Month: October 2025

    • Richard
    • Comments Off on iOS 26.1 Beta 4 Brings New Option to Decrease Liquid Glass Transparency
    iOS 26.1 Beta 4 Brings New Option to Decrease Liquid Glass Transparency

    ### iOS 26.1 Beta 4 Brings Enhanced Liquid Glass Design Choices

    The recent updates to Apple’s operating systems have resulted in noteworthy alterations to the user interface, especially with the rollout of the Liquid Glass design in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26. This fresh design prioritizes transparency and fluidity, enriching the visual experience across all devices. Nonetheless, user feedback has led Apple to implement a new feature in the iOS 26.1 beta 4 that permits users to modify the look of Liquid Glass.

    #### Customization Features

    The iOS 26.1 beta 4, along with its versions for iPad and Mac, now features a setting that allows users to select between a more transparent “Clear” appearance and a “Tinted” variation that heightens opacity and contrast. This option can be found in the Settings app on iPhone and iPad under the Display & Brightness menu, while Mac users can locate it within the Appearance menu in System Settings.

    Apple categorizes the two options as follows:
    – **Clear**: This selection preserves the original clarity of Liquid Glass, enabling users to view the underlying content.
    – **Tinted**: This choice boosts opacity, offering a more defined contrast against the background.

    #### Device-Wide Implementation

    The new Liquid Glass setting is binary, meaning users can pick only one of the two choices without any intermediate modifications. Activating the Tinted option impacts not only Apple’s native applications but also third-party apps that leverage the Liquid Glass design. This guarantees a uniform look across the user’s experience on their iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

    Moreover, the Tinted option improves the readability of notifications on the Lock Screen for iPhone and iPad users, facilitating easier access to alerts and messages.

    #### User Input and Upcoming Updates

    Apple’s choice to introduce this feature is a response to user demands during the beta testing phase of iOS 26. A number of users indicated a wish for greater control over the opacity of the Liquid Glass design. The introduction of this setting seeks to deliver a more customized experience, enabling users to adjust the interface according to their tastes.

    The iOS 26.1 beta 4, along with iPadOS 26.1 beta 4 and macOS 26.1 beta 4, is now available to developers, with a public beta anticipated to be launched soon.

    #### Final Thoughts

    The Liquid Glass design has seen considerable development since its debut, with Apple persistently enhancing the user experience based on input. The new customization features in iOS 26.1 beta 4 mark a move towards enhanced personalization, allowing users to select the aesthetic that aligns best with their preferences. As Apple continues to evolve, users can anticipate further improvements that emphasize both usability and visual allure.

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Claude Code Unveils Vibe-Coding for Web and iPhone Users
    Claude Code Unveils Vibe-Coding for Web and iPhone Users

    Claude Code operating on the web.

    Anthropic

    On Monday, Anthropic declared that Claude Code, its AI-driven coding technology, is now accessible on the web and the iPhone application. Users vibe-coding with Claude Code will have the option of using the web or iPhone app instead of a terminal interface, enhancing the usability of the AI coding platform. This could attract a broader audience, including non-developers, who may wish to leverage Claude Code for coding-related ideas. Nevertheless, the AI company notes that the web version of Claude Code is in beta as a research preview, with access initially limited to Claude Pro and Max subscribers.

    The web version of Claude Code will enable developers to assign various coding tasks to Claude that will operate concurrently on a cloud infrastructure overseen by Anthropic. The online tool will facilitate workflows akin to those currently managed through terminal applications or other access methods. Users will connect with GitHub repositories and assign tasks to Claude using natural language.

    The key distinction is that there is no need to keep a terminal app open for Claude Code to function. Furthermore, Claude can execute multiple tasks in the cloud, allowing new assignments to be given without waiting for the completion of each task. The company elaborates that each session operates in its own separate environment, providing real-time progress feedback and opportunity for guidance, enabling users to tweak the AI’s actions as it processes tasks without halting its workflow.

    Requirements to Use Claude Code on the Web and iPhone

    <img class

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    • sparta
    • Comments Off on User Perspectives on the Longevity of Budget Televisions
    User Perspectives on the Longevity of Budget Televisions

    Costco even showcasing an affordable 100-inch television.

    But how much lifespan can we expect from these lower-priced televisions, particularly when they come loaded with numerous features? There are specific gadgets that many of us replace fairly regularly, yet traditionally, televisions have not been among those frequently updated. It’s quite typical for individuals to keep a television for a duration of 5-10 years. Nevertheless, many believe that contemporary televisions don’t endure as long as earlier models. As a person who daily operates a 27-inch Panasonic CRT from 2001, I speak from personal experience.

    In November of 2023, I acquired two brand-new 65-inch TCL Roku televisions, both of which malfunctioned within a year of purchase and just months apart. One had a single burnt LED, resulting in a complete blackout; the other experienced a blown capacitor, leading to a non-functioning display. Fortunately, both were relatively straightforward to repair, but only due to my background in electronics repair. A typical user would have undoubtedly gone out to buy a new television.

    You should anticipate approximately 45,000 hours of usage

    <source media="(max-width: 428px)" srcset="https://www.bgr.com/img/gallery/how-long-do-cheap-tvs-really

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    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Evaluating the Suunto Coach: Is AI Capable of Substituting Your Personal Trainer?
    Evaluating the Suunto Coach: Is AI Capable of Substituting Your Personal Trainer?

    AI continues to strive for ubiquity, extending its reach to your wrists and fitness routines. In contrast to generative AI “slop” like photo and video creation, there is a compelling argument for AI to permeate your exercise and wellness strategies. Access to a personal trainer, sports physician, or physical therapist is a luxury few can afford; therefore, a precise and user-friendly AI solution could bridge that gap.

    Naturally, this places significant expectations on a technology known for its occasional errors. When health is at stake, it’s crucial to be discerning about the devices and functionalities you place your trust in. Whether we embrace it or not, AI is poised to influence the health sector — with brands like Garmin, Strava, Apple, Samsung, Google, and many more introducing AI-enhanced features now.

    Suunto enhanced its Suunto Coach, an AI-driven workout assistant, to facilitate AI-created training plans over the summer. I’ve been testing them with the recently launched Vertical 2 adventure watch, and I find it fascinating for two reasons. First, Suunto Coach and My plan are free of charge. Second, they are genuinely employing AI, which is not something every workout feature that claims to be AI can validate.

    So, is it effective? Here are my initial impressions after using the Vertical 2 for two weeks and establishing an AI workout regimen.

    ### Creating a personalized My plan with Suunto Coach

    After recording several running and walking sessions with the Suunto Vertical 2, I set out to create the AI-generated training plan utilizing Suunto Coach. The initial step involves a brief questionnaire aimed at understanding your training objectives and abilities.

    Suunto will inquire about the number of hours you train each week, followed by your maximum time commitment. You’ll also have the opportunity to select a specific day for long runs or express a preference for strength and cross-training workouts. Finally, you’ll disclose your race target and terrain type.

    The questions might differ based on your chosen training plan. I opted for the “Get fast for 5km” plan, as my primary concern is improving my 5K time rather than increasing mileage. I completed the questionnaire based on this goal, aiming for a personal best on a flat and swift course.

    From that point, Suunto will carry out some AI processing in the background to develop your training regimen. This process can take some time, typically between 10 to 30 minutes. The positive aspect is that you only need to undertake this once for each plan. Utilizing the context derived from your responses, Suunto will generate a customized training routine.

    The initial experience reminded me of Samsung’s Running Coach, a similar feature that also involves a brief questionnaire for assessing your capabilities. However, it appears there is more AI processing taking place with Suunto Coach. The plan creation time is longer and provides more variety than Running Coach, which tends to be more rigid with set time and distance running levels.

    This is what captivates me about Suunto Coach and the AI-generated training plans, known as “My plan,” which are still in beta. For better or for worse, they genuinely employ AI. Conversely, AI has not made a significant difference in Running Coach or Apple’s Workout Buddy. The latter primarily reiterates live statistics you are already familiar with seeing on your Apple Watch.

    ### A fitness tool with promise, but some quirks

    Once the training plan was created, I recognized immediate promise along with a few peculiarities. The plan appears tailored and considerate, featuring weekly targets, long-term objectives, and specific instructions for individual workouts. It effectively incorporates best practices for running and integrates them into a dedicated plan.

    For example, my plan included strategically placed rest days and an easy, low-mileage week after each pair of intense training weeks. The 10-week schedule suggested six weeks of strenuous workouts and three weeks of recovery running, culminating in a taper during the final week. Its design aims to optimize performance while managing mileage and preventing injuries from overuse.

    These are established tips and strategies that even seasoned runners find challenging to implement. It’s encouraging to see them encapsulated within a comprehensive training plan that shifts the strategy burden from the runner to AI.

    However, several elements could benefit from adjustment. The time, mileage, and pace targets for each session didn’t appear to correspond with the data I had already logged on the Vertical 2. This suggests that the AI engine of Suunto Coach is relying more on the questionnaire than on your historical stats when formulating a plan. It’s intended to evolve dynamically, yet it remains in beta.

    I also found it odd that the AI workout plan randomly included a cross-country skiing session during week eight. As someone who has never engaged in cross-country skiing, and given its complexity for a first-time experience, it’s quite an unusual suggestion.

    ### Suunto Coach serves best as a guide, not a blueprint

    I intend to continue using Suunto Coach, despite areas for enhancement. It appears to be genuinely beneficial for training as long as

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    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Get a Discount of Up to $300 on the 2024 Motorola Stylus Phone at Best Buy
    Get a Discount of Up to $300 on the 2024 Motorola Stylus Phone at Best Buy

    The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) stands out in the mid-tier smartphone sector, delivering features that nearly compete with flagship devices while still being budget-friendly. This phone is particularly attractive to individuals who value the convenience of a built-in stylus, a feature that boosts productivity and creativity while on the move.

    The Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) boasts a 6.7-inch OLED screen, offering vibrant hues and rich contrasts that elevate the user experience, whether you’re watching videos or surfing the web. The display’s 120Hz refresh rate guarantees seamless scrolling and smooth animations, a characteristic usually seen in pricier models.

    Internally, the phone utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor, complemented by 8GB of RAM, providing impressive performance for daily activities and multitasking. This setup ensures the device can manage resource-intensive applications and games with ease, making it a dependable option for users requiring a phone that can keep pace with their hectic lives.

    Photography fans will value the phone’s camera arrangement, featuring a 50MP wide lens, a 13MP ultrawide shooter, and a 32MP front-facing camera. These cameras produce detailed and vibrant images, ideal for both casual clicks and more serious photography.

    A highlight of the Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is its enduring battery life, which guarantees that the device can last an entire day without needing to be charged. This is paired with the phone’s vegan leather back, offering a premium touch while also enhancing grip, minimizing the risk of accidental drops.

    Despite its stellar features, the Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is still wallet-friendly. It is accessible at considerable discounts, especially when bought through stores like Best Buy, where it can be available for as low as $200 under certain conditions. This positions it as an ideal choice for those looking for a high-performing device without overspending.

    In conclusion, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is a superb option for users seeking a smartphone that combines flagship-like functionalities at a mid-range cost. Its blend of a premium display, robust performance, adaptable camera system, and distinctive stylus capability makes it a noteworthy contender in the bustling smartphone arena.

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    • sparta
    • Comments Off on AWS Service Interruption Disrupts Online Services, Impacting Reddit, Fortnite, and More for Multiple Hours
    AWS Service Interruption Disrupts Online Services, Impacting Reddit, Fortnite, and More for Multiple Hours
    (Image credit: Logo Wine)

    Essential information to note

    • The Amazon Web Services outage affected numerous platforms and services globally.
    • The peak of the outage occurred around 3 AM ET, impacting more than 13,000 users as reported by Downdetector.
    • This incident underscores the dependency on major cloud providers and has spurred discussions on adopting varied multi-cloud approaches.

    On Monday morning (Oct. 20), individuals awoke to yet another extensive internet disruption, this time attributed to Amazon’s Web Services. The cloud platform, crucial for a significant portion of the internet and applications such as Reddit, Fortnite, Snapchat, Canva, and Apple TV, experienced service interruptions. Reports suggest that government services worldwide and numerous companies were also affected by this downtime.

    Multiple sources indicate that users began encountering service issues as early as 12 AM ET, with the outage reaching its peak around 3 AM ET. As per Downdetector, from 4 AM ET to 12 PM ET, more than 13,000 individuals were reported to be affected by this outage. Reuters <a data-analytics-id="inline-link" href="https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/amazons-cloud-unit-re

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on “Efficient ChatGPT Techniques for Boosting Everyday Effectiveness and Habits”
    “Efficient ChatGPT Techniques for Boosting Everyday Effectiveness and Habits”

    a person utilizing chatgpt on their smartphone and computer display

    Ju Jae-young/Shutterstock

    ChatGPT is not solely for responding to inquiries or drafting mundane emails. It serves as a highly effective tool that can assist you in establishing positive habits, advancing toward your objectives, and growing as a person. Consider it your assistant, mentor, and support system combined. You can leverage it to organize your day, assess your development, and even inspire yourself during challenging times. The essence is mastering the art of conversing with it effectively through thoughtful prompts and inventive strategies.

    In this write-up, we have curated several ChatGPT recommendations that will enhance your workflow and daily practices. They will prove useful whether you’re managing competing deadlines, finding it hard to stay on top of things, or merely seeking to foster a greater sense of equilibrium in your day. Experiment with them, and you’ll quickly realize that using ChatGPT with a purpose can significantly improve your ability to handle life more efficiently and thoughtfully.

    Transform goals into habits

    <img class="gallery-image " src="https://allyoucantech.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/efficient-chatgpt-techniques-for-boosting-everyday-effectiveness-and-habits-2.jpg" data-slide-url="https://www.bgr.com/1997002/chatgpt-tips-help-focus-work-habits/" data-post-id="1997002" data-slide-num="1" data-slide-title="5 ChatGPT Tips To Help Streamline Your Daily Work And Habits: Transform goals into habits" width="780" height="438" alt

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    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Apple Engineers Voice Worries About Possible Letdown with Upcoming Siri Generation
    Apple Engineers Voice Worries About Possible Letdown with Upcoming Siri Generation

    **Some Apple Engineers Are Concerned The Next-Generation Version Of Siri May Be Underwhelming**

    The efficacy of Siri within the AI realm isn’t particularly a strong suit for Apple these days. Especially for a corporation that prides itself on software that “just works,” Siri far too frequently falls short. The positive aspect, however, is that Apple recognizes Siri’s limitations, particularly in comparison to competing AI software such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini.

    Consequently, Apple has been diligently working to enhance Siri to increase its utility and responsiveness. The redesign of Siri, which was unveiled last October — featuring a radiant glow along the edges — marked a hopeful beginning. Yet, it cannot be denied that Siri still requires substantial improvement. That said, Apple has been hinting at a completely overhauled version of Siri set to launch early next year.

    During an earnings conference call a few months back, Apple CEO Tim Cook stated that the company is “making good strides on a more personalized Siri.” Furthermore, reports suggest that the software will be made available to the public in March 2026 alongside the release of iOS 26.4. That is the good news. The downside is that some Apple engineers are reportedly worried that the Siri update in iOS 26.4 may not meet expectations, meaning it may not enhance functionality to the necessary degree.

    **Some Apple engineers are tentatively hopeful about next-gen Siri**

    As reported by Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, an exodus of key Apple AI engineers might occur if the new version of Siri fails to meet anticipations. “I firmly believe that there will be more senior members of the company’s AI division exiting soon, especially if the new Siri arrives in the spring and underperforms,” Gurman writes. “Already, there are apprehensions from individuals testing iOS 26.4 — the OS version expected to introduce the new Siri — regarding the assistant’s performance.”

    That’s not very encouraging, particularly considering that Gurman’s insights regarding forthcoming Apple software are typically quite accurate. While it’s highly unlikely that the next version of Siri will instantaneously become the AI software to overcome, Apple must be confident it can introduce sufficient enhancements to prove it remains a key competitor in the AI landscape.

    **Is Tim Cook’s confidence in AI justified?**

    It’s important to highlight that Tim Cook sees Apple as still having the opportunity to catch up with the competition. During a recent earnings conference call, Cook mentioned that Apple has historically entered markets relatively late, only to later dominate them.

    “We’ve rarely been first,” Cook informed company employees last August. “There was a PC prior to the Mac; there was a smartphone before the iPhone; many tablets existed before the iPad; an MP3 player came before the iPod. Yet Apple created the modern versions of these product categories. This is how I perceive AI.”

    Cook is certainly correct regarding the iPod and iPhone, but the AI arena is somewhat distinct. To begin with, Apple was able to use its hardware expertise to outpace rival MP3 player and smartphone manufacturers in the early 2000s. However, no such edge exists in the AI field since specialized AI hardware isn’t the battleground, although renowned Apple designer Jony Ive is allegedly collaborating on hardware-based AI products with OpenAI. Secondly, and perhaps more crucially, the competition Apple faces in the AI domain is far more advanced, aggressive, and agile than the sluggish rivals Apple encountered during the iPod and early iPhone phases.

    **Apple’s AI team is facing talent attrition**

    Apple’s ambition to make a significant impact in the AI sector is presently being impeded by aggressive talent acquisition from Meta. In recent months, Apple has seen several of its leading AI engineers and researchers depart for enticing job offers from Meta. Notably, some of these engineers played highly significant roles in creating new Siri functionalities. For example, Meta recently recruited Ke Yang, a skilled engineer who previously led Apple’s “Answers, Knowledge, and Information” group — a core team focused on transforming Siri into a more conversational chatbot.

    Apple undoubtedly possesses vast resources to allocate towards AI development, but to genuinely enhance Siri in a substantial manner, the company must improve its retention of top engineers. In the meantime, all attention will be on Apple come March 2026 when it unveils a revamped version of Siri.

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