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If you’re worried about hearing loss and own AirPods Pro 2, Apple’s clinical-grade Hearing Test is a helpful tool that you can easily access. This feature provides a convenient way to monitor your hearing health, and here’s what you need to know.

On December 11, Apple expanded the Hearing Test feature to nine additional countries, including France, Italy, and the United Kingdom, following its initial launch in the U.S. with iOS 18.1. However, it’s not available in all regions due to varying regulatory laws, so make sure to check if it’s accessible in your country.

To perform the Hearing Test, you will need your AirPods Pro 2 updated to the latest firmware, an iPhone or iPad running iOS 18.1 or later, a quiet environment, and about five minutes of uninterrupted time. The test involves listening to a range of tones at various volumes, making a noise-free setting essential for accurate results.

To begin, ensure your AirPods are charged. Go to the Settings on your iPhone, tap on your AirPods Pro name, then find “Hearing Health” and tap “Take a Hearing Test.” Following preliminary questions, you will complete a fit test to ensure a proper seal before starting the actual hearing assessment.

Results are measured in decibels, with classifications indicating levels of hearing loss. You can view your results in the Health app, which allows you to share or export your findings with healthcare providers.

If results indicate mild to moderate hearing loss, you can utilize features like Media Assist, which optimizes audio for your hearing profile, or enable the Hearing Aid mode for amplifying conversations. For those in unsupported regions, alternative methods to access the test still exist, though some features might remain unavailable until officially launched in your area.

iOS 26 introduces three notable enhancements to the screenshot functionality, providing users with improved options and features. One of the key updates is the addition of a new Screen Capture menu within the Settings app, found under the General section.

This menu includes several useful toggles. This update introduces the option for HDR screenshots.

When enabled, any HDR content within screenshots will be displayed in HDR with full dynamic range on supported devices, such as newer iPhone models. Additionally, Apple has specified that HDR screenshots utilize the HEIF image format, while the traditional SDR screenshots are saved as PNG files.

Another significant change is related to CarPlay. Previously, taking a screenshot while connected to CarPlay would automatically generate two screenshots: one for the iPhone and one for CarPlay.

With iOS 26, this feature has been modified so that only the iPhone screenshot is captured by default. Users can opt-in to capture CarPlay screenshots by adjusting the settings manually.

Furthermore, iPhone 15 Pro and newer models now support the Visual Intelligence feature, which allows for content identification within screenshots. The interface for taking screenshots has been revamped in iOS 26, with Visual Intelligence options conveniently placed at the bottom of the screen.

Users can ask for insights about content using the “Ask” feature, perform “Image Search” for similar visuals across various platforms, or utilize the “Highlight to Search” option to locate specific objects within the screenshot. For those who prefer the traditional thumbnail view of screenshots appearing in the bottom-left corner, similar to iOS 18 and earlier versions, the option to disable full-screen previews is available in the new Screen Capture settings menu.

The beta version of iOS 26 is currently available, with a public release anticipated in September.

I want to read that book, but the library only has one volume of the trilogy, and it’s not the first one. Thanks for bringing back the ‘what are you reading thread.’

While this topic isn’t new, it’s good to see it revived. I looked for that title but couldn’t find it in my search.

When it comes to “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” it’s essential to start from the first book. As for Shakespeare, I really enjoyed “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Here’s a brief reading list of mine. I usually lean towards action, fantasy, and adventure genres, but I enjoy various styles.

Please feel free to share your own reading lists! 1.

“The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings Trilogy” – Both are outstanding for fantasy lovers. Begin with “The Hobbit” to see if it piques your interest.

2. “Shibumi” and “The Eiger Sanction” by Trevanian – Exciting adventure reads.

3. “Lonesome Dove” – A Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that could be the best Western you’ll ever read.

4. “Killer Angels” – Another Pulitzer Prize-winning work, this novel delivers an astonishing narrative of the Battle of Gettysburg.

5. “Dead Until Dark” series by Charlaine Harris – The inspiration for HBO’s “True Blood,” but it’s even more captivating.

6. “The Bourne Identity” – An exceptional thriller that surpasses the film adaptation.

7. “Dracula” – The original vampire story, a remarkable Victorian adventure.

8. “The Martian Chronicles” by Ray Bradbury – Exceptional science fiction with an emotional edge.

9. “For Whom the Bell Tolls” – A powerful Hemingway novel set during the Spanish Civil War.

10. “Tess of the d’Urbervilles” – A classic by Thomas Hardy, rich in irony.

11. “The Three Musketeers” and “The Man in the Iron Mask” by Alexandre Dumas – Classic adventure tales.

12. “The Right Stuff” – A great read about U.S. space exploration in the early 1960s.

13. “Salem’s Lot” and “The Shining” – Yes, I’m a fan of vampires and Stephen King.

14. “To Kill a Mockingbird” – A poignant Pulitzer Prize-winning story set in the early 20th century South.

15. “Gone With the Wind” – A classic depiction of the Civil War.

16. “Skeleton Crew” and “Night Shift” – Some of Stephen King’s finest short stories.

17. “Red Storm Rising” – Tom Clancy’s gripping portrayal of World War III.

18. “Winds of War” and “War and Remembrance” – Masterful WWII narratives by Herman Wouk.

19. “The Caine Mutiny” – An engaging military courtroom drama.

20. “Harry Potter” series – A well-loved series that grows darker and more intricate.

I hope this list inspires some good reading!

I’m excited to kick off a new discussion for 2024 regarding our cars. To begin, I’d like to share my latest ride, a Mercedes-Benz E350 4MATIC.

This vehicle is fully equipped with an impressive driver assistance package that features active steering assistance and automatic lane change capabilities. It also boasts multi-beam LED headlights and the AMG line exterior package, not to mention a premium package that includes a Burmester surround sound system and surround view cameras.

My lease on the BMW 330xi recently came to an end, and I managed to score an incredible deal on this Mercedes, which turned out to be cheaper than the quotes I received for another new 3 Series. Not only did I get more car for less money, but I also picked it up a couple of weeks ago, and I have been enjoying every moment behind the wheel since then.

I’m looking forward to hearing about everyone’s vehicles this year. Please feel free to share your own rides or any recent updates!

I’m genuinely curious about the process of switching from the Developer Beta to the Public Beta once it becomes available. My initial thought is that it may not be possible because the Public Beta likely operates on a lower build compared to the Developer Beta. To ensure a smooth transition, I believe I would need to restore my device back to the latest stable version, such as iOS 17.5.1, or whatever is current at that time.

After restoring and setting everything back up, my next step would be to navigate to the settings and opt into the Public Beta. This seems to be the most logical approach, but I wanted to confirm my assumptions. Switching beta channels can sometimes lead to complications, and I want to make sure I am taking the right steps.

If anyone has experience with this process or knows if my assumptions are accurate, I would really appreciate any insights. It’s important for me to understand the best way to transition between these beta options without running into issues. Thanks in advance for any advice or clarification on this matter.

I have been putting off updating my iOS due to previous issues with broken updates, but I finally took the plunge and upgraded to iOS 18.5. Unfortunately, now my Mail app isn’t showing notifications. To troubleshoot, I attempted several solutions.

First, I disabled and then re-enabled the notification settings for the Mail app, hoping that would resolve the issue. I also restarted my phone, thinking that a simple reboot might fix any glitches. Additionally, I checked for further software updates, just in case there were any fixes released for this specific problem.

I made sure to open and close the Mail app multiple times to see if it would refresh and start displaying notifications. Lastly, I reviewed my Focus settings, ensuring that they weren’t interfering with the app’s notifications. Despite all these efforts, the notifications still don’t appear.

I’m reaching out to see if anyone else has encountered this issue or has found a solution. It’s frustrating to deal with a problem like this after finally updating to what I hoped would be a more stable version of iOS. If anyone has any tips or advice, it would be greatly appreciated.