Month: May 2025

    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Google TV Will Launch Sleep Timer Functionality for Evening Watching
    Google TV Will Launch Sleep Timer Functionality for Evening Watching

    Your television won’t have to be operating throughout the night.

    What you should know:
    – Android TV has a fundamental framework for sleep timers, but it’s hardly a straightforward experience at this time.
    – Updates to the Google TV Home application indicate that Google plans to enhance sleep timer capabilities with new features.
    – Sleep timers could be integrated into the primary Google TV operating system, allowing for easy pausing, resuming, and management.

    Sleep timers provide a practical way to ensure your preferred shows or movies don’t keep playing in the background after you drift off. Android TV features a basic sleep timer function, yet Google TV does not currently have a user-friendly version. Since Google TV is likely the operating system you use most frequently through compatible TVs, Chromecast devices, and the Google TV Streamer, it’s clear that the experience has been inadequate.

    Currently, there are indications that Google is seeking to improve Android TV sleep timer functionality within the main Google TV operating system, as noted by Android Authority. The outlet discovered code strings and references to sleep timers in version 1.0.756918669 of the Google TV Home app. This app acts as the primary Google TV interface, and it’s what you engage with while navigating and controlling Google TV streaming devices.

    These code strings suggest features that are not presently available for the sleep timer in Android TV. Furthermore, their significant presence in the Google TV Home app implies that the sleep timer will eventually be properly integrated into the Google TV operating system.

    Android TV does not allow pause and resume capabilities for sleep timers, indicating that an update for the feature may be forthcoming. Sleep timer notification alerts at different intervals are also a new addition.

    Other code strings suggest that Google may enable users to execute sleep timer actions directly from the notification alerts. For example, you might have the option to extend the time of a sleep timer when a notification alerts you that your Google TV device is about to power down. However, the full specifics remain uncertain, as these code strings have not yet developed into actionable or visible notifications.

    Regardless, it appears to be a positive development that Google is working towards establishing a proper sleep timer for Google TV. Previously, Android TV’s execution of the feature necessitated OEMs to create their own user interfaces for this useful tool. Soon, users of Google TV may enjoy the convenience of sleep timers to ensure their late-night viewing doesn’t carry on after they’ve fallen asleep.

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Nintendo Switch 2 Probably Won’t Provide Comprehensive Media Player Capabilities
    Nintendo Switch 2 Probably Won’t Provide Comprehensive Media Player Capabilities

    Before smart TVs became ubiquitous, numerous individuals relied on their gaming consoles as streaming hubs in their residences. Some of you likely still enjoy Netflix or Hulu on your Xbox or PlayStation, but if you anticipated that the Nintendo Switch 2 could function as a portable streaming device, you’re probably going to feel let down.

    In recent weeks, Nintendo has been refreshing its page that details the compatibility of Switch games and applications on Switch 2. The positive news is that a significant number of both first- and third-party Switch games will be accessible on Switch 2. However, while Nintendo is striving to guarantee that as many games as possible are compatible with its upcoming console at launch, the same cannot be said for streaming applications.

    As per the most recent update, Nintendo’s compatibility page indicates that Hulu, Crunchyroll, Niconico, and Abema “cannot be utilized on Nintendo Switch 2.” There seems to be no ambiguity in this matter, nor is there any suggestion that this could change in the future.

    Nintendo hasn’t divulged any details regarding why these streaming applications are not compatible with Switch 2, but it is evident that third-party software does not take precedence this generation.

    Personally, I possess more devices for streaming movies and shows than I can manage, so the absence of Hulu on Switch 2 won’t bother me. That said, carrying around several smart devices is always a hassle, so the lack of support for these key streaming services on Switch 2 means it will be just one of the many tech gadgets I pack in my bag when I travel.

    The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch on Thursday, June 5th. If you weren’t able to secure a preorder, make sure to check our guide on how to locate one on launch day.

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Google Messages’ RCS Badges Approaching Public Launch
    Google Messages’ RCS Badges Approaching Public Launch

    Google Messages is rolling out new functionalities for its beta testers, designed to improve user experience by differentiating between RCS and SMS/MMS contacts. The update features small RCS icons on the New chat screen and Dynamic Color theming for RCS chats. This modification is presently available to Google Messages beta testers, suggesting that a wider release is on the horizon. The update aims to clarify if a contact utilizes RCS, which provides enhanced features like reactions and read receipts, or conventional SMS/MMS. This distinction assists users in determining how to share media, such as transmitting high-quality videos through RCS instead of MMS. The update, included in the Google Messages app beta version 20250527_01_RC00, is being gradually deployed and is currently limited to beta testers.

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    • sparta
    • Comments Off on “Nothing Refutes Intentions to Eliminate Signature Design Element from Its Smartphones”
    “Nothing Refutes Intentions to Eliminate Signature Design Element from Its Smartphones”

    The Phone 3 is set to debut without the company’s distinctive Glyph Interface.

    (Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

    Key details to understand

    • The Nothing Phone 3 reportedly will not feature the company’s iconic Glyph lights.
    • The firm confirmed on X that it has officially discontinued the Glyph Interface, posting a video showing the Phone 1’s rear lights slowly dimming in the announcement.
    • Rumors suggest a new interactive dot-matrix display could be present on the back, hinted at by earlier teasers for the Phone 3.

    Nothing has been releasing various hints on X regarding its forthcoming flagship, the Nothing Phone 3. In its latest update, it indicated that the upcoming flagship would lack the distinct Glyph Light interface, also referred to as the rear panel lights.

    In a nearly transparent announcement, the company declared the end of the Glyph Interface in an X video captioned “we killed the Glyph Interface,” where the lights of the Phone 1 dramatically fade to black.

    This might imply that the new flagship device, Nothing Phone 3, won’t feature those rear lights, a characteristic that attracted many customers to purchase the Nothing phones initially. The lights provided an interactive aspect that other leading flagships lacked.

    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Uncertainty Envelops Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7’s Utilization of Snapdragon or Exynos SoC
    Uncertainty Envelops Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7’s Utilization of Snapdragon or Exynos SoC

    The contradictory reports just keep coming.

    (Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

    Essential Information

    • Samsung seems to be experimenting with the possibility of integrating Snapdragon or Exynos processors for the Galaxy Z Flip 7, based on various reports.
    • This week, mixed reports asserted that the Galaxy Z Flip 7 would be equipped with either the Exynos 2500 or the Snapdragon 8 Elite.
    • It remains uncertain which processor will ultimately power the Galaxy Z Flip 7, though the Exynos 2500 is expected to be utilized in certain markets.

    If Samsung’s foldable launch schedule is accurate, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is set to debut in a few months. However, the processor for the Galaxy Z Flip 7 in the U.S. is still a mystery. Speculations and leaks have pondered whether the foldable will feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite or the Samsung Exynos 2500 for several months. The contradictory reports appear to have only escalated as we draw nearer to the anticipated release timeframe for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7.

    A report from the South Korean media outlet Hank Yung earlier this week indicated that Samsung intends to employ a combination of Snapdragon and Exynos chips for the Galaxy Z Flip 7 based on geographical location. For instance, the source mentioned that the Snapdragon 8 Elite is expected for the U.S. and Canada. In such a scenario, the <a data-analytics-id="inline-link" href="https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/samsung-galaxy/galaxy-z-flip-7-exynos-2500-chip-usage-rumored" data-before-re

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Ancient Insects: The First Pests Faced by Humanity
    Ancient Insects: The First Pests Faced by Humanity

    Bed bugs are not merely a contemporary annoyance. Recent studies indicate they have coexisted with us since our ancestors began residing in caves approximately 60,000 years ago, potentially making them the oldest household pests in our history.

    The research, featured in *Biology Letters*, explored the genetic lineage of two types of bed bugs. One variety resided on bats, while the other transitioned to humans. Both groups faced a decline during the last Ice Age; however, only the bed bugs that adapted to humans bounced back.

    As humankind started to evolve and establish permanent communities about 12,000 years ago, bed bugs discovered an ideal setting for proliferation. Their numbers increased in tandem with the emergence of early cities such as Mesopotamia. This chronology positions them as older pests than even rats or cockroaches in domestic environments.

    “Warren Booth, a study co-author and an associate professor of urban entomology at Virginia Tech, noted, ‘There were bed bugs cohabitating in the caves with these humans, and when they migrated, they carried a portion of the population with them.'” This phenomenon accounts for the lower genetic diversity observed in the human-adapting bugs compared to their bat-associated cousins.

    The research team concentrated on “effective population size,” a concept denoting the number of individuals that contribute to subsequent generations. This information enabled the researchers to trace the fluctuations of bed bug populations alongside human history. The bed bugs that opted for human hosts adapted successfully and are now prevalent worldwide.

    According to lead author Lindsay Miles, the study provides enhanced insights into how pests have evolved in close proximity with us. It also poses inquiries regarding other species that may have undergone similar shifts from wild to urban habitats.

    Currently, bed bugs inhabit furniture, walls, and bedding, feeding on human blood. They prove difficult to eradicate and are easily spread. Their extensive association with humans illustrates the challenges of completely evading a pest once it has acclimated to living alongside us.

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    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Apple Broadens Footprint in India by Launching Third Store Amid U.S. Strain
    Apple Broadens Footprint in India by Launching Third Store Amid U.S. Strain

    Apple is poised to enhance its retail footprint in India by launching its third outlet at Bengaluru’s Phoenix Mall of Asia, as noted by Business Standard. This growth signifies the firm’s dedication to the Indian market, especially amid mounting tensions with President Trump.

    The upcoming store will span about 8,000 square feet on the first level of the Phoenix Mall of Asia in Hebbal, Bengaluru. This area is comparable to Apple’s Delhi store but is less expansive than its flagship location in Mumbai, which covers over 20,800 square feet. The agreement for the new store is structured for 10 years and involves a revenue-sharing arrangement, typical for busy malls. Apple is set to contribute 2% of the store’s revenue during the initial three years, rising to 2.5% afterward.

    This development is in line with Apple’s larger strategy in India. CEO Tim Cook recently announced intentions to open four additional retail locations in the nation, with sites in Pune, Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, and Bengaluru. The company previously launched its first two Indian stores in Mumbai and Delhi in 2023.

    Apple’s retail expansion in India coincides with an increase in trade tensions between the U.S. and China. During Apple’s Q2 2025 earnings call, Tim Cook revealed that most iPhones sold in the U.S. would originate from India, whereas Vietnam would supply the majority of iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and AirPods sold in the U.S. China will still account for the bulk of overall product sales outside the U.S.

    In light of these occurrences, President Trump has threatened a 25% tariff on iPhones not produced in the U.S., with the intent of pushing Apple towards domestic manufacturing. Whether this threat will influence Apple’s initiatives in India remains unclear, yet the new lease for a third store and additional planned outlets indicate that the company is serious about its expansion in the area.

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on 20 Free Movies You Can’t Miss on Pluto TV in June 2025
    20 Free Movies You Can’t Miss on Pluto TV in June 2025

    As streaming platforms persist in increasing their rates, the no-cost options become increasingly appealing each month. One of the leading free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) platforms is Pluto TV. Similar to Tubi, it provides numerous blockbuster films to stream at no charge each month, provided you can handle a few advertisements while viewing.

    We’ll detail all the highlights for June below, but if you wish to enjoy these films without cost, simply visit Pluto.TV on your web browser or download the Pluto TV application.

    Pluto TV free films in June 2025

    28 Days Later

    If you’ve yet to experience director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland’s post-apocalyptic horror feature 28 Days Later, now is the perfect opportunity to correct that oversight. The franchise has been inactive for nearly 20 years, but it’s making a significant return with 28 Years Later this June.

    Jack Reacher

    Prior to Tom Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie collaborating on four Mission: Impossible films (including the latest Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning), McQuarrie directed Cruise in the action-thriller Jack Reacher, which is based on Lee Child’s novel One Shot. If you’re eager for more action after the recent M:I entry, this is a solid option.

    Warm Bodies

    In terms of actors featuring in major summer blockbusters, Nicholas Hoult will portray Lex Luthor in the forthcoming Superman revival from James Gunn this summer. You may have also seen him in X-Men: First Class, Mad Max: Fury Road, and The Menu, but you might have overlooked his 2013 zombie romantic comedy Warm Bodies, where he plays a zombie who falls for a human girl.

    Those are our top selections, but here are 17 additional fantastic free movies to enjoy in June:

    1. Angel Heart
    2. Caddyshack
    3. The Cider House Rules
    4. Clerks III
    5. Clueless
    6. Drive
    7. Fatal Attraction
    8. The Fifth Element
    9. Good Will Hunting
    10. Interstellar
    11. Major League
    12. Shutter Island
    13. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
    14. Terminator 2: Judgment Day
    15. Transformers
    16. Waiting…
    17. XXX

    With all these free films and the complimentary content accessible on Tubi, there should be more than enough to keep you entertained throughout the month without spending any money. We will return next month with even more free films available for streaming on Pluto TV in July.

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Apple’s Four-Year Development on App Tracking Transparency: A Summary
    Apple’s Four-Year Development on App Tracking Transparency: A Summary

    **The Influence of App Tracking Transparency on Digital Advertising**

    With the debut of iOS 14, Apple rolled out a crucial privacy feature known as App Tracking Transparency (ATT). This feature requires that third-party applications obtain user consent to track their actions across various apps prior to accessing their advertising identifier (IDFA). The enforcement of this regulation commenced in April 2021 with the launch of iOS 14.5, which mandated that non-compliant apps would be barred from submitting updates to the App Store.

    ### Reduction in Cross-App Tracking

    Studies show a significant decline in cross-app tracking following the introduction of ATT. A study by researchers in Frankfurt indicated that tracking rates in the United States dropped by nearly 55%. Before the implementation of ATT, around 72.63% of Apple users were trackable by advertisers, a percentage that has since decreased to merely 17.9%. This reduction is linked to the necessity for apps to secure user consent and the option for users to opt out at the system level, avoiding in-app requests.

    The reduction in trackable users has had considerable effects on advertisers, who now encounter elevated costs to connect with a smaller audience. This transformation has resulted in a decrease in overall advertising expenditure linked to IDFA, affecting major firms like Meta, which noted immediate declines in revenue.

    ### Strategies for Advertisers’ Adaptation

    In light of the difficulties presented by ATT, advertisers have pursued different avenues for monitoring users without depending on advertising IDs. One method is device fingerprinting, which gathers details such as screen size, operating system version, and timezone to form a unique user profile. While this technique is not as accurate as IDFA tracking, it still enables advertisers to extract insights regarding user behavior.

    Furthermore, advertisers have shifted towards contextual advertising, centering on users’ interactions within individual apps instead of their activities across various platforms. This approach allows for targeted advertising, albeit at a diminished scale. Companies are also utilizing first-party data, such as insights collected from newsletters, to engage their current user base without depending on broader targeted advertisements.

    ### Increasing In-App Purchase Prices

    The execution of ATT has also resulted in a rise in in-app purchase costs. As advertisers encounter difficulties in effectively reaching users, app developers have modified their pricing tactics to offset the diminished efficacy of advertising. Reports suggest that single-purchase in-app purchases surged by approximately 36% year-over-year from 2021 to 2022, while subscription prices escalated by around 19%.

    Additionally, Apple has encountered legal hurdles concerning its ATT implementation, including a penalty levied by a cohort of advertisers in France who accused the company of exploiting its market dominance.

    ### Conclusion

    Though App Tracking Transparency may not entirely eradicate cross-app tracking, it has markedly diminished it and instigated a series of transformations within the tech sector. The projected cost of ATT to Meta alone was about $12.8 billion in 2022, leading the company to modify its business model toward consumer hardware and artificial intelligence. This pivot has resulted in new product introductions and an increased emphasis on integrating AI technologies throughout its platforms.

    In conclusion, App Tracking Transparency has transformed the digital advertising landscape, compelling advertisers to innovate and adjust within a more privacy-focused environment.

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