The everyday tech stories our desk judged worth your time, written so anyone can follow them.
WhatsApp is testing a green circle marker for some Android users, but what it means has not been confirmed, and nothing changes unless it rolls out widely.
Read more: WhatsApp is testing a green circle marker for some Android usersNvidia has removed features from its graphics cards five times, leaving some older games and tools broken or slower. Here is what was lost and why it matters.
Read more: Five times Nvidia graphics cards stopped supporting older gamesGoogle's Health Guardian features are spread across Pixel Watches and Fitbits, and Android Authority says the setup is more confusing than it should be.
Read more: Google's new health features are split across its watches and appsA report says Apple is testing a second foldable iPhone that unlocks with your face again, fixing a top complaint about the first model's fingerprint button.
Read more: Apple reportedly testing a foldable iPhone that unlocks with your faceA reviewer took a Galaxy phone offline and hunted it with Samsung Find and Google Find Hub. Neither was reliable, and one sent him over 340 meters off.
Read more: A reviewer hid an offline Samsung phone to test two findersWired's guide says the 2024 Surface Laptop at $999 beats the 2026 model, which costs over $400 more and was never sent out for independent testing.
Read more: Wired says buy the older Surface Laptop, not the new oneAndroid Authority says Sony quietly removed a workaround that helped imported Xperia phones use 5G, so buyers should check carrier support before ordering from overseas.
Read more: Sony removes a 5G workaround for Xperia phonesMicrosoft is testing an Edge setting that turns off AI running on your own PC, but it does not appear to switch off Copilot or Microsoft's online AI.
Read more: Microsoft tests a switch to turn off some of Edge's built-in AIAndroid Authority has leaked videos of Samsung's Galaxy Fit 4 band in three colors. Price and release date are unknown, so waiting may pay off for budget shoppers.
Read more: Samsung's Galaxy Fit 4 fitness band shown in three colors in leaked videosTesla's CEO says its Optimus humanoid robot must learn by playing, like a toddler. Production has begun, but a useful home or office robot is still a way off.
Read more: Musk says teaching Tesla's Optimus robot is like raising a toddlerGoogle's Pixel Watch has a water drop button that also blocks accidental touches, so your watch stops opening apps or calling people by mistake.
Read more: The Pixel Watch's water drop button also stops accidental touchesSpotify's third quarter showed steady growth and €672 million in operating profit, but revenue landed a hair under what analysts expected.
Read more: Spotify hits 306 million subscribers, but revenue just missesA Tom's Guide writer replaced his cloud chatbot with a free AI agent on his laptop, trading speed for privacy and no usage fees.
Read more: A writer swapped his cloud chatbot for a free AI that runs on his own laptopA Wired reporter wrote a full review on Apple's $1,999 folding iPhone Duo. Light work was doable with a keyboard and kickstand, but a laptop is still safer.
Read more: A reporter worked a full day on Apple's $1,999 folding iPhoneAn analyst expects an OLED MacBook Pro to start $300 to $500 higher, and says rising memory costs are part of the reason. The current model may get cheaper.
Read more: Analyst expects OLED MacBook Pro to cost $300 to $500 moreAndroid has free built-in tools that show two apps at once, group browser tabs and float small windows, so you can stop jumping between apps.
Read more: Android phones can run two apps at once, and most people miss itAndroid Authority says a refurbished Pixel 9 is the best way to beat rising phone prices, and a used phone can cut the cost of an upgrade.
Read more: A refurbished Google Pixel 9 may be the best phone deal this yearAmazon's new Alexa Tablet 12 Pro runs Google software and has a strong display, and Bloomberg's review calls it a winner as an alternative to the iPad.
Read more: Amazon's new Alexa tablet now runs Google apps and wins a rave reviewImpact Factory has released a marketing plug-in for ChatGPT and other AI assistants. Small business owners may be able to use it without buying a new app.
Read more: Impact Factory releases a marketing add-on for ChatGPT and other AI assistantsAARP has linked its fraud prevention work to the Alaska Federation of Natives, and its site offers a free guide on today's biggest scams worth a few minutes.
Read more: AARP fraud prevention effort tied to Alaska Federation of NativesChatGPT now links to Canva, Shopify and Stripe, which could help people with a side business handle marketing and scheduling chores faster.
Read more: ChatGPT now connects to Canva, Shopify and Stripe for side hustlersA survey reported by Android Authority says many people still rate the old Google Assistant above Gemini, the newer AI helper that replaced it on phones.
Read more: Survey finds many people still prefer old Google Assistant to GeminiWhatsApp on iPhone is rolling out YouTube playback inside chats, so you can watch a shared video without leaving the conversation.
Read more: WhatsApp now plays YouTube videos inside your chatsInterpol-led police in 21 African countries arrested 1,462 people and shut down 10,909 criminal networks, a reminder to verify any request to send money.
Read more: Police arrest 1,462 people in huge crackdown on online scams in Africa
