Your trust in AI is about to be put to the test: OpenAI will soon let you give the chatbot direct access to your bank accounts. The new feature announced in preview today will allow users to “securely connect” ChatGPT with Plaid – the bank-to-app bridging platform used by 12,000 financial institutions, including Schwab, Fidelity, […]
US mandates Air Force One travelers to discard gifts, pins, and burner phones following China visit
People who travelled to Beijing for a summit between the United States and China had to throw away items they received during the trip before boarding Air Force One, presumably for security reasons.
Power Prices Surge 76% on America’s Largest Grid as Watchdog Raises Concerns
Prices have nearly doubled in the largest U.S. grid thanks to surging demand from data centers.
Four Less Recognized Soundbar Brands Challenging Sonos
the finest soundbars available are adept at providing an immersive 5.1 experience or even superior, with Sonos being one of the top brands associated with this level of power and sound clarity. Following the debut of the Sonos Playbar in 2013, this well-known audio company transformed how we enjoy our favorite films and series, building on its prior transformation of our music listening experience.
Currently, the soundbar offerings from Sonos feature powerful models such as the Sonos Arc Ultra designed for expansive home theater setups. The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) serves small to medium spaces well, while the Sonos Ray is an option for enhancing the audio quality of your guest room TV. However, as you might expect, Sonos is not the sole renowned soundbar manufacturer available. There is robust competition, with numerous impressive options often flying under the radar.
Consider audio giants like Nakamichi and JBL, among other notable names in the high-end AV market. For your review, we selected four underrated soundbar brands that can rival Sonos effectively.
Nakamichi
Despite soundbars not providing the full immersion of a traditional surround setup, Sonos comes close, as does Nakamichi. In fact, Nakamichi may be the superior choice for cinematic details and overall power, with systems like the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC Soundbar showcasing the brand’s capability in home theater. With a jaw-dropping 1,300 watts, this powerful soundbar package includes two 10-inch subwoofers and four surround sound speakers.
This kind of 360-degree audio is what the Sonos Arc Ultra manages reasonably well, yet the Shockwafe boasts more distinct channels and enhanced speaker separation. In most environments, this results in a broader soundstage with convincing rear and spatial effects. Additionally, the cost of a comparable Sonos Arc Ultra setup with a Sonos Sub 4 and just two Era 100 speakers is higher ($2,311 compared to the Shockwafe’s $1,900). Regrettably, $1,900 sits at the lower end of Nakamichi’s price range, along with a few compromises.
While the Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 features three HDMI 2.0 inputs, digital optical, and several other physical connections absent on the Arc Ultra, it lacks Wi-Fi support. You can still use Qualcomm aptX HD via Bluetooth, but functionalities such as multi-room audio, AirPlay, and ecosystem controls (e.g., Alexa, Google Home) are unavailable. Nonetheless, it’s difficult to overlook Nakamichi in a roundup of Sonos competitors.
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Current Offers: 2TB M5 Pro MacBook Pro at Record Low Price, M5 MacBook Air Reduced by $170, iPad Pro Discounts Up to $300, and More
Amazon’s Memorial Day sale for 2026 is presently providing substantial savings on a range of Apple products, creating an ideal occasion for shoppers to enhance their devices. This promotion showcases some of the lowest prices ever seen on popular items, such as the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and iPad Pro.
### Apple’s 20-Core 2TB M5 Pro MacBook Pro
One of the highlighted offers is for the 14-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro, which is currently listed at **$2,599.99**, showing a **$200 reduction** from its standard price of **$2,799**. This variant features a robust 20-Core GPU and 24GB of RAM, making it apt for intensive tasks like video editing and graphic design. The price marks a historic low for this configuration on Amazon.
For those in search of a more economical choice, the same MacBook Pro equipped with a 15-Core CPU and 16-Core GPU can be purchased for **$2,399.99**, also at a notable discount.
### M5 MacBook Air Deals
Today signifies the final opportunity for shoppers to seize discounts on the 15-inch M5 MacBook Air, with prices slashing **$170** below Amazon’s earlier minimums. B&H is promoting these models with exclusive in-cart coupons, rendering them more budget-friendly than Amazon’s present rates.
The 13-inch M5 MacBook Air models are witnessing discounts as well, with prices commencing at **$999** for the 16GB/512GB edition, down from **$1,099**. Other configurations are equally discounted, providing an array of choices for customers.
### 512GB 13-inch M5 iPad Pro
Alongside the MacBook offers, the 512GB 13-inch M5 iPad Pro is now offered at **$1,348**, a **$150 discount** from its standard price. This model is perfect for individuals seeking a powerful tablet for productivity or creative endeavors. Open-box units can be found at Best Buy for even greater savings, with price reductions reaching up to **$300 off**.
### Accessories and Charging Deals
The sale is also featuring a variety of accessories for MacBooks, including the MacBook Neo series, with prices beginning at **$590** for the 256GB models. These accessories are available with rapid delivery options, making them a convenient addition to any order.
### Conclusion
The 2026 Memorial Day sale on Amazon offers a distinctive chance for shoppers to acquire premium Apple products at lower prices. With significant price cuts on the latest MacBook and iPad models, consumers can discover excellent deals that meet diverse needs and financial plans.
Apple Card Promotion Provides Complimentary AirPods Pro 3 with Qualification
Apple is preparing to unveil an attractive promotion for prospective Apple Card customers next week, featuring a notable sign-up bonus that includes a set of AirPods Pro 3. This effort seeks to draw in new users to the Apple Card by offering a prompt financial reward.
As reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the promotion will kick off in Apple’s retail outlets. Shoppers who enroll for a new Apple Card and buy AirPods Pro 3 will be eligible for $249 in cash back, effectively allowing them to obtain the AirPods at no cost if they take advantage of the deal. Although details are still forthcoming, it seems that this promotion might be restricted to in-store sign-ups, as Gurman’s announcement doesn’t clarify online accessibility.
In the past, Apple has offered sign-up bonuses for new Apple Card users, though these have generally been less generous and frequently required referrals from current cardholders. This new offer distinguishes itself as a considerable incentive, particularly given that the Apple Card does not charge an annual fee.
Alongside this forthcoming promotion, Apple is also executing another appealing offer that grants $100 in bonus Daily Cash when a co-owner is added to an existing Apple Card account. The Daily Cash feature enables users to earn cash back that can be put into their Apple Cash account or an Apple Card Savings Account.
This promotional initiative aligns with the transition of the Apple Card from Goldman Sachs to Chase, which was revealed earlier this year. The full transition is anticipated to take about two years, representing a significant change in the card’s management.
In summary, the upcoming Apple Card promotion offers an enticing opportunity for consumers eager to take advantage of both a new credit card and a sought-after accessory, bolstering Apple’s strategy of merging its financial services with its product ecosystem.
Get a 55-inch LG OLED TV for under $800 on Amazon today
As of May 15, you can get the 55-inch LG Class OLED AI 4K B5 Series Smart TV for $799.99 at Amazon, down from $896.99.
Anne Hathaway and Jared Leto’s Compelling Apple TV Miniseries Merits Your Focus
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Cost-Effective Options for Joy-Cons: 5 Wallet-Friendly Nintendo Switch 2 Controllers
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iOS 26 Brings Five Fresh Customization Features for CarPlay
# Personalizing CarPlay in iOS 26: Five New Features
CarPlay has undergone a major enhancement with iOS 26, bringing a variety of novel features that expand user customization possibilities. Here are five methods to tailor your CarPlay experience.
## 1. Intelligent Display Zoom
Intelligent Display Zoom is a recent addition aimed at optimizing your CarPlay arrangement depending on the dimensions and form of your in-car display. The Intelligent Display Zoom toggle can be located in CarPlay’s Settings app under Display. This feature is disabled by default and might not be present in all vehicles, but it should be available in most contemporary cars.
## 2. Widgets
Widgets have finally arrived in CarPlay with iOS 26. They are placed to the left of your CarPlay Home Screen, allowing you to see anywhere from one to three widget stacks, based on your screen size. To modify your widgets, head to Settings on your iPhone, then General > CarPlay > Your Car > Widgets. You can add or delete widgets, with a limit of five per stack, and decide whether to enable Smart Rotate.
## 3. New Backgrounds
iOS 26 presents a variety of new backgrounds for CarPlay, providing a refreshed appearance for the interface. Six color variants are available, all adaptations of the new default iPhone wallpaper. Each background adjusts dynamically based on whether you are utilizing light mode or dark mode. You can alter your CarPlay background through the in-car Settings app under Wallpaper.
## 4. Text Resizing
For the first time, iOS 26 permits users to adjust text size within CarPlay, akin to the accessibility settings found on the iPhone. To modify the text size system-wide across CarPlay, follow these steps:
1. Launch the Settings app.
2. Select Accessibility, then Text Size.
3. Choose your desired text size, and CarPlay will provide a preview of the size.
## 5. Modify App Icon Styles
CarPlay now includes customization choices for app icon styles, reminiscent of the iPhone’s Home Screen. In CarPlay’s Settings app, you can select from Default, Dark, or Clear styles for app icons, which can be adjusted for light or dark mode. The clear style offers a transparent Liquid Glass appearance to your icons.
These new features in iOS 26 enable a more tailored and user-centric CarPlay experience. What are your preferred methods to personalize your CarPlay setup?
