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Exploring If Mobile Applications Have Access to Your Contacts

similar to the malicious Albiriox trojan, can also monitor your contacts through your address book or related data.

<pRegardless of the motivation or origin of an application's access to your contact details, it remains highly intrusive. If your smartphone is infected with malware, spyware, or stalkerware, there is much more to be concerned about than just the contacts in your phone app. While you can still manage your information, you can achieve this by being cautious about the applications you download and by disabling permissions and asking for your data to be erased. Meta, for instance, allows you to request the deletion of personal information or automatically removes it after you delete your account. So, what methods do apps use to gain access to your contacts, and what steps can you take to mitigate this?

What is the rationale behind smartphone apps accessing your contacts?

Top 5 Smart TVs Perfect for Sports Fans

favorite sports streaming applications. Attributes like elevated refresh rates, sophisticated processing, anti-reflective coatings, and robust backlighting enhance the visual quality of live sports, which not every television available at retail can provide.

Given the quick-paced action, erratic movements, illuminated arenas, and expansive viewing angles of sports, your television requires exceptional motion handling, high luminance, and solid contrast to allow you to fully appreciate the game, plus a display that maintains clarity for those not positioned directly in front of the screen. Naturally, televisions excelling in all these aspects, like the Sony Bravia 9, typically come with a hefty price tag and occupy the premium segment of the market.

Top-tier OLEDs and Mini-LED televisions may be quite pricey, especially in larger dimensions ideal for enjoying your preferred games. However, you don’t have to break the bank to achieve a satisfactory sports viewing experience. Several budget-friendly models can provide remarkable motion enhancement, brightness, and size for the investment. Let’s explore notable televisions that stand out for sports viewing. You will see that the list features both high-end and economical choices, ensuring that everyone can find an affordable television.

Sony Bravia 9 Mini LED

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Windows 11 Encounters Major Problems Recognized by Microsoft

on X. It seems that very few of Microsoft’s clients are satisfied with the company’s trajectory, and you can clearly see signs of these grievances regarding Windows 11.

With the controversial decision to restrict customers from the upgrade due to TPM 2.0 hardware prerequisites, the operating system’s well-publicized design flaws, its numerous bugs, and ongoing issues left for other entities to resolve, there appears to be significant frustration brewing over Microsoft’s inadequate management of Windows 11. To make matters worse, Microsoft is fully cognizant of its users’ discontent, yet there have been minimal modifications aimed at enhancing user satisfaction. The warning signals are evident. Why is Microsoft not heeding its users?

Wagering on AI might lead to a substantial decrease in Microsoft’s valuation

Factors Leading to China’s Suspension of Production on the Globe’s Largest Particle Accelerator

Intended to be the largest particle accelerator globally, China’s Circular Electron Positron Collider (CEPC) was designed to span approximately 100 kilometers or 62 miles. This is significantly larger than CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC), which has a circumference of around 27 kilometers — or nearly 17 miles. These facilities, particularly the LHC, are crucial for investigating how the universe originated during the Big Bang.

The CEPC’s development commenced in 2012, coinciding with CERN’s discovery of the Higgs boson particle; however, it seems that the multibillion-dollar initiative is currently on hold. It was omitted from the country’s upcoming five-year plan set for 2026 to 2030, indicating that it is viewed as a lesser priority by the government — leading to reduced funding and resources. Wang Yifang from the Institute of High Energy Physics verified this update, noting that despite the rejection of a recent proposal for inclusion in China’s five-year plan, the team intends to reapply for the CEPC proposal in 2030.

While not officially confirmed, the projected cost for the CEPC is around $5.1 billion, which the country may prefer to allocate elsewhere. In such a scenario, Wang states that if the European Future Circular Collider (FCC) — the next-generation collider that would essentially succeed the LHC with a significantly larger circumference of 90.7 kilometers (or 56 miles) — receives approval before the 2030 proposals, a collaboration with the respective teams is likely.

In summary, China’s CEPC has been sidelined, likely due to financial and resource demands, yet the European FCC still holds promise, and the Chinese physicist team might collaborate if the FCC proposal is approved before the subsequent cycle of China’s plans.

What insights do particle accelerators provide?

Utilizing an Apple TV Without Internet Access

binge-worthy series available on Apple TV+. All of these function by leveraging a Wi-Fi connection, allowing you to stay updated with your preferred shows wherever there is internet access. But does this imply that an internet connection is required to operate your Apple TV device?

The concise response is no, internet is not necessary. Nevertheless, without an internet connection, your options will be very restricted. Generally, you can utilize AirPlay capabilities to stream specific types of content from your iPhone or iPad, and based on the model of your Apple TV, you may even be able to link your phone or tablet straight to the streaming device. Additionally, there are several concealed features that the Apple TV provides, though some of them will require an internet connection. 

You can utilize AirPlay to view videos on your Apple TV

Cost-Effective Method to Enhance Your Smart TV’s Functionality

TV interface appears to be slow and unresponsive. This occurs because numerous smart TV models are equipped with relatively weak processors, which can begin to show their limitations when faced with modern applications that demand greater resources. This is also a factor for why certain streaming services discontinue support for older smart TVs. Nevertheless, since all other components of your TV are functioning properly, upgrading to a new smart TV may not be the most sensible choice. Luckily, there is an affordable way to address this issue: a streaming stick.

Instead of investing in an entirely new TV, you can easily purchase a streaming stick and connect it to your TV’s HDMI port, breathing new life into your television. As the streaming device comes with its own processor and other electronic components, it doesn’t depend on your TV’s internals for anything except transmitting audio and video signals. Therefore, as long as you choose a relatively recent streaming stick model, you will enjoy a quick and reactive experience along with access to all the necessary apps. Moreover, if after a few years the streaming stick begins to show signs of aging, you can simply upgrade to a newer version and continue using the same TV until you are truly ready for a new one.

Which streaming stick should you purchase?

Xreal 1S Provides 1200p Imagery and Lower Cost for Premier AR Eyewear

The Xreal 1S is transforming the AR glasses industry by delivering an impressive 500-inch virtual screen experience for less than $450. This latest iteration improves upon the resolution, brightness, and field of view of its earlier model, while also lowering the price by $50 to $449. Equipped with the X1 chip, the Xreal 1S can transform any 2D content into a 3D spatial environment without requiring special applications. The glasses feature a 1200p Full HD resolution and a 52-degree field of view, creating an engaging experience. With a maximum brightness of 700 nits and a 120Hz refresh rate, the Xreal 1S is perfect for use in daylight and for smooth gaming sessions. The accompanying Neo power hub, set to launch in February 2026, enables seamless gaming on devices such as the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck, enhancing both resolution and refresh rates. The Xreal 1S is currently available on Amazon and Xreal’s website, while the Neo can be pre-ordered at a special price of $99.

Govee Transforms Smart Lighting Capabilities at CES 2026

Govee is transforming the smart lighting sector by launching features that surpass mere color alterations. At CES 2026, Govee presented its vision for smart lighting that molds itself to users’ daily routines, moods, and surroundings. The brand’s latest technologies, such as DaySync and AI Lighting Bot 2.0, are designed to integrate lighting seamlessly into home lives by syncing with local sunlight patterns and enabling scene creation via natural dialogue.

Notable innovations feature LuminBlend+, delivering ultra-accurate color management through a 16-bit precision chip and RGB-to-white blending, which provides an extensive spectrum of colors and temperatures. AI Lighting Bot 2.0 improves user engagement by facilitating scene modifications via conversational commands and generating animated visuals from descriptions. DaySync automatically modifies lighting depending on the time of day and local circumstances, removing the necessity for manual scheduling.

Govee’s latest flagship offerings highlight these breakthroughs. The Floor Lamp 3 merges LuminBlend+, DaySync, and AI Lighting Bot 2.0 in an elegant design, providing precise color management and adaptive lighting. The Ceiling Light Ultra turns ceilings into imaginative displays with a 616-pixel LED matrix, AI visuals, and exceptional brightness. The Sky Ceiling Light emphasizes well-being, mimicking natural sky hues and sunset effects, perfect for rooms without windows.

Furthermore, Govee is broadening its smart home functionalities with compatibility for Samsung SmartThings and Matter, improving compatibility and integration with additional smart devices. These advancements establish Govee as a frontrunner in developing intelligent lighting solutions that cater to users, delivering a more personalized and adaptable lighting experience.

Best MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Offers for January 2024

If you’re aiming to start the new year with a new MacBook, this is an excellent moment to purchase. Recently, Macs have become increasingly budget-friendly – primarily due to Apple’s shift to Apple Silicon. These MacBooks are also better equipped than ever.

Apple’s newest macOS Tahoe update has also terminated support for nearly all Intel Macs (with a few minor exceptions). If you wish to remain on the most current Apple software, now is an ideal time to upgrade.

### M3 MacBook Air

In 2022, Apple unveiled the revamped MacBook Air with a sleeker design, a larger display with narrower bezels, and brought back MagSafe. It is also available in new Starlight and Midnight hues alongside Silver and Space Gray, while Gold is no longer an option. This innovative design was launched with the M2 chip and has persisted since.

**15-inch models with M3 chip:**
– 15-inch MacBook Air with 512GB of storage, 24GB of memory: [$1099 at Amazon](https://amzn.to/489Yepa) ($600 off!)

The 15-inch variant is a fantastic choice if you’re seeking greater unified memory than most individuals, which can be significantly beneficial for multitasking. Conversely, the 13-inch model is a great pick if you want something newer than an M1 MacBook Air while staying closer to a $600 budget.

### M4 MacBook Air

Last March, Apple revealed a refreshed MacBook Air featuring the M4 chip. This device closely resembles its predecessor, with a new Center Stage webcam and a new Sky Blue color replacing Space Gray.

Currently, you can find a $200 discount on the latest MacBook Air models. Apple is said to be developing a new entry-level MacBook with an A18 Pro chip expected to launch within the next year or so – but at these prices, I would honestly opt for the MacBook Air without worrying about any compromises.

**13-inch models with M4 chip:**
– 13-inch MacBook Air with 256GB of storage, 16GB of memory: [$799 at Amazon](https://amzn.to/421Yxj9)
– 13-inch MacBook Air with 512GB of storage, 16GB of memory: [$999 at Amazon](https://amzn.to/4o0M7jn)
– 13-inch MacBook Air with 512GB of storage, 24GB of memory: [$1199 at Amazon](https://amzn.to/3KyKcEp)

**15-inch models with M4 chip:**
– 15-inch MacBook Air with 256GB of storage, 16GB of memory: [$999 at Amazon](https://amzn.to/4i8YJ4T)
– 15-inch MacBook Air with 512GB of storage, 16GB of memory: [$1199 at Amazon](https://amzn.to/4nV3KSp)
– 15-inch MacBook Air with 512GB of storage, 24GB of memory: [$1399 at Amazon](https://amzn.to/4i2wTHe)

### M4 MacBook Pro

Apple revamped the MacBook Pro in 2021, introducing a completely new miniLED display with ProMotion, additional ports (most notably an HDMI port and SD card reader), as well as larger batteries and enhanced thermal efficiency. It also featured a 1080p webcam for the first time.

While the MacBook Pro is not as affordable as the MacBook Airs mentioned, if you desire that exceptional display and the additional ports, there are still some impressive deals available. All models listed below are equipped with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips, delivering the highest performance in a MacBook Pro. If you’re looking for base level silicon, you’ll need to purchase an M5 model.

**14-inch models:**
– M4 Pro MacBook Pro with 512GB of storage, 24GB of memory: [$1749 on Amazon](https://amzn.to/4ckNjcZ) ($250 off!)
– M4 Pro MacBook Pro with 1TB of storage, 24GB of memory: [$2099 on Amazon](https://amzn.to/4pbAMhS)

### M5 MacBook Pro

In October, Apple introduced the new 14-inch MacBook Pro featuring the M5 chip. However, in a break from tradition – it was only released with the base M5. If you’re seeking more power, or a 16-inch model, you’ll need to go for an M4 Pro or M4 Max chip.

M5 is approximately 15% quicker overall compared to the M4. In comparison to M4 Pro, M5 is about 10% slower.