Your phone already has free built-in tools to automatically filter out spam calls and block unwanted numbers, so you don't need to buy expensive apps or services. Stopping spam calls matters because they're increasingly sophisticated—scammers pretend to be banks, the IRS, or tech companies to trick people into sharing personal information or money. Worth knowing: both iPhone and Android let you silence unknown callers, report numbers as spam, and create block lists—check your phone's settings under "Call Blocking" or "Do Not Disturb" to turn these features on today.
Some computers come with two Ethernet ports so you can connect to two different networks at the same time, or keep working if one connection fails. For someone who relies on a stable internet connection—whether for video calls with family, online banking, or work from home—having a backup connection means you won't lose everything if one cable gets knocked loose or the network goes down. Worth knowing: if your computer has two Ethernet ports, you don't need to use both, but it's handy insurance to have that second one available just in case.
# Amazon's Secret Profile About You
Amazon keeps detailed notes about your body shape, lifestyle, and preferences based on everything you buy, and some shoppers were shocked to discover these surprisingly personal assumptions when they found their hidden profile page. Knowing what data companies hold about you becomes more important as you get older, since it affects what prices you're shown, what ads follow you around, and how companies might treat you. You can check your own Amazon profile by going to your account settings and looking for "Advertising Preferences" or "Your Interests"—it's worth a quick look to see what assumptions the company has made about you.
Apple is working with LG to make smart home devices like locks, thermostats, and doorbells that work seamlessly with iPhones and iPads. If you already use Apple devices, these new gadgets would let you control your front door, temperature, and security from your phone—all in one simple system instead of juggling different apps. Worth knowing: when shopping for smart home devices over the next year or two, Apple products may become a more convenient choice if you're already in the Apple ecosystem.
Apple is preparing to launch new smart home devices like doorbells, security cameras, and thermostats, working with manufacturer LG to build them. These gadgets would let you control your home's temperature, answer your door remotely, and monitor security all from your iPhone or iPad, making your house easier to manage as you age in place. Worth knowing: when Apple launches these devices next week, you'll want to check if they work with your existing home setup before buying, since some older systems don't connect easily to Apple's ecosystem.
# Kindle Click vs Kobo Remote: Which Page-Turner Is Right for You?
You can now buy small wireless remotes designed specifically to turn pages on e-readers—Kindle's Click and Kobo's Remote both do this job, though they only work with their matching devices. For older readers who find it tiring to hold a heavy tablet or keep reaching to tap a screen, these lightweight remotes mean you can relax your hands while reading for hours. Worth knowing: before buying an e-reader, check whether the model you're interested in actually supports a remote, since not all do—this detail often gets overlooked when shopping online.
MapQuest, the mapping service many of you used before Google Maps took over, is making a comeback and now works with Android Auto in your car. This gives you another choice if you prefer MapQuest's interface or want a backup option when you're driving and need directions. Worth knowing: you can download the MapQuest app and enable it in Android Auto's settings today if you want to try the beta version.
Sigil Wen, a young AI developer backed by prominent Silicon Valley figures, has created a new AI assistant called Underdog that runs entirely on your own device—meaning your conversations and data never leave your computer or phone. Unlike popular AI tools that send your information to company servers, this approach keeps your personal details completely private, which is especially valuable if you're concerned about who sees what you search for or ask about. You can explore Underdog yourself if privacy feels like your priority, though it's worth trying it alongside tools you already use to see if it handles the everyday tasks you care about.
AI agents that could handle your shopping, travel bookings, and restaurant reservations are being developed, but many websites are actively blocking them to protect their systems and data. For you, this means these helpful digital assistants might not work as smoothly as promised when trying to complete real tasks on your behalf. Worth knowing: before investing time in an AI agent service, check whether the websites you use most frequently have agreed to work with it, or you may find yourself back to doing these chores manually.
# Skydance is merging two major streaming services—HBO Max and Paramount+—into one combined platform, which should simplify things for people juggling multiple subscriptions. For viewers over 50 who've been paying for both services separately, this could mean lower costs and easier access to shows from both networks in a single place. Worth knowing: watch for announcements about pricing and timing, since the merger could take months to complete and existing subscribers may need to transition their accounts.
Amazon has removed the voice command feature that let people tell Alexa to play music from devices plugged into their Echo speakers through the AUX cable port. If you've been using commands like "Alexa, play from line in" to listen to music from a connected device, those voice controls simply won't work anymore starting this week. Worth knowing: if you have an older Echo speaker with an AUX port and rely on this feature, you'll need to switch to manually pressing buttons or using your phone's Bluetooth connection instead.
Apple and other tech companies are developing new AI devices that blur the line between "recording" and "not recording"—they process what your microphone and camera capture right on the device itself without saving it, which creates confusion about what actually counts as a recording. For people who care about privacy, this matters because it's much harder to know whether you're being monitored, what happens to your data, or whether companies might change their minds and start saving things later. Worth knowing: if a device has a microphone or camera pointed at you, assume it's capturing *something*, even if the company claims nothing is being saved—ask about what happens to data before you buy.
