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Comparison of Roku Streaming Stick 4K and Plus: Assessing the $10 Cost Variation

HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG cater to high-dynamic range media. Nevertheless, the Stick 4K further accommodates the Dolby Vision HDR format, adopted by numerous streaming platforms for enhanced video realism. Both devices feature integrated dual-band Wi-Fi 5 for online connectivity and can transmit Dolby and DTS-encoded surround audio via HDMI to your television. Additionally, the Stick 4K includes a USB power cable that serves as a Wi-Fi antenna, enhancing its Wi-Fi range, which can be beneficial if your router is located at a distance.

The Roku Streaming Stick 4K and the Streaming Stick Plus represent two of the company’s most budget-friendly 4K media streaming options. Both share many similarities, including a stick-type design and HDR streaming support. However, the Streaming Stick 4K is priced at $49.99, which is $10 above the cost of the Streaming Stick Plus. So, what features distinguish the two, and are they compelling enough to justify the additional expense for the Streaming Stick 4K?

What additional features do you receive with the Roku Streaming Stick 4K and Streaming Stick Plus?

Another significant difference between the two streaming devices is the capability of the Streaming Stick Plus to draw power directly from the TV’s USB port. In contrast to the Streaming Stick 4K, which includes a power adapter in the package and requires about 3.5W of power, Roku does not provide an adapter for the Streaming Stick Plus; instead, it recommends powering it through the USB port, as this device only needs 2.5W of power. Any TV USB port can deliver that, whether it’s USB 2.0 (commonly a black USB port) or USB 3.0 (<a href="https://www.bgr.com/1958136/what-blue-usb-port-means

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Comprehending the Blinking Red Light on Your Hisense TV: Reasons and Fixes

the top affordable TV brand based on customer satisfaction is Hisense. The manufacturer from China creates televisions that offer excellent picture quality and dependable performance. If you’re curious about why Hisense TVs are so budget-friendly, it mainly boils down to vertical integration, lower profit margins, and fewer high-end technologies in their entry-level models.

However, what if you went ahead and purchased a 65-inch model for your living room, only to discover a flashing red light a few months later? Don’t worry — since, in most cases, a blinking LED indicator is actually quite common. Hisense TVs will flash when you turn them on and usually do the same when powering them off. Naturally, it should be quite clear whether your Hisense TV is functioning properly. It’s when you notice a blinking red light and your TV isn’t operating that you should start to be concerned.

When to be concerned about a blinking red light

Comparing AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro: An In-Depth Look at Selecting the Ideal Model for the Holiday Season

# Apple AirPods: An In-Depth Look at the Newest Collection

Apple’s AirPods collection has seen remarkable growth, providing various options that suit distinct tastes and financial plans. With the holiday season on the horizon, many individuals are pondering which model to acquire, either for personal use or as gifts. This article will examine the latest models: AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods Max, showcasing their features, advantages, and ideal users.

## AirPods 4

The AirPods 4 come in two variants: a standard model and a premium option featuring Active Noise Cancellation (ANC).

### Features of AirPods 4
– **Standard Model**: Incorporates Apple’s H2 audio chip, enabling effortless connectivity, automatic device switching, Adaptive EQ, and Personalized Volume.
– **AirPods 4 with ANC**: This variant enhances the audio experience with features such as Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, and Transparency mode, letting users manage the amount of external noise they permit.

### Charging and Battery Life
– **Standard Model**: Charges with USB-C and delivers up to 5 hours of battery life (30 hours with the charging case).
– **Model with ANC**: Compatible with both USB-C and wireless charging, includes an integrated speaker for the Find My feature, and offers up to 4 hours of battery life with ANC activated (5 hours with ANC deactivated).

### Pricing
– Standard Model: $129
– Model with ANC: $179

### Recommendation
The AirPods 4 with ANC are perfect for those who want noise cancellation without the in-ear style of the Pro models. Nonetheless, the standard AirPods 4 still represent a solid option, particularly at a more affordable price.

## AirPods Pro 3

The AirPods Pro 3 mark a notable enhancement over their forerunners, showcasing improved ANC and a more comfortable fit.

### Key Features
– **Enhanced ANC**: Delivers noise cancellation that is 2x more effective than AirPods Pro 2.
– **Heart Rate Sensor**: Monitors heart rate during exercise and syncs with Apple Health.
– **Optimized Transparency Mode**: Facilitates better engagement with the surroundings while enjoying audio.
– **Adaptive Audio**: Seamlessly combines ANC and Transparency modes based on the environment.

### Durability and Battery Life
– **Durability**: Rated IP57 for resistance to dust, sweat, and water.
– **Battery Life**: Lasts up to 8 hours with ANC enabled.

### Pricing
– AirPods Pro 3: $250

### Recommendation
The AirPods Pro 3 are strongly endorsed for users who favor in-ear designs and seek advanced functionalities, making them an excellent investment for everyday use.

## AirPods Max

The AirPods Max are Apple’s high-end over-ear headphones, aimed at audiophiles and those in pursuit of a luxurious listening experience.

### Features
– **Design**: Constructed from premium aluminum with a Digital Crown for volume adjustments.
– **Connectivity**: Utilizes the older H1 chip, missing some of the new functionalities available in the AirPods 4 and Pro 3.

### Pricing
– AirPods Max: $549

### Recommendation
Despite the superior sound quality of the AirPods Max, they might not justify their steep price relative to the more feature-rich AirPods Pro 3. They are ideal for users who prefer over-ear headphones and are ready to spend on a premium product.

## Conclusion

When contemplating the purchase of AirPods this holiday season, it’s crucial to consider the features and pricing of each model. The AirPods 4 are suitable for casual listeners, the AirPods Pro 3 provide advanced features for dedicated users, and the AirPods Max appeal to those who seek a premium over-ear experience. Each model possesses its own merits, ensuring there’s a suitable choice for everyone.

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Pixel 10 Loses Unofficial Pixel Stand Compatibility After December Update

Users are stating that the Pixel Stand (2nd Gen) is no longer functioning with Pixel 10 following the Android 16 QPR2 update.

What you need to know:
– The Android 16 QPR2 update for Pixel 10 seems to disrupt compatibility with the previous Pixel Stand wireless charger.
– Users report the Pixel Stand showing error lights and not charging Pixel 10 devices post-update.
– Google had not officially supported Pixel Stand for Pixel 10, though it worked previously until this update.

Recently, Google released the Android 16 QPR2 update for the Pixel 10 series. While the update introduces several features to the new flagship lineup, such as auto-themed icons and AI-driven notification summaries, it appears to have disabled support for the Pixel Stand wireless charger.

Google launched the Pixel 10 series as the first flagship Android devices supporting Qi2 wireless charging. In addition to native Qi2 charging, Google introduced a range of Qi2 accessories branded Pixelsnap, featuring a new wireless charger and stand tailored for the Pixel 10.

Understandably, Google discontinued support for the older Pixel Stand (2nd Gen) for the Pixel 10 since the company aimed to promote its new wireless chargers, coupled with the previous Pixel Stand being capped at 7.5W, which resulted in slow charging rates and overheating, whereas the new Pixelsnap chargers can deliver up to 25W.

Nonetheless, many users discovered that with the right angle, the Pixel Stand still functioned with the Pixel 10 series. However, users on Reddit are now indicating that after the Android 16 QPR2 update, the Pixel Stand (2nd Gen) is no longer operational with their devices.

As noted by PiunikaWeb, users claim that following the update, the Pixel Stand displays orange and white flashes whenever a Pixel 10 is placed atop it. This wasn’t the case before, but the charger now allegedly produces an error when attempting to charge. This suggests that Google has deliberately terminated support for the Pixel Stand in this latest Android update.

It is important to mention that this issue is exclusive to Pixel 10 series devices, and Google has consistently stated that the Pixel Stand does not officially support the Pixel 10. It functioned until now, but the most recent update appears to have caused a change that disrupts compatibility.

If you’re in the market for a new wireless charger, it may be advisable to purchase one of the new Qi2 wireless chargers to ensure your device charges efficiently without any complications.

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Google’s AI-Driven Concept Board Unveils Presentation Creation with Nano Banana Pro

Mixboard is capable of generating a visual deck or a presentation in read-only format using AI.

(Image credit: Google)

Essential information

  • The latest version of Mixboard, an experimental AI planning tool from Google, utilizes Nano Banana Pro.
  • Nano Banana Pro takes your concepts from Mixboard to create a presentation or slide deck.
  • Users have the option to select styles and provide text prompts for Nano Banana Pro, which will prepare the deck in approximately 20 minutes.

Notice

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Explore a Cost-Effective Option to Streaming Services

the company increased prices once more earlier this year. You receive 4K and HDR capabilities, in addition to the possibility of adding two users, yet some may find $25 quite high to view “Stranger Things” and other Netflix originals. If you’re looking to make a change and sever connections with streaming platforms, one budget-friendly and convenient solution springs to mind: the library.

Occasionally, moving forward requires looking back. Here, that means returning to physical formats, such as DVDs and Blu-ray discs, but the joy of saving hundreds annually could be invaluable. And if you ever experience FOMO, you can always borrow a friend’s login to catch up. To finally break free from streaming subscriptions, revisiting older technology might be worthwhile.

Obtain a library card and a Blu-ray player

Will Smith and Charlton Heston: Leading Actors in Different Adaptations of a Post-Apocalyptic Book

although this is how the majority of life on Earth is destined to conclude. The cinema has showcased numerous apocalyptic scenarios, alongside several post-apocalyptic series available on streaming platforms. One narrative that has been revisited numerous times stems from a Richard Matheson novel published in 1954. The pioneering sci-fi horror book “I Am Legend” chronicles the journey of Robert Neville, the sole survivor of a virus that has decimated most of humanity and transformed others into what he perceives to be vampires. At the forefront of the undead is Ben Cortman, Neville’s previous neighbor, who relentlessly attempts to persuade Neville to embrace the new order. It’s a brief, profoundly grim read that intertwines science with the supernatural, featuring a tragic protagonist caught in between.

In 1964, the tale was adapted into “The Last Man on Earth,” featuring Vincent Price. Regrettably, the result didn’t meet Matheson’s expectations, prompting him to request the removal of his name from the film and to be credited under the pseudonym Logan Swanson. Fortunately, Hollywood and viewers were somewhat more favorable towards the later adaptations. In 1971, Charlton Heston led “The Omega Man,” and eventually, a few decades afterward, we saw “I Am Legend” with Will Smith. While both films retained the essential theme of one man versus the world, they explored Matheson’s haunting story in distinctly different manners, introducing very different types of monsters along the way.

The Omega Man featured Charlton Heston defeating cultists in California

<div class="slide-key image-holder gallery-image-holder credit-image-wrap" data-post-url="https://www.bgr.com/2045684/will-smith-charlton-heston-i-am-legend-the-omega-man-adaptations/" data-post-title="Will Smith And Charlton Heston Starred In Two Different Adaptations Of The Same Post-Apocalyptic Novel"

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TicWatches Vanish from Retailers as Mobvoi Concentrates on AI, Further Diminishing the Wear OS Ecosystem

The Mobvoi TicWatch Atlas, introduced in 2024, signifies the newest and possibly last addition to Mobvoi’s smartwatch range. Although it debuted with Wear OS 4, the Atlas has not yet been upgraded to Wear OS 5 nor does it support Google’s Gemini, underscoring Mobvoi’s persistent difficulties in delivering timely software updates. The firm has encountered obstacles in keeping pace with advancements in Wear OS, a predicament worsened by the supremacy of Google and Samsung in the smartwatch domain. As Mobvoi pivots its attention towards home fitness and AI innovations, the TicWatch series has started to vanish from both retailers and the company’s website, indicating a likely withdrawal from the smartwatch market. This pattern mirrors broader challenges within the Wear OS community, where companies like Fossil and Tag Heuer have also exited, leaving Google, Samsung, OnePlus/Oppo, and Xiaomi as the remaining contenders. Mobvoi’s prospects in wearables remain ambiguous, as the company only offers minimal support for existing devices while venturing into new AI technology initiatives.

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Amazon Alerts Millions of Customers Regarding Possible Security Threats

USA Today addressed the issue, with Christy Vargas from Amazon’s public relations division stating, “We will keep investing in consumer protection and public education on how to avoid scams. We urge consumers to report any suspected scams to us so we can safeguard their accounts and notify law enforcement about malicious actors to help ensure consumer safety.”

Interestingly, Amazon’s awareness initiatives have coincided with a recent public service announcement (PSA) from the FBI, which cautioned consumers to remain vigilant against account takeover fraud (ATO). While the bureau’s advisory emphasized attackers posing as customer service and tech support representatives from financial institutions, the strategies employed by these fraudsters are akin to those recognized by Amazon.

Warning signs to be aware of

The Effect of AI on Apple IT Teams: Perspectives from the Apple @ Work Podcast

### The Influence of AI on Apple IT Operations: Insights from Apu Pavithran

Within the swiftly shifting domain of technology, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a fundamental driver, especially in the area of IT management for Apple products. In a recent edition of Apple @ Work, Apu Pavithran from Hexnode provided significant perspectives on how AI is altering the way businesses oversee their Apple ecosystems.

#### The Function of AI in IT Management

AI is progressively being incorporated into IT management tools, allowing businesses to automate repetitive tasks, bolster security protocols, and enhance overall effectiveness. For Apple IT operations, this signifies that administrators can utilize AI-powered tools to simplify device deployment, oversight, and safeguarding.

Pavithran highlighted that AI can greatly lessen the manual workload for IT crews, enabling them to concentrate on more strategic projects. By automating procedures such as device enrollment and setup, companies can guarantee that their Apple devices are ready for use with minimal effort.

#### Strengthening Security with AI

Security remains a primary concern for any organization, and AI is essential in improving the security framework of Apple devices. AI algorithms can scrutinize user activity and identify irregularities, delivering real-time notifications for possible security threats. This anticipatory method aids organizations in diminishing risks before they develop into serious concerns.

Furthermore, AI can help in the administration of software updates and patches, ensuring that devices are consistently enhanced with the latest security functionalities. This is particularly critical in an environment where cyber threats are perpetually evolving.

#### Prospective Developments in AI and Apple IT

With the ongoing advancements in AI technology, its roles in Apple IT management are anticipated to broaden. Pavithran mentioned the potential for AI to support predictive analytics, allowing businesses to foresee and resolve challenges before they surface. This proactive methodology can lead to improved device functionality and user satisfaction.

In addition, the fusion of AI with other emerging technologies, such as machine learning and the Internet of Things (IoT), could further amplify the capabilities of IT management tools for Apple products.

#### Conclusion

The insights shared by Apu Pavithran underscore the transformative influence of AI on Apple IT operations. By adopting AI-driven tools, organizations can optimize their IT functions, strengthen security, and get ready for the future of technology. As the environment continues to progress, remaining updated on these innovations will be vital for IT specialists managing Apple ecosystems.

For those keen on investigating the incorporation of AI in their Apple IT management, platforms like Mosyle provide extensive solutions designed to streamline and automate the procedure. With over 45,000 organizations placing their trust in Mosyle, it is recognized as a frontrunner in offering a cohesive platform for effectively managing Apple devices.

To listen to the entire conversation and gain further insights, check out the episode linked above.

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