Quick reminder, now that it’s hot: In the car, keep your phone in the shade. When you have it plugged in for directions, it can overheat in minutes if it’s directly in the sun. If your computer’s running hot, check out my guide for fixing that issue.
Apple's new gear: An $800 watch and $1,200 phone
Apple.com
Set a reminder for Monday, Sept. 18. That’s when iOS 17 is dropping — and it’s the one thing Apple just announced at its big Wonderlust fall release event that won’t cost you anything.
I’ve been on the beta version for months and wrote up my favorite new features for the Daily Mail. Today, let’s take a closer look at the latest hardware dropping this fall.
The phones
The 15 and 15 Plus are essentially the iPhone 14 Pro, with bigger batteries, screens and fun new colors. Yes, I like the pink one.
The star of the show is the iPhone Pro Max, with a 6.7″ display (soon we won’t be able to fit these things in our pockets), titanium case and processor Apple says can challenge some high-end PCs. Yes, Apple sometimes overstates performance, but there’s no doubt this thing is fast.
Apple watches
The $799 Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a big screen that is bright enough to see in full sunlight, with 72 hours of battery life and a titanium case. Say what you want about Apple, but it’s the best smartwatch out there.
That model and the $399 Series 9 both get “double tap,” a new gesture where you tap together your pointer finger and thumb to do things like answer calls. Pretty sweet.
RIP, Apple lightning connector
All four of the new iPhones and the Apple Watches charge with a USB-C cable. Rejoice, now you can plug in at a friend’s house if they have an Android. I’m all for getting every device in my house charging on the same kind of cord.
Bummer: No more details on the Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, aside from it’s on track to launch in 2024.
Bottom line if you need a new phone
Reminder: Daylight Saving Time ends tomorrow
Extra hour of sleep? Your tech might not agree. Here’s how to keep it on track.
🤖 These are my bot confessions: Police say Missouri State student Ryan Schaefer smashed 17 car windshields, then bragged about it to ChatGPT. His typo-filled chats (“qill I go to jail?”) were found on his phone. Spoiler: yes. Now he’s facing felony charges and thousands in damages. Reminder: AI isn’t your diary, it’s potential evidence.
38,000 mph
Speed of an asteroid hurtling toward Earth. There’s a 2.3% chance it’ll impact in 2032. That’s the highest chance of any space rock we’ve spotted. At 460 feet wide, 2024 YR4 is 500 times more powerful than an atomic bomb. We’ll get a better look at where it’s heading in 2028. I’ll set a calendar reminder to update you!
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Never forget your dog’s walk again. Say, “Alexa, remind me to walk the dog at 7 p.m. every day.” Once you’ve built the habit, say, “Alexa, cancel my 7 p.m. dog walking reminder.” Psst, Echo Dots are 20% off with trade-in if you need one.
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Try callback reminders: In iOS 26, you can finally remind yourself to return missed calls. Open the Phone app, tap Recents, then switch to Missed. Swipe left on a call and tap the little blue clock icon. Choose a reminder like “in 1 hour” or “tonight,” and never forget to call back again.
🚪 Stop and think: A New Mexico woman handed over $60,000 in cash to a scammer posing as the FDIC. He showed up at her door with a fake badge and somehow disabled her phone so she couldn’t call for help. Reminder: No real agency asks you to hand-deliver your life savings. Ever.
Hold off buying any Google Home products: Reminder that on Oct. 1, at least one new Nest Cam and doorbell with Gemini built in will drop. I’ll keep you posted.
GoFraudMe: Scammers’ latest ploy is fake fundraisers exploiting a real tragedy. A woman’s husband was killed with a hatchet on vacation, and bogus GoFundMes popped up using his story. GoFundMe pulled the pages, but it’s a brutal reminder: Always verify before donating.
🐕 Never miss walk time again: Say, “Alexa, remind me to walk the dog at 6 p.m. every day.” No more side eye from the pup. Once you’re back in the habit, just say, “Alexa, cancel my 6 p.m. dog walking reminder.” FYI: The latest Echo Dot is 36% off. Such a deal!
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Chatbots are warping reality: Folks are forming deep bonds with AI, and it’s messing with their mental health. Like an accountant who was told we live in a simulation and advised to stop taking his meds. Then another woman who thought she was talking to spirits (paywall link). Reminder: Bots are built to entertain.
EV range lies: Consumer Reports drove 30 EVs dry at 70 mph and found over half underdelivered on range. Some like the Ford Lightning were off by up to 50 miles. BMW and Merc went the extra mile. Reminder: highway range ≠ sticker range. Especially not when it’s 95° and you’re blasting AC.
Crypto brain drain: Glen Fishman thought he was talking to legit Coinbase support. Turns out, it was a scammer who yoinked his password and stole his crypto fortune. FBI clawed back $95K (truly a miracle), but the rest? Poof. Fishman says he may have to delay retirement. Reminder: Never trust a dude whose support ticket opens with “Hey boss.”
📵 Kids glued to their phones? Pick a day or time for the whole family to unplug and spend time together. Download my kids’ tech contract for them to sign and hang it on the fridge as a reminder.