Here's what's making news today in tech — picked from the 10 sources I trust, translated for normal humans.
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T-Mobile Is the First Carrier to Support Apple’s iPhone Handoff, but It’ll Cost $5 a Month
T-Mobile is now charging iPhone users $5 a month for a new iOS 27 feature that lets you switch between two iPhones without losing your place, while AT&T is offering the same feature at no extra charge. If you have two iPhones on T-Mobile, you may see this fee appear on your bill soon. For Portage County: Check your T-Mobile bill this month, and if you only use one iPhone, this charge should not apply to you.
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I switched from Google Password Manager to Bitwarden, and passwords weren't the reason
A writer switched from Google's built-in password manager to a free tool called Bitwarden, and found that the bigger concern was how much personal data Google was collecting beyond just passwords. Bitwarden stores only your passwords and nothing else, which gives you more privacy and control. For Portage County: If you save passwords in Google Chrome, consider downloading the free Bitwarden app instead, it does the same job with less of your information being tracked.
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EU's Kids Act to Ban Social Media for Under-13s, Curb Chatbot Access
Europe is moving to ban children under 13 from having social media accounts, and under 15 from having personal accounts on most platforms, without a parent's direct involvement. The new rules, called the Kids Act, would also limit children's access to AI chatbots. For Portage County: If you have grandchildren who use Instagram, TikTok, or similar apps, this is a good reminder to check what accounts they have and whether a parent has reviewed them.
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I stopped obsessing over special characters and my passwords got stronger
Security experts now say a strong password does not need symbols like exclamation points or dollar signs, and that a string of four or five random everyday words strung together is actually harder to crack. The old rules about special characters made passwords hard to remember without making them much safer. For Portage County: Next time you create a password, try something like "purple staple river Monday" instead of a short jumble of letters and symbols.
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Meta is reportedly ready to launch less pervy smart glasses
Meta, the company behind Facebook, is reportedly working on a new pair of smart glasses that have no camera built in. This comes after their current glasses caused concern because people used them to secretly record others in public. For Portage County: If someone approaches you wearing smart glasses, it is reasonable to ask whether they have a camera, and this new version would remove that worry entirely.
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China Isn’t Buying Silicon Valley’s Call for an AI Slowdown
The United States and China both agree that advanced AI carries serious risks, but China is not interested in any international agreement that would slow its own AI development while keeping American companies ahead. Talks between the two countries on AI safety rules have stalled as a result. For Portage County: This is worth knowing as background, because decisions made between these two countries will shape what AI tools show up in your phone, your TV, and your doctor's office in the coming years.
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Google’s New Pixel Features Include Shortcuts to Your Favorite Contacts, Adds Scam Alerts
Google pushed a software update to Pixel phones that adds a quick way to call or text your most-used contacts right from the home screen, and also adds alerts when the phone detects a possible scam call or message. Pixel 6 owners and newer also get two free months of Audible audiobooks as part of the update. For Portage County: If you have a Google Pixel phone, check for a software update in your Settings app, and look for the new scam alert feature under Phone settings once it installs.
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Microsoft announces Windows and Surface event for October 7th
Microsoft has announced a special event on October 7th in San Francisco where it will show off new Windows computers and explain how artificial intelligence will be built into Windows going forward. This is the first major Windows announcement in over two years. For Portage County: No action needed now, but if you are thinking about buying a new Windows laptop this fall, it may be worth waiting until after October 7th to see what Microsoft announces.
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