Good morning! Today we've got one heads-up about a feature that isn't out yet but is worth knowing about, plus two simple tricks you can try on your phone today.
In today's issue: what to know before letting an AI assistant into your files, how to ask your iPhone about anything confusing on your screen, and a free way to talk to ChatGPT over a regular phone call.
Let's get started.
STAYING SAFE
What to Know Before You Let an AI Assistant Into Your Files
Testers recently discovered a hidden setting being built into Gemini, Google's AI assistant, for Mac computers. It's called "Full Access," and it hasn't been released to the public yet — Google hasn't announced it; researchers just noticed it sitting unfinished inside a recent version of the app.
Here's why it's worth knowing about: if this setting is ever turned on, it would let Gemini read, open, change, or even delete files anywhere on your computer — not just the files you've specifically shared with it. It could also act inside other programs, like your email or web browser, without asking your permission each time. Google says it would still ask you to confirm before anything big, like making a purchase or sending money, but security researchers point out that an AI assistant with that much access becomes a much more attractive target for scammers and hackers.
Takeaway: There's nothing to do about this specific feature today — it isn't out yet. But it's a good reminder for any AI app: before you tap "Allow" on a request for broad access to your files or accounts, take a moment to read what you're actually agreeing to.
TRY THIS
How to Ask Your iPhone What's on Your Screen
If you've ever stared at a confusing screen on your iPhone — an email, a form, a photo someone sent you — and wished you could just ask someone "what is this?", there's a free Apple feature for that. It's called Visual Intelligence, and it works through Siri.
Here's how to use it: take a screenshot of whatever's confusing you (press the side button and the volume-up button at the same time, then let go). When the screenshot preview pops up, circle or scribble your finger over the part you have a question about, tap the "Ask" button that appears, type your question — something like "What is this?" or "Is this a real company?" — and tap send. Siri will give you an answer in a few seconds.
This feature needs a fairly recent iPhone: the iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 or newer, running iOS 26 or later. If your phone is more than about two years old, it may not have this option yet — and that's fine, it just means this particular trick isn't available to you right now.
Takeaway: Next time something on your iPhone screen confuses you, try taking a screenshot, circling the confusing part, and asking Siri about it — it's free and built right in on newer iPhones.
TRY THIS
You Can Talk to ChatGPT by Dialing a Regular Phone Number
ChatGPT is a free AI chatbot made by a company called OpenAI — normally you'd type to it on a computer or phone app. But you don't actually need an app, an account, or even a smartphone to try it. You can just call it, the same way you'd call a person.
Dial 1-800-242-8478 (that spells out 1-800-CHATGPT) from any phone — a cell phone or a regular landline — and you'll be talking with ChatGPT out loud. You get up to 30 minutes free per month in the US and Canada. It's useful for things like asking a question you're curious about, getting something explained in plain language, or getting quick translation help if you're talking with someone who speaks a different language.
A couple of things to know: your regular phone company's call charges still apply as normal (this isn't a toll-free trick, just a normal phone call), and OpenAI describes this as a newer, still-evolving service, so exactly how it works could change over time.
Takeaway: If you'd rather talk than type, you can call 1-800-242-8478 from any phone and have a spoken conversation with ChatGPT for free, up to 30 minutes a month.
Until tomorrow,
EZ AI