Uncategorized – Luckyquesting https://luckyquesting.com/ Tue, 13 Aug 2024 11:34:31 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.1 The Galaxy Buds 3 Pros are great Android/Windows earbuds https://luckyquesting.com/the-galaxy-buds-3-pros-are-great-android-windows-earbuds/ https://luckyquesting.com/the-galaxy-buds-3-pros-are-great-android-windows-earbuds/#respond Tue, 13 Aug 2024 11:34:31 +0000 https://luckyquesting.com/?p=72409

Samsung’s latest Galaxy Buds 3 Pro continue the company’s many-year streak of making great earbuds with a comfortable design, great sound quality, and solid battery life. You can argue that the design copies Apple’s AirPods, but it brings welcome improvement to the buds’ microphones and touch controls that are worth the trade-off.

I’d also argue that the silver model I tested did enough to stand out with their angular design, metallic sheen and cool light blades. The blades, while fairly useless in practice, even give the white models a sharp design when in your ears. The case makes you twist the earbuds a little awkwardly to place them inside, but beyond that, it’s a solid design, and the clear lid is a nice touch. I also like the small pops of colour that tell you which earbud goes in which charging port.

Overall, I actually really like the look of these buds in silver and I hope that Samsung sticks with it for at least a few more generations. It’s simple, looks good in the ear, and, more importantly, helps the buds feel more premium than plastic earbuds should feel.

In my testing, the buds easily lasted somewhere between the quoted 5-6 hour mark, depending on how much active noise cancelling (ANC) I was using. The case adds another roughly 20 hours or so, meaning these buds can easily go for days. You can charge the buds quickly with a USB-C port, or you can use a wireless charger for a slightly slower top-up.

Samsung also added adaptive noise-cancelling, which is decently powerful and seemed to do a decent job at modulating loud sounds as I moved around the city. The regular ANC is also fine and will block out a majority of noise, but it’s not the best I’ve heard, with OnePlus, Apple and Google offering more solid options if you want to block out all sounds. I haven’t tested them, but I have heard great things about the ANC on Bose’s earbuds as well. That being said, at the end of the day, once you have some audio going, the ANC does a really good job of isolating you.

In addition, the actual sound quality these buds deliver is tremendous, and once again, Samsung proves that buying Harman a few years ago was well worth it. Plus, being able to control them with the easier-to-use controls on the stems makes for a really pleasing listening experience compared to older models.

I am a bit disappointed that Samsung decided not to put in a universal form of multipoint connection. Still, I’m happy that it at least supports fast pairing systems for Windows and Android, so it is relatively easy to connect to and reconnect to devices as you move throughout your day. If you use a Windows computer with Bluetooth earbuds often, this feature alone should make connecting them much easier. You can still use Samsung’s Auto Switch feature to move the buds between Samsung wearables, phones and tablets, but it doesn’t include most laptops, which is one of the main devices people usually connect headphones to.

If you want to order Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, you can now, but I would wait a little bit to see if Samsung announces a fix for its earbud tips, which many users have reported are very easy to break. (Note: before this was published, Samsung started shipping out the Buds 3 Pro again, suggesting the quality issues have been addressed.) I didn’t break mine during my test, but I can see how people have. You need to use a lot of force to remove the tips.

If you don’t make a lot of calls with your buds, you can also get Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, which are cheaper and also offer superb audio quality. I’m also a fan of the standard Galaxy Buds 3 if you don’t really care about ANC.

At the end of my week of testing these buds, I can’t say they’ve left much of an impression on me. They look cool and feature good microphones and decent ANC, but since they’re $329 in Canada, I think many Canadians will be able to get comparable buds for less. It’s also worth remembering that Samsung earbuds often get pretty good discounts a few times per year.

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Union wins injunction against Telus’ return-to-office mandate https://luckyquesting.com/union-wins-injunction-against-telus-return-to-office-mandate/ https://luckyquesting.com/union-wins-injunction-against-telus-return-to-office-mandate/#respond Tue, 13 Aug 2024 11:31:09 +0000 https://luckyquesting.com/?p=72406

The B.C. Supreme Court granted a temporary injunction against Telus’ return-to-office mandate that would have forced some Ontario workers to relocate or lose their jobs.

The United Steelworkers union (USW) applied for the injunction on July 31st, and it was granted on August 8th. The injunction temporarily suspends Telus’  mandate, giving the union time to pursue worker relief through adjudication before an arbitrator.

The injunction will last for two months after an arbitrator is chosen, but it can be extended by agreement or another court order.

News broke about Telus’ return-to-office mandate in mid-July. The company’s new policy required workers to return to the office for three days per week. However, Telus shuttered a call centre based in Barrie, Ontario, leaving employees who had worked there stranded without an office.

Because of the return-to-office mandate, Telus gave those Ontario employees three options: relocate to Montreal, find other employment with Telus that will allow them to stay in the area, or be laid off with a compensation package. Additionally, Telus said employees who chose to relocate would receive financial support, while the various separation packages would include 18 months of wages and possible bonuses based on seniority.

According to the USW, the employees had a work-from-home model since 2020 and received little notice from Telus about the return-to-office change. The union also pointed out that Telus could easily have an Ontario office for the workers but is choosing not to.

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Shoresy Season 4 coming to Crave in winter 2025 https://luckyquesting.com/shoresy-season-4-coming-to-crave-in-winter-2025/ https://luckyquesting.com/shoresy-season-4-coming-to-crave-in-winter-2025/#respond Tue, 13 Aug 2024 11:27:56 +0000 https://luckyquesting.com/?p=72403

The fourth season of Shoresy will begin streaming on Crave in winter 2025.

Bell confirmed the premiere window alongside confirmation that the new season is now in production in Sudbury, Ontario. Season 3 premiered on Crave in May. Created by Listowel, Ontario’s Jared Keeso, the Letterkenny spin-off follows the misadventures of the titular foul-mouthed veteran hockey player (Keeso) and his team, the Sudbury Bulldogs.

Bell has also teased several Season 4 guest stars, including TSN hockey reporter Kenzie Lalonde; TSN reporter and Olympic gold medalist Tessa Bonhomme; Meghan Chayka, co-founder of Stathletes and former NHLers Doug Gilmour, Marty McSorley, and Sean Avery.

Ahead of the fourth season, cast members will also take part in the ‘Shoresy Fall Classic,’ a competition against a lineup of Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni on November 17th at Toronto’s Mattamy Athletic Centre. Partial proceeds will benefit MLSE Launch Pad.

The first three seasons are now streaming on Crave. All 12 seasons of Letterkenny are also available on the service.

Image credit: Crave

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Ancient Fruit in Stardew Valley: A Comprehensive Guide for Farmers  https://luckyquesting.com/ancient-fruit-in-stardew-valley-a-comprehensive-guide-for-farmers/ https://luckyquesting.com/ancient-fruit-in-stardew-valley-a-comprehensive-guide-for-farmers/#respond Tue, 13 Aug 2024 11:24:44 +0000 https://luckyquesting.com/?p=72400

In the pixelated world of Stardew Valley, where crops reign supreme and farmers strive for prosperity, one particular fruit holds a special place of honor: the Ancient Fruit. This crop, being very rare and precious, is much wanted by players. This is because of its high-earning prospects and special features.

This article will focus on everything you should know about the Ancient Fruit in Stardew Valley, from getting the seeds to getting the most out of them.

 

Introduction to Ancient Fruit

The Ancient Fruit is a rarity; it is the only blue fruit that requires as long as an entire season to fully ripen. While it takes comparatively long to develop, it is worth much more than simple crops. This is why it is so valuable. Many players desire it.

With proper knowledge and strategy, farmers can draw the strength of Ancient Fruit. This will help them increase their income and make their farming business level up.

 

Acquiring Ancient Fruit Seeds

Stardew Valley - Gameplay1

The road to Ancient Fruit starts by getting Ancient Seeds that give this fruit life. There are several methods to obtain Ancient Seeds in Stardew Valley:

The Traveling Merchant: As you will be moving along the north end of the Cindersap Forest, remember to look for The Traveling Merchant who comes around every Friday and Sunday. Ranging from 100g to 1000g, the merchant might add a pack of Ancient Seeds as part of their inventory.
Donating the Ancient Seed Artifact: Pursue the giant terrain of Stardew Valley to get the Ancient Seed artifact. Should you find one, donate it to the Museum and you will receive a package of Ancient Seeds and the recipe for cultivating more.
Seed Maker: The Seed Maker can be used for all of the processing of crops and with a chance to collect Ancient Fruit Seeds. Even though most crops usually produce seeds similar to the input, there is a small chance of receiving Ancient Fruit Seeds. This makes the process fruit some.

 

Cultivating Ancient Fruit

Stardew Valley - Gameplay2

After owning the Ancient Fruit Seed, it is time to start the journey to cultivation. Don’t put the seeds of the crop in the ground during the wintertime, because Ancient Fruit needs a good climate. You can do this during any other season.

Please be patient, because it will require nearly 28 days for the seeds to reach full maturity and develop into plants. Nevertheless, it would be worthwhile since it is one of the most profitable crops. As soon as the Ancient Fruit plant matures it will continue to bear fruit every week. An experienced farmer could make a steady living out of it.

For those who want to continue cultivation throughout year-round, use the greenhouse. Here the climate remains ideal, no matter the season. Using the seeds of ancient fruits for the greenhouse gives farmers a continuous harvest. In the long run, it also encourages them to boost their crop output for better economic gain.

 

Maximizing the Value of The Ancient Fruit

Stardew Valley - Gameplay3

Ancient Fruit holds a significant value. Both as a raw item as well as when processed into various products. Here are some ways to maximize the value of Ancient Fruit:

Selling Raw Fruit: Antique Fruit proves to be a sizable profit, the price depending on the quality. Whether it be for normal, silver, gold, or iridium quality, Ancient Fruit farmers can expect significant profits.
Processing into Wine or Jam: However, the Value of Ancient Fruit can also be improved by processing into the Wine or Jam. The processed Ancient Fruit products are brought higher prices and can also be further aged in the casks to increase their quality
Completing Bundles: donate the Ancient Fruit to fulfill specific Community Center bundles. In return, you will get access to the Movie Theatre or new locations.
Crafting Genie Pants: Get creative by combining Ancient Fruit with cloth at a sewing machine to form dyeable Genie Pants. This adds some flair to the whole ensemble of your character’s clothes. It can also be used as a blue dye in tailoring.

 

Q&A:

1. What is Ancient Fruit in Stardew Valley?

Ans: Ancient fruit is one of the most valuable produce in Stardew Valley, as it pays the highest and has a relatively long harvest start. It is a particular kind of seed that as long as they are nurtured, they grow into plants that produce Ancient Fruit which can be sold for profit.

2. How do I get Ancient Fruit seeds?

Ans: Stardew Valley provides the players with multiple ways to get the ancestors’ seeds. One of the easiest ways to earn them is to get them as a reward for completing specific tasks or quests. Be on the lookout for a chance to obtain Ancient Fruit seeds as a reward for getting a job well done on the farm.

3. Can I grow the Ancient Fruit on the Nintendo Switch version?

Ans: Yes, these Fruits can be cultivated and grown on every platform publishing Stardew Valley, including the Nintendo Switch. Regardless of whether you play on a PC, console, or mobile, you can have fun growing the Ancient Fruit tree on your farm.

4. Is there any special event or location related to the Ancient Fuirt?

Ans: Yes, during the Winter season, adventurers can check out the Night Market to meet with sellers who probably have Ancient Fruit seeds or other Ancient Fruit items for them. Don’t miss this occasion to add Ancient Fruit seeds and other worthwhile items to your farm.

5. Does the Artisan profession have any advantages in the Ancient Fruit farming?

Ans: The Artisan occupation gives more value to the artisan goods, like the wine made from the Ancient Fruits. Thus, the farmers can earn an even higher fortune by harvesting their crops.

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T-Mobile Pixel 9 Pro Prices Leak: Starting at $999.99 https://luckyquesting.com/t-mobile-pixel-9-pro-prices-leak-starting-at-999-99/ https://luckyquesting.com/t-mobile-pixel-9-pro-prices-leak-starting-at-999-99/#respond Tue, 13 Aug 2024 11:21:58 +0000 https://luckyquesting.com/?p=72397

We are less than a week away from Google telling us all there is to tell about the Pixel 9 series and its 4 different phones. But since this is the lead-up to a Google launch, the leaks can’t help themselves and simply have to keep showing up. The latest is a slip-up originating from T-Mobile, who apparently loaded some listings onto their site, which Google grabbed and proudly presented to at least one reddit user.

Want to know how much you’ll pay for a Pixel 9 Pro or the larger Pixel 9 Pro XL? We certainly now know where those prices will start.

Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL Prices: According to a screenshot shared to reddit that shows listings for the Pixel 9 Pro family, the Pixel 9 Pro will start at $999.99 at T-Mobile. The Pixel 9 Pro Xl will start $200 higher at $1,199.99.

My first reaction is to compare these prices to the Pixel 8 Pro, which only comes in a single, large model. Google priced the Pixel 8 Pro with 128GB storage at $999. Since we know that the Pixel 9 Pro comes in regular and XL sizes, this shows Google pricing the smaller version at $999. We expect the smaller model to be the size of the Pixel 8, although all leaks suggest it is just a smaller Pro, without any spec cuts.

I should point out that earlier leaks suggest 128GB storage, so there’s always a chance $1,199 isn’t the true starting point for the Pixel 9 Pro XL. It could be lower.

Is a bigger screen worth that extra $200 then? That’s up to you to decide, but it’s clear (assuming T-Mobile is correct with these) that Google sees an Apple-like opportunity to squeeze some extra cash from those who like bigger phones.

On a related note, T-Mobile loaded these pages to show the 256GB and 512GB models of the Pixel 9 Pro XL at the same $1,199.99 price. I hate to dive into that too much, because these are early carrier listings that Google scraped, but could we see Google run a promotion like Samsung where they give you a free storage upgrade at launch? That would be lovely. Please do that, Google.

You ready to pay $1,200 for the Pixel 9 Pro XL? Is $1,000 too high for the small model?

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2025’s iPhone SE expected to support Apple Intelligence https://luckyquesting.com/2025s-iphone-se-expected-to-support-apple-intelligence/ https://luckyquesting.com/2025s-iphone-se-expected-to-support-apple-intelligence/#respond Tue, 13 Aug 2024 11:19:21 +0000 https://luckyquesting.com/?p=72394

Apple may have started small with the rollout of Apple Intelligence, but it seems that by midway through 2025, at least six iPhones will support it.

A new report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claims that the next iPhone SE will be the most modern version of the lower-cost Apple phone yet. Gurman says it will be based on the chassis design of the iPhone 14 and might even have an OLED display. The iPhone 14 chassis is a smart improvement since its redesign made it more repairable, a great upgrade for a mid-tier phone. Beyond that, it also has a larger 6.1-inch screen and a bigger battery than the older SE, which are nice improvements for anyone with the tiny SE 3 from 2020.

What is more unexpected from the next iPhone SE is Apple Intelligence. So far, it’s only on the iPhone 15 Pro series, and people assume that it has something to do with the extra RAM the 15 Pro has compared to all other iPhones. Every iPhone 16 should also come with 8GB of RAM and a new chip supporting Apple’s AI. We’re expecting this chip to be called the A18 or A18 Pro.

This means the iPhone 15 Pro chipset (A17 Pro) will be two years old in 2025, making it the perfect piece of silicon to inject into the iPhone SE. Not only does it support Apple Intelligence, but it should also support Apple’s high-end mobile gaming ambitions. This means that by mid-2025, there’s a huge chance that Apple’s leading lineup of phones will all support Apple Intelligence and console-level gaming, ideally accelerating the adoption of both.

Other 2025 iPhone SE rumours suggest a single camera lens, FaceID and it is likely to be the final iPhone with an alert slider. iPhone 16 leaks suggest that all of the iPhone 16 series will feature the same Action Button as the iPhone 15 Pro.

Distributed also on: Bloomberg

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AppHub Requests Are Processing: How to Fix It https://luckyquesting.com/apphub-requests-are-processing-how-to-fix-it/ https://luckyquesting.com/apphub-requests-are-processing-how-to-fix-it/#respond Tue, 13 Aug 2024 11:15:59 +0000 https://luckyquesting.com/?p=72391

AppHub is the exact platform that helps distribute, manage, and handle software applications or apps. Developers have these applications on their devices, where they can be developed and deployed by having a centralized location. Some Samsung users are informed with notification signals by CarrierHub and AppHub which seems to be an annoying element to most users.

This application tremendously simplifies the task of mobile companies to make software updates to their devices at their will and also has the power to track them if necessary. It does the same job as a file manager, but is the only official installer for the App Store and can organize files and categorize them.

Virtually, everyone thinks that MCM is required to monitor your data, however it is not involved in doing so. It does not get linked to your phone; instead, it uses your Android phone to supply regular updates so that your device is protected. It is okay for you to forget to turn off the notification because it does not harm the device, however, to some people, this could be disturbing.

If you are one of those who are having these kinds of problems, here are some fixes that will help you troubleshoot the Apphub processing requests error.

 

Be Patient for a While

The app runs in the background, not visible on your phone, and the message is sent silently without popping onto the screen. The alert may stay for a while, and it may go away after the course of the learning program is over. If your plan is not successful, attempt to do the next step.

 

Go to the System Control Panel and Check Whether or Not You Are Connected to the Internet

internet connection

If your device has an unstable or slow internet connection, this issue will be encountered by you. In this regard, check whether you are having an uninterrupted wi-fi or data connection flow or not. Of course, make sure you monitor the usage of WiFi or cellular data to make sure that you are not running low on it.

 

Restart Your Computer

Restart your Computer

Turning off and turning on the device will sometimes fix the cases wherein the request pops up! It may seem easy, but it’s quite an effective method for fixing problems that can cause the request notification to appear.

Wherever it goes, it’s always better to give your device a fresh start so that you can clean up the temporary files, reset system processes, and refresh your memory simultaneously. So switch off your device in device settings or restart it and see if the issue persists.

 

Clear Caches and Data Storage

Sometimes the issue is caused by storage settings corrupted or app cache data buildup on the apps. So, solving the problem requires deleting the cache and data. The issue, according to the given statement, is associated with corrupted or wrong data. You can follow these steps to clear your cache and storage.

Choose Settings from the icon on your Android device.
Then choose Apps out of the menu.
From the list of the installed applications you should choose the “Carrier Hub.”
Click “Clear Cache”.
Go for the “Clear Storage” or “Clear Data” option.
To go back to your previous Settings menu, just press the Main Settings button.

The alternative is to locate the “Carrier Hub-apps-manager” icon and stop the app’s work by tapping the “Force Stop” button.

 

Upgrade the App

Observe the error and if the app is misbehaving make sure you keep all apps up to date to provide for optimum performance of the app and error-fixing. Besides, we would like you to be certain that Carrier Hub does not have an outdated version which is perhaps the ground for the problem of copying the “Apphub requests are being processed” notification. It could be checking for updates on the carrier hub app or Google Play Store app might resolve the difficulty.

 

Disable Notification on Carrier Hub

Disable Notification

In case Carrier Hub on your device keeps giving you problems, the simplest solution may be to turn off constant notifications so the alerts won’t be displayed on your device. To accomplish this and turn off the pop-ups, follow the steps given below.

On your device, open Settings, tap on Notifications, and then turn off Notifications of Carrier Hub or you can choose the option to mute notifications. The processing requests will be shown no more and you will mostly be sorted by now on Samsung phones or other mobiles or your PC.

 

Factory Reset Your Device

Factory Reset Your Device

 

After all you have done if it still does not function properly, the factory reset might be a last resort that might help. This can also be achieved on your system if you open the ‘PowerShell’ window, or go to adb devices, and provide it with the necessary adb commands to uninstall the app altogether. But beware, doing the reset will remove all your data from the machine, so ensure that you have a safe place before you proceed with the reset.

These are the troubleshooting steps that will help you easily get rid of the carrier hub’s processing requests notification and mcm client requests popping up in the top-right corner or any blank area. There are other minor elements that you might want to check if the issue persists, like USB cable connection, sprint network, or T-mobile SIM issues.

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Samsung Galaxy S23 and S24 Receive August Updates, Both Minor https://luckyquesting.com/samsung-galaxy-s23-and-s24-receive-august-updates-both-minor/ https://luckyquesting.com/samsung-galaxy-s23-and-s24-receive-august-updates-both-minor/#respond Tue, 13 Aug 2024 11:12:36 +0000 https://luckyquesting.com/?p=72389

Google isn’t the only phonemaker released updates to kick off a new month. Samsung is pushing August updates to the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S24 series only days after the Pixel line was blessed.

In this Samsung August update, neither phone series is getting anything special. As far as we can tell from changelogs, these are simply security patches for the month of August. We know that Samsung is working towards an eventual One UI 7 update with Android 15, but for now, we’re seeing bug fixes. There’s also supposed to be a One UI 6.1.1 update at any moment, even if this isn’t it.

For the Galaxy S24 series, be on the lookout for builds S928USQS3AXFJ (S24 Ultra), S926USQS3AXFJ (S24+), and S921USQS3AXFJ (S24). For the Galaxy S23 series, you should see builds of S918USQS4CXG8 (S23 Ultra), S916USQS4CXG8 (S23+), and S911USQS4CXG8 (S23).

Verizon says in release notes that this update “provides the most up to date Android security patches on your device,” while Samsung suggests “The device is protected with improved security” from it. Nice.

To check for Samsung updates, head into Settings>Software update>Download and install.

// Verizon | Samsung

Cheers TC!

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X (Twitter) now lets you sort replies following annoying blue check preference https://luckyquesting.com/x-twitter-now-lets-you-sort-replies-following-annoying-blue-check-preference/ https://luckyquesting.com/x-twitter-now-lets-you-sort-replies-following-annoying-blue-check-preference/#respond Tue, 13 Aug 2024 11:09:06 +0000 https://luckyquesting.com/?p=72386

X (Twitter) now allows you to sort replies to a post using a few different filters. In recent months, the platform has first displayed comments from those who have either paid for — or were gifted — the now meaningless blue ‘Verified’ checkmark.

The new replies sorting feature is available on X across all platforms. Interestingly, though, the naming scheme is slightly different on iOS and Mac versus Android. See below for the three filters:

Most relevant replies (iOS/Mac) or Trending (Android)
Most recent replies (all platforms)
Most liked replies (all platforms)

rolling out now: sort replies on any post by most relevant, recent, or liked pic.twitter.com/bBjaRliUxZ

— X (@X) August 9, 2024

It should be noted that X didn’t clarify how it’s deciding what is “most relevant,” which is, of course, a more subjective qualifier versus “most recent” and “most liked.” Hopefully, though, this will at least help cut through at least some of the noise from Elon Musk’s weird checkmark loving fans.

Image credit: X

Via: Engadget

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A Tech Dilemma: When You Love Apple but Are Not Satisfied with Its Products https://luckyquesting.com/a-tech-dilemma-when-you-love-apple-but-are-not-satisfied-with-its-products/ https://luckyquesting.com/a-tech-dilemma-when-you-love-apple-but-are-not-satisfied-with-its-products/#respond Tue, 13 Aug 2024 11:05:17 +0000 https://luckyquesting.com/?p=72383

We have only a few months until September which has been officially booked by Apple to launch its iconic products, led by the iPhone lineup. I think if you are even a little bit interested in technology, you must already notice the buzz all over the internet and social media, filled with people’s predictions, guesses, early “confirmations” about Apple plans and leaks, a lot of leaks, from software updates to hardware wireframes. Yes, we love Apple but does it really love us back with such determination?

Okay, the figurative speech aside, there is a big group of people who don’t feel satisfied with what Apple does. Don’t get this wrong, they are still ready to pay more than a thousand dollars for a new iPhone, but the innovation they expect is coming very slowly, at least compared to Samsung, Apple’s biggest rival, which has already introduced its AI capabilities.

It’s important to consider the truth that Apple is not trying to impress with innovations but with safe and intuitive products, which require time to implement and then only pass to the customer. Meanwhile, someone is sitting in front of their Macbook and trying to play the latest game but gets more and more convinced that other PCs may perform way too well, for instance. So, let’s start with this part.

Let’s be real – Apple products excel in many areas, but hardcore gaming performance just isn’t one of their strong suits. I’m an Apple super-fan who loves their signature premium design and intuitive user experiences. But when it comes to running demanding game titles, even Apple’s top-tier hardware gets outpaced by custom gaming PCs.

If you wonder about the difference between Mac Vs. Windows gaming experiences, just look at the experience of playing a graphically intense open-world game like Cyberpunk 2077 on a maxed-out M1 Max MacBook Pro versus a high-end gaming device. While the $3,499 MacBook can handle the game at lower settings around 30 fps, a similarly priced $3,000 PC with an RTX 4090 GPU pumps out over 100 fps at ultra settings with raytracing enabled. You’re talking about the difference between choppy, compromised visuals and a completely immersive experience.

The reason is simple – gaming PCs are purpose-built systems optimized for these 3D workloads. They pack powerful discrete GPUs like Nvidia’s latest 40-series cards with up to 24GB of video memory, liquid cooling setups to sustain peak performance, and ultra-fast M.2 NVMe SSD storage to minimize load times. Apple’s all-in-one designs with integrated graphics simply can’t match that level of raw power.

I’m utterly obsessed with the Apple ecosystem, but there’s no denying Spotify’s streaming service seems to consistently out-innovate the music discovery experience versus Apple Music. While Apple has drastically improved their offering, Spotify’s cutting-edge data science and recommendation engines give them a decided advantage.

Take Spotify’s advanced ‘Audio AI’ features like their AI DJ or the all-new ‘AI Utterance’ voice models. These use machine learning to analyze your listening patterns, demographics, and taste profiles to craft incredibly personalized DJ commentary and seamless playlist transitions tailored just for you. It’s like having a knowledgeable music expert as your private curator.

By comparison, Apple Music’s recommendations still feel more rudimentary and standardized. Their approaches like grouping playlists by moods or genres just doesn’t achieve that hyper-personalized user experience Spotify nails so well.

The user numbers underline Spotify’s dominance too. As of Q3 2023, Spotify boasts over 236 million paying subscribers globally versus Apple Music’s estimated 93 million (as of 2024). That incredible scale means Spotify can ingest vastly more listening data to train their AI models. Industry data indicates Spotify tracks over 79 billion monthly plays across its platform versus Apple’s 35 billion.

So while both are excellent services, for music superfans craving that next-gen AI-curated experience, Spotify’s aggressive emphasis on personalization AI gives them the decided edge – at least for now.

We all saw that splashy Meta keynote video where Mark Zuckerberg threw unmistakable shade at Apple’s upcoming Vision Pro mixed reality headset. Calling the $3,499 device “expensive” while claiming Meta’s $1,499 Quest Pro offers a superior extended reality (XR) experience, Zuck was clearly attempting to get out in front of Apple’s invasion into his virtual territory.

In reality, both the Vision Pro and Quest Pro represent enormously expensive bets on an as-yet-unproven consumer XR market. While Meta enjoys a significant cost advantage thanks to their content-neutral, open ecosystem approach, Apple’s track record for premium industrial design and obsessive hardware optimization could give Vision Pro’s experience a serious edge.

Take the Vision Pro’s novel aluminum and curved glass design, for example. With an internal fan, vents, and over a dozen cameras and sensors, it represents a technical marvel of miniaturization and ergonomics – hallmarks of Apple’s renowned hardware chops. The Pro’s ultra high-res displays also output at a silky 120Hz refresh rate for life-like visual fidelity.

By contrast, Meta’s plastic Quest Pro headset looks comparatively toy-ish and low-rent, with LCD panels that max out at 90Hz and less than half the number of cameras. But as always with Apple products, that seamless user experience comes at a premium cost.

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