EMAIL SCAM DETECTION REVEALED

EMAIL/TEXT SCAM MESSAGES DETECTED Easy Steps You Can Follow To Reveal The Sender…. (Please note that Google’s BlogSpot, the provider we use to publish this monthly column, has changed the allowable format style. So, if the column’s format looks a bit strange it’s due to Google and BlogSpot, not THE GADGETEER.) BOB SKIDMORE CORRESPONDENT © 2025 BOB SKIDMORE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED It seems that every day we receive more bogus emails, and now more recently, text messages, advising us that we owe money for services, and/or fines. Probably 99% of these are spam hoping that you will fall for their pitches and give up private information such as your credit, or debit card account details. Be advised that true official notifications such as I’ve described generally come by mail, or post in official envelopes and not by email, or texts. Also, official, real notifications come on official letterhead with the agency’s actual address and phone number which you can easily verify. You can verify the true sender of an email by putting your computer’s cursor over the sender’s info and clicking on it. You will now see the actual sender’s email address which will reveal that it’s probably fake. It will become obvious that this address bears no resemblance to an entity that the email claims to be from. In fact, many such phony addresses show up as being sent from foreign countries as indicated by the use of two-letter country ids. (DE-Germany; GB-UK; KR-So Korea) A current popular spam email claims to advise you that your Apple storage is full putting you at risk of all your photos and important data being erased.

So, verify the sender’s true email address as shown below:

These fraudsters are now reverting to the use of text messages to imply the same false information. They pose as agencies advising you that you have toll fines, or unpaid tickets and if not paid at once you will lose your driver’s license, in addition to being fined, etc. Once again, no official information such as vehicle type, license plate, state, city, or county information and date of violation is provided. Even your name and address are missing as is the location where the alleged violation took place. So, bottom line, verify such notices by contacting the official agency and not any agency information, email addresses, or phone numbers listed on the email, or text. Don’t be a sucker!!! Graphic credits: THE GADGETEER Bob Skidmore is a freelance writer, who may be contacted at bob.thegadgeteer.skidmore@gmail.com, or followed at twitter.com/bskidmore for the latest gadget industry news. He does not represent, or endorse any of the products he reviews and his opinions are solely his points of view and not those of the manufacturer, or any legal resource. The manufacturer generally supplies products and press releases at no cost for the articles and no other compensation is received. THE GADGETEER is highly selective as to products he feels worthy of review so as not to waste the reader’s time, thus the reason for many superior ratings. ## Check out Bob’s Social Media pages for up to the minute gadget news. Available at: bob-the-gadgeteer.bsky.social & https://twitter.com/bskidmore

THE HOT HOLDER

THE HOT HOLDER © 2025 BOB SKIDMORE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BOB SKIDMORE CORRESPONDENT (Please note that Google’s BlogSpot, the provider we use to publish this monthly column, has changed the allowable format style. So, if the column’s format looks a bit strange it’s due to Google and BlogSpot, not THE GADGETEER.) THE HOT HOLDER is a multi-purpose device available in several configurations depending on your use. It was originally designed to aid technicians that repair various electronic equipment. However, it soon became a tool used for many different purposes. One such purpose is in the jewelry business. Applications here range from an easy way to mount items for cleaning and/or repair, or soldering. While not originally designed with this in mind it certainly demonstrates how versatile THE HOT HOLDER has become. Let’s look at the original purpose which was as a soldering tool to aid technicians in working with circuit boards. Such tasks involve the need to position a circuit board, or component, such as a plug, jack or other item so it can easily be soldered. In this application I loaned a couple of sample HOT HOLDERS to CRS COMPUTER REPAIR SYSTEMS in Clearwater Florida for their testing and results. So, the comments expressed below are a result of their use and experience in repairing computer circuit boards, etc. CRS found THE HOT HOLDER to be a great little tool assistant for holding items in place for inspection, and/or solder repairs. This tool has a small, but solid gel like base that has numerous convenient cutouts allowing you to set components and tools like picks and tweezers in them for easy access while actively working on a printed circuit board and soldering, or troubleshooting a failure point. It allows you to keep a hand free from having to hold what you’re working on. The unit does not get hot while working on items which is a big plus preventing burnt fingers, etc. The base is hard and flexible with a slot that you can put a pc board into that gets held tightly in position to easily be worked on. It is great for troubleshooting printed circuit boards, or power supplies. However, large boards are generally too big for the models tested and CRS suggest that larger models be considered and offered. It works very well with miscellaneous household items too. Bottom line, it’s light weight, easy to work with, has plenty of spots to hold tools while working, heat resistant and has a gel surface that is anti-slip. In short, a great tool that helps keep one’s hands free easily making for a replacement of a third hand and therefor an awesome tool to use for many purposes including non electronic! MSRP: Depends on model GADGETEER’s RATING: ★★★★★ For more information go to: TheHotHolder.com Graphic credits: THE GADGETEER Bob Skidmore is a freelance writer, who may be contacted at bskidmore@mac.com, or followed at twitter.com/bskidmore for the latest gadget industry news. He does not represent, or endorse any of the products he reviews and his opinions are solely his points of view and not those of the manufacturer, or any legal resource. The manufacturer generally supplies products and press releases at no cost for the articles and no other compensation is received. THE GADGETEER is highly selective as to products he feels worthy of review so as not to waste the reader’s time, thus the reason for many superior ratings. Check out Bob’s Social Media pages for up to the minute gadget news. Available at: bob-the-gadgeteer.bsky.social & https://twitter.com/bskidmore

CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW (CES) 2025 HIGHLIGHTS

CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW 2025 ~ Highlights Of Some Unusual Showings …. BOB SKIDMORE CORRESPONDENT (Please note that Google’s BlogSpot, the provider we use to publish this monthly column, has changed the allowable format style. So, if the column’s format looks a bit strange it’s due to Google and BlogSpot, not THE GADGETEER.) © 2025 BOB SKIDMORE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED The annual Consumer Electronics Show, CES, was another huge success. As always CES introduces new technology products that may soon hit the market place, or for lack of appeal will never see the light of day. More than 4312 exhibitors, 1400 startups and 5355 media were in attendance for this three day event. 138739 participants, including 40% international attendees from 161 countries made up the attendance participants list. Here are just a few of the interesting and unusual products that were displayed:

The Swippitt might look like your toaster, but its slot is actually for insertion of your smartphoneT for charging. It will automatically swap out a dead external battery integrated into a custom case with a new one. Each swappable battery has a 3500mAH capacity that provides an additional 50-90 percent charge depending on the size of the smartphone. This product could result in never having to plug in your phone again, but you’ll pay a substantial price, $450 for the hub with 5 extra batteries and $120 for the phone case with a battery included. Anchor showed a unique Umbrella solar panel as an effective solution to charge your various electronic devices. The 7 foot tall Solix Solar Beach Umbrella can generate up to 100W of power output that can be used to charge phones, tablets or coolers through USB-C and XT-600 connections. Available later this year and pricing has yet to be announced.

The Roborock’s new Saro Z70 is a solution to cleaning around random objects left lying on the ground. It features an articulated five-axis robot arm called OmniGrip that can move such obstacles out of its way. Available June 2025. Cost to be announced.

And here’s only a concept to show what’s possible. Lenovo showed off its ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable PC, a dual-screen laptop that extends the screen upward rather than folding it, or, fold two screens together. Applications could include being able to extend a screen a few inches with a simple press of a button. A good example of how CES is used to promote a concept and get reactions and input for a possible future product…. So, these are just a few very unique items on display at this year’s CES show. Graphic credits: CES & Google Images Bob Skidmore is a freelance writer, who may be contacted at bskidmore@mac.com, or followed at twitter.com/bskidmore for the latest gadget industry news. He does not represent, or endorse any of the products he reviews and his opinions are solely his points of view and not those of the manufacturer, or any legal resource. The manufacturer generally supplies products and press releases at no cost for the articles and no other compensation is received. THE GADGETEER is highly selective as to products he feels worthy of review so as not to waste the reader’s time, thus the reason for many superior ratings. ## Check out Bob’s Twitter page for up to the minute gadget news. Available at: bob-the-gadgeteer.bsky.social & https://twitter.com/bskidmore

HEADREST HOOKS

HEADREST HOOKS ~ Also A Backseat Secure Smartphone Mount …. BOB SKIDMORE CORRESPONDENT (Please note that Google’s BlogSpot, the provider we use to publish this monthly column, has changed the allowable format style. So, if the column’s format looks a bit strange it’s due to Google and BlogSpot, not THE GADGETEER.) © 2025 BOB SKIDMORE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Have you been looking for a better way to keep items neat, organized and accessible in your car? Well the DWARFOO Qp5010 backseat mobile car headrest hook with phone holder may just be the perfect inexpensive solution. These easily attached and removable hooks attach to most car’s headrests. An adjustable 3-position lock allows precise mounting on to the back of most front seat headrests be they sedans, or minivans. When not in use they quickly rotate 360° so you can hide the hooks when not needed. They can hold up to 11 pounds making it ideal for hanging groceries, clothes, umbrellas, cameras, tote bags and handbags. Since it offers 360° rotation you could rotate to the front of the seat keeping items upright while saving space and offering ease of item’s access.

accommodate 4 – 6-inch smartphones in a viewing position. This feature allows rear seat passengers to view videos on their individual phones, hands-free. As we said installation is very easy. A great product!

GADGETEER’s RATING: ★★★★★ MSRP: $5.99 (2-pack) Available in various 2-tone colors For more information go to: https://amzn.to/3JPGeEz Graphic credits: Amazon Bob Skidmore is a freelance writer, who may be contacted at bskidmore@mac.com , or followed at twitter.com/bskidmore for the latest gadget industry news. He does not represent, or endorse any of the products he reviews and his opinions are solely his points of view and not those of the manufacturer, or any legal resource. The manufacturer generally supplies products and press releases at no cost for the articles and no other compensation is received. THE GADGETEER is highly selective as to products he feels worthy of review so as not to waste the reader’s time, thus the reason for many superior ratings. ## Check out Bob’s Twitter page for up to the minute gadget news. Available at: https://twitter.com/bskidmore