Author: Richard

    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Top 5 Essential Steam Deck Applications for 2026
    Top 5 Essential Steam Deck Applications for 2026

    extend the lifespan of your equipment with some fantastic applications. Now that the Steam Deck has established its position in the market, numerous applications have been launched to enhance the handheld’s gaming experience. The question arises, which applications are genuinely worth utilizing? Well, that’s exactly our purpose today: We’ve compiled a list of the top five applications every Steam Deck gamer ought to install on their device. From consolidated game launchers to game streaming applications, BGR has your needs covered.

    Heroic Games Launcher

    The Steam Deck provides a fairly simple user interface, and while you can sideload applications and games to access from your Steam library, there are more efficient methods to keep everything organized in one location. 

    The Heroic Games Launcher is among the top selections to manage your multi-store game collection. Not only is the app open source (similar to the other software integrated into the Steam Deck), but it also accommodates software from various stores. From Steam to GOG to Epic to Amazon Prime Games, the Heroic Games Launcher includes them all.

    Utilizing a third-party launcher like Heroic to consolidate everything in one place is convenient, but it’s also the ideal launcher to compile the free games you’ve been accumulating from sources like Epic and Amazon. Both companies provide free titles every month, and a lot of gamers frequently leave those freebies unused. This no longer has to be the situation with the Heroic Games Launcher: It’s the perfect opportunity to stop letting your backlog sit and start gaming, with the assistance of a launcher that supports all of the

    Read More
    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Apple’s iOS Development Strategy: Transitions from iOS 26.3 to iOS 27
    Apple’s iOS Development Strategy: Transitions from iOS 26.3 to iOS 27

    iOS 26.2 updates – primarily consisting of modifications to the Liquid Glass design and the enhancement of the Live Translation feature across additional languages and regions — users are keenly anticipating further features. However, in contrast to prior iOS software update cycles, Apple has been more prudent in revealing features it may not be able to deliver promptly. In previous years, the company announced a completely new CarPlay experience that took years to launch, the frequently postponed Apple Intelligence platform, and other minor features that required time to debut, like iPad’s Stage Manager, Sidecar, and more.

    Following the Siri debacle and the postponement of the brand-new personal assistant, which was anticipated for iOS 18.4, Apple chose to only showcase features it could deliver simultaneously with iOS 26 during the WWDC 2025 keynote. While the company achieved that, it also left us with minimal information regarding upcoming developments. Or so we believed. Keeping that in mind, here’s an iOS roadmap with leaked and anticipated features for iOS 26.3 through iOS 27.

    iOS 26.3 will introduce these features and modifications

    <source media="(min-width: 429px)" srcset="https://www.bgr.com/img/gallery/apples-ios-roadmap-looking-ahead-from-ios-26-3-to-ios-27/ios-26-3-will-bring-these-features-and-changes-1766759082.webp" type="image/web

    Read More
    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Apple Wallet Gets Two Key Feature Enhancements in iOS 26
    Apple Wallet Gets Two Key Feature Enhancements in iOS 26

    Apple Wallet has rolled out a variety of new features in iOS 26, tackling earlier limitations and improving user engagement. Key among these enhancements are the inclusion of Digital ID and AI-enhanced order tracking.

    ### AI-Enhanced Order Tracking

    First introduced in iOS 16, the order tracking functionality in Apple Wallet faced challenges in gaining popularity due to its dependence on external services. This reliance limited its efficiency, as numerous merchants opted to keep direct control over customer engagement. However, with improvements in iOS 26, Apple has overhauled this feature using Apple Intelligence.

    Now, Wallet is capable of automatically pulling order information straight from confirmation emails sent by merchants and delivery providers. This advancement allows users to check their order status, receive progress notifications, and access other pertinent information all in one location without needing external cooperation. To utilize this feature, users can click the three-dot icon in the upper-right corner of Wallet and choose ‘Orders,’ where they can also set up push alerts for updates.

    ### Digital ID Without State Implementation Required

    Apple’s goal to establish Wallet as a primary platform for digital identification has encountered obstacles, with just 12 states and Puerto Rico presently offering digital driver’s licenses. To bypass the sluggish rollout, Apple has launched the Digital ID feature in iOS 26.1.

    Although Digital ID does not serve as a direct substitute for a driver’s license, it acts as a beneficial option for identity verification. Users can present their Digital ID at TSA checkpoints for domestic flights and at selected establishments for age confirmation. This feature is already accepted at over 250 airports across the US, with intentions for wider adoption. By promoting Digital ID, Apple aspires to motivate additional states to implement digital driver’s licenses in the future.

    In summary, the updates to Apple Wallet in iOS 26, especially the launch of AI-driven order tracking and Digital ID, signify major advancements in transforming the app into a more all-encompassing tool for managing personal data and transactions.

    Read More
    • Richard
    • Comments Off on The FBI Publishes Open Call for Unjammable Drones: Explanations Provided
    The FBI Publishes Open Call for Unjammable Drones: Explanations Provided

    a solicitation for details (RFI) seeking providers of unjammable drones, and if you’re curious about what “unjammable” entails, the aim is to identify alternatives “controlled via fiber optic cable” that are also “NDAA compliant.” In essence, they’re referring to wired drones. Unusual as it might sound, these varieties do exist. Wired drones cannot be jammed or interfered with from a distance — the sole means to disable them is to bring them down, which requires significant skill or specialized counteractions.

    The cables linked to these drones can extend up to 20 kilometers (approximately 12 miles) or more, and they’re remarkably slender. Most limitations one might anticipate from a wired line are minimal. The primary issues are the risk of snagging, especially concerning battlefield remnants and nearby objects, or the drone’s own rotors. Decreased agility is also a disadvantage associated with wired drones compared to their wireless equivalents. The cable may restrict the drone’s operational radius; however, they frequently carry the cable spool onboard, utilizing a mount or housing to address this challenge. Because the cable spool is connected, it can decrease travel speed, additionally limiting space and capacity for extra loads like explosives or supplies.

    Nevertheless, in spite of the tether, fiber-optic drones are difficult to detect, as the cable is extremely thin, and they provide a superior, more dependable signal — particularly in zones susceptible to wireless disruption. Moreover, as the FBI succinctly pointed out, they’re “unjammable.” The Moscow Times notes that fiber-optic drones are already operational on the battlefield. Ukraine and U.S. tech firms possess them too.

    Why is the FBI interested in unjammable drones?

    <div class="slide-key image-holder gallery-image-holder credit-image-wrap " data-post-url="https://www.bgr.com/2056403/fbi-unjammable-drones-open-call/" data-post-title="The FBI Put Out An Open Call For 'Unjammable Drones'

    Read More
    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Google Intends Major Upgrade to Android Multitasking
    Google Intends Major Upgrade to Android Multitasking

    Android Authority reports that Google is developing a new functionality for the Gemini app that enables users to continue using their smartphones as the AI formulates a response. Android minimizes Gemini to an icon located at the bottom of the display, superseding the existing method that necessitates its presence on-screen while it addresses the prompt. Users receive visual indicators from the Gemini overlay, allowing them to interact with other applications. An animation plays at the bottom of the screen to notify the user that the AI is still working on the most recent request, and a notification pops up when the answer becomes available, prompting the user to return to Gemini.

    This alteration pertains to using Gemini simultaneously with other applications, but it’s a paradigm that could extend to other essential apps in the future. Android, iOS, and iPadOS are not yet positioned to fully supplant conventional desktops and laptops; however, they are managing multiple applications and tasks more efficiently than before, particularly on devices with AI enhancements such as those on the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The synergy of advanced hardware and innovative form factors like foldable devices is already paving the way for increased productivity. An AI layer integrated into these systems can further enhance the way we utilize smartphones.

    Gemini could pave the way for improved Android multitasking

    Read More

    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Google Chrome Continues to be Free, Whereas Agentic AI Features Could Necessitate a Subscription
    Google Chrome Continues to be Free, Whereas Agentic AI Features Could Necessitate a Subscription

    Leopeva64 discovered indications in Chrome’s code suggesting that the agentic functionalities Google has been working on will be restricted to paid subscription tiers, at least initially. As reported by XDA Developers, the X user frequently finds new features in the code of Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. Leopeva64 posted the news about Chrome’s agentic functionalities on Christmas Eve in response to an October entry where he outlined a new toggle to activate/deactivate agentic Gemini behavior in Chrome.

    Google has already integrated Gemini features into Chrome. <a href="https://www.bgr.com/1972880/gemini

    Read More
    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Initial Glimpse of the OnePlus Smartphone Boasting an Enormous 9,000 mAh Battery
    Initial Glimpse of the OnePlus Smartphone Boasting an Enormous 9,000 mAh Battery

    A recent leak provides an early glimpse of the OnePlus Turbo, showcasing a blue-green plastic back. The OnePlus Turbo is confirmed to come with an impressive 9,000mAh battery, in line with OnePlus’ latest design philosophy that features a sleek aesthetic and a rectangular dual-camera setup. The base model of the device boasts a 6.8-inch 144Hz display, powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset, and is capable of 80W fast charging.

    The images that surfaced depict a device known as “Prado,” resembling the design of current OnePlus models such as the OnePlus 15 and OnePlus 15R. It showcases a rectangular camera module positioned in the top-left corner, accommodating dual cameras. The phone is said to have a shiny back with a blue-greenish hue, though it remains unverified whether the material is plastic or glass.

    The device appears quite thick, which is anticipated due to the substantial battery capacity, yet it retains a streamlined design when compared to other gaming smartphones. Specifications include the complete 9,000mAh battery, 80W fast charging, a 6.8-inch 1.5K display with a 144Hz refresh rate, along with the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 processor paired with 8GB of RAM. A premium variant could potentially utilize the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4.

    OnePlus intends to introduce the device internationally, likely under the Nord branding, though a U.S. release remains uncertain. The expected launch timeframe is Q1 2026, potentially coinciding with MWC 2026 in March. Additional information is anticipated as the launch date nears.

    Read More
    • Richard
    • Comments Off on The Significance of Selecting the Appropriate USB Port on Your MacBook
    The Significance of Selecting the Appropriate USB Port on Your MacBook

    selecting the appropriate USB port to connect your gadgets can be significantly easier. However, the confusion persists even though they are all USB-C. Certain ports are more advantageous than others, and Apple promotes the majority of its ports as Thunderbolt rather than merely USB-C. So, how can you determine which one is the right choice?

    It may be tempting to assume that all USB-C ports are the same, but that’s not true. Some ports are designated as Thunderbolt yet are still USB-C connectors; they simply employ a different protocol than standard USB-C ports. This allows them to offer additional features such as enhanced transfer speeds and the capability to transmit video to an external display. Thus, if your intention is to connect an external monitor, opting for a Thunderbolt connector is the only route, as standard USB-C ports can solely transmit video signals using DisplayPort Alt Mode, a functionality that modern MacBooks only provide through Thunderbolt ports. The distinctions between the two protocols highlight the necessity of understanding what to search for when selecting between a Thunderbolt and a USB-C monitor, as well as the implications of USB ports having different colors.

    Some older MacBooks still provided USB-A connectors (which appear more like rectangular ports compared to the rounded USB-C connectors). These usually rely on outdated technology that doesn’t deliver the same functionalities as USB-C.

    The USB port is significant when a special feature is required

    <source media="(min-width: 429px)" srcset="https://www.bgr.com/img/gallery/does-it-matter-which-usb-port-you-use-on-your-macbook/the

    Read More