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Apple Refines Product Range, But Avenues for Enhancement Persist

iPhone 17 event on September 9, Apple refreshed its store with new details about the latest iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods models. Nevertheless, the most captivating aspect was observing which devices the company planned to phase out from past years.

Traditionally, Apple would retire the iPhone Pro models from the previous year but keep the standard models available for an additional two years. In 2025, the company declared that its iPhone series would include the iPhone 16e, iPhone 16, iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17 Pro models. This pattern was also followed with the new Apple Watch models and AirPods Pro 3, as the company is solely retailing the latest iterations, excluding their older versions.

By withdrawing numerous devices from its store, Apple guarantees that iPhone users will experience increased uniformity among the offerings, which translates to support for Apple Intelligence across all available iPhones. The company has also already simplified its Mac and iPad selections, offering only the most recent models and no previous generations. Nonetheless, there remains potential for the company to enhance this approach.

Apple should reduce its device offerings

How to Swiftly Enhance the Performance of a Lagging Roku TV

watch local broadcasts, yet the functionalities are integrated directly into your TV. However, if you find that your Roku TV is becoming sluggish, there’s a solution available, and you won’t need to delve into any hidden Roku menus.

Almost every gadget you use nowadays incorporates a caching mechanism, which holds certain temporary information for future retrieval. This is beneficial for maintaining device speed, but it can also cause slowdowns when it becomes excessively full or possibly damaged. Clearing a device’s cache can enhance the performance of an iPhone, resolve issues with a computer, or, in this case, improve your Roku TV. You can clear the cache either with the remote, through the settings, or by performing a factory reset on the device.

As with other gadgets, it’s wise to ensure your Roku TV is current, which can be accomplished by pressing the Home button on your remote, going to Settings, selecting System, and then choosing Software Update. Press Check Now to initiate the update process. If specific apps are creating issues, you can uninstall and reinstall them. Press the Home button on your remote, highlight an app, tap the Star (*) button, and select Remove app from the displayed options menu. Then, you can reinstall the app on your TV.

How to clear the cache on a Roku TV

Leading Substitutes for a Ceased Well-Known Third-Party Android Launcher

Barry shared an official goodbye and mentioned that he was instructed to halt all progress on the project. This has caused a lot of users to feel uncertain about whether they should continue using Nova, or even what steps to take next.

Although Nova Launcher was regarded as one of the top options, there are plenty of other launchers available for those wishing to transition away from Nova while still seeking quality features and aesthetic appeal. Thus, if you find yourself fatigued by Samsung’s One UI modifications, there are alternative choices.

Smart Launcher takes over where Nova ended

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Google Tackles the Elimination of Two Essential NotebookLM Features

AI-created notebooks for users to evaluate how the system operates before bringing in their own content.

Google has consistently been enhancing NotebookLM, introducing new functionalities such as Video Overviews and more. This application has become one of my favored tools for navigating through extensive content, and some of its features have been crucial for its effectiveness, notably the capacity to effortlessly generate FAQs and Timelines. However, with the recent update, some users have observed that Google has made it a bit more challenging to create FAQs and Timelines, eliminating the previously easily accessible prompts in the app.

Even though initiating the creation of FAQs and Timelines is now more challenging, it remains feasible. Google has proactively emphasized just how simple it can be in a new thread on X — even providing users with the specific prompt needed to generate FAQs.

How to generate FAQs and Timelines in NotebookLM

To produce FAQs and Timelines using NotebookLM following the recent update, you will actually need to utilize the Create Report feature. After selecting it, pick your language, and then paste one of the following prompts from Google into the prompt box (without the quotation marks).

To formulate an FAQ, use this prompt:

  • “Develop a comprehensive FAQ with detailed and thorough responses that ideally encapsulates the primary themes and ideas found in the sources. It should adopt a supportive tone aimed at addressing reader questions.”

Utilize this prompt to generate a Timeline

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Five Extremely Helpful USB-C Additions for Your iPhone

KYY 15.6-inch Portable Display, priced at $69.99 on Amazon. This lightweight, travel-ready screen links to your iPhone using only a USB-C cable, eliminating the need for apps or adapters. Simply connect it and transform your phone into a compact workstation, streaming hub, or presentation device. Featuring a full HD screen, broad viewing angles, and HDR compatibility, it’s ideal for watching Netflix or meticulously editing your iPhone photos.

Ideal for travelers, this monitor weighs under 2 pounds

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Five Reasons to Steer Clear of Buying the iPhone Air

After months of speculation, Apple unveiled the all-new iPhone Air on September 9. This sleek device redefines the traditional iPhone design by integrating all components beneath a new camera plateau. This fascinating feat of engineering condenses vital elements into a compact format, allowing Apple to enhance battery performance not only for this model, but for the Pro variants as well.

Featuring a titanium finish, incorporating the same display technologies as an iPhone 17 Pro, and equipped with a Ceramic Shield on both sides, it’s clear that many Apple enthusiasts will be eager to purchase the iPhone Air on September 19. Yet, despite its remarkable features and specifications, there are some drawbacks and concerns that might cause potential buyers to hesitate before spending $999 on this ultra-slim device.

The iPhone Air boasts many excellent attributes, but its absence of significant features could lead some to consider passing on it for at least this generation. Here are the main reasons to opt out of the iPhone Air and prefer a regular or Pro model instead.

Reasons to pass on the initial iPhone Air

Even though Apple has included the A19 Pro chip in the iPhone Air, it has one less GPU core compared to the same chip in the iPhone 17 Pro models. While this shouldn’t considerably affect performance, it won’t match the iPhone 17 Pro’s capabilities, especially since it lacks the vapor chamber designed solely for Pro models.

Apple has also worked diligently to ensure the iPhone Air’s battery life is satisfactory. However, to achieve the same efficiency as the iPhone 17 Pro Max, users will need to invest an additional $100 in the MagSafe Battery Pack, which somewhat undermines the purpose of acquiring the thinnest iPhone ever created.

It’s now 2026, and a smartphone priced at $999 shouldn’t feature just a single main camera. Apple asserts that the Fusion Main camera is “four lenses in one camera,” yet users can capture up to 12-megapixel images with a 2x “optical” zoom, and that’s the extent of it. Photos taken with this device may look fantastic, but users will miss out on Pro attributes such as enhanced zoom, macro photography, spatial video, and Cinematic mode.

Further concerns regarding the iPhone Air

Delving deeper into the iPhone Air’s features, it’s important to point out that it lacks the fast charging abilities of the other iPhone 17 models, meaning it won’t reach 50% charge in 20 minutes. iPhone Air users will need to wait 30 minutes instead. Additionally, its USB-C port only supports USB 2 speeds, resulting in slower data transfers via cable.

Moreover, due to its thin design, Apple omitted a speaker on the bottom, resulting in the iPhone Air offering only mono sound capabilities without headphones. Still, the iPhone Air is undeniably an impressive accomplishment by Apple. Nonetheless, it comes across more as a preview of technologies being developed for the anticipated iPhone Fold than a leading smartphone.

These compromises may be acceptable for some consumers, but they are important to consider regardless. Fortunately, we won’t have to wait much longer to experience it, as the iPhone Air will be available for preorder on September 12 and will begin shipping on September 19.

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AirPods Pro 3: Improved Features and Factors to Consider When Upgrading from AirPods Pro 2

One of Apple’s most sought-after devices has just received an enhancement. This Monday, Apple unveiled the completely revamped AirPods Pro 3. While there are several significant upgrades from the prior version, they don’t represent as substantial a leap as the transition from the first to the second generation. That being said, if you’re currently using Lightning or USB-C AirPods Pro 2 with great battery performance, switching to these new ones may not be simple.

To begin with, Apple is not rolling out a new audio chip. Consequently, the audio quality will stay consistent. Nevertheless, if you decide to move to these new earbuds, Apple asserts that the Active Noise Cancellation is significantly improved compared to the previous iteration. This enhancement results from a redesign of the earbuds, making them smaller and introducing a new foam tip that enhances the fit in the ear canal.

It’s always enticing to switch to the newest model of a gadget, but this one isn’t entirely straightforward. Below, we’ll explore some reasons to consider upgrading to AirPods Pro 3, as well as some reasons to pass on this generation.

Advantages and disadvantages of AirPods Pro 3

While the standout feature of AirPods Pro 3 is the new heart rate sensor and its connection with the Apple Fitness app, this functionality will only be available for those working out without an Apple Watch. That means if you regularly wear your Apple Watch, you may never take full advantage of the AirPods Pro 3 heart rate monitor. That’s something to think about prior to purchasing these earbuds.

Another advantage of these earbuds, longer battery duration while utilizing ANC or Transparency Mode, has a drawback as well. Although you can achieve up to 8 hours of battery life on a single charge, these earbuds only provide a maximum of 24 hours of listening time with the charging case, while the previous generation provided 6 hours on a single charge, but allowed for up to 30 hours in total with the case.

Finally, the new Live Translation feature, which is an incredibly thrilling development, will also be accessible to owners of AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 once watchOS 26 is released. You don’t necessarily need to upgrade your device to utilize this feature.

Should you purchase AirPods Pro 3?

Speculation indicates that Apple is planning a more substantial AirPods update for next year. While this could imply an entirely new series of AirPods (perhaps an Ultra model?), the latest generation of AirPods Pro does come with a few features that aren’t available elsewhere. For instance, the charging case is equipped with the second generation ultra-wide band chip, which Apple designates as U2.

With that, this will be the first device from Apple apart from the iPhone and Apple Watch to possess a broader range of discovery. Apple has also enhanced the water resistance of these earbuds with an IP57 rating. Previously, they were merely resistant to splashes, but the AirPods Pro 3 can be submerged in a meter of water for up to 30 minutes without concern.

Consumers will receive all of this for the same price of $249 as the AirPods Pro 2. AirPods Pro 3 offer a better fit, improved ANC, longer battery life, and an innovative heart rate monitor. However, they still utilize the same H2 chip, meaning they will offer a different feel while maintaining the same sound quality.

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Reasons Vessels Utilize Knots Rather Than Miles Per Hour for Speed Assessment

When traversing land, speed is quantified in either miles per hour (mph) or kilometers per hour (km/h). These units are clear-cut since stationary landmarks allow for easy estimation of distance and speed. However, out on the water, landmarks are frequently absent, making it unfeasible for ships to depend on the same travel systems used on land. This is the reason vessels adopt knots in place of miles per hour for speed measurement.

A knot is characterized as one nautical mile per hour, and a nautical mile is marginally longer than a conventional mile. More specifically, a nautical mile equals 1.1508 miles (1,852 meters), and it is grounded in the Earth’s geometry; one nautical mile equates to one minute of latitude on the globe. This framework renders nautical miles and knots more advantageous for navigation as they correspond with global coordinates utilized on nautical charts.

The origin of the term “knot” can be traced back hundreds of years. Sailors historically gauged speed with a rope that had evenly spaced knots tied into it. The rope was cast overboard, and as the ship advanced, sailors would tally how many knots passed through their fingers within a specific timeframe, hence the term “knots” to describe speed at sea.

By utilizing knots, mariners acquire a practical, universally recognized measure of speed that is directly tied to navigation and chart plotting, an advantage that miles per hour cannot provide in vast oceanic environments.

The origins of knots can be traced back to as early as the 15th century

All Existing iPhone Models Now Embrace Apple Intelligence

iPhone 17 preorders will commence on Friday, yet the four new models aren’t the sole iPhones offered by Apple. As is customary, Apple has reduced prices on some of the previous-generation models, providing a standard $100 markdown from the original prices both online and in Apple retail locations. The good news is that, in contrast to last year, every iPhone currently available from Apple comes with Apple Intelligence support right out of the box. Apple has resolved the Apple Intelligence fragmentation “issue” that emerged with the iOS 18 update, removing older iPhone models that lack Apple Intelligence capability from its offerings.

iPhone purchasers interested in a new device, whether it’s one of the four iPhone 17 variants or a more economical iPhone 16, can proceed with confidence that Apple Intelligence functionalities will be accessible from the moment they activate the phone. While Apple Intelligence still lags behind ChatGPT and Google Gemini in terms of features, Apple is actively working to bridge that gap in the coming months and years. For the time being, Apple has confirmed that all iPhone models available in its stores will be compatible with Apple Intelligence features provided in iOS 26 and future updates.

Which iPhones did Apple discontinue?

Apple introduced Apple Intelligence with iOS 18 in June 2024, outlining the hardware prerequisites for its exclusive suite of AI tools. Apple specified that Apple Intelligence would be operational on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max at a time when the iPhone 15 series was the newest generation available in stores. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus would not be compatible with Apple Intelligence. The iPhone 14 models that Apple continued to sell also did not support Apple’s AI.

Apple launched the iPhone 16 series in September 2024, and all four variants came with enhanced specs that guaranteed support for Apple Intelligence out of the box. Nonetheless, <a href="https://www.bgr.com/tech/apple-2024-iphone-prices-everything-you-need-to-know-about-iphone-16-the-older-iphones-without

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Apple’s Video Guide Simplifies iPhone 17 Choice Procedure

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the ultra-slim iPhone Air comes with certain trade-offs you should consider, which may overshadow the performance that the Air is set to deliver compared to the iPhone Pro. The iPhone 17 Pros boast Apple’s most advanced iPhone hardware, featuring the most refined camera functionality and superior battery longevity. However, there’s also the standard iPhone 17 starting at $799, which provides 256GB of storage along with display and battery specifications that compete with the Pro versions.

Apple recognizes that selecting the ideal iPhone may be more challenging than ever, leading to the release of a video on its YouTube channel named “The Can’t Decide Guide: A Guided Tour of the New iPhone Family” to assist customers. The video runs for approximately 10 minutes and has garnered nearly 1.8 million views at the time of writing. In comparison, the iPhone 17 livestream event attracted 28 million viewers on YouTube as of Thursday morning.

iPhone 17, iPhone Air, or one of the Pros?

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