LG has been quietly installing software on computers through Windows updates that pops up ads trying to sell people McAfee antivirus subscriptions, which has upset many users who discovered this sneaky practice. If you own an LG monitor connected to your computer, unwanted ads appearing on your screen could slow things down and expose you to sales pitches you never asked for. Worth knowing: check your installed programs list (search "Add or Remove Programs" in Windows) and uninstall anything called "LG Monitor App Installer" if you find it there.
# Instagram Cracks Down on Creepy Smart Glasses Use
Meta's Instagram is now stopping people from using its smart glasses to secretly film or bother others, and it's enforcing this rule seriously. If you wear glasses in public, you'll probably feel safer knowing there's finally some protection against people recording you without permission—it's a real concern many of us have about new technology in everyday life. Worth knowing: if you see someone pointing glasses that look unusual at you or others, you can report it to Instagram, and the platform will take action against offenders.
AegisAI, a new security company started by former Google experts, has raised $36 million to protect people from AI-powered email scams that trick you into revealing passwords or money. Their technology works like a smart assistant that reads your incoming emails the way a careful human would, spotting subtle red flags that traditional security checklists often miss—things like a slightly off tone or an unusual request pattern. Worth knowing: as scammers get better at using AI to impersonate colleagues or trusted contacts, having this extra layer of protection watching your inbox could save you from expensive mistakes.
Google is rolling out a new way to sign into your account using a short video of your face instead of passwords or codes. If you ever get locked out or can't access your regular device, this gives you a backup option to prove it's really you without needing to remember complicated passwords. Worth knowing: this feature works best in good lighting, so if you try it, make sure you're in a bright room and hold your phone steady while recording.
Charging your phone from your car's battery does use a tiny bit of fuel, but the amount is so small it won't make any noticeable difference to your gas bill or fuel gauge. For someone who drives regularly, the cost of that energy is measured in pennies per year, so it's not worth worrying about or changing your habits. You can charge your phone freely in the car without guilt—the real fuel drain comes from things like air conditioning or driving with underinflated tires.
Google Play Protect is Android's built-in security guard that stops harmful apps from reaching your phone, but some people find it gets in the way and want to turn it off. If you disable it, your phone loses its main defense against malicious software, which means you could accidentally download something that damages your device or steals your personal information. Worth knowing: before you disable it, make sure you have another security solution in place, and be extra careful about which apps you download—stick to the official Google Play Store rather than downloading from unfamiliar websites.
Google has made it simpler to move from an iPhone to an Android phone by letting you transfer your photos, contacts, and other important information wirelessly, all without downloading extra software. If you've been thinking about switching phones but worried about losing your data or dealing with complicated setup steps, this removes one of the biggest headaches. You can ask a Google Store employee to help you with the transfer in person, or look for the "Switch to Android" feature on a new Google phone when you first set it up.
# Why USB-B Stayed in the Shadows
USB-B connectors, with their distinctive square shape, were designed mainly for printers and scanners back in the 1990s, but they never caught on for everyday devices the way the flatter USB-A and newer USB-C plugs did. If you've ever struggled to plug a printer cable into your computer, you've probably encountered one of these bulkier connectors that feels unnecessarily complicated for such a simple task. Worth knowing: when your printer needs a new cable, look for USB-B on the device side — but don't worry if you have trouble finding the right one in a drawer, since many modern printers are slowly switching to USB-C instead.
France has passed a law that will prevent children under 15 from using social media apps like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, and will also ban mobile phones from schools during the school day. Young people today spend countless hours on these platforms, which research suggests can affect their sleep, mental health, and ability to concentrate—concerns that many parents share regardless of where they live. Worth knowing: if you have grandchildren in France or are curious about how other countries are tackling screen time for young people, this law shows one approach to protecting children's wellbeing and school focus.
AI is making it simpler for entertainment companies to blend music, videos, podcasts, and audiobooks all into one app, so instead of juggling Netflix for shows and Spotify for music, you might soon get everything in a single place. For people who've built up subscriptions over the years, this could mean either fewer apps to manage or the inconvenience of learning a new all-in-one interface you may not prefer. Worth knowing: keep an eye on which services you actually use most, as bundling everything together might tempt you to pay for features you don't need.
Substack, a popular platform where people publish newsletters and blogs, is adding a new feature that can tell you whether a piece of writing was created by artificial intelligence or a real person. This matters because AI-written content is becoming harder to spot, and knowing the difference helps you decide how much to trust what you're reading—especially important when you're following writers you've come to know and appreciate. You can use this tool yourself by clicking the three-dot menu on any post longer than 100 words and selecting "Scan for AI text" to see an estimate of how much might be machine-generated.
Substack, the platform where writers publish newsletters, is adding a tool that can identify when text was written by artificial intelligence rather than a human. For newsletter readers and writers, this matters because you'll be able to spot AI-generated content more easily, helping you decide which writers you trust and whether the information you're reading comes from genuine human expertise. Worth knowing: when you're reading a Substack newsletter, look for any AI detection badges or notices that might appear, which will give you a clearer picture of how much human effort went into what you're reading.
