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 Health's mistakes are a grave warning for Apple’s new AI-powered Health app
Apple is building AI features into its Health app, and a TechRadar report warns that Google made serious errors when it tried something similar, including giving users inaccurate health information. The concern is that people may trust AI health summaries too much without knowing their limits. For Portage County: If you use an iPhone to track your health, treat any AI-generated health summaries as a starting point, not a doctor's advice.
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Your old Fire TV Stick is secretly a smart speaker—here's how to turn it into one without connecting to a TV
If you have an old Amazon Fire TV Stick collecting dust, you can set it up as a voice-controlled speaker in any room, no TV required. The setup takes under five minutes using the Alexa app on your phone. For Portage County: This is a free way to add an Alexa speaker to a bedroom or kitchen without buying a new Echo device.
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Your wired Android Auto connection secretly still uses Bluetooth for one important thing
If you use Android Auto with a USB cable in your car, your phone is still quietly using Bluetooth in the background to handle phone calls. Unplugging or turning off Bluetooth can cause call audio to stop working even when the cable is connected. For Portage County: If your car calls sound wrong with Android Auto, make sure Bluetooth is turned on even when you are plugged in.
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iPhone 18 Pro pre-orders: Here’s what still arrives on launch day
Apple began taking pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max ahead of a September 18 launch, but some models are already showing October delivery dates. The iPhone 18 Pro Max in particular is slipping to later ship dates for many configurations. For Portage County: If you want a new iPhone 18 Pro by launch day, check Apple's website now, because waiting even a day or two could push your delivery into October.
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I put my router in a cabinet and lost 74% of my Wi-Fi speed
A writer tested what happened to Wi-Fi speed when a router was placed inside a closed cabinet, and found speeds dropped by nearly three quarters. Walls, doors, and enclosed furniture block the signal significantly. For Portage County: If your Wi-Fi feels slow, check whether your router is tucked inside a cabinet or closet, and move it to an open shelf or countertop instead.
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What is the difference between a dead pixel and a stuck pixel?
A dead pixel on your TV or monitor screen stays permanently black, while a stuck pixel is frozen on one color, often red, green, or blue. There are simple ways to tell them apart, and stuck pixels sometimes fix themselves or can be nudged back to normal. For Portage County: If you notice a tiny dot on your TV screen that never changes, look up whether it is dead or stuck before assuming you need a new TV.
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How to change Amazon Alexa's voice and personality
Amazon has added new voice and personality options for Alexa, and you can change them through the Alexa app on your phone. The settings are found under the device options for each Echo speaker in your home. For Portage County: If Alexa's voice bothers you or feels hard to understand, open the Alexa app and explore the voice settings to find one that is easier on your ears.
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What's the difference between your iPhone's Do Not Disturb and Focus modes?
Your iPhone's Do Not Disturb is actually one option inside a broader set of controls called Focus modes. Do Not Disturb silences everything, while other Focus modes let you allow calls from certain people, like family, while still blocking most alerts. For Portage County: If you want to silence your phone at night but still get calls from your kids, set up Do Not Disturb with allowed contacts in your iPhone's Focus settings.
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One problem with Android Auto can be fixed with a simple update
If Android Auto stops working in your car, updating your phone's software is the first fix most people try, but the car's own software may also need an update. Many drivers don't realize their car's system has separate updates that can fix connection problems. For Portage County: If Android Auto keeps dropping or freezing, ask your dealer or check your car's settings menu for a system software update, not just your phone.
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Apple Says iPhone 18 Pro Max Sold in U.S. Differs in One Way
Apple confirmed that the iPhone 18 Pro Max sold in the United States uses a Qualcomm cellular modem, while the same phone sold in other countries uses Apple's own newer C2 modem chip. The iPhone 18 Pro uses the C2 chip worldwide, including in the U.S. For Portage County: This difference is unlikely to affect everyday calls or data speeds for most users, but it is worth knowing if you are comparing U.S. and international models.
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