AllYouCanTech

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.

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)

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.

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.