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Researchers Create Robotic Eye with Enhanced Vision Compared to Humans

The Science Robotics journal published in October 2025 features an article titled “Bioinspired photoresponsive soft robotic lens.” The researchers propose that the PHySL represents an innovative advancement for the future. Its potential applications include soft robots capable of visual perception, versatile medical instruments, and intelligent wearable technology. A study has revealed that human vision is not as effective as we might expect, largely because our brain handles much of the processing, indicating that this lens could address the shortcomings where human vision proves to be inadequate.

The specifics of this robotic eye

Amazon Provides 50% Off on Top-Rated Wireless Headphones

JBL Tune 520BTs are Bluetooth on-ear headphones that typically cost $59.95, but during a special promotion, you can snag them for just $29.95 on Amazon. While these Bluetooth 5.3 headphones may not be the top choice available on Amazon, their capacity to deliver 57 hours of audio playback on a single charge is impressive. Recharging from 0% to 100% takes about 2 hours via USB-C, but a quick five-minute charge can grant you 3 hours of listening time.

Equipped with a 33mm single dynamic driver, these headphones provide sound with a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz. With an impedance of 30 Ohms, you won’t face difficulty using these headphones with a smartphone or similar devices. Moreover, they reach a loudness of 102 dB, which should suffice for most users. However, do not expect any noise-cancellation features that premium models like the Sony WH-1000XM4s include.

With the JBL Tune 520BTs, you have the ability to manage your music playback directly from the headphones themselves. Additionally, these headphones can fold flat when not being used. These two characteristics, along with their rapid charging features, make them an excellent option for travelers. But what feedback are customers providing about this product?

A long list of satisfied customers

The JBL Tune 520BTs boast over 8,400 reviews on Amazon, earning an average score of 4.6 out of 5 stars, with 79% of buyers giving the headphones a five-star rating. Customers primarily praised the sound quality of the device. Positive feedback highlights that distortion was absent during playback and that the audio is clear. Users also mentioned that the headphones were loud enough to enjoy the music distinctly, even in somewhat noisy settings like on an airplane.

The battery longevity of the headphones has also garnered positive remarks, with it being specifically noted

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Apple Launches Mini Apps Partnership Initiative for Developers

### Apple Launches Mini Apps Partner Program: A Fresh Revenue Stream for Developers

Earlier today, news broke of a major agreement between Apple and Tencent, the parent company of WeChat, which will allow Apple to receive a 15% commission on income generated from mini apps. This initiative is part of Apple’s recently unveiled Mini Apps Partner Program, designed to offer developers an opportunity for increased revenue through lower commission rates.

#### Insight into the Mini Apps Partner Program

Since 2017, Apple has championed mini apps and games on the App Store. The freshly launched Mini Apps Partner Program builds on this foundation, enabling developers to generate supplementary income from their mini app products. As stated on the Apple Developer website, the program aims to assist developers in expanding their businesses while improving the availability of mini apps on the App Store, all while ensuring an excellent customer experience.

Participating developers can take advantage of a reduced commission rate of 15% on eligible in-app purchases. However, to be eligible for this lower rate, developers must ensure their apps support certain App Store technologies, such as the Declared Age Range API and the Advanced Commerce API. These technologies are fundamental to delivering a safe and smooth experience for users of all ages.

#### Eligibility and Enrollment Process

Developers are not automatically accepted into the Mini Apps Partner Program. Rather, they must submit an application by filling out a request form found on the Apple Developer website. This page details the complete terms and conditions for eligibility, along with a useful Q&A section that defines what qualifies as a mini app in-app purchase.

Examples of qualifying purchases are:

1. **Consumables**: Products like currency, lives, or other resources that are bought and utilized instantly within a single qualifying mini app. These purchases cannot be shared or used across multiple mini apps.

2. **Auto-renewing subscriptions**: Subscriptions that are acquired and accessed within a single qualifying mini app.

#### Final Thoughts

The Mini Apps Partner Program signifies a calculated initiative by Apple to strengthen its ecosystem and present developers with new revenue avenues. By providing a lowered commission rate, Apple is motivating developers to create and host mini apps, which could enhance the overall user experience on the App Store. For developers keen on participating, additional information and the application process are available on the

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Best Buy Provides More Than 50% Off on 15.6-Inch Acer Chromebook During Early Black Friday Event

A sizable laptop along with a protective case for merely $119.

(Image credit: Credit: Acer)

There are numerous Chromebook offers available this season, yet it’s rare to encounter one this remarkable. Currently, Best Buy is promoting the Acer Chromebook 315 and a complimentary laptop sleeve at more than 50% off, reducing the cost to just $119.

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Google Unveils Innovative AI Shopping Tools for a Smooth Holiday Experience

**Agentic Shopping, ‘Purchase for Me,’ and Shop with Gemini**

As the festive season nears, Google unveils cutting-edge tools to elevate your shopping journey with AI assistance. The Gemini platform aims to optimize your holiday shopping by providing real-time inventory updates and an agentic checkout experience. These brand-new functionalities are crafted to enhance product discovery, price monitoring, and overall ease for shoppers.

**Key Information**

– Google debuts Gemini tools for effortless holiday shopping experiences powered by AI.
– Real-time inventory updates and agentic checkout simplify your holiday purchasing journey.
– Innovative shopping features boost product discovery, price monitoring, and convenience for shoppers.

**AI-Driven Conversational Shopping Has Arrived**

Google’s AI Mode enables users to have in-depth conversations about products, akin to speaking with a store representative. This capability allows users to articulate precisely what they seek, receiving thorough results that encompass images, prices, reviews, and inventory data. This method assists users in making swift and confident purchasing choices.

For instance, you might ask for “snug sweaters for a happy hour in cozy autumn hues” and receive purchasable images. Likewise, inquiring about “moisturizers suitable for your skin type” will present several options with insights from reviews, facilitating a quick grasp of product distinctions.

**AI Provides Real-Time Inventory Updates**

Google’s Agentic AI can now locate products available nearby, removing the necessity for several store inquiries. By searching for items “in my vicinity” and opting for “Let Google Call,” AI will reach out to local retailers to verify availability, pricing, and deals. You’ll receive an email or message with the details, including local stock from the Shopping Graph. This feature utilizes Duplex technology, enhanced by a Gemini model upgrade, to pinpoint the best stores, recommend inquiries, and summarize discussions into key insights.

**Never Miss Deals on Your Preferred Items**

Google’s “agentic checkout” feature employs price tracking to assist you in acquiring desired items within your financial plan. You can monitor an item by size, color, and price preferences, receiving alerts when prices drop on sites such as Wayfair, Chewy, Quince, and select Shopify vendors. Google will subsequently purchase it for you via Google Pay, after securing necessary permissions. This feature integrates Gemini models and the Shopping Graph, saving you time and money this holiday season.

These agentic shopping functionalities are available in the U.S. starting today (Nov. 13), with intentions to roll out to additional countries shortly.

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Comprehending the Significance of Various USB Port Colors

USB, which stands for Universal Serial Bus, ports are created to link two different, yet compatible, electronic devices. For instance, you can connect a mouse’s cable to a computer’s USB port. The majority of current electronics feature at least one USB port, ranging from televisions and gaming consoles to computers, and if you observe closely, you’ll notice various colors inside the port. While it may seem purely decorative, there is more significance to it. Each port color denotes a distinct functionality, and attaching your device to the correct USB port can significantly enhance speed and performance.

White, black, red, and yellow are just a few colors you’ll recognize within a USB port. There isn’t an industry standard established by the USB Implementers Forum (USB IF) that specifies what each color represents. However, most manufacturers adopt these colors as an informal standard to indicate their functionalities. For instance, using a red port suggests that your device may continue to charge even if your computer is powered off. Such ports are frequently utilized by brands like MSI and Gigabyte. Since this coloration is not obligatory and simply a recommendation, you might find some companies employing black USB 3.0 ports instead of the typical blue ones, like those found on the HP Omen 25L. Thus, let’s examine each USB port color closely and uncover its role.

White

Remove TV Cables with This Home Theater Center

In today’s world of home entertainment, the jumble of wires behind a TV can be quite undesirable. The answer to this prevalent issue is the implementation of an AV receiver, which serves as a unified center for all audio and video devices. Manufacturers such as Denon, Marantz, and Onkyo have led the way in improving this technology, delivering a tidier and more effective configuration for home theaters.

An AV receiver streamlines the connectivity process by permitting all HDMI cables to be connected to the receiver rather than the TV itself. This not only minimizes the number of exposed cables but also boosts the overall functionality of the home theater setup. By linking a solitary HDMI cable from the receiver to the TV’s HDMI ARC port, users can benefit from audio return features, allowing the TV’s integrated apps to output sound through the receiver without extra wiring.

The Denon AVR-X1700H 7.2 Channel AV Receiver exemplifies a mid-tier option that presents remarkable value. With a price tag of $600, it boasts 8K video pass-through, HDMI 2.1, eARC, and sophisticated visual enhancements such as Dynamic HDR. It also supports the latest HDR formats, assuring vibrant brightness and precise colors whether streaming or viewing a 4K Blu-ray.

With 80 watts per channel and compatibility with 7.2 speaker configurations, the X1700H supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X formats. Users can begin with a simple setup and grow it over time. The receiver’s Audyssey tuning feature refines sound quality based on the room’s arrangement and furnishings.

Additionally, the X1700H features Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, facilitating wireless music streaming from devices and access to services like Spotify and TIDAL through the Denon HEOS app. Connecting the receiver to the internet allows for firmware updates, guaranteeing compatibility with new devices and formats.

Although a single HDMI cable is still required to link the receiver to the TV, this is much easier than managing an array of cables. For televisions lacking an HDMI ARC port, a digital optical cable can be utilized to return audio to the receiver, accommodating up to 5.1 or 6.1-channel audio.

For those looking for a more compact choice, the Marantz NR1510 Slimline 5.2 Channel AV Receiver represents a practical alternative. It supports up to five speakers and two subwoofers, making it ideal for users who do not intend to expand their speaker arrangement.

In conclusion, AV receivers such as the Denon AVR-X1700H and Marantz NR1510 offer a streamlined and effective method for organizing home theater systems, lessening cable clutter, and improving audio and video quality.

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Satechi Launches Innovative Portable 7-In-1 USB-C Multiport Adapter to Elevate OntheGo Lineup

enhance its OntheGo lineup with a brand-new Multiport Adapter. The accessory brand is introducing a 7-in-1 ultra-portable device, which claims to serve as a comprehensive workstation that fits in your hand. “At Satechi, we create products that empower you to work and connect wherever life leads you,” remarked Brock Guclu, Satechi’s co-founder and president. “The OntheGo 7-in-1 multiport adapter merges strength and portability with a stylish design, allowing you to take your office anywhere without sacrificing quality.”

In addition to being compact enough to slide into your pocket, Satechi has also ensured it is MagSafe-compatible, enabling you to use this accessory with your Mac or iPad, while easily attaching it to your iPhone to capture videos on SD and microSD cards. Conversely, if your Android device lacks magnetic connectivity, the company provides a 3M Adhesive Ring.

Characteristics of Satechi’s OntheGo 7-in-1 Multiport Adapter

What makes Satechi’s OntheGo 7-in-1 Multiport Adapter particularly captivating is the array of connections available to users within such a compact design. With its circular shape, Satechi’s newest accessory offers HDMI support up to 4K/60Hz, two USB-A ports capable of 5Gbps data transfer, SD and microSD card readers featuring speeds up to 104MB/s and supporting up to 2TB of storage, Gigabit Ethernet, and USB-C PD permitting up to 100W pass-through charging.

Satechi has also included a coiled, tangle-free braided USB-C cable that wraps around the hub for enhanced portability. The company states that this accessory is intended for remote workers, students, and creators, as users can effortlessly connect peripherals, transfer files, present, and more with a device small enough to fit in your pocket.

Satechi’s OntheGo 7-in-1 Multiport Adapter retails for $59.99 in Space Black and complements other Satechi OntheGo offerings, including portable keyboards and mice, travel chargers, and various accessories. One of BGR’s top picks from the company is its Passport Cover featuring Find My compatibility.

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NotebookLM Broadens Functionality with Improved Research Features and Extra File Type Compatibility

the NotebookLM AI research tool, which may meet the demands of some enthusiasts of the well-known generative AI tool. NotebookLM can now utilize a Deep Research mode akin to what is found in Gemini, AI Mode, and Google Finance. Furthermore, NotebookLM will allow users to upload a greater variety of file types, a functionality that can be advantageous for incorporating your own data into NotebookLM before requesting it to generate a report. Specifically, NotebookLM will now accommodate spreadsheets saved in Google Sheets, PDFs from Google Drive, and Microsoft Word Documents (.docx). Additionally, users can introduce Drive files to NotebookLM as URLs through copy-paste, with NotebookLM permitting multiple links separated by commas. This feature resembles pasting a link to a website or YouTube video in NotebookLM when instructing the AI to create a notebook on a specific topic.

The capability to effortlessly upload extensive data sets saved in various file formats will prove beneficial in NotebookLM, but the Deep Research feature could be even more appealing to certain users. When employing Deep Research, NotebookLM will formulate a research plan and sift through hundreds of websites on your behalf. Subsequently, it will produce “an organized, insightful, source-grounded report,” as stated in a Google blog post.

How to use Deep Research in NotebookLM

Apple Wallet Gets Key Feature Enhancements in iOS 26

Apple Wallet has rolled out a number of new capabilities in iOS 26, tackling past limitations and improving the user experience. Among the key enhancements are the integration of order tracking powered by Apple Intelligence and the launch of Digital ID.

### Order Tracking Powered by Apple Intelligence

First introduced in iOS 16, the order tracking feature within Apple Wallet initially struggled to gain popularity due to its dependence on third-party services and merchants. This restriction limited its efficacy, as many businesses opted to keep direct control over customer interactions. However, in the updates of iOS 26, Apple has overhauled this feature.

Now, Apple Wallet leverages Apple Intelligence to automatically pull order details from confirmation emails provided by merchants and delivery services. This development means users are no longer dependent on third-party integrations for order tracking. The feature permits users to view detailed order information and receive progress alerts all within the Wallet app.

To utilize order tracking, users can click the three-dot icon located in the upper-right corner of the Wallet app and select ‘Orders.’ Furthermore, users can set up push notifications for order updates via the Wallet’s Notifications menu.

### Digital ID with No State Rollout Needed

Apple’s initiative to embed digital driver’s licenses and state IDs into Wallet has encountered hurdles, with only 12 states and Puerto Rico currently endorsing this feature. To address the slow spread, Apple has launched Digital ID in iOS 26.1.

Although Digital ID is not intended as a replacement for a driver’s license, it provides alternative methods for identity verification. Users can present their Digital ID at TSA checkpoints for identity verification prior to boarding domestic flights and at select businesses for age or identity verification.

The acceptance of Digital ID is on the rise, with Apple indicating that it is already in use at over 250 airports across the US, and plans for additional integration are in progress. For example, users will soon be able to utilize their Digital ID for age verification on platforms like Uber Eats for alcohol purchases.

Through the launch of Digital ID, Apple aims to establish Wallet as a trustworthy source for digital identification, potentially encouraging more states to implement digital driver’s licenses in the future.

### Conclusion

The latest features in Apple Wallet with iOS 26, especially order tracking and Digital ID, showcase Apple’s dedication to improving user convenience and addressing earlier constraints. These updates not only enhance the user experience but also position Apple Wallet as a more all-encompassing tool for managing digital transactions and identity verification.

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