Apple just released iOS 18.4 and macOS 15.4 for the iPhone and Mac, respectively. Once you complete the update, you’ll see a prompt informing you that, as part of the update, the company has enabled automatic updates on your device, even if you had previously switched them off. This means that, unless you do something, Apple will start downloading and installing future software updates to your devices on its own.

To test this out, I disabled automatic updates on my iPhone and on my Mac, and then began updating to iOS 18.4 and macOS 15.4. Sure enough, once the updates were complete, Apple duly informed me that it had gone ahead and enabled automatic updates on my devices. Now, I generally don’t mind having the OS download updates automatically in the background while I go about my day, but enabling automatic installation without explicit consent is the kind of overreach that I absolutely don’t want to see.

On macOS, once an update is downloaded, you’ll see a notification that says the Mac will restart within 60 seconds to complete the update. If you’re away from your computer for a bit and miss this, you risk losing unsaved data. On my main work machine, I cannot have that happen. To Apple’s credit, you can select Only Download Automatically on the update notification to stop automatic installation (the update’s data will download to your machine but won’t install), but the button can be a bit hard to notice, and you need to go into your settings to disable getting any future updates altogether.

How to disable automatic updates (if you absolutely don’t want it)

I generally don’t recommend disabling automatic downloads for new operating system software, since these updates can also close vulnerabilities, but it’s the only option for people who wish to retain total control over their update schedule. This may be useful for those who rely on these devices for critical work, such as app developers, designers, or anyone who doesn’t have enough free space on their phone or laptop. 

To disable automatic updates on your iPhone and Mac, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates. On your iPhone, disable all three checkboxes on this page (or pick and choose for a more granular experience). On macOS, disable Download new updates when available and Install macOS updates (or, again, pick and choose).

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If you’re a Mac user who just wants the classic Microsoft Office experience without the whole subscription situation, this $42.99 deal on Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac might be worth your attention. Normally priced at $229, it’s a one-time purchase that gives you lifetime access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Teams Classic on just one Mac. That’s it—no monthly fees, renewals, or ongoing charges. You’ll get an instant email with your redemption code and download link, so you can be up and running within minutes.

This is Office 2019—not 365 or 2021. Microsoft has already ended support for Office 2019 on Mac, which means you won’t receive any more security updates or bug fixes. If you like staying fully up-to-date, this isn’t for you, but if your needs are simple—writing reports, sending email, managing budgets, making presentations—it still holds up just fine. It’s designed to work with macOS 13 through 15 and takes advantage of Mac features like Retina display support and full-screen mode. You’ll need at least 4GB of RAM and 10GB of hard disk space, so make sure your setup can handle it. Just one key step: once you install it, turn off auto-update. Otherwise, it might upgrade you to 2021, making this lifetime license pointless.

There are no frills here—just full access to the essential Office suite for a one-time price. This is a solid deal if you’re a student, freelancer, or small business owner who doesn’t need cloud syncing or the newest version every year. You won’t get ongoing support and can’t use it on multiple devices simultaneously, though you can switch devices (the license is tied to your Microsoft account, not your Mac). But for everyday productivity on a single Mac, it’s a straightforward, affordable solution—especially if you’re tired of renting your software.

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If your current Windows setup is feeling a bit outdated or you’re setting up a brand-new PC, you might want to check out this Microsoft Windows 11 Pro deal on StackSocial—you can get this single-device lifetime license for just $15, which would usually cost you $200 at the Microsoft Store. Once you buy, the redemption code and setup instructions hit your inbox instantly. That said, make sure your system is eligible before you hit purchase. This isn’t an upgrade path for unsupported PCs—it’s a fresh install for machines that meet the full list of Windows 11 Pro requirements.

Now, about the OS itself—it feels like Windows finally got a glow-up without messing with your workflow. The layout is cleaner, Snap Layouts and virtual desktops make multitasking smoother, and redocking windows actually works like you’d expect. If you’re into voice typing or just want better search across apps and docs, it delivers. Windows 11 Pro also throws in some solid pro tools like BitLocker for encryption, Hyper-V for virtualization, and even a sandbox mode for testing apps safely. You’re also getting DirectX 12 Ultimate, so your hardware can shine during gaming or graphic-heavy tasks, assuming your machine is beefy enough.

Security is another win here. Windows 11 Pro doubles down with biometric login, Smart App Control, and TPM 2.0 requirements, which makes it a tougher nut to crack. It also includes the new AI-powered Copilot and baked-in Microsoft Teams support, which might appeal to remote workers. Just a heads up, you won’t get an Office upgrade bundled in with this deal—this is strictly a Windows license. It will work alongside Office if you have a separate license, though (if you’re on a Mac using Parallels Pro). If your PC meets the specs (like a 1GHz processor, 4GB RAM, TPM 2.0, and UEFI firmware, among others), and you’ve been holding off on a full Windows upgrade, this $14.97 deal is about as straightforward and affordable as it gets. Just be sure to double-check your specs before clicking “buy.”

If you’re expecting money from T-Mobile, there’s good news: Your check should be just about on its way.

As spotted by PCMag, T-Mobile’s data breach settlement page now reports the following: “All court proceedings are now complete. The distribution of settlement payments is expected to begin April 2025.” So long as payments roll out on time, claimants can expect their checks to start shipping out sometime this month.

Why was T-Mobile sued?

These payments are tied to a class-action lawsuit from an August 2021 data breach. Hackers stole information from tens of million of current and former T-Mobile customers, including first and last names, birth dates, Social Security numbers, and driver’s license information. T-Mobile originally claimed the hackers only compromised the data of 7.8 million current customers and 40 million former customers, but customers filed the lawsuit alleging the true number was around 76 million.

While T-Mobile did not admit fault, the company did settle the suit, agreeing to a $350 million settlement payout. In addition, the company had to pay $150 million to beef up its security around customer data. The entire debacle cost T-Mobile half a billion dollars.

How much are the payments?

How much claimants actually receive from this settlement could be dependent on the amount of time and money they spent trying to fix their security issues. Claimants had to show documentation of their efforts, and could be reimbursed for both the money spent as well as an additional $25 per hour to compensate for their time—for a maximum possible payout of $25,000. Alternatively, victims could simply accept a $25 payment to put the entire case to rest. (If you lived in California at the time, that payout jumped to $100.)

Unfortunately, it’s far too late to claim a payment in this case—that deadline ended on January 23, 2023. If you made a claim, you should have been contacted in October of last year.

I’m sorry if this news is arriving too late for you to claim money from the suit. However, if you did make a claim before that 2023 deadline, your Monday probably just got a little better.

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The Kodak Printomatic Mini Instant Print Camera is about the size of a power bank, light enough to toss in your pocket, and quick to fire up when something photo-worthy happens. You snap, it prints, and you get a little sticker photo you can slap on your scrapbook, phone case, bedroom wall, or wherever you want. There are no cables, ink cartridges, or waiting for an app to sync—you can just point, shoot, and print, and it’s on sale for $59.99 on StackSocial right now. It’s obviously more of a playful gift or party gadget than something you’d use for serious photography, but if you want to instantly hand out memories, especially to kids or during events, it does the job with minimal effort and no mess.

As mentioned, this isn’t a camera you buy for image quality. It maxes out at 5MP, so the photos are more for fun than for framing. The 2×3-inch prints come out smudge-proof and water-resistant, though, thanks to its Zero Ink tech—Kodak ZINK photo paper—which eliminates the need for ink cartridges. You won’t get film-like depth or editing options here. There’s a wide-angle 8mm lens with an f/2 aperture and an automatic flash that kicks in when lighting is trash, but you’re not shooting your next short film on this thing. Still, you can keep taking photos while it prints in the background, making it a decent companion for chaotic birthdays or travel days when you’re hopping from one view to the next.

As for the fine print, it doesn’t come with a charging cable, which is an odd omission considering it uses a built-in rechargeable battery and charges via MicroUSB. And while it comes with a small starter pack of ZINK paper, if you plan to go full scrapbook mode, you’ll want to stock up. You’ll also need to have a microSD card separately if you want to save your photos digitally. There’s no screen—just a basic viewfinder—and no real control over how your images turn out. But for people who just want to point, shoot, and print something instantly, it nails that simple joy.

(ATLANTIC, IA, March 31, 2025) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will release obligated funding under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) for 543 projects totaling $537 million in 29 states.