Here's what's making news today in tech — picked from the 10 sources I trust, translated for normal humans.
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Google pulling Nano Banana from Google Earth after one day shows how bad our AI misinformation problem has got
Google added an AI-generated fake location called "Nano Banana" to Google Earth, then removed it within a day after people noticed. The mistake shows how AI tools can quietly insert wrong information into places people trust. For Portage County: When you look something up on a map or search engine, remember that even big companies like Google can publish AI errors, so double-check anything that looks odd.
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I’ve been on Visible since 2023 — and the lower bills I’ve paid prove why I’ll never go back to a major phone carrier
A writer who switched from a major carrier to Visible, a low-cost phone service, says his monthly bill dropped significantly and has stayed low since 2023. Visible runs on Verizon's network, so coverage in most areas is the same. For Portage County: If your Verizon, AT&T, or Spectrum mobile bill feels too high, Visible is worth a look as a cheaper option that uses the same towers.
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Everyone is using ChatGPT Memory wrong — 5 tweaks to make it a true assistant
ChatGPT has a Memory feature that remembers things about you between conversations, but most people leave it set to defaults that aren't very useful. Small changes, like telling it your name, your preferences, and what topics to skip, make it work much better. For Portage County: If you use ChatGPT, go to Settings, find Memory, and add a few basic facts about yourself to get more helpful answers.
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Europeans Are About to Find Out How Entrenched AI Is in Their Daily Lives
New European Union rules now require companies to tell people whenever they are talking to an AI or viewing AI-generated content. Experts worry that so many disclosures will appear so often that people will start ignoring them. For Portage County: This rule is in Europe for now, but it is a good reminder to look for labels like "AI-generated" on images or chat windows, since that content may not be from a real person.
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The time filter in Google Search broke a few days ago
Google's date and time filter in Search, which lets you find results from a specific period, stopped working correctly for several days. Users noticed they were getting results from the wrong dates even when a time range was set. For Portage County: If you use Google Search and filter by date to find recent news or local information, check your results carefully right now, since the filter may not be fully reliable.
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3 hidden Google TV Streamer settings you should change right now
Google TV Streamer, the small device that plugs into your TV for streaming, has several settings that are turned on by default but work better when adjusted. The article points to three hidden options that can improve picture quality and reduce interruptions. For Portage County: If you use a Google TV Streamer, go into Settings and look for autoplay previews, display calibration, and energy saving options to get a better viewing experience.
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Pixel 11 specs and price leak with no surprises
A leak suggests Google's next Pixel 11 phone will start at $899, which is $100 more than the current model, with the announcement expected August 12. The reported specs line up with what other sources have already predicted. For Portage County: If you or a family member is thinking about buying a new Android phone, prices are going up, so it may be worth buying a current Pixel 9 before the new model raises the baseline.
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I do these 4 things after every Windows install to keep it running fast
After installing Windows, a few quick steps, like turning off unnecessary startup programs and adjusting update settings, can keep the computer running faster for longer. Skipping these steps is one reason many PCs slow down within months of a fresh install. For Portage County: If Bill recently set up or refreshed a Windows computer for you, ask him about startup programs, since trimming that list is one of the easiest ways to keep things running smoothly.
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7 ways to repurpose your old Android tablet
An old Android tablet that feels too slow for everyday use can still serve well as a dedicated photo frame, a kitchen recipe screen, or a video call device. Giving it one simple job keeps it useful without the frustration of trying to do everything. For Portage County: Before recycling or tossing an old tablet, consider propping it up in the kitchen or living room as a photo slideshow, which works well even on older hardware.
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How to create and delete stickers on your iPhone
You can turn any photo on your iPhone into a sticker by pressing and holding on the subject of the image, then saving it to your sticker collection in Messages. Deleting old stickers you no longer use keeps the collection easy to browse. For Portage County: This is a fun way to personalize texts to grandchildren, and it works on any iPhone running iOS 17 or later, which most recent iPhones already have.
This digest is auto-generated daily at 6 AM ET from leading tech news sources.
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— Bill's Home Tech, Atwater, OH