Author: Richard

Three Frequent Errors That May Harm Your Television

crime thriller evenings, gaming marathons, and nonstop streaming sessions come alive – there are a few actions you might be engaged in that are subtly diminishing its longevity. In contrast to smartphones or laptops, TVs usually do not exhibit obvious signs of deterioration until it’s significantly too late. Colors becoming dull, brightness levels decreasing, or the display starting to appear uneven — all due to habits that appear entirely harmless. From how you tweak picture settings to the way you place it in your space, seemingly trivial decisions can impact your TV’s performance over time.

Although most contemporary screens are designed to endure for years, daily blunders, such as leaving your television on for prolonged periods, or setting it to “torch mode” right out of the box, can adversely affect picture quality and internal mechanisms. If you’ve put money into a high-quality OLED or QLED screen, the last thing you want is to thoughtlessly diminish its picture quality through simple negligence. Below, we’ll outline three surprisingly frequent methods people damage their TVs without even being aware of it, and what actions you can take immediately to maintain yours looking as sharp, vibrant, and dependable as the day you acquired it.

Don’t turn the volume all the way up

Snapchat Reintroduces 2D Avatars After User Displeasure with 3D Variants

**The Comeback of 2D Avatars on Snapchat: Addressing User Input**

In recent times, Snapchat has experienced notable alterations in how users can portray themselves via avatars. The shift from 2D to 3D Bitmoji avatars in 2023 sought to improve personalization options, enabling users to represent themselves with increased variety in body shapes, hairstyles, and facial characteristics. However, this transition faced significant opposition from the community, sparking renewed interest in the original 2D avatars.

The criticisms surrounding the new 3D avatars highlighted numerous aesthetic issues. Users voiced their disappointment with the proportions and overall look of the 3D figures, labeling them as “unattractive and odd” in comparison to their 2D versions. This dissatisfaction led one user to start an online petition for the comeback of the traditional 2D comic-style avatars, which resonated with many Snapchat enthusiasts who felt a nostalgic bond to the classic designs.

In light of the substantial feedback, Snapchat revealed the launch of Comic Bitmoji, a fresh feature designed to merge the appeal of the classic 2D avatars with the advanced functions of the current 3D infrastructure. This enhancement allows Snapchat+ subscribers to enable a setting that reverts their avatars back to the cherished 2D style while preserving the customization features and expressions found in the 3D format.

The choice to bring back 2D avatars underscores Snapchat’s dedication to heeding its user base and adjusting to their preferences. By providing a filter-like option for avatars, the company acknowledges the emotional connection many users have with the original designs while still embracing the technological progress of the platform.

As Snapchat continues to progress, maintaining a balance between innovation and user happiness remains vital. The reintroduction of 2D avatars not only satisfies nostalgic feelings but also highlights the significance of community feedback in influencing the future of digital representation on social media platforms.

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Apple @ Work Podcast: Improvements in SupportApp 3.0 Make Remote Mac Assistance Easier

### Apple @ Work: Perspectives from Root3’s Jordy Witteman on SupportApp Enhancements

In the continuously changing realm of technology, overseeing Apple devices within corporate settings has become more intricate. Companies are searching for effective ways to deploy, monitor, and safeguard their Apple devices effortlessly. This is where Mosyle, the sole Apple Unified Platform, comes into play, offering an all-encompassing solution that amalgamates all essential tools into a unified, professional-grade platform. With over 45,000 organizations depending on Mosyle, it has established itself as a reliable partner in preparing millions of Apple devices for use smoothly and economically.

In a recent episode of Apple @ Work, host [Jordy Witteman](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordywitteman/) from [Root3](https://www.root3.nl) provided observations about the most recent enhancements to

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Samsung Expands One UI 8 Watch Beta Program to Encompass Galaxy Watch 5 Series

The Galaxy Watch 5 Finally Engages with One UI 8 Watch Beta, Yet Samsung’s Rollout Remains Slow

Owners of the Galaxy Watch 5 can be thrilled as Samsung has officially launched the One UI 8 Watch beta, based on Wear OS 6, for both the Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro. First introduced in South Korea, this beta is set to launch in the U.S. shortly. This update brings enhanced gesture controls, a new Now Bar for real-time updates, and the option to combine two tiles into a single one.

The rollout commenced with an announcement on Samsung Korea’s community forum, and additional markets are expected to follow suit. Eligible users may register for early access to experiment with new features prior to the stable release. The update guarantees notable enhancements, such as gesture controls for tasks like answering calls or dismissing alarms, along with a consistently present Now Bar for live updates on the watch interface.

Additionally, users can merge two tiles for more convenient information retrieval. These functionalities have been vetted on the Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic, currently on the fifth beta iteration of One UI 8 Watch.

Nonetheless, the stable variant of One UI 8 Watch is presently restricted to the Galaxy Watch 7 series and the latest Watch Ultra. Previous models, including the Watch 5 and Watch 6, continue in beta. Samsung aims to roll out the stable update for older models by year’s end, though advancements have been gradual. The broadened beta program implies that the final version is nearing.

At this moment, the beta is exclusively accessible in South Korea, with U.S. availability expected shortly. Galaxy Watch 5 users can register through the Samsung Members app if they satisfy the geographical and device criteria. As is the case with any beta software, users should anticipate possible bugs in return for early access to new functionalities.

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HomePod Mini Taken Out of Retail Locations Suggesting Possible Upgrade

MacRumors reports that B&H, an Apple product retailer, is marking all models of the HomePod mini as discontinued. Other retailers such as Target, Walmart, Staples, and Verizon are also indicating that certain options are out of stock.

While the Apple store maintains availability of all five color variants, speculation about a second generation of the HomePod mini is not recent. Earlier reports indicate that Apple has a number of products planned for 2025, which may include a new version of the HomePod mini, the fourth generation of the Apple TV 4K, and the second iteration of the AirTag tracker.

Launched in 2020, the HomePod mini saw the introduction of new colors by late 2021 and again in July 2024. Now, five years later, this $99 device is beginning to feel outdated, lacking upgraded AI features and offering subpar audio quality for a speaker positioned in this price tier.

Potential launch of Apple’s HomePod mini 2 is near

Earlier this month, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg indicated in his Power On newsletter that Apple retail locations were set for an overnight refresh on November 11. This refresh may be tied to the upcoming holiday season, or to soon-to-be-announced Apple TV and HomePod mini launches. Despite Gurman’s cautious stance on whether Apple will indeed release new home products this November, he mentions that they “shouldn’t be long off.” Prior rumors have pointed out that Apple may be postponing these announcements due to the delays with the newly revamped Siri.

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Apple Unveils Exclusive Designer Strap Accessory: iPhone Pocket

### Apple Introduces Exclusive iPhone Pocket Accessory

Apple has just released an exclusive accessory for the iPhone, referred to as the **iPhone Pocket**. This cutting-edge product takes cues from the iconic iPod sock, adapting it for contemporary use with a chic flair. The iPhone Pocket is made from a singular piece of 3D-knitted material, resulting in a distinctive and wearable pocket for your device.

#### Design Partnership

The iPhone Pocket is born from a partnership with the renowned designer **Issey Miyake**, celebrated for his groundbreaking approach to fashion and textiles. This collaboration has infused the accessory with a combination of practicality and visual appeal, distinguishing it from ordinary phone cases.

#### Pricing and Launch

The iPhone Pocket will be available for purchase beginning this Friday. There are two options for the accessory: the short strap Pocket, available for **$149.95**, and the long strap variant, which will sell for **$229.95**. This pricing categorizes the iPhone Pocket as a luxurious accessory, highlighting its distinctive design and the collaboration with Miyake.

#### Summary

With the introduction of the iPhone Pocket, Apple persists in pushing boundaries in the accessory market, providing consumers with a fashionable and practical way to carry their devices. As a limited edition product, it is expected to appeal to both collectors and fashion aficionados.

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Reports Suggest Ongoing Postponement of iPhone Air 2 by Apple

Recent reports indicate that Apple may have postponed the release of the much-anticipated iPhone Air 2, informing its engineers and select suppliers that the “next iPhone Air” has been taken off any forthcoming schedules without a revised launch date. These claims derive from The Information, which references “three individuals engaged in the project” as the source. While the latest version of Apple’s iPhone lineup has garnered some accolades — particularly regarding the repairability of the iPhone Air — there are those who have suggested alternatives to choosing the iPhone Air.

Although some see the iPhone Air as a reduction in capabilities, it still provided a choice for those desiring a sleeker iPhone devoid of the extra features present in the larger iPhone 17 Pro. Nevertheless, the opportunity for Apple’s more streamlined design to truly excel in its subsequent version may have been curtailed prematurely, assuming these recent reports hold true.

The decline of thinner iPhones?

How AI Improvements Are Advancing NASA’s James Webb Telescope

James Webb Space Telescope in 2021, experts celebrated the mission as the foremost achievement of its kind in more than thirty years. Nevertheless, scientists soon identified a significant issue with the globe’s most exquisitely calibrated camera: its images were out of focus. To rectify this dilemma, a duo of Australian scientists created an artificial intelligence program named AMIGO (Aperture Masking Interferometry Generative Observations) to tackle resolution challenges in Webb’s most advanced telescope cameras.

This development illustrates how the vast distances of satellites such as the James Webb Space Telescope can hinder maintenance and repairs. Positioned a million miles away from Earth, the telescope is not as easily serviceable as its predecessor, the Hubble Space Telescope. For context, when NASA launched Hubble in 1990, lens alignment problems prompted a specialized mission from the Space Shuttle Endeavour to install new optics. In contrast, with JWST, manual adjustments are not feasible. AMIGO serves as an innovative solution for researchers to modify how JWST interprets and processes data, instead of traveling across the solar system to adjust the lenses directly. It accomplishes this by restoring the camera’s aperture masking interferometer (AMI), a slender metal piece punctuated with holes that enables researchers to assess whether the camera is experiencing optical misalignments based on the light it filters.

JWST is capable of capturing images of the universe’s earliest galaxies, fundamentally altering how scientists perceive the cosmos. In less than five years, the telescope has documented galaxies formed over 13.5 billion years ago, revealed what some theorize to be stars fueled by dark matter, uncovered supermassive black holes, and even transformed how scholars view the formative phases of the universe. With the modifications provided by AMIGO, the James Webb Space Telescope could potentially illuminate humanity’s most ancient inquiries.

Repairing the world’s priciest telescope

To comprehend how AMIGO addressed the globe’s most costly photographic problem, one must first grasp the operating principles of the James Webb Space Telescope. Essentially, Webb employs a sequence of mirrors to reflect infrared light into the telescope’s imaging instruments. The dimensions of these mirrors, the largest of which weighs over 1

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“Essential iPhone Applications for Hikers”

utilize ChatGPT as your travel aide; however, it won’t prove very useful if you find yourself disoriented in the wilderness without an internet connection. This is when dedicated hiking apps become essential. They can assist in navigating through thrilling paths or the classic road less traveled, both accurately and securely. Explore the options below and take them with you on your upcoming hiking excursion.

AllTrails: Hike, Bike & Run

Top 4 Most Loved Chromebooks Available on Discount Before Black Friday

November has officially arrived, and we all know what that signifies! A plethora of deals! Best Buy barely waited for the calendar to change before launching a range of discounts on everything from smartphones to tablets and of course, Chromebooks.

The retailer is presently running an assortment of “Early Black Friday Deals,” along with a selection of “Doorbusters” for even greater savings. This is truly advantageous as it means you don’t have to wait a few more weeks if you’ve been considering a new Chromebook, as there’s a solid chance it’s discounted right now.

This time, several early Black Friday Chromebook deals caught my attention, each aiming at a different demographic.

– **Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus (8GB/256GB)**: $749.99 $599.99 at Best Buy. If you are searching for a conventional Chromebook with a sleek design and a large screen, your search can end here. The Galaxy Chromebook Plus stands out as one of the finest Chromebooks you can buy, featuring a stunning 15.6-inch AMOLED display, and it’s so lightweight that you might hardly notice it in your bag. Additionally, this was the first Chromebook to come with the new “Quick Insert” key when it launched last year.

– **Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11 (4GB/128GB)**: $399 $249 at Best Buy. What if you’re looking for something versatile? The Chromebook Duet 11 is virtually flawless, owing to its 11-inch touchscreen display, which is also compatible with the best USI pens. Moreover, since the Duet 11 doubles as a tablet, we’re grateful that Lenovo includes the Keyboard Cover in the package, allowing you to utilize it as either a tablet or a laptop.

– **Acer Chromebook Plus 516 (8GB/128GB)**: $479 $299 at Best Buy. Sometimes, it’s just refreshing to have a Chromebook that’s dependable, supports the latest features, and has a classic appearance. Enter Acer’s Chromebook Plus 516, which showcases the same timeless design we’ve seen repeatedly. It boasts the largest screen in this group with its 16-inch display, making it excellent for working with side-by-side app windows or relaxing while watching a movie.

– **ASUS CX14 Chromebook Plus (8GB/128GB)**: $429 $249 at Best Buy. Completing the lineup is yet another “under-the-radar” choice, as the ASUS CX14 Chromebook Plus sees a $180 reduction, dropping the price to just $249. This is probably going to be a hot seller at this price, as it provides a capable Chromebook that simply fulfills its role, while remaining lightweight and compact. Honestly, I might just pick one up as an early Christmas gift because who can say it’ll be this affordable on Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

It’s well-known that Black Friday and Cyber Monday are among the best times of the year to get new technology, and this period often sees Chromebooks reaching their most competitive prices. However, if you happen to miss these deals, don’t worry. I believe Best Buy and other retailers will be running numerous promotions throughout the month and into December.

Another nice aspect of these retailers competing for our holiday spending is that if a specific sale ends at one store, you’re likely to find it at another. Of course, this isn’t always guaranteed, but it’s something worth considering as you start to check items off your gift shopping list.

**Black Friday 2025 – quick links**

– **Best Buy:** up to 60% off Chromebooks, Android phones, and more
– **Amazon:** early discounts on headphones, smart home tech
– **Walmart:** early price drops on ASUS laptops, locked phones
– **Samsung:** new Galaxy XR headset, trade-in opportunities
– **Verizon:** free phones with new line, trade-in
– **T-Mobile:** free Galaxy phones, $300 back w/ 5G Home Internet
– **Mint Mobile:** 50% off Pixel 10, BOGO Unlimited plans
– **AT&T:** get a free Z Flip 7 with trade-in, new line

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