Here's what's making news today in tech — picked from the 10 sources I trust, translated for normal humans.
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Forget 100-word prompts: ChatGPT’s Sketch tool lets you draw exactly what you mean
ChatGPT added a new tool called Sketch that lets you draw a rough picture to show the AI what you want, instead of typing a long description. It is meant to make it easier to get useful results when words are hard to come up with. For Portage County: If you use ChatGPT and find typing out your requests frustrating, look for the Sketch option in the tool menu next time you log in.
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Hackers Use Compromised ConnectWise Credential to Sign In to 173 Microsoft 365 Tenants
Hackers used a stolen password from a company called ConnectWise to break into 173 Microsoft 365 accounts that belong to other businesses. Microsoft 365 is the service that includes Outlook email, Word, and Excel, and many small businesses and offices use it. For Portage County: If your doctor's office, pharmacy, or any local business uses Microsoft 365, be extra cautious about unexpected emails asking you to click links or confirm your password right now.
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The Google Pixel Watch has a paywall problem, and it's only getting worse
Google Pixel Watch owners are finding that more and more useful features, like detailed sleep tracking and heart health tools, now require a paid subscription on top of what they already spent on the watch. The free features are getting thinner over time. For Portage County: If someone in your family is thinking about buying a Pixel Watch, know that the monthly subscription cost can add up, so factor that in before purchasing.
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Microplastics React With Water, a New Study Says. That’s a Problem for Biology
A new study found that tiny pieces of plastic, called microplastics, can react chemically with water, which is a concern because water is everywhere in the environment and in our bodies. Scientists say this reaction could make microplastics more harmful than previously thought. For Portage County: There is nothing specific to do today, but filtering your tap water and reducing single-use plastics remains a reasonable precaution.
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Verizon Will Charge $10 a Month for iPhone Handoff
Verizon announced it will charge customers $10 a month to use Apple's new iPhone Handoff feature, which lets one phone number work across two separate iPhones. This fee is on top of your regular monthly bill. For Portage County: If a Verizon salesperson mentions iPhone Handoff when you upgrade your phone, know that it costs an extra $10 a month before you agree to anything.
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All the news about the iPhone Duo
Apple announced the iPhone Duo, its first foldable phone, which has a smaller outside screen and a larger inside screen that opens like a book. It uses a fingerprint sensor on the power button instead of Face ID, and has two cameras. For Portage County: This is a brand-new type of iPhone, so wait for reviews and real-world feedback before considering it, especially since early demand means long wait times and likely a high price.
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Verizon confirms $10 monthly fee for new iPhone Handoff feature
Verizon confirmed it will charge $10 per month for Apple's new iPhone Handoff feature, which lets a single phone number work on two iPhones at once. T-Mobile and Deutsche Telekom have also announced fees for the same feature. For Portage County: If you use Verizon and are curious about iPhone Handoff, know that all the major carriers plan to charge extra for it, so ask about the total monthly cost before signing up.
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Apple Calls iPhone Duo Demand 'Extraordinary' After Orders Slip to 2027
Apple says demand for the new iPhone Duo has been extraordinary, and pre-orders sold out so fast that delivery dates have already slipped into 2027. Within an hour of pre-orders opening, stock for 2026 delivery was completely gone. For Portage County: If you were thinking about ordering an iPhone Duo, you will not receive one this year, so it is worth waiting until supply catches up and early reviews come in.
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UAT-11985 Uses Fake Event Invites to Target Taiwan Research Affiliates With Google AitM Phishing
Researchers found that a hacking group is sending fake event invitations by email to trick people connected to research organizations in Taiwan into giving up their Google account passwords and security codes. Once they have those codes, the hackers can get into the account even if two-step verification is turned on. For Portage County: This is a reminder never to enter your Google password on a page you reached by clicking an email link, even if the invitation looks real.
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An Android feature you already use everyday could help expose scam texts on your phone
An Android feature that lets you press and hold on a text message can now use built-in AI to check whether that message looks like a scam, flagging signs of impersonation and suggesting you block or delete it. This works on many Android phones you may already own. For Portage County: Next time you get a suspicious text, try pressing and holding on the message to see if your phone offers a scam-check option before you respond or click any link.
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