It only takes a minute: Time to update all your devices. There are too many scary bugs out there to skip security patches. On a Windows PC, head to Settings > Windows Update. On a Mac, go to General > Software Update. Using an Android? Tap to Settings > System > Software. And for iPhones, you’ll find updates under Settings > General > Software Update.
Easy ways to tidy up your tech
ChatGPT
We all love a clean house, but what about your digital life? Clutter builds up fast: old contacts, forgotten files, 127 versions of the same photo and a desktop that’s basically an overflowing junk drawer.
That doesn’t just hog storage, it slows down your tech and drains your focus.
Let’s tackle it, step-by-step. I’m here for you.
📸 Delete duplicate photos
You love your pet. I get it. But do you really need all 15 blurry attempts to get the perfect tail wag?
Here’s how to clean it up:
- On iPhone: Go to Photos > Utilities > Duplicates and tap Merge.
- For Android: Open Google Photos > Storage > Review and delete.
📌 Pro tip: Use CleanMyPhone (iOS) or Remo Duplicate Photos Remover (Android) for deeper cleanups.
📇 Declutter your contacts
If your contact list includes “Tina from that one happy hour” or someone labeled “maybe Brad??”, it’s time to let go.
- On iPhone, open the Contacts and tap on one you don’t need. Press Edit > Delete Contact.
- For Android, use Google Contacts. Check the box next to the contact name > More > Delete.
📌 Pro tip: Search for blank or “no name” and get rid of those, too.
The best new features coming to Android 13
© Rafael Henrique | Dreamstime.com
You get excited when an entirely new operating system version is released for your smartphone if you’re anything like us. Still getting to know Android 12? Tap to click here for eight hidden features you should be using.
Company you've never heard of brought down the world
A routine software update ended up causing millions of computers worldwide to crash with the infamous blue screen of death. Here’s the scoop — and how it impacts you.
⚠️ iPhone alert: Data experts say you should update to iOS 18.5 ASAP to patch a nasty bug. Hackers could access your personal files just by sending you a malicious image. If you’ve got an iPhone XS or newer, go to Settings > General > Software Update and tap Download and Install. Don’t wait!
45-day risk free trial: Thanks to tech, these hearing aids have two tiny smart processors that analyze the sound around you to make conversations crystal clear. Incredible. If your ears had a software update, this would be it. See if you qualify today for a 45-day no-risk trial!
This Zillow update makes home shopping easier
© Phairin Theekawong | Dreamstime.com
This was a rough year for Zillow. The company wanted to flip homes to make big cash, so its algorithm bought up properties like hotcakes — but the whole affair flopped.
On Nov. 2, Zillow reported a third-quarter net loss of $328 million. On the bright side, that means many of its homes are selling for low prices. Tap or click here for Kim’s guide to home shopping.
🚗 Polestar recall: The EV maker no one really knows about is recalling over 27,000 Polestar 2s due to a rearview camera issue. In some models, the camera might not show anything when reversing. FYI: It affects 2021 to 2025 models. A fix is coming via software update. Expect a letter with details by June 19. But since you get my free newsletter, you know now.
Surprise, iPhone 13 users: You just got a freebie. Apple’s iOS 18.5 will unlock satellite connectivity for iPhone 13 models. No hardware changes, just a software update. It’s carrier-dependent, so your provider might still hold you hostage, but it’s free to enable. Finally, you can ignore texts from space, not just Earth.
🚨 iPhone alert: Apple sent out a major warning that mercenary spyware is on the loose. This kind of attack targets specific people based on what they do, like journalists or government officials. For the rest of us, it’s a good reminder to update to iOS 18.4.1 for the latest security fixes. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
🥴 “What’d you say?” If you find yourself asking this more and more, it’s time to make a change. Forget the hearing aids your grandpa wore; today’s tech is so much better. These hearing aids have two tiny processors that analyze the sound around you to make conversations crystal clear. Incredible. If your ears had a software update, this would be it.
📦 The flying chain saws are back: Amazon’s drone deliveries have officially resumed in College Station, Texas, and Tolleson, Arizona, after a two-month break. Why? Dust. Yep, good old-fashioned dust was messing with the drones’ altitude sensors. There weren’t any incidents, but Amazon hit pause to be safe and fixed it with a software update.
Samsung broke your soundbar: And they know it. A bad software update they pushed last week left a bunch of soundbars unresponsive and inaccessible. It gets worse: It’s so severe, it can only be fixed with a physical repair. Samsung’s offering to fix it for free, even if you’re out of warranty. The least they can do.
Update your iPhone and iPad ASAP! Apple found a serious security bug that could let hackers bypass protections if you load malicious web content. Affected devices include the iPhone XS and later, iPad Air 3rd gen and later, multiple iPad Pros, plus plenty of others. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
Attention, website owners: Over 1 million WordPress sites use the SEO and optimization plugin W3 Total Cache. A new flaw lets hackers steal all kinds of sensitive info from the backend of a site. If you use the plugin, download software update 2.8.2 to patch the bug right now.
Update your iPhone: iOS 18 is live for every model newer than the iPhone X. No Apple Intelligence (aka Apple’s take on AI) until next month, but it’s still worth updating. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Follow the on-screen steps, then you’re good to go.
🤖 Try Apple Intelligence first: Test some of Apple’s AI features with the iOS 18.1 beta on an iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max. Go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates > iOS 18 Developer Beta > Back. Then select Upgrade to iOS 18 and hit Update Now.
Update to iOS 17.6 ASAP: It packs 35 security fixes, tackling vulnerabilities that could let hackers control your phone. Don’t wait for it to pop up. On iPhone XS or later, go to Settings > General > Software Update now. Update your iPad, too, if you have one.
Global tech outage wreaks havoc
A software update by CrowdStrike took down tons of computer systems around the world. Banks, businesses, hospitals, and more were all impacted. Plus, Amazon Prime Day updates and Zoom’s demand for a return to the office.
Update your iPhone, too: iOS 17.5 is here and it’s a big one — 1.5GB, to be exact. What’s new? An offline mode for Apple News+ and a notification when an unknown Bluetooth device is traveling with you. And you can finally send your phone in for repairs without having to turn off Find My — nice! Hit Settings > General > Software Update, and tap Download and Install.