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Consumer Reports: 5 Home Surveillance Cameras to Steer Clear Of

smart home surveillance devices if you believe your property may be vulnerable, or you’ve encountered unsettling tales of burglars and theft. Whatever the motivation, there are several security cameras available that you should steer clear of completely, according to the product evaluation experts at Consumer Reports (CR).

CR excels in assessing and ranking a wide variety of products, and has been doing this for many years. The utmost priority is peace of mind, which involves more than just the quality of a security camera’s footage; factors such as data protection, battery duration, and connectivity play significant roles as well. CR examines all these aspects and beyond, offering test outcomes and useful insights that are straightforward to comprehend.

Here are five home surveillance cameras that CR advises against, along with reasons why each product falls short.

SimpliSafe Wireless Outdoor Camera (SCM301)

The outside of a home or establishment is one of the most vital areas for a security camera, but we wouldn’t suggest employing the SimpliSafe SMC301 for critical monitoring. According to CR, the SCM301 received a low ranking for response time, meaning that even if it detects movement, you may experience delays in notifications and footage. CR specialists also critiqued the SCM301 for its average daytime video quality, which is a significant concern. During an emergency, it’s essential to have a camera that provides sharp visuals for capturing details such as license plate numbers and facial characteristics.

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China’s Cutting-Edge Domestic Robots: More Than Just Vacuuming

account for over 85% of the industry’s overall production and deployment, unlike the 13% operating within the United States. However, an even more striking or motivating point, if you prefer, is that these robots have significantly advanced in their capabilities over recent years. While occasional tumbles still occur, certainly, they are now performing dance routines flawlessly, preparing with military accuracy for border control tasks, and astonishingly, even those intelligent vacuum cleaners have progressed technologically, now able to ascend stairs and clean several levels.

On the other hand, the Unitree G1, the trending sensation from the latest Kung Fu clips, comes with a hefty price tag, reportedly costing around 85,000 yuan in China (approximately $12,300). This cost might be prohibitive for most households. Nonetheless, regardless of its expense, it’s hard to envision not encountering these in residences in the forthcoming decade, especially as prices become more feasible and functionalities expand further. Numerous robots originating from China will also be accessible in America.

China is leading the way, but the whole industry is making progress

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“Delving into the Highlights of Nothing’s Phone 4a: A Preview of the Newest Teaser Featuring Glyph Bar”

**I Can Somewhat Relate to What Nothing is Showcasing for Its Phone 4a**

Nothing has officially previewed its forthcoming Phone 4a series, offering fans a sneak peek at its polished design. The teaser, released on social media, emphasizes the Phone 4a’s visuals, which remain in line with its forerunner, the Phone 3a, while presenting a few significant alterations.

**Key Details:**
– Nothing has teased the Phone 4a on social media, presenting its design.
– The Phone 4a keeps a comparable appearance to the Phone 3a but adds a Glyph Bar next to the camera lenses.
– The Nothing Phone 4a series is scheduled to launch on March 5.

The teaser showcases the Phone 4a in a sleek white hue, preserving the brand’s signature look. The device incorporates a horizontal camera setup encased in a pill-shaped form, echoing the Phone 3a. However, the introduction of the Glyph Bar, arranged vertically adjacent to the lenses, signifies a noteworthy shift. This new feature is anticipated to improve the notification experience with its gradient LED illumination, changing from gray to white and culminating in a red square.

**Enhancements Are Found Elsewhere:**
While the design modifications are subtle, Nothing has indicated substantial advancements in other aspects. The Phone 4a series is expected to see upgrades in camera performance, display quality, and overall efficiency. These enhancements aim to deliver users a more powerful and effective device, even if the outward design remains recognizable.

**Android Central’s Perspective:**
The Phone 4a’s design resonates with Nothing’s aesthetic, providing a clean and sophisticated look. The addition of the Glyph Bar introduces a contemporary element, possibly acting as an innovative means to showcase notifications. Although the design may not be revolutionary, the expected internal upgrades could render the Phone 4a an appealing option for consumers.

In summary, Nothing’s Phone 4a series is poised to be a fascinating new entry into the market, merging familiar design traits with pioneering features. As the release date nears, enthusiasts eagerly anticipate further insights into what this new series will bring.

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"Delving into the Highlights of Nothing's Phone 4a: A Preview of the Newest Teaser Featuring Glyph Bar"
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Budget-Friendly Noise-Cancelling Earbuds Now $50 Off at Best Buy

JBL’s affordable Tune 245NC earbuds are marked down by nearly 50%.

(Image credit: JBL)

When you possess high-quality noise-cancelling technology, it becomes simpler to block out distractions while you’re on the move, although it can be tricky to locate in inexpensive earbuds. Fortunately, Best Buy is slashing $50 off the JBL Tune 245NC earbuds, bringing the price down to just $60, which is nearly half off.

The Tune 245NC represents one of the company’s budget-friendly earbud selections, yet they boast impressive ANC features consistent with JBL’s broader product range.

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iPadOS 26.4 Beta 2 Now Available for Users

# iPadOS 26.4 Beta 2: Latest Features and Changes

Apple has recently launched iPadOS 26.4 beta 2 for developers, available through the Software Update section in the Settings app. This update comes after the initial beta release and brings numerous new features and improvements for iPad users.

## New Features in iPadOS 26.4 Beta So Far

The first beta of iPadOS 26.4 introduced a range of enhancements and features, with beta 2 expected to enhance this groundwork. Although specific details about the new functionalities in beta 2 are still coming to light, here are some key aspects from the previous beta:

1. **New Emoji**: Code from the initial beta suggested that Apple intends to roll out new emoji characters as part of the 26.4 software update. Users can look forward to these emoji arriving in the latest beta.

2. **Improvements and Modifications**: As is typical with most beta releases, users can anticipate additional enhancements and tweaks to the operating system. Apple generally utilizes beta versions to test and refine features ahead of the final public version.

3. **Siri AI Enhancements**: Notably, there appear to be no indications of major improvements to Siri’s AI functionalities in this beta. Reports indicate that these upgrades might be saved for the forthcoming iOS and iPadOS 26.5 releases.

As the beta testing phase progresses, users are encouraged to share feedback regarding any alterations or new features they experience. The input from the community is crucial in refining the final release.

## Conclusion

The launch of iPadOS 26.4 beta 2 signifies another advancement in Apple’s continuous development of its iPad operating system. With new emoji and various enhancements, users can anticipate an improved experience. As always, Apple will keep gathering feedback from developers and users to guarantee optimal performance in the final version. Stay tuned for further updates as we explore more features of iPadOS 26.4.

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Apple Introduces Beta 2 for tvOS 26.4 and visionOS 26.4

Apple has recently launched beta 2 updates for a number of its operating systems, which include tvOS 26.4, visionOS 26.4, watchOS 26.4, and HomePod 26.4. This signifies the continuation of a new beta software cycle that the company has initiated. At the moment, these updates are available exclusively to developers, with public beta versions anticipated to follow soon.

The initial beta versions brought several notable changes across the various platforms. Particularly, tvOS 26.4 has officially eliminated the TV Shows and Movies iTunes apps from Apple TV, simplifying the user experience. Moreover, a new HDMI setting named ‘Continuous Audio Connection’ was introduced in the first beta, enhancing audio connectivity options for users.

In the area of visionOS 26.4, a fresh feature titled ‘foveated streaming’ has been activated, which aims to boost the performance of apps and games by optimizing rendering according to where the user is focusing. This feature is expected to elevate the overall experience for users of Apple’s visionOS devices.

Regarding watchOS 26.4, the modifications so far have been relatively minor, mainly consisting of adjustments to animations. Nonetheless, there is speculation that new features may be incorporated in future updates. For example, code found in iOS 26.4 beta 1 indicates that Apple intends to introduce new emoji to the system keyboard, which could possibly be featured in the forthcoming watchOS beta updates.

As developers delve into these new betas, feedback and findings about additional features or modifications are anticipated. Users are encouraged to share their discoveries in the comments, contributing to the community’s understanding of what these updates involve.

Overall, the beta 2 updates for tvOS 26.4, visionOS 26.4, and watchOS 26.4 reflect Apple’s continued dedication to improving its software offerings, with developers leading the way in testing and providing insights on these new features.

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iOS 26.4 Brings Back iOS 18 Aesthetics in a Pair of App Updates

### iOS 26.4 Beta 2: Reversion of Search Design to iOS 18 Format

The release of iOS 26.4 beta 2 for developers brings significant modifications to the search design in select apps, reverting to a look that echoes iOS 18. This update comes after the first beta launch, which had introduced some unanticipated design features in the App Store.

#### Modifications in Search Design

The initial beta of iOS 26.4 introduced two crucial changes to the search capability:

1. **Incorporation of the Search Button**: The search button has transitioned from being an independent element to being embedded within the tab bar.
2. **Relocation of the Search Bar**: The search bar has been shifted to the upper part of the screen.

These alterations signify a return to the design strategy observed in iOS 18, wherein the search function was a primary navigation tab and the search bar was reliably placed at the top of the display. In contrast, iOS 26 had previously differentiated the search button from the tab bar and positioned the search bar at the lower section.

Initially, the App Store was the sole application to implement this previous design in beta 1, sparking speculation that it might have been a glitch or a tactical adjustment to emphasize the App Store’s advertising areas. However, with the arrival of beta 2, these same design changes have also been adopted in the Apple Games app, affirming that this is a conscious design decision rather than a mistake.

#### Ongoing Status and Prospective Consequences

Currently, the App Store and the Games app are the exclusive applications exhibiting these design alterations. The transition back to the iOS 18 aesthetic may suggest that Apple is contemplating broadening this design style to more apps ahead of the formal public launch of iOS 26.4.

The community is urged to express their opinions on the placement of the search bar—whether at the bottom or the top of the screen—illustrating the continuous progression of user interface design within Apple’s ecosystem.

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