factors to think about when purchasing a television. Furthermore, some individuals have pointed out that there isn’t a significant visible distinction with 8K to warrant the increased cost. When you combine these elements with a lack of, or virtually no, popular 8K content, it’s understandable why it might be wise to remain with 4K for the time being.
**China Is Tightening Regulation on One-Pedal Driving (For Good Reason)**
The concept of one-pedal driving is well known among many electric vehicle (EV) users. It enables them to release the accelerator pedal to decelerate (and at times halt) the vehicle without engaging the brake pedal. While numerous top-tier EVs still utilize two pedals, one-pedal driving serves as a method to enhance an EV’s range. This feature helps with regenerative braking, which allows an EV to transform some of the vehicle’s kinetic energy into electricity while slowing down. However, new regulations in China will impose restrictions on this feature. Starting January 1, 2027, a national GB (GuoBiao) standard will prevent manufacturers from producing one-pedal EVs with a preset function that causes the vehicle to stop completely without the driver applying the brake pedal.
Drivers will still retain the option to manually activate the feature, and additional regulations in the new standard will come into effect a year earlier. From 2026 onward, all newly sold EVs in China must be equipped with anti-lock braking systems (ABS), and EVs will also need brake lights that activate during rapid deceleration even if the driver is not depressing the brake pedal. These modifications followed research and accident evaluations indicating that some drivers had become overly reliant on using just one pedal. In various occurrences, drivers could not shift their right foot to the brake swiftly enough to halt in time. Existing EVs already on the roads will not need updates, and the brake light and ABS mandates align China’s standards with established regulations in other regions.
**Safety Issues Associated with One-Pedal Driving**
EV brake lights are now required to activate when a vehicle decelerates faster than 1.3 meters per second squared, roughly 3 mph per second. Under the new regulations, some energy will be wasted since employing brakes to stop a vehicle converts a portion of kinetic energy into friction-generated heat. The limitation on default one-pedal driving could also decrease the chances of unintended acceleration; accident investigators discovered that some drivers inadvertently pressed the accelerator, thinking their foot was on the brake, and transitioning more frequently between the two should help EV drivers become more accustomed to their vehicle’s pedal positioning.
One-pedal driving can offer greater comfort than constantly shifting between pedals, particularly in urban traffic or for individuals with nerve or muscle challenges. Utilizing a single pedal for both acceleration and deceleration may yield a smoother experience for passengers, and any practical differences in deceleration speed and stopping distance ultimately hinge more on vehicle dynamics and driver responsiveness than on technological constraints.
**Reasons for China’s Changes to EV Standards**
Certain accidents involved Tesla vehicles, prompting Chinese regulators to compel the company to recall over 1 million units in 2023. Tesla subsequently released a software update that replaced the default ‘creep’ mode with a ‘hold’ function that gradually stopped the car when the driver released the accelerator. In a different context, Consumer Reports discovered in 2023 that brake lights on some EVs from Hyundai and its sub-brands Genesis and Kia “might not light up when the vehicle was utilizing aggressive regenerative-braking settings.”
Hyundai reacted by enhancing brake lights to activate at the same deceleration rate specified by China and the EU; this change additionally brings the company’s vehicles into compliance with China’s new regulation ahead of its implementation. The requirement for ABS in EVs within China also aligns the country with global standards in this area. All vehicles sold in the U.S. have featured ABS since 2012, and cars in the European market have included it since 2004. ABS rapidly pulses the brakes to prevent the wheels from locking during abrupt stops, potentially averting skids or spins.
After showcasing a robot equipped with arms at CES 2025, the company opted to venture into innovative territory within the home cleaning sector at this year’s event.
It’s worth mentioning immediately that, in contrast to the Saros Z70, which debuted shortly after CES 2025, Roborock indicates that the new wheel-leg robot vacuum — officially named the Roborock Saros Rover — remains a work in progress. Although it is already operational, evidenced by the company’s demonstration of it ascending stairs, descending a ramp, leaping, and even dancing (!), Roborock states that the definitive release date and feature list are both “to be revealed.”
What’s intriguing about this legged robot vacuum is that the company transitioned from surmounting 4cm thresholds with the Qrevo Curv to a robot capable of walking up stairs in under two years. Additionally, aside from the Saros Rover, Roborock also seized the chance to introduce the new Saros 20, Saros 20 Sonic, Qrevo Curv 2 Flow, and the F25 Ace Pro at CES 2026.
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The USB port on your smartphone serves not only for charging but also enables data transfer, OTG flash drives, external hard drives, and various third-party accessories. However, utilizing an unverified or non-certified accessory can adversely impact your device’s battery health and jeopardize your private data. Current smartphones come equipped with sizeable batteries that manufacturers assert can last throughout the day, yet they frequently deplete within hours, even when performing basic tasks like surfing the web and employing common applications. For users who depend on their phones for payments, flight boarding information, or crucial work emails, it becomes problematic when the battery runs low during commutes or travels. In such situations, the temptation to utilize public charging stations or low-cost cables with quick-charging power banks to swiftly boost the battery can be high.
Some individuals even connect popular gadgets such as mini fans, LED lights, or an endoscope camera to their smartphones via the USB port. Linking an external device through the USB port can expose your personal data and device to significant risks. While these devices might appear convenient for tasks like data transfer or using your phone as an endoscope camera, connecting them can lead to serious repercussions. Here are some devices you should never connect to your phone’s USB port.
Roku streaming devices have many advantages. They are quite budget-friendly, feature a straightforward and user-friendly interface, and grant access to all major streaming platforms, making them an excellent option to enhance your older non-smart TV with smart TV functionalities or to upgrade your TV’s current operating system. That said, Roku devices are not without flaws. Similar to other smart TV systems, Roku streamers can encounter issues, many of which are easily identifiable and resolvable. One common issue is the incorrect TV display resolution set by your Roku streaming device. This can lead to suboptimal content resolution and overall lackluster visual performance.
If your Roku is operating with the wrong resolution, you might also notice pixelated visuals or, in rare instances, oddly cropped content. This usually occurs when your Roku cannot properly identify the display capabilities of your smart TV, resulting in it providing content at a resolution lower than what your TV can support. Another contributing factor could be the selection of an incorrect HDMI port or an incompatible HDMI cable when connecting your Roku streamer. Not all HDMI ports on televisions are equal, and if your Roku is connected to an older HDMI port, it may fail to recognize your TV’s actual display capabilities. Likewise, an outdated HDMI cable can lead to display problems. Fortunately, there are fairly simple solutions for these issues.
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save yourself from endless scrolling and concentrate on your work or studies with certain applications. Productivity, mental health, and focus applications assist in eliminating distractions, providing structure, fostering accountability, or tackling the emotional triggers that cause procrastination initially. Utilize these resources to collaborate with your brain, rather than working against it.
We examined the top applications crafted not only to time your focus but also to make it enjoyable. Some are presented as games, where each small achievement propels you towards increased focus. Others pair you with a partner under whose vigilant observation you’ll be compelled to concentrate on your assignments. Lastly, some are developed with insights from actual psychologists, and you might gain access to their premium services for free through certain health plans. Keep in mind that procrastination doesn’t equal laziness. It represents a challenge in self-regulation, which psychologists define as a voluntary deferral of significant tasks linked to heightened stress.
Freedom is among the most well-known productivity applications available. It’s a solution intended to aid in combating procrastination by disabling your digital distractions. It can be utilized on your smartphone, tablet, or computer to block distracting websites, social media platforms, or even games. All content categorized as attention-draining will remain inaccessible once this application is installed.
Upon installation of the application, you’ll have the option to choose which content to block. You can pick specific applications like TikTok or Instagram, or select a category such as
genetic alterations in nearby canines became a focal point for opponents of nuclear energy, who are concerned that similar incidents might take place in other locations. Nuclear energy possesses vast potential as a carbon-neutral energy solution at a moment when the earth urgently requires it, yet that potential cannot be realized without the confidence of the public. With this in mind, the engineers of nuclear facilities are developing increasingly sophisticated strategies to prevent nuclear meltdowns before any harm can occur.
The initial nuclear power stations were constructed starting in the 1950s, and from the outset, minimizing the risk of a meltdown was of utmost importance. This threat emerges when a nuclear reactor exceeds safe temperature limits, thus to avert meltdowns, reactors must be equipped with robust cooling mechanisms. Traditionally, these mechanisms have depended on circulating water around the reactor core to manage the heat generated by the radioactive fuel contained within, and for the most part, these systems have functioned effectively. Nevertheless, the disastrous incidents at Chernobyl and the 2011 meltdown of Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (which declared in 2020 that it would be releasing its radioactive water back into the ocean) both transpired due to failures in their respective cooling systems. The insights gained from these tragedies are now informing a new methodology for nuclear power.
the distinction between an OLED and QLED display can begin to blur. If you’re looking to purchase a quality TV for under $500, you’ll need to be discerning in your choices.
Renowned brands such as Hisense, TCL, and even Samsung are among the most dependable smart TV manufacturers available, but a lower cost often means compromising on picture quality or additional advanced features. For instance, you’ll find that none of the TVs we picked for this selection have a native 120-hertz refresh rate, which would enhance image smoothness.
Nevertheless, the five TVs we highlighted compensate for reduced motion clarity with other impressive picture technologies. Each unit is priced under $500, with the 32-inch Samsung 4K QLED retailing at exactly $500.
The TCL 55-inch Class S5 Series is a conventional 4K LED-LCD television that retails for $330 at its regular price but frequently goes on sale. On Amazon, the TV achieved a rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars from over 3,300 reviews, with the majority of users commending the S5’s robust picture quality, easy setup, and overall value.
Brands like TCL and His
Starting at $1,300 and shipping this spring, the Sphera is the latest aftermarket CarPlay unit from Pioneer that drivers should take note of. Introduced at CES 2026, the Sphera stands as the first aftermarket spatial audio head unit worldwide capable of supporting Dolby Atmos in CarPlay. This is excellent news for those wanting to enhance their car’s head unit with a solution that accommodates Dolby Atmos content. Additionally, the Sphera can serve as an option for vehicles with infotainment systems that lack CarPlay support.
Pioneer mentioned in its announcement that the Sphera is designed to be compatible with “millions of existing vehicles,” without specifying any particular models. The company also indicates that installation can be achieved with “minimal modification,” as the head unit is expected to fit a “wide variety of vehicles.”
The head unit will interface with the vehicle’s speakers and utilize Pioneer’s exclusive Pure Autotuning technology to tailor the sound experience to the car’s interior. Pure is intended to consider the cabin’s unique features, including size, shape, and materials. Pure Autotuning will “accurately adjust time alignment, frequency response, and channel levels to enhance performance and place the listener at the acoustical center.” This will guarantee the spatial audio and Dolby Atmos experience that users desire from their vehicle’s sound system.
The Pioneer Sphera features
The Sphera, depicted in the images above, is a 10.1-inch HD capacitive display that delivers “clear visibility and responsive controls.” The system is compatible with Pioneer’s Quick Swipe user interface for “rapid, intuitive adjustments while driving.” It offers a split-screen mode, wherein part of the display is allocated to specific features and controls, allowing drivers to access them effortlessly. Sphera supports wireless connection to iPhones (CarPlay) and Android devices (Android Auto), alongside Bluetooth.
The Sphera also includes an integrated Pioneer Luminous Bar that adds a “subtle visual signature to the dash.” This lighting system has two modes, including an Enhanced Visual Mode for navigation assistance and a Music Synchronization Mode that aligns lighting with audio. To achieve that “rich, immersive listening experience” in Dolby Atmos, Sphera will employ the car’s front and rear speakers. Users should not need to acquire additional hardware to ensure their CarPlay experience includes Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos.
While Sphera’s standout feature may be its support for Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos in CarPlay, the Pioneer receiver is also compatible with Android Auto. Although Spatial Audio (capitalized) is an Apple innovation for 3D sound, Dolby Atmos might also become accessible to Android Auto users in the future, as it’s a 3D sound technology distinct from Apple’s Spatial Audio. However, neither the press release nor Pioneer’s Sphera product page mentions Dolby Atmos support for Android. The product page states “more platforms are coming soon,” without specifically naming Android Auto. Additionally, Dolby Atmos may not be available for all audio content streaming in the vehicle. Pioneer notes in a footnote that streaming Dolby Atmos content might necessitate a subscription.
