“The Boys” Season 5, episode 5 reunites “Supernatural” stars Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, and Misha Collins for a bloody showdown.
Comparison of iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra: Three Essential Attributes to Evaluate for Your Upgrade
Apple’s autumn iPhone series this year is speculated to center around the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra. Below are the three major feature distinctions—not including cost—that might impact your upgrade choice.
## Form factor: Conventional vs foldable
This distinction is the most apparent, yet it’s important to mention as it also holds the most weight.
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will maintain the same fundamental form factor that the iPhone has featured for years. They are rumored to retain the identical screen size and overall look as their forerunners. If you prefer a classic iPhone experience, iPhone 18 Pro will be your ideal option.
On the other hand, iPhone Ultra will mark Apple’s inaugural foldable model. This represents a dramatically different form factor, with an outer display that is shorter and wider compared to a conventional iPhone, and an inner display that mimics an iPad mini.
## Cameras: Pro will continue to be the top choice
Apple has consistently included its finest, most groundbreaking camera technology in its Pro models. This trend is set to persist this year.
iPhone Ultra is anticipated to provide many of the same camera capabilities as iPhone 18 Pro, with one major exception: it will lack a Telephoto camera.
Speculation suggests that iPhone Ultra will still feature the same Main, Ultra Wide, and front cameras as the Pro series. However, the Telephoto lens will be exclusive to the Pro model and is expected to undergo improvements this year.
## Performance: A20 Pro chip in both, but materials are crucial
Both iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra are expected to be equipped with the same A20 Pro chip. Nevertheless, the performance level may vary slightly due to design and material differences.
iPhone 18 Pro will utilize the same aluminum unibody design as iPhone 17 Pro and will also include a vapor chamber for cooling. These modifications resulted in improved overall performance for iPhone 17 Pro compared to its predecessor, as the device can maintain cooler temperatures during demanding tasks.
Conversely, iPhone Ultra will boast a sleek titanium-based design similar to the iPhone Air and is not anticipated to incorporate a vapor chamber. Thus, while it will have the same chip, it might show lower performance when exposed to sunlight or during high-intensity tasks.
Are you considering whether to choose an iPhone 18 Pro or an iPhone Ultra? What differences will affect your decision? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Dedicated Row for YouTube Shorts Added to Google TV
Google is making it easier to jump into watching YouTube Shorts on its TV devices without having to open the dedicated YouTube app. The Google TV homepage will soon introduce a new “Short videos for you” row that features a feed of personalized videos. The update is expected to roll out to Google TV devices […]
Uber Expands App to Include Hotels in Major Travel Initiative
Open Uber’s app and you’ll see options to hail a car, order some food, or go grocery shopping. And starting today, you’ll see something new: hotels. In a major expansion into the world of travel accommodations, Uber says that it’s adding the ability to book and pay for a hotel room to its app. The […]
Uber Enters Hotel Industry with AI Influence
Uber announced several new features on Wednesday during its annual event, which push far beyond the company’s original ride-hailing purpose and deeper into its users’ lives.
The History of QR Codes Linked to a Well-Known Board Game
QR codes, also known as Quick Response Codes, may have surged in fame in recent years, but they have existed for quite a while. First launched in Japan in 1994, QR codes are now omnipresent, appearing in venues ranging from dining establishments to industrial environments. Despite their prevalence, many individuals are unaware that QR codes are inspired by the classic board game “Go.”
The grid-oriented game served as the creative influence for QR codes, which can store considerably more information than traditional barcodes and present notable advantages over previous scanning technologies. Nowadays, with all modern smartphones equipped with scanning capabilities, QR codes have evolved beyond their initial design. They were initially developed by the Japanese automotive parts manufacturer Denso Wave to serve as a replacement for UPC barcodes, which lacked sufficient data for efficient inventory tracking on manufacturing lines.
Masahiro Hara, a Denso Wave employee, took inspiration from the game “Go” to design the QR code, eventually replacing barcodes in production facilities. Denso Wave recognized the potential of QR codes and made them available for free worldwide, although they continued to sell the scanning devices. The company has since shifted focus, as smartphones can now perform the scanning functions.
What is Go? The board game that inspired QR codes
“Go” is a timeless game, comparable in complexity to chess or checkers. The oldest known reference dates back to China around 548 B.C., and it gradually made its way to Japan and Korea, where it has consistently remained popular. After being played for millennia outside of Asia, it was only introduced to the West in the 19th century, where it has not gained much traction, largely due to the dominance of games like chess.
So, how do you play? Two opponents compete on a 19-by-19 grid, aiming to control as much territory as possible. The game is traditionally played with black and white stones placed at the intersections of the grid. The opposing player must then surround these stones, and once encircled, those stones are captured and removed from the board.
The deeper you explore the game, the more intricate “Go’s” endless complexity reveals itself. For example, it wasn’t until 2016 that Google’s AlphaGo succeeded in defeating a human player, whereas DeepBlue triumphed over chess master Garry Kasparov in 1997.
Why are QR codes superior to UPC barcodes?
In addition to being physically simpler to scan on products within an industrial context, QR codes also contain substantially more information than UPC barcodes. This advantage stems from their modular construction—those black and white squares are referred to as modules. Each version incrementally adds four additional modules on both sides, with QR codes having reached version 40, which accommodates 177 modules. Version 1, a 21-by-21 QR code, can hold up to 152 bits, while version 40 can accommodate 23,648 bits. In terms of alphanumeric storage, a UPC barcode can retain 12 digits through its vertical bars, whereas a QR code extends horizontally, with version 40 supporting as many as 4,296 alphanumeric characters simultaneously.
This vast capacity for information enables QR codes to be significantly more versatile than UPC barcodes. Links, images, and a variety of other content can be embedded within a QR code to direct users to, for instance, a restaurant menu or a webpage displayed on a poster. It has become an essential part of public transportation in China, seen on train tickets nationwide, and has emerged as a useful tool for businesses to eliminate the need for customers to manually enter URLs in their web browsers prior to accessing promotional sites.
China Warns EU of Retaliation if Huawei and ZTE are Excluded from European Networks
Beijingâs commerce ministry has formally submitted a 30-page document warning the European Commission that its draft Cybersecurity Act, which would make vendor removal mandatory for the first time, could trigger reciprocal measures against European companies in China. China has formally threatened the European Union with retaliation if a sweeping new cybersecurity law leads to the […]
This story continues at The Next Web
Mova Lidax Ultra 2000 Robot Lawn Mower Hits All-Time Low Price with Free Cover on Amazon
The Mova Lidax Ultra 2000 robot lawn mower is on sale at Amazon for $1,399, down from the list price of $1,799. That’s a 22% discount.
AI Amplification: A Team Lead’s Guide to Enhanced Development
While AI for codegen is manageable, integrating AI into team workflows presents more challenges, such as maintaining quality long term and managing technical debt.
watchOS 26 Brings Notes Application to Apple Watch: Insights on Usage and Helpful Tips
# Apple Notes in watchOS 26: Its Functionality and My Usage
Apple Watch enthusiasts were treated to a thrilling update with the launch of the Apple Notes app in watchOS 26. As someone who frequently utilizes Apple Notes across multiple devices, the introduction of this app on the Apple Watch has significantly improved my productivity and ease of use.
## Key Features of Apple Notes on Apple Watch
The Apple Notes app is primarily designed for users to view current notes and create new ones. While the ability to edit existing notes is restricted to completing checklist items, this limitation has not drastically affected my experience.
### Note Creation
For creating notes, users have multiple methods: dictation, the onscreen keyboard, or through Siri. The ability to use Siri for note creation is especially remarkable, as it facilitates the process and allows for on-the-go accessibility.
### My Experience with the Notes App
I mainly use the Notes app for two primary functions:
1. **Using Siri to Create New Notes**: The advantage of utilizing Siri to create notes while mobile is priceless. Whether I’m without my AirPods or distanced from my HomePod, I can effortlessly raise my wrist and say “Note to self” to quickly record my thoughts.
2. **Accessing Information**: The app organizes notes by positioning pinned notes at the top, followed by the latest notes. With over 2,600 notes in iCloud, this structure is vital. Luckily, a downward-facing arrow enables users to collapse pinned notes, facilitating access to recently edited entries.
### Customization Features
Within the Watch’s Settings app under Notes, users can personalize how notes are sorted—by Date Edited, Date Created, or Title. Furthermore, there is a feature to toggle grouping notes by date, further improving the overall user experience.
## Final Thoughts
Although I haven’t leveraged the Notes app as much as I expected, there have been significant instances where the ability to create or retrieve notes right from my wrist has proven advantageous. The incorporation of Apple Notes into watchOS 26 provides a practical resource for users looking to boost their productivity while on the move.
Have you tried the Notes app in watchOS 26? Share your thoughts in the comments.
