|
Apple's iOS 26 and watchOS 26 introduced a new fitness companion called Workout Buddy. This feature uses Apple Intelligence to provide spoken feedback during workouts and give motivation based on your activity history. Workout Buddy analyzes your pace, heart rate, distance and other metrics to deliver real-time encouragement and performance insights directly through connected Bluetooth headphones. It works in conjunction with the Workout app on Apple Watch and is partially controlled through the Fitness app on iPhone. This guide walks you through everything needed to set up and use Workout Buddy effectively during workouts.
What Workout Buddy doesIt's important to note that Workout Buddy is not a full coaching program. Instead, it adds to your workout with spoken cues that reflect how your session is going. Workout Buddy can remind you of your weekly activity totals, alert you to personal bests or performance milestones and provide an overview when you're finished. It is designed to feel like a supportive training partner rather than a strict coach.
The feature operates in English by default and uses a text-to-speech model trained on voices from Apple Fitness trainers. It is available for a subset of workout types, including running, walking, cycling, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and strength training. It requires on-device Apple Intelligence, which means you'll need to keep one of the latest iPhones running updated software nearby during workouts.
Supported models include iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max and any iPhone 16 model. You'll also need an Apple Watch running watchOS 26.
|
|
Google has started rolling out a new feature for its Photos app that can turn your images into memes. The feature, called Me Meme, uses Google Gemini to take meme templates and recreate them with the photo you use from within the app. It's still in its experimental stages and will only be available for users in the US in the English language. In addition, it seems to be rolling out for Android users only at the moment, and Google warns that the generated images may not match the original photo at times. If you do get access to the feature soon, check out the instructions below on how to use it.
Open your Photos app. Go to the Create tab at the bottom and find the Me Meme option. If it's not showing up even though you're an Android user in the US, you'll have to wait for it as it continues rolling out. Google told TechCrunch that it will reach iOS users over the coming weeks.
You'll see onscreen instructions the first time you use it. The next time you access the feature, you'll go straight to the meme creation process.
You can browse and choose one of the preset templates Google provides, but you can also upload a meme or any other image as a template.
You then have to upload a photo that you want to insert into the meme. Google advises using a selfie or a photo where your face is clearly visible.
After you tap Generate, you can save the meme if you're satisfied with the result or share it directly to social media platforms online. You can also tap Regenerate to see a different output.
|
|
 Best Buy today has a match of the record low price on the AirPods Pro 3, available for $199.99, down from $249.00. This is only the second time in 2026 that we've tracked the AirPods Pro 3 at this low price, which matches the best deal we saw over the holiday season. This is a flash sale and it will end later tonight, so those interested should shop soon.
|
|
So, is this just the price of using online services, or should you be worried about how this information could affect your life?
How does your personal data become available?
One of the main currencies of the internet is information. This means that when you join a new site or service, there's a good chance that elements of the data you provide could be sold to data brokers. These companies can then put together the information they glean from various sources to build a profile on you, which is then either made available on people search sites or sold to a range of interested customers.
What harm comes with having personal data online?
Not only does this have potential risks to your privacy and safety, as anyone could get access to things like your phone number, businesses you own, or other contact details. But it could also work against you in a number of ways.
Data brokers can sell your data to financial bodies such as banks and insurance companies, who might decide that you're too much of a risk for loans, credit cards or mortgages.
Recruitment consultants can go to brokers for background checks on potential employees, all without your consent.
Healthcare providers can also approach brokers as part
|
|
