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6 ways to stay warm and save money this winter

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6 ways to stay warm and save money this winter

’Tis the season when the thermostat drops and the cost of heating rises. 

Luckily, there are a variety of ways to stay warm this winter that go beyond turning on central heating or throwing some logs in the fireplace. 

Whether you are staying in or stepping out, below are six different ways to stay warm(er) this season.

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1. Space heaters

Space heaters have long been a favorite for those needing to heat smaller spaces or not wanting to turn up the thermostat for their entire home.

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Navy-blue space heater on marble countertop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Top reasons to use a space heater:

  • Form factor: Because space heaters are small and usually portable, they are convenient to plug and unplug and transport with you from one room to another. This is especially convenient when you only want to heat where you are and not your entire home.
  • Cost Effective: Because the price of oil usually rises in the winter, it can be cheaper to use a space heater because it uses electricity, not gas, to heat.
  • Temperature Control: Because sometimes it is hard to control how hot or cold you get with central heating, the space heater gives you a little more control. You can also control how much hotter it can get by adjusting the temperature on the space heater and also by your proximity to it.

WINTER STORM HAMMERS EAST COAST, LEAVES HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS WITHOUT POWER

There have been safety concerns over using space heaters, as improper use can cause fires. In addition to keeping the space heaters away from any objects, crowding them, or placing them where they can be knocked over, there are specific qualities to look for in a good space heater. Newer space heaters usually include technological advances to make them safer. To find out safer features to look for as well as our top picks of space heaters, check out the right way to use a space heater in this cold season.

2. Cozy indoor gear

A man staying warm with a blanket

This may seem like a very basic principle: wear more items to get warmer. Yet new winter gear is taking warmth to a new level: instead of piling on layers in your own home, a few select items can keep things simpler and warmer. Whether it is a cozy blanket that is made into an oversized sweater like comfy or refillable hand warmers, you can be assured to take the warmth with you from room to room. For these items and more, check out the best gifts for keeping cozy all year long.

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MORE: 10 BEST POWER STRIPS AND SURGE PROTECTORS TO KEEP YOU AT 100%

3. Winter gloves

Gray gloves holding a peach mug (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

A good pair of gloves is a winter essential. All gloves, however, are not created equal. Several features available in more contemporary gloves can keep you warmer than gloves of years past:

  • Touchscreen friendly: At some point in your winter day or night, you’ll inevitably need to access your phone. And nothing makes you colder faster than having to take off your gloves in order to use your phone. Touchscreen-friendly gloves usually have special fibers in the thumb and index fingers, allowing you to use your phone with the gloves on. Now if only being touchscreen friendly could keep you from dropping your phone!
  • Waterproof: Winter usually brings rain or snow in most regions, and nothing makes you shiver and ruin the day faster than when your gloves get wet. Not only will it make you colder, but it is less likely to dry with dropping temperatures. Waterproof gloves, however, help to keep water and the chill out.

For our picks of best winter gloves in a variety of materials, check out the top 8 absolute best winter gloves that work on touch screens.

MORE: 10 APPS THAT WILL HELP YOU MAKE YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS A REALITY

4. Smart thermostat

Ecobee smart thermostat (Ecobee)

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When push comes to shove, turning on the central heating system is definitely necessary during the cold winter months. When you need to heat multiple rooms at the same time, or the temperature drops to a certain point, it may be time to turn on central heating. In order to keep the costs manageable, you can utilize a smart thermostat. One of the top reasons why a smart thermostat can keep you warm while saving you money is that it learns your and your family’s behavioral habits and adjusts temperature settings automatically. No more forgetting to turn off the heater before leaving the house again because your thermostat will turn it off for you.

For our favorite Smart Thermostat as well as other ways to keep bills lower, check out three crucial ways to keep temperatures high and bills low this winter.

MORE: GET READY FOR A NEW WAY TO SELF-CHECKOUT WHEN YOU’RE OUT SHOPPING

5. Wi-Fi Thermostat

Sensi Wi-Fi thermostat (Sensi)

Even if you are ready to utilize central heating, it’s helpful to use a Wi-Fi thermostat if a smart thermostat is too expensive or incompatible with your system. Because you can access your central heating system while you’re away with a Wi-Fi thermostat, you can keep it off while you’re out of the house and turn it on when you are returning home so you can walk into a warm, comfortable home. It’s also great for those days when you can’t remember if you left the heating on or off because you can check with the corresponding app and turn it off if necessary.

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CLEVER TRICK TO MAKE A CONNECTION FASTER ON YOUR WI-FI NETWORK

Find out the differences between smart vs. Wi-Fi thermostats as well as our picks in smart vs. Wi-Fi thermostats: the pros and cons + my 5 top picks.

6. Smart plugs

By now, most people understand that electronic devices plugged into an outlet use energy even while the device is turned off. By using a smart plug, you can turn off the outlet completely. Additionally, smart plugs can be a great way to control your portable heating devices, such as space heaters or electric blankets. 

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If you own older models without auto shut-off features, it can be easy to leave them turned on, which increases the risk of overheating and causing a fire. But if you have your heated blanket or space heater plugged into a smart plug, not only can you make sure it isn’t using energy while off, but you can usually connect through the smart plug app to turn it off if you’ve accidentally left it on. Get more information on how smart plugs work and our top picks for the seven best ways to save money on your electricity bill.

Kurt’s key takeaways

The colder temperatures during the winter season may be inevitable, but it doesn’t mean you can’t find new ways to stay warm. Small to big additions to your life can bring more warmth and possibly monetary savings.

What are your tried and true winter staples? Are you one of those people who wait until it is absolutely necessary to turn on central heating, or do you turn it on as soon as you get a hint of chill? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips & security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

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Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

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Microsoft’s Edge Copilot update uses AI to pull information from across your tabs

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Microsoft’s Edge Copilot update uses AI to pull information from across your tabs

Microsoft Edge is adding a new feature that will allow its Copilot AI chatbot to gather information from all of your open tabs. When you start a conversation with Copilot, you can ask the chatbot questions about what’s in your tabs, compare the products you’re looking at, summarize your open articles, and more.

In its announcement, Microsoft says you can “select which experiences you want or leave off the ones you don’t.” The company is retiring Copilot Mode as well, which could similarly draw information from your tabs but offered some agentic features, like the ability to book a reservation on your behalf. Microsoft has since folded these agentic capabilities into its “Browse with Copilot” tool.

Several other AI features are coming to Edge, including an AI-powered “Study and Learn” mode that can turn the article you’re looking at into a study session or interactive quiz. There’s a new tool that turns your tabs into AI-powered podcasts as well, similar to what you’d find on NotebookLM, and an AI writing assistant that will pop up when you start entering text on a webpage.

You can also give Copilot permission to access your browsing history to provide more “relevant, high-quality answers,” according to Microsoft. Copilot in Edge on desktop and mobile will come with “long-term memory” as well, which can tailor its responses based on your previous conversations. And, when you open up a new tab, you’ll see a redesigned page that combines chat, search, and web navigation, along with the Journeys feature, which uses AI to organize your browsing history into categories that you can revisit.

Meanwhile, an update to Edge’s mobile app will allow you to share your screen with Copilot and talk through the questions about what you’re seeing. Microsoft says you’ll see “clear visual cues” when Copilot is active, “so you know when it’s taking an action, helping, listening, or viewing.”

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Apple’s $250M Siri settlement: Are you owed cash?

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Apple’s 0M Siri settlement: Are you owed cash?

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If you bought a newer iPhone because Apple made Siri sound like it was about to become your personal artificial intelligence sidekick, you may want to pay attention.

Apple has agreed to pay $250 million to settle a class-action lawsuit over claims that it misled customers about new Apple Intelligence and Siri features. The case centers on the iPhone 16 launch and certain iPhone 15 models that were marketed as ready for Apple’s next wave of AI. The settlement still needs court approval, and Apple denies wrongdoing.

The lawsuit argues that Apple promoted a smarter, more personal Siri before those features were actually available. For some buyers, that was a big deal. A new iPhone can cost hundreds of dollars, and many people upgrade only when they think they are getting something meaningfully new.

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WHY IPHONE USERS ARE THE NEW PRIME SCAM TARGETS

U.S. buyers of certain iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 Pro models may qualify for payments if a judge approves Apple’s proposed settlement. (Getty Images)

What Apple is accused of promising

Apple introduced Apple Intelligence in June 2024 and promoted it as a major step forward for iPhone, iPad and Mac. A key part of that pitch was a more personalized Siri that could understand context, work across apps and help with everyday tasks in a more useful way.

The lawsuit claims Apple’s marketing made consumers believe those advanced Siri features would arrive with the iPhone 16 or soon after. Instead, buyers received phones that had some Apple Intelligence tools, but not the full Siri overhaul that many expected.

That gap is the heart of the case. Plaintiffs say customers bought or upgraded devices based on AI features that were not ready. Apple says it has rolled out many Apple Intelligence features and settled the case, so it can stay focused on its products. 

How much money could iPhone owners get?

The proposed settlement creates a $250 million fund. Eligible customers who file approved claims are expected to receive at least $25 per eligible device. That amount could rise to as much as $95 per device, depending on how many people file claims and other settlement factors.

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That means this will not be a huge payday for most people. Still, if you bought one of the covered phones, it may be worth watching for a claim notice. A few minutes of paperwork could put some money back in your pocket.

Which iPhones may qualify?

The proposed settlement covers U.S. buyers who purchased any iPhone 16 model, iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025.

Covered iPhone 16 models include the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16e. The settlement also includes the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, but not every iPhone 15 model.

The key details are the device model, the purchase date and whether the phone was bought in the United States.

HOW YOU CAN GET A SLICE OF APPLE’S $250M IPHONE SETTLEMENT

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Apple has agreed to pay $250 million to settle claims it misled customers about Apple Intelligence and Siri features on newer iPhones. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg)

How will you file a claim?

You do not need to do anything immediately. The settlement still needs a judge’s approval. Once the claims process opens, eligible customers are expected to receive a notice by email or mail with instructions on how to file through a settlement website.

That notice matters because scammers love moments like this. A real settlement notice should not ask for your Apple ID password, bank login or payment to claim your money. If you receive a message about this settlement, do not click blindly. Go slowly, check the sender and look for the official settlement administrator details once they are available.

Why this case matters beyond one Siri feature

This case hits a bigger nerve. Tech companies are racing to sell AI as the next must-have feature. That creates a problem for shoppers. You are often asked to buy now based on what a company says will arrive later.

That can be frustrating when the feature is the reason you upgraded. A smarter Siri sounds useful. A phone that can understand your personal context, search across apps and help with daily tasks could save time. But if those tools are delayed, limited or missing, the value of the upgrade changes.

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This settlement also sends a message about AI marketing. Companies can talk about future features, but consumers need clear timing and plain explanations. “Coming soon” can mean very different things when you are spending $800, $1,000 or more.

We reached out to Apple for comment, but did not hear back before our deadline.

FIRST 15 THINGS TO DO OR TRY FIRST WHEN YOU GET A NEW IPHONE

Apple denies wrongdoing but agreed to settle claims tied to its marketing of Apple Intelligence and Siri features. (Qilai Shen/Bloomberg)

What this means to you

If you bought a covered iPhone during the settlement period, keep an eye on your email and regular mail. You may qualify for a payment if the court approves the deal.

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You should also keep your receipt or proof of purchase if you have it. Your Apple purchase history, carrier account or retailer receipt may help if the claim process asks for details.

More broadly, this is a reminder to treat AI features like any other big tech promise. Before you upgrade, ask one simple question: Can the feature do what is being advertised today, or is the company asking me to wait?

That question can save you from buying a device for a future feature that may arrive much later than expected.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Apple has built its brand on making technology feel polished, personal and easy to use. That is why this Siri settlement hits a nerve. People were buying phones they use every day for texts, photos, directions, reminders and everything in between. Many expected AI to make those everyday tasks easier, which is why the delay felt frustrating. The proposed payout may be modest, but the bigger issue is trust. When a company sells AI as a reason to upgrade, customers deserve to know what actually works now and what is still coming later.

Would you still buy a new phone for promised AI features, or would you wait until they actually show up? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

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Instagram hits the copy button again with new disappearing Instants photos

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Instagram hits the copy button again with new disappearing Instants photos

Instagram is once again cribbing from competitors like Snapchat and BeReal with a new photo-sharing format it calls “Instants,” which are ephemeral photos that you can’t edit and that you can only share with your close friends or followers that follow you back. Instants are available globally beginning on Wednesday as a feature in the inbox in the Instagram app and as a separate app that’s now in testing in select countries.

To access Instants from the Instagram app, go to your DM inbox and look in the bottom-right corner for an icon or a stack of photos. After you post a photo, your friends can emoji react to it and send a reply to your DMs, but after they see it, the photo disappears for them. Instants also disappear after 24 hours, and they can’t be captured in screenshots or screen recordings.

However, your Instants will remain in an archive for you for up to a year, and you can reshare them as a recap to your Instagram Stories if you’d like. You can also undo sending an Instant right after you post it or delete it from your archive.

The Instants mobile app, which popped up in Italy and Spain in April, gives you “immediate access to the camera” and only requires an Instagram account, Instagram says. “Instants you share on the separate app will show up for friends on Instagram and vice versa. We’re trying this separate app out to see how our community uses it, and we’ll continue to evolve it as we learn more.”

Instagram, in its testing, has seen that people “tend to use Instants to share much more casual, much more authentic moments about their day,” according to Instagram boss Adam Mosseri. “And we know that this type of sharing of personal moments with friends is a core part of what makes Instagram Instagram, but we also know that a lot of people don’t really share a lot to their profile grids anymore.”

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