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Curt Long
Here's how to get a discount at Whole Foods if you have Amazon Prime
If you have an Amazon Prime account and you shop at Whole Foods, there are deals and discounts you could be missing out on. Beginning on Wednesday, June 27, Amazon will offer Prime-exclusive deals at every Whole Foods location across the country (select locations have had this for a while now). In addition to perks like free two-hour delivery via Prime Now, your Prime membership can also unlock exclusive deals on select products and extra savings on sale items.
But your cashier won’t automatically know if you’re part of this exclusive club unless you prove your membership status—kind of like Costo, but less exclusive. To ensure you’re saving as much as possible and reaping all the benefits of your Prime membership, keep reading to learn how to unlock Amazon Prime Whole Foods savings. I promise it’s actually super easy.
2 keys to unlock Prime discounts at Whole Foods
There are two different ways to take advantage of savings at the register when you check out at Whole Foods as an Amazon Prime member.
First, you can download the Whole Foods app and have the cashier scan a QR code. Bear in mind this is not something you can access in the Amazon app. If you don’t have the Whole Foods app (available on iOS and Android), you need to install it.
Credit: Whole Foods
You’ll be prompted to log in with your Amazon account info, automatically linking your Prime account. The app is very straightforward with one tab to access the QR code, one to browse sales, and one to check your account details. If your Whole Foods wasn’t an early adopter, you’ll see the notification below (far left) until Wednesday. But after that, it’ll show a QR code as pictured above.
Credit: Reviewed / Samantha Gordon
Second, if you don’t want the app or don’t have your phone, you can provide the phone number associated with your Prime account (or with your roommate’s account, you sneaky sneaky). Seems simple, right? It totally is.
Credit: Amazon
Not sure what number you used? On a desktop browser, log into Amazon, navigate to “Your Account” under the “Accounts & Lists” dropdown menu, and then click on “Login & Security” to find your phone number. In the Amazon app, tap on the menu in the top left corner, choose “Your Account,” and then go to “Login & security,” which should be the first option under the “Account Settings.”
Credit: Amazon
The Whole Foods app allows you to add a phone number as well, so it’s easy to track donw while you’re in line. You have to sign in to your Amazon account a second time, which is especially annoying if you have a complex password, but it’ll pull the same number that’s linked to your Prime account.
How to find all these exclusive Whole Foods deals
In addition to newly reduced prices on a number of items (thanks to Amazon acquiring Whole Foods int he first place), Prime members get even more discounts and offers than the average shopper. There are weekly offers of everything from produce and meat to frozen foods, baked goods, cleaning products, and more.
Credit: Amazon
To find out what’s on sale, you can sign up for emails containing the latest deals and other Prime-exclusive offers. If you don’t want yet another notification popping up on your phone all the time, skip the email and stick with the Whole Foods app. Here, you can browse Prime-exclusive deals any time, even as you shop.
Or, if you like to take chances, you can simply do all your shopping as normal, scan your QR code or input your phone number, and see if you happened across any sale items. You can also reap these benefits by ordering via Prime Now (if it’s available where you are), which is free as long as your order is at least $40.
All the perks of Amazon Prime at Whole Foods:
- Weekly Prime-exclusive deals on products across all departments
- Extra 10% on sale items with yellow sale signs (excluding alcohol)
- Free two-hour delivery in select cities with Prime Now
- 5% back at Whole Foods Market when you use the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa (typically 3% at grocery stores)
This gadget can see if your food is spoiled but does it actually work?
We’ve all been there. Sometimes your food, even if it’s supposed to be fresh, can smell a little… off. LinkSquare has a new gadget that claims it can help! But, can it really tell when your food has spoiled? Reviewed – Mike Roorda, Jackson Ruckar
It’s Time You Learned About Quantum Computing
You’ve probably heard of quantum computing. Do you understand it? Unlikely! It’s time that you did.
The basic idea—tap into quantum physics to make immensely powerful computers—isn’t new. Nobel-winning physicist Richard Feynman is generally credited with first suggesting that in 1982. But in the past few years the concept has started to become more real.
Google, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, and a pack of startups are all building and testing quantum computing hardware and software. They’re betting that these machines will lead to breakthroughs in areas such as chemistry, materials science, logistical planning such as in factories, and perhaps artificial intelligence.
It will probably be years before the technology is mature enough to be broadly practical. But the potential gains are so large that companies such as JP Morgan and Daimler are already experimenting with early machines from IBM. And you don’t have to be a giant bank or auto maker to play with quantum computing. Both IBM and Rigetti Computing, a startup that opened its own quantum computing factory last year, have launched services to help developers learn about and practice with quantum computing code.
So how do they work? You may have heard that the normal rules of reality don’t always apply in the world of quantum mechanics. A phenomenon known as a quantum superposition allows things to kinda, sorta, be in two places at once, for example. In a quantum computer, that means bits of data can be more than just 1 or 0, as they are in a conventional computer; they can also be something like both at the same time.
When data is encoded into effects like those, some normal limitations on conventional computers fall away. That allows a quantum computer to be much faster on certain tricky problems. Want a full PhD, or third-grade, explanation? Watch the video above.
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AT&T continues buying spree with deal for digital ad tech firm AppNexus
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Paving the way for other big mergers. Time
AT&T is acquiring advertising tech company AppNexus, a move to help it jumpstart future video services with more focused ads.
The media giant, which two weeks ago closed its $85.4 billion deal for Time Warner, reportedly paid $1.6 billion for the New York-headquartered firm.
AppNexus will become part of AT&T’s advertising and analytics business, a division formed a year ago to evolve the company’s digital TV advertising delivery.
“Ad tech unites real-time analytics and technology with our premium TV and video content,” said Brian Lesser, CEO of the AT&T’s ad and analytic’s business, in a statement. “The combination of AT&T advertising & analytics and AppNexus will help deliver a world-class advertising platform that provides brands and publishers a new and innovative way to reach consumers in the marketplace today.”
Terms for the transaction, expected to close during the third quarter of 2018, were not disclosed. But The Wall Street Journal reported the transaction’s value, according to persons familiar with the situation, along with rumors about the deal last week.
AT&T owns DirecTV, which it acquired in 2014 for $48.5 billion, and launched DirecTV Now, a streaming subscription TV service two years later. With its acquisition of Time Warner, AT&T now owns CNN, Turner networks TBS, TNT and TruTV, HBO, Cinemax and the Warner Bros. TV and film studio (The Voice, Ready Player One).
AppNexus, which has offices in 26 countries, has a digital ad platform, which can deliver real-time ads to viewers of AT&T’s video offerings, such as the new WatchTV service launching this week. WatchTV is an ad-supported video service, with more than 30 channels, provided free for subscribers to two new AT&T unlimited plans. Others can pay $15 monthly for WatchTV.
By improving its personalized ads delivered to streaming video viewers, AT&T expects to be able to create more, economical video packages for consumers. “Combining AT&T’s incredible assets with our technology, we will help brands and marketers power new advertising experiences for consumers. It’s what the market is asking for, and together we’re poised to deliver it,” said Brian O’Kelley, CEO of AppNexus, who co-founded the company in 2007.
Investors in the company, which had filed for an initial public offering in 2016, include Microsoft, News Corp., Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz.
More: Cord-cutting isn’t just happening, it could be escalating
More: AT&T can proceed with $85 billion bid for Time Warner, judge rules, paving way for landmark deal
Follow USA TODAY reporter Mike Snider on Twitter: @MikeSnider.
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NASA releases 'turbulent' photo of Jupiter's clouds
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Catch the sights and sounds NASA’s Juno space probe captured as it orbited Jupiter. USA TODAY
Jupiter looks less like a planet and more like a painting in a new image released by NASA.
The image captures Jupiter’s “chaotic and turbulent” clouds, with swirling formations and several vortices in the giant planet’s northern hemisphere.
The image was taken by NASA’s Juno spacecraft on May 23 during its 13th close flyby of the planet. Juno was about 9,600 miles from the top of Jupiter’s clouds at the time.
NASA said the bright clouds featured in the image are “most likely ammonia or ammonia and water, mixed with a sprinkling of unknown chemical ingredients,” according to a post detailing the new image.
Earlier this month, NASA said Juno might have uncovered details on the mysterious lightning appearing on the giant planet.
In the data from Juno’s first eight passes by the planet, the spacecraft’s Microwave Radiometer Instrument (MWR), scientists learned the lightning can be as frequent as it is on Earth. However, where it’s located and how it originates are quite different.
“Jupiter lightning distribution is inside out relative to Earth,” Juno scientist and lead author of the paper Shannon Brown said in a statement. “There is a lot of activity near Jupiter’s poles but none near the equator. You can ask anybody who lives in the tropics — this doesn’t hold true for our planet.”
More: Stunning NASA photo shows blue sand dune on Mars, the Red Planet
Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23.
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Blue dune spotted on Mars, the Red Planet
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Are you spending too much time on Facebook? FB wants to help
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10 insider tricks to keep hackers and scammers from stealing from you
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With cybercrime so rampant, you need to be proactive about protecting yourself. USA TODAY
Cybercriminals are out in full force looking for ways to steal your data. It’s worth money to them. That’s why we’ve seen a massive uptick in the number of data breaches over the past few years.
Unfortunately, most folks don’t know they’ve been hacked until it’s too late. So you don’t fall into that category, do one thing right now. Click here to see if your email address has been hacked or stolen.
With cybercrime so rampant, you need to be proactive about protecting yourself. To help you out, here are some things I do to keep hackers and scammers at bay.
1. Keep everything updated
First and foremost, it’s vital to install updates as soon as you can, especially if they fix security bugs. Keep all your apps, smart appliances, and gadgets updated with the latest patches and firmware too.
The FBI recently issued a warning to anyone who owns a router. You need to reboot it. I’m not convinced that’s enough to protect your files and network. You really should take a few extra steps. Click here for the instructions.
If hackers can find a flaw in a program or operating system, they can actively use it to attack computers until it gets patched.
More: The FBI wants you to do this one thing to your home router, now
Komando: Do it now! Protect your router from Russian hackers
2. Secure your devices already
Surprisingly, at least one-third of smartphone users don’t bother to use even the simplest four-digit passcode to secure their gadgets. There are many ways to lock and unlock our phones, computers, and tablets — face scans, thumbprints, irises, passcodes, patterns, and more.
Just set it up. It’s a minor inconvenience that can save you a huge headache later.
More: ‘Incognito’ browsing isn’t really private, and 4 other privacy myths
3. Make sure your firewall is working
Even if hackers manage to know your computer’s location and IP address, the firewall keeps them from accessing your system and your network. Not sure if you have a firewall in place? Newer Windows and Mac systems have built-in software firewalls for configuring your outgoing and incoming internet ports.
Wonder if your firewall is actually working? Click here for a free test.
4. Encrypt your drive
An extra layer of security you can employ is disk encryption. With encryption, your data will be converted into unreadable code that can only be deciphered with a specific key or password.
PC users can enable Windows’ built-in encryption tool BitLocker. BitLocker is available to anyone with a machine running Windows Vista or 7 Ultimate, Windows Vista or 7 Enterprise, Windows 8.1 Pro, Windows 8.1 Enterprise, or Windows 10 Pro.
Macs have their own built-in disk encrypting tool too called FileVault. Similar to BitLocker, it helps prevent unauthorized access to your data and adds an extra layer of security in case your computer is stolen or lost.
5. Don’t trust public Wi-Fi
Crooks use public Wi-Fi to spy on unsuspecting users who join the network. Or, sometimes they even create “honeypot” networks, which are fake networks designed to steal your information.
If you’re not careful, cybercriminals at your local cafe can walk away with your name, address, Social Security number, email address, and your usernames and passwords.
This is why it’s critical that you use a virtual private network (VPN) when in public. It’s a good idea to use one at home, too. With a VPN, your gadget’s IP address is hidden from websites and services that you visit, and you’re able to browse anonymously.
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While millennials are known to be savvy, it turns out we’re also most likely to get hit with financial scams. Buzz60’s Natasha Abellard has the story. Buzz60
More: One mistake people make using public Wi-Fi
6. Completely wipe old devices that you’re getting rid of
Just like a real trash can, the contents of your PC’s Recycle Bin or Mac’s Trash Can are only cleared out when you empty them. Using the same analogy, if it’s been a while since you’ve emptied them, there’s a treasure trove of documents and items for someone to snoop through.
If you want to get serious about your security, you need to erase sensitive data for good. Use software tools like Eraser or Blank and Secure for Windows and Secure Delete – File Shredder for Macs.
Favorite cross-platform tool free CCleaner for PCs and Macs also has an option for secure deletion of files.
Click here to learn how to delete data forever on your PC or Mac safely.
More: Even a dead hard drive can give away your private info. Here’s how to delete it for good
7. Remember strong, unique passwords
Your password is the first line of defense. You want to make sure you set up a secure, unique password for every account.
Click here for a simple trick to creating a robust and easy-to-remember password. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with passwords or want to develop harder passwords, consider using a password manager.
A password manager is a program that can store and manage your passwords for each app, service, and site that you use. It’s like a locked safe (or a vault) for all your credentials, tightly secured with your key.
8. Use two-factor authentication
Two-factor identification is a fancy name for adding an extra verification step to the login process of your most critical accounts. Instead of just providing your username or password to log in to an account, a secondary form of verification is required to prove your identity.
The most popular form of 2FA right now is a unique one-time code that’s texted to your smartphone. Not sure what it means? Click here to read more about two-factor authentication.
More: It’s high time to add 2FA to your online accounts
9. Use the guest network option
Friends and family always want to use your Wi-Fi. They ask politely, phone in hand because they hate to burn up their data plans when they can use your connection. Instead of handing them your real password, use your router’s “Guest Network.”
This feature lets you share your internet connection with your guests while keeping them off your primary network, preventing them from seeing your shared files and services. To avoid confusion with your primary network, set up your guest network with a different network name (SSID) and password.
Click here to learn more ways to keep strangers off your Wi-Fi network and out of your files.
10. Pick the right account type
When you first set up a computer, you create at least one user account. If you have several people using a computer, you can create an account for each one.
User accounts are critical because they separate your files, and sometimes programs. This is good for privacy and security, as long as each account has its own password.
However, what many people don’t know is that there are multiple types of accounts you can create. The two major ones are “administrator” and “standard.”
You’ll want to check your user accounts right away and change any administrator accounts to standard accounts. Click here for step-by-step instructions. If you’re running a Mac, here are some guidelines for you.
More: 7 clear-cut signs you’ve been hacked
What digital lifestyle questions do you have? Call my national radio show and click here to find it on your local radio station. You can listen to the Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet or computer. From buying advice to digital life issues, click here for my free podcasts.
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'IPad neck' is a real thing new study shows
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5 reasons 'The Rock' wins Instagram
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Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6 Review: Simple Square Shots
Though instant photography has seen a resurgence in popularity lately, it’s been hard to recapture the feeling of a true square Polaroid image. Polaroid Originals (neé Impossible Project) makes film that’s compatible with older Polaroid cameras, and sells brand-new cameras under the brand)—but the original chemical recipe that gave photos their pop was lost to the ages. I think it shows in the flawed-but-characterful square shots you’ll get from that film.
With the advent of Fujifilm’s Instax Square film, you get something resembling a shrunken Polaroid without the unrefined Polaroid Originals formulation. Unfortunately, this option was until recently hitched to a weird, overpriced digital/analog hybrid camera. Fujifilm was beaten to the punch by Lomography, whose fun and funky Lomo’Instant Automat Square was the first analog Instax Square-compatible camera on the market.
Only now do we get to see Fuji’s own analog take on a square-film camera: Enter the Instax Square SQ6. It’s not an unattractive camera, and its squircle-shaped body certainly sells you on its raison d’etre. That is, to take tiny, square instant pictures of yourself, your friends, and maybe even your brunch.
A Virtuous Squircle
For around $130, you get the SQ6, three colored flash filters, a strap, and two CR2 batteries. Unlike the similarly-priced Instax Mini 90, Fujifilm has decided to go with alkalines instead. You won’t find a spare rechargeable battery while on vacation, but the convenience of being able to top-up with a USB charger is something I expected and didn’t get from this Fuji. And that’s not the only cut corner on this product. While the Mini 90 has an LCD screen that shows you the number of shots, flash status, and modes, the SQ6 relies instead on a mechanical shot counter and lights to tell you what settings you’re rocking.
Fujifilm
Otherwise, it’s a straightforward Fujifilm camera. It has a few modes of note: a macro function to let you focus on closer objects, a selfie mode, a double exposure mode, and even a simple exposure compensation feature to let you lighten or darken the image. These are what I expected, although the Lomo’Instant Square also came with a multiple-exposure mode and a bulb setting, both of which can be handy if you plan on getting crazy with your shots.
Like many other instant cameras, I found that there’s a learning curve around using the viewfinder. It’s easier to use than the one on the Polaroid Originals OneStep 2 (that forced me to jam my face way into the camera’s backside), but the SQ6 still needs you to compensate for the difference between what you see and what’ll turn out in the developed shot.
Simple but Spendy
All told, there’s something virtuous about the way that Fujifilm has put this camera together. It’s approachable and easy to use. Then again, at this price, it isn’t the cheap, carefree experience one can expect from an Instax Mini. The camera and the film both cost quite a bit more at the entry-level, and if I’m totally honest, the Square film is really more like a wider version of Mini. It’s nowhere near the size of a true Polaroid print and leagues away from the size of Fujifilm’s own Instax Wide pictures.
Fujifilm
TL;DR: Film is almost twice the price per picture compared to Instax Mini, cameras are more expensive, and all for shots that are only marginally larger.
And it’s not like you don’t have another option. For my money, the Lomo’instant Square is the best camera for Instax Square film. Sure, it’s not as simple as the SQ6, but it has character and features to spare, especially if you pick it up with the optional accessory kit. Plus, if your film budget suddenly shrinks, Lomo makes an adapter that’ll let you shoot Instax Mini, so you can fall back on cheaper, easier-to-find packs of film.
I get it—square instant film just looks right. Even with the smaller footprint of Instax Square, the ratio is lovely to behold. And for a beginner, the SQ6 represents a good-enough entry point at a price that’s not outlandish. It’s not my fave, but it gets the job done, despite being caught between a cheaper, ubiquitous pick (most Instax Mini cams are way cheaper, consumables included) and a more advanced, creatively-empowering one. I prefer the latter, but for the rest of the instant-curious out there: buy the Fujifilm SQ6.
Elon Musk: Version of Tesla's Autopilot has a 'Mad Max' mode
Tesla vehicles might soon be equipped for that special trip to the Thunderdome.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk hinted at a “Mad Max” mode — named after the post-apocalyptic adventure from director George Miller — for its self-driving system Autopilot.
On Sunday night, Musk shared a tweet from November 2017 by user Jon Gold, complementing the entrepreneur on the “Mad Max” inspired image of Tesla’s Semi self-driving truck.
“Tesla Semi Truck in Mad Max Mode,” wrote Musk as he shared the tweet.
It initially seemed like Musk was cracking a joke, but in a subsequent tweet, Musk said “Mad Max” mode was a real thing.
Tesla Semi Truck in Mad Max Mode https://t.co/hL5v9rikhW
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 24, 2018
It’s real pic.twitter.com/L9h3F86Guo
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 25, 2018
The screenshot shared by Musk appears to show a development build of Autopilot with a series of options including blind spot threshold, which helps the system in performing moves such as changing lanes on a highway. The threshold has three settings: Standard, Aggressive and Mad Max.
“We considered going beyond Mad Max to ‘LA Freeway’ level, but that’s too loco,” Musk joked with one Twitter user.
The mode is currently unavailable to Tesla owners. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment on details of the mode.
Musk said it’s a “tough call” deciding which options users will have available through Autopilot, as it also ensures the system still works safely.
“Reality is that it will be pretty easy to bully a self-driving car, as it will always yield,” wrote Musk. “Will prob have a manual override that requires continuous press for hardcore lane changes.”
It’s a tough call. Reality is that it will be pretty easy to bully a self-driving car, as it will always yield. Will prob have a manual override that requires continuous press for hardcore lane changes.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 25, 2018
More: Musk tells fans ‘full self-driving’ Teslas are near, as investigators dig into Autopilot accidents
Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23.
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Amazon Prime discount coming to all Whole Foods
SAN FRANCISCO — Coming to a Whole Foods near you: Discounts, if you’re an Amazon Prime member that is.
Prime members, who generally pay $119 a year for membership, will receive a discount at all Whole Foods Market and Whole Foods 365 stores nationwide beginning Wednesday, June 27, Amazon announced Monday.
The members-only discount launched this spring and has grown quickly, Amazon said. The company announced in May the first Whole Foods discounts in Florida. Earlier this month the perk was extended to Whole Foods in 10 additional states.
Now all Prime members can take advantage of the discount.
“Our weekly Prime member deals are a hit and we’re excited that Prime members across the U.S. will now be able to take advantage of these savings in our stores,” said A.C. Gallo, President and COO at Whole Foods Market.
Starting Wednesday, Prime members will receive a 10 percent discount on some sale items and a discount on select items including some meats, fish, fruits and bulk items like nuts and granola.
Discounts and loyalty programs have long been a common strategy among grocery stores, serving a dual purpose. Discounts lure shoppers in and return visits provide the store with data on their shopping habits.
To get the Amazon Prime discount, customers must download the Whole Foods Market app, sign in with the Amazon account and then scan the app’s Prime code at checkout. Or, customers can give their mobile number to the cashier.
Customers will also receive a discount when they order Whole Foods groceries through Prime Now, Amazon’s delivery service for Prime members. Free grocery delivery on orders of at least $35 is available in Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Richmond, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco and Virginia Beach.
Grocery delivery will continue expanding throughout 2018, Amazon said.
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Facebook fundraiser to help immigrant children tops $20 million with global donations
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Chicago-based child psychologist Dr. Louis Kraus says the ongoing separation of immigrant children from their parents along the US-Mexican border could have serious and long-standing medical effects on the children. (June 18) AP
SAN FRANCISCO – In the largest single fundraiser ever on Facebook, a Silicon Valley couple has raised millions of dollars from hundreds of thousands of people to reunite immigrant parents with their children.
As of Sunday, more than 500,000 people had pushed the total over $20 million surpassing all expectations for the Facebook fundraiser set up nearly a week ago by Charlotte and Dave Willner.
Their efforts to aid parents forcibly separated from their children at the border struck a raw nerve with the American public, leading to a viral movement on Facebook to fund a nonprofit in Texas.
Organizers say donations are streaming in from all over the country and the world. For hours on Wednesday, Dave Willner says the donations were pouring in at a rate of $10,000 a minute. And the fundraising pace shows no signs of slowing as public outrage over the border crisis grows.
“My son is safe in my arms. I don’t worry about him being taken from me,” wrote one donor on the fundraiser’s Facebook page. “I donate with a hope and prayer that I never have to.”
“Sending whatever resources I can and prayers from Japan,” wrote another. “Our hearts go out to you, America, during this dark and confusing time.”
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg joined the cause Tuesday, urging people to contribute even more money to organizations on the front lines in the escalating border crisis.
In a Facebook post Tuesday, Zuckerberg took aim at the Trump administration’s zero-tolerance policy, calling for donations to organizations such as the Texas Civil Rights Project and RAICES, a Texas nonprofit that helps families with legal advice and translation services.
“We need to stop this policy right now,” Zuckerberg wrote.
President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order on immigration that he said ends family separations at the border, but insisted his controversial “zero tolerance” policy will continue.
All of the proceeds from the Willners’ Facebook campaign “reunite an immigrant parent with their child” benefit RAICES. Facebook, which launched fundraisers in 2017, waived fees last fall for nonprofit fundraisers.
“It’s clearly resonating with a lot of people, and we’re just glad we could help,” Charlotte Willner told USA TODAY.
Reached Monday night, Jenny Hixon of RAICES said the outpouring of support and money have “absolutely blown us away.”
“Our fundraising infrastructure is spartan. We have one development person on staff, which is me … and I’m also responsible for overseeing our shelter, volunteer operations, media, community outreach and refugee resettlement,” she said. “We’re very much a boots on the ground kind of organization.”
RAICES will share its plans for the funds and let people know how they can get involved on Wednesday.
“We’ve rapidly reached out to other organizations doing complimentary work in Texas to set up a network to cover all the federal courts, develop a database with all separated families and a pro bono referral network to ensure representation for every family,” said Hixon, who is the organization’s director of outreach, education and development. “This feels outrageously ambitious, but we kind of feel like this is the moment to do the big things.”
Progressive nonprofits have seen a surge of activism that’s been breaking records in activists engaged and money raised since Trump’s election, says Brian Young, executive director of Action Network, which provides digital tools to these nonprofits, including the Women’s March and RAICES.
“But what has happened over the last few days has been more than anything we’ve seen so far,” Young said. “This has broken through in an extraordinary way and will have reverberations for a long time to come.”
Americans, who were searching for ways to speak up about the Trump administration’s zero-tolerance policy, seized on the fundraiser because “this is something that feels very tangible that people can do,” says Elizabeth Dale, assistant professor of nonprofit leadership at Seattle University.
It’s part of a new pattern of “rage giving,” among progressives who, after the election, began flooding nonprofits with donations, particularly on women’s issues, climate change and immigration, Dale said.
Facebook has found its sweet spot giving Americans easy ways to channel their giving, particularly in times of national or international crisis. And the viral nature of the giant social network has fueled successful mega fundraising campaigns such as the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.
“What you have here is a salient issue, you have a platform that makes it easy to give and you have amplification through social media networks often from people to other people who think like them, so you get a lot of people signing on very quickly,” Dale said of the Willners’ campaign.
Charlotte and Dave Willner were early Facebook employees who now work at Pinterest and Airbnb. Alarmed by reports that more than 2,000 children had been separated from their parents, Willner set up the fundraiser Saturday morning.
The initial goal was to raise $1,500 to cover the bond fees for one parent so the parent could retrieve his or her child from government custody while waiting for court. But then the fundraiser went viral and private donors began matching funds raised.
“Regardless of political party, so many of us are distraught over children being separated from their parents at the border,” the Willners said in a statement. “We can’t all be on the frontlines to help these families, but by supporting RAICES, we’re able to do something that just takes less than a minute, and collectively have an impact.”
Late last week, the Department of Homeland Security announced that nearly 2,000 children had been separated from their parents in a six-week period as part of its “zero tolerance” policy. The Trump administration is cracking down on adult immigrants who cross the border illegally by criminally prosecuting them. Children can’t be held in criminal detention, so they are being separated from their parents.
A seven-minute tape obtained by ProPublica, in which children separated from their parents and held at a detention center wail and call for “Mami” or “Papi,” fueled the public outcry Monday.
Former first lady Laura Bush and America’s other first ladies joined that outcry.
“Mrs. Trump hates to see children separated from their families and hopes both sides of the aisle can finally come together to achieve successful immigration reform,” Melania Trump’s communications director, Stephanie Grisham, told CNN Sunday. “She believes we need to be a country that follows all laws but also a country that governs with heart.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen defended the Trump administration’s policy Monday. “We have to do our job. We will not apologize for doing our job,” she said. “This administration has a simple message – If you cross the border illegally, we will prosecute you.”
Some of the comments on the Facebook fundraiser were supportive of the administration policy.
“Perhaps it’s time for the parents of these innocent children (to) do the right thing by not putting themselves in this situation,” one person wrote.
Hixon sees the situation very differently.
“The funding we are receiving will save lives. It will keep people from being deported to unsafe countries,” she said. “It speaks to the outrage the cruel policies at the border have provoked. It honestly gives us hope in what has felt like a very dark time.”
More: Does the Trump administration have a policy of separating families at the border?
More: Detention crisis: Trump defends ‘zero-tolerance’ immigration
More: Amid outrage, Homeland Security chief Kirstjen Nielsen ‘will not apologize’ for separating families
More: Fact check: Viral image of child in a cage was not detained by ICE
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These are the 5 best Amazon deals this weekend
— Our editors review and recommend products to help you buy the stuff you need. If you make a purchase by clicking one of our links, we may earn a small share of the revenue. However, our picks and opinions are independent from USA Today’s newsroom and any business incentives.
With Amazon Prime Day coming up, there is always a noticeable drop in Amazon deals in the weeks leading up to the massive summer sale. But while the selection may be slimmer than usual, there are still a few discounts and offers of worthwhile products if you’ve got a shopping itch that needs to be scratched or need a new vacuum or USB-C dongle and can’t wait a few more weeks for it to maybe go on sale. So I rounded up the five best Amazon deals available this weekend to help you narrow your search.
1. Under $200: A robot vacuum you can control with your phone
Do you ever wish your house would clean itself while you were out? Well, with a smart robot vacuum, you can get at last one chore done this way. We gave the Deebot N79 an Editors’ Choice award because it performed formidably in our obstacle course and other rigorous tests (read the full review here). While it was not the best compared to other models, for the usual $200 price tag, you really can’t beat smartphone control. And right now, it’s on sale for the lowest price we’ve ever seen for a smart robot vacuum.
Get the Ecovacs Deebot N79 for $169.98 (Save $30)
2. Under $50: A USB-C hub for your new MacBook
Whether your company issued you the newest MacBook or you use one at home, you know the struggle of having too many USB-C ports and not enough devices that use USB-C. Apple has forced the dongle life onto its customers, and USB-C adapters are surprisingly pricey. But right now, you can get this slim adapter from Anker for 26% off its usual $61 price.
This adapter has three USB ports, an ethernet port, and a HDMI port capable of handling 4K content. And when you’re transferring content to a portable hard drive or flash drive, you can expect speeds up to 5 Gbps (gigabytes per second). You’ll need to use the code “ANKER833” at checkout to get the sale price.
Get the Anker 5-in-1 Premium USB Data Hub with HDMI for $44.99 (Save $16) with the code “ANKER833”
3. Pool floats for a magical summer
If you spent last summer staring wistfully at all the quirky pool floats other people brought to the pool or the beach, it’s time to get one of your own. Right now, two of the most popular pool float creatures are on sale on Amazon. GoFloats’ unicorn and flamingo are marked down to $12 (from $20), the lowest price we’ve seen in a year, as part of a “pool party essentials” Deal of the Day.
4. Under $25: A comforter with a cult following
Sure, you may not think of summer as a good time to buy a comforter, but when the AC is humming away, I bet you’ll want something cozy to snuggle up in. Utopia Bedding’s hypoallergenic duvet insert blends comfort and affordability, making it one of the most popular comforters on Amazon, as evidenced by its more than 6,000 positive reviews. This is the lowest price we’ve seen on this comforter in about a year, making it a great time to replace your old blanket.
Get the Utopia Bedding Hypoallergenic Queen Comforter for $23.79 (Save $6)
5. Under $500: A 9-piece power tool set for the not-so-novice handyperson
If you’re the go-to person your loved ones call when something needs fixing, but your tool set is lacking in power, maybe it’s time to truly embrace your inner Al Borland (or Tim Taylor if you’re a bit clumsy). This power tool set from DEWALT is the perfect upgrade for those beyond-basic projects you’ve been itching to tackle. It usually costs $550, but it’s on sale right now for just under $500, matching the lowest price we’ve ever seen for the extensive set.
In this tool kit, you’ll get a drill/driver, a 1/4″ impact driver, a reciprocating saw, a circular saw, an oscillating tool, an LED work light, a grinder, a right-angle drill, a 6.5″ saw blade, a side handle, a wrench, two 20V batteries, a charger, a universal accessory adapter, a Bluetooth Jobsite Speaker, and two tool bags to keep everything in. Not bad for $500!
Get the DEWALT DCK940D2 20V MAX Lithium Ion 9-Tool Combo Kit for $499 (Save $150)
Explore the rest of Amazon’s deals right now
Prices are accurate at the time this article was published, but may change over time.
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I just cheated on my MacBook Pro with a cheaper alternative from Huawei
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Jennifer Jolly shows off the Huawei MateBook X Pro, a lower-priced rival to Apple’s laptops. Jennifer Jolly, Special for USA TODAY
I loved, and nearly wore out, my state-of-the-art Apple MacBook Pro. Would a cheaper alternative do nearly as well?
It took me a lot of years to be able to afford the most souped-up, best-in-show — with a cherry on top — MacBook Pro. The last one I bought in early 2017 cost about $3,000 all-in, the most money I’ve spent on one thing at one time — ever.
By the summer of 2018, the “S” is nearly worn off my keyboard, and the computer makes it just five or six hours on a single charge. I hardly ever use the Touch Bar. Still, cheating on my trusty MacBook Pro was no easy feat.
My foray into the Huawei world
I’ve been hearing great things about Huawei’s MateBook X Pro for the past few months but was pretty skeptical that it could fully replace my tried-and-true Apple laptop. While the China-based company (pronounced Was-Way) has faced significant hurdles in America — including allegations of espionage — there’s no doubt the company is an electronics force to be reckoned with worldwide. In fact, it has become the world’s largest telecom equipment supplier.
But replace my MacBook? Really?
Apple’s laptops are still high-end machines,but the huge gap between them and the rest of the laptop world is rapidly narrowing — and in many cases, it comes down to personal preference and price. It’s great news for anyone who wants a powerful notebook with long battery life and doesn’t have $3,000 to blow.
For my two-week trial, there were a handful of trade-offs, but the number of features I actually lost in the transition wasn’t nearly as long as you might think.
What I Liked
Battery Life: Apple loves to tout the all-day battery life of its MacBooks, with up to 10 hours of video playback on a single charge. The MateBook X Pro beat that, with up to 12 hours of video playback on a full charge in my tests. It made a huge difference to actually get a full workday of typing, editing, light photo editing, and social media posting, without the need for an outlet.
Screen: The MateBook X Pro manages to top the MacBook Pro’s screen. At 3000 by 2000 pixels, it’s sharper than even the 15-inch MacBook Pro, and it’s a touchscreen, too. The screen measures 13.9 inches, so it falls in between Apple’s 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro models, and even though Apple’s laptop has a slightly higher maximum brightness, I can’t even tell when they’re sitting side by side.
I still can’t believe MacBooks don’t have a touchscreen. After all, the popular “flick, tap, and swipe,” are functions Apple made so handy and mainstream to begin with on its phone and tablet. It’s time for a touchsceen on my laptop.Huawei did it really well.
Bezels: The MacBook Pro is good looking , but nobody’s going to give it any awards for thin bezels, which are those strips of plastic metal that surround the display. The MateBook X Pro, on the other hand, has bezels so thin they practically disappear, which adds a decent amount of space to the screen in general. It has a 91% screen-to-body ratio, which means that just 9% of the display isn’t an active screen. It managed this feat by moving the webcam off its perch at the top of the display and down into a tiny pop-up button on the keyboard.
Webcam: The embedded webcam is great for security and this cool and novel feature doesn’t activate automatically, even when you push the spring loaded key to pop it up. The problem, however, is that the webcam then looks directly at your chest. Or from beneath your chin, which is not even a remotely flattering angle. Vanity matters.
Price: The MateBook X Pro’s specs — the processor, screen size, memory, etc — don’t match up perfectly with any one Macbook Pro model, but to get a comparable Apple laptop you can expect to pay at least $2,000, and possibly as much as $2,399. The MateBook X comes in at a much more reasonable $1,199. The added bonus of them throwing in a year free of Microsoft Office 365 (around $100) is a nice touch too.
What I missed
I found myself missing a lot of Apple’s creature comforts, specifically the features that make it so easy to use my laptop alongside my iPad and iPhone:
Messages: My MacBook was my one-stop communications hub thanks to the built-in Messages app. It syncs all my texting contacts to my desktop so I never need to grab my phone when I’m hard at work on my computer. Losing it was a bummer.
AirDrop: Sharing photos, videos, and other files between friends is pretty easy on a smartphone, but doing the same on a laptop can be a lot more tedious. I love AirDrop for sending photos from my phone to my MacBook, especially for work, and that same functionality just isn’t baked into the Microsoft Windows operating system on the Huawei.
Shake-To-Find Mouse: Do you ever lose your mouse cursor on the screen? This never used to be a problem when computer screens were low-resolution, but with the super-sharp screens we have today the tiny mouse cursor can darn near disappear right before your eyes. Apple fixed this years ago with a feature that makes the mouse cursor super big when you shake it back and forth.,Windows doesn’t have anything like that.
Before, nothing could tear me away from my precious MacBook, but high-powered notebooks are now cheaper than they’ve ever been. You don’t need to look for an Apple logo to find something great.
Jennifer Jolly is an Emmy Award-winning consumer tech contributor and host of USA TODAY’s digital video show TECH NOW. E-mail her at techcomments@usatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter @JenniferJolly.
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It's summer, so let's extend Wi-Fi to your backyard speaker and try a robot lawnmower
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Marc Saltzman looks at a WiFi-enabled robot lawn mower that might become the best gadget you own. Marc Saltzman, for USA TODAY
Summer officially started Thursday, and with the warmer weather upon us, many will be spending more time on a deck, patio, or in the backyard.
But that doesn’t mean you need to be without your tech.
Oh sure, many will argue this is the time of year we should break free from the gadgets that bind us. But I’d argue choosing the right technology can, in fact, help you get more out of the Great Outdoors.
Don’t buy it, you say?
Some devices worked better than others, as you’ll see below, so consider the following a handful of tips to enhance your summer fun in the front or backyard.
A word to the wireless
If you’re bringing a Wi-Fi speaker to enjoy music by the pool – such as a Sonos One or Google Home Max – remember your wireless network will have to extend outside.
If your router can’t handle it, buy yourself an inexpensive repeater or extender to help broaden the range of your router. They start at about $25.
Or better yet, if you’re due for an upgrade, consider a “MESH” Wi-Fi system that often includes two, three or four pucks or hubs (access points) to place around your home. Make sure one is near the door or window closest to where you are outside.
Personally, I’ve had great success with the D-Link Covr system ($214), which also replaces your router.
Especially now that your neighbors might be able to access your network, be sure to have a good password on it – so they can’t steal your Wi-Fi – and for added privacy, don’t have your family name as part of your network name (SSID), like “SmithFamily.” My little trick? I call my wireless network “Virus Alert,” so people might be reluctant to join it. Sneaky, huh?
You can always go with a Bluetooth wireless speaker, too, of course. I’ve been playing around with the impressive Monster Dynamite Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker ($229), which can float on water and has a 12-hour battery (and can charge up your smartphone, too).
Other recommended outdoor tech items include a SunBrite TV (from $1,499) to binge Netflix shows while soaking in a hot tub, the iGrill 2 ($67) Bluetooth-enabled BBQ meat thermometer and the Parrot Flower Power Wireless Plant Sensor ($99).
Lights, power, action
To avoid plugging your tech into an AC outlet, which might prove challenging while lying in the sun, make sure you have a good battery pack for your smartphone, such as Mophie Portable Chargers (from $49).
I didn’t have much luck with a solar charger I tried – the Goal Zero Nomad 7 Plus Solar Pane ($99) – as it just took way too long to juice up my smartphone. A battery booster is still the right way to go, but try to avoid having your devices in direct sunlight, too, which can impact performance.
Speaking of lighting, my wife Kellie and I recently installed Philips HUE light bulbs inside the home and on our backyard deck, and we love being able to use our voice (via Alexa and Google Assistant) or the app to dim the lights, change colors or set schedules and a timer. Prices are $199 for a Philips HUE Starter Kit (four bulbs and a wireless bridge). While they’re not technically designed for outside use, they work on our (covered) deck, but Philips will soon release an outdoor line of HUE products, in white or color bulbs (from $129).
E-book readers such as the waterproof Amazon Kindle Oasis (from $249) are recommended over tablets, as they’re much easier to read in bright sunshine.
Robots, please
We’ve been using Husqvarna’s robotic lawnmower products for a couple of years now.
Yes, just like a Roomba can vacuum your floor indoors, the aptly named Automowers (from $1,499) will quietly cut your grass in a front yard or backyard. You first need to install a ground wire (included) for the lawn mower to follow and avoid areas you don’t want it to go into (such as a flower garden), but it will navigate around other objects, such as rocks, garden gnomes or fences.
The weatherproof Husqvarna Automower 315x ($1,999) is also smart enough to detect when it’s running low on battery, navigate itself back to the base, charge itself up and then continue the job. You can give commands via keypad, through the app and, coming soon, using your voice (with support for both Amazon Echo and Google Home devices).
Anti-theft technologies include a high-decibel siren and GPS tracking.
Caveat emptor
Being a gadget geek, I was intrigued by the Q18S smartwatch from Wish.com, at only $22 – including shipping!
I mean, at a fraction of the price of an Apple Watch or Android Wear device, it was worth giving this a shot to wear around this summer.
According to the description, not only does it calculate your activity and show you who’s texting and calling, but it has a color touch screen, built-in camera, a slot for a nano SIM card (to use without needing a smartphone) and expandable memory (say, to hold music files).
Alas, the issues started right away. I used my smartphone to scan the QR code in the manual to download the companion app, but once installed, a number of Alibaba pop-up ads kept showing up on my phone. Sigh. The camera only takes photos upside down, strangely, and both of the valid SIM cards I own didn’t work.
Well, that was that. I guess you get what you pay for.
Follow Marc on Twitter: @marc_saltzman. Email him at tech@marcsaltzman.com
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How to Use a Google Clips Camera
Google’s clever new AI-powered camera is designed to capture stellar 7-second snippets of family shenanigans. Here’s how to get started.
1. Wave Hello
There’s a chip inside the Clips loaded with a version of Google’s computer vision code. It can learn to recognize faces, so train it to know yours. When you first get the camera, wave and smile at it, and take a lot of selfies and ussies. It can also recognize pets—give your cat plenty of screen time too.
2. Place It
The rubbery case serves as a kickstand and a clip (get it?) for fastening the device to an object. Proper positioning is key. Clamp it to a chairback to capture kitchen antics, or face it inward from a bike’s handlebars to see your kid’s reaction to their first ride. Don’t clip it to your belt—too much movement turns your videos into unshareable mush.
3. Show Emotion
The camera isn’t always slurping up the action; it only cares about the richest moments. The onboard AI responds to movement and emotion. If you’re just sitting around, it probably won’t record anything. But if you smile, wave your arms, or do a cartwheel, it will wake up and start filming. Press the button on the front to force it to pay attention when you sense an interesting moment approaching.
4. Learn to Share
The Clips doesn’t livestream, nor does it automatically upload your private footage to the cloud. Pair the device with an iPhone, Pixel, or Galaxy to view your captured videos. Use the companion app to edit your clips and choose which ones are awesome enough to share—and whom to share them with.
5. Compose Yourself
Clips is a supersmart camera, but the traditional rules of photography still apply. Avoid backlight, for one. Also, fill as much of the frame with your subject as you can. Filming from many yards away will give you less than satisfying results. Don’t expect good clips of the soccer game—your phone is still a better choice for wide-ranging action. But definitely prop Clips up on the table during the postmatch pizza party.
6. Join the Fun
One of the biggest benefits of the Clips is that you get to stay engaged in family activities rather than distracted by having to take pictures and videos yourself. After you compose that perfect shot in the Clips app, put your phone back in your pocket. You can actually be in the photo for once—enjoy it.
More Great WIRED Stories
- The one goal you won’t see at the World Cup
- How technology helped me cheat dyslexia
- PHOTO ESSAY: Take a closer look at these tiny worlds
- Encrypted messaging has limitations you should know
- Larry Page’s flying car project suddenly seems rather real
- Hungry for even more deep-dives on your next favorite topic? Sign up for the Backchannel newsletter
This article appears in the June issue. Subscribe now.
From Mats to Hoodies, 9 Ways to Elevate Your Yoga Practice
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