Amazon's new Alexa Plus update will understand more complex requests about your smart home devices—like asking it to read clothing tags and set your washing machine to the right temperature, rather than just turning things on or off. For people with multiple connected devices from brands like Bosch, iRobot, and Yale, this means fewer trips to tap buttons on appliances and a more natural way to give instructions. Worth knowing: the update is still in preview, so you may want to wait a few months before upgrading to Alexa Plus to see how reliably it handles these detailed tasks.
Google now lets you unlock your account using a video selfie instead of remembering a password, though you need to set this up beforehand while you still have access. This is handy because passwords are easy to forget, and having a backup way into your account means you won't be locked out during an important moment—like checking your email or accessing photos stored in the cloud. Worth knowing: you'll need to record and save a short video of your face with Google first, and this option isn't available for work accounts or accounts with extra security protections, so check whether yours qualifies before you set it up.
Claude, an AI assistant made by a company called Anthropic, can now understand and respond to your voice more naturally—you can ask it to help reschedule meetings or write emails just by talking to it. For someone who prefers speaking rather than typing, this makes getting help with everyday tasks faster and more convenient, especially if your hands are busy or you find typing tiresome. Worth knowing: if you use Claude through its app or website, you can try out the voice feature to see if it makes your daily tasks simpler.
Claude, an AI assistant many people use for conversation and help with writing, now understands spoken words much more accurately than before. If you've tried talking to AI tools and found them frustrating because they misheard you, this improvement means fewer mistakes and a smoother experience. Worth knowing: if you use Claude through your phone or computer, you can try speaking your questions aloud instead of typing them—the new update should make it work much better than it did previously.
Qobuz, a music streaming service that emphasizes high-quality sound, has redesigned its player app and now shows you song lyrics in real time as the music plays. If you enjoy listening to music and like having lyrics displayed while songs play—whether to sing along, understand words better, or simply follow along—this update makes the experience smoother and more enjoyable. Worth knowing: if you've ever felt frustrated switching between your music app and a lyrics app, Qobuz has just made that problem disappear.
Samsung has committed to updating its new Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches with security patches and features until 2031—a full five years from now. This kind of long-term support matters because older smartwatches often become unreliable or insecure once companies stop updating them, so knowing you'll get protection for years ahead gives you better value for your money. Worth knowing: if you own an older Samsung watch, check Samsung's website to see when its update support ends, as this five-year promise applies only to these newest models.
OpenAI has created a new version of ChatGPT that focuses on health questions and can connect to your fitness and health apps to give you more personalized information. For someone managing their own health or helping a family member with medical decisions, this could be a helpful way to ask questions about symptoms, medications, or fitness goals in one place. Worth knowing: before relying on it for serious health concerns, always check the advice with your actual doctor—AI is meant to inform, not replace medical care.
# Tech for Aging: What's Changed Since 2009
The core desire of older adults hasn't budged in 15 years—people want to stay in their own homes and live independently—but the crisis around paying for care and finding enough caregivers has gotten much worse, with assisted living costs now exceeding $75,000 a year and home health workers leaving jobs at alarming rates. Technology that was scarce in 2009 has exploded with new options powered by artificial intelligence, voice commands, and sensors that can monitor health and safety remotely, though most of the original tech companies from back then have since disappeared. Worth knowing: many of these newer monitoring technologies are becoming standard in home care settings partly because there simply aren't enough human caregivers available, so understanding what devices your family might consider can help you make informed choices about your own care preferences.
The author spent months hunting for a simple bedside clock that automatically adjusts for time changes and daylight saving time, rather than requiring manual button-pushing every time the power flickers. For anyone who's stood bleary-eyed at 2 a.m. resetting a clock, this frustrated search captures a real annoyance that's been solved for phones and computers but somehow ignored for basic alarm clocks. Worth knowing: many newer "smart" clocks do auto-adjust, but they often require downloading apps or connecting to WiFi—so if you want simplicity without the fuss, asking at an electronics store specifically for atomic or radio-controlled clocks might save you the headache.
ChatGPT now lets you link your medical records and health data from your Apple devices directly into the chat, so it can give you personalized information about your own health situation. Having your actual medical history available means ChatGPT can provide more relevant answers to your questions instead of generic information that applies to everyone. Worth knowing: you'll need to be in the U.S., have an eligible account, and you can always disconnect your data if you change your mind.
Steam, the popular video game platform, just made it easier to give games to friends—even those who don't have a Steam account yet—and lets you organize your wishlist into folders so you can keep track of games you want. For anyone who enjoys playing games or likes to surprise loved ones with digital gifts, these changes mean less hassle when buying games for others and a cleaner way to manage your gaming wish list. You can now send a game gift to someone's email address, and they can claim it whenever they're ready to join Steam, making gift-giving as straightforward as sending a greeting card.
# Samsung's New Foldable Phones: Which One Fits You?
Samsung has released two new folding phones—the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the larger Fold 8 Ultra—each designed for different needs and budgets. If you use your phone for reading, video calls, or productivity tasks, a foldable's larger screen when unfolded makes these activities easier on your eyes, though they're pricier than traditional phones. Worth knowing: compare their screen sizes and battery life at a carrier store before deciding, since handling the actual device matters more than specs when you're choosing between them.
