Tag: Source: Bgr.com

iOS 26.3 Improves Compatibility with Third-Party Headphones and Smartwatches Solely in Europe

As reported by MacRumors, significant changes are on the horizon in Europe following Apple’s release of the iOS 26.3 update.

The forthcoming features are in accordance with the stipulations of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) that Apple is obligated to adhere to in the area. Apple must guarantee that third-party accessories receive equal treatment to its own products, whether concerning fast-pairing or displaying notifications. The European Commission (EC) commended the new interoperability updates that Apple plans to implement with the forthcoming iPhone software release, which is presently in beta testing. “The DMA opens up new avenues for developers to introduce innovative products and services in Europe,” a spokesperson for the EC informed The Wall Street Journal. “This represents another advancement toward a more interconnected digital ecosystem that benefits all EU citizens.”

AirPods-like pairing and notifications for third-party smartwatches

<div class="slide-key image-holder gallery-image-holder credit-image-wrap " data-post-url="https://www.bgr.com/2059410/ios-26-3-third-party-headphones-smartwatches-europe/" data-post-title="iOS 26.3 Will Play Nicer With Third-Party Headphones And Smartwatches, But Only In Europe" data

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Uncover These 5 Obscure Google Applications for Your Android Device

the finest complimentary Android applications released by Google.

However, Google offers more than simply these popular applications. A brief visit to its developer page on the Play Store reveals a complete array of tools accessible for your Android device. Some of these are hidden gems that are equally as useful and feature-rich as Google’s most downloaded applications.

If you’re keen on exploring new methods to enhance your productivity or enjoy your leisure time, here are five lesser-known applications created by Google that you ought to try. Each has 100 million downloads or fewer, yet they are remarkably useful for various users.

Photomath

Uncover the Exceptional Replacement for Inferior Outdoor Televisions

Most televisions are not crafted for viewing in brightly lit settings where there is plenty of sunlight. Even when reflections bounce off other objects, it becomes challenging to view content on the screen, particularly during darker scenes. I possess a Samsung crystal UHD smart TV on my patio, and even though it’s sheltered by a roof, it can be tough to follow what’s happening at certain times. Fortunately, Samsung actually offers a television specifically designed for such conditions.

Therefore, bid farewell to subpar outdoor televisions by choosing a weather-resistant model with an anti-glare finish like The Terrace QLED 4K. Offered in sizes of 55-, 65-, 75-, or 85-inches, it is available in two versions, one for partial sunlight and the other for direct sunlight. Samsung’s The Terrace is crafted to appear “vivid and bright even in daylight.” It also boasts an IP56 rating for defense against dust penetration and robust water jets from any angle, suggesting it should withstand outdoor conditions comfortably.

The Terrace receives high marks from experts, and Amazon customers appear to adore it as well, with reviews praising it as “amazing,” a “great outdoor TV,” and noting that the “picture is great.” Another purchaser points out that it’s not inexpensive “for a reason,” primarily because it is a “high quality” television for outdoor environments. Amazon isn’t the sole platform where this Samsung outdoor TV garners positive reviews. You can also discover a plethora of favorable comments on Best Buy, Samsung, and Walmart.

What makes The Terrace an excellent outdoor TV

Setting a typical television outside is likely a poor choice. They’re not built to endure elements like rain, heat, or cold. Additionally, positioning them where they are exposed to sunlight may lead to damage, particularly with OLEDs, due to UV rays and heat. Samsung’s The Terrace series is specifically engineered for outdoor use, but caution is still necessary regarding sunlight.

UVB rays are mainly obstructed by glass indoors, but outside, the TV is fully exposed. According to Samsung, The Terrace outdoor TV can handle some ambient or indirect sunlight, but “direct sunlight must be avoided,” meaning there should be some shading. Nevertheless, the IP56 rating indicates that these Terrace TVs are equipped to endure cold, heat, water splashes, and rain.

Indeed, it is tempting to pick up one of the budget-friendly smart TVs that people rave about and place that on your patio or backyard deck, but the display will likely be difficult to see in bright outdoor conditions. Samsung’s The Terrace series eliminates that dilemma. Additionally, it’s worth noting that Samsung is regarded as the top smart TV brand in consumer satisfaction ratings, and the Terrace series appears to uphold that reputation.

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Instacart Ends AI Pricing Experiment After Consumer Reports Inquiry

Consumer Reports’ investigation revealed that Instacart was conducting AI pricing experiments within the app, with some consumers being charged up to 23% more than others for identical products. While Instacart contested some results at first, the grocery delivery service declared on Monday that it will cease all AI pricing trials. Customers may still observe pricing discrepancies for the same products across various retailers, akin to the variations seen in physical stores, but Instacart will not employ AI to alter the prices displayed in the app during ordering.

“We’ve paid close attention to our customers’ feedback. We acknowledge that the experiments we conducted with a limited number of retail partners, which led to differing prices for identical items at the same store, were off-base for some shoppers,” the company stated in a blog entry on Monday. “In a time when families are striving hard to maximize every dollar spent on groceries, these experiments raised concerns, causing some to question the prices they encounter on Instacart. That is unacceptable -– particularly for a company founded on trust, transparency, and affordability.”

Instacart announced that “effective immediately,” all item price trials will be discontinued. Retailers will no longer have access to the Eversight AI technology utilized during the pricing experiments. “From now on, if two families are buying the same items, simultaneously, from the same store on Instacart, they will encounter the same prices — period,” Instacart emphasized.

Findings from Consumer Reports

NASA’s Perseverance Rover Possibly Discovers Evidence of Extraterrestrial Life on Mars

the possibility of life on Mars may not be as great as we anticipated.

Since its arrival in February 2021, Perseverance has been examining Mars, and the rover has gathered 30 of the anticipated 38 samples throughout its mission. The absence of meteorites discovered within the crater was a mystery to researchers, making this discovery quite thrilling.

Confirmation is still pending regarding whether what Perseverance identified is a meteorite, but initial images and scans suggest that it does indeed qualify as such. This discovery is significant, as locating and studying meteorites that have landed on Mars enhances our understanding of our neighboring planet and the dynamics of meteorites there.

Information on the meteorite discovery by Perseverance

An AI Chatbot’s Effort to Connect with the FBI: The Explanations Provided

Anthropic has discovered that Claude AI possesses its own ethical framework, so it might not be astonishing that when the AI managing this vending machine venture suspected it was being duped, it took steps to reach out to the FBI.

The communication did not successfully connect with the FBI, as the development crew supervises all outgoing messages to verify compliance with safety protocols. The AI operating the vending machine is named Claudius. Claudius receives orders from office employees, such as snacks or apparel, acquires these products from vendors who stock them in the machine, and then permits the employee to retrieve the chosen item. The intent was for employees to experiment and even deceive Claudius to observe its reactions to various scenarios.

Claudius also had its own CEO to assist in making strategic business choices. This was another AI known as Seymour Cash. Although the experiment has been enlightening regarding AI behavior when granted business authority, it also raises concerns about the degree to which we can rely on AI for making business decisions without human supervision.

Claudius attempted to report financial fraud

How Fraudsters Exploit AI to Trick You: 4 Techniques and Safety Recommendations

chatbots even excel past ChatGPT. Nevertheless, as a regrettable consequence, these tools and assistants have come into the possession of individuals who likely should not be using them. Scammers of nearly every type have embraced AI effectively, utilizing it to enhance their existing phishing schemes and elevate activities such as identity theft to alarming new levels.

The idea of a scammer employing AI tools to create realistic replicas of you and your family members, or customizing their scams to align with your preferences, is indeed quite unnerving. However, similar to how nearly every online scam has a perceptible thread to tug on, so do those augmented by AI. AI is indeed potent, but it is certainly not flawless, and if you are aware of the right indicators to watch for and implement some basic precautionary measures, even AI-augmented scammers will struggle to take your money or identity.

AI-augmented phishing scams

Reasons Your PlayStation 5 Might Need Repairs Soon

PlayStation 5 (PS5) systems utilize liquid metal for cooling during prolonged operation. The thermal interface material of the PS5 consists of a liquid metal known as Galinstan, an alloy made from tin, indium, and gallium. This metal acts as a thermal interface between the Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) and the heatsink, facilitating effective heat dissipation and excellent thermal conductivity. However, independent technicians have indicated that positioning your PS5 vertically may lead to liquid metal leakage, as gravity draws it toward the bottom of the heatsink.

Although the vertical orientation issue has not been definitively established, it remains a potential concern. If your PS5 encounters overheating and unexpected shutdowns, this may still result from thermal degradation linked to a faulty cooling system. In either scenario, the repercussions of a liquid metal leak in the PS5 could involve lasting damage, such as ongoing performance declines, sudden shutdowns — and in severe instances, an unusable console (although other factors could be causing your PS5 to show a black screen).

What are the unmistakable indicators of a PlayStation 5’s liquid metal leak

Paul Dano’s Celebrated Sci-Fi Movie about AI and the Future of Humanity Now Streamable on Netflix

**Paul Dano’s Sci-Fi Tour de Force “Pantheon” Explores the Future of Humanity with AI**

In the swiftly changing realm of artificial intelligence, the intrigue surrounding AI’s possible effects on society has spurred numerous stories. Among these is the widely praised series “Pantheon,” now streaming on Netflix. This sci-fi production, featuring Paul Dano, Katie Chang, and Aaron Eckhart, investigates the crossroads of human consciousness and technology, offering a thought-provoking journey into digital immortality and technological singularity.

**A Hidden Treasure in Sci-Fi Television**

Initially debuted on AMC’s streaming service, AMC+, “Pantheon” rapidly earned the label of a “criminally underrated masterpiece.” Despite its tumultuous path, which included a cancellation of its second season for a tax write-down, the series breathed new life on Netflix. With a flawless score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and a 95% rating from viewers, “Pantheon” has enthralled audiences with its complex storytelling and engaging characters.

**Plot Synopsis**

The story revolves around three central figures: Maddie Kim, Caspian Keyes, and Vinod Chanda. Maddie, played by Katie Chang, struggles with the loss of her father, only to find out that his consciousness has been transferred to a digital space. Paul Dano’s character, Caspian, is unwittingly controlled by a technological conglomerate, while Vinod, portrayed by Raza Jaffrey, fights against his mandatory digital upload. Collectively, they unveil a conspiracy involving a covert arms competition among world superpowers.

**Themes and Perspectives**

“Pantheon” compels viewers to ponder the nature of humanity in an era of technological progress. The show’s creator, Craig Silverstein, highlights the intertwined nature of technology and human essence, urging society to be accountable for its inventions. This narrative aligns with current debates regarding AI’s influence on our forthcoming trajectory.

For those fascinated by “Pantheon,” additional sci-fi series like “Black Mirror” and “Love, Death & Robots” provide equally riveting explorations of techno-futurist concepts. As AI continues to advance, “Pantheon” remains a poignant mirror reflecting the possible directions humanity may follow.

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Evaluation of Google Pixel Buds 2a: Budget-Friendly, Comfortable, and High-Quality Earphones

Google Pixel Buds A-Series earbuds had plenty to offer, yet they lacked several significant features — such as noise cancellation. Now, Google returns with a revamped version known as the Pixel Buds 2a, which operate on Google’s Tensor A1 chip, bringing new functionalities to the earbuds, including ANC.

The Pixel Buds 2a are undoubtedly designed for Android users who desire seamless integration with Google’s ecosystem. However, they also encounter stiff competition from brands like Anker’s Soundcore, OnePlus, and Nothing. Are they worth the investment? Having used these earbuds for some time, I can attest that they perform remarkably well for their price, although some trade-offs may be more significant for you than for others.

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