Author Archives: Carol Edwards

Picking out gifts for the lady in your life is a special opportunity to show your loved one just how much you care about her — especially when it’s your mom or your girlfriend. But a bad gift can prove exactly the opposite if you decide to go the lazy route.

There’s a wealth of unique items littered across the worldwide web — from kitchen appliances to CBD products, to robot vacuums and everything in-between. But having too many choices isn’t always a good thing. Sometimes it’s enough product overload to trick you into impulse-buying something your special person may not even want. (In other words, don’t chuck $200 at a coffee maker if they don’t even like drinking coffee, silly.)  Read more…

More about Subscription Services, Shopping Amazon, Shopping Mashable, Shopping Linkshare, and Gift Guide

Facebook has been embroiled in another password-related mess.

As reported by Business Insider, the social media giant inadvertently uploaded the email contacts of 1.5 million users who had just signed up to the network.

The issue stems from when Facebook asked new users for their email passwords at sign-up, an odd request which was spotted a few weeks ago by a cybersecurity researcher by the name of “e-sushi.” 

Facebook ended the practice shortly after it was called out on it, but it turns out users who had entered their passwords likely had their contacts scraped anyway without their permission. The company said it is in the process of deleting the contacts. Read more…

More about Tech, Facebook, Cybersecurity, Social Media, and Passwords

Concept cars at auto shows rarely disappoint — and the compact electric car from luxury car brand Genesis is one of the cuter ideas for a future car.

At the New York International Auto Show this week, the Genesis Mint was on display, showing off the high-end urban vehicle. The Hyundai luxury brand doesn’t have any electric vehicles in its lineup yet.

It’s a small car with only two seats and two doors, but the butterfly-wing doors are a showstopper despite the mini size. There’s no trunk, but there is a shelf behind the seats to stash some items for your jaunt around town. Read more…

More about New York Auto Show, Electric Vehicles, Concept Cars, Luxury Car, and Genesis

With 4/20 comes a heavy dose of cheesy stoner-themed brand promotions that make cannabis consumers nationwide sigh deeply.

The latest travesty against both cuisine and cannabis is the new Carl’s Jr. “Rocky Mountain High Cheese Burger Delight,” which features two beef patties stacked on top of fries and laden with a CBD-infused “Santa Fe sauce.” It’s topped with cheese and picked jalapeños. 

The burger retails for a predictable $4.20 and will only be available at one location in Denver on Apr. 20. You also have to be at least 18 years old to purchase it. 

Strip away the annoying marketing, and there’s another problem with this mushy meat pile: The Rocky Mountain High burger sauce will only contain 5 mg of CBD per serving. That’s a smidge when it comes to CBD servings — especially for a CBD edible — and likely will have no impact on you whatsoever. Beyond that, CBD won’t get you high! Read more…

More about Fast Food, 420, Cbd, Culture, and Web Culture

Nicolas Cage would be proud. 

The car-sharing company Car2Go has temporarily suspended operations in Chicago following the reported theft of 100 cars off its platform. While the exact details are hazy, it appears that as-of-yet undetermined individuals fraudulently used the company’s app to gain access to Car2Go vehicles and then make their dastardly escape. 

SEE ALSO: The hackers getting paid to keep the internet safe

News of the theft was first reported by CBS Chicago investigative reporter Brad Edwards, who tweeted that “[as] many as 100 Mercedes / high-end cars missing / stolen,” and that “[many] being used to commit crimes.” Read more…

More about Apps, Cars, Sharing Economy, Tech, and Transportation

Verizon is making it both cheaper and more expensive to buy a new phone with the carrier. It all depends on how you choose to purchase.

As CNET reports, starting tomorrow the upgrade and activation fees for purchases completed in stores or over the phone are increasing from $30 to $40. Verizon sees this as offering a “full service experience” and therefore warrants the additional cost for anyone who wants that experience.

If you balk at the idea of paying the extra $10, Verizon is one step ahead of you. Deciding to purchase online or using the My Verizon app used to cost $30, but that’s being reduced to $20 from tomorrow. Read more…

More about Verizon, Fees, Tech, and Consumer Tech

Seeing is believing, right?

After years of writing about foldable phone rumors and concepts and leaks, I finally got to hold Samsung’s highly anticipated Galaxy Fold and try out its bendable display — crease and all — and I have to say, it definitely scores a 100 on hype. In a saturated market where all phones essentially look and work the same, the Galaxy Fold was refreshing.

As someone who’s maybe been the most critical of foldable phones, I was surprised by how polished the phone was. For a first-generation product, the Galaxy Fold felt more finished than I expected it be.

Unfortunately, at the very moment I was fawning over the new form factor like a little boy, reviewers who were a few days into testing the Galaxy Fold learned the device might not be as durable or reliable as Samsung claims. Read more…

More about Mobile, Android, Samsung, Foldable Phones, and Galaxy Fold

The annual Time 100 list debuted Wednesday with a shocking juxtaposition: The magazine recognized Christine Blasey Ford as an “icon” but also honored Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, the man she said drunkenly assaulted her during high school, as a “leader.”

For those who believe Ford, seeing Kavanaugh on the same list as her is more than an insult — it’s a cruel reminder that even in the #MeToo era, men credibly accused of assault can nevertheless rise to power while being lauded and celebrated as one of the world’s most “influential” people (see also: Donald J. Trump). 

Letting Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell praise Kavanaugh’s character, citing his “resilience,” “loyal devotion to family and friends,” and “undeterred reverence for the law,” is akin to casting a long shadow on not just Ford’s claim, but also the profile Senator Kamala Harris, a Democrat, wrote on her behalf.  Read more…

More about Media, Time 100, Brett Kavanaugh, Christine Blasey Ford, and Social Good

Six weeks after beloved Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek informed fans he had stage 4 pancreatic cancer, he’s once again checked in with fans. He thanked everyone for all of their well-wishes and says he’s feeling pretty good. 

The video was posted Wednesday afternoon in coordination with the wrap-up of filming on the game show’s 35th (!) season. 

In the quick clip, Trebek says, “I wanted once again to thank you for your continuing messages of encouragement and support, particularly the many cards I’ve received from young people. I’m touched beyond words.”

He also address rumors regarding his health and promises to be back for the next season this fall: “Despite what you may have heard, I’m feeling good, I’m continuing with my therapy, and [the show’s staff] is already working on our next season… So I look forward to seeing you once again in September with all kinds of good stuff.” Read more…

More about Cancer, Game Show, Jeopardy, Alex Trebek, and Culture

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