Google has added intelligent AI assistants to its office software (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and Slides) that can help you write emails, create presentations, analyze spreadsheets, and organize your work—basically giving you a digital helper right inside the tools you already use. These AI features could save you time on routine tasks and make your workday less overwhelming, especially if you handle a lot of email or create documents regularly. Worth knowing: these features are rolling out gradually to different users, so check your Google account settings to see if they're available to you yet.
France's government agency responsible for issuing ID cards and passports has confirmed that hackers broke in and stole citizens' personal information, though officials haven't said how many people were affected. If you're a French citizen or have French documents, it's worth checking your identity protection services and staying alert for unusual account activity, since stolen ID information can be misused for fraud.
Apple has patched a security hole that let police recover deleted messages from Signal and other messaging apps on iPhones—even messages users thought were gone for good. Worth knowing: this means your private conversations are now safer from unauthorized access, whether from law enforcement or hackers who might exploit the same weakness.
Rituals, a popular beauty products company, has confirmed that hackers got into their customer records, though the company hasn't said exactly how many people were affected out of their 41 million members. If you shop with them or have a membership account, your personal information may have been exposed to these hackers. Worth knowing: check your email for any official notices from Rituals, and consider changing your password if you use the same one for other accounts—hackers often try stolen credentials on multiple websites.
Duolingo has decided to let people learning languages for free now access the harder, more advanced lessons that used to be locked behind a paid subscription. This means if you've been wanting to push beyond basic phrases and really improve your fluency without paying, you now have that option available to you.
Deepfake technology has become so easy and affordable that anyone can now create convincingly fake videos or images of people saying or doing things they never actually did, and these are being weaponized to spread lies, create sexually explicit content, and manipulate public opinion. The real danger isn't just the technology itself—it's that when people can't trust what they see online, it erodes our confidence in institutions, each other, and our ability to think critically about what's real. Worth knowing: be especially skeptical of videos or images that seem designed to embarrass, provoke strong emotions, or make sensational political claims, and check trusted news sources before sharing anything that seems shocking.
Bond is a new social media app that uses artificial intelligence to actually encourage you to *stop* using it and go do things in the real world instead—a refreshing change from most platforms that try to keep you glued to your screen. The app's AI learns what activities you enjoy and nudges you toward them, helping break the habit of mindlessly scrolling for hours on end.
Social media apps and video games are deliberately designed with four specific features that work together to keep you glued to your screen—almost like a trance—and children are especially vulnerable to this pull. Understanding how these features hook your attention can help you recognize when you're being drawn in and make more conscious choices about your screen time.
Google Photos is adding simple editing tools that let you smooth skin blemishes, brighten eyes, and whiten teeth right in the app—no need for fancy software or expertise. If you enjoy sharing family photos online or want to look your best in pictures, these quick fixes make it easy to touch up your photos in seconds before sending them to friends and grandchildren.
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Netflix is creating a new feature that looks like TikTok—videos you swipe through vertically on your phone—to help you discover shows and movies more easily. This matters because it could make finding something to watch faster and more fun, especially if you enjoy browsing through suggestions rather than searching by name.
SaySo is a new short-form video app where news comes directly from real journalists and trusted creators, rather than being mixed in with fake stories and AI-generated junk that clogs other social media feeds. If you're tired of wondering what's true when you're scrolling online, this app tries to solve that problem by putting quality news sources front and center.
