You can now buy portable screens that attach to your car's dashboard and connect wirelessly to your iPhone or Android phone, giving you the same navigation, music, and calling features as built-in systems. If your car is older or doesn't have these features, adding a portable screen is a practical way to get modern technology without replacing your vehicle. Worth knowing: these devices typically cost $200–$500, so compare that against the cost of upgrading your car before deciding, and check that any screen you choose has reliable reviews for mounting strength and touch responsiveness.
Wireless Android Auto lets you connect your phone to your car without plugging in a cable, which is genuinely convenient for daily driving. The tradeoff is that the wireless connection can sometimes be slower or less reliable than a wired connection, especially in older cars or when your phone's battery is running low. Worth knowing: if you drive a newer car model, wireless Android Auto tends to work smoothly, but you might want to test it on a short trip first to see how it performs with your specific phone and vehicle.
# Smart Backyard Gadgets That Make Outdoor Time Better
Modern technology now offers affordable devices that can turn an ordinary backyard into a more comfortable and functional space—think automatic watering systems, outdoor speakers, and lighting you control from your phone. For people who enjoy spending time outside, these gadgets reduce the hassle of manual tasks like dragging out hoses or fumbling with switches while your hands are full. Worth knowing: start small with one or two gadgets that solve your biggest backyard frustration, rather than buying everything at once.
# How to Find Your iPhone Even When It's Off
Apple has built a safety feature into iPhones that lets you track them for a short while even after they're powered down or the battery dies. This works because a tiny chip inside your phone keeps broadcasting your location for several hours, separate from the main battery. You can set this up now through your iPhone's Find My app—just make sure you're signed into iCloud—and if your phone ever goes missing, you'll have a fighting chance of recovering it before that window closes.
Apple's Safari browser now has a built-in tool called Notify Me that watches product prices for you and sends alerts whenever something you're interested in drops in price or becomes available again. For anyone who shops online but hates overpaying, this means you can set it and forget it rather than checking websites manually every few days. You can enable this feature by visiting a product page in Safari on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and looking for the notification bell icon to set your price alerts.
A new alarm app called Clucky makes waking up more fun by letting you choose a rooster's crow as your alarm sound, and you have to complete a small task to turn it off. This approach works because the extra step forces you to get out of bed and actually engage your brain, rather than just hitting snooze half-asleep like most of us do. You can try it out if you struggle with oversleeping or want to start your mornings feeling more alert and accomplished.
Ottocast is a small device that lets you use Apple CarPlay wirelessly in your car instead of plugging in a cable every time you drive. For people who want a simpler, cable-free experience and have an older car that doesn't already offer wireless CarPlay, this can be a real convenience. You can check if your car model is compatible on Ottocast's website, and the device typically costs between £40–£80 depending on where you buy it.
# Android Auto Volume Mystery Solved
Your car's system automatically turns down music when it detects navigation instructions or phone calls coming in—a feature called "audio ducking" that's meant to keep you safe by making sure you hear important alerts. For drivers our age who value both music and clear directions, this can feel frustrating when it happens too often or too aggressively. Worth knowing: you can usually adjust this in your Android Auto settings under sound preferences, or check if your car's infotainment system has its own volume ducking controls that override the phone's settings.
Tesla's new Cybercab robotaxi won't allow children under 13 to ride in it, even if a parent is there with them—a stricter rule than the company applies to its other self-driving taxi cars. This restriction might surprise families who thought self-driving vehicles would be more flexible than traditional taxis, since you can usually bring young children in a regular car service with an adult. Worth knowing: if you're planning to use a robotaxi for family outings in the future, you'll want to check the age rules before booking, as different services may have different requirements.
Google's AI assistant Gemini can now help you organize, edit, and share your photos automatically—sorting through your library, creating albums, and even turning pictures into calendar reminders. If you're paying for Google's premium AI service, this means you could spend less time fiddling with photo apps and more time actually enjoying your memories. Worth knowing: you'll need a Google One AI Premium or Ultra subscription to use this feature, so check your current Google plan before expecting this help with your photos.
# Boox Go 6 (Gen II) Summary
The Boox Go 6 (Gen II) is an e-reader that runs Android software, letting you not just read books but also write notes and annotations directly onto the pages, much like marking up a paper book. If you enjoy reading plus want to highlight passages, jot down thoughts, or organize your reading without switching between devices, this combines those features in one gadget. Worth knowing: like any specialized device, it has trade-offs—check whether the screen size and note-taking experience suit your needs before committing, and compare it to simpler e-readers if you mainly just want to read without the annotation features.
# Dyson's New CameraJet Toothbrush
Dyson, the company famous for fancy vacuums, has created an incredibly expensive electric toothbrush with a built-in camera that shows you exactly where you're brushing—which sounds impressive but costs around $500. For most people, a standard electric toothbrush does the job perfectly well at a fraction of the price, so this gadget is really for tech enthusiasts with money to spare rather than anyone with dental problems. Worth knowing: if you're happy with your current toothbrush and brushing routine, you don't need this one—but if you enjoy trying cutting-edge gadgets and enjoy the Dyson brand, you could look up reviews to see if the camera feature actually helps improve your brushing technique.
