How Smart Rings and Smartwatches Measure Blood Oxygen Levels
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Welcome to Tech Talk, a weekly article series dedicated to the tools we rely on and their functionality. We aim to simplify things so that everyone comprehends how and why the device you’re using performs as it does.
At times, the discussion may delve into technical aspects, as technology inherently possesses complexity and detail. However, we can collaborate to dismantle the information and render it understandable!
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Essential Factors for Enhancing Your Wireless Router: The Significance of the Most Recent Standard
### Enhancing Your Wireless Router for a Smart Home: The Significance of Wi-Fi for Matter Certification
If you are contemplating swapping your wireless router, particularly within a smart home setup, it is crucial to select a model that aligns with the latest standards. One of the most important developments in this domain is the launch of the Wi-Fi for Matter certification.
#### Reasons to Upgrade Your Router
As technology progresses, older routers may find it challenging to accommodate the requirements of contemporary smart home devices. Upgrading to a newer model can greatly improve your Wi-Fi connection and boost the reliability of your smart home products. A modern router can offer superior coverage, increased speeds, and enhanced security features.
#### The Significance of Matter Compatibility
Previously, users often sought HomeKit compatibility when choosing smart home devices. However, the attention is shifting toward Matter compatibility. Matter serves as a universal standard that aims to improve interoperability among smart home devices, simplifying their communication with one another.
The Wi-Fi for Matter certification provides two main advantages:
1. **Consistent Connectivity**: It guarantees that your Matter-certified devices maintain a stable and robust connection, reducing disruptions in your smart home network.
2. **Energy-Saving Capabilities**: With a compatible router, battery-operated devices can shift into a prolonged sleep mode to save energy. The router can reactivate these devices as required, improving their efficiency and battery longevity.
#### Essential Features of Wi-Fi for Matter Certification
The Wi-Fi for Matter certification integrates several existing standards, such as:
– **Wi-Fi 6**: Offers quicker speeds and better performance in densely populated areas.
– **WPA3 Security**: Bolsters security for your network, safeguarding against unauthorized access.
– **IPv4 Proxy Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)** and **IPv6 Proxy Neighbor Discovery Protocol (NDP)**: Enhance communication between devices on the network.
This indicates that when shopping for a new router, you simply need to seek one certification label: Wi-Fi for Matter.
#### Industry Perspectives
Kevin Robinson, president and CEO of Wi-Fi Alliance, underscores the significance of these technologies: “Wi-Fi and Matter are two foundational technologies propelling the next wave of IoT innovation. With Wi-Fi for Matter, we are assisting our members in accelerating the deployment of products that offer the scalability, simplicity, and interoperability that consumers anticipate in their connected homes.”
#### Summary
Upgrading your wireless router to one that includes the Wi-Fi for Matter certification is a wise decision for anyone aiming to improve their smart home experience. With enhanced connectivity, energy efficiency, and security, a modern router can profoundly affect the performance of your smart devices. As the smart home sector continues to develop, ensuring your network is ready to support the latest technologies will keep your home connected and optimized.
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Instagram Finally Debuts on iPad After 15 Years
Meta has at last released the official Instagram application for iPad, putting an end to years of speculation and user demands. In spite of earlier statements regarding resource limitations and a minimal user base, the postponement was likely attributed to Meta’s competition with Apple. Instagram, a key source of revenue for Meta, was acquired in 2012 but had not seen an iPad version until now. Launched in September 2025, the application emphasizes Reels, a feature influenced by TikTok, rather than its traditional photo content. The iPad application debuts a new Following tab, presenting three feeds: All, Friends, and Latest, which enable users to prioritize their content. The app’s design enhances Instagram’s functionalities for the larger iPad display, improving user experience with split-screen interactions and simplified content creation. A version for Android tablets is anticipated to arrive shortly.
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How to Stop Meta from Scanning Your Images Without Your Awareness
Meta AI Terms of Service: “Depending on your geographical location, you might have the ability to share images with AIs. Upon sharing, you consent to Meta analyzing those images, including facial characteristics, through AI. This analysis enables us to provide innovative features, such as summarizing image content, altering images, and creating new content derived from the image. Additionally, you agree not to upload images to Meta AI that you are aware contain individuals residing in Illinois or Texas, unless you are their legally authorized representative and have their consent.”
You must manually access settings to disable this feature. This incident isn’t the first instance of the Meta AI app triggering user dissatisfaction. Likewise, it isn’t the initial occasion where companies have exploited user-generated content for their AI purposes to enhance profitability.
How to prevent Meta from scanning your photos
Ecovacs’ Latest Robovac Includes Quick Charging and Compact Stair Climbing Functionality
At IFA 2025, Ecovacs revealed its newest advancement in robotic vacuums, the Deebot X11 Omnicyclone. This latest model emphasizes improved charging efficiency, enabling it to finish cleaning cycles without requiring a recharge partway through. The X11 Omnicyclone also features the capability to ascend stairs up to 1.6 inches high, marking progress towards vacuums that can independently navigate multiple levels.
The vacuum employs an AI algorithm to enhance energy usage according to the size of the cleaning area. It boasts fast-charging technology that delivers 6% battery life in roughly three minutes, which is beneficial during mop cleaning tasks. Thanks to these improvements, the X11 can cover areas of up to 1,000 square meters (around 10,764 square feet) without breaks, even at full power.
Further enhancements consist of a suction power boost to 19,500Pa, an upgraded roller mop configuration, improved vacuum brushes, and a bagless debris disposal system, doing away with the need for throwaway vacuum bags. The Ecovacs Deebot X11 Omnicyclone is on sale in the U.S. and Canada for $1,499.99, available for purchase directly from the Ecovacs website and soon from additional retailers.
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Google Photos Improves Photo-to-Video Functionality with Veo 3 Update
Google Photos’ functionality for converting photos into videos now incorporates Veo 3 to generate enhanced six-second clips.
Essential information
- The photo-to-video capability in Google Photos is now enhanced by the advanced Veo 3 model.
- Users can transform static images into six-second videos with improved quality.
- A new Create tab within Photos provides access to various creative tools including Veo 3.
- The Create tab also showcases features like Remix, Highlight videos, collages, and animations.
On September 4, Google revealed that the photo-to-video feature within the Google Photos application is receiving an upgrade with the introduction of its cutting-edge Veo 3 video generation model.
Similar to its productivity applications such as Gmail and Drive, Google has been gradually embedding its AI technologies into Photos. It’s been over a month since the arrival of the capability to
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Apple Highlights Brazilian Study on Local App Store Effectiveness
As the App Store encounters mounting regulatory scrutiny in Brazil, a report showcased by Apple today indicates that iOS applications earned R$63.8 million ($11.7 million) in the nation last year, with the majority of that income subject to no commission fees. Here are the specifics.
## A little context
Similar to numerous countries worldwide, Apple has been battling against challenges in Brazil, striving to persuade local authorities to maintain the App Store structure.
In late 2022, MercadoLibre, the largest online marketplace in Latin America, lodged an antitrust complaint against Apple, alleging unfair practices concerning the App Store.
Since that time, Apple has experienced a mix of successes and setbacks in legal matters, and it presently has until October to adhere to directives that entail permitting sideloading on iOS and alternative payment options apart from its own.
Currently, Apple and CADE (the country’s competition authority) are collaborating to resolve the specifics, while Apple continues to seek to change the current situation. So far, the company has achieved a few delays, but the deadline is reportedly approaching for October.
## Insights from today’s report
The report brought to light by Apple today was carried out by Silvia Fagá de Almeida, an MBA lecturer at Fundação Getúlio Vargas.
The report determined that the App Store produced R$63.8 million ($11.7 million) for developers in Brazil last year, with 90% of that income free from Apple’s commission.
It further observed that Brazilian developers recorded a total of 570 million app downloads worldwide last year, with 53% of that total originating from users outside Brazil.
Regarding commission charges, the report disclosed that:
> “(…) most Brazilian developers selling digital products and services qualify for a lowered 15% commission on transactions made through in-app purchases or paid downloads (for instance, via the App Store Small Business Program and the Video Partner Program). The majority of Brazilian developers incur no commission fees to Apple, and among those who did incur a fee in 2024, 78% availed themselves of the reduced rate.”
Notably, the report also categorizes the income generated via the App Store (the totals sum to 101% due to rounding adjustments):
– 10% was from digital products and services
– 79% was from physical products and services
– 12% was from in-app advertising
Alongside the report, Apple also emphasized that Brazilian consumers downloaded 1.5 billion apps last year, and that the country’s App Store recorded 25.5 million visits per week.
Apple also highlighted its local programs for developers, including 10 Apple Developer Academy hubs throughout Brazil, and success stories like Moises, the 2024 iPad App of the Year, as examples of local apps achieving worldwide growth. The company positioned these as evidence that the App Store should be perceived as a launchpad rather than a restricted environment.
The complete post can be found (in Brazilian Portuguese)
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Five Brands Anticipated to Reveal CarPlay Ultra Accessibility on iPhone 17 Event Day
### iPhone 17 and the Future of CarPlay Ultra: What to Anticipate
As the technology sector prepares for the eagerly awaited iPhone 17 debut, another important advancement is approaching: Apple’s CarPlay Ultra. Set for September 9, this date not only signifies the reveal of the newest iPhone but also aligns with the IAA Mobility expo in Munich, where automotive progress will be prominently featured.
#### CarPlay Ultra: A New Chapter for In-Car Technology
CarPlay Ultra epitomizes Apple’s ambitious drive into the automotive arena, seeking to bolster the connectivity of iPhones with vehicle systems. While the iPhone 17 event is projected to steal the spotlight, the IAA Mobility expo provides a distinctive platform for car manufacturers to demonstrate their backing for this innovative feature. Hyundai is expected to play a pivotal role, likely introducing its version of CarPlay Ultra during the event.
#### Hyundai’s Contribution and Possible Announcements
Hyundai’s dedication to CarPlay Ultra is especially significant. The automaker is forecasted to present its interpretation of this technology, potentially even ahead of the iPhone event, owing to the timing of the expo in Germany. With press briefings planned for the German morning and afternoon, U.S. audiences might receive updates overnight, generating excitement around Hyundai’s advancements.
#### Wider Automotive Support
While Hyundai’s Ioniq 3 concept EV is a spotlight feature, there is conjecture that CarPlay Ultra might span beyond this model. Numerous car manufacturers, including Kia, Genesis, Ford, and Porsche, are also engaging in the IAA Mobility expo. Although none have publicly confirmed announcements regarding CarPlay Ultra, their participation indicates a collective movement to embrace this emerging technology.
#### The Significance of the IAA Mobility Expo
The gathering of various automakers at the IAA Mobility expo marks a crucial juncture for CarPlay Ultra. This year’s exhibition is poised to be vital for the future of in-car technology, as it may establish the foundation for broad adoption across different brands. Even if the iPhone 17 launch garners most of the media focus, the developments showcased at the auto show could transform the automotive technology landscape.
In summary, while the iPhone 17 is certain to be a highlight next week, the introduction of CarPlay Ultra and the backing from significant automakers at the IAA Mobility expo could indicate a major turning point for Apple’s role in the automotive sector. As the event unfolds, attention will be directed towards both the technology and automotive fields to observe how these advancements will influence the future of connectivity on the roads.
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Apple Music Upgrades Essential Feature at a Perfect Time
### Enhancements Coming to Apple Music with iOS 26
Apple Music is poised to undergo its most substantial update in years with the rollout of iOS 26, introducing thrilling new functionalities to elevate the listening experience, especially for those who appreciate engaging with song lyrics.
#### Two iOS 26 Improvements for Apple Music Lyrics
The forthcoming update will bring two significant upgrades to the lyrics feature in Apple Music:
– **Translation of Lyrics**
– **Pronunciation of Lyrics**
These functionalities are designed to enhance the experience of enjoying music in various languages. With the Lyrics Translation feature, users will be able to view the original lyrics alongside their translations in their chosen language. This allows listeners to grasp the meaning of songs in real time, enriching their musical enjoyment.
For instance, while listening to “Dos Oruguitas” from the *Encanto* soundtrack, users can savor the Spanish lyrics while simultaneously seeing the English translations.
Lyrics Pronunciation, conversely, will offer phonetic representations of the lyrics beneath the original text. This feature is especially helpful for those who wish to sing along in the original language, assisting them in articulating the words more accurately.
Both upgrades are expected to be particularly advantageous with the forthcoming HomePod Touch, a device anticipated to serve as a pivotal hub for music listening in households.
#### HomePod Touch: Ideal Hub for Apple Music Lyrics
The HomePod Touch, expected to launch next spring, is set to transform how families engage with music at home. Featuring a screen, this device will enable users to view lyrics effortlessly while reveling in their favorite tracks.
Currently, many families encounter difficulties while attempting to sing along during music sessions, as the existing HomePod setup lacks a display for lyrics. The introduction of the HomePod Touch will remove the necessity to consult an iPhone for lyrics, facilitating a more seamless and enjoyable communal experience.
The integration of the newly introduced lyrics features from iOS 26 with the HomePod Touch is anticipated to foster a more immersive and less interruptive environment for music enjoyment, allowing families to connect more deeply with their favorite songs.
As the launch of the HomePod Touch draws near, many users are keen to discover how these new features will enhance their listening enjoyment. The combination of Apple Music’s lyrics enhancements and the HomePod Touch is likely to make singing along to music more accessible and pleasurable for everyone.
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Where to Discover Amazing Custom Watch Faces for Galaxy Watch 8 and Pixel Watch 4
Wear OS 6 has brought back personalized watch faces to Android timepieces, with applications like Facer, WatchMaker, TIMEFLIK, and Pujie offering the Galaxy Watch 8 and Pixel Watch 4 an extensive array of designs. Other Wear OS devices will have to wait for this update, and exploring numerous custom watch faces only emphasized how thrilling this distinctive feature is.
Following the limitation of older, power-hungry watch faces in Wear OS 5 with Watch Face Format (WFF), Google collaborated with Facer and other applications to create a solution: the Watch Face Push API.
In Wear OS 6, each watch face application is allocated one “slot” in your watch’s favorites menu, which can be accessed by tapping and holding the screen. Select a watch face within the mobile application, and it will push to that designated slot. Your watch’s storage remains organized as your newest selection replaces the previous one.
You can utilize as many compatible watch face applications with Wear OS 6 as you like, but since many require a subscription for premium faces, you might prefer to stick with a single option. Thus, I explored the choices in Facer, TIMEFLIK, WatchMaker, and Pujie to identify which ones caught my eye.
Facer Premium: $40/year or $5/month
Facer boasts a plethora of unofficial designs for well-known brands like Pokémon, Totoro, Zelda, and Star Wars. Additionally, Facer features official brand collaborations with SpongeBob, Garfield, Barbie, Star Trek, and Tetris, along with “Watchmaker” faces that emulate luxury timepieces. You’ll discover plenty of high-quality designs alongside some more amateurish ones.
The standout feature of Facer is its “power impact” rating for each face, alerting you if it may influence your watch’s battery performance. You can also tap a Sun/Moon icon to toggle between the active display and AOD layout, allowing you to verify beforehand if the latter is too demanding on power.
Facer offers a considerable assortment of Wear OS 6-compatible designs, with over 100 available for free if you want to explore the app without subscribing to Premium; considering Samsung and Google provide about 60 and 30 official faces, respectively, that’s significant—even if the best selections come with a cost.
Additionally, there’s the Facer Creator tool that allows you to craft your own custom designs; it’s designed for releasing faces for others to download or purchase, but you can simply save your creations to your account’s “My Designs” folder and upload them to your watch.
WatchMaker VIP: $20/year or $5/month
WatchMaker features hundreds of thousands of WFF designs, although only 30 are free at any given moment. These seem to rotate daily, allowing you to sample various options, though saving them isn’t possible. Generally, you will likely want to invest in the annual subscription for using this app.
Similar to Facer, there’s a vast assortment of casual user-generated designs, and you can create your own using the “New Watch” button in the main menu—though this requires a separate, one-time “Premium” fee of $12 to add personal images and access other design features.
What draws users to WatchMaker is its extensive library of curated collections that highlight a “classic” or “elegant” style, ideal for my Galaxy Watch 8 Classic. The Knight Watch collection, in particular, is quite stunning, showcasing years’ worth of eye-catching designs that will keep your watch looking fresh and distinctive.
The app interface isn’t my favorite. The primary menu is cluttered with links to other applications rather than offering useful information, and the confusing division between Premium and VIP feels like a tactic to pressure me into double-paying for features. Yet, with over 130,000 WFF faces available, these drawbacks might be easy to overlook.
TIMEFLIK
Flik Pass Pro: $60/year or $5/month
If your main interest is in discovering free watch faces, TIMEFLIK is your best bet. You can find hundreds (if not more) of free WFF-compatible designs by toggling in the main Home view or the “Top Free” view located in the Popular tab.
Where almost every face incurs a fee in Facer and WatchMaker by design, TIMEFLIK typically offers a few free faces for every popular culture or gaming icon you can think of, alongside personal drawings, photographs, and AI-generated content.
The trade-off with TIMEFLIK is that you must watch an advertisement for every watch face you send to your device unless you subscribe for $2.49/month. Since only one watch face can be saved at a time, this means an ad must be watched each time you switch, even if it’s a face you’ve previously used.
Aside from a few designs that mimic high-end watch aesthetics, the majority of TIMEFLIK’s paid and suggested faces tend to be on the amateur side.
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