Blog Posts

Blog Posts

Apple Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Unique Animated Homepage Tribute

**Apple Honors 50 Years of Innovation with Unique Animation and Events**

In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Apple has revamped its website homepage to include a unique animation video that showcases some of the brand’s most celebrated inventions. This animated sketch art highlights iconic items like the original Mac, the iMac, the iPod, the App Store, the Apple Watch, the iPhone 17 Pro, Vision Pro, and additional products, all presented in an engaging illustrative manner.

April 1st marks the exact 50th anniversary of the collaboration between Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, which began in Jobs’ family garage where their initial manufacturing and operations were established. The subsequent year saw the official incorporation of Apple Computer Inc.

Although Apple generally emphasizes looking ahead instead of dwelling on the past, the company has made an exception for this important milestone. In the weeks prior to the anniversary, Apple has held celebratory concerts at various Apple Store locations around the globe, including a private performance by Paul McCartney at Apple Park.

The homepage features a heartfelt message:

“**50 Years of Thinking Different**
At 50 years, it’s natural to reflect. However, Apple has consistently looked to the future, creating tools and providing experiences that enhance people’s lives. As we celebrate our achievements, we’re motivated by our future — together.”

As Apple reflects on its evolution from a small startup to a leading industry player, further special coverage is expected throughout the week, highlighting the company’s historical growth and its influence on technology and culture.

Apple Lowers Cost of Studio Display XDR Without Stand Option by $400

### Apple Studio Display XDR Price Reduction: Key Information

Apple has recently revealed a notable price reduction for its Studio Display XDR, which was introduced just last month. Originally priced at $3,299 for both the VESA mount variant and the model equipped with Apple’s tilt-adjustable stand, the VESA mount variant has now seen a $400 decrease, resulting in a new price of $2,899. This adjustment is an uncommon event in Apple’s pricing approach, particularly so soon after a product’s release.

#### Explanation of Price Adjustments

The reduction in price for the VESA mount variant indicates that the production costs for this model are significantly lower compared to the version that comes with the stand. It prompts inquiries into why this difference was not reflected in the pricing initially. Nonetheless, a 12% price decrease within a month of launch is unusual for Apple products, which are generally recognized for their consistent pricing.

Along with the price alteration, Apple has modified the purchasing process on its website. The updated flow highlights the lower-priced VESA mount variant right from the beginning. Previously, customers were first asked to select between glass textures—standard or nano-texture. Now, the initial step in the buying experience is to choose the stand option, allowing customers to identify the most economical configuration right away.

#### Effects for Consumers

For those interested in acquiring Apple’s premium monitor but who already possess a VESA-compatible stand, this price reduction offers a valuable chance to save $400. However, it should be noted that the non-XDR Studio Display has not experienced a comparable price drop. Both the stand and VESA mount options for this model continue to be priced at $1,599, with the standard tilt-adjustable stand included, while the height-adjustable version remains a $400 upgrade.

#### Summary

The recent price reduction for the Studio Display XDR underscores Apple’s adaptability to market conditions and consumer demands. For prospective buyers, especially those with pre-existing VESA-compatible setups, this adjustment enhances the appeal of the Studio Display XDR. As always, consumers should evaluate their specific needs and existing equipment before deciding to purchase.

Finnish Neurowellness Startup Audicin Secures $1.9 Million in Funding

The all-female-founded company, backed by Oura Health co-founders and Business Finland, uses brainwave entrainment to support focus, sleep, and recovery via background audio. Its new Sleep Headband targets secure environments where phones are banned. Audicin, the Finnish neurotechnology company using brainwave entrainment and auditory engineering to support nervous system regulation, has raised $1.9 million in […]

This story continues at The Next Web

Google Introduces New Fitbit Inspired by Whoop, Revealed by Steph Curry

The forthcoming Fitbit gadget, hinted at by Google, is poised to transform our health tracking experience with its groundbreaking screenless design. This innovative wearable, featured in a video by basketball icon Steph Curry, includes a textile band and focuses on health monitoring without requiring a display. The device is anticipated to provide fundamental tracking capabilities at no cost, while more sophisticated insights are likely to be accessible through a Fitbit Premium subscription.

This strategy resembles the model employed by Whoop, a brand recognized for its screenless fitness trackers that depend on smartphones for comprehensive health information. Google’s foray into this arena indicates a rising trend towards minimalist wearables prioritizing functionality and data precision over visual feedback.

The promotional video alludes to a “new relationship with your health,” implying that this Fitbit device could connect with Google’s AI health endeavors, possibly providing tailored health coaching and insights. Although no official release date has been disclosed, the participation of a prominent athlete like Curry suggests that the launch may be imminent.

As the marketplace for screenless fitness trackers grows, Google’s upcoming Fitbit could establish a new benchmark for health monitoring technology, presenting users with a smooth and unobtrusive method to remain updated about their wellness.

Telink TL3228: Energy-efficient Dual-core RISC-V Wireless MCU with Bluetooth 6.0, 802.15.4, and 2.4 GHz Proprietary Support

TL3228

Telink has launched the TL322x wireless MCU family, starting with the TL3228, featuring a 192 MHz dual-core RISC-V MCU, and supporting Bluetooth 6.0, Matter, Thread, Zigbee, RF4CE, and proprietary 2.4GHz protocols for Smart Home, asset tracking, “8K” gaming accessories, and more The chip supports the recent Bluetooth features such as Channel Sounding, AoA/AoD, and LE Audio, as well as the company’s proprietary HDT technology delivering up to 6 Mbps data rate and ultra-low latency. Telink TL3228 specifications: Dual-core CPU 32-bit Andes D25F RISC-V core with FPU up to 192 MHz 32-bit Andes N22 RISC-V core Memory – 384 KB SRAM Storage – 2.5 MB of NVM (Flash + RRAM) Connectivity Bluetooth 6.0 Channel Sounding Mesh Networking Bluetooth LE AoA/AoD location services 802.15.4 radio for Zigbee, Thread, Matter, RF4CE 2.4GHz Proprietary 2.4GHz radio data rates – 1Mbps, 2Mbps, 4Mbps, 6Mbps; Bluetooth LE PHY: LE 2M, LE Coded Bluetooth LE Multiple Connections – 4x […]

The post Telink TL3228 – Low-power, low-latency dual-core RISC-V wireless MCU supports Bluetooth 6.0, 802.15.4, and 2.4 GHz proprietary appeared first on CNX Software – Embedded Systems News.

Apple Unveils iOS 18 Update to Counter DarkSword Exploit for Users Who Are Not Transitioning to iOS 26

Apple plans to launch an iOS 18 update on Wednesday morning to fix vulnerabilities exploited by the DarkSword hacking tool. This comes after a number of updates directed at earlier iOS versions, particularly focusing on two vulnerabilities known as Coruna and DarkSword. Coruna impacts devices running iOS 13 through iOS 17.2.1, whereas DarkSword affects iPhones on iOS 18.4-18.7.

Both vulnerabilities make use of multiple weaknesses, mainly through WebKit, to compromise devices. In response, Apple has issued several updates, including:

– iOS 15.8.7 and iPadOS 15.8.7 for older models such as iPhone 6s and iPad Air 2.
– iOS 16.7.15 and iPadOS 16.7.15 for devices like iPhone 8 and iPad Pro 9.7-inch.
– iOS 18.7.7 and iPadOS 18.7.7 for newer models like iPhone XS and iPad 7th generation.

Although Apple has patched iOS 18 for devices that aren’t capable of running iOS 26, those that are compatible with iOS 26 but haven’t yet updated remain exposed. To remedy this situation, Apple has stated it will deliver an updated version of iOS 18 with safeguards against the DarkSword vulnerability, similar to what is included in iOS 26. Users with auto-update enabled will receive this automatically, whereas those who have it disabled can opt for the patched iOS 18 or choose to upgrade to iOS 26.

This preemptive action follows the revelation of DarkSword being publicly accessible on GitHub, heightening the risk for users. It is essential for anyone still on iOS 18 to promptly update their devices as soon as the patch is made available.

CMF Headphone Pro: Best Deal in Sound Now Offered at 32% Discount

At $99, the CMF Headphone Pro is already an affordable headphone choice. It’s even more economical now.

What type of headphones can you find for under $100? We’ve become accustomed to investing hundreds in over-ear headphones, but CMF and Nothing encourage reevaluation when it comes to spending that much on a new pair of cans. I tested the CMF Headphone Pro, a pair of over-ear ANC headphones with a regular price of only $99. Even after using much pricier headphones, I switched to the CMF Headphone Pro seamlessly.

They’re arguably the finest headphones available for under $100. In the closing moments of Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, you can save an additional $32 on the already budget-friendly headphones. This reduces the price of the CMF Headphone Pro to just $67, and you’ll be amazed at the value you receive for that amount.

CMF’s Headphone Pro is a set of budget-friendly ANC headphones featuring a lightweight and comfortable design. The headphones come equipped with plenty of tactile, responsive playback, ANC, and volume controls. You’ll enjoy 100 hours of battery life with ANC switched off.

It’s hard to fathom these headphones originally priced at $99, but they’re only $67 now.

✅ Recommended if: you seek affordable ANC headphones with robust build quality; you prioritize battery life above nearly everything else; you require hi-res LDAC support and a multi-band EQ.

❌ Skip this deal if: you desire top-tier sound quality; you want improved transparency mode performance.

The CMF Headphone Pro’s design may appear quirky, but they are remarkably lightweight and flexible. They adapt to any head shape with their comfortable and modular ear cushions. On-headphone controls are exceptional, featuring two buttons, a slider, and a roller. The headphones include an equalizer, and in an unusual move, you can directly adjust the EQ strength on the CMF Headphone Pro with the onboard slider.

These headphones also feature a USB-C port for charging and a 3.5mm headphone jack for connectivity. Sound quality is delivered through 40mm drivers with nickel-plated diaphragms. On the technical side, the CMF Headphone Pro includes a 16.5 mm copper voice coil, a precision bass duct, and a dual-chamber design to ensure the audio remains rich and clear.

For those requiring hi-res audio, the CMF Headphone Pro employs the optional LDAC codec at speeds up to 990kbps over Bluetooth. Battery life stretches up to 100 hours with ANC activated, and half that with ANC deactivated.

As an audiophile, I recognize the worth of investing in higher-end options like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 headphones. However, if you’re seeking just the essentials, you won’t find better value than the CMF Headphone Pro.