Nirva has created a small pendant that acts like a personal AI assistant, listening only when you want it to and ignoring background noise—the company just raised $33 million to bring it to market. For people who find smartphones intrusive or want a hands-free way to get reminders and answers throughout the day, this pendant could be a practical alternative that feels more private than always carrying a phone. Worth knowing: when it ships later this year at $249, you might want to read reviews first to see how well it actually filters out unwanted listening, since privacy is the main selling point.
1Password, a popular password manager many people use to keep their accounts secure, is now allowing AI assistants to access your passwords so they can handle tasks like shopping or booking appointments without you typing anything. This matters because it's a real trade-off: you gain convenience, but you're asking an AI system to have deep access to your most sensitive login information. Worth knowing: before you enable this feature, think carefully about whether you trust the AI service you're using with passwords to your bank, email, and other critical accounts.
1Password is adding a new system that lets AI assistants (called agents) log into your accounts on your behalf, but the AI never actually sees your password—it stays hidden and secure. This matters because as AI assistants take on more tasks like booking appointments or managing accounts, you need a safer way to let them work without handing over passwords that could be misused. You can stay in control because you'll need to approve each login request before the AI goes ahead, and it's worth checking your 1Password settings periodically to see which agents you've authorized.
AI shopping assistants can now browse the internet and make purchases for you, though they're still quite clumsy at the job—think of them as well-meaning but unreliable helpers who need very detailed instructions and often misunderstand what you actually want. For people who struggle with online shopping or have limited mobility, this technology could eventually save time and frustration, though right now it's more frustrating than helpful. Worth knowing: if you experiment with AI shopping tools, give them very specific instructions and double-check what they've actually ordered before your payment goes through.
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.
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.
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.
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."
