Author: Richard

Public Beta 3 of macOS Tahoe 26.2 is Now Released

### Apple Introduces macOS Tahoe 26.2 Public Beta 3: What to Anticipate

In light of the recent arrival of the third round of developer betas, Apple has officially released macOS Tahoe 26.2 public beta 3. This update offers some intriguing advancements for users keen to dive into the newest features and enhancements.

#### Apple’s Public Betas Have Followed a Peculiar Timeline

The last few weeks have experienced a change in the timing of Apple’s public beta launches. Specifically, macOS Tahoe 26.2 public beta 2 made its debut at an odd hour—4:00 p.m. ET—signifying a break from the usual release rhythms. Additionally, during this timeframe, only macOS and tvOS saw public beta builds being issued, even though iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS also had developer builds made available shortly beforehand.

With the introduction of macOS Tahoe 26.2 public beta 3, Apple has synchronized this release with its other operating systems. The build number for this iteration is 25C5048a, which corresponds with the developer beta that was rolled out the previous day.

A notable new feature in macOS Tahoe 26.2 is the addition of the **Edge Light effect**, which improves video calls by providing a virtual ring light effect around the screen’s edges. However, aside from this enhancement, there have been few updates, both visible and in the background. Users can look forward to exploring the beta further to find any additional significant modifications.

#### How to Get Started with macOS Tahoe 26.2 Public Beta 3

For those keen on trying the new public beta, the installation steps are simple. Here’s how to begin:

1. Sign up for Apple’s public beta program at

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Top 5 Electric Cars for Winter and Snow, Advised by Specialists

choosing the appropriate EV for usage in winter conditions involving snow necessitates careful consideration of certain technical and performance aspects. Cold temperatures affect driving behavior due to slippery surfaces, snow, and ice, but battery performance is just as crucial. Lithium-ion batteries show decreased chemical reactions in low temperatures, which leads to diminished energy availability and slower charging speeds. Moreover, heating the cabin in EVs directly utilizes battery power, further diminishing the effective driving range.

In addition to reduced range, winter driving requires excellent traction, either all-wheel drive (AWD) or four-wheel drive capability, a well-designed stability control system, and tires suitable for snowy and icy conditions. When assessing EVs for use in winter, important factors should consist of: the extent of range reduction in cold weather (the durability of the battery and thermal systems), whether the vehicle incorporates a heat pump or other effective cabin and battery heating methods, the strength of the driveline and AWD systems in low-grip scenarios, as well as cold weather charging efficiency.

Research indicates that in freezing conditions, many EVs generally operate at 75% to 85% of their optimal temperature range. Vehicles featuring a heat pump generally experience less range loss. In snowy areas, vehicles with a lower center of gravity (due to ground-mounted battery packs), improved chassis stability, and specialized winter/traction models perform better. Let’s examine five EVs that excel in winter and snowy conditions, combining range durability and effective traction.

Audi e-tron (premium plus)

Guide to Keeping Your Steam Deck Touch Screen Clean

Steam Deck modifications and enhancements can further boost its capabilities. However, like any electronic gadget, it is crucial to maintain and clean your Steam Deck periodically to prevent the accumulation of oil and grime. This is particularly important for the Steam Deck’s touchscreen, which you’ll likely be engaging with frequently as you browse your library and games. Keeping the screen clean is essential to prevent scratches and ensure smoother interactions. Although it may be tempting to grab Windex or your usual lens cleaner for the touchscreen, this has been widely discouraged on various forums and websites.

Instead, Valve advises a straightforward approach to maintain the cleanliness of the Steam Deck’s touchscreen display. According to the official Steam Support Care and maintenance guidelines for the Steam Deck, Valve suggests that Steam Deck users utilize a dry microfiber cloth for display cleaning. Furthermore, if liquid is necessary, Valve recommends applying a small amount of isopropyl alcohol on the cloth before gently rubbing the screen. Directly applying alcohol to the screen can lead to damage, which Valve states will not be covered under the handheld’s warranty.

Reasons to avoid using cleaning products on your Steam Deck

How to Improve Your Exercise Routine Utilizing Your Treadmill’s USB Port: 4 Impactful Techniques

how you can leverage your TV’s USB ports to energize streaming devices — as well as the kinds of gadgets you can connect to your phone’s USB ports — but what can you really accomplish with the USB ports on a treadmill? Aside from charging a mobile phone or power bank, there are additional ways to transform the USBs on our fitness equipment into genuine workout allies and entertainment hubs

Whether you’re a frequent treadmill user or simply seeking the right inspiration to resume exercising, we’ve devised four methods to utilize your treadmill’s USB port to enhance your workout experience. From powering handy workout gadgets to downloading essential software updates for your equipment, these suggestions are intended to make each workout more fulfilling.

Stay refreshed with a USB-operated fan

Perspiration is a normal aspect of the exercise routine, but that doesn’t imply you have to enjoy it. If you think you could benefit from a gentle breeze to help cool off while using the treadmill, consider getting a compact USB-operated fan. There are various models designed to attach and clamp onto the arms and other parts of your treadmill, and one of our top picks is the Gaiatop Mini Portable Stroller Fan. Offered in six different colors, the fan features a 2,000-milliamp rechargeable battery built in. When fully charged, you will receive

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Guide for Configuring Safety and Emergency Functions on the Pixel Watch 4

It takes just a few moments to make sure that your loved ones are informed in the event of an emergency, and that responders have the ability to access your medical and insurance details.

The Google Pixel Watch 4 and earlier models encourage you to establish critical safety and emergency functions. Since you likely bypassed this step to dive into using your new smartwatch, assistance is needed now to activate these features, ensuring your Watch 4 can request help during an emergency, even when there’s no cellular signal.

You are able to update your emergency and medical information in two locations. On your Pixel Watch 4, swipe down from the primary watch face, tap the Settings gear icon, and scroll down to the Safety & Emergency section. Alternatively, in the Pixel Watch mobile application, if your smartwatch is connected via Bluetooth, you can locate the same Safety & Emergency section under Settings on the main app screen.

Certain functions of the Pixel Watch 4 are automated; others necessitate prior manual configuration, such as Safety Check. This guide walks you through the surprisingly extensive array of safety features on the Watch 4 that can provide you and your family reassurance — or possibly save your life.

Configure and personalize Emergency SOS on the Pixel Watch 4

1. On your Watch 4 (or previous Pixel Watch model), access Settings, scroll to Safety & Emergency, and select Emergency SOS. If it’s not enabled already, switch the feature on.
2. Tap on Ways to initiate SOS. By default, you have to press the crown five times, then press and hold the screen for three seconds. Alternatively, you can set the Watch 4 to Automatically call; after the five button presses, it’ll contact 911 after a five-second pause.
– If you opt for the latter, decide whether to toggle Play a sound on or off; it’s a loud alert to notify you that it’s about to make a call, with a cancellation option displayed.
3. Finally, select Who to call for assistance. By default, Emergency SOS connects you to Emergency services, but you can opt for a personal contact instead by tapping Manage contacts and selecting an option from your saved contacts.

Switching to a personal contact makes Emergency SOS feel less “official.” You can quickly reach out to family members for help, without incurring ambulance fees or involving law enforcement, but there’s no assurance they will answer promptly as 911 would.

I suggest keeping 911 as the default choice. You can depend on the Personal Safety app to inform family members.

Select what information is shared during an emergency

1. Press the crown and open the Personal Safety app.
2. Scroll down to Emergency info access.
3. Tap Share during emergency call to permit “Emergency Location Service” to share your GPS location and Medical Info with emergency responders.
4. Back in the main app view, tap Emergency contacts to manage your contacts; tap Add contact to include more or use the trash icon to delete contacts.
5. In the primary app view, select Medical Info and then Edit on phone.
6. On your paired device, you can input your date of birth, blood type, height, weight, allergies, pregnancy status, medications, address, organ donor status, and any other medical details. This information will be shared if you enabled “Share during emergency call” above.

Using the Personal Safety app for Safety Checks or Emergency Sharing

If you frequent the gym at night, return late from campus, or face any situation where you have concerns for your safety, the Pixel Watch’s Personal Safety app is a proactive solution to manage those worries.

1. Launch the Personal Safety app from the app drawer, then select Emergency Sharing.
2. Under “Share with,” toggle specific emergency contacts on or off, then tap Share real-time location.

Your contacts will receive an SMS reading, “You’re receiving this message because you’re an emergency contact for [Your name]. [Name] is sharing their real-time location with you: URL. Please call or text

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Best Buy Provides More than $140 Discounts on Meta Quest 3S Acquisition

The Black Friday offers are truly starting to ramp up at Best Buy.

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

To be truthful, when I reported on the Black Friday Meta Quest offers yesterday, I had no clue that Best Buy was about to overshadow every other retailer with an amazing deal of its own. Live and learn, right?

As of this morning, if you purchase the Meta Quest 3S 128GB during the festive sale Best Buy will provide you with a $50 discount off the price

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Battery Life Span of the Google Pixel 10

Will You Require Additional Portable Chargers?

Following the launch of the Google Pixel 10 series, numerous users are curious about the necessity of acquiring more portable chargers to ensure their devices remain powered throughout the day. The Pixel 10 lineup, encompassing the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL, features remarkable battery life and charging performance, but is this sufficient to negate the requirement for extra charging accessories?

Battery Performance of the Google Pixel 10 Series

The Google Pixel 10 series is built to deliver significant enhancements in battery life compared to earlier models. All three versions are rated to last a minimum of 24 hours on a single charge with typical usage. When Extreme Battery Saver is activated, Google asserts the devices can endure for up to 100 hours. The Pixel 10 is equipped with a 4,970mAh battery, the Pixel 10 Pro contains a 4,870mAh battery, and the Pixel 10 Pro XL is fitted with a 5,200mAh battery.

Charging Features

Although the Pixel 10 series provides satisfactory battery longevity, the charging features are another important aspect to take into account. The Pixel 10 and 10 Pro support 25W wired charging, while the Pixel 10 Pro XL can handle up to 40W. Utilizing a 30W USB-C PPS charger, the Pixel 10 and 10 Pro can achieve up to 55% charge in 30 minutes, whereas the Pixel 10 Pro XL can reach around 70% with a 45W charger.

Wireless charging is present across the entire lineup, with the Pixel 10 Pro XL enabling faster 25W wireless charging due to the Qi2.2 standard, while the other models are capped at 15W.

Is There a Need for More Portable Chargers?

Considering the enhanced battery life and charging speeds, the necessity for extra portable chargers might diminish for many users. Nevertheless, for those who are often traveling or extensively using their phones throughout the day, having a portable charger can still serve as a practical backup. The Pixel 10 Pro XL, with its larger battery and quicker charging features, is the optimal choice for those focusing on battery duration.

Ultimately, whether you need additional portable chargers hinges on your usage habits and way of life. If you frequently find yourself depleting your battery, investing in a portable charger could offer reassurance and convenience.

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The Must-Have $9 USB Device Endorsed by Amazon Shoppers

**The Fundamental USB Device: Safeguarding Your Information with a USB Data Blocker**

In our modern digital environment, protecting personal information is more important than ever. A typical morning scenario highlights the possible dangers: in a hurry to make a flight, you discover your phone’s battery is running low. At the airport, you locate a public USB charging station for your device. Yet, this seemingly innocent act could put your personal information at risk from cyber thieves. To mitigate such hazards, purchasing a USB data blocker is a prudent choice.

USB data blockers are compact, cost-effective accessories, usually available for under $15, crafted to shield your devices from juice-jacking attacks. These cyberattacks happen when harmful software is downloaded onto your device via hacked USB ports. The JSAUX USB Data Blocker and the Afterplug USB-C to C Data Blocker are favored options for safe charging in communal settings.

The Afterplug Data Blocker, boasting a 4.5-star rating on Amazon, is recognized for its robust data-blocking features and sleek design. With a width of merely 0.44 inches and a height of 0.89 inches, it’s roughly the size of a quarter. When plugged in, it stops data transfer while enabling device charging. Offered in both standard and L-shaped formats, it fits devices even with protective cases.

With support for up to 240-watt fast charging, the Afterplug Data Blocker is perfect for mobile gadgets and laptops. For best results, utilizing a USB-C to USB-C cable is suggested, though USB-C to USB-A cables are also compatible, though they may face speed constraints.

As warnings grow from authorities like the TSA regarding the risks of wired devices, safeguarding your data is crucial. Hackers constantly devise new strategies to access private information, making it vital to remain one step ahead of their methods. A USB data blocker, priced as low as $9, provides reassurance when charging devices away from the security of your home.

Considering their low cost, think about acquiring several USB data blockers. Store one in your vehicle, another in your travel bag, and a spare at home to ensure you’re always ready. In a reality where data safety is critical, a USB data blocker represents a minor expense for considerable protection.

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Mophie Unveils Four Fresh Charging Stands for iPhone Enthusiasts

Mophie is consistently broadening its range of charging products with four new Qi2-certified wireless charging stands. These items are designed to assist Apple users in fast-charging their iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods at the same time. “Consumers seek charging solutions that are quick, dependable, and that smoothly fit into their daily lives,” stated Ekshita Kumar, Mophie’s vice president of strategy and growth. “With Qi2 technology and an emphasis on smart design, our latest wireless charging stands provide a premium experience that is both functional and elegantly straightforward.”

This new series offers up to 15W of wireless fast charging, and Mophie claims that its compact design is ideal for desks, nightstands, and work environments. With these new charging stands, users can select accessories that enable charging one, two, or even three devices simultaneously. Mophie also states that all stands come equipped with magnetic alignment, adjustable viewing angles, and integrated cable management. The launch of this new collection will occur in two phases, with the standard wireless charging stand and 3-in-1 options already available, while the 2-in-1 model is set to arrive in early December.

Mophie’s new charging stands: specifications and pricing

For $44.95, Mophie’s Wireless Charging Stand can charge a single Qi2-compatible phone, such as the newest iPhone or Pixel device. The alternative available is the 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand, which can charge three devices—iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch—priced at $79.95. In early December, Mophie will introduce two 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand options—one for charging an iPhone and AirPods, and another for charging an iPhone and an Apple Watch. The AirPods version retails for $59.95, while the Apple Watch version is priced at $79.95.

The multi-device models come with a 40W wall adapter that has an integrated USB-C cable. All devices are MagSafe-compatible and are backed by a two-year warranty. Customers can find these latest accessories on Mophie’s website. The Mophie charging stand undoubtedly appears to be one of the top accessories for iPhone 17 available, due to its adaptable nature.

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Google’s Gemini Agent Streamlines Complicated Tasks within the Gemini Application

The Gemini app has received an upgrade featuring Google’s newest AI model, Gemini 3, which greatly boosts its functionality. This enhancement brings a fresh interface and support for Gemini 3 Pro, providing users with a more engaging and personalized experience. Google AI Ultra subscribers can now utilize the Gemini Agent, a feature intended to carry out tasks within the Google ecosystem and online, optimizing workflows and improving productivity.

The application now showcases two generative interfaces, which are bespoke views generated in real-time by Gemini 3 according to user requests. This enables a more customized user experience that adapts to personal needs and preferences. The Gemini Agent, a progression of Google’s Project Mariner, is capable of handling tasks such as organizing calendar events, setting reminders, and sorting emails, all while ensuring user approval for important actions.

Gemini 3’s sophisticated features include vibe coding, which enables the AI to describe and code interfaces or applications based on user input. This capability is utilized to generate interfaces, including visual designs and dynamic views, delivering immersive and interactive experiences. These interfaces can be further adjusted with additional prompts, providing flexibility and responsiveness.

Users can try out Gemini 3 Pro in the app by choosing the “Thinking” model, which is accessible to both free and premium users. Increased rate limits are available to Google AI Plus, Pro, and Ultra subscribers, with the Gemini Agent currently available to Ultra users in the U.S. through the web app. This update represents a major advancement in AI-driven application development, enhancing user engagement and functionality.

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