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Tag: One tech tip

  • One Tech Tip: Annoyed by junk calls to your iPhone? Try the new iOS 26 call screen feature

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    LONDON (AP) — iPhone users have a new tool to combat the scourge of nuisance phone calls: a virtual gatekeeper that can screen incoming calls from unknown numbers.

    It’s among the bevy of new features that Apple rolled out with last month’s release of iOS 26. The screening feature has been getting attention because of the ever-increasing amount of robocalls and spam calls that leave many phone users feeling harassed.

    Here’s a run-through of the new function:

    How to activate call screening

    First, you’ll need to update your iPhone’s operating system to iOS 26, which is available to the iPhone 11 and newer models.

    To switch call screening on, go into Settings–Apps—Phone. Scroll down and you’ll find a new option: Screen Unknown Callers.

    You’ll be presented with three choices. The Never option lets any unknown call ring through, while Silence sends all unidentified numbers directly to voicemail. What you want to tap is the middle option: Ask Reason for Calling.

    If the option isn’t there, try restarting your phone.

    I still couldn’t find it after updating to iOS 26, but, after some online sleuthing, I checked my region and language settings because I saw some online commenters reporting they had to match. It turns out my region was still set to Hong Kong, where I lived years ago. I switched it to the United Kingdom, which seemed to do the trick and gave me the updated menu.

    How it works

    Call screening introduces a layer between you and new callers.

    When someone who’s not in your contacts list dials your number, a Siri-style voice will ask them to give their name and the purpose of their call.

    At the same time, you’ll get a notification that the call is being screened. When the caller responds, the answers will be transcribed and the conversation will pop up in speech bubbles.

    You can then answer the call.

    Don’t want to answer? Send a reply by tapping one of the pre-written messages, such as “I’ll call you later” or “Send more information,” which the AI voice will read out to the caller.

    Or you can type out your own message for the computer-generated voice to read out.

    If you don’t respond right away, the phone will continue to ring while you decide what to do.

    Teething troubles

    In theory, call screening is a handy third way between the nuclear option of silencing all unknown callers — including legitimate ones — or letting them all through.

    But it doesn’t always work perfectly, according to Associated Press colleagues and anecdotal reports from social media users.

    One AP colleague said she was impressed with how seamlessly it worked. Another said it’s handy for screening out cold callers who found his number from marketing databases.

    “However, it’s not great when delivery drivers try to call me and then just hang up,” he added.

    Some internet users have similar complaints, complaining that important calls that they were expecting from their auto mechanic or plumber didn’t make it through. Perhaps the callers assumed it was an answering machine and didn’t seem to realize they had to stay on the line and interact with it.

    I encountered a different issue the first time it kicked in for me, when an unknown caller — whether mistakenly or not — threw me off by giving my name instead of theirs. So I answered because I assumed it was someone I knew, forgetting that I could tap out a reply asking them again for their name.

    The caller turned out to be someone who had obtained my name and number and was trying to get me to do a survey. I had to make my excuses and hang up.

    If you don’t like call screening, you can turn it off at any time.

    As for Android

    Apple is catching up with Google, which introduced a similar automatic call screening feature years ago for Pixel users in the United States.

    Last month, the company announced the feature is rolling out to users in three more countries: Australia, Canada and Ireland.

    If it’s not already on, go to your Phone app’s Settings and look for Call Screen.

    Google’s version is even more automated. When someone you don’t know calls, the phone will ask who it is and why they’re calling. It will hang up if it determines that it’s a junk call, but let calls it deems to be legit ring through.

    Google warns that not all spam calls and robocalls can be detected, nor will it always fully understand and transcribe what a caller says.

    Samsung, too, lets users of its Galaxy Android phones screen calls by using its AI assistant Bixby’s text call function, which works in a similar way.

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    Is there a tech topic that you think needs explaining? Write to us at [email protected] with your suggestions for future editions of One Tech Tip.

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  • One Tech Tip: Keeping up with your Halloween trick-or-treaters with these tricks

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    NEW YORK (AP) — For little ghosts, witches, KPop Demon Hunters and superheroes, Halloween is one of the most exciting nights of the year. But it’s also one of the busiest for parents as they try to keep track of their trick-or-treaters, give out candy and watch over their homes.

    Fortunately, there are some tech tricks out there that can help families stay safe this Halloween, and have a little more fun too.

    Keeping tabs on your kids

    If your children are outfitted with Apple or Google-branded smart phones or watches or tracking tags, you can use the Find My or Family Link apps to keep tabs on them as they embark on their candy journeys. But don’t think of these apps as basic. Because branded peripherals — like Apple Air Tags or Pixel smartwatches — are built to be used with Apple and Google platforms, their tracking platforms can be more reliable than some third-party services.

    One trick I discovered last Halloween is that I can set up a geofence with Find My. This gave my kids a little more freedom to navigate a set trick-or-treating area while I struggled to keep up with them. If anyone broke from the pack and left the designated area, I would get a notification. Here’s how to set it up:

    Go to the Find My app on your iPhone. Scroll and tap on the name of the person or device you want to be notified about. Below notifications, tap “Add,” then “Notify me.” Continue through the menu options until you get to a location option. Choose “New Location” and you will be given the option to set a location radius. Then you will be asked how often you wish to be notified if the tracked individual leaves the area.

    Next is a critical step if you wish to set a recurring notification. Unless it’s an air tag, your child must give a one-time authorization to the request. They will receive an alert asking for approval when they arrive at or leave the location you chose for the first time.

    Google users have a similar geofencing option. First, you need to set up a new Family Location in the Family Link app. Then select your child in the main menu of the app and tap Family Locations, add the place you just created and select how often you’d like to be notified when they enter or exit the area.

    Spookier doorbells

    If you have a smart doorbell installed on your front door, you can have a little extra fun with visiting trick-or-treaters by adding spooky messages and specialized chimes.

    For Ring doorbell users, head to your app and go to Menu-Devices. Select your doorbell. Then tap Smart Responses-Quick Replies-Quick Reply Message. You may need to toggle on Quick Replies if you hadn’t before, but you will see a list of Halloween-themed replies. Ours is set to “I’ll be right there to eat… I mean greet you!”

    For those with Eufy Doorbells, navigate to your app and select your doorbell. A Voice Response list should include selectable Halloween-themed effects and chimes. You can also take advantage of a message recording function in more recent doorbell models to create your own, hopefully scary, response.

    Nest and Google home users should be able to use their app to select a Halloween setting under Doorbell Themes (Google was updating Nest in October so your menu may be different from mine).

    One unrelated tip for smart doorbell users, you may want to lower your motion sensitivity just for Halloween. If your device isn’t hardwired, the extra motion from trick-or-treaters could drain your doorbell’s batteries quickly (as I discovered). You can also avoid a flood of notifications if you do so.

    Don’t forget the lights

    Smart phones have flashlights, sure, but they’re not the brightest nor are they the best option if you’re carrying jackets, candy baskets, water bottles or costume parts. Instead, give yourself or your children more portable lumens so they can see (and be seen) easily in the dark.

    There are plenty of options for all budget ranges, but I’m partial to lights that you can clip onto jackets or costumes to keep your hands free.

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  • One Tech Tip: Do’s and don’ts of using AI to help with schoolwork

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    The rapid rise of ChatGPT and other generative AI systems has disrupted education, transforming how students learn and study.

    Students everywhere have turned to chatbots to help with their homework, but artificial intelligence’s capabilities have blurred the lines about what it should — and shouldn’t — be used for.

    The technology’s widespread adoption in many other parts of life also adds to the confusion about what constitutes academic dishonesty.

    Here are some do’s and don’ts on using AI for schoolwork:

    Don’t just copy and paste

    Chatbots are so good at answering questions with detailed written responses that it’s tempting to just take their work and pass it off as your own.

    But in case it isn’t already obvious, AI should not be used as a substitute for putting in the work. And it can’t replace our ability to think critically.

    You wouldn’t copy and paste information from a textbook or someone else’s essay and pass it off as your own. The same principle applies to chatbot replies.

    “AI can help you understand concepts or generate ideas, but it should never replace your own thinking and effort,” the University of Chicago says in its guidance on using generative AI. “Always produce original work, and use AI tools for guidance and clarity, not for doing the work for you.”

    So don’t shy away from putting pen to paper — or your fingers to the keyboard — to do your own writing.

    “If you use an AI chatbot to write for you — whether explanations, summaries, topic ideas, or even initial outlines — you will learn less and perform more poorly on subsequent exams and attempts to use that knowledge,” Yale University’s Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning says.

    Do use AI as a study aid

    Experts say AI shines when it’s used like a tutor or a study buddy. So try using a chatbot to explain difficult concepts or brainstorm ideas, such as essay topics.

    California high school English teacher Casey Cuny advises his students to use ChatGPT to quiz themselves ahead of tests.

    He tells them to upload class notes, study guides and any other materials used in class, such as slideshows, to the chatbot, and then tell it which textbook and chapter the test will focus on.

    Then, students should prompt the chatbot to: “Quiz me one question at a time based on all the material cited, and after that create a teaching plan for everything I got wrong.”

    Cuny posts AI guidance in the form of a traffic light on a classroom screen. Green-lighted uses include brainstorming, asking for feedback on a presentation or doing research. Red lighted, or prohibited AI use: Asking an AI tool to write a thesis statement, a rough draft or revise an essay. A yellow light is when a student is unsure if AI use is allowed, in which case he tells them to come and ask him.

    Or try using ChatGPT’s voice dictation function, said Sohan Choudhury, CEO of Flint, an AI-powered education platform.

    “I’ll just brain dump exactly what I get, what I don’t get” about a subject, he said. “I can go on a ramble for five minutes about exactly what I do and don’t understand about a topic. I can throw random analogies at it, and I know it’s going to be able to give me something back to me tailored based on that.”

    Do check your school’s AI policy

    As AI has shaken up the academic world, educators have been forced to set out their policies on the technology.

    In the U.S., about two dozen states have state-level AI guidance for schools, but it’s unevenly applied.

    It’s worth checking what your school, college or university says about AI. Some might have a broad institutionwide policy.

    The University of Toronto’s stance is that “students are not allowed to use generative AI in a course unless the instructor explicitly permits it” and students should check course descriptions for do’s and don’ts.

    Many others don’t have a blanket rule.

    The State University of New York at Buffalo “has no universal policy,” according to its online guidance for instructors. “Instructors have the academic freedom to determine what tools students can and cannot use in pursuit of meeting course learning objectives. This includes artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT.”

    Don’t hide AI use from teachers

    AI is not the educational bogeyman it used to be.

    There’s growing understanding that AI is here to stay and the next generation of workers will have to learn how to use the technology, which has the potential to disrupt many industries and occupations.

    So students shouldn’t shy away from discussing its use with teachers, because transparency prevents misunderstandings, said Choudhury.

    “Two years ago, many teachers were just blanket against it. Like, don’t bring AI up in this class at all, period, end of story,” he said. But three years after ChatGPT’s debut, “many teachers understand that the kids are using it. So they’re much more open to having a conversation as opposed to setting a blanket policy.”

    Teachers say they’re aware that students are wary of asking if AI use is allowed for fear they’ll be flagged as cheaters. But clarity is key because it’s so easy to cross a line without knowing it, says Rebekah Fitzsimmons, chair of the AI faculty advising committee at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy.

    “Often, students don’t realize when they’re crossing a line between a tool that is helping them fix content that they’ve created and when it is generating content for them,” says Fitzsimmons, who helped draft detailed new guidelines for students and faculty that strive to create clarity.

    The University of Chicago says students should cite AI if it was used to come up with ideas, summarize texts, or help with drafting a paper.

    “Acknowledge this in your work when appropriate,” the university says. “Just as you would cite a book or a website, giving credit to AI where applicable helps maintain transparency.”

    And don’t forget ethics

    Educators want students to use AI in a way that’s consistent with their school’s values and principles.

    The University of Florida says students should familiarize themselves with the school’s honor code and academic integrity policies “to ensure your use of AI aligns with ethical standards.”

    Oxford University says AI tools must be used “responsibly and ethically” and in line with its academic standards.

    “You should always use AI tools with integrity, honesty, and transparency, and maintain a critical approach to using any output generated by these tools,” it says.

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    Is there a tech topic that you think needs explaining? Write to us at [email protected] with your suggestions for future editions of One Tech Tip.

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  • One Tech Tip: iPhone users can now add US passport info to their digital wallets

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    Just in time for the busy holiday travel season, iPhone users can now add their passport details to their Apple digital wallets.

    The company on Wednesday unveiled its new “Digital ID” system for users to add their U.S. passport information to Apple Wallet, which can be scanned at airport readers if travelers don’t have a Real ID.

    Digital ID acceptance “will roll out first in beta” at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints at more than 250 U.S. airports for “in-person identity verification during domestic travel.”

    The company warned that Digital ID doesn’t replace a physical passport and can’t be used for international travel and crossing borders.

    Apple already allowed people in 12 states and Puerto Rico to add their driver’s license or state ID to Apple Wallet, while TSA already accepts some form of a digital ID in at least 16 states and Puerto Rico.

    “You can breeze through more than 250 TSA checkpoints faster and more securely than ever before,” the agency’s website says.

    Here’s a guide on how to add your passport:

    Setup

    Open your iPhone’s Wallet app, tap the plus sign at the top and then tap the Digital ID option on the menu. If that doesn’t work for you, type in “Digital ID” into the app’s search bar.

    Grab your passport and follow the instructions. You’ll have to use the camera to scan your passport’s photo page. Next, place your iPhone on the chip embedded on the passport’s back page to authenticate the data.

    Finally, you will need to verify your identity, first by taking a selfie and then by carrying out a series of facial and head movements, such as turning your head or closing your eyes.

    Once the verification procedures are done, the Digital ID will be added to the Wallet.

    How to use

    Using your iPhone to present your Digital ID is similar to using it to make a purchase.

    Double-click the phone’s side button, which calls up the Wallet app. On the stack of cards, tap on the Digital ID. When it’s your turn at the TSA kiosk, hold your phone or Apple watch up to the reader.

    The machine will take your picture, and then your phone will let you review the information that’s being requested, such as name and date of birth. In order to authenticate those details, you’ll have to use the phone’s face or fingerprint scanner.

    What about security?

    Apple says your passport data is encrypted and stored on the device, and it can’t see when or where users present their Digital ID or the data that was shown.

    The use of a face or fingerprint scan makes sure that only the person who the ID belongs to can release the info.

    The company says that iPhone users don’t need to unlock, show, or hand over their device to present their Digital ID.

    Where can I use mobile IDs?

    More than a dozen states already accept some form of a mobile ID at airport checkpoints, according to TSA.

    The list includes: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia, as well as Puerto Rico.

    Travelers can go to the TSA website for more details.

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    Is there a tech topic that you think needs explaining? Write to us at [email protected] with your suggestions for future editions of One Tech Tip.

    ___

    AP Airlines and Travel Writer Rio Yamat contributed.

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  • One Tech Tip: Modern cars are spying on you. Here’s what you can do about it

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    While driving to a new restaurant, your car’s satellite navigation system tracks your location and guides you to the destination. Onboard cameras constantly track your face and eye movements. When another car veers into your path, forcing you to slam on the brakes, sensors are assisting and recording. Waiting at a stoplight, the car notices when you unbuckle your seat belt to grab your sunglasses in the backseat.

    Modern cars are computers on wheels that are becoming increasingly connected, enabling innovative new features that make driving safer and more convenient. But these systems are also collecting reams of data on our driving habits and other personal information, raising concerns about data privacy.

    Here is what to know about how your car spies on you and how you can minimize it:

    How cars collect data

    It’s hard to figure out exactly how much data a modern car is collecting on you, according to the Mozilla Foundation, which analyzed privacy practices at 25 auto brands in 2023. It declared that cars were the worst product category that the group had ever reviewed for privacy.

    AP AUDIO: One Tech Tip: Modern cars are spying on you. Here’s what you can do about it

    Modern cars are spying on you. AP’s Kelvin Chan reports.

    The data points include all your normal interactions with the car — such as turning the steering wheel or unlocking doors — but also data from connected onboard services, like satellite radio, GPS navigation systems, connected devices, telematics systems as well as data from sensors or cameras.

    Vehicle telematics systems started to become commonplace about a decade ago, and the practice of automotive data collection took off about five years ago.

    The problem is not just that data is being collected but who it’s provided to, including insurers, marketing companies and shadowy data brokers. The issue surfaced earlier this year when General Motors was banned for five years from disclosing data collected from drivers to consumer reporting agencies.

    The Federal Trade Commission accused GM of not getting consent before sharing the data, which included every instance when a driver was speeding or driving late at night. It was ultimately provided to insurance companies that used it to set their rates.

    Be aware

    The first thing drivers should do is be aware of what data their car is collecting, said Andrea Amico, founder of Privacy4Cars, an automotive privacy company.

    In an ideal world, drivers would read through the instruction manuals and documentation that comes with their cars, and quiz the dealership about what’s being collected.

    But it’s not always practical to do this, and manufacturers don’t always make it easy to find out, while dealership staff aren’t always the best informed, Amico said.

    Privacy4Cars offers a free auto privacy labeling service at vehicleprivacyreport.com that can summarize what your car could be tracking.

    Owners can punch in their car’s Vehicle Identification Number, which then pulls up the automaker’s data privacy practices, such as whether the car collects location data and whether it’s given to insurers, data brokers or law enforcement.

    Tweak your settings

    Data collection and tracking start as soon as you drive a new car off the dealership lot, with drivers unwittingly consenting when they’re confronted with warning menus on dashboard touch screens.

    Experts say that some of the data collection is baked into the system, you can revoke your consent by going back into the menus.

    “There are permissions in your settings that you can make choices about,” said Lauren Hendry Parsons of Mozilla. “Go through on a granular level and look at those settings where you can.”

    For example, Toyota says on its website that drivers can decline what it calls “Master Data Consent” through the Toyota app. Ford says owners can opt to stop sharing vehicle data with the company by going through the dashboard settings menu or on the FordPass app.

    BMW says privacy settings can be adjusted through the infotainment system, “on a spectrum between” allowing all services including analysis data and none at all.

    You can opt out

    …

    Drivers in the U.S. can ask carmakers to restrict what they do with their data.

    Under state privacy laws, some carmakers allow owners across the United States to submit requests to limit the use of their personal data, opt out of sharing it, or delete it, Consumer Reports says. Other auto companies limit the requests to people in states with applicable privacy laws, the publication says.

    You can file a request either through an online form or the carmaker’s mobile app.

    You can also go through Privacy4Cars, which provides a free online service that streamlines the process. It can either point car owners to their automaker’s request portal or file a submission on behalf of owners in the U.S., Canada, the European Union, Britain and Australia.

    … but there will be trade-offs

    Experts warn that there’s usually a trade-off if you decide to switch off data collection.

    Most people, for example, have switched to satellite navigation systems over paper maps because it’s “worth the convenience of being able to get from point A to point B really easily,” said Hendry Parsons.

    Turning off location tracking could also halt features like roadside assistance or disable smartphone app features like remote door locking, Consumer Reports says.

    BMW advises that if an owner opts to have no data shared at all, “their vehicle will behave like a smartphone in flight mode and will not transmit any data to the BMW back end.”

    When selling your car

    When the time comes to sell your car or trade it in for a newer model, it’s no longer as simple as handing over the keys and signing over some paperwork.

    If you’ve got a newer car, experts say you should always do a factory reset to wipe all the data, which will also include removing any smartphone connections.

    And don’t forget to notify the manufacturer about the change of ownership.

    Amico said that’s important because if you trade in your vehicle, you don’t want insurers to associate it with your profile if the dealer is letting customers take it for test drives.

    “Now your record may be affected by somebody else’s driving — a complete stranger that you have no relationship with.”

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    Is there a tech topic that you think needs explaining? Write to us at [email protected] with your suggestions for future editions of One Tech Tip.

    ___

    This story has been corrected to show that the Mozilla representative’s first name is Lauren, not Laura.

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  • One Tech Tip: Get the most out of ChatGPT and other AI chatbots with better prompts

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    LONDON (AP) — If you’re using ChatGPT but getting mediocre results, don’t blame the chatbot. Instead, try sharpening up your prompts.

    Generative AI chatbots such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini and Anthropic’s Claude have become hugely popular and embedded into daily life for many users. They’re powerful tools that can help us with so many different tasks.

    What you shouldn’t overlook, however, is that a chatbot’s output depends on what you tell it to do, and how. There’s a lot you can do to improve the prompt — also known as the request or query — that you type in.

    Here are some tips for general users on how to get higher quality chatbot replies, based on tips from the AI model makers:

    Be more specific in your prompt

    ChatGPT can’t read your mind. You need to give it clear and explicit instructions on what you need it to do.

    Unlike a standard Google search, you can’t just ask for an answer based on some keywords. And you’ll need to do more than just tell it to, say, “design a logo” because you’ll end up with a generic design. Flesh it out with details on the company that the logo is for, the industry it will be used in and the design style you’re going for.

    “Ensure your prompts are clear, specific, and provide enough context for the model to understand what you are asking,” ChatGPT maker OpenAI advises on its help page. “Avoid ambiguity and be as precise as possible to get accurate and relevant responses.”

    Refine and rewrite your request

    Think of using a chatbot like holding a conversation with a friend. You probably wouldn’t end your chat after the first answer. Ask follow-up questions or refine your original prompt.

    OpenAI’s advice: “Adjust the wording, add more context, or simplify the request as needed to improve the results.”

    You might have to have an extended back-and-forth that elicits better output. Google advises that you’ll need to try a “few different approaches” if you don’t get what you’re looking for the first time.

    “Fine-tune your prompts if the results don’t meet your expectations or if you believe there’s room for improvement,” Google recommends in its prompting guide for Gemini. “Use follow-up prompts and an iterative process of review and refinement to yield better results.”

    Consider the persona and audience

    When making your request, you can also ask an AI large language model to respond in a specific voice or style.

    “Words like formal, informal, friendly, professional, humorous, or serious can help guide the model,” OpenAI writes.

    You also tell the chatbot the type of person the response is aimed at.

    These parameters will help determine the chatbot’s overall approach to its answer, as well as the tone, vocabulary and level of detail.

    For example, you could ask ChatGPT to describe quantum physics in the style of a distinguished professor talking to a class of graduate students. Or you could ask it to explain the same topic in the voice of a teacher talking to a group of schoolchildren.

    However, there’s plenty of debate among AI experts about these methods. On one hand, they can make answers more precise and less generic. But an output that adopts an overly empathetic or authoritative tone raises concerns about the text sounding too manipulative.

    Add more context and examples

    Give the chatbot all the background behind the reason for your request.

    Don’t just ask: “Help me plan a weeklong trip to London.”

    ChatGPT will respond with a generic list of London’s greatest hits: historic sites on one day, museums and famous parks on another, trendy neighborhoods and optional excursions to Windsor Castle. It’s nothing you couldn’t get from a guidebook or travel website, but just a little better organized.

    But if, say, you’re a theatre-loving family, try this: “Help me plan a weeklong trip to London in July, for a family of four. We don’t want too many historic sites, but want to see a lot of West End theatre shows. We don’t drink alcohol so we can skip pubs. Can you recommend mid-range budget hotels where we can stay and cheap places to eat for dinner?”

    This prompt returns a more tailored and detailed answer: a list of four possible hotels within walking distance of the theater district, a seven-day itinerary with cheap or low-cost ideas for things to do during the day, suggested shows each evening, and places for an affordable family dinner.

    Put limits around your request

    You can tell any of the chatbots just how extensive you want the answer to be. Sometimes, less is more.

    Try nudging the model to provide clear and succinct responses by imposing a limit. For example, tell the chatbot to reply with only 300 words, or to come up with five bullet points.

    Want to know all that there is to know about quantum physics? ChatGPT will provide a high-level “grand tour” of the topic that includes terms like wavefunctions and qubits. But ask for a 150-word explanation and you’ll get an easily digestible summary about how it’s the science of the tiniest particles that also underpins a lot of modern technology like lasers and smartphones.

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    Is there a tech topic that you think needs explaining? Write to us at [email protected] with your suggestions for future editions of One Tech Tip.

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  • Microsoft Authenticator is ending password autofill soon. How to set up a passkey before Aug. 1

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    NEW YORK (AP) — If you’re a Microsoft Authenticator user, like me, you’ve probably received at least one notice that the app’s password management features are no longer usable and that your stored passwords will be inaccessible starting Aug. 1 unless you have the Edge browser.

    Why? Because Microsoft is moving its signature sign-in app to a digital authentication method touted by security experts as an easier and more secure way to log in: passkeys.

    “Last year (2024), we observed a staggering 7,000 password attacks per second (more than double the rate from 2023),” Microsoft wrote in a blog post. “Although passwords have been around for centuries, we hope their reign over our online world is ending.”

    Authenticator has been a staple in providing multi-factor authentication, one-time passwords and biometric logins for services and some websites. Although the app will continue to provide authentication for passkey-compatible services, it is pushing its password management and autofill functions out to the company’s Edge browser instead.

    Note that not all websites and applications have adopted passkeys yet, so many places still rely on passwords.

    If you haven’t yet moved to a different password manager system or set up your passkeys, we’re here to help.

    How to generate a passkey in Authenticator

    Passkeys do away with complex 14 character passwords because you never need to see them. Instead you are using existing biometrics like your face or fingerprints, digital patterns or PINs to access your accounts.

    Passkeys are made up of two parts of a code that only makes sense when they’re combined, kind of like a digital key and padlock. You keep half of the encrypted code, typically stored either in the cloud with a compatible verification app — including Authenticator — or on a physical security dongle. The other half is stored on the participating apps, services or accounts you want to access.

    The bad news? You do have to set up individual passkeys for each service or application that accepts them. Keeping track of where you can use them versus traditional passwords can be challenging.

    If you’ve opened Authenticator in the last few months, you likely were prompted to set up a passkey through a guided experience.

    If you didn’t receive such a prompt, you can set up a new passkey by opening the authenticator app on your device. Find and tap on your account, then select “set up a passkey” option. Follow the app’s instructions.

    Accessing old passwords in Edge

    The good news is that all of your old passwords are synced to your Microsoft account. But to access them after Aug. 1, you will need to first install the Edge browser on your device of choice (and log into it).

    For iOS users, navigate to Settings General Autofill & Passwords and turn on Edge.

    Android users click their way to Settings General management Passwords and autofill Autofill service and select Edge.

    Laptop and desktop users will need to open Edge and navigate to Settings Profiles Passwords. There you should find an autofill toggle and another option to save new passwords to your account.

    Downloading your passwords to use in a password manager

    Firstly, check out our advice on selecting and using password managers. There are many services — paid and free — out there and options to consider.

    Now to export your Authenticator passwords, open the app on your device then navigate to Settings Export Passwords. This will spit out an exported file containing your data.

    Most of the password managers out there — including those built into other browsers, or Apple and Android’s own key ring apps — will have an import option, which should accept this file. If you’re having difficulty with the import, it’s best to consult their customer service lines for help.

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  • How to clean keyboard grunge, earwax in earphones and screen smudges

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    LONDON (AP) — Smartphones, laptops, headphones and other electronic devices are essential for work and play in our daily lives. But all that time spent typing, scrolling or listening also means our devices gradually accumulate grime that needs to be cleaned off.

    You might not give much thought to cleaning your devices but there are reasons you should, says Logitech, which makes keyboards, webcams and other computer peripherals.

    “Regular cleaning and proper maintenance not only keeps your gadgets looking pristine, and wins you hygiene points, it also helps them perform better and last longer,” the company says. “In the case of devices like earbuds, the accumulated bacteria and debris may even cause health issues or discomfort.”

    Here are some pointers on cleaning your tech:

    Getting started

    Always check if the manufacturer has any specific guidelines for cleaning.

    Assemble some basic equipment and material for cleaning, which should include a soft and lint-free cleaning cloth, like a microfiber cloth; cotton swabs; a soft-bristled brush like a toothbrush, paintbrush or makeup brush; compressed air and isopropyl alcohol.

    Isopropyl, or rubbing alcohol, is a cleaning solvent that’s antiseptic and antibacterial. It’s popular for cleaning electronics because it doesn’t leave any residue and dries quickly. But you might want to wear gloves to avoid skin irritation. Drip some of it on a cloth instead of pouring it directly onto your device. Also heed some of the more specific warnings below.

    Water and mild soap can be useful for cleaning dirty surfaces, but isopropyl alcohol is recommended for cleaning the internals of a device, said Alex Diaz-Kokaisl, senior technical writer at electronics repair company iFixit.

    “While there isn’t a hard-and-fast rule for cleaning electronics, we generally use high-concentration isopropyl alcohol (more than 90%) because it evaporates quickly,” he said. “The faster a liquid evaporates, the less likely it is to affect any components that conduct electricity.”

    For whatever device you’re cleaning, disconnect or power it off first. Remove any cases, plugs, covers and accessories.

    Computers and laptops

    When using a computer, the keyboard and mouse are the parts that are touched most often and therefore need the most frequent cleaning. And all those crevices between a keyboard’s keys are sure to catch crumbs.

    To remove any loose debris, iFixit’s official in-house cleaning guide recommends using a can of compressed air. Run the spray back and forth across the keys to blow out any bits. If possible, hold the keyboard upside down so the debris falls out.

    If you don’t have compressed air, Logitech suggests using a hair dryer on the cold air setting. Some social media users also recommend a handheld balloon pump.

    Next, dampen a cleaning cloth with water and gently wipe down the keyboard and mouse.

    Logitech says you can also use rubbing alcohol but recommends you test it first on an inconspicuous spot to make sure it doesn’t cause discoloration or scrub the lettering off the keys.

    Anti-bacterial baby wipes can also work on devices like a mouse, Diaz-Kokaisl said.

    “There shouldn’t be enough liquid to seep through cracks in the shell, and their residue typically evaporates faster than just using soap and water,” he said.

    For laptop screens or external monitors, use a dry microfiber cloth to gently wipe away fingerprint smudges.

    If there are more stubborn spots — like food stains or sneezy spatters — dampen the cloth with distilled water or a 50/50 solution of distilled water and vinegar.

    Computer maker Lenovo says the “gentle acidity of vinegar can help break down oils and fingerprints.” Avoid using household glass cleaners, which can contain ammonia that could damage the screen. The same goes for paper towels, which can scratch the screen. HP also warns against using rubbing alcohol.

    AirPods and earphones

    A lot of people listen to music or podcasts through their earbuds, but that also means they’ll need regular cleaning to remove any earwax, natural skin oils or other grungy buildup.

    If the earbuds have silicon tips, remove them. Cleaning procedures vary depending on your brand and model. Logitech and Bose recommend using soapy water. But Sony warns against water or wet wipes because they can speed deterioration, and, instead, advises using a dry cloth.

    Use a cotton swab to wipe the earbud nozzles clean.

    Owners of Apple AirPods need to follow a much more elaborate procedure to clean the mesh. You’ll need a child’s toothbrush, two small cups, a paper towel, distilled water, as well as micellar water — typically used as a facial cleanser.

    Pour some micellar water into a cup, dip the toothbrush, brush the AirPod’s various mesh parts, and then blot them dry with the paper. Repeat twice. Then repeat that procedure but using the distilled water to rinse off the micellar water. Finally, let the AirPods dry for at least two hours.

    To clean the rest of the AirPod’s body, use a damp cloth. And don’t forget about the charging case. Apple recommends brushing out any debris and then wiping with a dry cloth. If needed, dampen it with isopropyl alcohol.

    What about over-the-ear headphones? Bose says you should wipe them down at least once a week, especially after working out, to remove any dirt and bacteria hiding in the nooks and crannies. Remove the pads and use a cloth dampened with soapy water to clean them.

    Smartphones

    Apple has issued specific instructions on its website for cleaning various iPhone models. Samsung has posted similar guidelines for its Galaxy lineup.

    They both advise using a soft, lint-free cloth, such as a lens cleaning cloth, to gently wipe the outside of the phone. Apple warns against using any cleaning products, which could erode the oil-repellent coating that most iPhones come with.

    Both companies say it’s OK to use disinfectants such as rubbing alcohol to gently clean the exterior, but avoid bleach or hydrogen peroxide.

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    Is there a tech topic that you think needs explaining? Write to us at [email protected] with your suggestions for future editions of One Tech Tip.

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  • One Tech Tip: Can you tell if that song AI-generated? Here are some things to check

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    LONDON (AP) — Is it The Velvet Underground or Velvet Sundown?

    The fictitious rock group, Velvet Sundown, which comes complete with AI-generated music, lyrics and album art, is stoking debate about how the new technology is blurring the line between the real and synthetic in the music industry, and whether creators should be transparent with their audience.

    The rise of AI song generators is set to transform the music industry by allowing anyone to create songs with just a few prompts. We created two songs and asked people if they thought they were made by AI. Here’s what they said.

    Computer software is widely used in music production, and artificial intelligence is just the latest tool that disc jockeys, music producers and others have added to their production pipeline. But the rise of AI song generators such as Suno and Udio is set to transform the industry because they allow anyone to create songs with just a few prompts.

    While some people do not care whether they’re listening to AI-generated music, others might be curious to know.

    If you encounter a new song that leaves you wondering whether it’s 100% made with AI, there are some methods that could reveal how it was created.

    Do a background check

    If you’re wondering who’s behind a song, try some old-fashioned detective work.

    The “most obvious cues” come from “external factors,” said Manuel Mousallam, head of research and development at streaming service Deezer.

    Does the band or artist have social media accounts? Lack of a social presence might indicate there’s no one there. If they do exist online, examine the kind of content they post, and how long it goes back.

    Is there any sign that the artist or band exists in real life? Are there any upcoming concerts and can you buy a ticket for a gig? Is there footage of past concerts on YouTube? Has an established record label released their singles or albums?

    Try going to the source. Song creators often — but not always — publish their generated tunes on the Suno or Udio platforms, where they can be found by other users.

    The catch is that you’ll have to sign up for an account to get access. Users can look up songs by track name or the creator’s handle, and browse genres and playlists. But it can still be difficult to spot a song, especially if you don’t know the name of the song or creator.

    Song tags

    Deezer has been flagging albums containing AI-generated songs, as part of its efforts to be more transparent as it battles streaming fraudsters looking to make quick money through royalty payments.

    The Deezer app and website will notify listeners with an on-screen label — “AI-generated content” — to point out that some tracks on an album were created with song generators.

    The company’s CEO says the system relies on in-house technology to detect subtle but recognizable patterns found in all audio created by AI song generators. The company hasn’t specified how many songs it has tagged since it rolled out the feature in June, but says up to 18% of songs uploaded to its platform each day are AI-generated.

    Song scanners

    There are a few third-party services available online that promise to determine whether a song is human-made or generated by AI.

    I uploaded a few songs I generated to the online detector from IRCAM Amplify, a subsidiary of French music and sound research institute IRCAM. It said the probability that they were AI-generated ranged from 81.8% to 98% and accurately deduced that they were made with Suno.

    As a cross-check, I also uploaded some old MP3s from my song library, which got a very low AI probability score.

    But a handful of results shouldn’t be taken as a sign of overall accuracy. “The AI detector can make mistakes. It is recommended to verify the results,” the detector warns.

    The drawback with IRCAM’s tool is that you can’t paste links to songs, so you can’t check tunes that you can only hear on a streaming service.

    There are a few other websites that let you both upload song files and paste Spotify links for analysis, but they have their own limitations. When I tried them out for this story, the results were either inconclusive or flagged some AI songs as human-made and vice versa.

    Check the lyrics

    AI song tools can churn out both music and lyrics. Many serious users like to write their own words and plug them in because they’ve discovered that AI-generated lyrics tend to be bad.

    Casual users, though, might prefer to just let the machine write them. So bad rhyming schemes or repetitive lyrical structures might be a clue that a song is not man-made. But it’s subjective.

    Some users report that Suno tends to use certain words in its lyrics like “neon,” “shadows” or “whispers.”

    If a song includes these words, it’s “a dead giveaway” that it’s AI, said Lukas Rams, a Philadelphia-area resident. He has used Suno to create three albums for his AI band Sleeping with Wolves but writes his own lyrics. “I don’t know why, it loves to put neon in everything.”

    No easy answers

    AI technology is improving so quickly that there’s no foolproof way to determine if content is real or not and experts say you can’t just rely on your ear.

    “In general, it can be difficult to tell if a track is AI-generated just from listening, and it’s only becoming more challenging as the technology gets increasingly advanced,” said Mousallam of Deezer. “Generative models such as Suno and Udio are constantly changing, meaning that old identifiers – such as vocals having a distinctive reverb – are not necessarily valid anymore.”

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    Is there a tech topic that you think needs explaining? Write to us at [email protected] with your suggestions for future editions of One Tech Tip.

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