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Signs That It’s Time to Replace Your Aging Roku Stick

 various streaming devices from different manufacturers available. Nonetheless, more compact options like the Roku Streaming Stick have emerged due to their small size — allowing them to be easily concealed behind your television. However, while these petite streaming boxes help minimize cable mess, they don’t always have the longevity you might desire. So, how can you discern when it’s time to swap out your aging Roku Streaming Stick?

Ultimately, there are several elements you’ll want to consider before purchasing a new one. Foremost among these is not just the age of your Roku Stick, but also its performance level. Have you been experiencing issues for an extended period, or did they just commence? Which particular apps are facing difficulties? Before rushing out to acquire the latest Roku model, it’s wise to pause and identify the problem and whether it can be resolved with a bit of effort.

It starts freezing and performing slowly

Samsung Bixby’s Major One UI 8.5 Upgrade Might Mirror Google

The Bixby leaks continue to emerge, and this particular one has a wealth of information.

What you should know:
– Samsung’s Bixby featured prominently in a significant report on Reddit that disclosed potential AI enhancements for One UI 8.5.
– Among the findings, it appears that Samsung is set to introduce a “Bixby Live” functionality, akin to Gemini Live, along with “Circle to Ask.”
– Recent rumors regarding Bixby suggest that the device may acquire a new pop-up bar for swift inquiries, as well as integration with Perplexity.

We’ve encountered these rumors previously, but now a social media report claims to have identified various ways Bixby could evolve. A Reddit user explored Samsung’s One UI 8.5 build and allegedly found clues about what a major Bixby upgrade could entail (via SamMobile). One notable feature mentioned is allegedly named “Bixby Live.” If this rings a bell (Gemini Live), it’s because the functionality operates in a manner quite similar to Google’s iteration, at least based on this initial discovery.

When enabled, it seems Bixby Live will display a multi-hued strip along the edges of your phone’s screen. The center will likely contain a circle, probably just signaling the AI’s presence. At the bottom, the AI will be “listening,” along with options to mute the microphone, share the camera, and upload content.

As pointed out by SamMobile, the drop menu is reportedly indicating “conversational styles” for Bixby. Styles such as general agent, tour guide, storyteller, interview, and others.

AI generation features for Bixby were observed, with one of the Reddit user’s screenshots showcasing a “content above was generated by AI” notice. Two additional purported glimpses reveal Bixby’s chatting interface: one that’s its primary app and the other that exists off the home screen. Concerning the former, it seems users immersing themselves in Bixby’s app can experience a chat thread reminiscent of what one would encounter with Gemini. It even mentions “Circle to Ask,” which sounds remarkably akin to Circle to Search.

The alternative chatting method with Bixby is a straightforward, semi-transparent window that appears for quick inquiries on your device.

Bixby aims to keep pace

These alleged modifications for Bixby were identified in Samsung’s One UI 8.5 test; however, indications first surfaced back in October. A social media update noted that Samsung was trialing a new Bixby pop-up bar when activated on a Galaxy device. The bar would align with your Light or Dark mode selection and present a vibrant blue/purple color scheme along its edges.

It certainly imparts a more Gemini-like essence to the otherwise ordinary and low-profile AI.

On a more significant note, Samsung was recently observed testing its Perplexity AI integration with Bixby. A report indicates that the company was assessing the AI’s replies for queries directed to Bixby, intensifying speculations regarding its possible enhancements for the complete One UI 8.5 rollout. Furthermore, leaks suggest that Bixby could handle basic functions, while Perplexity’s intelligence would be utilized for “complex, web-backed” inquiries.

Crucial Roku Voice Instructions You Should Be Aware Of

Some of the typical Roku voice commands you’ll probably frequently utilize are for locating and playing video and audio material. To search for a TV series or film on Roku, begin with the phrases “find,” “search for,” or “show me.” Then, you can proceed with either the title, actor, or genre. For example, you might say, “Find me thrilling TV shows,” or “Search for movies featuring Morgan Freeman.” You can also employ a shortcut by saying, “Play [show/movie title] in [specific app].” To stream audio content on your Roku, you’ll want to keep in mind the phrases “play,” “listen to,” and “launch.” Like with video content, you can specify the artist, genre, radio station, podcast, or music app after the keyword. Just say, “play The Beatles,” or “listen to country music.” Aside from quickly locating content, Roku enables you to conveniently access your key Roku TV apps. Start the command with, “launch,” “start,” or “open.” If the app is not available, say, “Install [app].”

You can also manage playback and volume. Both are quite straightforward. There are commands such as pause, play, stop, and fast forward for shows and movies, and shuffle, next, loop, and skip for songs and podcasts. For controlling the volume, there are several ways to phrase it. You can say “Volume up/down,” “Turn it up/down,” or “Mute/unmute.” Specific volume percentages like 15% or 40% are also effective. Say, “Set the volume to 80%,” or “Adjust volume up/down to 55.” Using the shortcut “Volume” followed by the number, like “Volume 18,” will yield the same result. If you wish to better comprehend the dialogue, Roku provides a simple voice command to display/hide captions. Just instruct your Roku remote, “Turn on captions,” or “Hide captions.”

Highlights from CES 2026 for iPhone and Mac Users

**Groundbreaking Gadgets Revealed at CES 2026**

Every January, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is hosted in Las Vegas, presenting the newest advancements in technology. Although Apple does not take part in this exhibition, it presents a vital opportunity to discover products that enhance Apple’s ecosystem. This article showcases some of the remarkable products featured at CES 2026 that aim to improve user experience.

### Clicks Power Keyboard

Among the most anticipated products before CES was the Clicks Power Keyboard. This cutting-edge Bluetooth keyboard incorporates MagSafe compatibility and comes with a built-in battery bank for charging your iPhone. In contrast to the earlier Clicks phone case, which was restricted to certain phone models, the Power Keyboard is crafted for compatibility with various iPhone and Android devices, enabling Qi2/MagSafe charging.

The keyboard provides improved functionality via Bluetooth connectivity, making it a valuable accessory for devices like the Apple Vision Pro. Its ergonomic design ensures a comfortable typing experience, especially with smaller iPhone models. The Clicks Power Keyboard is available for pre-order at $79.99, with shipping anticipated in the spring.

### Keychron Q Ultra Keyboards

Keychron, famous for its mechanical keyboards designed for Mac users, launched the Q Ultra series at CES. These keyboards feature an exceptional 8K polling rate in wireless mode and offer up to 660 hours of battery life. The new Silk POM switches improve the typing experience, while the aluminum casing adds sturdiness. The Q Ultra lineup consists of three configurations: Q1 Ultra (75%), Q3 Ultra (TKL), and Q6 Ultra (100%), starting at $229.

### HyperDrive Next

HyperDrive Next is an advanced solution for connecting high-performance NVMe SSDs. It supports Thunderbolt 4 and USB4, providing transfer speeds of up to 64Gbps for large files. This modular enclosure works with various M.2 modules, including AI accelerators and network cards, making it a fantastic option for users in search of speedy storage solutions. The HyperDrive Next retails for $199.99 and is available for purchase now.

### New Anker Nano 45W

Anker launched a new 45W charging brick equipped with a smart display at CES 2026. This charger enables users to track the connected device, charging speed, and even manually modify the charge speed. The prongs can rotate 180 degrees for convenient wall socket access. Offered in four colors (with the orange variant debuting later), the charger is priced at $39.99, currently featuring a $10 pre-order discount.

### Belkin Custom Screen Protectors

Belkin introduced a distinctive range of customizable screen protectors in partnership with ScreenSkinz. These protectors let users engrave artwork that remains visible only when the screen is off. This innovative aspect merges personalization with practicality, though the product is not available for purchase yet. Customization options will be available on Belkin’s website in the forthcoming weeks.

### Conclusion

The innovations revealed at CES 2026 emphasize a rising trend of enhancing user experience through thoughtful design and functionality. While the event showcased a broad range of products, the emphasis on accessories that complement existing technology, especially for Apple users, was invigorating. As these products launch, additional hands-on impressions and reviews will offer deeper insights into their performance and ease of use.

In addition to these accessories, Nvidia’s introduction of a self-driving software stack at CES signifies an exciting advancement in autonomous vehicle technology, indicating increased competition in the sector.

Stay tuned for more updates and detailed reviews as these products become available.

Informative Title: Samsung Introduces Wrinkle-Free Screen, Motorola’s Daring CES Developments, Recent Galaxy S26 Rumors, and Additional Tech Updates

A summary of the most significant technology news highlights from this week.

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Top 5 Must-Have Free Browser Add-ons to Install Initially

Opera’s dual-screen feature and battery display, along with Google Chrome’s seamless integration within Google’s ecosystem.

However, despite these integrated functionalities, your browser requires convenient extensions to enhance its performance. These extensions are lightweight applications that you incorporate into your web browser to introduce new functionalities and refine existing navigation tools. With hundreds of thousands of extensions available in add-on repositories, selecting just a few can be quite challenging. To help you get started with the basics, we’ve compiled a list of five free and essential browser extensions that are compatible across various platforms for some of the most popular web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. These extensions were chosen for their practical utility and relevance to everyday users.

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User-Suggested Best 4 Trustworthy Wi-Fi Mesh Networks

optimize your router’s positioning, but your connection will still be constrained by the maximum coverage range of the router. Alternatively, you can purchase an extender. A viable solution that incorporates both methods is to invest in a Wi-Fi mesh system. It is adaptable, more dependable, and capable of supporting numerous devices.

If you have previously explored online options for Wi-Fi mesh systems, you have likely observed how expensive they can be in comparison to standard routers. Even some budget-friendly kits exceed $100, and the downside is that some necessitate specific monthly services or restrict certain features to a subscription model.

Investing in a Wi-Fi mesh system can be a significant expense, so we will steer you toward the most reliable options available in a crowded market. These products have received high ratings, and users regard them as some of the best. For clarity, we provide a comprehensive methodology at the conclusion of the article detailing our selection process.

Amazon eero 6

We’ve positioned the eero 6 as one of the top Wi-Fi mesh systems available for several reasons. First, a three-pack that includes one router and two extenders can cover an area of up to 4,500 square feet and connect 75 devices, which should be sufficient to remove dead zones in small to medium-sized homes. Setting it up is straightforward using the eero app, which also gives you the freedom to manage your network remotely. If you own Zigbee-compatible smart home devices, this mesh can serve as your hub.

This dual-band Wi-Fi 6 system supports both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, so don’t anticipate groundbreaking speeds. According to the specifications,

How to Utilize Your Old Phone as a Router

One of the top methods to reutilize your old Android or iOS device is by configuring it to function as a mini router. You can utilize it as a Wi-Fi source in areas of your home with weak signals, as a specific guest network, or as a mobile router while on the go.

The greatest advantage is that there’s no need to download any elaborate third-party applications to turn your old phone into a router. The inbuilt hotspot function is sufficient. Here’s a brief guide on changing your old phone into a router.

Steps to set up your old phone as a router

The Threats and Issues of AI Voice Duplication Applications

new methods for fraudsters to deceive individuals. Scammers might utilize AI chatbots such as TerifAI, which enables voice replication to target oblivious victims. They may impersonate family members during crises, supervisors requesting monetary transactions, or famous personalities endorsing particular investments. The aim is to persuade the victim to act, and AI voice replication applications are readily available and simple to use. They merely require a few seconds of audio to replicate someone’s voice, and some may lack adequate security measures to prevent misuse. You should be concerned about voice replication threats and reconsider any dubious voice calls in the future.

A Consumer Reports examination from March 2025 underscored the dangers linked to voice replication applications. The non-profit reviewed six applications utilizing AI for voice replication features, discovering that four of them do not sufficiently ensure that the individual performing the cloning has the speaker’s consent. The report identifies ElevenLabs, Speechify, PlayAI, and Lovo as the four applications lacking a technical means to verify speaker consent, as of last March. Descript and Resemble AI are the two applications that made misuse more challenging, but Consumer Reports still identified methods to circumvent their protections.

To evaluate these applications, Consumer Reports attempted to create voice replicas from publicly accessible audio, a situation a scammer might leverage. A malicious person might search for voice samples on social media when targeting someone. The audio could be utilized with voice replication services to generate the intended outputs. Some of the companies examined by Consumer Reports claimed to implement protective measures, such as watermarking recordings or employing a database of deepfakes, but those measures might prove inadequate.

How do fraudsters exploit voice replication tools?

<div class="slide-key image-holder gallery-image-holder credit-image-wrap" data-post-url="https://www.bgr.com/2067190/ai-voice-cloning-apps-scams/" data-post-title="AI Voice Cloning Apps Should Terrify You – Here's Why

Assessing Amazon Prime vs. Costco Gold Star Memberships: Which Provides Superior Tech Advantages?

purchasing new electronics, with Costco providing appealing benefits for members such as longer warranties, while Amazon tends to have a superior range of products.

Although holding both memberships would likely grant you the utmost flexibility when seeking new tech, not everyone has the budget for it. Therefore, you may need to evaluate the advantages of Costco and Amazon to determine which offers you the most significant value. Generally speaking, it comes down to whether you prefer the best deals on the broadest selection of products from Amazon or the post-purchase care benefits from Costco that help ensure your new acquisition remains functional for an extended period.

Costco’s benefits like longer warranties are appealing