Rich On Tech

Rich explains why he’s finally sold on AI agents after using ChatGPT Dots to order pizza, check in for a flight, research trips and handle everyday tasks. Six major AI companies signed a voluntary safety agreement with the White House, but there are no penalties, deadlines or real enforcement. Eduardo in Tampa is looking for an affordable new phone, but a free Metro deal won’t work if he’s switching from T-Mobile. Consumer Reports found that many connected-car apps share information with advertising and analytics companies, including potentially sensitive personal data. Samsung raised Galaxy S26 prices by $100, while Google raised the Pixel 10a price as tech products continue getting more expensive. Dan in Moss Landing can’t connect his Chromebook to his iPhone hotspot, and Rich recommends turning on Maximize Compatibility. Todd in Goodyear wants a phone with a microSD card slot, and Rich recommends the Fairphone, Moto G series and SMS Backup & Restore. McDonald’s is using AI to help restaurants determine…

Snapdragon focuses on AI: Qualcomm’s new chips aim to run more AI directly on phones, improving speed and reducing reliance on the cloud. Google Book preview: Android-based laptops bring native apps and built-in AI tools, starting around $900. New hardware demos: Rich tries a haptic mouse, robotic phone camera and augmented reality glasses, with mixed impressions of their everyday usefulness. Meta Muse gets proactive: The assistant connects to personal services and completes browser tasks, raising questions about privacy and data access. Meta expands wearables: New products include updated Ray-Ban glasses, a camera-free option and a lightweight VR headset with a separate computing pack. Beats360 review: Swappable cushions make the $350 headphones versatile, but wired listening and automatic pause are missing. Streaming prices climb: Disney and Hulu raise prices again; Rich suggests comparing bundles and canceling rarely used services. Premiere comes to Android: Adobe’s editor offers free core tools without…

AI gets more useful and more concerning: Rich says to use AI and understand it, but question its answers rather than blindly trusting it. AI can provide emotional support: Caller Bonnie used ChatGPT to help process the loss of her dog, while Bridget Todd explained why emotional connections with AI are becoming more common. Meta Muse is a personal AI assistant: Rich likes Meta’s new Muse app, which can connect to email, calendars, reminders and tasks to help get things done. iPhone 18 Pro is great, but not a must-upgrade: Better battery life, cooler operation and a variable-aperture camera stand out, but recent iPhone owners can probably wait. Siri finally gets much smarter: Siri can privately index messages, emails, photos and other personal information so you can ask questions about your own life. Spectrum Mobile could save a caller $1,500: Rich says the free-year offer could be worthwhile, but check Verizon coverage where you live and work before switching. Watch for government impersonation scams: If…

Apple launches the $2,000 iPhone Duo, its first foldable with a 5.4-inch outer screen, 7.6-inch inner display, MagSafe and Apple Pencil support. iPhone Duo software could be its biggest advantage, with apps optimized for the foldable screen instead of simply being stretched larger. IDScan confirms a major driver’s license breach, prompting Rich to recommend free credit freezes with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Political spam texts are best filtered, not answered, since replying can confirm your number is active and lead to even more messages. iPhone 18 Pro gets a $100 price hike, starting at $1,200 with variable aperture photography, improved cooling and longer battery life. A cellular Apple Watch can help after a fall, with fall detection and the ability to call for help even when your iPhone isn’t nearby. Smart TVs can become “dumb” TVs, simply by leaving them offline and using an Apple TV, Roku or Fire TV for streaming. Infinite Fi’s $49 unlimited internet claim doesn’t add up, because any hotspot…

Driver’s license scans exposed: More than 153 million U.S. and Canadian ID records were reportedly offered on the dark web. Freeze your credit and consider an IRS Identity Protection PIN. Make accounts harder to hack: Rich shared three simple ways to better protect your accounts, including unique passwords, two-factor authentication and Chrome Enhanced Protection. Translation tools for travel: Timekettle, AirPods and Pixel Buds can translate conversations, but a phone translation app may be easier in important situations. Tesla Cybercab goes driverless: David Moss rode Tesla’s steering-wheel-free Cybercab in Austin and discussed how autonomous vehicles could improve mobility for blind, disabled and elderly passengers. International calling while traveling: Check your carrier for a roaming pass or use a travel eSIM. Simbye is one option that can include a real phone number. Amazon scam checker: Alexa for Shopping can check whether a suspicious Amazon email, text or call is legitimate. You can also forward…

Rich talked about shopping around for high-speed internet and shared tools and tips to help you find a better plan, faster speeds or a lower price. Apple has set September 9 for its next big event, where we’re expecting to see the new iPhone 18 Pro models and Apple’s first foldable iPhone. Matthew is having issues with his Sonos speakers disappearing and not showing up in the Sonos app. Mike in the South Bay runs a small IT company and says he’s seeing fake invitation scams that can secretly install remote-access software on computers. He found that an app called Uninstalr can successfully detect and remove it. TechSpot article Shelly is wondering if she should sign up for Guardio. Rich says the service asks for a lot of access to your accounts, and many of its protections can be handled on your own. He recommends turning on Chrome’s Enhanced Safe Browsing, avoiding suspicious links and phone numbers in unsolicited messages, and freezing your credit. Gary in Laguna Niguel wants to know if his prepaid…

Meta faces landmark teen safety trial: Twenty-nine states accuse Meta of designing Facebook and Instagram to hook young users while misleading parents about safety. Former Meta executive Arturo Behar testified that growth and engagement often took priority over child safety, while Meta denies wrongdoing. Pixel 11’s Rambler speeds up replies: Rich says the Pixel 11 Pro’s Rambler voice-to-text feature has made it much faster to respond to emails by turning spoken thoughts into clean, formatted text. I Like Movies app tracks what to watch: Rich recommends the clean, feature-packed movie tracking app, which is available on Android now with an iPhone version expected in September. Watching KTLA without home internet: Marshall in Reseda wants to watch KTLA+ without home internet. KTLA+ is designed for supported smart TV platforms, but KTLA.com, YouTube and an over-the-air antenna provide other ways to watch KTLA programming. Apple Passwords vs. Bitwarden: Silvanna asks whether Apple Passwords is secure enough for…

• Scam protection: Slow down, stop the conversation, and independently verify requests before sending money, sharing codes, or installing software. • Family code words: Set up a private family code word to help verify emergency calls that could use AI-cloned voices. • Calendar spam: Fake PayPal charges can appear as calendar events, so restrict invitations from unknown senders. • Saving old email: Use Gmail import or Thunderbird to save messages before an old email account is shut down. • OnePay legitimacy: OnePay appears legitimate, but always research customer service, banking partners, and company details before moving money. • Pixel 11 lineup: Google’s Pixel 11 phones bring upgraded cameras, more AI features, faster charging, and higher starting prices. • Which Pixel to buy: Rich’s early pick is the Pixel 11 Pro XL with 512 GB of storage and 16 GB of RAM. • Pixel Tag: Google’s $29 AirTag-style tracker arrives November 11. • Microsoft Publisher replacement: Canva is an easy Publisher alternative, while…

03:04 — Hotel Wi-Fi attacks target travelers: Hackers linked to Russia are targeting hotel and conference Wi-Fi login systems and redirecting users to convincing fake update or security pages. Rich says public Wi-Fi is still usable, but never install software or enter authentication codes because a captive portal tells you to. Use cellular or a hotspot for sensitive activity. 10:04 — Wendy in Yorba Linda gets unwanted Chrome pop-ups: Her OnePlus 11 keeps opening game websites even after clearing Chrome data. Rich recommends removing unfamiliar or unused apps, checking Chrome notification permissions for rogue websites, updating Android, and installing the latest Google Play system update before considering a factory reset. 15:12 — NFL Sunday Ticket discounts can cut the cost: Verizon customers, students, military members, veterans, first responders, teachers and healthcare workers may qualify for substantial discounts. Rich recommends checking eligibility before paying the roughly $500 full-season price.…

Rich talked about the pros and cons of Apple’s new iPhone leasing program. Rich ordered an Uber, and they charged him 66% more than the quote. All he did was ask them to review the root and fare calculation for accuracy and got a credit for the difference. Mickey writes in to ask if wireless charging on airplanes and at public charging stations could be a security risk. AI continues to hack real companies during security tests. The bottom line is you need to take cybersecurity seriously, no matter what, if it’s personal or for your small business. Julie in Riverside is looking for a portable emergency radio with solar charging or a hand crank. Rich recommended this model from C. Crane or this less expensive option from Amazon. Rich also mentioned portable power stations from Jackery and EcoFlow. Karen in La Palma wants to remove her personal information from the internet. Rich recommended California’s DROP program, Google’s Results About You tool and show sponsor Incogni. Brian Collins, Executive Director of…

Rich talked about Samsung’s new foldables finally being a place where they are really good and polished, of course, right before Apple introduces something very similar. Carmen in Hollywood wants a cheaper alternative to her AT&T home phone line. Rich recommends Ooma, AT&T Home Phone Advanced, or checking with her cable provider for a lower-cost option. LG is cracking down on shady smart TV apps that secretly use your internet connection for other purposes. Andy Vaca, founder of GRYHAT Cybersecurity, explains OpenAI’s reported AI “hack” of Hugging Face may be better understood as an access-control failure, and what consumers can learn from the security basics companies still overlook. Charlie wants to know why Amazon no longer includes purchase details in its emails. Rich explains it is meant to prevent third-party services from harvesting that information. Sponsor: Incogni helps remove your personal information from data brokers. Get 60% off at incogni.com/rich. A Verizon roaming outage briefly left…

OnePlus is exiting the U.S. market. Richard from New Jersey is having issues getting audio from his Roku to his soundbar. Rich says it is most certainly the audio output settings. The iOS 27 public beta is here. Just be careful. I would not install on your primary phone. The final version will be out in September. Rick emails and asks for a way to watch over-the-air Dodgers games on his Android phone. Rich recommends the Tablo, a device that lets you stream local broadcast TV to your phone and other devices. Judy has a Samsung Galaxy S25 and says Chrome’s “Listen to this page” feature has disappeared. Rich says it’s likely a temporary software issue and recommends waiting for a future update. In the meantime, try Google’s free Reading Mode app or ElevenReader for text-to-speech. Switching from Samsung Messages to Google Messages? Here’s the info. Rich mentioned the app SMS Backup and Restore on Google Play. Travel expert Johnny Jet shares the must-have apps that can make a European vacation easier, from…

Meta pulls controversial AI likeness feature: Meta briefly allowed its Muse Image generator to create images based on any public Instagram user’s photos without requiring permission. After criticism over consent, deepfakes, scams and unauthorized use, Meta removed the Instagram reference feature. Samsung Messages users move to Google Messages: Samsung’s discontinued messaging app may remain on phones because it was installed as a system app. Before clearing its data and cache, users should back up their texts with a tool such as SMS Backup & Restore and confirm everything appears in Google Messages. DuckDuckGo blocks most YouTube ads: DuckDuckGo’s browser now filters most ads on the YouTube website without requiring an additional extension. It does not block ads inside the YouTube app, and users may occasionally encounter buffering, playback problems or ads that slip through. Consider testing AT&T Internet Air before switching: Susan in San Clemente is considering a $99 bundle replacing her cable internet,…

The Supreme Court just handed down a major privacy ruling that affects the location data tech companies collect and store from your smartphone. Sony says they will stop making physical discs for games starting in January 2028. Rich mentioned the AP Stylebook. Rich mentioned downloading the official National Park app if you are traveling to a national park. Vince wants every website to appear in dark mode. Rich recommends the Dark Reader browser extension. Gregory Wieber, creator of the Apple Vision Pro app Vibescape, will discuss how immersive technology can help people connect with nature and the conservation projects underway at his Oregon farm. James wants to create an AI video avatar. Rich recommends using Google Gemini’s avatar feature. Apple’s hide my email may not be as private as you think. Petco has a lost and found pet service called Petco Love Lost. Tandia’s Samsung Galaxy S23 won’t turn on, but it contains important recordings. Rich says a professional data recovery service may be able to…

Rich says prices on tech products are going up. Apple raised prices this week on pretty much every product except the iPhone, and so did Microsoft on the Xbox. Rich talked about the new Slate electric pickup truck starting at $24,950. You customize it to make it your own. Prime Day shattered prices. Shoppers spent a record $26.4 billion online during those four days, according to Adobe Analytics. Rich has his list of recommended gadgets and the stuff you were actually buying from my links. Gary wants to bring his iPad in for a repair since he cracked the screen and wants to know how to erase it. Rich says: Go to General. Go to Settings, General. Scroll down to Transfer or Reset iPad and tap Erase All Content and Settings. Kim wants to know why the photos in his Google Photos library are being saved at a lower resolution. Rich says he likely has Storage Saver enabled instead of Original quality. To check: Open Google Photos Tap your profile picture in the upper right Tap Google Photos settings Tap Backup…

Rich talked about his favorite apps he’s using right now. Chris in Orange County is looking for the most reliable live broadcast connection for sports coverage. Should he use cellular bonding or Starlink? Check out Rich’s Guide to Prime Day 2026! Bryan Bishop, creator of the Hooray for Baldywood newsletter, reviews Toy Story 5 and tells us whether Pixar still has the magic. Elaine wants to remove Google’s AI search summaries. Rich suggests adding -AI to searches or using the Bye Bye Google AI extension. Listener Jim recommends tapping the Web tab for traditional search results. Valerie in North Carolina wants to save photos and videos from Google Photos to a flash drive for her granddaughter. Rich recommends creating an album first, downloading it to a computer, then copying the files to a flash drive for easy sharing. Sherri in Lancaster wants to track her subscriptions. Rich recommends Rocket Money (free) or Monarch Money (paid), and checking for recurring charges through Amazon, Apple, and Google Play.…

Be sure to subscribe to the Rich On Tech Newsletter! Rich talked about the biggest changes coming to iOS 27 and beyond, including Apple’s long-awaited Siri overhaul and other new features announced at WWDC 2026. Kim in Big Pine was having issues with a Samsung Galaxy A36 smartphone. Rich recommended making sure the phone is completely up to date, including Android system updates, Galaxy Store updates, app updates through the Google Play Store, and Google Play system updates. He also suggested resetting the phone’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings and using the Files by Google app to clean up unnecessary files and free up storage. Paul in Columbus, Ohio, was having trouble signing up for a YouTube Family Plan. Rich suggested contacting YouTube support directly through the app. Open the YouTube app, tap your profile icon, then tap the Settings icon. Scroll to the bottom and select Help, then tap Contact Us to start a chat with a live support representative. Meta will begin using your web browsing activity to…

Be sure to subscribe to the Rich On Tech Newsletter! Alex in Northridge wants to know: Can you mirror your phone to a TV while sending the audio to a Bluetooth speaker or headphones? Dawn received a text about an Amazon product recall, but the link looked suspicious. Rich says Amazon has an official recalls page where you can check whether any items you’ve purchased have been recalled. Melody wonders if she can still create and open Word documents without paying for Microsoft 365. Rich says yes, recommending free alternatives like Google Docs and LibreOffice, or the free web version of Microsoft Word available through a web browser. Apple’s WWDC 2026 kicks off Monday in Cupertino, where the company is expected to unveil a new version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence and enhanced AI capabilities. Richard writes in about a privacy warning that appeared after installing the Bitmoji keyboard and wants to know whether it’s safe to use. Bobo celebrated his birthday at a place called Barcade, and it turns out…

Be sure to subscribe to the Rich On Tech Newsletter! Rich talked about the big changes to the Roku home screen. Rich mentioned to turn off Automatic Content Recognition: Settings > Privacy - Smart TV Experience > ACR Off Chelsea in Beaumont wants to know why Samsung Messages is moving to Google Messages and how to individualize text sounds for contacts. Rich says to enable Custom Notification Categories on Android for more control over alerts. Open Settings, tap Notifications, select Advanced settings, then turn on Manage notification categories for each app. You can also customize alerts for individual contacts. Open the Contacts app, select a person, tap Edit, and change their ringtone so you know who’s calling without looking at your phone. DIRECTV is raising prices on satellite and streaming starting June 25, most packages are going up from $5-8 a month. Rich mentioned iVerify to scan your phone for signs of spyware. iOS and Android. Verizon’s Total Wireless has a new $25 unlimited plan if you can bring…

• Google’s biggest Search overhaul in 25 years: Google unveiled a major AI-powered redesign of Search and Gemini at Google I/O, turning the search box into a multimodal assistant that can understand text, photos, video, and voice. Rich explained how AI is becoming more proactive, helping users summarize emails, organize tasks, and even recommend products from a simple photo. • AI avatars and deepfakes get eerily realistic: Rich tested Google’s new AI avatar tools that can generate lifelike videos and voice clones from a face scan and a few voice samples. While the technology is impressive for creative projects, it also raises serious concerns about scams, impersonation, and how easy it’s becoming to fake someone’s identity. • AI agents could replace routine digital tasks: Google previewed “agentic AI” tools that can research products, monitor prices, and complete tasks in the background 24/7. Rich discussed how these systems may become cheaper alternatives to human assistants, but many advanced features…

Be sure to subscribe to the Rich On Tech Newsletter! Rich talked about some of the best new features coming to Android 17. Barbara asks about the app Rich mentioned for keeping track of TV shows. Rich recommends JustWatch, his personal go-to, with Reel Good as another solid option. Kara in Fallbrook called in to report that she loves the Epson WorkForce WF-110 mobile printer. Rich mentioned he likes his HP Smart Tank 5101. Michael in Los Angeles called in trying to decide between a used M1 MacBook and a new MacBook Neo. iPhone to Android texts are finally getting end-to-end encryption. Randy called in wondering whether to take Spectrum’s free router or buy his own. Amazon has launched 30-minute delivery for groceries and essentials in a growing number of cities nationwide. OpenAI has launched a tool that lets you connect your financial accounts directly to ChatGPT. Tim Schofield of the QBKing77 YouTube channel joins to talk about the new Motorola razr fold, what stands out after hands-on testing, and whether…

Rich On Tech Episode 173 - May 9, 2026 Be sure to subscribe to the Rich On Tech Newsletter! Google unveils the Fitbit Air screenless fitness tracker. Rich helps Drew in Laguna Beach fix Chrome pop-ups by identifying them as notification spam and recommending you go to Chrome > Settings > Site settings > Notifications to remove any unrecognized sites Mindtrip Flights offers a new way to search for travel using natural language. Rich mentioned how an elderly man was scammed out of $25,000 through a phone spoofed phone call. Rich mentioned a good website called scamspotter.org to understand how these scams work. Rich recommended a good movie called Thelma from 2024, where an elderly woman gets scammed and takes revenge. Mauricio in Fountain Valley is wondering how to reset an Xbox console to factory defaults. Some iPhone 15 and 16 users may be eligible for $25 to $95 thanks to a new Apple Siri settlement. ChatGPT is adding a new feature, a new optional safety feature called Trusted Contact. Mary in Orange…

Rich DeMuro brings you the latest tech news, helpful tips, gadget reviews, and more - plus interviews with industry experts - all in this weekly show. Rich talked about motorola’s launch event in Hollywood for new razr flip and foldable phones. Here’s the latest edition of the Rich On Tech Newsletter! Bill in Los Angeles is worried about a virus on his iPhone. Rich explains it’s most likely notification spam, not an actual virus. To clean things up: clear your browser history, delete any apps you don’t recognize or no longer use, and head into Settings > Privacy & Security to review which apps have access to your location, camera, microphone, and more. Rich mentioned the app iVerify Basic, which can scan your iPhone or Android for any signs of spyware. Cathy in Chicago wants to know Rich’s favorite to-do app on Android. Rich’s pick is Microsoft To Do, because it gives you a fresh start each day. Dennis in Marina Del Rey wants a backup battery for power outages, specifically one that runs on regular AA…

• Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra first impressions: The new Ultra keeps a familiar look but improves comfort with a lighter aluminum build, faster charging, and better low-light camera performance. AI features are everywhere, but the standout is a built-in privacy display that limits side-angle viewing. • AI-powered phone features expand: Samsung leans heavily on AI for photo editing, call screening, and “agentic” tasks like booking rides or ordering food. Some features feel early, but the direction is toward phones doing more actions on your behalf. • T-Mobile’s live call translation: A new network-level feature will translate phone calls in real time across 50+ languages with no app required. Only one person on the call needs to be a T-Mobile customer, making it broadly useful. • Credit card fee settlement payouts: Small businesses that accepted Visa or Mastercard between 2004 and 2019 may receive payments from a $5.5 billion settlement over swipe fees. Checks are starting to go out now. • Debit vs credit card…

Rich DeMuro brings you the latest tech news, helpful tips, gadget reviews, and more - plus interviews with industry experts - all in this weekly show. Booking.com breach exposes traveler data. Watch out for phishing emails related to travel. The FBI figured out a way to access signal messages on an iPhone. If you want to keep your messages super secure, turn off message preview notifications. Google now has new apps for both Windows and Mac computers. Keith in Kansas is wondering if he should invest in a dedicated AI audio recorder like Plaud or Pocket. Rich mentioned he’s a fan of Whisper Memos, which works seamlessly with both the Apple Watch and iPhone. Peter in Massachusetts just got a new Samsung A16, but if his Mint Mobile service isn’t working, he likely needs to manually update his Access Point Name (APN) settings to get his data and messaging up and running. A website called send/links helps you save, organize, and find your links in one place, with the added convenience of being able to send them…

Americans lost nearly $21 billion to cybercrime last year, a 26% increase from the year before. Investment scams, crypto scams, and phishing remain the most common ways criminals target victims. Samsung Messages is going away this summer. You’ll need to switch to Google Messages, which should make texting more secure and improve messaging between iPhone and Android. Susan in Orange County is heading to China. Rich recommends bringing a VPN, a portable power bank, messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram, and translation tools such as Google Translate, Apple Translate, or Gemini. For connectivity, he suggests using an eSIM from Airalo. Older Kindle models are losing support in May. Here’s the list of affected devices and how to check yours. Vic in Sherman Oaks asks whether a smartphone can be remotely wiped even if it’s offline. Bob emails asking if you can see speed limits and hazards in Apple Maps or Google Maps on CarPlay without entering a destination. Rich says Google Maps used to offer a Drive Mode, but…

Rich talked about the importance of backing up your phone, computer, photos and texts. Check out his guide here. Sophia in Westlake asks if an out-of-cloud storage email she received is legit. Helix CEO Alex Oberg on building a privacy-first digital ID layer to prove what’s real online in an era of AI fakes. Anthony in Palmdale asks how to call his wife by voice on Samsung, and Rich recommends using Bixby, Google Assistant, or Gemini. Rich in San Diego asks if Carbonite is a good backup service, and Rich says to compare it with Backblaze and iDrive. Karen in Los Angeles asks why deleting photos on her iPhone also deletes them from iCloud; Rich says iCloud sync mirrors changes, suggests turning on Optimize iPhone Storage, and notes Amazon Photos offers unlimited photo backup for Prime members (with video storage turned off). You can finally change your Gmail address, and your old one will still work. ChatGPT is now available in CarPlay—just update to iOS 16.4 and the latest ChatGPT app. Barbara in San…

The FCC is moving to ban Wi-Fi routers made by foreign companies - here’s what it means for the gear in your home. Netflix is raising prices again - here’s what you’ll be paying and when the changes kick in. Samsung Galaxy phones can now AirDrop files directly to iPhones, marking a major milestone in Android and Apple interoperability. Jason from Michigan lost access to his Meta account, and Rich walks him through two recovery options including the Meta recovery page and paying for Meta Verified. Most AI apps train on your data by default unless you opt out, and Rich walks you through exactly how to turn that off on ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. Nancy wants to back up her MacBook Air, and Rich recommends a Western Digital hard drive paired with Apple’s built-in Time Machine software to get it done. Ron from Oregon has trouble with touchscreens not recognizing his fingertips, and Rich recommends Samsung’s touch sensitivity setting plus several accessible phone options including dumbwireless.com, Kapsys, and…

Rich DeMuro brings you the latest tech news, helpful tips, gadget reviews, and more - plus interviews with industry experts - all in this weekly show. Call 1-888-RICH-101 (1-888-742-4101) to join in! Email your question here. Rich said it’s important to keep your iPhone and Android updated with the latest security updates, especially in light of exploits like DarkSword. Download iVerify Basic to check iPhone (and Android) for signs of spyware. Enable Lockdown Mode on iPhone if you’re really worried about your security. Aura confirmed a data breach affecting 900,000 records, but not financial. Gary in Indio is trying to connect a printer to an Eero network using WPS, which is no longer supported. In the Eero app, go to Settings > Troubleshooting > “My device won’t connect” to temporarily enable 2.4 GHz for about 10 minutes. WordPress CEO Matt Mullenweg almost fell for an Apple scam. Rich shares highlights from the 41st Annual CSUN Assistive Tech Conference. Featured technology and companies: • Be My Eyes – A…

Meta is cracking down on scams with new AI detection systems in Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger. Google just gave Google Maps it’s biggest overhaul in a decade - with new AI powered ways to find places using specific questions and immersive navigation. Jim in Michigan can’t get the Notes app on his iPhone to scan documents. Rich mentioned he can also use the built-in Preview app. Check out Rich’s review of the iPhone 17e. Susan in Burbank can’t connect to her WiFi network because it’s too congested. Debra is wondering if the vSeeBox is a good way to save on her cable bill. Rich says to read the article called Everyone is stealing TV. Herbert in Rancho Santa Fe is looking to replace his aging iMac with a Mac Mini and a monitor. Rich mentioned this Dell model. Zal in Brooklyn is wondering if he can run smartphone apps on his PC. Rich mentioned Phone Link on Windows and Home Assistant. Joan in Falbrook wants a portable printer. Rich says to check out the Canon TR-160 and the Epson WF-110. Scott…

Rich talks about going to the Apple NYC event and how the $599 MacBook Neo is a gamechanger for basic laptops. Mike in Austin can’t get his printer to connect to his WiFi network. A new online personality test uses a series of questions to generate a massive report about you - and you can export it’s findings to AI. Steve wants to add someone to a photo and is wondering how to do it. Rich says to upload both photos to Google Gemini and say, “Add this person to the other picture.” Marsha in Northridge wants a portable battery pack for her Galaxy S25 Ultra. Rich recommends this model from Belkin. If your phone supports MagSafe, this EcoFlow model is great. Want something under $30, try this Belkin power bank! Stephanie in Glendora wants her Samsung phone to function more like a Pixel. Rich recommended the Lawn Chair Launcher. Estefani in San Diego wants a good way to save useful links. Rich recommends Raindrop.io and also check out Plinky. Trish is wondering what the best app is to clean up her iPhone storage.…

Rich gave his early impressions of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. Watch Rich’s TV segment on the Samsung Galaxy S26 series. See camera samples from the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Susan in Northridge is trying to move photos, texts, and contacts from an old Samsung phone to an iPhone. Rich mentioned SMS Backup and Restore and Move to iOS. 1Password is raising prices by about $1 a month. Vincent is on a Lifeline plan. He’s wondering if he should take advantage of their offer of giving him an iPhone 11 versus the Android 4G phone he has. Michelle got an email from LG saying she can’t log in with her Amazon account anymore. Is that phishing? Debbie is wondering if using banking apps on her phone are safe. Dave in Colorado is wondering if there is tech that will call the authorities if he dies alone in his house. Rich mentioned the Pixel’s Loss of Pulse Detection. Rich mentioned the Counting Crows documentary “Have you seen me lately” on HBO Max. The creators of Dark Sky are back with a new forecast app called Acme…

Premium subscribers, listen to the ad-free version of the show here. Rich talked about Google Gemini and how it can now make music with AI. Rich also discussed the popularity of the tiny Kodak Charmera camera. Samsung phones are finally getting Google Play updates again. You should do it right now: Go to Settings > Security and Privacy > Updates > Google Play System Update Mike in Encino is looking for a way to get into a user’s computer who forgot their password. Try the steps here. James is wondering if he can store his passwords using AI. Rich recommends against that. Also, do not use AI to generate passwords, as research shows they typically follow patterns. Alex Haro, CEO of Hubble Network and co-founder of Life360, explains how satellite-powered Bluetooth could transform search and rescue by detecting everyday devices from space. Carter in Monterey wants to know how to find his Samsung phone when it’s lost somewhere in his house and no one is around to call it. Rich recommends using Samsung SmartThings…

Ads are now appearing in ChatGPT. Google updated its free results about you tool to remove search results that contain ID numbers like your passport, driver’s license, or Social Security number. Want something more heavy duty to remove your personal information from the web? Check out newsletter sponsor Incogni. Deleted doesn’t always mean it’s gone, as we found out with the Nancy Guthrie case. If you really want to protect your security camera footage, you have to go local or end-to-end encrypted. Samsung has set a date for the next Galaxy Unpacked to unveil the S26 lineup on February 25th in San Francisco. Tech and finance strategist Igor Pejic breaks down Bitcoin’s sharp selloff and what it reveals about where tech investing is headed next, separating hype from real fundamentals. Gordon in Costa Mesa wants to know if he should buy a new laptop. Rich said to clean up his old one and, at the very worst, reset his PC. John and Rosemead want a new email provider for his business. Rich said to take a look at…

• TVs returned after the Super Bowl: Returns management firm B‑Stock says TV returns jump more than 100% after the big game, a practice known as “wardrobing.” Vizio is the most-returned brand, highlighting how buyers prioritize size and price over long-term satisfaction. • Wireless carriers customers like best: New rankings from J.D. Power show satisfaction is driven less by price and more by how easy it is to resolve problems. T-Mobile leads among major carriers, while Mint Mobile and Visible top prepaid and MVNO categories. • Nancy Guthrie case raises major tech questions: Investigators are relying on timestamps from a doorbell camera, home security system, pacemaker app, and smartphone data to build a timeline. The case highlights how device connectivity, Bluetooth range, and cloud storage affect what evidence is available. • Doorbell cameras and subscriptions matter: Many popular brands including Ring and Arlo lock video history behind paid plans. Local-storage options like Blink and subscription-free…

Midge in Atlanta, Georgia is trying to add her Gmail address to iCloud, and it’s saying it’s already in use. Rich says to try recovering the Gmail Apple account here, then migrate the old account to the new one. Al in Inglewood is getting pop-ups telling him to clear out his cloud. Rich says to make sure the alerts are legitimate, clear your browser cache, and see if the messages continue. Caleb Denison breaks down what actually matters when buying a TV for the Super Bowl and shares the TV tech from CES that genuinely impressed him this year. Top TV Picks: Under $500 is the 65-inch TCL QM5K, Under $1000 is the 85 inch TCL QM6K or the HiSense U6, and the splurge is the Sony Bravia 8 Mark II. David asks why his Gmail is still giving him cloud storage full, even though he’s cleared out so much stuff. Rich says to go to one.google.com and see what’s taking up space. It’s probably other Google services. Samsung’s Galaxy Z tri-fold is officially on sale for $2,900. Yahoo is back with a new AI search tool called…

Rich talked about how it’s the end of an era for Sony TVs. They will soon be manufactured by TCL under the Bravia name. Rich talked about how TikTok has a new lease on life with a deal to stay in the U.S. Rich discussed the privacy policy and terms of conditions for the new TikTok US. Verizon shared some tips for keeping your tech working in a major winter storm. Turns out Microsoft can share your BitLocker encryption key if it gets a valid warrant from the U.S. and you store it in their cloud. Windows 11 updates are causing widespread problems. You could be overpaying for ride shares. A new study says you should open up both the Lyft and Uber app to compare prices. Cesar in San Diego asked for some TV recommendations. Rich found the 75-inch TCL QM7K on sale at Best Buy for under a $1000. If you live in an area that has Frontier internet and it’s becoming Verizon internet, you should call Verizon and see what kind of deals they can give you. They’ve got aggressive mobile and home bundles now. Scott is…

Rich discussed how Apple is integrating Google’s Gemini to make Siri smarter, while Google introduced its own enhanced Gemini AI featuring “Personal Intelligence.” Susan in San Jose is looking for a simple flip phone for a friend. Rich recommended the Nokia 2780 and suggested checking out the website Dumbwireless.com. If you were affected by the Verizon outage, you can claim a $20 credit. Watch for a text message to redeem it, as it is not applied automatically. Sylvia in Moreno Valley is deciding between an Apple Watch and a Garmin for health and emergency features. Rich recommended the Apple Watch for its superior SOS and fall detection, while noting Garmin is better for advanced fitness metrics. Tom Kemp, Executive Director of the California Privacy Protection Agency, explains DROP, the free new website that helps Californians remove their personal data from hundreds of data brokers. Walter in Temecula is looking for a printer that doesn’t use cartridges. Rich recommended ink tank models like the HP Smart…

Rich talked about attending CES 2026 in Las Vegas and some of the trends he saw, including robots, AI, and wacky gadgets. Rich mentioned using the WiFi sharing feature on Android phones. If you got an email about an Instagram Password Reset request, ignore it for now, but be sure you have a strong, unique password and two-factor authentication turned on. Arnold from Rancho Cucamonga is wondering why his cloud storage isn’t saving files. Rich mentioned free versions of Office apps here. Rich mentioned the Lollipop Star, which plays music in your mouth as you suck it. Rich mentioned how TCL released its 2026 flagship TV, the X11L, the same time as they announced it at CES, which is rare. Rich mentioned the ChocoStar vending machine that 3D prints a chocolate figurine on demand. Rich mentioned a startup that’s making a digital doorlock for public restrooms so you pay for access. Flush Locks USA. Mark in Seattle wants a digital door lock and a thermostat to manage his VRBO. Rich mentioned digital locks from…

Rich talked about helping his dad with his tech set up while home on Christmas vacation. Mike in Minneapolis asked about performing a factory reset on his Netgear router, but he couldn’t see the serial number because he’s visually impaired. Rich suggested using the Be My Eyes app to get visual help from a volunteer. Rich also mentioned the free password manager called Bitwarden. LG is unveiling the Gallery TV at CES which shows artwork when not in use. Jamie in Tampa wanted to watch his local CBS affiliate but wasn’t sure where to aim his antenna. Rich recommended the free Antenna Point app to show exactly which direction to point it. Debra in Los Angeles wants to remove her ex from old wedding photos. Rich suggested scanning the prints with the free Google PhotoScan app, then uploading them to Google’s Gemini AI and asking it to remove the person. Jamie in San Dimas wants to cut down on butt dialing from his phone. Rich says you should lock your phone before putting it in your pocket or purse and turn off…

• Wizard of Oz immersive experience at the Sphere: The Las Vegas Sphere premiered a reimagined 1939 Wizard of Oz film using AI to enhance resolution, expand backgrounds, and add crowds for its massive 16K wraparound screen. Physical effects like wind, rumbling seats, falling apples, snow, and fire created intense immersion, making it a standout tech-driven entertainment event despite higher ticket prices. • Securing phones against unauthorized access: Repeated phone issues may stem from compromised accounts rather than direct hacking, as iOS and Android are highly secure against remote control. Users should change passwords on Apple ID, Google, and social media accounts, enable two-factor authentication, and log out of all devices via security settings for protection. • Recommended power banks for iPhone and iPad: The Belkin Boost Charge 20K power bank offers 20,000 mAh capacity with USB-C and USB-A ports for reliable charging of Apple devices. Anker models provide similar performance at potentially lower…

Rich went through his list of favorite apps for 2025. Mark wants to know how to get audio from his TV speakers and Bluetooth headphones simultaneously. Patricia in Massachusetts is getting too many political texts. How does she stop that? Larry in San Clemente says Avantree has great TV audio solutions. Rich says the Ray Ban Metas are the gadget of the year. Joe in Los Angeles wants to separate audio on his Samsung phone. Rich says to take a look at a feature called Separate app sound under Settings > Sounds and vibration. Tristen in Sylmar says his PC is struggling to edit on CapCut for Windows. Yvonne in Santa Monica wants to scan photos with her all-in-one printer. Rich says to download the app that the manufacturer makes to her PC or try VueScan. Kate Ross, Meta spokesperson, will explain Facebook and Instagram’s new centralized support hub and how users can recover hacked accounts and keep their profiles secure. Instagram has a new app for Fire TV so you can sit back and watch Reels on the big screen.…

Rich talked about how he set up an instant surround-sound home theater system using Amazon Echo speakers and shared a tip on how to turn off autoplay ads on Fire TV devcies. Brian in Atlanta is wondering why his old iPads don’t connect to his new Wi-Fi router. Rich suggested deleting the old wifi network or doing a network settings reset. Instagram adds a new feature called “Your Algorithm” that lets you fine-tune what shows up in your reels. Peter Kafka, chief correspondent at Business Insider, will break down the latest in the mega streaming deal between Neflix and Warner Bros. Lewis in Riverside is wondering why his phone won’t schedule text messages. Rich mentioned downloading Google Messages. Gadget of the week is the Pebble Index 01. It turns your finger into an instant voice notes button. Gadget of the week is sponsored by Shopback. Use code RichOnTech for a $20 bonus. Android adds live video to 911 calls. Beverly is wondering why information on her Google Calendar disappears after a few years. Rich…

Rich shared his holiday shopping cheat sheet, packed with money-saving tips! Bonnie in Charleston asks for a good transcription app. Rich mentioned Wispr Flow, Willow Voice, Super Whisper, Monologue, Aqua Voice, Talktastic, Whisper Memos. Jeff Jablansky, with the startup Slate, will talk about their bare-bones EV that starts in the mid-20’s and lets buyers add only the accessories they actually want. [instagram] Robert in Ridgecrest is looking for a way to fax. Rich recommended eFax, Fax.Plus, Dropbox Fax. If you want to use a real fax machine, you can get an ooma box. Pat in Apple Valley wants to know the best antenna for his RV. Matthew in Murierra wants to know about the nationwide Frontier outage. Rich says to check Frontier’s service page and sites, including Down Detector and DownForEveryOneOrJustMe.com Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Z Trifold and it will come to the US in Q1. Netflix is buying Warner Bros. in a 80 billion dollar deal. Tonya in Orange County is asking about a quiet laptop for her husband.…

We’re off for the holiday weekend, so we’ve pulled together some of our favorite segments from past shows. Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving! • Microsoft unveils Majorana 1 quantum chip: Microsoft introduced a groundbreaking quantum computing chip using a new material called topoconductor, a novel state of matter theorized for 100 years. The chip promises faster problem-solving in fields like healthcare and energy, with improved error resistance and potential to accelerate quantum development from decades to years. • Arlo app update frustrates users: Callers reported the new Arlo Secure app is overly complicated, making it hard to manage multiple camera systems, set schedules, and access alerts. Issues mirror Sonos app complaints; some users unable to revert to old app or resolve via support, with speculation the changes push additional subscriptions. • Google brings screen search to iPhone: Google added “Search this screen” with Lens in the Chrome and Google apps for iOS, allowing users to analyze on-screen…

Pixel 10 phones can now share files with iPhones using AirDrop Roblox is now requiring facial ID checks so users can chat with people of similar ages. Ray in the San Fernando Valley wanted to know what makes a solid dash cam. Rich said to look for 4K video, a wide field of view, night vision, loop recording, and a G sensor. He pointed to Veo, VanTrue, Garmin, and Nextbase as trusted picks. Gadget of the week, sponsored by ShopBack. Mill is a high-tech food recycler for your kitchen that turns scraps into a dry, bag-ready material you can use for pickup or compost. David in Costa Mesa wants to know the best place to buy an iPhone and whether his stuff, especially his settings, will transfer. Erica in Corona asked why her iPhone reminds her to follow up on certain emails. Rich said the feature is called Follow Up Suggestions and you can turn it off in Mail settings. If you use Gmail, it’s called Nudges and you’ll find it in Settings. Nord Pass has revealed the most common passwords of 2025, and number one is…

• Tesla testing CarPlay support Bloomberg reports Tesla is experimenting with CarPlay in a windowed mode on its infotainment screen. If it ships, owners would finally get wireless CarPlay for Siri, maps, and music apps that Tesla’s system doesn’t offer today. • Apple introduces digital ID for travel iPhone and Apple Watch users can now add a digital ID using their passport inside Apple Wallet. It works at more than 250 TSA checkpoints for domestic flights, though travelers should still bring a physical passport as backup. • Amazon debuts Auto Buy price-drop shopping Amazon’s new Auto Buy tool lets shoppers set a price threshold and have the AI auto-purchase the item when it drops. It checks prices every 30 minutes, uses your default payment method, and you have 24 hours to cancel. • Apple’s knitted iPhone Pocket becomes a surprise hit A collaboration with Issey Miyake created a 3D-knit sling pouch for iPhones costing $149 to $229. It sold out quickly despite essentially being an elongated knitted pocket for…

Rich talked about the viral warning that Meta will soon read your DM’s. Shelton in Covina is wondering if he should log out of websites after doing financial transactions. WhatsApp has launched a full Apple Watch app. Henry in Glendora is looking for some software to help manage MP3 ripping. Rich recommended Exact Audio Copy, MP3Tag, and MP3Gain. Listener Tim shared his headphone recommendations. After much testing, he found that the Apple AirPods Pro 3. And the standard Bose QuietComfort topped his list. Pro tip: If you buy at Costco, the AirPods Pro 3 come with two years of Apple Care. Gadget of the Week: Life360 Pet GPS Tracker. Join ShopBack.com using code RICHONTECH for a $20 cash back bonus. Gary in Redondo Beach is wondering if he should keep both Apple One and his iCloud storage plan for an additional $30 a month. Mark in Woodland Hills asked about traveling internationally. Rich recommended tools like Google Translate, Apple Translate, and Google Gemini Live Mode. And his foolproof method for…

AI used to create fake receipts: Expense-report fraud is rising as employees use AI to generate realistic receipts. Companies report millions in fake submissions. Glasses that block facial recognition: Zenni Optical’s new ID Guard coating reflects infrared light, preventing facial recognition systems from identifying wearers. It also disables phone Face ID and Windows Hello while worn. NVIDIA hits $5 trillion valuation: The AI chipmaker briefly became the world’s most valuable company, surpassing Apple and Microsoft. Analysts warn valuations may be inflated by investor speculation around AI demand. Microsoft cloud outage causes global issues: A configuration error in Microsoft’s Azure cloud service caused an 8-hour outage affecting airlines, banks, and governments. Rich explains why reliance on a few cloud providers remains a risk. Humanoid robot for home chores: 1X's Neo robot can load dishwashers, fold laundry, and wipe counters—but only with a remote human operator wearing a VR headset. Deliveries are…

Rich talked about GM’s Forward event in New York City where they announced their eyes-off driving. Jim in Sherman Oaks wants to know the best way to send Mast texts to folks and also put the information in their calendar. Rich mentioned Simple Texting and Textedly, along with Substack and Calendly. Amazon revealed it’s a software bug that caused that massive AWS outage, not a cybersecurity incident. Meta’s Kate Ross will explain new safety tools and simple ways older adults can protect themselves from online scams. Mentioned: instagram.com/help and facebook.com/help Jason in San Diego is trying to replace missing album artwork in Apple Music. Rich also mentioned the app MP3Tag Kevin in San Clemente wants to know how to unsubscribe safely from spam mail. Google has added a feature called “Trusted Contacts” to help you recover and get back into your account if you’re ever locked out. Set it up today by going here. Listener GW in Pasadena notes TurboTax Desktop 2025 won’t run on Windows 10 — you’ll need Windows…