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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Apple Watch and AirPods Continue to Hold Global Market Dominance for the Moment
    Apple Watch and AirPods Continue to Hold Global Market Dominance for the Moment

    **Apple Watch and AirPods: Supremacy in the Worldwide Market**

    Recent market intelligence reveals that Apple’s AirPods and Apple Watch persist as frontrunners in their respective sectors. Nonetheless, the competition is becoming fiercer, especially from Huawei, which poses a significant challenge to Apple’s entrenched supremacy in the smartwatch arena.

    ### AirPods

    Per Counterpoint Research, the true wireless stereo (TWS) headphone sector remains robust, with Apple holding a substantial market share. The most recent findings indicate that Apple’s share has dipped slightly by 0.4%, now hovering around 21%. This cements Apple’s status as the dominant player, with Huawei following at 8% and no other brands surpassing 5%.

    The launch of new AirPods models, including the eagerly awaited AirPods Pro 3, is anticipated to revitalize the market. These upcoming models aim to enhance the user experience with augmented healthcare features and immersive audio quality. However, the premium pricing of the Pro model could restrict its effect on overall shipment figures. A more notable surge in sales is expected in 2027, aligning with the arrival of standard AirPods and a new variant featuring active noise cancellation (ANC).

    ### Apple Watch

    In the smartwatch domain, Apple has historically captured over 50% of the market share. Yet, this proportion has slowly decreased to around 20%, with Huawei closely trailing at 16%. Despite witnessing a year-over-year drop for six consecutive quarters, Apple retains its status as market leader, primarily due to its growing iOS user community.

    The competitive environment is evolving, with Huawei gaining traction and branching out from its core markets in China and India. This expansion, coupled with strong performance from other Chinese brands like Imoo and Xiaomi, is intensifying the contest for established names like Apple.

    ### Conclusion

    Although Apple remains at the forefront in both the AirPods and Apple Watch arenas, the rising competition from Huawei and other brands implies that its dominance may face challenges soon. The shifting landscape necessitates ongoing innovation and strategic initiatives from Apple to sustain its market presence.

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Research Shows Adolescent Drivers Devote 21% of Their Time Distracted by Mobile Devices [Video]
    Research Shows Adolescent Drivers Devote 21% of Their Time Distracted by Mobile Devices [Video]

    **The Disturbing Truth About Teen Distracted Driving in the US**

    A new study has uncovered a troubling trend among adolescent drivers in the United States: they spend nearly 21% of their driving duration focused on their phones. This pattern greatly heightens the danger of distracted driving incidents, posing a serious public safety concern.

    Though much of the phone engagement consists of momentary looks, over 5% of driving time involves staring at the phone for more than two seconds, which is sufficient to be deemed hazardous. Even with an awareness of the dangers tied to distracted driving, numerous teens persist in this behavior.

    The study, which included responses from 1,126 teen drivers from all four US regions and detailed interviews with a smaller group of high school students, indicated that most participants recognized the risks of distracted driving and felt that their parents and peers condemned such actions. Nevertheless, the normalization of phone use while driving continues, with many teens confessing that their friends also partake in this perilous behavior.

    The distribution of phone use while driving shows that 30% of screen time is spent on navigation, while messaging constitutes 40% and entertainment applications dominate at 65%. These figures underscore the various ways teens are distracted while operating a vehicle.

    In light of this escalating issue, Apple has rolled out features such as “Do Not Disturb while driving,” initially launched in iOS 11. A study conducted by an insurance company revealed that 70% of iPhone users take advantage of this feature. However, it seems that many teens are not making use of these safety options.

    Dr. Rebecca Robbins, the principal author of the study from Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, highlights the necessity for interventions that alter social norms and encourage practical measures, such as activating “Do Not Disturb” mode and physically distancing drivers from their devices. She cautions that distracted driving presents a substantial public health danger, particularly among young drivers, jeopardizing not just their safety but also that of others on the road.

    Distracted driving has resulted in numerous heart-wrenching accidents, leading to serious injuries and deaths. For parents of teen drivers, it might be advantageous to share powerful videos that demonstrate the grave consequences of distracted driving, fostering a deeper understanding of the associated risks.

    Ultimately, the matter of distracted driving among teenagers is urgent and demands immediate focus. By raising awareness and promoting responsible driving practices, we can strive to diminish the occurrence of this hazardous behavior and improve road safety for everyone.

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    • sparta
    • Comments Off on OnePlus Encountering Backlash Over Typical Smartphone Procedure
    OnePlus Encountering Backlash Over Typical Smartphone Procedure

    However, CHINA!

    (Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

    U.S. Congress members John Moolenaar (R, MI) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D, IL) have urged the U.S. Commerce Department to investigate phone manufacturer OnePlus after accusations that their devices gather user data “without explicit user consent.”

    It’s claimed that a commercial assessment suggests possible unwanted data gathering by OnePlus devices, which is subsequently directed to servers owned by China.

    OnePlus phone. While I can’t substantiate all the claims made against OnePlus, I can say that this appears to be likely. Conversely, it’s also accurate that the device I’m using (a Motorola Razr or a Pixel 9 Pro XL) is executing the same practices, gathering similar types of “sensitive personal information,” and forwarding it to be stored on a server somewhere. Your phone is likely doing the same.

    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Premier Retrofit Intelligent Door Lock Now Offered in the U.S.
    Premier Retrofit Intelligent Door Lock Now Offered in the U.S.

    Nuki, a well-known brand in Europe, has introduced its Smart Lock to the U.S. market, priced affordably at $159. Recognized for its retrofit smart lock solutions, Nuki provides a product that can be easily installed over existing single-cylinder deadbolts and integrates flawlessly with various smart home protocols, such as Matter, Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings, and Home Assistant. This guarantees compatibility with an extensive range of smart home systems.

    The U.S. version of the Smart Lock differs from the European Smart Lock Pro, which is priced at €269 ($317). Although both variants are equipped with Nuki’s latest brushless motor and support Matter over Thread integration, the Pro version offers adjustable speed modes, a more elegant design, and free app access.

    For customers in the U.S., a $5.90 monthly Nuki Premium subscription is necessary for remote access and extra features. However, those who set up the Smart Lock before September 30 can benefit from lifetime access to Nuki Premium at no additional charge.

    The Smart Lock is crafted for user-friendliness, featuring extensive customization options and a built-in battery that lasts six months between charges. It includes a custom magnetic connector with a standard USB-C port for easy charging.

    Nuki’s app is praised for its intuitive interface and strong privacy settings, distinguishing it in the smart home arena. The Smart Lock is an attractive option for anyone looking for a retrofit solution, particularly with the current promotion of free Nuki Premium access for early users.

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    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Google Home Eases the Process of Sharing Smart Home Devices with Others
    Google Home Eases the Process of Sharing Smart Home Devices with Others

    You now have the ability to choose who has control over what.

    Google Home Member Access
    (Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

    Essential Information

    • Member access for Google Home is now broadly accessible, enabling users to easily allocate and oversee who can take control in their smart home.
    • With the release of version 3.33, users can label household members as either “Admins” with comprehensive control or “Members” with restricted access.
    • The Member designation allows for inviting a diverse group of individuals—children, guests, and housemates—for more customized and manageable supervision.

    The Member access functionality of Google Home is now entirely implemented, simplifying the decision of what each individual in your home can reach or manage.

    A feature that was previously in public preview is now available for all users of Google Home v3.33, enabling you to assign “Admin” or “Member” roles to your household members or acquaintances, according to Google’s community update.

    The updated Member designation permits you to invite nearly anyone—children, housemates, or even visitors—so you can control access to your smart home equipment without confusion. As always, Admins in Google Home maintain complete control over all aspects, including devices, services, and determining who can access them.

    Members Hold Sufficient Power

    Conversely, Members initially possess only fundamental capabilities, but you can enhance their access whenever necessary, like enabling them to adjust device settings, execute automations, or explore Nest Aware functions and camera history.

    Nonetheless, access to Settings and Activity is disabled by default, so you’ll need to enable those manually if you wish for them to have the full range of tools.

    With Activity access activated, Members can also view recent occurrences, such as package deliveries, directly from the doorbell camera.

    Google Home Member Access
    (Image credit: Google)

    Avoiding All-or-Nothing Sharing

    Prior to this enhancement, sharing your Google Home was akin to a gamble where you either granted someone complete control or left them to rely on your voice assistant. And if you granted unrestricted access, you risked unintended settings alterations or, even worse, someone accidentally disabling your devices.

    Google is also simplifying the process of adding children under 13 to the Home app. Establish their account with Family Link, send an invitation, and they become a Member.

    Setting up your child within the smart home ecosystem used to feel like piecing together a puzzle. The combination of Family Link, Google Home, and Assistant created a convoluted juggling act that left many individuals puzzled.

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Comprehending NFC: Its Functionality and Recent Enhancement
    Comprehending NFC: Its Functionality and Recent Enhancement

    **NFC Soon to Achieve a Two-Centimeter Range**

    Near Field Communication (NFC) technology is poised for a major enhancement with the announcement of NFC Release 15 by the NFC Forum. This updated standard increases the NFC range from the present 0.5 centimeters to a complete 2 centimeters, quadrupling the operational distance for NFC. This improvement is anticipated to boost the dependability, speed, and sustainability of NFC-powered transactions and interactions.

    The expanded range implies that the “sweet spot” for NFC interactions, where the alignment between transmitting and receiving devices is at its best, will be larger. This development will render NFC interactions, such as mobile payments, more efficient and user-friendly, as devices will communicate more effortlessly without the need for exact alignment.

    NFC technology operates by generating an induced magnetic field to supply power to passive devices like NFC tags, which lack their own power source. When an NFC-enabled device, like a smartphone, comes close to an NFC tag, it produces an alternating magnetic field that induces a small electrical current in the tag. This current powers the tag sufficiently to relay its stored data back to the device.

    The broader range of NFC Release 15 will improve the user experience by making NFC interactions more fluid and reliable. This is especially advantageous for applications like mobile payments, where users frequently find it challenging to align their devices precisely with payment terminals. With the new range, NFC interactions will be less tedious, enabling quicker and more seamless transactions.

    Besides payments, NFC technology serves a variety of purposes, such as pairing Bluetooth devices and accessing secure areas like hotel rooms. The extended range is likely to enhance these applications too, rendering NFC a more adaptable and user-friendly technology.

    In summary, the launch of NFC Release 15 signifies a crucial advancement in NFC technology, promising to streamline everyday interactions with NFC-enabled devices, making them faster and more convenient.

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Review: The Adaptability of XREAL One Glasses Improved by the iPad Pro
    Review: The Adaptability of XREAL One Glasses Improved by the iPad Pro

    # XREAL One AR Glasses: An In-Depth Review

    I’ve been assessing one of the latest offerings from XREAL in the realm of AR glasses: the [XREAL One’s](https://amzn.to/4lwmTrT). These are undoubtedly the most adaptable pair of AR glasses I’ve experienced thus far, and they truly shine in an unexpected place: the [M4 iPad Pro](https://amzn.to/44ut0Gy) running iPadOS 26. Weighing in at just under 3 ounces (84 grams), they are quite convenient to carry.

    ## Why I Like Them

    Generally, when considering plug-in AR glasses, they’re typically used for one of two purposes. Either you’re mirroring your phone screen to enjoy movies or shows on a large display, or you’re extending your laptop screen – offering a broader workspace compared to what a 14-inch screen can provide.

    Usually, the iPad isn’t heavily featured in this context, but I found my experience with the [XREAL One](https://amzn.to/4lwmTrT) glasses enhanced when using my iPad.

    I personally utilize an [11-inch iPad Pro](https://amzn.to/44ut0Gy), and while this screen size is fantastic for portability and tablet tasks, it does fall slightly short when it comes to productivity while being connected to my Magic Keyboard.

    The remedy? [XREAL One](https://amzn.to/4lwmTrT). Of course, external displays are an option, but I’ve never been particularly inclined to use my iPad at a desk, given that I could just opt for a Mac. The [XREAL One](https://amzn.to/4lwmTrT) acts as a sizable high-resolution external display, and since they’re merely a pair of glasses you can easily stow away in your bag, they offer fantastic portability.

    Furthermore, with iPadOS 26 rolling out windowing across all supported iPad models, the demand for an external display has risen. The [XREAL One glasses](https://amzn.to/4lwmTrT) are essentially plug-and-play, so once you connect them to your [iPad Pro](https://amzn.to/44ut0Gy)’s USB-C port, you’re up and running. You can adjust a few settings on the glasses, but no specific app is needed for setup, which I find quite convenient.

    ## Key Specifications

    These glasses are equipped with micro-OLED panels, similar to those found in the Apple Vision Pro. They achieve high brightness levels and are quite sharp. Each eye gets a 1920×1080 display, culminating in over 4 million pixels in total. The displays operate at 120Hz for fluid visuals and deliver 600 nits of brightness – though to me, they feel even brighter.

    The [XREAL One’s](https://amzn.to/4lwmTrT) feature electrochromic dimming, enabling you to control the amount of light that passes through with a simple button press. You can select “clear,” which lets all light through; “shade,” which provides additional tint; or “theater,” which fully blacks out the glasses. It’s quite beneficial that you can use these glasses as a completely secluded pair, which is great for outdoor use or similar situations.

    Additionally, there is on-device IPD adjustment, letting you customize the fit for your eyes. Misalignment in IPD (inter-pupillary distance) is a primary cause of motion sickness in XR content, making this a crucial feature. XREAL also promotes built-in Bose speakers with Spatial Audio support, though personally, I tend to prefer [AirPods](https://amzn.to/4kkTdwS) and usually avoid built-in speakers on my devices.

    ## Notable Features

    Moreover, the

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    • sparta
    • Comments Off on AI Technology Detects Minor Brain Tumors Often Missed by MRIs
    AI Technology Detects Minor Brain Tumors Often Missed by MRIs

    AI is now capable of identifying minute brain tumors that are frequently overlooked by MRI scans. This pioneering research, carried out by the Netherlands Cancer Institute alongside Robovision Healthcare, illustrates that AI remains a transformative force in advancing medical innovation to unprecedented heights.

    One significant aspect of this development is that brain metastases represent the most prevalent type of tumors located in the central nervous system. These tumors can impact up to 17% of adult cancer patients, as stated by Robovision following this achievement. Despite their prevalence, the early identification of these tumors poses challenges, as they tend to grow rapidly and can be smaller than 3mm in many situations. Such factors complicate their detection in the various MRI images acquired during a single examination, particularly in high-volume scenarios.

    How AI is enhancing cancer detection

    Nonetheless, this situation has the potential to shift considerably soon. A recent study published in the journal Radiology reveals that researchers evaluating BrainMets.ai, the innovative AI from Robovision Healthcare, achieved a lesion-level sensitivity of 97.4%. However, results can differ based on the size of the detected lesions.

    For lesions measuring 12mm or larger, the AI identified 100% of the brain scans exhibiting lesions. Lesions ranging from 6-12mm were accurately detected 98% of the time, while those sized between 3-6mm were recognized in 97.9% of cases. Lastly, for lesions smaller than 3mm, the AI successfully identified them in 93% of the brain scans subjected to the assessment.

    This achievement is undoubtedly promising, particularly when viewed alongside other recent strides in medical AI. Previously, researchers succeeded in developing an AI capable of spotting indicators of Alzheimer’s progression simply by analyzing voice recordings. Additional studies have demonstrated that AI can detect specific types of cancer 99% of the time as well.

    The aim of these advancements is not to completely replace physicians. Rather, it is to enhance our ability to identify these lethal diseases, allowing for earlier intervention. The amalgamation of human expertise with AI capabilities can facilitate the rapid and efficient processing of crucial information. However, achieving this necessitates the proper components being in place. Robovision asserts that the efficacy of its AI is directly tied to how it underwent training.

    Successful implementation hinges on assembling the right resources and developers to actualize the AI tools. This approach mitigates the chances of false detections and other complications, such as hallucinations. While it is improbable that AI will become infallible, the collaboration with human oversight means that it does not need to be. It merely needs to accelerate our cancer detection efforts—which it is accomplishing—by identifying patients who are most likely to require further examination.

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on The Bear Season 4: Delving into the Ephemerality of Existence and the Flow of Time
    The Bear Season 4: Delving into the Ephemerality of Existence and the Flow of Time

    I understand why many of you tune into FX’s *The Bear*. What you predominantly seek from creator Christopher Storer’s tension-filled character exploration of a chef returning home to rescue his family’s Chicago sandwich shop is the unrestrained kitchen turmoil. The sharp-witted exchanges, the relentless stream of orders, the clanging pots and pans, the rallying cries of “Yes, chef!” and the overall pressure-cooker atmosphere that initially made [the show](https://www.hulu.com/series/05eb6a8e-90ed-4947-8c0b-e6536cbddd5f) quite a hit. But when *The Bear* begins to slow down? When it trades the adrenaline of line-cooking for anxiety attacks, shifting its focus towards therapy sessions, sorrow, uncertainty, and the delicate emotional connections binding these characters?

    Suddenly, critics start criticizing the show for [losing its direction](https://slate.com/culture/2024/06/the-bear-season-3-fx-hulu-bad.html).

    The series has gained a reputation for being “

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