Why I Don't Trust Push-Button Start in Cars

May 19, 2023

For most of automobile history, drivers started their cars by turning a key. But that starter style is being phased out by various car manufacturers in favor of a push-button start feature. Sure, it saves you a second or two inserting the key and turning it, but what are the downsides? In our top story, Andrew explains why he doesn’t trust keyless starter systems and explains the ways it could go wrong in the short and long term.

Other Highlights:

• ChatGPT comes to the iPhone.
• Ford hikes the price of its BlueCruse Driving tech by 400%.
• Expect to spend more time watching YouTube ads.
• … and more!

— Danny

It’s getting hard to find a car without push-button start. And while I understand the popularity of this feature, keyless ignition isn’t very exciting to me. It increases the complexity of a vehicle, meaning that it can make electrical repairs, recalls, and key replacements much more frustrating. Read More »

Western Razor Co's premium razors are made with high-quality materials that are designed to give you a smooth, and comfortable shave every time. Say goodbye to your gross disposable razors and start saving up to $110 every year using a better, longer-lasting razor. Plus, they are 100% made in the U.S.A.
Check them out!

Wi-Fi internet offers convenience, multi-device connection, and perfect cable management, among others, but struggles with speed. If you want true Gigabit Ethernet and improved security, you’d be better off with a wired LAN Ethernet connection. Sadly, most modern computers lack an Ethernet port. Read More »

I recently got my first standing desk. I was sitting most of the day for work, so I knew making the switch would be good for me. But my feet started to ache, and the standing mats weren’t cutting it, as I tend to fidget. That’s where the Fluidstance Plane Cloud Balance Board saved the day. Read More »

Wordle was just too easy, wasn’t it? You probably left that behind and moved on to Quordle, the true “hard mode” of the word-guessing game format. But now you’re stuck and so close to failing. Don’t worry, we’re here to help with a hint—and if you really need it, today’s Quordle Answers. Read More »

Are you a huge fan of Wordle and absolutely stuck today? Let me guess; you’re hanging out on guess four or five and feeling the pressure. We get it entirely: nothing feels worse than losing your streak. If you’re not ready to outright cheat, we have you covered with hints and today’s Wordle answer. Read More »

Everyone knows the pain of stepping on a LEGO brick. The popular children’s toy is notorious for hiding in the carpet, waiting for unsuspecting bare feet to come through the room. However, with this play mat, you can keep those bricks in a single location to help keep your feet pain-free. The mat is designed to hold all your blocks in a kiddie-pool-like mat and fold them into a plush box that looks like a monster. This allows your kids to create all they want with LEGO and provide quick and easy clean up when they’re done.

OpenAI just launched the first official ChatGPT app. Available today on iPhone and iPad, the app allows you to communicate with ChatGPT through text or voice input. This rollout is exclusive to iOS users in the United States, though global and Android availability are coming soon. Read More »

Scrolling away the hours while relaxing in bed is a habit many fall into. But it can lead to nasty consequences like sleep disruption, neck pain, and eye strain. Here are the top reasons to shut down your phone at bedtime. Plus, some tips to mitigate the damage if you just can’t stop. Read More »

Following big updates and improvements late last year, Ford just revealed a massive price increase to its BlueCruise hands-free driving technology. As confirmed by Ford on the Mach-E forum, pricing will quadruple and now costs $75 per month or $800 annually. Read More »

The affordable Audio-Technica AT2040, a popular item among podcasters, is now available as a USB-C microphone. Content creators can buy the AT2040USB for just $150—it looks like a killer deal for those who want a well-made, broadcast-quality mic at a reasonable price. Read More »

Tipster Kuba Wojciechowski and 91mobiles have released the first leak of the Google Pixel 8 Series. While leaks of Pixel devices are common, this one has confirmed a notable new feature—the integration of a thermometer. Read More »

While YouTube ads on phones and computers haven’t changed too much, those watching YouTube on a TV are in for some big changes. Announced during an advertiser event this week, Google confirmed that longer 30-second “unskippable” ads are returning to our TVs. Read More »

If you’re eyeballing Framework’s modular and repairable laptops, now’s the time to take the leap. Framework just opened orders for refurbished laptops and expansion cards, which could save you hundreds on your purchase. Read More »

From remote workers to in-office personnel, employees in numerous fields work with PDF documents on a regular basis. While many rely on the barebones options that came with their PC or Mac, an overall lack of features, complexity, and expensive upgrades can leave users with much to be desired. UPDF provides consumers with a compelling alternative for reading, annotating, and editing PDF documents while boasting user-friendly features and affordable pricing that’s even cheaper at 54% off for a limited time. Read More »

Ants are fascinating little creatures to observe in nature, but they are a nuisance when they invade your homes. If you’ve ever had an ant problem, you know how frustrating it can be. Not only do they seem to appear out of thin air, but they also seem to multiply quickly, making it difficult (or even impossible) to get rid of them. Fortunately, there are several ways to get rid of ants in your home without calling in a professional. Read More »

Like any Nintendo console before it, the Switch can be emulated on modern platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, and even mobile and handheld platforms. So what’s involved, and is it worth it? Read More »

If you’re considering buying a cable modem to save on rental fees, get better performance, or both, we’d encourage you to read this list of tips first for the smoothest experience. Read More »

Memorial Day might not actually be the first day of summer (that doesn’t come until June), but for most people, it’s the unofficial kick-off to the season. That typically means a day off work and some potential travel to celebrate with friends and family. So if you are planning to travel for Memorial Day, is there a best time? Read More »

ChatGPT can now browse the web to find up-to-date information. It also supports other plug-ins—for example, it can turn to Wolfram for computations, OpenTable for restaurant reservations, and Instacart for grocery orders. Here’s how to turn these features on. Read More »

Have you ever wondered why traffic cones are orange? You might think it’s because orange is a bright color that’s easy to see, but there’s more to it than that. Read More »