Meta has built a new app for your Mac computer that lets you show an AI assistant what's on your screen, and it will answer questions or help you write things based on what it sees. For someone managing emails, photos, or documents, this means you could ask the AI to help organize information or suggest next steps without switching between different programs. Worth knowing: you can try this free feature once it's available, but check that you're comfortable with Meta seeing what's displayed on your screen before you use it.
Amazon is expanding its drone delivery service to nearly 500 towns and cities across America by the end of this year, starting with the Chicago and Atlanta areas. If you live in or near a major city, this means packages could soon arrive at your doorstep by drone instead of a delivery truck, potentially getting items to you faster and with less traffic disruption. Worth knowing: check your Amazon account settings or ask your local Amazon customer service whether your neighborhood qualifies for drone delivery, since coverage will roll out gradually rather than all at once.
Monzo, a popular digital bank many people use via their phones, experienced a outage earlier today that prevented customers from making card payments and transfers. For anyone who relies on Monzo for daily banking—whether to pay bills, send money to family, or make purchases—unexpected outages like this can be stressful and inconvenient. Worth knowing: if you ever can't access your bank's app or make a payment, try contacting their customer service first, and consider keeping a backup payment method (like a traditional bank account or credit card) for emergencies.
Google's new Pixel 11 costs $100 more than last year's model, but it hasn't changed dramatically—the camera is still excellent, the battery lasts all day, and it runs smoothly without much noticeable difference from before. For people who rely on their phones for photos, email, and staying in touch with family, this remains one of the most reliable choices available, even at the higher price. Worth knowing: if your current phone works fine, waiting another year or upgrading to last year's Pixel model could save you money without sacrificing much.
Google's new Pixel 11 Pro phone is a very capable device, though it doesn't quite match the impressive leap forward that its previous model made. For people who enjoy photography, smart features, and having a phone that learns your habits to help you work more efficiently, this phone offers genuine practical benefits without requiring you to become a tech expert. Worth knowing: if you're happy with your current phone, there's no urgent reason to upgrade, but if you're considering a new one anyway, the Pixel 11 Pro's AI features—like smart call screening and photo enhancement—are genuinely useful in everyday life.
Amazon is letting everyone with a Fire TV watch device use its smarter AI assistant Alexa+ for free—you don't need to pay for Prime membership anymore. This matters because it gives you better voice commands for searching shows, getting weather updates, and controlling your home gadgets without extra cost. Worth knowing: if you own a Fire TV device, check your settings to see if you've already received this upgrade, or simply ask Alexa to show you what new features are available.
Amazon has added a smarter version of its voice assistant called Alexa+ to Fire TV devices at no extra cost, available now in the United States. If you already own a Fire TV box or stick, this gives you access to better conversational abilities and more helpful responses without paying a subscription fee. You can try it out by simply asking your Fire TV remote a question or command, just as you normally would with regular Alexa.
Amazon's delivery drones will soon be buzzing over nearly 500 American cities by the end of next year, bringing packages to your doorstep within a couple of hours of ordering. For people who value speed and convenience—especially those with mobility challenges or living in areas far from stores—this could transform how you get everyday items without leaving home. Worth knowing: start paying attention to whether drones are operating in your neighborhood, as some areas may see them before others, and you might want to opt in through Amazon's settings if you prefer traditional delivery.
Solar panels and batteries are helping power companies keep up when everyone's air conditioning runs full blast during extreme heat, but dangerously high temperatures are revealing weak spots throughout the entire electricity system. When it's scorching hot, not only do we all use more power, but the equipment that delivers that power—from transmission lines to power plants themselves—becomes less efficient and more fragile, creating a perfect storm of stress. Worth knowing: Hot nights are becoming as much of a problem as hot days, because transformers and other equipment can't cool down properly, so utilities may need to invest in backup systems and spare parts, which could eventually affect your electricity bills.
# iPhone Battery Health Check
Your iPhone keeps track of how much its battery has degraded over time, and you can see this information in your phone's settings under "Battery" > "Battery Health & Charging." A battery running at 80% health or lower may need replacing soon, which is worth knowing since older batteries can drain faster and affect your phone's performance. Worth knowing: if your iPhone is still under warranty or you have AppleCare+, Apple often replaces batteries cheaply, but it's worth checking what your phone shows before the battery gets too worn.
Whoop, a fitness tracker company, is letting people access advanced health screenings without paying for a monthly subscription—a significant change from their previous business model. For anyone tracking their health or managing chronic conditions, this means you can get lab results and health insights without the commitment of an ongoing membership fee. You can check Whoop's website to see which screenings are now available to non-subscribers and whether they're relevant to your current health concerns.
Peacock streaming service has increased its prices again—the most affordable plan went up by a dollar to $9 a month, while the ad-free premium option now costs $20 monthly instead of $17. The company has now raised prices four times since launching in 2020, which is typical as streaming services become profitable and seek to earn more from subscribers. Worth knowing: if you're thinking of subscribing or renewing, locking in an annual plan before the next increase might save you money, since yearly subscriptions still offer a discount.
