Trump’s Suggested Travel Regulation Mandates Visitors to Submit Social Media Background
This examination of tourists’ experiences is just the beginning, with intentions to delve into the lives of those nearest to you.
(Image credit: Daniel Bader / Android Central)
Essential Information
- The Trump administration has allegedly suggested modifications to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), necessitating tourists to provide five years’ worth of social media activity.
- This alteration, affecting travelers from visa-exempt nations, will deeply invade their privacy, requesting emails used in the last decade, along with sensitive contact information of their closest family members.
- The proposal still requires navigating several obstacles, but apprehensions are rising over the substantial effects it might have on U.S. tourism.
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Qualcomm Unveils Two New Snapdragon Processors for Mid-Range Devices
Qualcomm has unveiled the introduction of two new chips designed to boost the performance of budget-friendly devices, emphasizing advancements in AI and photography. The Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 and Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 are tailored for the mid-range and entry-level segments, respectively, delivering substantial performance enhancements.
The Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 incorporates Kryo CPU cores with clock speeds reaching 2.9GHz and features an upgraded Adreno GPU, resulting in a 20% increase in graphical performance. It accommodates 120fps and low-latency on FHD Plus displays, rendering it perfect for seamless visuals and effective multitasking. This chip also advances photography skills, facilitating support for cameras up to 108MP and enabling simultaneous multi-photo and video capture. AI improvements comprise enhanced voice assistant response times, improved microphone functionality, and echo cancellation.
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 4, while sharing some features, prioritizes battery efficiency through Quick Charge 4 Plus technology, enabling devices to charge from 0% to 50% in approximately 15 minutes. It also accommodates 108MP cameras and integrates hardware-based multi-frame noise reduction to minimize graininess in images. Both chips are part of Qualcomm’s mobile strategy, concentrating on the budget device market with notable AI and photography advancements.
Read MoreHuawei Mate X7’s Cameras Dazzle with Breathtaking Images of the Globe’s Highest Structure
Huawei is elevating foldable cameras with the Mate X7.
Huawei evidently excels in the foldable market, with the tri-folding Mate XT standing out as the most groundbreaking device. Beyond being a mere technical marvel, Huawei continues to produce traditional book-style foldables, with its newest offering — the Mate X7 — featuring an enhanced battery and improved cameras.
Huawei presented the Mate X7 in China on November 25, followed by its global introduction at a launch event in Dubai on December 11. This foldable will be available for purchase in select areas of Southeast Asia in the upcoming weeks, priced at approximately €2,099 ($2,459).
Moto G 2026: An Excellent $199 Smartphone Now Offered in Distinctive Colors and Materials, Featuring a Vibrant Pink Variant
The Moto G 2026 has officially launched in the U.S. and Canada.
Essential information
- The Moto G 2026 is currently listed on motorola.com for $199, with broader availability across the U.S. set for January 15, 2026.
- The smartphone features a Dimensity 6300 chipset, 4GB RAM, a 120Hz LCD display, a 50MP rear camera, a 32MP front camera, and comes with Android 16 already installed.
- This model is offered in two Pantone-approved colors: Slipstream (grey) and Cattleya Orchid (pink), both featuring a vegan leather finish.
Motorola presents another budget-friendly success with the Moto G 2026, now on sale in the U.S. at motorola.com and in Canada at <a data-analytics-id="inline-link" href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=92X1690538&xcust=ac_gb_3435006981356065972&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.motorola.ca%2F&sref=https%3A
Read MoreMeta’s Quest 4 Approach: Reality Labs Focuses on Gaming by Optimizing Operations
No, Meta is not withdrawing from VR or “implementing significant reductions,” as some may have you think. It is returning to its roots and what initially made Quest exceptional.
Recently, a flurry of news articles and analyst evaluations concentrated on Meta’s “substantial cuts” within its Metaverse division. This new division of Reality Labs, established just a month ago, was designed to neatly divide Reality Labs into more concrete business objectives, and it was clearly set up prior to the significant developments we witnessed in the last two weeks.
According to a Bloomberg report, Meta might be initiating 30% reductions to the division starting in January. That was sufficient for numerous outlets to rally and proclaim that “VR is dead” yet again, a refrain that far too many technology-oriented publications enjoy shouting year after year. However, the actual situation contradicts that narrative entirely. In fact, the truth is quite the opposite of what these sources suggest.
Right before this news broke, Meta hired two elite designers from Apple, and this news surfaced just days after new leaks indicated a gaming-centric, high-end Meta Quest 4 in development. Ironically, all of this transpires as CTO Andrew Bosworth’s assurance that 2025 will be “the work of visionaries or a legendary misadventure” nears its end, signaling that the company’s preoccupation with Horizon Worlds as the primary “metaverse” has been the issue all along.
Returning to fundamentals
The primary Reality Labs division was established on August 25, 2020, right before the Meta Quest 2’s debut. Since then, this division has been in charge of developing VR headsets, smart glasses, Horizon Worlds, sEMG gesture bands, the Horizon operating system, next-gen realistic avatars, and more.
Meta invests billions in Reality Labs technology each quarter, with expenditures rising from around $2 billion in Q4 2020 to an astounding $6.05 billion in Q4 2024. Since 2022, over 50% of Reality Labs’ budget has been allocated to developing genuine AR glasses like Meta Orion, although the closest Meta has come to launching a consumer product is the Ray-Ban Display Glasses.
Since late 2022, Meta has been reducing spending across most divisions by about 10% annually to regain financial control. Due to Reality Labs’ unchecked spending growth, Zuckerberg allegedly requested a 20% reduction in expenditure by the end of 2025. That reportedly never materialized.
Now, the division needs to reduce spending by 30% to align with the 10% annual cut plus the 20% 2025 cut that did not occur. That’s not a drastic cut; it’s an alignment with all other divisions within Meta.
Meta is not abandoning VR whatsoever, quite the contrary. However, I believe the company is making crucial transitions away from unsuccessful projects like Horizon Worlds and toward the creation of new mixed-reality glasses. The December 4 report from Business Insider supports this viewpoint, and new leaks regarding a gaming-focused, ultralight Meta Quest 4 further elucidate what is unfolding at Meta.
Now, does that imply Horizon Worlds will vanish tomorrow? Certainly not. Meta has notably redesigned the operating system that powers the Meta Quest (referred to as Horizon OS) to focus on utilizing Horizon Worlds as a central social platform. Some aspects of this transition have proven beneficial to the Quest’s OS, such as more straightforward ways to connect and communicate with friends and decreased barriers for new users.
Instead, I believe Meta will now re-emphasize game developers as it seeks to mend relationships that suffered when it fully committed to Horizon Worlds integration. VR games have been obscenely challenging to locate on the official Meta Quest store because Horizon Worlds content has dominated the forefront for the last 15 months or so, leading to significant issues for developers and sales of Meta Quest games.
With all of this clarified, it creates a much clearer understanding of Reality Labs’ activities and what Meta’s future offerings will resemble. For now, Meta Quest headsets, alongside smart glasses like Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 and Oakley Meta HSTN, will continue generating about a billion in revenue each quarter, with Meta anticipating further growth in these areas as it begins to substantially reduce expenditures.
That is not Meta surrendering on VR or “the Metaverse,” as many like to claim. That’s the company ensuring that the products and services that matter to people remain available long-term and continue to evolve as users engage with them. Services like Horizon Worlds are fading, while ultralight hardware with the same beloved capabilities we know today (like Android XR’s Project Aura) is becoming the new trend.
Meanwhile, Quest gamers can still look forward to thrilling games such as Batman: Arkham Shadow, Deadpool.
Read MoreWalmart’s Holiday Promotion Provides $231 Off on 14-Inch HP Chromebook with Changing Deal Information
Here’s a 14-inch HP Chromebook priced under $180.
Individuals seeking an outstanding Chromebook bargain for the holidays can rejoice. Currently, shoppers can benefit from a $231 discount on this HP 14-inch Chromebook at Walmart, representing a substantial markdown of over 50% off the usual price.
This 14-inch HP Chromebook operates on the fast and efficient Chrome OS, ideal for various tasks like internet browsing, streaming music and videos, document editing, and more, making it a solid choice—particularly at the sale price.
Read MoreGemini for Home’s Early Access Initiative Launches for Everyone in 24 Hours
**Gemini for Home: Broadening Early Access in the U.S.**
Google is making remarkable progress in smart home innovations with the rollout of its Gemini for Home early access initiative, now offered exclusively to households in the U.S. This effort signifies a crucial transformation as Gemini is slated to take the place of Google Assistant on all Home and Nest devices released since 2016, which includes third-party speakers and displays.
**Key Information:**
– **Swift Expansion:** The early access initiative for Gemini for Home is now available to all users in the U.S., with invitations dispatched within 24 hours of sign-up.
– **Device Compatibility:** Gemini will be incorporated into all Google Home and Nest devices, delivering a complete experience on newer models such as the Nest Hub (2nd-gen) and Nest Audio, while older devices will receive a simplified version.
– **Third-Party Inclusion:** Even with Google’s cessation of support for third-party Assistant devices in 2023, these gadgets will still receive the Gemini upgrade.
**How to Enroll in the Early Access Initiative:**
Users keen on trying Gemini for Home can easily register via the Google Home app. By navigating to the Home settings and selecting Early Access, users can choose to receive an invitation swiftly.
**Feedback and Future Enhancements:**
Google highlights the significance of user feedback in fine-tuning Gemini for Home. Early users are encouraged to share their feedback and report any concerns through the Google Home app or the specific Gemini for Home known issues thread.
This expansion highlights Google’s dedication to improving smart home experiences, with Gemini set to deliver more tailored and efficient interactions within the domestic setting. As the program progresses, U.S. users have a unique chance to influence the evolution of smart home technology.
Read MoreHands-On Encounter with the Galaxy Z TriFold at Dubai Mall: Samsung’s Tri-Fold Innovation Surpasses Huawei Mate XT
The Galaxy Z TriFold represents Samsung’s newest advancement in foldable technology, delivering a tablet-sized experience within a tri-fold design. Set to debut in the U.S. in early 2026, it is already accessible in South Korea and the UAE. This device features a sleek aesthetic similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 but expands to a 10-inch display when opened, while maintaining a slim 4.2mm profile. The hinges operate smoothly, and the lack of a visible crease enhances the overall user experience.
The Galaxy Z TriFold is equipped with a 200MP camera module akin to the Z Fold 7 and a Kevlar-textured back, offering a luxurious feel. The device supports a 120Hz refresh rate on both its inner and cover screens, ensuring a bright and responsive display. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, promising sufficient performance for a range of tasks.
Nonetheless, the design has its drawbacks. It can only operate in two configurations: a complete 10-inch tablet mode and a 6.5-inch cover panel mode. In contrast to Huawei’s Mate XT, which provides greater versatility, the Z TriFold’s design confines it to a single folding method, accompanied by a notification system for improper folding.
In spite of these limitations, the Z TriFold offers improved durability, with IP48 ingress protection, and a sturdy 5,600mAh battery, the largest found in any Samsung phone so far. Samsung’s software integration continues to be robust, guaranteeing a fluid user experience.
With a price tag exceeding $3,000, the Galaxy Z TriFold is a high-end device with restricted availability, reflecting Samsung’s careful strategy regarding this new form factor. It stands as a strong rival to Huawei’s Mate XT, signifying a major advancement in the development of foldable devices.
Read More“Recent Pixel 10a Leaks Suggest Specs Comparable to Prior Google Mid-Range Version”
Essential information
- Recent Pixel 10a speculations suggest that the phone has gained certification for Verizon’s Network, which has also revealed some technical specifications.
- The smartphone is anticipated to feature a ~6.3-inch screen with a 48MP primary camera, a 5,100mAh battery, and an 8/128GB option.
- Although these specifications closely resemble those of the Pixel 9a, earlier whispers indicate that the 10a might utilize a similar Tensor G4 chip as seen in its predecessor.
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“YouTube TV Set to Launch Sports Package with Fresh Subscription Choices Early Next Year”
This initiative was developed to offer “greater selection” to the consumer.
Key Information
- YouTube TV Plans were unveiled today (Dec 10) featuring a collection of 10 theme-based packages for consumers to customize their entertainment experience, expected to launch “early 2026.”
- The service hinted at its Sports Plan, a bundle dedicated to sports, offering users access to NBC Sports, “all” ESPN networks, ESPN Unlimited, FS1, and beyond.
- Following the agreement between YouTube TV and Disney, the contract for ESPN is missing one key package: MLB.TV.
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