LITS bits:
This week, Matt and Griff uncover the hidden superpowers of everyday technology. Discover how millions of Android phones are now part of a crowdsourced earthquake alert system, giving people precious minutes to find safety. We also track the surprising surge of Linux on desktops as it challenges Windows and macOS. Then, we dive deep into AI: Microsoft Edge introduces a personal "Copilot" to be your browser butler, while ChatGPT gets a new "Study Mode" designed to teach, not just tell. But is AI also making us talk differently? And we expose a critical new security vulnerability where hackers are hiding malware in a place you'd never expect: DNS records.
Have a listen and find details about each topic below:
Android Phones: Now a Global Earthquake Warning System
If your Android phone recently buzzed with a strange message warning you about an earthquake, you're not alone and not imagining things.
Google’s Android Earthquake Alert System (AEA) has been active in the U.S. since 2020 and expanded globally. The system transforms Android phones into mini seismographs, using built-in accelerometers to detect tremors in real time.
- Over 1,279 earthquake events have been detected so far, with only three false positives reported.
- Because it’s built into most Android phones by default, AEA helps feed data into larger early-warning networks used by emergency services.
This is a prime example of crowd-powered tech doing real-world good.
Linux: The Little Penguin That Could
Linux just crossed the 5% market share mark on U.S. desktops—a milestone that’s been years in the making. Analysts expect this number to climb to 7% by 2027.
What’s driving this quiet revolution?
- Privacy concerns, cost savings, and customization.
- User-friendly Linux distributions like Ubuntu and Fedora are making open-source more approachable.
- Linux is still king on servers, commanding a 63% global share.
Tech providers: It's time to make sure your tools and software speak fluent Linux.
Gmail’s ‘Manage Subscriptions’ Tackles Inbox Overload
Struggling with 100+ emails a day? Gmail feels your pain.
The new “Manage Subscriptions” feature gives users a simple way to view and opt out of unwanted email lists, without having to dig through each message.
While marketers may worry about increased unsubscribes, this tool may reduce spam complaints and improve engagement quality overall.
Smarter inboxes = better email marketing for everyone.
Microsoft Edge Introduces ‘Copilot Mode’
Microsoft’s browser is stepping into AI territory with Copilot Mode in Edge.
- This opt-in feature offers contextual help, predictions, and productivity suggestions while browsing.
- Available to Mac and PC users with access to Microsoft Copilot.
- Great for multitaskers—but keep an eye on privacy tradeoffs.
It’s like having a helpful assistant living inside your browser tab.
ChatGPT and Google: A Curious Dependency
A new experiment reveals how ChatGPT may rely on Google search results for some of its answers.
- A researcher created a hidden web page and tracked when ChatGPT could access it.
- ChatGPT couldn’t retrieve the content until the page was indexed and visible in Google search results.
- Even after Bing indexed it, ChatGPT still pulled snippets primarily from Google.
This sheds light on how traditional SEO still influences AI outputs—and how tools like Gemini may differ in data access.
ChatGPT’s New Study Mode: Less Answers, More Understanding
OpenAI aims to shift how students interact with AI with the launch of Study Mode for ChatGPT.
- Instead of giving direct answers, Study Mode guides users with Socratic questioning, knowledge checks, and incremental learning.
- Built in collaboration with educators, it’s designed to encourage critical thinking, not just copy-paste homework help.
Think of it as a personal tutor that doesn’t get tired, or just hand you the answers.
Are We Talking Like ChatGPT Now?
A study on language trends reveals that people are beginning to mirror LLM-style language in everyday conversations, thanks to exposure to AI.
- Researchers tracked a rise in words like “delve” and “meticulous” in podcasts and YouTube content.
- These words are commonly used by language models, suggesting AI is influencing spoken English.
We may not all be using ChatGPT, but some of us are starting to sound like we do.
DNS Malware: The Internet’s Hidden Backdoor
Hackers are getting more creative, now using DNS records to hide and distribute malware.
- Malicious code is stored in DNS TXT records and then reassembled on the target machine.
- Encrypted DNS (like DoH and DoT) makes detection even more challenging.
- Some attacks even involve prompt injection techniques targeting AI chatbots.
It’s a reminder that even the most mundane parts of the internet can be exploited.
Final Thoughts:
Whether it’s your inbox, operating system, or digital assistant, tech is shifting faster than ever, often in ways that impact your daily life more than you realize. Stay informed, stay skeptical, and stay curious.
Enjoyed what you heard? We release a new episode every two weeks, so be sure to come back for the next one!