Author: sparta

    • sparta
    • Comments Off on ESA Obtains First-Ever Photographs of the Sun’s Southern Pole
    ESA Obtains First-Ever Photographs of the Sun’s Southern Pole

    The European Space Agency (ESA) has reached a remarkable milestone by capturing the first-ever images of the Sun’s south pole. These pictures were taken by the Solar Orbiter spacecraft, offering a distinctive perspective of the Sun’s southern atmosphere. From our planet, the Sun looks like a massive disc of light, but thanks to missions such as the Parker Solar Probe and various astronomical studies, we understand it as a complex structure with multiple regions.

    The Sun operates as a dynamic entity, with its magnetic fields twisting and turning as it spins. These fields play a crucial role in determining when solar energy is emitted into the solar system, making it essential to comprehend them for understanding the Sun’s power. The Sun experiences periods of relative calm, with well-defined poles, and phases of turmoil, where energy often erupts from its surface. Previously, pinpointing the Sun’s poles posed a challenge, but the recent observations from the ESA’s Solar Orbiter have altered that.

    Determining the positions of the Sun’s poles enables scientists to monitor magnetic fields during polar reversals, which change energy flows on the Sun’s surface. Researchers aspire to leverage this data to create enhanced computer models for predicting solar outbursts. Since solar storms can affect Earth’s magnetic field, forecasting their occurrence is crucial for safeguarding future space missions. Although there is still much to uncover, these observations lay a strong groundwork for forthcoming research.

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    • Comments Off on Apple Unveils SF Symbols 7 Beta Showcasing New Animations, Variable Drawing, Gradients, and Other Improvements
    Apple Unveils SF Symbols 7 Beta Showcasing New Animations, Variable Drawing, Gradients, and Other Improvements

    # SF Symbols 7: An In-Depth Look at Apple’s Latest Icon Toolkit

    Apple has just introduced the beta version of SF Symbols 7, a major upgrade to its system icon toolkit, which aligns with the launch of new design materials and resources for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe 26. This update brings hundreds of new icons, improved animation tools, and enhanced transitions, representing a crucial development in the design environment for Apple platforms.

    ## Key Highlights of SF Symbols 7

    ### Draw On and Draw Off

    SF Symbols 7 features two new animation presets that enable symbols to animate into and out of visibility. These animations utilize the layered composition of symbols, allowing developers to orchestrate movement across various icon components. There are three available playback styles: animating the full symbol at once, offsetting layers for a more dynamic appearance, or displaying layers in sequence.

    ### Draw Animations

    To support the new animations, Apple has introduced a tool that allows developers to position guide points and manage stroke order and direction. Options such as bidirectional movement, adaptive end caps, and draw attachments offer additional control over the animation process, suitable for all weights and sizes from Ultralight to Black.

    ### Variable Draw

    Expanding on the idea of Variable Color, Variable Draw provides more dynamic visual feedback, perfect for illustrating strength or progress. When symbols are annotated correctly, layers can animate smoothly in a data-driven fashion, giving designers better control over visual communication.

    ### Improved Magic Replace

    The Magic Replace tool, which assists with transitions between related symbols, has been upgraded. This improvement enables smoother transitions when two icons share an enclosure shape, resulting in more cohesive and visually appealing symbol transitions, especially in interfaces where rapid visual feedback is crucial.

    ### Gradient Rendering

    SF Symbols 7 now offers automatic linear gradient generation from a single source color, whether it is system-defined or custom. These gradients function across all rendering modes, introducing a subtle lighting effect that adds depth and refinement while ensuring legibility.

    ### Localized and Platform-Ready

    The update encompasses hundreds of new symbols and improvements to existing ones, conforming to Apple’s new universal design language. It now caters to a wider variety of localized variants across numerous scripts, including Latin, Greek, Cyrillic, Hebrew, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Devanagari, and additional Indic systems. These enhancements are accessible across iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26.

    ## Conclusion

    SF Symbols 7 is a comprehensive library of over 6,900 symbols crafted to integrate perfectly with Apple’s San Francisco font, making it an essential asset for designers and developers aiming to produce consistent, native-looking applications on Apple platforms. The beta version requires macOS Ventura or later, and developers are encouraged to delve into the new features through the WWDC25 session titled “What’s new in SF Symbols 7.”

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    • Comments Off on iOS 26 Improves Wallet by Focusing on Its Most Neglected Feature
    iOS 26 Improves Wallet by Focusing on Its Most Neglected Feature

    ### Wallet’s Order Tracking Receives AI Enhancement in iOS 26

    This year signifies major progress for the Apple Wallet application, especially with the rollout of new features like car keys, boarding passes, and digital IDs. Among these improvements, the order tracking feature, often ignored, is getting a much-deserved upgrade in iOS 26.

    #### The Difficulty of Order Tracking

    The Wallet application has encountered difficulties in maximizing its potential due to dependence on external partners. Features such as digital IDs have experienced slow uptake as states gradually adopt them, and car keys have been impeded by automakers’ reluctance to relinquish control to Apple.

    Order tracking made its debut in iOS 16 with the intention of centralizing online purchase information from multiple retailers into a single accessible spot within the Wallet application. Nonetheless, the feature has struggled because of limited merchant support, leaving numerous users without a practical order tracking experience.

    #### The Imminent Upgrade

    With the launch of iOS 26, Apple intends to address these concerns by improving the order tracking functionality. According to Apple’s press announcement, the Wallet application will now employ AI to recognize and summarize order tracking information from confirmation emails sent by merchants or delivery services. This will enable users to view detailed order information and progress updates in one handy place.

    This method taps into the ubiquitous nature of confirmation emails linked to online purchases, a tactic that seems apparent in hindsight but wasn’t feasible until now due to technological constraints.

    #### AI Integration and Device Prerequisites

    The revamped order tracking feature will leverage Apple Intelligence to extract vital details from emails, meaning that users will require an iPhone 15 Pro or newer to access this enhanced experience. If successful, this improvement could turn the Wallet application into a centralized hub for managing online purchases, simplifying order tracking for users.

    #### Conclusion

    The order tracking enhancement in iOS 26 marks a notable advancement for the Apple Wallet application, addressing a longstanding void in its functionality. As users look forward to this enhancement, it remains to be seen how well it will integrate with current merchant systems and enhance the overall user experience.

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    • Comments Off on Samsung Introduces Upgraded ‘Ultra’ AI Camera for Galaxy Z Fold 7
    Samsung Introduces Upgraded ‘Ultra’ AI Camera for Galaxy Z Fold 7

    The system is capable of identifying what you are capturing, implementing optimizations tailored to your subject matter.

    (Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

    Essential information

    • Samsung is set to enhance the camera of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 Ultra with a new AI technology.
    • The upcoming software will “comprehend what you are observing” and “react,” according to recent announcements.
    • Once more, Samsung hints that the Galaxy Z Fold upgrade will feature an “Ultra” camera.

    Samsung persistently hints at the arrival of its upcoming foldable device, the Galaxy Z Fold 7, and today it disclosed some details regarding the anticipated camera enhancements. The company emphasized the importance of integrating hardware, software, and AI to deliver exceptional mobile photography experiences in 2025, as stated in a blog post. Specifically, Samsung offered a preview of an intelligent

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    • Comments Off on Initial Glimpse at the Comeback of Apple TV+’s Premier Sci-Fi Show
    Initial Glimpse at the Comeback of Apple TV+’s Premier Sci-Fi Show

    Fans of Foundation, the wait is nearly at an end: Apple TV+ has officially unveiled the first trailer for the eagerly awaited Season 3, providing a spectacular glimpse of what lies ahead. Staying true to its roots, it hints at breathtaking visuals and intergalactic suspense that elevate the series’ ambition to new heights, with fans able to re-enter this universe on July 11, when the first of 10 episodes premieres. The remaining episodes will air weekly through September 12.

    Season 3 resumes 152 years after last season’s events, with the Foundation having expanded far beyond its original principles while the once-formidable Cleonic Empire hangs by a thread. At the same time, a warlord known as The Mule poses a threat to the galaxy through sheer might and psychic control. Based on Isaac Asimov’s series of Foundation novels, the Apple adaptation has garnered acclaim for its narrative and grand scale, along with remarkable performances from Jared Harris, Lee Pace, and Lou Llobell. Moreover, anyone who has tuned in cannot help but be impressed by the cinematic quality of the visuals — from massive starships to panoramic views of alien landscapes, as well as the detailed set designs that give Foundation a blockbuster film feel rather than just a television show.

    One viewer on the newly released Season 3 trailer captured the sentiment perfectly: “Is it just me or did they really invest heavily in the budget for this season? It looks utterly insane.”

    Apple’s successful series, produced by Skydance Television and directed by David S. Goyer, writer of Batman Begins, continues to expand its universe with new characters portrayed by Cherry Jones, Pilou Asbæk, Troy Kotsur, and others. Meanwhile, returning characters like Demerzel (Laura Birn), Brother Dawn (Cassian Bilton), and Brother Dusk (Terrence Mann) come back to a narrative that is growing increasingly perilous and unpredictable.

    With Season 2 maintaining an impeccable 100% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Foundation has established itself as Apple TV+’s flagship series in the sci-fi arena. And based on the new trailer, the finest may still be on the horizon.

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    • Comments Off on How Liquid Glass Technology Will Revolutionize Your Apple Watch in watchOS 26
    How Liquid Glass Technology Will Revolutionize Your Apple Watch in watchOS 26

    **watchOS 26: A Gentle Advancement in Apple’s Smartwatch Experience**

    During the WWDC 2025 keynote, Apple introduced watchOS 26, an upgrade that, while not revolutionary, brings several significant improvements to the Apple Watch experience. Among the newly added features, the Workout Buddy stands out as a preferred addition, providing users with an AI-powered workout companion. Yet, the most impactful change takes the shape of the Liquid Glass design, which, despite its subtlety, introduces a fresh dimension to the smartwatch’s interface.

    **Liquid Glass Design: A Refreshing Look**

    The Liquid Glass design serves as the focal point of watchOS 26, offering a new aesthetic that enhances the visual attractiveness of the Apple Watch. This design can reflect and refract elements on the display, resulting in a sleek and contemporary appearance. Even though the Apple Watch was already leaning towards this design style, the presence of Liquid Glass is much more pronounced in this update.

    **Key Changes in watchOS 26**

    1. **Smart Stack Enhancements**: The Smart Stack feature receives a visual makeover with Liquid Glass, keeping its functionality intact while presenting a more polished look. Users will still benefit from smart predictions, but with a design that appears more refined.

    2. **Refreshed Control Center**: The Control Center enjoys Liquid Glass icons, simplifying the user interface. This redesign offers quick access to vital functions like Do Not Disturb and muting the Apple Watch, making it more user-friendly.

    3. **Updated App Controls**: Apps on watchOS 26 now include new Liquid Glass controls, which enhance content visibility. This update guarantees that users can concentrate on crucial information without unnecessary distractions.

    4. **Watch Face Improvements**: Multiple watch faces have been updated to integrate the Liquid Glass design. Particularly, the Photos watch face now displays images more effectively, improving the overall visual experience.

    **Conclusion**

    While watchOS 26 might not be the most groundbreaking update, it offers subtle yet significant changes that improve the functionality and aesthetics of the Apple Watch. The Liquid Glass design, in particular, establishes a new benchmark for smartwatch interfaces, guaranteeing that users experience a more engaging and visually pleasing interaction. As the update is rolled out this fall, Apple Watch users can anticipate these enhancements, which, though understated, pledge to enhance their daily engagement with the device.

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    • Comments Off on Google’s Adoption of Desktop Mode in Android 16 Demonstrates Encouraging Advancement
    Google’s Adoption of Desktop Mode in Android 16 Demonstrates Encouraging Advancement

    Things are looking promising thus far.

    Thanks to Android 16, the day I’ve been eagerly anticipating has finally come. After years of wishing Google would emulate Samsung’s model, it has indeed done so, bringing a true desktop mode to Pixel phones.

    After spending a bit of time with it, I have a few reflections, but before I proceed, I must remind everyone that this is part of Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2. Just keep that in mind if you decide to explore this yourself, as you’re likely to encounter a few bugs during the journey.

    Getting started

    If you install QPR1 Beta 2 and simply connect your Pixel to an external display, you may either see nothing or just your phone screen mirrored. That’s because Google isn’t quite ready to make desktop mode available to everyone right off the bat. Remember, this is a Developer Preview, not the public build.

    Fortunately, enabling desktop mode is quite straightforward; you just need to activate Developer Options, toggle the “Enable desktop experience features,” and then reboot your phone. Now, when you connect your Pixel to an external display, it should present a desktop-like interface.

    A solid beginning with potential for enhancement

    For the most part, it looks exactly as I anticipated, which is notably similar to Samsung DeX. This isn’t surprising, given that Google sought Samsung’s assistance in the design and implementation.

    The Dock aligns with whatever you previously added on your phone, apart from a few exceptions. On the far left is an app drawer; any apps you have open will appear to the right of the Dock, and on the far right are your standard navigation controls. However, you can still utilize some gestures if you have a trackpad connected to your phone or something like the NexDock.

    I was somewhat anxious about how seamlessly I could move different app windows around. Thankfully, it’s been as smooth as I could have hoped, which was truly a relief, as I had some concerns about potential lag.

    It’s not flawless, but Google has gotten many aspects right with desktop mode to the extent that I’m already comfortable using it routinely.

    There are several additional features included in desktop mode that I wasn’t expecting, such as the ability to snap app windows to the left or right side simply by dragging the window to either side. There’s even a preview menu that appears when I hover my cursor over the “window control” button in the top right corner. You’re limited to just two choices (full-screen or split-screen), but it’s still useful to have.

    At the same time, there’s definitely room for enhancement. Some of the more annoying issues are likely just minor nitpicks and can/will be resolved with future updates.

    One of the more bothersome aspects is the toolbar that pops up whenever your cursor is in a text field, positioned above the Dock, which you can’t remove. There’s no option to hide it, and it overlays any other window, which drives me crazy.

    The only way I’ve found to lessen the annoyance is by converting it into a vertical bar, moving it to the left side of the screen. On the positive side, you can reposition it left or right, or up or down, depending on the orientation.

    Another point of irritation is how everything is managed when I detach and reattach my phone. For example, as I type this, I have multiple different app windows open on the NexDock.

    However, when I disconnect my phone, attend to something else, and then reconnect, all the app windows disappear. There’s no “memory” of what I was doing, what windows were open, or how they were arranged.

    I’m uncertain if this is something Google will genuinely implement, but perhaps we could see something like the “Welcome Recap” available on Chromebooks. This feature gives an overview of the apps that were open the last time the device was put to sleep. While I believe we are still a bit away from new features being added, I would at least like for my apps to reopen when I connect to an external display.

    Finally, and again, this is more a matter of nuance than anything else, but I believe it would be quite cool if I could have a dual-screen setup with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and an external screen. In essence, I wish I could establish an “extended screen” scenario similar to Motorola’s Smart Connect, even if I wouldn’t be able to drag apps back and forth between the two.

    I’m genuinely enthusiastic about desktop mode.

    The recurring sentiment I’ve had during my brief experience with desktop mode on Android 16 is that it resembles a Chromebook significantly. I’m not quite sure if there was any way for Google to avoid

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    • Comments Off on Tim Cook Talks About the Goal of Apple TV+
    Tim Cook Talks About the Goal of Apple TV+

    **The Development and Strategy of Apple TV+: Perspectives from Tim Cook and Eddy Cue**

    Since its debut in 2019, Apple TV+ has ignited interest and discussion among industry analysts and rivals concerning its aims and approach. Recently, Apple CEO Tim Cook and other executives offered important perspectives on the creation and development of the streaming service, especially as it gets ready to unveil its most ambitious film yet, *F1: The Movie*.

    ### The Creation of Apple TV+

    In a recent conversation with *Variety*, Tim Cook underscored that Apple’s venture into the streaming sector was not a hasty choice. “We studied it for years before we decided to do

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    • Comments Off on Analysis of Android 16: Investigating Resemblances and Distinctions
    Analysis of Android 16: Investigating Resemblances and Distinctions

    **Android Central Verdict: Review of Android 16**

    **Rating: 4 out of 5 stars**

    Google isn’t making drastic changes with Android 16, and many of the notable features won’t launch until later this year. Instead, the newest Android version emphasizes simplifying phone usage; the predictive back gesture now functions consistently, text scaling on foldables has seen considerable improvements, Google is tackling notification overload, and a new battery health mode has been introduced. While it might not be thrilling, Android 16 compensates with enhancements in stability and usability.

    **Pros:**
    – Revamped security capabilities
    – Effective battery management
    – Minor usability improvements
    – Better scaling on foldable devices

    **Cons:**
    – A majority of new features will arrive with the QPR1 build
    – Exclusively available on Pixels until Q3
    – Battery health feature not accessible on older devices

    **Why you can trust Android Central**

    Our knowledgeable reviewers dedicate hours to testing and evaluating products and services, ensuring you select the best option for your needs.

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    • Comments Off on Best Buy Unveils Significant Android Promotion for Father’s Day: 8 Must-See Deals to Evaluate
    Best Buy Unveils Significant Android Promotion for Father’s Day: 8 Must-See Deals to Evaluate

    The major event is on Sunday, so hurry up!

    If you’re in the market for a discounted smartphone, wearable device, or Android tablet, Best Buy’s Father’s Day sale offers a wealth of fantastic tech bargains to delve into. In my capacity as Android Central’s eCommerce Editor, I’ve leveraged my extensive experience in deal hunting to compile eight of my top last-minute finds into a single guide.

    These include deals such as <a data-analytics-id="inline-link" href="https://bestbuy.7tiv.net/c/1943169/614286/10014?subId1=ac-us-1664895055681129841&sharedId=ac-us&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Fgoogle-pixel-9-128gb-unlocked-obsidian%2F6587819.p" data-url="https://www.bestbuy.com/site/google-pixel-9-128gb-unlocked-obsidian/6587819.p" target="_blank" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" rel="sponsored noopener" data-hl-processed="hawklinks" data-placeholder-url="https://bestbuy.7tiv.net/c/1943169/614286/10014?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk-prefix&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Fgoogle-pixel-9-128gb-unlocked-obsidian%2F6587819.p" data-google-interstitial="false" data-merchant-name="Best Buy"

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