News

Google AI Mode for Search Has Arrived. Proceed With Caution.

AI Mode excels at tasks like product research for online shopping. But it falls short on basic web searches.

Hotel and Ticket Sites Now Show the Full Price, but Hidden Fees Still Lurk

Resort fees, cleaning fees, service fees: Those charges now must be disclosed upfront. But the fight against “junk fees” is far from over.

Google Unveils ‘A.I. Mode’ Chatbot, Signaling a New Era for Search

The tech giant is taking its next big step in artificial intelligence by adding interactive capabilities to its flagship product.

How to Travel Without a Phone

Leaving your device at home might seem daunting, but it can result in a deeper connection to a place and more authentic interactions with locals.

What the Changes in Apple’s App Store Mean for iPhone Users

A federal judge created a path for app makers like Spotify and Patreon to avoid paying Apple hefty commissions. Is this a win for consumers? It’s complicated.

A Packing List of Apps to Download Before You Travel

Your bags may be ready to go, but do you really have everything you need? Here are some apps that can make your travels smoother, safer and more fun.

How to Use A.I.-Powered Writing Tools on Your iPhone and Android

Artificial intelligence software — some already free on your device — can quickly compose and edit documents. But be sure to check its work.

How to Protect Your Phone While Traveling Abroad

Here are some best practices for safeguarding sensitive personal data.

Time-Saving New iPhone and Android Features You Might Have Missed

From photo timers to music identifiers, here are a few new iPhone and Android tools to make your life easier.

Trump Tariffs Could Raise iPhone Prices, But Affordable Options Remain

Even if gadget prices surge, we have plenty of cheaper options, like buying last year’s phone model instead of the latest and greatest.

How Do the iPhone 16E and Google Pixel 9A Compare to More Expensive Models?

With tariffs threatening to drive up the costs of most things, the new entry-level phones from Apple and Google present a timely opportunity to save some bucks.

Can Using the Light Phone III Help Cure ‘Brain Rot’?

Minimalist gadgets like the new Light Phone III, a smartphone that barely does anything, promise to help us focus. The trade-offs are big.

The UK Government Wouldn’t Ban Smartphones in Schools. These Parents Stepped Up.

In Britain, amid growing evidence of harm to young people from extreme content online, a “Smartphone Free Childhood” campaign is going viral.

Facebook’s New Friends Tab Brings App Back to Its Roots

A new Friends Tab will feature posts from a user’s friends and relatives, which was the original mission of the app.

Reflecting on TikTok’s Role in Society as New Ban Deadline Approaches

With a national ban increasingly unlikely, let’s reflect on how the app both sparks joy among users and raises mental health concerns.

The Baby Tech That One Parent Found Helped the Most

The Snoo. The Nanit. The Hatch Rest. Many lists of baby gear mandate certain items, but our columnist wondered if it would be better to chuck those lists out.

How to Spend Less Time on Social Media (or Leave It Altogether)

If you’re feeling overwhelmed but don’t quite have the willpower to curb your online habit, your phone can help you manage your time online.

Raised in a Civil War, Josef Fares Makes Games to Bring People Together

Josef Fares, whose family fled Lebanon for Sweden in the 1980s, began his career as a filmmaker before pouring his creative energy into cooperative video games.