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Spotify is rolling out a giant replace for folks who need extra management over what their children hearken to. Managed accounts, initially examined in choose nations, are actually increasing to the US, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, France and the Netherlands. These accounts create a safer, extra personalised approach for younger listeners to get pleasure from music whereas mother and father management what performs.

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TEENS FACE NEW PG-13 LIMITS ON INSTAGRAM

A safer approach for kids to discover music

Spotify’s new managed accounts are designed for kids underneath 13. They provide a music-only expertise inside the principle Spotify app. Mother and father can use Household Plan settings to filter specific lyrics, block sure artists or songs, and conceal looping movies or visuals known as Canvas. Not like the restricted Spotify Youngsters app, these accounts exist on the common Spotify platform. Youngsters get a well-known interface with options like Uncover Weekly and Daylist, however with age-appropriate restrictions.

Mother and father can now information what their youngsters hearken to whereas having fun with music collectively on Spotify. (Spotify)

How managed accounts work

Premium Household subscribers can arrange a managed account immediately of their Spotify settings. To decide on “Add a member,” then choose “Add a listener underneath the age of 13.” Mother and father management the content material performed, whereas children create their very own playlists and obtain personalised suggestions primarily based on their listening habits. This separation retains mother and father’ Uncover Weekly and Wrapped playlists free from sudden surprises, like a sudden obsession with sport soundtracks or foolish meme songs.

GOAL STRENGTHENS ADOLESCENTS’ SAFETY WITH EXPANDED ACCOUNTS

Managed accounts make household streaming safer, less complicated, and extra personalised for younger listeners. (Spotify)

Why that is necessary for folks

For years, mother and father have struggled to offer youngsters musical freedom whereas protecting specific content material away. This replace lastly resolves that problem. Managed accounts enable mother and father to show off movies, block podcasts, and guarantee no age-restricted content material goes unnoticed. It supplies peace of thoughts for households who love streaming music collectively.

Youngsters get their very own playlists and suggestions with out altering what mother and father hearken to. (Spotify)

What does this imply for you

In case you already subscribe to the Premium Household plan, this improve provides much more worth. You continue to get six particular person accounts and might now embrace a customized youngster account. Mother and father can safely share their favourite music utilizing filters that shield younger listeners. Youngsters have the liberty to discover new music and create playlists with out affecting the principle account’s suggestions.

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Spotify’s new instruments give households extra management and extra methods to attach by means of music. (Spotify)

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Kurt’s Key Takeaways

Spotify’s enlargement of managed accounts is a great transfer towards safer, extra family-friendly streaming. It protects younger listeners whereas serving to them develop their very own love of music. With sturdy parental controls constructed into the app, households can hear along with confidence and ease.

Will you arrange a Spotify-managed account in your youngster or preserve the household listening on a shared profile? Tell us by writing to us at Cyberguy. with.

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Apple this month up to date the 14-inch MacBook Professional, iPad Professional, and Imaginative and prescient Professional with its next-generation M5 chip, however there are rumors of 1 new Apple product particularly that many are nonetheless hoping to see earlier than the vacations.

In June, trade analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is creating a “extra reasonably priced” 13-inch laptop computer to compete with Chromebooks and drive MacBook purchases. Kuo did not point out pricing, however stated the brand new MacBook would use an A18 Professional chip, which debuted within the iPhone 16 Professional final yr.

Utilizing an iPhone chip could be an enormous departure from Apple’s typical technique of utilizing M-series chips in its Macs, however it is smart from each a price and efficiency perspective. The A18 Professional chip is about 40% slower than Apple’s M4 chip, however its multi-core CPU efficiency is nearly equivalent to the M1 chip within the 2020 MacBook Air and even surpasses the M1 chip in graphics.

In August, DigiTimes reported that the low-cost MacBook will price between $599 and $699. The present 13-inch MacBook Air begins at $999 within the US, however Apple nonetheless sells the M1-powered 2020 MacBook Air for $649 at Walmart, so Apple could also be eyeing the brand new machine as a budget-friendly substitute.

One factor to bear in mind is that the A18 Professional chip does not have Thunderbolt help, so the brand new MacBook would seemingly be outfitted with common USB-C ports. However that is unlikely to be a deal breaker for patrons on the lookout for probably the most reasonably priced Mac they will discover. It is also unclear how a lot RAM could be included within the rumored MacBook, because the A18 Professional chip solely has 8GB of RAM, whereas all present MacBook Air and MacBook Professional fashions have a minimal of 16GB of RAM.

Along with the interior specs, Kuo stated that the machine is anticipated to have an ultra-slim and lightweight design, and that it may are available silver, blue, pink and yellow finishes.

The analyst stated the brand new MacBook would enter mass manufacturing in late This fall 2025 or early Q1 2026. DigiTimes reported that remaining meeting would happen within the fourth quarter, with the laptop computer turning into commercially obtainable in late 2025 or early 2026, just like Kuo’s launch estimate.

Timelines counsel the machine may nonetheless be introduced earlier than the tip of the yr. That stated, it is unclear whether or not Apple has any extra bulletins deliberate for 2025, though it isn’t unusual for the corporate to announce new merchandise in late October and even November.

Additional proof that synthetic intelligence is just not so sensible was offered by an unlucky incident in Baltimore, the place, because of an AI-driven safety system, native police almost arrested a young person for the crime of…consuming Doritos?

Based on NBC affiliate WBAL-TV 11A teen who entered his faculty campus by an automatic safety system had a crumpled bag of chips in his pocket. The system seems to have flagged the bag as a weapon, the outlet writes. The boy in query, Taki Allen, says that after soccer follow, he was sitting exterior the varsity with a gaggle of mates when a big mob of law enforcement officials confirmed up.

“There have been eight police automobiles that got here after us. At first, I did not know the place they had been going till they began strolling towards me with weapons, speaking about ‘Get down on the bottom,’ and I used to be like, ‘What?’” Allen informed WBAL-TV 11 Information.

“They made me get on my knees, put my arms behind my again and handcuffed me,” {the teenager} added. “So that they searched me and located I had nothing. Then they went to the place I used to be and located a bag of chips on the ground.”

When requested what he was considering because the ordeal unfolded, Allen responded, “It was largely like, am I going to die? Are they going to kill me? They confirmed me the image, stated it regarded like a gun, I stated, ‘No, it is fries.’”

An announcement offered by the varsity principal to the media outlet sheds extra gentle on the incident:

At roughly 7 p.m., faculty administration obtained an alert that a person on faculty grounds could also be in possession of a weapon. The Division of Faculty Security and Safety shortly reviewed and canceled the preliminary alert after confirming there was no weapon. I contacted our faculty useful resource officer (SRO) and reported the matter to him, and he contacted the native police station for added help. Law enforcement officials attended the varsity, searched the person and shortly confirmed that he didn’t have any weapons.

Neither police nor faculty officers confirmed the Doritos bag was concerned, however in addition they didn’t deny it. Gizmodo reached out to Allen’s faculty, Kenwood Excessive Faculty, in addition to Baltimore County police for remark.

WBAL-TV 11 says the corporate behind the detector, Omnilert (which calls itself “a pioneer in AI-powered energetic shooter prevention know-how”), gives safety methods for Baltimore County public colleges. The information outlet claims that Allen’s faculty started utilizing the corporate’s software program final 12 months to detect potential threats to the campus. Omnilert’s web site states that it sells an AI gun detection answer for colleges. Gizmodo has reached out to Omnilert for remark.

A latest Consumer Reports Investigation involving 23 protein powder and ready-to-drink shakes discovered that greater than two-thirds of the merchandise examined contained harmful ranges of lead in a single serving, in line with the model’s personal meals security specialists. Some powders even had greater than 10 instances the quantity of lead thought-about secure for each day consumption by the identical specialists.

Different report carried out from 2024 to 2025 by the nonprofit Clear Mission Label decided that of 160 protein powders examined, 7% exceeded California Proposition 65 security limits for poisonous metals. In comparison with whey-based protein powderplant-based powders had 3 times extra lead and chocolate powders had 4 instances extra lead than vanilla. Much more stunning, the natural protein powders had 3 times as a lot lead and twice as a lot cadmium, one other steel, as those who weren’t natural.

Whereas these numbers could appear worrying if you’re making an attempt to achieve your protein objectivesThere may be extra context it is best to know relating to protein powders and heavy metals. To summarize, we consulted nutritionists to find out what constitutes a “secure protein powder.”

The Report on Heavy Metals in Protein Powders

Figuring out which research and studies to belief might be tough. In line with sports activities nutritionist Kelly JonesThe Clear Mission Label research was an impartial report not revealed in a peer-reviewed journal and didn’t undergo the institutional evaluation board approval course of. “Because the Clear Label Mission has not launched any of the protein powders examined, however solely recommends manufacturers that pay for his or her impartial certification, I don’t advocate that my purchasers, the general public, or shoppers as an entire trouble with this research,” she mentioned.

Clara Nosekaccredited nutritionist, factors out that the Clear Label Mission didn’t disclose its methodology or a hazard quotient, which tells how a lot of the contaminant was used to evaluate the potential well being dangers related to its publicity. “The dearth of methodology implies that their findings can’t be reproduced, which raises pink flags from the viewpoint of scientific strategies”, warns Nosek.

You’ve got most likely heard the time period “the dose makes the poison”, which implies that to think about an ingredient dangerous, a selected dose should even be talked about. Keep in mind that an excessive amount of of something, even water, might be unhealthy for you. You will need to perceive that the detection of an ingredient doesn’t imply an instantaneous well being threat.

“Simply because a chemical is current doesn’t imply it’s dangerous within the quantity current,” explains Nosek, including that the research doesn’t “explicitly state whether or not or not the focus of heavy metals discovered within the powders poses any direct well being dangers – which suggests it’s clearly an emotional manipulation.”

A strong research have to be clear in its methodology in order that others perceive the scientific methodology and the information the writer used to achieve his conclusions. Moreover, a research have to be peer-reviewed, which means specialists within the subject have evaluated its findings, analysis strategies, citations, and contribution to current information on the subject. It is a rigorous course of, as they have to critically evaluation every bit of data earlier than validating it. The writer additionally stays nameless to reduce any potential bias in the course of the analysis. If it passes the peer evaluation course of, it will likely be revealed in an educational journal.

If you wish to know whether or not or not a research ought to be trusted, Nosek advises maintaining a watch out for these warning indicators:

• Click on bait articles: The aim is to get your consideration and provoke a powerful response. For those who really feel a powerful response, that ought to sign the reader to take a break.

• Concern-based advertising: Clear wellness thrives on fear-based advertising so it may promote you an individualized answer that doesn’t handle the social or systemic problem that induced the “downside.” So ask your self, “Is that this making an attempt to promote me one thing or is it simply in your data?”

• Calling an Ingredient a Poison: If somebody says “x is poison”, in addition they must say in what dosage (as a result of “the dose makes the poison”). Simply because a chemical is current doesn’t imply it’s dangerous within the quantity current.

Do not miss any of our unbiased technical content material and lab-based evaluation. Add CNET as Google’s most popular font in Chrome.

Why do a few of these protein powders comprise heavy metals?

A part of the Clear Mission Label research checked out how plant-based protein powders had the best ranges of heavy metals, however there’s an evidence behind this. “All vegetation comprise some quantity of assorted heavy metals because of the mineral content material of the soil wherein the vegetation develop,” explains Jones. She says complete inexperienced peas have fewer heavy metals than pea protein isolate, however each comprise them.

Experiences about chocolate flavors containing heavy metals are possible associated to the truth that cocoa, a key ingredient in chocolate, additionally incorporates heavy metals. Consequently, these have the next steel content material than non-chocolate powders.

“What’s most vital in controlling steel consumption is to comply with a weight loss plan with all kinds of meals in order that solely traces of them are consumed,” advises Jones. The identical applies in the event you eat a plant-based protein powder each day. “As a substitute of sticking to 1 protein supply, change your weight loss plan by including one with completely different protein sources, like a mixture of pea, brown rice, chia, or swap between pea and soy protein,” she says.

Easy methods to Select a Protected Protein Powder

For those who’re nonetheless involved about selecting the most secure protein powders, there are some things to think about. Jones says, “I like to recommend in search of protein powders which might be regulated as meals quite than dietary supplements because the laws are extra stringent.” She explains that these powders comprise dietary data quite than a complement data panel on their packaging.

If you’re an athlete, be sure to will not be taking banned substances. “Anybody buying regulated protein powders as dietary supplements ought to be extra involved about third-party certifications that take a look at for WADA-banned substances,” warns Jones, referring to the World Anti-Doping Company. Jones and Nosek agree that probably the most dependable and really useful third-party testing labels to search for are Knowledgeable Sport and NSF Licensed for Sport. “I usually advise individuals to search for these labels when buying sports activities dietary supplements to keep away from any potential adulteration,” says Jones.

Take into account that protein powder is a complement and isn’t meant to exchange your entire protein wants at every meal. It is vital to be sure to’re additionally getting protein, nutritional vitamins, and minerals from complete meals. When selecting a protein powder, go for ones you understand you’ll be able to tolerate. In case your abdomen tends to be delicate, keep away from sugar-free or low-sugar protein powders and carbohydrates, as they usually comprise sugar alcohols, which might set off gastrointestinal points. If you’re delicate to dairy, keep away from powders that comprise lactose.

For those who’re pregnant and prefer to drink protein shakes as a result of that is what you’ll be able to deal with, Jones recommends utilizing protein powders with an NSF label or different sports activities certifications for additional security.

“From there, make sure that the powder doesn’t comprise giant quantities of added nutritional vitamins and minerals that might exceed the consumption restrict because of taking prenatal dietary supplements,” says Jones. For those who discover it tough to eat sure meals as a result of being pregnant has altered your urge for food and style preferences, Jones recommends various your protein powder sources and making an attempt to incorporate quite a lot of meals from different meals teams to cut back the probabilities of overeating any heavy steel. Nevertheless, as at all times, seek the advice of your physician first if you’re uncertain whether or not protein powders are best for you throughout being pregnant.

For those who’re vegan or vegetarian and like so as to add protein shakes to your weight loss plan, Jones advises choosing soy, pea, or plant-based protein blends. ”I usually advocate Organic vegetable protein powder as they’re regulated as meals and comprise a mixture of protein sources,” she suggests.

For those who’re in search of a soy or pea-based protein powder, Jones likes NOW Food as a result of it’s a household enterprise that takes high quality very significantly. “They’re business leaders in good complement manufacturing practices and carry out rigorous testing on each ingredient that comes into their facility and won’t hesitate to return a product if it doesn’t meet their requirements, even when it means having merchandise out of inventory for some time,” she explains.

Do you have to fear about heavy metals in protein powder?

Protein powders are meant to enrich an already wholesome and balanced weight loss plan. Whereas some might comprise heavy metals because of the place sure substances are grown, there is no should be alarmed simply but. “Assuming the common shopper does not drink a number of protein shakes a day, a number of instances a day – consuming a shake to complement your general protein consumption within the context of a various, nutrient-dense weight loss plan is secure,” says Nosek.

Keep in mind that if you come throughout a well being report that appears alarming, you will need to first analyze the information offered to see if there’s trigger for concern. In the case of protein powders, use your frequent sense and stick with these which have been third-party examined by NSF or different sports activities certifications to make sure a secure batch.