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LG’s ThinQ ON hub is at the center of its new smart home efforts. | Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge After years of being on the fringes of home automation, LG is now making a big play in the smart home. It has a shiny new multi-protocol hub, is opening its ThinQ platform to work with more smart home devices, and will soon allow other platforms to integrate its appliances into their ecosystems. ThinQ’s shift from being solely an app to control LG appliances and electronics to becoming a competitor to smart home platforms like Samsung’s SmartThings and Apple Home has been spurred by the standardization of smart home connectivity through initiatives like Thread and Matter and the rapid development of artificial intelligence. “Until now, the smart home was all about the connectivity of smart devices, but with the emergence of generative... Continue reading…

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge Google appears to be working on a way to finally synchronize notifications across devices in its ecosystem, according to Android Authority’s Mishaal Rahman, who discovered code references to a new “sync across devices” option in the Android 15 beta. The snippet is apparently located under the Notifications section of Settings, nestled between “sensitive notifications” and a new “notification cooldown” option he spotted last week. There’s no Android notification syncing feature at the moment, as Rahman notes. So if you dismiss a notification on your Android tablet, the same notification will still greet you over on your phone later. This would, I’m sure, be a welcome change for most. Screenshot: Android Authority T... Continue reading…

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge What’s next after the PS5 Pro? A report from Reuters focuses on Sony’s plans beyond this fall’s new $700 system, saying that the battle to win a contract for the chip powering a future PlayStation 6 came down to AMD vs. Intel, with others like Broadcom eliminated earlier, with AMD eventually winning out. According to Reuters, since AMD makes the chip in the PS5 and PS5 Pro, maintaining backward compatibility in a possible move was part of “months” of discussions in 2022 between executives and engineers at Sony and Intel. However, Intel’s bid was blocked because they couldn’t agree on how much profit Intel would make from each chip it would design as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) handled the manufacturing process. Besides... Continue reading…

Apple's iPhone 16 lineup went up for preorder this past weekend, and several models were sold out within the first few hours. I haven't ordered my new iPhone 16 yet, even though I've always preordered as soon as possible before now. The reason I'm not in a hurry is because of the region where I'm buying the iPhone: Europe. Apple Intelligence is one of the key features I want to try on the iPhone. It's coming to the US and other markets in October. But it won't be available in the EU for quite a while. Local laws, including the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and Digital Services Act (DSA), might explain why Apple is more cautious about rolling out Apple Intelligence in the region. Apple's AI is coming to Europe at some point, and that much is certain. But it'll take even longer than it will in the US. It's not just the iPhone that the EU's political agenda ruined for me. OpenAI's ChatGPT took longer to arrive in the region. Bing Chat, based on ChatGTP, also needed longer to launch in the EU. The same goes for Google's AI initiatives, starting with Bard and ending with Gemini. Even simpler apps like Meta's X rival Threads took longer to launch in Europe. Fast-forward to Monday and Thierry Breton announced his resignation from the European Commission (EC), but not before attacking EC's Ursula von der Leyen in an open letter. Breton is one of the two prominent figures who promoted the DMA and DSA laws, looking to regulate Big Tech companies in the region. The other is Margrethe Vestager, who stepped down from the EC's vice-presidency position under more amicable terms. She chose to run for the European Investment Bank (EIB) presidency, a race she eventually lost. She resumed her European Commissioner for Competition duties but will leave the role by November. However, I don't expect big changes now that the two biggest proponents of Big Tech regulation in Europe have (almost) left their EC positions. If any big changes are going to happen, they'll take at least a few years. Continue reading... The post The people who ruined the iPhone in Europe will no longer be in office appeared first on BGR. Today's Top Deals Best Apple deals for September 2024 Best Apple Watch deals for September 2024 Today’s deals: $199 iPad 9, $99 TP-Link WiFi 7 router, $400 off Narwal Freo X Ultra robot vacuum, more Best Fire TV Stick deals for September 2024

After two months of beta testing, tvOS 18 is now available to Apple TV users. This software update brings important changes to the TV app in addition to other changes. Within the Apple TV app, Apple is adding three new features that will make everyday usage way better when enjoying Apple TV+ content: InSight: An Amazon Prime Video-like feature that displays timely information about actors, characters, and music from Apple TV+ movies and shows onscreen in real-time. Users can select an actor to view their background and filmography page or quickly view the song that is playing in a scene and add it to an Apple Music playlist. Enhance Dialogue: This feature is getting smarter, leveraging machine learning and computation audio to deliver greater vocal clarity over music, action, and background noise on Apple TV 4K. In addition to HomePod speakers, users can now enjoy Enhance Dialogue when listening through built-in TV or HDMI-connected speakers, AirPods, and other Bluetooth-connected devices, and when playing supported content on iPhone and iPad; Automatic subtitles: Subtitles now automatically appear at just the right moments with tvOS 18, including when the language in a show or film does not match the device language when users mute, or when they skip back while watching something. One of the best tvOS 18 features is the redesigned Apple Fitness+ app. This update helps users make the most of its Fitness library by staying motivated and keeping consistent with their fitness routine. Updates include a personalized For You space, Explore and Library spaces, search features, and enhanced awards. During tvOS 17.4 beta testing, Apple planned to add Apple Music SharePlay to Apple TV. Users would be able to add songs to a queue by scanning a QR Code. Unfortunately, Apple removed this feature, and even with tvOS 17.5, it didn’t bring it back. For tvOS 18, Apple will reintroduce this feature, so anyone can share control of music playing from HomePod and HomePod mini using SharePlay and Apple Music. Apple explains: “To join a SharePlay session, users can simply bring an iPhone close to another iPhone — or scan the QR code in the Apple Music SharePlay window on another iPhone — to add songs to the playlist and control playback, even if they do not have an Apple Music subscription.” For FaceTime, Apple added Live Captions for English in the US and Canada, so users can read what others are saying on a FaceTime call from the TV. Still, there are several features still missing from tvOS 18, including: Robot vacuum cleaners will be compatible with the Home app, so they can participate in automations and scenes, and can be activated by a user’s voice using Siri. AirPlay adds Spatial Audio so users can get an immersive audio experience, including support for Dolby Atmos, when using AirPlay to stream audio from iPhone and iPad to HomePod and compatible third-party audio equipment. 21:9 support for those connecting an Apple TV to a projector for playing movies and shows. New Screen Savers: Such as TVs and Movies options are still unavailable. Don't Miss: tvOS 18: Release date, features, download, Apple TV compatibility, more The post tvOS 18 now available with 6 new features for Apple TV users appeared first on BGR. Today's Top Deals Today’s deals: $189 Apple Watch SE, $1,000 off Sony OLED TV, $350 Dyson V8 Plus, $30 JBL earbuds, more Best Fire TV Stick deals for September 2024 Today’s deals: $299 Apple Watch Series 9, Energizer battery sale, $650 Acer Nitro gaming laptop, more Best Apple deals for September 2024

watchOS 11 is now available to Apple Watch users. While this update isn't as big as the past watchOS 10 version, it brings important changes that revamped my Apple watch experience. For example, Apple finally lets users customize their Activity Rings, which is one of my favorite watchOS 11 features. Thanks to this change, the Activity Rings will understand planned rest days, injuries, or days off without affecting the award streak. It’s also possible to customize Activity Ring goals by the day of the week, so your leg workout might differ from the one you go for an outdoor run. Additionally, the Fitness app allows users to customize the Summary tab to show exactly the metrics they want to see, including their friends’. Apple’s watchOS 11 also introduced a new Vitals app, which focuses on health and well-being features. This app allows users to quickly view key health metrics and gain better context about their health. This Apple Watch app (alongside insights from the Fitness app for iPhone users) helps you understand if you’re on a typical range or if you’re overreaching or missing too many workouts. When two or more metrics are out of their typical range, users can receive a notification and a message detailing how changes in these specific metrics may be linked to other aspects of their lives, such as elevation changes, alcohol consumption, or even illness. With Training Load, it measures how the intensity and duration of workouts impact a user’s body over time. Training load helps users understand the strain on their body from workouts over the last seven days compared to the last 28 days. Apple says these insights can help you prepare for an event, such as a marathon, bike race, or your first 5K, or just make informed decisions about your training each day. In addition, Smart Stack adds new widgets, including Shazam, Photos, Distance, and more. It can also suggest widgets based on time, date, location, daily routines, and more. Compatible Apple Watch models Apple removed support for three Apple Watch models. That said, these are the wearables that can run watchOS 11: Apple Watch Series 6 (2020) Apple Watch Series 7 (2021) Apple Watch SE (2022) Apple Watch Series 8 (2022) Apple Watch Ultra (2022) Apple Watch Series 9 (2023) Apple Watch Ultra 2 (2023) Apple Watch Series 10 (2024) Don't Miss: watchOS 11 review: Step into a gentler approach to fitness The post watchOS 11 now available, and these features changed how I use my Apple Watch appeared first on BGR. Today's Top Deals Today’s deals: $129 AirPods 3, Nintendo Switch game sale, $30 Fire TV Stick 4K, $16 TOZO earbuds, more Amazon gift card deals, offers & coupons 2024: Get $375+ free Today’s deals: $689 Apple Watch Ultra 2, $40 cordless Waterpik, $305 Lenovo IdeaPad 1 laptop, more Today’s deals: $100 off Sihoo Doro C300 Pro office chair, Rare Nintendo Switch OLED sale, Anker chargers, more

The wait was worth it, and iPadOS 18 is finally available to all iPad users. Even though Apple Intelligence will take longer to arrive, there are several features you should try with this operating system update. For example, one of my favorite iPadOS 18 features is the brand-new Calculator app. It looks similar to what you’d expect from Apple’s Calculator app. However, it brings an all-new Math Notes feature, allowing users to type or write out mathematical expressions and see them instantly solved in their handwriting. With Apple Pencil’s help, Smart Script makes handwritten notes fluid and easier to read. Smart Script allows users to write quickly without sacrificing legibility by smoothing and straightening handwritten text in real-time. It also makes editing handwritten text just as simple as editing typed text. With Apple Pencil, users can easily add space, scratch out a sentence, or even paste typed text in their own handwriting, and the paragraph will automatically reflow to fit the new content. Image source: José Adorno for BGR Besides these changes, iPadOS 18 also takes customization to a new level. Now, apps can be organized in any way, which means they can be placed anywhere. App icons and widgets can take on a new look with a dark or tinted effect, and users can make apps appear larger to create the perfect experience. In addition, Apple has released new iPadOS 18 features that let users lock and hide apps. When an app is locked or hidden, content like messages or emails inside the app is hidden from search, notifications, and other places across the system. Users can only unlock it with Face ID and Touch ID. BGR teaches you how to hide and lock iPad apps in iPadOS 18. Supported devices Apple’s iPad lineup as of March 2022. Image source: Apple Inc. Image source: Apple Inc. Image source: Apple Inc. With iPadOS 17, Apple cut off the iPad 5 and the first-gen iPad Pro for this operating system. For iPadOS 18, Cupertino removed even more iPad models. These are the tablets that will be able to download this upcoming system update: iPad Pro (2018 or newer) iPad Air 3 or newer iPad mini 5 or newer iPad 7 gen or newer Don't Miss: iPadOS 18 review: A successful update with one major omission The post 5 iPadOS 18 features you need to try now that the update is available appeared first on BGR. Today's Top Deals Today’s deals: $10 off Starbucks coffee, $199 Apple iPad, $16 portable blender, $99 BISSELL Little Green, more Today’s deals: $189 Apple Watch SE, $1,000 off Sony OLED TV, $350 Dyson V8 Plus, $30 JBL earbuds, more Best deals: Tech, laptops, TVs, and more sales Today’s deals: $689 Apple Watch Ultra 2, $40 cordless Waterpik, $305 Lenovo IdeaPad 1 laptop, more

The software with the most beta versions is now available publicly. After two months of beta testing, Apple Vision Pro owners can take advantage of the latest visionOS 2 features. While visionOS 2 isn't a revolutionary update, Apple has been addressing several lacking functions users were waiting for with the original Apple Vision Pro release. That said, some of the visionOS 2 features include: Spatial photos: With visionOS 2 beta, users can revisit past memories by creating spatial photos directly from their library in the Photos app.  Home View:  Users can now personalize their Home View by rearranging apps and placing them wherever they want, including their compatible iPhone and iPad apps. visionOS 2 makes navigating Apple Vision Pro faster and easier for users to access key functions with new hand gestures to get to frequently used features like Home View and Control Center. New gestures allow users to see important information at a glance, like the current time and battery level, and perform actions like adjusting the volume. In addition, travelers can experience their favorite apps on the go with a new Travel mode for trains. visionOS 2 also adds: Guest user: For those moments when a user wants to share their Vision Pro, a family member or colleague can be added as a Guest User and have their eye and hand data saved for 30 days. The Apple TV app brings support for multiview to Apple Vision Pro for the ultimate sports-viewing experience. Later this year, fans can watch up to five simultaneous streams to keep track of all their favorite sports and teams. To help users achieve calm and focus, the Mindfulness app includes a new capability called Follow Your Breathing that presents dynamic visual animations and sounds that respond to the user’s breathing patterns. Below, you can learn more about visionOS 2, including some of the features that will take longer to arrive. Don't Miss: visionOS: Features, 2.0 beta, release date, Apple Vision Pro, more The post Apple Vision Pro users can now download visionOS 2 with these 7 features appeared first on BGR. Today's Top Deals Today’s deals: $199 iPad 9, $99 TP-Link WiFi 7 router, $400 off Narwal Freo X Ultra robot vacuum, more Best Apple Watch deals for September 2024 Today’s deals: $299 Apple Watch Series 9, Energizer battery sale, $650 Acer Nitro gaming laptop, more Today’s deals: $40 Sony headphones, $50 Ninja blender, $140 AirPods 3, $60 foldable camera drone, more