Google Eases the Procedure for Replacing a Missing Pixel Bud
Replacement components for Pixel Buds can now be ordered directly from Google, starting at a price of $55 per piece.
Essential Information
- Google now offers replacement earbuds, eartips, and cases for Pixel Buds through its online shop.
- Parts for Pixel Buds Pro 2 are priced up to $95, whereas replacements for Pixel Buds 2a are available at $55 each.
- Customers can choose between left or right earbuds and check for stock availability, although some components are already sold out.
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Apple Shows Interest in Purchasing Warner Bros’ Television and Film Catalogue
**Warner Bros. Discovery: A Major Media Entity Up for Grabs**
Warner Bros. Discovery has officially opened its doors to prospective buyers, soliciting offers for the entire firm or various portions of its vast assets. The media giant has received a proposal from Paramount Skydance, suggesting $24 per share for the complete takeover. Nevertheless, Warner Bros. Discovery has yet to accept this offer.
CEO David Zaslav is keen on closing a sale, given that his financial incentives are linked to the successful completion of such an arrangement. Reports highlight that leading tech and media organizations, comprising Apple, Amazon, Netflix, and Comcast, have shown interest in acquiring Warner Bros.’ extensive collection of TV shows and movies.
Although Apple’s inclusion in these talks might heighten bidding enthusiasm, its genuine commitment to purchasing large media companies is still unclear. To date, Apple’s largest acquisition was Beats Electronics for $3 billion in 2013, and any potential deal for Warner Bros. would almost certainly require tens of billions of dollars and pose significant integration hurdles.
In a recent podcast, Eddy Cue from Apple mentioned that the company is not on the lookout for acquisitions to bolster its Apple TV service, preferring to develop content organically. However, he left the door open for the possibility of future acquisitions. Currently, Apple TV is marketed as a platform for original content, but the company may consider integrating established catalog titles if they are offered at an attractive price.
Historically, Apple has indicated interest in HBO’s intellectual property, having looked into a potential acquisition from AT&T Time Warner roughly ten years ago. Back then, Apple was dissuaded by AT&T’s intention to sell additional cable networks along with HBO. Given the current financial hurdles that Warner Bros. Discovery is facing, the company may now be more receptive to offers that entail the divestiture of parts of its assets.
As discussions unfold, interested entities, including Apple, will need to enter into non-disclosure agreements with Warner Bros. Discovery to gain access to confidential financial information. This process will enable potential buyers to evaluate the company’s financial viability before opting to make an offer.
In conclusion, Warner Bros. Discovery’s move to seek buyers signifies a pivotal moment in the media arena, as major entities like Apple contemplate the possibility of acquiring invaluable content libraries within a swiftly changing industry.
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Mandatory Facial Verification on Tinder Starts Today to Fight Scambots on Dating Applications
**Tinder Introduces Compulsory Face Verification for New Users in the US**
Tinder, the widely-used dating application, is launching a compulsory face verification feature for all new users in the United States, beginning this week in California and gradually extending to other states. This initiative is intended to improve user safety and tackle issues such as catfishing and scams that are common in online dating.
### The Face Check Feature
When opening the app for the first time, new users will be asked to perform a moving face scan, similar to the initial setup for Face ID on iPhones. This feature, referred to as Face Check, aims to confirm that the individual is genuine and physically present, as well as to ensure that their face corresponds with the photos they have uploaded to their profile.
According to Match Group, the parent company of Tinder, the face scan will be assessed against the profile photos to guarantee consistency. Yoel Roth, Head of Trust & Safety at Match Group, underscored the importance of this feature, stating, “Face Check is perhaps the most measurably impactful Trust and Safety feature I’ve seen in my 15-year career.” He pointed out that it tackles one of the most challenging concerns in online dating—validating user authenticity—while establishing barriers for malicious actors.
### Technology Behind Face Check
The technology powering Face Check is designed to identify users with multiple accounts, scammers using stolen images, and bots that employ AI-generated photos. Although the app does not use the iPhone’s Face ID module for an actual 3D scan, it captures images from various perspectives to create a 3D model of the user’s face.
After the verification process is finalized, the video selfies captured by users are immediately deleted. The app retains only a non-reversible, encrypted face map and face vector to assist in verifying new photos, detecting fraudulent activity, and preventing duplicate accounts. This strategy reflects Tinder’s dedication to user safety while safeguarding privacy.
### Addressing Catfishing and Scams
Catfishing and various scams have emerged as major issues on dating platforms, with bots using generative AI to engage users in conversations, enabling scammers to scale their operations. The rollout of face verification is a proactive approach to tackle these problems and is likely to become a standard practice across different dating apps as they seek to enhance user trust and safety.
### Conclusion
Tinder’s compulsory face verification feature signifies a major advancement toward improving safety in online dating. By employing sophisticated technology to verify user identities, Tinder aspires to cultivate a more secure atmosphere for its users, establishing a new benchmark in the dating sector. As the rollout progresses, it will be intriguing to observe how this feature influences user experience and the overall security of online dating platforms.
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Upcoming Significant Enhancement for iPhone’s NFC Chip
verify transactions with Apple Pay, open doors, pinpoint the owners of misplaced AirTags, and much more. Nonetheless, the present NFC chips are restricted to a distance of 5mm, meaning both devices must be within 5mm of each other. Consequently, it can sometimes be challenging to accurately utilize Apple Pay at a payment terminal, as your device has to be positioned within the correct range of the terminal.
Per the NFC Forum, however, this is about to change shortly, as the newly announced Certification Release 15 will enhance the reading range to 20mm for standard device categories. — consequently simplifying contactless payments significantly. As noted earlier, the key improvement will be the requirement for a less exact alignment to achieve a successful connection, while still ensuring adequate security for authentication.
CR15 will significantly enhance the NFC range on your iPhone and other devices
Think about the Huawei MatePad Pro for Your Upcoming Tablet Upgrade Instead of the Galaxy Tab S11
With a sleek design and an anti-glare tandem OLED, the MatePad Pro 12.2-inch boasts a notable edge.
Although Huawei continues to produce quite commendable smartphones — the Pura 80 Ultra features remarkable cameras — I think the company’s prospects in global markets are more promising with wearables and tablets. The Huawei Watch Ultimate 2 demonstrated the brand’s capabilities in this sector, and it’s so impressive that I transitioned from the Apple Watch Series 11 to it.
The narrative is similar with tablets; the MatePad Pro 12.2-inch presents clear advantages over the Galaxy Tab S11, as Huawei utilizes a tandem OLED — akin to the iPad Pro M4 and M5 — along with a distinct anti-glare panel, stylish design, excellent battery endurance, and robust internals. In the U.K., the MatePad Pro 12.2-inch is priced at £899 ($1,198), yet Huawei is currently offering it for £827. It is available in a single 12GB/512GB variant in the U.K.
An amazing anti-glare tandem OLED
Over the past three months, the MatePad Pro 12.2-inch received as much usage as my iPad Pro M4, and this is primarily due to the panel’s quality. I’m utilizing the PaperMatte edition of the tablet, and Huawei’s innovative anti-glare coating replicates the sensation of paper, enhancing the overall usage experience.
The 12.2-inch tandem OLED delivers outstanding color quality and superior brightness compared to most tablets, achieving a resolution of 2800 x 1840 and a 144Hz refresh rate. In fact, it is the brightest tablet available, significantly outperforming the Galaxy Tab S11 and other Android competitors. What’s particularly intriguing is that it surpasses the brightness of my iPad Pro M4.
Although there is no HDR support for Netflix or YouTube due to Huawei’s situation with Google, the tablet excels with SDR content. The panel exhibits remarkable color vibrancy, and the heightened brightness greatly enhances outdoor usability. Equipped with four audio drivers, it provides detailed onboard sound that is enjoyable for both casual viewing and gaming.
I primarily utilized the tablet for reading ebooks and magazines, and Huawei features a specific mode that switches the panel to monochrome, making it easier on the eyes. Additionally, there’s a color ebook mode that is perfect for those who like reading comics on the device.
Stylish design with practical accessories
The design is impressive as well; the front showcases thin bezels that are consistent on all sides, and at 5.5mm, the MatePad Pro is just slightly thicker than the 13-inch iPad Pro. The tablet’s back is constructed from polycarbonate, and although metal would have been my preference, I found no issues with the build quality. Weighing in at 508g, the tablet isn’t overly heavy, making it comfortable to hold, and I encountered no challenges in regular use.
The front camera is discreetly integrated into the bezel, to the point where it remains unnoticed during standard usage — only when you squint at it can you detect its presence. The camera quality is satisfactory, although I primarily use it for briefings. Interestingly, there are two rear cameras — a 50MP main lens and an 8MP wide-angle — resulting in a rear camera module that is larger than that found on most other tablets.
Good accessories are essential for a tablet, and the reason I now utilize the Xiaomi Pad Mini for managing my smart home is due to its specialized case and stylus. Huawei excels in this domain, providing the MatePad Pro 12.2-inch with a keyboard and stylus included. The Glide Keyboard connects wirelessly via Huawei’s NearLink protocol, and features a compartment for stylus storage. On that note, while the M-Pencil 3 stylus is not included, it is available as a complimentary add-on with the tablet purchase.
The keyboard provides a comfortable typing experience; the keys have adequate travel, a spacious touchpad is included, and it doesn’t add significant bulk to the tablet overall. The only drawback is the absence of backlit keys, but aside from that, it was pleasurable to use — the keys feel as proficient as the Magic Keyboard for my iPad Pro M4.
The M-Pencil 3 is exceptional; the stylus is perfect for note-taking and sketching, and it pairs seamlessly with the brand’s GoPaint app. What I particularly appreciate is that the matte finish of the tablet is particularly well-suited for note-taking, giving the MatePad Pro a definitive advantage over the iPad Pro and Galaxy Tab S11.
Battery life has also been flawless; the 10,100mAh battery effortlessly lasts more than a day even with extended TV show binges, and in my experience, I had to
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Google Tests Display Technology to Prolong Pixel Battery Life
A Minor Adjustment That Might Make a Big Difference (For Your Battery, at Least)
Google is said to be creating a new feature for its Pixel’s always-on display (AOD) that could potentially improve its battery performance. This feature will enable Android’s AOD to monitor a user’s “activity” to decide whether or not to turn off the function in order to conserve battery life. The Android Canary channel was introduced this past summer as a main pathway for developers to engage with early API builds.
Reports indicate that Google is working on a fresh always-on display which may contribute to prolonging its Pixel battery life. In a report by Mishaal Rahman (Android Authority), an in-depth examination of the latest Android Canary build was discussed, suggesting that Google is making updates to its always-on display (AOD). The enhancement appears to be aimed at making the Pixel’s AOD more intelligent regarding the user’s presence for interaction.
Rahman notes that the latest Canary build includes a new string with the following on-device description: “turn off the display when no user activity is detected to conserve power.”
As Rahman emphasizes, Google Pixels already deactivate the AOD if the device is in your pocket or if it is positioned face down. In this context, “activity” could refer to several factors. As mentioned by Rahman, it’s possible that the Pixel’s proximity sensor could play a larger role here, determining if the user is close to their device and in motion, or depending on other situations. Furthermore, tracking a user’s “activity” might also indicate whether they have lifted their device to view a notification recently.
It’s undeniable that the AOD can significantly drain your battery, which is likely why Google is developing this new feature. If users exit a room but leave the Pixel’s AOD active for an extended period, it will turn off, preventing them from returning to a nearly depleted phone.
Enhancing the Pixel
Google introduced its Android Canary channel over the summer as a pathway for developers to engage with the foundation of its API development. Essentially, developers have the opportunity to test very early iterations of Android to provide input and to glimpse forthcoming features in subsequent updates. Although it resembles the Chrome Canary channel, Google does not refresh its Android nearly as frequently. Participants access new content approximately once each month.
Users are likely to engage more regularly with Google’s Android 16 tests, which have recently transitioned into QPR2 Beta 3. Testers who have enrolled discovered a new button for app shortcuts on their home screen, along with notable updates to Live Captions. The Beta 3 patch is quite significant, bringing numerous fixes reported by testers.
There was a major bootloader issue with Beta 3; however, it has recently been resolved, and users should not encounter any problems.
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Users are Reporting a Color Shift from Cosmic Orange to Pink in the iPhone 17 Pro
iPhone 17 Pro variants, Reddit user DakAttack316 shared their experience regarding the discoloration of their Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro Max. In the weeks that followed, BGR monitored the situation, along with other potential reports.
Although this problem doesn’t appear to be as extensive as the overheating issues observed with other models like the iPhone 15 Pro, we have discovered additional instances on TikTok, supporting the idea that there could be a more significant issue at hand.
@connordavis0808 Had no idea @apple was intending to create a color-changing phone this year… 🫠 #iphone #iphone17 #iphone17promax #problem #techtok
<a target="_blank" title="♬ Pink – Lizzo" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Pink-725
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Uncover 4 Vital Free iPhone Applications to Enhance Your Productivity
shape smartphone markets. While it is clear that a significant part of their appeal lies in the robust cameras they generally feature — and the iPhone 17 selfie camera might represent a more substantial enhancement than many people expect — or the numerous ways they entertain us via free streaming apps, iPhones also serve as an excellent option for maintaining productivity. The pace of the world is rapid, and possessing a solid array of apps that keep you informed can be vital for maintaining an edge.
If you tend to dive right into arranging a meeting with colleagues or squeezing in a workout between departing from the office and returning home for dinner, having the ideal productivity apps on your iPhone guarantees you remain organized. Whether you’re aiming to plan your day, brainstorm a project with coworkers, document an interview, or simply stay on task, there are some key apps essential for those who are always on the go.
Every app mentioned here is available for free download, although certain ones offer premium features that unlock extra functionalities. Apps with subscription services or premium options are indicated as such. There are numerous fantastic apps to keep on your iPhone Home screen, and each of the applications listed below will assist you in staying focused, regardless of the requirements of the moment.
Todoist: To Do List & Calendar
How to Preserve Your Chat Record as 50 Million Users Engage with ChatGPT on WhatsApp
prevent chatbots such as ChatGPT from functioning on the messaging platform. WhatsApp will continue allowing business clients to utilize specialized AI tools that may enhance customer support on WhatsApp, but general-purpose chatbots will be prohibited starting on January 15, 2026. AI chatbots have added pressure on WhatsApp systems, with Meta experiencing a rise in message traffic. Although Meta did not reveal the exact traffic generated by ChatGPT usage on WhatsApp, OpenAI has commented on the topic in a blog entry, stating that over 50 million individuals utilize WhatsApp to interact with ChatGPT.
This statistic is somewhat unexpected. OpenAI boasts over 700 million weekly active ChatGPT users. The engagement of 50 million individuals with the chatbot via WhatsApp is a notable number. It’s uncertain whether these users communicate with the AI solely through WhatsApp or if they depend on the platform in specific situations where typical access to ChatGPT applications (mobile, desktop, and web) is not easily available. Additionally, it remains unclear how many ChatGPT users on WhatsApp possess accounts registered with OpenAI and how many subscribe to premium access. Nevertheless, the good news is that WhatsApp users can preserve their chat history with ChatGPT as they move to another app for conversing with the AI.
How to preserve your ChatGPT history in WhatsApp
YouTube Launches Timer Function to Curb Procrastination and Over-Scrolling
At times, taking a brief pause can be beneficial.
Essential information
- YouTube has announced the introduction of a “daily limit” for its Shorts feed to users starting this week.
- Viewers will be able to set a time limit for how long they can browse each day, and when that limit is reached, they will see a “dismissible” notification.
- YouTube mentioned that this feature will be available for parents managing accounts later this year, with those notifications being “non-dismissible.”
Notice
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