Rich On Tech

(Best of) Free TV antenna tips, smarter scam protection & better home Wi-Fi (195, October 10, 2026)

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  • Pixel 11 Rambler speeds up replies: Rich says Google’s voice-to-text feature is accurate enough to dictate and format quick email responses on the fly.
  • Meta faces landmark child-safety case: States accuse Meta of designing Instagram and Facebook to keep young users engaged while failing to adequately protect kids.
  • Drone delivery is expanding fast: Amazon plans to bring Prime Air to 500 cities and towns, while Uber Eats and Zipline are also expanding drone delivery.
  • Flock is sending drones to 911 calls: The company’s police drones can reach scenes before officers and may help resolve some calls without dispatching police.
  • Beware Medicare card scams: A caller received a suspicious call asking whether she received a new Medicare card, a reminder to never give personal information to unsolicited callers.
  • Antenna Man explains free TV: A good antenna can deliver dozens of local channels for free, but choosing the right antenna and placement for your location is critical.
  • Check reception before buying an antenna: RabbitEars.info can estimate available stations, signal strength and the type of antenna you may need.
  • International calling requires planning: Check your carrier for an international roaming pass or consider an unlocked-phone eSIM that supports actual voice calls, not just data.
  • Prepare for power outages: A hand-crank emergency radio is an inexpensive backup, while portable power stations from brands like Jackery and EcoFlow can keep larger devices running.
  • YouTube Premium is adding Peacock: YouTube Premium subscribers are expected to get the ad-supported Peacock Premium plan in early 2027.
  • California DROP removes broker data: California residents can use the state’s free DROP system to request removal of their personal information from registered data brokers.
  • Google can remove personal info from search: Results About You alerts you when Google finds your phone number, address or other personal information and lets you request removal from search results.
  • Scammers are getting better with AI: Scamicide founder Steve Weisman says AI is improving phishing messages, voice clones and other scams, making independent verification more important than ever.
  • Secure your home router: Change default passwords, install firmware updates and consider replacing older routers that no longer receive automatic security patches.
  • Don’t trust customer-service numbers from search: Scammers can buy ads or manipulate search results, so get support numbers from a company’s official website, app or bill.
  • Instagram is adding major teen restrictions: Meta’s teen-safety changes include daily time limits, overnight restrictions, muted school-hour notifications and hidden like counts.
  • Samsung satellite service depends on phone and plan: Satellite connectivity requires compatible hardware and carrier support, so not every Galaxy phone or T-Mobile plan will qualify.
  • Don’t hide your Wi-Fi router: Putting a router or mesh node inside a cabinet can weaken the signal and undermine the benefits of a mesh system.
  • WiFiman can diagnose weak Wi-Fi: Ubiquiti’s WiFiman app can help visualize signal strength around the house and identify dead zones.
  • Spotify adds coached running workouts: Running Mode creates personalized workouts with music, cadence targets and coaching prompts for Premium subscribers on iPhone.
  • Aviate brings Flighty-style tracking to Android: The app tracks flights, boarding information and trip progress with live updates for Android users.
  • Ask T-Mobile for an outage credit: Customers affected by the recent outage may be able to get a bill credit by contacting customer service.
  • Samsung Messages has an unofficial replacement: Messages by Ozark’s Made recreates the Samsung Messages experience, though users should be cautious about trusting third-party messaging apps with sensitive data.
  • Accessibility features can help everyone: Shelly Brisbin highlighted tools including Live Listen, Dark Mode, AssistiveTouch and voice controls that can make phones easier to use.
  • Fake CAPTCHA attacks can install malware: If a “prove you’re human” page asks you to run commands or type codes into your computer, stop because it may be a ClickFix attack.
  • Windows Snipping Tool can copy stubborn text: Its text extraction feature can grab words from images or places where normal copy-and-paste doesn’t work.
  • Update a full iPhone using a computer: If there isn’t enough storage for an iOS update, connecting the phone to a Mac or PC may let you update without offloading apps.
  • Hide AirTags inside valuables: Trackers placed out of sight in luggage or shipped packages are harder for a thief to quickly find and remove.
  • Older Publisher versions may keep working: Users who rely on Microsoft Publisher can continue using a legitimately licensed older standalone version rather than switching immediately.
  • Apple Podcast reviews are easiest on iPhone: Find the show in Apple Podcasts, scroll to Ratings & Reviews, tap Write a Review and submit it. Pasted text
 

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Rich On Tech

TV Tech Guy Rich DeMuro offers tech news, gadget reviews, helpful apps and answers your questions. … 

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