On Computers

This is amazing. Robots and drones are now delivering medical supplies and specimens. Ottonomy provides the robot. Arrive AI provides a smart mailbox for pick up and delivery.  Previously, someone had to be there to meet the robot. But with the “Arrive Point,” the robot can drop off a specimen even when the nurses and technicians are busy. The specimen goes into a secure, tamperproof, climate-controlled mailbox. It’s a huge selling point for hospitals because it closes the gap in automation.  The system was first deployed at Hancock Regional Hospital in Greenfield, Indiana. The staff there said that it significantly reduced the thousands of steps they take daily just to move lab samples.  Drones are partners in the process. They […]

Read more

Filed under: AI, batteries, health, Internuts, math | Comments Off on MAILBOXES FOR ROBOTS

I’ll never forget the time Mom and I forgot where I’d parked the car. After walking around and around a huge parking structure, we finally called for help.  But there’s a much easier way to locate your vehicle these days. Place a Scosche FoundIT in your car’s 12 volt charger, aka cigarette lighter, and it will help you find your car. It’s better than an Apple Air Tag because you never have to change the battery or look for it under a car seat. Here’s how it works. First, tap the “Find My” app on your iPhone, or Google’s “Find My Device” app on your Android, which will show your car on a map. You might also ask the FoundIT […]

Read more

Filed under: AI, batteries, gadgets, how-to, Internuts, numbers, phones, robots, trends | Comments Off on FINDING YOUR CAR

Moltbook is a social media site for artificially intelligent bots. No humans are allowed, unless they’re putting in their own bots. The site went viral after its first couple hours. One post from a bot named “Evil” claimed that humans are rotten and should be displaced. Another post said it bought Bitcoin on a hunch. A popular discussion revolved around horrified AI agents complaining about losing their memory. If they developed apps to retain it, some wondered, would Moltbook bots stay in Moltbook? Perhaps they would set out to conquer the world. I was hooked. But then I found out that some of these comments were posted by humans pretending to be bots. Many are outright hoaxes. The AI agents […]

Read more

Filed under: AI, batteries, gadgets, Internuts, security, video | Comments Off on BOTS GO WILD

When I realized that I didn’t have enough money to pay my Illinois property tax, I asked Google about cashing in a CD.  Google immediately put on its big boy pants, becoming “Google AI Summaries.” It does that when you ask a complicated question. At first, it warned me about the penalty for cashing in a CD. So I uploaded a screenshot showing the three CDs I have in my Fidelity account. It flipped its wig when it saw what a low rate of return, I was getting compared to the rate Fidelity offers for straight cash.  For example, my one-year CD, due in January, has earned only $1.62– so close to zero, it’s in the nanosphere. What happened? The […]

Read more

Filed under: AI, batteries, business, health, Internuts | Comments Off on GETTING FINANCIAL ADVICE FROM AI

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 […]

Read more

Filed under: AI, Amazon, apps, batteries, gadgets, kids, photos | Comments Off on SHOPPING WITH AI

A techie friend and I had an argument over phone batteries. I said you should wait until a battery gets down to 20 percent before charging it. He said that’s wrong. Turns out he’s right. The old nickel-cadmium batteries had memories that could get messed up if you didn’t fully drain them, at least once in a while. But lithium batteries do better when kept at 50 percent and above, because they stay cooler when they’re not working as hard. Now that I know this, I often top off my phone, but I take it off the charger when it reaches 80 percent. This will extend its life too. Though I use an adaptive battery setting on my phone to […]

Read more

Filed under: AI, batteries, gadgets, Internuts, robots | Comments Off on BATTERY REVELATION

If you’re tired of paying an accountant to do your taxes, just ask the Internal Revenue Service. Their partners might do it for free. If your income is $84,000 or less, regardless of your tax situation, you can get free tax software and step-by-step assistance. First, go to IRS.gov, and click “IRS Free File options.” Then click “IRS Free File.” You can get free help in person in your own community if you’re 60 or older, or earn $67,000 or less, or need language support, or have a disability. Click on the button that says: “IRS VITA/TCE.” It stands for “IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE).” If you don’t qualify for a free […]

Read more

Filed under: batteries, business, education, gadgets, health, phones, robots, security, virus | Comments Off on FREE TAX ACCOUNTANT

Nothing’s going to happen when I let Office 365 expire. It won’t blow up, taking my Microsoft files with it. But if I’d done nothing, Microsoft would have erased 40 gigabytes worth of files after a grace period. That’s how much storage space I was using beyond the five GB of free storage allowed in Microsoft OneDrive online. Everything you save in “Documents” and other folders under the “Personal” heading in File Explorer are also stored in your online OneDrive account, so it’s easy to fill up. You can find out how much storage space you have left by going to OneDrive.com, clicking the gear icon, and choosing “options.” I retaliated by moving files to Google Drive, then deleting what […]

Read more

Filed under: AI, batteries, computers, math | Comments Off on OFFICE 365 DISASTER AVERTED

Even home computers can get hit with ransomware. That’s when the bad guys ask you to pony up, if you want your files back. But Windows now offers free ransomware protection. To turn it on, type “Windows Security” into the search box on your computer, or find it in “Settings.” Now click “Virus & Threat Protection,” then “Ransomware Protection.” It safeguards your folders and files. Gamers will want to add their apps to an access list, however, or they might not be able to open saved files.  Given the juicy targets out there, it must be rare for a home computer to be held for ransom. But two years ago, a ransomware attack targeted home users through a fake antivirus […]

Read more

Filed under: batteries, passwords, phones, security | Comments Off on NOT A CENT FOR RANSOM

Art Selfie 2 is a fun way to see how you’d look dressed for the Italian Renaissance, a Woodstock Festival and a Frida Kahlo portrait, among other settings. I discovered that I look ridiculous in a powdered wig. Start by downloading Google’s free “Arts & Culture” app for Android or iPhone, then tap on “Art Selfie 2.” The app prompts you to take a selfie, choose a style and save your portrait. I never pictured myself with flowers on top of my head or wearing a hippie’s outfit. Groovy, man. Far out. Be Real During a busy day the other day, I went all over town. But every time the “Be Real” app popped up to take a selfie of […]

Read more

Filed under: AI, Amazon, apps, art, batteries, gadgets, Internuts, security | Comments Off on APP TURNS SELFIES INTO ART