Author: Richard

    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Garmin’s ‘Annual Review’ Report Contrasts Your Steps, Body Battery, and Additional Metrics with Those of Other Athletes
    Garmin’s ‘Annual Review’ Report Contrasts Your Steps, Body Battery, and Additional Metrics with Those of Other Athletes

    The 2025 Garmin Connect data report presents a valuable overview of the health and fitness behaviors among Garmin watch users across various age demographics and nationalities. Issued by Garmin, the report indicates an 8% rise in logged activities compared to 2024, with notable increases in racket sports and Pilates. Users recorded an average of 55 minutes per activity, yet merely 28% met the recommended 10,000 steps each day.

    The report examines the rise in popularity of different sports, noting a 67% surge in racket sports such as pickleball, primarily driven by individuals aged 18-29. Pilates, HIIT, and strength training also experienced significant growth, while indoor running expanded by 16%, with a preference for treadmills among women.

    Activity length varied, with most runs being under an hour and walks usually between 0-30 minutes. The average duration of activities was influenced by longer endeavors like hiking and cycling. Daily step counts highlighted Hong Kong users at the forefront with 10,663 steps, followed by South Korea, Spain, China, and Ireland.

    Additionally, the report analyzes demographic variations, showing Dutch users as the least stressed, Portuguese users receiving the most restorative sleep, and Chinese users expending the highest daily energy. Garmin motivates users to compare their figures and pursue challenging badges, such as the Everest expedition badge, which only 0.7% of users attain.

    In conclusion, the report delivers an extensive perspective on how Garmin watch owners utilize their devices, offering a reference point for users to evaluate their performance and set forthcoming objectives.

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on India’s Sonodyne Launches Amazing Soundbar Featuring Dolby Atmos, Exceptional Audio Quality, Independent Subwoofer, and Budget-Friendly Pricing
    India’s Sonodyne Launches Amazing Soundbar Featuring Dolby Atmos, Exceptional Audio Quality, Independent Subwoofer, and Budget-Friendly Pricing

    I tested Sonodyne’s Sama 5000, and it stands out as one of the top mid-range Dolby Atmos soundbars in India.

    (Image credit: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)

    Sonodyne is a renowned Indian audio producer with a rich legacy; it has been crafting custom studio speakers and professional monitoring equipment for more than 50 years, demonstrating its expertise in this field. I reviewed the Malhar Bluetooth speaker last year, and I was instantly impressed by its sound performance. It was such a revelation that I replaced my long-time Marshall Stanmore with the Malhar, making it the primary Bluetooth speaker in my home office.

    Therefore, when Sonodyne announced its entry into the soundbar market, I was definitely intrigued. The Sama 5000 launched in August 2025, and it is

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Research Uncovers AI’s Ability to Improve Heart Data Evaluation from Apple Watch’s Optical Sensor
    Research Uncovers AI’s Ability to Improve Heart Data Evaluation from Apple Watch’s Optical Sensor

    ### Investigating Apple’s Progress in Cardiac Health Monitoring via AI

    A recent investigation showcases Apple’s continuous pursuit of insights into cardiac health, particularly leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) alongside optical sensors. This comes after the launch of hypertension notifications in watchOS 26, which employ data from the Apple Watch’s optical heart sensor to evaluate blood vessel reactions and identify potential hypertension over a 30-day timeframe.

    #### Background of Hypertension Notifications

    Apple’s hypertension notifications are intended to inform users of possible undiagnosed hypertension by examining trends in heart data, instead of delivering real-time readings. Although this feature does not replace medical diagnoses, it seeks to notify over 1 million users within the first year of its rollout. This proactive method of health monitoring signifies a major advancement in utilizing wearable technology for preventive health strategies.

    #### Progress in Cardiac Monitoring

    The new research, entitled “Hybrid Modeling of Photoplethysmography for Non-Invasive Monitoring of Cardiovascular Parameters,” suggests an innovative technique for estimating cardiovascular biomarkers from photoplethysmography (PPG) signals, which are widely used in devices such as the Apple Watch. The researchers integrated a hybrid modeling strategy that combines hemodynamic simulations with unlabeled clinical information to improve the accuracy of cardiac health insights obtained from PPG readings.

    By employing a dataset of labeled simulated arterial pressure waveforms (APWs) alongside actual APW and PPG data, the study illustrates the feasibility of deducing deeper cardiac metrics like stroke volume and cardiac output from basic optical sensors. This methodology enables the derivation of important heart insights without the necessity for invasive methods.

    #### Research Approach and Results

    The research team developed a generative model to correlate PPG data with corresponding APW data, allowing them to derive APW information with adequate accuracy. They subsequently employed a second model to extract cardiovascular parameters from the inferred APWs. The findings revealed that while the method effectively tracked variations in stroke volume and cardiac output, it did not yield precise absolute figures. Nevertheless, the AI-enhanced modeling surpassed conventional methods, demonstrating the potential for obtaining valuable cardiac data from current sensors.

    The study concludes that while predicting absolute values for complex biomarkers poses challenges, the hybrid modeling technique presents encouraging outcomes for monitoring temporal trends in cardiovascular health. The researchers recommend that subsequent studies could investigate alternative generative methodologies and broaden these approaches to other modalities, potentially leading to long-term cardiac monitoring via wearable technology.

    #### Summary

    While it remains to be seen if Apple will incorporate these sophisticated features into its products, the research highlights the company’s dedication to improving health monitoring capabilities through cutting-edge technology. The findings not only enhance the understanding of PPG signal informativeness but also emphasize the possibility of creating non-invasive methods for tracking vital health metrics.

    For those interested in the complete study, it can be accessed on

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Discovering Uncommon Terminal Commands: Advice and Observations (Section 3)
    Discovering Uncommon Terminal Commands: Advice and Observations (Section 3)

    ### Discovering Helpful Terminal Commands for Mac Users

    The Terminal is a robust utility for Mac users, providing a variety of commands that can boost efficiency and facilitate tasks. Below are some lesser-known commands that can enrich your macOS experience.

    #### Set an Alarm in Terminal

    If you struggle to take breaks while working in Terminal, you can directly set alarms from the command line. Use the command:

    “`bash
    leave [time]
    “`

    For instance, to set an alarm for 6:46 PM, type:

    “`bash
    leave 1846
    “`

    This command can also accommodate local time formats.

    #### Comprehensive Battery Details

    To ensure optimal battery health of your Apple devices, you can access detailed battery information using the following command:

    “`bash
    system_profiler SPPowerDataType
    “`

    This command reveals details about battery condition, cycle count, and additional information.

    #### Retrieve Saved Passwords

    You can easily find saved Wi-Fi passwords via Terminal. Input the following command:

    “`bash
    Security find-generic-password -wa [Wi-Fi Network]
    “`

    Substitute `

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Evaluating Amazon Fire TV Stick versus Roku: Selecting the Optimal Streaming Stick for Your Requirements
    Evaluating Amazon Fire TV Stick versus Roku: Selecting the Optimal Streaming Stick for Your Requirements

    Hand holding a remote with a blurred out TV showing streaming apps in the background.

    Giuliano Benzin/Getty Images

    A streaming stick plugs into your non-smart or even smart television, allowing access to your favorite streaming applications via a user-friendly interface. If you’re thinking about getting one, you’re likely weighing the options between two of the leading contenders: Amazon Fire TV Stick and Roku. Both provide a variety of choices, from basic models with straightforward features to advanced versions that cater to 4K streaming, among other capabilities. Each option is generally budget-friendly and user-friendly.

    So, which option should you select? The choice between an Amazon Fire TV Stick or Roku streaming stick revolves around your preference for the user interface, essential features, enhancement possibilities, and your individual priorities. For instance, Amazon Fire TV Sticks come equipped with the convenient Alexa Voice Remote, enabling control over compatible Alexa-enabled smart home devices. In contrast, Roku streaming sticks feature the Roku Voice Remote and grant access to extra content, including original films and shows through free Roku Channels. For many users, a Roku streaming stick may be the superior choice for a variety of reasons.

    Amazon Fire TV Stick for smart homes

    <img class="gallery-image" src="https://allyoucantech.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/evaluating-amazon-fire-tv-stick-versus-roku-selecting-the-optimal-streaming-stick-for-your-requirements-2.jpg" data-slide-url="https://www.bgr.com/2036703/amazon-fire-stick-vs-roku-best-streaming-stick/"

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on “Garmin InReach Mini 3 Plus: An Affordable Satellite Device Option Instead of Fenix 8 Pro”
    “Garmin InReach Mini 3 Plus: An Affordable Satellite Device Option Instead of Fenix 8 Pro”

    If the exorbitant cost of the Fenix 8 Pro for LTE and satellite deterred you, this satellite handheld offers backpackers a versatile solution.

    What you need to know

    – The Garmin InReach Mini 3 is a handheld SOS satellite communicator weighing 4.4 ounces, capable of lasting up to two weeks on a single charge.
    – It allows you to send or receive voice clips lasting 30 seconds, text through a 1.9-inch MIP touch display, transmit photos using your phone, or share your LiveTrack location.
    – It introduces new features like Voice Commands, multi-band GPS, and a passcode.
    – It does not provide cellular connectivity and requires an InReach satellite subscription starting at $7.99/month.

    As thrilling as it was when the Fenix 8 Pro integrated LTE and satellite in a compact wearable gadget, its $1,200+ price made it hard to recommend, and its small design restricts aspects like battery longevity. Now, Garmin is unveiling the InReach Mini 3 Plus, an SOS satellite handheld communicator that could serve as a more feasible choice for serious backpackers who venture into areas lacking cellular service.

    Unlike previous InReach models such as the Messenger Plus or Mini 2, the InReach Mini 3 Plus features a touch display that covers most of its surface, in addition to the conventional navigation buttons. This enhancement simplifies menu navigation and message sending, a significant improvement over the previous method of tapping through letters individually.

    The Mini 3 Plus includes a microphone and speaker, enabling you to send brief voice messages or record voice memos through the device, and listen to responses from loved ones, all via satellite. It can also transmit photos, though you’ll need your phone to take and upload them to the Messenger app.

    In contrast, the Fenix 8 Pro is limited to sending text messages, check-ins, and SOS alerts—no photos or voice memos. Additionally, while the InReach Messenger Plus can also send voice memos, it requires phone usage, whereas the Mini 3 Plus remains functional even if your phone battery is depleted.

    Garmin employs the mic and speaker for voice commands, allowing you to activate certain functionalities like check-ins or LiveTrack without relying on the touchscreen. We are intrigued to see how effectively this feature operates, considering voice commands can sometimes be inconsistent on Garmin watches.

    Like most InReach devices and GPSMAP handhelds, the InReach Mini 3 Plus is equipped with an SOS button that transmits an emergency alert along with your GPS coordinates to a 24/7 Garmin Response team. The new addition is the access to the touchscreen, facilitating easier replies to responders, as well as multi-band GPS frequency for enhanced location accuracy.

    It also marks the first InReach device known to have an MIL-STD-810 rating for thermal, shock, and water resistance, featuring an IP67 rating compared to the IPX7 rating of the Messenger Plus and Mini 2. This enhancement should aid in surviving falls, although the display is protected only by “chemically strengthened glass.”

    Beyond emergencies, you can utilize the Mini 3 Plus to send LiveTrack location updates to trusted contacts. Garmin claims it can operate for 350 hours (approximately 14 days) with ten-minute check-in intervals, or 95 hours in “performance” mode with more frequent updates.

    In terms of additional functionalities beyond satellite messaging, you can synchronize it with the Garmin Explore app, where you can design GPX routes for turn-by-turn navigation. You can also access weather updates or satellite imagery through the app.

    The Garmin InReach Mini 3 Plus is priced at $499.99, or $449 for a model without photo and voice messaging. If that seems a bit steep, the InReach Mini 2 is available for $150 off with an ongoing Cyber Monday deal, bringing it down to $249; the InReach Messenger Plus is also $150 off if you prefer photo and video messaging using your phone.

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on European Union Greenlights Dutch Antitrust Case Against Apple Over App Store Operations
    European Union Greenlights Dutch Antitrust Case Against Apple Over App Store Operations

    Apple is encountering serious legal hurdles in Europe, with allegations totaling hundreds of millions of euros concerning its App Store charges. The examination of the App Store has increased following a recent decision by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), permitting two Dutch organizations representing iPhone and iPad users to seek damages from the tech company.

    The organizations argue that Apple’s charges for third-party applications on the App Store are excessively elevated and represent an unlawful exploitation of its dominant market status. Developers who use Apple’s in-app payment system face commissions that can soar up to 30%. Apple contends that a Dutch court lacks the necessary jurisdiction, asserting that the purported harmful incidents did not take place in the Netherlands.

    Nevertheless, the CJEU determined that the App Store is specifically tailored for the Dutch market, providing applications in Dutch and serving users with Apple IDs associated with the Netherlands, irrespective of their geographical location. This ruling allows the antitrust lawsuit to move forward.

    A lawyer for the plaintiffs approximates that the damages suffered by roughly seven million impacted iPhone users and an equivalent number of iPad users could reach around 637 million euros, including statutory interest. The case is expected to progress to a merits hearing in the first quarter of 2026, signifying a substantial advancement in the ongoing examination of Apple’s business practices in Europe.

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on iOS 26 Unveils Improved Functionality for Apple’s Calendar Application
    iOS 26 Unveils Improved Functionality for Apple’s Calendar Application

    # iOS 26: A Revolutionary Update for Apple Calendar with Screenshot Integration

    iOS 26 represents a major advancement for iPhone users, featuring an elegant Liquid Glass design and an abundance of innovative features across various native applications, including Wallet, Messages, and Music. While numerous apps have undergone considerable upgrades, Apple Calendar has discreetly rolled out a remarkable capability that simplifies event creation: the option to add events straight from screenshots.

    ## Creating Calendar Events is Now as Simple as Capturing a Screenshot

    Among the most prominent modifications in iOS 26 is the change in how screenshots are processed. Rather than being displayed as a small floating thumbnail in the bottom-left corner, screenshots now launch in a full-screen view by default. Users can revert to the previous thumbnail setting if desired, but the new full-screen interface aims to improve the user experience.

    This modification is part of Apple’s enhancement to screenshots, which now feature sophisticated “visual intelligence” functions on compatible iPhones. A key highlight of this enhancement is its integration with the Calendar app.

    When a user captures a screenshot that includes a calendar event, a new button marked ‘Add to Calendar’ appears at the bottom of the screen. This function is only visible in the full-screen view, so users who switch back to the thumbnail mode will need to tap the thumbnail to see it.

    ## Functionality of ‘Add to Calendar’ in iOS 26

    The ‘Add to Calendar’ functionality works effortlessly, employing Apple’s sophisticated intelligence to pull event details from the screenshot. Upon pressing the button, users receive a preview of the event that will be added to their calendar. If everything appears accurate, they can simply click ‘Create Event’ to complete the addition.

    For those wanting to adjust any details before saving, an ‘Edit’ button is provided, which opens the standard event creation window in the Calendar app. This feature is particularly handy for selecting the calendar to which the event will be added or modifying other particulars.

    As users adapt to this new process of adding events, it distinguishes Apple’s Calendar app from rival offerings, presenting a distinct and efficient method for managing schedules.

    For users who favor third-party calendar applications, linking those accounts into iOS 26 is achievable via Settings > Apps > Calendar > Calendar Accounts. While this may lead to potential data synchronization challenges based on the chosen service, it enables users to utilize the screenshot feature while continuing to rely on their preferred calendar solutions.

    ## Conclusion

    The addition of the ‘Add to Calendar’ functionality in iOS 26 greatly improves the utility of Apple’s Calendar app, facilitating easier schedule management for users. By harnessing the capabilities of visual intelligence, Apple has simplified the event creation process, fostering a more intuitive experience. As users delve into this new feature, it will be intriguing to observe how it affects their daily productivity and overall interaction with the Calendar app.

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Apple Unveils Firmware Upgrade for Newest MagSafe Battery Accessory
    Apple Unveils Firmware Upgrade for Newest MagSafe Battery Accessory

    Apple has recently introduced updated firmware for its MagSafe Battery accessory designed specifically for the iPhone Air. This update is part of Apple’s continuous efforts to improve the functionality and compatibility of its accessories.

    ### iPhone Air’s MagSafe Battery Receives Firmware Update

    Firmware updates are a frequent occurrence for Apple devices, encompassing accessories like AirPods. Nevertheless, the latest update particularly focuses on the MagSafe Battery for the iPhone Air, a somewhat specialized accessory within Apple’s product range.

    The firmware update announcement was brought to attention by Aaron Perris in a post on X, advising users of the availability of the new software. While the specific modifications brought by this firmware update remain undisclosed, it likely aims to enhance compatibility with the iPhone Air and the iOS operating system.

    A notable aspect of accessory updates such as this is their automatic installation in the background while the device is in operation. Users do not have a manual option to initiate the installation of these updates, ensuring that devices stay updated without any user action required.

    In addition to the MagSafe Battery update, Apple has been active in rolling out firmware updates for other accessories too. Just last month, the company released new firmware for several products, including the Magic Keyboard with USB-C, Magic Trackpad, and even a power adapter.

    ### Top iPhone Accessories

    For those aiming to enhance their iPhone usage, there is a wide range of accessories available that can enhance the device’s functionalities. From protective cases to sophisticated charging solutions, the right accessories can greatly improve usability and convenience.

    In summary, the new firmware update for the MagSafe Battery signifies Apple’s dedication to maintaining and enhancing its accessory portfolio. iPhone Air users can anticipate improved performance and compatibility through this update, highlighting Apple’s commitment to providing a cohesive user experience across its devices.

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Noah Wyle Played Steve Jobs in a Premier Silicon Valley Movie
    Noah Wyle Played Steve Jobs in a Premier Silicon Valley Movie

    Long before Michael Fassbender and Ashton Kutcher brought to life Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, Noah Wyle assumed the character in the 1999 feature “Pirates of Silicon Valley.” Directed by Martyn Burke, this made-for-television movie delved into the competition between Jobs and Microsoft CEO Bill Gates, portrayed by Anthony Michael Hall. The cast also included Joey Slotnick as Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.

    While it didn’t garner as much attention as Danny Boyle’s “Steve Jobs” or Ashton Kutcher’s “Jobs,” “Pirates of Silicon Valley” was favorably received by critics. It boasts an 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, outpacing both Kutcher’s “Jobs” at 27% and Boyle’s movie at 85%. Furthermore, Noah Wyle had a distinctive experience that neither Fassbender nor Kutcher had—the opportunity to meet Steve Jobs personally.

    Wyle recounted to Fortune how he met Jobs over dinner with a group of designers. During the occasion, Jobs revealed an idea that would eventually evolve into the iPad. He illustrated a picture frame where the image was a moving video, sketching the concept out on a napkin. The designers endorsed the idea without alterations. Although Wyle tried to keep the napkin, he was beckoned away by Jobs, missing the opportunity to possess a piece of tech history. Regardless, it remains a memorable anecdote for Wyle.

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