This was another busy week in tech news, with Dish and Boost Mobile giving up on its own 5G network, Spotify becoming a messaging app, a Plex security vulnerability, and much more. Here are the biggest stories you might have missed.
The Big News
Boost Mobile Is Giving up on Its Own 5G Network
EchoStar, the parent company of Boost Mobile and Dish, is giving up on its grand plan to become the fourth major wireless carrier in the US. In a definitive agreement with AT&T, EchoStar is selling a massive chunk of its 5G spectrum licenses. Continue reading…
Samsung’s One UI Is Coming to Appliances, but With an Embarrassing Update Promise
Samsung’s smart appliances will soon work more like the company’s phones, tablets, and watches. The One UI software is officially coming to Samsung’s 2024 appliances, but the promised seven-year software update guarantee isn’t great. Continue reading…
Spotify Is a Messaging App Now
Spotify has been pretty good about adding features that make sense for a music service, but the latest is pushing the boundaries a bit. The company is adding a new in-app messaging feature that’s rolling out to users this week. This is much better than sharing a song on your Instagram story or dropping a link in a text message. Continue reading…
Google’s New Plan to Protect You from Malicious Android Apps
The freedom to install apps from outside of the Play Store is one of Android’s best features. You can find all sorts of tools and projects that might not get past Google’s approval process. However, it’s also the perfect playground for bad actors, and Google is trying to clean things up. Continue reading…
Over 300K Plex Servers Are Still Vulnerable to Attackers, Despite Emails
People skipping security updates despite being marked as important is nothing new. In the case of Plex, though, the latest urgent security fix not being in most Plex servers by now might quickly become a problem. Continue reading…
Acer Made a Google TV Streamer Box (And It Has Tons of Ports)
It’s not every day that a new Google TV box is announced, and Acer is almost certainly not the brand you would expect to see one from. However, the company, mostly known for PCs and peripherals, is launching a 4K Google TV streamer with ports galore. Continue reading…
Windows 11 Is Removing Another Built-in App
Windows is officially retiring the built-in Mobile Plans app. This change means that instead of using a dedicated app, you’ll be using your web browser and the Windows Settings app to buy and manage cellular plans. Windows claims the main reasoning is to create a “more integrated” experience. Continue reading…
Vivaldi Is Not Jumping Into The AI Bandwagon
These days, it’s hard to see a company actually go against the AI current. Everyone’s doing AI these days, even if it’s a tiny pointless feature that they’re marking as being AI-powered. Vivaldi, however, is not drinking the Kool-Aid. Continue reading…
Instapaper Has Taken Pocket’s Place in Kobo’s eReaders
Instapaper has finally moved forward with the new partnership with Rakuten Kobo that brings its read-it-later service to all Kobo eReaders. This integration comes after Kobo’s previous partnership with Pocket ended unexpectedly, but it’s a huge win for anyone who saves web articles for distraction-free reading. Continue reading…
Fubo TV Debuts a $56 Sports Package for Die-Hard Fans
If you’re a die-hard sports fan looking for ways to stream all your favorite teams, Fubo TV announced a new “skinny” sports package worth considering. At $56 per month, I don’t know if skinny is the right word, but it’s packed with all the essential channels you’ll need for the NFL, NCAAF, and countless other sports as we head into football season. Continue reading…
Typepad Blogs Are Shutting Down After 22 Years
Typepad is a name you probably haven’t heard in a very, very long time, but it was surprisingly still alive—it wasn’t exactly kicking, but it was alive by most definitions of the word. Now, though, it’s getting the cord pulled after years of being essentially in life support. Continue reading…
Tracfone’s First Unlimited Plan Is a Great Deal
Tracfone Wireless, one of Verizon’s prepaid mobile networks, just revealed its first unlimited data plan. The new ‘Tracfone Freedom’ option is a compelling option for affordable 5G service, but you should still check out the competition. Continue reading…
Android Is Making It Easier to Contact Lost Phone Owners
Losing your phone is obviously a very bad thing to happen, but there are ways for you to track it down. However, what if you’re not the one who ends up finding it? Google is working on making it easier for people to contact you if they find your phone. Continue reading…
ASUS Has a New Wi-Fi 7 Router for Gamers
ASUS has announced the TUF Gaming BE9400 Tri-Band WiFi 7 router, which is marketed to video game players who need a stable and speedy connection. The idea is that this new router is built to be more durable and reliable for gaming, with an emphasis on low-latency performance. Continue reading…
Kiwix for iPhone Now Lets You Share Wiki Archives Over LAN
Kiwix is now offering its v3.10.0 update on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This update introduces “Kiwix Hotspot” sharing functionality on Apple devices, though it also provides a collection of small app improvements, such as custom light and dark theme settings. Continue reading…
Sling’s New Temporary TV Passes Are Illegal, Says Disney
Some things are too good to be true, and apparently that sometimes includes TV bundles. The Walt Disney Company is suing Sling TV. Disney is alleging that the pay-TV service is including its networks in new, short-term packages without permission. Continue reading…
Proton Accounts Can Now Have Emergency Access
Proton just released a feature called Emergency Access that lets you designate up to five trusted contacts to access your accounts in the event of an emergency. They’ll have access to your accounts if you’re incapacitated or otherwise unable to access them yourself. Continue reading…
This Is When Samsung Will Announce Its Newest Hardware
Samsung has been on a roll lately when it comes to hardware events. And the company is not done yet. It has already announced this year’s new foldables, but it still has some stuff in the chamber—its newest hardware is coming next week, so get ready. Continue reading…
Microsoft Word Is Finally Getting Real Autosave
Autosave has been a thing with Microsoft 365 apps for a while, but unless you’re really into OneDrive, chances are you rarely use it. Now, though, it’s actually useful for a change, even if you don’t use OneDrive. Continue reading…
Xbox Insiders Are Getting Ultimate Tier Benefits for Core Prices
Starting today, Xbox Insiders who have an Xbox Game Pass Core or Standard subscription will get access to cloud gaming in a new beta test. Before this, the ability to stream games was exclusive to the more expensive Game Pass Ultimate tier. Continue reading…
Windows 11 Just Made Your Bluetooth Gaming Headset More Useful
Microsoft is improving wireless call quality on Windows 11 with a new Bluetooth LE Audio profile. You’ll no longer experience a drop in audio quality when entering a Discord or Teams call with a Bluetooth headset, and more importantly, you’ll hear everything in stereo. Continue reading…
Docker Desktop Is Getting Faster Updates
Docker Desktop is making a significant change to its update schedule. The developers will move from a monthly release cycle to a new, bi-weekly cadence with the goal of eventually releasing updates weekly by the end of 2025, which is a lofty goal. Continue reading…
Your Google Messages Is About to Look Different
After months of small updates packed with new features, Google is ready to deliver a big visual overhaul to its Messages app. It will bring its Material 3 Expressive design everywhere and revamp the “Plus” button with emoji and GIF options. Continue reading…
Tot 2 Is a Unique Way to Take Notes on iPhone, Mac, and Apple Watch
Tot, the unique note-taking app from The Iconfactory, has just released version 2.0 with many improvements for macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS. This update brings a bunch of new features that make organizing your thoughts and to-do lists easier than ever. Continue reading…
The New Plaud Note Pro Wants to Take Notes for You
The rush to build AI-first products hasn’t entirely panned out, but there are a few competitors left in the note-analyzing space. One of them is Plaud.ai, which has just revealed the Plaud Note Pro, a device that records your meetings or other conversations to create notes. Continue reading…
Chipolo’s New Wallet Trackers Avoid a Common Problem
An issue with many trackers, especially wallet trackers, is how they’re frequently just… Disposable. Seeing how we have a huge problem with e-waste globally, non-rechargeable, non-replaceable batteries are not ideal. This was a pain point in some Chipolo trackers, but finally, this is getting fixed. Continue reading…
Parallels Desktop 26 Arrives for Better Windows Virtualization on Mac
Parallels Desktop is one of the best ways to virtualize Windows and Linux on modern Macs, and it just received its first major update of 2026. Parallels Desktop 26 is now available to download, with some much-needed fixes for macOS 26 Tahoe and a few minor enhancements. Continue reading…
SpaceX’s Starship Makes It to Space and Tests Ability to Deploy Starlink v3
After a series of setbacks, including a scrub due to weather and a problem with the launch pad, the 10th launch of Spacex’s enormous rocket—Starship—went off without a hitch. Continue reading…
Google Translate Can Now Help You Learn a New Language
Google has a lot of different apps and services, but one that is often overlooked is Google Translate. However, that’s about to change, as the company just unveiled a slew of new language learning tools coming to Google Translate, including conversational experiences to help you learn. Continue reading…
Corsair Made a Giant Stream Deck
Corsair has released the Xeneon Edge 14.5″ LCD Touchscreen. This is a new kind of device that’s a cross between a monitor, a peripheral, and a streaming tool. Even better, it can function as a giant version of the Stream Deck accessory with customizable touch buttons. Continue reading…
Obsidian Notes Just Got a Big Update
Obsidian is one of the most popular apps for taking notes, especially for anyone interested in having full control of their own data. Now, the new Obsidian 1.19.12 update has dramatically improved the search and synchronization functions, among other improvements. Continue reading…
Google Photos Finally Adds Feature Apple Had for Years
In a pretty surprising move, Google Photos is adding the popular tap-and-hold sticker-creation feature to its iOS app. This was a feature that was available on Apple’s photo app and was pretty unique. Now, you can do the same thing within the Google Photos app on your iPhone. Continue reading…
86Box IBM PC Emulator Adds a Much-Needed Machine Manager
Archivists and retro PC enthusiasts can now upgrade to 86Box v5.0. The IBM PC emulator now features an integrated machine manager and improved shader support—two excellent quality-of-life features that greatly improve its user experience. Continue reading…
The Google Home App Just Got a Lot of Improvements
Google has just rolled out some pretty big improvements to the camera feed in the Google Home app, making it faster, more reliable, and much easier to navigate. Here’s everything that’s new. Continue reading…
Audiobookshelf’s New Update Makes Finding Chapters Easy
Audiobookshelf has officially released version 2.29, and it brings a bunch of new features and fixes that make the self-hosted audiobook and podcast server even better. If you’re using this to manage your own collection, you’ll have a much easier time navigating your audiobooks. Continue reading…
Marshall’s First Ever Party Speaker Can Last All Day
Marshall is releasing its first-ever party speaker, the Bromley 750. It’s a good move for the brand, which is best known for its amps and smaller, home-focused speakers. This party speaker looks like it’s as powerful as those used in venues for bands. Continue reading…
YouTube TV Might Lose Fox Channels, Including Fox Sports
Due to ongoing negotiations, YouTube TV is about to lose access to several Fox channels, including Fox Sports. This couldn’t come at a worse time, as the NFL and college football seasons are about to start. If a deal can’t be met, you may lose access to the channels as soon as tomorrow, August 27th. Continue reading…
Samsung Announced the Galaxy Tab S10 Lite and Forgot a Critical Detail
Without much fanfare, Samsung has announced its newest tablet, the Galaxy Tab S10 Lite. As the name implies, this is another in the company’s line of budget-friendly devices, but the name is our only clue. Samsung did not share a critical detail. Continue reading…
Arch Linux-Based CachyOS Just Got A Great Update
Gaming-centered Linux distribution CachyOS released its semi-monthly image update over the weekend with several changes. The announcement includes an additional pre-configured window manager option, plus the debut of a new package search website. Continue reading…
Google Messages Is Getting a Better Way to Verify Who You’re Texting
Google Messages is one of the company’s most popular apps, which is probably why it’s always getting new features. Google has been trying to bring it up to speed with other popular messaging apps like Signal and WhatsApp. One of the latest features to roll out is the ability to verify your encryption key, and Google is making it even easier to do with a QR code. Continue reading…
YouTube’s Weird Filters Are Making Shorts Look Worse
If you’ve noticed that some YouTube Shorts look strange, you’re not alone. YouTube is applying an upscale filter to some Short videos, without permission from the videos’ creators, and it can make some videos look like AI-generated content. Continue reading…
ScummVM Can Now Play Classic Games Built With World Builder
ScummVM, the popular program for playing old-school adventure games, is getting a huge new update that adds support for more than 160 games made with the World Builder engine. This is a pretty big deal because for years, games made with this engine were unplayable on modern systems. Continue reading…
Windows 11’s New Android Integration Looks Like Apple Handoff
Windows 11 is getting a new feature that lets you seamlessly resume using your favorite apps from your Android phone right on your PC. This new “Resume alert” will appear on your taskbar and, for now, is only available for Spotify. Continue reading…
Calibre 8.9 Brings Smarter Matching and Clearer Merging to Your Library
For those who put a lot of effort into managing their eBook library, the latest Calibre update (8.9) is here to make your life a little bit easier. It might not be a major overhaul, but it brings some quality-of-life improvements you’ll appreciate the next time you dive into your book collection. Continue reading…