Apple is raising prices on many of its products by up to 20% because the raw materials and parts needed to build them have become much more expensive and harder to find. For anyone on a fixed income or budget, this means your next iPhone, iPad, or Mac will cost noticeably more than it did a year ago—and the same squeeze is hitting other tech companies like Xbox. Worth knowing: if you've been thinking about upgrading an older device, prices may keep climbing, so waiting isn't likely to save you money.
Spain has just passed a rule requiring mobile phone networks to keep working for at least four hours when the power goes out, so people can still make calls and send messages during emergencies. For anyone over 50 who relies on a phone to stay in touch with family or call for help, this is genuinely important—it means you won't be cut off during blackouts or natural disasters. Worth knowing: if you live in Spain or travel there regularly, your phone should automatically have this protection, but it's good to check that your carrier mentions backup power in their service details.
Google has finally created a mobile app for Google Finance after 20 years of only having a website, starting with Android phones now and promising an iPhone version later in 2026. For anyone tracking investments or keeping an eye on retirement accounts, having finance information on your phone means you can check your portfolio while you're out, rather than needing to sit at a computer. You can download the app from Google Play Store if you have an Android phone, and it lets you create watchlists to monitor specific stocks and get real-time market updates in one place.
Google Finance, which helps you track stocks and investments, is now available as its own app on Android phones instead of being buried in Google Search. If you manage any savings or investment accounts, having a dedicated app makes it easier to check your portfolio and market news without hunting through multiple screens. Worth knowing: when the iOS version launches for iPhones, you'll want to download it fresh rather than expecting it to automatically update from any existing Google tools you use.
Google has released a new app for Android phones that brings all your stock market information into one easy-to-use place, complete with real-time prices and news. If you follow the markets or have investments, this means you can quickly check how your stocks are doing without jumping between different websites or apps. You can download it from Google Play and set up a watchlist of stocks you care about to see their movements at a glance.
The Anker 511 Nano 3 is a tiny USB charger that packs enough power to charge your phone, tablet, or laptop quickly, and it's now selling for just $12.34 during Amazon Prime Day. For people who travel or move between rooms frequently, having a small, affordable charger tucked in a bag or pocket means you're never caught with a dead battery. You can grab one or two of these during the sale — at that price, it makes sense to keep extras around your home, in the car, or when you travel.
Apple has raised the prices on most of its computers, laptops, tablets, and other devices across the board. If you own Apple products or were thinking about upgrading, your costs just went up—which matters especially if you're on a fixed income or budget. Worth knowing: check your current device's condition before replacing it, and compare prices across retailers, as some stores occasionally offer discounts even after price increases.
Meta has brought back its Creator Studio as a new app with built-in AI that helps people who post content on Facebook understand how their posts are doing and get advice on reaching more people. If you share photos, videos, or updates on Facebook and want to grow your audience, this tool can now suggest what works best and even help you reply to comments automatically in your own style. Worth knowing: the app is still rolling out gradually, so you may not see it yet, but you can keep an eye out for it in your app store or ask friends who post frequently on Facebook if they've found it useful.
# Hulu's Picture Quality Problem
Hulu has a setting called "Data Saver" that automatically reduces video quality to save bandwidth, and many people don't realize it's switched on by default even when they have fast internet. If you're watching Hulu and noticing the picture looks a bit fuzzy or blurry, this hidden setting could be the culprit—it's designed to use less data rather than show you the best possible picture your connection can handle. Worth knowing: you can go into your Hulu account settings and turn off "Data Saver" if you have a decent broadband connection, which should give you much sharper, clearer picture quality.
# Lumysi's Elegant Approach to Fitness Tracking
A new company called Lumysi is designing a fitness bracelet that looks like regular jewelry rather than a sporty gadget, so you can wear it to dinner or the office without it standing out. For people who want to track their daily steps and activity but don't want to advertise it with a bulky smartwatch, this kind of understated design appeals to those who prefer elegance over tech-forward looks. Worth knowing: before ordering from any Kickstarter campaign, check the company's track record and realistic delivery dates, since new brands sometimes struggle to fulfill promises.
Google Wallet is adding a new feature that lets you show your TSA PreCheck ID right from your phone at airport security, without needing to pull out a physical card or document. For frequent travelers, this means faster security lines and one less thing to carry or worry about losing when you're rushing through the airport. Worth knowing: check your phone's settings in the coming months to see if this feature becomes available in your Google Wallet app, and make sure your phone is charged before heading to security.
Apple Watches are currently on sale at some of their lowest prices, making this a good time to consider one if you've been curious about smartwatches. These devices track your daily activity and exercise, show you phone messages right on your wrist, and newer models can even check your heart rhythm and let you send messages without needing your phone nearby. Worth knowing: if you're interested in trying one, compare the Series 11 (the newest model) against older versions still being sold—they do similar jobs, but the newer one has extra features you may or may not need, so the older models could save you money.
