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 just gave every Windows 10 and 11 PC a Gemini key — I tried it, and it’s the easiest way to use its AI yet
Google added a dedicated Gemini AI button to Windows 10 and 11 computers, making it easier to open the AI assistant without searching for it. The button works like a shortcut key and gives quick access to Google's AI from anywhere on your desktop. For Portage County: If you use a Windows PC and want to try AI assistance, look for a new Gemini key on your keyboard or taskbar, but you are not required to use it.
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John Ternus and Greg Joswiak reveal why now is the time for iPhone Duo
Apple's new CEO John Ternus and marketing chief Greg Joswiak explained in an interview why Apple chose now to release the iPhone Duo, its first foldable phone. Ternus also shared his thoughts after his first week leading the company. For Portage County: If you are curious about Apple's new folding phone, this interview gives a plain look at why Apple built it and what makes it different.
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Apple Watch Series 12 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 4: Clash of the Newest Apple Watches
Apple released two new smartwatches, the Apple Watch Series 12 and the Apple Watch Ultra 4, both with premium features and higher price tags. The Series 12 is the standard model while the Ultra 4 is aimed at people who want more rugged, advanced capabilities. For Portage County: If you are thinking about a new Apple Watch, the Series 12 will handle everyday health tracking well, and you likely do not need the Ultra 4 unless you have very specific outdoor or fitness needs.
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Samsung Galaxy S26 FE Review: Same as Before, but for More Money
Samsung's Galaxy S26 FE is a midrange Android phone that carries a higher price than its predecessor but offers little beyond a newer processor. Reviewers say Samsung made few meaningful improvements to justify the cost increase. For Portage County: If you or a family member is shopping for a Samsung phone on a budget, this model may not be worth the extra money compared to last year's version.
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Attackers Chain JFrog Artifactory Flaws to Gain Admin Control and Plant Backdoors
A security company called Wiz found that attackers chained together two flaws in a software tool called JFrog Artifactory to take full control of servers and plant hidden backdoors. JFrog had already released fixes for both flaws before the attacks happened, meaning only servers that skipped updates were vulnerable. For Portage County: This one affects business software, not home computers, but it is a good reminder that keeping any device or software updated is the single best way to stay protected.
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China-Linked UNC3569 Exploited Sogou Input Method Flaw to Deploy GRAYRABBIT Backdoor
A hacking group linked to China exploited a flaw in Sogou Input Method, a popular Chinese-language typing tool for Windows, to install a backdoor that gave attackers full control of victims' computers. The attack began with a crafted link and required no special access to succeed. For Portage County: If you or anyone in your household uses Sogou Input Method on a Windows PC, stop using it until the developer releases a confirmed fix, and call Bill if you need help checking.
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PaperCut Replaces Emergency Patches With Fixes for Two Actively Exploited Flaws
PaperCut, a popular print-management program used by schools and businesses, released updated versions that replace earlier emergency patches for two security flaws that attackers were actively using. The new versions are PaperCut NG/MF 26.0.5, 25.0.13, and 24.1.10. For Portage County: If your church, school, or small business uses PaperCut to manage printers, ask your IT person or call Bill to make sure the software has been updated to one of these new versions.
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Apple Watch Ultra 4 Drops GLONASS Support
Apple quietly removed support for the Russian GLONASS satellite system from the new Apple Watch Ultra 4. The Ultra 4 still supports GPS, Galileo, BeiDou, and QZSS, and Apple says dual-frequency support on those systems makes GLONASS less useful anyway. For Portage County: This change will not affect everyday use, since GPS accuracy on the Ultra 4 remains strong for walking, driving, and outdoor activities in Portage County.
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T-Mobile to Charge $5 a Month for iOS 27 iPhone Handoff
T-Mobile will charge customers an extra five dollars a month to use iPhone Handoff, a new iOS 27 feature that lets one phone number work across two separate iPhones. At launch, only T-Mobile customers in the U.S. can use the feature, and it requires compatible iPhone models. For Portage County: If you are a T-Mobile customer and want to share your number between two iPhones, know that this convenience will add five dollars to your monthly bill before you sign up.
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