Researchers keep finding Android devices sold on major websites like Amazon and Walmart that secretly contain malware—harmful software designed to spy on you or use your internet for illegal activities. If you own one of these compromised devices (often budget-friendly streaming boxes, smart TVs, or digital picture frames), criminals could potentially access your home network, steal your information, or involve your device in illegal schemes without your knowledge. Before buying any Android device online, check recent customer reviews specifically mentioning security concerns, and consider purchasing from the manufacturer directly rather than third-party sellers when possible.
# YouTube Shorts Get Faster Playback Options
YouTube is now letting you speed up those short videos to play twice as fast as normal, giving you more control over how quickly you watch them. If you enjoy consuming lots of content quickly or find some Shorts move too slowly for your taste, this feature could save you time and keep you entertained without feeling bored. Worth knowing: look for a speed icon (usually three dots or a settings menu) when you're watching a Short, and you can experiment with the 2x speed option to see what feels comfortable for you.
Microsoft has decided to keep sending security updates to Windows 10 computers for an extra year, pushing the final cutoff date to October 2027 instead of 2026. Many people haven't switched to Windows 10's newer version, Windows 11, so this extension gives them more breathing room before they must upgrade their machines. You can simply continue using Windows 10 as normal for now, but mark your calendar for late 2027 as your real deadline to eventually move to a newer system.
Polymarket, a betting platform where people predict future events, has confirmed that hackers broke into user accounts and stole money—and the company is now paying everyone back. If you've used services like this to place small wagers on elections or world events, this is a good reminder that online platforms can be vulnerable, even established ones. Worth knowing: if you use any prediction or betting sites, enable two-factor authentication (an extra security step using your phone) and avoid reusing passwords across different websites.
Apple is raising prices on many of its products by up to 20% because the raw materials and parts needed to build them have become much more expensive and harder to find. For anyone on a fixed income or budget, this means your next iPhone, iPad, or Mac will cost noticeably more than it did a year ago—and the same squeeze is hitting other tech companies like Xbox. Worth knowing: if you've been thinking about upgrading an older device, prices may keep climbing, so waiting isn't likely to save you money.
Spain has just passed a rule requiring mobile phone networks to keep working for at least four hours when the power goes out, so people can still make calls and send messages during emergencies. For anyone over 50 who relies on a phone to stay in touch with family or call for help, this is genuinely important—it means you won't be cut off during blackouts or natural disasters. Worth knowing: if you live in Spain or travel there regularly, your phone should automatically have this protection, but it's good to check that your carrier mentions backup power in their service details.
Google has finally created a mobile app for Google Finance after 20 years of only having a website, starting with Android phones now and promising an iPhone version later in 2026. For anyone tracking investments or keeping an eye on retirement accounts, having finance information on your phone means you can check your portfolio while you're out, rather than needing to sit at a computer. You can download the app from Google Play Store if you have an Android phone, and it lets you create watchlists to monitor specific stocks and get real-time market updates in one place.
# Make Do and Mend With Your Tech
Computer parts and devices have become so pricey that it now makes financial sense to repair old gadgets instead of replacing them. For anyone on a fixed income or watching their budget carefully, this shift means your five-year-old laptop or phone might be worth fixing rather than junking. Worth knowing: before automatically replacing something that breaks, ask a local repair shop what a fix would cost—you might be surprised how much money you save.
# Fire TV Stick HDMI Port Tip
Many people plug their Fire TV Stick into any available HDMI port on their television, but newer TVs have ports with different capabilities—some handle better picture quality than others. If you're also connecting a gaming console, a Blu-ray player, or another device that demands high-quality video, putting your Fire TV Stick in a less advanced port leaves the better ones free for things that really need them. Worth knowing: check your TV's manual or settings to see which HDMI ports support the latest features (often labeled as HDMI 2.1 or eARC), then reserve those for your most demanding devices while using a basic port for your streaming stick.
A hacking group stole customer data from market research company Klue, but now appears to be deleting it—though another group of criminals is threatening to sell or release the same information unless Klue pays them money. If your company uses Klue's services, this means your information may have been exposed, and you could face pressure from scammers trying to take advantage of the situation. Worth knowing: if you receive unexpected emails or calls claiming to have your data and demanding payment, don't respond—these are typically scams, and you should report them to your company's IT department or local authorities instead.
Google has released a new app for Android phones that brings all your stock market information into one easy-to-use place, complete with real-time prices and news. If you follow the markets or have investments, this means you can quickly check how your stocks are doing without jumping between different websites or apps. You can download it from Google Play and set up a watchlist of stocks you care about to see their movements at a glance.
Google Finance, which helps you track stocks and investments, is now available as its own app on Android phones instead of being buried in Google Search. If you manage any savings or investment accounts, having a dedicated app makes it easier to check your portfolio and market news without hunting through multiple screens. Worth knowing: when the iOS version launches for iPhones, you'll want to download it fresh rather than expecting it to automatically update from any existing Google tools you use.
