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Apple prepares updated HomePod mini, iPad mini and Apple TV
Apple is preparing updated versions of the HomePod mini, iPad mini and Apple TV 4K for release before the end of the year, according to details and images discovered in Apple’s own code. These refreshed products represent iterative upgrades to existing product lines, with the most substantial changes coming to the iPad mini. The HomePod…
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Minimalist Meadow handset offers key apps without constant smartphone distractions
Meadow, a new minimalist smartphone startup, is tapping into growing consumer dissatisfaction with constant connectivity and social media, offering a device designed to supplement rather than replace conventional smartphones. The device represents part of a broader trend of “dumb phones” and minimal devices that promise relief from the psychological burden of always being connected to…
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F-Droid unveils major Android redesign amid Google distribution restrictions
F-Droid has released version 2.0 of its Android app, its largest upgrade in a decade, despite facing a Google policy change that could severely restrict independent app distribution. The redesign modernises the interface, improves discovery and search, and shifts key parts of the app to Kotlin and Jetpack Compose, signalling that F-Droid plans to continue…
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F-Droid launches first major Android app redesign in a decade
F-Droid has released version 2.0, its first major update in about a decade, rebuilding the Android app store with a faster, cleaner interface. The overhaul matters because F-Droid now hosts thousands of open-source apps, making improved discovery and installation more important for users seeking an alternative to Google Play. Built with Kotlin Compose, the new…
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Is everyone bricking their phone to stop doomscrolling?
A $59 device called Brick is gaining attention by physically blocking access to distracting apps and websites, helping people reduce compulsive scrolling. The trend reflects growing concern about excessive smartphone use, though the article argues that built-in Apple and Android controls may offer a simpler solution. Pew Research found that 53% of US adults believe…
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Feather Robotics offers $30,000 modular humanoids for developers
Feather Robotics, founded in 2025 by Hoa Mai and former Tesla engineer Parsa Bakhtiari, is pursuing a pragmatic approach to robotics development by providing a modular humanoid platform with hardware and software tools for developers, rather than waiting for a theoretical breakthrough in general-purpose robots. Unlike competitors like Tesla and Figure, Feather is selling deployable…
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Meta’s Muse Charm looks like a Tamagotchi, but it’s tapping into a much newer trend
Meta has unveiled the Muse Charm, an AI device styled as a pocket-sized accessory that resembles a Tamagotchi, though reactions to its potential success have been mixed. The device capitalises on a flourishing trend amongst Gen Z consumers who have embraced various dangling items and bag charms as fashion accessories, suggesting the form factor could…
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It took MapQuest until 2026 to add public transit directions
MapQuest has introduced public transport directions in its iOS and Android apps, with web access planned soon. The long-awaited feature follows a surge in interest after MapQuest declined to adopt the proposed renaming of Lake Ontario, prompting many users to revisit the service. The tool initially covers nearly 2,000 cities across 70 countries, offering door-to-door…
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Researchers uncover privacy risks in long-standing file notification systems
Researchers at Graz University of Technology have identified long-standing weaknesses in file-notification systems used by Android, Linux, macOS and Windows. Although these systems do not expose file contents, their event data can reveal what users are doing, enabling attacks such as keystroke inference, website fingerprinting and credential theft. The affected systems include Linux inotify, Android…
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The Pixel Watch 5’s blood pressure and insulin resistance trends are rolling out this week
Google is rolling out its Health Guardian health tracking features for Pixel smartwatches this week, expanding the device’s health monitoring capabilities beyond what was available at launch. This rollout marks the completion of promised functionality that should enhance the appeal of Pixel Watch models already rated highly by reviewers. The Google Health app will begin…