Get it in 60 seconds
Short, plain English answers to the questions everyone is asking about AI, crypto, gadgets and tech.
All explainers
A large language model is an AI system trained on huge amounts of text to predict the next word in a sequence. That simple skill, at scale, lets it answer questions, write, summarize and translate. It does not look facts up by default, so it can sound confident and still be wrong.
More AI stories →A passkey replaces a password with a secure key stored on your device, unlocked with your fingerprint, face or PIN. It cannot be phished or reused on another site, which makes it much safer than a password.
More Tech stories →Matter is a shared standard that lets smart home devices from different brands work with Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home. A Matter label means the device should keep working if you switch platforms.
More Gadgets stories →A blockchain is a shared record of transactions kept by many computers at once. New entries are added in blocks and linked to earlier ones, which makes past records very hard to change without everyone noticing.
More Crypto stories →A zero day is a software flaw that attackers exploit before the maker has released a fix. When a patch arrives, install it quickly, because attackers often move faster once the flaw is public.
More Tech stories →Chatbots generate the most likely sounding answer, not a verified one. When they lack information they can produce plausible but false details, often called hallucinations. Asking for sources and checking them yourself is the best protection.
More AI stories →A recovery phrase is a list of 12 or 24 words that can restore a crypto wallet. Anyone who has it can take your funds, so keep it offline and never share it, even with someone who claims to be support.
More Crypto stories →Look for at least five years of security updates from the date the model launched. Many flagship phones now promise five to seven years. Once updates stop, the phone becomes riskier to use for banking and email.
More Gadgets stories →Yes, owning and trading crypto is legal in the US. It is regulated in different ways by agencies such as the SEC, CFTC and Treasury, and gains are generally taxable. Rules continue to change, so check current guidance.
More Crypto stories →A chatbot answers in conversation. An agent can also take actions, such as browsing, filling in forms or running code, across several steps. Agents save more time but need tighter limits and human approval for anything important.
More AI stories →Reader poll
You have to give one up for a whole month. Which goes?
Plain English guides
How to spot fake social media accounts and impersonation scams
Fake profiles copy real people, brands and support teams to steal money and logins. Here are the warning signs and what to do when you find one.
Social media privacy checkup: the settings to change on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X
A short privacy checkup on each app limits who can see your posts, find your profile and use your data. Here are the settings worth changing first.
How to find and cancel forgotten subscriptions on Apple, Google and Amazon
Small monthly charges add up. Here is how to find every subscription billed through your phone, app store or Amazon account and cancel the ones you no longer use.
How to download your data from Google, Apple, Meta and Amazon
Big Tech companies let you request a copy of what they hold about you. Here is where to find each tool, what you get back and how to keep the file safe.