Month: October 2025

    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Apple is set to launch OLED screens for iPad Mini, iPad Air, and MacBook Air
    Apple is set to launch OLED screens for iPad Mini, iPad Air, and MacBook Air

    Mark Gurman from Bloomberg has reported that Apple is in the process of testing OLED displays for the iPad mini, iPad Air, and MacBook Air. Apple reportedly seeks to provide consumers with additional incentives to upgrade to new devices.

    According to Gurman, the iPad mini 8 (codename J510) could be the first among these devices to showcase an OLED display. Anticipated for release next year, the iPad mini 8 is expected to come with a redesigned, water-resistant case, akin to the latest iPhones. The smaller tablet may also feature a novel speaker system utilizing vibration technology, which would allow Apple to eliminate traditional speaker holes. This represents a departure from the design of the water-resistant iPhone that incorporates speaker grilles.

    In contrast to LCD displays, OLED screens deliver superior colors, deeper blacks, and enhanced contrast. Apple has already integrated OLED panels into the Apple Watch, iPhone, and iPad Pro. The focus has primarily been on the iPhone for OLED technology. Following the launch of the iPhone 16e earlier this year, Apple phased out its last LCD iPhone (the iPhone SE 3). Additionally, transitioning to OLED panels could result in price increases for the devices receiving the upgrade, as they are costlier than LCDs. The forthcoming iPad mini might see a price increase of $100 over the current version due to the inclusion of the OLED display.

    MacBook Air OLED enhancement anticipated in 2028

    <source media="(min-width: 429px)" srcset="https://www.bgr.com/img/gallery/apple-plans-oled-upgrades-for-ipad

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on “New Features Coming in macOS Tahoe 26.1”
    “New Features Coming in macOS Tahoe 26.1”

    macOS Tahoe signifies the final major upgrade for Intel Mac users, indicating they have just under a year of new functionalities before Apple shifts to a new phase exclusively for Apple Silicon Macs.

    Nevertheless, the organization continues to provide support for Intel Macs, incorporating the latest UI features and designs, like the Liquid Glass aesthetic. After three months of adjustments involving transparency, legibility, and more, Apple is at last introducing an option for users to select between the standard clear appearance or a new tinted variant, which enhances the opacity of UI components in applications and notifications. This enhancement is a crucial addition that will hopefully also arrive on iOS.

    macOS Tahoe 26.1 keeps enhancing the Mac experience

    <img class="gallery-image " src="https://www.bgr.com/img/gallery/5-new-features-coming-with-macos-tahoe-26-1/macos-tahoe-26-1-continues-to

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Step-by-Step Instructions for Early Access: How to Acquire Gemini for Home Immediately
    Step-by-Step Instructions for Early Access: How to Acquire Gemini for Home Immediately

    The Early Access phase for the company’s smart home devices developed since 2016 has arrived.

    Key information:
    – Google has announced that the Gemini for Home Early Access trial is starting today (Oct 28) for Android users.
    – This trial entirely replaces the Assistant with Gemini and Gemini Live on Google’s speakers and displays.
    – Each Gemini version is designed to quickly address simple questions, offering deeper insights and improved comprehension for more complex topics.

    Google’s significant advancements towards a more efficient smart home are officially here, as the company details what interested participants can expect.

    In a post from Keyword, Google reveals that Gemini for Home is launching today (Oct 28) in early access for users located in the U.S. If you’ve signed up for this major AI enhancement, Google confirms that the previous Assistant will be replaced with Gemini. The company describes this as a “core update,” which aims to create a more natural interaction between the user and the AI. There will be no additional costs for consumers, as this is merely a shift in AI.

    To utilize the new Gemini Home assistance, users can continue to use the “Hey Google” wake phrase. The post mentions that users can speak this command to their compatible speakers or display device to receive “richer answers, set and modify reminders, stream media, and manage your smart home…”

    For those wanting to harness Gemini Live’s intelligence, users must say, “Hey Google, let’s chat.” This command unlocks an enhanced level of AI support that helps users “expand their understanding” on various intricate subjects. Users can inquire about VR, comprehend online articles, or even assist their children with homework.

    Gemini Live in this Home enhancement can also support parents in determining ideal meals for their selective little eaters and even practice public speaking skills.

    Answer the door; it’s Gemini

    In addition to the numerous (100 things to try) prompts and queries available with Gemini, the AI’s smart home functionalities advance significantly. As the early access trial begins today, users can utilize the AI to review their camera history and create new automations without needing to access their phones. However, a Google Home Premium subscription is required for such features.

    If you enrolled earlier, you should notice these exciting updates today. If you haven’t signed up but are interested, users need to open Google Home (v4.1 or higher) > Tap Settings > Tap “Early Access.” There is a comprehensive guide containing information, along with the devices supported by Google for this trial.

    Interestingly, reports were circulating in October regarding Gemini for Home appearing for some users. Reddit users mentioned receiving emails about the trial’s rollout, even though certain features were absent, despite having the necessary subscription. So, these could have been early glimpses of the trial’s launch, and Google is now officially expanding it to enrolled testers.

    Regardless, Gemini for Home is presented as a significant transformation for the Google smart home experience. Gemini’s integration offers enhanced support for users looking to review their camera footage, access their Home Brief, and much more, as discussed at the month’s start.

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    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Apple TV Unveils New Mick Herron Drama Series After the Finale of Slow Horses Season 5
    Apple TV Unveils New Mick Herron Drama Series After the Finale of Slow Horses Season 5

    **Down Cemetery Road: A Fresh British Crime Drama on Apple TV**

    With the wrap-up of *Slow Horses* season five, Apple TV is keen to keep the momentum of its British crime drama lineup. The newest installment in its collection is *Down Cemetery Road*, which debuts today with a two-episode premiere. This series is adapted from the novel of the same title and guarantees to present a thrilling plot filled with suspense.

    Featuring Ruth Wilson and Emma Thompson, *Down Cemetery Road* centers on the investigation into the puzzling disappearance of a girl after an unexplainable explosion in a house. Wilson plays Sarah, a worried neighbor who turns to private investigator Zoe Boehm, portrayed by Thompson, to help solve the mystery.

    The series embodies the classic British appeal, merging humor and wit with its more serious themes, reminiscent of *Slow Horses*. Filming took place in the charming locales of Bristol, Somerset, and Oxford, contributing to the show’s genuine British feel.

    The first two episodes are now available for streaming for Apple TV subscribers. New subscribers can enjoy a seven-day free trial to check out the series. After the premiere, the remaining six episodes of the eight-part season will be released weekly, with fresh episodes debuting every Wednesday until the season finale on December 10.

    Initial critical feedback for *Down Cemetery Road* has been mostly favorable, with reviewers commending the lively performances of Wilson and Thompson. The source material predates the *Slow Horses* series, and if the show achieves considerable popularity, it might pave the way for more adaptations of Zoe Boehm’s escapades.

    *Slow Horses* has already established itself as a major success for Apple TV, earning praise from both fans and critics alike. The fifth season has just concluded, finishing with a sneak peek at the sixth season, which has been filmed, while a seventh season is also in development.

    As Apple TV continues to broaden its selection of British dramas, *Down Cemetery Road* emerges as a promising new installment that could engage viewers with its intriguing plot and impressive performances.

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Comprehending the “Slow Charger” Alert on iPhone: Implications and Remedies
    Comprehending the “Slow Charger” Alert on iPhone: Implications and Remedies

    # Comprehending iPhone Charging Rates: Rapid vs. Gradual Chargers

    If you possess an iPhone operating on iOS 26, you might have noticed a novel feature that shows the estimated duration to achieve 80% battery on your lock screen. However, if your device signals ‘Slow Charger,’ it indicates that you are utilizing a charger with insufficient power.

    ## Recognizing Slow Chargers

    The ‘Slow Charger’ alert generally occurs when using an outdated power adapter or cable that fails to support rapid charging. To attain peak charging speeds, it is advisable to employ a charging brick rated at 30 watts or higher, in conjunction with a suitable USB-C cable.

    Current iPhones, including the most recent models, come with larger batteries compared to those from five years prior. If you’ve recently transitioned from an older iPhone and switched from the Lightning connector to USB-C, it is probable that your former charging accessories cannot facilitate fast charging.

    For example, older USB-A chargers, characterized by a rectangular port, can provide a maximum of 7.5 watts, and frequently only 5 watts. At this capacity, charging an iPhone 17 could require three hours or longer to achieve full charge.

    ## Obtaining Fast Charging

    With appropriate accessories, iPhone fast charging can maintain speeds between 20 watts and 30 watts. At this rate, you can power your device from zero to 50% in under thirty minutes. The brand of the power adapter is not monumental; any USB-C charger compatible with Power Delivery will likely be adequate.

    Apple endorses its new Dynamic Charger for the iPhone 17, tailored for efficiency in speed and power usage. Nevertheless, more economical alternatives from brands like Anker or Belkin also offer effective fast charging capabilities.

    ## Wireless Rapid Charging

    The ‘Slow Charger’ notification can also arise when employing Qi wireless charging, especially if using a first-generation Qi charger delivering less than 10 watts. For swift wireless charging, seeking out official MagSafe accessories or those marked with Qi2 standards is advisable. The latest iPhones can accommodate wireless charging velocities up to 25 watts.

    For instance, the Belkin MagSafe charger can power your iPhone at speeds reaching 25 watts and features a spot for AirPods. Alternatively, a more budget-conscious choice is a basic wireless charging pad that can charge an iPhone at 15 watts.

    ## No Immediate Need for Upgrades

    Regardless of whether your iPhone shows a Slow Charger status, using a slower charger does not present safety hazards or risks to your device. The main concern is convenience. If you usually charge your phone overnight, a charger that requires three hours for a complete charge may not be problematic.

    However, if you seek the quickest charging speeds for your workspace or kitchen, the previously mentioned options will assist you in achieving that, whether through wired or wireless means.

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    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Samsung’s DRAM Deficit May Drive Up Costs of Upcoming Galaxy Smartphones
    Samsung’s DRAM Deficit May Drive Up Costs of Upcoming Galaxy Smartphones

    The firm’s tactical transition towards more “lucrative” productions appears to have influenced its DRAM output, resulting in a deficiency. Reports suggest that Samsung is facing a DRAM production shortfall due to its heightened emphasis on high-bandwidth memory (HBM) manufacturing for AI servers. This transition has, as reported, escalated expenses and could have repercussions for the upcoming “low to mid” range Galaxy smartphones. While there was conjecture concerning a possible price surge for the Galaxy S25 series, it ultimately did not come to fruition.

    The deficiency is linked to a substantial increase in HBM production, which offers greater profitability than conventional DRAM. Samsung’s transition towards HBM aims to accommodate the rising demand for AI and AI servers, but it has left DRAM production short on essential resources. This circumstance may influence Samsung’s “low to mid-priced devices,” possibly affecting the Galaxy A series and potentially future FE models.

    Although the DRAM shortfall presents difficulties, Samsung’s initiatives in HBM production have likewise led to price increases for SSDs. Nonetheless, consumers can rest assured that there is no imminent price hike for future Galaxy S series smartphones. In spite of previous speculation, Samsung did not elevate prices for the Galaxy S25 series, including the S25 Ultra, maintaining a price of $1,299.

    Samsung’s emphasis on HBM manufacturing signifies its strategy to leverage more profitable opportunities, yet it must tackle the DRAM shortfall to avert possible effects on its product range. As the company maneuvers through these obstacles, consumers look forward to the Galaxy S26 series, which might experience a postponed release.

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    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Google Declares Gemini’s Debut on Google TV Streaming Device This Winter
    Google Declares Gemini’s Debut on Google TV Streaming Device This Winter

    Gemini is poised to upgrade Google TV Streamer this winter with interactive AI and enhanced on-screen functionalities. Google is set to deploy Gemini to additional devices, such as Google Home and Google TV Streamer, in the near future. The firm has announced that Gemini will be available on Google TV and other platforms “this winter.” Gemini will elevate Google TV with advanced, interactive AI and richer visual feedback.

    Google has been progressively introducing Gemini to more services throughout the year. The company has begun rolling out Gemini to Google Home devices following its announcement in October 2025, and now, a recent report verifies that Gemini is also on its way to the Google TV Streamer sooner than anticipated.

    As noted by 9to5Google, Google confirmed on its Nest Community forum that Gemini is en route to Google TV Streamer and other devices “this winter.” Earlier, the company provided only a broad “later this year” estimate, but has now clarified the timeline, giving us hope that the upgraded Google Assistant will be available on our preferred streaming device in the upcoming months.

    Although Google has been expanding Gemini’s reach across its applications and services, it is currently compatible with only a select few Google TV models, such as the TCL QM9K Google TV. A Reddit user recently mentioned seeing the Gemini setup interface on their Sony Bravia TV, but, overall, availability remains limited for the time being.

    Fortunately, we now have confirmation that Google’s leading streaming device will soon feature AI integration. This should also clear the way for Gemini to become available on other Google TV streaming devices, including Walmart’s onn and Nvidia Shield TV.

    Gemini on Google TV will provide an upgraded experience compared to the existing Google Assistant. Users will be able to pose intricate questions in natural language, like “What occurred in the last episode of Riverdale?” and even ask for recipes or other details, all displayed prominently on the TV screen.

    For those who may not know, the Google TV Streamer is the company’s top streaming device and acts as Google’s competitor to the Apple TV 4K. It is capable of 4K HDR streaming with Dolby Vision and HDR10+. The device also supports emerging smart home standards like Matter and Thread and features a customizable remote button, allowing you to assign it to any function.

    Gemini arriving soon

    Google TV Streamer provides 4K HDR playback with Dolby Vision and Atmos support. It is driven by a quicker processor and boasts 32GB of built-in storage. Google has confirmed that Gemini AI integration for the device will debut this winter, making the streamer even more appealing.

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Google Pixel 10a Design Unveiled: An Initial Glimpse of the Approaching Affordable Smartphone
    Google Pixel 10a Design Unveiled: An Initial Glimpse of the Approaching Affordable Smartphone

    Pixel 9a. While we are still in the early stages of speculation, the design elements currently visible suggest that the A-series device may once again come with a plastic back.

    Based on renders and related details provided by Android Headlines, speculation suggests that the Pixel 10a will incorporate a somewhat enhanced variant of the Tensor G4, which is the identical chip utilized in the Pixel 9a. This may disappoint anyone hoping that the Pixel 10a would have the same chip as the flagship Pixel 10 — as has been the trend over the years.

    It may include a larger battery

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    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Apple Unveils Comprehensive Research Dataset to Improve AI Image Editing Model Development
    Apple Unveils Comprehensive Research Dataset to Improve AI Image Editing Model Development

    Apple has introduced the Pico-Banana-400K, a research dataset comprising 400,000 images created with Google’s Gemini-2.5 models. This dataset is featured in a study titled “Pico-Banana-400K: A Large-Scale Dataset for Text-Guided Image Editing,” published by Apple’s research division. It is offered under a non-commercial research license, permitting use solely for academic and AI research objectives.

    The impetus for developing Pico-Banana-400K arises from challenges associated with current datasets, which typically depend on synthetic creations or limited human-curated selections. Apple’s researchers observed that these datasets commonly present domain shifts, imbalanced distributions of edit types, and inconsistent quality control, which obstruct the advancement of effective editing models.

    In constructing Pico-Banana-400K, Apple chose a variety of authentic photographs from the OpenImages dataset, ensuring representation of humans, objects, and textual environments. They identified 35 distinct types of modifications users might request, clustered into eight categories, such as:

    – **Pixel & Photometric:** Incorporate film grain or a retro filter
    – **Human-Centric:** Generate a Funko-Pop–style toy version of an individual
    – **Scene Composition & Multi-Subject:** Alter weather conditions (sunny/rainy/snowy)
    – **Object-Level Semantic:** Move an object (change its position/spatial relation)
    – **Scale:** Zoom in

    The researchers uploaded images into the Nano-Banana model along with appropriate prompts. Following the generation of edited images, they employed Gemini-2.5-Pro to evaluate the outcomes, approving or dismissing them based on adherence to instructions and visual quality.

    Pico-Banana-400K encompasses images generated via single-turn edits, multi-turn edit sequences, and preference pair comparisons of successful and unsuccessful results, enabling models to learn from negative instances. While recognizing certain limitations of Nano-Banana regarding fine-grained spatial editing and typography, the researchers aspire for Pico-Banana-400K to provide a solid basis for training and evaluating future text-guided image editing models.

    The study is accessible on arXiv, and the dataset is available on GitHub.

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    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Apple Music Product Manager to Lead Reddit AMA on Newly Launched Features
    Apple Music Product Manager to Lead Reddit AMA on Newly Launched Features

    The Apple Music subreddit has declared an AMA (Ask Me Anything) event featuring Adam Silver, who has played a significant role in the platform’s product advancement for almost ten years. This occasion offers a rare chance for users to interact directly with Silver and converse about the newest features of Apple Music.

    Silver has been leading Apple Music for seven years, managing the launch of numerous groundbreaking features such as AutoMix, Lyrics Translation & Pronunciation, Music Pins, and the Sing with iPhone Mic capability. The AMA is set for October 30 at 2:15 p.m. ET, and Silver has shown his eagerness for the event in his invitation, urging users to present questions regarding the latest release and the development journey of the platform.

    In his note, Silver mentioned, “Hello! A little about me: I’ve been with Apple Music for 7 years, concentrating on our main experience. It’s a significant duty, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be involved with a product I’m truly passionate about. This latest release was exciting to roll out, and I’m keen to hear your thoughts and address any inquiries. Please feel free to ask me about this release, how any of the features operate, our approach to product development, or anything else on your mind. I’ll do my utmost to share what I know or direct you to those who are best informed.”

    As the AMA nears, the subreddit post has already attracted over 400 comments, reflecting a strong interest from the community. Users are encouraged to get involved early if they have particular questions related to Apple Music. However, it is crucial to recognize that Silver may not respond to technical support questions or critical feedback regarding the platform during the session. Instead, the emphasis will be on the insights regarding the recent features and the overarching philosophy of product development.

    To join the AMA, users are required to have an active Apple Music subscription, available for $10.99 per month, with a one-month free trial offered to new subscribers. This AMA represents a valuable chance for Apple Music users to obtain deeper insights into the platform and its future trajectory directly from one of its pivotal leaders.

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