Spotify has expanded its Managed Accounts feature to its free tier, allowing parents to create supervised accounts for children without requiring a paid subscription. The feature is now available to families in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Parental Controls Available on Free Tier Originally introduced in 2024 for premium Family Plan subscribers, Managed Accounts provide children with their own Spotify profiles while giving parents greater control over listening activity. The accounts keep children’s music preferences separate from their parents’, preventing recommendations and listening history from affecting the parent’s personalized content or Spotify Wrapped summary.…
Author: Stevan Williams
Apple has released the public beta of iOS 27, giving users early access to its redesigned AI-powered Siri ahead of the operating system’s official launch later this year. The release marks the first time Apple’s new Siri has been made available beyond developers, allowing a broader group of users to test the company’s latest artificial intelligence features. Siri Gains Deeper AI Integration Announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, the upgraded Siri is designed to understand on-device content, including emails, messages and photos, while providing responses based on information displayed on the screen and broader web knowledge. The…
Garmin has released a new beta firmware update for selected smartwatches in its Fenix 8 family, introducing new features alongside numerous bug fixes while cautioning users about several temporary limitations. The beta update, version 23.11, is available for the Fenix 8 AMOLED, Fenix 8 Solar, Tactix 8 AMOLED, Enduro 3 and Quatix 8 smartwatches. Beta Release Comes With Limitations As a beta release, the update is not enabled automatically, even for users enrolled in Garmin’s beta testing program. Instead, eligible users must manually request and install the software. Garmin said several features are temporarily unavailable after installation. Diving functions are…
Google’s next-generation smartwatch is moving closer to launch after the Pixel Watch 5 appeared in filings with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), revealing several of its wireless capabilities ahead of the official announcement. The certification follows an earlier listing with India’s Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and provides a clearer picture of the connectivity features users can expect when the smartwatch debuts later this year. Four Models Certified The FCC documentation references four separate model numbers: G25QD G1XJ6 G0F3Y GFW3R Although Google has not confirmed the differences between them, the lineup is widely expected to mirror the current Pixel…
Zepp Health has begun rolling out a new software update for the Amazfit Active Max, introducing additional fitness modes and system improvements. The update, version 3.4.0.3, is approximately 15.01MB in size and is being distributed in phases to users. Once available, it can be installed through the Zepp mobile application connected to the smartwatch. Among the new additions is a dedicated Podcast app, a feature that recently appeared on the Amazfit T-Rex 3 as well. The update also introduces two new fitness activities: Hybrid Training and Rucking, a walking exercise performed while carrying a weighted backpack. The company has also…
Garmin has begun rolling out beta software version 21.32 for several of its premium smartwatches, including the Fenix 8, Enduro 3 and Tactix 8 models, with the update focusing on bug fixes and performance improvements. The update is currently available only to users enrolled in Garmin’s beta testing program and is being distributed to non-Pro versions of the Fenix 8 lineup. As with many beta releases, some functions are temporarily disabled during testing. Garmin said electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings are unavailable in this version, while diving and aviation features are also turned off. See also: Garmin Rolls Out Second Stable Update…
The Ford Mustang Mach‑E, introduced by Ford Motor in 2020, has become a steady presence in the electric vehicle market despite ongoing debate over its position within the automaker’s lineup and competition from rivals such as the Tesla Model Y. One owner in Santa Cruz, California, has taken the electric SUV far beyond typical driving levels. David Blenke said he has driven more than 316,000 miles (about 508,500 kilometers) in his Mach-E Premium with the extended-range battery since purchasing the vehicle in June 2022. Blenke operates a private car service in the Santa Cruz area and said the vehicle has…
Xiaomi has confirmed it will host a global launch event for its 17 series smartphones on Feb. 28 in Barcelona, just ahead of Mobile World Congress 2026. The company is promoting the event through a dedicated webpage featuring a countdown timer, a prize draw and purchase incentives tied to the upcoming devices. The launch is expected to introduce the global versions of the Xiaomi 17 and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, alongside a Leica-branded edition rumored to be marketed in Europe as the Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi. Xiaomi first unveiled the Xiaomi 17 lineup in China in September 2025, followed by…
Oura has secured a U.S. patent describing a method that could enable its smart ring to measure blood pressure continuously, moving beyond current efforts focused on assessing hypertension risk. The patent suggests the company is exploring ways to deliver precise systolic and diastolic readings rather than general trend indicators. The filing, submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Nov. 1, 2023, was granted on Feb. 17, 2026. It outlines a system that synchronizes data from multiple devices — including smart rings, smartphone cameras, smartwatches and other body-worn sensors — to calculate blood pressure values. See also: Oura…
Ayaneo has begun offering its Ayaneo Pocket Air Mini on Amazon in the United States, providing customers with a quicker delivery alternative at a slightly higher price than purchasing directly from the company’s website. The Android-based handheld was introduced in October 2025 as Ayaneo’s most affordable device in its lineup. Although it was initially scheduled to begin shipping in November, deliveries to backers and customers who pre-ordered through the official website were delayed until December. See also: Ayaneo Reveals Display Specifications for Pocket Play Gaming Smartphone With pre-orders now fulfilled, the device is listed on Amazon in two configurations. The…