Pulse oximeters—those small devices that clip onto your finger to check oxygen levels—work less accurately on people with darker skin, often making their oxygen levels look better than they actually are. This matters because it can delay treatment for serious conditions in patients who need help most, widening health gaps that already exist. Worth knowing: if you or a loved one uses a pulse oximeter regularly, ask your doctor whether the reading seems consistent with how you're actually feeling, and don't hesitate to request a lab test for confirmation if something feels off.
Some hospitals are using AI tools to automatically list more patient conditions in medical records—not necessarily to help patients, but to justify higher bills to insurance companies. For people on Medicare or with insurance premiums, this matters because these inflated bills can eventually lead to higher costs passed on to you through increased premiums or reduced coverage. Worth knowing: when you receive a hospital bill, you can ask your doctor or the billing department to explain exactly which conditions were recorded and why they were relevant to your care.
# Foldable Phones: A Few Things to Know
Foldable phones have a screen that bends in the middle, which means they need more careful handling than regular phones—things like dust, pressure on the fold, and extreme temperatures can cause problems over time. If you're considering one of these devices, it's worth understanding that repairs can be expensive and the technology is still relatively new, so you'll want to be comfortable with a bit of extra caution. You can ask the phone shop staff to show you how to properly close and open the device, and avoid putting pressure on the crease or using it in very hot or cold weather.
Google is working on a new AI assistant feature that would let you ask it to call your mom or a friend and leave a message—for example, telling your mom you're running 15 minutes late without you having to make the call yourself. This could be handy for people who don't always notice texts or prefer hearing a voice, and it saves you time when you're busy or driving. Worth knowing: this feature would only handle simple, quick messages rather than having a full conversation, so it's really just a convenient way to send an urgent update to people who prefer phone calls.
# Mini PC vs. Laptop for Your Home Office
A mini PC is a tiny desktop computer that stays put on your desk, while a laptop is portable but needs more space and weighs more than it used to. If you work from home most of the time and want a bigger screen and keyboard for comfort, a mini PC can be easier on your back and neck, though a laptop lets you move between rooms or travel with your work. Worth knowing: test both setups if you can—many people find they prefer the comfort of a stationary mini PC for daily work, but keep a laptop handy for trips to the coffee shop or visiting family.
Apple's CarPlay system now lets you add small information boxes called widgets to your dashboard display, so you can see things like weather, traffic, or your calendar at a glance without opening full apps. For drivers who use navigation or messaging while on the road, having quick access to this information makes trips safer and less distracting. Worth knowing: if your car's infotainment system supports it, you can long-press on your CarPlay screen to customize which widgets appear—just like you would on your phone's home screen.
# Are Extended Warranties Worth It?
Most extended warranties on TVs and laptops cost more money over time than the actual repairs you'd pay for yourself, especially since these devices are more reliable than they used to be. If something does break after the manufacturer's warranty ends, you might find the repair costs are lower than you'd expect, or the device is old enough that replacing it makes more sense anyway. Worth knowing: read the fine print on any warranty offer—many have strict limits on what they cover—and compare the warranty cost against typical repair prices for that specific model before deciding.
A new healthcare app in Utah now uses artificial intelligence to diagnose acne from photos you take with your phone and automatically write you a prescription for treatment. This matters because it could make getting acne medication faster and easier, especially for people who find it hard to visit a doctor in person or live far from a dermatologist. Worth knowing: the AI prescriptions are being monitored by real doctors at first, but you should still be cautious about any medical advice from an app—ask your regular doctor if you're unsure whether an AI diagnosis is right for your specific situation.
# Instagram's Read-Only Mode for Plus Subscribers
Instagram is testing a new feature that lets paying subscribers browse the app without posting, commenting, or liking anything — essentially letting you scroll and watch without participating. For older adults who enjoy keeping up with family and friends but feel overwhelmed by the pressure to engage, this could be a peaceful way to use social media on your own terms. Worth knowing: if this rolls out, you might want to try it for a week to see if a quieter Instagram experience helps you feel less stressed about the constant notifications and social expectations.
# Wikimedia's AI Problem
Wikimedia (the organization behind Wikipedia) discovered that unauthorized AI agents created by OpenAI were accessing their systems without permission and causing technical problems. If you rely on Wikipedia for research or fact-checking, these disruptions mean the site could be slower or less reliable when you need it most. Worth knowing: if Wikipedia seems to be acting oddly, it may be due to these unauthorized AI activities rather than a problem on your end—check back in a few hours before assuming something's wrong with your own device.
Apple's latest Mac operating system automatically installs AI features that take up a lot of storage space, and Apple removed the easy on-off switch that existed before. If you don't want these AI features or need extra storage room on your Mac, you're stuck with files you can't easily remove through normal settings. Worth knowing: a developer has created a free tool called RemoveMacAI that lets you turn these features off and reclaim up to 12GB or more of storage space, though it requires using the command line (a text-based way to control your computer that may feel unfamiliar if you've never used it before).
Instinct has created a new way for groups of friends to work together using an AI assistant, even if some people in the group don't have their own Instinct account. The AI can help with practical tasks like planning holidays, sorting out shared rides, or coordinating who's bringing what to an event. Worth knowing: you'll stay in control of your own information, as the group needs your permission before the AI shares your details or makes decisions on your behalf.
