Here's what's making news today in tech — picked from the 10 sources I trust, translated for normal humans.
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PSA: watchOS 27 Removes This Useful Feature From Your Apple Watch
Apple's watchOS 27 update adds a new Live Rewind feature to the newest Apple Watch models, letting them capture a transcript of the last 15 seconds of spoken audio. But to make room for it, Apple removed the double-click shortcut that used to jump between apps, which affects older Apple Watch owners too. For Portage County: If you use an Apple Watch and relied on double-clicking the Digital Crown to switch apps, that shortcut is gone after updating to watchOS 27.
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Amazon accidentally blocked Fire TV sideloading and now promises a fix
Amazon accidentally turned off a setting on Fire TV devices that some users depend on to install apps not found in Amazon's store, but the company says a fix is being sent out automatically. You do not need to do anything to get the repair. For Portage County: If your Fire TV remote or apps have been acting odd lately, give it a day or two and the fix should arrive on its own.
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An iOS 27 bug can temporarily freeze your iPhone
A bug in Apple's iOS 27 update can cause some iPhones to temporarily freeze after the update is installed. Apple has not yet said when a fix is coming, but the freeze is temporary and does not mean your phone is broken. For Portage County: If your iPhone locks up after a recent update, hold the side button and a volume button together until you see the power slider, then restart the phone.
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Oversight Board says Meta's rules for AI deepfakes are 'consistently and fundamentally inadequate'
Meta's independent Oversight Board says the company's rules for handling AI-generated fake videos and images are seriously lacking and need to be overhauled. The board is pushing Meta to treat reported AI content as a higher priority. For Portage County: Fake videos that look very real are spreading on Facebook, so if something seems shocking or too dramatic, pause before sharing it.
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Don't buy Cat8, this is the Ethernet cable your home actually needs
If you are buying an Ethernet cable to improve your home internet connection, Cat8 cable sounds impressive but is overkill for home use and can actually cause problems with standard home routers. A Cat6 cable handles everything a home network needs and costs less. For Portage County: If Bill or anyone else suggests a new Ethernet cable for your setup, Cat6 is the right choice for almost every home in Portage County.
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Flock Once Touted Its Cameras as ‘Made in the USA.’ Now It’s Not So Clear
Flock Safety, a company that sells license plate reader cameras used by many police departments, has been unclear about where its cameras are actually made, raising questions about security and foreign parts. The company has not provided clear answers about its manufacturing. For Portage County: If your local police department uses Flock cameras, it is worth knowing that questions about the cameras' origins and security have not been fully answered by the company.
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Photographer Tyler Stalman reviews the iPhone 18 Pro’s new camera with variable aperture
Photographer Tyler Stalman tested the iPhone 18 Pro's new camera, which includes a variable aperture lens, a feature previously found only on high-end dedicated cameras. He reviewed how it handles low light, portrait photos, and Apple's new image tools. For Portage County: If you are thinking about upgrading your iPhone for better photos, the iPhone 18 Pro's camera is a meaningful step up, especially for indoor and low-light shots.
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4 "smart" home gadgets that don't need Wi-Fi or an app
Some home gadgets marketed as smart actually work without Wi-Fi or a phone app, which means fewer setup headaches and no worries about losing function if your internet goes down. These devices handle tasks like timers, sensors, and controls on their own. For Portage County: If you want a simpler smart gadget that just works without calling Bill for setup, look for ones labeled as working without Wi-Fi or an app.
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Google Home Stuns by Announcing AI Support for Claude and OpenClaw
Google is updating Google Home so that it can work with outside AI assistants, including Claude, giving users more options for controlling smart home devices by voice or app. The company did not provide a release date for all the new features. For Portage County: If you use Google Home to control lights or a thermostat, more AI options are coming, but nothing you need to change or buy right now.
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Cricket Wireless Adds 5G Home Internet Service
Cricket Wireless is now offering home internet service bundled with its cell phone plans, joining other carriers like AT&T and Spectrum in the home internet market. Cricket's service runs on the AT&T network. For Portage County: If you are paying too much for home internet, Cricket's new option is worth a look, especially if you already use Cricket for your phone.
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