Tinder, the dating app many people use to meet new partners, is now letting you arrange group outings instead of going on dates alone with someone you've never met. Meeting in a small group setting can feel more comfortable and safer, especially if you're nervous about meeting someone from the internet for the first time. Worth knowing: if you're using dating apps, you can look for this group feature in the app's settings, though it's still rolling out to all users gradually.
DoorDash has created an AI assistant you can simply text to order your food, rather than clicking through an app or website. For busy people juggling multiple tasks, this could make ordering dinner faster and easier—you just describe what you're hungry for and let the AI handle the details. Worth knowing: if you use DoorDash, look for this texting option in the app or ask customer service whether it's available in your area yet.
Instinct just started suggesting products and travel ideas to people based on what real humans think is good, rather than just showing what's popular. If you're someone who values your inbox staying clutter-free or prefers to search for things yourself, unsolicited suggestions can feel intrusive and annoying. Worth knowing: you can usually find settings in most apps and websites to turn off recommendations or adjust how often you receive them.
# Affordable Gimbal Camera Alternatives to DJI's Osmo Pocket 4
DJI's Osmo Pocket 4 is an excellent handheld camera with built-in stabilization, but at around $500, there are cheaper options from other brands that do similar jobs well. If you enjoy making videos of family events, travel, or everyday moments, a more affordable gimbal camera (which smooths out shaky footage) can still give you professional-looking results without breaking the bank. Worth knowing: brands like Insta360, Zhiyun, and even some smartphone-based options can deliver steady video for $200–$350, so compare what features matter most to you before spending extra.
Meta has created a helpful AI assistant called Muse that can handle everyday tasks like writing emails and shopping online, and they're even building a small physical device shaped like a cute character to interact with it. For people in your age group, this could save time on repetitive online tasks, though you'd need to feel comfortable sharing your passwords and payment information with Meta to use it fully. Worth knowing: several security problems have already been discovered with Muse (including accidentally sharing someone's address with strangers), so if you do try it, start with simple tasks rather than giving it access to important accounts right away.
DoorDash is testing small drone deliveries in Northern California, starting with Chipotle and Popeyes restaurants, so your food could arrive by air instead of by car. For those of us who worry about delivery delays or damaged orders sitting in traffic, drones could mean fresher meals delivered faster and more reliably. Worth knowing: drones will only work for nearby orders in limited areas right now, so check if your zip code is included before expecting your meal to arrive from the sky.
Instagram is adding a helpful AI tool that watches your posts and suggests ways to make them more interesting based on what's actually working for you. If you share photos or videos on Instagram, this assistant can explain why some posts got more likes or views than others, and tell you what your followers seem to enjoy most. You can ask the AI questions about your posts directly through Instagram's Edits app, and it will give you personalized tips based on your own account's performance.
A company called TinCan Kids has created a simple corded phone (priced around $100) that plugs into home WiFi and lets children make calls only to preset numbers—no internet, apps, or spam to worry about. Grandparents are discovering these phones are wonderful for staying connected with grandchildren without the complications and distractions of smartphones, and they work reliably even for young children who might struggle with complicated devices. Worth knowing: the Tin Can phone automatically sends your home address to 911 operators when a call is made, which is actually safer than what most modern smartphones do, and it's worth exploring if you're looking for a simple, direct way to help your grandchildren reach you.
WhatsApp is giving parents new tools to manage what their teenage children see and do on the app, including control over channels, who views their photos and updates, and who can add them to group chats. These features matter because teens spend so much time messaging these days, and parents often worry about unwanted contact or exposure to inappropriate content. You can ask your grandchildren or younger relatives to show you these settings if you're helping supervise their online safety, or download WhatsApp yourself to see how the parental controls actually work.
Amazon has redesigned its Fire TV Stick remote to be simpler and more comfortable to hold, with better buttons you can find in the dark without fumbling around. A remote that actually works well makes streaming less frustrating, which matters when you just want to relax and watch your favorite shows without wrestling with a clicker. Worth knowing: if your current Fire TV remote drives you up the wall, this new version might be worth upgrading for—many people find good remotes make a surprising difference in how much they enjoy their TV.
Artificial intelligence might help social care workers and organizations do their jobs better by spotting problems sooner and working together more smoothly, though it won't replace the human touch that makes care personal. For people who rely on care services or have family members receiving them, this could mean faster responses to health changes and more coordinated support from different agencies. Worth knowing: when you or a loved one interacts with care services, it's worth asking whether staff are using any tools to help them communicate with each other—this kind of coordination often makes a real difference in the quality of care you receive.
WhatsApp is giving parents new tools to manage what their teenagers can see and who can contact them on the app, making it easier to set boundaries around privacy and messaging. If you have adult children or grandchildren in their teenage years, this means you can help keep them safer online without needing technical knowledge or complex workarounds. Worth knowing: these controls are optional, so you'll need to actively set them up in WhatsApp's settings if you want to use them—they won't activate automatically.
