Technology News

Despite the podcast onslaught from Apple, Spotify, and others, the Overcast app remains one of the most popular places on iOS to gather and listen to all of your favorite content creators.

The functionality is great, and the support for one-man operation is a great way to tie it to the big companies like Spotify that want to monopolize access to the big podcasters.

Unfortunately, the design of Marco Arment’s app has so far resembled an old RSS feed rather than a state-of-the-art listening portal suitable for 2022.

That changes today with a major update to the app that adds some much-needed color and exuberance. There’s a new focus on playlists and podcast graphics within the “radically different” home screen and a more readable font (San Francisco Rounded). You will definitely notice the changes as soon as you open the updated app for the first time.

Functionality has been improved with drag-and-drop playlist reordering. There’s also a new Mark as Played feature, accessible as a tick or left swipe, as well as a way to see all starred episodes. It is also possible to create playlists for starred, downloaded and ongoing episodes.

“Playlists now have strong visual identities for prettier and easier navigation,” Arment writes on his blog. “Each playlist has a customizable color and a custom icon can be selected from over 3,000 SF icons to match the modern iOS theme and the other icons in Overcast.

“Recently played and newly released episodes can now be viewed on the home screen for quick access, similar to the widget and CarPlay experience. Podcasts can now be pinned to the top of the home screen list, and pinned podcasts can also be reordered manually using drag-and-drop.”

Arment says this is the first part of the big redesign he’s working on and next is the Now Playing screen.

If you face the wrong direction in a racing game, you may see the U-turn prompt on the screen. It seems that Sony is taking its own advice when launching Gran Turismo 7.

The company is responding to criticism of the price of the in-game cars – which the in-game credits make hard to get without spending real money – and is changing course to get back on track.

An upcoming update will give players one million free credits in the short term, while an upcoming update in April will increase rewards for some races. This makes it easier to earn credits to buy the cars by ripping it up on the track, not ripping the contents of their wallets.

Later, developer Polyphony Digital will also allow players to sell the cars they’ve bought for extra credits, something players have been asking for in recent weeks.

The company’s president, Kazunori Yamauchi, apologized to players for the recent patch, which had drawn a lot of criticism over the past few weeks.

In a post on PlayStation Blog, he wrote: “Thank you for your continued support and feedback on Gran Turismo 7, your voices have not gone unheard. I would like to apologize for the frustration and confusion caused by our patch updates last week, which not only resulted in a server outage, but also adjustments to the in-game economy that were made without a clear explanation for our community became.”

He explained that the initial change was designed to fix a bug that was causing World Circuit Events to pay out too many credits, but said that “it was necessary to restore the intended balance and provide more accurate rewards based on time spent and.” recalculate the reward system as a whole.”

The updates scheduled for April are as follows:

• Increase rewards by around 100% on average in events in the second half of the World Circuits.
• Added high rewards for completing Circuit experience in all Gold/All Bronze results.
• Increase in rewards in online races.
• Add a total of eight new hour-long endurance race events to the missions. These also have higher reward settings.
• Raised the cap on unpaid balances in player wallets from 20m Cr. up to 100 million cr.
• Increase the range of used and legendary cars at any time.

The rest is planned “in the short term”:

• Increase the payout value of limited-time rewards as we evolve as a live service.
• More World Circuit Event additions.
• Adding endurance races to missions, including 24 hour races.
• Adding online time trials and awarding rewards based on the player’s difference to the best time.
• Do it so cars can be sold.

The European Union could force Apple to open up iMessage to allow users of other messaging apps to send texts, media and make calls across platforms.

Agreement was reached in the European Parliament late Thursday night on the new Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to curb the power of the biggest tech companies to monopolize services.

As part of the crackdown on perceived anti-competitive behavior, the EU wants all major messaging platforms to become interoperable. That means you can send messages from iMessage to a WhatsApp user, or video call an iMessage user with a Signal user, or vice versa.

The idea is to give users more choices without restricting what apps they can use. So if you’ve been wanting to quit your iPhone but worried about leaving iMessage behind, this might help.

Or if you’ve been thinking about ditching all Facebook-owned messaging apps for good to rely on Signal, but are concerned that many of your friends aren’t there, then this might help.

“The Digital Markets Act ends the increasing dominance of big tech companies. From now on they have to show that they also allow fair competition on the Internet. The new rules will help enforce this fundamental principle. As a result, Europe ensures more competition, more innovation and more choice for users,” said Andreas Schwab of the European Parliament in a statement (via TechCrunch).

Trustworthy recording

What politicians, in their infinite wisdom, have decided can be a real minefield in terms of implementation. For example, there would be all sorts of formatting issues to deal with. Google is just figuring out how to handle iMessage “reactions” after years of displaying them as text strings. As you can imagine, if every messaging app became interoperable, this problem would be compounded tenfold.

Politicians also don’t seem to have thought about the implications of where those messages go. For example, iMessage users may not want to send and receive messages on Messenger. Where does this data go? Whose is this? Does Meta have access to it? There are more questions than answers right now, and the solution is potentially more problematic than the cure.

Personally, I’m as pro-European as they come, but the EU can leave my beloved iMessage exactly as it is, thank you very much.

Sony is preparing to announce its revamped PS5 subscription service, with the Xbox Game Pass rival potentially arriving next week, according to a report.

Bloomberg says the long-discussed Project Spartacus service, which would potentially be a vastly improved combination of the current PS Plus and PS Now services, is almost ready for prime time.

According to sources at well-informed gaming journalists Jason Schreier and Takashi Mochizuki, the service would launch with a “sparkling lineup of hit games from the last few years.”

The pair echoed Bloomberg’s previous coverage on the matter, which claimed the service will have different tiers available, at least one of which will provide access to an archive of PlayStation classics from the Vault.

Those hoping that the service will be more of a direct competitor to Game Pass by offering access to first-party games on day one will likely be disappointed.

God of War Ragnarok, for example, is not scheduled to be available as part of Sony’s offering, the report said. That’s a far cry from the way Xbox Game Studios has handled AAA titles like Forza Horizon 5 and Halo Infinite.

Today’s report brings no news on the pricing for the service and its various tiers, so watch closely next week when Sony decides to show its hand. However, the company needs to take a few steps to live up to what Xbox Game Pass is offering.

It’s also unclear if Sony will try to include games from third-party studios in the plan, or if it will strike a deal to include EA Play like Microsoft was able to with Xbox Game Pass.

So far, Sony hasn’t flagged the media for an event or live stream to debut the service, and given the anticipation for Project Spartacus, we’re expecting Sony to sing a song and dance about it.

Anyone looking to buy a new Samsung device may notice the Samsung Knox feature. But what is it and why is it important?

Samsung Knox has been around since 2013 and is Samsung’s own mobile security solution, found on almost every Galaxy device, including wearables, phones and tablets.

Some of the latest devices to feature Knox include the new Galaxy A33 5G and Galaxy A53 5G, as well as the infamous Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 3.

Samsung claims Knox provides a secure environment for corporate data and apps across all Galaxy devices, with protections for business and personal privacy in one device, meaning users don’t have to invest in third-party security.

Knox actually refers to the underlying technology that comes factory installed on the hardware of the latest Galaxy phones, tablets and smartwatches. The company has said it plans to expand Knox to other Samsung consumer electronics and Internet of Things (IoT) devices in the future, although it’s not yet clear when.

As a platform, Knox is completely free, with Samsung actually encouraging its users to use the free Secure Folder feature, which takes advantage of the later-added protection that Knox provides.

Those looking for more security also have the option to look at the range of consumer and business-based solutions that Samsung offers at an additional cost, although these are optional add-ons.

According to Samsung, all data accessed by Knox is securely encrypted by default using government-certified encryption modules.

Any device containing this hardware is designed to block tampering attempts and protect the consumer from attacks during boot-up, runtime, or even when the device is powered off.

However, it is important to note that despite what it is capable of, Knox is neither antivirus software nor a program, but a platform built of overlapping defense and security measures that help prevent intrusion .

Those who work with particularly sensitive data could invest in a VPN; Check out our recommended VPN services by clicking the link beforehand.

If you want to use Samsung Knox on your Galaxy device, you can click the Knox icon to automatically switch between modes, allowing you to navigate between your own encrypted content without having to restart or slow down your device.

The latest version of Samsung Knox is 3.8 and it will automatically update to the latest version whenever you update your device which means you should always make sure you are up to date with your phone’s updates.

Welcome to another edition of Trusted Recommends, where we round up the top-scoring technology over the past seven days.

This week a Samsung TV got full marks with its latest Neo QLED Mini LED set, while there were a range of smartphones from Apple, Realme and Xiaomi that got 4 stars and impressive performances from an Epson printer and a Netgear -Router scored.

All the products in this article have been tested by the team to take an in-depth look at their performance and how they compare to other products available on the market.

Huawei Watch GT Runner

While Huawei’s position in the smartphone market remains uncertain, they are making positive forays into the smartwatch market. The GT Runner has a screen that’s colorful and bright during the day and offers a solid fitness tracker too. Better app support and more intelligence would have ranked this watch higher.

Trusted rating: 4/5 stars

Panasonic SC-PMX802

A micro system that plays CDs, streams music and even supports DAB radio, this Panasonic is a small system that can do a lot. Its performance entertains with a wide range of music genres, although you’ll be fairly dependent on using the included speakers for compatibility reasons. While it supports Hi-Res audio, it omits a few features that would give it even more credibility among audiophiles.

Trusted rating: 4/5 stars

Kirby and the forgotten land

In The Forgotten Land, Kirby leaps from a 2D platformer to a 3D world with entertaining results. With its simple story and inventive puzzles, it’s aimed at kids, main missions will be a breeze for more experienced (ie older) players, and it’s not as ambitious as some of Nintendo’s 3D Mario titles, but it’s a thoroughly enjoyable one and charming adventure.

Trusted rating: 4/5 stars

Alienware x15 R1

Like many gaming laptops, this Alienware doesn’t come cheap, but the x15 R1 is very fast, looks very good, and is very well built. The display is market-leading and the keyboard offers fast and crisp presses. It’s one of the best gaming laptops available right now.

Trusted rating: 4/5 stars

iPhone SE 2022

Apple’s cheapest 5G handset features some of the same tech as the larger and pricier iPhone 13 Pro, but the performance doesn’t quite translate to the iPhone SE 2022’s compact dimensions, with an arguably undersized screen and design that allows for it do starts to look outdated. An ambitious phone, successful in one way and a missed opportunity in another.

Trusted rating: 4/5 stars

Xiaomi 12

This smartphone from Xiaomi is compact but equipped with its fast Snapdragon processor and a beautiful screen at an unbeatable price with flagship interiors. Battery life will get you (barely) through the day, multitasking performance is excellent and the camera performs well in a variety of conditions. If you want a decently sized phone with flagship performance, the Xiaomi delivers.

Trusted rating: 4/5 stars

Empire GT2

The GT2 is Realme’s latest Android smartphone and features a 6-inch AMOLED display with HDR10+ support, a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of up to 1300 nits. There’s a lot to like about this accomplished phone, although with a few more features (like a zoom lens) it would have gotten a higher and higher rating.

Trusted rating: 4/5 stars

Mark Levinson #5909

If you thought the AirPods Max were expensive, these headphones from high-end brand Mark Levinson will make your eyes water. The No. 5909 costs £999 but feels worthy of that price tag thanks to its superb build quality and satisfyingly nuanced performance. Its ANC is good, but not necessarily better than some half-price headphones. However, if you are someone with large cash reserves, the #5909 is certainly worth a hearing.

Trusted rating: 4.5/5 stars

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Everyone’s favorite animal-hunting game (ahem) is back, and Arceus gives the franchise a refresh of sorts. It features tons of innovation and a massive storyline with optional battles and plenty of side quests. Though the graphics are a little bland, there’s plenty for Nintendo Switch and avid Pokémon fans to enjoy.

Trusted rating: 4.5/5 stars

Duracell Rechargeable AA 2500mAh

Like the bunny pictured on its packaging, this Duracell battery can keep up for a while, offering up to 400 charges. If you are looking for high capacity batteries, they offer consistent performance and plenty of power. You are a good choice.

Trusted rating: 4.5/5 stars

Project Automat A1

The Automat A1 is Pro-Ject’s first automatic turntable, which means that the listener needs little assistance to get the records going. With plug-and-play convenience and engaging sound, this is a turntable to keep an eye on as Record Day kicks off in April.

Trusted rating: 4.5/5 stars

Eufy SoloCam S40

A hassle-free outdoor camera that’s self-charging thanks to its built-in solar panel, the SoloCam S40 does all the basics with great video quality, whether it’s day or night. There’s no subscription option for cloud storage, nor much control over when it’s recorded. However, if you need a low-maintenance camera with no subscription costs, take a closer look at this Eufy camera.

Trusted rating: 4.5/5 stars

Epson Eco Tank ET-1810

On the surface, the Epson looks like any other printer, but as the ‘Eco’ nickname suggests, this one uses refillable ink tanks. While it lacks the ability to copy, scan, or fax, the EcoTank makes a lot of (financial) sense if you’re someone who prints frequently and wants to save money on buying ink.

Trusted rating: 4.5/5 stars

NETGEAR Orbi 5G Tri-Band WiFi 6 Mesh System (NBK752)

This Netgear mesh system has a model name that’s long and difficult to pronounce, but thankfully it delivers on the performance front by offering excellent wireless coverage in a home. With support for 5G networks and reliably fast network speeds, this brings the best of cellular and Wi-Fi networking into one package.

Trusted rating: 4.5/5 stars

Samsung QE65QN95B

Samsung’s first TV of 2022 arrives in the QN95B Mini-LED and it’s a blinder. This builds on last year’s spectacular HDR picture quality, OLED-like black levels and minimalist design. Aside from the intelligent system, which seems to have taken a step back from previous iterations, there are few things to indicate holes apart from the rather expensive £3499 price tag.

Trusted rating: 5 stars

Available for pre-order now from Samsung

It might seem strange having to clean a dishwasher as it cleans everything every time you use it, but regular maintenance and cleaning will help keep it in tip-top condition.

Here’s everything you need to know about cleaning a dishwasher, both for the regular tasks and the less common options.

What we used

These tips work with all built-in and freestanding dishwashers. You don’t need anything special, but a dishwasher cleaner can be a useful tool.

The short version

• Wipe down the sides and controls
• Use limescale remover for stubborn stains
• Clean the filter
• Use a dishwasher cleaner
• Make sure you use salt and rinse aid

frequently asked Questions

What does dishwasher cleaner do?

Dishwasher cleaner removes grease and limescale from your dishwasher. This keeps the inside clean and fresh and the spray arms work optimally.

Like most modern web browsers, Google Chrome has a private “incognito” browsing mode that does not store cookies or the history of your browsing sessions. But how much privacy does it really offer?

What does incognito mode do?

When you open a new incognito window from the Chrome menu, the browser opens a dedicated Chrome session, separate from any you may already have open. It’s a blank slate, without your usual browsing history or linked accounts, and all temporary data about what you’ve been viewing during the session will be erased from your PC when you close all windows in incognito mode.

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Unlike a standard Chrome session, Incognito mode takes the following measures to protect your privacy:

• Does not store visited websites or search strings in your browsing history.
• Doesn’t automatically sign you into any of your Google or Chrome user accounts.
• Caching (temporarily storing) images and other media content in RAM instead of on your hard drive.
• Blocks third-party cookies by default – this feature is optional and can be disabled.
• Discards all cookies that are saved when you close all currently open windows in incognito mode.
• Does not save any data you have entered into a web form.

What is incognito mode for?

While Incognito mode doesn’t offer cast-iron privacy, it leaves minimal traces of what you’ve read on whatever device you’re using. This makes it ideal for looking up anything you’d rather not accidentally share with other users of this device.
This can be anything from gift shopping to checking health conditions or searching for media that would not be appropriate for other household members. Sharing a device is a useful way to keep your most personal online forays to yourself.

Incognito mode won’t hide everything

Google Chrome’s incognito mode is great if you don’t want to store information about your browsing activity on the device you’re browsing, but it’s not an online invisibility shield. Here’s what incognito mode can’t do:

• It will not erase any data you intentionally saved to your local hard drive during your incognito browsing session.
• It will not hide your IP address. The numeric IPv4 or alphanumeric IPv6 address identifying your connection to the wider Internet is not hidden. Use a VPN or web proxy if you need to hide this.
• It does not prevent websites from locating you based on IP address and displaying content tailored to that location.
• It will not prevent your traffic from being monitored at the ISP or local network level if this is already happening.
• It does not prevent a signed-in Google account from saving your searches to its online record of your browsing history, which may later appear in your local browser. If you want to keep Google out of your business in incognito mode, don’t log into your account!
• When you log into your account in incognito mode on a website like Facebook or Amazon, Chrome doesn’t record a history of what you interacted with there or what you bought there, but rather the website you use, i.e. posts , purchases and the fact that you are connected are probably stored somewhere.
• Chrome sessions that are already open are not switched to incognito mode.
• Finally, if you allow Chrome extensions to work in incognito mode, they may not meet the same privacy standards as your browser and may store some information about your browsing if they normally do.
• Bookmarks you save in Incognito mode will still be there the next time you access them. This can be useful, but could compromise your privacy if someone else is also using Incognito mode on the same Chrome install.

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Incognito mode may not be available for managed Chrome installs, e.g. B. for those managed remotely from a school or workplace.