Month: June 2025

Marshall Monitor III Offers Exceptional 70-Hour Battery Life, Outdoing Rivals

**Marshall Monitor III ANC Headphones Review**

The Marshall Monitor III ANC headphones have surfaced as a remarkable advancement over the previous model, the Monitor II, boasting improved durability, comfort, and an astonishing doubling of battery longevity. Earning a score of 4 out of 5 stars from Android Central, these headphones stand out as a fitting upgrade, especially for users in need of prolonged usage.

**Pros:**
– Superb Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) with a transparent feature.
– Outstanding battery longevity lasting up to 70 hours.
– Auracast compatible for future enhancements.
– Customizable control button for user-specific settings.
– Compact and travel-friendly design.
– Highly resilient build quality.
– Supports both wired and wireless audio playback.
– Quick charging capability for speedy energizing.

**Cons:**
– Does not support hi-res audio.
– No 3.5mm headphone jack available.

**Design and Comfort:**
The reimagining of the Monitor III is subtle yet significant, showcasing a contemporary and sleek aesthetic. Made from recycled materials, the headphones emphasize durability and performance while maintaining sound quality and comfort. Their compact form allows for easy folding and storage in a premium carrying case, making them perfect for travel.

The earcups are crafted for comfort, accommodating users with piercings or glasses, due to their soft foam material. Additionally, the headphones feature enhanced ANC, adjustable via the Marshall app, alongside optimized microphones for superior sound isolation.

**Durability and Repairability:**
Marshall has aimed to ensure that the Monitor III headphones are both sturdy and easily repairable. Essential components can be swiftly replaced, and the circuit board has been redesigned to facilitate easier repairs. The flexible headband is constructed from TPU, enabling it to self-repair minor damages.

**Performance and Features:**
Internally, the headphones have been upgraded for enhanced audio quality, providing clear and distinct sound throughout the range. The Marshall app permits users to tailor the equalizer and other preferences, including the M-button, which can be set to initiate Spotify by default.

**Battery Life:**
The standout attribute of the Monitor III is its battery performance, offering up to 70 hours of playback with ANC active and up to 100 hours with ANC deactivated. Fast charging supplies 12 hours of playback from merely a 15-minute charge, making these headphones an excellent companion for extended journeys.

**Conclusion:**
Despite some minor limitations such as the absence of hi-res audio support and a 3.5mm jack, the Marshall Monitor III ANC headphones represent a thoughtfully designed, durable, and future-ready option for audio fans. With their remarkable battery life and repairability, they provide outstanding value for investment.

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Samsung Set to Start Removing Inactive Accounts in July

You might want to check on the whereabouts of that old Samsung account.

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

Essential information

  • Samsung is said to be warning its customers about an impending deletion of old, inactive accounts this coming summer.
  • According to its updated policy, Samsung plans to erase old accounts and wipe all associated data to safeguard users who have abandoned those accounts.
  • Customers must log into any dormant accounts by July 31 to prevent data deletion.

Samsung is alerting everyone who hasn’t logged in for some time: do so or face total loss.

A report by SamMobile emphasizes a recent notice from Samsung to its users, indicating that the company will start eliminating all inactive accounts in July. Consequently, any accounts that have not been accessed for two years will have all their data erased from Samsung’s servers. Furthermore, the report specifies that the Korean manufacturer will block access to those accounts.

With all data erased, there might be little reason to return at all.

Apple Unveils 2025 Apple Design Award Recipients, Featuring Remarkable Vision Pro Applications

# 2025 Apple Design Awards: Honoring Creativity and Innovation

Apple has revealed the recipients of the 2025 Apple Design Awards, upholding its legacy of acknowledging exceptional app and game design right before the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). This year, although there wasn’t a specific category for Spatial Computing, applications crafted for the Apple Vision Pro were prominently recognized among the winners and nominees.

## Overview of the Awards

The Apple Design Awards celebrate applications and games in various categories, prioritizing creativity, innovation, and user experience. This year’s awards featured one victorious app and one exceptional game in six established categories, alongside two additional finalists for each category. The categories for 2025 are:

– Delight and Fun
– Inclusivity
– Innovation
– Interaction
– Social Impact
– Visuals and Graphics

## Category Highlights

### Delight and Fun

This category honors applications and games that deliver captivating and memorable experiences enhanced by Apple technologies. Winners and finalists are celebrated for their talent to entertain and engage users.

#### Apps
– [Winning App Name]
– [Finalist App Name 1]
– [Finalist App Name 2]

#### Games
– [Winning Game Name]
– [Finalist Game Name 1]
– [Finalist Game Name 2]

### Inclusivity

The Inclusivity category recognizes apps and games that serve a broad audience, representing diverse backgrounds, abilities, and languages. This acknowledgment emphasizes the significance of accessibility in app design.

#### Apps
– [Winning App Name]
– [Finalist App Name 1]
– [Finalist App Name 2]

#### Games
– [Winning Game Name]
– [Finalist Game Name 1]
– [Finalist Game Name 2]

### Innovation

In the Innovation category, applications and games are honored for their inventive utilization of Apple technologies, offering cutting-edge experiences that differentiate them within their genres.

#### Apps
– [Winning App Name]
– [Finalist App Name 1]
– [Finalist App Name 2]

#### Games
– [Winning Game Name]
– [Finalist Game Name 1]
– [Finalist Game Name 2]

### Interaction

The Interaction category concentrates on applications and games that provide intuitive interfaces and smooth controls, guaranteeing a seamless user experience specifically designed for their platform.

#### Apps
– [Winning App Name]
– [Finalist App Name 1]
– [Finalist App Name 2]

#### Games
– [Winning Game Name]
– [Finalist Game Name 1]
– [Finalist Game Name 2]

### Social Impact

Recipients in the Social Impact category are celebrated for enhancing lives and addressing significant issues, demonstrating how technology can inspire positive transformation.

#### Apps
– [Winning App Name]
– [Finalist App Name 1]
– [Finalist App Name 2]

#### Games
– [Winning Game Name]
– [Finalist Game Name 1]
– [Finalist Game Name 2]

### Visuals and Graphics

This category acknowledges breathtaking visuals, expertly designed interfaces, and top-notch animations that create a unique and cohesive theme throughout the application or game.

#### Apps
– [Winning App Name]
– [Finalist App Name 1]
– [Finalist App Name 2]

#### Games
– [Winning Game Name]
– [Finalist Game Name 1]

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Apple TV+ Unveils New Golf Comedy ‘Stick’ Inspired by Ted Lasso: First Reviews Released

**Stick: Apple TV+’s Latest Comedy Series Seeks to Recapture the Essence of Ted Lasso**

Recently, Ted Lasso held the title of Apple’s biggest success, but now that distinction goes to Severance. Nevertheless, a fresh comedy series named Stick is Apple TV+’s new endeavor to reclaim the magic of Ted Lasso. The show debuts tonight at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, with the initial three episodes made available, followed by weekly installments.

**Owen Wilson Takes the Lead**

Stick stars Owen Wilson in a position akin to that of Ted Lasso. Both series are heartwarming sports comedies that focus on middle-aged white males in coaching positions grappling with mental health issues while uplifting those around them. In Stick, Wilson plays Pryce Cahill, a former professional golfer whose career ended prematurely two decades prior. After enduring personal challenges, including a failed marriage and unemployment, Pryce places all his hopes on a troubled 17-year-old golf prodigy named Santi.

Apple’s overview of the series emphasizes its themes of family and connections within the distinctive realm of golf, offering a touching storyline that seeks to resonate with viewers.

**Critical Feedback**

Initial critiques for Stick have started to surface, indicating that while the series shares traits with Ted Lasso, it also has its unique appeal. Reviewers have mentioned the following:

– **Rolling Stone**: “If Stick seems derivative — not only of Ted Lasso, but of underdog sports films and shows broadly — it still holds its own appeal, beginning with its leading performer.”

– **TV Insider**: “Though many of the more obvious twists and predictable bumps invite a few eye rolls, you won’t be able to help but cheer for this makeshift family.”

– **Exclaim!**: “Fans of

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visionOS 26 Unveils Complete Compatibility with PlayStation, Xbox, and Spatial Controllers

**Apple Vision Pro: Broadening Controller Support for an Improved Gaming Experience**

The Apple Vision Pro is poised to transform the gaming arena with its groundbreaking approach to gesture-driven spatial computing. While the device has shown potential, it has encountered hurdles in merging traditional gaming experiences. Nonetheless, recent updates indicate a meaningful change is imminent.

### Tapping In

As reported by 9to5Mac, Apple is gearing up to enhance controller support on visionOS. This expansion will not only encompass well-known gamepads from PlayStation and Xbox but will also unveil a new class of input devices referred to as **spatial controllers**. Although preliminary support for these controllers has been available since visionOS 1.0, developers have been slow to adopt it due to its restricted functionality. Presently, games that necessitate a controller bear a “controller required” label on the Apple Vision Pro App Store.

### Existing Bluetooth Controller Support

Apple Vision Pro does accommodate Bluetooth controllers, enabling users to personalize button layouts for specific games. However, the forthcoming updates will actively enhance and broaden this capability. Users will receive notifications when they are about to buy a game that mandates either PlayStation, Xbox, or MFi controllers, or specifically requires spatial controllers fashioned for 3D interactions.

This improvement extends beyond the current “controller required” label, aligning with earlier reports from Bloomberg about Apple’s partnership with Sony. The two companies are believed to be collaborating to incorporate support for PlayStation VR2 hand controllers into the Vision Pro, a project that has been underway for several months.

### Future Developments

The incorporation of these controllers implies that games available on the Vision Pro could utilize the same console controllers already supported on other Apple devices, with enhanced system-level recognition within the App Store and visionOS.

While the foundation for this controller support has been established, it is still uncertain whether these updates will be unveiled at the upcoming WWDC or later in the year. However, signs indicate that Apple is preparing for a major gaming announcement.

In addition to controller support, Apple is rumored to be launching a new Games app, expected to debut with iOS 26 and macOS 26. This app will act as a central hub for all gaming endeavors across Apple Arcade, the App Store, and even external titles on macOS. Features might include achievements, challenges, and social functionalities reminiscent of the former Game Center app, enabling users to monitor friends’ activities and compete on leaderboards.

Moreover, Apple is investigating closer integration with communication tools like FaceTime and iMessage, potentially enhancing in-game interactions and introducing mini-games via App Clips.

### Conclusion

As Apple persists in enhancing its gaming ecosystem, the incorporation of PlayStation and Xbox controller support could greatly elevate the allure of the Vision Pro. The forthcoming announcements at WWDC may offer more insights into how Apple intends to position its platforms as serious contenders in the gaming sector. Anticipation builds as users look forward to the next phase of Apple’s gaming journey.

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NotebookLM Unveils Public Notebooks to Improve Sharing and Learning

You can now distribute your preferred NotebookLM notebooks to others.

(Image credit: Google)

Essential information

  • NotebookLM is introducing a public notebooks feature that allows users to share projects with anyone.
  • Earlier, the platform only permitted sharing notebooks directly with a Google user.
  • Now, it’s possible to generate a shareable link to a NotebookLM project, resulting in a view-only public notebook for others.

NotebookLM has swiftly emerged as a favored option for studying and acquiring new knowledge, and sharing study notes and AI experiences with others is becoming more accessible. On June 3, Google announced that public notebooks are being introduced in NotebookLM. With a few simple clicks, any NotebookLM user can create a public notebook by generating a shareable link to it.

This may resemble how shared files operate in Google Workspace, yet there are some significant distinctions. For one, public notebooks are view-only, which means there’s no opportunity for collaboration on the sources and information contained within a NotebookLM project. Nonetheless, NotebookLM focuses on personalized studying and learning experiences customized for the individual user, and that will not change.

Although the sources within a NotebookLM project cannot be altered, there are still numerous ways to engage with a public notebook utilizing AI features. You can produce a podcast-style explanation with Audio Overviews, create an FAQ sheet for straightforward studying, or have AI compose a briefing document. Additionally, there is the possibility of interacting with the <a data-analytics-id="inline-link" href="https://www.androidcentral.com/tag/gemini" data-auto-tag-link

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Nintendo Switch Android Application Gets Significant Update in Preparation for Summer Launch of Switch 2

With a new console approaching and the onset of summer vacation, parents may find this update essential.

Nintendo has recently rolled out an upgrade to its Parental Control app, featuring a revamped interface and compatibility with the soon-to-be-released Switch 2 console, which is slated for launch on June 5. This update comes at an opportune moment, offering parents improved oversight of their children’s gaming activities throughout the summer break.

Highlighted features of the refreshed app include:

1. **GameChat Controls**: Parents now have the ability to regulate their child’s access to GameChat on the Switch 2. This utility empowers parents to determine whom their children can interact with and when they can engage in video chatting, fostering a more secure gaming atmosphere.

2. **Flexible Playtime**: The app allows for adaptable management of playtime restrictions. Parents can lengthen their child’s gaming time by five, fifteen, or thirty minutes, or even completely remove the daily limit, indicated by Nintendo’s Starman icon, promoting a more lenient gaming experience during the holidays.

3. **Activity Tracking**: The app delivers a comprehensive overview of the console’s usage, presenting daily and monthly playtime metrics. This capability assists parents in monitoring their child’s gaming behaviors and making wise choices regarding playtime regulations.

4. **Management of Multiple Devices**: Parents can link and supervise several Switch consoles through the app, simplifying the oversight of gaming activities across various devices.

The update can be accessed on the Play Store, and Android users can download and install it to benefit from these enhanced features. With the Switch 2’s release imminent, this update ensures that parents are well-prepared to effectively manage their children’s gaming experiences.

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“Phone 3 Release Date Revealed, Coming Up Soon”

The firm Nothing is preparing to reveal its upcoming flagship device, the Nothing Phone 3, on July 1 at 1 p.m. ET. This information was verified in a message to Android Central. Those interested can register for updates on Nothing’s official site.

Nothing has been promoting the Phone 3 using its distinctive dot and mosaic designs, and the launch announcement followed suit. A video shared on social media with the phrase “Come to play” suggests potential customization options for the back panel of the phone.

The company has recently declared the end of its Glyph lights interface, igniting speculation that a fresh customizable design could take its place. The Phone 3 was initially set to debut last year, but its release was postponed to incorporate cutting-edge AI features, possibly including Google’s Gemini in the Android interface.

CEO Carl Pei has characterized the Phone 3 as Nothing’s first “true flagship smartphone,” focusing on merging the finest aspects of Android into the device. Along with the Phone 3, Nothing may also introduce its inaugural headphones, provisionally named “Headphones 1.”

The Phone 3 is anticipated to be priced at approximately £800. For further information, interested individuals can check out Nothing’s official website.

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Samsung Provides $1,000 Off on Galaxy Z Fold 6 This Week

The Discover Samsung event has returned.

(Photo credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

The Z Fold 7 is expected to be unveiled next month; however, the latest Galaxy Z Fold 6 promotions have made the wait quite challenging. This week exclusively, Samsung is offering up to $1,000 off the 2024 foldable with the trade-in of an old or damaged device, or you can opt for a direct $400 discount by forgoing the trade-in. Given the high price point of the foldable phone, these discounts can be significantly beneficial.

The promotion is a component of the company’s <a

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