Good morning! We've got three things worth your few minutes today.
In today's issue: a heads-up about a change coming to Google's free Gemini assistant, a free privacy quiz from AARP, and a handy new map trick in the Gemini app.
Let's get started.
NEWS
A Free Quiz Can Tell You What's Safe to Share With a Chatbot
A new survey from AARP's Senior Planet program found that 93% of older adults aren't sure how to protect their personal information online. Even more surprising: 70% said they don't know what's safe to share with an AI chatbot like ChatGPT or Gemini, and what should stay private.
AARP and Senior Planet just launched some free tools to help. There's a short “Privacy Personality Quiz” that looks at your current habits and suggests simple next steps. There's also a separate “AI Safety Quiz” that walks through exactly what you should never type into a chatbot — things like your Social Security number, medical details, or passwords.
Takeaway: If you've ever wondered whether it's safe to ask a chatbot a personal question, you're far from alone — AARP's free quizzes at seniorplanet.org/privacy can give you a clear answer in just a few minutes.
— AARP
NEWS
Heads Up: Free Gemini Is About to Get a Little Less Sharp
If you use the free version of Google's AI assistant Gemini — on your phone, in a web browser, or through Gmail — you may notice it acting a little less sharp starting October 9, 2026. Google is changing which “engine” (what's called an AI model) powers each account level. Free accounts will be limited to a lighter, faster model called Flash-Lite, and will lose access to the more capable Flash and Pro versions they have now.
In plain terms: Gemini will still work, and it's still free. But it may give shorter, simpler answers, and struggle more with longer or more complicated requests — like drafting a detailed letter or working through a multi-step question — than it did before. Even people who pay for Google's “AI Plus” plan are losing access to the top-tier Pro model, though they keep more options than free users do.
Takeaway: If Gemini suddenly feels less helpful after October 9th, that's not a glitch on your end — it's a deliberate change by Google. Try asking shorter, more specific questions if you notice a difference.
TRY THIS
Ask Gemini About a Place by Tapping a Map
Google's free Gemini app (for iPhone and Android) just added a simple new way to get information about a specific place, without typing out an address. Open the Gemini app and tap the small map icon near the bottom of the screen, next to the icons for photos and your camera. A map pops up centered on your location — you can pinch to zoom in or out, or search for a different spot — then tap “Explore this area.”
Once you've picked a spot, Gemini adds it to your question so you can type the rest of what you want to know, such as “What's a good walking loop here?” or “Is there a pharmacy within a few blocks?” It's a handy shortcut for trip planning, finding nearby services, or getting quick answers about a neighborhood you don't know well.
Takeaway: Next time you need information about a specific location, try tapping the map icon in the Gemini app and circling the spot instead of typing out an address.
Until tomorrow,
EZ AI