Here's what's making news today in tech — picked from the 10 sources I trust, translated for normal humans.
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I could never leave Samsung for a Pixel or iPhone — these 3 features are why
Samsung phones have a version of Android called One UI that includes features some users find hard to give up when switching to a Google Pixel or Apple iPhone. The article highlights three specific One UI tools that the author considers standout reasons to stay. For Portage County: If you are happy with your Samsung phone and someone is pushing you to switch, this is a good reminder that sticking with what works for you is perfectly fine.
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5 things I wish I’d done before starting a Home Assistant smart home
Setting up a Home Assistant smart home system involves several steps that are easier to plan for in advance than to fix later. The article covers five things the author wishes they had done before starting. For Portage County: If you are thinking about connecting your lights, thermostat, or other devices to a smart home system, ask Bill first so you can avoid the same headaches.
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Android 17 is getting a massive privacy upgrade your ISP won’t like
Google is building a new privacy feature into Android 17 that hides some details about your internet activity from your internet provider, such as Spectrum or AT&T. It works quietly in the background without you needing to change any settings. For Portage County: You do not need to do anything, but when Android 17 arrives on your phone, your browsing will be a little more private from your internet company automatically.
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What is HDMI passthrough on soundbars, and do you really need it for your TV setup?
HDMI passthrough on a soundbar lets your TV remote control the sound volume even when the audio runs through the soundbar. Without it, you may need two remotes to manage your TV and sound separately. For Portage County: If you are shopping for a soundbar and hate juggling remotes, look for one that says HDMI ARC or HDMI passthrough on the box.
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Your fitness tracker has a lot of numbers — these are the ones that are worth watching
Fitness trackers collect a lot of health numbers, but only a handful of them are actually worth paying attention to regularly. The article identifies which readings give you the most useful picture of your health. For Portage County: If your fitness tracker or Apple Watch is overwhelming you with data, focus on resting heart rate, sleep hours, and daily steps, and talk to your doctor if any of those look off.
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How to use your old Android phone as a Wi-Fi extender
If your Wi-Fi signal is weak in parts of your home, an old Android phone you no longer use can be set up as a free Wi-Fi extender. The process does not require buying any new equipment. For Portage County: Before spending money on a new Wi-Fi booster, dig out that old Android phone from the drawer and call Bill to see if this free fix could solve your dead-zone problem.
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Your Android Auto calls are broken because of these hidden settings
Android Auto is supposed to let you take phone calls safely through your car's speakers, but certain hidden settings can silently break that feature. The article walks through which settings to check if calls are not working properly. For Portage County: If you plug your Android phone into your car and calls are not coming through the speakers, go to your phone's Bluetooth and notification settings and make sure Android Auto has permission to handle calls.
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This is how quickly hackers can find an open port on your router
Researchers tested how fast hackers can discover an open port on a home router, and the answer is minutes, not days. Leaving unused ports open on your router is one of the easiest ways for strangers to get into your home network. For Portage County: If someone told you to open a port on your router for a program you no longer use, call Bill to have it closed so your network stays protected.
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What happened to that Wi-Fi blocking paint we were supposed to get?
Wi-Fi blocking paint was promoted years ago as a way to keep your wireless signal inside your home and stop neighbors from accessing it. In practice, it requires covering every wall, ceiling, and floor of a room completely, and the cost and effort make it impractical for most homes. For Portage County: A strong Wi-Fi password and a good router are still the simplest and most affordable ways to keep your home network secure.
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Google further buries search results under AI mode
Google is now automatically expanding its AI-generated answer summaries at the top of search results, pushing the actual website links further down the page. This means you may need to scroll more to find a real website when you search for something. For Portage County: If Google searches feel less useful lately because you cannot find the links you want, try scrolling past the big summary box at the top to reach the regular results.
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