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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Apple’s App Store Changes Establish EU Benchmark as Google Faces Possible Penalties
    Apple’s App Store Changes Establish EU Benchmark as Google Faces Possible Penalties

    Following years of regulatory disputes, the European Commission is allegedly referencing Apple’s App Store modifications in its investigation of the Google Play Store. Here are the specifics.

    ### Why can’t you be more like your sibling?

    In a unique report, Reuters mentioned today that Google may face a substantial EU penalty early next year if it fails to enhance compliance with EU regulations intended to guarantee fair access and competition, according to their sources.

    This likely seems familiar to 9to5Mac readers, as the EC fined Apple € 500 million earlier this year under the Digital Markets Act, a decision the company is presently appealing.

    This was merely one segment of the intricate exchanges that ultimately prompted Apple to reveal significant adjustments to the App Store, a shift that the EU is widely anticipated to consider within the framework of the DMA.

    While the EU has yet to publicly indicate a stance regarding Apple, it is reportedly employing Apple’s modifications as a standard in private discussions.

    Here’s Reuters:

    > Adjustments to Google Play revealed in August to facilitate app developers in directing customers to alternative channels and selecting a fee model are reportedly insufficient, with the EU antitrust regulator regarding Apple’s recent revisions to its App Store as a standard.

    These adjustments encompass reducing its “initial acquisition fee” from 10% to 3%, implementing a two-tier system for transactions and in-app purchases, a fee for installations made outside its Play Store, and additional measures.

    While a direct comparison to the proposed App Store modifications is challenging, as both companies have introduced fairly complex frameworks, Apple’s strategy now seems to be the model for the regulator, something that would have appeared unimaginable just a few months ago.

    Regarding Google, Reuters states that the company still has the opportunity to propose further changes before regulators enforce a fine, likely in the first quarter of the coming year.

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Inactive Volcano Erupts Following More Than 10,000 Years
    Inactive Volcano Erupts Following More Than 10,000 Years

    On Sunday, November 23, 2025, Hayli Gubbi, a volcano located in Ethiopia’s Afar Region, erupted for the first time in documented history. Researchers estimate that the last significant activity took place between 10,000 and 12,000 years ago, yet records from this isolated region are virtually lacking. The fact that a volcano is inactive does not imply it won’t erupt unexpectedly.

    Hayli Gubbi is positioned at the southern extremity of the Erta Ale Range, part of the East African Rift System, the zone where the African continent is literally splitting apart. The eruption expelled an ash plume soaring to nearly 45,000 feet (13,700 meters) high, well within the typical cruising altitude for commercial aircraft, which is normally between 33,000 and 40,000 feet.

    The eruption commenced around 11:30 a.m. local time and was mostly complete by 11 p.m. on the same day. The eruption’s power tore apart Hayli Gubbi’s summit, forming an additional crater approximately 650 feet (200 meters) wide, along with a smaller third crater. In Semera, a city located about 120 miles (190 kilometers) to the south, residents heard the explosion and felt the shock wave. Analysis of satellite data indicated that the plume contained around 220,000 tons of sulfur dioxide mixed with ash and crushed rock.

    ### Ash from Hayli Gubbi reached India in 35 hours

    The ash plume was transported across the Red Sea and the Arabian Peninsula, blanketing Yemen and Oman before descending into southern Pakistan and northern India. Reports indicated that by 11 p.m. on November 24, the plume reached Delhi, covering approximately 2,566 miles (4,130 kilometers) from its origin. This distance is comparable to that from New York to Los Angeles, accomplished in only 35 hours.

    Volcanic ash poses a risk to aircraft, as the ash particles can obstruct the intake systems of jet engines. At high altitudes, silica deposits can melt and create a glass-like residue that can cause engine malfunctions. Air India canceled 11 flights, and Akasa Air suspended its services to the Middle East. India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued advisories for pilots to report any encounters with ash.

    Hayli Gubbi is categorized as a shield volcano, which typically has mild eruptions, making this explosive event unusual. The eruption is classified as sub-Plinian, defined by powerful vertical columns and extensive ash dispersion. This incident underscores the unpredictable nature of volcanoes within the East African Rift System.

    ### Villages buried under ashfall

    Although the eruption was abrupt, it was not entirely unforeseen, due to early-warning indicators of volcanic activity. Nearby, the Erta Ale volcano exhibited explosive behavior on July 15, alongside a magma intrusion that moved southeast along a dike towards Hayli Gubbi. Fissure vents emerged along the rift, with the nearest group situated just 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) from the volcano’s crater. Earlier this year, satellite observations also detected ground uplift. From July 25 to November 18, a peculiar white cloud appeared within the crater. These anomalies suggest magma movement inside the crater, paving the way for this eruption.

    The worst-hit areas were the towns affected by ashfall. Afdera, a village located 17 miles (28 kilometers) west of the volcano, found itself buried in volcanic ash. Residents reported issues such as breathing difficulties and severe coughing, leading to the deployment of emergency medical teams to the area.

    Aside from ash, the eruption released around 220,000 tons of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere, potentially affecting local air quality. This eruption exemplifies the unpredictability of dormant volcanoes, even after a silence lasting 10,000 years.

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    • sparta
    • Comments Off on 9to5Mac Daily: December 10, 2025 – An Overview of the Best iPhone Applications and Games of the Year
    9to5Mac Daily: December 10, 2025 – An Overview of the Best iPhone Applications and Games of the Year

    ### 9to5Mac Daily: Your Go-To for Daily Apple News

    In the rapidly evolving tech landscape, remaining informed about the newest updates and breakthroughs is essential, particularly for Apple fans. **9to5Mac Daily** functions as a vital resource for individuals wanting to stay attuned to Apple-centric news. This daily podcast aims to summarize the most noteworthy news of the day, keeping listeners alert and engaged.

    #### Podcast Access

    Audiences can tune into **9to5Mac Daily** on multiple platforms, such as:

    – [iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts application](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/9to5mac-daily/id1331816080)
    – [Stitcher](https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/9to5mac-daily)
    – [TuneIn](https://tunein.com/radio/9to5Mac-Daily-p1089524/)
    – [Google Play](https://play.google.com/music/m/I5d4dzs7dauazmfxvvrynyiuram?t=9to5Mac_Daily)
    – [Dedicated RSS feed](https://feedpress.me/9to5macdaily) for Overcast and other podcast apps.

    New episodes are released every weekday, ensuring subscribers receive new content consistently.

    #### Sponsorship and Promotions

    **9to5Mac Daily** is backed by Backblaze, a cloud backup service that provides reassurance for your data. Currently, listeners can take advantage of a 30% discount using the code **9to5Xmas**, offering a fantastic chance to protect your digital assets.

    #### Subscription Perks

    For those interested in directly supporting the podcast, subscribing to **9to5Mac Daily Plus** unlocks several perks, including:

    – Ad-free access to every episode
    – Availability of exclusive content

    This subscription model enriches the listening experience while backing the creators behind the show.

    #### Community Engagement

    Listeners are invited to express their opinions and feedback. You can connect via email at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]). Furthermore, rating the podcast on platforms like [Apple Podcasts](https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1331816080?at=10laZc&pt=11l8808) or recommending it on

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    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Google Search and Gemini Improve the Visibility of Your Favorite and Subscribed News
    Google Search and Gemini Improve the Visibility of Your Favorite and Subscribed News

    Recent enhancements in Gemini, Google Search, and AI Mode simplify the process of discovering content from your subscribed publications.

    (Image credit: Google)

    Essential information

    • Google is globally enhancing Preferred Sources in Search, allowing users to easily showcase reliable news sources.
    • Search, Gemini, and AI Mode will now prominently display links from your paid news subscriptions.
    • Google is refining AI Mode to provide clearer and more frequent web links to enhance site interaction.
    Disclaimer

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Apple Pay Promotion Provides a 30% Reduction on Mattel Toys
    Apple Pay Promotion Provides a 30% Reduction on Mattel Toys

    **Apple Pay Unveils 30% Discount Deal on Mattel Toys**

    With the holiday shopping season on the horizon, Apple Pay has rolled out an exciting promotion that offers customers a 30% price reduction on a variety of more than 600 toys from Mattel. This deal is an ideal chance for those aiming to buy gifts for kids or toy fans.

    ### Promotion Details

    The Apple Pay discount at Mattel is valid from **December 8, 2025, at 6 a.m. PT until December 14, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. PT**. To benefit from this offer, shoppers must check out using Apple Pay and enter the promo code **APPLEPAY** during checkout.

    ### Eligible Products

    The promotion includes a vast selection of popular toy brands, featuring:

    – Barbie
    – Hot Wheels
    – Little People
    – Monster High

    Consumers can browse the comprehensive array of eligible toys and collectibles on Mattel’s online store.

    ### Exclusions and Conditions

    While this promotion offers a substantial discount, certain exclusions apply:

    – The discount is not valid on Mattel Creations Memberships, shipping and handling charges, gift cards, or relevant taxes.
    – This promotion cannot be combined with other offers or promotions, apart from shipping deals.

    ### Conclusion

    Apple Pay regularly partners with chosen vendors to deliver exclusive discounts, and this deal with Mattel arrives at a particularly opportune time for the holiday season. Whether you are a frequent toy buyer or in search of last-minute gifts, this promotion is definitely worth a look.

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on How Does Apple CarPlay Link: Bluetooth or Wi-Fi?
    How Does Apple CarPlay Link: Bluetooth or Wi-Fi?

    Apple CarPlay advice and techniques to maximize its use. However, have you ever thought about whether CarPlay connects to your iPhone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi? The brief answer is both, particularly in newer vehicles that allow for wireless CarPlay connectivity — in contrast to a wired USB link between your iPhone and the automobile. When initiating a wireless CarPlay session, your iPhone initially employs Bluetooth to create a secure connection and to seek authorization to pair.

    After your vehicle grants iOS the go-ahead, Wi-Fi takes charge, forming a closed network to facilitate data synchronization and to ensure your CarPlay-compatible applications operate seamlessly while you drive. You’ll also want to confirm that cellular data is activated, as navigation, music streaming, and other connected functionalities depend on it. Certain CarPlay-equipped vehicles are capable of both wired and wireless connections, while some are exclusively wired. But what if you’re operating one of the early CarPlay models that didn’t incorporate Bluetooth at all? Let’s discover.

    Reasons why wired CarPlay continues to be beneficial

    <img class="gallery-image " src="https://www.bgr.com

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Viture Luma Ultra Glasses: Existing Constraints and Prospective Opportunities with Cyberpunk Partnership and Growing Spatial Offerings
    Viture Luma Ultra Glasses: Existing Constraints and Prospective Opportunities with Cyberpunk Partnership and Growing Spatial Offerings

    Viture Luma Ultra is finally ready for purchase after a lengthy wait, and I’ve been experimenting with them for several weeks to evaluate how they stack up against the leading smart glasses. While these are undoubtedly the finest offering Viture has produced to date, several absent features prevent them from reaching true excellence.

    Before diving into that, let’s discuss what Viture Luma Ultra actually is and how it stands out from Viture’s extensive smart glasses range. In brief, Luma Ultra enhances the Luma Pro experience by introducing a brighter display, two extra cameras, and 6DoF tracking. Viture debuted its Luma series initially with Viture Luma Pro back in July, which represented the first smart glasses from the company equipped with an integrated camera.

    Viture Luma Ultra elevates the experience with a total of three cameras: one on the nose bridge and two on the outer edges of each lens. This design allows Viture Luma Ultra to deliver comprehensive 6DoF spatial tracking, so virtual screens remain in position regardless of how much you move or walk. The catch is that you must utilize Viture’s Spacewalker software to enable 6DoF functionality.

    In this respect, it appears that Viture has not fully progressed, as Xreal One can achieve 6DoF with any device that outputs video, requiring no additional software. Although you need the supplementary Xreal Eye camera on those glasses, the overall expense is still lower than that of Viture Luma Pro, making it challenging to recommend Luma Pro if your aim is to have a straightforward plug-and-play smart display glasses.

    This plug-and-play functionality makes Xreal One a superior suggestion for most users, although some may still favor Viture for various reasons. Viture Luma Pro features the most luminous Sony micro-OLED displays available, reaching up to 1500 nits of DC-dimmed brightness (no PWM). This is beneficial in specific situations where automatic lens tinting doesn’t sufficiently counteract bright environmental light, but I haven’t encountered a situation in my day-to-day life where this is essential.

    Viture’s Spacewalker software is also considerably more comprehensive than anything offered by Xreal, so while Xreal One is a more effective plug-and-play choice, Viture Luma Pro provides additional options for power users through smartphone or PC/Mac applications, such as quick shortcuts and multiple tracked windows. This feature enhances the feeling of it being more like a VR headset due to its capabilities.

    Viture also presents the possibility for hand tracking, which can be experimented with but is primarily limited to the company’s own tech demos and brief games for the time being. I wouldn’t purchase the glasses for this feature, even if it proves to be enjoyable.

    The primary reasons for choosing Viture over the competition are twofold: automatic 3D video playback and extensive ecosystem compatibility. Viture’s Pro Mobile Dock allows these glasses to be used with a Switch 2, something no other smart glasses brand can stake a claim on, due to Nintendo’s notorious hardware restrictions. Xreal is expected to soon offer a solution with the Xreal Neo adapter, but that is not yet available and lacks an official release date.

    The other compelling reason to acquire them is Viture’s Immersive 3D video, which I tested a few months back and found to be simply astonishing. Viture’s Spacewalker app automatically converts any video to 3D utilizing onboard AI processing, and it functions nearly flawlessly. The user interface can be a bit unwieldy at times, but no other product on the market provides this capability, making it exceptional for anyone seeking 3D content without an official source.

    For those looking for seamless plug-and-play spatial tracking compatible with any device, Xreal One or Xreal One Pro are the top recommendations. If you desire greater ecosystem compatibility and additional power-user configurations for features like 3D video or multi-monitor support, Viture Pro or Ultra are excellent selections. I only wish Viture could facilitate spatial tracking without necessitating extra software.

    Cyberpunk enthusiasts might be excited to learn that Viture and CD Projekt Red have collaborated to produce a limited edition Cyberpunk 2077-themed pair of Luma glasses. These feature the same camera setup as Luma Pro but possess a completely unique aesthetic, including a custom LED strip on the back that adheres to the Cyberpunk theme, as well as an upgraded Sony micro-OLED panel capable of 1500 nits of brightness.

    Only 10,000 units of these are being manufactured, with each one serialized (CP0000 – CP9999), making it a true collector’s item. If you have a high-end gaming PC, you can even experience Cyberpunk 2077 in breathtaking 3D via Viture’s Immersive 3D technology.

    Viture x Cyberpunk 2077 is now available, as of December 10, 2025, at viture.com and select retail locations for $549.

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Comparison between Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold and Galaxy Z Fold 7: Analyzing Foldable Attributes
    Comparison between Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold and Galaxy Z Fold 7: Analyzing Foldable Attributes

    Among these two premium foldable giants, which one takes the lead?

    • sparta
    • Comments Off on MacPaw’s Eney Mac Assistant Upgraded with Local AI Model for Enhanced Performance
    MacPaw’s Eney Mac Assistant Upgraded with Local AI Model for Enhanced Performance

    # MacPaw’s Eney: A Quicker and More Dependable AI Assistant for Mac Users

    MacPaw has recently revealed substantial enhancements to its AI-driven assistant, Eney, boosting its speed and reliability through a thorough technological upgrade. This article explores the specifics of these enhancements and what users can look forward to with the redesigned Eney.

    ## A Brief Overview

    In May, MacPaw launched Eney as an “AI-driven companion” aimed at comprehending natural language requests and executing tasks on behalf of its users. Initially introduced as an OS extension for Macs, Eney seeks to optimize workflows by enabling users to give straightforward, conversational commands. For example, users can ask Eney to “remove the background” from an image, thus eliminating the necessity to manually navigate through various applications.

    In response to user feedback, MacPaw invested several months in fine-tuning Eney’s core technology. The outcome is a stronger and more efficient assistant that emphasizes user privacy and security.

    ## Major Improvements

    Eney now functions primarily on a local model, shifting away from a cloud-reliant design. This transition results in quicker processing and enhanced data security, as Eney’s reasoning, context retrieval, skill execution, and conversation history are preserved directly on the user’s device. While Eney can still access cloud services for certain functions, such as reaching out to external APIs or downloading new skill manifests, the default local processing boosts performance and reduces data transfer.

    The launch of the ELIX engine (Eney Local Intelligence MLX) is pivotal to these advancements. This engine guarantees that most tasks are managed locally, ensuring a more responsive user experience. Additionally, MacPaw intends to add a memory feature that will allow Eney to recall prior interactions, minimizing the need for users to restate instructions during dialogues.

    ## What Can Eney Actually Achieve?

    Eney’s functionalities are wide-ranging, enabling users to interact effortlessly with documents and MacPaw applications present on their Macs. Users can give commands like “activate the VPN,” prompting Eney to launch ClearVPN for server selection. Eney also has the capability to upload files to Google Drive, granted the appropriate permissions are provided.

    Alongside these operations, Eney can handle PDFs by splitting them into individual files and can edit video files by cutting out undesirable sections. For users participating in Zoom meetings, Eney can transcribe conversations and generate summaries upon request.

    ## Conclusion

    MacPaw’s enhanced Eney is currently available exclusively on Setapp, with an open beta phase scheduled for Spring 2026. The upgrades made to Eney’s technology not only improve its capabilities but also ensure user privacy and data security are prioritized. For those eager to delve into Eney’s features and install it on Setapp, additional details can be found on MacPaw’s official website.

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Apple TV and Apple Music Facing Service Interruptions
    Apple TV and Apple Music Facing Service Interruptions

    Apple’s System Status page has indicated that there are persistent outages impacting various services. At this time, users might encounter challenges when trying to access Apple Music, Apple TV Channels, and Apple TV. The company has recognized that “some users are impacted” and might face sporadic problems with these services.

    Earlier today, Game Center underwent a short outage that persisted for about 30 minutes. Apple has classified this issue as resolved.

    The situation is under careful observation, and updates will be shared as they are obtained.

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