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your iPhone Pro model may exhibit a larger black “dot” within the camera assembly, as illustrated above. If you have been curious about the function of the “dot” and how it enhances your iPhone experience, the explanation is straightforward. It’s a LiDAR sensor (an acronym for Light Detection and Ranging), a technology employed to map the environment of a device using near-infrared laser light. LiDAR sensors in autonomous vehicles assist the car in understanding its surroundings. On iPhones, the LiDAR sensor enhances photography, supports augmented reality (AR) applications, and enables measurements of objects and individuals.

The LiDAR dot is not present on every iPhone. Apple first incorporated it in 2020 with the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max models. Every Pro and Pro Max variant released thereafter contains the same element within the rear camera module. Apple has made advancements to the sensor over the years, but this isn’t the type of camera enhancement that Apple typically promotes. It’s not related to boosting the megapixel count or enlarging the lens. Instead, LiDAR operates quietly in the background for you, and oftentimes, you won’t even realize it’s functioning.

You cannot manually activate the iPhone’s LiDAR sensor or switch to it while capturing photos or utilizing AR applications. The sensor operates automatically when the software identifies the need to ascertain distances to a subject or to map a space for an AR app. There’s no on-screen button to turn on the black dot.

including some of the top wireless adapters — older vehicles lack this system integrated. 

For older vehicles, there are several portable CarPlay units available online that we would like to explore. The four models highlighted below offer the capability for a seamless CarPlay connection, and all have received excellent ratings from actual users on Amazon. Each device on this list is ideal for establishing a wireless Apple CarPlay setup in your vehicle, with unique features for each.

Despite some auto manufacturers moving away from CarPlay, it remains an excellent option to modernize an older vehicle. Once installed, you can start enjoying many of the same benefits that a vehicle equipped with built-in CarPlay offers, such as some of the top free CarPlay applications. If you know of a car, truck, or SUV that is still reliant on a tape deck or a CD player for entertainment, the devices mentioned below might just be the solution for bringing fresh capabilities to an old vehicle.

CNBC reported that it will utilize Google’s Gemini to enhance its AI foundational models, which includes the upgraded Siri set to launch later this year. Apple issued the following statement regarding this choice: “After thorough consideration, we concluded that Google’s technology offers the most proficient foundation for Apple Foundation Models, and we’re eager about the groundbreaking new experiences it will create for our users.”

Though the company did not specify the exact timing for the release of these new features, earlier reports indicated that Apple intended to introduce its AI-enhanced Siri redesign in iOS 26.4, anticipated to be released in the spring. Rumors about Apple opting for Gemini to enhance Siri have been circulating since August, following a Bloomberg article concerning the potential collaboration.

Consequently, Apple reiterates its dedication to a more advanced, intelligent Siri. During the WWDC 2024 keynote, Apple asserted that its virtual assistant, as part of the Apple Intelligence platform, would be capable of leveraging user data to address more intricate inquiries and accommodate a greater number of requests. For example, one could ask the assistant about a podcast a friend recommended a few weeks back. Siri would then swiftly look through texts and emails to retrieve the answer.

tips and techniques for enhancing TV picture quality, along with disabling subsampling, can yield significant improvements. To achieve this, you must manually activate chroma 4:4:4 support in your TV’s display settings. Search for an option labeled “HDMI UHD Color” and enable it for the HDMI port connected to your PC. Additionally, ensure that you are utilizing the “PC” picture preset.

Royal Navy revealed a £316 million agreement (approximately $414 million) to outfit its Type 45 destroyers with the advanced laser weapon DragonFire. This funding signifies a significant advancement in enhancing NATO’s drone defenses and provides Europe with its inaugural high-powered defense system utilizing lasers. It is also regarded as a substantial achievement for NATO’s defenses, aiming to adjust to a continuously changing technological environment.

In recent years, drones have become an increasing concern for military organizations worldwide. These unmanned vehicles, extensively employed during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, have turned into a main weapon for both factions, responsible for up to 80% of all casualties by early 2025. Less expensive and less hazardous than their manned equivalents, unmanned aerial, maritime, and terrestrial vehicles have consistently evolved into significant threats for conventional defense systems, partly due to the imbalanced expenses associated with their deployment and defense. Consequently, the technology has proliferated, emerging as a favored reconnaissance and assault mechanism for various groups, from drug cartels and Burmese insurgents to the Israeli armed forces. Even the FBI is exploring the utilization of unjammable drones.

The U.K. experienced the difficulties of creating anti-drone defenses firsthand in April 2024, when its Type 45 vessel HMS Diamond successfully repelled swarms of Houthi-operated drones targeting merchant ships in the Red Sea. The operation, which the destroyer countered using its Sea Viper missile system, Phalanx machine gun, and 30mm cannons, highlighted the inadequacies of contemporary defense mechanisms against drone offensives and the urgent need for funding to combat the technology. Establishing a diverse array of defensive strategies is vital to creating comprehensive, adaptable protections, especially as military drone technology progresses. For example, Russia’s jet-powered Geran-3 drone can evade electronic defenses, necessitating varied anti-drone solutions to ensure protection.

long-anticipated iPhone Fold model. As Apple set the stage for consolidating iOS, iPadOS, and macOS with the latest iterations of these systems, iOS 27 is expected to introduce numerous new multitasking capabilities that we won’t learn about this summer, as the company aims to keep its major plans under wraps until the September event. 

Alongside this, Apple will need to address other significant iOS enhancements during the WWDC 2026 keynote, and we believe these could be a few of them.

Amazon, swap out AA batteries in compatible devices, and eliminate battery changes — particularly for items that remain stationary like holiday lights, strip lights, and similar products. You could cut costs with a solution like this, even when factoring in the low prices of Costco’s budget-friendly Kirkland batteries and Amazon Basics’ similarly low-cost alternatives.

Here’s how Lenink’s adapter and batteries function: The system provides a constant power supply to the battery-operated device through an ultra-slim and flat cable linking to a core dummy battery. When the three AA batteries are placed into the device and the power adapter is connected to an outlet, the adapter delivers power as long as it remains plugged in. Since these dummy batteries are actually components of the adapter and not rechargeable batteries, there’s no need to recharge or replace them.

These batteries and the power adapter are designed for devices that need low electrical current — the system delivers 4.5 volts and 1 A. Therefore, they cannot power devices that consume high amounts of electricity, but they work excellently for accessories such as holiday decorations, strip lights, clocks, and other low-power gadgets.

Intel characterizes Optane as “a system acceleration solution placed between the processor and slower storage devices” that permits “the computer to keep frequently used data and programs nearer to the processor.” Consequently, the system gains rapid access to that data, enhancing “overall system responsiveness.” Ultimately, Intel was unable to reduce the costs of Optane technology sufficiently to make it viable for sale, leading to the project’s discontinuation. Additionally, alternatives emerged such as the DDR5 standard, Micron’s LPCAMM2 laptop modules, and compute express link (CXL) technology, which are faster, less expensive, and more versatile.

Until fairly recently, electric vehicles were more of a novelty than a practical choice. They were sluggish, poorly constructed, underpowered, and unable to travel long distances. Most crucially, the electric model didn’t adapt well to SUVs, as individuals use them not only for urban driving but also for off-road situations and towing capabilities. Thankfully, as governments worldwide have advocated for greater EV usage, manufacturers have progressed as well. Nowadays, electric vehicles can travel several hundred miles, often cost less to maintain than gasoline vehicles, and the immediate torque and power at your command can become quite appealing.

If you’ve been delaying your electric SUV acquisition, 2026 may be your year. This is because even traditional manufacturers like Honda, Toyota, and Land Rover are prepared to join the electric movement by introducing new EV ranges. To assist you in making this choice, we’ve compiled a list of fifteen electric SUVs to keep an eye on in 2026 and beyond.

**Acura RSX**

The initial RSX stands as one of the most legendary cars from the Japanese manufacturer. It was available in the U.S. from 2001 to 2006 and won the admiration of automotive fans with a four-cylinder engine that delivered 210 horsepower at 7,800 rpm and was coupled with a six-speed manual transmission. The outcome was a vehicle that was agile, sporty, and outperformed many pricier cars of its time. Furthermore, the original RSX was visually striking.

Acura is now reviving the RSX name for a new electric SUV that, unlike its first EV, the ZDX, is constructed on Honda’s all-new “0 Series” EV platform. The design represents a significant shift from the original RSX, as the new model is a sporty SUV coupe with four doors, showcasing a flowing roofline and a ducktail-style rear spoiler.

While details about performance, range, and 0-60 acceleration times remain undisclosed, the new RSX will incorporate Honda’s ASIMO operating system, which is expected to bring substantial enhancements to the infotainment setup, including over-the-air updates, an adjustable driving experience based on user preferences, and a variety of new safety features. Acura’s new factory in Ohio will produce the vehicle, and recent reports suggest that pricing could commence around $50,000.

**BMW iX3**

BMW’s design approach has stirred debate in recent times, as many fans have criticized the oversized “beaver-toothed” grille found on several models. Well, BMW has heeded the feedback and reduced the grille size on the new iX3, but this has led to another issue. Since the automaker opted for a sleeker grille, it now bears a resemblance to a rabbit’s teeth instead. One Reddit user remarked, “We heard you don’t favor the gigantic grilles, so we’ve made this one comically small.”

No matter your personal views on the design, BMWs retain their classic traits, and the iX3, part of the Neue Klasse platform, promises to be no exception. In the U.S., the iX3 will arrive equipped with dual electric motors that collectively produce 463 hp, enabling it to accelerate from a standstill to 60 mph in an estimated 4.2 seconds. The battery boasts a 109-kWh capacity, which the manufacturer claims will yield a range of 400 miles.

Charging has been significantly improved, as the iX3 is capable of recharging at up to 400 kW, allowing for 230 miles of range in just 10 minutes. Additionally, BMW has revamped the interior, featuring a uniquely shaped 17.9-inch infotainment system that also manages climate controls, and a 43.0-inch display for gauges that presents a highly modern look. The starting price for the new iX3 is expected to be around $60,000, with sales set to begin in summer 2026.

**Chevy Bolt**

In today’s unpredictable economic landscape, not everyone can spend $100K on an EV. Luckily, if you’re searching for a family-sized electric vehicle that remains affordable, the Chevy Bolt is making a comeback for the 2027 model year. Priced at $28,995, the new Bolt keeps the same silhouette but features refreshed front and rear designs that look attractive and harmonize with other contemporary EVs. Inside, there’s a new 11.3-inch touchscreen that will manage all performance metrics, yet thankfully, physical climate controls are still included. Since GM has discontinued Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, mirroring your phone is not an option, requiring reliance on the integrated Google apps.

Beneath the hood, the new Bolt will come with a 210-hp motor that, when paired with the 65-kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery, should deliver approximately 255 miles of range. Charging has seen a substantial enhancement, rising from 55 kW to 150 kW.

top-rated headphones available for under $100 still encompass a large variety that are priced below $20 or even $10. However, at such a low cost, can you really expect to receive headphones that are trustworthy?

Interestingly, inexpensive headphones manage to stand their ground. While this can differ based on the brand you select, the audio performance can actually be quite decent, though it might not match up to the higher-end models. You may also wonder if budget headphones will last longer than their more costly counterparts, but as it turns out, there isn’t a straightforward way to measure that since it greatly depends on how you handle your headphones.

It is commonly stated that you receive what you pay for in terms of quality. Nevertheless, many reviews on budget headphones are rather favorable, highlighting an excellent price-to-quality ratio and unexpected durability. Regarding low-cost headphones, users readily share both the advantages and disadvantages of their purchases.