Author: sparta

Amazon’s Delivery Drones Encounter Ongoing Operational Hurdles

KPNX 12 News reported that the drone had grazed one of the cables utilized for moving equipment suspended from the crane.

The drones were flying consecutively when they collided with the crane cable, each landing approximately 100 to 200 feet apart in adjacent parking lots. While local fire and police units reacted to the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also took action, stating it would probe the crashes with Amazon’s full assistance.

Another hurdle for Amazon

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Initial Glimpse of Galaxy S26 Ultra’s Integrated ‘Privacy Display’ Uncovered in Leak

Leaked Screenshots Reveal New Privacy Display Features of Galaxy S26 Ultra

Samsung is poised to improve privacy with the Galaxy S26 Ultra, incorporating a new Privacy Display function directly into the device. This feature removes the necessity for external screen protectors. Leaked images from One UI 8.5 showcase comprehensive controls, enabling users to modify the intensity of the privacy effect and establish automatic triggers based on their surroundings, like when commuting or in coffee shops.

The Privacy Display capability provides Custom Conditions, allowing users to enable privacy settings when using sensitive applications such as banking or inputting PIN codes. The system offers detailed control, permitting users to determine which areas of the screen stay visible and which ones are hidden. Notifications, lock screen elements, and private photos can be concealed when this feature is turned on.

Samsung’s “Maximum Privacy” mode boosts security further by rendering the display harder to read from side views, employing Flex Magic Pixel technology to modify pixel behavior in real time. This functionality is built into One UI 8.5, with code fragments indicating its readiness for the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s debut.

While the feature assures improved privacy, concerns linger about its effect on display brightness, color fidelity, and performance during video playback and gaming. Still, the Galaxy S26 Ultra may be the first widespread smartphone to provide an integrated, customizable privacy filter.

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Current Offers: $190 Off Titanium Apple Watch, $743 Off iPhone 16/15 Pro Max, Savings on Magic Keyboard at Amazon, and More

### Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break Offers

The newest offers from 9to5Toys are here, showcasing substantial savings on sought-after tech items. With early Prime Big Deal Days promotions and ongoing introductory offers on the Apple Watch Series 11, shoppers can discover thrilling deals, including significant markdowns on an array of Apple products.

#### Titanium Apple Watch Series 10 Variants at Record Low Prices

The Apple Watch Series 10 models are experiencing unmatched price reductions, especially on the titanium versions. Presently, these high-end models are discounted by up to **$190**, marking the first notable price cuts in several months. The 46mm titanium models, which seldom drop below $629, are now being offered at even lower prices, making them a compelling choice despite the recent launch of the Series 11.

**Current Discounts on Apple Watch Series 11:**
– 42mm Jet Black: **$389**
– 42mm Silver: **$389.99**
– 46mm Jet Black GPS + Cell: **$520**
– 46mm Silver GPS + Cell: **$520**
– 46mm Rose Gold GPS + Cell: **$520**
– 46mm Space Gray GPS + Cell: **$520**

#### Discounts on iPhone 16 Pro and 15 Pro Max from Amazon Renewed Premium

For those not upgrading to the iPhone 17, Amazon Renewed Premium presents significant discounts on the iPhone 16 Pro and 15 Pro Max. The iPhone 16 Pro is currently reduced by up to **$500**, while the 15 Pro Max devices are offered with discounts exceeding **$743** off their original prices. This is a prime opportunity to secure a premium device at a fraction of the price.

**Key iPhone Offers:**
– iPhone 16 Pro: Up to **$500 off**
– iPhone 15 Pro Max: Over **$743 off**

#### Apple’s 15-inch 512GB M4 MacBook Air Now $200 Off

Apple’s 15-inch M4 MacBook Air models are experiencing a **$200 price cut**, now priced at **$1,199**. This discount is applicable to multiple colors and configurations, making it an excellent time to buy one of Apple’s newest laptops.

#### Rare Discount on USB-C Magic Keyboard with Touch ID

An uncommon promotion has surfaced on Apple’s USB-C Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad, now available for **$161.99**. This model, normally priced at **$179**, includes a sleek USB-C charging port and is compatible with a broad range of Apple devices.

#### Accessory and Charging Discounts

Beyond the highlighted products, numerous accessories and charging deals are available, offering extra savings for tech aficionados.

These offers present an amazing chance for consumers aiming to enhance their tech collections without overspending. Be sure to check the links for the most current prices and stock.

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Google is emulating Apple’s strategy

ESPN and FOX Launch Innovative Streaming Package for Sports Fans

### New ESPN-FOX One Bundle Now Offered with 20% Savings

If you’re an avid sports enthusiast, you’re aware of how expensive it can be to subscribe to all the essential streaming platforms. To alleviate streaming cost exhaustion, ESPN and FOX One have introduced a bundled option for their newly-launched streaming services.

In August, prior to the commencement of football season in the US, two significant new streaming platforms were introduced: ESPN and FOX One. The former grants complete access to ESPN, encompassing all of the content and live games from the cable network, including Monday Night Football. FOX One delivers the live sports programming from FOX’s traditional channel, along with news and entertainment, now available for the first time as an independent streaming service.

The timing of both rollouts just before autumn was intentional, with football season starting soon after. Although it was indicated at launch that a bundle would eventually be available, that bundle is now launching today.

The ESPN and FOX One bundle offers both services for a total of $39.99/month. This represents a $10 reduction (20% savings) from the individual prices—ESPN is $29.99 on its own, while FOX One costs $19.99/month. You can sign up for the bundle either at stream.espn.com or FOXOne.com.

For those curious, there is no possibility to combine the two streamers with Disney’s other streaming services, Disney+ and Hulu.

Are you considering subscribing to ESPN and FOX One’s new bundle? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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Tinker: The Initial AI Offering from Thinking Machines Lab, Not a Rival to ChatGPT

Mira Murati’s Thinking Machines Lab (TML) AI startup has been active since the former high-ranking OpenAI executive departed from the organization that developed the ChatGPT chatbot and ignited the ongoing AI revolution. A year later, Murati’s AI company is set to launch its inaugural, eagerly awaited AI product.

Named Tinker, this AI tool requires users to sign up for a waitlist starting Wednesday, and it doesn’t serve as the ChatGPT competitor that some might have anticipated from the startup. After all, numerous companies creating cutting-edge AI models are releasing commercial products aimed at mainstream consumers, particularly chatbots. However, Tinker is not that type of offering. It’s designed for a targeted group: AI aficionados, enterprises, researchers, and hackers looking to customize existing open-source AI models to suit their unique preferences.

Murati, who formerly held the position of CTO at OpenAI, stepped in as interim CEO during Sam Altman’s removal in the fall of 2023. She departed OpenAI last year to establish a secretive startup that ultimately became known as Thinking Machines Lab. Murati is not the only prominent AI researcher involved in this venture. She co-founded the company alongside other OpenAI alumni, bringing on additional expertise from the ChatGPT creator. TML’s significant prowess in AI could be the reason the company successfully secured $2 billion at a $12 billion valuation this past summer, even before launching a commercial product. Now, Thinking Machines Lab has introduced Tinker, which is presently accessible to authorized users for creating their bespoke AI models.

What capabilities does Tinker offer?

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Innovations from Google and Amazon Change Smart Homes into Smart Systems

AI might be taking over your household, and it’s not necessarily a negative development.

The intelligent home is transitioning from merely a bunch of interconnected devices to a customized, shared computing space. With recent updates from Google and Amazon, it’s evident that generative AI represents the next significant advancement in transforming homes into not just smart, but genuinely intelligent places.

Both firms are introducing AI-enhanced assistants—Gemini and Alexa Plus—that aim to make smart homes more instinctive, reachable, and enjoyable. While their methods vary slightly, the ultimate objective is consistent: to integrate smart living seamlessly into daily routines.

Gemini and Alexa Plus: AI that comprehends your home

Google’s Gemini for Home and Amazon’s Alexa Plus surpass basic voice commands. These assistants grasp context, identify individual family members, and facilitate automations simply by conversing.

Want the lighting to lower when you begin your bath? Just state it. Need a morning routine that plays your favorite playlist and activates the coffee maker? Inquire of your assistant. These AI systems are designed to eliminate obstacles, allowing users to set up personalized automations without needing to navigate through apps or settings.

This evolution makes smart homes communal. All household members can engage with the system in their unique manner, and the assistant adjusts accordingly.

Multimodal hardware: Observing, listening, sensing

To enhance these advanced assistants, both organizations are launching multimodal hardware that merges audio, video, and environmental sensing.

Google’s fresh Nest collection features 2K HDR cameras and a compact Gemini-integrated speaker with ambient sensing capabilities. Amazon introduced new smart speakers, smart displays, security cameras, and video doorbells. Notably, one of the standout features, alongside Alexa Plus support, is Omnisense, allowing the latest Echo devices to provide presence detection while leveraging third-party sensors.

These devices aren’t merely responsive—they’re anticipatory. They greet family members, modify settings based on who is present, and even foresee requirements. This marks a significant stride toward ambient computing, in which the home instinctively reacts to its occupants.

Boosting smart home adoption with AI

One of the most promising advancements is how AI is facilitating broader smart home adoption. Amazon disclosed that users of Alexa Plus are embracing smart home functionalities at double the pace of traditional Alexa users. This is a considerable surge, driven by AI’s capability to inform, guide, and support.

Visualize asking your assistant, “How can I upgrade my light switch to a smart one?” Alexa Plus can assist you in the process, recommend compatible products, and even suggest local electricians if you’re hesitant to handle it on your own. This type of interactive, conversational assistance reduces entry barriers and makes smart home enhancements feel less daunting.

AI also aids users in uncovering features they were previously unaware of. It can propose automations based on your routines, recommend energy-efficient practices, or assist with troubleshooting, all through natural dialogue.

Amazon’s ecosystem advantage

Amazon remains at the forefront of smart home adoption, attributed to its extensive install base and third-party partnerships. Alexa Plus capitalizes on this by providing developers with access to a new Alexa Plus Store, enabling services like Lyft, GrubHub, and TaskRabbit to integrate directly into the assistant.

The television serves as a portal into the intelligent home, and Amazon’s profound insight into consumer shopping and media inclinations grants it a distinctive advantage. Alexa Plus can deliver contextual recommendations, scene-specific searches, and even manage other devices via the TV interface.

Smart speakers fulfill a similar function, serving as hubs for entertainment, communication, and automation. With surround sound integration and ambient sensing, Amazon is transforming these devices into central nodes of the interconnected home.

And let’s not overlook Amazon’s collaboration with Oura, which suggests a future where biometric data from wearables could influence smart home automations, like adjusting lighting in response to sleep patterns or initiating routines based on stress levels.

Google’s strength: Search, Android, and wearables

Google’s strength is anchored in its software ecosystem. Gemini is intricately integrated into Android smartphones, Google Search, and wearables such as the Pixel Watch. This grants Google a unique advantage in contextual intelligence and seamless cross-device functionality.

While wearables aren’t currently a significant aspect of the smart home landscape, they are on the verge of becoming crucial. Google’s ecosystem is well-prepared to harness biometric data, location awareness, and user behaviors to foster smarter automations.

Moreover, Google’s partnership with Walmart positions them to challenge Amazon’s Blink cameras, while enhancing retail visibility and broadening their influence in home security.

Market outlook: A mixed forecast for growth

So, what implications does this have for the smart home market and consumers?

Despite the enthusiasm, the near-term market outlook remains cautious. Many new AI functionalities are being added to existing devices, indicating that the hardware market might not experience a significant boost immediately. In fact, global shipments of smart speakers and displays are predicted to decline in 2025 and into the early part of 2026.

Cameras are anticipated to grow, but

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Apple Glasses Anticipated to Embrace Unique Release Approach

Apple’s Vision Air Project Put on Hold to Focus on Apple Glasses

Yesterday, Bloomberg indicated that Apple’s ‘Vision Air’ initiative is being halted to shift resources towards the high-priority Apple Glasses endeavor. This change in direction underscores Apple’s strategic approach as it strives to bolster its offerings in the augmented reality (AR) domain.

Apple Glasses Launch and Release Timeline

As per the report, Apple is anticipated to reveal the Apple Glasses next year, with a release scheduled for 2027. This method represents a departure from Apple’s usual product launch pattern, where new items are typically available for purchase soon after their announcement. Traditionally, Apple upholds a culture of confidentiality, often delaying announcements until a product is market-ready. Nevertheless, the Apple Glasses might adopt a less typical two-phase rollout approach.

Mark Gurman from Bloomberg pointed out that Apple plans to debut the new model as early as 2026, with a following launch set for 2027. This timeline implies a longer period between the introduction and the actual market availability of the product, a rarity for the company.

Apple’s Experience with Two-Phase Product Launches

The last time Apple used a staggered release approach was with the Apple Vision Pro, which was unveiled in June 2023 but did not ship until early 2024. Similar two-phase launches have also been observed with the original HomePod and the Apple Watch. Such strategies are often employed for entirely new product categories, giving developers extra time to create applications for new platforms. In some instances, it helps to alleviate concerns regarding Apple’s speed in specific technological areas.

While the plans for the Apple Glasses may still be subject to change, the current anticipation is that the product could debut at WWDC 2026, even if it doesn’t become accessible until 2027. The reasoning behind this two-phase release strategy remains a subject of speculation among industry analysts and consumers alike.

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Alternative Applications for Old USB Drives Aside from Storage

USB drives are often seen simply as portable storage. For years, they were the primary choice for transferring files, images, and music between computers. However, with the rise of cloud storage and the ease of file sharing, many older flash drives now lie dormant in drawers. The reality is that these devices can be transformed for a variety of innovative, useful, and unexpected purposes beyond mere storage.

Absolutely, your USB drive may boast significant capacity, but certain applications only need a handful of megabytes, which means even the tiniest and most outdated drives can be useful. They can offer added security, enhance performance, or even fuel creative endeavors, giving them fresh usefulness instead of gathering dust. The options are wider than many anticipate, and numerous ones are straightforward enough for anyone to attempt. Here are nine clever ways to utilize old USB drives that extend far beyond storage.

Implement a USB drive as a tangible login