A very techy Tuesday to you, friend! Let’s start with a fun fact. Not only do you blink less when looking at a screen, but science proves most people read more slowly on a screen than on paper. Is it slower by … A.) 5%, B.) 10% or C.) 20%? Make your best guess! Answer at the end.

🧏‍♀️ Hear me out. Hearing aids aren’t what they used to be — expensive and bulky. If you or a loved one needs help, check out today’s sponsor. There’s no reason not to hear loud and clear with today’s affordable tech. You’ll be glad you did, and so will the people around you. On to the news! — Kim

I've been testing the beta version of Apple’s latest operating system, iOS 18, to give you a preview of what’s to come. The final version drops on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, but I know you like to be tech-ahead and not tech-behind, so here’s a preview of the good stuff.

😩 Android friends, no whining, please. Google will be making product announcements this week that I’ll be covering. Plus, you’ll find special tips just for you in the “Tech Life Upgrades” section below.

Apple Intelligence is the showstopper

It’s Apple’s take on artificial intelligence, and if the previews are anything close to reality, it’s going to be cool. The fancy AI features will be gradually rolled out when iOS 18 is released.

These include customized notifications, writing assistants, priority messages, audio summaries, custom emojis, and AI photo creation and editing. Finally, Siri will be truly useful and not a major annoyance.

🎣 The big catch here: Only the iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max and 16 models have access to Apple Intelligence.

An Apple fan walks into a bar …

… They order the same drink as yesterday but pay 20% more. I’m hoping that joke isn’t true this fall. In order to get iOS 18, you’ll need to have one of these phones:

If you have an iPhone X, 8 series or anything older, you’re out of luck. Those phones run iOS 16, which still receives security updates. It’s safe to use; you just won’t get cool new features.

What else is coming?

Bye, snoops: Add Face ID and Touch ID to individual apps, like banking and dating. Sweet.

Control Center revamp: You’ll see more options (like Apple Music and translation) and layout controls. Even better, create multiple Control Center screens. Nerdy but super useful. I’ll do a whole how‑to later!

Fresh look: Look for new auto-groupings, like trips and pets in Photos. Love this! Just one click to browse through my summer vacation shots!

Get the message: React to texts with any emoji. Plus, cute, new screen effects and (finally!) message scheduling. Support for RCS means better messaging with your green-bubble Android buddies, too.

Much more personalization: You’ll be able to move app icons and widgets off the fixed grid and change icon colors to match a theme. It’s the little things, right?

A better browser: Safari in iOS 18 will summarize articles and highlight key points.

🍎 There's even more, like Math Notes in the Calculator for jotting down totals, live audio transcriptions in Notes, hiking guides in Apple Maps, a standalone password manager, and extra security and privacy fixes, too. And, of course, I’ll share step-by-step how-tos of the best new features once they're all live.

I used to be addicted to soap, but I’m clean now.

Have you ever purchased something I've recommended in this newsletter?

🚨 Fake news: TikTok is sending phony alerts that pop up on-screen. Classics include one about Taylor Swift canceling her Florida tour (she hasn’t) and a “BREAKING” tsunami warning in Japan after an earthquake struck. It’s all AI-generated junk based on what users post. Think before you share or react.

Witch parking – All others will be toad: Scammers are leaving fake parking tickets on windshields. They look like the real deal but have a bogus payment website at the bottom ready and waiting for your credit card details. Always go directly to your city’s or town’s website to pay a parking ticket.

Get rich quick … never: The FTC is handing out $12 million in refunds to over 25,000 people who fell for a house-flipping scheme. The Zurixx scam lured victims with promises of quick cash and endorsements from HGTV stars like Tarek El Moussa, Hilary Farr and Christina Hall. Basic three-day training courses started at $1,997 and ranged all the way up to $41,297. Oof.

🤦🏼‍♀️ Can’t make this up: A Tesla Model S caught fire after a tourist plugged it directly into an illegal power line in Mexico. There are plenty of EV charging stations around Tijuana, but they wanted to save some cash. This dope ended up burning down someone's house, too.

Recall alert for BMW, Chrysler and Toyota: Affected 2019-2020 BMW models have a starter motor issue, the 2023 Dodge Challenger's rear seat isn’t locking properly, and several 2023-2025 Toyotas have incorrect weight capacity labels. Contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417, Chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403 and Toyota at 1‑800‑444‑1074.

💊 Everything in moderation: A new study found toddlers who got tablet time to deal with a tantrum had more anger outbursts a year later. Even more disturbing, as time went on, the parents had to keep up the screen time to keep them calm. Tech really is addictive.

A round of a-paws: The U.S. military is developing a gun-wielding robot dog to protect our forces from aerial drones. The doggo is equipped with an AR‑15-type rifle, an electro-optical targeting system, infrared/thermal vision and a laser aiming device. Wow, I hope these don't get hacked.

💩 Shame for fame: A Brazilian model is going viral for an antiaging "hack" — spreading her own poop on her face. I’m not linking the video, because trust me — you don’t want to see it. This crap (sorry) is so popular on social, experts are stepping up to warn against the dangers of exposing yourself to bacteria and parasites. Just … don’t.

I get notes from folks of all ages experiencing hearing loss. If that’s you, you’re not stuck with one of those big, noticeable hearing aids you’re probably picturing. There’s a new, better way!

The innovative devices from hear.com are practically invisible and fit comfortably in or behind your ear. Their breakthrough European technology makes it easy to understand conversations, even when there’s lots going on in the background. Plus, they can connect to your phone through Bluetooth and they’re rechargeable.

With insurance, flexible financing options, and telehealth and in-person care, getting a pair of these award-winning hearing aids has never been easier. Best of all, you can try it risk-free for 45 days. There’s nothing to lose.

Stop sending yourself emails: Need to transfer photos, vids and docs from your Android device to a Windows PC? Use the free Quick Share app. Works great!

🤳🏻 3 Android photo tips: 1.) Double-press the power button to quickly launch the camera, even when your phone’s locked. 2.) Don’t ask a stranger to take a pic. Open the camera app, select Timer and turn it on. Select from a delay of two, five or 10 seconds. 3.) This one’s basic, but not everyone knows it: Open the camera and tap the screen to focus on a certain point. Love this when I want to zoom in on something specific.

Same ol’ privacy dance: Instagram collects your data when you’re using other apps and websites … and buries it in the settings menu. To disable that, open Instagram > tap your profile picture > three-line menu > Accounts Center at the top. Choose Your information and permissions > Your activity off Meta technologies. From here, choose Clear previous activity and Manage future activity to turn it off.

Neat and tidy: Drag a window to the left or right edge to snap it in place on Windows. Shake a window to minimize all others you have open. On a Mac, hold the option key, hover over the green expand button at the top of a window and snap it to one side.

Let’s eat Grandma. Let’s eat, Grandma. Commas save lives!

The answer: B.) 10%. From screen glare to eye strain, our peepers are navigating a whole obstacle course just to process those words. The next time you're in a reading marathon, remember: It's not you; it's the screen!

🛢️ Speaking of, I just finished reading a book about the history of WD‑40. It was non‑friction. Ouch, I know.

Before you go … Is your hearing not as great as it used to be? Need a hearing aid? Maybe you know someone who does. Stop waiting — things will just get worse, not better. Check out hear.com right now for customized help. Back in your inbox tomorrow with the best tech newsletter in the USA! — Kim