Month: September 2025

Samsung Showcases Advertisements on Premium Smart Refrigerators

Reddit users who posted a picture of the changelog displayed by their fridge after it updated to the latest version. This changelog indicates that ads will now be shown on the Weather, Color, and Daily Board themes while the Gallery and Art themes will not show ads — at least for the time being. That could be subject to change later on.

Naturally, the community was displeased to learn of this situation, particularly considering the high price of Samsung’s appliances, including the AI fridges the company has launched in recent years. Thus, investing that amount of money into a product, only for the maker to begin delivering ads to you right in your kitchen, may feel quite insulting. Unfortunately, there is no option to disable them.

Regrettably, that changelog was accurate

Gemini’s September Update Improves Camera and Image Editing Capabilities for Pixel Users

Discover what is being released this month from Google’s Gemini.

(Image credit: Google)
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Key points

  • Today (Sep 19), Google revealed its September Gemini Drop, showcasing updates such as Gemini Live, which can now utilize your camera for visual assistance.
  • The announcement also features the Nano Banana image editor within the Gemini app, which has recently launched and is reported to have brought in over 10 million new users.
  • Gemini’s personalized AI Gems can now be shared among users, and its integration in Canvas allows users to develop applications without needing extensive coding expertise.

It’s September, indicating that Google is outlining all the fresh features users can anticipate—or will soon anticipate—from its AI model throughout this month.

Google elaborated on its September Gemini Drop this morning (Sep 19)

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Early Prime Day Promotion Delivers 36% Savings on Beloved Fire Tablet

The Fire HD 10 tablet frequently goes on sale, making it an excellent choice for smart homes equipped with Alexa.

(Image credit: Amazon)

Early Prime Day tablet discounts are already emerging, which is ideal for individuals eager to get a deal before the official sale begins on October 7th. In advance of the upcoming Prime Day event, the price of Amazon’s Fire HD 10 tablet has dropped back to 36% off, making the version with lockscreen ads only $90 for members.

For those who prefer to avoid the lockscreen ads, they can opt to remove them during the purchase process or afterwards. Furthermore, while this promotion is for the standard 32GB model of the tablet, the 64GB variant is also available at a 44% discount for just $10 more.

Regardless, we believe the Fire HD 10 is the

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More than 30 applications unveil Liquid Glass Design for iOS 26

# Discovering iOS 26: Premier Third-Party Applications with Liquid Glass Design

Apple has officially introduced iOS 26 for the iPhone, featuring a cutting-edge Liquid Glass design language. This fresh aesthetic not only boosts the visual charm of the operating system but also opens avenues for developers to craft distinctive applications that utilize this design. If you’re keen on discovering the finest third-party apps that incorporate the Liquid Glass design, here are more than 30 suggestions.

## Widgetsmith 8
[Get Widgetsmith 8 on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/widgetsmith/id1523682319)

## Dark Noise
[Get Dark Noise on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dark-noise-ambient-sounds/id1465439395)

## Overcast
[Get Overcast on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/overcast/id888422857)

## Pedometer++ 7
[Get Pedometer++ 7 on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pedometer/id712286167)

## Sleep++ 4.7
[Get Sleep++ 4.7 on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sleep/id1038440371)

## Flighty
[Get Flighty on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flighty-live-flight-tracker/id1358823008)

## Look Up
[Get Look Up on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lookup-english-dictionary/id872564448)

## CardPointers
[Get CardPointers on the App Store](http://cardpointers.com/925)

## Craft
[Get Craft on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/craft-write-docs-ai-editing/id1487937127)

## CardioBot
[Get CardioBot on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cardiobot-heart-rate-monitor/id1149412984)

## Carrot Weather
[Get Carrot Weather on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/carrot-weather-alerts-radar/id961390574)

## World Clock Widgets
[Get World Clock Widgets on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/world-clock-time-zone-widgets/id956377119)

## Gamery
[Get Gamery on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/gamery-track-your-games/id1607763458)

## Slopes
[Get Slopes on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/slopes-ski-snowboard/id643351983)

## Denim
[Get Denim on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/denim-playlist-cover-maker/id1532250420)

## Focus
[Get Focus on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/focus-timer-for-productivity/id975017240)

## Foodnoms
[Get Foodnoms on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nutrition-tracker-foodnoms/id1479461686)

## Croissant
[Get Croissant on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/croissant-cross-posting/id6670288979)

## MoneyCoach
[Get MoneyCoach on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/moneycoach-budget-planner/id989642198)

## Paste Limitless Clipboard
[Get Paste on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/paste-limitless-clipboard/id967805235)

## Waterllama
[Get Waterllama on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/water-tracker-waterllama/id1454778585)

## And Many More
– [Countr 4](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/countr/id911664683?itsct=apps_box&itscg=30200)
– [American Airlines](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/american-airlines/id382698565)
– [Pastel](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pastel/id413897608?platform=iphone)
– [Foodllama](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/food-tracker-ai-foodllama/id6743861207)
– [Liftin’](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/liftin-gym-workout-tracker/id1445041669)
– [Mindllama](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/breathe-sleep-focus-mindllama/id6444920320)
– [PocketShelf](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pocketshelf-track-books-tbr/id6745476834)
– [Cheatsheet Notes](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cheatsheet-sticky-note-widget/id914665829)

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Apple Raises iPhone 17 Production Goals Owing to Strong Pre-Order Interest

Apple is modifying its iPhone manufacturing approach in reaction to significant pre-order interest for the iPhone 17. Reports suggest that Apple has directed Luxshare Precision, one of its primary assemblers, to increase daily output of the standard iPhone 17 by about 40%. Furthermore, a provider of non-electrical components has been requested to enhance its production by nearly 30%. This change indicates that consumers might be leaning towards the more budget-friendly iPhone 17, priced at $799, instead of the premium Pro models, which begin at $1,099.

Earlier estimates forecasted that the standard iPhone 17 would constitute 25% of total production, with the Pro and Pro Max models comprising 65%, and the iPhone Air making up the remaining 10%. However, the recent boost in production goals suggests that demand for the standard model may surpass Apple’s expectations, especially as the iPhone Air enters the market at a competitive price.

The iPhone 17 brings several features usually exclusive to Pro models, such as ProMotion technology, an enhanced camera system, and the new Center Stage capability for the front camera. These upgrades might be impacting consumer choices, rendering the entry-level device more attractive.

Although it is still early in the release timeline to ascertain the overall success of the new lineup, the production modifications represent a significant trend in consumer behavior. Apple has a history of revising production targets, and the real effects of these adjustments will become apparent as the availability of each device is observed in the upcoming weeks.

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How to Configure an SD Card as the Default Storage on Android Devices

referred to as external storage. They are termed “external” because they are not integrated within the device, but rather inserted or connected externally. For instance, you can insert a microSD card into your smartphone if it features an SD card slot, thereby effectively increasing your storage capacity. 

This functionality allows you to utilize an SD card as additional storage on Android devices, meaning all your new photos, videos, and media are saved there instead of in the phone’s internal storage. But what happens if you wish to designate an inserted microSD card as the default storage on Android?

How to designate an SD Card as default storage on Android devices

Google’s Latest Intelligent Speaker Might Look Like the Initial Google Home Products

New information indicates that Google is bringing back the classic Google Home name and moving away from the Nest branding for its forthcoming smart speaker. The device is believed to offer 360-degree audio, positioning it against Apple’s HomePod Mini. Nest Aware subscriptions are allegedly being rebranded as Google Home Premium and Premium Advanced, featuring AI-enhanced alerts and summaries.

During the recent Made by Google event, attention was focused on the new Pixel devices and Pixel Watch, but a different gadget made a quiet appearance. Observant viewers noticed a compact, circular speaker placed on a side table while Lando Norris was speaking, and it resembled an old favorite.

Google has remained silent about that enigmatic smart speaker since it was first spotted, but a recent report might have revealed its identity. It appears that Google is abandoning the Nest label for its upcoming speakers and naming the new one “Google Home Speaker.”

As reported by 9to5Google, version 3.41 of the Google Home Android app disclosed the name within its code. This discovery suggests that Google may be moving away from the Nest branding and reverting to the classic Google Home name.

The APK breakdown also implies that the new speaker will feature 360-degree audio. This aligns perfectly with its round design and places it in direct competition with Apple’s HomePod Mini.

In addition to the findings regarding the Google Home Speaker, Nest Aware is reportedly undergoing a name change to “Google Home Premium,” while Nest Aware Plus will be rebranded as “Google Home Premium Advanced.”

New code indicates the speaker could provide AI-driven summaries of events, notifications, and daily household activities. This capability seems linked to the forthcoming Google Home Premium plan, which is expected to replace Nest Aware.

Code snippets discovered in the app further suggest that Google Home Premium will be integrated into a Google One plan, delivering additional video history and enhanced alerts.

Apple’s HomePod Mini has already set a high standard. It’s a compact speaker that doesn’t force you to choose between exceptional sound, strong Siri integration, and effortless control over your Apple smart home.

In contrast, Google’s Nest Mini has typically focused more on functionality than sound quality. It’s a reliable, budget-friendly Assistant portal, but not necessarily a speaker you’d purchase primarily for music.

If this mysterious speaker turns out to be as anticipated, it reshapes the landscape. Google is evidently targeting the HomePod Mini with a product intended to genuinely compete in audio quality, aesthetics, and intelligence.

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Apple’s Latest Home Offerings Improved Through Compelling Innovations

Apple is set to embark on a major venture into the smart home domain, with new product introductions anticipated shortly and an extensive rollout scheduled for 2026. This initiative arises as rivals such as Samsung unveil features that may diverge from consumer desires, including advertisements on smart devices.

### Apple Said to be Broadening Home Product Range

Traditionally, Apple’s footprint in the smart home arena has been minimal, mainly depending on third-party vendors to develop accessories compatible with its HomeKit system. While devices like the Apple TV 4K and HomePod have received favorable reviews, the company’s proprietary offerings have been limited.

Nonetheless, there are whispers of impending products that might feature a new HomePod with a display, a security camera, and a smart doorbell. These new releases could enhance the user experience and establish a more integrated ecosystem for Apple users. Many expect that Apple’s upcoming innovations will elevate the benchmark compared to current third-party options, which frequently struggle with integration within the HomeKit environment.

### Samsung Smart Refrigerators Now Feature Ads After Software Upgrade

In contrast, Samsung has recently rolled out a contentious capability in its smart refrigerators, where users may encounter advertisements on the appliance’s screens following a software upgrade. This decision has raised concerns, as it alters the emphasis of smart home technology from improving user convenience to generating revenue through advertising.

Samsung’s trial program for ads on its Family Hub refrigerator displays has been presented as a method to innovate and enhance customer value. Nonetheless, doubts persist about the consequences of such features on user experience.

### Conclusion

As Apple prepares to unveil its new home products, consumer excitement is tangible, especially considering recent choices by competitors that may undermine the smart home experience. With a commitment to quality and user-focused design, Apple’s upcoming products could transform the smart home landscape, offering a strong alternative to devices that emphasize advertising over usability.

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HomeKit Weekly: SwitchBot Hub 3 Showcases Functions Apple Might Explore for Upcoming Device Innovation

# The SwitchBot Hub 3: An In-Depth Review

Smart home technology is constantly progressing, permitting users to manage their devices effortlessly across multiple platforms. The SwitchBot Hub 3 is notable for its adaptability, improving the smart home experience by linking devices and offering extra features. This article explores the unboxing, installation, and attributes of the SwitchBot Hub 3, along with its potential influence on the smart home landscape.

## Unboxing and Installation

Unboxing the SwitchBot Hub 3 is an easy task. Within the box, users will discover the hub itself, an AC power adapter, and a stand. The provision of both the charger and the stand is a considerate addition, removing the hassle of needing to buy these components separately. The stand facilitates convenient placement on different surfaces, ensuring the hub is positioned at an ideal angle.

Setting up the SwitchBot Hub 3 is equally straightforward. After connecting it to power, users can launch the SwitchBot app, which assists in linking the hub to their Wi-Fi network. Once linked, scanning the Matter code on the rear of the hub incorporates it into the Apple Home app. This Matter support is vital as it empowers users to control the hub via Apple Home, ensuring compatibility with other smart home devices.

The SwitchBot Hub 3 also presents new sensors that observe the environment in the area where it is located. It monitors temperature, humidity, and movement, allowing users to generate automations in HomeKit. For instance, the motion sensor can activate lights when someone enters the room.

Moreover, the hub links existing SwitchBot products to HomeKit, enabling devices that previously needed the SwitchBot app to be controlled alongside other smart home gadgets.

## Why I Hope Apple Would Emulate It

There have been persistent speculations regarding Apple developing a HomePod-like device with a display that could function as a central smart home controller. The SwitchBot Hub 3 demonstrates the promise of such a gadget. It connects all SwitchBot devices to HomeKit, forming a unified smart home setting. Additionally, it features built-in monitoring for movement, temperature, and humidity, alongside the ability to create custom scenes and manage devices using physical buttons.

What users wish for from Apple is a singular device that consolidates all smart home capabilities. A product that enables users to check temperature, view security feeds, manage lighting, and oversee other devices from one interface would be revolutionary.

## Conclusion on SwitchBot Hub 3

The SwitchBot Hub 3 has redefined the notion of a smart home hub into a practical and effective tool. It not only connects IoT devices to a network but also offers essential information about the environment and improves user interaction with smart devices.

For anyone looking to enhance their smart home capabilities, the SwitchBot Hub 3 can be acquired from Amazon or directly through the SwitchBot website. Its blend of functionality and user-friendliness makes it a valuable addition to any smart home setup.

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