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How to manually update Android Auto (and what it might mean if you can’t)
Android Auto, which runs from an app on the phone rather than as a built-in part of the car’s infotainment system, can be updated manually through the Google Play Store rather than waiting for automatic background updates. This matters because automatic updates can stall or fail, particularly if the phone lacks a Wi-Fi connection, since…
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Are USB-C flash drives better than USB-A ones?
The connector type on a USB flash drive – whether USB-C or USB-A – has no bearing on its actual transfer speed, according to a comparison of the two standards. Speed is instead determined by the USB specification (such as USB 2.0 or USB 3.2) built into the drive and the port it’s plugged into,…
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Wired vs wireless speakers: What are the pros and cons?
Choosing between wired and wireless speakers is not simply a trade-off between convenience and sound quality, as the connection type alone doesn’t determine audio performance. Factors such as speaker design, amplification, source material and room acoustics all play a bigger role, while the way a speaker is powered (passive versus active) is a separate consideration…
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What if social media isn’t hurting kids?
Psychologist Peter Gray has published *Restoring Childhood*, a direct challenge to Jonathan Haidt’s bestselling *The Anxious Generation*, which blames the decline in teen mental health since 2010 largely on smartphones and social media. Gray, a former collaborator of Haidt’s, argues instead that the causes lie in decades of reduced childhood autonomy and, more recently, rigid…
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How to improve the audio quality on your iPhone
The iPhone’s default sound is decent, but Engadget outlines several free and low-cost adjustments users can make to noticeably improve audio quality, whether listening through speakers, wired headphones or AirPods. This matters for anyone who regularly streams music or video on their phone, as small tweaks to streaming settings, equalisation and hardware can produce a…
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The safety and privacy concerns of storing your driver’s license in a digital wallet
Storing a driver’s licence in a digital wallet, known as a mobile driver’s licence (mDL), can offer more privacy than a physical card because it uses digitally signed data rather than a photo of the ID, allowing selective disclosure such as confirming someone is over 21 without revealing their full birth date, address or licence…
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Are older MacBooks still worth buying in 2026?
Older MacBooks can still be a sensible buy in 2026, but only if they run on Apple’s own silicon rather than Intel chips, according to a guide from Engadget. This matters because rising RAM and storage prices have pushed up the cost of new laptops, making secondhand or refurbished models more appealing, yet software support…
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Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days sale returns in October
Amazon has confirmed that its Prime Big Deal Days sale will return on 6 and 7 October, offering discounts across more than 35 product categories in the gap between Prime Day and Black Friday. The event gives Amazon Prime members an early opportunity to begin holiday shopping, with brands including Shark, Anker, Sony and Lego…
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The biggest issues with delivery robots are exactly what you’d think
Engadget examines why delivery robots, now operating in more than 80 cities worldwide since pioneer Starship Technologies launched in Estonia in 2014, are increasingly causing friction on pavements. Most operators, including Serve Robotics, Coco Robotics, Delivers.AI and DoorDash’s in-house fleet, have shifted from human-supervised units to largely autonomous robots guided by cameras, sensors and GPS,…
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GM finds splitscreen solution for CarPlay and Android Auto
General Motors has revealed how CarPlay and Android Auto will function in its redesigned infotainment system, confirming it is retaining the interfaces in petrol-powered vehicles for now. The new UI will debut in the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks before rolling out to other models, and addresses a common industry problem: CarPlay…