Amazon has released a new larger tablet called the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, which improves on their older Fire HD 10 model with a bigger screen and a special coating that reduces glare and makes reading easier. If you use tablets for watching shows, reading books, or video calling with family, the less reflective screen means you'll be more comfortable using it in bright rooms or by a window. Worth knowing: the upgrade makes sense if your eyes are sensitive to screen glare or you spend a lot of time reading on your tablet, but if your current Fire tablet works fine for you, the older model is still a solid, budget-friendly choice.
Amazon's latest tablets running Alexa will now let you download apps directly from Google Play, which means you'll have access to millions of apps instead of being limited to Amazon's own app store. For people who want flexibility—like finding a specific health tracker, banking app, or game that might not be available through Amazon—this opens up many more choices without switching devices. Worth knowing: when you set up your new Alexa tablet, you'll see the option to add your Google account, which gives you instant access to the Google Play store and all those additional apps.
Google Maps is now showing you the price of petrol and diesel at nearby petrol stations, making it easier to find the cheapest fuel before you fill up. With fuel costs staying high, knowing which station offers the best price could save you real money on your weekly shopping trips and errands. Worth knowing: when you search for "petrol stations" or "fuel" in Google Maps, look for the price tags displayed next to each location to compare costs in your area.
Microsoft's AI assistant Copilot is getting smarter and more hands-on—it can now look at your personal files and actually do things on your computer, like organizing documents or helping with tasks like preparing tax information. For you, this means AI could become genuinely useful for everyday chores around your computer, saving time on tedious jobs you might otherwise do manually. Worth knowing: before letting Copilot loose on your files, check your privacy settings carefully, and only grant it permission to access the folders and information you're comfortable sharing.
Microsoft is redesigning Windows search to work more like talking to a helpful assistant—you can ask it questions in natural language instead of typing exact keywords. For people who've been frustrated by Windows search missing what they're looking for, this could make finding files and information on your computer much easier and faster. Worth knowing: when this rolls out later this year, you might notice your search bar behaves differently, so give it a try before assuming it doesn't work the way you expect.
Ring has designed a smart lock with a hand crank built into it, so you can still unlock your door by turning the crank if the batteries die—no need to call a locksmith or break down your door. For people who depend on keyless entry, this is a genuinely useful safety feature that prevents you from being locked out during a power outage or when batteries run low. Worth knowing: check whether your current smart lock has a backup like this, and if you're thinking of upgrading, ask about hand-crank or mechanical backup options before you buy.
Ring has created a new smart lock that you can open by hand-cranking it, just like an old-fashioned lock, if the battery runs out of power. This solves a real problem that worries many people—imagine being stuck outside your home because a dead battery locked you out. Worth knowing: if you're considering a smart lock, ask whether it has a manual backup option, because even the best batteries eventually need replacing.
# Google's New Game-Making Tool
Google has built a new platform called Playground that lets artificial intelligence create simple games for you—no coding skills needed. For someone who's always wanted to try game design but found it too complicated, this removes the biggest barrier and lets you focus on the fun ideas instead. You can visit Google's Playground website to try creating your own game by describing what you'd like, then watch the AI build it for you.
Radisson hotels have partnered with OpenAI to create a tool inside ChatGPT that lets you find and book their properties while chatting—no need to jump between websites or apps. For frequent travelers over 50, this means you can simply tell ChatGPT what you're looking for ("I need a hotel near the beach in April"), and it'll show you Radisson options with prices and availability right there in the conversation. You can try this by opening ChatGPT, asking about Radisson hotels for your next trip, and seeing if the booking tool appears—it's a handy shortcut if you already use ChatGPT for planning.
Spotify is now offering audiobooks—not just music—in more than 180 countries around the world, with hundreds of thousands of titles you can listen to in your own language. For people who enjoy reading but find it tiring on the eyes, or who like to listen while doing other things, this gives you a huge library of stories right alongside your music on the same app. Worth knowing: if you already use Spotify, check your app's menu to see if audiobooks have appeared in your country—some regions are rolling out the feature gradually.
Your phone already has free built-in tools to automatically filter out spam calls and block unwanted numbers, so you don't need to buy expensive apps or services. Stopping spam calls matters because they're increasingly sophisticated—scammers pretend to be banks, the IRS, or tech companies to trick people into sharing personal information or money. Worth knowing: both iPhone and Android let you silence unknown callers, report numbers as spam, and create block lists—check your phone's settings under "Call Blocking" or "Do Not Disturb" to turn these features on today.
Apple is working with LG to make smart home devices like locks, thermostats, and doorbells that work seamlessly with iPhones and iPads. If you already use Apple devices, these new gadgets would let you control your front door, temperature, and security from your phone—all in one simple system instead of juggling different apps. Worth knowing: when shopping for smart home devices over the next year or two, Apple products may become a more convenient choice if you're already in the Apple ecosystem.
