Author: alex

Spotify Launches "Managed Accounts" for Kids on Premium Family Spotify has rolled out a new "managed accounts" feature for younger listeners, now available in seven additional markets including the United States. The feature—initially piloted last year—lets parents and guardians on a Spotify Premium Family plan create dedicated profiles for children with tailored recommendations and parental controls. Key capabilities of a managed account include: Personalized recommendations and standard Premium features like Discover Weekly and Daylist. Parental filters to block explicit content, limit playback of specific artists, and disable video playback features (including Canvas) if desired. Restrictions on interactivity features (for example, Messages are disabled for these profiles). Crucially, plays on a managed account won’t affect the plan owner’s Taste Profile, Discover Weekly, or Wrapped results—helpful if kids keep looping viral tracks.…

Lululook discounts Apple Watch FKM bands — prices from €5.85 Accessory maker Lululook has heavily discounted its Apple Watch straps, with select colors now available from just €5.85 as part of a clearance sale. The company says the markdowns are due to a sell-out of these models and to make space for incoming products. The straps are made from FKM (fluoroelastomer), a durable, flexible synthetic rubber often used for watch bands because of its resistance to heat and chemicals. For shoppers, this means an affordable, durable option for refreshing an Apple Watch look. Sale price: from €5.85 on certain colors Material: FKM (fluoroelastomer) — durable and flexible Reason: clearance/sell-out to make room for new models Availability may vary by color and stock levels. If you want to check current listings,…

Spotify launches managed child accounts in Germany Spotify has begun offering managed (supervised) child accounts in Germany, aimed at families with younger children. The new feature lets children have their own profiles while parents retain oversight, helping to keep family libraries organized and age-appropriate. Key points: Children can get individual, supervised profiles separate from adult accounts. Parents can maintain control over what children can access and keep household playlists tidy. This rollout follows other recent Spotify updates in Germany and is designed for families using Spotify's family-oriented plans. Why it matters: Family accounts have long required workarounds for parents who wanted to give kids their own listening experience without exposing them to unsuitable content or mixing up shared playlists. Managed child profiles aim to reduce that friction and offer a…

Sniper Elite 4 Arrives on Apple Vision Pro The tactical shooter Sniper Elite 4 has been updated with support for Apple Vision Pro. The developers released an update that enables the game to be displayed on a freely scalable virtual screen within the headset and takes advantage of visionOS spatial audio for a more immersive soundstage. Players can now experience the game using the Vision Pro's mixed‑reality features, which render the game on a virtual cinema‑style display while preserving spatial audio cues to improve situational awareness and immersion. Scalable virtual screen: resize the game display to suit your viewing comfort. visionOS spatial audio: enhanced positional sound to aid gameplay immersion. Delivered via an update to the developers' Vision Pro app released late last year. Sniper Elite 4 originally launched on…

How to get one more year of Windows 10 security updates (ESU guide) Microsoft has moved Windows 10 to "end of life," which means the OS will stop receiving security updates by default. If you’re not ready or able to move to Windows 11, Extended Security Updates (ESU) offer another 12 months of protection so your PC isn’t left exposed. You have three main paths: Upgrade to Windows 11 for free if your PC is compatible. Buy a new PC with Windows 11 (or switch to another platform like macOS or ChromeOS). Enroll in Extended Security Updates (ESU) to get another year of security patches. ESU can be a simple way to buy time. Here’s a concise how-to: Step 1 — Update Windows 10: Go to Settings > System >…

Tolino introduces the Tolino Flip — a dedicated remote for e‑readers Tolino, the German e‑reader alliance and competitor to Kindle, has launched its first-ever remote control designed specifically for e‑readers. Named the Tolino Flip, the accessory will be available next month in black or white and can be pre-ordered now from bookstores in the Tolino alliance. The remote is priced at €29.99 and is being offered through Tolino’s retail partners. Tolino positions the Flip as a convenience accessory for readers who want physical page-turn controls or easier navigation without touching the e‑reader screen. Product name: Tolino Flip Colors: White and Black Price: €29.99 (pre-order available now) Availability: Shipping/availability begins next month via Tolino partner bookstores Why this matters: many e‑reader users value tactile controls for page turns, especially when holding…

SpaceX's 2nd‑Gen Starship Completes Successful Final Test Flight SpaceX's second-generation Starship completed its 11th and final test flight, launching from Starbase in Texas on October 13. The company says the mission met every major objective — a notable turnaround after a string of earlier failures — and marks a pivot point as SpaceX moves to develop the next generation of Starship and Super Heavy vehicles. Key outcomes from the flight included: All 33 Raptor engines ignited on launch. Stage separation and first-stage ascent proceeded smoothly; the Super Heavy booster splashed down in the ocean as planned. Starship successfully deployed all Starlink simulators before re-entering the atmosphere. During reentry SpaceX intentionally stressed the vehicle to evaluate its heatshield and executed a banking maneuver to mimic return trajectories to Starbase. Earlier tests…

PNY 128GB microSD Express on Sale — Cheap Switch 2 Storage Upgrade The Nintendo Switch 2 requires newer microSD Express cards for expandable storage, and a 128GB PNY microSD Express card is currently on sale for about $38 (roughly 15% off). If you need more room for your downloaded Switch and Switch 2 games, this is a budget-friendly option that’s been tested with the new console. Engadget’s tests found that while microSD Express cards don’t all perform identically, real-world differences in load times are small for most players. PNY’s 128GB card performed slightly faster than SanDisk when moving games back to the console’s internal storage, though it was a bit slower when writing games to the card — a minor trade-off for the lower price. What you get: 128GB capacity,…

TiVo Discontinues DVR Hardware as It Shifts Focus to Software TiVo has confirmed it stopped selling physical DVR set-top boxes on October 1, 2025, marking the end of a hardware era that changed how viewers record and watch live television. The company said it no longer manufactures hardware and that remaining inventory is depleted, though it will continue to provide customer support for existing devices. The TiVo DVR, launched in 1999, popularized features like pausing, rewinding and recording live TV — capabilities that reshaped TV viewing habits and introduced the concept of on-demand control over broadcast schedules. While DVRs reduced the need to watch ads, streaming services have since brought ad-supported tiers back into prominence. Date: TiVo listings were removed and sales stopped as of October 1, 2025. Business shift:…

Therabody debuts TheraFace Mask Glo and updates Theragun lineup Therabody has introduced several new products, headlined by the TheraFace Mask Glo — a full-face LED treatment mask that promises to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, firm and tighten skin, and even tone and texture. The company says daily 12-minute sessions can deliver results in as little as eight weeks. The Mask Glo is FDA-cleared and uses 504 medical-grade LEDs to deliver a full-face treatment. It’s available to order today for $380. Therabody playfully notes the mask’s full-face design can double as a Halloween prop, but its primary aim is cosmetic, at-home light therapy. Product: TheraFace Mask Glo LEDs: 504 medical-grade lights Use: Daily 12-minute sessions; advertised results in ~8 weeks Clearance: FDA-cleared Price: $380 Therabody also refreshed its Theragun lineup.…