Rich On Tech

iPhone Duo preorders are selling out: Apple’s first foldable iPhone starts at $2,000, with some deliveries reportedly slipping into January. Rich recommends waiting for reviews, especially given the expensive repair costs.
AI agents can do more than answer questions: Rich compares Meta Muse, ChatGPT Dots, Grok Bot, Gemini Spark and OpenClaw, explaining how they can navigate websites, use apps and complete tasks on your behalf.
Rich puts his AI agent to work: His ChatGPT agent, Glitchy, tracks expenses, manages calendar events, organizes travel plans, checks flights and flags important emails. Rich says these tools are powerful but warns users to be careful about the permissions they grant.
Jack in Anaheim can’t turn off his Roku’s talking voice: Rich explains how to find the Screen Reader setting under Settings > Accessibility or try pressing the remote’s star button four times quickly. The issue wasn’t resolved on air, and Rich suggests checking the Sony TV’s accessibility settings or restarting the Roku; or toggling the Screen Reader setting on and off again if disabling it doesn’t stop the voice narration.
Apple HomeView brings Siri to your smart home: Apple’s $299 smart home display features a 7-inch touchscreen, FaceTime, smart home controls and personalized information for family members. Rich questions the price compared with Google Nest and Amazon Echo Show devices.
Susie in West Covina needs simpler phones: For her mother, Rich suggests Lively’s Jitterbug, RAZ Memory Cell Phone or an internet-based home phone using Ooma, magicJack or Pinwheel. For Susie’s outdated Moto G Stylus running Android 11, he recommends a Pixel 10a or Pixel 11 for longer software support.
Cleta in Brea can’t access Facebook notifications: After a Facebook update moved the notification bell, Rich recommends enabling Touch Sensitivity in Samsung’s display settings or waiting for another Facebook app update to fix the issue.
Mint Mobile celebrates 10 years with $10 unlimited service: New customers can get six months of unlimited service for $60 upfront, plus taxes and fees. After the promotion, the standard annual-plan rate is $30 monthly. Mint runs on T-Mobile’s network but doesn’t support cellular Apple Watches.
David in Wisconsin asks what he’s missing by switching from Verizon to Visible: Rich explains that prepaid carriers can save customers $20 to $40 a month, but premium postpaid plans may offer faster hotspot speeds and better customer support. Rich is sticking with Verizon because he regularly uploads large video files on the road and needs maximum hotspot performance.
ChatGPT can now see your Chrome tabs: Rich explains how ChatGPT can compare products and hotels across open tabs, summarize articles and answer questions about YouTube videos without copying and pasting information.
Julie in Riverside asks if an antenna works with Roku: Rich explains that an antenna connects directly to the TV, not a Roku stick. For a more integrated experience, devices like Tablo and HDHomeRun can bring over-the-air channels into Roku through their apps.
Phillip Shoemaker, founding director of Apple’s App Store Review team and author of Unbreakable, will share how he was SIM-swapped despite a career fighting fraud, and the simple steps consumers can take to better protect their digital lives.
Ed in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania wants to email a 5 GB video: Rich recommends uploading it to a cloud service and sharing a link instead. Options include Proton Drive, Wormhole, Google Drive and pCloud. Wormhole supports transfers up to 10 GB without an account, but files expire after 24 hours.
Roku audio descriptions may explain the mystery voice: Listener Greg suggests checking whether Audio Description is enabled in the TV or streaming app’s accessibility settings.
Steve in Fullerton asks about Google Assistant switching to Gemini: Rich explains that Gemini understands natural language and handles complex questions better, but some basic commands may be slower or less reliable than the original Google Assistant.
Allen in Simi Valley says his iPhone camera keeps opening unexpectedly: Rich recommends disabling the Camera Control button under Settings > Camera > Camera Control or removing the camera shortcut from the Lock Screen.
Amazon Bee introduces two new wearable recording devices: The $75 Bee Frontier and $100 Bee Eclipse can record conversations, create summaries, track reminders and integrate with Alexa+. Rich highlights their usefulness but warns about privacy concerns and recording consent laws.
Christopher Mutch, developer of Speaking Access, will explain how his $30 Windows voice-control program helps people control their computer by voice and why he built it as an affordable accessibility tool.
Listeners agree phones should stay off the dinner table: Bob and Brian share why putting phones away during meals makes conversations and family time more meaningful.
Wyze makes rechargeable motion-sensing night lights: Jeremy recommends a $25 three-pack that wirelessly links together, so motion detected by one light can activate the others.
A listener saves $1,600 using Meta Muse: Fred uses the free AI agent to track airfare, organize travel, monitor stocks and make restaurant reservations.
Listeners share more free TV antenna tips: Don recommends GE and Philips antennas, while John suggests ZapperBox for recording over-the-air TV. Mario says switching from cable to an antenna, streaming and home internet cut his monthly bill from $400 to $145.
More listener feedback: Candy praises Spectrum’s international roaming, Neil raises concerns about AI agent security, and James spots Proto hologram technology on Netflix’s Wonka: The Golden Ticket.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pixel 11 Rambler speeds up replies: Rich says Google’s voice-to-text feature is accurate enough to dictate and format quick email responses on the fly.
Meta faces landmark child-safety case: States accuse Meta of designing Instagram and Facebook to keep young users engaged while failing to adequately protect kids.
Drone delivery is expanding fast: Amazon plans to bring Prime Air to 500 cities and towns, while Uber Eats and Zipline are also expanding drone delivery.
Flock is sending drones to 911 calls: The company’s police drones can reach scenes before officers and may help resolve some calls without dispatching police.
Beware Medicare card scams: A caller received a suspicious call asking whether she received a new Medicare card, a reminder to never give personal information to unsolicited callers.
Antenna Man explains free TV: A good antenna can deliver dozens of local channels for free, but choosing the right antenna and placement for your location is critical.
Check reception before buying an antenna: RabbitEars.info can estimate available stations, signal strength and the type of antenna you may need.
International calling requires planning: Check your carrier for an international roaming pass or consider an unlocked-phone eSIM that supports actual voice calls, not just data.
Prepare for power outages: A hand-crank emergency radio is an inexpensive backup, while portable power stations from brands like Jackery and EcoFlow can keep larger devices running.
YouTube Premium is adding Peacock: YouTube Premium subscribers are expected to get the ad-supported Peacock Premium plan in early 2027.
California DROP removes broker data: California residents can use the state’s free DROP system to request removal of their personal information from registered data brokers.
Google can remove personal info from search: Results About You alerts you when Google finds your phone number, address or other personal information and lets you request removal from search results.
Scammers are getting better with AI: Scamicide founder Steve Weisman says AI is improving phishing messages, voice clones and other scams, making independent verification more important than ever.
Secure your home router: Change default passwords, install firmware updates and consider replacing older routers that no longer receive automatic security patches.
Don’t trust customer-service numbers from search: Scammers can buy ads or manipulate search results, so get support numbers from a company’s official website, app or bill.
Instagram is adding major teen restrictions: Meta’s teen-safety changes include daily time limits, overnight restrictions, muted school-hour notifications and hidden like counts.
Samsung satellite service depends on phone and plan: Satellite connectivity requires compatible hardware and carrier support, so not every Galaxy phone or T-Mobile plan will qualify.
Don’t hide your Wi-Fi router: Putting a router or mesh node inside a cabinet can weaken the signal and undermine the benefits of a mesh system.
WiFiman can diagnose weak Wi-Fi: Ubiquiti’s WiFiman app can help visualize signal strength around the house and identify dead zones.
Spotify adds coached running workouts: Running Mode creates personalized workouts with music, cadence targets and coaching prompts for Premium subscribers on iPhone.
Aviate brings Flighty-style tracking to Android: The app tracks flights, boarding information and trip progress with live updates for Android users.
Ask T-Mobile for an outage credit: Customers affected by the recent outage may be able to get a bill credit by contacting customer service.
Samsung Messages has an unofficial replacement: Messages by Ozark’s Made recreates the Samsung Messages experience, though users should be cautious about trusting third-party messaging apps with sensitive data.
Accessibility features can help everyone: Shelly Brisbin highlighted tools including Live Listen, Dark Mode, AssistiveTouch and voice controls that can make phones easier to use.
Fake CAPTCHA attacks can install malware: If a “prove you’re human” page asks you to run commands or type codes into your computer, stop because it may be a ClickFix attack.
Windows Snipping Tool can copy stubborn text: Its text extraction feature can grab words from images or places where normal copy-and-paste doesn’t work.
Update a full iPhone using a computer: If there isn’t enough storage for an iOS update, connecting the phone to a Mac or PC may let you update without offloading apps.
Hide AirTags inside valuables: Trackers placed out of sight in luggage or shipped packages are harder for a thief to quickly find and remove.
Older Publisher versions may keep working: Users who rely on Microsoft Publisher can continue using a legitimately licensed older standalone version rather than switching immediately.
Apple Podcast reviews are easiest on iPhone: Find the show in Apple Podcasts, scroll to Ratings & Reviews, tap Write a Review and submit it. Pasted text
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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 menu prices, but that doesn’t mean it’s setting a different price for each individual customer.

Rich says phones should stay away during meals so we can actually pay attention to the people we’re with.

Richie in Sherman Oaks wants to use an external camera with his Pixel as a dash cam, but Rich recommends keeping things simple with a dedicated dash cam.

Holiday shoppers expect to spend less on tech this year even as gadget prices rise, and Rich recommends CamelCamelCamel, Keepa and ShopSavvy to check whether a deal is real.

Rich explains how to do a quick privacy audit on iPhone and Android to stop unnecessary apps from constantly tracking your location.

Mark Anthony Arena, the Computer Exorcist, explains why he dislikes automatic cloud storage, photo sticks and third-party antivirus software.

LaShawn in Los Angeles keeps getting a Norton security warning on a friend’s Wi-Fi, but the problem appears to be a false alarm involving the network rather than an infected laptop.

Rich confirms those RFID hotel towel trackers are real after getting charged $25 for leaving a towel in his room.

Amazon Now can deliver groceries, gadgets and everyday essentials in about 30 minutes in supported areas.

Samsung’s new SmartTag 3 is smaller and lighter, lasts up to 550 days and can alert you when an item is moved.

Amazon updated its Kindle lineup, moved the Paperwhite power button and added new options for physical and remote page turning.

Rich says Face ID on the iPhone 18 Pro has been less reliable since Apple moved some of its hardware under the display.

Pluto TV added more than 200 free, ad-supported horror movies for Halloween.

Rich answers listener questions about cellular dead zones, converting audio files, flip phones and transferring iPhone photos to a PC.

Tony Gebhard, author of No Sight Required, explains how AI tools are giving blind and low-vision users more independence.

Listener feedback includes Google Photos headaches, hotel towel trackers, Flighty, California’s DROP privacy program and the green camera indicator on a Mac.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 ads or watermarks, alongside paid AI features.

DIY karaoke: Rich suggests Ultimate Vocal Remover for separating vocals, then Audacity or GarageBand to record and mix your own.

iPhone Duo’s trade-offs: Apple’s foldable combines phone and small-tablet functions for roughly $2,000, with camera and portability compromises.

Apple’s foldable plans: Kaiann Drance discusses durability, multitasking and upcoming Apple Pencil support, with availability announced for October 23.

Avoid fake tech support: Use official support websites and be cautious of unfamiliar apps, cleaner utilities and phone numbers in search ads.

AI and personal finances: Rich discusses using connected accounts for budgeting while limiting access and reviewing privacy settings.

Fix Apple Watch weather: Restart the watch and iPhone, check location permissions and re-add the weather complication if needed.

Password manager options: Built-in tools offer convenience; independent services offer broader flexibility. Compare features and enable two-factor authentication.

Stop accidental 911 calls: Check for case or button interference and review Emergency SOS confirmation settings.

Verify Facebook security emails: Open Facebook directly and check recent security messages instead of following unexpected email links.

Upgrade an unsupported phone: Rich suggests recent refurbished models with remaining software support over unofficial Android installations.

Track luggage with AirTags: AirTags can work overseas through nearby Apple devices, with location sharing available for supported airlines.

Recover a Word document: Check the Recycle Bin, Word recovery tools and cloud copies before restoring a backup.

Find your next book: Reading trackers can organize your history, which AI can use to personalize recommendations.

Sonos expands audio controls: Sonos 27 adds new listening options and more natural voice commands through a gradual rollout.

Sonos volume shortcut: Rotate two fingers on the app’s screen to reveal a virtual volume knob.

Test a new carrier first: A second phone line lets you evaluate coverage before transferring your number.

Manage phone storage: Review storage settings and remove unused downloads after large software updates.

AI helps explain errors: Screen-aware search tools can interpret phone error messages and suggest fixes.

Listener feedback: Topics include human help with insurance claims, AI support, aging TiVo systems and finding TVs without smart features.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 someone claiming to be with the government or law enforcement demands immediate payment, hang up and independently verify the claim.
Restart first when an app stops working: A caller with Gmail trouble was reminded that a simple phone restart should be the first troubleshooting step.
Stop Samsung Wi-Fi from turning itself back on: Disable "Turn Wi-Fi on automatically" under Intelligent Wi-Fi if you want full control over the connection.
Facebook lockout workaround: If normal account recovery fails, a paid Meta support plan may provide access to a real person who can help.
How the Apple Store was created: Former Apple retail chief Ron Johnson shared how he and Steve Jobs built the stores around service, hands-on experiences and the Genius Bar.
You can completely turn off Siri: iOS 27 adds an option under Settings > Siri to disable Siri entirely.
You can't remove data from the dark web: After a breach, focus on protecting yourself by limiting shared personal information and freezing your credit when appropriate.
Amazon Prime Big Deal Days are October 6 and 7: Add items you want to your cart ahead of time so it's easier to spot real price drops.
Fix missing email on an iPhone: Go to Settings > Apps > Mail > Mail Accounts and try reconnecting, or remove and re-add the affected account.
Apple Watch finally shows steps on the watch face: Series 12 and Ultra 4 can display near-real-time step counts without a third-party app.
Portable hotspots won't work at sea: Cellular hotspots need a cellular signal, so they won't replace cruise ship Wi-Fi when you're offshore.
AirPods microphone acting up? Clean them first: Carefully clean the earbuds and microphone areas before assuming the hardware needs replacing.
Chrome pop-ups may come from rogue extensions: Remove extensions you don't recognize, check notification permissions and clear browser data.
Skip questionable streaming black boxes: Rich recommends legitimate streaming services over devices that can bring legal, privacy, security and reliability concerns.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.