Amazon has launched enough satellites into orbit to start offering its Leo broadband service, which will beam internet directly from space to people's homes and devices. For those in rural areas or places where traditional internet is slow or unavailable, this could finally bring reliable, fast connectivity without waiting for cable companies to run lines to their neighborhoods. Worth knowing: this service won't be available everywhere immediately, so check Amazon's website in the coming months to see if it reaches your area.
Opera's web browser now has a shield against a sneaky trick where hackers hide harmful code in your clipboard when you copy and paste from websites, then try to get you to paste it into your computer. If you've ever worried about whether it's safe to copy text from the internet, this is exactly the kind of protection that gives you peace of mind while browsing. Worth knowing: Opera will alert you if a website tries to tamper with your clipboard, so you'll always know when something suspicious is happening.
WhatsApp is introducing a new feature that lets people contact you using a username instead of your phone number, which Meta claims protects your privacy—but security experts are worried that someone could create a fake username pretending to be you. For people your age who value trust in their messages, this matters because scammers have become skilled at impersonation, and a confusing username system could make it even easier for them to trick you or your friends. Worth knowing: when you set up your WhatsApp username, check it regularly to make sure no one else has created a similar-sounding one, and stick to messaging people you already know rather than strangers who contact you first.
Apple's Hide My Email feature, which is supposed to keep your real email address private, might not be working as intended because a security problem can link your hidden address back to your actual one. If you rely on this feature to protect your privacy when signing up for services online, you could unknowingly be leaving a trail that connects to your real identity. Worth knowing: if privacy is important to you, check Apple's support page for updates on this issue, and consider using a separate email account for less trusted websites until Apple releases a fix.
Apple's "Hide My Email" feature, which was designed to keep your real email address private when signing up for websites, has a security problem that sometimes reveals your actual address by mistake. If you use this feature thinking your identity is fully protected, you might be exposing yourself to spam and unwanted contact without realizing it. Worth knowing: if you rely on Apple's privacy tools, check your account settings and consider using a dedicated email address just for online shopping and signups until Apple confirms this is fixed.
PlayStation is moving away from physical game discs, and by 2028 won't be making them anymore—though you'll still be able to buy games in stores, just with download codes instead. If you've built up a collection of disc-based games over the years, this change means you'll need to shift toward downloading games digitally or relying on your existing disc library. Worth knowing: check whether your current PlayStation can store enough digital games (they take up significant hard drive space), and consider whether you're comfortable with the switch before that 2028 deadline arrives.
Sony is phasing out physical game discs for PlayStation and moving entirely to digital downloads by 2028. If you've built a collection of PlayStation games over the years, this matters because physical discs won't be replaceable once production stops, and your existing games could become harder to play if Sony's online services change. Worth knowing: hold onto any PlayStation games you truly love, since physical copies may become collector's items, and check whether your internet speed is reliable enough for downloading large games instead.
# Sony Phasing Out Physical PlayStation Games
Sony has announced it will stop manufacturing physical game discs for PlayStation consoles by 2028, meaning all future games will only be available as digital downloads. For those who've enjoyed owning physical copies over the years, this marks the end of an era that's been central to gaming since the original PlayStation launched in 1994. Worth knowing: if you prefer to own games rather than rely on internet downloads, now's a good time to pick up any physical PlayStation titles you want to keep, since they'll become harder to find once manufacturing stops.
# Media Servers: What You Need to Know
Plex makes it easy to watch your movies and TV shows anywhere, but charges money for the best features, while Jellyfin and Emby do similar jobs with less hand-holding and no subscription fees. If you've built up a library of films over the years or prefer streaming your own collection rather than relying on Netflix, having a personal media server lets you organize and access everything from any device at home or away. You can start with the free version of Jellyfin to see if a media server suits your habits before spending money, or ask a tech-savvy family member to help you set one up.
E-scooter companies are openly marketing their products for street commuting in the UK, even though riding them on public roads is currently illegal. If you're tempted by ads showing people zipping through city streets, it's important to know that using one on pavements or roads can result in fines or confiscation of the device. Worth knowing: e-scooters are only legal on private land or in specific government-approved trial areas, so check your local council's website before considering one as a way to get around town.
Reddit is changing its older, simpler website version so you'll need to log in to use it, rather than being able to browse without an account. This matters because many long-time Reddit users prefer the old interface for its straightforward design, and the login requirement might make casual browsing less convenient for those who don't want to create an account. Worth knowing: if you regularly use old.reddit.com, make sure you have a Reddit login set up before this change fully rolls out over the coming weeks.
# Shadow Banning and Women's Health Information
Social media platforms are quietly restricting the reach of posts about women's health topics—like menopause, fertility, and reproductive care—without telling creators or users why. For people over 50 seeking reliable information about health changes, this hidden filtering means you might be missing helpful advice without realizing it's being blocked. Worth knowing: if health posts you're looking for suddenly disappear from your feed, try searching directly on health websites or asking your doctor for trusted resources rather than relying solely on social media.
