Guests:

• Bryan Bishop, creator of the Hooray for Baldywood newsletter, reviews Toy Story 5 and tells us whether Pixar still has the magic.

• Rick Broida, senior tech writer at Yahoo, shares smart ways to save money on tech without giving up much.

• T.J. Marlin, CEO of Guardrail Technologies, explains what Anthropic’s AI shutdown means and why businesses need a backup plan.

Call 1-888-RICH-101 (1-888-742-4101) to join in! Email your question here.

How to Listen:

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This week I was in Cupertino for Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference. I’ve been covering Apple events for 15 years, and it’s still quite the experience.

If you think the iPhone and its software are polished, it doesn’t stop there. Apple Park is filled with meticulously engineered buildings, beautifully manicured landscapes, and yes, actual apple trees. (They grow a lot of fruit on campus.) There’s also the Apple Park Visitor Center, complete with a store and café that attract a steady stream of visitors every day.

Of course, all of that was just the backdrop for the main event: WWDC 2026, Apple’s annual conference for developers. I was especially interested to see how Apple would finally deliver on its promise of a smarter Siri. After spending the week with the new software, I think they got it right.

We’ll get into all of that in a moment, but remember: this was a software event. The new iPhones, and the long-rumored foldable iPhone, are still expected to arrive in September.

Speaking of September, I have a highly scientific method for predicting Apple event dates, and my guess right now is September 8. How do I know? I can’t tell you. Let’s just say after 15 years of covering Apple, you start to notice a few patterns.

We’ll see if I’m right.

One quick tip before we dive into WWDC: I took a lot of rideshares during this trip, and it reinforced something I’ve learned over the years. Always keep both Uber and Lyft installed on your phone.

For nearly every ride I took for this trip, Lyft was considerably cheaper than Uber. On other trips, I’ve seen the exact opposite. Yes, it’s a bit annoying to open both apps and compare prices, but it takes just a few seconds and can save you a decent amount of money.

Apple may have finally fixed Siri

The keynote is what everyone watches, but that’s only part of WWDC. After the presentation wraps up, Apple spends the next day and a half giving reporters hands-on access to the new software and the people who built it.

One of the first sessions I attended was a smaller media briefing with Craig Federighi, Apple’s software chief. He spent a good chunk of time explaining exactly how the new Siri AI works and, just as importantly, how Apple plans to keep it private.

As for the keynote itself, it felt a little different this year.

Normally, Apple spends nearly two hours walking through the new features of every platform. But this time, they focused mostly on Siri AI and iOS 27.

Apple says apps will launch faster, photos will load quicker, and AirDrop transfers can be up to 80 percent faster. The company basically went through the operating system looking for ways to make the iPhone feel snappier.

The good news is that iOS 27 will run on every iPhone that supports iOS 26 today. That means iPhone 11 and newer, plus the second-generation iPhone SE and later. That’s seven years of software updates, which is pretty great.

But let’s be honest. The reason everyone was paying attention was Siri.

Apple is calling the new version Siri AI. I’ve already got it on my iPhone and even in it’s unfinished beta state, I think it’s the upgrade many have been waiting for.

The voice assistant has been rebuilt from the ground up. Think of it as Siri with the conversational abilities we have come to expect from tools like ChatGPT and Gemini.

The difference is that Siri understands what’s already on your phone.

With your permission, it can access your emails, messages, photos, notes, calendar and more. It can answer questions about your life, not just questions about the world (and those have gotten better too!)

You can ask things like:

• What restaurant did my wife text me about last month?

• What books did my friend recommend?

• When is my next dentist appointment?

Those are the kinds of things that normally require searching through multiple apps. Siri can now do it instantly. It’s almost as if all of the information you’ve been storing in iCloud over the past decade is suddenly unlocked in a super easy to access.

The other thing Apple is betting on is privacy.

Apple says as much processing as possible happens directly on your device. If Siri needs cloud computing power, requests are handled through Apple’s Private Cloud Compute servers, which Apple says processes the request and then immediately discards the data.

Apple is late to all of this and sure, Google and OpenAI can do similar things, but there are two big differences - Siri AI is built in to the phone many are already using most, and privacy is a big part of the appeal.

Apple says Siri AI will arrive in beta later this year, but it won’t be available on every phone that gets iOS 27. You’ll need an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max or newer to get the full experience.

If you thought Apple had fallen behind in AI, I think this week’s announcements changed that conversation. Apple may not do things first, but at this point, it feels like Siri AI is the future we expected from the iPhone.

Other iOS 27 features I actually liked

While Siri was the star of the show, there were plenty of smaller features that stood out.

One of my favorites is the ability to create Shortcuts using plain English. If you’ve ever tried building a Shortcut before, you know it can feel like programming. Now you can simply describe what you want. I told it to create a shortcut that texts my wife when I’m headed home and includes my ETA. It built it for me in seconds.

The Photos app is getting some useful AI tools. One called Extend can generate additional image beyond the edges of a photo when you need more room for a crop. Another called Spatial Reframing lets you virtually adjust the camera angle after the picture is taken. Think of it as moving the camera slightly left, right, up, or down after the fact. It’s pretty impressive, I’m just not sure I’d ever actually use it.

Parents will appreciate Apple's redesigned Screen Time controls. The new system gives families more control over when apps can be used and how much time kids spend in different categories like social media, games and video apps. You can now set Time Allowances for entire groups of apps, instantly pause a child's device, or grant unlimited time for the day, say during a long flight, without having to adjust their regular schedule or limits.

A few other changes I noticed: alarm volume can finally be controlled independently from the rest of the system volume, FaceTime gets a dual-capture mode so you can show what you’re looking at while keeping your face on screen, and shared iCloud photo albums now work with Android and Windows users, who can contribute photos, too.

🔗 Want even more? Here’s a detailed list of all of the expected improvements.

Facebook and Instagram are about to get a lot creepier

You know how ads on Facebook and Instagram seem to know exactly what you’ve been shopping for?

Starting next month, Meta will begin using information it receives from other websites and apps to personalize not just ads, but also the content that appears in your Facebook and Instagram feeds, along with responses from Meta AI.

The company says it’s not collecting any new information. Instead, it’s expanding how it uses data already being shared through tracking tools embedded on millions of websites and apps.

When I checked my own account, I was surprised to see activity being shared from companies including Nike, DoorDash, OpenTable, Spotify, Peacock and Redfin. Peacock alone had logged more than 1,100 interactions.

Want to see who’s sharing your activity with Meta?

Open Facebook or Instagram → Profile → Menu → Accounts Center → Your information and permissions → Activity from other businesses (or “Your activity off Meta technologies” if you haven’t received the update yet).

If you’d rather Meta not use that information to personalize your feed, ads and AI experiences, go to the same screen and select:

Don’t allow us to use this activity to show you relevant content.

Keep in mind that if you don’t see the “Activity from other businesses” option yet, that’s normal. Meta says the feature is still rolling out, so it may take some time before it appears on everyone’s account.

Sponsored by Surfshark

One category of tech question I get all the time is about VPNs.

Do I really need one? What’s the best VPN? Is a free VPN okay? Will it make me safer online? Can it help when I travel?

The answer is that a VPN isn’t magic, but it is one of the easiest ways to add an extra layer of privacy and security to your online life.

A VPN creates an encrypted connection between your device and the internet. That can help protect your information when you’re using public Wi-Fi at hotels, airports, coffee shops, and other places where you don’t control the network.

Many of the VPN questions I receive come from travelers. People want to know if they should use one when they’re on hotel Wi-Fi, visiting another country, or working remotely. My answer is usually the same: a reputable VPN is a smart tool to have in your digital toolbox.

That’s where this week’s sponsor, Surfshark, comes in.

Surfshark works on unlimited devices under a single account, which is especially useful if you’re juggling phones, tablets, laptops, and streaming devices. Beyond the VPN itself, Surfshark also offers tools that can alert you if your personal information appears in a data breach and help reduce the amount of personal information data brokers collect about you online.

Not sure how exposed your information is? Surfshark has a quick online quiz that shows how much of your digital footprint may be at risk and what steps you can take to improve your privacy.

🔗 Take the quiz here and thanks to Surfshark for supporting the newsletter.

Tech Tidbits

AT&T now lets you buy a cellular day pass for your iPad for $3. You don’t need to be an AT&T customer. If you’re traveling and just need data for a day or two, you can activate it instantly. Just make sure you have a cellular iPad, not a Wi-Fi-only model.

Instagram now lets you rearrange the photos on your profile grid. Just press and hold a photo, then choose “Reorder Grid.” I have a feeling some people are going to spend way too much time on this.

The popular Watch Duty app, which became a must-have during Southern California’s wildfire seasons, is expanding into flood alerts.

Mint Mobile increased data allowances on plans without raising prices. The 5GB plan now gets 6GB, the 15GB plan gets 17GB, and the 20GB plan gets 23GB. It’s not a huge change, but I’ll take more data for the same price any day.

Got your own phone? Google Fi is offering 50% off select unlimited plans for 12 months when you bring your device. It’s one of my favorite options for international travelers, and it includes some nice perks, including connectivity for compatible smartwatches, tablets, and laptops.

A travel site that actually impressed me

On last week’s radio show, I had travel expert Ben Komenkul of Ben’s Big Deal on to share some of his favorite travel websites. One of the sites he mentioned was Gondola.

I actually tested Gondola when it first launched, but back then it was focused on scanning your email to find your travel reservations, loyalty programs and points balances. I wasn’t a huge fan of connecting my email account, so I never really gave it much thought after that.

This time around, I took another look and found a feature I really like: hotel suite search.

If you’re traveling with a family, you know how frustrating it can be to find a room that’s actually big enough for everyone. Too often you’re forced to book two rooms or spend way too much time digging through hotel websites trying to figure out which properties have suites that will work.

Ben mentioned that Gondola lets travelers search hotels by specific features that matter to them, whether that’s a great pool, a gym, or something else. What stood out to me was the ability to search specifically for suites across major hotel chains and compare options in one place.

I’ve tried Suiteness before, which is another useful site for finding suites and connecting rooms, but I often find myself looking at very expensive properties. Gondola seems to surface a bigger mix of options across the major hotel brands.

Another neat feature? Their deals page. You can browse through the best hotel points redemptions around the world for a good use of your points!

One thing I still don’t understand: why is booking connecting rooms so difficult in 2026? Some hotel chains make it easier than others, but too often you’re still forced to make a request and hope for the best.

With all the technology available today, it feels like this should be a solved problem by now.

Q&A: Scam search results

Steve in Orlando, FL (podcast listener) writes…

Q: My 88-year-old mother keeps running into serious trouble when clicking on Google search results. Her screen will suddenly start flashing with loud alarms playing through the speakers, prompting her to call a fake “Microsoft Support” number. I’m not sure if she’s clicking on sponsored links or something else. What search engine do you recommend that would help her avoid these scam results entirely?

A: Those flashing “Microsoft Support” alerts are a common scam tactic called malvertising. Scammers buy advertising space on search engines and use alarming pop-ups to trick people into calling fake tech support numbers.

Instead of switching search engines, I’d install a free ad blocker like Ghostery on her browser. It will block many of these sponsored scam links before she ever sees them.

I’d also teach her a simple escape hatch: if one of these fake alerts takes over the screen, press Alt + F4 on Windows to immediately close the active window. No clicking. No calling the phone number. Just close it and move on.

One final tip: remind her that legitimate companies like Microsoft, Apple, Google, or Amazon will never display a pop-up telling her to call a support number because her computer is infected. If she sees a message like that, it’s almost certainly a scam.

Feedbag

Levi writes: “I really think you should start ending your TV segments with, ‘And now you’re Tech Rich!’ It seems like a missed opportunity for a great one-liner. Love the segments, though!”

Marcy says: “I enjoyed your plug for the library system. I don’t get TV reception by choice and order all my Libby books and DVDs online. Every week or so, I stop by the library to pick up and drop off items while I’m running errands. One feature people may not know about is Link+, which is available through the San Diego County library system. If your local library doesn’t have what you’re looking for, Link+ connects you with libraries across California. You can request an item and have it sent right to your local library for pickup. It couldn’t be easier.”

Melissa writes: “Thanks for the newsletters, I share them. YOU ROCK!”

Frank from Bradbury asks:

“Rich, AI may replace your programs! AI On Tech must know more than you?”

Perhaps, Frank… but does a robot have a soul and a sense of humor? I don’t think so. And if it does, a human probably programmed it that way.

That’s going to do it for this issue of the newsletter.

Before I go, you’ve got to love technology when it protects us from ourselves.

The other day, I was heading to a doctor’s appointment and didn’t want to pay for parking in the garage. If you’ve parked in Los Angeles lately, you know why.

I found an open spot on the street and sat in my car for a few minutes checking email before my appointment. When I got out, I started to put change (yes, change!) in the parking meter when I noticed a warning that said “Do Not Park, Tow Away Zone.”

Sure enough, I looked up and saw the sign. That’s why the spot was open.

By some other miracle, I found another space nearby. But this one was on a busy street. When I went to open my car door, it wouldn’t budge.

At first I thought something was wrong with the car. Then a message appeared on the dashboard that basically said:

“We stopped your door from opening because a vehicle or cyclist was approaching.”

I had never seen that feature activate before, but I smiled.

Pretty impressive when technology can save us from ourselves.

Don't forget to tune into the Rich On Tech radio show. We're live Saturdays from 11 AM to 2 PM on KFI AM 640 in Los Angeles. You can also stream the show live, catch the podcast anytime, or listen Sundays at 8 PM Eastern on 710 WOR in New York.

Have a great weekend!

Rich

At the end of many WWDC presentations, Apple flashes a screen packed with additional features and enhancements, often for just a few seconds. The company doesn’t discuss all of these items on stage, leaving developers, reporters, and eagle-eyed viewers to figure out what they mean.

This year was no different.

Apple displayed the word cloud below for only a moment, but it was enough time for people to start digging through the details and uncovering some of the smaller additions coming to iOS 27 and Apple’s other software updates.

Here’s what I found among the features Apple has publicly announced. I’ve filtered out the highly technical developer-focused items and focused on the changes that are most relevant to everyday users.

1. iOS 27 (iPhone)

Customization, Interface & System Design

• Customizable Liquid Glass: A new slider in Settings allows users to adjust the transparency and translucent effects of the “Liquid Glass” system interface from ultra-clear to fully tinted.

• Updated App Icons: App icons feature extra visual depth, detail, and sharpness across light, dark, tinted, or all-clear themes.

• Smoother Paging & Scrolling: Swiping between Home Screen pages, paging through App Library, and scrolling through Control Center and the Control Gallery are noticeably smoother and more fluid.

• Extra-Large Widgets on Home Screen: Users can now dedicate an entire Home Screen page to a single, extra-large widget for apps like Calendar, Photos, and Music.

• Real-Time Widget Updates: Widgets on the Home Screen now update in real-time while their corresponding app is active, keeping data fresh at a glance.

• Persistent Lock Screen Notification Awakening: The Lock Screen remains awake consistently while scrolling through incoming notifications, preventing frustrating display timeouts.

• Landscape Live Activities in Dynamic Island: Live Activities now seamlessly adapt and format when the iPhone is used in landscape orientation.

Performance, Battery & Connectivity

• Optimized CPU Scheduler (Legacy Support): The system’s computational resource manager has been optimized for high-intensity tasks to provide a “snappier” feeling. This optimization extends all the way back to the iPhone 11, giving older devices a performance boost.

• Up to 30% Faster App Launches: iOS preloads key application data prior to opening, launching apps up to 30% faster.

• Up to 80% Faster AirDrop Transfers: Files and photos share significantly faster over AirDrop, alongside faster recipient discovery and speedier AirDrop recipient suggestions.

• Faster Lock Screen Switching: Switching between different customized Lock Screens is immediate and responsive.

• Faster Keyboard Loading: Both emoji and sticker keyboards load faster to prevent typing lag.

• Wi-Fi and Cellular Connection Transitions: The iPhone is smarter about when to hand off from Wi-Fi to cellular (and vice versa) so FaceTime calls and navigation routing do not drop when leaving the house or office.

• Personal Hotspot Power Efficiency: Personal Hotspot has been optimized to consume less battery on connected devices.

• Faster NFC Reading: Near Field Communication (NFC) processing is faster and more reliable.

Camera & Photos

• Faster Camera Launch in Low Power Mode: Launching the Camera app while Low Power Mode is enabled is optimized so users don’t miss capturing unexpected moments.

• Camera Battery Efficiency in Low Power Mode: The camera system uses less overall power when taking photos in Low Power Mode.

• Easier-to-Reach Camera Controls: Key camera shortcuts and options are placed more ergonomically for single-handed use.

• All Options in Camera Settings: Camera Settings now displays a complete list of shooting shortcuts and pro options in one centralized, customizable menu.

• Smoother Zoom Switching: Transitions between lenses when zooming during video capture are seamless and fluid.

• Up to 70% Faster Photo Library Loading: Snapped photos and video captures render up to 70% faster in the Photos library immediately after capture.

• Save Video Frame as Photo: Users can save any frame from a video directly as a full-resolution photo with a single tap, eliminating the need for manual screenshots.

• Star Ratings in Photos: Users can rate photos and videos with 1 to 5 stars to easily filter, sort, and organize their library.

• Captured by Me Collection: A dedicated library filter displays only photos and videos captured on the current device (and previous devices using the same account).

• Customize and Save Slideshows: Play any set of photos and videos as a slideshow with custom transitions, music, and slide durations, and save the slideshow as a video file.

• Option to Prioritize Syncing immediately to iCloud: Users can temporarily prioritize syncing new captures to iCloud over battery life or system performance for 24 hours.

• Metadata Selection View: A quick review panel allows users to modify location, keywords, and other metadata across multiple selected photos at once.

• Choose Specific Pets for Photo Shuffle: Users can select individual pets to display on their Lock Screen or widget rotating galleries.

Messages & FaceTime

• Continuous Media Sending: Sending massive photos or videos in low-bandwidth situations no longer blocks subsequent text messages from going through. A new progress indicator displays beside each outgoing media file.

• Consolidated Tapback Notifications: Multiple Tapbacks on a single message in group chats are coalesced into a single summary (e.g., “John and 2 others loved your message”) to prevent notification clutter.

• Failed Messages Auto-Retry: Messages that fail to deliver automatically attempt to resend in the background when connectivity is restored.

• Drawing App Integration: A new built-in drawing utility allows users to sketch and send doodles directly inside Messages.

• Dual Capture in FaceTime: Users can stream both their front and rear cameras simultaneously during one-on-one FaceTime calls, allowing them to share their surroundings while remaining face-to-face.

• Improved FaceTime Low-Bandwidth Quality: Video call quality is optimized to remain clear even on poor network connections.

Phone, System Utilities & Shortcuts

• Independent Alarm Volume: Users can adjust alarm volumes independently of the overall system ringer volume.

• Switch Between Two iPhones on One Number: Seamlessly toggle active mobile phone connectivity between two different physical iPhones sharing the same phone number.

• Easier Account Recovery: Simplifies how users access recovery codes and set up recovery contacts to prevent locked-out Apple Accounts.

• Shortcuts Natural Language Assembly: Users can describe the automation they want in natural language, and Shortcuts will automatically assemble the necessary steps.

CarPlay

• Audio MiniPlayer: A new compact MiniPlayer in CarPlay allows users to control music or podcasts without leaving the primary navigation screen.

• Improved Navigation and GPS: Upgrades heading and GPS tracking to prevent wrong-turn routing, specifically in high-density downtown cities.

• CarPlay Audio Scrubbing: Allows direct, precise scrubbing through music tracks and podcast episodes on the dashboard.

• Proactive Car Key Setup: Wallet automatically prompts users to configure and pair digital car keys when compatible vehicles are detected.

• Improved Wireless CarPlay Reliability: Enhances the connection handshake to prevent sudden disconnections in high-interference areas.

2. iPadOS 27

• iPhone App Resizing on iPad: When mirroring or running iPhone apps on iPad, users can fluidly resize the application window to fit their screen workflow.

• Undo and Redo Home Screen Edits: If you accidentally move a widget or app icon on your iPad Home Screen, you can easily undo or redo the layout change.

• Optional Persistent Menu Bar: Users can choose to keep the menu bar permanently visible at the top of the iPad screen for desktop-like app navigation.

• Extra-Large Widgets in Today View: iPad’s side-docked Today View now supports extra-large widgets to present more information on the larger display.

• Faster Window Switching & Closing: Switching between active app windows or closing them in Stage Manager is faster and features snappier animations.

• Scribble Support for Hindi & Marathi: Users can write with the Apple Pencil in Hindi and Marathi, which is automatically converted into typed text.

• App Names in Status Bar: The iPad status bar can display the name of the active foreground app for clearer workspace context.

• News+ Audio Support: Audio versions of articles and news briefs are now supported natively on iPad.

3. macOS 27 (Tahoe)

• Control Center Access in iPhone Mirroring: Users can access the mirrored iPhone’s Control Center directly from their Mac screen to toggle settings.

• DRM Video Support in iPhone Mirroring: Protected media stream playback (such as streaming apps) is now supported in iPhone Mirroring without showing black screens.

• App Resizing in iPhone Mirroring: Mirrored iPhone applications can be resized to a wider variety of desktop scales on the Mac.

• More Distinct Active Windows: Active application windows have more prominent shadows and outlines, making it easier to tell which window has focus.

• Option-Click to Secondary Sort: In Finder, users can option-click columns to define a secondary sorting rule (e.g., sort by Date, then sort by Name).

• Ethernet Status in Menu Bar: A dedicated Ethernet connectivity icon can be displayed in the macOS menu bar to quickly monitor wired connections.

• Safari Start Page Resizing: Resizing Safari’s window scales the start page and its widgets smoothly without layout snapping.

• Safari Smoother Scrolling: Webpage scrolling on Mac is optimized for higher-frequency displays, delivering a smoother visual experience.

• Freeform Board Drawing: Drawing and sketching tools in Freeform are optimized for Mac trackpads and drawing tablets.

• Show Borders Accessibility Option: A new visual accessibility setting draws distinct borders around all interactive on-screen elements and buttons.

4. watchOS 27

• Consolidated Find My App: Apple Watch unifies the separate “Find People,” “Find Devices,” and “Find Items” utilities into a single, map-centric Find My app.

• Smart Stack Transit Cards & IDs: Digital transit passes and membership IDs are dynamically pinned to the Apple Watch Smart Stack when arriving at a station or gym.

• Maps Parked Car Widget: A dedicated widget automatically appears in the Smart Stack to guide users back to their vehicle.

• New Smart Stack Suggestions: Apple Intelligence suggests context-relevant widgets in the Smart Stack based on time of day, location, and routine.

• One-Wrist Flick Gesture: A simple one-handed wrist flick gesture allows users to quickly dismiss incoming notifications without touching the screen.

• Dynamic App Grid: The app library grid dynamically resizes based on frequently used apps, placing them within easier tap reach.

• Consolidated Find My Precision Finding: Watch users can utilize Precision Finding on-wrist to track down paired iPhones, 2nd-gen AirTags, or AirPods.

• More Accurate Step & Workout Distance Tracking: Refines sensors for more accurate walking step counts and treadmill workout distance measurements.

• Better Battery and Wi-Fi Efficiency: Optimizes background data queries to extend Apple Watch daily battery life, alongside faster Wi-Fi connection times.

• Guest Key Support: Allows Apple Watch users to share temporary, secure home or lock keys with visitors.

5. tvOS 27

• Larger Font Sizes Accessibility: Includes native support for larger text sizes across the tvOS interface to improve legibility from across the living room.

• More Responsive Control Center: Accessing the Apple TV Control Center is faster, with more intuitive layouts for user switching.

• Redesigned Podcasts App with Video: The tvOS Podcasts app has been completely redesigned with video podcast playback, a clean sidebar menu, and creator artwork.

• Smart Downloads on Apple TV: Apple TV intelligently pre-downloads upcoming episodes of watched shows during off-peak hours to prevent streaming buffer lags.

• Apple TV Profile Auto-Display: tvOS can automatically prompt profile selection when waking up, immediately loading a user’s custom watchlist and Apple Music playlists.

• AirPlay Connection Speed: Handing off audio or video from an iPhone to an Apple TV or HomePod happens faster.

• Apple Music Sing Microphone Handoff: Users can use their iPhone as a physical handheld microphone for Apple TV, amplifying their voice through connected speakers.

6. visionOS 27

• Mac Virtual Display Widget: A floating widget can be positioned in spatial environments to immediately wake up and mirror a Mac screen.

• Multiple Safari Tab Views: Multiple separate Safari browser windows and tab arrays can be positioned side-by-side in spatial surroundings.

• Look & Tap Notification Responses: Users can simply look directly at a notification banner and tap their fingers to instantly view and reply.

• Panoramas for Environments: Panoramic photos can be converted into fully immersive spatial Environments with curvature and depth.

• Curved App Windows: visionOS app windows can feature subtle curvature adjustments to feel more natural and visually comfortable.

• Extra-Small Widget Option: Promotes space-saving layout efficiency with a new extra-small widget scale for spatial displays.

• Enhanced Persona Details: Enhances digital Personas with striking improvements to hair, complexion, and eyelashes.

7. Apple Services & Ecosystem

Apple Maps

• Enhanced Flyover: Combines high-resolution aerial photography with AI to render hundreds of select cities around the world in lifelike, 3D detail.

• Local Lists: Surfaces curated lists of trending restaurants, coffee shops, and places to take kids, entirely compiled with user privacy in mind.

• Natural Language Routing Search: Allows users to describe where they want to go in conversational language (e.g., “Find a quiet coffee shop on the way”) and generates optimized route waypoints.

Apple Wallet & Apple Pay

• Visual Intelligence Bill Splitting: Settle up after dining by scanning a physical receipt with the iPhone Camera or taking a screenshot. Siri identifies individual items on the bill, calculates taxes and tips, and allows users to pay their exact share instantly with Apple Cash.

• Easy Card Swiping & Balances: A redesigned Apple Pay checkout interface allows users to swipe easily to switch cards and view points, rewards, or account balances.

• Physical Pass Integration: Users can point their camera at any physical membership, barcode, or loyalty card to instantly digitize and save it into Apple Wallet.

Apple Music & Podcasts

• AutoMix Immersive Transitions: Apple Music’s AutoMix features enhanced, professional-grade transition effects between songs, and expands to HomePod and tvOS.

• Lyrics Translation & Pronunciation: Translates song lyrics across seven language pairs (preserving cultural nuance) and expands Romanized pronunciation guides so users can sing along to foreign tracks.

• Search Within Shows: Search bar queries inside Apple Podcasts can search specifically within the “All Episodes” view of a single show to find exact episodes faster.

iCloud & Shared Albums

• Full-Resolution Shared Albums: iCloud Shared Albums support full-resolution photo and video uploads without downgrading file quality.

• Android and Windows Collaboration: Friends and family without Apple devices can view, react to, and upload their own photos to Shared Albums via iCloud.com.

• Temporary Expirable Albums: Shared albums can be set to automatically expire and delete after 30 days, keeping temporary event photos from permanently cluttering album lists.

Health, Fitness & Family

• Perimenopause and Menopause Support: Cycle Tracking in the Health app can notify users if logged cycle deviations are suggestive of perimenopause (for users aged 40+). It includes educational resources and symptom logging (e.g., hot flashes).

• Strong Through Menopause Fitness+ Program: A progressive three-week Fitness+ course featuring Yoga and Strength training designed to manage stress, build strength, and improve balance.

• GymKit on iPhone: Users can pair their iPhone directly with compatible treadmills, bikes, and gym equipment with a single tap to sync calories, speed, and distance without wearing an Apple Watch.

Be sure to subscribe to the Rich On Tech Newsletter!

Rich talked about the biggest changes coming to iOS 27 and beyond, including Apple’s long-awaited Siri overhaul and other new features announced at WWDC 2026.

Kim in Big Pine was having issues with a Samsung Galaxy A36 smartphone. Rich recommended making sure the phone is completely up to date, including Android system updates, Galaxy Store updates, app updates through the Google Play Store, and Google Play system updates. He also suggested resetting the phone’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings and using the Files by Google app to clean up unnecessary files and free up storage.

Paul in Columbus, Ohio, was having trouble signing up for a YouTube Family Plan. Rich suggested contacting YouTube support directly through the app. Open the YouTube app, tap your profile icon, then tap the Settings icon. Scroll to the bottom and select Help, then tap Contact Us to start a chat with a live support representative.

Meta will begin using your web browsing activity to influence the content you see on Facebook and Instagram, not just the ads you’re shown. [Instagram Post]

Kathy in Hemet wanted to give her old Samsung phone to her niece and asked how to reset it. Rich explained that on most Samsung phones, you can go to Settings, tap About Phone, scroll down to Reset, and then choose Factory Data Reset. If the phone uses an eSIM and you plan to keep your phone number, be sure to select the option that preserves the eSIM when prompted during the reset process.

John in Inglewood wants to erase an iPad that he forgot the password to. Rich says you can connect it to a computer or use iCloud.

Jim in Portland wants to know if he can move his ChatGPT memory to another AI. Rich says yes. Both Claude and Gemini offer prompts you can paste into ChatGPT to summarize what it knows about you, then import that information into their services. Here’s the link for Claude and Gemini.

Andrew O’Hara, editor at AppleInsider, will break down the biggest WWDC announcements.

A caller wanted to know the website for getting vanity phone number and parking numbers. It’s numberbarn.com

Watch Duty now covers flood alerts in addition to wildfires.

$68 million Google Assistant privacy settlement details.

Carol is trying to get a Facebook page removed, but she can’t log in. Rich says to go to Meta’s account recovery hub to try to regain access. Here’s a directory of direct links to delete online accounts, including Facebook.

David in Florida has some bogus Google reviews. Rich says to use Google’s review reporting tool to flag them for removal if they violate Google’s policies.

Mint Mobile increased data for customers without raising prices, and Instagram now lets you rearrange your profile grid.

AI professor at the University of Montreal David Krueger explains why communities across the country are pushing back against massive AI data centers and what the AI boom could mean for energy, water, and everyday consumers.

Call 1-888-RICH-101 (1-888-742-4101) to join in! Email your question here.

How to Listen:

🎙️ Live on KFI AM 640 - Los Angeles, Saturdays from 11 AM - 2 PM PT

🎙️ Rebroadcast on 710 WOR - New York City, Sundays from 8 PM - 11 PM ET

📻 Syndicated on affiliates nationwide

Subscribe to the podcast. Premium subscribers can listen ad-free here.

Follow Rich on Instagram. Subscribe to my free newsletter.

Rich on Tech Weekly airs on KTLA+. You can download the app on Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, and Samsung smart TVs.

Links may be affiliate.

At Apple Park during WWDC, I met some of the developers behind this year’s Apple Design Award-winning apps. From AI-powered video creation tools to kid-friendly games and a one-person app business, these apps showcase the creativity driving the App Store.

Want to try these apps?

• Detail: An all-in-one video creation app with camera, teleprompter, and AI editing tools.

• Sago Mini Jinja’s Garden: A cozy Apple Arcade game designed for preschoolers.

• Tide Guide: A beautifully designed app for tides, sunrise and sunset times, moon phases, and marine forecasts.

• Consume Me: A darkly funny life simulation that captures the chaos, pressure, and awkwardness of being a teenager.

You browse a pair of running shoes, and suddenly they’re all over your Facebook feed. You look at a hotel for an upcoming trip, and it pops up in your Instagram Stories.

Prepare for an entirely new level of creepiness.

Starting next month, Meta will use information it receives from other websites and apps about your activity there to personalize not just the ads you see, but also the content that appears in your Facebook and Instagram feeds, along with responses from Meta AI.

A quick refresher: millions of websites and apps use Meta’s tracking tools, including the Meta Pixel. These tools can send information about your activity back to Meta, often behind the scenes.

That means if you shop for a tent online, don’t be surprised if your feed suddenly fills up with camping videos. Browse homes on a real estate website? You may start seeing more home-buying content. Order takeout? More restaurant recommendations could show up in your feed.

Meta says it’s not collecting any new information. Instead, it’s expanding how it uses data that businesses already share through these tracking tools.

When I checked my own account, I was surprised to see activity being shared from companies including Nike, DoorDash, OpenTable, Spotify, Peacock and Redfin.

Peacock alone had shared information about more than 1,100 interactions. While Meta doesn’t show exactly what data was shared, it could include things like content you viewed, searched for, clicked on or otherwise interacted with.

The change is a reminder of just how much information flows behind the scenes whenever you browse the web, shop online or use apps connected to Meta’s advertising network.

The good news is you can turn this feature off.

How to see which businesses are sharing your activity with Meta

1. Open Facebook or Instagram.

2. Tap your profile.

3. Tap the Menu button (three lines in the upper-right corner).

4. Tap Accounts Center.

5. Tap Your information and permissions.

6. Tap Your activity off Meta technologies.

7. Tap Recent activity.

Prepare to be surprised. The list can reveal just how many companies are sharing information about your activity with Meta.

Meta is replacing its older “Your activity off Meta technologies” setting with a new “Activity from other businesses” control, so you might see different menu options during the rollout.

How to stop Meta from using this information

1. Open Facebook or Instagram.

2. Go to your Profile

3. Tap the Menu (three lines)

4. Go to Accounts Center.

5. Tap Your information and permissions.

6. Tap Activity from other businesses.

7. Choose “Don’t allow us to use this activity to show you relevant content”

Keep in mind, this new option is rolling out so you might not see it just yet.

Once disabled, Meta says it will no longer use activity from other businesses to personalize your ads, feed content and AI experiences.

The changes begin rolling out in July in the U.S. and several other countries.

Bottom line: The same data that powers those eerily accurate ads is about to start influencing what shows up in your feed. If that makes you uncomfortable, now is a good time to check your settings.

Apple used its Worldwide Developers Conference in Cupertino to unveil Siri AI, a rebuilt version of Siri that the company says is more conversational, more capable and better able to understand what’s happening on your iPhone.

The new assistant can use information from your messages, photos, calendar and other apps to answer questions and complete tasks. Apple says Siri AI can also understand what’s on your screen and combine personal information from your device with knowledge from the web to provide more useful responses.

Apple’s new software update, iOS 27, also includes updates to the Liquid Glass design introduced last year. A new slider lets users adjust the level of transparency throughout the interface. Apple also highlighted performance improvements, saying apps launch faster, photos process more quickly and AirDrop transfers are speedier. The company says even older iPhones should feel faster, and iOS 27 will support the iPhone 11 and newer.

Other new features include a dedicated Siri AI app, customizable Siri voices, more accurate dictation and new AI-powered tools for creating and editing images and photos directly on the iPhone.

Privacy was a major focus of Apple’s presentation. The company says personal information used by Siri AI remains private and is not stored or accessible to Apple, even as the assistant gains access to more information on your device.

iOS 27 arrives this fall, while Siri AI will launch in beta later this year. Apple says some of the most advanced AI features will require an iPhone 17 Pro.

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off today with expectations high for major AI upgrades, including a more conversational Siri that can work across apps, messages, email and photos. Rich DeMuro previews what to expect from WWDC 2026, highlights Apple’s top apps of the year, and introduces a student developer whose accessibility-focused app earned her a trip to Cupertino.

Apps mentioned:

Grug

Moonlitt

Guitar Wiz

• California city bans data centers: Monterey Park became one of the first U.S…

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We hit a big milestone this week: 70,000 subscribers! Thanks for taking the time to read, share, and support this newsletter. I hope you find it useful. Next stop: 100,000.

This week, I took my kids somewhere pretty wild and crazy: the library.

It actually started because I needed to drop off some old batteries for recycling. But once we got there, we decided to head inside and take a look around. I was really impressed.

I know this sounds silly. I grew up going to libraries and loved them. I spent many mornings there before school because, yes, I was a nerd. But in an era when everything seems to require a subscription, it’s easy to forget that you can walk into a public library and access an incredible amount of information and entertainment for free.

A few things I loved:

There was a flatbed scanner anyone could use to digitize photos and documents. You could save the files to a flash drive or scan a QR code and send them directly to your phone.

They offered free printing, up to 25 pages a day.

There were self-checkout stations for books. It reminded me of those grab-and-go checkout systems you see at some stores and airports.

And, of course, there were shelves full of DVDs, audiobooks, magazines, and books on just about every topic imaginable. You could easily spend half a day browsing and learning something new.

It made me realize how easy it is to overlook libraries because they feel old-fashioned compared to apps, streaming services, and the internet. But your local library might be one of the most valuable resources in your community, and my kids had a great time exploring it.

One final tip: if you’re not using Libby, check it out. It’s one of my favorite apps for borrowing ebooks and audiobooks from the library. You can even send books directly to your Kindle.

Are we moving too fast with AI?

If you read this newsletter, you know I’m a big fan of AI.

I use ChatGPT, Gemini and other AI tools every day. They help me summarize documents, polish emails, research topics, plan travel, and save time.

But this week, I noticed something interesting: for the first time, the conversation seems to be shifting from how fast we can build AI to whether we should slow down.

Take Monterey Park, California. Voters there overwhelmingly approved a permanent ban on new data centers. They’re not protesting AI itself. They’re pushing back on the massive facilities needed to power it. Critics cite concerns about electricity use, water consumption, noise, and the limited number of jobs these facilities create.

At the same time, Anthropic, the company behind Claude, is warning that AI development may be accelerating faster than anyone expected. The company recently published a report about a future where AI systems increasingly help build and improve other AI systems.

AI is already writing a growing amount of the code used to create software. Anthropic says its engineers rely heavily on Claude in their daily work.

The company has proposed that major AI firms voluntarily slow down if certain safety thresholds are crossed. OpenAI disagrees, arguing that governments, not private companies, should be responsible for setting the rules.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration issued a new executive order focused on AI security, signaling that Washington is paying closer attention as the technology becomes more powerful.

The bottom line: we’re moving from a world where everyone was asking who would win the AI race to one where people are asking what the consequences of winning might be.

How much AI do we actually want in our lives? And what happens when we become dependent on systems we don’t fully understand? That’s probably not a question we should leave for AI to answer.

Prime Day is earlier and longer this year

We now know the dates for Amazon Prime Day 2026, and there are two big changes this year: it’s earlier and it’s longer.

Prime Day runs June 23 through June 26, a full four days. Typically, the event happens in July, so if you’ve been planning any major purchases, you may want to hold off for a couple more weeks.

A few things worth knowing before the sale starts:

Amazon has rebranded its Rufus shopping assistant as Alexa for Shopping. If you haven’t tried it, it’s actually pretty useful. You can ask questions about products, compare features, and get recommendations based on what you’re looking for.

One feature I really like is Amazon’s new Price History tool. In the past, I’ve recommended using CamelCamelCamel to check whether a deal is actually a deal. Amazon is now offering similar information directly on many product pages. Tap Price History and you’ll see how the price has changed over the past year, making it much easier to tell whether a Prime Day discount is worth your attention.

My biggest recommendation: don’t buy anything expensive right now. If there’s a gadget or other item you’ve been considering, add it to your cart or Save for Later list. When prices drop, Amazon will typically flag the change so you can quickly see whether it’s worth buying.

You can also use Alexa for Shopping to create a personalized Prime Day deals guide. Tap the Alexa icon in the Amazon app, hit the plus sign in the chat bar, and select Prime Day Deals. Amazon will generate recommendations based on your browsing and shopping history.

Don’t forget about deal alerts. You can track products, set price notifications, and even have Amazon automatically purchase an item if it drops to a price you’ve specified.

I’ve already grabbed my first Prime Day deal: three free months of Kindle Unlimited. Amazon is also offering three free months of Audible. Even if you’ve subscribed before, it’s worth checking to see if you’re eligible.

A couple of other notable perks:

Prime Visa is offering one of its biggest sign-up bonuses of the year, an instant $200 Amazon gift card with approval. There’s no annual fee. Starts June 11.

Prime members can see the new Spider-Man movie two days before the general public. (You still have to buy the tickets)

And from June 15 through June 26, Prime members can score a $5 Little Caesars pizza.

Keep in mind that Prime Day requires a Prime membership, which costs $15 a month or $139 a year. If you’re not a member, Amazon still offers a free 30-day trial. My pro tip: sign up for the trial and cancel it immediately. You’ll still get the full 30 days of Prime benefits, but you won’t have to remember to cancel later and risk getting charged.

I’m also putting together a list of my favorite Prime Day deals and products, so stay tuned for that.

Sponsored: The biggest privacy concern I hear about

One thing I’ve noticed after reading hundreds of your emails over the years is that many tech concerns seem to trace back to the same problem: too much of our personal information is floating around online.

Whether it’s scam texts, robocalls, phishing emails, fake bank alerts, identity theft, or even AI tools surfacing personal details, these problems often start with data brokers collecting and selling information about us.

I hear from readers all the time who are shocked by how easy it is to find their phone number, home address, age, relatives, and other personal details online. And once that information is out there, scammers can use it to make their attacks far more convincing.

That’s why I use Incogni.

Incogni works on your behalf to contact data brokers and people-search sites and request the removal of your personal information. Instead of manually tracking down hundreds of sites yourself, Incogni automates the process and continues monitoring for new exposures over time.

One thing I like is that it isn’t a one-and-done cleanup. Data has a way of reappearing, so Incogni keeps sending removal requests and monitoring for new listings.

According to the company, it has processed more than 245 million removal requests and covers hundreds of data brokers, helping reduce your digital footprint and making it harder for scammers and marketers to find your information.

If you’re tired of spam calls, junk emails, and wondering how much of your personal information is floating around online, this is one of the easiest ways to start taking some of that control back.

🔗 Get 60% off Incogni annual plans with the code RICHONTECH and start removing your personal information from data broker sites.

My favorite AI feature isn’t what you think

I’ve told you before that I’m big into AI, but my favorite feature right now isn’t chat. It’s Projects in ChatGPT and Claude, along with Notebooks in Gemini.

If you’re only using AI as a question-and-answer tool, you’re missing one of its most powerful capabilities.

Think of Projects and Notebooks as dedicated workspaces. Instead of starting from scratch every time you ask a question, you can upload files, notes, instructions, and reference materials. The AI then uses that information as context for every conversation inside that project.

Planning a trip? Upload your itinerary, hotel confirmations, flight information, restaurant ideas, and sightseeing plans.

Writing a book? Upload your chapters, research, and outlines.

Have a task you do repeatedly? Add your instructions once and let the AI follow them every time.

One of the most interesting notebooks I created this week is a personal one called “Library.”

I used a free service called LibraryThing to create a list of books I’ve read and loved over the years. I exported that list and uploaded it into a Gemini Notebook.

Now Gemini has a pretty good understanding of my reading tastes.

I can ask, “What should I read next?” I can paste in a list of New York Times bestsellers and ask which title best matches my interests. I can even type in a book title and ask, “Would I like this?” Gemini compares it against my reading history and explains why it thinks a book is or isn’t a good fit.

It’s a useful setup, especially if you’re a reader. In fact, I already got my first recommendation from it, downloaded the book, and so far it’s been pretty good.

The bigger takeaway: stop thinking of AI as a chatbot. Start thinking of it as a workspace that gets smarter when you give it context.

I went back to Evernote

After years of trying alternatives, I’ve come crawling back to Evernote.

I’ve always been obsessed with note-taking apps. I was one of the first people to download Evernote back when it was essentially an endless digital sheet of paper. You just kept typing, and it kept scrolling.

I used Evernote for years before moving on to other apps. One of my biggest concerns was always vendor lock-in. When I looked at exporting my notes, the options weren’t exactly ideal: a proprietary Evernote format or a collection of HTML files that essentially turns your notes into a website.

Meanwhile, Evernote’s price has steadily climbed to around $100 a year, with higher-tier plans costing much more.

Over the years, I’ve tested just about every alternative I could find, including Microsoft OneNote, Zoho Notebook, Joplin, Notion, Craft, Anytype, Obsidian, Apple Notes, and Google Keep.

You might remember me talking about Craft and Obsidian before.

Craft is beautiful. In my opinion, it’s still the best-designed note-taking app available. But I found it better suited for polished documents than the messy day-to-day note-taking I do.

Obsidian remains my favorite from a technical standpoint. It stores everything in plain Markdown files that you control, whether they’re on your computer, in the cloud, or on your own server. That’s about as future-proof as note-taking gets.

The problem? I never loved using it.

No matter how much I appreciated the flexibility, I found myself avoiding it. And if you don’t enjoy using your note-taking app, you won’t use it consistently.

So after running in circles for far too long, I downloaded Evernote again.

And I immediately remembered why I liked it so much.

For planning my radio show, organizing ideas, tracking projects, and managing everyday information, it just works the way my brain works. I actually enjoy using it.

The downside is that I know exactly what I’m getting into. It’s expensive, and the deeper you get invested, the harder it can be to leave. But for me, the value outweighs the drawbacks.

One thing I do miss is AI-powered access to my notes. With Obsidian, I could connect my notes to Gemini and search across them in powerful ways. That’s not as easy with Evernote.

For personal notes, I’ve started using Google Keep alongside Evernote because Keep integrates with Gemini. It’s not perfect, but it gives me a place to store information that I can later ask Gemini to search and analyze.

I realize most people don’t spend nearly this much time thinking about note-taking apps. But when your job involves managing ideas, story tips, interviews, viewer emails and reminders, the system matters.

And after all these years, I’ve somehow ended up right back where I started.

How one couple turned e-waste into a business

This week on TV, I featured a couple from Northern California who built a successful business selling used technology on eBay.

Their story started with a surprising auction purchase during the dot-com boom and eventually turned into an 18-year business recovering and reselling computers, laptops, hard drives, and other electronics that companies no longer need.

What I like about this story is that it’s a reminder that old tech still has value. Many of us have phones, laptops, cameras, and gadgets sitting in a drawer collecting dust when they could be sold, reused, or given a second life.

And thanks to AI-powered listing tools, selling on eBay is easier than it’s ever been.

Check out the segment below to see how they built their business and what you can learn from it.

What you missed on the podcast

If you’re not listening to the podcast, it’s another great way to stay up to date on the tech stories, tips, and scams I think you should know about. I also answer listener questions and read your emails each week.

A few things we covered on the latest episode:

• A Roku setting that helps protect your privacy

• Why everyone should freeze their credit

• A Chrome security feature worth turning on

• A fun AI prompt that reveals what your chatbot knows about you

• A hidden Meta Ray-Ban feature that helps in noisy environments

• Why software updates still matter

• How to spot modern phishing scams

• My favorite travel apps for iPhone and Android

• Why fall detection can be a lifesaver for older adults

The podcast is completely free and available in all the major podcast apps. If you’re a paid subscriber to this newsletter, you also get access to an ad-free version.

One favor: if you’ve never listened before, give this week’s episode a try. I’m curious how many newsletter readers will become first-time listeners.

When helping your mom sounds like a scam

If you’re not familiar with it, Eyelo & Bumpy is part me, part my kid, and part AI.

I’ve always loved cartoons, and my kid originally sketched out the characters. Together, we came up with the names, and then AI helps bring the cartoons to life. I come up with the ideas and the punchlines, and this week’s cartoon was inspired by a real-life moment while helping my mom with one of her online accounts.

As we worked through the problem over the phone, I realized everything I was asking her to do sounded exactly like the advice I tell people to avoid. Give me remote access to your computer. Read me the verification code. Reset your password.

At one point, a security message even warned her not to share the code with anyone… while I was sitting there asking her to read it to me.

The irony wasn’t lost on me. So many of the tactics scammers use are based on legitimate things we occasionally need to do. The difference is knowing who you’re dealing with and why they’re asking.

Hopefully you’ll get a laugh out of this week’s cartoon.

Do I really need to pay for Microsoft 365?

Melody asks:

I retired years ago and only create a document once or twice a year. Microsoft now wants about $100 a year for Microsoft 365, which seems unreasonable for how little I use it. If I stop subscribing, can I still access my old Word documents? Are there any free alternatives? And can I keep using an older version of Office?

Most people don’t realize Microsoft offers a free web version of Word that works right in your browser. Just head to word.cloud.microsoft, sign in with a Microsoft account, and you can create, edit, and save Word documents without paying for Microsoft 365.

As for your existing files, they’re still yours. Cancelling Microsoft 365 doesn’t make your old Word documents disappear.

If you want alternatives, Google Docs and LibreOffice can both open and save Word files. And if you already own an older standalone version of Office, you can usually keep using it indefinitely. You just won’t get new features, updates, or security patches.

For someone who only creates a few documents a year, the free version of Word may be all you need.

Feedbag

Rick writes…

We all have computers and smartphones these days, and there’s always something new to learn. We need more Rich time! I’d be the first to sign up for a daily Rich DeMuro podcast, even a paid VIP version.

Thanks, Rick, but between the newsletter, radio show, TV segments, podcast, and social media, I think I’m already maxed out! 😄

Don in Colorado writes…

I started using AI to fight back against inflation.

It began when I got a quote for a new furnace. ChatGPT told me the typical installed price in my area, which helped me negotiate a much better deal. Since then, I’ve used AI to negotiate my internet and newspaper subscriptions. The savings have really added up.

Claudia in Irvine says…

I got a satellite radio renewal bill for $311. I used the ChatGPT prompt from your newsletter and immediately got an offer for the same plan at $7.99 a month. Huge savings!

Christer writes…

I asked AI to find the cheapest way to fly from Salt Lake City to Albany with the shortest travel time. It suggested a Southwest red-eye I never would have considered. It ended up being the perfect flight.

That’s going to do it for this week’s newsletter.

Join me on the radio Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on KFI AM 640. If you have a tech question or need some advice, give me a call at 1-888-RICH-101.

You can also catch the replay on 710 WOR in New York City, starting at 8 p.m. Eastern.

Thanks for reading, and have a great weekend!

Rich

Be sure to subscribe to the Rich On Tech Newsletter!

Alex in Northridge wants to know: Can you mirror your phone to a TV while sending the audio to a Bluetooth speaker or headphones?

Dawn received a text about an Amazon product recall, but the link looked suspicious. Rich says Amazon has an official recalls page where you can check whether any items you’ve purchased have been recalled.

Melody wonders if she can still create and open Word documents without paying for Microsoft 365. Rich says yes, recommending free alternatives like Google Docs and LibreOffice, or the free web version of Microsoft Word available through a web browser.

Apple’s WWDC 2026 kicks off Monday in Cupertino, where the company is expected to unveil a new version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence and enhanced AI capabilities.

Richard writes in about a privacy warning that appeared after installing the Bitmoji keyboard and wants to know whether it’s safe to use.

Bobo celebrated his birthday at a place called Barcade, and it turns out there are several locations where you can enjoy classic arcade games along with food and drinks.

Shelly Brisbin, author of “iOS Access for All,” joins to share practical accessibility features and helpful tech tips for seniors and people with disabilities.

Al in Jacksonville is looking for a good PDF form-filling app for his Android phone. Rich recommends Tungsten Power PDF Mobile and Adobe Acrobat Reader, both of which make it easy to complete and sign PDF forms on the go. Listener Marco recommends PDFgear.

Stephanie in Pasadena keeps seeing a message that says, “A JavaScript error occurred in the main process,” and wants to know what’s causing it and how to make it go away.

Ben Komenkul of Ben’s Big Deal shares the best travel apps, airfare tools, and insider strategies to save money, handle delays, and book smarter trips. Mentioned: Autopilot, a service that can automatically help you claim eligible flight and hotel refunds, and Gondola.ai, a hotel search engine that lets you find properties based on specific features and amenities.

Terrence in West Covina shares a tip for setting custom notification sounds in Google Messages. Open a conversation, tap the three-dot menu, select Details, then Notifications, and choose Sound to pick a custom alert tone. He says the process was much simpler in Samsung Messages.

Call 1-888-RICH-101 (1-888-742-4101) to join in! Email your question here.

How to Listen:

🎙️ Live on KFI AM 640 - Los Angeles, Saturdays from 11 AM - 2 PM PT

🎙️ Rebroadcast on 710 WOR - New York City, Sundays from 8 PM - 11 PM ET

📻 Syndicated on affiliates nationwide

Subscribe to the podcast. Premium subscribers can listen ad-free here.

Follow Rich on Instagram. Subscribe to my free newsletter.

Rich on Tech Weekly airs on KTLA+. You can download the app on Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, and Samsung smart TVs.

Links may be affiliate.

At first glance, it looks legitimate. The branding was convincing, the website looked professional, and the request seemed plausible.

But as you’ll see in the screenshots below, this wasn’t a simple phishing attempt. It was a carefully designed scam that kept asking for more and more personal information.

The fake website first asks for an email address. That’s not unusual on its own, but it’s the beginning of a process designed to build trust and keep victims moving forward.

Next comes the password screen. If someone enters their credentials, scammers may gain access to the account or try those same credentials on other services.

After that, the site claims there’s a problem with the payment method on file. This is where the scam shifts from stealing account access to collecting financial information.

Victims are then prompted to enter credit card details, including the card number, expiration date, security code and billing information.

But the requests don’t stop there.

The next screen asks for personal details including a home address, phone number and date of birth. At this point, scammers have far more information than would ever be required to renew a streaming subscription.

Then comes the biggest red flag of all.

The site asks for a Social Security number and mother’s maiden name. Those are pieces of information commonly used for identity verification and account recovery. No legitimate Disney+ billing update should ever require them.

What makes this scam especially dangerous is how it gathers information in stages. Each step feels relatively harmless on its own, making it easier for people to continue without realizing how much sensitive information they’re handing over.

The lesson here is simple: slow down.

If you receive an email claiming there’s a problem with your account, check the sender carefully and avoid clicking links. Instead, open a new browser window and go directly to the company’s website or app.

The more urgent an email sounds, the more important it is to pause and verify before taking action.

In this case, a fake Disney+ billing email wasn’t really about a subscription problem at all. It was an attempt to collect enough information to potentially steal someone’s identity.

I visited eWaste Direct, a California electronics recycling company that’s spent nearly two decades finding new life for old laptops, phones, and gadgets. Through its eBay storefront, Angie’s GreenGo Surplus, the company refurbishes and resells thousands of tech items and parts that might otherwise end up in a landfill.

Smartwatches can do a lot. Sometimes too much.

That’s why Google’s new Fitbit Air is a welcome change. Instead of adding more notifications, apps, and distractions to your wrist, it takes the opposite approach. There’s no screen at all.

I’ve been wearing the new $100 fitness tracker for the past few weeks, and most of the time I forgot it was even there. That’s kind of the point.

The Fitbit Air tracks all the basics, including heart rate, steps, sleep, blood oxygen levels, and workouts. Battery life is rated for up to seven days, which means you’re not constantly thinking about charging it.

The biggest surprise for me wasn’t the hardware. It was the software.

The Fitbit app is now called Google Health, and it includes a new AI feature called Google Health Coach. It analyzes your health data and can answer questions about your sleep, recovery, fitness trends, and more. Some AI features feel gimmicky. This one actually surfaced a few useful insights during my testing.

One feature I really liked is the silent smart wake alarm. Instead of blasting an alarm clock, the band gently buzzes your wrist. It can even try to wake you during a lighter stage of sleep within a 30-minute window before your set alarm time.

Of course, there are tradeoffs. I caught myself looking at my wrist for the time several times a day. There’s no screen, so there’s nothing to see. And yes, Google uses yet another proprietary charging cable.

The free version includes basic activity, sleep, and health tracking. If you want AI coaching, personalized insights, adaptive fitness plans, medical record summaries, and deeper sleep analysis, you’ll need the $10-per-month Health Premium subscription.

My takeaway: if you’re tired of wearing a mini smartphone on your wrist, the Fitbit Air (affiliate link) is a refreshing alternative. It’s comfortable enough to wear all day and all night, and it delivers the health data most people actually care about without constantly demanding your attention.

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This week, I crisscrossed the country to check out the latest from Roku. The streaming platform wants to predict what you might want to watch next. The question is whether you’ll find that helpful or annoying.

More on that in a second, but first a few observations from the trip.

One of my travel rules: always ke…

Read more

Be sure to subscribe to the Rich On Tech Newsletter!

Rich talked about the big changes to the Roku home screen.

Rich mentioned to turn off Automatic Content Recognition: Settings > Privacy - Smart TV Experience > ACR Off

Chelsea in Beaumont wants to know why Samsung Messages is moving to Google Messages and how to individualize text sounds for contacts.

Rich says to enable Custom Notification Categories on Android for more control over alerts. Open Settings, tap Notifications, select Advanced settings, then turn on Manage notification categories for each app. You can also customize alerts for individual contacts. Open the Contacts app, select a person, tap Edit, and change their ringtone so you know who’s calling without looking at your phone.

DIRECTV is raising prices on satellite and streaming starting June 25, most packages are going up from $5-8 a month.

Rich mentioned iVerify to scan your phone for signs of spyware. iOS and Android.

Verizon’s Total Wireless has a new $25 unlimited plan if you can bring your own unlocked phone.

Gini in Menifee wants a simple Android phone. Rich recommends the Pixel 10a for its clean software, great camera, and ease of use.

Meta has new Plus subscription plans for Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp starting at $3 a month.

Gary says his phone is asking him to install AI by Glance for his lock screen. Rich says to skip it.

Josie wants to know the difference between Guardio, LifeLock and Incogni. Rich also mentioned Chrome Enhanced Safe Browsing and AnnualCreditReport.com

Guests:
Amanda Caswell, AI Editor at Tom’s Guide, shares practical AI tips, tricks and tools that everyday consumers can actually use to save time and get more done.

Nick in Ohio wants to know if Starlink is good for work from home. Rich says to check all options at FCC Broadband Map and Ookla’s ISP Finder.

Google says it has heard consumer complaints about the Google Health app and is working to address some of the issues in future updates.

Apple has updated its trade-in values for select iPhones and other devices, potentially changing how much credit customers can receive toward a new purchase.

Samsung is changing how it syncs photos with OneDrive. Users who want to keep their synced photos should download the OneDrive app and sign in by July 31.

Meta is adding new AI-powered accessibility features to its smart glasses, helping people with disabilities better understand and interact with the world around them.

Brian Vecci of Varonis explains how plug-and-play scam kits are making phishing attacks harder to spot than ever.

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If you use Roku every day, your TV may soon look very different.

The company is rolling out its biggest home screen redesign in more than 10 years, adding AI-powered recommendations, personalized shortcuts and a much bigger focus on helping you decide what to watch before you even open an app.

I got an early look at the update in New York City, and the biggest change is this: Roku is no longer just a simple grid of apps.

Now, the home screen tries to predict what you want to watch the moment you turn on the TV.

At the top of the screen, there’s a new “Top Picks For You” section that surfaces movies and shows based on your viewing habits. Roku says the recommendations improve over time the more you use the device.

There’s also a new “Quick Access” area that highlights the apps and shortcuts you use most often, plus recommendations tied to the streaming services you already subscribe to.

The classic app grid isn’t gone, but it’s been pushed further down the page.

Roku says the goal is to help people spend less time searching and more time watching. According to the company, most users told them they wanted the show they had in mind surfaced immediately when they turned on the TV.

And yes, there’s also a larger ad placement built into the redesign.

That’s important because the battle for your TV screen is getting more competitive. Amazon recently revamped Fire TV, Google is pushing Gemini AI into more devices, and every streaming platform wants to become the main gateway to entertainment in your home.

My takeaway after seeing the update is that Roku is trying to walk a very careful line.

People love Roku because it’s simple and fast. If the company adds too much clutter, longtime users may get frustrated. But if the recommendations actually help people find something to watch faster, many users probably won’t mind the extra personalization.

One interesting tip Roku shared with me: if you get the update, don’t immediately turn off all the new features. The company says the recommendations adapt over time and may improve after about a week of use.

The redesign is rolling out now to supported Roku devices.

Motorola’s first book-style foldable is the razr fold. It pairs a huge 8.1-inch screen with polished software, premium hardware, and thoughtful features. After testing it, I came away impressed by the design, multitasking, and overall experience.

read my full review at KTLA.COM