Is it spam? Reader Ron S. in Gilbert, Arizona, dropped me a note with a reminder about a super-helpful site if you’re worried a link is suspicious. Google analyzes billions of URLs every day and adds spammy ones to a list. Paste a link in here to see if it’s been flagged. Thanks, Ron!
Apple's new gear: An $800 watch and $1,200 phone
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
This genius Android app has a feature we wish was built in
Notifications help keep track of everything from upcoming flights to group chats to delivery updates.
When your phone is locked, app notifications (including messages) can pop up on your phone. If you’re unaware, prying eyes can see what’s happening on your phone. Tap or click here for simple steps to hide notifications on your phone’s lock screen.
You’re SOL … if you bought movies through Redbox. The company filed for bankruptcy, closed down the big red kiosks, and now the app is gone, too. This is your friendly reminder that when you buy digital content, you’re buying the right to watch for now.
3,601 chemicals
From food packaging have been found in the human body. Researchers found about 25% of the roughly 14,000 chemicals used in packaging in blood, hair or breast milk samples. This is your friendly reminder to stop microwaving plastic.
Tackle your to-do lists with these 5 great apps
Adulting is hard. When you were a child, the most important thing you had to remember was when is rectangle pizza day for school lunch. Tap or click here for a helpful scheduling app.
But when you get older, you have meetings, doctor appointments, kids to pick up from daycare and much more to remember. The good news is you don’t have to do it alone. With the help of technology, you can always have a digital to-do list in your hand.
True or false: It's illegal to talk to your phone's smart assistant while driving
Smart assistants can be used with smartphones, tablets, computers and smart devices to make life easier. You can turn the lights on, set a reminder to get the groceries, recommend a restaurant, play your favorite music and set the mood to watch a movie. The possibilities are truly endless.
WWDC starts tomorrow: That’s Apple’s five-day annual event where, this year, we’ll learn all about iOS 18. It starts at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT). You can add a calendar reminder on the Apple Events page, or just tune in at Apple.com. If you miss it, don’t worry — I’ll give you the recap on Tuesday!
Three strikes and you’re out: There are three important high-income skills (paywall link) an AI chatbot can’t replicate: Problem-solving, personal branding and communication. This is your reminder that these skills are where you need to shine to keep AI from taking over your career … for now.
49.8% of the population will be nearsighted and need glasses by 2050
That’s up from 20% in 2000. Screens aren’t totally to blame — all “near work” like reading, writing and, yes, watching, contributes, along with time indoors. A good reminder to get outside and make sure you have vision insurance.
Can’t peel yourself off the couch? Amazon Prime members, get a year of Grubhub+ for free and skip the food delivery fees. Go to amazon.com/grubhub, hit Activate Grubhub+, and sign in or make an account. After your first year, it’s $10 a month, so set a reminder to cancel.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
SSN sharks: The FTC says Americans lost over $126 million to Social Security scams last year. Reminder: The real SSA won’t slide into your DMs, rush you or threaten to suspend your SSN. Stay sharp, folks.