AI Toy Exposed 50K Kids' Chats + STOP Text Scam Risks, Best Tech 2026 & Android Trackers!

This week we look to the Olympics and cutting-edge technology already shaping the Games.

Security alert: An AI-powered children's toy from Bondu left over 50,000 chat transcripts (including kids' names, ages, personal details, and intimate conversations) completely exposed — accessible to anyone with a Gmail account due to a wide-open web portal. We discuss the massive privacy risks and what parents need to know about AI toys.

Practical advice: Should you ever reply "STOP" to unknown or spam text messages? Why it can backfire and the safer ways to block unwanted texts.

Plus: Should you store payment info on e-commerce sites? Tips for upscaling and reviving old routers, the best Android-compatible Bluetooth trackers (like Moto Tag, Pebblebee Clip, and Chipolo options for Google's Find Hub network), and picks for the best tech trends shaping 2026.

We wrap with the latest tops in streaming to binge-watch!

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eBay Bans AI Shopping Agents + New Sony Turntables, Windows Phone Rumors & More!

Join us on Techradio as we unpack the week's biggest consumer tech headlines!

 

eBay just updated its User Agreement to explicitly ban AI-powered "buy for me" shopping agents, LLM scrapers, and automated bots — aiming to protect sellers from unfair automation, price manipulation, and inventory hoarding. What does this mean for buyers using AI tools and the future of e-commerce?

 

Plus: Rumors and revivals swirl around a "new Windows phone" from leaked Andromeda OS builds on Surface Duo to third-party projects like NexPhone running Windows 11 on mobile hardware. Is Microsoft dipping back into phones?

 

Sony jumps back into affordable hi-fi with two new wireless turntables: the PS-LX3BT (entry-level successor to the popular PS-LX310BT) and the more premium PS-LX5BT — perfect for newcomers and audiophiles craving easy Bluetooth vinyl playback.

 

Practical tips: How to recover accounts if you lose your phone, creative new uses for old smartwatches, and how to scrub your personal info from Google search results effectively.

 

We wrap with AI-powered ways to discover binge-worthy streaming shows and the latest tops in streaming picks!

 

Real-world tech advice you can use — subscribe and geek out with us every week!

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First 2026 Windows Fixes, CES Standouts, Verizon Outage & Solar Thermal Trade-Offs)

We break down Microsoft's first Windows 10 update of the year and the ongoing headaches from January Windows 11 patches. Are you affected?

CES 2026 may be wrapped, but which tech is still buzzing?

Plus: Verizon's $20 account credit for their recent massive outage and how to claim it, and a real-world showdown — does Waze edge out Google Maps for traffic reroutes and navigation in 2026?

We dive into the debate on the Ivanpah Solar Power Facility (on the CA-NV border) — once a celebrated concentrated solar thermal breakthrough, now controversial. Despite incinerating thousands of birds annually (early estimates ~3,500–6,000 per year from flux burns and collisions), high costs (twice that of PV solar), and natural gas reliance.

Don't miss our Tech Buy of the Week and top streaming picks to cap it off!

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Best of CES 2026: Smart Gadgets, Real Innovation, and Tech That Makes Sense

Fresh from CES 2026, we’re breaking down the best of the show, including standout products and clever innovations you may not have heard about yet. From surprising robotics to practical consumer tech, we highlight the ideas that actually make sense.

We’ll talk about Coro, a product for new moms that feels long overdue, and the Hydrostasis Geca watch that tracks hydration levels. There’s also a smoke detector designed to help rescue pets, new ways to make drinking water from air, and fast-moving sustainability efforts from Back Market and iFixit.

Plus, Gmail is getting smarter with AI, online scams are surging again, and we tackle the big question: is AI designed for kids ethical? We’ll wrap things up with what’s topping the streaming charts.

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CES Is Everywhere, Gmail Gets Flexible, and Your Phone Gets Cleaner

CES season is officially here — and yes, the inbox flood has begun. This week, we sort through the noise to highlight what really matters, including the #CES2026 Innovation Awards and the tech worth watching. We’ll also talk about a long-requested Gmail update that may finally let you change your email address (and even switch back), plus practical tips to uninstall Pixel bloatware and free up much-needed space on your iPhone or Android device. And, as always, we’ll wrap things up with what’s topping the streaming charts.

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