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📰 Tech News — This Month

What's new, in plain English

Updated August 2026
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Microsoft confirms a second Windows 11 audio bug this month

The issue stems from how the operating system handles Dolby Digital (AC-3) audio decoding, specifically when legacy or built-in Windows audio decoders are utilized. Applications and games can fail to launch, freeze, or close unexpectedly (crash) when certain audio functions are invoked—such as adjusting system volume or triggering specific surround-sound/audio routines.

Why it matters: Disruptive User Experience for gamers and users running multimedia apps or older titles that depend on AC-3 audio, random crashes and sudden application closures mid-use create major frustration. Because the bug impacts multiple major iterations of Windows 11 (including the newer 26H2 release), a massive portion of the Windows user base is potentially vulnerable depending on the software they run. More about it →

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Is your phone number or SSN showing up on Google?

Google's free "Results about you" tool watches Google Search for your phone number, home address, email, and now government ID numbers: Social Security, driver's license and passport. When it finds one, it alerts you, and you can ask Google to remove that result. To start, open the Google app, tap your profile picture and choose Results about you, or go to google/resultsaboutyou.

Why it matters: Scammers and identity thieves look up personal details online. Taking them out of Google Search makes you much harder to find. It doesn't erase the information from the original website, though, and news and government pages usually stay up. You need a Google account and must be 18 or older. The ID-number feature is available in the U.S. More from Google →

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Is this a scam? Get a clear answer, fast.

SCAMWISE is a free scam detection service built by Savi Security. Visit Scamwise.com to submit a suspicious message or forward an email to submit@scamwise.com to get a fast verdict, clear explanation, and guidance on what to do next. No account required.

Why it matters: Scamwise is purpose-built for identifying scams, using advanced analysis that goes beyond comparing to static block lists. Our AI analysis checks hundreds of scam signals, reputable third-party databases, and the behavioral context of the message itself to provide a result. More about Scamwise.com →

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Comcast's WiFi can now tell when someone's in your house

Comcast is rolling out a free feature that turns your home WiFi into a motion sensor. It's part of a new service called Xfinity Shield, and Comcast's newest addition to it, WiFi Motion, works without installing a single camera.

Why it matters: WiFi Motion sends a notification to your phone when it detects movement inside your house. Comcast is including it at no extra cost for Xfinity Internet customers, giving people a basic way to know if someone's home, or shouldn't be, without buying a separate security system. More from Comcast →

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Why You — Yes, You — Are a Target of Hackers

Every online account you own is valuable to criminals looking to steal your identity, spread malware, or empty your accounts. Here's why you're a target no matter what, and how to protect yourself before it's too late.

Why it matters: You might think hackers won’t bother with you, but everyone is a target. Hackers can steal your accounts, send spam as you, install malware, or open new accounts while pretending to be you. Protecting yourself now is much easier than fixing the damage after an attack. Ask Leo (Youtube) →

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Google’s New Phone Comes With Plenty of A.I. Does Anyone Want That?

The phone’s artificial intelligence can order groceries, book tables and take photos on a user’s behalf. But is it something people really want?

Why it matters: The A.I. in the new Pixel phones is part of Google’s ambition to redefine personal computing. The company is betting that A.I. will eventually supersede the operating system in importance as people rely on Gemini instead of using apps themselves. Apple will test a similar idea this fall with the release of Siri AI, a new version of its personal assistant (also powered by Gemini) for iPhones. New York Time - Tech Fix →

💡 Have a tech story or gadget you're curious about? Bring it to the next meeting — it might become next month's topic.
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