Rich On Tech

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 asking a passenger about the last day of her life, another using someone else’s account and one relying on Tesla self-driving. Rich explains when to report a driver and what to do if you feel unsafe. Apple unveils its first touchscreen MacBook Pro: Rich goes hands-on with Apple’s new 14-inch and 16-inch laptops, featuring OLED displays, touch controls and a Dynamic Island. Prices start at $2,900, with high-end configurations exceeding $14,000. More rideshare horror stories and safety tips: Listeners share experiences with reckless drivers and misleading driver profiles. Rich recommends booking through official rideshare apps rather than paying drivers directly, which could leave passengers without proper insurance coverage. Tracy in Los Angeles asks whether T-Mobile is better than Verizon: Rich says T-Mobile’s coverage has improved dramatically, but recommends testing its network before switching, especially if reliable navigation is essential. T-Mobile’s Starlink satellite service offers backup coverage: Rich explains how satellite connectivity can provide limited data access, including Google Maps, when regular cellular service is unavailable. How to use two cellular carriers on one phone: Rich suggests adding an inexpensive secondary eSIM to improve coverage without changing your primary number, using automatic cellular data switching on supported phones. iPhone / Pixel Angel in San Bernardino County shares a wild rideshare story: His driver impersonated an undercover police officer and pulled someone over, only to be arrested by real police officers investigating him. Angel asks how to improve weak cellular coverage: Rich recommends Wi-Fi calling at home and checking out weBoost for signal boosters that work with multiple carriers, though they can cost hundreds of dollars. Why you should set up a guest Wi-Fi network: Rich recommends keeping visitors on a separate network to help protect your personal devices and smart home equipment. Jay in Manassas Park, Virginia can’t watch Disney Channel through his receiver: Rich suspects an HDMI copyright protection issue called HDCP and recommends restarting the equipment, checking cables and connecting the Xfinity box directly to the TV to isolate the problem. Gordon in Costa Mesa asks about LifeLock versus Incogni: Rich explains that Incogni removes personal information from data brokers, while LifeLock focuses on identity theft monitoring and recovery. He also recommends freezing your credit, using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication and avoiding phishing scams. Rich goes hands-on with Apple’s new iPad mini: The $699 tablet features a larger 8.5-inch OLED display, thinner design, water resistance and optional matte glass that’s great for reading. Rich loves the upgrades but questions the price, especially with the screen still limited to a 60Hz refresh rate. Available November 6. Jamie Siminoff, founder of Ring, will discuss the new Ring Smart Lock, its hand-powered backup system, and why Amazon Sidewalk is becoming a bigger part of the smart home. Rich tests Capacities, a different kind of note-taking app: Instead of folders, Capacities organizes notes as objects with tags, collections and AI-powered search. Rich likes the ability to text notes into the app, connect ideas and export everything as Markdown. David in Woodland Hills wants Windows 10 back on his new laptop: Rich explains how Rufus can create a bootable Windows installation drive but recommends Start11 to restore the familiar Windows 10 look without replacing Windows 11. Granola adds free AI voice dictation for Mac: Rich tests the new feature, which offers unlimited voice-to-text dictation at no cost, making it an interesting alternative to paid competitor Wispr Flow. Tony in San Diego is locked out of his Hotmail and Yahoo accounts: Each email service wants to send a verification code to the other, leaving him stuck. Rich recommends using the official account recovery tools, setting up passkeys and avoiding fake tech support phone numbers. How to hide sensitive apps on your iPhone: Rich explains how to require Face ID for banking and other private apps, or hide them entirely in the App Library. Just remember that hidden apps won’t send notifications. Amazon’s new Alexa photo frame uses AI to pick your best pictures: The $200 frame features a 10-inch matte touchscreen, automatic photo selection, voice recordings and no ads. Rich recommends waiting for a $150 deal. Amazon Prime includes unlimited full-resolution photo storage: Rich reminds Prime members they can back up unlimited photos using Amazon Photos, with 5GB of video storage included. It’s also how Amazon’s new photo frame automatically displays your latest pictures. AI can negotiate your next car purchase for you: Ray Shefska, co-founder of CarEdge, explains how its AI agents negotiate anonymously with dealerships, compare pricing transparency and help buyers secure a deal before ever setting foot in a showroom. Don’t overlook the extras when buying a car: Ray says warranties and other products offered in the dealership’s finance office are negotiable. Always ask for the total price rather than just how much they’ll add to your monthly payment. TikTok launches Must Eat restaurant recommendations: The new feature uses more than 40 million posts, reviews and comments to highlight popular restaurants in Los Angeles, New York City and the Bay Area. Find it by tapping your city in TikTok and selecting Must Eat. iHeartRadio introduces Light Mode: A simpler interface for iPhone and Android puts favorite stations, presets, recently played content and local radio front and center. Max recommends the Status Pro X earbuds: These $199 wireless earbuds feature three drivers per earbud, high-resolution audio, LDAC support and noise cancellation. Tony asks why deleting iPhone apps doesn’t erase their data: Rich explains that some information may remain in iCloud, allowing apps to restore settings and data when reinstalled. Dawn wants to learn how to use AI: Rich recommends downloading the official ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini app and simply asking questions, including asking the AI what it can do. Tom warns about a misleading subscription offer: A $2 introductory offer from JustAnswer turned into a $65 monthly membership. Rich reminds listeners to check the fine print before entering payment information. Sam recommends Wispr Flow and Skullcandy headphones: Sam uses Wispr Flow for voice dictation and suggests Rich check out Skullcandy’s premium headphones developed with Bose. Listeners respond to Rich’s SIM swap protection advice: Candy in Florida successfully enabled Spectrum’s security settings, while other listeners thanked Rich for helping them protect their phone numbers. How to Listen: 🎙️ Live on KFI AM 640 - Los Angeles, Saturdays from 11 AM - 2 PM PT 🎙️ Rebroadcast on 710 WOR - New York City, Sundays from 8 PM - 11 PM ET 📻 Syndicated on affiliates nationwide Subscribe to the podcast. Premium subscribers can listen ad-free here. Follow Rich on Instagram. Subscribe to my free newsletter. Rich on Tech Weekly airs on KTLA+. You can download the app on Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, and Samsung smart TVs. Disclosure: I may earn a commission from purchases made through links in this post, at no additional cost to you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 number from hackers: Enable number lock or SIM protection through AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile or your carrier. Use an authenticator app instead of texted security codes. Eric asks about smart glasses for someone with vision loss. Rich recommends the Braille Institute, Ray-Ban Meta accessibility features and Be My Eyes. Spotify is cracking down on family plan sharing, requiring some users to verify they're in the same household. Susan has second thoughts about switching from Windows to Mac. Rich suggests returning the iMac and sticking with the Dell she prefers. Banks are restricting AI agents over concerns about account access. Rich explains the difference between read-only financial connections and agents that can take action. Security researcher Luke Westcott explains how scammers use fake calendar invitations and how to stop them. Patty asks about phone PINs and how to prevent SIM-swapping attacks. Apple's October 28 event could bring the first touchscreen MacBook Pro. Martin's ASUS laptop won't turn on. Rich suggests checking the power adapter before assuming the computer is broken. Kelly wants to keep using Windows XP scrapbooking software. Rich suggests a wired printer or Eero compatibility settings. Phil Swann of TV for Seniors shares ways to simplify streaming and save money, including Roku, free streaming apps and subscription discounts. Listener feedback: AI agents saving money, Rocket Money for subscriptions, NAPS2 for scanning, Community Phone for home phone service and a warning about Jitterbug phones. How to Listen Live on KFI AM 640, Saturdays 11 AM to 2 PM PT Rebroadcast on 710 WOR, Sundays 8 PM to 11 PM ET Syndicated nationwide Full show notes: https://richontech.tv/197 Follow Rich on Instagram @RichOnTech and subscribe to the free newsletter at https://richontech.tv. Rich On Tech Weekly airs on KTLA+. Disclosure: I may earn a commission from purchases made through links in this post, at no additional cost to you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 powerful but warns users to be careful about the permissions they grant. Jack in Anaheim can’t turn off his Roku’s talking voice: Rich explains how to find the Screen Reader setting under Settings > Accessibility or try pressing the remote’s star button four times quickly. The issue wasn’t resolved on air, and Rich suggests checking the Sony TV’s accessibility settings or restarting the Roku; or toggling the Screen Reader setting on and off again if disabling it doesn’t stop the voice narration. Apple HomeView brings Siri to your smart home: Apple’s $299 smart home display features a 7-inch touchscreen, FaceTime, smart home controls and personalized information for family members. Rich questions the price compared with Google Nest and Amazon Echo Show devices. Susie in West Covina needs simpler phones: For her mother, Rich suggests Lively’s Jitterbug, RAZ Memory Cell Phone or an internet-based home phone using Ooma, magicJack or Pinwheel. For Susie’s outdated Moto G Stylus running Android 11, he recommends a Pixel 10a or Pixel 11 for longer software support. Cleta in Brea can’t access Facebook notifications: After a Facebook update moved the notification bell, Rich recommends enabling Touch Sensitivity in Samsung’s display settings or waiting for another Facebook app update to fix the issue. Mint Mobile celebrates 10 years with $10 unlimited service: New customers can get six months of unlimited service for $60 upfront, plus taxes and fees. After the promotion, the standard annual-plan rate is $30 monthly. Mint runs on T-Mobile’s network but doesn’t support cellular Apple Watches. David in Wisconsin asks what he’s missing by switching from Verizon to Visible: Rich explains that prepaid carriers can save customers $20 to $40 a month, but premium postpaid plans may offer faster hotspot speeds and better customer support. Rich is sticking with Verizon because he regularly uploads large video files on the road and needs maximum hotspot performance. ChatGPT can now see your Chrome tabs: Rich explains how ChatGPT can compare products and hotels across open tabs, summarize articles and answer questions about YouTube videos without copying and pasting information. Julie in Riverside asks if an antenna works with Roku: Rich explains that an antenna connects directly to the TV, not a Roku stick. For a more integrated experience, devices like Tablo and HDHomeRun can bring over-the-air channels into Roku through their apps. Phillip Shoemaker, founding director of Apple’s App Store Review team and author of Unbreakable, will share how he was SIM-swapped despite a career fighting fraud, and the simple steps consumers can take to better protect their digital lives. Ed in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania wants to email a 5 GB video: Rich recommends uploading it to a cloud service and sharing a link instead. Options include Proton Drive, Wormhole, Google Drive and pCloud. Wormhole supports transfers up to 10 GB without an account, but files expire after 24 hours. Roku audio descriptions may explain the mystery voice: Listener Greg suggests checking whether Audio Description is enabled in the TV or streaming app’s accessibility settings. Steve in Fullerton asks about Google Assistant switching to Gemini: Rich explains that Gemini understands natural language and handles complex questions better, but some basic commands may be slower or less reliable than the original Google Assistant. Allen in Simi Valley says his iPhone camera keeps opening unexpectedly: Rich recommends disabling the Camera Control button under Settings > Camera > Camera Control or removing the camera shortcut from the Lock Screen. Amazon Bee introduces two new wearable recording devices: The $75 Bee Frontier and $100 Bee Eclipse can record conversations, create summaries, track reminders and integrate with Alexa+. Rich highlights their usefulness but warns about privacy concerns and recording consent laws. Christopher Mutch, developer of Speaking Access, will explain how his $30 Windows voice-control program helps people control their computer by voice and why he built it as an affordable accessibility tool. Listeners agree phones should stay off the dinner table: Bob and Brian share why putting phones away during meals makes conversations and family time more meaningful. Wyze makes rechargeable motion-sensing night lights: Jeremy recommends a $25 three-pack that wirelessly links together, so motion detected by one light can activate the others. A listener saves $1,600 using Meta Muse: Fred uses the free AI agent to track airfare, organize travel, monitor stocks and make restaurant reservations. Listeners share more free TV antenna tips: Don recommends GE and Philips antennas, while John suggests ZapperBox for recording over-the-air TV. Mario says switching from cable to an antenna, streaming and home internet cut his monthly bill from $400 to $145. More listener feedback: Candy praises Spectrum’s international roaming, Neil raises concerns about AI agent security, and James spots Proto hologram technology on Netflix’s Wonka: The Golden Ticket.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Samsung raised Galaxy S26 prices by $100, while Google raised the Pixel 10a price as tech products continue getting more expensive. Dan in Moss Landing can’t connect his Chromebook to his iPhone hotspot, and Rich recommends turning on Maximize Compatibility. Todd in Goodyear wants a phone with a microSD card slot, and Rich recommends the Fairphone, Moto G series and SMS Backup & Restore. McDonald’s is using AI to help restaurants determine menu prices, but that doesn’t mean it’s setting a different price for each individual customer. Rich says phones should stay away during meals so we can actually pay attention to the people we’re with. Richie in Sherman Oaks wants to use an external camera with his Pixel as a dash cam, but Rich recommends keeping things simple with a dedicated dash cam. Holiday shoppers expect to spend less on tech this year even as gadget prices rise, and Rich recommends CamelCamelCamel, Keepa and ShopSavvy to check whether a deal is real. Rich explains how to do a quick privacy audit on iPhone and Android to stop unnecessary apps from constantly tracking your location. Mark Anthony Arena, the Computer Exorcist, explains why he dislikes automatic cloud storage, photo sticks and third-party antivirus software. LaShawn in Los Angeles keeps getting a Norton security warning on a friend’s Wi-Fi, but the problem appears to be a false alarm involving the network rather than an infected laptop. Rich confirms those RFID hotel towel trackers are real after getting charged $25 for leaving a towel in his room. Amazon Now can deliver groceries, gadgets and everyday essentials in about 30 minutes in supported areas. Samsung’s new SmartTag 3 is smaller and lighter, lasts up to 550 days and can alert you when an item is moved. Amazon updated its Kindle lineup, moved the Paperwhite power button and added new options for physical and remote page turning. Rich says Face ID on the iPhone 18 Pro has been less reliable since Apple moved some of its hardware under the display. Pluto TV added more than 200 free, ad-supported horror movies for Halloween. Rich answers listener questions about cellular dead zones, converting audio files, flip phones and transferring iPhone photos to a PC. Tony Gebhard, author of No Sight Required, explains how AI tools are giving blind and low-vision users more independence. Listener feedback includes Google Photos headaches, hotel towel trackers, Flighty, California’s DROP privacy program and the green camera indicator on a Mac. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.