Amazon has the ASUS TUF 27-inch curved gaming monitor for $159, down from $229 and now at its best-ever price.
Nokian’s Pioneering Tire Concept Technology Motivated by James Bond
Winter poses significant challenges for vehicle owners. Electric vehicle batteries deplete more rapidly in frigid conditions as drivers utilize extra energy for cabin heating, while numerous wheels experience loss of traction when snow begins to fall and roads freeze. In such cases, some individuals might resort to tire chains and studded tires; however, a new wheel design has the capability to deploy road-gripping studs whenever necessary.
Recently, Nokian Tyres introduced what it describes as “the world’s first non-studded winter tire featuring studs.” This groundbreaking automotive technology, the Nokian Tyres Hakkapeliitta 01, houses studs within the tire until the temperature reaches a specified level, at which point the studs automatically emerge (without damaging the tire, mind you). This innovation allows users to benefit from the safety of studded tires during icy conditions and then revert to standard tires for the remainder of the year without needing to physically change the wheels. It’s a technology that seems straight out of a James Bond film … or that particular moment in “Batman Forever” where ice skates emerge from Batman and Robin’s footwear.
Nokian Tyres asserts that the Hakkapeliitta 01 provides 10% improved grip on icy surfaces and 5% enhanced grip on wet roads compared to the company’s previous winter tires, all while cutting road wear by 30%. Nokian further claims that these new tires operate more quietly than those of competing brands. Additionally, a majority of the Hakkapeliitta 01’s construction is composed of renewable materials such as pine resin and canola oil. If we can’t use that oil for cooking due to its elevated PAH levels — which are associated with cancer — at least we’ve found an alternative application for it.
Nokian’s studded tires have been a long-awaited innovation
Nokian Tyres has been involved in the winter tire sector since 1934 and has established itself as a leader in tire manufacturing. The Nokian Tyres Hakkapeliitta 01 represents the company’s latest innovation, but the idea didn’t just materialize randomly.
The Hakkapeliitta 01’s development commenced in 2014 as a conceptual tire. At that time, Nokian Tyres aimed to provide drivers with control over the studs of the Hakkapeliitta 01; users could elevate and lower the components at the push of a button. However, as reported by Motor Trend, the technology would have been extremely costly — development manager Mikko Liukkula mentioned that they would have “cost more than the Porsche they were on.”
As time progressed, the concept tire transformed into the automated system it is today. A critical aspect of its launch (at least per Motor Trend) was a proprietary rubber compound that softened in warmer conditions just enough to accommodate the studs and minimize any potential wear. Furthermore, the final version of the Hakkapeliitta 01 includes two types of studs: center studs designed for acceleration and braking, and shoulder studs intended for cornering and lane changing. The Nokian Tyres Hakkapeliitta 01 is suitable for passenger cars, crossovers, and sport utility vehicles. Given that the company offers a range of EV-compatible tires (electric vehicles necessitate specialized tires that can endure greater torque and offer improved traction), a Hakkapeliitta 01 tailored for EVs may not be distant.
Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Box: Best Pokémon TCG Deal Under $130 at Walmart
Buy the Pokémon TCG Ascended Heroes ETB for $129.99 at Walmart, about $3 less than Amazon and $4.89 below market price.
Answers and Hints for NYT Mini Crossword – April 8, 2026
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TikTok is spending €1B on a second Finnish data center
The new facility in Lahti is part of TikTokâs â¬12 billion Project Clover data sovereignty push for European users. Finlandâs defence ministry approved the first data centre investment in 2024 without informing elected politicians. A former minister publicly called for the project to be reconsidered. TikTok is investing â¬1 billion ($1.16 billion) to build a […]
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Why Microsoft’s War on Windows’ Control Panel is Taking So Long
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Greece to Prohibit Under-15s from Social Media in 2027, Urges EU to Adopt Similar Measures
PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the ban in a TikTok video on Wednesday. It takes effect on 1 January 2027. Enforcement will rely on a state-mandated app on every device. Around 80% of Greeks support the measure, according to a February poll. Greece has announced it will ban children under 15 from accessing social media platforms, […]
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Spotify Unveils Suggested Playlists Including Podcasts for Inquisitive Premium US Beta Users
With earbuds in, the podcast kicks off.
Essentials to understand
- Podcasts are joining the lineup for Spotify’s Prompted Playlists beta, accessible in the U.S., Canada, Ireland, the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand.
- Similar to writing a description for music, users can communicate their podcast interests to the algorithm for a curated list.
- The beta phase for Prompted Playlist initiated in the U.S. in January, enabling creation through the “Create” button.
AI has found its place on Spotify to assist in discovering music, but the platform is advancing with its audio shows.
Manipulating the algorithm has been crucial for Spotify’s Prompted Playlists; now, it’s providing insights on a beta enhancement that incorporates podcasts. Launching this week, Prompted Playlist testers in the U.S., Canada, Ireland, the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand can start incorporating podcast descriptions into their requests. Spotify claims users can satisfy their interests through this feature, as Prompted Playlists can explore millions of available shows.
Android Central’s Perspective
I’ve never really gotten into podcasts, yet there are many users who do. Friends of mine enjoy tuning into podcasts, indicating a genuine demand for them. Spotify states that 34 million podcasts are uncovered “every week” on its platform. If users could avoid incessant scrolling and specify what show they want, that would be a huge advantage.
If users aim to stay informed on entertainment happenings (think music, film, and fashion), they should inform Prompted Playlists about it. For instance, Spotify suggests you can say, “Create a podcast playlist featuring the latest entertainment news from the past few days. Include all aspects of music, film, fashion, and significant cultural events.”
Podcasts extend beyond just entertainment. You can inquire about shows related to science (did you know Artemis II is orbiting the moon?) or even true crime mystery podcasts. After this update, Prompted Playlists will remain intact and unaltered. Users can still initiate by clicking “Create” and selecting Prompted Playlists. From that point, simply state your request as usual, whether it pertains to specific music genres or podcasts.
Additionally, Spotify emphasizes that users can choose how frequently their playlist refreshes. Options include daily or weekly updates, with a “don’t update” choice available as well.
Prompted Podcasts (Playlists)
As mentioned earlier, Prompted Playlists remains in beta and is being rolled out to the regions listed above. The update should start to show up today (Apr 7) and onwards for participating testers.
Android Central’s Perspective
For personalization purposes, Prompted Playlists places your music algorithm into your control. “Personalization” already exists in various forms on Spotify. We have Discover Weekly, Release Radar, and playlists in “Your top mixes,” but this combines all of those features. You’re in charge, controlling the direction of the algorithm. And, if dissatisfied, just roll again.
The Prompted Playlists beta first launched in New Zealand late last year before coming to the U.S. in January, with Canada also being part of that expansion for Spotify. Prompted Playlists utilizes your descriptions for music (and now podcasts) to compile a list of songs you might find appealing. While you can specify your preferred genre and artists, Spotify will also consider your account history and overall “vibes.”
Crucial Actions to Perform After Acquiring Your New Galaxy S26
Get the most from your Galaxy S26 with these suggestions!
You’ve just acquired a shiny new Galaxy S26. The phones might not appear vastly different from the Galaxy S25 series, but Samsung’s newest flagships are packed with numerous new features, some of which may also benefit earlier models.
While we promote the exploration of your new device and all its capabilities, here are some initial adjustments or checks to consider after setting up your phone. Whether you own the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, or S26 Ultra, here are some early tips and tricks.
Configure your Privacy Display to obscure your screen
A major hardware highlight of the Galaxy S26 series is the Privacy Display. Regrettably, it’s exclusive to the Galaxy S26 Ultra; this feature employs a distinct pixel arrangement that effectively obscures your screen’s contents from anyone viewing from an angle by deactivating some pixels. Consequently, you can still see your display, but anyone attempting to take a peek shouldn’t be able to.
The effect is impressively effective, and Samsung allows you to tailor the Privacy Display to activate only when you launch specific apps or when notifications arrive.
To enable the Privacy Display on your Galaxy S26 Ultra, go to Settings > Display > Privacy Display and switch the feature on. Then, tap the option to explore the various customizations.
Once you turn on the Conditions for activation, you’ll discover the following options:
– Apps: Activates the Privacy Display when certain apps are opened
– Pin, pattern, password: Obscures the screen when entering sensitive information, but works only in the Settings app, lock screen, and Secure Folder.
– Notification pop-ups: Partially enables the Privacy Display, hiding just the notifications while the rest of the display remains visible to others.
You can also choose to activate a Maximum privacy display, which alters how the display looks when viewed directly. This will further deter others from viewing your screen and will also change your viewing experience.
A fresh approach to voicemail
Voicemails are typically managed by carriers or apps like the T-Mobile Visual Voicemail app. However, Samsung is taking charge with Direct Voicemail, a feature that fundamentally enhances your voicemail experience at no additional cost.
With Direct Voicemail, Samsung grants you greater control over your experience. For instance, when a call comes in, you can opt to send it to voicemail, immediately direct it to voicemail, or have it go to voicemail after a specified period.
You can access and configure Direct Voicemail by going to the Phone app > three-button menu > Settings > Direct voicemail and switching it on. Then decide if you want the app to automatically send calls to voicemail and set the timing accordingly.
Where Direct Voicemail excels compared to other options is its ability to transcribe voicemails as they arrive, a feature for which T-Mobile charges extra. And similar to the traditional voicemail recorders that play the message in real-time, you can actually take the call while the message is being recorded if you determine it’s something you need to address right away.
Voicemails are also stored on-device for easy access from the call log in your phone app. You can also utilize the enhanced Audio Eraser to refine the audio if you can’t clearly hear the main speaker due to background noise.
Alternatively, you can screen your calls
Call Screen on the Pixel is a favorite feature of ours, allowing the phone to use AI to answer calls for you. The concept is to respond to calls from unknown numbers, enabling the assistant to discern the purpose of the call, so you can decide whether it’s worth your attention.
Samsung now offers a comparable feature: appropriately named Call Screening. Like on the Pixel, you won’t have to answer the call, but you can still view a live transcription of the conversation. The AI will inquire about who’s calling and the purpose of the call, and you can either wait for the caller to hang up or answer if you believe it warrants a response.
Access this feature by going to the Phone app > three-dot menu > Settings > Call screening. Once you switch the feature on, you can also activate Auto screen calls and choose either Suspected spam and scams or Unknown callers. You can cover all bases by selecting the latter and enabling Caller ID and spam protection in the primary Call settings.
In addition to Call screening, other Call Assist features include Text call and Live translate. Similar to Call screening, an AI assistant will respond, but you can type or choose responses yourself. Fortunately, this feature connects directly to Call Screening, allowing you to switch to this method whenever you want to take control of the conversation. You can also adjust the voice’s tone, personalize the settings
