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What is the purpose of a battery symbol next to a USB Port?
The battery symbol next to a USB port indicates that port supports USB Power Delivery (USB PD), a charging protocol that offers faster charging speeds and the ability to charge other devices. USB PD, introduced in 2012 and updated in 2021, can now deliver up to 240W of power, making it capable of charging demanding…
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Oura Ring 5 vs. Apple Watch Series 12: Which smart health wearable is right for you?
The Oura Ring 5 and Apple Watch Series 12 track many of the same health measures, but suit different users. The choice largely depends on your phone, how intensively you exercise, whether you want smartwatch features and how you feel about paying for subscriptions. The Apple Watch has a touchscreen and can handle payments, notifications…
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USB-C to HDMI performance depends on port, adapter and cable support
USB-C to HDMI adapters can connect a laptop to a TV, monitor or projector, but compatibility problems may result in a blank screen or lower-than-expected picture quality. The connection works only if the USB-C port supports video output, and the final result depends on every part of the setup. USB-C video output requires DisplayPort Alternate…
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Poland accuses Google of withholding data in publisher payment talks
Poland’s Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has accused Google of unfair market practices in how it handles articles from local media publishers. The regulator claims Google failed to provide necessary data during compensation negotiations, improperly leveraging its dominant position. This case highlights growing antitrust concerns across Europe regarding how tech giants compensate content…
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Here’s why it’s important to keep your phone apps updated
App updates receive constant complaints and are frequently ignored, but they serve critical functions beyond cosmetic changes. Users should keep apps current not just for new features and interface improvements, but primarily because updates patch security vulnerabilities that could expose devices and personal information to attack. Updates also deliver performance enhancements, bug fixes, and ensure…
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Game of Thrones star Charles Dance seen speaking to police after ‘crash between Lime bike and Lexus’ leaves woman in hospital
Actor Charles Dance, best known for his role in Game of Thrones, was present at a collision between a Lime e-bike and a Lexus car in Kentish Town, north London, on Saturday 3 October. A young woman on the e-bike was struck by the vehicle and suffered a leg injury requiring hospital treatment. The collision…
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iOS 27 Siri searches across apps, but users can restrict access
Apple’s redesigned Siri in iOS 27 can search information across apps such as Notes and Messages, enabling more personalised responses. The feature relies on App Intents and may send data to Apple’s Private Cloud Compute servers for processing, raising privacy concerns for some users. Users can limit access by turning off “Show Content in Search”…
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Are phone coolers actually worth it?
Phone coolers can help maintain performance when a phone gets hot during sustained, demanding tasks, but most people are unlikely to need one. Heat can cause a phone to throttle its processor, slowing games or other workloads, and active cooling may reduce that effect. Coolers range from fans and heat-spreading cases to thermoelectric devices; apps…
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Place Wi-Fi extenders where they can maintain a strong router signal
Wi-Fi extenders work best when placed where they can still receive a strong router signal while reaching a weak-coverage area. Getting this balance right matters because an extender rebroadcasts the signal it receives, so a poor connection to the router can leave the extended Wi-Fi weak too. In ideal conditions, the suggested distance is about…