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watchOS 26: Surprising Features That Make It UNDERRATED

watchOS 26: Surprising Features That Make It UNDERRATED

Geeky Gadgets4 days ago

Apple's latest smartwatch operating system, watchOS 26, introduces a series of enhancements aimed at improving performance, usability, and integration within the broader Apple ecosystem. While it may not have garnered widespread attention, this update offers a variety of meaningful improvements that can significantly enhance your Apple Watch experience. Whether you rely on your device for health tracking, productivity, or seamless connectivity, watchOS 26 delivers features that are both practical and impactful. The video below from Nikias Molina gives us a look at the new watchOS 26.
Watch this video on YouTube. Performance Enhancements for a Smoother Experience
watchOS 26 builds on the foundation of its predecessors with a strong emphasis on speed and efficiency. The update introduces several under-the-hood optimizations that ensure your Apple Watch operates more fluidly and responsively. Key improvements include: Faster app launches and smoother transitions between screens, reducing wait times and enhancing usability.
and smoother transitions between screens, reducing wait times and enhancing usability. Noticeably reduced latency for tasks such as opening notifications or switching between apps.
for tasks such as opening notifications or switching between apps. Enhanced multitasking capabilities, allowing for instantaneous navigation and improved responsiveness during daily use.
These performance upgrades make the Apple Watch feel more dynamic and capable, making sure that it keeps up with your fast-paced lifestyle. Refined User Interface and Simplified Navigation
The user interface in watchOS 26 has been thoughtfully redesigned to improve clarity and ease of use. These updates make interacting with your Apple Watch more intuitive and efficient. Notable changes include: Sharper icons and improved contrast, enhancing readability in various lighting conditions.
and improved contrast, enhancing readability in various lighting conditions. Streamlined navigation with intuitive gestures , such as swiping to switch watch faces or access key settings.
, such as swiping to switch watch faces or access key settings. Reduced reliance on multiple taps, allowing quicker and more efficient interactions with your device.
These refinements ensure that everyday tasks are simpler and more accessible, allowing you to focus on what matters most without unnecessary complexity. Enhanced Health and Fitness Tracking Features
Health and fitness remain at the core of the Apple Watch experience, and watchOS 26 takes these functionalities to new heights. The update introduces advanced tools and metrics to help you better understand and manage your health. Key additions include: Advanced performance metrics for activities such as running, cycling, and swimming, offering deeper insights into your fitness progress.
for activities such as running, cycling, and swimming, offering deeper insights into your fitness progress. Expanded sleep analysis tools, providing a more comprehensive understanding of your rest patterns and actionable recommendations for improvement.
and actionable recommendations for improvement. New stress monitoring features, allowing you to track and manage your overall wellness with greater precision.
These updates cater to both casual users and fitness enthusiasts, making it easier to achieve your health goals and maintain a balanced lifestyle. Deeper Integration with the Apple Ecosystem
watchOS 26 strengthens the Apple Watch's role as an integral component of the Apple ecosystem, offering new ways to stay connected and in control. The update introduces several features that enhance the synergy between your Apple devices: Seamless control of smart home devices via the Home app, allowing you to manage your environment directly from your wrist.
via the Home app, allowing you to manage your environment directly from your wrist. Automatic unlocking of your Mac when your Apple Watch is nearby, streamlining your workflow and enhancing convenience.
Improved synchronization with iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices, creating a cohesive user experience across the ecosystem.
These integrations highlight Apple's commitment to delivering a connected experience that simplifies your daily interactions and enhances productivity. Productivity Tools for Enhanced Efficiency
For users who rely on their Apple Watch to stay organized, watchOS 26 introduces several productivity-focused enhancements designed to streamline your daily routine. These tools include: An updated Calendar app with improved event management capabilities, making it easier to keep track of your schedule.
capabilities, making it easier to keep track of your schedule. Focus mode integration, syncing with your iPhone to help you minimize distractions and stay on task.
and stay on task. Enhanced dictation features, offering more accurate message composition and note-taking for improved communication and organization.
These updates ensure that your Apple Watch remains a valuable tool for managing your time and staying productive, whether you're at work or on the go. A Meaningful Upgrade for Apple Watch Users
watchOS 26 may not have made headlines, but its thoughtful updates make it a noteworthy upgrade for Apple Watch users. From faster performance and a refined user interface to advanced health tracking and seamless ecosystem integration, this operating system caters to a wide range of needs. Whether you're a casual user looking for convenience or a power user seeking advanced functionality, watchOS 26 offers meaningful improvements that enhance the Apple Watch experience. If you're aiming to maximize the potential of your device, this update is well worth exploring.
Explore further guides and articles from our vast library that you may find relevant to your interests in watchOS 26.
Source & Image Credit: Nikias Molina Filed Under: Apple, Gadgets News, Top News
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BREAKING: Judge orders release of Mahmoud Khalil

Tech News Accounts peddling child abuse content flood some X hashtags as safety partner cuts ties Thorn, a nonprofit that provides detection and moderation software related to child safety, said it canceled its contract with X after the platform stopped paying it. June 18, 2025, 4:57 PM EDT / Updated June 18, 2025, 5:58 PM EDT By Ben Goggin When Elon Musk took over Twitter in 2022, he said that addressing the problem of child sexual abuse material on the platform was his ' top priority.' Three years later, the problem appears to be escalating, as anonymous, seemingly automated X accounts flood hashtags with hundreds of posts per hour advertising the sale of the illegal material. At the same time, Thorn, a California-based nonprofit organization that works with tech companies to provide technology that can detect and address child sexual abuse content, told NBC News that it had terminated its contract with X. Thorn said that X stopped paying recent invoices for its work, though it declined to provide details about its deal with the company citing legal sensitivities. X said Wednesday that it was moving toward using its own technology to address the spread of child abuse material. Some of Thorn's tools are designed to address the very issue that appears to be growing on the platform. 'We recently terminated our contract with X due to nonpayment,' Cassie Coccaro, head of communications at Thorn, told NBC News. 'And that was after months and months of outreach, flexibility, trying to make it work. And ultimately we had to stop the contract.' Many aspects of the child exploitation ads issue, which NBC News first reported on in January 2023, remain the same on the platform. Sellers of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) continue to use hashtags based on sexual keywords to advertise to people looking to buy CSAM. Their posts direct prospective buyers to other platforms where users are asked for money in return for the child abuse material. Other aspects are new: Some accounts now appear to be automated (also known as bots), while others have taken advantage of 'Communities,' a relatively new feature launched in 2021 that encourages X users to congregate in groups 'closer to the discussions they care about most.' Using Communities, CSAM advertisers have been able to post into groups of tens of thousands of people devoted to topics like incest, seemingly without much scrutiny. The Canadian Centre for Child Protection (C3P), an independent online CSAM watchdog group, reviewed several X accounts and hashtags flagged by NBC News that were promoting the sale of CSAM, and followed links promoted by several of the accounts. The organization said that, within minutes, it was able to identify accounts that posted images of previously identified CSAM victims who were as young as 7. 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'At X, we have zero tolerance for child sexual exploitation in any form. Until recently, we leveraged partnerships that helped us along the way,' the company said in the post. 'We are proud to provide an important update on our continuous work detecting Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) content, announcing today that we have launched additional CSAM hash matching efforts. 'This system allows X to hash and match media content quickly and securely, keeping the platform safer without sacrificing user privacy,' the post continued. 'This is enabled by the incredible work of our safety engineering team, who have built state of the art systems to further strengthen our enforcement capabilities.' The company said that the system would allow the company to automatically detect known CSAM and remove it, though it was not clear how it differs from existing hashing technology. The spokesperson did not respond to questions about Thorn's allegations regarding the payments. A review of many hashtags with terms known to be associated with CSAM shows that the problem is, if anything, worse than when Musk initially took over. What was previously a trickle of posts of fewer than a dozen per hour is now a torrent propelled by accounts that appear to be automated — some posting several times a minute. Despite the continued flood of posts and sporadic bans of individual accounts, the hashtags observed by NBC News over several weeks remained open and viewable as of Wednesday. And some of the hashtags that were identified in 2023 by NBC News as hosting the child exploitation advertisements are still being used for the same purpose today. Historically, Twitter and then X have attempted to block certain hashtags associated with child exploitation. 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The hashtags that were available to be posted to and viewed during an NBC News' review of the platform ranged from references to incest and teenagers to slightly more coded terms, like combinations of words with the name of the defunct video chat platform Omegle, which shut down in 2023 after a child sex exploitation lawsuit. Some hashtags contained jumbled letters and only contained posts advertising CSAM, indicating that they were created with the exclusive purpose of housing the advertisements. Some usernames of accounts posting the ads were simply a jumble of words associated with CSAM content on the platform, mixing names of social media platforms with other keywords. Many of the users linked directly to Telegram channels in their posts or their account bios and included explicit references to CSAM. Some posts linked to Discord channels or solicited direct messages to secure Discord links. Telegram and Discord have distinct positions in the internet's child exploitation ecosystem, offering semiprivate and private venues for people looking to sell or buy child exploitation material. NBC News previously reported on 35 cases in which adults were prosecuted on charges of kidnapping, grooming or sexual assault that allegedly involved communications on Discord. A Discord representative said, 'Discord has zero tolerance for child sexual abuse material, and we take immediate action when we become aware of it, including removing content, banning users, and reporting to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).' The company said in response to NBC News' outreach that it removed multiple servers 'for policy violations unrelated to the sale of CSAM.' A representative for Telegram said 'CSAM is explicitly forbidden by Telegram's terms of service and such content is removed whenever discovered.' The representative pointed to the company's partnership with the U.K.-based Internet Watch Foundation, which maintains a database of known CSAM and provides tools to detect and remove it. While some of the X accounts posted publicly, others solicited and offered CSAM through X's Communities feature, where users create groups based on specific topics. NBC News observed groups with tens of thousands of members in which CSAM was solicited or was offered to be sold. In a group with over 70,000 members devoted to 'incest confessions,' multiple users posted multiple times linking to Telegram channels, explicitly referencing CSAM. 'I'm selling 6cp folder for only 90$,' one user wrote, linking to a Telegram account. CP is a common online abbreviation for 'child pornography.' CSAM has been a perpetual problem on the internet and social media, with many companies employing specialized teams and building automated systems to identify and remove abuse content and those spreading it. 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Work-shy Gen Z are using a sneaky workplace trick to fool older bosses and keep their jobs amid mass layoffs
Work-shy Gen Z are using a sneaky workplace trick to fool older bosses and keep their jobs amid mass layoffs

Daily Mail​

timean hour ago

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Work-shy Gen Z are using a sneaky workplace trick to fool older bosses and keep their jobs amid mass layoffs

A new workplace trend is spreading among Gen Z employees revealing how desperate they are to avoid the chop amid mass layoffs. 'Task masking', as it is known on social media, is the act of looking extremely busy in the office even if there is relatively little to do. Actions such as carrying a laptop across the office, having printed out sheets of paper on your desk, hunching over your screen and typing furiously are all part of the façade. The tricks are promoted by TikTok and Instagram influencers to nervous Gen Z workers that are becoming increasingly alarmed about the reality of losing their jobs. Major companies including Microsoft and Amazon have revealed plans for cutbacks as AI continues to disrupt the workforce. Young workers are particularly vulnerable to the sweeping cuts as they have yet to gain the experience and skills that may help them to be seen as more integral to a business. It also comes as more white collar workers are being ordered back to the office after years of homeworking following the pandemic. Some Gen Z employees have never known their roles outside of their bedrooms and seek guidance on social media about how to present themselves in the work environment. Gen Z employees are finding new ways to appear busy in the office Influencer Gabriella Judge makes content about 'task masking' for her 500,000 followers because she sees the disillusionment her generation is experiencing when it comes to work. 'Baby Boomers gained the most out of corporate America. It was a meritocracy,' Judge told the Financial Times. 'We weren't raised with that same optimism... Our parents, Gen X, were just demolished by things. 'They had 9/11, the 2008 financial crisis . . . Gen Z folks are like, well, I know that this work stuff won't take care of me.' Experts argue that the creation and consumption of this contents speaks to the broader insecurity of the job market. 'Gen Zers are talking among themselves about how to ensure they are A, being as productive as possible, and B, seeming as productive as possible, so that they're not laid off or replaced by AI,' Amanda Edelman, chief operating officer of Edelman's Gen Z Lab told the FT. Edelman's Gen Z Lab, which conducts research to help businesses understand those aged 13 to 28, has found that 37 percent of Gen Z workers are worried about losing their job, more than any other generation. Around 60 percent of Gen Z are also not confident they will land a good job this year, according to the research. Gen Z try to look busy at work 'It would be trite to say that young people are lazy' David Wreford, partner at Mercer consulting group told the FT. 'We need to think about the extent to which there has been a breakdown in the contract between young people today and the promise of work.' Jobs jettisoned Some of America's biggest companies have announced sweeping job cuts this year. In May, Walmart — America's largest employer — announced it was cutting 1,500 jobs from its tech operations and e-commerce teams. Procter & Gamble, the owner of Tide detergent and Gillette shaving products, said it would eliminate 7,000 positions. Job losses have been even more pronounced in the tech sector, with the implementation of AI marking a major shift for American workers. Microsoft — one of the leading firms investing in AI — is expected to lay off thousands of employees next month as it shifts resources toward deeper investments. Intel, the flagging tech giant, is also letting go of 10 to 15 percent of its manufacturing staff. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy recently said the quiet part out loud: the technology will uproot thousands of Americans from their jobs. '​​As we roll out more Generative AI and agents, it should change the way our work is done,' he wrote in a memo to employees. 'It's hard to know exactly where this nets out over time, but in the next few years, we expect that this will reduce our total corporate workforce.'

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