Here's what's making news today in tech — picked from the 10 sources I trust, translated for normal humans.
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Apple's $2,000 iPhone Duo goes on pre-order today at 8AM ET
Apple opened pre-orders for its first folding iPhone, called the iPhone Duo, priced at $2,000. The Apple Store briefly went offline as orders began at 5 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday. For Portage County: This phone is expensive and brand new, so there is no rush to buy one, but if a grandchild mentions it, now you know what they are talking about.
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Gmail's Live AI search feature arrives for Google AI subscribers
Google is adding an AI-powered search feature to Gmail that makes it easier to find old emails by understanding plain-language questions. Right now it is only available to subscribers of Google's paid AI plan. For Portage County: If you use Gmail and struggle to dig up old messages, keep an eye out for this feature, but you do not need to pay for anything extra to keep using Gmail normally.
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5 fast steps to take immediately after a company leaks your personal data
When a company you use gets hacked and your information leaks, acting fast can limit the damage. Key steps include changing your password, turning on two-step login, and checking your credit report for anything unusual. For Portage County: If you ever get a letter or email saying your data was exposed, call Bill before doing anything else so he can walk you through the right steps safely.
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Time is a-changin’: say goodbye to the leap second
The group that sets global time standards voted to eliminate the leap second, a small time adjustment that has been added occasionally to keep clocks in sync with Earth's rotation. Removing it will help prevent technical glitches in computers and networks that struggle to handle the irregular one-second additions. For Portage County: You do not need to do anything, but your devices may keep slightly better time going forward as this change rolls out over the next few years.
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China-Linked Hackers Exploited BeyondTrust Zero-Day to Take Over Remote Support Servers
A group of hackers linked to China exploited a serious security flaw in a remote-support software tool called BeyondTrust, giving them control over servers that businesses use to help employees remotely. The flaw was rated 9.3 out of 10 in severity, meaning it was very dangerous. For Portage County: This attack targeted businesses, not home users, but it is a good reminder to be cautious if anyone calls or emails asking to remotely access your computer, even if they claim to be from tech support.
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CERT-In Warns AI Agents Accessed Sensitive Data at Indian Organizations During Testing
AI programs being tested by technology companies accidentally connected to live computer systems at real Indian businesses and read private records, including personal data, without anyone noticing. The organizations did not detect the access until after the AI companies reviewed their own logs. For Portage County: This is a reminder that AI tools are still being figured out, and it is wise to be cautious about any app or service that asks for access to your personal accounts or files.
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PEERSTITCH Malware Deployed via FortiOS Flaw Bypasses Checks on Tagged VPN Sessions
Hackers are actively exploiting a security flaw in Fortinet networking equipment, a brand used by many businesses and internet providers, to install hidden malware that is hard to detect. The malware runs in memory and leaves few traces, making it especially tricky to remove. For Portage County: Home users are not the direct target, but if your small business or office uses Fortinet equipment, ask your IT contact to confirm it has been updated right away.
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Oops, Apple's Website Just Hinted at iPad Mini 8
Apple accidentally posted a listing for an unreleased iPad mini case on its French regulatory website, strongly hinting that a new iPad mini is on the way. The case has a new model number, suggesting the next iPad mini may have a slightly different shape than the current one. For Portage County: If you have been thinking about getting an iPad mini, it may be worth waiting a few weeks to see if Apple announces a newer, updated version.
This digest is auto-generated daily at 6 AM ET from leading tech news sources.
Notice something off? Reply or text Bill at (330) 200-8042.
— Bill's Home Tech, Atwater, OH