I’m afraid I am unable to help with that request.
Read MoreThe enforcement has commenced in France and Germany and will soon be implemented worldwide.
Essential information
– Amazon is set to start restricting piracy-related applications on all Fire TV devices, including those that are sideloaded.
– The company claims this initiative safeguards both content creators and consumers from malware and deceitful applications.
– The limitation has already started in France and Germany and will broaden its reach globally in the following weeks.
Piracy has emerged as a significant problem for streaming services, and Amazon will now initiate the blocking of all piracy-related applications on its Fire TV devices.
In a communication to The Athletic, Amazon mentioned it is “actively addressing” the blocking of apps recognized for allowing users to access pirated content on the platform (via 9to5Google). This limitation will be enforced not just on applications available in the Fire TV Appstore but also on those sideloaded onto Fire TV devices.
Amazon declared it will “forbid apps recognized as offering access to pirated content, including those installed from outside our app store.” The company noted that this initiative will safeguard both content creators and customers, as pirated applications frequently “expose users to malware, viruses, and fraud.”
No more sideloaded piracy applications on Fire TV
The limitation affects both new and existing Fire TV devices and has already initiated in France and Germany. Amazon states it intends to extend the rollout globally in the forthcoming weeks and months.
This follows The Athletic’s findings that in the UK, more than 30% of illegal sports streaming was attributed to Fire TV and other IPTV devices. Fire TV devices have long been associated with illegal sports streaming as third-party applications can be easily sideloaded onto these devices, allowing users to access pirated sports content for a fraction of the legal price.
It appears Amazon is now putting a stop to this. In addition to blocking access to pirated applications on older devices, the company has also started to completely restrict sideloading with the newly launched Fire TV Stick Select earlier this year.
The new streaming device operates on a new non-Android system referred to as VegaOS, which, according to Amazon, encompasses enhanced security features and permits app downloads solely from the official Appstore, effectively terminating access to pirated streaming applications.
Read Morehow well my M1 Pro MacBook Pro has been functioning four years after acquiring it (largely to stave off FOMO regarding the M4 MacBook Pro), I began to encounter a persistent problem with the file browser feature on macOS. Each time I needed to export an image using Pixelmator Pro, upload a photo on BGR, or even send a document via email, I would notice the Mac’s spinning wheel.
All of a sudden, my reliable MacBook Pro felt like an outdated machine that struggled with simple operations. This problem began with one of the macOS Tahoe 26.1 betas, and I genuinely thought it would be resolved once Apple issued the final version of the software.
Regrettably, even with the launch of macOS Tahoe 26.1 last week, I continued to face the lag problem with the file browser feature on macOS. Nevertheless, I wasn’t alone in experiencing this issue, as a post on X by Basic Apple Guy precisely identified the problem and provided a solution.
Apple’s App Store commission framework is encountering global difficulties, yet the company has recently established a noteworthy new revenue stream via an agreement with WeChat in China. This collaboration is particularly significant due to the distinctive manner in which Chinese iPhone users acquire apps.
### How Chinese iPhone Users Buy Apps
In China, WeChat has become a vital part of everyday life, acting as a multifunctional platform with more than a billion users. It operates as a secondary operating system for many, enabling users to perform a wide range of tasks—from messaging and bill payments to taxi bookings and food ordering—through various mini-apps integrated within the app. A survey conducted in 2020 indicated that 95% of Chinese iPhone users would rather give up their iPhones than surrender WeChat, highlighting its supremacy.
Nonetheless, a considerable challenge for Apple stems from the reality that purchases made through these mini-apps generally do not yield commissions for the company. Developers frequently guide users to external payment methods, bypassing Apple’s standard commission costs.
### WeChat Deal Gives Apple a 15% Commission
Following prolonged negotiations, Apple has secured a deal with Tencent, the creator of WeChat, to permit Apple to manage payments for purchases made within WeChat’s mini-games and apps. As reported by Bloomberg, this agreement will allow Apple to receive a 15% share of these transactions, a rate that is notably lower than the usual 30% commission charged by the App Store.
This arrangement not only opens a new revenue channel for Apple but also alleviates pressure on Tencent, which runs WeChat at the core of millions of Chinese users’ lives. The financial ramifications of this deal could be considerable, potentially amounting to billions of dollars for Apple.
In conclusion, while Apple confronts regulatory hurdles regarding its App Store commissions in different nations, the WeChat collaboration signifies a strategic maneuver to bolster its earnings in one of the largest smartphone markets globally.
Read Morethe iPhone Fold, the device will resemble Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series, although it may have a different aspect ratio. A recent article from the Korean outlet The Bell indicates that Samsung perceives the iPhone Fold as a danger to its entire foldable smartphone sector, not solely the Galaxy Z Fold lineup. Consequently, Samsung aims for its 2026 foldable phones to be more competitive, ensuring the forthcoming iPhone Fold does not jeopardize its leading market share. Per the report, Samsung intends to sell 10% more combined units of Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8 compared to their earlier versions. To achieve this, the company is concentrating on the Galaxy Z Flip model, with plans for a significant redesign of the clamshell phone.
The report mentions that Samsung’s ambition to boost Galaxy Z Flip 8 sales is a direct reaction to Apple launching its first foldable phone next year. The Bell states that Apple’s intentions to unveil a foldable iPhone came to the attention of senior Samsung executives in early 2024 through reports from U.S. media, raising concerns. A high-ranking executive allegedly instructed Samsung’s mobile division to enhance the competitiveness of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 models. Apple’s venture into the foldable arena could broaden the market, but it might also endanger Samsung’s standing in ways that Chinese competitors could not.
Samsung introduced its inaugural foldable phone in 2019, a Fold-type device. Since then, Chinese smartphone manufacturers have released various innovations in this domain that Samsung was slow to adopt. Honor produced ultra-thin Fold-type foldables for years before Samsung matched that dimension. Oppo unveiled a larger cover screen on a clamshell phone ahead of the Galaxy Z Flip’s introduction of one.
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HDMI is undoubtedly one of the most favored connection types for smart televisions. With its ability to carry both video and audio signals through a single cable, finding a QLED or OLED TV without at least a couple of HDMI ports is quite rare, as some models even offer three or four. However, it’s important to remember the devices that connect to our TVs without using an HDMI cable. There was a time when we connected cable boxes and AV devices to the TV using RCA and coaxial cables.
Whether utilizing composite connections — red and white for audio, yellow for video — or investing in pricier component video cables for optimal picture quality, the period before HDMI was significantly more cluttered regarding cabling. While HDMI ports are prevalent in modern smart TVs, alternative connection devices are still in use. From soundbars and vintage VCRs to laptops and smartphones, all these gadgets can easily link to your smart TV without needing an HDMI cable.
Redmagic’s newest gaming smartphone illustrates just how powerful Qualcomm’s latest chip is — quite literally.
Upon viewing the initial benchmarks for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, I anticipated it would be a powerhouse of a mobile processor. Nevertheless, these evaluations don’t typically reflect real-world usage since they’re conducted on reference models optimized for maximum performance, so I decided to wait and examine whether there would be any discernible difference on consumer-grade devices powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.
Although there was a slight delay, I was able to achieve this, thanks to the Redmagic 11 Pro. This phone is among the first devices to showcase the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, serving as a reliable gauge of what the Qualcomm chipset can do, and after a week of rigorous testing and daily usage, it’s clear that this is the fastest mobile processor available at present.
While I’m providing performance data from the Redmagic 11 Pro, it’s not the sole device powered by Qualcomm’s latest silicon I have available — there are two other phones I’ve been testing alongside it, but since they haven’t been released yet, I’m unable to discuss them at this time. It’s worth noting that their performance aligns with that of the Redmagic 11 Pro, with no significant differences observed in synthetic tests.
Examining Geekbench 6 single-core results, the Redmagic 11 Pro surpasses its predecessor by 13%, with a 9% improvement in multi-core scores. The year-on-year increase in 3DMark scores is smaller, but it remains consistent with the enhancements Qualcomm has introduced with each new generation over the past three years.
Interestingly, there’s only a 5% difference between the Redmagic 11 Pro and the MediaTek Dimensity 9500-powered Vivo X300 Pro, highlighting just how impressive the latest Arm cores are this year — they can compete effectively against Qualcomm’s custom designs. A similar scenario occurs with 3DMark, where the ray tracing-capable Solay Bay test sees both the Redmagic 11 Pro and Vivo X300 Pro performing equally.
However, there’s a notable issue: overheating. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 manages to get hotter than the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which I thought was unfeasible. This difference is apparent while gaming, and even with liquid cooling in a phone like the Redmagic 11 Pro, the device’s temperature rose to a level that made it uncomfortable to hold.
In fact, the Redmagic 11 Pro shut down during the 3DMark’s Steel Nomad Light stress test due to overheating, even with the built-in fan operating at maximum and liquid cooling activated. I experienced the same problem with another Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 device that I’m evaluating, indicating that Qualcomm must address this issue.
The problem isn’t as severe in typical gaming situations, yet the Redmagic 11 Pro surpasses 52 degrees during prolonged play, running a few degrees hotter than its predecessor. To provide context, I encountered none of these concerns with the Vivo X300 Pro, which maintained temperatures below 45 degrees during extended gaming sessions.
What’s the remedy? Most Android manufacturers are likely to implement a more conservative thermal limit that throttles the Qualcomm silicon before it reaches overheating levels. This is what I’ve noticed in most 2025 models powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, and there’s really not much else that can be done to handle the heat.
Even in phones equipped with specialized thermal management systems, there isn’t enough surface area to effectively dissipate the heat produced by the chipset, so all manufacturers resort to some level of throttling. It’s almost assured that we will witness the same in 2026 flagship models — at least those utilizing Qualcomm.
So, while Qualcomm once again boasts the fastest mobile processor, it’s a bittersweet triumph. The overheating dilemma dampens the enthusiasm surrounding the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and it appears the Dimensity 9500 is shaping up to be a more balanced platform this round.
Read MoreApple is still evaluating the forthcoming iPhone software update with the release of iOS 26.2 beta 2 today. The pre-release iPhone software update comes with an unexpected range of adjustments and improvements. Here’s a summary of the new features so far:
### Games App Navigation
The Games app now introduces sorting and filtering options for the library, controller navigation, and live score updates during gameplay.
### Measure Redesign
The Level tool in the Measure app showcases a new Liquid Glass aesthetic, boosting its visual appeal.
### Messages CarPlay Update
Users can now disable pinned conversations for Messages in CarPlay Settings, offering them greater control over their messaging experience while on the road.
### More Enhancements
– The animations for tapping buttons to open menus are significantly smoother.
– Notes likely gains support for Logitech Muse for Apple Vision Pro.
### Edge Light Feature on macOS 26 Tahoe
Apple is rolling out a new integrated feature for Mac named Edge Light, which utilizes the Mac’s display to create a virtual ring light, improving lighting for video calls.
### Sleep Score Changes
Apple is revising how Sleep Score functions for sleep monitoring. “Very High” takes the place of “Excellent” as the top tier, and the thresholds for each tier have been modified based on user input.
### Apple Podcasts App Enhancements
Apple is leveraging AI to enhance the experience of the Apple Podcasts app. The app can now automatically generate chapters, link to referenced podcasts, and gather show links.
### Apple News Design
iOS 26.2 further polishes the News app experience with quick access links to popular sections within the app, improving user navigation.
### AirPods Live Translation in EU
Apple announces that AirPods Live Translation will be available in European Union countries starting in December, aligning with the anticipated launch of iOS 26.2.
### Liquid Glass Lock Screen Slider
A new Liquid Glass slider has been introduced to modify the level of translucency on the Lock Screen clock, now functional with every font option.
### Reminders Adds Alarms and Timers
iOS 26.2 adds the capability to activate an alarm when a critical reminder is due, presenting a more efficient notification system that can alert users even during Focus modes.
These updates build upon what was noted in iOS 26.2 beta 1, highlighting Apple’s dedication to improving user experience across its devices.
Read MoreSamsung has been developing a trifold smartphone – popularly referred to as the Galaxy G Fold 7 to match the naming scheme of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 — for some time now. Nevertheless, precise information about the device has emerged sporadically. Currently, it appears that additional details have surfaced, which may provide us with insight into the expected battery for Samsung’s inaugural trifold gadget.
As per a recent report from Chosun, the Galaxy Z Trifold — it will be quite exciting when Samsung finally officially names this device — is set to launch with a considerably large battery. The report suggests that it will feature a 5,600 mAh battery, indicating that it will have a more substantial battery than the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which has garnered much acclaim for Samsung in recent months.
Furthermore, the speculations regarding Samsung’s trifold having a 6.5-inch screen externally and an expansive 10-inch display once opened appear to be corroborated here, in addition to insights about the pricing of the new trifolding phone, anticipated to be around $3,000. This positions it at a significantly higher price point than Samsung’s other foldables, and it remains uncertain if the device will even be available in the US at this time.
**1Password Unveils New Unlock Features for Improved User Experience**
Today, 1Password revealed a major update to its desktop application, introducing a new “unlock with device” option that enables the app to auto-unlock when users unlock their Mac. This improvement is aimed at enhancing the user experience while ensuring strong security protocols.
### Three New Settings for Varied Security Preferences
1Password is introducing an updated “unlock experience” that allows users to set the app to unlock using several secure methods, such as Face ID, Touch ID, a PIN, or a password. The company highlights that this new feature is crafted to expedite the unlocking process while safeguarding security.
According to 1Password, the innovation is rooted in how the app acknowledges trust. When a device authenticates a user via a secure method, like biometric login or system password, 1Password validates that authentication, enabling straightforward access to credentials. This allows users to avoid entering their master password every time they need to reach their vault.
### Unlocking Experience Alternatives
With this update, users can select from three different unlocking configurations:
– **Convenient:** 1Password locks and unlocks automatically with the device.
– **Balanced:** Users unlock 1Password once every 8 hours, after which it unlocks automatically with the device.
– **Strict:** 1Password locks itself whenever not in use, requiring users to unlock it every time they return.
In addition, 1Password provides a preview changes toggle that lets users further personalize their unlocking experience. Choices include unlocking with the device password rather than Touch ID, automatic unlocking when the device is unlocked, or remaining signed in until the user opts out.
### Key Considerations
Users selecting the more adaptable unlock options or turning off regular password confirmations will be prompted to generate a recovery code. It’s crucial to note that this feature is not currently available for Business accounts, and the presets do not synchronize across devices. A similar unlocking feature is already present on mobile platforms.
For additional details about 1Password’s new unlocking options, visit the official
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