# Setting a Custom Alarm Sound on Your iPhone
You can replace your iPhone's standard alarm beep with any sound you like—whether that's a favorite song, a gentle nature sound, or a family member's voice. This matters because waking up to a sound you actually enjoy can make your mornings feel less jarring and help you start the day in a better mood. Worth knowing: you'll need to use the Voice Memos app to record a custom sound first, then set it as your alarm through the Clock app's settings.
The UK now requires websites and apps hosting certain content to check that you're 18 before letting you in, and different companies use different methods to do this—some might ask for your ID, others use your phone's face recognition, and each collects different amounts of your personal information. What matters is understanding what data each company actually keeps about you: they might only store whether you're over 18, or they might hold onto your full date of birth or ID details, which could be vulnerable if the company gets hacked. You can protect yourself by checking each platform's privacy policy to see exactly what information they're collecting, who can access it during verification, and how long they'll keep it—and if you're uncomfortable with what they're asking for, you can choose not to use that service.
A Russian spy group has been stealing access to thousands of people's Signal and WhatsApp accounts—including those of journalists and US government workers—by tricking them into clicking fake security messages, and the US government is now offering $10 million for information about who's behind it. This matters because these messaging apps are supposed to be secure places where people share sensitive information, so knowing your account could be compromised is genuinely concerning if you use them regularly. Worth knowing: be suspicious of any message asking you to verify your account or click a link—real tech companies rarely do this, so if you're unsure, contact the app's support directly through its official website instead.
Social media companies have built safety features meant to protect children, but a new report shows that half of them don't actually do what they're supposed to do. If you're a grandparent or parent worried about young people online, this means some of the protections you thought were there might not be catching harmful content the way companies promised. Worth knowing: when your family members tell you they've turned on "safety mode" on their apps, it's worth having a conversation about what they're actually seeing, since those settings may not be as reliable as advertised.
WhatsApp is adding a new feature that lets you chat with people using a username instead of having to share your actual phone number. This is handy because you can keep your personal number private while still staying in touch with friends, family, and groups online. Worth knowing: when this feature rolls out to your WhatsApp (likely within the next few months), you can create a username in your settings and share that with people instead of your phone number.
WhatsApp has introduced a new feature that lets you claim a unique username—basically a personalized handle between 3 and 35 characters long—instead of sharing your phone number with everyone. This means you can chat with people who don't have your phone number saved, which adds a layer of privacy and makes it easier to connect with new friends or professional contacts without giving out your actual number. Worth knowing: you don't have to use a username if you prefer the old way, but if you do want one, it's worth setting it up sooner rather than later to claim your preferred choice.
WhatsApp is rolling out a new feature that lets you share a unique username with people instead of giving out your actual phone number. This means you can keep your mobile number private while still staying connected with friends and family who want to reach you. Worth knowing: you can start reserving your preferred username now, even though the full feature won't arrive until later in the year.
# OLED Burn-In in 2026: What You Actually Need to Know
Modern OLED screens are far more resistant to burn-in than they were even five years ago, thanks to better manufacturing and protective features built into newer TVs and phones. If you're thinking about buying an OLED television or device, you can use it normally for everyday viewing without losing sleep over permanent damage—the risk is genuinely low for typical home use. Worth knowing: burn-in mainly happens with static images left on screen for many hours daily, so if you watch varied content, you're in the clear.
# California's New Law on Loud Streaming Ads
Starting July 1st, California is requiring streaming services to keep advertisements at the same volume level as the shows and movies you're watching, so you won't get startled by sudden blaring commercials. If you've been annoyed by having to reach for the remote every time an ad comes on, this law is designed to make your viewing experience less jarring and more pleasant. Worth knowing: this rule applies to services used in California, so check whether your favorite streaming platform has adjusted their settings—you may find the volume automatically more balanced going forward.
Ian Bogost argues that we've become too dependent on convenient technology that actually makes our lives smaller and less fulfilling—things like endless scrolling apps and delivery services that isolate us from real-world interactions. For people in our generation especially, reconnecting with small, inconvenient tasks like cooking from scratch, visiting local shops, or maintaining hobbies builds stronger communities and gives us a deeper sense of purpose than outsourcing everything. Worth knowing: you don't need to abandon technology entirely, but being intentional about choosing the slower, slightly harder path occasionally might genuinely improve your wellbeing and connections.
# Wi-Fi Coverage: Extenders vs. Mesh Systems
Wi-Fi extenders are budget-friendly but actually slow down your internet speed because they receive and send signals on the same channel, whereas mesh systems use multiple devices working together to maintain faster, more reliable coverage throughout your home. If you're frustrated with dead zones in your house—like a weak signal in the bedroom or kitchen—a mesh system costs more upfront but gives you the seamless experience you'd expect from modern Wi-Fi. Worth knowing: try moving your current router to a central location first, as that's often free and might solve your problem before spending money on either option.
# Flock Cameras Are Watching More Than Just License Plates
Flock cameras, now installed in thousands of neighborhoods across America, capture not only vehicle license plates but also detailed images of people, faces, and activities—raising serious privacy concerns about who has access to this data and how it's being used. For older adults who value privacy and have spent decades in communities where such surveillance wasn't routine, this shift represents a fundamental change in how neighborhoods operate and what information about your movements is being recorded. Worth knowing: if you live in or frequently visit an area with these cameras, you might ask your local city council or neighborhood association whether Flock systems are active nearby and what policies exist for data deletion and public access.
