Update your Android phone: November's patch fixes a no-tap flaw
Google's November security update for Android fixes a critical bug in Android 14 through 17. It could let an attacker run code on a phone without you tapping anything at all. Google says it hadn't seen anyone using the flaw in attacks yet, but your phone maker and carrier decide when the fix shows up on your phone.
Open Settings, tap About phone, then Android version, and look at the security update date. If it's earlier than November 1, 2026, check for a system update and install it on Wi-Fi with the phone plugged in.
Source: The Hacker News
Google is fixing a Pixel Watch battery drain bug
Some Pixel Watch owners saw their battery suddenly die much faster than normal. Google confirmed the bug and says the fix comes through app updates in the Play Store, not a full system update. It's rolling out over a couple of days, so it may not show up right away.
On the watch, press the crown, open Play Store, tap Manage apps, then Update all. If nothing shows up, try again tomorrow. A quick restart after the updates doesn't hurt either.
Source: 9to5Google
Carrier says home HVAC demand is back, and equipment prices are going up again
Carrier told investors its home heating and cooling sales jumped last quarter, and ductless systems are a growing slice of what people are buying. The catch is another round of equipment price increases near the end of the year. Carrier blamed tariffs plus higher costs for steel, copper, aluminum, freight and fuel, and those increases usually work their way down to homeowners.
A well-kept system lasts longer, which pushes a big replacement further down the road. Change your filter, keep the outdoor unit clear of leaves, and get a yearly checkup. I offer a $79 tune-up, and if something already sounds or smells off, a $79 diagnostic tells you what's going on before it gets worse.
Source: ACHR News
Schools that turn off Google's AI could lose Google Search too
Google says its Gemini AI tools will be off by default for K-12 student accounts starting early next year, until a school turns them on. At first, Google Search was tied to that same switch. After pushback, Google said schools can turn Search back on by itself, but there's no AI-free version, because AI summaries are now built into Search. Teacher and parent groups aren't happy about it.
If you have kids in school, ask what the district plans to do before the change hits. At home, talk with your kids about checking AI answers against a real source instead of copying them.
Source: NBC News
Apple warns that AI helpers can go off script
In its yearly filing with investors, Apple added a warning about AI "agents," the kind of AI that can do things on its own. Apple says they can act in ways nobody asked for, reach systems they shouldn't, send messages and even complete purchases. Some of those mistakes, like deleted files or a finished purchase, can be hard or impossible to undo. Apple also says it has limited control over other companies' agents running on its devices.
If you try an AI assistant that can act for you, keep it on a short leash. Don't give it your saved payment info or full access to your email and files, and make it ask before it sends or buys anything.
Source: CNBC
A Georgia Tech student says his dorm-built jet drone hit 491 mph
A Georgia Tech aerospace student built a jet-powered remote-control aircraft called Reaper in his dorm. He says it hit 491 mph while carrying a payload, which would beat the old record. The speed is self-reported and hasn't been officially verified yet. Next he's aiming for amateur supersonic flight.
Fun to read about, but jet-powered models are a whole different world from a backyard drone. If you fly a regular drone, keep it in sight, stay away from people and power lines, and check whether yours needs to be registered with the FAA.
Source: Tom's Hardware
Safety reminder from me
Cold nights are when furnaces, water heaters and space heaters work hardest. If you smell gas, leave the house first and call your gas company from outside. Never open up gas lines, refrigerant lines or your electrical panel yourself. For anything electrical inside the panel, call a qualified electrician. For heating trouble, I can help with a $79 diagnostic or a $79 tune-up.
