Here's what's making news today in tech — picked from the 10 sources I trust, translated for normal humans.
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Surfshark takes aim at the smishing epidemic with new real-time scam text protection
Surfshark added a new feature that spots and warns you about scam text messages before you can tap on a dangerous link. These fake texts, often pretending to be from banks, the post office, or Medicare, are one of the fastest-growing ways criminals steal from people. For Portage County: You don't need Surfshark to stay safe, but you should know that any text asking you to click a link or confirm personal information is worth ignoring and deleting.
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Windows users face six times more malware than Mac owners, Surfshark reveals — but 'Macs are safer' is only half true
A new report found that Windows computers get hit by malware about six times more often than Macs, but that doesn't mean Mac owners can skip basic precautions. Criminals still target Macs, and no computer is fully safe without good habits like avoiding suspicious links and keeping software updated. For Portage County: Whether you use a Windows PC or a Mac, make sure your operating system updates are set to install automatically, and call Bill if you're not sure how to check.
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Apple TV just added a bunch of classic movies to stream for free
Apple TV Plus added a collection of classic movies that subscribers can now watch at no extra cost beyond their regular monthly fee. It's not clear yet whether this is a permanent addition or a limited-time offer. For Portage County: If you already pay for Apple TV Plus, open the app and look for a classics or free movies section, you may find some old favorites worth watching this week.
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Meta is giving away 15,000 AI glasses to blind and visually impaired people in Ireland
Meta, the company that owns Facebook, is donating 15,000 Ray-Ban smart glasses to an Irish charity that helps people with vision loss. The glasses use AI to help wearers identify objects, read text, and navigate their surroundings. For Portage County: This is a good reminder that AI tools are starting to help people with disabilities in practical ways, something worth knowing if you or a family member has vision challenges.
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Google's $100 Pixel Price Hike and Trade-In Push Hint at Apple's iPhone 18 Pro Plans
Google raised the prices on all of its new Pixel smartphones by $100 compared to last year, and analysts think Apple may follow with similar increases on the iPhone 18 Pro later this year. The Pixel 11 now starts at $899, the Pro at $1,099, and the Pro XL at $1,299. For Portage County: If you've been thinking about upgrading your phone, it may be worth buying sooner rather than waiting, since prices across the board appear to be heading up.
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WhatsApp Now Lets You Save a Contact's Username
WhatsApp updated its app so you can now save a contact's username alongside their name and phone number when you add them to your contacts. This matters because WhatsApp is rolling out usernames as a way to reach people without sharing phone numbers. For Portage County: If your grandchildren or family members use WhatsApp, this change makes it a little easier to stay connected, and Bill can help you get WhatsApp set up if you're curious.
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Apple's 2026 Back to School Offer is Now Live Across Europe
Apple's Back to School promotion is now running in the United Kingdom and 18 other European countries, offering a gift card worth up to 120 pounds or euros with the purchase of a qualifying Mac or iPad. The deal is aimed at college students and school staff. For Portage County: This offer is for Europe, not the US, but if you have family studying abroad or overseas, it's worth letting them know.
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CBP Workers Allegedly Used Government Databases to Spy on Exes, Crushes, and Colleagues
Government records obtained by Wired show that hundreds of US Customs and Border Protection employees allegedly used secure government databases to look up romantic interests, track colleagues' phones, and spy on people they knew personally. The misuse involved tools meant for law enforcement purposes only. For Portage County: This is a reminder that personal data held by large organizations can be misused, which is one more reason to share only the information that is truly necessary when dealing with any agency or company.
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There’s a Fatty Liver Epidemic. AI Could Help Get Ahead of It
Researchers are developing AI tools that can detect fatty liver disease earlier than current methods, which matters because the condition affects over a billion people worldwide and often goes unnoticed until it causes serious problems. Early detection could help doctors step in before the disease progresses. For Portage County: You don't need to do anything today, but if your doctor hasn't mentioned liver health at your last checkup, it's a reasonable question to bring up.
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Attackers Exploit SharePoint Authentication Bypass After Public PoC Release
Microsoft patched a serious security flaw in SharePoint, a tool many businesses and organizations use to share files, but attackers are now actively exploiting it after someone published instructions online showing how to take advantage of the vulnerability. The flaw received a severity score of 9.1 out of 10, making it critical. For Portage County: If your church, doctor's office, or any group you belong to uses Microsoft SharePoint, let their tech person know they need to apply the July 2026 Microsoft updates right away.
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