Who asked for this? If you don’t like how Microsoft put the Start menu for Windows 11 in the middle of the screen, move it back to its original home on the left. Head to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors. Crisis averted!
Apple Intelligence coming to your phone (maybe)
WWDC is Apple’s annual conference during which they talk about all things software. Day 1 is always the biggest, and I watched all hour-and-a-half-plus of the event to update you on what’s new.
Come this fall, you’ll see … a new Passwords app that works across your Apple devices, better iPhone customization options, easier texting with your Android pals, and the ability to reply to all texts and iMessages with emojis. (Can’t wait to reply to Barry with an eye roll. Sorry, honey.)
OK, those are neat upgrades, but the real changes are all about AI.
Introducing AI
Not artificial intelligence — Apple Intelligence. No joke, that’s what they’re calling it. Personalization and making your life easier are the big focuses. Some of the highlights:
- Create original, personalized animations and images to use in chat.
- Find things with natural commands, like, “What did Barry ask me to pick up at the grocery store?”
- Get alerts if there’s a conflict, like when someone adds a meeting to your schedule.
- See a quick summary of emails you receive and the ones you write.
- A new Rewrite feature can clean up anything you write across any app. That includes adjusting your tone, if need be. I’d be scared if I ran Grammarly …
- Turn rough sketches into polished images with the tap of a button.
If privacy comes to mind, yep, you’re smart. Apple says almost all its AI will run on your device only and never make it to their servers. Some will, and that’s where Private Cloud Compute comes in.
🔐 These are servers used for just AI purposes, and I’m willing to bet they’ll put the entire might of Apple behind securing them.
That AI powers the new Siri
- When Siri is active in iOS 18, the entire edge of your screen will illuminate. Whoa, earth-shattering!
- Describe a feature you can’t find and Siri will do it for you, like, “Siri, make the text on my phone bigger.”
- Edit photos with your voice: “Siri, make the picture brighter.”
- Get info without having to provide all the specifics. Ask Siri, “When is my trip to New York?” to pull up the flight info from your emails and planning texts with a friend.
One more thing: The bad news
All the shiny, new AI features require the latest and greatest Apple devices — the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPad and Mac with an M1 or later chip.
Erase these private details Google knows about you
Ever think about how much Google knows about you? You don’t have to wonder. Sign in to your Google account and check this page to see exactly what the search giant thinks you’re interested in.
It’s not just search. Your Gmail inbox, Google Drive files, Maps history, YouTube views and much more are added to the dossier of info on you. Here’s a buried Google Maps setting you should change right now.
Hey, Android owners: Google Messages is rolling out a new feature within “Profile sharing” that lets you customize how you’re seen by others you’re messaging. The next time you open the app, follow the prompt or navigate to your avatar menu to adjust your name and photo and how they’re shared. You’ll have three options to choose from: People you message, Only your contacts or No one.
Privacy tip: 5 ways you’re being tracked you must stop right now
Online privacy is an oxymoron. For example, an advertiser ID on your phone is supposed to keep your location anonymous. Are you surprised it doesn’t? Me neither. Tap or click here for steps to see and remove your advertiser ID.
AI chatbots as friends, lovers and partners
Back in April, I interviewed Rosanna Ramos, a 36-year-old Bronx mother of two, who said she was in love with her AI “husband,” Eren. He’s everything she ever wanted — handsome, caring and just wonderful in bed. She built Eren with an app. You can watch our chat here.
You don’t know me: If you use ChatGPT on the web, you might notice it starting to “remember” things about you, like your movie tastes or knowledge about specific topics. This can mean more tailored answers for you, but if you’d rather the AI forget who you are, click your profile picture (top right) then Settings > Personalization > Clear ChatGPT’s memory.
Ad overload, begone: Ads are now baked into the Windows 11 Start menu, but you can disable that. Hit Start > Settings > Personalization. Choose Start, then uncheck the option to show recommendations. Done!
Get off my PC: The latest Windows 11 update crams ads for apps into the “recommended” section of the Start Menu. Yes, it’s on by default. I’ve got the fix: Go into Settings and select Personalization > Start. Then, toggle off “Show recommendations for tips, app promotions and more.”
Take a minute to adjust these important Android privacy settings
Security can be complicated with your smartphone, especially for Android users.
What are some of the best ways to keep your device (and yourself!) safe from nefarious actors, illegal surveillance, and malware?
4 simple ways to customize your Apple AirPods
Like many of its products, Apple’s AirPods are something of a status symbol. Sleek and well-designed, they are as iconic as they are functional. So much so that competitors have created products specifically to compete with these earbuds.
The best new features coming to Android 13
You get excited when an entirely new operating system version is released for your smartphone if you’re anything like us. Still getting to know Android 12? Tap to click here for eight hidden features you should be using.
5 ways to clear out the junk in your Windows 10 Start menu
Windows 10 is a handy tool, but it’s not optimized for your needs right out of the box. This software comes with many valuable tools, but it also comes pre-loaded with bloatware and annoying features that can get in the way of productivity.
Android update: New privacy feature, family reminders and more
The latest version of Android has been rolling out since October on Google Pixel phones and is now available for Samsung Galaxy devices.
Other users are still waiting for Android 12 to be available, bringing new security features such as a Privacy Dashboard. Tap or click here to check out new Android settings to protect your privacy.
Use Verizon? There's a new data tracking program gathering your info
Your privacy is at risk as long as you have a connection to the internet and online accounts. Though your actions have a big impact on how much others can find out about you, there are some things beyond your control.
7 new Android 12 features to simplify your day to day
The release of a new operating system is a big deal for mobile developers. This plays a big part in their competition against each other as each tries to retain their users while enticing others to hop the fence.
Android 12 launched last month for Google Pixel phones, while Samsung, Xiaomi OnePlus and other phones that run Android will get the update in the coming months.
Gmail is scanning your emails as you write them - unless you change this setting
AI technology has revolutionized the way we shop, do business, and even receive an education. From chatbots to answer your questions to personalized shopping suggestions, AI technology is all around us. But some retailers are using it in a creepy way to track you. Tap or click here for a list of the offenders.
Android is getting its biggest update in years - Here's what's coming
We’ve entered that part of the year where Big Tech companies reveal their upcoming products. Apple kicked things off a few weeks ago with iOS news, and Google has now entered the fray with updates on Android.
Unsurprisingly, the highlight of Google’s annual I/O conference was details about the upcoming Android 12. Tap or click here for details on Google’s annual event. Don’t get too excited, though, as the operating system update is only in the beta phase for now.
iPhone tricks: 5 clever ways to customize your home screen
The first iPhone was released in 2007. Back then, there was little thought put into customizing your device. Tap or click here for 12 hidden iPhone features you’ll wish you knew sooner.
It wasn’t until technology shrunk down sufficiently that mobile phone makers could incorporate the tiny aspects of personal choice. The best options for personalization were screensaver changes and replacing the phone’s protective cover.