TikTok tests photo-sharing app to rival Instagram

Image: TikTok

TikTok is developing a new app, possibly called TikTok Notes, to compete with Instagram in the photo-sharing space. Screenshots from users and confirmation from TikTok reveal the app's existence, though it's not yet available.

Pop-up notifications within the TikTok app inform users about the upcoming "TikTok Notes" app and allow them to opt out of syncing their existing photos.

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Dyson's CleanTrace AR feature gamifies cleaning

Image: Dyson

Dyson recently introduced CleanTrace, a new feature that uses your iPhone's LiDAR scanner to track your vacuuming path in real-time virtually. Like a cleaning video game, it overlays cleaned areas on your phone screen, highlighting missed spots for a more methodical clean.

However, there are some limitations. CleanTrace currently only works with the high-end Dyson Gen5detect vacuum and LiDAR-equipped iPhones (iPhone 12 Pro and newer). The phone attaches to the vacuum via a separate clamp (price TBA), while the app update itself will be a free update coming in June 2024.

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Microsoft tests app ads in Windows 11 Start menu

The red box highlights the ad (Image: Microsoft)

Microsoft is testing a controversial feature: ads within the Windows 11 Start menu. These ads, disguised as "app suggestions," will appear in the "Recommended" section alongside recently used files.

Currently, only US-based Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel see these ads, and they're disabled on organization-managed devices. However, the ads are enabled by default, which might not sit well with users.

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Fairphone Fairbuds: Sustainable listening with easy repairs

Photo: Fairphone

Tired of throwing away earbuds when the batteries die? Fairphone, the company behind the ultra-repairable Fairphone 5, has a solution: the Fairbuds. These wireless earbuds are designed for easy repairability, letting you replace batteries within the buds and the charging case itself.

Unlike most earbuds, Fairbuds are built to last. You can repair or swap individual components like the left or right earbud, silicone rings, earbud tips, the charging case's outer shell, and even its core. This extends the product's lifespan significantly, which means you can keep it around longer and potentially reduce your electronic waste.

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