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How to Gain Access to the New Gemini Home Assistant Ahead of Time, with a Restriction

It will merely alter the voice — your Home and Nest devices will continue operating with Google Assistant.

(Image credit: Android Central)

Essential information

  • Reddit users have discovered a method to switch their Google Home voice to one of the new Gemini voices ahead of time.
  • The trick involves manually starting the Gemini for Home onboarding sequence to change the voice.
  • It’s crucial to understand that, while it seems to upgrade your smart home to Gemini, this trick solely alters the voice — it will continue to utilize Google Assistant.

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Premier Smartwatch with Outstanding Battery Endurance Still 36% Discounted Close to Conclusion of Cyber Monday

Conquer your fitness aspirations early with the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar.

(Image credit: Michael Hicks / Android Central)

When searching for the top Cyber Monday smartwatch bargains, battery performance should not be missed. Indeed, there are wearables that are visually appealing and packed with features, but if you’re after endurance, nothing compares to the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar, currently available at a 36% discount during Amazon’s Cyber Monday event.

The Instinct 2X Solar utilizes solar energy to offer nearly limitless battery life, and the watch also boasts a robust design along with the newest Garmin fitness functionalities.

Suggested Cyber Monday Add-ons in Place of Meta Quest Charging Stations

Charging docks may appear impressive, yet they frequently turn out to be an unnecessary expense. I’ve utilized numerous Meta Quest accessories that outperform them.

Over the years, I’ve tried a vast array of Meta Quest accessories, including golf clubs, charging docks, facial interface and head strap replacements, controller straps, gun attachments, and more. Although many of these accessories enhance comfort or immersion, a charging dock is essentially ineffective.

This is due to the fact that most docks don’t allow for controller charging while using wrist straps or cases, and I don’t know about you, but I always use my Quest controllers with those accessories. Therefore, instead of squandering your money on a charging dock that fails to make charging more efficient, invest in these superb accessories that I’ve personally evaluated, all available at discounted prices for Cyber Monday.

I’ve ranked these based on upgrade importance, so if you’re only picking one item from this list, ensure it’s one of the head strap replacements. You can thank me later.

1. **BoboVR S3 Pro**: The peak of comfort, featuring washable pads, ergonomic design, integrated fan, and a magnetically hot-swappable rechargeable battery. Now $71.99 at Amazon.

2. **Yoges 10,000mAh battery headstrap**: Premium strap design equipped with a rechargeable battery. Now $36.09 at Amazon.

3. **AMVR Quest 3 facial interface replacement (FC4)**: Enhanced design focusing on comfort and practicality. Now $31.99 at Amazon.

4. **AMVR Quest 3S facial interface replacement**: Simplistic design with a buy one get one free promotion. Now $19.75 at Amazon.

5. **AMVR Controller grips**: Sleek design featuring grip and wrist strap. Now $16.99 at Amazon.

6. **Kiwi Design G4 Max controller grips**: Extended grips designed for larger hands. Now $27.99 at Amazon.

7. **PrismXR Vega T1 earbuds**: Extremely low latency audio with passthrough power. Now $55.99 at Amazon.

8. **Yoges Adjustable length golf club**: Customizable for different users. Now $26.59 at Amazon.

9. **Woojer Haptic Vest 4**: Audio-responsive haptic vest for immersive encounters. Now $249 at Best Buy.

Each of these accessories will enhance your experience with the Quest 3 and Quest 3S, and I can personally endorse every single one. If you aim for the best from your Quest 3 or 3S, begin with the top recommendation and choose the one that suits you best. You can’t go wrong with any of them, especially with such fantastic discounts!

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App Store Accountability Act Seeks to Make Apple Responsible for Age Verification Procedures

### The App Store Accountability Act: A Fresh Perspective on Age Verification

There has been rising demand from both state and federal authorities to shield children from age-inappropriate content on apps and websites. This concern has resulted in a notable change in the perception of age verification duties, transitioning from individual app developers to the app stores themselves. This transformation is encapsulated in the recently proposed App Store Accountability Act (ASA).

#### Present Situation of Age Verification

Historically, app developers have held the legal obligation of ensuring the application of age verification measures for their users. However, states like Utah and Texas have started to hold major tech firms, such as Apple and Google, responsible for age verification. This trend is picking up momentum, with numerous other states contemplating similar legislation.

A report from The Verge indicates that a federal law could potentially unify this approach across the country, making it an essential issue for both app developers and technology giants.

#### Core Elements of the App Store Accountability Act

The ASA suggests that mobile app stores assume the duty of verifying the ages of users. Once verified, this data would be communicated to apps during the download process. This legislative initiative has arisen as part of a more extensive package aimed at improving child safety online.

The bill’s advocates argue that this method is a “reasonable measure.” Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), a co-sponsor of the House version, highlights that it holds major tech companies to the same standards as local retailers, which are already obliged to adhere to age limitations on items like tobacco and firearms.

#### Privacy and User Experience Issues

Opponents of the current system contend that requiring users to present government-issued IDs and video selfies to various developers introduces considerable privacy threats. A more centralized verification system, where companies like Apple manage age verification once, could reduce these concerns. This would not only enhance user privacy but also improve the overall user experience by eliminating the necessity for repeated age verification every time a user installs a new app.

#### Conclusion

The App Store Accountability Act signifies a noteworthy transition in the duty of age verification from app developers to app stores. As discussions about child safety online continue to progress, this legislation could establish a benchmark for how age-inappropriate content is handled in the digital realm. With increasing backing for this approach, it remains to be seen how it will be rolled out and its potential effects on both users and developers.

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Apple TV’s Top 10 Content List Fueling Signups Reveals Surprising Gems

Apple TV is primarily recognized for its high-profile TV series and films, yet recent findings suggest that sports have emerged as a crucial factor in attracting new subscribers. A report by Antenna reveals that Major League Baseball (MLB) games have surpassed popular programs such as “The Morning Show” in gaining new sign-ups during the 2025 baseball season.

### MLB Games Lead Apple TV’s Subscription Growth

The data indicates that MLB games were the foremost reason for new subscriptions on Apple TV between April and September 2025. A notable matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees in May led to 722,000 new sign-ups, making it the highest event during that period. In fact, out of the ten largest sign-up events, six were individual baseball games.

Here’s the complete breakdown of the top ten signup contributors for Apple TV during this timeframe:

1. Dodgers vs. Yankees (May): 722k
2. Yankees vs. Phillies (July): 698k
3. Phillies vs. Mets (June): 631k
4. The Morning Show: 524k
5. Your Friends & Neighbors: 514k
6. Phillies vs. Dodgers (April): 473k
7. Stick: 443k
8. Mets vs. Dodgers (May): 426k
9. Giants vs. Rangers (April): 375k
10. Chief of War: 370k

While Apple does not publicly reveal precise subscriber totals or which shows contribute most to new subscriptions, Antenna is acknowledged for its accurate streaming subscription statistics.

### The Effect of Sports on Subscription Growth

The effect of a single sports game on subscription figures is significant. Many viewers, including those who subscribed to alternative streaming platforms for specific NFL games, can identify with this pattern. However, it remains unclear whether fans who joined solely for MLB games have continued their subscriptions afterward. Reports suggest that baseball enthusiasts might be less likely to retain their subscriptions due to the limited sports options available on Apple TV. Still, the initial sign-ups have made a substantial impact, even if some have subsequently canceled.

In 2026, Apple TV plans to enhance its sports content by offering full access to Formula 1 and Major League Soccer (MLS) games, in addition to MLB, at no extra charge. This enhancement will be critical in evaluating the ongoing influence of sports on the platform’s expansion.

### Subscription Pricing

At present, Apple TV is priced at just $5.99 per month, showcasing acclaimed series and films like “Ted Lasso,” “Severance,” and “Pluribus.” Subscribers can also enjoy Apple TV as part of the Apple One bundle.

In summary, while Apple TV has carved out a niche as a source of premium television and film, the rising influence of sports on subscriber growth should not be ignored. As the platform continues to broaden its range of offerings, it will be intriguing to observe how sports content affects its future achievements.

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Anthropologists Explore the Continuous Development of Humanity

Evolution has not ceased; it merely changed its course.

Even though contemporary medicine results in fewer individuals dying before they can reproduce, natural selection remains influential on our genes. In fact, some researchers argue that modern lifestyles have quickened our evolutionary progress. An accelerated way of living brings about more rapid changes and even swifter adaptations. Homo sapiens is far from completing the journey of human evolution. What once molded us in nature now manifests through hygiene, nutrition, and societal frameworks. However, the narrative is far from finished. All we need to do is examine our DNA and observe the marks of an ongoing evolution.

Humans have not completed the process of evolution

iOS 26 Functions Effectively on Newer iPhones but Encounters Problems on Older Devices

iOS 26, the newest software enhancement for its iPhone lineup, brings a plethora of improvements to the user experience. This includes the innovative Liquid Glass transparent design, increased customization choices for the Lock Screen, fresh features for the Phone and Messages applications, such as Call Screening and Live Translation, enhancements to Camera and Photos, alongside upgrades in Apple Intelligence.

It is technically compatible with any iPhone model starting from the iPhone 11 series, as well as the 2nd-generation iPhone SE and newer. Nevertheless, Apple Intelligence is restricted to the iPhone 15 Pro and latter models. This encompasses certain functionalities you may not even recognize as utilizing AI processing, which consequently won’t be accessible on earlier devices.

Moreover, prior to downloading iOS 26 to older models that have less processing capacity, you should contemplate possible complications — such as diminished performance and increased battery consumption. This trend seems usual when Apple rolls out new operating system versions. While the software support reaches older devices, you won’t necessarily experience the complete advantages of the revised operating system.

How iOS 26 may perform on older iPhones

Pixel’s RCS Update Could Enable Employers to View Every Message on Your Phone

However, this is solely relevant to devices owned by the company.

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

Key information to consider

  • Google is introducing RCS message archiving on Pixels managed by the company, which enables employers to access employee messages.
  • This functionality aids organizations in adhering to stringent compliance requirements as RCS disrupts conventional carrier logging.
  • Third-party archival applications are capable of reading message data stored on-device and can even alert IT when messages are sent or modified.
  • Archiving is functional exclusively on company-managed Pixels, with employees receiving a distinct notification when it is in use.
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“Unrivaled Cyber Monday Offer: Galaxy Z Fold 7 at Best Price Before Fold 8 Launch”

Hugely reduced price AND a storage enhancement? Count me in.

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

This time of year is fantastic for a variety of reasons. Not only do families come together to celebrate and enjoy football, but it signifies that Christmas is just around the corner. It also indicates that we can expect considerable discounts on some of our favorite gadgets, such as saving $700 on the Galaxy Z Fold 7.

Usually, there aren’t many price reductions on Samsung’s flagship models after the pre-order period concludes. However, it appears we are fortunate as this Samsung Cyber Monday offer on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 provides a discount of nearly $1,000, PLUS you will receive an upgrade to 512GB of storage at no cost.

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