Talking Tech: Why you should skip those free public charging stations

It's April, Talking Tech readers! Spring is here. Baseball has returned. And thankfully for this hoops fan, the NBA playoffs are back. 

Also back: me. My spring break last week is over, which means it's time for some tech headlines. 

Ever go to the airport, mall or another public spot and find those free USB charging stations? So long as you have a cord with you, just plug right in and you can start charging your smartphone or other device.

But wait, keep that phone in your hands and cord in your bags or pockets. The FBI is warning people not to use them because hackers could install malware – called "juice jacking" – to gain access to your device.

So what should you do if that smartphone battery is running low? If you have a wall charger and cord handy, plug right into an available AC outlet.

What if you're traveling? Then it's definitely worth buying a portable charger or power bank.

What else happened in tech?

Was Max+ taken? HBO Max and Discovery+ streaming services will merge as Max.

Google's AI gets smarter. The company's Bard chatbot is getting better at math.

National Park trip in your future? Google Maps is making it easier to explore.

Thursday tech tip

Spring cleaning season is here. Here's a device you would have never expected requires a deep clean: your smartwatch. It apparently has 30 times more bacteria than a toilet seat (gross). Here are some tips on how to clean your smartwatch. While you're at it, clean up those wireless earbuds, too.

One more thing

YouTube TV just revealed how much it will cost to subscribe to NFL Sunday Ticket, the package many football fans use to watch games outside their local market. Hint: It's not cheap!

Happy Spring! Thanks for reading.

Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23.