleaning up temporary system files when your space gets low is a good baseline. Keep at least 10% of your disk space free, and you shouldn’t run into storage-related performance drops.

[EOP]

Trump Demographic

From the NYT: 20% of the voter population are White evangelicals. In the 2024 election, 80% of them voted for Trump.

[EOP]

Correction re Advertising Enigma Post of Yesterday

A post here yesterday raised the issue of celebrities' promoting products with which they have no connection. The post put up an ad which had a person in it that the post characterized as having no celebrity status. An astute and discerning reader correctly pointed out that our characterization demonstrated our profound ignorance. The ad (for step-in sneakers) featured Sofía Vergara, who is a well-known actress and television personality who has received five nominations each at the Primetime Emmy Awards and the Golden Globe Awards. We have no excuse beyond pleading ignorance, we apologize for our stupidity and any confusion or upsetment we might have caused, we promise to try to do better in the future, and we appreciate the reader's correction for which we acknowledge our eternal debt of gratitude. 

[EOP]

Recommended Pour Over Coffee Maker

Many of us cannot be bothered with pour-over coffee makers, and don't like that they don't have a keep-warm feature. But if you are a pour-over coffee afficionado, the Ratio Four is the way to go as explained in this review. As you can see it's beautiful. With an automatic bloom and hands-free brewing, the Ratio Four makes coffee like a V60, Kalita Wave, or Chemex, without any of the hard work. You just press ‘Start’ and wait for five minutes, and your coffee is finished. 

[EOP]

Conflicting Signals on Support for Trump and a Weird Ray of Hope

As this WSJ article reports, by 15 percentage points, more voters rate the economy as weak rather than strong, a deterioration from July, when negative views predominated by 4 points. About half of voters said the economy has gotten worse in the past year, compared with 35% who see improvement. Those are among the warning signs for the president and the Republican Party in the poll, which finds voters think Trump is focusing on foreign affairs and other matters at the expense of their most pressing concerns—rising prices and the overall economy. Still, support for Trump among his most loyal supporters remains resilient, limiting damage to his political standing from the sour views of his economic management. Some 92% of people who voted for him in 2024 give him a positive job rating today, including 70% who “strongly approve.” Perhaps the only conclusion to draw is this: The polls are not reliably measuring anything. That said, as this other WSJ article reports, this week, President Trump may have lost Joe Rogan for the prosecution of his own war— this one on immigration. For those who might not know who Rogan is, he's the "country's most important swing voter," or as Doug Schoen (a Clinton advisor and knowledgeable political consultant) put it, "He's the weathervane." In February 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson famously lost Walter Cronkite when the renowned news anchor told Americans he could no longer accept the president’s assurances about the war in Vietnam. Outwardly, at least, the “most trusted man in America” may bear little resemblance to Rogan, the world’s most popular podcaster. One is scarcely imaginable without a coat and tie, the other tends toward muscle t-shirts and hoodies. But in one regard, they overlap: As Cronkite was in his time, Rogan is now an essential barometer of national sentiment in a fractured and suspicious age.

[EOP]

Advertising Enigma

Advertising has become a total mystery to this blog. We don't understand how it is that professional athletes seem to dominate selling of products having nothing to do with them, their teams, their sports, or athletics or anything else. We've been told that it's a social media thing, and that social media has changed everything. We don't disagree. We just don't understand. But an ad in several major newspapers this morning confounds us at a different level, because it doesn't involve any known personalities, athletes, or celebs. Yeah, we understand that "sex sells." But this isn't really sex either. It's a step-in shoe.

[EOP]

Checkout Changes at Costco ... Consider Sam's Club

Costco customers (other than me) largely rejected self-checkout, and the warehouse club responded by removing it from most stores. That follows recent trends where both Walmart and Target have limited many self-checkouts to a maximum amount of items (no one shops there anyhow so no one cares). In some ways, those changes were made to limit theft opportunities and to prevent scanning errors that lead to accidental shoplifting, while it also keeps self-checkout for people with only a few items. That's pretty similar to the "10 items or less" checkouts that used to be common in grocery stores. But just because Costco has backed away from self-checkout, it does not mean the chain has given up on helping you pay for your items more efficiently. It's actually implementing new ways to speed up checkout in its stores, including letting customers scan as they go. That said, Sam's Club (which has the same generous return policy on TVs and computers as Costco has) is going to technology that ends lines and traditional checkout. Sam's Club membership fee and product pricing also is often better than Costco's.

[EOP]

My New Favored EV

As this article explains, Mercedes Benz has a self-driving EV coming early this year that is far better than Tesla's. It's system is called MB.Drive Assist Pro, which employs an artificial intelligence living on a water-cooled Nvidia superchip, in order to see, understand, and anticipate the world around the car. At virtually every instant, this entity is weighing 10 separate options for safe and efficient passage, drawing upon the collected wisdom of thousands of drivers logging almost 10 million miles and executing the best course of action. Tesla’s technology relies on only eight cameras to see the world, eschewing the cost and computational load of lidar and other sensors. But cameras have their limits. For one thing, they can be rendered less effective by rain, snow, fog, or glare. Most automakers remain skeptical of the optics-only approach, as do some regulators. Mercedes prefers redundancy: 10 cameras; five range-sensing lidar units; and a dozen ultrasonic parking sensors, which combine to paint a world map in multiple wavelengths. In goes the terabytes; out comes good decisions. I haven't been able to get any info on price, but if it's competitive, giddy-up!!!!

[EOP]

Brasserie Melrose (Phoenix Restaurant)

Phoenix is not long on French restaurants, so the newly opened Brasserie Melrose caught our attention.  Many of the dishes (including snails, mussels, other seafood, and more) look intriguing, but without posting prices and pictures, it's a risk. Hope to hear from someone who has tried it.

[EOP]

How to Get the Verizon $20 Outage Rebate and Two PSs

To make amends for its widespread outage, Verizon is offering affected customers a $20 credit on their Verizon bills. To get it, you’ll need the My Verizon app (iOS, Android). Once logged in, tap the “Mobile actions” button on the main tab. If you were one of the impacted users, you should see an apology and a shiny “Redeem Now” button. Tap it and—if all goes well—you’ll be told the credit has been redeemed. The fine print says the credit will show up in one to two billing cycles. So, be sure to check your next couple of bills to make sure Verizon follows through on its promise. And one small clarification: Verizon tells me it’s $20 per plan, not $20 per line. 

PS 1: It's inexcusable given that Verizon has a system that identifies customers who were affected, that Verizon doesn't just issue the rebates.

PS 2: I can't tell you T-Mobile is a better company. But I can say, if you switch to T-Mobile, you'll get a fantastic deal on new phones (actually, likely free phones) and a lower cost plan than you're getting from Verizon.

[EOP]

Trump's Actions in Venezuela Were Predictable

Many people have expressed consternation and bewilderment about why Trump did what he did in Venezuela. Oh, you poor souls: Jack Ryan explained it clearly years ago.

[EOP]

Latest on Kyrsten Sinema

Kyrsten Sinema—a Democratic-turned-independent former U.S. Senator known for bucking party orthodoxy—left Congress last year, but is now back in headlines as she faces a lawsuit for allegedly breaking up the 14-year marriage of one of her staffers while in office. In the complaint, which was first filed in September in a North Carolina state court, plaintiff Heather Ammel accused Sinema of seducing her ex-husband Matthew Ammel, who began working for Sinema in April 2022 as part of her security detail. The complaint is rife with shocking accusations, including how Sinema and Ammel exchanged messages of “romantic and lascivious natures” on the encrypted messaging app Signal, how the former Senator sent him sexually suggestive photos, and how she suggested that he bring a hallucinogenic drug, which Sinema allegedly offered to “guide him through,” during a work trip. This Time article has more on this story.

[EOP]

Golden Oak BBQ (Phoenix Restaurant at 1326 N. Central)

Golden Oak BBQ  gets 5-stars on every front. The food is delicious, the portions are substantial, the noise level is pleasing, the parking is right there and plentiful, the service is friendly and efficient, the water glasses are large, and the prices are quite reasonable. Even if brisket, pork, or ribs are not your thing, there are unique entrees of chicken, shrimp, or squash to meet any palate as well as a Caesar salad, and the side dishes (including especially the elote) are yummy. 

[EOP]

PS re Importance of Proper Tooth Brushing

Another reason has been brought to our attention by a reliable source (who characterized our post yesterday as "super advice") that proper tooth brushing is no trivial matter. It turns out that numerous patients end up in the hospital with brain abscesses and heart valve infections resulting from from poor dental hygiene, which can cause strokes.

[EOP]

PS re Uninstalling Microsoft Co-Pilot

The constant suggestions from Co-Pilot have increasingly gotten on my nerves. From what I can tell, there is no risk uninstalling Co-Pilot because it can easily be re-installed from the Microsoft App Store. And uninstalling is a snap: Settings/Installed Apps/Co-Pilot/Uninstall.

PS: Uninstalling Co-Pilot without doing a registry tweak (which I won't do) might result in Co-Pilot being reinstalled when Microsoft does one its updates. So, if you do uninstall Co-Pilot but later see it has crept back in with its annoying suggestions, just go to Settings/Installed Apps and uninstall it again.

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The Lowdown (2 Season Series on Hulu)

The Lowdown was pushed on us by a sometime-reader, and we paused watching Victoria (which was also pushed on us by the same reader) to start watching it. As we were watching EP1, the same reader modified their take with these comments:  "It's very good all the way. It just gets stretched a little thin and totters a bit at the end. But we still enjoyed it."  Although it suffers from the "sad dad syndrome," the plot holds your attention, which revolves around a determined bookstore owner in Tulsa who moonlights as an investigative journalist, digging into local corruption. When his reporting uncovers sinister connections, he must protect both his family and the truth. Except to express appreciation for the nudging, nuff said. 

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Eagles Consolation Win

The NFL’s blockbuster regular season rolled straight into wild-card weekend, and the audiences followed.  The Eagles led the entire weekend at 41 million viewers for the biggest wild-card audience since 2015. So, it's not just fans who mourn the departure of the Eagles, it's the broadcast networks and the advertisers, along with anyone with a soul or ounce of humanity.

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Speeding Up and Protecting Privacy in Windows 11

This article walks you through some suggestions and easy setting changes to stop ads and notifications from Windows 11, and other steps to have your computer run faster and more privately. Specifically, among other tips, it will show you how to disable ads and spam, disable OneDrive, get rid of Co-Pilot, and minimize telemetry and tracking.

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How to Insure You Have a Flight

Say you know you want to visit family or friends at a far off holiday time or meet them for a vacation well in the future, so you don't have much, if any, flexibility as to flight dates. For peace of mind, what you might do is make your flight reservations sooner rather than later even if for a price higher than you might have liked, and select "refundable" to the original form of payment or, if you fly a lot anyhow on that airline, to travel credit. That way, you have a flight locked up, and you can monitor for price reductions and easily change (without any change fee or cost) if such becomes available.

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How to Tell If Your USB Cable Will Fast Charge

As this article explains, just because a device can charge very fast doesn't mean you'll always get the maximum charging speeds. You'll need one of the best fast chargers or a power bank, along with a USB cable to support higher charging speeds. So it's important to know how to identify a fast-charging USB cable from one with a lower power rating, and this article will tell you how.

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Proper Way to Use an Electric Toothbrush

Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and begin brushing the outside surfaces of your teeth. Hold the brush's rotating heads against each tooth for 2 to 5 seconds before moving on to the next one. After brushing the outer surfaces of your teeth, move to the inside surfaces, holding your brush's rotating heads against these surfaces for two to five seconds before moving on to the next. Next, hold your brush's head against the chewing surfaces of your teeth. Hold your brush against these surfaces for a few seconds each before moving on to the next tooth. You're not done yet. Run the rotating heads of your electric toothbrush along your gum line and on your gums. This will remove any remaining plaque in your mouth. As a final step, gently brush the roof of your mouth and tongue. This is a good way to remove stubborn food particles, and brushing these areas of your mouth can also help freshen your breath.

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Oven Cleaning

As this Southern Living article explains, the bottom of the oven not only gets splatters from cooking foods, it’s also the area that catches any spills. Sometimes you just need to clean the bottom of the oven rather than the whole thing because that cooked-on mess is likely to burn on and smoke the next time you cook if you don’t clean it up right away. The charred remains of an overflowing quick bread loaf can be even harder to tackle with repeated use. With a little time and some baking soda, you can make your oven clean again. The article sets out how to clean the bottom of an oven and remove burned-on grime.

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Changes to Chrome With Latest Update

Chrome can now read web pages aloud: Read aloud is best for content like news stories, articles, and PDFs. It even highlights the words so you can follow along. To get started, right-click on any page and select Open in reading mode. In the side panel that opens, click the Play button. You can also adjust the voice, speed, and highlight style from the side panel.

View two pages in one tab: Split view puts two pages side-by-side in the same tab. This makes it easier to compare options, watch a video while taking notes, and more. To open a split view, drag another tab to the left or right edge of your browser window. Or, right-click a link and select Open Link in Split View.

Sign and annotate your PDFs: Skip downloading and printing when it’s time to sign a PDF. Use the annotation tool to hand-draw your personal signature, complete forms, and highlight lines. Open a PDF and click Annotations, choose your pen or highlighter style and color, draw your annotation or signature, and click Save .

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Be Sure to Use the Correct HDMI Port for Your Firestick

For everything to work correctly, your Fire TV Stick should either be connected to one of your audio system's HDMI inputs (if it has any) or to one of your TV's HDMI ports — and HDMI 2.1 is still preferred for picture quality. If 2.1 connections are scarce on your TV, and you can't connect your Fire TV Stick to the soundbar or receiver, make sure you're not plugging it into your TV's ARC or eARC port. The latter is the latest version of a technology called Audio Return Channel (the "e" stands for enhanced), which is essential for sending all TV audio back to your soundbar or speaker system. If your Fire TV Stick is plugged into HDMI ARC or eARC, it can complicate the audio routing for your other TV-connected devices. Much of the advice we're sharing can also be applied to other streaming devices and smart TVs. For example, if you're the proud owner of a Roku Ultra that won't output Dolby Atmos, your Roku could just be plugged into the wrong HDMI port on your TV or soundbar.

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Canary in the Flu Mine: Banner Health

Banner Health is the biggest medical provider in Phoenix. The last thing it wants to do is deter patients or possible patients from choosing Banner Health. Given that context, it is noteworthy that Banner Health has just announced that masks are mandatory for everyone (doctors, nurses, medical assistants, staff, patients, and anyone else) while they are in any Banner Health facility. The reason: flu cases are rising dramatically, the current flu vaccine is not a perfect match for the current flu variant, and, while this flu variant is not as lethal as others, it is highly transmissible and hospitalizations and bad-outcomes are increasing. We know some people who find wearing a mask uncomfortable, and use that as a reason not to wear one even in crowded indoor spaces. We hope they will put their discomfort aside for their own well-being and the well-being of those with whom they come in contact.

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Cautionary Note re Colonoscopies

[Prefatory Note: This did NOT happen to anyone we know. We heard it from a source who can be trusted completely on the matter (and it's not whom you might think)]

The compensation of practitioners in many gastroenterology groups is now a function of speed of through-put, i.e., the length of time each colonoscopy takes and the number of patients per day on which a colonoscopy is performed. As a result, and please sit down before reading further, there are known cases where the doctor has identified a growth (polyp) that traditionally would have been removed, but the doctor has chosen not to because of the time it would take, and advised the patient to have it removed within a year. While that delay in removal does not endanger the patient as such, it does call for a second colonoscopy that otherwise would have been completely unnecessary while creating even more work for the doctor.

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Windhawk

Windhawk offers Start Menu mods to taskbar tweaks and everything in between. The tool lets you change how Windows looks and behaves, and it's this blend of usability and aesthetics that makes it an indispensable application. Among the most remarkable tweaks is the Start Menu Styler, which returns a degree of control over the Windows Start Menu. After installing this mod, you can choose how the Start Menu looks and behaves. You can dial the UI back toward a Windows 10-style layout, remove the "Recommended" section to reclaim some extra app rows, or maybe lean into visual polish with translucent and cleaner designs.

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Future of LIV Golf

With the reinstatement of Koepka and the setting of criteria to reinstate Rahm, DeChambeau, Smith, and a few others, while being sure DJ, Phil, and Patrick Reed will not be reinstated, the PGA has put a dagger into LIV's heart and reveled in Trumpian retribution.

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iPhone Voice Isolation

If you're on the phone with someone, a babbling newborn can be very cute but they can also be distracting for the person on the other end of your call. If you have an iPhone, you can enable a hidden feature called Voice Isolation that can make your voice clearer on a call while blocking out background noises. Apple released Voice Isolation for phone calls in iOS 16.4 in 2023. The company added the feature alongside Wide Spectrum to FaceTime calls with iOS 15 in 2021. However, only Voice Isolation is available for regular phone calls at this time. To enable Voice Isolation, you have to be on an active phone call, as the feature isn't located in Settings. Once activated, Voice Isolation will remain on for all future calls unless you manually turn it off. 

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