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Will iOS 27 Break Your CarPlay, Bluetooth or Apps? What Apple Has Actually Changed

11 September 2026 at 04:33

Apple has published no known-issues list for iOS 27, no security notes for it and no accessory compatibility page, so nothing on the record predicts a dead CarPlay connection or a lost Bluetooth pairing on Monday. What Apple has published is a short list of changes that touch exactly those areas, plus one deadline that […]

The post Will iOS 27 Break Your CarPlay, Bluetooth or Apps? What Apple Has Actually Changed appeared first on The Mac Observer.

BAT Expands Vuse Pro in the U.S. With App-Based Age Verification and Four Flavored Pods

9 September 2026 at 13:28

British American Tobacco is expanding its Vuse business in the United States with a new version of the Vuse Pro vaping system and four flavored pod options. The rollout is notable not only because of the return of fruit-flavored Vuse products in selected U.S. markets, but also because the device incorporates age verification and Bluetooth connectivity into the activation process.

The new Vuse Pro pods are available in Peach, Berry, Watermelon and Fresh Mint. Vuse’s U.S. website lists the pods at 5.0% nicotine by weight (NBW) and identifies them as nicotine-salt products.

The products have begun appearing in Ohio and selected U.S. markets. However, they have not received FDA marketing authorization, making the launch an important development in the country’s changing regulatory environment for flavored vaping products.

Vuse Pro Makes Age Verification Part of Device Activation

The biggest difference between the new Vuse Pro system and a conventional closed-pod vape is the role played by the smartphone app.

Instead of treating age verification solely as a retail requirement, the Vuse Pro setup connects the process with the device itself. Users must complete the required age-verification process through the Vuse Pro App, enable Bluetooth and pair the smartphone with the device before the vape can be activated.

This creates an additional access-control layer after the purchase.

The app is also designed to provide several device-management functions, including:

  • Manual locking and unlocking
  • Automatic locking
  • Find My Vape
  • Battery-related reminders
  • Bluetooth device management
  • Factory reset

The system can also use Bluetooth proximity as part of its locking function. When the device moves outside the configured Bluetooth range, Auto-Lock can prevent further use until the paired smartphone is used to unlock it.

That makes the Vuse Pro more than a conventional rechargeable closed-pod system. Software becomes part of the product’s access and security architecture.

Four Flavored Vuse Pro Pods Are Now Listed in the U.S.

The new Vuse Pro flavor lineup consists of Peach, Berry, Watermelon and Fresh Mint.

  • Peach
  • Berry
  • Watermelon
  • Fresh Mint

Vuse lists these products at 5.0% NBW, meaning nicotine by weight. The company also confirms that its closed-system products use nicotine salts.

The four flavors give Vuse a broader U.S. lineup than a product strategy focused only on traditional tobacco and menthol profiles.

The timing is significant. BAT had already indicated that it planned a phased expansion of flavored Vuse products in the U.S. during the third quarter of 2026. In its 2026 first-half communications, the company said it was strengthening age-verification controls while preparing to commercialize flavored vapor products.

The current rollout therefore appears to be part of a broader strategy rather than a one-off product launch.

Closed-Pod Design Keeps the User Experience Simple

Vuse Pro remains a rechargeable closed-pod system.

Instead of requiring users to fill a tank manually, the system uses prefilled pods that are inserted into the device. The device is draw-activated, while the app handles additional connected functions.

This approach is different from open-pod systems that allow users to select their own e-liquid and refill the cartridge.

For Vuse, the closed architecture also provides tighter control over the consumable used with the device. Users choose from the available Vuse Pro pods rather than mixing or filling e-liquid themselves.

The U.S. Vuse website currently identifies Vuse Pro as a 5.0% NBW nicotine-salt system.

Bluetooth Has a Bigger Role Than Simple Connectivity

Bluetooth is often included in connected consumer electronics as a convenience feature. With Vuse Pro, its role is more closely connected to device access.

Pairing the vape with the Vuse Pro App is part of the initial activation process. Bluetooth also supports functions such as device locking, unlocking and locating.

That makes the smartphone an important part of the overall user experience.

The concept is different from simply adding an app that displays battery information or usage statistics. In this case, the connected software is integrated into how the hardware is accessed.

This could become an important direction for regulated nicotine products as manufacturers look for additional ways to combine age controls with connected hardware.

Vuse Pro Adds Flavors While U.S. Regulations Remain Complex

The rollout is taking place against a complicated U.S. regulatory background.

Current reporting indicates that the new Vuse Pro flavored products have appeared in Ohio and selected other markets even though they have not received FDA marketing authorization. Reynolds American has said the products are being sold in accordance with applicable state regulations and that the company is using measures such as identification requirements and purchase limits to address underage access.

State rules remain important because flavored-vape restrictions differ across the country. Some states and jurisdictions have enacted restrictions or bans covering flavored vaping products.

As a result, availability of the new Vuse Pro flavors should not be interpreted as nationwide authorization or nationwide availability.

BAT Is Building on Vuse’s Existing U.S. Position

The new product also arrives from a strong position in the U.S. closed-system market.

BAT reported that Vuse held a 55.9% value share of tracked rechargeable closed-system vapor channels in the first half of 2026, representing a 4.1-percentage-point increase from the end of 2025. The company said Vuse’s share was more than twice that of its closest competitor.

BAT has therefore been expanding the Vuse portfolio from an established base rather than attempting to introduce an entirely new brand.

The company’s 2026 strategy also calls for a phased distribution of new Vuse Pro flavored pods. Reporting from 2Firsts indicates that BAT planned approximately 25,000 retail outlets during the third quarter and another 25,000 in the fourth quarter, although the company has not disclosed the number of stores currently carrying the products.

Vuse Pro Specifications and Product Details

Feature Vuse Pro
Company Reynolds American / R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company
Parent Company British American Tobacco
Brand Vuse
Product Vuse Pro
Category Rechargeable closed-pod vaping system
Pod Type Prefilled Vuse Pro Pod
Activation Draw-activated
Initial Setup Vuse Pro App, age verification and Bluetooth pairing
Connectivity Bluetooth
App Functions Lock/unlock, Auto-Lock, Find My Vape, battery reminders
Water Resistance IPX4
Charging USB rechargeable
Full Charging Time Approximately 50 minutes
Flavors Peach, Berry, Watermelon, Fresh Mint
Nicotine Strength 5.0% NBW
Nicotine Type Nicotine salts
Market United States
FDA Marketing Authorization Not authorized

Public U.S. product information does not currently provide a complete set of technical specifications such as battery capacity, e-liquid volume, coil construction or an official puff-count rating. It is therefore better not to treat those figures as confirmed specifications.

Why the App Matters to the Vuse Pro Launch

The most interesting aspect of the new Vuse Pro is not necessarily the hardware.

The larger change is the relationship between hardware, software and age control.

Traditional age verification normally happens when a customer buys a regulated product. Vuse Pro introduces another step by connecting device activation with an age-verification process through a smartphone application.

That creates a product ecosystem in which the device can remain connected to a specific smartphone while offering functions such as Auto-Lock and Find My Vape.

For manufacturers, this approach could provide additional tools for managing access. For consumers, however, it also means that the vape is less independent from the smartphone than a conventional closed-pod device.

FDA Status Should Be Clearly Distinguished From Enforcement Policy

One point is particularly important when discussing the U.S. Vuse Pro launch: FDA enforcement policy and FDA marketing authorization are not the same thing.

Current reports state that the Vuse Pro flavored products being sold in selected U.S. markets have not received FDA marketing authorization.

At the same time, the FDA’s 2026 enforcement approach has changed the regulatory environment for certain unauthorized vaping products. That change in enforcement priorities should not be described as equivalent to formal authorization.

This distinction matters because consumers and retailers may otherwise interpret market availability as evidence that a product has completed the FDA’s marketing authorization process.

What the Vuse Pro Launch Means for the U.S. Vape Market

The new Vuse Pro rollout combines two developments that have become increasingly important in the U.S. vaping market: flavored products and stronger age-access controls.

Peach, Berry, Watermelon and Fresh Mint expand Vuse’s current flavor offering, while the app-based activation system gives the company a way to connect age verification with the device itself.

BAT’s broader strategy suggests that this is part of a planned expansion of Vuse rather than an isolated experiment. The company has publicly discussed phased flavored-pod commercialization and stronger age-verification measures as part of its U.S. strategy.

The result is a Vuse Pro system that is increasingly defined not just by its pods and battery, but by the software surrounding the device.

For the U.S. market, the more important question may be whether app-based age verification, Bluetooth access controls and regulated flavored pods become a more common model for next-generation vaping products.

For now, Vuse Pro represents a notable example of how nicotine-device manufacturers are combining connected technology with age-access measures while navigating a rapidly changing U.S. regulatory landscape.

The post BAT Expands Vuse Pro in the U.S. With App-Based Age Verification and Four Flavored Pods appeared first on IGeeKphone China Phone, Tablet PC, VR, RC Drone News, Reviews.

MacVoices #26250: Foreshadowing Tech – The Fictional Constructs That Inspired Real-World Communication Technologies (1)

By: Chuck
7 September 2026 at 20:57
As we approach the release of the newest iPhones, Chuck Joiner, Marty Jencius and Chuck Joiner look at how science fiction and popular culture imagined modern communication long before the technology existed. From early video-phone concepts and Dick Tracy to Star Trek, Get Smart, Space: 1999, and more, the panel examine fictional devices that anticipated smartphones, wearables, Bluetooth earbuds, video calls, authentication, mobile computing, and maybe even foreshadow what’s coming next. (Part 1) 

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MacVoices #26218: Take Control – Kirk McElhearn Takes Control of AirPods (2)

By: Chuck
27 July 2026 at 21:09
Our conversation with Kirk McElhearn about his new Take Control of AirPods continues, exploring the advanced capabilities of AirPods beyond simple audio playback, explaining listening modes, Conversation Awareness, head gestures, and how the Apple ecosystem enhances the experience. He also discusses why AirPods perform poorly as phone microphones, examines rumors of camera-equipped AirPods, and reflects […]

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MacVoices #26217: Take Control – Kirk McElhearn Takes Control of Airpods (1)

By: Chuck
24 July 2026 at 19:46
Kirk McElhearn discusses his new guide to getting the most from Apple’s AirPods, Take Control of AirPods for Take Control Books, explaining why the deceptively simple earbuds deserve a dedicated manual. The conversation explores hearing assistance, noise cancellation, audio quality, controls, battery management, charging options, Bluetooth limitations, and choosing the right model. Kirk offers tips that unlock features many owners never realize are available.

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MacVoices #26195: Live! – Apple, Intel, and Trump, Glenn Fleishman’s Fruit Specs, and LastPass Hacked…Again

By: Chuck
29 June 2026 at 13:20
The panel examines a Bluetooth-related earbuds vulnerability, debating whether the issue lies in the protocol or Apple’s proprietary pairing approach, and why the implications feel unsettling. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Ben Roethig, Marty Jencius, Jim Rea, Jeff Gamet, and Guy Serle also touch on a useful tool born from a creator’s own workflow before turning to another LastPass incident and where it puts them on the trust spectrum. 

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MacVoices #26160: Jeff Gadway of Clicks On Their Power Keyboard and Clicks Communicator

By: Chuck
29 May 2026 at 20:03
In a catch-up interview after a lost CES interview, Jeff Gadway, SVP for Clicks discusses the Power Keyboard, a universal MagSafe-style Bluetooth keyboard and power bank for iPhone, Android, tablets, TVs, and more. He also details the Clicks Communicator, a smartphone built around physical keys, purposeful communication, productivity, security, and the idea of a task-focused […]

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JBL Flip 7 à moins de 100 € : l'enceinte Bluetooth est affichée à prix immanquable sur Amazon

21 August 2026 at 15:00
La JBL Flip 7 est une enceinte portable de forme cylindrique qui mise sur sa simplicité d'utilisation et l'intelligence artificielle AI Sound Boost. Une valeur sûre du catalogue JBL, désormais accessible en version noire sous la barre des 100 euros sur Amazon grâce à une remise de 33 % par...

Difficile d'ignorer cette offre sur les nouveaux Galaxy Buds4 Pro

11 August 2026 at 13:00
Les Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro glissent un son immersif dans vos oreilles tout en faisant disparaître les bruits indésirables. Des écouteurs sans fil haut de gamme qui savent autant séduire les mélomanes que les utilisateurs du quotidien.

La JBL Boombox 4 fait vibrer les soldes avec 20 % de remise chez Cdiscount

23 July 2026 at 09:00
Les soldes jouent les prolongations jusqu'au 28, et la JBL Boombox 4 en profite pour faire entendre sa voix. Avec 20 % de réduction chez Cdiscount, cette enceinte Bluetooth sans fil offre une belle session de rattrapage à celles et ceux qui n'avaient pas encore trouvé le bon plan pour faire...

Les meilleures enceintes Bluetooth étanches (Waterproof) pour la piscine

15 July 2026 at 17:30
Piscine, plage, jardin ou vacances : les enceintes Bluetooth étanches sont devenues les meilleures alliées des écoutes en plein air. Notre sélection rassemble des modèles Waterproof fiables, performants et adaptés à toutes les envies.

Apple patches high-severity eavesdropping vulnerability in Beats Studio Buds

18 June 2026 at 20:41

Apple has updated its Beats Studio Buds wireless earbuds to patch a high-severity vulnerability that could be exploited by nearby hackers to eavesdrop on users.

The vulnerability, CVE-2025-20701, allowed improper authentication in the firmware running on the Bluetooth-related chips, enabling people within signal range to impersonate devices that had previously been paired with the earbuds. The researchers demonstrated this in a series of end-to-end attacks that allowed them to eavesdrop on conversations or sounds within earshot of the phone microphone.

Apple joins the patch party

“Impact: An attacker within Bluetooth range may be able to listen through the microphone of a device which is not yet paired and actively seeking pair requests,” Apple said in a Tuesday security advisory. The fix is contained in Beats Firmware Update 1B211, which is delivered automatically while headphones are paired with and within Bluetooth range of a user’s iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Users can check their firmware version by going to Settings on their device, navigating to Bluetooth, and tapping the info button next to the headphones.

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Comments

© Jeff Dunn

Apple patches high-severity eavesdropping vulnerability in Beats Studio Buds

18 June 2026 at 20:41

Apple has updated its Beats Studio Buds wireless earbuds to patch a high-severity vulnerability that could be exploited by nearby hackers to eavesdrop on users.

The vulnerability, CVE-2025-20701, allowed improper authentication in the firmware running on the Bluetooth-related chips, enabling people within signal range to impersonate devices that had previously been paired with the earbuds. The researchers demonstrated this in a series of end-to-end attacks that allowed them to eavesdrop on conversations or sounds within earshot of the phone microphone.

Apple joins the patch party

“Impact: An attacker within Bluetooth range may be able to listen through the microphone of a device which is not yet paired and actively seeking pair requests,” Apple said in a Tuesday security advisory. The fix is contained in Beats Firmware Update 1B211, which is delivered automatically while headphones are paired with and within Bluetooth range of a user’s iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Users can check their firmware version by going to Settings on their device, navigating to Bluetooth, and tapping the info button next to the headphones.

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Comments

© Jeff Dunn

Mobi Fold é o primeiro rato dobrável da Logitech e foi criado para profissionais em movimento

11 June 2026 at 10:44

O novo Mobi Fold, o primeiro rato dobrável da Logitech, acaba de chegar ao mercado. Juntamente com esta solução, que se desliga automaticamente quando dobrado, chega-nos o Spotlight 2, um controlador de apresentações que vai além dos slides com um sistema háptico inédito nesta categoria.

The post Mobi Fold é o primeiro rato dobrável da Logitech e foi criado para profissionais em movimento appeared first on Tek Notícias.

How a USB-connected speaker can infect a PC without ever being touched

5 June 2026 at 22:00

Operating system makers take many steps to prevent their wares from accepting commands from remote devices. The safeguards, designed to thwart malicious attacks, typically require hackers to jump through all kinds of hoops to bypass the measures. But what if remote code execution were as simple as being within Bluetooth range of a speaker connected to the targeted device?

It turns out it can, at least when the speaker is a Sound Blaster Katana V2X sold by Singapore-based Creative Technologies. The speaker, which sells for $283, is widely acclaimed with numerous reviews showering praise on the sound and performance of it and its predecessor, the Sound Blaster V2.

A PC-pwning proxy

Researcher Rasmus Moorats stumbled on the hack by accident, after he purchased a Katana V2X, a soundbar that connects to PCs, Macs, and Linux devices over USB or Bluetooth. Moorats was curious if he could create a Linux tool that communicated with his speaker. He discovered he could do so through CTP, a proprietary mechanism he guesses is short for Creative Transport Protocol.

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© Creative Technologies

Global Surveillance | Separating Fact from Fiction

3 September 2024 at 06:09
What are the facts on self-assembling electronic circuits or chips made with superconducting graphene nanotubes or graphene oxide that have been or will be injected into humans to connect them to the 'internet of things' for global surveillance?

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