OpenAI and Apple design legend Johnny Ive are building something big. Will it replace your iPhone?
Apple’s under pressure: Jony Ive, aka the guy who helped design the iPhone, is working with OpenAI to build new hardware (paywall link). No word yet on what the first device will be, but leaks say it could be something “screen-free.” Hey, maybe Apple will surprise us with something incredibly new at WWDC on June 9. I doubt it.
23%
That’s how many HTML attachments are malicious. They usually show up in your inbox with names like “invoice.html,” and when you click, they redirect you to phishing websites. That’s where scammers steal your info or drop malware on your device. Moral of the story? Stay sharp and use real-time protection. My pick is TotalAV, just $19 a year.
🍏 Clean up your iPad apps: Swipe all the way right to open the App Library. Tap the search bar at the top to see an A–Z list of every app on your device. Long-press any app and select Delete App to clear out the ones you don’t use anymore. FYI: Some system apps can’t be removed.
🔊 Customize Windows audio: You can control the volume of individual apps right from your task bar. Just right-click the volume icon and select Open Volume mixer. Slide it down for something like System Sounds, and bump it up for Spotify. FYI: The Device slider changes overall volume, but app levels stay put.
📱 ChatGPT is getting physical: OpenAI just dropped $6.4 billion (in stock, because vibes) to buy Jony Ive’s startup, io, the AI device shop he built with ex-Apple folks. Ive’s crew is now officially part of OpenAI, blending brains and beauty to make AI hardware less “black box” and more “please actually use me.”
🦈 Shark fisherman saves the day: Yes, there is such a thing. A shark fisherman (who can’t swim) saved a girl caught in a rip current by airdropping a flotation device with a drone. His first flotation drop missed. Luckily, round 2 was a direct hit. Lifeguards don’t patrol that part of Pensacola Beach, and drones aren’t even allowed farther down. The EMS said it straight: Without him, she wouldn’t be alive.
🔎 Where’s my remote? If it’s a Google TV remote, press the button on the back of your streaming device. Your remote will beep for 30 seconds, so you can find it. You could even say, “Hey, Google, find my remote.” Hit any button on your remote to stop the sound once you find it. I remember the first time I saw a universal remote. I thought, “This changes everything!”
🐶 Streaming that wags: Want dog or cat videos on a loop? If you have a Roku device (now 28% off), check out their lineup of free channels for pet and animal lovers. Sure, there are ads, but free is still free. Perfect background noise for you or your furry friend.
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🖨️ Print with your voice: Got a 3rd-gen Echo or newer? You can link it to your printer. Make sure both are on the same Wi-Fi network and say, “Alexa, discover my printer.” In the Alexa app, it’s Add (+) > Device > Printer to set it up manually. This only works on some models. Click here to see what’s compatible.
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Lock up your library: Want to keep your guilty pleasure reads private? Add a passcode to your Kindle. From the home screen, tap the three dots (top-right corner), then go to All Settings > Device Options > Device Passcode to set it up. Because not every book is meant to be shared.
Who needs privacy? The Limitless AI pendant is a tiny device that clips onto your shirt, records everything you say and uploads it to an app. Why would anyone want that? It can then spit out summaries of your convos, create to-do lists and offer self-improvement tips (paywall link). Like, “Be more patient with your kids.” Yeah, I’m not paying for a backseat driver.
🗑️ No paper manual? No worries. ManualsLib has over 8.7 million for electronics, appliances and more. You can download PDFs right to your computer or device. Score. Next step: figuring out what half these buttons actually do.
⚡️3-second tech genius: Find your iPhone with Siri by saying, “Hey, Siri, where’s my phone?” to your Apple Watch or HomePod, and it will instantly ring your device.
Lucky’s the name: Rename your phone from “Pixel 9” or “My little phoney” to something helpful like “Reward if found – Call 555-123-4567.” For iPhones, head to Settings > General > About > Name. On Android, go to Settings > About phone > Device name. It’ll pop up on Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or when it’s plugged into a computer.
The latest way your information is being targeted
An A.I. company is selling your data to the highest bidder, and there is nothing you can do about it. Plus, a sleek recording device is infiltrating your social interactions.
WFP(hone): Google Meet’s Switch here lets you switch from your phone to your desktop without dropping the call. If you’re in a live meeting, click to Join the meeting on your other device, and you’ll see Switch here. Sweet.
🖨️ Oh Brother: The printer manufacturer quietly pushed a firmware update that blocks third-party ink cartridges. It gets worse. They scrubbed older firmware versions from their support site, so there’s no way to roll back. If you haven’t updated, keep your device offline and reject firmware updates.
NASA’s new mission to deal with space junk is Apollo G: Over 11,000 satellites orbit Earth. When they crash into each other, it creates junk. (We’re talking 40K pieces of debris in low orbit.) The fix: ELROI (Extremely Low Resource Optical Identifier). In you and me terms, it’s a solar powered, stamp-sized device that’s a license plate for space identification and communication.