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    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Assessing Apple Watch Battery Condition and Enhancing Its Longevity
    Assessing Apple Watch Battery Condition and Enhancing Its Longevity

    The Apple Watch continues to be one of the top-selling smartwatches, with a variety of models available. Its reputation stems from its smooth integration with iOS, user-friendly watchOS interface, and dependable health and fitness tracking capabilities. As of July 2025, whether your priorities lie in fitness, wellness, or daily productivity, there’s an Apple Watch suited for everyone.

    Regardless of whether you have the latest Apple Watch Series 10 or an earlier version, one fact remains: Apple Watch batteries deteriorate over time. Similar to all lithium-ion batteries, the battery inside your Apple Watch undergoes chemical aging, limiting its charge retention as time progresses. Frequent usage, elevated temperatures, and standard charging cycles all contribute to this gradual performance decline.

    Apple states that a standard Apple Watch battery is intended to maintain up to 80% of its initial capacity after 1,000 complete charge cycles. You can track your device’s battery health directly within the watch settings to identify if a replacement is necessary.

    Apple Watch battery duration is influenced by several factors, including the specific model you possess. For instance, when it’s brand new, the Apple Watch Series 10 is rated for as much as 18 hours of battery life per charge. The more robust and premium Apple Watch Ultra 2 significantly enhances performance, offering up to 36 hours of battery life in standard mode and up to 72 hours when utilizing Low Power Mode.

    ### How to assess your Apple Watch battery health

    While it isn’t necessary to check your Apple Watch battery health every day, it’s wise to review it from time to time, especially if you encounter issues like unexpected shutdowns or if your watch isn’t lasting as long on a full charge as it used to. These indications often suggest battery degradation, a normal aspect of any lithium-ion battery’s lifecycle.

    The primary metric to examine is the Maximum Capacity, which shows how much charge your Apple Watch battery can hold in comparison to when it was new. For example, if the maximum capacity significantly falls below 100%, your watch may struggle to last a full day on one charge. This figure aids in assessing whether your battery is still in sound condition or if it’s time for a replacement.

    You can verify your battery health on your Apple Watch in just a few straightforward steps. Here’s what to do:

    1. Press the crown to access the Home Screen.
    2. Tap on the Settings icon.
    3. Tap on Battery.
    4. Scroll down to Battery Health.

    When reviewing your Apple Watch battery health, you will see a Maximum Capacity percentage. A healthy battery usually displays above 80%, and anything under that may necessitate a battery replacement, no matter how long you’ve had the watch. Although a brand-new Apple Watch should show nearly 100% capacity, Apple acknowledges that minor discrepancies can occur due to the time between manufacture and purchase. Following regular usage, it’s typical to observe a decrease in capacity.

    ### How to enhance your Apple Watch battery

    Apple provides several integrated features to optimize Apple Watch battery life, and keeping your device updated guarantees that you benefit from the latest energy-efficiency enhancements in watchOS. Activating Low Power Mode (accessible via Control Center or Settings) turns off non-essential features, like always-on display, background heart and oxygen monitoring, and cellular connections.

    For long-term battery health maintenance, Apple suggests using Optimized Battery Charging, available in watchOS 7 and later, which learns your routine and pauses charging past 80% when necessary. Optimized Charge Limit further fine-tunes charging behavior to maintain battery longevity on supported models (Series 6 and later, SE, and Ultra). You can also minimize screen wake-ups by deactivating Wake on Wrist Raise, or activating Theater Mode, and enabling Bluetooth on your iPhone ensures efficient syncing and reduced power drain on the watch.

    While exercising, you can enable Power Saving Mode, which will turn off the heart rate sensor. Simply navigate to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, select My Watch, and then choose Workout. From there, you can activate Power Saving Mode; however, keep in mind that calorie burn estimates may be less precise.

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Reasons to Steer Clear of Putting an AirTag in Your Child’s Footwear
    Reasons to Steer Clear of Putting an AirTag in Your Child’s Footwear

    a collection of children’s footwear that includes a concealed space beneath the insole for parents to insert an Apple AirTag. Although this may seem like an effective way to ensure your child’s safety and keep tabs on their location at all times, it is advisable not to purchase these shoes solely for this reason.

    To begin with, this isn’t about whether this infringes on a child’s privacy. However, when Apple launched the AirTag in 2021, it highlighted several scenarios where reliance on this tracking device is discouraged. For instance: avoid attaching it to your pet’s collar, refrain from using it to monitor your kids, and most notably, never use it to secretly track anyone.

    This is why, in recent years, Apple has enhanced the privacy aspects of the AirTag to ensure that it begins to emit sound if it becomes disconnected from its original owner’s iPhone or detects another AirTag nearby for a prolonged duration. Nonetheless, the crucial takeaway is that the AirTag cannot deliver real-time location information if the tracked object (or individual) is moving.

    Why the AirTag is effective for objects but not individuals

    AirTag Keychain in blue

    José Adorno for BGR

    For the AirTag to function properly, it must be in proximity to a Bluetooth device, like an Apple product, enabling the AirTag to connect to the network and transmit an updated signal. While this is ideal for verifying whether your luggage arrived safely at the airport, it is not as effective with moving entities. This is particularly relevant for young children, many of whom likely do not possess a smartphone.

    Worst case scenario, if a teenager or adult is accompanying your child, there is a chance they may hear the AirTag beep or receive a notification stating that “an Air

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Assessing the Advantages of Holding Out for the Google Pixel Watch 4
    Assessing the Advantages of Holding Out for the Google Pixel Watch 4

    We’re just under a month away from the unveiling of the [Pixel Watch 4](https://www.androidcentral.com/wearables/google-pixel-watch-4) at the upcoming [Made by Google 2025](https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/google-pixel/made-by-google-2025-how-to-watch-pixel-10-launch-and-what-to-expect) event. Luckily for you, we’ve already come across several leaks regarding the Watch 4 that give us insight into what to anticipate — both good and (possibly) bad. With Google slashing prices on the Watch 3 to move inventory, I’m here to assist you in deciding whether to wait or make a purchase.

    When I [evaluated the Pixel Watch 3](https://www.androidcentral.com/wearables/google-pixel-watch-3-review), I had a very favorable experience, which only elevated my expectations for the Watch 4. This sentiment was echoed when I [spoke with the Qualcomm VP of wearables](https://www.androidcentral.com/wearables/wear-os/qualcomms-next-wear-os-chipset-could-arrive-in-2025) regarding the brand’s prospective new Wear OS chipset. I thought this might be the iteration that revolutionizes Wear OS.

    Instead, the rumored and leaked [differences between the Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Watch 3](https://www.androidcentral.com/wearables/google-pixel-watch/google-pixel-watch-4-vs-pixel-watch-3) we’ve encountered have been somewhat inconsistent. A brighter screen with thinner bezels sounds appealing, while blood oxygen alerts could serve as an interesting contrast to Samsung’s sleep apnea detection. However, we might not witness the significant processor upgrade I was hoping for, and the updated design may come with just as many drawbacks as advantages.

    ### The Pixel Watch 4’s most understated yet crucial enhancement

    The Pixel Watch 4 is purported to [utilize the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1](https://www.androidcentral.com/wearables/google-pixel-watch/pixel-watch-4-might-stick-with-the-same-chip-as-its-predecessors), which is the chip from 2022 first seen in the [Pixel Watch 2](https://www.androidcentral.com/wearables/google-pixel-watch-2-review). This implies it will retain the same four Cortex-A53 cores as its predecessor, while the latest Galaxy Watches incorporate one Cortex-A78 and four Cortex-A55 cores.

    If [this leak](https://www.androidcentral.com/wearables/google-pixel-watch/pixel-watch-4-might-stick-with-the-same-chip-as-its-predecessors) holds true, that’s a clear advantage for choosing the Pixel Watch 3, or sticking with the Watch 2: It will offer equivalent performance. The Watch 3 is already adept at running [Gemini on Wear OS](https://www.androidcentral.com/wearables/i-tested-new-gemini-wear-os-app-on-galaxy-watch-8-improvements-and-problems), and [Wear OS 6 operated smoothly during my tests](https://www.androidcentral.com/apps-software/i-tested-early-wear-os-6-build-on-pixel-watch-3-at-google-io-2025).

    I’m uncertain if Google opted not to enhance the processor because it concluded it didn’t *require* the additional power or if its [RISC-V ambitions with Qualcomm fell apart](https://www.androidcentral.com/wearables/wear-os/upcoming-pixel-watches-could-play-it-safe-and-i-dont-like-it), but it remains disheartening if accurate.

    A [subsequent leak](https://www.androidheadlines.com/google-pixel-watch-4-specs) verified Google’s intentions, while also indicating that the Watch 4 will replace the 2016 Cortex-M33 co-processor with the 2020 Cortex-M55, enabling it to provide “5x the AI workload at a fraction of the power.”

    Consider whether you plan to utilize [Gemini](https://www.androidcentral.com/tag/gemini) frequently enough for this enhancement to be relevant, or if you’re okay with a few extra seconds of delay for each query. If you primarily use the AI on your phone already, the Wear OS iteration might be more of a limited novelty.

    Aside from Gemini, I hope the M55 improves the efficiency of other background operations, akin to how the [OnePlus Watch 3](https://www.androidcentral.com/wearables/oneplus-watch-3-review) endures for days by processing health and notifications through its upgraded BES2800 co-processor.

    This leak indicates that the Pixel Watch 4 in 41mm and 45mm will last 30 and 40 hours with AOD active, respectively, greatly surpassing the Watch 3’s 24-hour-with-AOD estimate. It’s still far from OnePlus’s offering, but it’s now set to compete with the

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    Determine if an Android device is locked using the IMEI number

    <source media="(max-width: 428px)" srcset="https://www.bgr.com/img/gallery/3-ways-to-check-if-your-android-phone-is-carrier-locked/find-if-an-android-is-locked-through-the-ime

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Microsoft Recognizes Positions Probably to Be Superseded by AI
    Microsoft Recognizes Positions Probably to Be Superseded by AI

    the originator of AI contends that certain roles will be supplanted by AI. And now, it appears that Microsoft is embracing this trend.

    The tech behemoth has been advancing AI initiatives since the onset of the revolution, and based on a new yet-to-be-validated study that researchers from the company have submitted to arXiv, the occupations most susceptible to being replaced by AI consist of teaching roles, advising roles, and writing roles.

    AI is incapable of emulating human emotion and spirit

    <img class="gallery-image" src="https://

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    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Apple Creates Internal ‘Answers’ Team to Rival ChatGPT, As Per Reports
    Apple Creates Internal ‘Answers’ Team to Rival ChatGPT, As Per Reports

    **Apple’s Latest AI Search Endeavor: A Transformative Change in the Tech Arena**

    As per the recent release of Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter, Apple is making notable progress to venture into the AI search domain, signaling a shift from its earlier hesitance to embrace chatbot solutions. This transition comes as Apple seeks to bolster its contributions to artificial intelligence, particularly in light of mounting rivalry.

    In the past, Apple Intelligence has encountered difficulties, with features such as Genmoji and Notification Summaries garnering only modest feedback. Additionally, the highly awaited revamp of Siri has experienced delays, postponing its rollout by more than a year. This situation has led Apple to reevaluate its tactics and competencies in AI.

    To rejuvenate its initiative, Apple has formed a new internal group referred to as “Answers, Knowledge, and Information” (AKI). This group is responsible for investigating various internal AI offerings, aiming to forge a search experience similar to ChatGPT. Although there are some philosophical hesitations among Apple leaders about AI, the creation of AKI marks a decisive engagement in advancing this field.

    The team is headed by Robby Walker, a former executive affiliated with Siri, who has previously voiced concerns regarding delays in Siri’s progression. Walker’s guidance is anticipated to direct the new endeavor towards a more competitive AI search solution. Apple has also expressed interest in partnering with AI startups like Perplexity, which focuses on AI-enhanced search engines, further underscoring its aspiration to innovate in this domain.

    Although the initiative remains in its nascent phase, the prospect of Apple launching a robust AI search experience is stirring enthusiasm among users and industry analysts alike. As the tech behemoth continues to hone its AI capabilities, many are keen to observe how this new path will evolve and its implications for the future of search technology.

    In summary, Apple’s shift towards AI search is a strategic effort to enrich its product lineup and compete more effectively in the swiftly changing tech landscape. The advancements from the AKI group will be monitored closely as they strive to provide a new AI-powered search experience that could transform how users engage with information on Apple devices.

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on The Function of the Black Cylinder on Your Cables Clarified
    The Function of the Black Cylinder on Your Cables Clarified

    cybercriminals may place microcomputers in iPhone cables, but there’s nothing inherently malevolent about a ferrite bead. In fact, they are immensely beneficial.

    You can refer to that plastic cylinder as a ferrite bead, ferrite choke, EMI filter, ferrite core, or ferrite block. No matter what term you use, the cylinder still fulfills the same function, which is to obstruct radio-frequency interference (RFI) and electromagnetic interference (EMI) in cables and electronic devices. Ferrite consists of iron oxide, and its magnetic ceramic composition guarantees that no disruptive noise is emitted from or into devices. While a ferrite bead can be integrated into smaller cables, larger cables generally feature that recognizable cylinder.

    Whether it’s your monitor’s power cord or an older USB cable, that small plastic gadget is assisting you in avoiding problems. Without enrolling you in a basic engineering class, let’s simplify our understanding of this useful material.

    It’s not magic, it’s science

    It isn't magic, it's science

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    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Six Reasons to Steer Clear of Installing the iOS 26 Public Beta
    Six Reasons to Steer Clear of Installing the iOS 26 Public Beta

    iOS 26 public beta has been available for several days now, but I’ve been experimenting with iOS 26 since the initial developer beta. Apple has made significant improvements over the last two months, but it still remains imperfect, particularly if you plan to use the software on your main device.

    iOS 26 introduces a variety of new features, such as the completely revamped Liquid Glass design, enhanced integration of ChatGPT, new Continuity capabilities when you have iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, or watchOS 26 installed, and more. Nevertheless, making the most of these fresh features requires readiness for all the bugs and complications that come with this beta. After all, this is a test version, and many issues won’t be resolved until Apple launches the official version later this year.

    While the overall experience should improve significantly throughout the beta cycle, there’s a reason Apple doesn’t immediately release this version to the public. Indeed, we’ve identified six reasons to bypass the iOS 26 public beta and hold out for the official release later this fall.

    Reasons to Avoid the iOS 26 Public Beta

    <source media="(max-width: 428px)" srcset="https://www.bgr.com/img/gallery/6-reasons-to-skip-the-ios-26-public-beta/heres-why-you-should-skip-the-ios-26-public-beta-1753909381.sm.webp"

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Important: Key Privacy Settings to Activate on Your iPhone
    Important: Key Privacy Settings to Activate on Your iPhone

    **Boosting Privacy on Your iPhone: Key Settings to Activate**

    In a time when digital privacy faces growing challenges, Apple has made notable advancements to equip users with tools that safeguard their personal data. Below are three vital settings that every privacy-aware iPhone owner should activate.

    ### 1. Disable Cross-Site Tracking

    Targeted advertising can improve the online shopping journey by linking users to pertinent products. Nevertheless, this approach often depends on intrusive tracking techniques that jeopardize user privacy. Apple’s Intelligent Tracking Prevention (ITP) aims to address this concern by using machine learning to block cross-site tracking and hiding your IP address. This guarantees that your online behavior stays confidential.

    To check if Disable Cross-Site Tracking is turned on, head to **Settings > Apps > Safari** and confirm that the switch for **Prevent Cross-Site Tracking** is turned on in the **Privacy & Security** area.

    ### 2. Safeguard Mail Activity

    Email tracking is a less recognized tactic employed by advertisers to observe user actions. These trackers can indicate when an email has been opened, how often it is viewed, and even the recipient’s location during the viewing. To protect your email privacy, you can activate the **Protect Mail Activity** feature. This setting complicates the process for senders to gather information about your engagement with their emails.

    To enable this feature, navigate to **Settings > Apps > Mail > Privacy Protection** and toggle on **Protect Mail Activity**.

    ### 3. Lock Screen Configurations

    Despite having strong security features like Face ID and complex passcodes, the lock screen can still present a point of exposure. For example, unauthorized individuals can access the Control Center from the lock screen to turn off crucial services like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, impairing your ability to track a lost device.

    To bolster security, modify which functionalities are accessible from the lock screen. Access this configuration by going to **Settings > Face ID & Passcode**. After inputting your passcode, scroll to the **Allow Access When Locked** section to control which features are available without unlocking your device.

    By activating these settings, you can greatly improve your privacy and protection on your iPhone, ensuring that your personal data remains shielded from unwarranted tracking and access.

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Top New MacBook Offers for August: Prices Beginning at $599
    Top New MacBook Offers for August: Prices Beginning at $599

    # The Budget-Friendly MacBook Era: An Overview of Apple’s Newest Models

    During the Apple Silicon age, MacBooks have become more budget-friendly than ever, with fresh models beginning at just $649. With impending global tariffs, these fantastic deals might soon be a thing of the past. If you’re considering a new MacBook, now could be the perfect moment to buy.

    The anticipated macOS 26 update is also rumored to eliminate support for some additional Intel Macs, making it a prime opportunity for those wishing to stay current with the latest software.

    ## M1 MacBook Air

    Apple has released four MacBook Airs since the onset of the Apple Silicon period, equipped with the M1, M2, M3, and M4 chips. The M1 MacBook Air maintains a classic wedge shape from the Intel generation, which many users might appreciate.

    Even though it’s four years old, the M1 MacBook Air continues to be a fantastic laptop considering its cost. It delivers quick performance with its M1 chip, an impressive Retina display (albeit with bulkier bezels compared to newer models), a superb keyboard, and up to 18 hours of battery life. Furthermore, it runs quietly, making it suitable for use in public settings.

    The M1 MacBook Air is the least expensive choice on this list, although locating new models with greater than 256GB of storage may be difficult. Nonetheless, it is the sole Apple Silicon MacBook offered in a true Gold hue.

    You can purchase the M1 MacBook Air for as little as [**$599 at Walmart**](https://howl.link/15sdnqsr918p4) in Silver, Space Gray, and Gold.

    – 13-inch MacBook Air (M1) with 256GB of storage, 8GB of memory: [**$599 at Walmart**](https://howl.link/15sdnqsr918p4)

    ## M3 MacBook Air

    In 2022, Apple launched a revamped MacBook Air with a sleeker design, an enlarged display with narrower bezels, and the return of MagSafe. It also debuted in new Starlight and Midnight colors along with Silver and Space Gray, although Gold was phased out. This new design first appeared with the M2 chip and has progressed with the M3.

    M2 MacBook Airs are largely sold out, and similar shortages are occurring with M3 models, though some options remain, especially concerning the 15-inch MacBook Air.

    **15-inch models with M3 chip:**

    – 15-inch MacBook Air with 512GB of storage, 24GB of memory: [**$1249 at Amazon**](https://amzn.to/3R70HaO) ($450 off!)

    ## M4 MacBook Air

    In March, Apple unveiled a refreshed MacBook Air featuring the M4 chip. This version retains many elements from its predecessor but presents a new Center Stage webcam and a new Sky Blue color, replacing Space Gray.

    At present, you can enjoy a $200 discount across all the latest MacBook Air models. Apple is reportedly developing a new entry-level MacBook with an A18 Pro chip, but at these rates, the MacBook Air represents an attractive option.

    **13-inch models with M4 chip:**

    – 13-inch MacBook Air with 256GB of storage, 16GB of memory: [**$799 at Amazon**](https://amzn.to/421Yxj9)
    – 13-inch MacBook Air with 512GB of storage, 16GB of memory: [**$999 at Amazon**](https://amzn.to/42w9DNg)
    – 13-inch MacBook Air with 512GB of storage, 24GB of memory: [**$1199 at Amazon**](https://amzn.to/3Rq7exD)

    **15-inch models with M4 chip:**

    – 15-inch MacBook Air with 256GB of storage, 16GB of memory: [**$999 at Amazon**](https://amzn.to/4i8YJ4T)
    – 15-inch MacBook Air with 512GB of storage, 16GB of memory: [**$1199 at Amazon**](https://amzn.to/4i0icVe)
    – 15-inch MacBook Air with 512GB of storage, 24GB of memory:

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