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YouTube Launches Feature to Turn Off Shorts Option

If Shorts have been dominating your feed (and consuming your time), this is a significant improvement.

Essential information:
– YouTube now allows you to set Shorts usage to zero minutes, effectively restricting access from the main home feed.
– This new setting is found under Time management and creates friction by blocking the Shorts tab once the limit is reached.
– Shorts are not completely eliminated, as they will still show up in subscriptions and can be accessed via shared links.

If YouTube Shorts have been consuming your time and dominating your home feed, YouTube is finally introducing a feature that allows you to conceal them, at least to some degree.

Last year, YouTube revealed a feature that enables users to set time restrictions on how long they engage with Shorts, and it appears it is finally being implemented. As noted (and confirmed) by The Verge, the YouTube app now offers an option to set the Shorts time limit to zero minutes.

Initially, YouTube stated the time limit would range from 15 minutes to two hours, but they have now included a zero minutes option as well, effectively allowing you to deactivate YouTube Shorts. The ‘zero minutes’ timer is confirmed to be active for parents and is currently being rolled out to all users.

To utilize this feature, access the YouTube app settings by tapping the profile icon in the bottom right and then the Settings (gear icon) in the upper right. From there, navigate to Time management settings and specify a daily limit for Shorts. Once activated, a prompt will ask you to select the duration, where you can now choose zero minutes.

After setting it to zero minutes, if you attempt to access the Shorts tab, a pop-up will inform you that you’ve reached your limit, providing options to go back or disregard it. While this doesn’t entirely eliminate Shorts from the app, it does introduce a layer of friction to its usage.

Android Central’s viewpoint:
This may not be a complete Shorts termination switch, but honestly, I’m in favor of it. Adding friction can sometimes be all that’s necessary to break a habit, and setting it to zero minutes might finally assist me in halting my endless scrolling.

It’s also important to highlight that Shorts will still display in your subscriptions feed, and you can open them through direct links. This setting primarily impacts the Shorts tab on the home page.

The feature is currently being rolled out, so you should expect to see it on your device shortly.

AirPods Pro 3 Unveil Improved Functionalities to Avert Misplacement

### AirPods Pro 3: Improved Features and Enhanced Findability

AirPods Pro 3, available now for a limited period at $199, bring forth several notable enhancements compared to their predecessor, the AirPods Pro 2. One of the key advancements is the superior ability to find lost earbuds, a frequent issue for users.

#### Second-Gen Ultra Wideband Chip

The AirPods Pro 3 come with Apple’s second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip, a significant upgrade from the U1 chip utilized in the AirPods Pro 2. This new chip enables Precision Finding via the Find My app, allowing users to track their AirPods from greater distances.

Precision Finding is a feature that offers step-by-step directions to the precise location of your AirPods Pro 3. With the second-gen UWB chip, the effective range for locating misplaced AirPods has expanded by 1.5 times compared to the earlier model. While the U1 chip supported Precision Finding from approximately 35-50 feet, practical tests have indicated that the new UWB chip can function effectively from distances of 150-200 feet.

#### Compatibility Requirements

It’s crucial to understand that the enhanced Precision Finding features of the AirPods Pro 3 necessitate an iPhone 15 or later. This requirement arises because these newer iPhone models also feature the upgraded UWB chip, essential for the extended range capability.

#### Real-World Performance

Users have shared favorable feedback with the Find My app when attempting to locate their AirPods Pro 3. For example, one user successfully utilized the app to track down their AirPods, which were concealed in a backpack on the other side of the house. The app delivered precise directions, successfully leading them directly to the misplaced earbuds.

#### Conclusion

The upgraded Ultra Wideband chip in the AirPods Pro 3 is just one of the numerous motivations to consider upgrading from older models. With enhanced Precision Finding features, users can experience increased reassurance knowing their AirPods are easier to find if they become lost.