Rich On Tech

Listener Debbie shares how scammers posing as Citibank’s fraud department tricked her into authorizing $7,000 in transactions.

Rich breaks down the biggest holiday scams to watch for, according to Visa’s 2026 Holiday Threats Report, and how to avoid them.

Listener Greg asks where to buy reliable refurbished phones. Rich recommends Back Market, Angie’s Green Go Surplus on eBay, Amazon Renewed, Samsung Certified Re-Newed, Apple Certified Refurbished, Google Store refurbished Pixels, and Best Buy.

Rich explains T-Mobile’s new T-Mix wireless plans, which let customers choose their own perks and change them every 90 days, wi...

Hackers steal $6.3 billion in Binance crypto hack: Rich explains how hackers reportedly targeted the exchange’s digital wallets and why keeping cryptocurrency on an exchange carries risks.

Jeff in California loses $21,000 in SIM swap scam: Thieves intercepted his text verification codes to access his bank account, highlighting why authenticator apps are safer than SMS codes.

How to protect your phone number from hackers: AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile offer free settings to prevent SIM swaps and unauthorized number transfers.

Rideshare horror stories raise safety concerns: Rich shares unsettling rideshare experiences, including a driver as...

Rich On Tech Episode 197 - October 24, 2026

Call 1-888-RICH-101 (1-888-742-4101) with your tech questions.

Rich reviews Apple's $2,000 iPhone Duo after a week of use. He loves the tablet-sized screen but finds the lack of Face ID, smaller outer screen and camera compromises frustrating.

Jill wants wireless CarPlay. Rich recommends the $40 Twelve South AirFly Drive, which makes existing wired CarPlay or Android Auto wireless.

Barney asks how to FaceTime from Android. An iPhone user can send a FaceTime link, or both people can use WhatsApp.

Protect your phone...

iPhone Duo preorders are selling out: Apple’s first foldable iPhone starts at $2,000, with some deliveries reportedly slipping into January. Rich recommends waiting for reviews, especially given the expensive repair costs.

AI agents can do more than answer questions: Rich compares Meta Muse, ChatGPT Dots, Grok Bot, Gemini Spark and OpenClaw, explaining how they can navigate websites, use apps and complete tasks on your behalf.

Rich puts his AI agent to work: His ChatGPT agent, Glitchy, tracks expenses, manages calendar events, organizes travel plans, checks flights and flags important emails. Rich says these tools are po...

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...

Rich explains why he’s finally sold on AI agents after using ChatGPT Dots to order pizza, check in for a flight, research trips and handle everyday tasks.

Six major AI companies signed a voluntary safety agreement with the White House, but there are no penalties, deadlines or real enforcement.

Eduardo in Tampa is looking for an affordable new phone, but a free Metro deal won’t work if he’s switching from T-Mobile.

Consumer Reports found that many connected-car apps share information with advertising and analytics companies, including potentially sensitive personal data.

Snapdragon focuses on AI: Qualcomm’s new chips aim to run more AI directly on phones, improving speed and reducing reliance on the cloud.

Google Book preview: Android-based laptops bring native apps and built-in AI tools, starting around $900.

New hardware demos: Rich tries a haptic mouse, robotic phone camera and augmented reality glasses, with mixed impressions of their everyday usefulness.

Meta Muse gets proactive: The assistant connects to personal services and completes browser tasks, raising questions about privacy and data access.

Meta expands wearables: New products include updated Ray-Ban glasses, a ca...

AI gets more useful and more concerning: Rich says to use AI and understand it, but question its answers rather than blindly trusting it. AI can provide emotional support: Caller Bonnie used ChatGPT to help process the loss of her dog, while Bridget Todd explained why emotional connections with AI are becoming more common. Meta Muse is a personal AI assistant: Rich likes Meta’s new Muse app, which can connect to email, calendars, reminders and tasks to help get things done. iPhone 18 Pro is great, but not a must-upgrade: Better battery life, cooler operation and a variable-aperture camera stand ou...

Apple launches the $2,000 iPhone Duo, its first foldable with a 5.4-inch outer screen, 7.6-inch inner display, MagSafe and Apple Pencil support. iPhone Duo software could be its biggest advantage, with apps optimized for the foldable screen instead of simply being stretched larger. IDScan confirms a major driver’s license breach, prompting Rich to recommend free credit freezes with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Political spam texts are best filtered, not answered, since replying can confirm your number is active and lead to even more messages. iPhone 18 Pro gets a $100 price hike, starting at $1,200 with variable aperture photography, improved cooling and longer ba...

Driver’s license scans exposed: More than 153 million U.S. and Canadian ID records were reportedly offered on the dark web. Freeze your credit and consider an IRS Identity Protection PIN.

Make accounts harder to hack: Rich shared three simple ways to better protect your accounts, including unique passwords, two-factor authentication and Chrome Enhanced Protection.

Translation tools for travel: Timekettle, AirPods and Pixel Buds can translate conversations, but a phone translation app may be easier in important situations.

Tesla Cybercab goes driverless: David Moss rode Tesla’s steering-wheel-free Cybercab in Austin and discussed how...

Rich talked about shopping around for high-speed internet and shared tools and tips to help you find a better plan, faster speeds or a lower price.

Apple has set September 9 for its next big event, where we’re expecting to see the new iPhone 18 Pro models and Apple’s first foldable iPhone.

Matthew is having issues with his Sonos speakers disappearing and not showing up in the Sonos app.

Mike in the South Bay runs a small IT company and says he’s seeing fake invitation scams that can secretly install remote-access software on compute...

Meta faces landmark teen safety trial: Twenty-nine states accuse Meta of designing Facebook and Instagram to hook young users while misleading parents about safety. Former Meta executive Arturo Behar testified that growth and engagement often took priority over child safety, while Meta denies wrongdoing.

Pixel 11’s Rambler speeds up replies: Rich says the Pixel 11 Pro’s Rambler voice-to-text feature has made it much faster to respond to emails by turning spoken thoughts into clean, formatted text.

I Like Movies app tracks what to watch: Rich recommends the clean, feature-packed movie tracking app, which is available on A...

• Scam protection: Slow down, stop the conversation, and independently verify requests before sending money, sharing codes, or installing software.

• Family code words: Set up a private family code word to help verify emergency calls that could use AI-cloned voices.

• Calendar spam: Fake PayPal charges can appear as calendar events, so restrict invitations from unknown senders.

• Saving old email: Use Gmail import or Thunderbird to save messages before an old email account is shut down.

• OnePay legitimacy: OnePay appears legitimate, but always research customer service, banking partners, and company details before moving money.

03:04 — Hotel Wi-Fi attacks target travelers: Hackers linked to Russia are targeting hotel and conference Wi-Fi login systems and redirecting users to convincing fake update or security pages. Rich says public Wi-Fi is still usable, but never install software or enter authentication codes because a captive portal tells you to. Use cellular or a hotspot for sensitive activity.

10:04 — Wendy in Yorba Linda gets unwanted Chrome pop-ups: Her OnePlus 11 keeps opening game websites even after clearing Chrome data. Rich recommends removing unfamiliar or unused apps, checking Chrome notification permissions for rogue websites, updating Android, and installing the latest Google Play...

Rich talked about the pros and cons of Apple’s new iPhone leasing program.

Rich ordered an Uber, and they charged him 66% more than the quote. All he did was ask them to review the root and fare calculation for accuracy and got a credit for the difference.

Mickey writes in to ask if wireless charging on airplanes and at public charging stations could be a security risk.

AI continues to hack real companies during security tests. The bottom line is you need to take cybersecurity seriously, no matter what, if it’s persona...

Rich talked about Samsung’s new foldables finally being a place where they are really good and polished, of course, right before Apple introduces something very similar.

Carmen in Hollywood wants a cheaper alternative to her AT&T home phone line. Rich recommends Ooma, AT&T Home Phone Advanced, or checking with her cable provider for a lower-cost option.

LG is cracking down on shady smart TV apps that secretly use your internet connection for other purposes.

Andy Vaca, founder of GRYHAT Cybersecurity, explains OpenAI’s reported AI “hack” of Hugging Face may be better und...

OnePlus is exiting the U.S. market.

Richard from New Jersey is having issues getting audio from his Roku to his soundbar. Rich says it is most certainly the audio output settings.

The iOS 27 public beta is here. Just be careful. I would not install on your primary phone. The final version will be out in September.

Rick emails and asks for a way to watch over-the-air Dodgers games on his Android phone. Rich recommends the Tablo, a device that lets you stream local broadcast TV to your phone and other devices.

Judy...

Meta pulls controversial AI likeness feature: Meta briefly allowed its Muse Image generator to create images based on any public Instagram user’s photos without requiring permission. After criticism over consent, deepfakes, scams and unauthorized use, Meta removed the Instagram reference feature.

Samsung Messages users move to Google Messages: Samsung’s discontinued messaging app may remain on phones because it was installed as a system app. Before clearing its data and cache, users should back up their texts with a tool such as SMS Backup & Restore and confirm everything appears in Google Messages.

DuckDuckGo blocks most...

The Supreme Court just handed down a major privacy ruling that affects the location data tech companies collect and store from your smartphone.

Sony says they will stop making physical discs for games starting in January 2028.

Rich mentioned the AP Stylebook.

Rich mentioned downloading the official National Park app if you are traveling to a national park.

Vince wants every website to appear in dark mode. Rich recommends the Dark Reader browser extension.

Gregory Wieber, creator of the Apple Vision Pro app Vibescape, will discuss how immersive technology can help peopl...

Rich says prices on tech products are going up. Apple raised prices this week on pretty much every product except the iPhone, and so did Microsoft on the Xbox.

Rich talked about the new Slate electric pickup truck starting at $24,950. You customize it to make it your own.

Prime Day shattered prices. Shoppers spent a record $26.4 billion online during those four days, according to Adobe Analytics.

Rich has his list of recommended gadgets and the stuff you were actually buying from my links.

Gary wants to bring his iPad in for a repair s...

Rich talked about his favorite apps he’s using right now.

Chris in Orange County is looking for the most reliable live broadcast connection for sports coverage. Should he use cellular bonding or Starlink?

Check out Rich’s Guide to Prime Day 2026!

Bryan Bishop, creator of the Hooray for Baldywood newsletter, reviews Toy Story 5 and tells us whether Pixar still has the magic.

Elaine wants to remove Google’s AI search summaries. Rich suggests adding -AI to searches or using the Bye Bye Google AI extension. Listener Jim recommends tapping the Web tab for trad...

Be sure to subscribe to the Rich On Tech Newsletter!

Rich talked about the biggest changes coming to iOS 27 and beyond, including Apple’s long-awaited Siri overhaul and other new features announced at WWDC 2026.

Kim in Big Pine was having issues with a Samsung Galaxy A36 smartphone. Rich recommended making sure the phone is completely up to date, including Android system updates, Galaxy Store updates, app updates through the Google Play Store, and Google Play system updates. He also suggested resetting the phone’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings and using the Files by Google app to clean up...

Be sure to subscribe to the Rich On Tech Newsletter!

Alex in Northridge wants to know: Can you mirror your phone to a TV while sending the audio to a Bluetooth speaker or headphones?

Dawn received a text about an Amazon product recall, but the link looked suspicious. Rich says Amazon has an official recalls page where you can check whether any items you’ve purchased have been recalled.

Melody wonders if she can still create and open Word documents without paying for Microsoft 365. Rich says yes, recommending free alternatives like Google Docs and Libr...

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Rich talked about the big changes to the Roku home screen.

Rich mentioned to turn off Automatic Content Recognition: Settings > Privacy - Smart TV Experience > ACR Off

Chelsea in Beaumont wants to know why Samsung Messages is moving to Google Messages and how to individualize text sounds for contacts.

Rich says to enable Custom Notification Categories on Android for more control over alerts. Open Settings, tap Notifications, select Advanced settings, then turn on Manage notification categories for each app. You can also c...

• Google’s biggest Search overhaul in 25 years: Google unveiled a major AI-powered redesign of Search and Gemini at Google I/O, turning the search box into a multimodal assistant that can understand text, photos, video, and voice. Rich explained how AI is becoming more proactive, helping users summarize emails, organize tasks, and even recommend products from a simple photo.

• AI avatars and deepfakes get eerily realistic: Rich tested Google’s new AI avatar tools that can generate lifelike videos and voice clones from a face scan and a few voice samples. While the technology is impressive for creative...

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Rich talked about some of the best new features coming to Android 17.

Barbara asks about the app Rich mentioned for keeping track of TV shows. Rich recommends JustWatch, his personal go-to, with Reel Good as another solid option.

Kara in Fallbrook called in to report that she loves the Epson WorkForce WF-110 mobile printer. Rich mentioned he likes his HP Smart Tank 5101.

Michael in Los Angeles called in trying to decide between a used M1 MacBook and a new MacBook Neo.

iPhone to...

Rich On Tech Episode 173 - May 9, 2026

Be sure to subscribe to the Rich On Tech Newsletter!

Google unveils the Fitbit Air screenless fitness tracker.

Rich helps Drew in Laguna Beach fix Chrome pop-ups by identifying them as notification spam and recommending you go to Chrome > Settings > Site settings > Notifications to remove any unrecognized sites

Mindtrip Flights offers a new way to search for travel using natural language.

Rich mentioned how an elderly man was scammed out of $25,000 through a phone spoofed phone call.

Rich mentioned a good website...

Rich DeMuro brings you the latest tech news, helpful tips, gadget reviews, and more - plus interviews with industry experts - all in this weekly show.

Rich talked about motorola’s launch event in Hollywood for new razr flip and foldable phones.

Here’s the latest edition of the Rich On Tech Newsletter!

Bill in Los Angeles is worried about a virus on his iPhone. Rich explains it’s most likely notification spam, not an actual virus. To clean things up: clear your browser history, delete any apps you don’t recognize or no longer...

• Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra first impressions: The new Ultra keeps a familiar look but improves comfort with a lighter aluminum build, faster charging, and better low-light camera performance. AI features are everywhere, but the standout is a built-in privacy display that limits side-angle viewing.

• AI-powered phone features expand: Samsung leans heavily on AI for photo editing, call screening, and “agentic” tasks like booking rides or ordering food. Some features feel early, but the direction is toward phones doing more actions on your behalf.

• T-Mobile’s live call translation: A new network-level feature will translate phone calls in rea...

Rich DeMuro brings you the latest tech news, helpful tips, gadget reviews, and more - plus interviews with industry experts - all in this weekly show.

Booking.com breach exposes traveler data. Watch out for phishing emails related to travel.

The FBI figured out a way to access signal messages on an iPhone. If you want to keep your messages super secure, turn off message preview notifications.

Google now has new apps for both Windows and Mac computers.

Keith in Kansas is wondering if he should invest in a dedicated AI audio re...

Americans lost nearly $21 billion to cybercrime last year, a 26% increase from the year before. Investment scams, crypto scams, and phishing remain the most common ways criminals target victims.

Samsung Messages is going away this summer. You’ll need to switch to Google Messages, which should make texting more secure and improve messaging between iPhone and Android.

Susan in Orange County is heading to China. Rich recommends bringing a VPN, a portable power bank, messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram, and translation tools such as Google Translate, Apple Translate, or Gemini. For connectivity, he suggests using an eSIM...

Rich talked about the importance of backing up your phone, computer, photos and texts. Check out his guide here.

Sophia in Westlake asks if an out-of-cloud storage email she received is legit.

Helix CEO Alex Oberg on building a privacy-first digital ID layer to prove what’s real online in an era of AI fakes.

Anthony in Palmdale asks how to call his wife by voice on Samsung, and Rich recommends using Bixby, Google Assistant, or Gemini.

Rich in San Diego asks if Carbonite is a good backup service, and Rich says...

The FCC is moving to ban Wi-Fi routers made by foreign companies - here’s what it means for the gear in your home.

Netflix is raising prices again - here’s what you’ll be paying and when the changes kick in.

Samsung Galaxy phones can now AirDrop files directly to iPhones, marking a major milestone in Android and Apple interoperability.

Jason from Michigan lost access to his Meta account, and Rich walks him through two recovery options including the Meta recovery page and paying for Meta Verified.

Most AI apps train on y...

Rich DeMuro brings you the latest tech news, helpful tips, gadget reviews, and more - plus interviews with industry experts - all in this weekly show.

Call 1-888-RICH-101 (1-888-742-4101) to join in! Email your question here.

Rich said it’s important to keep your iPhone and Android updated with the latest security updates, especially in light of exploits like DarkSword.

Download iVerify Basic to check iPhone (and Android) for signs of spyware.

Enable Lockdown Mode on iPhone if you’re really worried about your security.

Aura confirmed a d...

Meta is cracking down on scams with new AI detection systems in Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger.

Google just gave Google Maps it’s biggest overhaul in a decade - with new AI powered ways to find places using specific questions and immersive navigation.

Jim in Michigan can’t get the Notes app on his iPhone to scan documents. Rich mentioned he can also use the built-in Preview app.

Check out Rich’s review of the iPhone 17e.

Susan in Burbank can’t connect to her WiFi network because it’s too congested.

Rich talks about going to the Apple NYC event and how the $599 MacBook Neo is a gamechanger for basic laptops.

Mike in Austin can’t get his printer to connect to his WiFi network.

A new online personality test uses a series of questions to generate a massive report about you - and you can export it’s findings to AI.

Steve wants to add someone to a photo and is wondering how to do it. Rich says to upload both photos to Google Gemini and say, “Add this person to the other picture.”

Rich gave his early impressions of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.

Watch Rich’s TV segment on the Samsung Galaxy S26 series.

See camera samples from the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

Susan in Northridge is trying to move photos, texts, and contacts from an old Samsung phone to an iPhone. Rich mentioned SMS Backup and Restore and Move to iOS.

1Password is raising prices by about $1 a month.

Vincent is on a Lifeline plan. He’s wondering if he should take advantage of their offer of giving him an iPhone 11 versus the An...

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Rich talked about Google Gemini and how it can now make music with AI.

Rich also discussed the popularity of the tiny Kodak Charmera camera.

Samsung phones are finally getting Google Play updates again. You should do it right now: Go to Settings > Security and Privacy > Updates > Google Play System Update

Mike in Encino is looking for a way to get into a user’s computer who forgot their password. Try the steps here.

James is wondering if he can st...

Ads are now appearing in ChatGPT.

Google updated its free results about you tool to remove search results that contain ID numbers like your passport, driver’s license, or Social Security number.

Want something more heavy duty to remove your personal information from the web? Check out newsletter sponsor Incogni.

Deleted doesn’t always mean it’s gone, as we found out with the Nancy Guthrie case.

If you really want to protect your security camera footage, you have to go local or end-to-end encrypted.

Samsung has set a date for the n...

• TVs returned after the Super Bowl: Returns management firm B‑Stock says TV returns jump more than 100% after the big game, a practice known as “wardrobing.” Vizio is the most-returned brand, highlighting how buyers prioritize size and price over long-term satisfaction.

• Wireless carriers customers like best: New rankings from J.D. Power show satisfaction is driven less by price and more by how easy it is to resolve problems. T-Mobile leads among major carriers, while Mint Mobile and Visible top prepaid and MVNO categories.

• Nancy Guthrie case raises major tech questions: Investigators are relying on timestamps f...