Here's what's making news today in tech — picked from the 10 sources I trust, translated for normal humans.
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‘That is not acceptable’: Judge orders Google to make rival app store installs easier
A federal judge ordered Google to make it simpler for Android phone users to install app stores other than Google's own, after a court battle with the maker of the game Fortnite. The judge said Google's current setup makes it too hard for competitors to offer apps on Android phones. For Portage County: This won't change anything on your phone today, but it could eventually mean more choices for where you download apps on Android devices.
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Apple Trained Own AI model for China Market With Help From Alibaba
Apple built its own AI model for iPhones sold in China, working with the Chinese tech company Alibaba, rather than using an outside service as it does elsewhere. Apple plans to roll out AI features on Chinese iPhones in the coming months using this approach. For Portage County: This does not affect iPhones sold in the United States, so no action needed on your end.
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Dell XPS 13 Review: Move Over, Neo
Dell released a new XPS 13 laptop starting at $700, with reviewers saying the $900 version with more memory is the better buy. It is a slim, well-built Windows laptop with few obvious trade-offs for the price. For Portage County: If someone in your family is shopping for a new Windows laptop, this model is worth a look at a local electronics store before buying.
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The Real Reason Data Center Gas Power Plants Are So Dirty
Large data centers that power AI and cloud services are increasingly being built next to gas power plants that use older, less efficient turbines, making them dirtier than standard power plants. A major new plant in Texas is one example of this growing trend. For Portage County: This is a good reminder that the apps and services we use every day do have real energy costs, even if we never see them.
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Apple sends out warnings to targets of mercenary spyware attacks
Apple sent notifications to some iPhone users warning them that their phones may have been targeted by mercenary spyware, which is sophisticated software used to secretly monitor a device. Apple has sent similar warnings in the past when it detects signs of a targeted attack. For Portage County: If you ever get a security alert from Apple on your iPhone, take it seriously and call Bill before clicking anything.
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Please stop buying cheap printers: The ink is a scam
Cheap printers that sell for $40 or less often cost far more in the long run because the ink cartridges are expensive and run out fast, making them a poor deal. Printer makers sell the hardware cheap and make their real money selling you ink. For Portage County: Before buying any printer, ask Bill which models use affordable ink, because the sticker price is rarely the whole story.
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Google’s New Pixel 11 Phones Get Higher Starting Prices — Blame the RAM Shortage
Google's new Pixel 11 phones are more expensive than last year's models, with the price increase blamed on a shortage of the memory chips used inside them. The starting price went up across the entire Pixel 11 lineup. For Portage County: If you or a family member was thinking about a new Android phone, expect to pay more this year, and it may be worth asking Bill whether an older model still meets your needs.
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iPhone 17 Pro One Year Later: What Held Up and What Didn't
A review of the iPhone 17 Pro after nearly a year of real use found that the improved scratch-resistant screen held up well, even without a case. The phone also survived face-down drops without screen damage, which was a weak point on older models. For Portage County: If you have been putting off a screen protector on your iPhone 17 Pro, this is encouraging news, though a case is still a smart idea.
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Microsoft’s Clippy-like Mico character is no longer the face of Copilot
Microsoft removed its animated yellow character, Mico, from the voice mode of its Copilot AI assistant, moving it to a different part of the service. Copilot is the AI helper built into Windows and available as an app. For Portage County: No action needed, but if you use Copilot on your Windows computer and noticed the little animated face is gone, that is why.
This digest is auto-generated daily at 6 AM ET from leading tech news sources.
Notice something off? Reply or text Bill at (330) 200-8042.
— Bill's Home Tech, Atwater, OH