How I got an Uber refund, should you lease an iPhone & the robot vacuum ban (Episode 185, August 1, 2026)

Rich talked about the pros and cons of Apple’s new iPhone leasing program.

Rich ordered an Uber, and they charged him 66% more than the quote. All he did was ask them to review the root and fare calculation for accuracy and got a credit for the difference.

Mickey writes in to ask if wireless charging on airplanes and at public charging stations could be a security risk.

AI continues to hack real companies during security tests. The bottom line is you need to take cybersecurity seriously, no matter what, if it’s personal or for your small business.

Julie in Riverside is looking for a portable emergency radio with solar charging or a hand crank. Rich recommended this model from C. Crane or this less expensive option from Amazon.

Rich also mentioned portable power stations from Jackery and EcoFlow.

Karen in La Palma wants to remove her personal information from the internet. Rich recommended California’s DROP program, Google’s Results About You tool and show sponsor Incogni.

Brian Collins, Executive Director of Earth Fire Alliance, will explain how its FireSat satellite network is designed to spot wildfires earlier, track them from space and give firefighters better information to protect communities.

Adam in Orlando is looking for a motion sensor that can alert him when his father gets out of bed, helping him monitor for possible falls. Rich mentioned solutions from Bellman, Smart Caregiver and even a standard motion sensor or Wyze cam.

Carol in Huntington Beach says her mesh Wi-Fi system is not working as expected. Rich recommended placing the main router and access points in more central locations. She can also test signal strength using Samsung’s hidden Wi-Fi connectivity tool or Ubiquiti’s WiFiman app.

Andrea Smith, award-winning technology journalist, shares her top-tested Bluetooth earbuds and portable speakers, plus how to choose the right audio gear for your lifestyle.

Aviate is a Flighty-style app for Android that helps you track flights and receive real-time travel updates.