Sometimes the help you need doesn’t fit in one of the pre-recorded number dial options, and speaking with a human on the other line is really what you need. With Best Buy’s Black Friday in July sale on the horizon, many shoppers will likely need some assistance. I have found that it’s easy to get a hold of someone in customer service to help you—here is the easiest way to do so.

How to speak to a Best Buy customer service representative

Best Buy’s Contact Us page has a lot of different options that will make your head spin, but if you just need to talk to someone ASAP, call 1-888-BEST BUY (1-888-237-8289). When the recording picks up, say “speak with a live agent” or press “0.” You’ll have to narrow down your reason why you’re calling to get to speak to someone, or Best Buy will hang up on you. This will be the fastest way to speak with someone who can answer most of your account questions.

Of course, if your question does fall under one of the pre-recorded options, it’s better to be directed to one of those specialists after dialing “0.” The Contact Us page also has a useful “Chat now” option if you prefer to chat online with a live agent.

Hideo Kojima’s latest package delivery/tar-based afterlife simulator is finally out today. It’s also a massive download, like most AAA games these days. If you’re impatient, or just want to be a bit more considerate of other people on your network, don’t forget that your router can (probably) give your console a bit of a boost.

Most wifi routers—including our picks for the best Wi-Fi 6 routers and best mesh wifi systems—have features that let you prioritize certain devices on your network. Under normal circumstances, your router tries to make sure every device has a roughly equal chance at a solid connection, but by prioritizing certain devices, your router can favor them with faster downloads or more reliable connections.

This is handy when you’re downloading a huge game on a console, since your download speed won’t slow down when someone else starts streaming a movie. Conversely, if you’re more patient, you can use this feature to prioritize your TV so your streams don’t get interrupted while your console chugs away downloading all that data.

The process for enabling this feature varies by model, but if you have an app to control your routers, you can usually find it in this app’s settings. For example, I use a Nest Wifi Pro router. In the Google Home app, you can tap Wifi > Devices, then search for the device you want to prioritize and set it to receive priority for a short duration.

Some routers also allow you to prioritize certain types of traffic, rather than specific devices. In Eero’s app, for example, head to Settings > Network settings, and choose Smart Queue Management (or SQM). This feature lets you prioritize traffic for online gaming, video streaming, or conference calls. If you want to make sure that meeting with your boss doesn’t degrade because of the game you’re planning to play as soon as the call is done, this can be a handy trick.

Meta, the company that owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has been adding more and more AI features into its apps as of late, whether you asked for them or not. WhatsApp in particular has received a lot of Meta’s AI attention in recent times, with the addition of a dedicated Meta AI button in the app and the search bar doubling as a place to ask Meta AI to generate text, advice, or jokes. The company continues to push AI into the heart of WhatsApp, as it’s now added an optional feature that lets you summarize your conversations in the app. 

WhatsApp calls this feature Message Summaries, and it’s currently rolling out in the U.S. in English. Once it rolls out to you, you’ll be able to access it via a Summarize privately button at the top of your chat. The company says it’s designed to help you catch up with tons of messages without reading every single one of them.

In theory, this is a good idea. If you’re a part of group chats, you’ll know that some of them can absolutely spiral out of control. I’m a part of a few such groups, where people post non-stop during Apple events, sports games, or when we want to discuss a fun topic. There have been times when I’ve woken up to hundreds of unread texts, and I don’t always have the time or energy to go through each of these messages myself. For times like these, WhatsApp’s AI summaries could help.

In practice though, there are some legitimate accuracy and privacy concerns here. First, as with all AI, there’s always the risk of hallucination, so you might have to double check your summaries anyway. On the privacy front, while WhatsApp is famously end-to-end encrypted, Meta’s AI features so far haven’t had the same level of security. Given the company’s long history of collecting user data, as well as surprises like the recent move to bring ads to WhatsApp, it’s natural to be skeptical.

For what it’s worth, though, Meta says that the Message Summaries feature does not allow it or WhatsApp to see your messages or the summaries Meta AI generates. “Message Summaries uses Private Processing technology, which allows Meta AI to generate a response without Meta or WhatsApp ever seeing your messages or the private summaries. No one else in the chat can see that you summarized unread messages either,” the company says in its blog post announcing this feature. You can read more about how Private Processing works in Meta’s engineering blog and technical whitepaper. 

It’s also worth noting that the feature is not enabled by default. Unfortunately, it also doesn’t seem to be processed on-device, which would have been even better for your privacy since it would mean that no information leaves your phone, but also would have limited the feature to devices powerful enough to run it.

Still, I’ll be skeptical until I can actually try this myself. If you’re like me, you do have options. You can stop anyone from using Meta AI in your WhatsApp chats with them by tapping the name of the contact or group, selecting Advanced Chat Privacy, and enabling Advanced Chat Privacy. Unfortunately, though, you have to manually do this for every single chat—there’s no easy way to disable Meta AI entirely.

While Message Summaries for WhatsApp is already rolling out in English to the U.S., Meta says it’ll be made available to users in other countries starting later this year. 

In December of last year, the FTC issued a first round of payments in a 2022 settlement that required Fortnite maker Epic Games to refund $245 million to players. Now, the Commission is re-opening claims, with $126 million up for grabs. Even if you have to split that, the average sum for each impacted user in the last round of payments was $114, so this isn’t small potatoes. Here’s how to get your piece of the pie.

What did Epic Games do?

First, some history. Essentially, this all comes down to confusing UI. In 2022, after a legal battle with the Federal Trade Commission, Epic Games agreed to pay a total of $520 million in relief for an alleged violation of COPPA, or the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. The FTC accused the company of using “dark patterns” to trick users, especially children, into buying unwanted in-game items. These included button placements that might cause a user to accidentally buy an item they only intended to preview, or to accidentally click a hidden buy button while the game was loading. As a result, Epic agreed to adjust the game’s design to address these issues, as well as pay $275 million in penalties and $245 in refunds to players. It’s that latter sum that we’re concerned with today.

Who is eligible for a payment?

Even if you don’t play Fortnite yourself, you could be eligible for a payment. According to the FTC, any of the following groups of people can file a claim for their share of the settlement:

• If you were charged in-game Fortnite currency for items you didn’t want between January 2017 and September 2022.

• If your child made Fortnite charges for you without your knowledge between January 2017 and September 2022.

• If your Fortnite account was locked between January 2017 and September 2022 following a complaint about wrongful charges.

Do I need to file a claim?

If you have not yet filed a claim, now is your chance. However, if you already filed before the previous deadline of February 14, no action is required on your part. Alongside opening up space for new claims, the FTC also announced that its second round of payments is already underway, with just under 970,000 checks or digital payments currently heading out to those who already filed a valid claim.

How do I file a claim?

To file a claim for the next round of payments, simply visit this page on the FTC site and click the Apply for a Refund button before the new deadline of July 9. You’ll need to be over 18 and supply your claim number or Epic Account ID, and then simply fill out if you would like to be paid via check or Paypal. If you already field a claim following the prior cutoff of Feb. 14, you don’t need to do anything right now—that claim will be applied to the next round of payments automatically. If you’re under 18, the FTC says a parent or guardian can file a claim on your behalf.

When can I expect my payment?

The FTC says the next round of payments should go out in 2026, after the Commission has reviewed and validated all claims. Checks will need to be cashed within 90 days, while PayPal payments will need to be accepted within 30 days.

Any questions can be sent to admin@fortniterefund.com or asked directly via 1-833-915-0880.

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The back-to-school summer shopping season is upon us, with major retailer sales like Prime Day rolling in, including Target’s Circle Week sale. If you’re here, you’ve likely had a hard time trying to get hold of someone with a conscience on the other line. It’s not easy, but here is the best way I found to get a real customer service representative from Target on the phone.

The best phone number for Target’s customer service department

If you Google Target’s customer service number, the first number you’ll see at the top of the search result is 1-800-440-0680. However, it’s hard or even impossible to reach a real person using that number. However, in my experience, if you call 1-800-591-3869, you can eventually reach a customer service agent.

If Target recognizes your phone number

The pre-recorded message will automatically pull up your last order from Target.com and ask if you need help with it. Regardless of why you’re calling, press 1 to confirm you need help with it. You’ll be given additional options to narrow down the reason for your call, but if you don’t select an option, Target will automatically connect you with a live agent on the phone who can help you with anything related to your account.

If Target doesn’t recognize your phone number

If your phone number isn’t automatically linked to your account, you’ll want to press 1 to enter your phone number. Once you do, Target will connect you with someone who will verify your information and send you an email verification. Once you finish that, that person will be able to help you answer questions regarding your account.

Unlike Amazon, there is no call-back service provided by Target, so calling yourself is the quickest way to get a hold of a real person.

This week, Google sent an email to some Gemini users outlining changes in how the AI chatbot will interact with other Android apps, including Phone, Messages, WhatsApp, and Utilities. Initially, the message was interpreted to mean that Gemini would potentially have more access to user data, but it turns out the update may not actually threaten privacy—and could in fact be an improvement.

What’s changing with Gemini app permissions

The email states that Gemini will be able to “help you use” the above apps regardless of whether Gemini Apps Activity is enabled, though users can turn these features off in the Apps setting page. The update is set to roll out automatically beginning on July 7.

When Gemini Apps Activity is on, Google stores your Gemini history, including conversations with Gems and Gemini Live chats, in your Google account. Previously, if this setting was disabled, you weren’t able to use Messages, Phone, Utilities, or WhatsApp extensions in Gemini, meaning you had to allow Google to save and store your conversations if you wanted to take advantage of AI features.

The update appears to allow you to access Gemini’s functionality in these apps even if you have Gemini Apps Activity turned off, so you don’t lose anything by declining to have your chats stored and used in various ways.

It makes sense to have concerns about what engaging with AI means for your privacy. Earlier this month, we covered the nightmare that is Meta AI’s default data privacy settings, and we already know that your chatbot interactions are used not only to train and improve the models but may also be reviewed by humans. It’s also unlikely most users are actually reading privacy policies or digging through settings to ensure their data isn’t being scraped, stored, or shared in ways they may not consent to if they were. But this update doesn’t appear to further compromise your privacy and data security when using Gemini.

How to disable Gemini Apps Activity

Gemini Apps Activity is enabled by default for users over 18. You can turn it off in the Gemini app by tapping your profile picture or initial followed by Gemini Apps Activity > Turn off > Turn off or Turn off and delete activity. Note that Google still stores your Gemini interactions on its servers for up to 72 hours when Gemini Apps Activity is off, but the activity won’t appear in your account.

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Samsung has confirmed that its event, Galaxy Unpacked July 2025, will take place on July 9. (An interesting choice to do it during Prime Day.) The event will focus on its new foldable phones, including the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7, both of which you can pre-order now.

People who pre-register and end up buying one of the phones will get a $50 credit, which you can use on accessories like cases or screen protectors on Samsung.com or in the Shop Samsung App.

Samsung is also offering up to $1,150 in trade-in credits when you turn in a qualifying device through the Samsung Trade-In Program. You’ll be able to then use that credit towards your purchase of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 or Z Flip 7.

Both of these deals are temporary, with no details on when they will end. Keep in mind that by putting your name down right now, you’re not committing yourself to buying the phones; you’re just placing a reservation to pre-order the phones later, so you can always back out. If you’re sure you’ll be buying one of these phones, it’s better to put your name down rather than wait for the release. The process also automatically enters you into a $5,000 Samsung credit sweepstakes.

Samsung will then send you an email with information on how to redeem the deal during the pre-order window. There is no need to put any credit card information down when you sign up.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Samsung also ends up offering a free upgrade to the next tier of storage (probably 512GB) along with the pre-order, once it’s available. There will most likely be competing offers from Amazon and phone carriers, but again, you lose nothing by signing up for this one.

The end of Windows 10 support is just a few months away, but Microsoft is giving users who can’t (or don’t want to) let go of Windows 10 more options to receive security updates for an additional year. The company is cutting off most support for the older operating system on October 14, 2025, pushing users toward Windows 11.

One of the risks of not upgrading to Windows 11 by the deadline is that your device won’t be protected against viruses and hackers—unless you take advantage of one of the free or paid options to enroll in Extended Security Updates (ESU).

Note that Microsoft has also extended support for Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 through October 10, 2028.

How to get Windows 10 Extended Security Updates

Windows 10 users were already able to pay $30 for a year ESU coverage, which you can still do, but Microsoft is now offering two additional options to protect your device at no cost. You can either opt into Windows Backup to sync your settings to the cloud or redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, which are accrued when you purchase or otherwise engage with Microsoft services, including Bing. Note that both of these “free” alternatives require you to have (or sign up for) a Microsoft account.

If you’re still on Windows 10, you’ll receive a push notification about the program, or you can find the enrollment wizard in your Settings app. Enrollment is already open in the Windows Insider Program, and Microsoft plans to roll it out for Windows 10 customers in July, with availability to all by mid-August.

The extended coverage will last until October 13, 2026, with critical security updates delivered on a monthly basis. Note that ESU does not include new features, non-security updates, design change requests, or tech support.