Why the new iPhones are worth a look this year
Plus: Another Anker recall, another Prime Day and an autism test breakthrough
Greetings!
Hope you’re having a good week. Lots to cover in this edition, so let’s dive right in.
The new iPhones are officially in stores. But even if you’re not upgrading, you’re still getting a huge software update: iOS 26. Yes, Apple jumped from iOS 18 straight to 26.
At first, the update took some getting used to, but I’m liking it more every day. Apple calls the new look Liquid Glass. It feels completely different, and it comes with a bunch of notable features.
Notable new features in iOS 26
In Messages, you can now create polls by tapping the plus sign next to the text box, selecting Polls, and entering your options. You can also set a custom background for a conversation by tapping the person’s name or group name—though keep in mind they’ll see your changes too if they’ve updated their software.
One of the standout additions is call screening. Go to Settings, then Apps, then Phone, and turn on “Ask reason for calling.” Before your phone even rings, unknown callers will be asked to state who they are and why they’re calling. That information shows up on your lock screen so you can decide whether to pick up.
There are two things to note here: sometimes it will screen calls you actually want, and scammers might try to fake their way through it. Still, it’s a big new option for iPhone users, even if Pixel and Samsung phones have offered similar features for a while.
Another feature called Hold Assist is handy for those dreaded customer service calls. It listens to the hold music for you and pings your phone when a real person comes on the line.
The Clock app also got a small but welcome update: you’re no longer stuck with a nine-minute snooze—you can now choose anywhere from one to fifteen minutes.
In Photos, there’s a new way to spot duplicates. Go to Collections, scroll to Utilities, and tap Duplicates. It’s pretty basic, so I still recommend the free Clever Cleaner app, which does a better job at clearing out space on your phone.
Ringtones also got easier. You can now turn any supported audio file into a ringtone directly from the Files app. Just open the file, hit Share, and select “Use as Ringtone.” No need for extra software.
You’ll also notice a new app called Preview. This is Apple’s built-in tool for scanning documents, editing PDFs, filling out forms, and signing them.
If you’re not in love with the bold new Liquid Glass design, you can tone it down in Settings under Accessibility, Display & Text Size, by turning on “Reduce Transparency.”
Finally, don’t feel like you need to rush into iOS 26 immediately, though I do recommend upgrading sooner rather than later. Apple will keep security updates flowing to iOS 18 for a while, but eventually those updates will stop.
Why this is the year to upgrade your iPhone
Apple’s new iPhone 17 lineup feels like the biggest step forward in years. No matter which model you have—base or Pro—there are plenty of reasons to consider upgrading.
You’re getting a completely redesigned selfie camera, a sharper ultra-wide lens, and better zoom on the Pro models. Every phone now has a glare-free screen, and even the base model finally gets a smoother, high-refresh-rate display that makes it feel more premium. The glass is tougher, the phones are more durable, and the Pro models look noticeably different on the back.
Across the lineup, charging is faster, though you’ll need a new 40-watt adapter to take full advantage. The good news—you can still use your existing USB-C cable.
Then there’s the iPhone Air, Apple’s lightest and thinnest device yet. It’s sleek and stylish, but keep in mind battery life isn’t as strong if you’re a heavy user, and the single-lens camera limits zoom and wide-angle shots.
Bottom line: if you’ve been on the fence about upgrading, this is the year to make the jump.
Sponsored: Protect your privacy with Incogni
I get so many questions about how to protect personal information online and remove it from databases and people-search sites. I’ve been using Incogni for a while now, and here’s how it works.
After you sign up, you enter your basic details—name, address, email, phone number—and give Incogni permission to act on your behalf. From there, they automatically request takedowns of your personal data from brokers and websites where it shows up.
They don’t just stop at removals. Incogni also asks data brokers to add you to their suppression lists, which blocks them from collecting your information in the future. That means once your data is gone, it stays gone.
So far, Incogni has sent 379 requests on my behalf, with 42 still in progress and 337 already completed. That’s saved me over 252 hours compared to doing it myself. I also like how transparent the service is—you can see every request, the broker’s name, and the current status.
And if you come across a site with your information that isn’t already on their list, you can submit it as a custom request for removal, and they’ll take care of it for you.
If you value your privacy, Incogni makes it easy. Sign up at Incogni and use my code RICHONTECH to save.
Inside CEDIA 2025
The last time I attended CEDIA was many years ago, when it was in Indianapolis. What started as a home theater show for pro installers has now grown into a massive home technology showcase, with companies displaying everything from smart lighting to home automation solutions.
The audience is still professional installers, so it’s not open to the public, but I went to Denver this year to see what’s new. I came away with some pretty cool trends and gadgets for the home—check them out here.
New test can rule out autism early
This week I reported on a promising new test called ClearStrand that can rule out autism in babies as young as one month old. It was created by a doctor whose own daughter was diagnosed with autism, and who saw firsthand how the process of getting a diagnosis could take years.
The test uses a small hair sample to analyze markers at the molecular level. It’s quick, simple, and non-invasive. While it does not diagnose autism—that’s important to note—it can rule it out with about 95% accuracy. The benefit is that families could get answers much earlier, allowing children who need support to get it sooner.
Looking ahead, the same testing technology may also be applied to conditions like ALS, ADHD, and even pancreatic cancer.
Amazon Prime Day returns October 7–8
Amazon is rolling out another Prime Day, this time October 7th and 8th, to jumpstart the holiday shopping season.
My advice remains the same: add the items you’re considering to your shopping cart now so you can easily track if the price drops during the sale. Amazon-branded products—like Kindles, Fire TV devices, Eero routers, and Ring cameras—almost always see good discounts.
Another smart place to check is your “Buy Again” tab, which highlights items you’ve purchased in the past. It’s an easy way to find repeat buys at lower prices.
And here’s a quirky side deal: through a Grubhub promotion, you can snag a free 10-piece chicken nuggets meal every day from September 15 to October 5.
Remember, you’ll need a Prime membership to shop. Regular Prime is $15 a month or $139 a year. Students and young adults get a 6-month $0 trial, then $7.49 a month or $69 a year. If you’re on government assistance, Prime Access is available for $7 a month.
Another Anker recall hits popular power banks
Anker makes some of the most popular portable battery packs out there—including one I carry myself—but the company has now announced yet another recall. This is the third in recent memory.
The latest recall affects about 481,000 units. The models impacted are A1647, A1652, A1257, A1681, and A1689. If you own one, check the model number and see if yours is included. Anker is offering either a cash refund or credit toward another product.
Tech Tidbits
Meta has updated its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses (Generation 2) with better battery life and improved video quality. The new models now start at $379, up from the previous $299. They’ve also introduced an entirely new version called the Meta Ray-Ban Display, which adds a tiny screen in the lenses. Price: $800.
Google is rolling out a new search app for Windows PCs. Think of it like a universal search bar—it can look through Google, your computer files, and even your Google Drive.
The Windows 10 end-of-life date is approaching. This is the best guide I’ve found on how to extend security updates for another year at no cost, so you can keep running Windows 10 safely.
Samsung is releasing One UI 8 to the Galaxy S25 series now. Other devices—including the Galaxy Z Fold6, Z Flip6, S24 FE, and more—will get the update later this year.
Feedbag
Patti writes in…
Thank you so much for all you do to help us non-techies feel more comfortable in this tech-filled world. I sing your praises to anyone who brings up questions about what’s out there in the tech world.
Thanks Patti, love to hear it!
I also want to say thank you again for all of the thoughtful messages I’ve received about my car accident. It’s had me thinking a lot about life—why I was able to walk away from such a horrific crash, and what that means. I don’t know that I have any new answers, but it has definitely given me an even deeper appreciation for so many simple things in life.
I also heard so many powerful stories from you about life-changing events in your own lives. Thank you for sharing those. I’m still recovering—physically and mentally—and your support has truly meant the world to me.
That’s going to do it for this edition of the newsletter. Please share with a friend to help spread the word.
Rich
So grateful for your content! So glad you’re recovering from the accident. Great post today. Take care!!
Great read and excellent insight and information.