Tag: Source: Bgr.com

Gemini Can Substitute Siri on iPhone with Specific Restrictions

the iOS 26.4 update coming next spring is expected to finally introduce the AI voice assistant concept that Apple showcased at WWDC 2024 last year. This information is based on current reports, although nothing is assured. Apple has the option to postpone the new Siri AI features, similar to its actions earlier this year. Nonetheless, MacRumors indicates that select iPhone users will have the opportunity to switch Siri for another voice assistant, including Gemini, a more advanced AI tool than Siri, once iOS 26.2 is released. While this may seem like positive news for iPhone users, the feature will not be globally accessible, due to two significant conditions.

Firstly, you can change Siri for another assistant only in Japan, where Apple must comply with new legislation mandating smartphone manufacturers to allow competing services on their devices. Secondly, iPhone users in Japan looking to replace Siri with Gemini or another voice assistant cannot simply choose a different option in Settings. App developers must activate this functionality. For Gemini, Google would need to integrate the new feature into one of its existing applications. That is the sole method to set a voice assistant like Gemini as the default on the iPhone.

How the iPhone’s new assistants will operate

Suggested Budget-Friendly Electronics to Purchase at Costco

Amazon generally features a wide array of products that simplify life, but Costco equally offers a selection of electronics that are definitely worth considering. Renowned for its bulk food items and home necessities, Costco is an excellent spot for discovering budget-friendly electronics as well.

Although you’ll consistently find larger items like laptops, TVs, and more, there are several budget-friendly electronics priced under $40 that will appeal to almost everyone. These may be minor acquisitions, yet they deliver significant functionality and are all supported by genuine user endorsements. Given that reviews are often quite sparse on the Costco website, we’ve also taken into account ratings from other e-commerce sites to ensure we select gadgets that will genuinely enhance your life. Take a look at them below and add them to your Costco shopping list.

Berkshire Life Heated Throw

Costco offers a fall must-have that will keep you warm during the chilly months: a heated blanket. This heated throw from Berkshire Life has amassed over 4,000 user reviews with an impressive score of 4.7 stars. Customers have acknowledged the soft, plush material that feels luxurious, as well as the even heat distribution, ideal for unwinding on the couch or getting additional warmth during the night. It features four heat settings, letting you customize the temperature to suit your liking. For safety, it automatically powers down after four hours of use.

Furthermore, this blanket is reversible, with one side being soft and “fuzzy” while the opposite side is smooth and velvety. This provides you with two different textures to choose from and makes for an adaptable gift. Additionally, since it’s machine washable, maintaining its cleanliness is a breeze. One Costco reviewer mentioned that all they had to do was detach the cord, toss it in the washing machine, and tumble dry without heat, and it performed flawlessly just two minutes later.

Read More

iPhone 17 Increases Apple’s Market Share to 25% in China’s Mobile Phone Sales

a report from Counterpoint Research indicates that one out of every four smartphones sold in China during October was an iPhone. This marks the first occasion since 2022 that Apple has reached this achievement, although this time it is contending with heightened competition in the premium market. The surge in iPhone sales in the nation is largely attributed to the iPhone 17 series, with each new model reportedly showcasing performance improvements over its iPhone 16 counterparts by mid-to-high double-digit percentages. These numbers are estimates, as only Apple can provide precise statistics. Nevertheless, the compiled data from Counterpoint Research affirms what has been clear since mid-September: The new iPhones are proving to be a significant triumph for Apple on a global scale, with three models sold out for several weeks.

Counterpoint Research discovered that the iPhone 17 series made up approximately 80% of Apple’s iPhone sales in China. Apple achieved a 37% increase in iPhone unit sales compared to last year. Furthermore, the report states that Apple’s success has buoyed China’s smartphone market by 8%. Regarding Apple’s primary rivals in the country, Oppo’s sales experienced a 19% uptick in October relative to one year ago, while Huawei’s sales saw a decline of 19%. Oppo introduced a new device, the Find X9, whereas Huawei’s forthcoming flagship is scheduled for release next week. Analysts anticipate that Apple will maintain its strong performance in the country, despite the launch of the Huawei Mate 80 series, flagship models that will rival the iPhone 17 series.

The entry-level iPhone 17 is a major success

iPadOS 26.2 Brings Back Drag-and-Drop Application Multitasking Functionality

iPadOS 26 is reintroducing window tiling and background processing, as Apple gradually reinstates some beneficial functionalities from earlier iPadOS iterations. With the release of iPadOS 26.1, the company has brought back Slide Over for the iPad, allowing you to showcase an app in front of all other applications. To access this feature, simply tap the three-button menu, long-press the green icon, and select Enter Slide Over. This functionality enables you to keep information such as a video, a reference AI chatbot app, the Notes app, and more, consistently visible while using different applications.

Now, with iPadOS 26.2 Beta 3, Apple is reinstating another vital multitasking capability — the option to drag and drop apps. Although quite handy, this feature was eliminated in iPadOS 26. Currently, if you’re experimenting with the Beta 3 of iPadOS 26.2, you can easily switch between applications by dragging them from the Dock, Spotlight Search, or App Library and placing them on the home screen.

Drag and drop enhances the iPadOS 26 experience

The Anticipated Length of Earth’s Oxygen-Abundant Atmosphere

oxygen concentrations are expected to drop significantly lower in the future. Indeed, a recent study indicates that Earth will exhaust its breathable air in approximately 1 billion years.

Researchers Kazumi Ozaki from Toho University and Christopher Reinhard from the Georgia Institute of Technology developed a computer model to project the future of Earth and its atmosphere. By conducting nearly 400,000 simulation runs, they compiled their findings and published them in the journal Nature Geoscience in 2021. The findings suggest that the oxygen-rich atmosphere of Earth will disappear in one billion years. The silver lining is that none of us currently living will experience that transition; however, many scientists now contend that the loss of atmospheric oxygen will signal the definitive end of life on Earth, so let’s delve into the factors contributing to this decline and envision what the planet will resemble in its aftermath.

Why Earth’s oxygen-abundant air won’t endure indefinitely

Assessing the Advantages of Wireless Headphones Versus Wired Alternatives

If you’re considering purchasing headphones, you might be curious if the widely popular true-wireless earbuds are the optimal choice. But how do the classic wired headphones from earlier times compare? Are those a better selection? The concise answer is: Yes, though this hinges on how you define “better.” While the specifications of headphones can be measured quantitatively, much of the experience relies on your personal perception of the audio quality in your music.

A wired set of headphones or earbuds conveys sound through a cable, usually connected via a 3.5-millimeter or quarter-inch connector. This allows the audio signal to be delivered almost instantaneously and in full. In contrast, wireless headphones generally transmit a signal using various radio frequency (RF) technologies, such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, which can sometimes introduce disturbances or risks of losing the connection in certain scenarios.

Wireless music transmission is intricate

<div class="columns-holder"

Read More
Latest Enhancements in iOS 26.2 Beta 3 for iPhone

December’s rollout of iOS 26.2 sees Apple continuing its trials for this anticipated operating system upgrade. With the introduction of beta 3, the firm has incorporated even more features, including additional mentions of the in-progress PIN for AirDrop functionality.

Within the Settings app, the AirDrop section now includes a “Manage Known AirDrop Contacts” feature, allowing users to show up for 30 days to individuals with whom they have exchanged a one-time code. However, the current beta prevents users from creating this one-time code, yet it is noteworthy that Apple is being clear about this forthcoming feature.

Additionally, Apple’s developer documentation indicates that Hypertension Notifications will be accessible through a new API. This will enable third-party applications to seek permission to access these notifications from the Apple Watch, allowing them to integrate this information into their applications for greater utility for other users. Here’s what else is on the docket in iOS 26.2 beta 3.

Apple to implement a significant update to the Side Button

Comet 3I/ATLAS’s Acceleration May Have Been Affected by Non-Gravitational Forces

“`html
that’s the nearest it will approach (it is not a menace like dark comets are). Its closest pass by the sun occurred on October 30, and it is expected to remerge on the opposite side of the sun in early December 2025. Although determining an exact size is challenging, NASA approximates it to be between 1,444 feet and 3.5 miles in diameter.

The specifics of comet 3I/ATLAS’s non-gravitational acceleration

Roku Unveils Significant TV Upgrade: Essential Modifications Clarified

states this update features “enhancements in performance, bug resolutions, as well as advancements to security, stability, and user experience.” It will be deployed automatically to select devices, including Roku streaming players and certain TV models, while also being “widely accessible” to additional devices by mid-November.

These recent features and usability upgrades align with Roku’s earlier updates, such as one that introduced new functionalities last summer. The technical enhancements aimed at performance stand out among the notable features introduced in this update. Through code enhancements and streamlined system processes, Roku devices are expected to operate more swiftly, exhibit greater responsiveness, and be less susceptible to freezes or crashes. Enhanced accessibility options are being introduced as well, including new voice commands for adjusting volume or launching channels, for instance.

Lastly, the updated Roku OS 15 has refined HDR10+ and Dolby Vision passthrough for compatible televisions, enabling these signals to pass directly from the source without any processing or modifications. While this will automatically roll out when ready, you can manually check for updates on your Roku TV or streaming device by navigating to Home > Settings > System > Software Update > Check Now. This action will initiate a manual scan for updates, and if one is detected, it will download, install, and restart your device.

Additional new features in Roku OS 15