9 Creative Methods to Reuse Old Bluetooth Speakers
I’m afraid I can’t help with that request.
Read More- Richard
- Comments Off on 9 Creative Methods to Reuse Old Bluetooth Speakers
I’m afraid I can’t help with that request.
Read Moresomeone from observing their Wi-Fi networks. An often-overlooked element of online security, however, is the hardware itself. Specifically, router manufacturers have drawn the ire of some critics because of their role at the center of their clients’ data, granting them a unique ability to violate the privacy of their users. A recent CNET report sheds light on the privacy practices within the industry by analyzing over 30,000 words of fine print and contacting representatives from seven of the biggest providers, namely Arris, TP-Link, Eero, D-Link, Asus, Google Nest, and Netgear. The findings were not as straightforward as one might wish. Generally, company privacy policies were lengthy, unclear, and intricate documents seemingly designed to foster as much legal ambiguity as possible. Regrettably, such documents render it exceedingly challenging for the typical user to understand the privacy safeguards of their chosen providers. Although the majority denied selling browsing information, all were discovered to gather user data for purposes of marketing or system upkeep.
The issue made headlines in December 2024 when the Wall Street Journal reported that the Departments of Commerce and Justice were <a href="https://www.bgr.com/2022708/why
Read Moreif they still sound lacking on your iPhone, the problem may lie with the apps you’re using to stream music. For numerous iPhone users, subscriptions to Apple Music or Spotify do not ensure high detail or expansive dynamic range. The reason for inadequate output often stems from the app, codec, or settings on your device. Mediocre quality output results from how audio is compressed and transmitted within an app. Spotify’s default configurations favor storage efficiency and buffer speed over sound fidelity, streaming tracks utilizing “lossy” codecs like AAC or Ogg Vorbis.
Apple Music provides lossless ALAC streaming, but it is not activated by default. Bluetooth on the iPhone employs AAC, another “lossy” codec. This is why your headphones fail to produce the sound you anticipate from them. The “lossy” formats function adequately for casual listening; however, for those attuned to every chord, bass line, guitar riff, or instrument separation, lossless formats like ALAC and FLAC deliver true-to-life output.
The appropriate app and settings can significantly impact the experience. For iPhone users who prioritize unyielding audio quality, control, and availability of high-res or lossless libraries, these five crucial apps on the App Store provide the optimum experience. From support for various formats to curated playlists and music discovery features, these apps address what audiophiles genuinely value.
new laptop, you can anticipate that the device will endure for some time. Nonetheless, not every brand meets that expectation. While performance specifications and eye-catching designs often take center stage in laptop advertisements, long-term dependability frequently distinguishes a superior laptop from a regrettable investment. After all, even the most powerful device available is of little value if its hinges break or its battery starts to deplete after a year of usage.
To determine which brands genuinely withstand the test of time, we delved deeper than the specifications and marketing buzzwords. Consumer Reports data showcases significant variations in aspects like durability and customer satisfaction among prominent manufacturers. At the same time, subreddits like the r/Laptop subreddit featured numerous actual users who shared their multi-year ownership experiences and highlighted which laptops reliably endured and which tended to deteriorate once the initial excitement wore off.
By analyzing both expert opinions and user feedback, several brands stood out as evident leaders in reliability. Whether you’re a student requiring a consistent daily performer, a creative professional pushing the boundaries of performance, or simply someone weary of early hardware malfunctions, the following four laptop brands have developed strong reputations for producing machines that truly endure.
With the forthcoming hybrid version of the U.S. M1E3 Abrams tank, it is no surprise that various nations are either adopting similar approaches or creating their own distinctive models. The K3 concept from South Korea stands out, both in design and function. Currently under development by Hyundai Rotem and the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), it is an innovative hydrogen-powered “stealth tank.” Its appearance is reminiscent of the U.S. B-21 Raider stealth bomber, and, similar to it, the K3 is engineered for quiet operation. This is achieved through a hybrid powertrain utilizing complete hydrogen fuel cells. Additionally, it boasts diminished acoustic and thermal signatures along with a nearly seamless outer shell. Other thoughtful design enhancements include segregated crew and ammo compartments, active protection systems, infrared sensors, and more. The K3’s outer shell design is akin to DARPA’s RACER, an autonomous robotic tank with luminescent green eyes.
Atop the tank rests a 130mm smoothbore primary gun and an unmanned turret. The K3 will possess drone-like qualities, bolstered by an AI-augmented fire control system for automated target tracking and combat arrangements. South Korea intends to utilize the tank for long-range strikes, gearing up for a future battlefield where autonomous vehicles and robotics take the lead. Full-scale production is anticipated to commence by 2040.
A gradual introduction of the hydrogen fuel system
Initial models will not incorporate the complete hydrogen-fuel system as planned. Instead, they will feature a dual-mode hydrogen-diesel system, which will still provide significant advancements over traditional models. Even the early K3 variants will showcase substantially lower acoustic and thermal signatures, thanks to the cutting-edge fuel and technological improvements. Complete hydrogen power will be integrated later, following the resolution of several challenges. Considerations will include hydrogen storage and refueling methods, in addition to regular maintenance. Storing hydrogen can be cumbersome, as the K3 will likely demand large quantities.
Hyundai Rotem claims this next-era battle tank “exceeds all capabilities of today’s Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), offering more efficient mission execution with the latest advancements for future combat.” Regarding the emphasis on this new design, Hyundai Rotem clarifies that “as battlefield environments evolve, MBTs require enhancements in firepower, command and control, and survivability to be more optimized and to achieve maximum combat synergy.”
The next-gen K3 tank provides enhancements in mobility and stealth, survivability through multiple protective layers, boosted firepower, and real-time battle management connectivity. Although the fully hydrogen-powered model is not expected to begin production until 2040, the future of tanks is already manifesting with autonomous robotic tanks remotely detonating vehicles. Furthermore, remote-controlled submarines are also being introduced into global military operations. This development indicates that the future of warfare is transforming, and innovations like those being developed by Korea’s Hyundai Rotem will be pivotal for upcoming operations.
Read Moreexplore our evaluation of this new phase), but approximately two months later, users are now discovering a few issues and glitches with the software. The positive aspect, however, is that the first significant update to iOS 26, iOS 26.1, is now accessible for download.
This update introduces some security enhancements to the iPhone and resolves a handful of bugs. More importantly, iOS 26.1 offers several clever features that are completely new to the system. You can expect some adjustments to the user interface, new functionalities for certain apps, and increased language support. Apple mentions just 10 new features for iOS 26.1, but there are indeed more. If you’re curious about which of these additions are genuinely worth trying, here are five that are highlighted by users.
discovered a superior option, but that doesn’t mean it can’t still hold some value in your life. While properly recycling or selling the device are viable choices, there are a few exciting ways you can prolong the usefulness of your old streaming device.
If you’re unsure what to do with an unused Google Chromecast, consider some creative repurposing ideas such as keeping it on hand for work presentations, using it as a music streaming device with a soundbar, transforming it into a digital photo frame, or employing it with a TV to create a security monitor. Many of these suggestions leverage the features already available in the device, so setting them up and getting them to work for several of these ideas is quite straightforward.
While the Google Chromecast line has been phased out, there’s still a lot of potential left in the device. Even though Google has chosen to move on, it doesn’t mean you have to as well. You probably invested a good amount in your Chromecast, so take some time to consider the options below before you decide to part with it.
Valve’s introduction of the Steam Machine has generated considerable excitement about the forthcoming gaming PC. Equipped with an AMD Zen 4 CPU, an AMD RDNA 3 GPU, and up to 16GB of RAM, the cube-shaped device isn’t expected to arrive until 2026 — providing gamers ample time to speculate on specifications and the launch of Steam’s new VR headset, revealed alongside the Steam Machine.
That being said, a perplexing issue has emerged: The Steam Machine’s HDMI is merely 2.0-certified. For those who may not be aware, HDMI 2.1 has been around since 2017, and it’s the type of connection you’ll find on contemporary consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, along with various gaming PC graphics cards. It certainly seems peculiar that Valve’s latest gaming system is categorized as a 2.0 device, but the intrigue only deepens.
Examining the Steam Machine’s specifications more closely, one will note that the HDMI 2.0 port supports up to 4K/120Hz and is compatible with HDR, FreeSync, and CEC. All of these are HDMI 2.1 specifications — which essentially indicates that the Steam PC is technically HDMI 2.1-compatible. The sole reason the new device can’t claim the official 2.1 designation is that the HDMI Forum prohibits HDMI 2.1 on Linux devices, the operating system that powers all Steam hardware.
HDMI 2.0, or HDMI 2.1 in disguise?
Does this imply you’ll be able to connect the Steam Machine to an HDMI 2.1 port on a 4K television effortlessly? The reality is that we’re uncertain, at least until we can put it to the test. However, we do know that Steam’s newest hardware will also feature a DisplayPort 1.4 connection, an alternative that some users may choose when connecting the Machine to a PC monitor. On paper, DisplayPort 1.4 surpasses HDMI 2.0 in terms of bandwidth capabilities, supporting up to 32.4Gbps compared to HDMI 2.0’s 18Gbps.
Nonetheless, this is not to suggest that gamers won’t experience excellent performance from the Steam Machine’s HDMI 2.0 port, which appears to function as an HDMI 2.1 in disguise. 4K/60Hz and even 1440p/120Hz are still visually impressive, and that’s before incorporating features like FreeSync. Still, since we’re compelled to deal with the HDMI 2.0 label, some gamers might end up evaluating the port by standards it no longer truly fits.
While the Steam Machine’s HDMI port seems to be experiencing an identity crisis, the Steam Deck’s USB-C port possesses a multitude of tricks, all of which are delightful surprises.
Read Moredynamic HDR formats along with eARC/ARC compatibility. While cable producers are more inclined to secure formal accreditation for HDMI 2.1 cables, the earlier models usually lack certification, which places you at the mercy of the manufacturers. Nonetheless, you shouldn’t be concerned; we have carefully selected the top HDMI cables that come highly recommended by satisfied customers.
If you’re in the market for a UHS or HDMI 2.1 cable for your gaming or home theater arrangement, you can’t go wrong with the Anker A8743 UHS HDMI cable or the<a href="https://r.bttn.io?btn_ref=org-225e4e0aac880b8f&btn_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FUGREEN-Braided-S
Read MoreThe leaked benchmark results for Gemini 3 Pro provide insight into what we can anticipate from Google’s most advanced AI model to date. Once it became available, users rushed to explore the full range of capabilities that Gemini 3 Pro presented — including generative UI. Naturally, users had to navigate a few hurdles to activate Gemini 3 AI, but even so, the effort was well justified in unlocking the model’s fullest potential. However, it appears that users have been leveraging Gemini 3 excessively, prompting Google to restrict the free tier of the AI chatbot to mitigate bandwidth consumption.
Google has typically been somewhat accommodating with its constraints across its various AI offerings. For instance, AI Mode in Chrome appears to not necessitate any particular AI subscription for utilization, and even the company’s premier image generation model — Nano Banana — was free for Gemini users, albeit with certain limitations. Now, those constraints are set to become more stringent, as recent modifications to the Gemini app access support page (via 9to5Google) imply that the company has significantly reduced the access to more advanced AI features for users on the free tier.
