When you ask big companies for copies of the personal data they've collected about you — which is your legal right in California and some other states — you get surprising results: McDonald's sent 515 pages detailing everything from app visits to predictions about your habits, while some companies simply deleted your information instead of handing it over. Companies are required by law to let you see, delete, or prevent the sale of your personal data, but many seem to prefer erasing it rather than showing you what they know, which raises questions about whether they're following the rules fairly. Worth knowing: if you live in California, Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, or Utah, you can submit data access requests to any major company you do business with online—start with those you use most often, like your bank, email provider, or favorite retailers.
Scammers are creating fake versions of MyChart (the health portal many of us use) and tricking people with offers of fake Medicare rewards to steal their passwords and personal information. If your healthcare provider hasn't warned you about this yet, they should be—because these fakes are getting so good that it's unfair to expect patients to spot them alone. Worth knowing: be suspicious of any MyChart message offering rewards or asking you to "verify" your login, and always go directly to your healthcare provider's website rather than clicking links in emails.
You can turn an old Android phone you no longer use into a Wi-Fi booster by placing it in a weak signal area and sharing your main router's connection throughout your home. This matters because dead zones in your house—like that corner bedroom or the garden shed—can suddenly get better internet without spending money on expensive equipment. Worth knowing: you'll need to download a free app like "NetShare" or check if your phone has a built-in "Wi-Fi extender" setting, though results work best if the old phone stays plugged in and connected to power.
XREAL has created special sunglasses that let you watch movies and TV shows on a private screen only you can see, rather than on a traditional television set. For people who share living spaces or want entertainment without a big screen taking up room, these glasses could be genuinely useful—and they're getting better and more affordable each year. Worth knowing: they still need to connect to a phone or device to work, and many people find them uncomfortable for long viewing sessions, so it's worth trying them on before spending your money.
Brave's web browser now offers a built-in tool that lets you create temporary email addresses when signing up for websites, keeping your real inbox private and away from unwanted marketing messages. As we get older, protecting our email addresses from spam and data collection becomes increasingly important, especially since scammers often target people over 50 with phishing emails and unwanted solicitations. You can try this feature in Brave's latest version if you're tired of receiving promotional emails, or ask your grandchildren which browser they'd recommend for safer, more private web browsing.
# How Long Your Fire TV Stick Will Keep Working
Amazon's Fire TV Sticks typically work reliably for several years, but like all gadgets, they eventually stop receiving updates and support from the company. If your device is getting older and starts acting sluggish or you notice apps won't install anymore, that's usually a sign Amazon has moved on to newer models. Worth knowing: you can check your Fire TV Stick's age and remaining support status by going into the settings menu, and when you do need to replace it, the newer models are usually faster and more compatible with current streaming apps.
# Understanding Dolby Atmos and Lossless Audio
Dolby Atmos makes music sound like it's coming from all around you—above, below, and to the sides—rather than just left and right, while lossless audio means your music files contain every detail the artist recorded without any quality being stripped away to save space. Both technologies are now available on streaming services like Apple Music and Amazon Music, so you might encounter them depending on what you're listening to and what device you're using. You can check your music app's settings to see which formats it supports, and if you have a decent speaker system or headphones, trying a song in Atmos or lossless quality might reveal details in familiar music you've never noticed before.
Apple has raised the price of its Apple TV streaming service by $2 a month (now $15) and 20 percent for yearly subscriptions (now $119), continuing a pattern of increases every year or two. If you're a current subscriber, you'll get a month's notice before the higher charge kicks in, giving you time to decide if the service is still worth it for your viewing habits. Worth knowing: this is Apple's third price increase in about three years, so it's worth checking periodically whether you actually watch enough to justify keeping the subscription versus trying it month-to-month or pausing it temporarily.
Meta is updating its AI glasses so the camera automatically stops working if someone tries to hide the recording light—a sneaky trick people were using to film others without their knowledge. For anyone concerned about privacy in public spaces, this matters because it closes a real gap that made it too easy for glasses-wearers to record you without you realizing it. Worth knowing: if you see someone wearing Meta's Ray-Ban glasses with a visible LED light blinking on the frame, that's your signal they're actively recording.
If your Android phone's alarm stays silent when the device is on mute, you can fix this by adjusting a few simple settings in your phone's sound controls. This matters because a silent alarm is useless for waking up or remembering important appointments, especially if you rely on your phone as your main alarm clock. Worth knowing: check your phone's sound settings to separate your alarm volume from your call and notification volume—most Android phones let you control these independently.
Apple has raised the prices for its TV streaming service and its bundled subscription packages, meaning you'll pay more each month if you're a current subscriber. For people who enjoy watching shows like Ted Lasso or following Apple's original programs, this is one more streaming service joining the list of services that costs more than it used to. Worth knowing: check your Apple billing statement this month to see the new price, and consider whether you're actively watching enough on Apple TV to make the subscription worthwhile compared to other services you already pay for.
Apple is charging $2 more per month for its TV streaming service, bringing the cost to $14.99—joining other streaming companies that have raised prices recently. If you subscribe to Apple TV, this means your monthly bill will go up unless you cancel, so it's worth checking whether you actually watch enough to justify the cost. Worth knowing: you can often find promotional deals if you bundle Apple TV with other services, or take advantage of free trial periods before committing to a new subscription.
