The everyday tech stories our desk judged worth your time, written so anyone can follow them.
A warning is going around about WhatsApp money requests that may be scams. One call to the real person can keep your money safe.
Read more: Money Request on WhatsApp? Check It Before You Send AnythingGoogle is changing how Gemini looks when it pops up on Android phones, adding a sparkle. Here is what is known and what is not.
Read more: Google gives Gemini on Android a new look, with a sparkleWhatsApp now lets you pin a message in a chat with no time limit, so addresses, times and house rules stay at the top of a group.
Read more: WhatsApp lets you pin a message in a chat for goodWaymo will test self-driving Toyota electric cars in Japan next year, a step toward driverless taxis in more countries, including the U.K.
Read more: Waymo will use Toyota electric cars for driverless taxis in JapanSamsung has a new foldable phone that reportedly costs more than Apple's iPhone Duo, but it is sold only in China for now. Here is what that means for buyers.
Read more: Samsung's new foldable phone is China-only and pricier than Apple'sAARP is warning that scammers push people to feed cash into crypto kiosks, and that money sent this way is very hard to get back.
Read more: Crypto kiosk fraud in North Carolina: what AARP wants you to knowTom's Guide writer used Ask Maps, an AI tool in Google Maps, to turn a vague Halloween question into a list of events with map pins and links.
Read more: Google Maps' AI helper found this writer a Halloween plan in minutesMotorola has named a date for its top phone in the US, pitched as a rival to Samsung's Galaxy Ultra. Here is what is known and what is not.
Read more: Motorola sets a date for its top phone in the USUltrahuman's Ring Pro is now sold at Best Buy and Amazon for $479, with no monthly fee, and an early tester calls it a strong rival to the Oura Ring 5.
Read more: Ultrahuman's $479 smart ring goes on sale in the US with no monthly feeA Korean leak says Samsung is testing a cheaper Galaxy Z Fold 9 FE, just as Apple's $2,000 iPhone Duo puts folding phones in the spotlight.
Read more: Samsung may build a cheaper folding phone as Apple enters the gameA bank has warned customers about an elaborate phone scam in which callers pose as bank staff. One convincing call could put your account at risk.
Read more: Banks warn about phone scam where fraudsters pose as your bankGoogle's newest Pixel test build brings back app lock and a blurred lock screen, plus a camera shortcut and clearer alarm times.
Read more: Google's latest Pixel test update brings back app lock and a blurred lock screenSpotify is planning an AI remix add-on costing up to $5 a month, aimed for early next year, the Financial Times reports. It could mean a new bill for subscribers.
Read more: Spotify plans a paid AI remix feature for early next yearTesla's new Houston robotaxi zone is far bigger than Waymo's, but riders report long waits, odd detours and spots on the map where no ride is offered.
Read more: Tesla's new Houston robotaxi area is huge, but riders report long detoursThe Acadia Parish Sheriff's Office in Louisiana is warning residents about scam phone calls, and a rushed answer to one can cost you money or your identity.
Read more: Louisiana sheriff warns residents about scam phone callsA viral post says Bengaluru men on dating apps are being asked to prepay a cab that does not exist. Here is the pattern and why a screenshot proves nothing.
Read more: Dating app scam: fake cab bookings used to trick men into payingPakistan's telecom regulator has begun blocking WhatsApp accounts tied to inactive SIM cards, so a lapsed number could cost you your account.
Read more: Pakistan starts blocking WhatsApp accounts tied to unused SIM cardsA writer used an AI coding tool to turn his home into a Zelda-style game, and pressing A on a game light switch now flips the real one.
Read more: He turned his house into a retro video game to run his smart homeMollie now lets business owners create payment links and manage subscriptions by typing to Claude or ChatGPT, with human approval before money moves.
Read more: Mollie lets you run payments by chatting with Claude or ChatGPTA new comparison tests Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT and Claude over 30 days and 5 years. Here is what it means if you plan to pay for an AI assistant.
Read more: Copilot, ChatGPT and Claude compared over 30 days and 5 yearsZoho is adding AI agents to Zoho Campaigns, its business email tool. Price and timing are unknown, so owners should wait for details before planning around it.
Read more: Zoho adds AI helpers that can run email campaigns for youAbout 1 in 10 Android phones still runs Android 11, a six-year-old version, while more than a quarter have moved to the newest release, Android 17.
Read more: Android 11, a six-year-old version, still runs on 1 in 10 phonesA Bloomberg Technology session says AI that takes action will need a 'self-driving' network, so businesses should check their setup before they adopt it.
Read more: Companies Want AI That Acts on Its Own, and Their Networks Must Keep UpA Reddit user says Google replaced a 256GB Pixel 9 Pro Fold with a 512GB Pixel 11 Pro Fold, but the swap likely depends on stock and special coverage.
Read more: Google repair sends a customer a newer, bigger foldable phone
