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Switchbot’s latest lock can unlock with a look
SwitchBot claims its lock is the first retrofit smart lock with 3D facial recognition. As a retrofit lock, it can be installed without replacing your existing lock. Instead, the Ultra attaches to the rear of your lock and controls it using a mechanical motor, leaving the front unchanged, so you can still use your keys. The Vision keypad is mounted…
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Switchbot’s New Smart Lock Has Facial Recognition
Summary SwitchBot Lock Ultra Vision is the first retrofittable smart lock with 3D facial recognition. Available May 22 on the SwitchBot site or from Amazon for $249. It features 3D facial recognition, 18 unlock methods that are 122% faster than prior models, a secure battery system, and works with 99% of existing locks. SwitchBot just unveiled its new and improved…
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How to lock down your privacy in WhatsApp
The end-to-end encryption (E2EE) available on the WhatsApp messaging app gets you off to a good start when it comes to privacy and security. It means no one else — hackers, law enforcement, or Meta staff — can see your chats. Your stuff stays just between you and the person or persons you’re chatting with. On top of that, the…
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Tired of price hikes? Xfinity launches 5-year price lock on its home internet plans
About a year ago, I gave my internet service provider the heave-ho, after a steady stream of price increases kept driving my internet bill upward. And I’m betting that I’m not the only person tired of ever-changing internet prices. Word of customer dissatisfaction with escalating internet prices must have reached Comcast, the largest internet service provider in the U.S. The…
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Verizon now offers a three-year price lock — but there’s a catch
Verizon is announcing a new price lock policy today, and the timing is probably no coincidence. The company is extending a three-year price guarantee on certain plans, both for new and existing customers. The announcement comes a day after President Trump unveiled sweeping tariffs, and Verizon says it’s hoping to give customers more “predictability” in the current economic environment. But…
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Android Is Officially Getting Lock Screen Widgets (Again)
Summary Google has announced Android 16 will include lock screen widgets, catching up with iOS. Widgets will require authentication for security–fingerprint, PIN, and face unlock. Widgets are expected to arrive in a quarterly update released in September or October. We’re in the middle of finding out what exactly will be coming with the release of Android 16 this Summer. The…
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Android phones are getting lock screen widgets this year
Google has announced that lock screen widgets are coming to Android 16 phones later this year. Widgets have been available on the lock screen of the Pixel Tablet since last year, but Google is now bringing them to phones and more tablets. All widgets will support the lock screen by default, though app developers will have the option to disable…
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iOS 18.4 Lets You Add Your Apple Music Playlists to the Lock Screen
As a big fan of background music, I was intrigued by iOS 18.4’s Control Center changes. It adds a new tab called Ambient Music to Control Center’s list of customizable controls. You can use this to add one of four pre-selected Apple Music playlists (or your own) to the Control Center, your lock screen, or the Action Button (provided your…
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Samsung’s Now Bar Is the Sports and Lock Screen Feature I’ve Been Waiting For
Samsung’s new One UI 7 update (Android 15) has a lot to offer, especially on the new Galaxy S25 series. Instead of your average yearly update, this is a big one packed with features. While all the AI goodies are nice, one small change I love is the new “Now Bar,” and here’s why. What Is the Now Bar on…
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How to change or disable Lock Screen widgets on Windows 11
On Windows 11, Microsoft now allows users to personalize the widgets displayed on the Lock Screen. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to configure this new setting. Starting with Windows 11 build 22635.4870, Microsoft has revamped the Lock Screen experience, introducing a new option to select which widgets appear before signing in. Previously, the system automatically displayed…
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