Shira Ovide

New York

Writer of The Tech Friend newsletter

Education: Haverford College; Columbia Journalism School

Shira Ovide writes The Tech Friend newsletter. Sign up here. She is the strategy editor for Help Desk, The Washington Post's team of journalists who focus on the impact of our digital lives and empower us to corral technology to serve our needs. Before joining The Post in October 2022, Ovide wrote the On Tech newsletter for the New York Times. She has also been a technology columnist at Bloomberg Opinion and wrote about technology, finance and the media industry for the Wall Street Journal. Ovide lives in New York.
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Latest from Shira Ovide

Apple’s new iOS 18 upgrade doesn’t fix the ‘green bubble’ problems

Yes, there are still green bubbles — and security compromises that Apple could have avoided.

September 16, 2024

Yes, TikTok could still be banned. Here’s what you should know.

TikTok’s ban date is still Jan.19. As lawsuits continue to play out, here is what to know about challenges, the law and what you should know as a user.

September 16, 2024
TikTok supporters gather outside the U.S. Capitol in March to protest a bill to ban the video app nationwide if its China-based owner doesn't sell it.

How to get a ‘free’ iPhone 16 and why maybe you shouldn’t

Here are some of the discount deals available starting Friday for new iPhone 16 models -- and four alternatives to buying the latest phone.

September 13, 2024

Who’s paying for AI in new phones? Probably you.

Ready or not, more subscription fees are coming for software in your phone, smart speaker, car and other products.

September 10, 2024

This is the best privacy setting that almost no one is using

You have options to click one box to order companies not to blab your personal data. California might soon require it by law.

September 6, 2024

This is what happened to the world’s most pointless website

How it started and how it’s going with the dumbest website in the world, the company whose fans turned against and your favorite simple technology.

September 3, 2024

Why killer AI is such an alluring horror villain

The new horror movie “AfrAId” shows that malicious AI is now the go-to villain for Hollywood and our nightmares.

August 30, 2024

After a decade of free Alexa, Amazon now wants you to pay

AI is a chance for companies to charge for products we’re in the habit of using for free.

August 27, 2024

What all parents can learn from the troubled AI in Los Angeles schools

An education expert says schools fail to ask essential questions about AI for children: Does it work? And is it better than other alternatives?

August 23, 2024
Alberto Carvalho, the superintendent of Los Angeles Unified School District, announced an AI project in March. It has had a rocky start.

Don’t trust Google for customer service numbers. It might be a scam.

Google just keeps highlighting scams when you’re looking for help from your bank, airline or other businesses — and people are being tricked out of money.

August 20, 2024