certain televisions, such as Hisense models, are incredibly affordable: They can choose to overlook some more specialized features and technologies in order to provide a low-cost yet comparable TV.
From Headphones to Tablets: A Look at Walmart’s Holiday Tech Offers
The Black Friday discounts may be over, but if you’re still searching for tech presents this holiday season, Walmart’s holiday promotion is underway and full of attractive offers. Although Walmart isn’t typically recognized for tech bargains, this year, it presents some enticing options for Android fans. Whether you need a multifunctional tablet, noise-canceling headphones, or an entry-level VR headset, Walmart has you covered. Here are some of the standout deals available:
1. **Meta Quest 3S 128GB VR Headset**: Once priced at $299, it is now yours for $249. This offer includes a complimentary copy of Batman: Arkham Shadow and three months of Meta Horizon Plus.
2. **HP 14″ Chromebook**: Equipped with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage, this Chromebook has dropped from $409.99 to $178.87. It also includes four free months of Apple Music and three months of Apple TV Plus.
3. **Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 44mm**: This smartwatch, celebrated for its elegant design and fitness tracking capabilities, can be yours for $159.99, reflecting a $120 reduction from its standard price.
4. **Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer Smart Glasses**: These fashionable smart glasses are priced at $224.25, down from $299.99.
5. **Google Pixel 10 128GB**: Acquire this top-tier smartphone for $599, which represents a $200 discount. It boasts impressive cameras and AI functionalities.
6. **Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite 128GB**: This device, featuring a 10.9-inch screen and S Pen stylus, is currently $299.99, $50 lower than its original cost.
7. **JBL Tune 670NC Headphones**: Renowned for their exceptional battery performance and noise cancellation, these headphones are priced at $59.95, reduced from $109.95.
8. **Roku Streaming Stick 4K**: For only $29.88, you can enjoy 4K streaming services with this gadget, initially listed at $49.01.
These offers are ideal for anyone aiming to enhance their tech collection or discover the ultimate holiday gift. However, remember that the deadline for Christmas shipping is nearing, so move quickly if a deal catches your eye.
Read Moretop streaming gadgets for individuals eager to experience smart TV capabilities. The manufacturer provides five different streaming gadgets, each offering an intuitive interface along with a variety of useful and user-friendly functions that enhance your experience. Some features comprise private listening, compatibility with Apple AirPlay, and access to local television broadcasts. Nevertheless, the Roku Ultra and the Roku Streambar SE are significantly more robust (and pricier) options in the brand’s lineup, also offering a few additional perks — like a USB port.
Roku has incorporated a USB port in several of its older models, including the Roku 2 XS. Although the USB port on your Roku TV streamer lacks some versatility compared to a PC’s, it remains quite effective and can serve multiple purposes. If you’ve overlooked the USB port on your Roku, you might be missing valuable opportunities. Here’s how to utilize it to its fullest.
If you prefer to keep media files stored offline and want to view them on your Roku streaming device, you’re in good fortune. You can utilize the integrated USB Type-A port on your Roku item to attach external storage units, such as a USB flash drive or an external hard disk, and access the saved files. The streaming device employs the Roku Media Player app for media playback. While this app is generally pre-installed, you can download it from the Roku Channel Store if it’s absent.
Roku accommodates a broad array of video, audio, image, and playlist formats, granting you extensive options for what you can enjoy. As anticipated, DRM-protected material is unsupported. Additionally, you can provide your own content artwork and subtitles within the USB drive to accompany your media. Another notable feature of
Read Moreeven participate in your initial 5K is an exceptionally beneficial tool for monitoring your advancement over the year. Nevertheless, in contrast to Apple Music, which provides the Apple Music Replay, Apple does not furnish a summary of fitness endeavors throughout the year.
This is where Gentler Streak excels. As is customary, the fitness and wellness application presents a Spotify Wrapped-style summary of your workout sessions. The most noteworthy aspect of the 2022 Apple Watch App of the Year and the 2024 Apple Design Awards victor is that its 2025 Activity Recap is accessible to anyone who downloads the application. You don’t even need a subscription to access your data assessed over the year.
Gentler Streak focuses on your health. The application emphasizes rest when necessary and considers your personal information, the sports you engage in, and even how well you slept the previous night. However, even if the features offered by Gentler Streak do not pique your interest, it remains the optimal method to view your Apple Watch fitness summary for the year.
Taner Muhlis Karaguzel/Shutterstock
In an unexpected turn of events, GM has declared that Apple Music will now be a native application on GM vehicles, effective today. At the outset, Apple Music will be accessible on the latest Cadillac and Chevrolet models, with plans to extend this availability to other GM brands in the future. With the integrated Apple Music app, GM vehicle owners can enjoy a vast library of songs, expertly curated playlists, podcasts, and all the features that standard Apple Music subscribers appreciate.
GM highlights that access to Apple Music will be granted to GM owners for a period of eight years without extra charges, courtesy of an 8-year complimentary subscription to OnStar Basics. Currently, this complimentary access seems to be restricted to 2025 models. “We are introducing the Apple Music app to GM vehicles in a manner that fully utilizes our top-of-the-line audio capabilities,” stated GM’s VP of global product management, Tim Twerdahl, in a press announcement.
Of course, GM emphasizes that Apple Music will fully leverage GM’s “advanced audio systems,” featuring Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos. Overall, GM asserts that this collaboration will turn GM vehicles into “an immersive, three-dimensional sound environment,” crafted to optimize a car’s audio system and acoustics.
The firm will cease searching for newly leaked information in January and will eliminate previous reports by February 2026.
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# iOS 26.2: Fresh Features and Liquid Glass Enhancements
iOS 26.2 has launched, offering a range of new functionalities for iPhone users and broadening the cutting-edge Liquid Glass design. Here’s an in-depth overview of what’s included in this update.
## Lock Screen Clock Slider
Since the introduction of iOS 26 in September, Apple has permitted users to modify the opacity of the Lock Screen clock. With the rollout of iOS 26.2, this opacity slider has been refined, allowing users to achieve a more striking Liquid Glass effect.
To utilize the new slider, users can enter the wallpaper editing mode by long-pressing the Lock Screen, selecting ‘Customize,’ tapping on the clock, and confirming the ‘Glass’ option is enabled. This enables further tweaks to the clock’s look, improving its opacity and overall design.
Apple’s release notes emphasize this feature:
> “Additional Lock Screen time customization option allows you to adjust its appearance further, giving the Liquid Glass material greater or lesser opacity.”
## Enhanced Animations
The Liquid Glass effect was initially presented at WWDC, but previous versions of iOS did not fully embody its desired fluidity. iOS 26.2 introduces fresh animations for popup menus and controls that resonate with the original concept, introducing a whimsical and dynamic vibe to the user interface. These improvements are system-wide, benefiting third-party applications that utilize Apple’s native APIs, thus enhancing the overall iPhone experience.
## Measure App Update
The Measure app has also undergone a notable update with the Liquid Glass effect. The integrated Level tool now boasts a striking new design that interacts with the numbers and grid background as users shift their iPhones. This update not only enhances functionality but also elevates visual appeal, making the app more enjoyable to utilize.
## Conclusion
iOS 26.2 presents thrilling new features and extends the Liquid Glass design across various system applications, including the Lock Screen and Measure app. These updates enhance customization choices and elevate the overall user experience with fresh animations and effects. As Apple persists in its innovation, users can anticipate even more upgrades in upcoming releases.
Read Morerollback to iOS 18, the earlier version of the operating system.
Here’s how Samsung’s upcoming midsize flagship will stack up against Google’s premier model.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus aims to elevate its predecessor with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 at its core. Anticipated features include a silicon-carbon battery, Qi2 support, and enhancements to the camera. However, design modifications are not expected.
Pros:
– Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 serves as a robust gaming and overall performance engine
– Integrated magnets for Qi2 and MagSafe compatibility
– High-capacity silicon-carbon battery
– Ships with One UI 8.5 pre-installed
Cons:
– Charging speed remains relatively slow
– Design closely resembles previous Galaxy iterations
– Potentially insufficient camera upgrades
The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL is packed with impressive AI functionalities, notably Gemini and Camera Coach. Powered by the Tensor G5 chip, it offers 16GB of RAM and storage options reaching 1TB. Coupled with an excellent camera system and display, the Pixel 10 Pro XL ranks among the leading Android flagships available.
Pros:
– Convenient charging via MagSafe and Qi2 compatibility
– At the heart is Gemini alongside Nano and unique features like Camera Coach
– Commitment to seven years of Android OS updates
– Rear triple-camera setup with a 5x telephoto lens
Cons:
– Necessary battery and performance limits after 200 cycles
– Qualcomm outperforms Tensor in gaming and raw processing
– Bulkier and heavier compared to Galaxy S26 Plus
The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL marked a significant enhancement, establishing a benchmark for Android flagships in 2025. The device further augmented its AI processing abilities while introducing Qi2 and MagSafe for the first time. Notably, the Pixel 10 Pro XL supports Qi2 25W for rapid wireless charging. It is now incumbent upon Google’s competitors to meet this benchmark, starting with Samsung and the Galaxy S26 Plus.
Although the Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus remains unofficial, speculation and leaks are intensifying in anticipation of an anticipated early 2026 release. The new smartphone is predicted to receive the customary chip advancement, modest camera enhancements, and Qi2 magnets. Nevertheless, the design and fundamental experience are expected to remain the same.
So, how will the Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus measure up against the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL? Let’s examine everything we know thus far in this anticipatory comparison.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus vs. Google Pixel 10 Pro XL: Pricing and availability
Rumors and leaks indicate uncertainty from Samsung as the launch of the Galaxy S26 series approaches. Initial reports suggested a shift in the lineup with a Galaxy S26 Pro replacing the base model and a Galaxy S26 Edge taking the place of the midsize variant. However, it appears Samsung will adhere to tradition with the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus, and Galaxy S26 Ultra — at least initially.
Samsung typically unveils its devices in January each year, but an October leak indicated a delay for the Galaxy S26 lineup until March. More recently, rumors have found a middle ground, with expectations now leaning towards a late February 2026 debut for the Galaxy S26 Plus. It will likely retain the same starting price of $999, with configurations available for 256GB or 512GB of storage.
In contrast, the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL is presently available as the brand’s foremost non-folding flagship. Priced at $1,199 for the base model featuring 256GB of storage, it can be upgraded to a maximum of 1TB. Color options include Moonstone, Jade, Porcelain, and Obsidian.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus vs. Google Pixel 10 Pro XL: Design and display
We anticipate minor design alterations for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus, but the speculated adjustments primarily align the smartphone with the design aesthetics of models like the Galaxy S25 Edge and Galaxy Z Fold 7. Rather than having separate rear camera lenses as seen in the Galaxy S25 Plus, the Galaxy S26 Plus will adopt a pill-shaped camera module where the three cameras will be positioned. This represents the most significant, yet relatively subtle, design transformation for the Galaxy S26 Plus.
Overall, the Galaxy S26 Plus will maintain a rectangular and angular body with flat aluminum side edges. It continues to be a glass sandwich, protected by Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back. For enhanced durability, Samsung is expected to complete the package with IP68 certification against dust and water ingress, a standard feature for some time.
Phone manufacturers typically upgrade the display of their devices each year, whether through size increases, smaller bezels, or enhanced brightness. However, for all necessary considerations, Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Plus will likely showcase a similar or identical display to that found within the
Read MoreNotification Summaries along with other AI functionalities could be exclusive to the Galaxy S26 when it launches early next year.
Note
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