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Anticipated Launch Date for the Latest Siri This Year

Apple’s long-awaited AI enhancements for Siri are finally set to be released this year. Here’s the anticipated release date for the revamped Siri.

## Major AI Revamp for Siri Anticipated in March with iOS 26.4

Bloomberg has long reported that iOS 26.4 will introduce Apple’s refreshed AI Siri. This timeframe has also been supported by code leaks from iOS 26.

At present, iOS 26.3 is undergoing beta testing, but given Apple’s historical software release patterns, we can estimate when iOS 26.4 might launch.

Here are the release dates for the prior iOS x.4 updates:

– iOS 18.4: Monday, March 31
– iOS 17.4: Tuesday, March 5
– iOS 16.4: Monday, March 27

Following this trend, the debut of iOS 26.4 and the revamped Siri **is anticipated in March**—most likely towards the end of the month.

A late March release would align with the timelines of 2025 and 2023. However, 2024 witnessed an earlier March launch for iOS 17.4, so it remains possible that Apple could unveil iOS 26.4 sooner than projected.

Ultimately, the launch timing will likely be swayed by the release of the initial beta.

iOS 18.4 and iOS 16.4 saw their first betas in mid-February, while the beta 1 for iOS 17.4 was rolled out a few weeks earlier in late January.

If we receive iOS 26.4 beta 1 in January, it could lead to an early March public launch. Conversely, if it gets postponed until mid-February, a late March release becomes more probable.

## Upcoming Features for Siri

Siri is poised for a significant renovation in iOS 26.4. Its outdated underlying framework is being updated with an LLM-based system.

In some instances, changes to the underlying code for software features might not be readily apparent to users. However, the advantages of Siri’s transition are expected to be quite noticeable.

The new LLM-powered Siri should be capable of intelligently assisting users much like chatbots such as ChatGPT and Gemini.

Additionally, it will facilitate a range of robust features that were initially planned for iOS 18 but were postponed. These encompass:

1. App Intents for hands-free operation
2. Personal contextual awareness
3. On-screen recognition

Apple has committed to ensuring that its new Siri will deliver all of this and more, rooted in the upcoming underlying framework.

Given how long it has been since the announcement of Siri’s upgrades, there will be significant anticipation for the new features. Here’s hoping that the additional time Apple is taking results in a Siri that users truly deserve.

Which upgrades for Siri in iOS 26.4 are you most looking forward to? Share your thoughts in the comments.

How the Steam Deck is Improving Ukraine’s Drone Abilities

unexpectedly fascinating applications beyond gaming that often defy expectations for Valve’s proprietary handheld. A notable instance is the use of the Steam Deck as a portable remote controller for drones in Ukraine. While the Steam Deck does not directly power the drones, Ukrainian troops are utilizing it as an economical, battery-efficient handheld controller to manage ground turrets. 

This integrated system is termed Sablya (or Sable), as indicated by images released by the Ukrainian news outlet TPO Media in 2023. The account also disclosed how the operation functions, stating that the remote-operated turrets can be controlled from a distance of at least half a kilometer (500m) and can also be affixed to vehicles. It’s an unconventional application of the Steam Deck, but due to the open-source characteristics of the platform, there is little Valve can do to intervene. Nevertheless, it undeniably highlights the Steam Deck’s abilities as a remote Linux computer capable of running non-Steam games, even if the context of its application is somewhat more precarious than casual gaming.

Understanding Sablya and its significance for Ukrainian forces

Expert Perspectives on the Longevity of OLED Computer Displays

OLED burn-in manifests on displays, giving them an appearance of aging.

The development of OLED technology is progressing rapidly, yet it continues to be significantly constrained by the gradual decline of organic materials, particularly the blue light emitters. This indicates that even the screens rated for high usage hours will ultimately exhibit indicators of deterioration after a few years of consistent use. Nevertheless, the rapid advancement of OLED technology offers optimism. Manufacturers are tirelessly focused on creating strategies for managing burn-in and finding methods to alleviate this issue, potentially even preventing it altogether. Presently, with the emergence of QD-OLED displays, the advantages of this innovative technology surpass its longevity limitations.

The durability of OLED computer displays

“Five Best Productivity Applications for Android Users”

necessary Android applications you must begin utilizing today to enhance your efficiency.

For concentrating on assignments: Focus Friend

CES 2026: Audeze Maxwell 2 Headset Boasts Unparalleled Sound Excellence, Bluetooth 5.3 LE with LDAC, and AuraCast

Audeze, a distinguished name in the audio sector, has once again raised the standard with the launch of the Maxwell 2 gaming headset. This newest version exemplifies Audeze’s dedication to innovation and quality, as it revamps almost every feature to provide a gaming headset that surpasses its rivals.

The Maxwell 2 is crafted with gamers in mind, presenting a multitude of new attributes that improve both audio excellence and user engagement. At the core of this headset are Audeze’s renowned planar magnetic drivers, delivering unmatched sound fidelity. The inclusion of Bluetooth 5.3 LE with LDAC ensures effortless connectivity, while AuraCast integration elevates the entire audio experience.

Comfort is essential for lengthy gaming durations, and Audeze has tackled this with a newly designed ventilated headband and a detachable microphone that boasts double the bandwidth and AI-driven noise cancellation. The physical controls are user-friendly, enabling gamers to concentrate on their gameplay without interruptions.

Personalization is another standout feature of the Maxwell 2, offering choices for distinctive faceplate designs, including 3D-printed options. This degree of customization guarantees that the headset not only excels in performance but also aligns with the user’s personal style.

The versatility of the Maxwell 2 goes beyond gaming. Its exceptional sound quality makes it a fantastic option for enjoying music or using it as a standard Bluetooth headset with a smartphone. The battery life is remarkable, with Audeze claiming up to 80 hours of usage between charges, and rapid charging via USB-C provides minimal downtime.

With a price tag of $329, the Maxwell 2 delivers outstanding value given its features and performance. Whether you’re a serious gamer or an audio enthusiast, the Maxwell 2 is a worthwhile purchase that guarantees to enhance your audio experience to new levels.

Pioneer Unveils High-End CarPlay Functionality for Aftermarket Setup in Current Vehicles

**Pioneer Introduces SPHERA: The First Aftermarket In-Dash Receiver Featuring Dolby Atmos Support for Apple CarPlay**

At CES 2026, Pioneer has grabbed attention once again by launching the SPHERA, a revolutionary aftermarket in-dash receiver that facilitates Dolby Atmos playback within Apple CarPlay. This advancement represents a notable achievement, being the inaugural instance where Dolby Atmos and spatial audio functionalities are accessible in current vehicles through an aftermarket device.

### A Fresh Wave of In-Car Audio

Pioneer, a frontrunner in vehicle audio and aftermarket car electronics, has consistently led audio innovation since initially introducing Apple CarPlay to legacy vehicles in 2014. With the SPHERA, the brand is broadening access to immersive audio experiences that were once reserved for specific cars with unique sound systems.

### Dolby Atmos Within Your Vehicle

The SPHERA receiver enables users to engage with Dolby Atmos, a technology that improves sound quality by crafting a three-dimensional audio landscape. Traditionally limited to luxury vehicles, the launch of SPHERA allows Pioneer to make this elite audio experience more widely available. The receiver utilizes the car’s existing front and rear speakers, ensuring it is a practical solution for a multitude of vehicles on the road today.

### Pure Autotuning Technology

A standout feature of the SPHERA is Pioneer’s “Pure Autotuning” technology. This sophisticated system modifies time alignment, frequency response, and channel levels to enhance audio performance tailored to each vehicle’s unique acoustics. By guaranteeing accurate sound delivery, Pure Autotuning enables drivers and passengers to relish a Dolby Atmos experience that resonates with the artistic visions of musicians and content creators.

### Notable Features of SPHERA

The SPHERA features a 10.1-inch HD capacitive display that enriches user engagement with the unit. Key highlights include:

– **Split-Screen Mode**: This feature enables users to utilize multiple functions at once, boosting usability during driving.
– **Pioneer Luminous Bar**: This aesthetic component adds a contemporary flair to the dashboard, with modes designed for navigation assistance and music synchronization.
– **Wireless Connectivity**: The receiver accommodates wireless CarPlay, wireless Android Auto™, and Bluetooth®, simplifying device connections without the hassle of wires.
– **Universal Installation**: Tailored for aftermarket fitting, the SPHERA can adapt to a wide array of vehicles with minimal alterations.

### Pricing and Availability

The Pioneer SPHERA is set at a starting price of $1,300 and will be available in Spring 2026. For those aiming to elevate their in-car audio experience, especially Apple Music aficionados, the SPHERA offers an appealing option for integrating wireless CarPlay with superior sound.

### Conclusion

Pioneer’s SPHERA signifies a major leap in aftermarket car audio technology, bringing Dolby Atmos and spatial audio to a wider audience. With its cutting-edge features and user-centric design, it pledges to enhance the driving experience for both audiophiles and casual listeners. For those in search of more budget-friendly alternatives, Pioneer also provides a selection of aftermarket head units featuring CarPlay support.

Viewing Lakers NBA Matches in Apple Immersive on Apple Vision Pro: An Overview

**Apple Immersive Streaming of Lakers Games: A New Chapter in Sports Viewing**

In a momentous announcement made in October, Apple disclosed that certain Los Angeles Lakers NBA games would be broadcast in Apple Immersive video on the Apple Vision Pro starting in 2026. This pioneering method of sports transmission seeks to elevate the viewing experience by providing immersive, high-definition coverage of live games. Recently, Apple and Spectrum have unveiled the complete schedule of these Apple Immersive games, sparking enthusiasm among basketball aficionados and technology fans alike.

### How to Watch

Apple has confirmed that six Lakers games will be available for live streaming in Apple Immersive, commencing this Friday. The immersive experience will be open to in-market customers and Apple Vision Pro users in Japan, Singapore, and South Korea. For Apple Vision Pro users in the United States and other global markets, full-game replays and highlights will be accessible 24 hours after the games finish.

#### Accessing the Games

– **In Southern California, Hawaii, and selective areas of Nevada**: Spectrum Internet customers and video subscribers with a package that includes Spectrum SportsNet can watch live games, replays, and highlights by downloading the new Spectrum SportsNet app for Apple Vision Pro and verifying their subscription. Furthermore, users with a free NBA ID can also access live games and replays via the NBA app.

– **In all other U.S. territories**: Apple Vision Pro users with a free NBA ID can watch full-game replays and highlights in the NBA app 24 hours after the game. Spectrum Internet and TV subscribers outside the Lakers’ broadcast area can additionally access replays and highlights via the Spectrum SportsNet app.

– **Outside of the U.S.**: Apple Vision Pro users in Japan, Singapore, and South Korea can view live games using the NBA app with a free NBA ID. Users in Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the UAE, and the UK can watch replays and highlights on demand through the NBA app as early as 24 hours after each game.

To thoroughly enjoy the Lakers games in Apple Immersive, users will require a high-speed internet connection.

### The Immersive Experience

Apple Immersive streaming features a distinct production tailored for Vision Pro, delivering a feed of up to 150 Mbps and presenting seven unique viewing angles. These angles encompass viewpoints from the scorer’s table, beneath each basket, a broad view of the arena, the player tunnel, the broadcast booth, and a roaming courtside perspective for interviews and commentary.

In-game graphics, such as player rosters and scores, are showcased in 3D, crafting a lively viewing environment. Ambisonic microphones capture Spatial Audio from the arena, enabling viewers to experience the sounds of the game, including the squeaks of sneakers, the swish of the net, and the crowd’s reactions during crucial moments.

### Apple Immersive Lakers Schedule

Here is the lineup for the six Lakers games that will be streamed in Apple Immersive format:

– **Friday, January 9**: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena, 7:30 p.m. PT
– **Thursday, February 5**: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena, 7 p.m. PT
– **Friday, February 20**: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena, 7 p.m. PT
– **Thursday, March 5**: Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena, 7 p.m. PT
– **Tuesday, March 10**: Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena, 8 p.m. PT
– **Monday, March 30**: Washington Wizards vs. Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena, 7 p.m. PT

The launch of Apple Immersive streaming for Lakers games marks a notable advancement in the progression of sports broadcasting. If it succeeds, it could lead to similar experiences for additional games and sports in the future. Fans are encouraged to express their viewing plans and excitement for this groundbreaking method of experiencing live sports.

User Perspectives on the Durability of Roku Streaming Sticks

where manufacturers deliberately reduce a device’s lifespan to compel consumers to purchase a new one. This can be achieved by causing the device to malfunction or fail frequently, akin to lightbulbs from the 1920s, or through software updates and other gradual modifications. Is this relevant to Roku streaming devices, specifically the Roku Sticks, and what is their actual lifespan? The answer may catch you off guard.

Based on feedback from users and testers, Roku streaming devices do experience a decline in performance over time, but there is a legitimate explanation for this. The software is regularly updated to enhance performance and ensure consistency in media quality, providing upgrades for features like voice search, improvements in 4K performance, support for Bluetooth headphones, and more. As these updates necessitate more advanced hardware, the older hardware in previous models becomes less effective until it eventually requires an upgrade. This does result in a decrease in speed, but it isn’t meant to be intentional.

The typical lifespan for the Roku Express, Streaming Stick, Ultra, and Ultra LT is approximately four to five years, at a minimum. Nonetheless, some users have reported using devices like the Roku 3 for over 10 years without encountering significant performance problems. This does not apply to a Roku TV set, so consider that. This information pertains solely to the standalone Roku streaming devices, but the key point is that Roku streaming devices can feasibly last for over five years (and potentially reach a decade). If you notice any slowdowns, there’s an easy trick that can enhance performance, and it is effective for both Roku TVs and streaming players.

What is the expected lifespan of a Roku if I purchase new or upgrade?

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XGIMI’s MemoMind AI Eyewear Tackles Significant AR Challenges

Before CES 2026 starts, the well-known Chinese projector company XGIMI is ushering in the year with a new AI glasses venture named MemoMind, alongside its initial lineup of wearable devices. Following the trend of AI/AR glasses, which gained traction when Meta collaborated with Ray-Ban, and has expanded with smaller brands like Rokid and L’Attitude during IFA 2025, XGIMI aims to surpass competitors by merging an appealing design, groundbreaking dual-screen technology, and cutting-edge AI. But does it finally render AR glasses practical for everyday use?

BGR received an exclusive preview of the glasses, featuring a complete demonstration of their intended functionality, current performance, and future prospects for the MemoMind brand in the upcoming months. With a focus on design, XGIMI is unveiling these products while simultaneously soft-launching a new company at CES as part of its engineers’ “side project.”

In contrast to many projector manufacturers, XGIMI creates its hardware from scratch, so it’s applying the same philosophy to AI glasses, including the optics. During IFA 2025, I had the chance to test Rokid’s AI glasses, and I was captivated by the innovative display. However, having a single-screen design meant I often had to cross my eyes to decipher what was displayed. This “design flaw” has been rectified in XGIMI’s inaugural AI glasses offering.

Introducing Memo One, XGIMI’s AI glasses

XGIMI asserts that design is central to the Memo One glasses. With eight distinct frame styles and five interchangeable temple designs, the AI glasses will also accommodate prescription lenses and a sunglasses attachment. Consequently, the company aims to create attractive glasses that just happen to be powered by AI.

Featuring a multi-LLM hybrid operating system (initially supporting OpenAI, Azura, and Qwen), the Memo One glasses come equipped with a single button. This allows users to navigate various features typically expected in AI glasses: initiating live translation, recording and summarizing conversations, checking schedules, listening to music, and reading from a teleprompter.

I tested each of these functions, and live translation was the standout feature for me. It quickly translated Mandarin to English in nearly real-time, with the only challenge being striking the right balance between providing useful information and maintaining eye contact. While there are software adjustments that could enhance this, I doubt that XGIMI—or any company—could completely master this new level of interaction just yet.

Nonetheless, the company is outperforming the rest of the market. The innovative dual-eye screen distinguishes it from competitors that utilize a single-eye square display. With two broader screens for both eyes, the text appears crisper and brighter, ultimately simplifying the reading experience.

MemoMind’s upcoming plans

With a projected release in the second quarter of the year and a starting price around $599, the company also intends to launch the Memo Air Display later on, which will be a more affordable pair of AR glasses boasting a more conventional eyewear design. These glasses will not feature the integrated speaker found in the Memo One and will employ a single display instead of dual screens.

What’s notable about XGIMI’s new AI glasses is the absence of a camera in this first batch of wearables. For numerous consumers, the camera has been a significant attraction of smart glasses. Instead, the company is wholly committed to ensuring a reliable, swift, and comfortable AR experience.

For instance, MemoMind’s displays only activate while in use. After completing a task, the AI glasses revert to standard eyewear. As a result, the company can guarantee impressive battery life, lasting up to 16 hours. While the success of XGIMI in the AI glasses arena remains to be seen, the company is not embarking on this journey to establish a sustainable market for smart glasses alone.

Apple TV Honored with Esteemed Awards for Three Series and One Film

The 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards highlighted an extraordinary year for Apple TV, which commemorated its most successful performance to date by winning a total of seven awards in diverse categories. This year marked a noteworthy achievement for the streaming service, as it received accolades for three television series and one film, showcasing its increasing impact in the entertainment sector.

Apple TV’s triumph at the Critics Choice Awards signifies its growing subscriber base and the positive reviews its original content has garnered. Traditionally, Apple TV has experienced limited victories at such award shows, frequently winning accolades for just one series or film. Nevertheless, this year, the platform made significant strides with four exceptional winners.

The awards claimed by Apple TV comprise:

**“The Studio”**
– Best Comedy Series
– Best Actor in a Comedy Series — Seth Rogen
– Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series — Ike Barinholtz

**“Pluribus”**
– Best Actress in a Drama Series — Rhea Seehorn

**“Severance”**
– Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series — Tramell Tillman

**“F1”**
– Best Editing — Stephen Mirrione
– Best Sound — Al Nelson, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Gary A. Rizzo, Juan Peralta, Gareth John

These accomplishments not only establish a new benchmark for Apple TV but also maintain a pattern of strong performances in award circuits, building upon the momentum gained at the recent Emmy Awards.

For viewers keen on discovering these celebrated titles, “The Studio,” “Pluribus,” “Severance,” and “F1” can be streamed on Apple TV with an active subscription. As Apple TV continues to grow its library, new premieres are slated for early 2026, offering subscribers new content to savor.

Apple TV is priced at $12.99 monthly and features a range of hit shows and films, including popular favorites like “Ted Lasso” and “Severance.” Moreover, it can be accessed through the Apple One bundle, providing a comprehensive entertainment package for subscribers.