Meta has created an AI assistant (shown as a cute bear character) that's designed to help you handle annoying everyday tasks like managing your trash service or dealing with unexpected home repairs. For people juggling multiple responsibilities, having AI take care of repetitive errands could free up real time and mental energy that you'd rather spend on things you actually enjoy. Worth knowing: before you hand over access to your accounts and payment information to any AI assistant, check carefully what permissions you're granting and how your personal data will be protected.
# Disney+ and Hulu Are Getting More Expensive
Disney is raising prices on both Disney+ and Hulu, joining other streaming services that keep charging subscribers more each year. For many people managing multiple subscriptions on a fixed budget, these steady price increases mean your entertainment costs keep climbing without getting more content in return. Worth knowing: check your streaming subscriptions quarterly to see which ones you actually use, and don't hesitate to pause or cancel services during months you're not watching them.
Samsung's newest smart fridges stopped working this week when an automatic software update went wrong, leaving some owners with spoiled food and appliances that won't turn back on. For anyone who bought one of these premium fridges expecting reliability, this is frustrating—a $3,000+ appliance should not fail because of a routine update. Worth knowing: if you own a recent Samsung Bespoke fridge, avoid accepting SmartThings app updates for now, and contact Samsung support directly if your fridge gets stuck during any update process.
ChatGPT's mobile app now lets paying subscribers use their voice to ask the app to handle practical tasks for them—like booking appointments or organizing information—rather than just answering questions. For someone juggling multiple responsibilities, this means you could literally speak a request while driving or doing chores and have the app work through it step-by-step for you. Worth knowing: this feature is currently only available to ChatGPT Plus and Pro subscribers, so you'd need a paid account to try it out.
YouTube Music has added a new feature called Ask Music that lets you simply describe the mood or type of music you're in the mood for, and the app figures out what to play—no need to remember song names or artists. For anyone who's ever struggled to find the right playlist or felt overwhelmed by too many choices, this makes discovering music far easier and more natural, like chatting with a friend about what sounds good. You can try it by opening YouTube Music and looking for the Ask Music option, then typing something like "music to cook dinner to" or "upbeat 80s songs" to see what it suggests.
A company called comma.ai makes add-on devices that enhance a car's existing lane-keeping and collision-avoidance features, but U.S. safety regulators are now investigating after five crashes where these devices may have failed to prevent collisions with stopped vehicles, resulting in three deaths and multiple injuries. If you drive an older vehicle and use aftermarket driving assistance tools to modernize it, it's important to know that these third-party systems aren't subject to the same rigorous safety testing that built-in manufacturer systems go through. Worth knowing: before installing any add-on driving assistance device, check whether your car manufacturer approves it, and always stay alert behind the wheel rather than relying on automation to handle unexpected situations.
Comma, a company that makes software to help cars drive themselves, is being investigated after two fatal crashes where drivers may have been using unofficial versions of their product. When people modify safety-critical software without proper testing, serious accidents can happen—and this matters because more cars are getting these kinds of automated features every year. Worth knowing: if you own a vehicle with any hands-off driving system, stick with the manufacturer's official updates and be cautious about third-party modifications, no matter how appealing they might sound.
Apple has added a clever feature to its Maps app that connects famous US landmarks to podcast episodes from their "Hidden Histories" series, so you can learn the untold stories behind places you recognize. If you enjoy history or like to understand the deeper context of the places you visit—whether in person or virtually—this gives you an engaging way to explore those stories right when you're looking at a location on your phone. You can check if your favorite local landmark has a linked podcast episode by opening Apple Maps and tapping on a notable building or site to see if a "Hidden Histories" guide appears.
DJI's newest action camera, the Osmo 360 II, lets you swap out the lenses yourself instead of sending the whole device away for repairs—a practical feature that saves both money and time. For anyone who uses a camera regularly, being able to replace a scratched lens or upgrade to a different one without buying an entirely new camera makes a real difference to your wallet over time. Worth knowing: before buying any action camera, check whether the manufacturer allows you to replace parts yourself, as this feature isn't yet standard across the industry.
Meta plans to show off brand-new smart glasses at its Connect conference in 2026, and these glasses won't have cameras built in—a shift from what many people worried about when tech companies started adding cameras to eyewear. For people concerned about privacy, this is good news, since it means Meta's glasses won't be recording your surroundings or other people without their knowledge. Worth knowing: if you're curious about this technology, Meta will likely livestream the announcement online, so you can watch from home without attending in person.
Eight Sleep's new Pod 6 is a mattress cover that costs $2,000 and uses heating and cooling technology to adjust your side of the bed's temperature throughout the night. If you struggle with hot flashes, night sweats, or just can't agree with your partner about whether the bedroom should feel like an igloo or a sauna, this gadget learns your sleep patterns and makes automatic adjustments. Worth knowing: you'll need a smartphone app to control it, so ask yourself honestly whether you're comfortable with that kind of tech in your bedroom before spending that much money.
# Making the Most of Your Apple CarPlay
Apple CarPlay is designed to work smoothly right out of the box, but a few simple adjustments can make your drives safer and more enjoyable. These tweaks—like organizing your favorite apps, adjusting voice settings, and managing notifications—are the kinds of things you can do in a few minutes without any technical knowledge. Worth knowing: spending just a little time customizing CarPlay now means you'll have easier access to navigation, music, and contacts while keeping your eyes on the road.
