Medicare launched an AI system this year to automatically approve or deny certain medical treatments, but newly released documents show the rollout was rushed and filled with problems that weren't properly fixed beforehand. If you rely on Medicare and need procedures like pain injections or skin grafts, this matters because AI decisions about your care might be made without the usual human review, and mistakes could delay or deny treatments you need. Worth knowing: if your doctor says a procedure requires "prior authorization," ask them whether it's going through this AI system and request they appeal if it's denied, since these early versions are still making errors.
Volvo's next-generation XC60 and XC90 plug-in hybrid SUVs will offer roughly twice the electric-only driving range compared to today's models, meaning you can cover daily trips without using gas much more often. For those of us who worry about running out of charge on longer drives, this improvement means you get the convenience of electric driving without the anxiety that comes with traditional battery-only cars. Worth knowing: when these arrive in 2028, you'll want to ask your dealer about the real-world range in your local climate, since cold weather can reduce that impressive distance slightly.
Starting this week, younger people in England and Wales can use their phones to prove they're old enough to buy alcohol—the pub or bar scans their face and generates a digital age proof, rather than asking for a plastic ID card. For those of us over 50, this means venues are getting faster, more secure ways to check ages, which should speed up busy evenings and reduce the chance of fake IDs being used. Worth knowing: pubs and bars can still ask for your old-style plastic ID if they prefer, so there's no rush to go digital unless you want to—you won't be left without a way to prove your age.
Jensen Huang, the leader of chip-maker Nvidia, recently took a call from President Trump during a public event, and people noticed he was using what appeared to be an unusual or notable phone to do it. For someone your age, this matters because it hints at how even the most powerful tech executives are exploring new devices—suggesting the phone market might be shifting in interesting ways worth paying attention to. Worth knowing: if you're curious about what phones industry leaders are actually using, tech news sites often report on these kinds of details, so you can keep an eye on what becomes trendy among insiders before it reaches mainstream consumers.
Meta has created special glasses that can sense when you're behind the wheel and automatically switch to audio-only mode, keeping the screen dark so you stay focused on the road. This matters because distracted driving is genuinely dangerous at any age, and having a device that polices itself removes temptation and potential legal trouble. Worth knowing: if you wear these glasses and drive regularly, the feature should activate automatically, but you might want to test it on a quiet street first to see how it works before relying on it.
Apple Pencils now work with iPhones if you have a recent model of both, though Apple kept this feature pretty quiet at first. For people who like to draw, take handwritten notes, or annotate documents on their phone, this opens up new possibilities without needing a separate tablet. Worth knowing: only the newest iPhones and Apple Pencils are compatible, so check Apple's website before buying, and the feature costs extra if you need to upgrade either device.
Samsung's Galaxy S24 is now two years old, so you can find refurbished versions at lower prices, though you'll want to make sure the discount is steep enough to make it worthwhile compared to newer phones. If you're happy with your current phone and don't need the latest features, a discounted S24 could save you money while still giving you a reliable device that works well. Worth knowing: check the warranty on any refurbished phone and compare the price to a current model—sometimes the savings aren't as big as they first appear.
Pubs and bars across England and Wales can now accept a digital ID app on your phone instead of requiring a physical ID card or passport to prove your age. This makes it quicker and easier when you're out—no need to carry documents or worry about losing them, and venues can verify your age instantly. Worth knowing: if you use one of these apps, check that the pub displays a sign showing which digital ID systems they accept, so you know yours will work before you order.
Apple Music now offers lossless audio—the highest sound quality available—but it uses about five to six times more data than standard streaming, so a single song might consume 50 megabytes instead of 8. If you're on a limited mobile data plan, streaming in this quality could eat through your allowance quickly, though it's fine for home listening over WiFi. Worth knowing: check your data plan limits before enabling lossless, and consider saving high-quality downloads for WiFi-only use when you're at home.
# Windows 11 Media Creation Tool Summary
You can create a portable copy of Windows 11 on a USB stick using Microsoft's free Media Creation Tool, which means you'll have a way to reinstall your system whenever you need it—no disc required. This is handy if your computer stops working properly or if you're setting up a new machine, since you won't have to wait for downloads or hunt for installation discs. Worth knowing: keeping a bootable USB drive in a drawer gives you peace of mind and takes just 15–20 minutes to set up.
Artificial intelligence bots with human-sounding names are spamming social media platforms and writers with messages trying to promote a startup that wants AI agents to interact with people online. For anyone trying to use social media or do creative work, this matters because it clogs up your inbox with unwanted pitches and raises concerns about whether AI will replace human writers and genuine conversation. Worth knowing: if you receive friendly-sounding messages from unfamiliar accounts offering to cite your work or asking to connect with you, check carefully—it could be an automated bot rather than a real person trying to build a genuine relationship.
When a program on your Windows computer freezes and won't respond, you can force it to close using a few simple methods—the easiest being to press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and then select the frozen program to end it. Learning this trick saves you from having to restart your whole computer, which can protect any work you're doing in other programs and get you back to what you were doing much faster. Worth knowing: if a program ever stops responding, try pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete first, then click "Task Manager," find the stuck program in the list, and click "End Task"—it takes about ten seconds.
