Category: Uncategorized

Morning Tech RoundupQuick summaries of todays top stories.HBO Max: price hikes & password crackdownWarner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav said HBO Max is "way underpriced" and signaled future subscription price increases and tighter enforcement of password sharing as the service targets growth to more homes. Industry context: streaming platforms are looking to boost revenue after subscriber goals; expect a gradual push rather than an immediate mass price jump.More: TechCrunch coverageTakara Tomy Poké Ball virtual pet (Poke-nade Monster Ball)Takara Tomy announced the Poke-nade Monster Ball, releasing Oct 11 in Japan (~\u00a57,480 / ~$51). It features 7 partner Pokémon (Pikachu, Eevee, Sprigatito, Fuecoco, Quaxly, Lucario, Sylveon) plus 150+ other Pokémon to interact with. The device offers Japanese and English language options but is currently a Japan-only release with limited availability.Official product page:…

Plane and Simple — Identify planes in the sky with AR Merano Studio has released a new free iPhone/iPad app called Plane and Simple that helps users identify aircraft overhead using augmented reality. The app accesses your device's camera and location to overlay basic information about planes as you point your phone at the sky. Key features AR-based plane identification using camera + GPS Free to download and use on iPhone and iPad Simple, beginner-friendly interface — aimed at casual spotters How it works After granting camera and location access, point your iPhone at a plane in the sky. The app uses augmented reality to show basic details about the aircraft. It’s designed for quick, on-the-go ID rather than deep flight-tracking data. Privacy & permissions The app requires access to…

Aiper Scuba V3 debuts at IFA Berlin — AI-powered pool robot; predecessors get fall discounts Aiper used IFA Berlin to introduce the Scuba V3, its new flagship fully automated pool robot, and simultaneously launched a discount campaign to make older models more attractive for autumn sales. Key facts Model: Aiper Scuba V3 — launched at IFA Berlin 2025. Main tech: AI Vision Cleaning with a built-in camera and object recognition, grid-pattern navigation, smart obstacle avoidance, waterline scrubbing, wireless charging and app connectivity. Estimated availability & price: Early 2026, around $1,199 USD (announced at the event). Predecessors (e.g. Scuba X1) remain available and are being promoted with special offers for the autumn/leaf season. Where to read more / buy Official product listing: Aiper product page Press coverage and announcements: PR Newswire…

iPhone 17 — Early Hands‑On: Crossbody Band, Battery & Flat‑On‑Table Impressions Apple relaxed its usual embargoes this year, letting select journalists try the new iPhone 17 models on site and publish early hands‑on videos. Early impressions highlight a few notable points: Crossbody usability: Reviewers noted a more comfortable feel with MagSafe-compatible straps and third‑party crossbody bands — Apple didn’t announce an official crossbody band, but MagSafe accessories work well for on‑the‑go carry. Battery life: The Pro Max stands out with noticeably better endurance in hands‑on tests, making it the best choice for heavy users and media playback. Design & durability: The 17 series uses a unibody aluminum frame with a Ceramic Shield insert for MagSafe, improving durability and reducing glare in some models. Front camera: The updated front camera (larger…

iPhone Air bend test: Apple execs demonstrate durability in live interview Apple executives Greg Joswiak and John Ternus took an unusually open approach to questions about the new iPhone Air's durability during recent video interviews. In a live on-camera moment, they encouraged reporters to try bending the ultra-thin iPhone Air — the device flexed slightly but returned to its original shape without damage. Key points: Thickness: 5.6 mm Frame: Grade 5 titanium (chosen to balance thinness and strength) Display protection: Ceramic Shield 2 for improved scratch and crack resistance The interviews and coverage were published by reputable tech outlets including Tom's Guide and TechRadar, and video excerpts are available online. See the demonstration video here: YouTube demo. Additional coverage and write-ups: Tom's Guide interview TechRadar coverage MacRumors summary 9to5Mac summary…

Best Laptop Power Banks for 2025 — What to Know Before You Buy If you travel or work away from your desk, a high-capacity laptop power bank can be a game-changer. These portable chargers (typically 20,000–27,000 mAh) can refill phones multiple times, top up tablets, and get laptops from near-dead to work-ready in roughly an hour. Below is a concise guide on what matters and how we tested the units. Flying with a laptop power bank Most portable batteries are limited to 100 Wh for carry-on (about 27,500 mAh at 3.6V). Batteries are not allowed in checked luggage. Recent onboard battery incidents have led some airlines (Emirates, Southwest and others) to add further restrictions—check your airline before flying. Capacity and real-world delivery Look for at least 20,000 mAh to meaningfully…

iPhone Survey 2025 — Results, Popular Models, Colors & Storage After around 10,000 votes in iphone-ticker.de's community poll, only 29% of respondents said they won’t buy a new iPhone — a notable drop from 43% last year. The survey is non-representative but provides a snapshot of community sentiment around the 2025 lineup. Key takeaways Stronger intent to upgrade compared with last year (only 29% say they won’t buy). Discussion centers on interest in the thinner iPhone Air vs. the redesigned Pro models (battery & antenna changes, new aluminum unibody reported). Reported starting prices for Pro models: around €1,299 (iPhone 17 Pro) and €1,449 (iPhone 17 Pro Max). Detailed breakdowns for favorite models, colors and storage choices are available in the original article linked below. Source and full breakdown: iphone-ticker.de —…

Best Gaming Keyboards — Summary & Picks Summary of a recent Engadget roundup of the best gaming keyboards: the guide prioritizes mechanical keyboards (especially TKL and smaller layouts), favors linear or analog-style switches for gaming responsiveness, and values solid build quality, PBT keycaps, hot‑swappability, and useful companion software. Wooting’s 80HE is named the top overall pick for its analog control. The guide covers options for compact builds, wireless setups, budget models, and high‑end magnetic/Hall‑effect keyboards. What to look for Mechanical vs non‑mechanical: Mechanical switches are preferred for durability and feel. Size: Tenkeyless (TKL) or smaller to keep your mouse close and reduce arm strain. Switches: Linear (red) for many gamers; Hall effect and optical switches offer analog features and custom actuation. Keycaps & build: Double‑shot PBT keycaps, stiff frames, stable…

AI roundup: Claude memory, ChatGPT developer mode & Microsoft’s plansThis week’s Apple event focused on new iPhones, but major AI advances came from other vendors. Highlights:Claude (Anthropic): Introduced persistent memory to remember user context across sessions.ChatGPT (OpenAI): Rolled out a developer mode to make integrations and testing easier.Microsoft: Shared plans to expand AI integration across its services and enterprise offerings.Apple’s own AI (Apple Intelligence) was more reserved during the event.For more details, see the linked coverage.

tado° limits REST API access — what you need to know Munich-based smart-home maker tado° will impose API rate limits starting this autumn, affecting third-party integrations (eg. Home Assistant, openHAB) that previously accessed many features through an effectively open REST API. Key points New daily query caps: ~100 requests/day without tado° Auto-Assist, and ~20,000 requests/day with Auto-Assist. Target date: rollout begins this autumn (2025). Impact: automations and integrations that poll devices frequently (thermostats, radiator valves, geofencing-based rules) may need redesign or may hit limits. Sources & further reading Home Assistant community thread (mail copy & discussion): community.home-assistant.io Related GitHub discussion (openHAB): github.com Home Assistant integration page for tado: home-assistant.io What users and integrators can do Reduce polling frequency and rely on events where possible. Move to official integrations or local…