💡 Technical difficulties: Some of you couldn’t access my free e-book, “50 Smart Ways to Use AI.” We hit the server with a wrench and all is well now! Pro tip: If you’re still getting a 404 error, try in a different browser or an Incognito mode tab.
No translator, no problem
Midjourney
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.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
That photo might be an AI fake, here’s how to tell
Bing and ChatGPT
Did Prince William and Prince Harry make up?
Not even close. But thanks to Bing’s AI image generator, they practically skipped through a meadow hand in hand like it’s the finale of a very weird British rom-com reboot. No Daddy intervention, therapist or overpriced raspberry jam required.
Password manager hacked, smartwatch burns, Brand New or Not True
Ask Google to remove your data from search results, turn an old PC into a media server, Samsung smartwatch burn risks, popular password manager hacked and why you shouldn’t rely on Tile’s QR code stickers to find your lost stuff.
👾 Free VPN, but you’re the product: FreeVPN.One, a Chrome extension with over 100K installs, was busted taking covert screenshots of people’s activity and sending them to a sketchy server. The dev claims it’s for “security scans,” but researchers say that’s a lie with encryption on top. Google’s store still lists it. Basically: Chrome blessed spyware with a gold star. Need a solid private VPN? Hit this link to get 4 months free.
🎮 Protect your kids on Discord: You can filter out NSFW images sent from strangers, friends and server channels. Go to User Settings > Content & Social > Content and Block everything under Mature Sexual Media and Graphic Media. While you’re there, scroll to Direct Message spam, and toggle Filter all.
Why you need a VPN (even if you're not tech-savvy)
When surfing the web, you might encounter a few confusing acronyms. Take VPN, for example. You might shrug and scroll past it if you don’t know what it means. Just like that, you could miss out on the best internet privacy tool.
VPNs: How they work and how to choose the best one for you
© Fizkes | Dreamstime
I’m sure you’ve heard me mention VPNs before on my show. With hackers, thieves and scammers constantly out in full force, ready to steal your money, now’s the time to get on board.
VPN is short for virtual private network. What this means is when doing your banking online, hackers can’t step in the middle and steal your account information and drain your money. A VPN also stops your internet provider from tracking you and lets you unblock websites and bypass filters. You need it on your computer, laptop, tablet and phone.
Spider’s in the server: Qantas just revealed a data breach that hit 6 million customer records. No financial info leaked (phew), but names, birthdays and frequent flier numbers got scooped. The culprit might be Scattered Spider, the cybercrime crew currently doing a full tour of the aviation sector. Expect more airlines joining the hit list.
🧨 Judge rocks Google’s ad empire: He says Google illegally dominated two major online ad markets: its publisher ad server and ad exchange. The feds say it’s time to sell off Google Ad Manager. Meanwhile, another antitrust trial is heating up next week that could force Google to also offload Chrome.
🇺🇸 Made in America: Apple is hiring 20,000 folks for software and development jobs over the next four years and opening a new AI server factory in Houston next year. The $500 billion investment also includes building a manufacturing academy in Michigan. Love this.
🍜 Is this pho real? Some idiot tried to steal an $18,000 robotic server from a San Jose Thai restaurant. The guy walked in, asked to use the restroom, then dragged the bot to his car when he thought no one was looking. Employees stopped him, but it almost would’ve been funnier if they didn’t … The robot’s software only works inside the restaurant, so it would’ve been useless.
Password manager hacked, smartwatch burns, Brand New or Not True
Samsung’s smartwatch is under fire for reportedly burning wearers, a popular password manager was hacked, and why you shouldn’t rely on Tile’s new QR code stickers to find your lost stuff. Plus, how to ask Google to remove your personal info from search results, turning an old PC into a media server, and see if Kim can fool a Komando listener in this week’s Brand New or Not True.
Buy a ticket to space, save printer ink, Roblox dangers
Do your kids use Roblox? You need to know about these hidden dangers. Plus, you can buy a ticket to space or even get video tech support from inside your BMW. In this episode, you’ll learn how to turn an old PC into a home media server. I’ll also teach you how to save money on printer ink. (Spoiler alert: It’s all in the fonts.)
No more passwords, find hidden trackers, Theranos merch
Want to sell a water bottle for $1,500? Slap a Theranos label on it. This merch is all the rage on eBay — here’s why. Plus, Big Tech predicts a future without passwords and TikTok videos show what it’s like to live with dementia. I’ll tell you how to find hidden trackers and turn an old PC into a home media server. Also, these mental health apps can compromise your privacy.
Free check to see if your router has been hacked by criminals
© Christian Bridgwater | Dreamstime
The internet is a crazy place. Not only do marketers and advertisers follow your every move, but there are also hackers and scammers lurking in the dark corners, ready to pounce on your personal information.
At least marketers and advertisers want to make money off of you. The hackers and scammers we’re talking about want to flat-out steal your money by hijacking your personal information.
Security tip: How to set up a VPN on all your devices
If you’re security and privacy-conscious, you need to take all the steps you can to keep yourself safe online. That starts with the right VPN.
Not using a VPN is like leaving your front door unlocked every time you go out. Sure, nothing might happen for years, but when something does happen, it’s devastating.
Digital Life Hack: Turn an old PC into a home media server
Have an old computer laying around? Listen now for a free way to turn it into a home media server.
3 smoking computer and server deals from Dell's Semi-Annual Sale
Here at the Komando HQ, we use the best computers for business. In other words, we use Dell setups. If you’re a fan who wants a similar setup to our resident pros, you’re in luck.
Right now, our sponsor Dell is throwing its semi-annual sale, which slashes prices on some of its best computers. You can even snatch up to 45% off the desktop we use around the office. We searched the sale and pulled out three of the best deals you can get for a limited time.
The tracking secret your ISP doesn't want you to know
Let’s talk about cookies — not the kind you eat, but the ones that hold all the information your browser saves from websites you visit. Cookies are tiny files that contain your logins, user names, passwords and ads you’ve seen. Basically, they’re little trackers that follow you around the web, which means they have a ton of data on you and your browsing habits.