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“Severance” was the trending new series, and everyone was immersed in the newly launched “Elden Ring.” I didn’t acquire my iPhone 13 with the intention of still possessing it in 2026, yet over four years later, I’m not planning on upgrading any time soon. I’m not the only one in this situation. As per a Reviews.org poll, the typical American retains their smartphone for about 29 months, an increase from 22 months in 2016. An Allstate survey revealed that nearly half keep their devices for more than three years — a significant shift from the yearly updates that used to be the norm for these gadgets.

I was never among those who purchased a new phone annually, but I previously upgraded more frequently. After roughly two years, the combination of dissatisfaction with my existing iPhone and curiosity about the newest features would persuade me to buy the latest model. However, regarding my current phone, that desire to upgrade has yet to appear.

Raspberry Pi initiatives for novices, allowing you to become acquainted with both the hardware and software aspects of Pi.

Owing to the adaptability of the Raspberry Pi, you’re quite free in selecting the type of monitor you wish to utilize. As we will explore, even vintage CRT televisions that you may still possess in the attic or basement can receive a new lease on life once paired with a Pi. From this point, you can commence developing even further projects too.

Keep in mind, the Raspberry Pi community is rather extensive, so if you encounter an issue, it’s likely that someone else has as well. Make sure to consult all the wikis and documentation for the projects outlined below, as they tend to be much more comprehensive than we can provide in a brief summary. Yes, no one enjoys perusing the instruction manual, but occasionally it simplifies matters. Now, let’s breathe new life into some monitors.

speaker configuration. AV receivers come equipped with specific stereo speaker outputs in addition to their surround channels, allowing the use of two channels similar to stereo receivers. You can choose Direct and Pure Direct Mode to eliminate the surround system’s digital processing completely for analog sources like vinyl and cassettes. Numerous AV receivers can also access music streaming services such as Tidal and Amazon Music HD in Dolby Atmos or traditional 5.1 surround, which was previously limited to specialized physical media like SACD and DVD-Audio.

**7 Awesome Features of the Google Translate App**

In the biblical account of the Tower of Babel, humanity is dispersed into countless languages, complicating communication and collaboration. However, in the idealistic sci-fi realm of “Star Trek,” a Universal Translator exists to ensure everyone is understood, regardless of whether they are extraterrestrial beings. While we are not quite at the level of the Universal Translator, we are much closer to the “Star Trek” ideal than to Babel, thanks to Google Translate. Google Translate has just celebrated its 20th anniversary, and it’s arguably the most recognized translation service available to us at present.

In its initial phase, it employed a technique known as “statistical machine translation,” but in 2016, Google transitioned to an advanced neural machine translation model, similar to today’s AI chatbots. While its early translations were often amusingly awkward, it is now an extraordinary, powerful instrument that connects your understanding with foreign languages, and it offers more than just basic translation. Google Translate boasts some truly impressive capabilities, and here are some neat functions you might be unaware of concerning this translator.

**Instant Camera Translation**

Employing the keypad or microphone are common ways to translate text, but did you know you can also utilize your phone’s camera? By tapping the camera icon in Google Translate, it will engage Google Lens to immediately translate whatever you aim it at. For instance, you can direct it at a street sign, and the application will convert the sign’s text for you. This feature is particularly valuable when you’re exploring areas where most information is presented visually, such as street signs, shop windows, and restaurant menus. Just remember that some translations may be somewhat literal, which could result in losing the precise meaning.

**Conversation Mode Enables You to Communicate with Anyone**

To genuinely capture the “Star Trek” Universal Translator experience, you need a way to allow translation during a natural conversation. Utilizing the conversation mode in Google Translate, you and another individual can converse without the need to take turns, adjust settings, or press the microphone button. The app listens and automatically determines who is speaking and in which language. The translation is then displayed in both languages so each person can comprehend what the other is saying. This feature is limited to conversations between two individuals at one time.

**Offline Translation**

The Google Translate app proves most beneficial during travel, but internet access isn’t always assured. Many travel locations lack mobile data coverage, and modes of transport like subways, trains, and airplanes often do not provide internet access. You can download languages to your device by tapping the download symbol next to the desired language. Once a language is downloaded, you can translate offline, and some languages will also support camera mode offline.

**Hear the Accurate Pronunciations of Words**

Google Translate serves more than just distance translation; it can assist you in language learning as well. When you input text for the application to translate, you will notice a speaker icon next to the words in both languages. Tapping on those words allows you to hear the pronunciation in its native accent. This feature is useful if you’re uncertain about a word’s pronunciation and can function as a reference tool for words and phrases.

**Practice Conversations**

Honing speaking and listening skills in your target language is vital for attaining fluency. Google Translate provides a feature for personalized conversation practice in supported languages, including English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish. You can establish specific goals and levels of difficulty to tailor your experience. This feature is available for free and without limits, with numerous tools to inspire you and monitor your advancement.

**Transcribe Language in Real Time**

Manual transcription can be laborious, but Google Translate’s transcription feature simplifies the process. When you initiate a translation by tapping the microphone icon, a “transcribe” button will appear. Tap that to translate any continuous speech, beneficial for listening to a speech or viewing television. You can save the transcription as text once you conclude.

**Live Translation Straight from Star Trek**

The live translation functionality is as close as we’ve come to the Universal Translator from “Star Trek.” This real-time translator was initially accessible only through wireless earbuds but no longer has that limitation. It offers various modes, including listening mode with headphones and conversation mode without headphones. Live translation is currently confined to specific regions, including Bangladesh, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Spain, Thailand, the UK, and the US.

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underrated functionalities that you should begin to utilize, but one element that allows a device to stand out is the capability to tailor specific configurations to best fit your requirements — on both the gadget itself and the applications you employ. YouTube is undoubtedly among the more widely used apps you will engage with on a smart TV, yet you might not be aware that there are numerous ways to customize Google’s video service on your device for optimal enjoyment of the seemingly infinite array of content. From parental controls to artificial intelligence, we’re exploring some YouTube features that can significantly assist you on your smart TV.

In addition to detailing what each feature contributes to your experience, we will guide you on how to activate or effectively make use of it. Fortunately, most of them are quite simple. Naturally, for those with a brand-new smart TV, there are a few steps you should take immediately upon unboxing it. However, even if you’ve had your device for a while, many of the YouTube features listed below can still influence how you engage with Google’s service. Since not every smart TV is identical, you may wish to conduct some further research for certain settings on your specific device, but continue reading to find out how you can better maximize the YouTube app with these beneficial features.

an eSIM-exclusive smartphone following the observation of friends or family experiencing quicker mobile internet speeds on the latest eSIM-exclusive devices should still evaluate new phones equipped with physical SIM cards. The capability of a new device to provide a quicker, more dependable 5G experience compared to an older version is unrelated to the type of SIM card linking that device to the network. It is not the eSIM that results in enhanced download speeds, but rather, the diverse internal and external elements of a modern phone, including the modem and antennas. It is merely coincidental that a brand-new phone supports both faster 5G internet connectivity and eSIM functionality. The two technologies have progressed independently in recent years, which may have fostered a misconception that eSIM-exclusive devices can deliver faster or more dependable mobile internet.

A number of advancements from smartphone manufacturers and carriers have fueled that misunderstanding. To begin with, mobile service providers have been enhancing their networks over the years, boosting internet speeds as they broadened their 5G coverage. Nevertheless, mobile internet can be influenced by factors such as coverage, signal strength, and network congestion. Independently, smartphone manufacturers have been upgrading the 5G modems in their devices, with high-end models featuring pricier chips that can provide superior internet experiences (greater speed, enhanced reception, or more stable connections). Concurrently, they have incorporated eSIM functionality into their devices as a connectivity alternative, which enabled them to repurpose internal space to augment battery capacity and develop thinner and lighter phones.

Karl Urban Tormented Paul Bettany In This Overlooked Comic Book Horror Film

Karl Urban is perhaps most recognized for his role as Butcher in the comic book series “The Boys,” yet the actor has been featured in numerous comic book adaptations and genre films, including the 2011 release “Priest.” Undoubtedly the least impressive adaptation Urban has been a part of, “Priest” is a chaotic film that pales in comparison to Urban’s lead performance in 2012’s “Dredd,” which is based on 2000AD’s “Judge Dredd.”

“Priest” centers on the eponymous character, portrayed by Paul Bettany, as he seeks to eradicate vampires that have slaughtered his family and endanger various human settlements. Urban takes on the role of the antagonist, Black Hat, who possesses the ability to control vampires. Despite the film’s mediocrity, Urban delivers a strong performance while harassing Bettany’s Priest character with sinister plots aimed at humanity’s extinction.

Similar to how “The Boys” diverges from the comics, “Priest” is only loosely inspired by the original work by author Hyung Min-woo. The source material, a Korean comic or manhwa, does not involve vampires directly; instead, it showcases fallen angels as the villains. There isn’t even a character named Priest; the protagonist is Ivan Isaacs, a demon-possessed priest. Urban’s character is entirely an invention of the new storyline.

Paul Bettany disappointed some viewers

“Priest” was met with negative reviews upon its release in May 2011, achieving a mere 16% on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 41 out of 100 on Metacritic after the reviews were compiled. Among the more favorable critiques was from the now-closed Movieline, which commended how swiftly the adventure was initiated, allowing the rest of the film to focus on its action-driven storyline. Another positive review from The Vine awarded it three out of five stars, once again highlighting the action.

Most critiques, however, deemed Bettany’s acting as “lifeless,” or noted that he had a tendency to select subpar scripts for action films during that period. The actor found his comic book breakthrough a few years later, landing the role of J.A.R.V.I.S. in Marvel’s “Iron Man,” later evolving into Vision in “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” Vision is slated to have his own series in 2026.

Nonetheless, Den of Geek lauded Urban’s performance. From a handful of clips available online, it’s evident that the actor embraced the whimsical nature of the role. Ultimately, the film resides among a collection of comic book adaptations that have been largely forgotten as everyone pursued the Marvel goldmine.

Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 on April 22 that provides consumers the opportunity to acquire one of its latest foldables at a reduced price, provided they are open to obtaining a refurbished version. This promotion arises about three months ahead of Samsung’s anticipated summer Unpacked launch event, during which the South Korean firm is likely to introduce at least two new foldable smartphones. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8 are the prominent contenders, with speculations suggesting a broader version of the Fold 8 as an unexpected addition to the Galaxy Z Fold series. This is one rationale to refrain from purchasing a Samsung foldable in the spring, whether refurbished or otherwise. Nevertheless, foldable enthusiasts who aren’t inclined towards the newest models could still opt for one of last year’s variants, including refurbished units available through Samsung’s Certified Re-Newed program.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the more technologically sophisticated iteration of Samsung’s 2025 foldable smartphones, but features a considerably slimmer profile. When unfolded, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is 4.2 mm thick, while in its folded state, the device measures 8.9 mm. For context, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 has a thickness of 5.6 mm when opened and 12.1 mm when closed. Additionally, the Fold 7 weighs less than the Fold 6, at 7.58 oz versus 8.43 oz.

Beyond dimensions, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 stands as a premium Android device, showcasing high-end specifications, including a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, 12 GB or 16 GB of RAM, and a minimum of 256 GB of storage (with options extending to 1 TB). Coupled with the expansive 8-inch foldable display, a 200-megapixel rear camera, the Galaxy AI suite, and seven years of software updates, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 becomes a compelling value offer.

rocket launching and curving as it ascends into space, the splashdown represents a crucial aspect of American space exploration. Nonetheless, since the inception of the Soviet space program, Russian Soyuz spacecraft have been crafted to land in open fields. This divergence in the conclusion of American and Russian space missions may appear peculiar, or perhaps a result of a rigid Cold War-era inclination to do things differently, but there is a straightforward rationale rooted in geography.

It might seem obvious, yet the United States has far greater ocean access than Russia, which is the reason NASA launches its rockets on or near the coastline and lands them through splashdown. Since 1961, American crewed and uncrewed spacecraft have returned to Earth utilizing parachutes to slow their descent and the ocean to cushion the impact. Following that, NASA and the U.S. military collaborate to retrieve the spacecraft and its crew from the water and back to shore.

A crewed Russian mission has only concluded in a splashdown once: Soyuz 23 in 1976. Even then, the water landing was unintentional and nearly resulted in the deaths of its two crew members, who found themselves trapped in a semi-frozen lake for approximately nine hours.