Apple is planning to make future Apple Pencils easier to fix by letting you swap out the battery yourself instead of throwing the whole device away when it stops charging. This matters because it saves you money in the long run and keeps e-waste out of landfills—something Europe is now requiring companies to do. Worth knowing: if you use an Apple Pencil with an iPad, keep an eye out for these new models next year, as they could finally give you a repair option beyond buying a replacement.
# Router Antenna Positioning for Better WiFi
Your router's antennas work best when positioned in specific ways—typically one pointing up and one pointing out sideways—because WiFi travels in different directions depending on the antenna angle. Getting this right means stronger signals in more rooms of your home, fewer dead spots where the internet cuts out, and better speeds for video calls or streaming without frustration. Worth knowing: if your current setup has both antennas pointing the same way, try adjusting one to vertical and leaving the other horizontal, then test which arrangement gives you the best signal where you spend most of your time.
Philips has apologized after a software update stopped their smart lighting hubs from working, but they're offering free replacements and have released a new update to fix the problem. If you use Philips smart lights to control your home, this matters because a broken hub means losing convenient remote control of your lights until it's replaced. Worth knowing: if your Philips lighting system has stopped responding recently, contact Philips support to request a replacement unit rather than troubleshooting it yourself.
Even Realities is creating smart glasses that help with real-time translation, note-taking, and meeting summaries—but deliberately left out a camera so people around you don't feel watched or recorded. For busy professionals who travel internationally or spend their days in meetings, these glasses could be genuinely useful without the privacy concerns that have made other smart glasses controversial. Worth knowing: if you travel for work or struggle with language barriers, keeping an eye on products like these might save you time and frustration in a few years.
# What's New in Tech This Week
Steam Machine is a gaming computer that lets you play your regular PC games on your living room television, much like a console. For people who enjoy gaming but prefer sitting on the couch rather than at a desk, this could be a comfortable way to enjoy a larger game library than traditional consoles offer. You can check out the full reviews on Engadget's website to see which device matches your interests and budget.
Samsung is ending its direct connection between its Gallery app and Microsoft OneDrive, meaning your photos won't automatically back up to OneDrive through Samsung's built-in tools anymore. If you rely on this feature to keep your memories safe in the cloud, you'll need to set up a different backup method before the change takes effect. You can start using Microsoft's OneDrive app directly on your phone, or ask your family members which backup service they use so you can all stay on the same system.
Spotify has made its Release Radar feature smarter by letting you choose what kind of personalization you want—whether you prefer recommendations based on your listening habits, your favorite artists, or a mix of both. This means you're more likely to discover new music you'll actually enjoy instead of getting suggestions that feel random or off the mark. You can try these new options by opening Release Radar on your Spotify app and looking for the personalization settings at the top of the list.
Virtual reality dance apps now let you practice partner dancing at home with a virtual instructor or partner who never gets tired or judges your mistakes. For people who feel self-conscious about dancing in front of others, this offers a comfortable way to build confidence and learn real skills before stepping into a dance studio or social setting. You can try free versions of apps like Dance Guru or Trip the Light to see if virtual dancing appeals to you before committing to lessons.
HyperTexting is a new app that transforms regular websites, blogs, and newsletters into a social media-style feed you can scroll through—making the open internet feel familiar and easy to browse. For people who've grown tired of social media's algorithms and advertising but miss the simplicity of discovering interesting content, this offers a middle ground that puts you back in control. You can try it out if you're looking for a fresher way to read articles and stay informed without the noise of mainstream platforms.
Disney is considering offering a completely free version of Disney+ that would show ads, following what other streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime already do. For people on a tight budget or those who want to sample Disney's content before paying, this could mean access to thousands of movies and shows without opening your wallet. Worth knowing: if this happens, the free tier would likely have more commercial interruptions and fewer viewing options than paid plans, so you'd want to compare what restrictions come with it before signing up.
Philips released a software update for its Hue Bridge Pro smart home device in early June that accidentally stopped some of these devices from working at all, leaving customers with non-responsive equipment. If you use Philips Hue lights and have a Bridge Pro hub, this matters because a routine update meant to improve your system could temporarily disable it without warning. Worth knowing: Philips is offering free replacements to affected customers, so if your Hue Bridge Pro stopped working after a recent update, contact their support team right away rather than trying to fix it yourself.
Disney+ is thinking about offering a free version of its streaming service, supported by ads, to attract more viewers who don't want to pay a monthly fee. Many people are cutting back on paid subscriptions these days, so Disney wants to compete with free options like YouTube and Tubi that are becoming increasingly popular. Worth knowing: if you're already paying for Disney+, a free tier with ads shouldn't affect your current subscription, but it's worth checking your account settings if this launches to make sure you're on the plan you want.
