Walmart is now allowing artificial intelligence programs to shop and buy things for you automatically, while Amazon has decided to block this same technology from its platform. For shoppers who struggle with mobility or want to save time on routine purchases, this could make life easier—you'd set up what you want bought and how much you're willing to spend, then let the AI handle it. Worth knowing: if you use Walmart's service, you'll want to check what spending limits and approval settings you've chosen, so the AI doesn't make purchases you didn't intend.
Walmart is creating a system where artificial intelligence can do your shopping for you on their website, letting you set spending limits and review what the AI picks before it buys anything. This could save time for busy people or those who find online shopping tiresome, giving you back hours that might otherwise go to browsing and comparing products. Worth knowing: you'll stay in control the whole time—you can set rules about how much money the AI can spend and check everything before purchase, so there's no surprise charges or unwanted orders.
Even when you turn off tracking in your smart TV's settings, major brands like Samsung, Roku, and Vizio continue to secretly send information about what you're watching to their servers. This matters because it means your privacy choices aren't being respected, and companies are still collecting data about your viewing habits even after you've asked them not to. Worth knowing: check your smart TV's settings menu for terms like "ACR" or "automatic content recognition" and disable them, then contact the manufacturer directly to confirm they've stopped tracking—don't assume the setting alone will work.
General Motors is completely modernizing OnStar, its long-running roadside assistance service, by adding artificial intelligence that can understand your questions and help you in new ways. For drivers, this means OnStar will become smarter at handling emergencies, giving navigation advice, and managing your car's features without needing you to remember complicated commands or button sequences. You can expect to see these AI improvements roll out gradually across GM vehicles, so it's worth asking your dealership when your car model will receive the update.
There are somewhere between 60,000 and 82,000 health apps available for iPhones, yet many do similar things and most people have no realistic way to find the right one for their needs. This matters because new app developers often skip checking what already exists, leading to endless duplicate apps instead of improving tools that could genuinely help older adults with fall detection, medication reminders, or caregiving support. Worth knowing: before downloading a new health app, ask friends or your doctor what they actually use and recommend, rather than searching blindly through the App Store.
Just Eat has apologised after its artificial intelligence system created pictures of food that looked wrong or unappetising, which people shared and laughed about on social media. The company is now taking down those fake images and slowing down its plan to use AI to show meals on its app. Worth knowing: if you order from Just Eat soon, you may see fewer AI-generated pictures of dishes, and the real photos from restaurants should become more common again.
Waymo's self-driving taxi service, which launched in Las Vegas just a few months ago, has now expanded to include pickups and drop-offs at Harry Reid International Airport. This matters because it shows autonomous vehicles are moving beyond small test areas into real-world transportation that many people actually use—airports are busy, complicated places. Worth knowing: if you're traveling to or from Las Vegas, you could try booking a Waymo ride through their app to see how the technology works firsthand, or you can simply stick with traditional taxis if you prefer.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation has created a practical guide called "Online Privacy for Parents and Youth" that helps families stay safe online without needing to understand complicated technology. This matters because as your grandchildren and younger relatives spend more time online, you may want practical advice on what threats to watch for and how to have good conversations with them about digital safety. Worth knowing: you can find straightforward tips on their website about protecting against common risks like oversharing on social media, trusting AI chatbots too much, and understanding which websites collect personal information.
Supernatural, a fitness app that uses virtual reality to guide you through exercise routines, has come back to Meta's VR headsets after being away for a while. If you own a Meta Quest headset and want an interactive way to stay active without leaving your living room, this app now offers guided workouts in a virtual environment. You can try it free during the early access period, though a subscription will eventually cost $20 a month or $200 per year if you decide to continue.
Two-thirds of American doctors now use an AI tool called OpenEvidence to help them diagnose and treat patients by instantly searching through medical journals and guidelines. This startup, worth $15 billion, grew so quickly mostly through doctors recommending it to each other, showing how hungry the medical profession is for faster ways to make decisions. Worth knowing: if you're seeing a doctor, there's a decent chance they're using this tool to help with your care, so you could ask them directly about what technology supports their decisions.
Google's voice assistant Gemini is now available in Apple CarPlay, letting you talk to it while using Google Maps to get navigation help and restaurant recommendations without taking your hands off the wheel. For Apple users who drive regularly, this means you can have a conversation with your phone about where to go and what to do, just like Android drivers have been able to do for the past year. You can start using this today if you're in the US by simply speaking to Google Maps through your Apple CarPlay system, asking it questions like "find me a good Italian restaurant and then take me there."
Amazon has released new colour Kindle e-readers for the first time, alongside updated versions designed for note-taking, children, and different budgets. For someone who loves reading but struggles with shelf space or heavy books while travelling, a Kindle can hold thousands of books in a device lighter than a paperback, without the distracting features of phones and tablets. You can visit Amazon's UK website to compare the different Kindle models and read full reviews to find the one that suits your reading habits and budget best.
