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 Lens is hiding features you'll wish you'd found sooner
Google Lens, the camera search tool built into Android phones, can do more than most people realize, including identifying plants, translating signs, and finding products just by pointing your camera at them. Many of these features are tucked away and easy to miss. For Portage County: Open your Google app, tap the Lens icon, and try pointing it at a pill bottle or a plant in your yard to see what it tells you.
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Apple Vision Pro Was Almost Called 'Reality Pro'
Apple's mixed-reality headset, the Vision Pro, was nearly named the Reality Pro during most of its development before Apple chose the final name just before launch. A prototype collector shared an internal software string that confirmed the earlier name. For Portage County: This is background history on a very expensive device most people won't buy, but it shows how much planning goes into even a product name.
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NASA Cancels Its Rescue Mission for the Aging Swift Telescope
NASA has canceled its plan to rescue the aging Swift space telescope after the robotic spacecraft meant to grab it and move it to a safer orbit ran into control system problems. Swift has been studying the universe since 2004 and will now be left to eventually fall out of orbit on its own. For Portage County: No action needed, but it is a reminder that even NASA's best-laid plans sometimes hit a wall.
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ChatGPT’s iPhone app gets a handy shortcut to attach recent photos more quickly
The iPhone app for ChatGPT now lets you attach a recent photo to a conversation with a quicker gesture, saving a few taps when you want the AI to look at something. The change makes it faster to ask ChatGPT questions about a photo you just took. For Portage County: If you use ChatGPT on your iPhone to identify something in a picture, look for the new shortcut near the text box next time you open the app.
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Apple reportedly cut more than 200 jobs across Vision Pro and Siri software teams
Apple has laid off more than 200 workers from the teams building the Vision Pro headset and Siri, shifting its attention toward smart glasses and newer AI features. The cuts suggest Apple is pulling back on the Vision Pro and betting more on AI-powered wearables. For Portage County: No immediate change to your Apple devices, but Siri improvements may slow down in the short term.
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10 Ways to Improve Your iPhone's Battery Life
Apple has published ten tips for stretching your iPhone battery through a long day away from home, including a new iOS 26 feature called Adaptive Power that learns your habits and saves energy automatically. Some tips work on older iPhones, but Adaptive Power requires a newer model with Apple Intelligence. For Portage County: Go to Settings, search for Adaptive Power, and turn it on if your iPhone offers it, especially before a full day of travel or appointments.
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Apple refurb store: Apple TV 4K is back, Apple Watch Ultra 3 offers, more
Apple's official refurbished store has restocked the Apple TV 4K along with discounted Apple Watch Ultra 3 units and several Mac configurations, all certified and covered by Apple's one-year warranty. Refurbished items from Apple are tested and look new, but cost less than buying new. For Portage County: If you have been eyeing an Apple TV 4K to stream shows on your television, check apple.com/shop/refurbished for current pricing before buying new.
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Android Car Malware Spreads Through Built-In Updaters for Ad Fraud, Proxy Botnet
Researchers have found malware hiding inside the built-in update system of certain Android-based car entertainment screens, the kind installed in some vehicles as the main dashboard display. The malware runs hidden ads and can turn the car screen into part of a criminal network without the driver knowing. For Portage County: If your car has an Android-based touchscreen and it starts acting strangely or running slowly, mention it to your dealer or call Bill to take a look.
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Seven Emergency Features You Should Enable on Your Google Pixel
Google Pixel phones have several emergency features built in that most owners never turn on, including automatic crash detection, emergency SOS, and the ability to share your location with a trusted contact. Setting these up takes only a few minutes and could matter in a real crisis. For Portage County: If you have a Pixel phone, go to Settings, search for Safety and Emergency, and spend five minutes turning on the features that fit your situation.
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ChatGPT Can Take Over Your iMessages. But Do You Really Want That?
OpenAI has added a feature to ChatGPT that lets it read your iMessages and write replies on your behalf, but you have to deliberately grant it that access first. The feature is optional, and Apple requires you to approve it before ChatGPT can see any messages. For Portage County: Do not turn this on unless you fully trust the app with private conversations, and be cautious of anyone who tells you to enable it for them.
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