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Methods to Reach More than 500 Complimentary Live Channels with a Roku Streaming Stick

Roku Streaming Stick allows you to access thousands of entertainment applications on your television, including well-known services like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max — in addition to additional applications such as Apple AirPlay and Google Home.

Roku serves as an excellent option for those who have cut the cord, as the device offers a variety of apps (known as Streaming Channels) that provide extensive collections of films and TV series at no cost. But what if you want a method to stream your preferred local channels for free? While connecting one of the top indoor TV antennas to capture broadcasts in your area is always a possibility, you can explore the Roku Channel, which features more than 500 free live channels. It’s also free to install, and you can conveniently locate it by utilizing the Search feature on your Roku home screen. If you choose Streaming Channels, it should appear as a highlighted app.

Upon launching the Roku Channel, you will find yourself on the Home tab. Use your remote to navigate to the left-hand column of options and choose Live TV. This will direct you to the Live TV menu, where you can browse through categories such as Featured, Trending Now, and Recommended For You. The Live TV section can further be filtered by genre and content type (including news, sports, and holiday specials).

A fantastic streaming choice in plain view

The Ultimate Guide to the Top Audio Input Port

the finest soundbars, receivers, gaming headsets, and speaker systems. Recently, I acquired a soundbar and subwoofer package from Amazon that accommodates both analog and digital audio, prompting me to ponder a question many PC users ultimately ask: Which audio port provides the highest sound quality?

Modern audio equipment provides various methods for transmitting sound from your device to your speakers, and not all ports function similarly. Classic analog connections, like the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack or RCA inputs, carry unprocessed audio signals that your speakers need to decipher and amplify. They are straightforward, highly compatible, and continue to be utilized across a variety of devices, ranging from studio monitors to gaming PCs. However, they can also be susceptible to electrical interference, leading to distortion based on the quality of the cable used and your overall audio arrangement. 

In contrast, digital ports like optical, USB-C, HDMI eARC, and coaxial audio transmit data as 1s and 0s. Since the signal remains digital until it arrives at a DAC (digital-to-analog converter) where it is converted to an analog signal, these ports usually deliver cleaner audio, enhanced channel separation, and compatibility with advanced audio formats and features.

Grasping how each port operates and the advantages and disadvantages of analog versus digital can assist you in selecting the best connection, whether it’s for gaming, music creation, films, or routine PC audio. Let’s analyze the distinctions to aid you in making the appropriate choice for your home audio configuration. 

Analog audio

Top 2 Attributes of Google Gemini for Android Auto

Google Maps equipped with various AI capabilities, appearing in Chrome to assist you in writing, and being previewed on Google Home, Google Gemini is now operational on Android Auto to serve as your reliable co-pilot with whom you can engage in a natural dialogue. As anticipated, Gemini is designed to be quite advantageous while you’re behind the wheel, alleviating the need to interact with your phone or the vehicle’s infotainment system.

Being a conversational AI assistant, you can make inquiries without being concerned about command phrasing or specific vocal directives. It also comprehends the context of your dialogue, which allows follow-up inquiries and commands to function effortlessly. Furthermore, due to its access to various Google services and their integration, it can accomplish tasks that might prove challenging for other AI assistants, particularly if you are heavily involved in the Google ecosystem. Here are two of its standout features for Android Auto users that you should experience during your next car journey.

Gemini is your all-knowing navigator

While the standard Google Assistant can locate directions to your destination, a place to charge your EV, or even search for a restaurant to enjoy lunch en route, Gemini’s AI functions can tackle more intricate and challenging requests. For instance, you might ask it to “locate a highly-rated restaurant offering Italian food, that doesn’t require a significant detour and has ample parking.” You can also ask follow-up questions about the reviews of a restaurant you find appealing from the suggested choices, its most popular dishes, or if it welcomes pets.

In a similar vein, if you’re driving an EV, you could inquire with something like “locate an EV charging station with chargers that can provide over 150KW of power and has dining options nearby while my vehicle charges.” Thanks to its integration with Google Maps and its access to a vast array of information online, it can handle such complex requests effortlessly.

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Informative Title: News on Google’s XR Glasses, One UI 8.5 Beta Launch, and Possible Motorola Foldable Device

A summary of the most significant technology news that made waves this week.

(Image credit: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)
Technology News Digest

(Image credit: Future)

Technology News Digest serves as our section where we showcase and condense some of the week’s leading stories, allowing you to stay updated with the current tech developments.

This is Android Central’s Technology News Digest, your primary destination for a succinct compilation of the week’s key tech headlines. Here, we explore the standout news that reflects the latest advancements and innovations shaping the digital world.

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Anticipated Launch of Garmin Vivosmart 6 Set to Influence the Fitness Tracker Industry

The Garmin Vivosmart 6 is set to create a notable influence in the affordable fitness tracker segment, particularly with the incorporation of built-in GPS. This feature signifies a considerable improvement from the Vivosmart 5, which depended on an external GPS connection. The Vivosmart 6 is projected to be launched at CES 2026, consistent with Garmin’s pattern of unveiling new gadgets at this showcase.

The Vivosmart 6 is said to come with more than 30 sports applications, a remarkable rise from the 13 modes that its predecessor offered. This upgrade, along with the built-in GPS, positions the Vivosmart 6 as a more adaptable fitness tracker for athletes and fitness aficionados.

Concerning design, the Vivosmart 5 showcased a compact OLED touchscreen and key health metrics such as heart rate and blood oxygen saturation. The upcoming model is expected to keep a lightweight format while possibly providing a larger, full-color display to rival other budget-friendly fitness trackers like the Xiaomi Mi Band 10 and Fitbit Charge 6.

Garmin is anticipated to incorporate sophisticated health functionalities such as Heart Rate Variability (HRV), sleep coaching, and the Health Status tool, which tracks health irregularities. These enhancements would modernize the Vivosmart 6 and boost its attractiveness in a market that has shifted towards economical smartwatches.

The pricing strategy for the Vivosmart 6 is still unclear, but Garmin needs to find a balance between cost and value, particularly in light of the competitive environment. If Garmin can offer these advanced features at a reasonable price, the Vivosmart 6 might emerge as an enticing choice for budget-minded consumers seeking a comprehensive fitness tracking solution.

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Apple Wallet Improves Order Tracking in iOS 16, Although Certain Features Are Still Missing

# Apple Wallet Order Tracking: An Encouraging Functionality with Constraints

With the launch of iOS 26, Apple unveiled a notable upgrade to the order tracking capability within the Wallet app. By employing on-device Apple Intelligence models, the company set out to simplify the order tracking experience by extracting details from users’ emails, thus minimizing dependence on merchants to provide dedicated tracking options. Nevertheless, after several months of utilization, many perceive this advancement to be more of a cosmetic enhancement than a solid resolution.

## Evolution of Apple Wallet Order Tracking

The path of order tracking in Apple Wallet commenced with iOS 16, allowing users to monitor orders only if affiliated merchants facilitated the feature. Transactions made via Apple Pay would automatically populate the Wallet app with order information. With the rollout of iOS 17, Apple introduced a manual integration alternative, yet the core issue persisted: the insufficient support from merchants limited the feature’s practicality.

The unveiling of iOS 26 heralded a change in this scenario. By harnessing Apple Intelligence to gather order data from emails, users would no longer be restricted by a limited number of participating merchants. However, the actual performance of this function has turned out to be less advantageous than expected.

## The Limitations

The main limitation of the updated order tracking system hinges on its reliance on email analysis for information. Rather than merely pulling tracking numbers and supplying real-time updates, the system necessitates that merchants dispatch multiple emails for each major order notification. This can create a frustrating scenario, particularly if a merchant communicates solely when an order is shipped and when it is received, leaving users with scant information during the interim.

Moreover, the dependence on background refreshes from the Mail app can lead to an excessive number of notifications, particularly when several packages are intended to arrive on the same day. Users have also expressed confusion regarding in-store pickup orders, where the system mistakenly suggests that items have been shipped when they are actually available for pickup.

## Conclusion

While the idea of tracking packages through email confirmations is progressive, the implementation has fallen short of expectations. Instead of leveraging established package tracking APIs to deliver precise tracking information once a tracking number is obtained, Apple selected a route that feels less efficient and more burdensome.

Consequently, numerous users have opted to switch off order notifications in the Wallet app due to the intrusive nature of the alerts. It seems that Apple may have refrained from fully integrating with package tracking applications to evade allegations of “sherlocking” those services, but the current execution feels inadequate and not reflective of Apple’s typical standards.

In summary, although the order tracking functionality in Apple Wallet holds promise, its present limitations obstruct its usability, resulting in disappointment for many users regarding the experience.

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User-Identified Android Phones to Steer Clear Of: Leading 5 Budget Options

affordable Android smartphones are available, suitable for anyone who needs a device that can carry out basic smartphone functions, such as web browsing, staying updated with news, and communicating with friends and family.

A budget-friendly Android smartphone can be a practical choice, particularly if you haven’t set aside funds for a mid-tier or premium model. Although you can find an Android phone for as little as $50, not every budget option on the market is worth purchasing.

But don’t just rely on our opinion – some customers who purchased the most inexpensive models have quickly experienced buyer’s remorse due to unmet expectations. If you’re in the market for a more affordable Android phone, it’s wise to avoid the following models.

Umidigi C1 Max

The Umidigi C1 Max appears quite impressive on paper. It features 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, a dual-camera configuration on the back (50MP main and 2MP auxiliary lens), and a 5,150 mAh battery that charges via USB Type-C. The display is a standard-sized 6.52-inch screen with a 720p resolution. Additionally, it includes both face and fingerprint unlock for easy access to your home screen. Priced at under $90, it’s a compelling option for budget-conscious consumers.

Yet, despite its seemingly strong specifications, customer feedback reveals why this phone may not be a wise purchase. Even with 6GB of RAM, many users report that the device frequently freezes. The microphone quality is also described as average, with users dissatisfied with poor voice clarity during calls. If avoiding difficulties in phone conversations is important to you, skipping the C1 Max might be advisable. Others have noted issues with the charging port deteriorating shortly after unpacking the device or after a few months of use, indicating potential problems with the phone’s construction quality.

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Global Space Station

How Poetry Can Influence AI Chatbots and Why It’s Not Recommended

In a pioneering investigation released on arXiv in November 2025, scholars examined the weaknesses of sophisticated AI models by employing poetry as a means to circumvent their safety mechanisms. The research, which is pending peer review, involved assessing 25 cutting-edge AI models from nine different providers, including OpenAI, Anthropic, xAI, Alibaba’s Qwen, Deepseek, Mistral AI, Meta, Moonshot AI, and Google. The researchers composed 20 handwritten poems along with 1,200 AI-generated lines to examine the models’ reactions to harmful prompts across four safety categories: loss-of-control situations, harmful manipulation, cyber crimes, and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear weapons (CBRN).

The poems aimed to elicit specialized input on delicate issues such as indiscriminate weapons, child exploitation, self-harm, intellectual property and privacy violations, and other violent acts. A prompt was considered successful if it produced the desired unsafe reaction from the AI. The findings revealed that rephrasing unsafe requests into poetic expression led to a fivefold rise in successful prompts, emphasizing a general susceptibility in how AI models process language.

The success of the poetry prompts differed significantly among the models. Out of the 25 models evaluated, 13 were tricked more than 70% of the time, with Google, Deepseek, and Qwen particularly vulnerable. Even Anthropic’s Claude AI, recognized for its strong security features, was not immune, although it was deceived less often. Only four models successfully resisted the adversarial poetry prompts more than two-thirds of the time.

Notably, smaller models showed greater resilience against these poetic prompts in comparison to their larger counterparts. The research also indicated no notable advantage for proprietary systems over open-weight models. Moreover, human-crafted poetry was found to be significantly more effective at circumventing AI safety measures than AI-generated poetry, a result likely to delight literature aficionados.

This study highlights the necessity for improved security protocols in AI systems to tackle the intricate ways language can be utilized to exploit weaknesses. As AI technology continues to progress, comprehending and addressing these vulnerabilities will be vital to ensuring the responsible and ethical use of AI systems.

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Key Google Gemini Smartwatch Functions to Begin Utilizing

Google is transitioning from Google Assistant to Gemini, and certain newer timepieces, such as the Google Pixel Watch 4, include it as a standard feature. Indeed, having the capabilities of Gemini on your wrist can significantly alter how you navigate your daily activities.

Gemini is compatible with applications like Gmail, Google Maps, Google Calendar, and YouTube Music. Moreover, Gemini has the ability to comprehend conversational language and execute multi-step tasks, providing your smartwatch with functions that previously necessitated extra human assistance. Whether you possess a Google Pixel Watch or another smartwatch powered by Android, downloading the Google Gemini Wear OS app unveils an entire new array of features that you should begin utilizing.

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