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No translator, no problem
I’ll never forget the time I was in Paris, sitting at a café, staring down at a menu I couldn’t read. Out came Google Translate on my phone, and suddenly I thought, Wow the future is here. Fast-forward to this fall, and that “future” looks downright primitive compared to what Apple and Google are about to roll out.
Apple’s iOS 26 update, coming alongside the iPhone 17, will turn AirPods into your very own universal translator with no screens, no apps, no fumbling. You speak in English, it comes out in French. The waiter answers in French, you hear it back in English through your earbuds. No awkward mime routines while your croissant deflates.
Smooth, seamless and straight out of Star Trek.
🎧 Ear-resistible tech
Here’s how it works: You’ll need AirPods Pro 2 or Apple’s new AirPods 4, which are lighter and have longer battery life, plus noise cancellation that doesn’t miss a beat. At launch, the live translation feature will cover major languages like English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean and Chinese, with more rolling out in updates.
The best part? Your private conversations aren’t being shipped off to some server farm. Apple says all the language processing happens right on your device. That means your secrets stay yours, whether you’re ordering wine in Paris or bargaining at a street market in Seoul.
🤖 Talk nerdy to me
Android users, don’t worry, you’ve got bragging rights, too. Google’s Pixel Buds Pro already support real-time translation in over 40 languages, powered by Google Assistant. And Samsung is pushing the envelope with the Galaxy Buds3 Pro, which can interpret live conversations on the fly.
We’re standing at the doorstep of something huge: the end of the language barrier. No more phrase books, no awkward hand gestures, no “lost in translation” moments. Just imagine the doors this opens for travel, for business, for making friends across the world.
✅ How to try it now
If you don’t want to wait for iOS 26, you can already test-drive live translation with Pixel Buds Pro paired to any Android phone running the Google Translate app. Or if you’re in the Apple ecosystem, iOS 26 beta testers will get the AirPods translation feature first, so if you’re adventurous, you can sign up for the public beta. Here’s how.
The universal translator isn’t sci-fi anymore. It’s real, it’s in your pocket, and it’s only going to get better. Next time you’re ordering tapas in Madrid or sushi in Tokyo, you’ll sound like a local.
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Cooking up Labor Day steals
🧊 My pick: Countertop ice maker (17% off)
Forget frantic gas station runs. This cranks out 26.5 lbs of cubes in a day. Plenty for parties, road trips and your iced coffee (or tea) addiction.
🍱 Meal prep containers (20% off, 50-pack): Hosting a cookout? Load these up with leftovers, and send your guests home full and grateful.
🔥 Air fryer paper liners (30% off, 400 pcs): Heat-proof, nonstick and BPA-free. Translation: less scrubbing, more snacking.
🍽️ Stainless steel tongs (27% off, two-pack): Silicone tips mean no scratches on pans. They have 4.8 stars from 33,000+ rave reviews.
💦 Rotating water filter (29% off): Goodbye, icky chlorine taste. Hello, fresh-tasting water straight from the tap.
😎 Summer’s almost over: Shop these Labor Day markdowns while they last. I’ve rounded up even more winners on my Amazon shop.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Schools spy on kids even at home
School is back in session, but here’s something no one told you at orientation: Your kids may have more eyes on them than just their teachers’. Even if you don’t have kids in school, you really need to know about this.
Stop overpaying for subscriptions: I use Rocket Money to track all my recurring payments. It shows everything in one place and makes it easy to cancel the ones I don’t need anymore. The first time I used it, I saved $435! Start saving today!
Oh, sheet: Excel’s =COPILOT() feature writes formulas for you. But here’s the catch: Microsoft says it’s not accurate, not reproducible and shouldn’t be used for finances, legal docs or … well, Excel’s entire job that’s continually regressing.
Schools spying on kids at home?
Back to school means more than just books and homework. Parents, check your kids’ devices now for school-installed spyware that uses AI to monitor texts, searches, and online activity, even at home, and may be watching your entire family. Here’s what you need to know.
77%
That’s the chance aliens had of overhearing us during an Earth-Mars alignment. When Earth and Mars line up, NASA’s Deep Space Network beams so many signals at the Red Planet that an alien telescope would’ve had a 3-in-4 shot of catching us. Basically, we butt-dialed deep space and may have started an accidental group chat.
📶 Don’t trust public Wi-Fi: Scammers can set up “evil twin” networks that look like your coffee shop’s or airport’s Wi-Fi. Once you connect, they can intercept everything you type, from social media logins to credit card info. Always ask staff for the exact network name, and use a VPN to encrypt your internet traffic. My pick is ExpressVPN.
Emergency phone access can save lives
Your phone holds your life, from photos to banking apps. If you trust someone, give them access for emergencies or quick help. Here are three easy ways to do it safely.
🌀 Yeezy rug pull: Kanye launched the YZY crypto coin on X, watched it rocket to $3B, then collapse in three hours flat. Retail investors? Lost $20M. Eight “lucky” traders? Cashed out millions instantly. Ye once called coins a scam, and well, he’s not wrong. Delaware shell company? Check. Cult vibes? Check. History repeating? Absolutely.
Labor Day tech upgrades
💻 My pick: Laptop screen extender (26% off)
What a view! Your laptop just grew two extra screens. Perfect for travelers, gamers or anyone pretending to multitask during video calls. Yea, you!
🖥️ Dual monitor stand (32% off, two-pack): No more hunching. This riser lifts your screens to eye level. Your neck will thank you.
🔌 Cable management box (39% off, two-pack): Cord chaos? Not anymore. Just pop on the wood lid, and act like you’ve always been this tidy.
⌨️ Redragon wireless keyboard (26% off): Creamy keys, hot-swap switches and a control knob will make you feel like a power user.
🎒 Laptop backpack (14% off): One built-in USB port + 17 pockets + 45 color options = 4.8 stars and 8,500+ happy reviewers.
⚡ More deals, more power: The sale’s just getting started. Hit my Amazon page for the whole parade of Labor Day tech steals.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Is your data held hostage?
Trying to stop data brokers from selling your info? Good luck. George, your AI host, exposes how over 30 sketchy companies are hiding their opt-out pages from Google on purpose. Plus: Musk sues Apple over AI, job hunting goes retro, and Microsoft gives Excel a crystal ball it probably shouldn’t have.
Charlie Chaplin’s in theaters after 100 years
Charlie Chaplin famously rereleased his 1925 silent classic The Gold Rush in 1942 with new narration and edits, believing it would connect better with modern audiences. Now, thanks to film archivists and AI, the silent masterpiece has been painstakingly restored. The 4K version just premiered at Cannes and hit 250 theaters worldwide.
YouTube turns up the hype: Its new “Hype” feature lets you boost up to three small-creator videos a week. Those picks land on a special leaderboard, giving underdog channels a real shot at the spotlight. Look for the shiny “hyped” badge in your feed, and hit it for me now and then.
Set Netflix maturity ratings: On desktop, go to Manage Profiles > select their profile > Adjust Parental Controls and confirm your password. Pick a maturity rating (from All Ages to 18+) and hit Save. FYI: You can also block specific movies or series under Title Restrictions.
China built a pregnancy robot
A $14K baby-making machine? Yep, it’s real. Charles in Atlanta calls in to see if AI can help his band land more gigs. Plus: an $800K gold scam, a Bluetooth hack you need to know, and Amazon’s used car lot.
Early Labor Day deals
🪥 My pick: Oral-B iO electric toothbrush (30% off)
Save your gums and your dentist’s judgmental sighs. Bonus: includes a free travel case.
😁 Crest Gum Detoxify Plus (24% off, three-pack): Sensitivity protection + whitening + cavity control = your mouth’s dream team.
🍋 Garbage disposal cleaner tablets (36% off): A year’s supply of citrusy, gunk-free drains? Yes, please.
🧼 Tide PODS laundry detergent (15% off): These little guys pack twice the punch as regular laundry soap.
🩷 The Pink Stuff multipurpose cleaner (46% off): TikTok’s cleaning queen. Basically, elbow grease in a bottle.
🐶 Earth Rated dog poop bags (17% off): My unsung hero for every dog walk. Extra thick, no leaks, no disasters.
🐦 Early bird gets the bargains: Click this secret link, and load up before the weekend rush. My Amazon page has more steals you’ll love.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
🔍 Hide your Facebook from Google: Stop search engines from linking to your profile when someone looks up your name. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Audience and visibility > How people find and contact you. Then toggle off Do you want search engines outside of Facebook to link to your profile?
🥊 Musk vs. Apple + AI: Let me break this down. Musk just sued Apple and OpenAI, accusing them of teaming up to bury his xAI startup. He says Apple’s ChatGPT deal hands OpenAI billions of iPhone prompts for free training, while rivals like Grok get shoved down the App Store. Now he’s demanding billions in damages and a ban.