Meta said earlier this month that it would lay off over 11,000 employees, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg writing that it would shift more resources onto AI and the long-term vision for the metaverse. 

The shift has been lambasted by those who say he should scrap the VR-driven plan and start over. 

Zuckerberg has also faced scrutiny over the proposed acquisition of VR content maker Within Unlimited, although the Federal Trade Commission argues that the deal would "create a monopoly" in the market for VR-dedicated fitness apps.

However, while the metaverse has faced criticism, VR headsets remain popular with gamers. 

TAX FILING WEBSITES SENT FACEBOOK FINANCIAL INFORMATION: REPORT

Nevertheless, prices may vary – and the Meta Quest Pro is another one of Meta's gambles. 

Meta announced last month that the virtual reality headset was available for purchase – but do holiday shoppers get bang for their buck?

The company's "most advanced headset" – the first in a new "high-end class" of VR headsets – costs a hefty sum of nearly $1,500. 

That order includes the headset, two self-tracking Meta Quest Touch Pro controllers, stylus tips, partial light blockers and a charging dock. 

In a release, Meta said that it enables "full-color mixed reality," blending virtual experiences with the physical world and comes with high-resolution sensors, next-generation pancake optics, advanced LCD displays and a sleek and comfortable design with eye tracking and Natural Facial Expressions.

"All of this makes Meta Quest Pro the perfect device for collaborating and working much more naturally in VR. And we plan on working closely with developers over time to build a rich ecosystem of experiences that leverage Meta Quest Pro’s innovative mixed reality and social presence capabilities," the company wrote, adding that it is excited to see what developers create with tools released for the Presence Platform suite of machine perception and AI capabilities.

GOOGLE MAPS ROLLS OUT NEW FEATURES: HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

Meta added that the headset would be "ideal for the future of work," including using Horizon Workrooms meetings, as well as for art and other pursuits. 

"Meta is positioning the new Meta Quest Pro headset as an alternative to using a laptop," Rolf Illenberger, founder and managing director of VRdirect, told The Associated Press, noting that for businesses, operating in the virtual worlds of the metaverse is still "quite a stretch."

The company said it was continuing to improve the VR software experience and that it will be adding recording and casting for MR in a future software update. 

It is available to consumers where Meta Quest products are supported online and at select retailers, including Best Buy and Amazon.

Other headsets cost hundreds of dollars less, though they offer different features. 

The Meta Quest 2 was marked down from around $400 to $350 on Saturday, and the Oculus Quest 2 retails for $500.

The Playstation VR2, which has intelligent eye tracking, sharp focus, 3D audio immersion and more, will be available in February for around $550. 

The Apple VR/augmented reality headset is rumored to cost more than $2,000, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

The cost will reportedly be due to the powerful hardware used. 

China said at the beginning of the month that it aims to ship more than 25 million VR devices by 2026.

Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

National security officials are raising the alarm on an increasing number of drones flying through restricted areas around the Capitol in Washington D.C.

The drones, almost exclusively manufactured in China, have become a serious concern for both safety and counter-intelligence security. 

Government officials and lawmakers do not believe the drones have been connected to foreign governments or attempts to compromise U.S. Capitol security. However, the ramifications of the rapidly evolving technology could pose problems in the future as consumer electronics become more advanced.

FORMER MILITARY INTELLIGENCE ANALYST: BIDEN ADMIN BUYING CHINESE DRONES 'POSES NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT'

An anonymous government contractor familiar with regulations and security for D.C. airspace told Politico, "There’s YouTube videos that could walk your grandparents through how to update the software on one of these drones to be non-detectable and to do a whole lot of other things — get rid of elevation ceilings, all kinds of stuff. If you were to go buy a DJI drone at the store, it wouldn’t fly over airports or specific cities because of a specific no-fly zone."

"So, anything that we see in D.C. that is a DJI-manufactured product has been hacked or manipulated to enable flight in these zones," the contractor added.

FEDERAL AGENCIES BUYING UP CHINESE DRONES PREVIOUSLY DEEMED A NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT: REPORT

DJI is one of the most popular drone manufacturers in the industry, and the company requires those who purchase their products to download proprietary software and provide to users their own mapping databases that have the potential to be monitored remotely. 

However, DJI has previously been accused of working closely with the Chinese Communist Party.

Chinese President Xi Jinping requires that every company maintain communist party officials in their ranks so that they will "firmly listen to the party and follow the party."

Beijing is also a direct investor in the drone company, and maintains sizable power in its operations.

The U.S. government added DJI to a Treasury blacklist last December.

Fox News' Chuck Flint and Joshua Q. Nelson contributed to this report.

Elon Musk took to Twitter on Wednesday to troll critics and former employees of his company in a new Twitter merchandise reveal. 

The day after Musk found and revealed a closet full of "stay woke" t-shirts at Twitter headquarters — a catchphrase often used by those on the ideological Left — the new Twitter boss retconned the design and reveal a new "Stay at work" shirt.

"Awesome new Twitter merch!" he captioned the photo.

The new design, which could be just a meme, is a reference to Musk’s changing or work policy at Twitter. After he took over the platform, Musk ended remote work for employees, a convenience that was made widely available under the coronavirus pandemic.

ELON MUSK EXPOSES 'SECRET CLOSET' FULL OF 'STAY WOKE' T-SHIRTS AT TWITTER HQ

In a mass email on Nov. 9, Musk said there was "no way to sugarcoat the message" and that employees should expect changes concerning office policy.

The email allegedly said Musk will discontinue remote work and will be requiring employees to be in the office for at least 40 hours per week. Any exceptions would need his personal approval, Bloomberg reported.

He echoed these requirements in an all-hands meeting with Twitter employees, Platformer Managing Editor Zoe Schiffer reported in a tweet. 

"If you can physically make it to an office and you don’t show up, resignation accepted," he said on Nov. 10.

The changes were implemented within two weeks of Musk completing his $44 billion acquisition of the company.

DONALD TRUMP REACTS AFTER ELON MUSK REINSTATES HIS TWITTER ACCOUNT, ENDING LIFETIME BAN

On Tuesday, Musk posted a video of him and another person finding an entire "secret closet" full of shirts that read: #StayWoke.

"Here we are at the [merchandise] thing and there’s an entire closet full of hashtag woke," Musk said. An unidentified person off-camera added: "A secret closet."

In the aftermath of the purchase, critics have vocalized concerns Musk's push to enable "free speech" on the platform would allow discrimination, insults, and fake news to flourish.

Musk has since highlighted that "hate speech impressions" are down by a third, an accolade he credited to the remaining Twitter employees.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Others criticized Musk’s decision to reinstate previously banned users like former President Donald Trump and the satirical website Babylon Bee.

For some people, the holidays are all about relaxing at home. If you have extra time on your hands, do yourself a favor and organize your messy photo collection. Tap or click to see how I get the job done.

Are you visiting family? Look for your favorite old photos hanging on their walls or tucked away in albums. Tap or click for an app to scan them without any glare.

And if you laughed at the words "extra time," I’m here for you, too. Here are a handful of simple ways to get through the holidays with a smile on your face.

The classic holiday battle: What time should you leave the house to get to your destination on time and avoid traffic?

Stop guessing and let traffic-predicting algorithms make your drive easier. Google Maps and Apple Maps offer options to help you plan your trip. 

PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY, YOUR CELL PHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS

You can get a pretty accurate traffic forecast for a future date based on what the conditions are like on that day and time. Then you can fine-tune your departure time to find the ideal time to hit the road.

Here’s how to set a planned time and date for a trip in Google Maps:

Tap or click here to find out the best time to leave based on when you want to arrive — and steps to do both in Apple Maps.

Losing your bag on a flight is a drag, and it's even worse when you have gifts tucked in your bag. Knowing where your suitcase is is easy as long as you have a tracker inside.

Apple AirTags are quarter-sized trackers that use Bluetooth from other iPhones to determine where they are. You can see the location of every AirTag associated with your account using the Find My app. 

Tile trackers work similarly and are a good option for Android users.

It's a good idea to throw one in your checked baggage. This way, you can see whether your bag makes it to your destination. But there is a time when the tracker is worthless: When your luggage travels through the airport's inner conveyor belt system. Once your luggage is out of there, you'll know exactly where it's located.

I have AirTags on my keys, in my cars and on my dog. Tap or click for smart ways to get more out of these useful little trackers.

It's not always possible to see the whole family each year. Virtual gatherings are much easier to organize since we got used to them during the pandemic.

Don’t spend a Zoom or Google Meet call wishing everyone would stop arguing about politics. Here are three simple ways to liven up your online get-together:

Jingle bell rock together: How to create and share holiday playlists with loved ones.

HOW TO SCAN A QR CODE WITH YOUR IPHONE OR ANDROID PHONE (NO APPS NEEDED)

Ever wonder if the price you see on Amazon is the best price or — the moment you check out — that price will drop? That’s where CamelCamelCamel comes in.

It’s a price-comparison site that tracks the cost of millions of products on Amazon. You can use it to check if the item you’re considering is at a good price or if you should wait for a better deal. Here’s how it works:

To make deal hunting even easier, install the CamelCamelCamel browser extension, The Camelizer. Tap or click here for direct links to download and the steps to use it.

No one has time to go from site to site or to a bunch of different physical stores to find the best price on something. Let Google Shopping do the hard work for you. It's easy to use and shows you prices across just about any retailer you can think of. 

Here’s a nice bonus: You can even buy things right there without having to make a new account if you have payment info tied to your Google account. Select the Buy on Google filter to see your options.

Google smarts: 10 search tricks to find what you’re looking for faster on Google.

MY PODCAST PICK: AirPods as hearing aids, PayPal warning, Twitter alternatives

In 30 minutes, you’ll learn 1: How to find the hidden privacy report in your phone, 2: The secret to kicking moochers out of your Netflix account, and 3: My tried-and-true method for cleaning up your messy photo gallery.

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Try my podcast "Kim Komando Today" on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.

Get more tech know-how on The Kim Komando Show, broadcast on 425+ radio stations and available as a podcast. Sign up for Kim’s 5-minute free morning roundup for the latest security breaches and tech news. Need help? Drop your question for Kim here.

Copyright 2023, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. By clicking the shopping links, you’re supporting my research. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I believe in.

Tax filing websites have reportedly been sending users’ financial information to Facebook. 

According to a new report from The Markup, the data was shared through widely used code called the Meta Pixel. 

The publication said it includes names, email addresses, filing status, refund amounts, dependents' college scholarship amounts, and information related to users' income. 

The Markup said the information sent to the social media giant can be used by the company for advertising algorithms and is gathered whether or not the person using the tax filing service has an account on Facebook or another Meta platform.

APPLE IPHONE DATA NOT AS ANONYMOUS AS COMPANY SAYS: RESEARCHERS

Some of the most widely used e-filing services employ the Pixel, including TaxAct, H&R Block, and TaxSlayer.

The Markup said a review showed a pixel on TaxAct's website sent personal information – including filing status, their adjusted gross income, and the amount of their refund – to Facebook. 

Names of dependents were apparently also sent in a generally reversible format. 

H&R Block, the report said, embedded a pixel that gathered information on filers' health savings account usage and dependents’ college tuition grants and expenses. 

This comes as TaxSlayer sent personal information as a part of Facebook's "advanced matching" system, including phone numbers, the name of the user, and the names of any dependents on the return.

"The privacy of our customers is very important to all of us at TaxAct and we continue to comply with all laws and IRS regulations," TaxAct said in an emailed statement to Fox News on Wednesday. "Data provided to Facebook is used at an aggregate level, not the individual level, by TaxAct to analyze our advertising effectiveness. TaxAct is not using the information provided by its customers and referenced in the report issued by The Markup to target advertising with Facebook."

TaxSlayer spokesperson Molly Richardson told The Markup that it had removed the pixel to evaluate its use, noting that Ramsey Solutions "decided to remove the pixel" as well.

GOOGLE MAPS ROLLS OUT NEW FEATURES: HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

"Our customers’ privacy is of utmost importance, and we take concerns about our customers’ information very seriously," she said.

"H&R Block has removed the pixels from its DIY online product to stop any client tax information from being collected," H&R Block told Fox News.

The Markup said that as of Monday, TaxAct's site no longer sent financial details like income and refund amounts to Meta, but continued to send the names of dependents. 

In addition, TaxSlayer and Ramsey Solutions had removed the pixel from their tax filing sites, but H&R Block’s site was continuing to send information on health savings accounts and college tuition grants.

Megan McConnell, a spokesperson for Ramsey Solutions, said that the company had "implemented the Meta Pixel to deliver a more personalized customer experience." 

"We did NOT know and were never notified that personal tax information was being collected by Facebook from the Pixel," she said. "As soon as we found out, we immediately informed TaxSlayer to deactivate the Pixel from Ramsey SmartTax." 

Intuit's TurboTax also stopped sending usernames through the pixel at sign-in, according to the Markup.

"Intuit does not share tax return information with social media platforms, including Meta (Facebook), for marketing or any other purpose. The Meta Pixel does not track, gather, or share information that users enter in TurboTax while filing their taxes. Intuit’s use of Meta Pixel is compliant with Section 7216," a spokesperson for Intuit told Fox News in an email.

Intuit said it is committed with being a responsible steward of customers' data and is clear about usage in a Global Privacy Statment.

"Consistent with our privacy policy we may share some non-tax return information, such as usernames, with marketing partners to deliver a better customer experience. For example, if an individual clicks on a TurboTax ad on Facebook and creates an Intuit account or signs into their account, Meta Pixel allows us to no longer show advertisements to the individual," the spokesperson added. "While we have been consistent with our privacy policy, we have modified the implementation of Meta Pixel to ensure that moving forward username is not transmitted."

Fox News Digital's requests for comment from Meta, TaxSlayer and Ramsey Solutions were not immediately returned.

App developers at Mysk claim that analysis shows the detailed analytics data Apple records about what users do in the App Store can be linked directly to accounts. 

In a series of tweets on Sunday, Mysk researchers said Apple's analytics data include a Directory Services Identifier (DSID), which uniquely identifies an iCloud account and is associated with name, email and any other iCloud-related data.

Mysk said the tech giant's claims in its device analytics and privacy statement that the collected data does not personally identify users is "inaccurate," and that the App Store continues to send detailed analytics to Apple even when sharing analytics is turned off.

GOOGLE MAPS ROLLS OUT NEW FEATURES: HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

"This means that your detailed behavior when browsing apps on the App Store is sent to Apple, and contains the ID needed to link the data to you," Mysk said, noting that the DSID is also sent by other Apple apps for analytics purposes.

Mysk said there was no way to stop it. 

In its Device Analytics & Privacy statement, Apple says iPhone Analytics may include details about hardware and operating system specifications, performance statistics and data about how you use devices and applications. 

"None of the collected information identifies you personally. Personal data is either not logged at all, is subject to privacy preserving techniques such as differential privacy, or is removed from any reports before they’re sent to Apple," it said. "You can review this information on your iOS device by going to Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements and tapping Analytics Data."

Apple notes that, should the user agree to send analytics information to Apple from multiple devices that use the same iCloud account, it may correlate some usage data about Apple apps across those devices by syncing using end-to-end encryption. 

THE TWITTER ALTERNATIVE MASTODON: WHAT TO KNOW

"We do this in a manner that does not identify you to Apple," the statement says. 

Users may also choose to disable the sharing of device analytics altogether.

However, the App Store and Privacy statement says personal information is collected to improve the stores. 

"To find ways to improve the stores, we use information about your browsing, purchases, searches and downloads. These records are stored with IP address, a random unique identifier (where that arises) and Apple ID when you are signed in to the App Store or other Apple online stores," Apple said.

On that page, it mentions turning off personalized ads, but the "Improving the Stores" section does not mention settings that would let users keep Apple from seeing personal information.

Fox News Digital's request for comment from Apple was not returned.

As Twitter users chatter about the platform's potential impending demise amid mass layoffs and resignations and reports that the app for employees had begun to slow, some users have turned to Mastodon as a potential alternative. 

Founded in 2016 by German software developer Eugen Rochko, the project's only full-time employee, the decentralized social network is a nonprofit. 

While it shares some similarities with Twitter, there are also big differences. 

There are no ads, as Mastodon is funded by donations and grants. 

TWITTER REPORTEDLY LOSING MORE STAFF MEMBERS AFTER MUSK'S 'HARDCORE' ULTIMATUM

Its feed is chronological, unlike the algorithm-based feeds of Facebook, TikTok and Twitter.

It's made up of a network of servers. While each runs independently, people on their own server – or Mastodon "instance" – are able to connect with people on different servers, as long as those servers aren't blocked.

Some servers let anyone join, while others require an invitation or approval, according to TechCrunch.

The outlet also notes that, as part of the "Fediverse," Mastodon grants users access to other decentralized social networks and – as it is open source – anyone can download, modify and install Mastodon on their own server.

Users can write posts of up to 500 characters, as well as share photos and videos. 

They can also see a general public feed and follow accounts. Mastodon also uses hashtags.

FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS: HOW TO KEEP YOURS PROTECTED

Mastodon has officially retired the word "toot," however, which was used to describe posts. Now, the "Toot" button has been replaced with one that says "Publish." 

There are more than a million users, nearly half of whom Rochko said signed up after Twitter chief Elon Musk took over in October.

Comparatively, Twitter reported 238 million daily active users who had seen an advert as of the second quarter of this year, and Facebook said it had 1.98 billion daily active users as of the third quarter.

Notably, it's harder to find people to follow on Mastadon than on the centrally administered Twitter or Facebook, and fast growth has led to some glitches.

One primary difference is verification, as there is no official process for profiles. 

"Document-based verification and blue ticks are not possible without a central authority. However, Mastodon can cross-reference the links you put on your profile to prove that you are the real owner of those links. In case one of those links is your personal homepage that is known and trusted, it can serve as the "next-best-thing to identity verification," Mastodon advises. 

Alternatively, people can add a checkmark emoji next to their name, according to Mashable.

Either way is less expensive than an $8 monthly fee.

Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Getting locked out of a social media account happens too often. 

On Meta Platforms, billions of users log on each day. Meta has said it is committed to building out its customer service in the coming years. It often directs struggling users to guided tools.

GOOGLE MAPS ROLLS OUT NEW FEATURES: HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

However, a new Wall Street Journal report notes that sometimes hackers have changed email addresses, people no longer have access to certain accounts and no longer know their passwords.

To stay hacker free, there are several steps that can potentially help, including enabling some basic privacy functions.

Adding another security measure can make an account much harder for hackers to take over. 

Authenticators like Okta Verify or security keys can help deter bad actors. 

On Facebook, go to "Security and Login Settings" and scroll to "Use two-factor authentication." 

Click "Edit" and choose the security method you want to add, including a text message code from your mobile phone.

On the Instagram app for Android and iPhone, go to your profile and tap the three horizontal bars in the top right. 

Find "Settings" and hit "Security." 

TWITTER REPORTEDLY LOSING MORE STAFF MEMBERS AFTER MUSK'S 'HARDCORE' ULTIMATUM

Under "Two-factor authentication" hit "Get started" and choose the security method you want to add.

There are other instructions for Instagram's website from a mobile browser and from a computer.

A password manager can help to keep track of even your trickiest passwords. 

However, make sure not to reuse passwords and try to keep them 12 characters or longer.

Check to see what email addresses Facebook or Instagram remember.

Another email address could make it easier to get back into an account.

To add or remove an email address in Facebook, go to Settings and hit "Contact" in the "General" tab. 

On Instagram, go to your profile, tap the three bars and then hit Settings. 

Scroll down to logins and hit "Add Account." 

"You can only be logged into a single Instagram account at a time, but your device can store login information for multiple Instagram accounts. You can add or remove login information from your Instagram app settings," the app's help center says. 

Removing login information will not temporarily deactivate or permanently delete the account.

Twitter is reportedly losing more employees a day after CEO Elon Musk gave them a deadline to choose to work "hardcore" or resign with severance pay.

In a company-wide email sent Wednesday, Musk told employees the choice had to be made by 5 p.m. EST Thursday. After the deadline, some employees took to the social media platform to announce they were "signing off," according to the Associated Press. 

More employees reportedly went to a private forum outside the company's messaging board to discuss their planned departures. 

An employee fired earlier in the week, who spoke to the AP anonymously for fear of retaliation, said people were asking if resigning would affect their U.S. visas and if they would actually get the promised severance pay.

 MUSK TRIGGERS LIBERALS WITH EMAIL URGING EMPLOYEES TO COMMIT TO ‘EXTREMELY HARDCORE’ WORK: MUSK'S ‘HELLSCAPE'

It's not clear how many staff members decided to leave after Wednesday's email, but Musk recently booted half of the company's full-time workforce of 7,500 and an undisclosed number of contractors.

Fortune Magazine tech reporter Kylie Robison tweeted Thursday evening she heard unconfirmed reports that roughly 75% of Twitter's remaining 3,700 employees resigned at the deadline.

In a thread, Robison said if the reports are true, the company would have shrunk by "whopping" 88% in only a month.

Some remaining Twitter employees took to the platform to extend well-wishes to coworkers who decided to leave the company.

"To all the Tweeps who decided to make today your last day: thanks for being incredible teammates through the ups and downs. I can’t wait to see what you do next," Esther Crawford tweeted Thursday.

Crawford is remaining at the company and has been working on the overhaul of the platform's verification system.

The newest round of departures puts the platform in a difficult position as it gears up for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which is reportedly one of Twitter's busiest events. 

In addition to the massive layoffs and the Thursday deadline, Musk fired a small group of engineers earlier in the week who spoke out against him publicly or in the company's internal Slack messaging system.

He also made waves on his first day at Twitter's helm by firing numerous top executives while others left voluntarily in the aftermath. 

ELON MUSK MOCKS CLAIM HE'S STARVING TWITTER EMPLOYEES FOR ENDING FREE LUNCHES: ‘IS THIS A PARODY?’

On Thursday, Musk sent a softer email backpedaling on his initial decision to ban remote work and make every employee work in the office. Employees are now allowed to work remotely as long as their manager approves and takes responsibility to ensure all employees are making "excellent contributions."

Remote workers would also be expected to attend "in-person meetings with your colleagues on a reasonable cadence, ideally weekly, but not less than once per month," the AP reported. 

In the early morning hours on Friday, #RIPTwitter was the No. 1 trending topic on Twitter followed by Elon. Other trending topics were Twitter Off, Since Twitter, Before Twitter, and #TwitterIsOverParty.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

There’s no denying how expensive things are right now. Get as many years as possible out of the things that cost a ton to replace. Tap or click for 10 mistakes killing your appliances.

Some wallet drains are more subtle. Leaving your tech plugged in all the time can cost you a decent amount of money. Tap or click here for the most significant energy suckers.

When it comes to holiday gifting, we're all looking for a bargain. Instead of jumping from site to site and hoping you spot the best deal, let tech do the work for you.

You only have to search Google for "coupon codes" once to see how annoying and time-consuming it can be to find one that actually works. Honey is a browser extension that finds coupon codes for 30,000-plus online retailers. It works with Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, and Opera.

Honey connects to coupon databases and checks them against expiration dates and current promotions. When a matching coupon is found, it is automatically applied during checkout. I use it myself and have saved a ton over the years.

Download Honey here.

If you shop on Amazon a lot, you likely have a Prime account. Here are some of my favorite perks included with the subscription. Either way, here are three quick ways to save.

I have more tech smarts to share. Tap or click for even more ways to save on Amazon.

Chances are, your favorite store probably has an app of its own. You may find a few sales or promotional discounts you won’t hear about anywhere else, along with coupons or offers for loyal shoppers.

The same goes for signing up for your favorite shop’s email newsletter or following them on social media.

While you’re logging in to Facebook or Twitter, do yourself a social and check out this quick guide: 5 social media do’s and don'ts to protect your privacy and security.

There are lots of apps out there that will pay you for what you’re already buying. Some pay out in gift cards you can spend anywhere, and others in points or specific credit toward future purchases.

A popular option is Ibotta, which offers cashback in-store and online for purchases from retailers and travel sites like Home Depot, Best Buy, Walmart, Kohl’s, Hotels.com and Priceline.

You can shop with the Ibotta browser extension or app for online purchases. Tap or click here for direct download links. To withdraw your accrued savings, it must be greater than $20. You can also transfer money to your PayPal account or a gift card purchased through the Ibotta app.

Tap or click for 10 apps that pay you for doing almost nothing.

Google Alerts allows you to track keywords across the internet and alert you when they are mentioned. This can come in handy if you have your eye on something specific. For example, you might set one up to track "AirPods sale." You’ll get an alert in your inbox whenever that's mentioned.

Alerts are a great free tool from Google. My favorite, though, is Google Voice. Tap or click here for ways a free number from Google makes life easier.

Apps and extensions that pull coupon codes are great, but CamelCamelCamel goes a step further. It tracks prices on Amazon over time, so you can see if that advertised special is worth it.

Let’s say you’ve had your eye on expensive noise-canceling headphones. You can use the CamelCamelCamel website or browser extension to see how the price has fluctuated. That way, you’re not paying more than they might go on sale for later.

Tap or click here for direct download links and more tricks to get the most out of this handy tool.

Keep your tech-know going 

My popular podcast is called "Kim Komando Today." It’s a solid 30 minutes of tech news, tips, and callers with tech questions like you from all over the country. Search for it wherever you get your podcasts. For your convenience, hit the link below for a recent episode.

PODCAST PICK: Facebook's slow death, Twitter competitor, free background check

In this 30-minute podcast, Meta is in steep decline. Is this the beginning of the end for Facebook? Plus, all the changes at Twitter and a look at its newest competitor Mastodon. And a trick to find the best seat on a plane, get reminders from your smart assistant, and how to do a free background check.

Check out my podcast "Kim Komando Today" on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.

Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, "Komando."

Get more tech know-how on The Kim Komando Show, broadcast on 425+ radio stations and available as a podcast. Sign up for Kim’s 5-minute free morning roundup for the latest security breaches and tech news. Need help? Drop your question for Kim here.

Copyright 2023, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. By clicking the shopping links, you’re supporting my research. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I believe in.

Google Maps has announced new features in time for the holiday season. 

In a blog post, the search engine giant said Thursday that its Live View feature would roll out in London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris, San Francisco and Tokyo. 

Live View lets users explore their surroundings with the help of AI, including billions of Street View images and augmented reality.

People can see places that aren't in their immediate view as well as key information, including business hours, how busy a store is, what its price range is and if it is rated highly by the Google Maps community.

HOW TO USE GMAIL'S EMAIL LAYOUTS FEATURE

It is available on Android and Apple's iOS. 

In addition. Google has made it easier for electric vehicle users to find the best charging stations for their cars. 

"Search for 'EV charging stations'' and select the ‘fast charge’ filter – you’ll see stations with chargers 50kW or higher so you can charge up faster. You can also filter for stations that offer your EV’s plug type in more countries so you only see stations with plugs that are compatible with your car," Google explained. 

PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY, YOUR CELLPHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS

Both of those abilities are live now on Android and iOS in countries where EV charging stations are available.

Lastly, Google's "Accessible Places" setting is now available worldwide on Android and iOS. 

After turning the function on, users will see a wheelchair icon in the business profile if it has a wheelchair-accessible entrance. 

Entrances without a wheelchair-accessible entrance will have the same icon with a strike through it. 

People can also see if the place has accessible seating, restrooms and parking. 

Google said that Accessible Places could also be useful to those who want to avoid stairs. 

"With even more intuitive, sustainable and accessible ways to explore and navigate, Google Maps can help you make the most of your holidays so you can focus on the festivities," it said.

Researchers in Taiwan have found that a pair of Apple headphones might help some people hear almost as well as hearing aids. 

In a study published Tuesday in the journal iScience, the authors found that a sound-amplification feature on the AirPods Pro aided adults with mild to moderate hearing loss in hearing speech almost as well as two hearing aids.

The study compared the AirPods Pro and AirPods 2 with two hearing aids — "premium" and "basic" — from other companies, looking at the electroacoustic features and comparing performances when aided with each hearing-assistive device.

The AirPods Pro with a smartphone met the majority of personal sound-amplification product (PSAP) standards — PSAPs are wearable electronic devices intended for individuals with normal hearing.

CALIFORNIA HOSPITALS USING OVERFLOW TENTS FOR RISING NUMBER OF FLU PATIENTS

Comparatively, AirPods 2 only met two out of five criteria.

The study said that no significant differences were determined regarding speech perception between AirPods Pro and hearing aids in quiet settings, but not with the presence of background noises.

While the AirPods Pro did not meet Food and Drug Administration standards for hearing aids, they amplified sound as well as less-advanced devices.

PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY, YOUR CELLPHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS

AirPods Pro, they wrote, could have the potential to be a hearing-assistive device for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss.

Nevertheless, the authors asserted that more research is necessary to investigate the safety and feasibility of using earphones bundled with other smartphones as those PSAPs, noting that prior investigations led to similar conclusions.

Limitations to the study include its small sample size, that people with severe sensorineural hearing loss and other types were excluded, that additional information related to the subjects was not collected, that there might be observer bias, that the first-fit setting was used instead of real-ear measurement, and that the PSAPs studied were created by the same manufacturer and may not be applicable to other products.

PSAPs are less expensive over-the-counter products that can be fitted by the users.

In the U.S., the average out-of-pocket cost of a single hearing aid is more than $2,000, whereas a pair of AirPods Pro is around $249.

"There’s also a social stigma associated with hearing aids," Yen-Fu Cheng, the study’s corresponding author and an otolaryngologist at Taipei Veterans General Hospital, said in a release. "Many patients are reluctant to wear them because they don’t want to appear old. So, we started exploring if there are more accessible alternatives."

Millions of Americans have hearing loss, which is the third-most common chronic health condition. The prevalence of hearing loss in America is expected to double by 2060.

A recent ransomware attack on a major health system that operates over 1,000 hospitals and care facilities across 21 states could impact millions of Americans.

CommonSpirit Health was hit with a cyber attack on Oct. 3, which forced the health company to take certain computer systems offline "as a precautionary step," the company said shortly after it learned of the incident.

While it remains unclear whether patient health information was compromised, patients have reported the impacts of the cyber attack on their health care and treatments.

Here’s what to know about the cyber attack.

PRO-RUSSIAN HACKERS CLAIM CYBER ATTACK ON FBI WEBSITE: REPORT

What is CommonSpirit Health?

CommonSpirit, a nonprofit health system based in Chicago, operates 140 hospitals and more than 1,000 care sites across 21 states, the health system says on its website.

In 2019, CommonSpirit treated 20 million patients, according to the website for Dignity Health International, which is part of the CommonSpirit Health family.

What happened?

CommonSpirit’s computer systems were targeted in a ransomware attack in October, interrupting access to electronic health records and delaying patient care in multiple regions.

It’s unclear whether sensitive information about patients was stolen in the cyber attack.

Cybersecurity experts are continuing to investigate.

Who has been affected?

The ransomware attack has had significant consequences on patients after electronic medical records were no longer accessible due to the systems going offline.

Kelley Parsi told WHO-TV that she took her son, Jay, to MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center to be treated for dehydration the same day the facility’s technical issues began. She said a doctor told her that her son was mistakenly given five times what was prescribed for pain medicine after their systems went offline. 

RUSSIAN CYBERCRIMINALS ACCUSED OF HACKING AUSTRALIA'S LARGEST HEALTH INSURER

Some patients across the country had to delay important surgeries.

Kathy Kellogg was scheduled to have a cancerous tumor on her tongue removed at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health in Seattle but was forced to reschedule due to the CommonSpirit’s system going offline, KING-TV reported.

What is being done?

CommonSpirit released an update on Nov. 9, over a month after the ransomware attack, and said it is still working to bring its systems online and restore full functionality as quickly and safely as possible.

Electronic health records are now available across its system, including at hospitals and clinics, and most patients can again review their medical histories through the patient portal, the health system said, adding that it is working to restore appointment scheduling capabilities to the portal.

"At CommonSpirit Health, we are dedicated to meeting the needs of the communities we serve and are guided by our core set of values, which include integrity, excellence, and collaboration," CommonSpirit said. "We are grateful to our committed staff and physicians, who are doing everything possible to mitigate the impact to our patients and maintain continuity of care."

Apple is rolling out its new Emergency SOS safety service for iPhone 14 users in the U.S. and Canada. 

Its tech enables users to message emergency services via satellite while outside the range of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.

In addition, Apple said in a release that users can now share their location with family and friends via satellite. 

That ability will be made available to France, Germany, Ireland and the United Kingdom in December. 

PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY, YOUR CELL PHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS

The update allows emergency call centers to connect with more users. It also requires no additional software or protocols to enable communications.

An interface appears on the "off the grid" iPhone to get the user help utilizing a satellite connection ahead of a short questionnaire which is dispatched in the initial message. 

Apple said it worked closely with experts to review standard questions and protocols to identify the most common reasons for calling emergency services.

Next, the interface guides the user to where to point the phone and sends the initial message, including the questionnaire responses, location, altitude, Medical ID — if enabled — and iPhone battery level.

5 IPHONE SECURITY SETTINGS YOU NEED TO CHANGE NOW

The messages are relayed directly via satellite to dispatchers that accept text messages or to relay centers staffed by Apple‑trained specialists who can call for help on the user’s behalf. 

That transcript can also be shared with the user’s emergency contacts.

"With Emergency SOS via satellite, users can send and receive messages in as little as 15 seconds in clear conditions. Using the built-in Emergency SOS via satellite demo, users can test satellite connectivity on their iPhone by connecting to a real satellite in range without calling emergency services, allowing them to experience the process and familiarize themselves with the service," Apple said.

Your smartphone is full of surprises. There's an app if you want to use your phone as a magnifying glass or scanner. Tap or click here for hidden apps on your smartphone and how to find them.

Third-party programs take up space on your phone, and many are redundant thanks to your phone’s built-in capabilities. Tap or click here for common apps you can delete right now.

Quick Response codes, better known as QR codes, are those pixelated squares you see in restaurants, advertisements, stores, food packaging, business cards, airline tickets — you name it. Some developers would lead you to believe you need to download their app to scan them. Spoiler: Your phone can do that with built-in features.

Follow the maze

QR codes were initially created to track automotive parts, but now they’re used for much more. 

How many calories are in those fries? Where can you buy the outfit you see in an ad? How many miles can this car travel on a gallon of gas? A quick QR code scan can resolve all these questions and more. Think of this tech as a smart barcode.

QR codes existed long before smartphones, and your device can scan them right out of the box. Here’s how to use this helpful feature without third-party software.

Use your phone’s native capabilities to avoid malware

Third-party scanning apps are popular, making them prime delivery systems for malware. Hackers hide dangerous code in these helpful apps, which can steal your money, hijack your personal information, or even take over your device. 

RELATED: QR code app caught hiding malware – Check your phone!

How to scan a QR code with your iPhone’s Camera app

Your iPhone’s built-in Camera app can scan QR codes, and it’s as easy as taking a photo. Here’s how:

How to scan a QR code with your Android phone

Your Android phone's camera likely can scan QR codes without the use of a third-party app. Here's how:

Use your Samsung’s Camera app

Samsung’s camera app comes with native support for QR code scanning. Here’s how:

Use Google Lens

Google Lens started as a feature in Pixel phones but soon became standard in many Android phones. The tool is part of your camera app and can do many things, from identifying a dog breed to translating text. Here’s how to use it:

Tap or click here to get even more out of Google Lens.

Use Bixby

Samsung’s virtual assistant can help you learn more about anything with a QR code. Here’s how:

While convenient and entertaining, scanning a QR code can expose you to malware and scams. Tap or click here for tips on what to look out for.

Keep your tech-know going 

My popular podcast is called "Kim Komando Today." It’s a solid 30 minutes of tech news, tips, and callers with tech questions like you from all over the country. Search for it wherever you get your podcasts. For your convenience, hit the link below for a recent episode.

PODCAST PICK: Sell your poop, no more Netflix sharing, delete these apps

Think before you flush. Your poop could be worth big money. (Yes, really.) Plus, Netflix wants you to stop sharing your account, Amazon Music offers Prime members expanded ad-free listening and why Uber is bombarding you with ads. Also, free alternatives to Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator that work just as well.

Check out my podcast "Kim Komando Today" on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.

Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, "Komando."

Get more tech know-how on The Kim Komando Show, broadcast on 425+ radio stations and available as a podcast. Sign up for Kim’s 5-minute free morning roundup for the latest security breaches and tech news. Need help? Drop your question for Kim here.

Copyright 2023, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. By clicking the shopping links, you’re supporting my research. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I believe in.

Several people in Austin weighed in on whether former President Trump should rejoin Twitter if Elon Musk allows him.

"Yes, I think that he should be back [on] Twitter," Adiba told Fox News. "He has his own opinions, so I would like to hear about him, too."

WATCH MORE FOX NEWS DIGITAL ORIGINALS HERE

But another person disagreed.

"It could be an issue because he does have a tendency to spread false information," one man told Fox News, though he added that he considered Trump's tweets "more entertaining than anything." 

Before finalizing his purchase of Twitter, Musk said he "would reverse the permanent ban" on Trump. The former president, who was kicked off Twitter for tweets he posted during and after the Capitol riot in January 2021, said he wouldn't rejoin the social media giant since he now has his own platform, Truth Social.

LIBERALS WAIL AFTER MUSK SAYS HE WOULD REINSTATE TRUMP ON TWITTER: ‘THIS HELLSITE COULD BECOME EVEN WORSE

"I don't think he would come back since now he has his own social media," one woman told Fox News. "I think it would kind of be like bad marketing for his own social media platform if he did that."

"And 'cause his whole thing is that he’s a really smart businessman, I don't think that's a smart business move," she added. 

But another woman said it would be "great" if Trump changed his mind.

"I feel like everyone should have a freakin' voice," she said.

One woman said: "He can be on the platform. As long as they're still gonna look into his account and make sure his tweets are appropriate, then I don't see why not."

To watch the full video of people in Austin sounding off on Trump's possible Twitter reinstatement, click here.

Phone scams are never-ending because they work. Scam texts are increasing, too. Here are five sure signs a text is junk you need to delete. 

While we’re talking scams, I’d be remiss not to mention your inbox. Tap or click for convincing spam that landed in my email with not so obvious red flags.

One way to cut down on the endless attempts to steal your money and info for sale to marketers is to limit who has your contact information. Here are some simple, free ways to do it.

Think about all the reasons you give away your email without thinking about it: Signing up for a new account, emailing a company with a question, or getting a coupon code — to name a few. 

Whenever you give out your email address, you open yourself to junk mail, malware, and an inbox full of spam messages. This is where a burner email comes in handy. 

Burner email addresses are disposable and can be used in place of your primary ones. There are several ways to get one.

If you’re an Apple iCloud+ subscriber, you get access to one of my favorite Apple features: Hide My Email. It creates unique, random email addresses that forward to your inbox. You can create as many addresses as you want and reply to messages.

Gmail also allows you to create free aliases tied to your primary inbox. They are handy for filtering mail or seeing how your email address ended up on a spam list. 

Tap or click here and scroll to No. 5 for steps on creating new email addresses on the fly.

5 SIGNS YOU NEED A NEW LAPTOP

You need your real phone number for things that matter, such as your medical and financial accounts and records. Otherwise, there’s no reason to hand it out.

Google Voice is a free service that gives you a phone number to use however you like for domestic and international phone calls, texts, and voicemails. Google Voice is available for iOS, Android, and your computer. All you need is a Google account to get started.

Then follow these steps:

Use your Google Voice number however you please, especially when you need to add your number to a form online. Tap or click here for five smart ways to use Google Voice.

Another option is downloading a burner app. These give you a second phone number and use your internet data or Wi-Fi to make and receive calls and texts. The catch? These cost money.

Burner is one of the most popular apps of its kind. You can route calls directly to your secondary number. The app comes with a 7-day free trial, and plans start at $4.99 per month for one line or $47.99 for one year.

Hushed lets you create numbers from around the world, so you can go outside your area code or the U.S. if you'd like. A prepaid plan starts at $1.99 for seven days and comes with bundled minutes for local calls and texts. You can step up to unlimited talk and text ($3.99 per month) and international service ($4.99 per month).

Tap or click here for direct links to download Burner or Hushed for your iPhone or Android.

Tech smarts: Your old phone numbers can be used to steal your identity. Yikes. Here’s how and what to do about it.

REMOVE THESE 5 DANGEROUS TECH GADGETS IN YOUR HOME NOW

Keep your tech-know going 

My popular podcast is called "Kim Komando Today." It’s a solid 30 minutes of tech news, tips, and callers with tech questions like you from all over the country. Search for it wherever you get your podcasts. For your convenience, hit the link below for a recent episode.

PODCAST PICK: Sell your poop, no more Netflix sharing, delete these apps

Think before you flush. Your poop could be worth big money. (Yes, really.) Plus, Netflix wants you to stop sharing your account, Amazon Music offers Prime members expanded ad-free listening and why Uber is bombarding you with ads. Also, free alternatives to Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator that work just as well.

Check out my podcast "Kim Komando Today" on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, "Komando."

What digital lifestyle questions do you have? Call Kim's national radio show and tap or click here to find it on your local radio station. You can listen to or watch The Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet, television, or computer. Or tap or click here for Kim's free podcasts.

Copyright 2022, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. By clicking the shopping links, you’re supporting my research. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I believe in.

Learn about all the latest technology on The Kim Komando Show, the nation's largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today's digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters, and more, visit her website at Komando.com.

You might to shocked to learn that the most reliable Chromebooks have an honest-to-goodness expiration date. Once that date is reached, it’s trash. The Chromebook will not get any more patches or updates. 

Tap or click for a list of 17 Chromebook make and model numbers to avoid buying. 

If you’re Googling, "Do I need a new laptop?" or "Should I upgrade or replace my laptop?" the answer is probably yes. Tap or click here for my picks for the best Chromebooks and Windows and Mac laptops for every budget.

Let’s look at the clear-cut signs buying a new laptop is in your immediate future.

Sign 1: Your laptop is a slow poke

I'm not just talking about web pages taking a little longer to load. I'm talking about when your laptop takes 10 minutes to turn on. Maybe you're running two programs at once, and everything slows down to a crawl.

A laptop getting slower is mostly a sign of age. Of course, it could also mean you have malware or hackers on your device. Here’s how to tell if your computer has been compromised.

Laptops slow down as their memory fills up and when multiple applications are running at once. Sometimes you can speed up a computer by upgrading the CPU and RAM. You could save yourself a lot of money by upgrading your hardware.

My rule of thumb: When the cost to upgrade or fix an old laptop is 30% of the price of a new one, buy a new one.

RELATED: Want to keep your computer running smoothly for a long time? Tap or click here for 7 essential maintenance tips to keep your laptop happy. 

Sign 2: It’s hot

Laptops come with built-in fans to keep cool. You may have heard the fan whirring when your machine has been running for a long time. It's trying to make the toasty device drop a few degrees in your lap.

Over time, these fans can get full of dust and debris — or they're just worn down. When this happens, your laptop will still heat up, but now it can't cool itself down.

Ultimately, this kind of heating up signifies that you should replace your laptop. If your computer gets hot enough, it will cease to function. Consistent overheating can even lead to breakage or even melting. 

Tap or click for 10 reasons your computer is running hot and how to fix them.

Sign 3: It’s a risk to use 

Count your blessings if your laptop is more than four to five years old. One downside: Often, using an old machine is a considerable cybersecurity risk.

Software updates are critical for your digital health. Operating system updates come with new features that make life easier, but they also patch bugs that hackers exploit.

For example, you're in danger if you're still using Windows 7. Microsoft doesn't update that OS anymore. Windows 10 or 11 get frequent updates, which means they have better cybersecurity protections.

Dig through your settings to see which OS you’re running. Research the latest update and see if your device can run it. If not, take this for what it is: One of the most prominent signs you need a new laptop.

Sign 4: Your screen or your keyboard is busted

Laptops are durable and made to take a beating. But even if you’re careful, accidents happen. Your screen might be missing a few pixels. It can also start flickering for no apparent reason.

Your laptop keyboard may be missing letters and numbers. Or perhaps certain keys no longer work at all. The trackpad may lose its sensitivity over time, too.

Rather than replacing a laptop screen, you can save some money and hook an external monitor up to it. You could also do the same with a keyboard. 

Unless your laptop is less than three years old, repairing a screen or a keyboard is usually not the best decision. Sell it and apply that money towards purchasing a new laptop.

Have a parent or grandparent who needs a little help with their computer? Tap or click here for five tips to set up a PC for seniors. 

Sign 5: Your battery doesn’t hold a charge

Laptop batteries, like phone batteries, lose charge as you use them. Over time, your laptop will eventually need to be charged more often.

This can escalate to the point where you must plug it in all the time to work. For many people, particularly those whose only computer is a laptop, keeping it powered up isn't that much of a hardship. Laptops should be portable, though.

Not sure how your battery is faring? Tap or click here to check on your laptop’s battery health. 

TRY MY NEW DAILY PODCAST FOR MORE TECH SMARTS

My popular podcast is called "Kim Komando Today." It’s a solid 30 minutes of tech news, tips, and callers with tech questions like you from all over the country. Search for it wherever you get your podcasts. For your convenience, hit the link below for a recent episode.

PODCAST PICK: Online FBI employment quizzes, holiday smart speaker tricks, no more Chrome

If you can solve this riddle, you belong in the FBI. Well, maybe. Plus, holiday smart speaker tricks, Amazon now allows you to pay with Venmo, Chrome is going away with Windows 7 and browser extensions that take over your searches.

Get my podcast "Kim Komando Today" on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, "Komando."

What digital lifestyle questions do you have? Call Kim's national radio show and tap or click here to find it on your local radio station. You can listen to or watch The Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet, television, or computer. Or tap or click here for Kim's free podcasts.

Copyright 2023, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. By clicking the shopping links, you’re supporting my research. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I believe in.

Learn about all the latest technology on The Kim Komando Show, the nation's largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today's digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters, and more, visit her website at Komando.com.

Some Gmail users are now able to customize the layouts of their emails. 

The option is currently only available on the web for Google Workspace editions and it was first announced in a blog post this past summer.

People can pick predetermined layouts, add logos and control formatting, including colors, fonts and images. 

In order to set up templates, users should hit compose and find the layouts button in the row of icons next to the Send button. 

GMAIL ADDING PACKAGE TRACKING FEATURE AHEAD OF HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON

From there, a layout gallery will open. 

Select a thumbnail to view a preview of the layout on the righthand side. 

Once a layout is selected, pick "Default styling" to customize the template. 

In Footer details, users can enter a name and address and Links lets users add URLs.

HOW TO SCORE THE BEST DEALS THIS BLACK FRIDAY, CYBER MONDAY

Make sure to save the changes to confirm the modifications and then select "Insert" to add the layout to the email. 

Once there, users can change the image and potentially remove sections of the template.

Click on the layouts button again to start over.

Google has been rolling out new features for Gmail – including a package-tracking feature ahead of the holidays.

This feature was introduced at the same time as the multi-send feature.

For regular users, Popular Science recommends plug-ins, like CloudHQ and Stripo – although they're not free. 

Telecommunications company T-Mobile is partnering with luggage company Samsara to launch a new high-tech device ahead of the holiday travel season — and no, it isn't a smartphone.

The company is offering a bright magenta-colored suitcase dubbed the "Un-carrier On" that's tailored to travelers who are looking to stay connected while on the go. The name comes from T-Mobile's "Un-carrier" marketing campaign, launched in 2013.

Designed as a carry-on, features include wireless and USB-C charging, Tag Smart tracking tech, a TSA-approved combination lock, rotating spinner wheels, a flat-top work surface and an eight-bag packing set. 

The suitcase costs $325 (not including tax) and orders are expected to ship later in the month.

BEST WAYS TO CHARGE YOUR PHONE’S BATTERY

Airlines this year are forecasting strong outlooks for holiday travel, despite high inflation that's hitting flyers' wallets. 

TECH TIP: HOW TO QUICKLY FIND AND SEARCH PHOTOS YOU’VE SENT

A 2021 study conducted by the company found 68% of people in the U.S. said they relied heavily on their smartphones while traveling.