Author: sparta

Minimalist Case Addresses OnePlus 15 Design Problems, Now Offered with Phone

**The Thinborne Case for OnePlus 15: An Ideal Fusion of Aesthetics and Practicality**

The OnePlus 15 is an impressive smartphone, featuring a high-quality display, exceptional performance, and remarkable battery longevity. Nonetheless, its design has left some users desiring more, particularly due to the absence of the signature OnePlus Alert slider. Introducing the Thinborne minimalist case, a solution that not only tackles these design issues but also elevates the overall user experience.

**Design and Comfort**

The OnePlus 15, although not particularly slippery, possesses a boxy design that may be uncomfortable to grip. The Thinborne case, made from aramid fiber, provides a tactile grip that enhances the phone’s manejability. Its slightly rounded corners deliver a more natural sensation, making it delightful to hold and operate.

**MagSafe Integration**

A key feature of the Thinborne case is its incorporation of MagSafe compatibility for the OnePlus 15. While OnePlus’s official cases provide this option, the Thinborne case achieves it without adding excessive bulk. This is a notable benefit, especially for users who value the slim design of their devices.

**Defense and Usability**

Although minimalist cases like Thinborne’s are not intended for severe impacts, they do offer vital scratch protection. The case includes a tempered glass screen protector, ensuring that the OnePlus 15’s flat display is shielded from daily accidents. For those wary of screen damage, additional screen protectors are easily accessible.

**Final Thoughts**

The Thinborne case is essential for OnePlus 15 users looking to boost their device’s comfort and functionality. Its blend of style, grip, and MagSafe compatibility makes it a superb selection for individuals wanting to enhance their smartphone experience. With the extra layer of protection from a tempered glass screen protector, users can enjoy their OnePlus 15 confidently, knowing their device remains both stylish and safe.

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Google’s Latest Framework Stops Gemini from Failing in Chrome

Google is offering $20,000 to anyone who can outsmart its latest AI firewall.

(Photo credit: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)

Essential information

  • Google has rolled out the User Alignment Critic, a feature that verifies every AI action against your intentions prior to execution.
  • This Critic only processes metadata and not content from webpages, so malicious sites cannot deceive it with concealed prompts.
  • Gemini’s interactions in Chrome are now restricted to domains relevant to your task, preventing access to any unanticipated sites.

Note

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Google Photos Unveils Fresh Features for Effortless Year-End Video Montages

No more switching apps!

What you should know

– Google Photos unveils improved video editing features for tailored highlight reels.
– New capabilities include customizable templates, music, and chic text overlays for effortless editing.
– The launch of editing tools starts on Dec. 9, simplifying video creation for users.

With numerous platforms providing year-end summaries to reflect on your favorite moments and glimpse into 2025, Google Photos is joining the fun! Today, they’ve revealed a suite of video editing options allowing you to effortlessly combine your cherished images and clips, add text, and incorporate some great music to produce a reel that you can easily share across various social media networks.

Google is simplifying the process for users to craft a reel that includes several video clips and photos in Google Photos by clicking the “Create” tab and choosing “highlight video,” selecting the desired content, and Google Photos will compile a single video for you.

But that’s not all. Now, you can avoid hopping around multiple editing applications to refine your highlight video. From using pre-made templates and a revamped video editor to integrating music and personalized text, the tech giant is introducing five new features to enhance the personalization of these reels.

Google Photos will present a variety of templates to choose from, providing a creative boost for your highlight reel if you’re unsure where to start. The platform has significantly revamped its editor to be more user-friendly and intuitive, giving it a substantial upgrade. The upgraded editor accommodates multi-clip editing and storytelling, and also includes an “adaptive canvas” to streamline the editing experience, such as rearranging clips within the video or modifying the duration of video clips, all in one convenient location.

Moreover, users will have the ability to edit and personalize each video clip within the reel by incorporating music or custom text as well.

Speaking of having everything consolidated, users will also be able to select audio from the Photos’ music collection and choose the ideal track that adds “emotion or captures the right essence for your highlight video on Android and iOS.”

Google Photos is introducing text editing capabilities, effectively eliminating the need to transition to other apps like Instagram or TikTok. Android users can now use “stylish text overlays” for their highlight videos, with customizable choices for fonts, colors, and backgrounds to ensure their message stands out.

Google indicates these editing tools will commence rolling out today (Dec. 9), allowing you to try them out within the Photos app.

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Benefits of Mesh Wi-Fi Networks Compared to Conventional Routers

the top Wi-Fi routers for a new internet setup or if you’re thinking of upgrading an older model to access newer features, it’s reasonable to question: Should you opt for a standard router, or is it wiser to invest in a mesh Wi-Fi system? While both standard routers and mesh networks fulfill the fundamental role of providing internet and network access throughout your home, they operate in distinct manners.

Conventional Wi-Fi routers transmit a wireless signal from a single point, while mesh networks utilize multiple nodes that collaborate to extend connectivity throughout your space. This difference in methodology gives mesh networks advantages in various aspects. The principal mesh network systems are acknowledged for their adaptability, scalability, and user-friendliness, and are typically recommended if you’re facing Wi-Fi dead zones or need to cover a large residence. So, here are the key reasons to think about getting a mesh Wi-Fi system instead of a conventional standalone router.

They provide effortless scalability

Identifying the Ideal Quantity of RAM for Your Smartphone

Pixel 10 reserves a portion of RAM for AI applications, leading to reduced availability for your use. Consequently, devices with less than 8GB of RAM are likely to experience subpar performance, freezes, or sluggish app load times. This also relates to the way Android and iOS manage RAM overall.

Grasping the distinction between available system RAM and swap space

TMNT: Empire City – A Meta Quest Reimagining Resurrecting Iconic Ninja Turtles Arcade Action

Choose your Turtle and plunge into Empire City. Bash baddies, conquer bosses, explore the sewers, and make sure to grab some pizza!

What you should know

– TMNT: Empire City is a 4-player cooperative beat-em-up for the Meta Quest, SteamVR, and Pico headsets.
– Players can take on the role of any of the four Ninja Turtles, fighting Footclan soldiers in the streets of NYC, using each Turtle’s unique weapon and full movement capabilities.
– The game is slated for release in early 2026, and we got an early look at the introductory segment.

As a child, one of my all-time favorite games was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the NES. It seemed like the ultimate gameplay interpretation of one of my favorite TV programs, and it was great to be able to team up with friends and bash the bad guys disrupting NYC.

Fast forward several decades, and now I’m actually stepping into the shoes of those same Ninja Turtles in a new VR game for the Meta Quest, Steam VR, and Pico headsets. You can wishlist the game through those links, which is anticipated to debut in early 2026. TMNT: Empire City was teased since August, and now we finally have some gameplay to grasp what you’ll be doing in the game.

In summary (halfshell?), this experience is an almost flawless adaptation of the beloved 2D gameplay into a 3D environment, granting you complete control over your selected Turtle through the liberties offered by a VR headset. Slashing Footclan members with Leo’s katanas, whacking them on the head with Michaelangelo’s nunchucks, smacking them with Donatello’s staff, or stabbing them with Raphael’s Sai felt as genuine as a comic book come to life could be. It was exhilarating in every sense.

My gameplay session lasted approximately 30 minutes and consisted of the tutorial segment you’ll encounter in the final game. The narrative in this section revolves around all four turtles “gaining entry” into a building, as Leonardo so poetically stated, only to have three of them captured by a nefarious villain working for The Shredder.

The Turtles seemingly believe that the Footclan and Shredder were meant to be defeated, but it turns out some dark sorcery is preventing Shredder and his minions from properly transitioning to the afterlife. That’s where the turtles step in, although the demo wraps up right as the boss’s schemes are foiled.

You control each turtle during the tutorial, picking up movement techniques, understanding how each weapon operates, and learning to decisively defeat every Footclan member in your path. You’ll scale pipes and walls, leap higher than any human could dream of, and unleash kicks and a flurry of weaponry that makes you feel just like the arcade beat-em-up, simply transformed into 3D movement.

The final game supports 4-player cooperative gameplay just like the classics, allowing you to fully roleplay your way through the streets and sewers of NYC. All the signature moves are here, including the flying jump kick that has you leaping into the air and pressing the dash button to unleash a powerful thwack to the villains.

The last 10 minutes of the demo were spent in the Turtle’s lair, which serves as the main hub for this pseudo-open-world game. The lair’s design is unmistakable, carefully crafted and enjoyable to explore. You can check out all four Turtle’s rooms, converse with Master Splinter, strategize the next mission with April O’Neal, and head upstairs to craft unlockables throughout your journey.

While none of the levels were accessible during this demo, venturing out into the sewers takes you to different parts of the city for action-packed mayhem. Based on the earlier parkour video, it appears there’s a considerable amount of space to traverse, with climbable structures and thrilling parkour elements everywhere. I’m incredibly excited to play this game with friends and can’t wait to finally immerse myself in the role of a Ninja Turtle next year!

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Apple’s Sneaky Sasquatch Set for Expansion and Partnerships with Apple Store

**Sneaky Sasquatch: Fresh Updates and Experiences from Apple**

Sneaky Sasquatch has positioned itself as one of the premier titles on Apple Arcade, enchanting players with its distinctive gameplay and delightful visuals. Recently, Apple announced thrilling updates and exclusive experiences related to the game, aimed at enriching the player experience this festive season.

### Upcoming Sneaky Sasquatch Experiences This Month

Apple has introduced new features associated with Sneaky Sasquatch, aligning with the launch of its forthcoming game lineup for Apple Arcade. This title is especially significant as it is entirely owned by Apple, following the acquisition of the studio responsible for it earlier this year. This takeover has facilitated the ongoing development and expansion of the Sneaky Sasquatch brand.

In the past few months, players have encountered a range of updates, including a fresh iMessage sticker pack. The latest additions are set to launch shortly, comprising two primary elements:

1. An updated expansion focusing on farming features.
2. Exclusive experiences in Apple Stores.

The anticipated update, planned for **Tuesday, December 16**, will unveil the “Harvest to Harbor” expansion. This update will enable players to cultivate and gather mushrooms and interact with an engaging new Crop Market, where they can track prices and sell their produce strategically.

### Interactive Installations and Events

Apple is also elevating the Sneaky Sasquatch experience with interactive displays at selected Apple Store locations. For example, The Grove in Los Angeles will host an interactive event on December 12-13, where participants can take photos with Sasquatch, hunt for hidden treasures to win prizes, and indulge in campfire snacks.

Moreover, select Apple Stores globally will launch a new “Today at Apple” session named **Kids: Draw with Sneaky Sasquatch**. These sessions will feature themed dance parties, further captivating fans of the game.

### Download and Subscription Details

Players can access Sneaky Sasquatch through the App Store. Apple Arcade is offered as a standalone service for **$6.99/month** or included in the Apple One bundle, granting access to over 200 games without advertisements or in-app purchases.

With these latest updates and experiences, Sneaky Sasquatch continues to flourish as a cherished title on Apple Arcade, promising to keep players engaged throughout the holiday season and thereafter.

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How to Configure Apple Maps in iOS 26 to Bypass Traffic

# Apple Maps in iOS 26: Understanding Your Patterns and Delivering Proactive Delay Notifications

iOS 26 rolled out numerous key enhancements to Apple Maps, improving the user experience with functionalities centered around daily travel behaviors. A highlight of these updates is its capacity to recognize your common routes and generate proactive alerts regarding possible traffic delays.

## Apple Maps Can Recognize Your Patterns

At the launch event for iOS 26, Apple unveiled a new feature for Apple Maps focused on comprehending users’ everyday travel routines. As stated on Apple’s official site, this capability permits Maps to grasp the paths you often use and alert you to major delays prior to starting your trip. The system adjusts to shifts in your routine, making sure you remain updated on your commute.

With this capability, users receive notifications about delays affecting their regular routes, which is especially useful for steering clear of unanticipated traffic complications. Moreover, relevant route information is provided through the Maps ‘Suggestions’ widget.

## How to Activate Maps’ New Capability in iOS 26

To utilize this new capability, users must opt-in via a permission prompt due to the delicate nature of location information. The prompt underscores Apple’s commitment to privacy, indicating that preferred routes and anticipated destinations are stored privately on the device and not associated with the user’s Apple Account.

To activate this feature, users should select the ‘Continue’ and ‘Allow’ options when prompted. If the prompt is overlooked, the feature can be enabled by going to the Settings app, then to Apps, choosing Maps, and adjusting the toggle for ‘Preferred Routes & Predicted Destinations.’

## Conclusion

The new preferred routes functionality in Apple Maps aims to improve the commuting experience by delivering timely notifications about possible delays. Users are encouraged to opt-in to take advantage of this feature, which emphasizes privacy while providing practical support for daily travel.

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The $799 iPhone 17 is Prepared to Compete Against Android Rivals in 2024

the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Almost two months later, two models of the iPhone 17 remain unavailable for purchase online, with the $799 iPhone 17 experiencing longer delivery times compared to the Pro Max, an unforeseen situation for the standard model. Given this context, a recent report from Counterpoint Research revealing that an iPhone was the most sold smartphone in Q3 2025, or the September quarter when Apple introduced the iPhone 17 series, is not shocking. However, it is not an iPhone 17 variant that is leading the pack. 

Rather, the regular iPhone 16 that debuted a year earlier claimed the top position. Counterpoint Research’s data indicates that both Apple and Samsung each had five devices in the top 10 best-selling smartphones of Q3 2025, but it is far from a draw. None of Samsung’s flagship phones from 2024 or 2025 made it to the top 10: Only the mid-range Galaxy A-series models are represented on the list. Samsung’s highest-ranked device is the Galaxy A16 5G, which is in fifth place. The top four spots were taken by four iPhone 16 models: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, and the iPhone 16e. The iPhone 17 Pro Max, which was available for purchase for just a couple of weeks during the quarter, secured the 10th position.

The list of the top 10 best-selling smartphones for Q3 2025 closely resembles last year’s rankings for the same timeframe. During that period, the basic iPhone 15 was the top-selling iPhone, followed by the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the standard Pro. Samsung had five devices on the list, including the base Galaxy S24 model, which ranked 10th.

iPhone 17 is a substantial enhancement

<div class="slide-key image-holder gallery-image-holder credit-image-wrap" data-post-url="https://www.bgr.com/2047318/iphone-17-android-smartphone-sales-competition-2026/" data-post-title="$799 iPhone 17 Will Be A Nightmare For Android Next Year

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Get Rid of Neck Discomfort with a DIY Monitor Stand from Dollar Tree

Bertina Inspires created a complete monitor/TV stand for just $6.25, utilizing a hanging shelf, a set of tumbling blocks, and two small wooden crates, all sourced from Dollar Tree.

We evaluated all the materials ourselves on Dollar Tree’s website, and it seems Bertina’s $6.25 assertion holds true, although it doesn’t include shipping or taxes. It also appears the creator overlooked the expense of wood glue, which added approximately another $4 to our overall cost. If you plan to paint your riser, you will need to incorporate that expense into your project budget as well.

How to create your own DIY monitor stand

If you’re in search of affordable gifts for remote workers you know, this homemade riser is a straightforward and economical project. Are you prepared to craft a monitor or laptop booster seat uniquely yours? Here are the materials and tools you’ll require: 

Additionally, here’s a comprehensive guide for assembling the DIY monitor stand:

  1. Determine the distance between both monitor feet to establish how wide the stand needs to be.
  2. Position the shelf on a flat surface, then begin arranging tumbling blocks horizontally around the edge of the shelf until you’ve built sufficient width and depth to support your monitor’s feet.
  3. Apply the wood glue to secure the tumbler blocks to
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