A big iPhone vs. Android pain point is finally fixed
Plus: Netflix price hikes, free MLB.TV, and a smarter Maps search
Greetings and thanks for taking a look at my newsletter. So much happening in the tech world this week. Let’s just get right to it.
Streaming price hikes are starting to add up
First up, Netflix is raising subscription prices across the board… again. At this point, it feels like clockwork. Streaming services seem to bump prices almost every year, and while each increase is small, it all adds up - epecially when you’re juggling multiple subscriptions.
I checked the price of a Friday night movie in Los Angeles and it was $30.40 for IMAX. Add popcorn and drinks, and you’re easily at $60.
So yes, a streaming service with unlimited viewing is still cheaper than a single night at the movies. But that’s not really the comparison most of us are making anymore.
Here’s what’s changing: the $7.99 plan is going up to $8.99, $17.99 is becoming $19.99, and $24.99 jumps to $26.99. If you’ve added an extra member to your account, that’s going up by another dollar too.
And Netflix isn’t the only one competing for your wallet. There’s Disney+, Prime Video, YouTube Premium, HBO Max, Apple TV+, Peloton, and more. The flexibility is still better than cable since you can cancel anytime. But when it comes to pricing, it’s starting to feel a lot like the old days.
Android and iPhone can finally share like AirDrop
This is a major step toward bridging the gap between Apple and Android. The first Samsung Galaxy phones are now getting AirDrop sharing.
This is a big win for both iPhone and Android users. It makes sending photos, videos, and files between devices much easier, whether you’re sharing with friends, family, or even moving something from your phone to your computer. If you use an Android phone with a Mac, this is especially helpful.
Right now, it’s rolling out to the Samsung Galaxy S26 lineup, with more devices expected to follow. I got it earlier this week as part of a software update, and it worked right away. Keep in mind the Pixel 9 and 10 series phones already have this, too.
To use it, just tap Share on a photo, select Quick Share, and make sure the iPhone you’re sending to has “Everyone for 10 minutes” enabled in AirDrop. The device should appear instantly, and you can send the file with a tap.
If you want to check the setting, go to Settings, then Connected Devices, then Quick Share. You should see an option to enable sharing with Apple devices.
It’s simple, fast, and seamless and I can’t believe it’s taken 15 years to get here. Between improvements in messaging and now file sharing, the walls between iPhone and Android are finally starting to come down. This is a clear win for consumers.
A better way to search Google Maps
There’s a new feature in Google Maps called Ask Maps, and it’s quickly becoming one of my favorite uses of AI.
Instead of searching for something basic like “burger” or “shoe repair,” you can now ask full, natural questions. That opens up a lot more possibilities, because you can describe exactly what you’re looking for.
For example, you can search for something like “a cozy place to check email with free Wi-Fi and a great vegan chocolate chip cookie,” and Maps will surface spots that actually match that.
It pulls from reviews, search data, and business listings, then uses AI to bring it all together.
I’ve been using it for all kinds of specific searches, and it handles them really well. You can even plan things like a road trip stop at a notable halfway point.
You’ll find it right under the search bar in Google Maps as “Ask Maps,” and it’s already live on both iPhone and Android.
Definitely give it a try. It’s a powerful way to find exactly what you’re looking for.
Sponsored: How to avoid ad ambushes
Ever try pulling up a quick recipe, only to get hit with dozens of ads, autoplay videos, and trackers that seem to know exactly what you’ve been searching for? That’s because many websites are loaded with third-party code tracking your clicks and scrolls, often without you realizing it.
CleanWeb by Surfshark blocks ads, trackers, and malware before they load, so pages are cleaner, faster, and easier to use. No more scrambling to close pop-ups while you’re just trying to get dinner on the table.
It’s easy to install and costs $1.99 per month, with 3 free months included. Try it here and see the difference right away.
Sony and Honda hit pause on their EV
In other news, Sony and Honda are hitting pause on their electric car plans, at least for now.
The two companies teamed up to create the Sony Afeela EV, which generated a lot of buzz at CES over the past couple of years. It definitely looked the part, with a sleek design, wall-to-wall screens, and even the ability to play movies and PlayStation games inside the car.
But the reality never quite matched the hype. The price was around $90,000, and the timeline kept stretching. It started to feel like something we were hearing about more than actually seeing on the road.
At the same time, the EV market has shifted. Incentives and rebates are not as generous as they once were, and consumer demand has cooled a bit, especially at higher price points.
If you were one of the people who put down a deposit, the good news is you will be getting a full refund.
Router crackdown could shake up the market
Also this week, the FCC has moved to ban the import of certain Wi-Fi routers made outside the U.S. over national security concerns.
That’s a big deal because most home routers are manufactured overseas, especially by Chinese companies. In fact, it’s tough to find a major brand that doesn’t rely on overseas production in some way.
The concern isn’t entirely unfounded. There have been multiple reports of home routers being hijacked and used in botnets to carry out large-scale cyberattacks. If vulnerabilities were exploited broadly, it could create a significant security risk.
For now, there’s no need to panic. Your current router is fine and you don’t need to replace it. Stores can also continue selling existing inventory.
Looking ahead, this could lead to some major shifts. Companies may move manufacturing to the U.S., or we could see new players enter the market with domestically produced routers.
Bookmark This!
Flighty is one of the best flight tracking apps out there, and this week it added a new feature: a dedicated website that shows delays and disruptions at major airports.
Like the app, the site is clean, well-designed, and easy to understand. You can quickly see which airports are experiencing the most delays.
The company says it’s pulling from the same data sources airports use, but translating that information into plain English so it’s easier for travelers to follow.
You can check it out at flighty.com/airports
Just note, this doesn’t show security wait times or how long it takes to get to your gate. It focuses on bigger issues like weather, staffing shortages, or airspace closures that can impact airports worldwide.
If you’re more interested in TSA wait times, there’s a crowd-sourced site called Terminal Watch. It pulls in real-time posts from X and Bluesky and turns them into an easy-to-scan dashboard, along with quick insights on what’s happening at each airport.
You can check it out at terminalwatch.info
TV Segments
This week on TV, I shared more highlights from the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, including new LG TV features like listening through hearing aids and speakers at the same time.
I also spoke with the founder of Be My Eyes and checked out a phone designed for blind and low vision users.
We already have self-driving cars, so the next step might be self-driving trains.
This week I checked out Parallel Systems, an LA startup building autonomous rail cars that move independently and link together, with the goal of moving more goods by train instead of truck to reduce congestion and lower costs.
Schools are struggling with students being distracted by their phones during class. Two teen entrepreneurs came up with a different approach.
Instead of lock pouches, which can be limiting in an emergency, they created an app that locks students out of their phones during class time. It relies mostly on the honor system, but it’s an interesting take on a growing problem.
Don’t forget to claim your free MLB TV
If you’re a T-Mobile customer, you probably know the drill by now. The company is once again offering a free year of MLB TV, but you need to claim it by March 30.
MLB TV gives you access to out-of-market games all season long, and it’s typically priced around $150. That makes it one of T-Mobile’s most valuable and popular perks. Last year alone, about 1.25 million customers took advantage of the offer.
To claim it, open the T-Life app and look for the MLB TV promotion. A couple of taps and you’re set for the season.
And yes, people are already jumping on it. Kenny messaged me on Instagram and said, “Thanks Rich, I scored it.”
Why simple tech advice matters more than ever
This week I spoke at the Annual Senior Congress for the Conejo/Las Virgenes Future Foundation. The theme was “getting smarter at getting older,” and I focused on passwords, scams, and some of my favorite tools, tips, and tricks.
What stood out most was the conversations before and after. So many people wanted help with their phones, their setup, or just understanding the basics. It was a good reminder that this is still a hugely underserved group.
It also reinforced something for me: the need to keep things simple, clear, and relatable, especially when it comes to the fundamentals.
I had a great time. The audience was engaged and incredibly welcoming. Thanks to everyone who came out, and if you’re new here, glad you found me.
Q&A: Captions for a friend
Kathryn asks…
We have a dear friend who needs captions on his phone. He has severe hearing loss and no longer has a landline, so he’s become pretty isolated. We’d love to help him stay connected. Is there a phone that can do captions?
Great news. Both iPhone and Android have live captions built right in.
On iPhone, go to Settings, then Accessibility, then Live Captions. This will display audio as captions, whether it’s picked up by the microphone or playing through an app.
On Android, go to Settings, then Accessibility, then Hearing enhancements. Live Transcribe shows speech as text on your screen, while Live Caption automatically generates captions for audio on your device, including YouTube and other apps.
I also recommend an app called InnoCaption. It’s designed specifically for people with hearing loss and works very well.
Either platform should work great for him.
Feedbag
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Also, thanks to Dave in Eastern Washington and Paul in Katy, Texas for listening to the podcast.
Hearing from you is one of the best parts of doing this. Thanks for being here.
Be sure to tune in to my radio show on KFI AM 640, Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pacific. You can also catch the replay at 5 p.m. Pacific on 710 WOR in New York City, or subscribe to the podcast and listen anytime.
And don’t forget my weekly show on KTLA+. New episodes premiere Sundays at 11 a.m., with more in-depth versions of my TV segments.
Have a great weekend,
Rich