Author: alex

Debate in Germany: Smartphone & Social Media bans vs. Media Education Germany is again debating how to accompany children and adolescents in everyday digital life. While parents' and education organizations call for strengthened media literacy, some politicians push for stricter regulations — including proposals discussed around age limits such as 16. However, clear nationwide legislation setting a general ‘16+’ ban was not found in current sources; the focus is mainly on school rules and media education. Key positions Bundeselternrat: Opposes blanket smartphone bans in schools; advocates practical, age-appropriate rules developed together by parents, students and schools. (bundeselternrat.de) Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk: Warns that blanket bans can undermine children’s right to digital participation; calls for active involvement of children, parents and teachers when setting rules. (dkhw.de) GMK & D64: Along with other organizations,…

Best Drones for 2025 — Guide & Buying Tips Whether you want cinematic landscapes or the perfect aerial selfie, choosing the best drone depends on what kind of flying and filming you plan to do. This guide summarizes key categories, features to prioritize, and common FAQs to help you pick the right model. Quick Picks Entry-level: Good safety features and multiple flight modes — best for beginners. Portable/Mini drones: Great travel companions—prioritize flight time and controller responsiveness. Creator/Camera drones: Look for stabilized 4K (or higher) and strong gimbals for smooth footage. Budget options: Many models offer solid stability, wind resistance, and intelligent flight at lower prices. What to look for in a drone Camera features Focus on sensor size, field of view, aperture, and video specs. Larger sensors (found in…

Reclean: iPhone app tidies photo library and frees storage Reclean (formerly "Photo Cleaner") is a free iPhone app that helps you clean and organize your Photos library. It locates duplicates, similar shots, screenshots, photos containing text, and large files — and runs entirely on your device to protect privacy. Key features Duplicate & similar-photo detection (burst shots, near-duplicates) Screenshot and text-in-image filters Largest-file sorter to reclaim space 100% on-device processing; no ads or in‑app purchases Developer: Labi, LLC. No clear connection was found between Reclean and the developers of the paid Refocus app. Availability: Free on the App Store — Open Reclean on the App Store. No Amazon listings were found for this app or related physical products. Originally reported by iphone-ticker.de (no RSS link included). Want us to test…

MacBook Air with M4 chip (16GB/256GB) drops below €900 Price alert: The 13-inch MacBook Air equipped with Apple's M4 chip, 16GB unified memory and 256GB SSD has fallen to about €899 on Amazon.de, according to reports (see source below). This marks a new low for the base-storage 16GB configuration in European retail. What’s on offer Model: MacBook Air (13-inch) with M4 Memory: 16GB unified RAM Storage: 256GB SSD Typical specs: 10-core CPU, 8-core GPU, Liquid Retina display Where to check Amazon US (affiliate search): Search MacBook Air M4 256GB on Amazon.com Amazon Germany: search for "MacBook Air M4 16GB 256GB" on Amazon.de for the local €899 listing Should you buy it? At ≈€899 for a recently released M4 MacBook Air with 16GB RAM, it’s a compelling value if you need…

Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2: Second‑generation flagship announced Bose has announced the QuietComfort Ultra 2, the second generation of its premium QuietComfort Ultra headphones. The new model keeps the familiar design but adds several technical upgrades. Key details Price: Starting at €499. Availability: Shipping begins on September 10 (as reported). Colors: Black, White, and the new Driftwood Sand (plus regional variants). What's new USB‑C wired digital audio (lossless over USB-C at 16‑bit/44.1 or 48kHz) Improved noise cancellation and connectivity (Bluetooth 5.4) Longer battery life and fast charging Refined materials and comfort (protein leather cushions) Customizable settings via the Bose app Where to find more Official product page: Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 (official) Buy / check availability on Amazon US: Search: Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 Want to discuss? Would you upgrade to…

First photos: Apple's iPhone 17 Crossbody Strap — what we know Leaked photos and supply‑chain reports suggest Apple is preparing an official Crossbody Strap to launch alongside the iPhone 17 family. The accessory appears to use a magnetic system and is expected in woven nylon (Apple Sport Loop–style) and possibly silicone, with colors matching the new iPhone cases. Key details Attachment: Magnetic core + polarized ends, allowing easy attachment/detachment to specially designed iPhone 17 cases with lanyard holes. Materials: Woven nylon (sport‑loop like) and likely silicone options. Compatibility: Designed for iPhone 17 cases; not a universal clip. Colors: Expected to match iPhone 17 case colors. Timing: Production reportedly underway; likely available at iPhone 17 launch. Sources & further reading 9to5Mac — iPhone 17 Crossbody Strap leak GSMArena — First look…

EU fines Google €2.95 billion for abusing dominance in online advertising The European Commission has fined Google €2.95 billion for abusing its dominant position in the online advertising market by favoring its own ad exchange and related ad tools. The Commission found that Google’s self‑preferencing of its ad services distorted competition. Google has said it will appeal. Key facts Fine: €2.95 billion Requirement: End self‑preferencing practices within 60 days or face further remedies Reaction: Google plans to appeal the decision Context: Part of a broader EU push against large US tech firms for antitrust and competition issues Sources & further reading European Commission press release: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_1992 TechCrunch coverage: https://techcrunch.com/2025/09/06/eu-fines-google-3-5b-over-adtech-abuse/ What this means The ruling aims to curb conflicts of interest in the adtech stack and to restore fair competition among…

Narwal FLOW: Track Mop raises robot vacuum & mop standards Narwal, one of the world's top-five robot vacuum makers, has launched the Narwal FLOW — a new flagship model that complements the Freo Z10 Ultra. The FLOW's standout feature is the "Track Mop": a motorized mop roller that runs on a track and continuously washes, scrapes and dries itself during operation to avoid spreading dirt and keep the mop fresh. Key features Track Mop: continuous self-cleaning with warm water, scraping action and ~12N of mop pressure for deeper wet cleaning. Powerful suction: around 22,000 Pa for strong debris pickup. Smart navigation: AI obstacle avoidance and camera-assisted mapping for precise cleaning paths. Edge cleaning: extendable side brushes and edge-to-edge coverage. How it compares to the Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra FLOW builds…

Hidden display-angle (lid) sensor in MacBook — what it does and repair implications Many users don’t know that some MacBooks include a hidden sensor that measures the exact opening angle of the display. Apple introduced this lid/display-angle sensor with the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro. Since then it has appeared in newer MacBook Pro models, including Apple Silicon (M1/M2) laptops. What the sensor does Tracks the precise lid angle (not just open/closed). Helps macOS manage sleep/wake behavior and system diagnostics. Can help detect/display issues that may relate to hinge or cable strain. Repair and calibration The sensor is paired closely with the logic board and historically required proprietary Apple calibration tools after display or sensor replacement. That has made some repairs more complex and tied to Apple or authorized service providers.…

Takara Tomy Poke-nade Monster Ball — Poké Ball Virtual Pet Takara Tomy is releasing an official Poké Ball virtual pet device called the Poke-nade Monster Ball, shipping on October 11, 2025. It’s priced at ¥7,480 (about $51 USD) and includes a menu option in English. Key details Release date: October 11, 2025 Price: ¥7,480 (~$51 USD) Languages: Japanese and English menu options Partner Pokémon: Pikachu, Eevee, Sprigatito, Fuecoco, Quaxly, Lucario, Sylveon Total Pokémon: About 157 total (7 partner + ~150 others) Features: Tamagotchi-style petting interactions (they react when you pet the device), battles, and other interactions such as washing; details vary by species. Pre-orders were reported to be open but selling out on some retailers (Amazon Japan showed sold-out listings at times). There’s no confirmed active Amazon US product page…