Breathe new life into an old laptop or PC: Install ChromeOS Flex, a free, cloud-based operating system. With processing done on Google’s servers and a bare-bones interface, you’ll get surprisingly good performance. Your PC will need to meet these minimum specs: x64 CPU, 4GB RAM, 16GB storage and a USB port for installation.
Text scam: Chinese phishing crew behind fake delivery notifications

Oh, no! An urgent text from the U.S. Postal Service about your package delivery. Yeah, we all know by now these texts are fake.
And we finally know who’s behind the scammy messages. I thought this was super interesting, and I bet you will, too. A Chinese phishing operation has been farming personal info for the last year and a half.
One big smish-mash
They go by Smishing Triad (paywall link) and their MO is simple: Send texts to lure people into scams. It’s no small operation; they send an estimated 100,000 messages per day.
It starts with a notification of extra fees required to deliver a package. USPS, FedEx and UPS are common names they use to text Americans. The messages typically include a link to a legit-looking website where you enter your financial info.
Fall for it and hackers add your details to Apple Pay or Google Wallet accounts on burner smartphones — and then go shopping. They can also use the stolen info to withdraw money from ATMs. Crazy, right?
But wait, there’s more! Smishing Triad also sells its malware as a subscription service to other cybercrooks. Yep, they get paid for sharing their tools.
Don’t touch that text
OK, we know who’s behind these texts, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to stop anytime soon. With banks behind the curve on this one, it’s up to you to stay alert.
- Stop and think: Don’t click links included in bogus messages or answer phone calls from numbers you don’t recognize. Just don’t.
- Shhh: Don’t respond to random texts, even if the message requests you “text STOP” to end future messages. This can alert a scammer you’re a real human, resulting in even more messages. Delete the text and report it as spam.
- Update everything: Keep your phone’s operating system and any security software you use (this is my pick) updated to the latest version.
- 2FA is your friend: Enable it on any app you can that contains personal information (bank accounts, health records, social media accounts).
When in doubt …
Go to the source. If you get a text from a well-known company or government agency, contact their customer service department to confirm the text you received is real. Here’s a cheat sheet of official numbers:
Smart TVs: More loaded with ads than ever

Feeling bombarded with ads every time you turn on the tube? Well, you are. TV manufacturers figured out they could make more money from ad sales and tracking than actually selling TVs.
It used to just be commercials, but now we’ve got pop-ups, home screen ads, interactive ads — you name it. I’ve got the scoop on what’s next, plus some actionable tips to survive the ad avalanche.
Apple’s home robots may be coming soon: Rumor has it two smart display devices will run a new operating system called homeOS. The high-end model is tricked out with a robotic arm, a large iPad-like display and a price starting at $1,000. The cheaper model, which is made for controlling home appliances, is expected to debut next year. Yep, AI’s included.
Every major Android operating system release has a number, like the current Android 14, and a dessert-themed codename, like Upside-down Cake. Which of the following has never been an Android OS codename? Is it … A.) Cupcake, B.) Jelly Bean, C.) Lollipop or D.) Pancake?
Get these Communist China apps off your phone

I mentioned last week app maker ByteDance was starting to get banned on some government devices, and you guys and gals hit me with a ton of questions.
Let’s start by taking a step back. ByteDance is the Communist China parent company of TikTok, among other apps. After the U.S. signed the “No TikTok on Government Devices Act” into law in December 2022, ByteDance quickly moved to push and release even more new apps. Sneaky move, for sure.
Wearable tech for long-distance loved ones

Bond Touch keeps you close to the ones you love with wearables that let you share physical touch
It sounds like futuristic science fiction – people who are physically apart, but able to send a “touch.” But it’s real.
⚖️ Google busted up? The U.S. Justice Department is considering breaking up Google after a ruling the tech giant monopolized the online search market. Options include forcing Google to divest the Android operating system and Chrome browser or sell off Google Ads, its search ad program.
Photoshop is expensive: When you need to do a quick crop, edit or resize, try Pixlr. It works in your browser and runs on almost every operating system. Sweet!
Trouble getting your car serviced this week? Blame a cyberattack on CDK, the operating system used by dealerships, which was shut down amidst the chaos. This disruption meant dealers couldn’t process electronic titling or access service records. Stay tuned. I’m sure we’ll hear about a data breach soon.
Be a beta tester: Get early access to new operating system upgrades, if you’re willing to deal with potential bugs and glitches. Here’s the link for iPhone beta, and you can also become a Windows Insider.
So long, farewell: Anyone who upgraded to Windows 11 on an old PC that technically doesn’t meet the latest operating system requirements is out of luck. Folks are reporting their tech dinos are stuck in a reboot loop. If you’re in the market, our IT genius, John, recommends this solid PC for under $650 that’ll last for years. If you edit video or need more power, here’s his pick for well under $1,000.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Free photo editor: Confession: I’ve never been patient enough to learn how to use Photoshop. When you need to do a quick crop, edit or resize, try Pixlr Editor. It works in your browser and runs on almost every operating system.
🔓 New phone level unlocked: Samsung fans swear by the free app Good Lock. It makes the Samsung operating system better with mini apps. Start by checking out QuickStar to customize your Quick Panel, apply new themes with Theme Park or rewind to that notification you only glanced at with Nice Catch.
Plaque attack: Thanks to operating system flaws, 3 million smart toothbrushes turned into hacker tools. This is no joke; they were used as part of a massive DDoS attack, crashing a company’s website. Any internet-connected device is a target. My advice: Give your router a stronger password. And if you can’t update your router, get a new one.
When you need to do a quick crop, edit or resize, try Pixlr X. It works in your browser and runs on almost every operating system.
Even if your iPhone dies, it can still do these 3 things

Your mobile phone is a lifeline to many daily activities. It is often the first thing we reach for in the mornings to check social media or pour over the latest news with a cup of coffee. It also keeps us in touch with family and friends.
Talk techy to me: Get your work done faster with this pro tip

AI still has a long way to go, but I’ll tell you one thing: Writing with your voice is getting a heck of a lot easier.
Maybe you dictate text messages, but there’s so much more you can do if you start dictating for work, too. I’ll show you how, plus I’ve got some tips to make your spoken words shine on the page.
You can get the latest iPhone updates early if you take this simple step

Apple’s Craig Federighi recently rocked our worlds with one insight into automatic iPhone updates that we find fascinating. If you’ve ever wondered why it takes so long for your iPhone to update itself, you’ll want to check this out. Your iPhone’s security may be hanging in the balance.
Check this list before you buy a Chromebook

There are plenty of laptop models to choose from, so deciding which one is right for you can be challenging. But if you prefer a system that requires minimal maintenance and gets automatic updates, you should consider a Chromebook.