Author: sparta

    • sparta
    • Comments Off on The Primary Obstacle to Tim Cook’s Devotion to Apple’s Dominance in AI
    The Primary Obstacle to Tim Cook’s Devotion to Apple’s Dominance in AI

    can still emerge as a significant contender in the AI arena. Last August, Cook informed company staff that Apple does not take pride in being the first to enter a market but instead focuses on being the best. As a result, Cook expressed that Apple still has the capability to influence consumer-oriented AI in the future.

    Additionally, Cook stated that Apple is entirely ready to “make the investment to do it.” It’s only reasonable for Cook to seek to inspire the team, but an ongoing concern for Cook’s assurance of AI leadership is the straightforward reality that numerous Apple engineers and researchers are resigning to join OpenAI. Clearly, if Apple genuinely aims to make an impact in the AI domain, it will need to take significant measures to stop its most skilled employees from leaving.

    Apple’s talent exodus is a larger concern than we realized

    <source media="(max-width: 428px)" srcset

    Read More
    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Budget-Friendly Electronics at Walmart to Explore on Your Upcoming Trip
    Budget-Friendly Electronics at Walmart to Explore on Your Upcoming Trip

    Power Juice Slim Pro Power Bank available for $19.88 at Walmart. It features dual USB Type-A ports that allow you to charge several devices simultaneously, like your phone and earbuds. Monitoring the battery level of the power bank is simple with its four-LED light indicator.

    You can recharge the power bank with either a Micro-USB or USB-C cable. However, remember that the USB-C port is designated for charging the power bank itself, not your devices. If you’re seeking to charge devices via USB-C, you’ll need one of the top USB-C power banks.

    True to its name, this portable charger is

    Read More
    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Top 10 Non-Gaming Applications for Your Steam Deck
    Top 10 Non-Gaming Applications for Your Steam Deck

    under-$50 useful gadgets). These are the most innovative applications of a Steam Deck we could locate that steer clear of gaming — some relating to hardware, some to software — but all ingenious, showcasing just how adaptable the Steam Deck can be.

    Let’s begin with the fundamentals, though: Almost all the additional applications we’ll highlight today depend on desktop mode, so what is it, and how do you utilize it? The Steam Deck operates on Linux in the background and features a custom interface atop a conventional KDE desktop. To access it, just press the Steam button, then choose Power, followed by Switch to Desktop. If you haven’t done this previously, it might feel a bit unsettling to discover that a full desktop OS is functioning behind the scenes. There are some distinctions from Windows, but most features should feel familiar. The key aspect to grasp is the Discover store, KDE’s official application store, where you’ll find most of the software discussed today. It’s represented by the little blue shopping bag icon, the third one in the bottom left. Click that, and you’ll unlock a plethora of software. 

    Broken deck? No: budget mini PC!

    Read More

    • sparta
    • Comments Off on “Matt Damon’s Famous Sci-Fi Romance Film Draws Inspiration from a Philip K. Dick Short Story”
    “Matt Damon’s Famous Sci-Fi Romance Film Draws Inspiration from a Philip K. Dick Short Story”

    classic short tales have been adapted into sci-fi films, but one that arguably faced excessive changes was his 1954 narrative, “Adjustment Team.” The initial tale revolved around a real estate professional named Ed Fletcher, who, due to a fortuitous delay caused by a dog’s bark (no kidding), discovers a covert organization that manipulates reality itself. Rather than revealing this finding to the public, he is instructed by the Adjustment Team to remain silent, a directive he follows, even as his wife presses for explanations regarding his sudden absence.

    57 years afterward, the conspiratorial essence of this eponymous team was developed and examined in George Nolfi’s 2011 film, “The Adjustment Bureau.” The movie featured Matt Damon as American congressman David Norris, who learns about the titular organization that creates the facade of free will in existence. The bureau’s intentions get disrupted, however, when Norris encounters Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt), diverting him from his trajectory towards becoming the President of the United States. Increasing the stakes compared to the original narrative, “The Adjustment Bureau” turned out to be a respectable adaptation, though it did not receive as much recognition as some other stories drawn from Dick’s writings.

    The Adjustment Bureau is a decent yet overlooked sci-fi film

    <source media="(min-width: 429px)" srcset="https://www.bgr.com/img/gallery/a-philip-k-dick-short-story-inspired-a-beloved-matt

    Read More
    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Guide to Accessing Spotify Wrapped 2025, YouTube Music Recap, and Apple Music Replay
    Guide to Accessing Spotify Wrapped 2025, YouTube Music Recap, and Apple Music Replay

    Re-experience the Year Through Music

    For aficionados of music, December truly represents the most magical period of the year — it’s the time we receive our end-of-year statistics from our beloved music streaming platforms. Whether you indulge in music just a handful of hours each week or throughout every day and night, you are undoubtedly accumulating substantial time on your preferred streaming music service.

    While these platforms excel at introducing us to fresh artists to explore, there’s also great pleasure in revisiting our cherished classics as the year comes to a close. This year, the top end-of-year compilations feature some thrilling new aspects you won’t want to overlook, including Spotify’s “listening age” and “listening archive” functionalities. Here’s the way to locate those year-in-review playlists on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music.

    How to access your Spotify Wrapped 2025 playlist

    Spotify’s Wrapped 2025 experience is now live in the app and on the Spotify Wrapped webpage. This year, the Wrapped 2025 experience presents a variety of statistics derived from your listening history, along with numerous options to share and reflect on your musical journey.

    There’s also a unique feature: your “listening age,” which calculates your age based on your musical preferences. It contrasts your Wrapped 2025 data with that of others in your demographic according to the release years of the tracks you loved the most. New for 2025 is a “Spotify Club” element that links users with others who share similar musical tastes. Here’s how to enter your Wrapped 2025 experience:

    1. Launch the Spotify app.
    2. Swipe right to left from the tags at the top and select Wrapped.
    3. Click the Let’s go button.
    4. From the primary Wrapped landing page, you’ll also find options for Your Stories, Your Feed, and more.

    There are Wrapped 2025 cards available for audiobooks and podcasts too. Some users will receive video messages from authors of their favorite audiobooks, featuring personalities like Dan Brown, James Patterson, Abby Jimenez, and others.

    The standout AI-driven feature for 2025 is the “Listening Archive.” This utilizes AI to sift through Spotify users’ listening histories to highlight their most noteworthy or significant streaming days in 2025. You might encounter days like “the biggest listening day” or “the most nostalgic day.” All of these offerings and more are accessible in the Spotify app for Premium members.

    How to access your YouTube Music 2025 Recap playlist

    1. Launch the YouTube Music app.
    2. Select the 2025 Recap banner that shows up on the Home tab. It may also appear on your Speed dial on the YTM home tab.
    3. Click the Get your Recap button for your statistics, or scroll down to see your 2025 Recap playlist.

    If the banner for your YouTube Music Recap fails to show on your Home tab, there’s an alternative method to access your 2025 Recap, along with past seasonal Recaps.

    1. Open the YouTube Music app.
    2. Tap your profile icon in the upper right corner.
    3. Select Your Recap.

    From here, you should be able to view your 2025 recap. If you see “Nothing to hear here,” then the 2025 Recap isn’t accessible for your account yet.

    Even if you lack a 2025 Recap for your personal profile, this section will still display various YouTube Music Playlists featuring top songs from the previous year. You can swipe left to right to browse through different playlists, hoping to uncover something you haven’t yet experienced.

    How to find your Apple Music Replay 2025 playlist

    Apple switched things up with Replay this year. You can now view your Replay 2025 statistics anytime on a monthly basis at the Apple Music Replay website. Additionally, the complete year-in-review experience is now accessible for 2025. Here’s how to locate it in the Apple Music app with the following steps.

    1. Launch the Apple Music app.
    2. Tap on the Home tab.
    3. At the top of the page, select Replay — Your music story is here.
    4. Hit the Play your highlight reel button.

    Sign up for streaming

    If you haven’t yet encountered these year-end playlists in your favorite music application, be patient. They are gradually being rolled out in Spotify and YouTube Music, in addition to Apple Music, though not everyone has access yet. Consider checking the Google Play app to see if there are any updates available for your apps. We anticipate that more streaming music services will be updating their platforms and releasing these playlists as the year concludes.

    If you are not already subscribed to one of these popular streaming music services, what are you waiting for? Many provide free trial durations of one to three months, and some also have additional discounts and family plans available!

    Read More
    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Install These 5 Must-Have Google Chrome Extensions Right Now
    Install These 5 Must-Have Google Chrome Extensions Right Now

    Laptop on table next to red cup, displaying Google's search page.

    Thaspol Sangsee/Shutterstock

    If much of your day is spent in front of a computer, you’re likely in search of improved ways to enhance your productivity. This could involve utilizing tools to swiftly capture and store information, arranging your workspace to reduce distractions and interruptions, or discovering effective methods to safeguard your online privacy and security.

    To endow your computer with these capabilities, your initial thought may be to download new applications. There are numerous free applications available on Windows and macOS that can significantly increase your productivity. However, if you frequently use Google Chrome, continuously switching to external apps may interrupt your workflow and become inefficient.

    Fortunately, there’s a more effective approach: Chrome extensions. Chrome extensions are created for a wide array of needs and functions, and you’re certain to discover some that seamlessly fit into your workflow. To get you started, here are five vital Chrome extensions to think about.

    DocsAfterDark provides a darker theme for Google Docs

    Utilizing DocsAfterDark Chrome extension for Google Docs

    Read More
    • sparta
    • Comments Off on The Explanation for Why Xbox Controllers Need Batteries Whereas PlayStation Controllers Do Not
    The Explanation for Why Xbox Controllers Need Batteries Whereas PlayStation Controllers Do Not

    Digital Foundry, Jason Ronald, the partner director of program management at Xbox, mentioned, “Ultimately, when engaging with gamers… there exists a significant faction that truly desires AAs. Thus, providing flexibility is the means to satisfy both [groups of] individuals… You have the option of using a rechargeable battery pack, and it operates just like it does on the Elite,

    Read More
    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Mid-Range Fitbit Retains 40% Black Friday Discount: Timeframe Unknown
    Mid-Range Fitbit Retains 40% Black Friday Discount: Timeframe Unknown

    The Fitbit Versa 4 may not be the latest fitness tracker available, yet it remains a reliable choice.

    Although the Black Friday and Cyber Monday smartwatch promotions have concluded, you can still discover some valuable holiday savings if you search in the right places. For example, we found a [40% discount on the Fitbit Versa 4 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Fitbit-Smartwatch-Readiness-Exercise-Tracking/dp/B0B4MWCFV4), reducing its price to just $120.

    The Versa 4 is considered our top recommendation for mid-tier Fitbit models, despite Google’s recent focus on integrating advanced functionalities into the Pixel series. Nevertheless, the Versa 4 still delivers users GPS capabilities, 24/7 heart rate tracking, and multiple exercise modes to select from. Its slightly smaller size compared to most smartwatches makes it an ideal choice for sleep tracking, particularly in comparison to the bulkier alternatives out there.

    Additionally, the Versa 4 provides access to applications such as Fitbit Pay, Amazon Alexa, Google Wallet, and Maps, along with daily stress management tools and readiness features. It features a long-lasting battery, 50-meter water resistance, and additional health metrics, including menstrual health tracking, guided breathing exercises, mindfulness programs, and more. At the time of this writing, this offer is available for the Black, Pink Sand, and Waterfall Blue variants of the smartwatch.

    The Fitbit Versa 4 is the [top mid-range Fitbit](https://www.androidcentral.com/best-fitbit#section-best-midrange), and the current price of $120 makes it even more attractive compared to some rival products. This offer provides a 40% discount off the standard retail price of the watch, presenting buyers with an excellent entry option for a medium-sized fitness tracker that boasts numerous features.

    ✅Recommended if: you’re in search of a [fitness watch](https://www.androidcentral.com/best-smartwatches-fitness) that is not overly bulky on your wrist, yet still has a sufficiently large screen for functionality; you appreciate long battery life in a fitness tracker; you prefer having a physical button for smartwatch controls.

    ❌Skip this deal if: you require a device that allows you to use downloadable applications and music offline; you’re considering an upgrade to Google’s Pixel Watch series; you prefer not having to register for a subscription to utilize the complete spectrum of your Fitbit’s functionalities.

    The

    Read More
    • sparta
    • Comments Off on The Benefits of Opting for an Affordable Robot Vacuum Instead of a Roomba
    The Benefits of Opting for an Affordable Robot Vacuum Instead of a Roomba

    the Roomba remains a fantastic vacuum, but you might question whether the brand’s value is justified, particularly in comparison to more affordable alternatives. Typically, the most budget-friendly Roombas available are in the 100- and 200-series, which tend to be priced around $250 when discounted. However, these entry-level models are devoid of some features like remote control and advanced LiDAR-based zoning capabilities. For genuine budget-consciousness while retaining essential features, consider robotic vacuums from brands like Eufy, Roborock, or Tapo.

    Eufy: An excellent robot vacuum

    <source media="(max-width: 428px)" srcset="https://www.bgr.com/img/gallery/roombas-are-great-but-the-smart-money-buys-a-cheaper-robot-vacuum/eufy-a-great-robot-vacuum-1764859596.sm.webp" type="

    Read More