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AI, one Sunday at a time ● The plain-English guide to AI |
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| Issue No. 1 |
Sunday, October 18, 2026 |
6-minute read |
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Photo: Nataliya Vaitkevich / Pexels |
This week | 1. | ChatGPT can now answer with charts and checklists, not just text. | | 2. | This week's project: find forgotten subscriptions and cancel them in 20 minutes. | | 3. | Scam watch: how to spot a fake "family emergency" call. |
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Welcome Welcome to Sunday Tech ClubThanks for joining us. Pour a coffee and settle in. Think of this as a chat over the fence with a neighbor who likes gadgets: what's new in AI, in plain words, plus something useful to try. |
The news What's new in AI this week
| 01 |
Ask ChatGPT for a plan, and you may get a chart or checklist you can tap.
ChatGPT is a "chatbot," a program you talk to by typing. In an October 7 upgrade (OpenAI calls the new version GPT-6), answers can now include charts, checklists, and small tools like a bill splitter. It's in the free version too. Why it matters: plans are easier to follow when you can see them. Source: OpenAI's announcement |
| 02 |
Google's AI assistant can now run errands for you.
On October 13, Google upgraded Gemini, its AI assistant. Hand it a job and it keeps working after you put your phone down. It connects to 40+ apps, like Instacart for groceries and OpenTable for restaurant reservations. Why it matters: AI is starting to do chores. For now it's only for people who pay for Google AI Pro or Ultra, Google's monthly AI subscriptions. Source: Google's announcement |
| 03 |
Your Android phone can read fine print out loud.
On October 1, Google added a feature called Guided Vision to Gemini Live (the version of Gemini you talk to out loud). Point your camera at a medicine label or dim menu and it describes what it sees. Works on Android 9 or newer. Why it matters: small print gets easier. It can make mistakes, so don't use it for walking directions. Source: Google's announcement |
| 04 |
Google Search makes it easier to check where AI answers came from.
On October 15, Google said the AI-written answers at the top of search results will show more clickable links to the original websites, and it's testing a section pointing to the official site for a task. Why it matters: easier fact-checking, fewer look-alike sites. Source: Google's announcement |
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This week's project Find your forgotten subscriptions
Photo: Kampus Production / Pexels Streaming services and "free trials" that quietly renewed add up. This takes about 20 minutes, and you stay in charge.
1 | Gather your statements. Open your last two months of bank and card statements. | 2 | List the repeat charges. Copy just the merchant name and amount for anything that repeats. No card or account numbers. | 3 | Ask AI to sort them. Paste your list into ChatGPT or Gemini: |
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COPY THIS
Here are repeating charges from my statements: [paste merchant names and amounts]. Sort them into a table: what each one probably is, the monthly cost, and the yearly cost. Flag any that look like duplicates or services people often forget about. |
4 | Decide. Mark each Keep, Cancel, or Downgrade. (Be honest about that gym membership.) | 5 | Get cancellation steps. For each one, ask: |
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COPY THIS
How do I cancel [service name]? Give me the steps, and tell me if I need to cancel through the Apple or Google Play app store instead of the company's website. |
6 | Draft any messages you need. If a company wants an email: |
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COPY THIS
Write a short, polite email canceling my [service name] subscription, effective immediately. Ask them to confirm the cancellation in writing. |
7 | Cancel through the official site or app, then check next month's statement. |
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BY THE NUMBERS
20 min to finish | 7 steps start to done | $240 /yr example savings* |
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* Example savings, not a promise: if you find two forgotten $9.99 subscriptions, that's about $240 a year back in your pocket. |
AI tool of the week Gemini NotebookWhat it is: A free Google tool (formerly NotebookLM) that answers questions using the documents you give it, like an appliance manual or insurance booklet. Answers point to the exact spot in your document.
Who it's for: Anyone with a thick booklet they'd rather not read cover to cover.
How to start:
1 | Go to the official site and sign in with your Google account. | 2 | Create a notebook and add a source, such as a PDF or a website link. | 3 | Ask a question, like "How do I reset the filter light?" |
Cost: Free with a Google account, with daily usage limits. Paid Google AI plans raise those limits.
Safety note: Google says it doesn't train its AI on your notebooks unless you send feedback. Still, skip documents with Social Security or bank account numbers, and double-check important answers.
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Tip of the week Say how you want the answerStart any question with one sentence:
| “I'm new to this, so please explain in plain language, in short steps, with no jargon.” |
Not quite right? Reply "Simpler, please." You can't break anything. |
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A club offer
Book a 1-on-1 AI callWant help with your own questions? Book a 30-minute, one-on-one session and get personal help with AI: setting up an app, writing better prompts, or working through a task that matters to you. Booking opens soon, so email [email protected] to get on the list.
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Prompts to try Three prompts for everyday jobsA "prompt" is simply what you type to the AI. Paste one into ChatGPT or Gemini (both have free versions) and fill in the [brackets].
Plan a week of easy dinners
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COPY THIS
Plan 5 simple weeknight dinners for [number] people. Each should take under 30 minutes. We prefer [foods you like] and avoid [foods to skip]. Then give me one combined grocery list sorted by store aisle. |
Decode a confusing medical bill
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COPY THIS
I'm going to paste the text from a medical bill. Please explain in plain language what each charge is, what the abbreviations mean, and which items I might want to question. Then list 3 polite questions to ask the billing office. Here is the bill: [paste text, with your name, account number, and insurance ID removed] |
Write a polite email to your landlord
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COPY THIS
Help me write a short, polite, and firm email to my landlord. The [kitchen faucet] has been [leaking] since [date], and I first reported it on [date]. I'd like a repair scheduled within the next week. Keep it friendly and under 150 words. |
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Picked for you Prompts matched to your interestsSubscribers choose their interests and get matching prompt sets every issue. A taste of three:
Gardening
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COPY THIS
I live in [city or ZIP code]. What vegetables and flowers can I still plant this month, and what should I do to get my garden ready for winter? |
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COPY THIS
Here's a description of a problem with my plant: [describe the leaves, spots, or bugs]. What might be causing it, and what are 3 gentle fixes to try first? |
Grandkids
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COPY THIS
Suggest 5 rainy-day activities for a [age]-year-old using things most homes already have. Include how long each takes and the cleanup involved. |
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COPY THIS
My grandchild loves [interest]. Write a short bedtime story, about 5 minutes long, starring them and their [pet or favorite toy]. |
Money & budgeting
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COPY THIS
My monthly take-home pay is [amount]. My fixed bills are [list]. Help me build a simple budget with categories for groceries, savings, and fun, and show it as a table. |
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COPY THIS
Explain the difference between [option A] and [option B] (for example, a high-yield savings account and a CD) in plain language, with pros and cons. Remind me what to double-check with my bank. |
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Scam watch Is this really your grandson?Scammers can copy a voice from a short online clip and call pretending to be a loved one in trouble. The FBI and FTC have both warned about it. Three habits protect you:
1 | Pick a family code word and ask for it on any "emergency" call. | 2 | Hang up and call back on a number you know is theirs. | 3 | Gift cards, wire transfers, or crypto? Red flag. |
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5-minute challenge Try this today (5 minutes)1 | Open a free chatbot like ChatGPT. | 2 | Copy the dinner prompt above, paste it in, and fill in the [brackets]. | 3 | Ask a follow-up: "Make Tuesday vegetarian." |
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Club Workbooks Want more prompts?Our Club Workbooks are packed with more ready-to-use prompts. Get one for $2.99, or all ten for $7.99. Use code SUNDAY25 for 25% off.
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Sign-off Until next SundayHit reply and tell us how it went. A real person reads every message.
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Warmly,
The Sunday Tech Club Team
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Photos via Pexels: Nataliya Vaitkevich, Kampus Production. |
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