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Tech News
Longstanding advice to periodically restart a computer remains valid today, with experts recommending Windows PCs be rebooted at least once a week. Linux systems generally require fewer restarts, and laptops should be shut down or put to sleep after use due to their limited cooling capacity.
According to an Entrepreneur op-ed, the brief period of 'sleep inertia' right after waking is when short-term memory is emptiest and the brain is most receptive to setting its focus for the day. The piece argues that grabbing your phone to scroll social media during this window floods the brain with distraction and negativity, harming mood and attention for hours afterward.
Emerging thinking on productivity challenges the old model of high performers sacrificing sleep, family, and hobbies to maximize work output. Instead, the ability to rest deliberately is being framed as equally important as the ability to focus, forming a key part of sustained achievement.
A tech newsletter digest compiles several unrelated stories, including scammers using sextortion tactics within family group chats, an assessment of which wearable devices give the most reliable sleep data, and a reported change in leadership within Apple's executive ranks.
Sleep tracking devices like Oura and similar wearables often produce numbers that aren't precisely accurate, according to physicians. Despite this, doctors say the data can still help users identify personal patterns and trends in their sleep over time.
A new American Heart Association study found that chronic insomniacs who took melatonin supplements for a year or longer were about 90 percent more likely to develop congestive heart failure within five years than non-users. Researchers also found melatonin users were nearly 3.5 times more likely to be hospitalized for heart failure, based on analysis of anonymized health records rather than a controlled clinical trial.
A range of manufacturers are now designing pillows with unconventional shapes and materials, including ear cutouts, dual-chamber down fill, and marshmallow-like foam, aimed at solving individual sleep posture problems. The trend reflects growing consumer demand for personalized bedding solutions after common complaints like neck and shoulder pain during sleep.
Anker introduced the Soundcore Sleep Earbuds 4 and 4 Pro at IFA Berlin, upgrading its popular sleep-focused earbuds line with a smaller ergonomic fit and a touchscreen charging case for the Pro model. The Pro version adds a 'track-assess-adjustment system' that uses biometric sensors—including heart rate and HRV monitoring—to tailor audio for better sleep. The standard model launches in October, with the Pro following in November; pricing has not been disclosed.
Anker unveiled the Soundcore Sleep Earbuds 4 and 4 Pro, successors to last year's A30 sleepbuds aimed at side-sleepers. Both models shrink the contact area for comfort, add Bluetooth 6.0, longer battery life and stronger noise masking, while the Pro version's SleepHub case includes an OLED display and phone-free controls plus an in-ear PPG sensor for tracking heart rate and sleep stress.
Huawei has unveiled the Watch D3, a smartwatch that monitors sleep and exercise like typical wearables but stands out for its built-in blood pressure sensor. Instead of relying on optical estimation methods common in other smartwatches, the device inflates a small cuff mechanism on the wrist to take a more direct pressure reading.
Ultrahuman has introduced Pulsomics, an opt-in research program inside its app that lets Ring AIR and Ring PRO owners aged 18 and up contribute their sleep, glucose, and VO2 Max data to improve the company's wellness algorithms. The program currently covers three studies, with more planned around cardiovascular load and long-term sleep tracking, and requires only that users wear their rings as usual.
WIRED's latest sleep tracker roundup highlights the Google Pixel Watch 4 as a budget-friendly option when discounted, the screenless Whoop MG for detailed sleep coaching, the Apple Watch Series 11 for those already in Apple's ecosystem, and Garmin's pricier Epix Pro for advanced biometric sleep data. Each device varies in accuracy and price, with testers noting some trackers overestimate actual sleep duration.