If you own a Linksys router, check your phone’s app store. There’s a new version of Linksys Smart Wi-Fi coming out July 22 for Android and iOS, and it looks a lot easier to use while also adding new features. There’s even support for automatic notifications when your router goes offline.
We pointed out the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi app while reviewing routers like the massive Linksys EA9500 and the Linksys EA7500, noting that it was a relatively straight-forward interface that was easy for beginners while still usable for advanced users. But we couldn’t help but notice things looked terribly dated, with a clunky interface that didn’t feel native on iOS and Android devices
The update looks a lot better, with a design that’s more neutral. But this isn’t just a cosmetic release, there are also new features.
For one thing, you can now get a notification on your phone every time your home Internet goes down. This is useful when you’re at home, because you’ll know the problem is with your Internet connection instead of your computer, or whatever site you’re failing to load at the time. But it’s also useful when you’re on the go, wondering why your home server or security cameras aren’t working.
And that’s not the only new feature. Here are a few things the new app can do:
The new app will work with devices running iOS 8 Android 4.0.3 and above. It supports all routers that currently support the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi app. You can find more information at the company’s website.
Update 7/21/2016: Linksys ran into issues with the launch of its app, and has postponed the roll-out to July 22.
Apple is less than a day away from launching its highly anticipated OLED MacBook Pro with a touch-sensitive screen. But it appears that the upgrade is going to cost a pretty penny. According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is reportedly eyeing a starting price of $2,899 for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, while the 16-inch version could start at $3,399 in the US.
"At $2,899, the 14-inch model would mark the highest starting price for a new MacBook Pro model, surpassing the $2,799 Apple charged for a 17-inch version introduced in 2006," says the report. The report claims that Apple is targeting a minimum price hike of $400 for its upcoming redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.
I've spent a good amount of time digging into the spec sheet of the new M6 MacBook Pro (14-inch), and for all intents and purposes, this is a classic Apple "chip and connectivity" refresh. It's not a full redesign. The chassis, Liquid Retina XDR panel, speakers, ports, and battery, all of them carry over unchanged.
However, the M6 brings more cores, stronger on-device AI, higher memory bandwidth on the larger configs, and modern wireless. Here’s the practical rundown of what actually improved, and whether those gains are worth your money.
Two new highly requested iCloud plugins just got added to ChatGPT, giving people who rely on Apple’s Mail and Calendar services a way to search emails, check appointments, and manage their schedules directly through the chatbot.
The integration is rolling out to all ChatGPT plans, including the free tier. You can access it on the web, desktop, and iOS.