Blog Posts

Blog Posts

Assessing the Requirement of GPS in Smartwatches

inexpensive smartwatches that exceed expectations in their price range perform effectively. They utilize the smartphone’s GPS while offering a more budget-friendly design. However, if you prefer to leave your phone behind, watches with standalone support are the preferable choice. Authentic GPS provides greater accuracy, but it does consume battery life more quickly during operation. This could pose a challenge if you’re adventuring in the secluded wilderness and lack a battery backup option — such as a portable charger.

The subsequent inquiry is whether you genuinely need GPS in a smartwatch. The response is contingent on how and where you plan to use the watch and what you aim to monitor. If your workouts are primarily indoors at a gym and you don’t engage in much running or cycling, you can certainly manage without it. For activities where tracking your route or distance is desirable, you’ll require some variation of GPS.

When might you utilize GPS in a smartwatch?

AI Scanning Uncovers Critical Linux Copy Fail Security Flaw

Nearly every Linux distribution released since 2017 is currently vulnerable to a security bug called “Copy Fail” that allows any user to give themselves administrator privileges. The exploit, publicly disclosed as CVE-2026-31431 on Wednesday, uses a Python script that works across all of the vulnerable Linux distributions, requiring “no per-distro offsets, no version checks, no […]

NBA, NFL, and MLB Players Demand Ban on Betting ‘Unders’

The unions backing professional NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, and MLS players are calling on the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to ban prediction market platforms from allowing users to bet on a player’s underperformance or injury, Sports Business Journal reports. In their letter, the unions cite the need for “appropriate regulations” to protect athletes and […]

How Samsung’s Complimentary Feature Helped Me Save $30 on My Mobile Bill

Carriers impose charges of up to $5 for visual voicemail per line, yet Samsung’s Direct Voicemail feature is provided at no cost and is integrated into select Galaxy devices.

I recall a period when my mobile carrier not only billed me for every call minute but also found ways to charge me for each text message I sent! Fortunately, those times have passed, but carriers still attempt to extract additional payments for minor features on a monthly basis.

Visual Voicemail serves as a prime example, generally costing between $3 and $5 for every line each month to access what appears to be a common functionality. If you’re on a family plan, this service could be an expense of $30-40 monthly, but if you own Samsung Galaxy phones, you may save that expense and allow your device to manage the task instead.

This advantage is attributed to a fresh feature included in One UI 8.5, which debuted with the Galaxy S26 series and is being released to Samsung devices globally this May. If you’re utilizing a Galaxy S26, you’re already set to benefit from Direct Voicemail right away. Users of older Samsung models will simply need to await the One UI 8.5 update for the feature to become accessible.

What is Direct Voicemail?

With Direct Voicemail, your device always responds to incoming calls, employing Galaxy AI to handle and transcribe the conversation in real time. Galaxy AI responds with an automated voice that informs the caller of your unavailability, concurrently displaying the transcribed conversation on your screen. You also have the option to pick up the call at any moment during this process, presenting a clear advantage over conventional voicemail.

Since the call and transcription occur directly on your phone, it bypasses your carrier’s voicemail system entirely. Additionally, transcriptions are only saved and processed on your device, ensuring that the call stays within your phone. Samsung further provides AI-enhanced background noise removal with Direct Voicemail, allowing your voicemails to sound clearer than what you may be accustomed to.

What are the drawbacks of Direct Voicemail?

Although Direct Voicemail improves upon your carrier’s visual voicemail service in multiple ways, it comes with more restrictions as it necessitates your phone to answer the call. For instance, if your phone is switched off or lacks network connectivity, the call will still be redirected to your carrier’s voicemail system.

Direct Voicemail isn’t functional while you are engaged in another call, as it must answer first to operate. Additionally, video calls are not supported, and there may be limitations on Direct Voicemail when traveling abroad. You should also consider the available storage on your phone, though transcriptions consume minimal space, making this last concern unlikely for most individuals.

How to activate Samsung Direct Voicemail

Setting up Direct Voicemail is straightforward, but many may not know where to locate the option. You can always search for it in system settings, which is often the best method to find anything you might be unsure about, but here’s a quicker way to access it:

1. Launch the Phone app.
2. Tap the three-dot menu in the upper right corner, then select Settings.
3. Choose Direct Voicemail from the provided list.
4. Flip the toggle switch to activate it.

Once the feature is activated, you’ll want to double-check that all settings are configured correctly to maximize its use. By default, automatic transcription is turned off, so while Direct Voicemail will still function, it won’t provide a real-time transcript as the individual speaks. For me, that’s a crucial element of the feature, rendering it much less beneficial without it. Here’s how to turn it on:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap the three-dot menu in the upper right corner, then select Settings.
3. Choose Direct Voicemail from the list.
4. Scroll down and tap Transcript Assist.
5. Under the Call Recordings section on the following screen, enable Auto transcribe recorded calls and Direct Voicemail.

How to utilize Direct Voicemail

By default, Direct Voicemail will automatically divert calls to voicemail after ringing for 20 seconds. You can modify this duration as per your preference in the Direct Voicemail settings (accessed using the previous steps), or you can manually divert a call to Direct Voicemail anytime. Here’s how to do this.

1. When a call arrives, tap the More options button on the dialer or on the pop-up call notification.
2. Choose Direct Voicemail from the menu to send the call to voicemail.
3. While the caller speaks, a live transcript will appear on your screen.
4. To pick up the call and interrupt Direct Voicemail, press the Answer button.

How to locate your Direct Voicemails

When someone leaves a Direct Voicemail, you can usually just tap the notification to access it.

9to5Mac Daily: May 1, 2026 – Apple Unveils Earnings Report for the Second Quarter

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Apple Unveils New Insights on AirPods from Hearing Research

The Apple Hearing Study, carried out in partnership with the University of Michigan, has unveiled new results that highlight the importance of Apple’s hearing health capabilities for AirPods. This research, which encompasses over 160,000 participants throughout the United States, stands as one of the most extensive hearing studies ever conducted.

Notable findings from the research show that among nearly 85,000 individuals who tested within the World Health Organization’s “normal” hearing criteria (≤25 dB), 16% rated their hearing as fair or poor. This illustrates a gap between actual hearing capabilities and personal assessments of hearing. Numerous participants deemed to have normal hearing experienced challenges in focusing while listening to others, especially in noisy settings.

Moreover, the study suggests a link between hearing impairment and overall health. An evaluation of 57,183 participants revealed that poorer hearing was correlated with reduced walking speed, particularly among individuals aged 60 and above.

The study indicates that the four-frequency pure tone average (4PTA) metric assessed relates to self-reported hearing proficiency and everyday hearing challenges among those identified as having normal hearing. Apple’s Hearing Test Feature enables users to track their hearing over time, even if they are deemed clinically normal, facilitating proactive steps to safeguard and enhance their hearing throughout their lifespan. Additionally, the results imply that tackling hearing impairment through tools like the Hearing Aid Feature may foster improved physical health, especially regarding mobility.

For further information regarding the Apple Hearing Study, you can check the University of Michigan’s website.