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Technology and money in plain English · Since 2012

Morning briefing

Morning briefing:

The stories to know this morning.

  1. Smart Thermostat Savings: What ENERGY STAR Says and What to Check Before You Buy

    ENERGY STAR says a smart thermostat saves about $50 a year. Here are the models Consumer Reports cited, their prices, and the wiring checks to make first.

  2. Hardware Security Keys: Five Picks From PCMag's 2026 Roundup, With Prices

    PCMag's 2026 roundup prices hardware security keys from $29 to $98. Here are its five picks, what CISA says about FIDO, and what to check before you buy.

  3. Visa, PayPal, Mastercard and Robinhood Report This Week: What to Watch on Consumers

    Visa, PayPal and Robinhood report Tuesday and Mastercard Thursday, a week when consumer confidence and PCE spending data are also due. What card volumes can say about households.

  4. Microsoft, Alphabet and Amazon Report This Week: What to Watch on AI Spending

    Microsoft and Alphabet report Wednesday and Amazon on Thursday, after a week when AI worries hit chip stocks. The dates, the consensus estimates and the questions investors will ask.

  5. US Designates Helium a Critical Material as Chip and Medical Supply Stays Tight

    The Energy Department added helium to its critical materials list, opening access to more federal funding for producers. The designation follows months of supply disruption tied to the Iran war.