|
 macOS Tahoe 26 includes support for automatically joining your iPhone's Personal Hotspot when no Wi-Fi network is available, so you no longer need to manually connect.
|
|
Apple released macOS Tahoe on September 15, which means it's now available for all Macs that support it. If you didn't download the new software yet, here are some features that might entice you to upgrade.
|
|
With it being a mandatory update, the Windows Update system will periodically keep trying to install the update even if users have declined, reports Windows Latest. That's obviously a repetitive nuisance if the update won't properly install for whatever reason.
Windows Latest has compiled a list of the various error codes that can crop up during installation of the September update, including 0x800F0991, 0x800F0922, 0x80071A2D, 0x800F081F, 0x80070302, 0x80070306, and 0x8000FFFF.
In addition, some users are saying the update takes a lot longer to download than these monthly updates usually take, although that could just be due to the fact that this particular update is larger.
Normally, it's possible to get around Windows update installation problems by circumventing Windows Update altogether and manually installing an update via the Microsoft Update Catalog. However, with update KB5065426, even this method is throwing errors for some.
According to Windows Latest, the only workaround for this issue right now is to use the Media Creation
|
|
In a blog post from yesterday, Spotify announced that it's taking things even further by expanding the features available to free users. Such features include direct playback of specific songs on demand, which previously only allowed you to listen to random "similar" songs.
Spotify is calling this "Pick & Play," which only Premium users could do up until now. Spotify is also wrapping it together with what it calls "Search & Play" (find and instantly play the song you want) and "Share & Play" (share a track with someone, who can instantly listen to it).
All of these ways to listen to specific songs on demand are now available to free users. Spotify also wants you to know that you can create your own playlists and listen to Spotify's expert-curated playlists for free. You can also personalize your playlist covers and find new songs curated to your musical tastes with the special Discover Weekly playlist.
All of this without any restrictions?
It isn't clear from the blog post itself whether on-demand playback of specific songs is unlimited. Li
|
|
Available starting today, the Wyze Palm Lock isn't the first smart lock capable of the palm-reading trick; recent locks from Eufy, TP-Link's Tapo brand, TCL, and Phillips can do the same thing.
What sets the Wyze Palm Lock apart is (unsurprisingly for Wyze, a company known for its budget-friendly devices) the price: just $129.99, versus $200 for the TCL D1 Pro Palm Vein Smart Lock and a whopping $399 for the Eufy FamiLock S3 Max (which, to be fair, is a smart lock with an embedded video doorbell).
As with other palm-reading smart locks of its type, the Wi-Fi-enabled Wyze Palm Lock verifies your identity by scanning the unique pattern of veins beneath the surface of your palm. Such palm-based biometrics are said to be faster and more accurate than more typical fingerprint scans, and even better, a wave of your palm will do; in other words, you don't have to touch anything to unlock the door. All biometric data is stored locally rather than in the cloud.
Don't want to use the palm reader, or need to grant access to someone without enrolling their palm? An illuminated keypad stores up to 50 unique access codes, and there's also a standard keyhole protected by a slide-down damping cover (keys are included).
|
|
 Verizon today has Apple's HomePod mini for $84.99 in three colors, down from $99.99. As with all Verizon discounts, you don't need to be a Verizon Wireless customer to get this sale, and the retailer is offering free two day shipping.
|
|
The Trump administration has announced plans to eliminate the Energy Star program, as originally reported by The Washington Post. This announcement occurred during an all-hands meeting of the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Atmospheric Protection, in which the department was shuttered.
As for Energy Star, this program started all the way back in 1992 under the first Bush administration. This is the department that's responsible for the iconic yellow stickers on home appliances. The long-standing public-private partnership certifies energy efficient appliances and helps consumers find tax credits for these fixtures.
Data indicates that the program has helped Americans save more than $500 billion in energy costs in the past 33 years. The organization states that the average American saves about $450 per year on energy bills by choosing appliances that have been Energy Star-certified.
The EPA hasn't said when this would go into effect and when consumers would stop seeing Energy Star certifications on home appliances. It's technically illegal for a presidential administration to end this program without Congress, but the same goes for many of Trump's pronouncements and executive orders.
"Eliminating the Energy Star program would directly contrad
|
|
