Can you actually ever own your EV?, A new Wordle game, iFixit's Samsung Galaxy S22 teardown results, and more

March 5, 2022

You’ve purchased an EV, but do you actually own it? Many features of EVs can be disabled (or enabled) remotely by the manufacturer at the flip of a switch, which can instantly alter how you use your vehicle. 

This problem may well continue as EVs become more advanced, and might potentially impact repairability and maintenance. You might receive fancy upgrades, or select features could be taken away. We take a look at this concerning issue in today’s top story, so give it a click.

Other Highlights:

• Unsurprisingly, there’s another new Wordle game variant. This one’s called Heardle, and you’ll need to bring your knowledge of pop music to the table to win.
• Wow—iFixit’s Galaxy S22 teardown reveals Samsung’s struggle (and creativity) with thermals.
• Disney+ said it will offer users a cheaper ad-supported plan later this year! Yay!
• … and so much more!

-Suzanne

Buying an electric vehicle is a lot like buying a subscription to a car. Almost no one can work on them except the manufacturer, features get locked behind in-app purchases or software updates, and those features can get disabled at the flip of a switch. If carmakers can dictate how you use your car, do you really even own it? Read More »

Razer just debuted an analog version of its beloved Huntsman Mini mechanical keyboard. The new Huntsman Mini Analog features a full set of optical analog keys, programmable backlighting, and that clicky-clacky mechanical sound. Read More »

As expected, Samsung’s new Galaxy S22-series phones are difficult to take apart and repair. A new iFixit teardown video confirms as much, though more interestingly, this first look inside the Galaxy S22 shows the wild steps Samsung took to keep its new phones from overheating. Read More »

Japanese electronics brand Sony and carmaker Honda are teaming up to create a new car brand, focusing on making and selling electric vehicles. The two announced the news on Friday, stating that the first goal is to establish the new company and then begin sales of an all-new vehicle by 2025. Read More »

At just $7 a month, Disney+ is already one of the cheapest streaming services available today. But it’s about to get even cheaper. Disney now says that it’s planning to launch a discounted ad-supported plan later in 2022. Read More »

It’s (finally) starting to be a little sunnier outside! If you’re planning a nice springtime hike or camping trip in the near future, a nice portable solar power bank is the perfect way to keep your important gadgets charged at all times. The 36,800mAh charger has high-capacity panels, two flashlights (with SOS and strobe modes), and three built-in charging cables (USB-C, micro-USB, and Lightning). It features six outputs and also supports wireless charging if you have any compatible gadgets. The charger’s rugged IP66 design can stand up to plenty of dust and water, and it’s shock-resistant, meaning it can keep up with plenty of your adventures.

Get it at Amazon →

USB, short for Universal Serial Bus, is a common type of computer port that makes it easy to charge a device or transfer data between two devices. Since it was first developed in the ’90s, USB has continued to evolve alongside technology, progressively becoming smaller, faster, and more powerful. With so many devices that use USB, it’s easy to get confused by the different connectors. But fear not—we’re going to demystify all of that today. Read More »

We’ve covered all the best Worlde alternatives, including Quordle, a game where you’re forced to guess four words at once. But a new game called Heardle turns the word-guessing formula on its head—instead of guessing a new word each day, you guess a popular song. Read More »

As a long-time Mac user, it’s been a while since I’ve used a Windows PC. When I got the opportunity to test the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 Carbon, I was thrilled to see what I’ve been missing. And after a month of using this laptop, I’m re-evaluating my life choices where computers are concerned. Read More »

A well-maintained waffled maker will last for years and create delicious golden-brown creations every time. Here’s how to correctly and safely clean your waffle maker. Read More »

Nowadays, Google Assistant is as well-known as Siri and Alexa, but it wasn’t Google’s first attempt at an assistant-like feature. The company’s first attempt was named “Google Now,” and it had some truly great ideas. Read More »

CFexpress cards promise faster read and write speeds than any other format. But they’re not all created equal. We break down some of the best CFexpress cards and card readers for your money. Read More »

LifeSavvy is hiring! We’re looking for writers but not just any writers. We want folks with a passion for consumer products and lots of hands-on experience to guide their writing. Read More »