The everyday tech stories our desk judged worth your time, written so anyone can follow them.
A sheriff's office says fake car warranty offers by phone, mail and email may include your vehicle's make, model or VIN, which makes them sound real.
Read more: Sheriff warns car warranty scammers know your vehicle's detailsYouTube says the dislike button is not hidden for viewers. The move only affects creators on their own videos, so most people will see no change.
Read more: YouTube says the dislike button is not hidden for viewersAmex says its app and website trouble was an internal technical issue, not a hack. Expect some hiccups and longer waits on the phone, but no sign of exposed data.
Read more: Amex app and website glitches were not a security flaw, company saysApple's Siri AI now finds old texts and emails reliably, but it is slow, and rival assistants already do tasks for you. Its next step could cost you some privacy.
Read more: Apple's new Siri finally works, but rival AI helpers now do far moreSpotify is asking Family Plan members to scan a QR code on the manager's phone within seven days, or risk losing their spot for a year.
Read more: Spotify Family Plan members must now prove they live with the managerA Pennsylvania woman was jailed for three nights after a scammer opened a CashApp account in her name. Here is why it matters even if you have never used the app.
Read more: Woman Jailed Three Nights Over a CashApp Account She Never Opened1Password's new tool lets an AI assistant sign in to your accounts after you approve each login, so the assistant never sees your password.
Read more: 1Password lets AI assistants log in for you without seeing your passwordThe FTC says losses reported by adults 60 and older jumped from $600 million to $3 billion in five years, driven by a wave of very large losses.
Read more: Older Americans Now Lose $3 Billion a Year to Scams, Up FivefoldChrome is adding Gemini-powered checks for scam sites and risky copied commands, but only for people who switch on Enhanced Protection.
Read more: Chrome will use Google's AI to warn you about scam websitesA New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $25 billion after a jury found it misled users about their data, a sign that privacy promises now carry real legal risk.
Read more: Judge orders Meta to pay $25 billion to New Mexico over user dataResearchers logged 1,258 fake AI tool scams in six months. Many ask you to paste a command that quietly installs software to steal logins, code and accounts.
Read more: Fake Claude and ChatGPT downloads are spreading password-stealing softwareApple's first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, costs over $2,000, and a week of testing has turned up shortcomings and pre-order problems worth knowing first.
Read more: Apple's first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, costs over $2,000Samsung confirmed that some new Galaxy S26 Ultra phones get stuck on an error during setup, with no way to skip it. No fix date has been given.
Read more: Some new Galaxy S26 Ultra phones get stuck in setup and won't startWabasha police say a frozen screen and a fake Microsoft number led to a demand for a $4,000 card. Here is how the trick works and who should hear about it.
Read more: Fake Microsoft Warning Leads to $4,000 Card Scam in Minnesota911 calls are failing for some phone users in Oakland, Riverside County and Santa Barbara County, and no one has said yet what caused it or when it ends.
Read more: 911 calls failing for some phone users in parts of CaliforniaVirginia officials say fake texts and calls claim an EBT purchase was declined, a trick that could expose your card details and your family's food benefits.
Read more: Fake texts say your food benefits card was declined. Don't reply.Scammers are using fake police video calls in California to scare people into paying or sharing details. A call that looks official can still be a fraud.
Read more: Scammers pose as California police on fake video callsScammers slipped into a real email thread and changed a supplier's bank details. Police in Victoria have 107 reports since July, so check by phone first.
Read more: Fake supplier email almost cost a furniture business $118,000The FTC says scammers are calling and threatening to shut off your phone number. Hanging up is the safest move, and it can protect your money and identity.
Read more: FTC warns of scam calls saying your phone number will be shut offBig US banks are blocking outside AI tools found working inside customer accounts. If you shared a bank login with one, your access could be limited.
Read more: US banks are blocking AI helpers that act inside customer accountsAndroid batteries are nearly five times bigger than in 2008, but background apps, long screen time and 5G keep eating the gains.
Read more: Phone batteries are 5x bigger than in 2008, yet we still charge nightlySamsung Galaxy phones have a hidden swipe-in menu that holds favorite apps and tools, so the home screen can stay clean. Here is how to set it up.
Read more: Samsung's Edge Panel can clear clutter off your home screenPosting2, a new app from a Chicago developer, is catching on with Gen Z by bringing back the feel of early Instagram. Parents and marketers may want to take note.
Read more: Posting2, a new app, brings back the look of early InstagramYouTube is moving Subscriptions off the phone's bottom bar to the top of Home, and adding custom feeds you can create by describing what you want.
Read more: YouTube moves Subscriptions off the bottom bar on phones
