Microsoft Copilot is a great shopping buddy.  With its AI “vision,” it looked at the websites I had open and analyzed the options. Not only did it save me money on a satin blouse, it picked out the right shoes.

To start, I launched the Microsoft Edge web browser on my computer, then clicked the colorful icon in the upper right of my screen, though I could have just gone to Copilot.Microsoft.com in another browser such as Chrome. From there, I typed questions into the chatbox. 

That’s how I found out which MBT running and walking shoes had roomy toeboxes but less structural support, and which ones were narrow but more supportive. Copilot also helped me choose an outfit for a dressy Literary Club event. When I decided to wear a pantsuit I already had, it showed me some satiny tops to go with it. The first was $1100, so I asked it to check with Amazon. It found me a lovely one for $18.

I also tried the Copilot app on my phone, but the Vision thing is different there. You can give it permission to see what you’re seeing with your camera, but it can’t see what you’re viewing on the web unless you point it at your computer screen. I found it awkward.

Turn on Lights, TV with Your Ring

The inventor of the Lotus Ring, a former Apple engineer, has used crutches all his life. Now he never has to get out of his chair to turn off the lights or TV. He just points his finger and taps the ring on his index finger.

Named one of Time Magazine’s “Inventions of the Year,” the Lotus Ring emits an infrared signal to turn switches on or off, no app or WiFi necessary. First, put the ring on your finger. Second, snap the Lotus Switch Cover over your light switch cover. (Magnets, attracted to the screws under your cover, snap it into place.) Third, point your finger at the lights or TV. For the lights, click once. For the TV, click twice.

AI Saves the Day Globally

I had a great chat with “Kairos,” an AI bot available at kairosai.nl.  It’s a great example of how artificial intelligence is transforming the world. 

Kairos is designed for Christians who risk imprisonment because of their Muslim heritage. Without Kairos, they could be arrested by the Iranian government whenever they explored Christian thought. Available in 256 languages and sponsored by “Transform Iran,” Kairos gets its wisdom from 7000 articles and scriptures. It also offers a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

“The Hive,” managed by Microsoft and UNHCR, a United Nations’ refugee agency, is another example of the global impact of AI. In Kenya, for example, its mapping tool helped a child reunite with her mother after she’d been separated during food distribution. Though she’d strayed into an area outside of official maps, she was discovered by AI. Likewise, in Afghanistan, AI’s aid helped a woman with her asylum interview. According to GitHub, she said: “I felt like someone was finally speaking my language, the language of fear and hope.” In Ukraine, The Hive helped dispel false claims about border closures and refugee benefits.

Button Battery Emergencies

When a kid swallows a lithium button battery, it can lodge in the esophagus, burning its way through tissues and perhaps killing the child. The Energizer 2032 has a nontoxic but extremely bitter coating that stops a kid from swallowing it. What’s more, when it comes into contact with saliva, it releases a blue dye, alerting parents. It may help reduce the estimated 3,500 button battery emergencies in the US each year.

Adding to an Amazon Delivery

If you’ve ever ordered groceries online, you’ve probably noticed that you can keep adding to your order hours later. Now that capability is rolling out to Amazon Prime members. When it’s fully available, you’ll see an “add to delivery” button just below the “add to cart” button. If you change your mind, click “undo.”

Kodak Film is Back in Stores

Dust off your old camera and head to Walmart to get Kodacolor 100 and Kodacolor 200, two new film products from Kodak. Although color film prices have increased by at least 50 percent since 2020, Kodacolor 100 and Kodacolor 200 are considered relatively inexpensive at around $9 a roll. They’ve been able to streamline their distribution process.

No More Paper Checks from the IRS

Thanks to Executive Order 14247, the Internal Revenue Service will no longer send you a refund check. You can only get it electronically as of this month. 

But that’s probably good news. According to the press release I received from the IRS, paper checks are over 16 times more likely to be lost, stolen, altered or delayed. Direct deposit also avoids a refund check getting returned to the IRS as undeliverable. Best of all, you get your refund faster. Paper checks can take six weeks or more. So go ahead and embrace the electronic version, if you haven’t already. Only seven percent of us are still getting old-fashioned check.

If you don’t have a bank account, you can use a prepaid debit card or a digital wallet. For bank suggestions, check out the nearest credit unions. As nonprofits, they offer lower fees or free checking, with minimal deposit requirements.

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Filed under: AI, Amazon, apps, batteries, gadgets, kids, photos