How to extend Windows 10 in just a few clicks

Plus: the best TVs, alternatives to Google services and what I learned in the woods

Sep 27, 2025

Greetings, and thanks for opening my newsletter! You’re one of more than 57,000 people who get what I consider the need-to-know tech stories — the ones that actually impact consumers. I appreciate you being here.

This week, I spent some time with robots in North Hollywood. I’ve seen humanoid and dog-like bots plenty of times at trade shows like CES, but it’s a whole different experience when you actually hang out with them.

These machines are still in their infancy, but the progress is undeniable. They’ll have a major impact as they evolve — with exciting benefits but also some inevitable nefarious uses.

The most fun part? Taking them out on the street. People instinctively pulled out their phones to snap photos and videos the moment they saw them.

I’ll have my TV segment on this soon…

But let’s get to another hot topic making headlines: Microsoft Windows 10 reaching the end of its life. Let’s start there.

Windows 10 end of life: what you need to know

It might feel like yesterday, but Windows 10 launched all the way back in 2015. On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will officially stop supporting it with new features or updates. The good news is that security updates will continue for one additional year, through October 13, 2026.

But the catch is, you have to sign up for them - it’s not automatic.

At this point, you have a few options. If your computer can handle it, upgrading to Windows 11 is the simplest path. It’s not a huge change, but you’ll keep getting both features and security updates. To check if your computer qualifies, download Microsoft’s free PC Health Check app.

If your computer doesn’t meet the requirements, or you don’t want to upgrade, Microsoft is offering something called Extended Security Updates. I’ve been getting a lot of emails about this, and I even met up with a viewer, Pat, in Los Angeles to walk her through the process.

All you need to do is go to Start, then Settings, then Update & Security, and finally Windows Update. Right under the usual “check for updates” button, you should see a banner that says Windows 10 support ends in October 2025. From there, tap the “Enroll now” link to get started.

If you don’t see the option, you might need to do the latest updates for your PC.

The sign-up process is straightforward. Microsoft gives you three options: you can back up your settings to the cloud, redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or pay $30. In most cases, you won’t need to pay anything. If your settings are already backed up or you have rewards points, you should be eligible at no cost.

Keep in mind, this process could also change before the deadline. Already, Microsoft is making things a bit easier in Europe due to pressure from consumer groups over there. Consumer Reports is rallying for an extension, saying a large number of consumers will be left behind.

Once you’re enrolled, you’ll get a confirmation screen showing that your computer is covered with updates until October 13, 2026.

This essentially buys you another year of protection against major security threats. Keep in mind, though, that you won’t get any new features. That means you’ll need to use the year to plan your next step, which most likely means buying a new PC unless Microsoft decides to extend the program again.

If you’re ready for a new computer now, there are some solid choices. I always recommend checking Costco if you’re a member — they tend to offer a great all-in-one PC at an excellent price. Personally, I’ve been testing two laptops I like: the HP OmniBook 5, which can come in under $600, and the ASUS ZenBook A14, which is super thin, lightweight, and has a long-lasting battery. Dan Ackerman at MicroCenter, who I interviewed for a segment on this very topic, also recommends the Microsoft Surface Laptop with the new Snapdragon chips and the Lenovo IdeaPad line, which are both budget-friendly and reliable.

Bottom line: You have until October 14, 2025 to make your move. Windows 10 will still run after that date, but without security updates, it becomes an open target for whatever exploits clever hackers dream up.

TV trends with Caleb Denison

Last weekend on my radio show, I had Caleb Denison on as a guest. He’s one of the most well-known TV reviewers out there, and he recently launched his own YouTube channel called CalebRated — which, I admit, took me a second to get.

I always love talking to Caleb because he breaks down the TV world in simple, practical terms. The latest innovation he’s tracking is RGB mini/micro LED backlighting. This technology makes TVs brighter and more colorful, but it’s still new, expensive, and in the early stages. The overall trend, however, continues: TVs are getting bigger, better, and more affordable.

OLED TVs are still considered the gold standard if you want the best contrast and black levels, along with improved brightness. The tradeoffs are price, limited size options, and the fact that brightness can still be a challenge in very sunny rooms. For most buyers, Caleb says a mini LED TV is the most practical choice.

As for specific models, the splurge pick is the Sony Bravia 9 — outstanding, but pricey. If you’re shopping in the $1,000 range for a 65-inch set, Caleb recommends the TCL QM7K or the Hisense U8. I personally own the Hisense, and I love it. If you’re looking to spend less than $500, TCL and Hisense remain the best value brands.

I also asked Caleb about smart TV interfaces. For built-in options, his favorite is Google TV — which happens to be what I use — and he’s excited for Gemini integration coming soon. He still thinks Apple TV is the best standalone box, mainly because it’s the last streaming device that doesn’t blast you with ads the moment you turn on the screen.

You can listen to my full conversation with Caleb on the podcast — just click here.

Best new features in iOS 26

Last week, I walked you through some of the new features in iOS 26. This week, you can watch my video on it. As I mentioned before, my first impression of iOS 26 wasn’t great — but after spending more time with it, I’ve really come to enjoy the look, feel, and new features. Apple did an outstanding job with this update.

Knowlej rewards platform for students

This week, I featured a new rewards platform for students called Knowlej. The idea is simple: schools can sign up and reward kids for things like good attendance and active participation with their assignments.

Of course, there’s debate about whether students should be rewarded for doing things that are already expected. I know I didn’t get prizes just for showing up to school when I was a kid. But Knowlej seems to be aimed at students in at-risk communities, where circumstances outside their control can make attendance and engagement much harder. In those cases, a little extra motivation could make a real difference.

Into the redwoods with Apple

Recently, I ventured into the California redwoods in Mendocino County to check out a forest that Apple has invested in. It’s part of their bigger plan to be carbon neutral by 2030. Yes, Apple has made progress with recycled materials and supply chains, but they’re also investing in forests like this to literally pull carbon out of the atmosphere.

This was a wild assignment. I spent about eight hours in the middle of nowhere recording the story — with zero cell signal the entire time. To even get there, we had to take the windiest road I’ve ever been on in my life.

During my time in the forest, I discovered two iPhone features that proved incredibly useful. The first is called Vehicle Motion Cues, designed to help with motion sickness. If you haven’t turned it on yet, I highly recommend it — it works surprisingly well.

The second is satellite messaging. I was able to send and receive texts with my wife in the middle of the forest, despite having no cell service. The key thing to know is that you need to establish a connection to send a message, and then again to receive one. Your phone won’t automatically notify you of new texts since it only talks to the satellite when you’re actively connected. One more tip: satellite messaging didn’t work for me at first until I restarted my phone. After that, it worked perfectly — so keep that in mind if you’re ever in a no-signal situation.

The night before my assignment in the redwoods, I stayed in the small wine country city of Healdsburg. It was my first time there, and I’ll definitely be going back. The town is charming, with a little square at the center, surrounded by wine tasting rooms and great restaurants.

Tech Tidbits

Amazon has agreed to a settlement with the FTC over allegations that they made Prime too difficult to cancel. Some payouts will be automatic for Prime members, while others will require you to sign up. Keep an eye out for an email with the details.

TechSpot put together a handy roundup of alternatives to Google’s core services. If you’ve ever wondered about options beyond Google for search, email, Chrome, or cloud storage, this list is worth checking out.

Disney+ is raising prices again — this time by about $2 to $3 per month depending on your plan.

And if you’ve been considering Visible, the Verizon-owned carrier that’s been online-only until now, they’re opening pop-up locations in Best Buy. That means you can finally ask questions in person, grab a SIM card, or check your phone for compatibility. For comparison, if you’re paying around $100 a month on a traditional Verizon plan, you can move to Visible and get similar unlimited service for half the price or less.

Scam alert: bogus Social Security email

You know I love posting the latest scams to my Instagram at @RichOnTech — so if you’re not following me there, make sure you do. Thanks, as always, for sending these my way. I go through each one and post the scams I think more people should know about.

The latest is a bogus email claiming your Social Security number has been suspended because it’s tied to a federal investigation. The scare tactic is designed to get you to call the phone number in the email. That line goes straight to scammers.

I actually called the number to see what would happen (I don’t recommend you do this). The first clue it was fake? They picked up on the first ring. They immediately asked for my name, the last four digits of my Social Security number, my ZIP code, and my age. Clearly, once they realized I was on to them, they hung up.

The goal here is to collect enough personal information to steal your identity or your money. Don’t fall for it, and share this with your friends so they don’t either.

richontech

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Feedbag: iPhone overload

Frank in El Cajon writes in…

Love your show — I look forward to listening to the podcast every Sunday while walking my dog. Just be careful not to turn into an Apple fanboy. You’ve been pretty balanced lately, but the last couple of newsletters have been loaded with iPhone coverage. Crazy how Apple gets credit for catching up! And then you gave Meta’s new Ray-Ban Display glasses only one sentence, even though they might actually point toward a future where we don’t even need phones.

Hey Frank, I totally get it. The reality is Apple just launched a lot of products, and I’m still not done reviewing them. I still have the Watches and the AirPods to go — and those are important to a lot of people. I do my best to keep things balanced, and I really appreciate you listening and reading each week.

That’s going to do it for this edition — hope you enjoyed reading. Remember to tune in to my radio show Saturday at 11 AM PT on KFI, or catch the podcast feed afterward. And don’t forget about my streaming show on KTLA+, with new episodes premiering Sundays at 11 AM.

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Have a great weekend,

Rich