iOS18 has a lot of cool features, including Reader Mode, Safari’s own personal ad blocker.
What happens when your car tech gets outdated?
Today’s cars are basically computers on wheels. The average modern car contains between 1,000 and 1,500 semiconductor chips. For electric vehicles, it’s as many as 3,000 chips. Just like your computer, your vehicle’s features could become outdated and unsupported. How long does your connected car have? Well, it depends.
Off the ‘Wagen
In 2022, Jake Brown bought a 2017 Volkswagen Passat. He knew some Volkswagens had been having trouble with their connected features, but Volkswagen said a fix was coming. He was in for a rude awakening; his Passat runs on 3G, a service AT&T discontinued for VW that same year.
Without connectivity, VW models built between 2014 and 2019 can no longer access smart features, including remote start, antitheft alerts and emergency assistance.
Volkswagen admits they still haven’t found a fix — and buyers aren’t happy. Some Hyundai and Nissan owners lost their smart features in the great 3G death, too.
It’s all about headroom
“Headroom,” of course, means how long your car has before its hardware can’t accept updates. Volkswagen says 4G sunsets won’t happen until 2035. If you have a car with 4G, that gives you 10 more years.
EV manufacturer Rivian says their hardware and software will last roughly seven years, but the right support could extend that estimate beyond the seven-year mark.
What happens after that?
The average age of cars still on the road is 12.6 years. When vehicles lose their ability to update, it’s like a hot potato. Whoever’s left holding the car when the time runs out gets burned, especially when it comes to resale value.
Steer clear
If you’re buying used, pay attention to any vehicles with connected features, especially those manufactured between 2012 and 2019. Here’s a list of all the 3G-equipped cars affected. Nearly every carmaker is listed, but these are the manufacturers without a fix:
Home updates anyone can do
Calling all renters and DIYers! You just found your next weekend project.
- Add beadboard to your walls without the hassle. This pre-pasted wallpaper is 30% off now.
- Liven up your couch or reading chair with a boho chic pillow cover for $15.99. Super cute.
- Add a statement wall with beautiful decorative woven baskets. Sweet, a set of seven for 50% off.
- Update your kitchen or bathroom with sleek modern cabinet pulls. This pretty 10-pack of brass ones is on sale for $14.79.
- Make stairs easier and safer for kids, older pets and the rest of us. Neat peel-and-stick stair treads with glow-in-the-dark strips are half off now!
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Laptops expire, too: Before you buy, search for that exact model on endoflife.date. If it’s already at its end of life, or EOL, move on. That means it’s not going to get any more security updates and isn’t safe to use. If it’s close to its EOL, you can do better: Check out our latest laptop picks.
How to earn $25 million a year on eBay
Linda Lightman started by selling her kids’ video games on eBay in the ’90s. Today, she operates a 100,000 sq. ft. warehouse with a dedicated team, all thanks to her eBay success. Plus, updates on Apple’s AI developments and tax credits for EVs.
Never comes with a lifetime guarantee: The FTC found only 11% of smart devices say how long they’ll get software updates. It’s required by law for anything with a written warranty over $15. Check endoflife.date to see if any of your gadgets are ready for retirement.
This panes me: On Windows 10, you might see full-screen ads for Windows 11 PCs. Reminder: Windows 10 support ends in October 2025; only CPUs from 2018 onward will support Windows 11. If you’re not ready to upgrade to Windows 11, you’ll still be able to pay $30 for an extra year of Windows 10 updates.
Update your Apple gear ASAP: Apple dropped important security updates that patch a serious bug in Safari for Macs, iPhones and iPads. Google’s Threat Analysis Group believes a foreign government is behind the attack. On a Mac, click the Apple icon > System Settings. Look for “Software Update Available.” The latest version is Sequoia 15.1.1. Update your iPhone to iOS 18.1.1 under Settings > General > Software Update.
💻 So long, farewell: The latest version of Windows 11 (24H2) isn’t just routine updates; it also removes some apps, including WordPad, Paint 3D and Tips. To update, go to Settings > Windows Update and enable Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available. FYI, support for Windows 10 ends on Nov. 14, 2025.
🚨 Mac warning: Microsoft researchers found a serious macOS security bug that lets hackers access your private data. It bypasses Safari’s protections, meaning your search history, camera, microphone and location are all at risk. The good news? There’s already a patch. Don’t wait — go to System Settings > General > Software Update > Update Now.
🍏 Apple Intelligence update: Apple’s AI, built for iOS 18, will drop across several updates. Some ETAs: iOS 18.1 in October brings Siri’s new interface, natural conversation ability, and call recording and transcription. In December, iOS 18.2 brings image generation and ChatGPT integration. By March 2025, iOS 18.3 or 18.4 will add Siri’s on-screen awareness and app control.
🔄 Patch Tuesday: Microsoft rolled out fixes for 79 flaws, including four zero-days. One of the worst is a Windows Update that could roll back security fixes. Yikes. Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, then click Check for updates.
A canceled or delayed flight is the worst: Before I leave for the airport, I look up my trip on FlightAware. If your plane is stuck in another city, you’ll see it there before your airline updates its app.
Death march: Starting with some 2023 models and those released in March 2024, Samsung TVs get seven years of free updates to keep them safe from hackers. No specifics on which models yet, but it’s likely to cover those with AI features. PSA: Before you buy any used electronics, know the EOL (end-of-life) date. More about that here.
“My children and I have lived in hell for months”: After her cable company, Xfinity, ignored her, a woman shared a now-viral TikTok video with evidence of hackers infiltrating her smart TV. The footage shows a search box on screen and someone typing in her passcode. I’ll bet either her Wi-Fi password is weak, her smart TV allows remote access, or her gear and TV both need firmware updates.
Every American's Social Security number could be up for grabs
Hackers leaked 2.7 billion records from National Public Data, including SSNs. What does this mean for you? Plus, dynamic pricing at grocery stores, Google’s new game-changing updates, and Ford’s latest ‘do not drive’ alert.
Global tech outage wreaks havoc
A software update by CrowdStrike took down tons of computer systems around the world. Banks, businesses, hospitals, and more were all impacted. Plus, Amazon Prime Day updates and Zoom’s demand for a return to the office.
Beta blocker: Apple Safari 18 beta’s new Reader mode lets you read any article without ads or auto-playing videos. To use it, you’ll need to update to the Sequoia OS beta. Go to Settings > General > Software Update > toggle on Beta Updates > macOS Sequoia developer beta > Upgrade Now. Now, when you open an article in Safari, click the square icon in the URL bar, and then click Show Reader to scroll ad-free!
Drag and drop: In Gmail, your mail is divided into categories: “Primary,” “Promotions,” “Social” and “Updates.” If you always want to see emails from a certain sender (ahem, like me!), just drag an email from that sender into the “Primary” tab. Now, emails from that sender will get the all-star treatment.
You need to give a sheet: If your job applications go ignored, you could be applying for “ghost jobs” — listings for positions that don’t really exist. Companies use them to trick staff into thinking help is on the way or, worse, to scare them into feeling replaceable. The tip-off: These roles linger around without any updates.