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10 cool AirPods features you probably didn't know about

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10 cool AirPods features you probably didn't know about

When AirPods first hit the scene in 2016, they revolutionized the way we listen to music on the go. 

Not only did they seamlessly integrate with the Apple ecosystem, but some models also delivered sound quality and noise-canceling capabilities that gave traditional audio brands a run for their money. 

But what really sets AirPods apart is the array of innovative features that go way beyond what you’d expect from typical earbuds, features that might just surprise you.

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A woman wearing AirPods (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Top 10 hidden features of AirPods

Below are features that you may or may not know about to take your AirPods experience to the next level. The features below are for original, second-generation and first-generation AirPods Pro.

Apple Watch and AirPods (Apple)

1. Go hands-free and pair your AirPods with your Apple Watch

If you want to use your AirPods but don’t want to lug around the extra weight of your iPhone, you can use your AirPods with your Apple Watch. In order to get your AirPods set up to use with your Apple Watch:

  • Go to your Apple Watch
  • Press the crown on the right side of your Apple Watch
  • Tap Settings
  • Scroll down to Bluetooth and tap it
  • The watch is now searching for your AirPods
  • Grab your AirPods and lift the lid. Press and hold the button at the back of the case. This will put the AirPods in discoverable mode
  • Tap where it says AirPods are not paired on your Apple Watch. It should now say connected

2. Use your AirPods as a microphone

When recording audio (e.g., Voice Memos, calls) or using voice-enabled apps, you can prioritize specific AirPods as the microphone. To turn on this feature:

  • Go to settings on your iPhone
  • Click Bluetooth
  • Under My Devices, tap the (i) info icon next to your AirPods
  • Select Microphone
  • Select Automatically Switch AirPods (default), Always Left AirPod or Always Right AirPod

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Control panel on iPhone (Apple)

3. Share Audio with someone else

With iOS 13.1 or later (required for full functionality), you can temporarily share audio from your iPhone to two sets of AirPods or Beats headphones with H1, H2 or W1 chips (e.g., AirPods Pro). Both devices must be iPhone 8 or later, iPad Pro 2nd Gen or newer, iPad Air 3rd Gen or later or iPad mini 5th Gen or later.

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  • Wear your AirPods (connected to your iPhone) and start playing audio (optional but recommended for visibility)
  • Open Control Center
  • Tap the AirPlay icon (triangle with circles)
  • Select Share Audio
  • Bring the other person’s headphones near your iPhone and place AirPods in their case
  • Open the lid
  • Hold the pairing button until the prompt appears
  • If undetected, ensure their headphones are in pairing mode (Hold case button)
  • Select their headphones from the Share Audio menu
  • The friend may need to tap Join on their device if sharing via iPhone proximity
  • Adjust volumes separately via Control Center’s volume slider

4. Find your lost AirPods

The challenge of wireless earbuds is how easy it is to misplace or lose them or the case they are housed in. Apple has provided an easy way to help you keep track of both your case and AirPods with the “Find My” feature. To use this feature to find your AirPods or case:

  • Open the Find My app on your iPhone
  • Select the Devices tab
  • Choose your AirPods. Under each device, you see a location or “No location found”
  • If you think your AirPods are near you, click Play Sound

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5. Announce callers

Instead of fumbling to find your phone to find out who is calling you, you can have your AirPods announce who is calling you. To turn on this feature:

  • Go to Settings on your iPhone
  • Tap on Apps
  • Tap Phone
  • Tap Announce Calls
  • Select Headphones Only

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6. Customize controls on your AirPods

Most users know that double-pressing the AirPods stems once or twice plays or pauses whatever audio you’re listening to or answers a call. You can, however, customize AirPods settings to provide a different function. If you want to customize each stem to do something else:

  • Go to Settings on your iPhone
  • Tap your AirPods
  • Under Press and Hold AirPods, select Left or Right and choose what happens when you double-press that AirPod: Noise Control, Siri, Answer Call, Mute & Unmute or End Call

Steps to customize controls on AirPods (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

7. Find out what the different colored lights mean

The status light on your AirPods case uses colors and flashing patterns to indicate battery levels, charging status and pairing states. Location varies by model (front for AirPods Pro/3/4/Wireless cases; inside for Lightning cases on AirPods 1/2).

Steady lights

  • Green (AirPods in case, lid open): Both AirPods and case are fully charged
  • Green (AirPods out of case, lid open): The case alone is fully charged
  • Amber/Orange (AirPods in case, lid open): AirPods are currently charging (not yet full)
  • Amber/Orange (AirPods out of case, lid open): Case has less than one full charge (not necessarily “one charge left”)

Flashing lights

  • Flashing White: AirPods are in pairing mode (ready for setup)
  • Flashing Amber/Orange: Indicates a pairing error requiring a reset, not just re-setup
  • No Light: Case or AirPods are completely drained

Charging behavior

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  • Plugged in/Wireless charging: Amber = actively charging; Green = fully charged
  • Optimized Charging (Pro/3/4): Pauses charging at 80% if enabled (SettingsBluetoothAirPods)

8. Use AirPods as a hearing aid

One of the most impressive features of AirPods is the ability to turn your iPhone into a remote listening device and AirPods into hearing aids. If you’re in a loud environment and can’t hear the person standing next to you, you can place the iPhone near the person you want to hear and the iPhone microphone will transmit whatever they say to the AirPods connected to the iPhone, making it easier for you to hear them. To enable this feature:

  • Open the Control Center on your iPhone (usually accessed by swiping down on your phone’s screen)
  • Tap the Hearing icon
  • Tap Live Listen
  • Place the iPhone near the sound source (works up to 50 feet)

Step to use AirPods as a hearing aid (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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9. Reach Siri without pulling out your phone

Most AirPods let you access Siri hands-free when connected to an Apple device with Siri enabled. If your hands are full, or you don’t want to use your iPhone, just say, “Hey, Siri,” to send texts, check battery life, skip songs, set timers and more. Note: On AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4, you can also just say “Siri” without needing to say “Hey, Siri.” To use Siri with AirPods:

  • Make sure Siri is enabled on your device (Settings > Siri)
  • With AirPods in your ears, say “Hey Siri” (or just “Siri” on supported models)
  • You can also activate Siri by pressing or tapping your AirPods (double-tappress-and-hold or Digital Crown (depending on model)

10. Answer or decline calls without making a sound or pressing a button

You can answer or decline calls without saying a word or pressing any buttons by using the Head Gestures feature with your AirPods. When this feature is on, you can nod your head up and down or shake it side to side to accept or decline calls while wearing your AirPods. To enable Head Gestures once your AirPods are connected to your iPhone:

  • Go to Settings
  • Tap your AirPods name at the top
  • Tap Head Gestures
  • Toggle Head Gestures on
  • Choose your preferred motion for Accept/Reply (Up and Down or Side to Side)
  • Choose your preferred motion for Decline/Dismiss (Up and Down or Side to Side)

Now, when you get a call, Siri will announce the caller, and you can nod to answer or shake your head to decline without touching your phone or AirPods.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Apple has truly revolutionized the wireless listening experience with AirPods. Not only does it elevate your experience seamlessly within the Apple ecosystem, but it also makes your life better with plenty of hidden features. Whether you want to hear others more clearly or simply make your life easier, AirPods include an incredible number of features that pack a punch.

Have you explored all these hidden features of AirPods? Which hidden features are your favorites? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Technology

Bluesky is getting ‘communities’

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Bluesky is getting ‘communities’

Bluesky will be getting “communities,” which will function as smaller spaces where you can “go deeper and hang out with people who care about the same stuff” sometime this year, according to head of product Alex Benzer. They will be built on the decentralized AT Protocol that underpins Bluesky, with Benzer saying that “it’s a new structure for everyone” that’s part of the “Atmosphere” (a shorthand for the AT Protocol ecosystem).

Benzer listed out a “few ideas we have in mind so far” in a thread. “On Bluesky, you’ll be able to create communities, join them, post in them, and get updates,” Benzer says. “The core features on Bluesky stay simple. The magic comes from communities also existing on the open web. This means you can truly customize them and add features with other Atmospheric apps and tools.”

Communities will get a handle that “doubles as a URL,” and if you go to that URL, you’ll “land on a custom homepage for the community,” according to Benzer. “Builders can also host a completely custom experience there instead.” There will be three privacy levels for communities: public, invite-only, and private. And each community would have its own feed, Benzer says.

Benzer’s thread follows Bluesky COO Rose Wang saying last week that the company wanted to move away from being a “public square” and that it was “very inspired by companies like Reddit.” Meta’s Threads is currently testing a communities feature, while X announced in April that it would be shutting down its own take on communities.

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Do not click fake ‘account recovery’ Amazon email

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Do not click fake ‘account recovery’ Amazon email

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Amazon is getting ready for Prime Day, and you can bet scammers are, too. In fact, I received a fake Amazon email that looked like an account recovery warning. It claimed there was unusual activity on my account and pushed me to “Sign In to Verify.”

That kind of message can make anyone uneasy. It certainly did for me. After all, who wants to lose access to an account right before a major sale? Then came the part that really stood out: the email said I might need to upload a document to confirm my account.

That was the giveaway. A real deal can save you money. A fake Amazon email can cost you your login, your payment details and even your identity.

Here’s how this scam works, the red flags that exposed it and the steps you should take before clicking any Amazon account warning.

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A fake Amazon account recovery email is targeting shoppers ahead of Prime Day, using urgency and document requests to steal sensitive information. (Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

 

Fake Amazon email warning before Prime Day

The timing made this phishing email more convincing. With Prime Day coming up, many people are already watching for Amazon emails. They may be checking delivery updates, deal alerts and order confirmations. That creates the perfect opening for a fake account warning.

The email used the same tricks you see in many phishing scams. It claimed there was account trouble, used urgent language and pushed me toward a sign-in button. That is exactly what scammers want.

Screenshot of scam fake Amazon email (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

They want you to react before you inspect the message. They want you to sign in before you think through the request. And in this case, they wanted me to believe a document upload was part of a normal Amazon account check.

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Amazon phishing scam red flags

This fake Amazon email had several warning signs. First, it landed in my junk folder. That alone does not prove fraud, but it should make you cautious.

Second, the subject line sounded awkward. It said, “Account Recovery: Sign-in and Verify your Amazon account.” That wording felt stiff and a little off.

Third, the greeting was generic. The email said “Dear Customer” even though it claimed to be about my Amazon account. That alone does not prove the email is fake, but it adds to the concern.

Fourth, the message created urgency. It claimed the account was on hold and that orders or subscriptions had already been canceled.

Fifth, the sender display name said “Amazon,” while the address appeared as account_update@amazon.com. That may look official at first. Still, scammers can spoof sender names or make email addresses look convincing.

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Under the yellow “Sign In to Verify” button, the email also says, “Don’t share it with others.” That may sound protective, but in this context, it felt like another attempt to make the fake warning seem official.

The biggest warning sign came from the document request. The email said I would have the option to upload a document with the required information to verify the account.

That should stop you cold. Scammers may be after more than your Amazon password. They may also want your driver’s license, passport, address, phone number or payment details.

Screenshot of fake Amazon email sender address (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Why fake Amazon account emails fool shoppers

This scam works because it hits a very real fear. Most people do not want to lose access to an online shopping account. That concern grows when a big sale is about to start. If you are planning to buy something on Prime Day, an account warning can feel urgent.

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The email also borrowed Amazon’s familiar look. It used the Amazon name, a logo area and a yellow sign-in button. It also included a footer that appeared to show an Amazon.com link. That can make the message feel safer than it really is.

Here is the problem. The visible link text in an email can mislead you. A link can appear to point to Amazon while sending you somewhere else. It can also pass through tracking links, redirects or look-alike pages. That is why you should avoid signing in through any account warning email.

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Scammers are impersonating Amazon with convincing account alerts designed to capture login credentials, payment details and personal documents. (Photographer: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

What happens if you click a fake Amazon link

If you click the link, you may land on a fake Amazon sign-in page. It may look close enough to fool you. Once you enter your email and password, scammers can try to access your real Amazon account. They may check your saved payment methods, shipping addresses and order history.

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They may also try that same password on other websites. That becomes a bigger risk if you reuse passwords.

The document request adds another layer of danger. If a fake page asks for your ID, scammers could use that information for identity theft, account takeovers or other fraud. That is why one quick click can turn into a much bigger mess.

Ways to stay safe from fake Amazon emails

A fake Amazon email can look convincing at first, so the best move is to slow down and use these simple checks before you click, sign in or share anything.

1) Do not click the sign-in button

Skip buttons like “Sign In to Verify,” “View details” or “Restore access.” Open the Amazon app or type Amazon.com into your browser yourself.

2) Check Amazon’s Message Center

After signing in directly, go to Your Account > Message Center. If the alert is real, you should see a matching message there.

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3) Watch for pressure language

Scammers often say your account is locked, your orders were canceled, or you must act right away. That pressure is designed to make you click before thinking.

4) Never upload ID through an email link

If an email asks for a passport, driver’s license or other document, stop. Contact Amazon through the app or website before sending anything.

5) Use a password manager

A password manager can help you spot fake login pages. If the page is fake, your saved Amazon password usually will not autofill. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at CyberGuy.com.

6) Turn on two-step verification

7) Use strong antivirus software

Install strong antivirus software on your computer, phone and tablet. Good security software can help detect malicious links, phishing pages, malware and other threats before they do damage. This is especially important if you clicked a suspicious link or downloaded anything from a fake email. Security software should back up your smart habits, not replace them. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.

8) Use a data removal service

Scammers often build more convincing attacks with information they find about you online. That can include your name, address, phone number, relatives, old usernames and other personal details from people-search sites and data brokers. A data removal service can help remove your personal information from many of those sites. That makes it harder for scammers to personalize phishing emails and identity theft attempts. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting CyberGuy.com.

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9) Report the suspicious email

Forward suspicious Amazon emails to reportascam@amazon.com. Then delete the message from your inbox or junk folder.

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Cybersecurity experts warn consumers to avoid clicking links in Amazon account warning emails and verify alerts directly through Amazon. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Kurt’s key takeaways

Prime Day is a great time to find real deals, but it is also a busy season for fake Amazon emails. Scammers know shoppers are checking delivery updates, watching for discounts and hoping nothing gets in the way of a good buy. That is what made this email so sneaky. It used a familiar fear at the perfect moment: losing access to your account right before a major sale. The safest move is to slow down before you click. Do not trust the button. Do not trust the sender name alone. Open the Amazon app or type Amazon.com into your browser and check your account yourself.

Have you ever received an email that looked official enough to make you click, and what finally made you stop? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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HOW TO DETECT FAKE AMAZON EMAILS AND AVOID IMPERSONATION SCAMS

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Claude Fable is too scared to teach you about the powerhouse of the cell

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Claude Fable is too scared to teach you about the powerhouse of the cell

Anthropic just released Claude Fable 5, calling it the most powerful AI model it has ever made widely available and praising its skills in biology, among others. But the model won’t answer basic biology questions — the kind you’d expect a high schooler to handle. Instead, it hands off the query to the former flagship model, Claude Opus 4.8.

It isn’t because Fable doesn’t know the answers. It’s because Anthropic won’t let it, by design.

Fable is a public-facing, Mythos-class model, a family so capable at cybersecurity tasks Anthropic said it was too dangerous to release publicly. But while Anthropic has spent much of the extended Mythos rollout warning about cybersecurity, it is biology where Fable’s guardrails are the most obvious — and most limiting.

When I tried the model, it refused to answer a range of basic biology questions, many that felt about as far away from any plausible safety risk as any question could be. It would not respond to “tell me about cell membranes” or answer “what are mitochondria,” that famous powerhouse of the cell. It refused to explain “what is a prion,” the proteinaceous particles behind mad cow disease, or “how mRNA vaccines work.”

“We made this tradeoff so customers could benefit from the model’s capabilities sooner without the risks.”

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The restrictions applied to ordinary and objectively rather harmless medical queries too. Fable would not answer “what causes hay fever,” explain how asthma medicine works, explain how antibiotic resistance arises, or tell me what Ebola is and how it spreads. Some of my basic queries occasionally got through, with Fable answering questions like “what is cancer” and “what is DNA.” When Fable refused, Opus 4.8 generally answered perfectly well.

Anthropic says the broad biology filters are an intentional choice and are deliberately conservative, with bioweapons the primary concern. “With the launch of Claude Fable 5, our first Mythos-class model, we believe models now have a greater ability to accomplish real-world scientific tasks and for malicious actors to potentially use our models for highly risky biological research,” spokesperson Paruul Maheshwary told The Verge. “We have always used classifiers to block our models from helping with bioweapons-related requests. To deploy Fable 5 safely, we believe it was necessary to be overly conservative with our safeguards so they block most queries tied to biology work.”

Anthropic has previously highlighted four key areas where it would throttle Fable’s responses for safety: chemistry, biology, cybersecurity, and distillation, a technique for training smaller AIs using the outputs of larger ones. The company has accused Chinese rivals like DeepSeek of using distillation on its models on an “industrial” scale.

While I could not meaningfully test distillation, Fable seemed more willing to answer questions about chemistry and cybersecurity. For example, it gave a basic overview of the explosive TNT, though withheld synthesis instructions “for obvious reasons.” It readily answered questions on the use of chlorine gas as a chemical weapon, common password threats, and nuclear fusion and fission, as well as explaining how to secure an iPhone from hackers. It still limits: Fable deferred to Opus when I asked it about sarin gas, a highly toxic nerve agent. Fable and Opus both refused the prompt “how to make anthrax,” and Claude paused the chat entirely. That made sense. The mitochondria prompt refusal seems like a false positive.

“We made this tradeoff so customers could benefit from the model’s capabilities sooner without the risks,” Maheshwary explained, adding that Anthropic is working hard to improve its detection and reduce the false positives. “We intend to make Mythos-class models available without these safeguards to the broader biology and life sciences community so these capabilities can be used to accelerate biomedical research and drug discovery.”

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Anthropic did not answer questions about whether this kind of restricted release will become the new norm for future models.

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