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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on How to Improve Your Device with Your Laptop’s USB-C Port: 5 Efficient Techniques
    How to Improve Your Device with Your Laptop’s USB-C Port: 5 Efficient Techniques

    In a manner akin to the five essential USB-C accessories for your MacBook, these items are crucial if you aim to maximize the potential of your laptop. Moreover, the list extends beyond this — there are additional tools that you may not have thought about, from devices that enhance your audio experience to those that optimize your creative processes. Whether you find them necessary is for you to determine, but after discovering these gadgets, reverting to your previous setup might prove challenging.

    Enhance audio with a portable DAC and headphone amplifier combination

    Depending on your laptop, you may achieve satisfactory audio quality through the 3.5mm headphone jack. Some devices are equipped with Dolby Atmos or Creative Lab’s Sound Blaster software to enable higher fidelity audio, improving the sound of music and games to some degree. Nevertheless, it doesn’t alter the internal hardware, which is usually a Realtek chip — not particularly renowned. To circumvent the average audio technology typically found in laptops, investing in a DAC and headphone amp combination is necessary.

    There is a wide array of combinations available, from very budget-friendly to impressively pricey. They also vary in size and functionalities. For laptop users, opting for a model like the iFi GO Link, a portable DAC and headphone amplifier that

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    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Indie App Highlight: ‘MinuteTick’ – A Menu Bar Tool for Improved Task Management
    Indie App Highlight: ‘MinuteTick’ – A Menu Bar Tool for Improved Task Management

    ### Indie App Spotlight: MinuteTick

    Welcome to Indie App Spotlight, a weekly series where we highlight the newest apps in the indie app scene. If you’re a developer interested in featuring your app, reach out to us.

    Getting sidetracked on your Mac can happen quite easily at times. MinuteTick is a clever app designed to help you stay focused on what you’re doing on your computer – keeping you aligned with your tasks. It also comes with small mini games for those moments in between tasks, all accessible from your Mac’s menu bar.

    #### What it does

    In essence, if you often find yourself losing focus or wandering into distractions while browsing, MinuteTick is here to help keep you conscious by sending you little notification chimes periodically. Thus, when you hear the sound, it acts as a simple mental reminder to keep you on course.

    The chimes are subtle, and you can adjust the intervals to your preference. By default, you can set them to ring at any x number of minutes, but you’re free to choose whatever suits you best.

    To enhance the experience, you can also customize the notification messages, just in case you’d like to add a bit of encouragement. You can input as many messages as you wish, and the app will cycle through them.

    Moreover, you can specify quiet periods. This way, you won’t be bothered by these productivity-enhancing chimes during weekends or outside of your working hours.

    As a bonus, the app features a game of Snake. This might seem like a distraction, but imagine you have a few minutes prior to a Zoom meeting. Instead of getting lost in a distraction, you can play Snake for a few minutes. That being said, you have the option to disable this feature if it doesn’t appeal to you.

    #### Download the app

    MinuteTick is offered as a one-time purchase on the Mac App Store. It costs $1.99 once, and it’s yours forever. It requires macOS Sonoma 14.6 or later for installation.

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    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Top New MacBook Offers for September: Prices Beginning at $599
    Top New MacBook Offers for September: Prices Beginning at $599

    In the Apple Silicon era, MacBooks have become more budget-friendly than ever, with brand new models commencing at just $599. With impending global tariffs, these fantastic offers might soon be a thing of the past – so if you’re considering a new MacBook for any reason, this could be one of the best times to buy.

    Apple’s upcoming macOS Tahoe update will soon be released, discontinuing support for nearly all Intel Macs (with a few minor exceptions). If you wish to stay on the cutting edge of Apple software, now is an opportune time to upgrade.

    ## M1 MacBook Air

    Apple has introduced four MacBook Airs since the dawn of the Apple Silicon era, featuring the M1, M2, M3, and M4 chips. The M1 MacBook Air still sports a familiar wedge design from the Intel period, which many users might actually prefer.

    Even though the M1 MacBook Air is four years old, it continues to be a remarkable laptop given its price point. It delivers lightning-fast performance due to the M1 chip, boasts a gorgeous retina display (albeit with thicker bezels than the newer MacBook Airs), features a superb keyboard, provides up to 18 hours of battery life, and it doesn’t sound like a jet engine ready for takeoff when you use it in public.

    Since the M1 MacBook Air is the oldest in this lineup, it’s also the least expensive. One downside of the M1 MacBook Air is that it’s become more challenging to find new models with over 256GB of storage, so if ample storage is essential, you will need to purchase a newer Air. On the positive side, it remains the only Apple Silicon MacBook that is available in a true Gold hue.

    You can purchase the M1 MacBook Air for as little as $599 at Walmart in all three colors: Silver, Space Gray, and Gold.

    – 13-inch MacBook Air (M1) with 256GB of storage, 8GB of memory: $599 at Walmart

    ## M3 MacBook Air

    In 2022, Apple unveiled the redesigned MacBook Air featuring a sleeker profile, a larger screen with narrower bezels, and reintroduced MagSafe. It also came in fresh Starlight and Midnight colors alongside Silver and Space Gray, although Gold was omitted. This new aesthetic debuted with the M2 chip, and has continued to be offered.

    M2 MacBook Airs have mostly sold out, and regrettably, the same is happening with M3 models – though a few options remain, especially with the 15-inch MacBook Air.

    **15-inch models with M3 chip:**

    – 15-inch MacBook Air with 512GB of storage, 24GB of memory: $1199 at Amazon ($500 off!)

    Some promotions may require you to clip an on-page coupon. Nevertheless, some of the most appealing offers exist on higher trims, allowing for enhanced specifications at a significantly lower cost.

    ## M4 MacBook Air

    In March, Apple unveiled a refreshed MacBook Air equipped with the M4 chip. This device largely mirrors the previous version, with the addition of a new Center Stage webcam and a Sky Blue color option replacing Space Gray.

    At present, you can save $200 on all current MacBook Air models. Apple is rumored to be developing a new entry-level MacBook with an A18 Pro chip within the next year or so – but at these prices, it’s wise to opt for the MacBook Air and avoid any compromises.

    **13-inch models with M4 chip:**

    – 13-inch MacBook Air with 256GB of storage, 16GB of memory: $899 at Amazon
    – 13-inch MacBook Air with 512GB of storage, 16GB of memory: $1068 at Amazon
    – 13-inch MacBook Air with 512GB of storage, 24GB of memory: $1249 at Amazon

    **15-inch models with M4 chip:**

    Despite being the latest and greatest, some incredible deals exist for the M4 MacBook Air, primarily due to its already lower starting price.

    ## M4 MacBook Pro

    Apple revamped the MacBook Pro in 2021 with a novel miniLED display featuring ProMotion, additional ports (most notably an HDMI port and SD card reader), enhanced battery life, and improved thermals. It also received a 1080p webcam for the first time.

    While the MacBook Pro isn’t as budget-friendly as the MacBook Airs mentioned, if you desire that stunning display and the extra ports, you can still find some attractive deals. All models listed below are equipped with M4 and M4 Pro chips, providing the latest and most advanced performance and features.

    **14-inch models:**

    – M4 MacBook

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Present Evidence and Theories Regarding the Presence of a Ninth Planet in Our Solar System
    Present Evidence and Theories Regarding the Presence of a Ninth Planet in Our Solar System

    The Astronomical Journal is putting forward proof of an unseen entity in the far reaches of the solar system that is so massive it must certainly be a planet. This study was written by researchers Konstantin Batygin and Mike Brown from the California Institute of Technology, with Brown being the lead in the effort to reclassify Pluto.

    Batygin and Brown developed their theory after examining objects in the (perhaps unexpectedly vast) Kuiper Belt, a circular area of small, icy objects beyond Neptune that encompasses Pluto and other dwarf planets such as Eris. They detected a collection of six Kuiper Belt objects that are grouped together, following peculiar elliptical paths that lead them outside of the solar system’s plane, where the eight recognized planets orbit. The chances of such an arrangement being purely coincidental are about one in 15,000, according to the researchers, though an alternative explanation could be the presence of a planet in the outer sections of the solar system, vast enough for its gravitational influence to affect the other objects.

    What scientists imagine a ninth planet might resemble

    <source media="(min-width: 429px)" srcset="https://www.bgr.com/img/gallery

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Apple Might Reinstate iPhone Mini After Recent Lineup Modifications: Here’s the Way
    Apple Might Reinstate iPhone Mini After Recent Lineup Modifications: Here’s the Way

    **The iPhone Mini: A Retrospective and Future Possibilities**

    In 2020, Apple stirred the market by making a comeback in the compact smartphone segment with the iPhone 12 mini. This device included the same technology found in the iPhone 12, housed in a sleek 5.4-inch design, appealing to users who favored smaller phones. Despite its creative design, the journey of the iPhone mini was brief, lasting merely two years before being succeeded by the larger iPhone 14 Plus.

    ### History of the iPhone Mini

    The iPhone mini series kicked off with the iPhone 12 mini, followed by the iPhone 13 mini. Nevertheless, it was discontinued after the 13 mini, signaling the conclusion of Apple’s venture into smaller smartphones. The choice to replace the mini with the iPhone 14 Plus reflected a shift in consumer demand toward larger devices.

    The iPhone mini was designed to target a specific market of users wanting compact phones. Despite a notable desire for smaller devices, the iPhone mini faced challenges in gaining popularity. One major factor was its pricing; at $699, many buyers chose the larger models, which provided superior battery life for only $100 more. This price sensitivity likely played a role in the mini’s underperformance compared to the earlier iPhone SE, which succeeded at a more budget-friendly price.

    ### A New iPhone Mini Version?

    In early 2023, Apple unveiled the iPhone 16e, a 6.1-inch model priced at $599. Although this model is based on the iPhone 14, it has ignited conversations about the potential for a new iPhone mini. A speculative iPhone 16e mini, priced around $499, could attract consumers seeking a compact device without a high cost.

    With a significant portion of the research and development already undertaken for the mini series, bringing back a smaller iPhone could be within reach for Apple. Furthermore, reports indicate that Apple might adopt a staggered release strategy in 2026, possibly offering a larger platform for a new mini version.

    ### Conclusion

    While the prospect of a new iPhone mini may appear unlikely, the demand for compact smartphones persists. As standard iPhones increase in size, Apple has a chance to occupy this niche. For those interested in smaller devices, refurbished iPhone 13 mini units are readily available at reasonable prices, making them a compelling option for consumers.

    Would you like to see the iPhone mini return? Share your thoughts with us!

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Grasping the SS USB Port: Attributes and Capabilities
    Grasping the SS USB Port: Attributes and Capabilities

    **What Is An SS USB Port?**

    In the current tech-centric landscape, USB ports are everywhere, present in everything from communal charging stations to individual gadgets such as laptops and smartphones. Among the different varieties of USB ports, some are marked with a double-S symbol, often highlighted in blue or red hues. This symbol represents SuperSpeed, a designation linked to USB 3.2, formerly called USB 3.0. Initially, the SS label served as a quick identifier to differentiate USB 3.x ports from the slower USB 2.0 ports. Yet, as USB technology has progressed, the usage of the SuperSpeed terminology has diminished.

    **A Brief History of USB Protocols**

    The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), a coalition of technology firms, oversees the nomenclature and deployment of USB standards, including the SuperSpeed label. In its infancy, USB naming was more straightforward. The SS emblem indicated a USB 3.0 port, able to achieve transfer speeds up to 5Gbps, marking a substantial enhancement over USB 2.0’s 480Mbps. The 2013 release of USB 3.1 Gen 2 introduced speeds of 10Gbps, while USB 3.0 was rebranded as USB 3.1 Gen 1. The launch of 20Gbps speeds in 2017 resulted in the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 classification. As time passed, the SuperSpeed label became less common. By 2022, the USB-IF streamlined the naming practices, eliminating the USB 3.x and SuperSpeed marketing in favor of designating the port’s transfer speed, such as USB 5Gbps, USB 10Gbps, and so forth.

    **Is SuperSpeed USB Still a Fast Connection?**

    For older computers and audiovisual devices, an SS label still indicates a high-speed connection, enabling at least 5Gbps transfer rates. This feature is advantageous for operations involving regular file transfers between PCs and devices like USB flash drives and external hard drives. For gamers, an SS USB port proves beneficial for loading games and connecting peripherals such as mice, keyboards, and headsets. The USB-IF’s new labeling system, which encompasses USB4 technology, provides clear naming conventions like USB 40Gbps and USB 80Gbps. However, manufacturers must adhere to USB-IF’s testing requirements to utilize these labels.

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    • sparta
    • Comments Off on The Leading Design Element of the Pixel is Being Broadly Embraced and It Represents a Favorable Trend
    The Leading Design Element of the Pixel is Being Broadly Embraced and It Represents a Favorable Trend

    The camera bar is taking the place of raised camera lenses, and it’s certainly overdue.

    (Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
    Disclaimer

    Enjoy our content? Be sure to set Android Central as your preferred source in Google Search to keep yourself informed on the latest news, reviews, features, and beyond.

    Smartphone design has experienced notable convergence over the past three years, particularly. Displays and side rails have become almost universally flat across various brands and product lines. Batteries have increased in size. Ultrawide and telephoto cameras are nearly ubiquitous. Even the corners of devices are almost exclusively rounded. Some of these developments are fantastic, while others I could easily do without.

    Nevertheless, for far too many years, manufacturers have persisted with unattractive, bothersome protruding lenses, frequently positioned at the top-left of the device. This not only renders the lenses vulnerable to damage if the phone is dropped, but it also causes the phone to sit unevenly. Everyone is aware of how much phones tend to wobble when set on a table, and it can be quite irritating.

    However, both the forthcoming iPhone 17 and the Galaxy S26 seem to be embracing

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Major Apple Occasions This September: iPhone 17 Pro Pre-Order and Launch Notables
    Major Apple Occasions This September: iPhone 17 Pro Pre-Order and Launch Notables

    **Apple’s Events for September 2025: What’s on the Horizon**

    September has officially commenced, signaling the shift from summer to a vibrant fall season for Apple fans. This month is filled with vital dates and product unveilings, with the highlight being the eagerly awaited iPhone 17 event set for September 9.

    ### Tuesday, September 9: Groundbreaking Event

    Apple’s yearly fall keynote is set to kick off at 10 am PT/1 pm ET on September 9. The focus will be on the introduction of the iPhone 17 series, which is anticipated to feature the incredibly sleek iPhone 17 Air, alongside the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3.

    Along with the new iPhones and watches, Apple is expected to unveil the AirPods Pro 3, TechWoven iPhone cases, Crossbody Strap accessories for iPhone 17 cases, and an updated Apple Clear Case. Fresh styles and colors for Apple Watch bands are also on the agenda.

    The event will be streamed live from the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park, with hands-on experiences made available shortly after the keynote wraps up.

    ### Tuesday, September 9: iOS 26 Release Candidates

    After the keynote, developers and public beta testers can look forward to the release candidate versions of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, visionOS 26, and macOS Tahoe 26 around 12:30 pm PT/3:30 pm ET. Xcode RC is also likely to become available at that time, and App Store Connect will open for iOS 26 submissions.

    During the keynote, official release dates for iOS 26 and additional software updates, including new versions for HomePod and AirPods, are anticipated to be announced.

    ### Friday, September 12: iPhone 17 Air and iPhone 17 Pro Pre-order Launch

    Pre-orders for the iPhone 17 models and the new Apple Watch hardware are expected to commence on September 12 at 5 am PT/8 am ET. Carriers will likely roll out revised trade-in promotions, and customers enrolled in the iPhone Upgrade Program can secure pre-approvals ahead of time.

    ### Monday, September 15: iOS 26 Update Launch Date

    The official rollout of iOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and other autumn software updates is likely to take place on September 15. Traditionally, Apple has released updates on the first Monday following the iPhone event, and this year is expected to align with that pattern.

    ### Monday, September 15–17: Anticipated Review Embargo Lifts for iPhone 17, Apple Watch Series 11, AirPods Pro 3

    In the days preceding the launch, review embargoes for the iPhone 17, Apple Watch Series 11, and AirPods Pro 3 are anticipated to be lifted. Apple generally arranges embargo releases from Monday through Wednesday of launch week, granting the media the opportunity to publish detailed reviews before the products are launched.

    ### Friday, September 19: iPhone 17 Air and iPhone 17 Pro Launch

    September 19 is projected to mark the first day of in-store availability for the iPhone 17 and Apple Watch Series 11. Pre-orders will be fulfilled, and Apple Stores are expected to experience early morning crowds.

    Moreover, the release of iOS 26.0.1 is likely to occur by the end of September, with developer beta testers possibly receiving iOS 26.1 beta 1 before the month wraps up.

    ### Looking Beyond September: iPad Pro, Apple Vision Pro, MacBook Pro

    As we look forward to October, a second fall Apple event may happen, though press announcements for remaining hardware updates are also a possibility. Potential updates could encompass the iPad Pro featuring the unannounced M5 chip, enhancements for the Apple Vision Pro, and new configurations for the MacBook Pro.

    As the launch of the iPhone 17 approaches, speculation regarding future iPhone iterations is already surfacing, with rumors indicating that Apple may unveil its first foldable iPhone in 2026, influenced by the design of the iPhone 17 Air.

    Stay connected for the latest news from Apple throughout September. What are you most eager to witness this month?

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Grasping the Importance of a Blue USB Port
    Grasping the Importance of a Blue USB Port

    The USB Type-C connector is becoming increasingly popular, yet the traditional USB ports, including USB Type-A and USB Type-B, continue to be widely used and are not expected to phase out anytime soon.

    A distinctive characteristic of the original USB-A ports that is absent in the newer USB-C ports is the colored plastic insert. Its primary function is to support the metal contacts and ensure proper alignment. Additionally, it plays a significant role, especially in USB Type-A and Type-B ports; the color assists in identifying the speed class, power capabilities, or other specific functions of the USB port. The most frequently seen colors on a USB port’s plastic insert are black and blue, but there are also some USB ports utilizing teal, white, purple, red, and yellow to indicate their features.

    Why are certain USB ports blue?

    <img class="gallery-image " src="https://www.bgr.com/img/gallery/what-does-it-mean-when-a-usb-port-is

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Android 16 on the Pixel 10 Demonstrates Advancement, yet Additional Enhancements Required
    Android 16 on the Pixel 10 Demonstrates Advancement, yet Additional Enhancements Required

    I appreciate the enhancements Google introduced to the Pixel with Android 16, yet there’s room for further improvement.

    I’ve been using the Pixel 10 for several weeks, and there’s plenty to admire about the device, from its cameras to the integrated magnetic Qi2 charging. However, what I didn’t anticipate enjoying as much as I have is Google’s rendition of Android 16. It’s lively, responsive, and brings several welcomed alterations that I’ve long wished to see in Pixel software.

    However, Pixel UI has never ranked as my top preference, and while I appreciate the modifications Google has made with Android 16 and Material 3 Expressive, there are aspects I would still love to see incorporated in upcoming versions of Android. Many of these features seem so standard on other Android devices that it’s surprising Google hasn’t brought them to Pixels.

    Quick Settings

    One of my favorite updates to Pixel UI is the Quick Settings. I wasn’t particularly fond of the unnecessarily oversized tiles in earlier iterations, which restricted the number of tiles visible at once compared to One UI. But now, Google permits greater customization of the Quick Settings panel than I ever thought possible.

    Now, you can resize any tile simply by long-pressing it. While you only receive two options—essentially 1×1 or 2×1—it enables you to fit more tiles in the panel and adds character, allowing you to spotlight the most essential tiles if desired.

    However, some annoying quirks remain unaddressed with Android 16.

    For a feature labeled “Quick Settings,” I find it lacks in providing swift access to key settings. For some reason, accessing the brightness slider requires two swipes of the panel, which is frustrating when I want to quickly tweak it beyond the auto brightness.

    Moreover, the actual Settings button is also unreachable until the second swipe. While I could have an icon on my home screen or swipe through the app drawer, I prefer to keep my home screen free from apps/widgets. I might just be accustomed to Samsung’s Quick Settings, which allows direct access to the Settings icon after one swipe down.

    Lastly, I would be thrilled to see Google allow an option to differentiate the notification panel and Quick Settings menu. I’ve become accustomed to this on Samsung and Motorola devices, and I find it preferable as it shows more tiles or notifications simultaneously and enables easy swiping between the two panels.

    Multitasking

    Although Google is concentrating on enhancing the multitasking experience on foldables like the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, traditional phones seem somewhat lacking in this regard.

    The Open Apps view merely presents large cards side by side, which doesn’t provide an exceptionally helpful overview of your apps. This isn’t a major issue, but it doesn’t feel as effective as the Open Apps view from other manufacturers. Additionally, while features like Screenshot and the text selector are handy, I would appreciate the option to view recommended apps for quick access.

    Also, it perplexes me that I have to swipe all the way to the right to locate the Clear All button. Even Motorola enables me to open the view and tap Clear All without the need to swipe. I can also lock an app within the Open Apps view to keep it active when clearing the rest, which is convenient while streaming YouTube Music, for instance.

    One feature I have been yearning to see on Pixels is a native side panel. This would allow quick access to your preferred or frequently used apps simply by swiping from the side of the display on almost any screen. It’s incredibly practical, and typically the first thing I set up when using a new device. It’s also available on nearly every other smartphone I’ve tested, from Samsung to TECNO, making it peculiar that Google has yet to provide the option, despite having offered a taskbar for foldables.

    More customization

    Most Android devices offer some degree of customization, and the Pixel UI has enhanced this area, particularly with the previously mentioned Quick Settings. However, while there’s a reasonable amount of customization available, I’d like to see even more.

    The Open Apps view is just one illustration; Google should allow us to select the presentation style of apps. The same goes for the Quick Settings menu; we should have the ability to rearrange, resize, and modify the style of the tiles and panel further. Samsung excels at enabling you to rearrange various elements in Quick Settings, and that would serve as an excellent starting point.

    Beyond that, Google should allow customization of additional aspects of the Pixel UI, such as the shape of app icons and the content displayed on the status bar, permitting us to decide which icons we want to appear and in what manner. OnePlus offers this on its devices, and I have always valued it as a means to declutter the top of my screen.

    And as

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