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• Threads now supports short, in-feed podcast episode previews that play directly in users’ feeds. • Meta is hosting live podcast events to encourage creators and listeners to build communities on Threads. • Threads aims to shift podcast conversations from fan-run Facebook Groups to host-led interactions on its app. • The move pits Threads
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* Familiar Face library cleaned up to improve person identification accuracy. * Animal detection now distinguishes cats and dogs at distance and better preserves colors. * Home Brief descriptions for people are more accurate when faces aren’t visible. * Longer videos get richer AI-generated summaries to capture important events. What’s included in
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• Key Takeaways: * Google appears to be preparing to split the combined “Internet” Quick Settings tile back into separate Wi‑Fi and Mobile Data tiles. * AOSP commits in the Android 16 QPR2 source add a “Mobile Data” tile and a Wi‑Fi tile with a toggle, guarded by a feature flag.
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* Key Takeaways * mpv 0.41 is released with notable Wayland improvements. * The update prefers Vulkan as the hardware decoding/rendering path where available. * The changes aim to improve performance and compatibility on modern Linux desktops. What mpv 0.41 delivers mpv 0.41 continues the media player's steady
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• Android Auto leverages Google Maps’ data and features for more accurate routing and local search. • Gemini AI on Android Auto offers superior voice control, message summarization and third‑party integrations. • Android Auto provides richer notifications, broader third‑party app support and active speeding alerts. Google Maps gives Android Auto an
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* Linux Mint 22.3 "Zena" beta is now available for testing, built on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. * Cinnamon 6.6 introduces a redesigned application menu, improved input support, and file-manager refinements. * XApps Timeshift can now pause/resume snapshots; Warpinator adds IPv6 support; Linux 6.14 kernel retained. What’
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* Google is experimenting with moving the Dislike action in YouTube Shorts into the overflow (three-dot) menu. * The company is also testing phrasing changes: showing “Dislike,” “Not interested,” or a combined “Not interested” label next to the thumbs-down icon. * Participants in the experiment may receive an optional survey and can provide
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• Google’s Android 16 QPR3 beta updates Pixel emoji visuals to more closely resemble iPhone designs. • Updated emoji include Melting Face, Face Exhaling, Nauseated Face, Cold Face and Loudly Crying Face. • Many changes are minor stylistic shifts; Emojipedia has cataloged dozens of other adjustments tied to Unicode 17.0. • Updates
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Key Takeaways: * Microsoft rolled out Link to Windows v1.25102.140.0 with new remote controls for Windows 11 PCs. * New features include remote PC lock (under 3 seconds), two-way file transfer to PC, cross-device clipboard, and a Recent Activity feed. * Screen mirroring (Mirror to PC) and basic PC status
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• Key Takeaways: * Apple’s iOS 26.2 update has triggered widespread complaints about performance, UI changes and battery reporting. * Reported issues include slower responsiveness, new animations, touch-sensitivity oddities and harder-to-find settings. * Community reaction on Reddit, Bluesky and other forums ranges from frustration to outright rejection; some noted the update as
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Key Takeaways: * Perplexity has rebuilt its iPad app to better leverage iPadOS features and split-view for a more native experience. * The update emphasizes research tools and richer citations, targeting students and business users. * Research features are partly gated to paid tiers as Perplexity aims to grow subscriptions. * The company continues
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• Google Cast is now available in the Apple TV app for Android devices (app version 2.2). • The Google Cast option is exclusive to Android; Apple TV for iOS still lacks Cast support. • Android app still does not support AirPlay — casting is one-way for now. • Look for the cast icon