MONTHLY LEADING EDGE TRENDS FROM THE WSJ. (SEE wsj.com for details)
11/2024 Beef Up Passwords On These Accounts By Nicole Nguen -Do two things to beef up your online security: Create a long, unique password and turn on two-factor authentication for each account. Article describes for bank accounts, email and phone. 11/2024 Australia Passes Ban On Social Media for Children By Gareth Vipers - Australia is set to become the first country to ban social media use by children under 16 with its Senate’s 34-19 vote in favor of new legislation, Under the ban, not to take effect for at least 12 months, technology companies could be fined up to 50 million Australian dollars, roughly $32.5 million, if they fail to bring in steps to prevent children from holding accounts. Meta said more research into the effects of social media on mental health is needed. 11/2024 New Tech Tries to Catastrophe-Proof Your Home By Christopher Mims - Construction of ultra-efficient ‘passive houses’ is booming as developers use new building technology that is both green and disaster-resistant. The trend has roots in a movement called “passive house,” based on a design standard to make buildings use as little energy as possible. Massachusetts has mandated that all multifamily dwellings larger than 12,000 square feet in and around Boston must meet the passive- house standard. construction techniques now at the cutting edge will eventually be the norm, because nature, or governments, require it. 11/2024 Lessons From 11 Years Of Work-Life Balance Ray Rachel Feintzeig - After writing articles for the Wall Street Journal since 2013 about careers and leadership, the author shares thoughts on raises, setbacks, family and having dream jobs.
10/2024 Data Scarce on Teen Anxiety, Social Media By Nidhi Subbaraman - Concern is growing it is causing more harm than good. No one really knows how significant a role social media plays in youths’ emotional state. According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost all indicators of poor mental health, suicidal thoughts and behaviors got worse from 2013 to 2023. 10/2024 There Are Many Reasons to Use Apple’s New Password Manager By Nicole Nguyen – Managing passwords is a challenge and most people have many of them. Apple is offering a new free password manager App to help manage passwords. 10/2024 Your Medical Records Are a Mess. Technology Can Help By Laura Landro - The digitization of healthcare information was supposed to make it all so easy. It hasn’t yet, but it’s getting there. Almost all hospitals and close to 90% of doctor’s offices now use some kind of electronic medical record. However, many of them are incompatible. 10/2024 Starbucks to Staff: Work in Office or Else By Jennifer Calfas and Heather Haddon - Starbucks is stepping up efforts to enforce a return to-office mandate with warning: Comply with the policy or risk termination. According to Flex Index, which tracks workplace strategies, more employees are being required to be in the office five days a week.
9/2024 Wi-Fi on Flights Promises to Get Better By Joanna Stern - Internet connections at 30,000 feet are hit or miss, but satellite tech from SpaceX’s Starlink and others are ready. Starlink is excellent but its availability is limited. Intelsat plans to start equipping planes later this year with antennas. Planes can’t be out of commission for very long, so the strategy is to maintain the same technology for about 10 years. Delta, United and Alaska all plan to drop the old cellular tech by the end of 2025. That’s the future of the friendly skies: free, fast and foolproof Wi-Fi. 9/2024 Parents Try to Opt Their Kids Out of Classroom Technology By Joanna Stearns - Parents worried about how much time students spend on iPads and laptops during school are trying to opt their kids out of classroom tech. They’re finding it isn’t easy. Phone bans are taking effect in big districts across the country like Los Angeles and Las Vegas. However, not all schools purchase physical textbooks anymore; many only offer them as e-books. More testing of what tech should be in classrooms is needed. 9/2024 Apple Watch Series 10 Gets Bigger Screen, Thinner Body By Nicole Nguyen - It is easier than ever to check the time with the Series 10. The watch maintains an 18hour battery life like previous models. The $399-and-up Apple Watch Series 10—available Sept. 20— has a bigger and thinner display, can detect sleep apnea plus water depth and temperature sensors for swimmers. It isn’t just thinner, it’s also lighter and charges faster; thirty minutes will fill up 80% of the battery. (That used to take 45 minutes.)
8/2024 Colleges Race to Add Courses Offering AI By Milla Surjadi – The rise of generative AI in the workplace and demands by students for more hirable talents is driving schools to revamp courses. Students now expect professors to teach them how to incorporate generative AI into their careers. AI literacy is similar toe typing in the 1970’s and 80’s. AI will be a major asset to getting recruited in the next two to five years. 8/2024 How to help Students Panicked by School Smartphone Bans by Liza GaronZik an Claire Goldsmith – Parents and teachers need to reassure young people that they can navigate their days without screens. Educators and parents will need to help students reconnect with each other without screens. Need to talk to students about reason for these limits. Need to reset home-school boundaries. Need to model a balanced relationship with technology. Need to teach face-to-face communication skills. 8/2024 Google’s AI BOT is Remarkably Human by Joanna Stern – Google’s has a new Chat BOT (chat robot) named Gemini Live and is a voice assistant available in the company’s four new 2024 Pixel phones (1% of 2023 global market). It is similar to Apple’s SIRI and Amazon’s Alexa.
7/2024 Making a Case for Backing Up Your Photos and Files at Home by Cordilia James – Apple’s iCloud, Microsoft’s One Drive and Google’s One are good backup tools everyone should be consider, but it’s also smart to have multiple copies of important files. Use a Solid-State Drive SSD. The article describes how to do it including how to transfer files. 7/2024 Timeline for iPhone’s AI Features by Joanna Stern - Apple’s timeline for first AI tools will be in OS 18.1 scheduled for release this Fall. Only iPhone 15 and newer will be able to get it because they have the latest and fastest chips. Changes will include a New Siri, Writing Tools, Photos and more later.
6/2024 Apple Doesn’t Need AI To Sell Its Next Phone by Dan Gallagher – Apple at its Worldwide Developers Conference WWDC will be outlining a generative AI strategy. Siri, Apple’s 12-year-old digital assistant is expected to get a major AI upgrade. Consumers are holding onto their phones for longer periods, particularly the iPhone 12. Consumer interest in AI phones remains unclear. 6/2024 Safeguarding your Data in Your Finance Apps by Tomio /Geron – The more Apps used, the greater the risk of hacks and data leaks occurring. Using strong passwords are a major protection. Where available, turn on any two-factor authentication. Facial recognition is also a strong protection. Be careful downloading an App and make sure it is reputable.6/2024 AI is Helping Scammers Outsmart You by Dalvin Brown and Katherine Hamilton – Artificial Intelligence is making scammers more difficult to spot. Gone are poorly worded messages often a giveaway sign of a scammer. Scammers can now use AI to imitate a voice to be convincing. 6/2024 Meta Taps Your Data to Train AI Features by Cordilia James – Meta Google, X and other social media Apps are tapping personal information to make their AI smarter. 6/2024 Doctors are Quietly Prescribing The Apple Watch For Uses Beyond Those Approved by the FDA by Christopher Mims – Doctors are using the Apple Watch informally to help diagnose. Many doctors are telling patients for go out and buy an Apple Watch to alert them to episodes of atrial fibrillation. Apple Watch OS 11 is including all-new “vitals” App. Clinicians and researchers need to determine appropriate uses.
5/2024 A Beginner’s Guide to Using AI: Your First 10 Hours by Ethan Mollick – First, choose one of the popular AI tools like OpenAI’s GPT-4, Google’s Gemini Advanced or Anthropic’s Claude 3 Opus. See how it can help compose email, write a report and analyze data. 5/2024 iPad Pro vs. MacBook: Testing the Trade-Offs by Joanna Stern – Each has pluses, but Mac wins in the most important category: software. The iPad has always been a touch device. iPad apps are limited. Battery life longer in Mac-Book. 5/2024 Fed Up With Students Obsessed With Phones, One Teacher Quits by Julie Jargon – Teacher quitting because tired of trying to engage students who are lost in their phones. Apps are designed to be addictive. Schools say phones should not be out during class but leaves enforcement to teachers. 5/2024 AI-Focused PCs make Windows Exciting Again by Joanna Stern – Microsoft has new Copilot+ PCs with AI improved performance, battery life, and enhanced AI features. Has Live and fast captions in 44 languages. 5/2024 A Low-Tech Solution for Our Tech Addiction by Gordillia James – Enter Yondr a maker of little bags for locking up a phone. Number started with 22,000 in 2015; now over 25,000. The Yondr pouch at a CT school cost $60,000 for 2,000 students and thought to be well worth it. Competitor Phone Locker from Australia founded in 2020 has sold 50,000 in the country. Not available in U.S.
4/2024 Open AI Reveals a Feature That Clones Human Voices by Ginger Adams Otis – New technology has been showcased that can recreate a human voice from a 15-second clip, but said it wouldn’t release it publicly until it knows more about potential risks for misuse. The program called Voice Engine, can read text aloud. Generative artificial-intelligence will make it easier to deceive people. 4/2024 Can We Save Our Children From Smartphones? By Peggy Noonan – Jonathan Kaidt’s new book “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness” describes a crisis. The young seem to have become addicted to social media and gaming. The tidal wave comes as children enter puberty when the human brain is experiencing greatest reconfiguration since early childhood. Mr. Haidt suggests no smart phones before high school, no social media before age 16 and elementary through high school should be phone-free zones. 4/2024 Schools Want to Ban Phones, But Parents Are the Obstacle by Julie Jargon – Restricting smart phone use helps students focus, but families want to keep their connection for emergencies and scheduling issues. Parents want access to their children at all times. 3/2024 Virtual Meetings Are Killing the Office Vibe by Priya Parker - The way we meet has changed radically in recent years: It is more online and remote, with more brevity. New tools are revolutionizing workplaces in ways we might not have grasped. The article talks about Zoom, Teams, Slack and working hybrid in and out of the office. The future will have more in-person gatherings. Meeting etiquette is evolving. 3/2024 Count on Two-Factor Codes to Offer Online Security by Nicole Nguyen – There’s a basic equation for online security: Long, unique passwords + two-factor authentication = safer money, work and personal data. Two-factor codes are a necessary security layer; Don’t treat this as optional. 3/2024 Schools Move to Limit Students’ Phone Use by Sara Randazzo and Matt Barnum - The decision to disable or lock up phones is taking hold in thousands of schools across the U.S. Many states have proposed or enacted new school cellphone restrictions. Many teachers say phones have become an in-class distraction. Atlantic City, N.J. however, has no plans to restrict phones because they can be a helpful research tool. The problems with phones in the classroom is not going away.
2/2024 Parental Controls Don’t Work. How to Keep Teens Safe Online by Julie Jargon – During the past five years optional tools for parents to keep kids safe have been rolled out but are optional and usually buried or broken. The best solution is to sit with teens and work together to define guidelines. Having parental restrictions and constant monitoring stifles teen’s ability to solve problems. 2/2024 How to Stop Useless Alerts From Flooding Your Phone by Dalvin Brown – Many people are now annoyed when opening social apps when it looks like a notification is personal or urgent and it often is not. The number of notifications from social networking has become excessive and can create ill will. There are suggestions to reduce the notifications for Facebook, Instagram, Linked In, X and Snapchat. 2/2024 It’s the End of The Web as We Know It by Christopher Mims – AI is changing how we use the Internet. A new generation of “answer engines” is coming. A new free AI powered search engine tested Arc Search can be a time saver reducing the number of links to sites without AI.
1/2024 Don’t Ignore This New iPhone Setting by Nicole Nguyen and Joanna Stern – As part of iOS 17.3 update, Apple released Stolen Device Protection. If you enable Stolen device Protection, your iPhone will restrict the Passcode power over certain settings when you are away from a location familiar to the iPhone, such as your home or work. A thief would need more than just the passcode like Face ID or Touch ID. 1/2024 Apple's New Headset is the Best So Far by Joanna Stern – Apple’s $3,400 Vision Pro has been released. Watch 3-D movies, reach out to select apps and many other features are included. Stay tuned for what the future will be for the device.
12/2023 Apple Adds Security to Stymie iPhone Thieves by Joanna Stern and Nicole Nguyen – Apple is rolling out new security settings for iPhone. Will include setting in coming software update. It will restrict certain settings when away from a location familiar to the iPhone. If phone is stolen, act quickly to use web address icloud.com/find and remotely erase data on your missing or stolen device. 12/2023 Return-to-Office Mandates Are A Disaster for Working Mothers by Joanne Lipman – Remote work has helped fuel women’s record numbers in workforce participation and remote work has been an enabling factor. About 40% of Americans still work from home. Fully remote jobs are prized by moms with young kids. 12/2023 Make Your iPhone Last Forever by Justin Pot – Average phone in America is only used for around 2 ½ years and can last much longer following several tips including: Check for updates, Put a case on it, Clean charge port, Monitor battery health. Know your repair options, If a manufacturer declares phone is obsolete, there are other options. 12/2023 Fewer People Are Posting on Social Media by Cordilia J Ames – Users are posting less and favoring a passive experience and becoming more selective on what they post. More friends are becoming “watchers”. The quality of social media has declined in the past five years with misinformation, toxicity and proliferation of bots (robot). Gartner estimates 50% of users will either abandon or significantly limit their interactions with social media in the next two years.
11/2023 Should Students Use ChatGBT for School? More Teachers Say Yes by James R. Hagerty – Teacher Kevin Lisle’s ChatGPT assistant (Artificial IntelIigence RoBOT) worries about students cheating or cutting corners. Using AI ChatGBT does bolster basic skills. 11/2023 Listen Up: There Are More Ways To Get Audiobooks Now by Nicole Nguyen – Spotify is changing economics of audio reads. For those just starting out, look at Libby. For power users look at Audible Premium Plus. For indie bookstore lovers, look at Libro.fm. 11/2023 Meta Targeted Teen Brains, States Allege by Jeff Horwitz – Meta sought social-media to take advantage of young user’s brains and their being predisposed to impulse, peer pressure and potentially harmful features. Fort-one (41) states allege Meta was intentional.
10/2023 The New Etiquette for Earbuds by Nicole Nguyen – Consider when wearing Earbuds if they are impolite to other people. Apple has Conversation Awareness feature to detect when you start speaking and fade Earbuds so you can better listen to someone who is speaking to you. Other high-endear-buds have feature. 10/2023 Rethink Streaming, Save on Monthly Fees by Nicole Nguyen – Prices are going up and plans need to be reviewed. Netflix Premium is $20, Amazon Prime $139, Disney+ $13.99, Hulu $17.99. Save by switching to Ad plans. Check for bundles. 10/2023 Blocking Graphic Posts on Social-Media by Cordilia James - Graphic videos of conflict in Israel and Gaza can be prevented for X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, YouTube and Google.
9/2023 AI Is About to Be Everywhere. Sceptics Risk Being Left Behind by Christopher Mims – Most of us will be using artificial intelligence soon enough and a growing number of communications generated with AI assistance. People are highly satisfied with generative AI. Microsoft has announced deep integration across Windows 11. Google has its Bard generative AI and Amazon is including in Alexa. 9/2023 Is the Newest iPhone Worth it? By Joanna Stern – Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max get a lighter titanium case and an “action button”. Prices are iPhone 15 $799 and up, iPhone 15 Plus $899 and up, iPhone 15 Pro $999 and up and iPhone 15 Pro Max $1,199. The Pro and Pro Max have three cameras – ultrawide, main and telephoto. All include the popular USB-C charging port. 9/2023 Apple Watch Series 9 Isn’t as Useful as It Could Be by Nicole Nguyen – Author writes the Apple Watch is the bestselling smartwatch in the world but the new Series 9 is not much better than the Series 8. Battery life still needs improvement. Series 9 screen is brighter. Wait until 2024. 9/2023 Meta Unveils a New VR Headset by Salvador Rodriguez – Facebook parent Meta Platforms is releasing Quest 3 virtual reality headset ($499) and new Ray-Ban smart glasses ($299) equipped w/ Meta AI and 36 hr. battery life. Meta also announced it is releasing 28 AI Chat-Bots (simulates human conversation) as it works with Microsoft.
8/2023 Schools Trash Their Chromebooks by Nicole Nguyen – Simple laptops from Google are more expensive, need constant repairs and have an expiration date for operating. When they expire, they come e-waste; unlike Macs and Windows PCs, which run after their software is no longer supported. 8/2023 Language Learning APPs Translate to Cognitive Benefits by Julie Jargon – Learning a new language has shown to delay the onset of dementia. Numerous studies suggest bilingual people develop dementia later than monolingual people do. Learn at home at little or no cost. 8/2023 Search for AI Talent Sends Salaries Soaring by Chip Cutter – U.S. companies are in the midst of an AI recruiting frenzy. Available supply of AI practitioners is falling short of demand. Those who combine industry expertise with a solid understanding of engineering are in the highest demand. 8/2023 E-Bike Battery Fires Can Be Deadly. Here is How to Prevent One in Your House by Nicole Nguyen – Choose an e-bike from a reputable brand with a well-designed safety system and safety certifications. Don’t mix and match chargers, purchase aftermarket batteries or charge in extreme temperatures. Cheap no-name batteries and chargers are a risk.
7/2023 Four Day Work Week Wins Praise by Vanessa Furmans – Studies are showing less burnout, improved health and more job satisfaction. Both business and employees gain. 7/2023 The Hidden Talent of your Office Software by Sean Captain - You may think you know all there is to know about Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Excel, PowerPoint, Gmail, Outlook and other apps. But you probably don’t. For example, learn to collaborate and organize video conferences better. 7/2023 Meta, Microsoft Team Up in AI Push by Tom Dotan and Deep Seetharaman – Meta AI, dubbed Llama 2, will be free to developers building software using Microsoft’s Azure Cloud computing platform. Microsoft to charge $30 a month to access AI powered assistant for Microsoft 365. 7/2023 Making the Right Call on Folding Cell Phones by Nicole Nguyen – Samsung Galazy Z Fold and Google’s Pixel too much phone for most people. Apple to offer one in a few years. Foldables ideal for people who spend time in trains and planes. Still fragile. 7/2023 TV’s Golden Era Has Been Costly for Streamers by Nate Rattner and Sarah Krouse – Netflix, Disney + and Max have become default entertainment options. Retaining customers critical. Growth has slowed. More ads 7/2023 Smart Gadgets Protect Your Home – But also Collect Data by Andy Rain – Uses leak detector and electrical sensor alarms. Consider costs to install and maintain relative to savings in insurance.
6/2023 Too Young for Social Media? The Case for Waiting Until 16 by Julie Jargon – Doctors and policy makers cite youngsters’ vulnerability. See links to mental-health crisis. Kids are much more susceptible to peer pressure, opinions and comparison. Age 13 is too young to handle them. They probably should stay off TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat. Parents should have ongoing conversations with children. 6/2023 Big Changes Are Coming To Your iPhone This Fall by Nicole Nguyen – Apple’s iOS 17 software update is coming and has big additions, especially for communication APPs such as Messages and Facetime. Will come at no additional cost. Simplified AirDrop and improved audio transcription. Interact with widgets as a convenient way to display bite-size pieces of information on home screen. Older phones like iPhone 8 won’t get the update. 6/2023 Apple Releases Vision Pro Product by Aaron Telley – Vision Pro Headset is first major new Apple product in a decade. Will allow users to experience virtual reality and digital APPs overlaid on the real world. Cost $3,499 and partner with Walt Disney.
5/2023 A Thin Foldable Offers AI Tricks by Nicole Nguyen – Google’s new Pixel Fold looks like a regular phone from the outside, but you can open it like a book to become a bigger screen on the inside. Model is relatively thin (slimmer than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold) and hand-friendly. Most Google apps work on the Pixel Fold 7.6” screen. Price for the Pixel Fold start at $1,799. The use of an expandable device with bendy screens is getting stronger. 5/2023 TikTok Feeds Teens a Diet of Darkness by Joseph Pisani – A Wall Street Journal investigation in 2021 found TickTok steers viewers to watch dangerous content. TickTock has since strengthened parental controls but is little changed. Two-thirds of teens use TickTok. 5/2023 Surgeon General Warns of Social-Media Risks for Youth by Jennifer Calfas – U.S. Surgeon General is urging stronger standards for adolescents. Teenagers between 10 and 15 are particularly vulnerable. Using social media more than three hours a day risks depression and anxiety. 5/2023 The “Killer APPs” That Will Make Apple’s Headset a Winner by Christopher Mims – Apple’s forthcoming headset for June 5 is likely to accelerate using augmented reality, It remains to be seen if Apple can overcome earlier issues which have plagued other headsets. Apple's vision could succeed where others have failed.
4/2023 Life After Death: Secure Your Digital Legacy Before You Die by Christopher Mims – Have a plan for what to do with your digital assets. Designate a contact person for your passwords. Make plans for social media accounts. Where possible, set up a legacy contact. Talk it through with a conversation with family. 4/2023 Tech Older Adults Want Now by Julie Jargon – Fitness wearables and password managers are popular for people 50 and up. According to AARP, last year, they spent on average $912 on technology, up from $394 during 2019. Home assistants like Amazon Echo (Alexa) and Google Nest Audio are popular. Streaming services are popular. Because seniors ware often targeted, learning about scam protection and the importance of strong passwords is important. 4/2023 People Grow Sick and Tired of the cost of Subscriptions by Rachel Wolfe and Imani Moise – Popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max and others have had cancellations of up to 49% during 2022, up substantially, from the previous year. The Federal Trade Commission has a new proposal to make it simpler to break away from a subscription. Existing companies are changing their strategies. 4/2023 The Best Trackers For Finding Lost Stuff by Nicole Nguyen – The Tile Slim saves many hours looking for things for the author. Unlike the rounded AirTag, it is thin and fits in a wallet. To use it just ring the Bluetooth tracker from a smart phone.
3/2023 AI Begins to Transform Office Jobs by Gretchen Farrant – AI is the next revolution and there will be no going back. Generative Pre-trained Transformers or GPTs use machine learning. Employees will have a challenge to adapt to AI. 3/2023 Microsoft Incorporates Generative AI Tools Into Business Software by Tom Dotan – Using ChatGPT to upgrade PowerPoint, Word, Excel and Outlook. A new release will be the Microsoft 365 Copilot like creating a PowerPoint presentation from text. Workers are using ChatGPT when seeking a new job. 3/2023 Technology Skills Every Employee Should Have Today by Sean Captain – People must know advanced features of online collaboration. They need to know how to use Microsoft Excel or Sheets, Word or Google Docs and PowerPoint or Google Slides. Also important are skills to organized remote meetings, manage projects and do programing.
2/2023 Netflix Expands New Curbs To Limit Password Sharing by Sarah Krouse - Netflix is starting new restrictions in Canada, Spain Portugal and New Zeeland to increase revenue. It is unclear when it will be rolled out in the U.S. Standard and premium plans can pay and share with up to two others. Basic won’t be able to share. 2/2023 Larger Issues Distort Debate on Screen Time (for children) by Julie Jargon – Numerous studies show children should not spend excessive time looking at screens. What to do includes: No screens at dinner table, No screens in the bedroom, No screens for babies, Stick to smart, positive content and Take regular breaks. 2/2023 My Coach Is a Computer by Shely Mateo – A new class of fitness equipment is having a type if artificial intelligence and is making progress to monitor exercise.
1/2023 Microsoft Growth is Slowest Since 2016 by Tom Dotan Recorded lowest sales growth in more than six years. Azure Cloud services remain main engine for growth. Sales during pandemic are scaling back. 1/2023 Google Prepares for Battles on Multiple Fronts by Miles Kruppa – Google is in battle mode to defend its search, mobile-software, onl9ne-video and ad-tech businesses. Googler facing several lawsuits related to privacy and monopolistic practices. 1/2023 Facebook Parent Meta Sees Path Ahead After Rough Year by Jeff Horwitz and Salvador Rodriguez - Bouncing back from Apple’s privacy changes. After roughest year in history Facebook and Instagram are starting to recover. Meta’s product Reels is takin off as it competes with TikTok.
12/2022 Netflix Braces for Sharing Crackdown by Sarah Krouse & Jessica Toonkel – Over 100 million Netflix viewers watch service with borrowed passwords. Netflix is to change that. Will be having special pricing. 12/2022 Netflix’s Ad-Supported Tier to Take Time to Catch On by Dan Gallagher - New advertising tier will help Netflix ease off price increases. 12/2022 Streaming’s Very Chaotic Year by Jason Kilar – Increased shifting toward Netflix, Hulu and others. Hollywood’s streaming subscribers increased. Many choices for streaming. Cable users gone from 90% in 2010 to 55%. Streamer wars will continue. Expect mergers. 12/2022 Say What? How to Fix Hard-to Hear TV Dialog by Cordilia James – Use TV dialog or add soundbar. Grab headphones or earbuds. Newer TVs are providing Blue-tooth settings. 12/2022 Eight Questions To Ask Your Aging Parents (and yourself) To Keep Their Phones Safe From Hackers by Da;vin Brown – 1) Is your PW protected? 2) Do you update your phone’s software? 3) Do you have spam filters? 4) Do you get alerts from your bank? 5) Have you added a trusted backup contact? 6) How do you keep your PW? 7) What do you want to happen to your tech when you die? 8) Does anything concern you? 12/2022 Tech That will Change Our Lives in 2023 by Jason Schneider – Big tech will be belt tightening, The Subscription Police starting, China interrupted, Artificial Intelligence finds real use, Can I hear you? Crypto’s rotten core, Smart home gets easier, iPhone Regular’s Edition, Social media upheaval, Metaverse will be more than Meta (Facebook) with HTC and Apple arriving.
11/2024 Beef Up Passwords On These Accounts By Nicole Nguen -Do two things to beef up your online security: Create a long, unique password and turn on two-factor authentication for each account. Article describes for bank accounts, email and phone. 11/2024 Australia Passes Ban On Social Media for Children By Gareth Vipers - Australia is set to become the first country to ban social media use by children under 16 with its Senate’s 34-19 vote in favor of new legislation, Under the ban, not to take effect for at least 12 months, technology companies could be fined up to 50 million Australian dollars, roughly $32.5 million, if they fail to bring in steps to prevent children from holding accounts. Meta said more research into the effects of social media on mental health is needed. 11/2024 New Tech Tries to Catastrophe-Proof Your Home By Christopher Mims - Construction of ultra-efficient ‘passive houses’ is booming as developers use new building technology that is both green and disaster-resistant. The trend has roots in a movement called “passive house,” based on a design standard to make buildings use as little energy as possible. Massachusetts has mandated that all multifamily dwellings larger than 12,000 square feet in and around Boston must meet the passive- house standard. construction techniques now at the cutting edge will eventually be the norm, because nature, or governments, require it. 11/2024 Lessons From 11 Years Of Work-Life Balance Ray Rachel Feintzeig - After writing articles for the Wall Street Journal since 2013 about careers and leadership, the author shares thoughts on raises, setbacks, family and having dream jobs.
10/2024 Data Scarce on Teen Anxiety, Social Media By Nidhi Subbaraman - Concern is growing it is causing more harm than good. No one really knows how significant a role social media plays in youths’ emotional state. According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost all indicators of poor mental health, suicidal thoughts and behaviors got worse from 2013 to 2023. 10/2024 There Are Many Reasons to Use Apple’s New Password Manager By Nicole Nguyen – Managing passwords is a challenge and most people have many of them. Apple is offering a new free password manager App to help manage passwords. 10/2024 Your Medical Records Are a Mess. Technology Can Help By Laura Landro - The digitization of healthcare information was supposed to make it all so easy. It hasn’t yet, but it’s getting there. Almost all hospitals and close to 90% of doctor’s offices now use some kind of electronic medical record. However, many of them are incompatible. 10/2024 Starbucks to Staff: Work in Office or Else By Jennifer Calfas and Heather Haddon - Starbucks is stepping up efforts to enforce a return to-office mandate with warning: Comply with the policy or risk termination. According to Flex Index, which tracks workplace strategies, more employees are being required to be in the office five days a week.
9/2024 Wi-Fi on Flights Promises to Get Better By Joanna Stern - Internet connections at 30,000 feet are hit or miss, but satellite tech from SpaceX’s Starlink and others are ready. Starlink is excellent but its availability is limited. Intelsat plans to start equipping planes later this year with antennas. Planes can’t be out of commission for very long, so the strategy is to maintain the same technology for about 10 years. Delta, United and Alaska all plan to drop the old cellular tech by the end of 2025. That’s the future of the friendly skies: free, fast and foolproof Wi-Fi. 9/2024 Parents Try to Opt Their Kids Out of Classroom Technology By Joanna Stearns - Parents worried about how much time students spend on iPads and laptops during school are trying to opt their kids out of classroom tech. They’re finding it isn’t easy. Phone bans are taking effect in big districts across the country like Los Angeles and Las Vegas. However, not all schools purchase physical textbooks anymore; many only offer them as e-books. More testing of what tech should be in classrooms is needed. 9/2024 Apple Watch Series 10 Gets Bigger Screen, Thinner Body By Nicole Nguyen - It is easier than ever to check the time with the Series 10. The watch maintains an 18hour battery life like previous models. The $399-and-up Apple Watch Series 10—available Sept. 20— has a bigger and thinner display, can detect sleep apnea plus water depth and temperature sensors for swimmers. It isn’t just thinner, it’s also lighter and charges faster; thirty minutes will fill up 80% of the battery. (That used to take 45 minutes.)
8/2024 Colleges Race to Add Courses Offering AI By Milla Surjadi – The rise of generative AI in the workplace and demands by students for more hirable talents is driving schools to revamp courses. Students now expect professors to teach them how to incorporate generative AI into their careers. AI literacy is similar toe typing in the 1970’s and 80’s. AI will be a major asset to getting recruited in the next two to five years. 8/2024 How to help Students Panicked by School Smartphone Bans by Liza GaronZik an Claire Goldsmith – Parents and teachers need to reassure young people that they can navigate their days without screens. Educators and parents will need to help students reconnect with each other without screens. Need to talk to students about reason for these limits. Need to reset home-school boundaries. Need to model a balanced relationship with technology. Need to teach face-to-face communication skills. 8/2024 Google’s AI BOT is Remarkably Human by Joanna Stern – Google’s has a new Chat BOT (chat robot) named Gemini Live and is a voice assistant available in the company’s four new 2024 Pixel phones (1% of 2023 global market). It is similar to Apple’s SIRI and Amazon’s Alexa.
7/2024 Making a Case for Backing Up Your Photos and Files at Home by Cordilia James – Apple’s iCloud, Microsoft’s One Drive and Google’s One are good backup tools everyone should be consider, but it’s also smart to have multiple copies of important files. Use a Solid-State Drive SSD. The article describes how to do it including how to transfer files. 7/2024 Timeline for iPhone’s AI Features by Joanna Stern - Apple’s timeline for first AI tools will be in OS 18.1 scheduled for release this Fall. Only iPhone 15 and newer will be able to get it because they have the latest and fastest chips. Changes will include a New Siri, Writing Tools, Photos and more later.
6/2024 Apple Doesn’t Need AI To Sell Its Next Phone by Dan Gallagher – Apple at its Worldwide Developers Conference WWDC will be outlining a generative AI strategy. Siri, Apple’s 12-year-old digital assistant is expected to get a major AI upgrade. Consumers are holding onto their phones for longer periods, particularly the iPhone 12. Consumer interest in AI phones remains unclear. 6/2024 Safeguarding your Data in Your Finance Apps by Tomio /Geron – The more Apps used, the greater the risk of hacks and data leaks occurring. Using strong passwords are a major protection. Where available, turn on any two-factor authentication. Facial recognition is also a strong protection. Be careful downloading an App and make sure it is reputable.6/2024 AI is Helping Scammers Outsmart You by Dalvin Brown and Katherine Hamilton – Artificial Intelligence is making scammers more difficult to spot. Gone are poorly worded messages often a giveaway sign of a scammer. Scammers can now use AI to imitate a voice to be convincing. 6/2024 Meta Taps Your Data to Train AI Features by Cordilia James – Meta Google, X and other social media Apps are tapping personal information to make their AI smarter. 6/2024 Doctors are Quietly Prescribing The Apple Watch For Uses Beyond Those Approved by the FDA by Christopher Mims – Doctors are using the Apple Watch informally to help diagnose. Many doctors are telling patients for go out and buy an Apple Watch to alert them to episodes of atrial fibrillation. Apple Watch OS 11 is including all-new “vitals” App. Clinicians and researchers need to determine appropriate uses.
5/2024 A Beginner’s Guide to Using AI: Your First 10 Hours by Ethan Mollick – First, choose one of the popular AI tools like OpenAI’s GPT-4, Google’s Gemini Advanced or Anthropic’s Claude 3 Opus. See how it can help compose email, write a report and analyze data. 5/2024 iPad Pro vs. MacBook: Testing the Trade-Offs by Joanna Stern – Each has pluses, but Mac wins in the most important category: software. The iPad has always been a touch device. iPad apps are limited. Battery life longer in Mac-Book. 5/2024 Fed Up With Students Obsessed With Phones, One Teacher Quits by Julie Jargon – Teacher quitting because tired of trying to engage students who are lost in their phones. Apps are designed to be addictive. Schools say phones should not be out during class but leaves enforcement to teachers. 5/2024 AI-Focused PCs make Windows Exciting Again by Joanna Stern – Microsoft has new Copilot+ PCs with AI improved performance, battery life, and enhanced AI features. Has Live and fast captions in 44 languages. 5/2024 A Low-Tech Solution for Our Tech Addiction by Gordillia James – Enter Yondr a maker of little bags for locking up a phone. Number started with 22,000 in 2015; now over 25,000. The Yondr pouch at a CT school cost $60,000 for 2,000 students and thought to be well worth it. Competitor Phone Locker from Australia founded in 2020 has sold 50,000 in the country. Not available in U.S.
4/2024 Open AI Reveals a Feature That Clones Human Voices by Ginger Adams Otis – New technology has been showcased that can recreate a human voice from a 15-second clip, but said it wouldn’t release it publicly until it knows more about potential risks for misuse. The program called Voice Engine, can read text aloud. Generative artificial-intelligence will make it easier to deceive people. 4/2024 Can We Save Our Children From Smartphones? By Peggy Noonan – Jonathan Kaidt’s new book “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness” describes a crisis. The young seem to have become addicted to social media and gaming. The tidal wave comes as children enter puberty when the human brain is experiencing greatest reconfiguration since early childhood. Mr. Haidt suggests no smart phones before high school, no social media before age 16 and elementary through high school should be phone-free zones. 4/2024 Schools Want to Ban Phones, But Parents Are the Obstacle by Julie Jargon – Restricting smart phone use helps students focus, but families want to keep their connection for emergencies and scheduling issues. Parents want access to their children at all times. 3/2024 Virtual Meetings Are Killing the Office Vibe by Priya Parker - The way we meet has changed radically in recent years: It is more online and remote, with more brevity. New tools are revolutionizing workplaces in ways we might not have grasped. The article talks about Zoom, Teams, Slack and working hybrid in and out of the office. The future will have more in-person gatherings. Meeting etiquette is evolving. 3/2024 Count on Two-Factor Codes to Offer Online Security by Nicole Nguyen – There’s a basic equation for online security: Long, unique passwords + two-factor authentication = safer money, work and personal data. Two-factor codes are a necessary security layer; Don’t treat this as optional. 3/2024 Schools Move to Limit Students’ Phone Use by Sara Randazzo and Matt Barnum - The decision to disable or lock up phones is taking hold in thousands of schools across the U.S. Many states have proposed or enacted new school cellphone restrictions. Many teachers say phones have become an in-class distraction. Atlantic City, N.J. however, has no plans to restrict phones because they can be a helpful research tool. The problems with phones in the classroom is not going away.
2/2024 Parental Controls Don’t Work. How to Keep Teens Safe Online by Julie Jargon – During the past five years optional tools for parents to keep kids safe have been rolled out but are optional and usually buried or broken. The best solution is to sit with teens and work together to define guidelines. Having parental restrictions and constant monitoring stifles teen’s ability to solve problems. 2/2024 How to Stop Useless Alerts From Flooding Your Phone by Dalvin Brown – Many people are now annoyed when opening social apps when it looks like a notification is personal or urgent and it often is not. The number of notifications from social networking has become excessive and can create ill will. There are suggestions to reduce the notifications for Facebook, Instagram, Linked In, X and Snapchat. 2/2024 It’s the End of The Web as We Know It by Christopher Mims – AI is changing how we use the Internet. A new generation of “answer engines” is coming. A new free AI powered search engine tested Arc Search can be a time saver reducing the number of links to sites without AI.
1/2024 Don’t Ignore This New iPhone Setting by Nicole Nguyen and Joanna Stern – As part of iOS 17.3 update, Apple released Stolen Device Protection. If you enable Stolen device Protection, your iPhone will restrict the Passcode power over certain settings when you are away from a location familiar to the iPhone, such as your home or work. A thief would need more than just the passcode like Face ID or Touch ID. 1/2024 Apple's New Headset is the Best So Far by Joanna Stern – Apple’s $3,400 Vision Pro has been released. Watch 3-D movies, reach out to select apps and many other features are included. Stay tuned for what the future will be for the device.
12/2023 Apple Adds Security to Stymie iPhone Thieves by Joanna Stern and Nicole Nguyen – Apple is rolling out new security settings for iPhone. Will include setting in coming software update. It will restrict certain settings when away from a location familiar to the iPhone. If phone is stolen, act quickly to use web address icloud.com/find and remotely erase data on your missing or stolen device. 12/2023 Return-to-Office Mandates Are A Disaster for Working Mothers by Joanne Lipman – Remote work has helped fuel women’s record numbers in workforce participation and remote work has been an enabling factor. About 40% of Americans still work from home. Fully remote jobs are prized by moms with young kids. 12/2023 Make Your iPhone Last Forever by Justin Pot – Average phone in America is only used for around 2 ½ years and can last much longer following several tips including: Check for updates, Put a case on it, Clean charge port, Monitor battery health. Know your repair options, If a manufacturer declares phone is obsolete, there are other options. 12/2023 Fewer People Are Posting on Social Media by Cordilia J Ames – Users are posting less and favoring a passive experience and becoming more selective on what they post. More friends are becoming “watchers”. The quality of social media has declined in the past five years with misinformation, toxicity and proliferation of bots (robot). Gartner estimates 50% of users will either abandon or significantly limit their interactions with social media in the next two years.
11/2023 Should Students Use ChatGBT for School? More Teachers Say Yes by James R. Hagerty – Teacher Kevin Lisle’s ChatGPT assistant (Artificial IntelIigence RoBOT) worries about students cheating or cutting corners. Using AI ChatGBT does bolster basic skills. 11/2023 Listen Up: There Are More Ways To Get Audiobooks Now by Nicole Nguyen – Spotify is changing economics of audio reads. For those just starting out, look at Libby. For power users look at Audible Premium Plus. For indie bookstore lovers, look at Libro.fm. 11/2023 Meta Targeted Teen Brains, States Allege by Jeff Horwitz – Meta sought social-media to take advantage of young user’s brains and their being predisposed to impulse, peer pressure and potentially harmful features. Fort-one (41) states allege Meta was intentional.
10/2023 The New Etiquette for Earbuds by Nicole Nguyen – Consider when wearing Earbuds if they are impolite to other people. Apple has Conversation Awareness feature to detect when you start speaking and fade Earbuds so you can better listen to someone who is speaking to you. Other high-endear-buds have feature. 10/2023 Rethink Streaming, Save on Monthly Fees by Nicole Nguyen – Prices are going up and plans need to be reviewed. Netflix Premium is $20, Amazon Prime $139, Disney+ $13.99, Hulu $17.99. Save by switching to Ad plans. Check for bundles. 10/2023 Blocking Graphic Posts on Social-Media by Cordilia James - Graphic videos of conflict in Israel and Gaza can be prevented for X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, YouTube and Google.
9/2023 AI Is About to Be Everywhere. Sceptics Risk Being Left Behind by Christopher Mims – Most of us will be using artificial intelligence soon enough and a growing number of communications generated with AI assistance. People are highly satisfied with generative AI. Microsoft has announced deep integration across Windows 11. Google has its Bard generative AI and Amazon is including in Alexa. 9/2023 Is the Newest iPhone Worth it? By Joanna Stern – Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max get a lighter titanium case and an “action button”. Prices are iPhone 15 $799 and up, iPhone 15 Plus $899 and up, iPhone 15 Pro $999 and up and iPhone 15 Pro Max $1,199. The Pro and Pro Max have three cameras – ultrawide, main and telephoto. All include the popular USB-C charging port. 9/2023 Apple Watch Series 9 Isn’t as Useful as It Could Be by Nicole Nguyen – Author writes the Apple Watch is the bestselling smartwatch in the world but the new Series 9 is not much better than the Series 8. Battery life still needs improvement. Series 9 screen is brighter. Wait until 2024. 9/2023 Meta Unveils a New VR Headset by Salvador Rodriguez – Facebook parent Meta Platforms is releasing Quest 3 virtual reality headset ($499) and new Ray-Ban smart glasses ($299) equipped w/ Meta AI and 36 hr. battery life. Meta also announced it is releasing 28 AI Chat-Bots (simulates human conversation) as it works with Microsoft.
8/2023 Schools Trash Their Chromebooks by Nicole Nguyen – Simple laptops from Google are more expensive, need constant repairs and have an expiration date for operating. When they expire, they come e-waste; unlike Macs and Windows PCs, which run after their software is no longer supported. 8/2023 Language Learning APPs Translate to Cognitive Benefits by Julie Jargon – Learning a new language has shown to delay the onset of dementia. Numerous studies suggest bilingual people develop dementia later than monolingual people do. Learn at home at little or no cost. 8/2023 Search for AI Talent Sends Salaries Soaring by Chip Cutter – U.S. companies are in the midst of an AI recruiting frenzy. Available supply of AI practitioners is falling short of demand. Those who combine industry expertise with a solid understanding of engineering are in the highest demand. 8/2023 E-Bike Battery Fires Can Be Deadly. Here is How to Prevent One in Your House by Nicole Nguyen – Choose an e-bike from a reputable brand with a well-designed safety system and safety certifications. Don’t mix and match chargers, purchase aftermarket batteries or charge in extreme temperatures. Cheap no-name batteries and chargers are a risk.
7/2023 Four Day Work Week Wins Praise by Vanessa Furmans – Studies are showing less burnout, improved health and more job satisfaction. Both business and employees gain. 7/2023 The Hidden Talent of your Office Software by Sean Captain - You may think you know all there is to know about Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Excel, PowerPoint, Gmail, Outlook and other apps. But you probably don’t. For example, learn to collaborate and organize video conferences better. 7/2023 Meta, Microsoft Team Up in AI Push by Tom Dotan and Deep Seetharaman – Meta AI, dubbed Llama 2, will be free to developers building software using Microsoft’s Azure Cloud computing platform. Microsoft to charge $30 a month to access AI powered assistant for Microsoft 365. 7/2023 Making the Right Call on Folding Cell Phones by Nicole Nguyen – Samsung Galazy Z Fold and Google’s Pixel too much phone for most people. Apple to offer one in a few years. Foldables ideal for people who spend time in trains and planes. Still fragile. 7/2023 TV’s Golden Era Has Been Costly for Streamers by Nate Rattner and Sarah Krouse – Netflix, Disney + and Max have become default entertainment options. Retaining customers critical. Growth has slowed. More ads 7/2023 Smart Gadgets Protect Your Home – But also Collect Data by Andy Rain – Uses leak detector and electrical sensor alarms. Consider costs to install and maintain relative to savings in insurance.
6/2023 Too Young for Social Media? The Case for Waiting Until 16 by Julie Jargon – Doctors and policy makers cite youngsters’ vulnerability. See links to mental-health crisis. Kids are much more susceptible to peer pressure, opinions and comparison. Age 13 is too young to handle them. They probably should stay off TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat. Parents should have ongoing conversations with children. 6/2023 Big Changes Are Coming To Your iPhone This Fall by Nicole Nguyen – Apple’s iOS 17 software update is coming and has big additions, especially for communication APPs such as Messages and Facetime. Will come at no additional cost. Simplified AirDrop and improved audio transcription. Interact with widgets as a convenient way to display bite-size pieces of information on home screen. Older phones like iPhone 8 won’t get the update. 6/2023 Apple Releases Vision Pro Product by Aaron Telley – Vision Pro Headset is first major new Apple product in a decade. Will allow users to experience virtual reality and digital APPs overlaid on the real world. Cost $3,499 and partner with Walt Disney.
5/2023 A Thin Foldable Offers AI Tricks by Nicole Nguyen – Google’s new Pixel Fold looks like a regular phone from the outside, but you can open it like a book to become a bigger screen on the inside. Model is relatively thin (slimmer than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold) and hand-friendly. Most Google apps work on the Pixel Fold 7.6” screen. Price for the Pixel Fold start at $1,799. The use of an expandable device with bendy screens is getting stronger. 5/2023 TikTok Feeds Teens a Diet of Darkness by Joseph Pisani – A Wall Street Journal investigation in 2021 found TickTok steers viewers to watch dangerous content. TickTock has since strengthened parental controls but is little changed. Two-thirds of teens use TickTok. 5/2023 Surgeon General Warns of Social-Media Risks for Youth by Jennifer Calfas – U.S. Surgeon General is urging stronger standards for adolescents. Teenagers between 10 and 15 are particularly vulnerable. Using social media more than three hours a day risks depression and anxiety. 5/2023 The “Killer APPs” That Will Make Apple’s Headset a Winner by Christopher Mims – Apple’s forthcoming headset for June 5 is likely to accelerate using augmented reality, It remains to be seen if Apple can overcome earlier issues which have plagued other headsets. Apple's vision could succeed where others have failed.
4/2023 Life After Death: Secure Your Digital Legacy Before You Die by Christopher Mims – Have a plan for what to do with your digital assets. Designate a contact person for your passwords. Make plans for social media accounts. Where possible, set up a legacy contact. Talk it through with a conversation with family. 4/2023 Tech Older Adults Want Now by Julie Jargon – Fitness wearables and password managers are popular for people 50 and up. According to AARP, last year, they spent on average $912 on technology, up from $394 during 2019. Home assistants like Amazon Echo (Alexa) and Google Nest Audio are popular. Streaming services are popular. Because seniors ware often targeted, learning about scam protection and the importance of strong passwords is important. 4/2023 People Grow Sick and Tired of the cost of Subscriptions by Rachel Wolfe and Imani Moise – Popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max and others have had cancellations of up to 49% during 2022, up substantially, from the previous year. The Federal Trade Commission has a new proposal to make it simpler to break away from a subscription. Existing companies are changing their strategies. 4/2023 The Best Trackers For Finding Lost Stuff by Nicole Nguyen – The Tile Slim saves many hours looking for things for the author. Unlike the rounded AirTag, it is thin and fits in a wallet. To use it just ring the Bluetooth tracker from a smart phone.
3/2023 AI Begins to Transform Office Jobs by Gretchen Farrant – AI is the next revolution and there will be no going back. Generative Pre-trained Transformers or GPTs use machine learning. Employees will have a challenge to adapt to AI. 3/2023 Microsoft Incorporates Generative AI Tools Into Business Software by Tom Dotan – Using ChatGPT to upgrade PowerPoint, Word, Excel and Outlook. A new release will be the Microsoft 365 Copilot like creating a PowerPoint presentation from text. Workers are using ChatGPT when seeking a new job. 3/2023 Technology Skills Every Employee Should Have Today by Sean Captain – People must know advanced features of online collaboration. They need to know how to use Microsoft Excel or Sheets, Word or Google Docs and PowerPoint or Google Slides. Also important are skills to organized remote meetings, manage projects and do programing.
2/2023 Netflix Expands New Curbs To Limit Password Sharing by Sarah Krouse - Netflix is starting new restrictions in Canada, Spain Portugal and New Zeeland to increase revenue. It is unclear when it will be rolled out in the U.S. Standard and premium plans can pay and share with up to two others. Basic won’t be able to share. 2/2023 Larger Issues Distort Debate on Screen Time (for children) by Julie Jargon – Numerous studies show children should not spend excessive time looking at screens. What to do includes: No screens at dinner table, No screens in the bedroom, No screens for babies, Stick to smart, positive content and Take regular breaks. 2/2023 My Coach Is a Computer by Shely Mateo – A new class of fitness equipment is having a type if artificial intelligence and is making progress to monitor exercise.
1/2023 Microsoft Growth is Slowest Since 2016 by Tom Dotan Recorded lowest sales growth in more than six years. Azure Cloud services remain main engine for growth. Sales during pandemic are scaling back. 1/2023 Google Prepares for Battles on Multiple Fronts by Miles Kruppa – Google is in battle mode to defend its search, mobile-software, onl9ne-video and ad-tech businesses. Googler facing several lawsuits related to privacy and monopolistic practices. 1/2023 Facebook Parent Meta Sees Path Ahead After Rough Year by Jeff Horwitz and Salvador Rodriguez - Bouncing back from Apple’s privacy changes. After roughest year in history Facebook and Instagram are starting to recover. Meta’s product Reels is takin off as it competes with TikTok.
12/2022 Netflix Braces for Sharing Crackdown by Sarah Krouse & Jessica Toonkel – Over 100 million Netflix viewers watch service with borrowed passwords. Netflix is to change that. Will be having special pricing. 12/2022 Netflix’s Ad-Supported Tier to Take Time to Catch On by Dan Gallagher - New advertising tier will help Netflix ease off price increases. 12/2022 Streaming’s Very Chaotic Year by Jason Kilar – Increased shifting toward Netflix, Hulu and others. Hollywood’s streaming subscribers increased. Many choices for streaming. Cable users gone from 90% in 2010 to 55%. Streamer wars will continue. Expect mergers. 12/2022 Say What? How to Fix Hard-to Hear TV Dialog by Cordilia James – Use TV dialog or add soundbar. Grab headphones or earbuds. Newer TVs are providing Blue-tooth settings. 12/2022 Eight Questions To Ask Your Aging Parents (and yourself) To Keep Their Phones Safe From Hackers by Da;vin Brown – 1) Is your PW protected? 2) Do you update your phone’s software? 3) Do you have spam filters? 4) Do you get alerts from your bank? 5) Have you added a trusted backup contact? 6) How do you keep your PW? 7) What do you want to happen to your tech when you die? 8) Does anything concern you? 12/2022 Tech That will Change Our Lives in 2023 by Jason Schneider – Big tech will be belt tightening, The Subscription Police starting, China interrupted, Artificial Intelligence finds real use, Can I hear you? Crypto’s rotten core, Smart home gets easier, iPhone Regular’s Edition, Social media upheaval, Metaverse will be more than Meta (Facebook) with HTC and Apple arriving.