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US Government Lifts Restrictions on Chinese Routers and Drones with Conditions

banned consumer-grade routers manufactured in overseas nations by various brands. Some companies were not impacted. For instance, Netgear obtained an exemption from the FCC, and although newly imported routers are not included, TP-Link routers remain deemed safe for use — and will continue to receive software updates for a period. Sadly, most foreign routers were assigned an expiration date.

What complicates the situation is that previously sanctioned versions of products can still be imported and sold, including drones made abroad. The FCC has just revealed it’s retracting some of its suggested guidelines, extending the timeframe that permits products sold in the U.S. to obtain essential updates. The waivers will now end at the close of 2028, and are applicable until January 1, 2029. This pertains to both foreign-made consumer routers and Chinese drones.

The drawback, of course, is that you still cannot purchase newly imported devices that were prohibited as part of the initial alteration. You will only be able to update and keep using devices that might have been previously disabled due to their initially intended expiration on March 1, 2027.

What does this actually imply for the affected devices?

How the PlayStation Lawsuit Resolution Might Reimburse Your Digital Wallet

PSN Digital Games Settlement site and reach out to the administrators to ask for a paper check instead.

The cutoff date to do this is August 27, 2026. If you wish to opt out, enabling you to possibly pursue your own lawsuit, you need to send in a manual exclusion request by July 2, 2026. As for the amount you will receive, no specific figure has been provided yet. Approximately 25% of the $7.85 million settlement pool will be allocated for attorneys’ fees, with the remainder going to class members. An additional £2 billion lawsuit has been initiated against PlayStation in the U.K. and is currently in progress.

Which games are eligible for the settlement?

Safety Precautions for Charging Your Phone During a Thunderstorm

Is It Safe To Charge Your Phone During A Thunderstorm?

If you find yourself caught in a storm, it might be tempting to charge your phone to ensure it’s fully powered in case of a blackout, but that’s not advisable. Especially if you notice flashes and hear crackling sounds, it indicates there’s a thunderstorm occurring. If your phone’s battery is running low during that thunderstorm, you should definitely avoid plugging it into a wall outlet for charging, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is crucial — do not attempt it.

Charging your phone amidst a thunderstorm poses a risk not only to your phone but primarily to your safety. The act itself won’t draw in lightning. In a discussion with AccuWeather, lightning safety expert John Jensenius pointed out that nothing truly attracts lightning. Being struck by lightning is a matter of chance. It makes no difference whether you are charging your phone at a power outlet or not. However, he did mention that “lightning can follow wires, fences, and similar objects.”

This indicates that if lightning were to strike the closest electric pole, it could send tens of thousands of volts surging through your home. Your phone cannot survive that amount of voltage and will likely be damaged in the process. Additionally, if it bursts, it can cause injury, and you could face electrocution. You can use a portable charger or a laptop to charge your phone during a thunderstorm, provided you do not connect any of those to a wall outlet.

Getting your phone ready for a thunderstorm is essential

Once you become aware that a thunderstorm is approaching, it’s wise to charge your devices ahead of time — stay alert for alerts from the National Weather Service (NWS) to determine timing. Charge your smartphones and tablets sufficiently before the storm is anticipated to hit, and make sure they are being charged correctly. You should also charge your portable chargers, laptops, lamps, and any other devices that may be necessary. Keep in mind, none of your cordless devices will attract lightning, making them safe to use during a thunderstorm. There’s a possibility that the strong winds of a thunderstorm might lead to a power outage, so refrain from engaging in habits that will rapidly deplete your phone’s battery. You might require it in an emergency.

When the storm arrives, it’s time to take action. Ensure that all your electronics and appliances are unplugged, from the television to your gaming console to your refrigerator and washing machine. Do this even if you have a whole-house surge protector in place. Although they do a decent job of absorbing excessive electricity spikes from the power grid and grounding them, the volts from a direct lightning strike can still surpass their capabilities. It can be akin to pouring a swimming pool’s contents into a cup. A significant amount can still overflow and damage any devices that remain plugged in, so don’t completely depend on surge protectors, regardless of their cost.

Enhanced Muse Spark Features Introduced in Meta AI App: A Comprehensive Summary

**Meta Revives AI Initiatives with Muse Spark: Features and Improvements**

In the previous month, Meta achieved notable progress in its artificial intelligence endeavors by reintroducing its AI framework under the new title Muse Spark, effectively succeeding its earlier Llama models. Currently, Muse Spark lies at the heart of new features within the Meta AI app, which has rapidly gained momentum in the fiercely competitive realm of AI applications.

Meta first unveiled Muse Spark on April 8, demonstrating the skills of its revitalized AI team. From its inception, the Meta AI app has consistently maintained a place among the top applications in the iPhone App Store, directly competing with established AI platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.

### New Features in the Meta AI App

Meta has recently revealed a range of exciting features that improve user experience in the Meta AI app:

1. **Voice Interaction Abilities**: One of the key features powered by Muse Spark is the capacity to engage in natural voice dialogues with the AI assistant. Users can interrupt, shift topics, or even switch languages effortlessly. As users converse, the AI can create images and offer suggestions from various sources, including Reels and maps.

2. **Live AI Functionality**: The app is also poised to roll out a feature that was previously exclusive to Meta AI glasses: live AI. This enables users to direct their camera at real-world items and inquire about what they observe in real time. Whether recognizing a landmark or seeking help with household goods, this feature aims to deliver immediate, contextually relevant information.

3. **AI Chatbot Integration in Threads**: Muse Spark will also boost the Threads platform by bringing in an AI chatbot, similar to Grok on X. This integration is intended to foster more interactive and intelligent discussions within the app.

4. **Broad Integration Across Meta Platforms**: Beyond the app and glasses, Muse Spark is being woven into various Meta platforms, such as WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Messenger, and Threads. This integration will improve functionality in search bars, group chats, and posts.

5. **New Interaction Experiences**: Meta is experimenting with innovative experiences like side chats, allowing users to tap the Meta AI icon in group chats for swift, private responses based on current conversations. Additionally, users can mention the AI in Threads posts and replies using @meta.ai.

### Popularity and Download Statistics

The Meta AI app has achieved significant popularity, currently ranking as the fourth most downloaded free app on the U.S. iPhone App Store charts. This quick rise highlights the increasing interest in AI-driven applications and the efficacy of Muse Spark in providing engaging and valuable experiences.

In summary, Meta’s revival of its AI initiatives with Muse Spark signifies a notable advancement in its strategy towards artificial intelligence, offering users a collection of innovative features that improve interaction and usability across its platforms. As competition in the AI sector ramps up, Meta’s progress positions it as a formidable contender in the industry.

iRacing Debuts on Vision Pro, Offering Unmatched Immersion and Fidelity in Simulation Racing

**iRacing on Apple Vision Pro: A New Chapter in Sim Racing**

iRacing has officially unveiled its application for Apple Vision Pro, delivering an unprecedented level of immersion and fidelity in the sim racing domain. This rollout, which became accessible on the App Store this week, follows a March announcement by iRacing president Tony Gardner.

The incorporation of iRacing with Apple Vision Pro is part of the visionOS 26.4 software update, which brings several improvements, including a novel feature termed “foveated streaming.” This technology, driven by Nvidia’s CloudXR, enhances the rendering process by concentrating on the driver’s direct line of sight, guaranteeing that the most essential visual elements are shown with optimal clarity.

The iRacing team provided further insights on compatibility with Apple Vision Pro in a blog post earlier this year. By leveraging Apple’s ARKit technology, the racing simulator integrates virtual components with real-world elements, such as the user’s hands and tangible racing hardware. This integration facilitates a smooth experience where the actual steering wheel perfectly aligns with its virtual equivalent, amplifying the realism of the racing experience.

The immersive features of iRacing for Apple Vision Pro are additionally emphasized by its implementation of foveated streaming, which ensures that the clearest graphics are rendered in the direction the driver is looking. This distinct approach allows users to see their physical hands on the steering wheel, fostering a connection that enhances the overall experience. The technical foundation of this experience depends on deep integration with CloudXR, where physics computations and high-fidelity graphics are processed on a PC outfitted with Nvidia’s RTX GPU. The resultant frames are then wirelessly sent to the Apple Vision Pro via Wi-Fi.

Alongside iRacing, Apple Vision Pro users can also explore X-Plane, marking the initial availability of this advanced flight simulator on the platform. Nvidia has outlined various applications of visionOS 26.4 and Apple Vision Pro that extend beyond gaming, influencing areas such as manufacturing, design, and healthcare.

The iRacing Connect app is now ready for download on the App Store, allowing users to connect with the premier motorsport simulation. This app necessitates visionOS 26.4 or newer to operate.

In summary, the introduction of iRacing on Apple Vision Pro represents a remarkable leap in the sim racing experience, merging cutting-edge technology with immersive gameplay to redefine how racing aficionados engage with their beloved pastime.

Xcode 26.5 Brings Two Additional Features Improving Agentic Coding Capabilities

Apple has recently unveiled Xcode 26.5, which brings a range of bug fixes and enhancements designed to elevate the coding experience for developers. Among these updates are two key features that promote agentic coding workflows, utilizing artificial intelligence to assist with coding tasks.

### Xcode 26.5 Introduces Two Beneficial Coding Intelligence Features

The newest iteration of Xcode expands on the agentic coding functionalities first introduced in Xcode 26.3. This capability enables developers to incorporate AI tools, such as OpenAI’s Codex and Anthropic’s Claude Agent, directly into Xcode. These tools support various tasks, including creating boilerplate code and updating projects based on current documentation and file architectures.

The shift toward AI-driven coding is gaining traction, with companies like Airbnb indicating that 60% of their new code is now produced by AI. In a similar vein, Google has reported that 75% of its code is AI-generated, a notable rise from 50% just months ago.

In Xcode 26.5, two new features have been added to enhance the efficiency of agentic coding:

1. **Queued Messages in the Coding Assistant**: Developers can now submit multiple messages to the coding assistant without needing to await a reply for the previous message. This facilitates a more seamless interaction and aids in optimizing the coding workflow.

2. **Clarifying Questions from Agents**: AI agents are now capable of posing clarifying questions before continuing with tasks. This feature aims to improve the precision of the AI-generated results, ensuring that the output aligns more closely with the developer’s expectations.

These enhancements are especially advantageous for steering the AI in a more accurate direction from the beginning, minimizing the chances of discrepancies between the developer’s expectations and the AI’s output.

Alongside these coding intelligence features, Xcode 26.5 also offers new StoreKit Testing support, enabling developers to simulate Apple’s new monthly subscription model with a 12-month commitment.

For a detailed overview of all the new features in Xcode 26.5, you can check the official [Xcode 26.5 release notes](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/xcode-release-notes/xcode-26_5-release-notes).

iOS 27 Functionality Completely Adaptable Enhanced Camera Application, As Reported

# iOS 27: Significant Alterations Arriving for Apple’s Camera Application

iOS 27 is poised to bring substantial revisions to Apple’s Camera application, making it more adaptable than ever. Recent information suggests that users will be able to customize the app according to their tastes, improving the overall photography experience on iPhones.

## Main Features of the Updated Camera Application

A report from Bloomberg reveals that the revamped Camera application will showcase a completely customizable interface, permitting users to choose which features they wish to showcase and their placement. This encompasses vital controls such as flash, exposure, timer, and resolution configurations.

### Adjustable Controls

Each mode within the Camera application will present its distinct array of adjustable controls. Users can access these settings via a transparent “Add Widgets” tray that rises from the bottom of the application. For example, in Photo mode, advanced settings will consist of controls for depth-of-field and exposure, along with the capability to include Photographic Styles, timers, and more.

### Siri Mode and Visual Intelligence

Beyond customization, iOS 27 will unveil a new ‘Siri’ mode that presents upgraded visual intelligence features. This mode is anticipated to offer users smarter photography choices, simplifying the process of capturing the ideal shot.

## Expanded User Interface Modifications

These enhancements to the Camera application are part of a broader set of design transformations accompanying iOS 27. The overall user interface is expected to become more instinctive and user-friendly, reflecting Apple’s dedication to refining the user experience across its devices.

## Summary

The expected alterations to the Camera application in iOS 27 illustrate Apple’s continuous endeavors to improve its software offerings. With an emphasis on customization and advanced features, users can anticipate a more tailored photography experience. As the release date nears, community feedback is likely to influence the final modifications to this vital application.