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05 Ago 2025
iPhone 17 Pro, tutto ciò che sappiamo sulla nuova fotocamera - TheAppleLounge
iPhone 17 Pro, tutto ciò che sappiamo sulla nuova fotocamera - TheAppleLounge
04 Ago 2025
Transit Bus Costs Rise Sharply Due to Tariffs - Planetizen
A major transit bus manufacturer says the cost of vehicles is going up due to tariffs, while agencies are ordering fewer zero-emission buses.
According to an article in Smart Cities Dive by Dan Zukowski, NFI Group President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Soubry outlined the trends in an earnings call, saying that the cost of new buses rose by 68 percent since 2021, in large part because of higher tariffs on steel and aluminum.
“Last year, the Federal Transit Administration reminded agencies using federal funds to procure transit buses that they can ask the FTA for additional funds and can amend certain contracts to cover price increases.” Last month, the FTA announced that agencies can change their zero-emission projects to low-emission technology, which could prompt changes in what vehicles and infrastructure transit agencies buy.
Geography United States Category Transportation Tags Publication Smart Cities Dive Publication Date Fri, 08/01/2025 - 12:00 Publication Links Tariffs make transit buses more expensive 1 minuteTransit Bus Costs Rise Sharply Due to Tariffs - Planetizen
A major transit bus manufacturer says the cost of vehicles is going up due to tariffs, while agencies are ordering fewer zero-emission buses.
According to an article in Smart Cities Dive by Dan Zukowski, NFI Group President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Soubry outlined the trends in an earnings call, saying that the cost of new buses rose by 68 percent since 2021, in large part because of higher tariffs on steel and aluminum.
“Last year, the Federal Transit Administration reminded agencies using federal funds to procure transit buses that they can ask the FTA for additional funds and can amend certain contracts to cover price increases.” Last month, the FTA announced that agencies can change their zero-emission projects to low-emission technology, which could prompt changes in what vehicles and infrastructure transit agencies buy.
Geography United States Category Transportation Tags Publication Smart Cities Dive Publication Date Fri, 08/01/2025 - 12:00 Publication Links Tariffs make transit buses more expensive 1 minuteHawaii’s Tsunami Scare Reveals Evacuation Shortfalls - Planetizen
A tsunami warning last week caused widespread traffic chaos across Oahu as thousands of residents rushed to evacuate coastal areas, offering an unexpected test of Hawaii’s evacuation infrastructure. The resulting gridlock — marked by multi-hour delays and stalled intersections — highlighted the state’s limited capacity to move people efficiently during emergencies, especially in communities with only one way in or out. Despite the fact that the tsunami did not materialize, the incident raised serious concerns about how a real disaster might unfold.
As Victoria Budiono reports, state and county officials acknowledged the strain on Oahu’s road network and the urgent need for improvements. Transportation Director Ed Sniffen noted that overlapping rush-hour traffic and panicked supply runs made the situation worse, while military police and alternate routes like Kolekole Pass were temporarily activated to ease the congestion. State Senator Chris Lee emphasized the need for better emergency planning, including the development of non-car evacuation options such as bike and pedestrian routes, especially in high-density and geographically constrained neighborhoods.
In the aftermath, Hawaii’s Department of Transportation is conducting a formal review to identify gaps and explore investments in bypass roads, emergency communication, and coordination with military partners. While no injuries were reported, officials view the incident as a wake-up call — a reminder that future emergencies, such as tsunamis or wildfires, demand a more resilient and responsive evacuation system.
Geography Hawaii Category Community / Economic Development Environment Government / Politics Infrastructure Transportation Urban Development Tags Publication Government Technology Publication Date Thu, 07/31/2025 - 12:00 Publication Links Tsunami Warning Revealed Gaps in Hawaii Evacuation Plans 2 minutesHawaii’s Tsunami Scare Reveals Evacuation Shortfalls - Planetizen
A tsunami warning last week caused widespread traffic chaos across Oahu as thousands of residents rushed to evacuate coastal areas, offering an unexpected test of Hawaii’s evacuation infrastructure. The resulting gridlock — marked by multi-hour delays and stalled intersections — highlighted the state’s limited capacity to move people efficiently during emergencies, especially in communities with only one way in or out. Despite the fact that the tsunami did not materialize, the incident raised serious concerns about how a real disaster might unfold.
As Victoria Budiono reports, state and county officials acknowledged the strain on Oahu’s road network and the urgent need for improvements. Transportation Director Ed Sniffen noted that overlapping rush-hour traffic and panicked supply runs made the situation worse, while military police and alternate routes like Kolekole Pass were temporarily activated to ease the congestion. State Senator Chris Lee emphasized the need for better emergency planning, including the development of non-car evacuation options such as bike and pedestrian routes, especially in high-density and geographically constrained neighborhoods.
In the aftermath, Hawaii’s Department of Transportation is conducting a formal review to identify gaps and explore investments in bypass roads, emergency communication, and coordination with military partners. While no injuries were reported, officials view the incident as a wake-up call — a reminder that future emergencies, such as tsunamis or wildfires, demand a more resilient and responsive evacuation system.
Geography Hawaii Category Community / Economic Development Environment Government / Politics Infrastructure Transportation Urban Development Tags Publication Government Technology Publication Date Thu, 07/31/2025 - 12:00 Publication Links Tsunami Warning Revealed Gaps in Hawaii Evacuation Plans 2 minutesExtreme Heat Prompts Trail Closures and Safety Warnings in San Diego - Planetizen
San Diego County has temporarily closed three popular hiking areas — El Capitan Preserve, Hellhole Canyon, and Mount Gower — for the month of August due to dangerous heat conditions. As Alex Lai reports, the annual closures are aimed at protecting hikers from heat-related emergencies and give park staff time to perform maintenance on the trails. Additional parks near the Anza-Borrego Desert, including Agua Caliente and Vallecito, have been closed since May and are set to reopen by Labor Day weekend.
Despite the closures, many hikers are still heading to other open trails such as Iron Mountain in Poway. Hikers like Annie and Nathan emphasize the importance of early starts, hydration, and sun protection — practices that can significantly reduce heat risks. CAL FIRE officials, however, continue to respond to frequent heat-related rescues, some of which require air support due to the remote locations and physical condition of those needing help.
Authorities urge all hikers, especially beginners, to be cautious during elevated temperatures and to plan ahead. Safety tips include wearing loose, light-colored clothing, packing extra water and electrolyte-replacement drinks, and avoiding peak heat hours. The closed trails are expected to reopen on September 1, but officials stress that heat safety should be a priority year-round.
Geography California Category Environment Tags Publication CBS8 Publication Date Sat, 08/02/2025 - 12:00 Publication Links San Diego County closes three hiking trails in August due to extreme heat 1 minuteExtreme Heat Prompts Trail Closures and Safety Warnings in San Diego - Planetizen
San Diego County has temporarily closed three popular hiking areas — El Capitan Preserve, Hellhole Canyon, and Mount Gower — for the month of August due to dangerous heat conditions. As Alex Lai reports, the annual closures are aimed at protecting hikers from heat-related emergencies and give park staff time to perform maintenance on the trails. Additional parks near the Anza-Borrego Desert, including Agua Caliente and Vallecito, have been closed since May and are set to reopen by Labor Day weekend.
Despite the closures, many hikers are still heading to other open trails such as Iron Mountain in Poway. Hikers like Annie and Nathan emphasize the importance of early starts, hydration, and sun protection — practices that can significantly reduce heat risks. CAL FIRE officials, however, continue to respond to frequent heat-related rescues, some of which require air support due to the remote locations and physical condition of those needing help.
Authorities urge all hikers, especially beginners, to be cautious during elevated temperatures and to plan ahead. Safety tips include wearing loose, light-colored clothing, packing extra water and electrolyte-replacement drinks, and avoiding peak heat hours. The closed trails are expected to reopen on September 1, but officials stress that heat safety should be a priority year-round.
Geography California Category Environment Tags Publication CBS8 Publication Date Sat, 08/02/2025 - 12:00 Publication Links San Diego County closes three hiking trails in August due to extreme heat 1 minuteHow Data is Helping Protect Campus Trees - Planetizen
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) has become a national model for urban forestry, earning Tree Campus USA honors for 11 consecutive years and the Tree Campus Healthcare designation for the past six. These recognitions from the National Arbor Day Foundation reflect UAB’s commitment to planting and preserving more than 4,400 trees across its urban campus while actively engaging students and staff in environmental stewardship. In 2022, students from an interdisciplinary public health course helped update the university’s tree inventory, cataloging nearly 70 percent of its diverse tree population.
In 2024, UAB adopted Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to enhance its tree management practices. As Shannon Thomason reports, the GIS platform — spearheaded by UAB’s Senior Arborist Scott Thompson — tracks species, age, size, health, treatments, and even photos of each tree. With over 2,500 trees now documented, the system allows UAB to monitor tree health over time and assess the environmental and economic benefits of its campus canopy. The university has also begun identifying and mapping notable trees, such as heritage and memorial trees, to preserve their cultural significance.
UAB’s efforts are guided by its broader sustainability goals, which balance the demands of ongoing campus development with environmental responsibility. When trees must be removed for construction, they are either replaced with similar plantings or valued and compensated through the Tree Replacement Fund. In a region where shade is vital, UAB’s trees help reduce temperatures, improve air quality, and control erosion. Through the integration of advanced technology, educational engagement, and long-term planning, UAB is setting an example for how universities can become greener while growing smarter.
Geography Alabama Category Education & Careers Environment Infrastructure Landscape Architecture Technology Tags Publication UAB Reporter Publication Date Mon, 07/28/2025 - 12:00 Publication Links How UAB protects and preserves its nationally recognized urban forest 2 minutesHow Data is Helping Protect Campus Trees - Planetizen
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) has become a national model for urban forestry, earning Tree Campus USA honors for 11 consecutive years and the Tree Campus Healthcare designation for the past six. These recognitions from the National Arbor Day Foundation reflect UAB’s commitment to planting and preserving more than 4,400 trees across its urban campus while actively engaging students and staff in environmental stewardship. In 2022, students from an interdisciplinary public health course helped update the university’s tree inventory, cataloging nearly 70 percent of its diverse tree population.
In 2024, UAB adopted Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to enhance its tree management practices. As Shannon Thomason reports, the GIS platform — spearheaded by UAB’s Senior Arborist Scott Thompson — tracks species, age, size, health, treatments, and even photos of each tree. With over 2,500 trees now documented, the system allows UAB to monitor tree health over time and assess the environmental and economic benefits of its campus canopy. The university has also begun identifying and mapping notable trees, such as heritage and memorial trees, to preserve their cultural significance.
UAB’s efforts are guided by its broader sustainability goals, which balance the demands of ongoing campus development with environmental responsibility. When trees must be removed for construction, they are either replaced with similar plantings or valued and compensated through the Tree Replacement Fund. In a region where shade is vital, UAB’s trees help reduce temperatures, improve air quality, and control erosion. Through the integration of advanced technology, educational engagement, and long-term planning, UAB is setting an example for how universities can become greener while growing smarter.
Geography Alabama Category Education & Careers Environment Infrastructure Landscape Architecture Technology Tags Publication UAB Reporter Publication Date Mon, 07/28/2025 - 12:00 Publication Links How UAB protects and preserves its nationally recognized urban forest 2 minutesANCORA SUL GEOMETRA “LAUREATO” - GEOmedia News
Apple TV+, ecco le uscite di agosto 2025 - TheAppleLounge
Apple TV+, ecco le uscite di agosto 2025 - TheAppleLounge
03 Ago 2025
Fondamentale capire come recuperare messaggi WhatsApp su iPhone - TheAppleLounge
Fondamentale capire come recuperare messaggi WhatsApp su iPhone - TheAppleLounge
EPA Plans “Largest Deregulatory Action” in History - Planetizen
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to revoke the 2009 declaration known as the ‘endangerment finding,’ a foundation of the government’s effort to fight climate change.
As Maxine Joselow and Lisa Friedman explain in the New York Times, the finding established that greenhouse gases pose a threat to public health. “The Obama and Biden administrations used that determination to set strict limits on greenhouse gas emissions from cars, power plants and other industrial sources of pollution.”
Without the endangerment finding, the E.P.A. would be left with no authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate the greenhouse gas emissions that are accumulating in the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels.
EPA administrator Lee Zeldin called the change “the largest deregulatory action in the history of the United States,” adding that the decision would eliminate limits on emissions for cars and trucks, among other regulations. In the United States, transportation emissions are the largest source of greenhouse gases.
The EPA cited a report from five scientists “known for their rejection of the overwhelming scientific consensus on climate change” that claims climate change models exaggerate warming and that carbon dioxide has overall positive effects because of its usefulness to plants.
Geography United States Category Environment Government / Politics Tags- Environmental Protection Agency
- EPA
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Endangerment Finding
- Climate Change
- Trump 2.0
- Emissions
EPA Plans “Largest Deregulatory Action” in History - Planetizen
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to revoke the 2009 declaration known as the ‘endangerment finding,’ a foundation of the government’s effort to fight climate change.
As Maxine Joselow and Lisa Friedman explain in the New York Times, the finding established that greenhouse gases pose a threat to public health. “The Obama and Biden administrations used that determination to set strict limits on greenhouse gas emissions from cars, power plants and other industrial sources of pollution.”
Without the endangerment finding, the E.P.A. would be left with no authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate the greenhouse gas emissions that are accumulating in the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels.
EPA administrator Lee Zeldin called the change “the largest deregulatory action in the history of the United States,” adding that the decision would eliminate limits on emissions for cars and trucks, among other regulations. In the United States, transportation emissions are the largest source of greenhouse gases.
The EPA cited a report from five scientists “known for their rejection of the overwhelming scientific consensus on climate change” that claims climate change models exaggerate warming and that carbon dioxide has overall positive effects because of its usefulness to plants.
Geography United States Category Environment Government / Politics Tags- Environmental Protection Agency
- EPA
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Endangerment Finding
- Climate Change
- Trump 2.0
- Emissions
02 Ago 2025
100 years ago, scientists thought we’d be eating food made from air - Popular Science
In the early 1920s, on the left bank of the Seine just outside Paris, a small laboratory garden bloomed on a plot of land sandwiched between the soaring Paris Observatory and the sprawling grounds of Chalais Park. Unlike a typical garden filled with well-groomed plants and the smell of fresh-turned soil, this garden had an industrial feel. Dubbed “the Garden of Wonders” by a contemporary journalist, the plot was lined with elevated white boxes fed with water from large glass canisters. Nearby greenhouses included equally unusual accessories. But it’s what happened inside the low-slung laboratory buildings that made this garden so wondrous.
In August 1925, Popular Science contributing writer Norman C. McCloud described how Daniel Berthelot—a decorated chemist and physicist from France—was conducting revolutionary “factory-made vegetable” experiments in his Garden of Wonders. Berthelot, son of Marcellin Berthelot, a renowned 19th century chemist and French diplomat, was using the garden to expand upon his father’s groundbreaking work. Starting in 1851, the elder Berthelot began creating synthetic organic compounds, such as fats and sugars (he coined the name “triglyceride”), from inorganic compounds like hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen. It was a revolutionary first step toward artificial food.
“[The younger] Berthelot already has produced foodstuffs artificially by subjecting various gases to the influence of ultra-violet light,” wrote McCloud. “These experiments,” he added, quoting Berthelot, “show that by means of light, vegetable foods can be manufactured from air gases.” But Berthelot’s experiment didn’t exactly catch on. A century later, most food is still grown the traditional way—by plants—but the idea of manufacturing food in controlled, factory environments has been gaining ground. In fact, Berthelot’s revolutionary idea may finally be bearing fruit—just not in the way he imagined.
Daniel Berthelot takes notes in his so-called “Garden of Wonders” next to elevated white boxes fed with water from large glass canisters. Image: Popular Science, August 1925 issue A revolution in food chemistryBerthelot never fully accomplished his goal of trying to artificially reproduce what plants do naturally. Nonetheless, his experiments, as sensational as they might seem today, would have been considered quite plausible in 1925. That’s because his father’s discoveries had unleashed a revolution in chemistry and a tidal wave of optimism about the future of food. By the 1930s, chemists had begun synthesizing everything from basic nutrients, like vitamins, to medicines, like aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), to food additives, such as artificial thickeners, emulsifiers, colors, and flavors.
In an interview for McClure’s magazine in 1894 dubbed “Foods in the Year 2000,” Berthelot’s father boldly predicted that all foods would be artificial by the year 2000. “The epicure of the future is to dine upon artificial meat, artificial flour, and artificial vegetables,” wrote Henry Dam for McClure’s, articulating Marcellin Berthelot’s vision. “Wheat fields and corn fields are to disappear from the face of the earth. Herds of cattle, flocks of sheep, and droves of swine will cease to be bred because beef and mutton and pork will be manufactured direct[ly] from their elements.”
Welcome to the Garden of WondersSuch was the vision that the younger Berthelot was pursuing in his Garden of Wonders. His goal, he told McCloud, was to produce “sugar and starch from the elements without the intervention of living organisms.” To achieve this, Berthelot envisioned a factory with “glass tanks of great capacity.” Gases would be pumped into the tanks, and “suspended from the ceiling [would] be lamps producing the rays of ultra-violet light.” Berthelot imagined that when the chemical elements combined “through the glass walls of the tank we shall see something in the nature of a gentle snowfall that will accumulate on the floor of the tanks…our finished product—vegetable starches and vegetable sugars created in a faithful reproduction of the works of nature.”
An aerial view of the experimental “Garden of Wonders” in Meudon, France, where chemist Daniel Berthelot explored ways to grow food without traditional soil or farming methods. Image: Public DomainBy 1925, he had succeeded in using light and gas (carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen) to create the basic compound formamide, which is used to produce sulfa drugs (a kind of synthetic antibiotic) and other medicines as well as industrial products. But his progress toward reproducing photosynthesis ended there. Berthelot died just two years after McCloud’s story ran in Popular Science, in 1927, without ever realizing his dream.
Despite the bold predictions of the time, producing food from only air and light was wildly aspirational in 1925, if for no other reason than photosynthesis was poorly understood. The term had only been coined a few decades earlier when Charles Barnes, an influential American botanist, lobbied for a more precise description of a plant’s internal mechanisms than the generic “assimilation” then in favor. Chlorophyll had been discovered in the prior century, but what happened at a cellular level in plants remained largely theoretical until the 1950s. Although Berthelot may have been onto something with his experiments, adding to the momentum that became the artificial food industry, he was a long way from replicating what comes naturally to plants. We still are, but recent discoveries may have enabled a workaround—depending on your definition of “food.”
A modern answer to Berthelot’s innovative gardenFrom vertical indoor farms to hydroponics to genetically modified crops, since the 1960s commercial agriculture has been focused on coaxing more yield from fewer resources, including land, water, and nutrients. The drive began when Nobel Peace Prize winner Norman Borlaug, an American biologist, helped spark the Green Revolution by selectively breeding a grain-packed, dwarf variety of wheat. The theoretical limit of that revolutionary goal would liberate food production from traditional agriculture altogether, eliminating all resources except air and light—Berthelot’s original vision.
Daniel Berthelot (shown here) died in 1927, never achieving his dream of creating food from air, water, and light. Image: Public DomainIn the last century, we’ve inched toward creating food from nothing, making progress by teasing apart the incredibly complex biochemical pathways associated with plant physiology. But if we’ve learned anything since Berthelot’s experiments, it’s that photosynthesis—what plants are naturally programmed to do—can’t be easily replicated industrially. But that hasn’t stopped a handful of companies from trying.
In April 2024, Solar Foods opened a factory in Vantaa, Finland—a sleek facility where workers monitor large tanks filled with atmospheric gases. Inside the tanks, water transforms into a protein-rich slurry. Dehydrated, the slurry becomes a golden powder packed with protein and other nutrients, ready to be turned into pasta, ice cream, and protein bars. The powdery substance, Solein, resembles Berthelot’s vision, as does the factory, which uses atmospheric gases to enable “food production anywhere in the world,” according to a 2025 company press release, “as production is not dependent on weather, climate conditions, or land use.” But the similarities with Berthelot’s vision end there. Solar Foods may not require land or plants to produce food, but their technology derives from a living organism. Using a form of fermentation, it relies on a microbe to digest air and water to produce protein.
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The U.S.-based company Kiverdi uses a similar microbial fermentation process, first devised by NASA as far back as the 1960s for deep space travel, to convert carbon dioxide into protein. Austria-based Arkeon Technologies has developed its own microbial fermentation process to also produce food from carbon dioxide without the need for land or other nutrients. Microbial fermentation may represent a promising new chapter in synthetic foods, but don’t expect tomatoes or corn to materialize from thin air anytime soon—it’s not artificial photosynthesis.
While Berthelot’s understanding of photosynthesis was primitive a century ago, he was ahead of his time in many ways, and his vision was remarkably prescient. Although we still haven’t figured out how to replicate photosynthesis chemically—literally growing fruits and vegetables as plants do from air and light—it’s worth acknowledging the strides we’ve made in just the last decade: Companies like Arkeon Technologies and Kiverdi may help remove excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while offering solutions to future food shortages. Or they may not. Only the next century will tell.
The post 100 years ago, scientists thought we’d be eating food made from air appeared first on Popular Science.
Apple Sues Movie Theater Chain With Similar 'Apple Cinemas' Name - MacRumors
"Apple Cinemas is knowingly and intentionally using the name Apple to sow confusion for its own benefit," alleged attorneys for Apple, in a complaint filed against all Apple Cinemas locations, and a Sand Media Corp Inc. company connected to the chain.
Established in 2013, Apple Cinemas maintained a limited presence in the Northeastern U.S. until last month, when it opened a theater in San Francisco. The complaint alleges that Apple Cinemas is pursuing a nationwide expansion across the U.S., including in areas near Apple's headquarters and retail stores, leading Apple to take action.
"Faced with Defendants' plan to expand to 100 theaters nationwide, as well as widespread public confusion about Apple's involvement in the theaters, Apple has no alternative but to file this lawsuit to protect its brand and customers from deception," the complaint states.
Apple Cinemas currently has 14 locations, according to its website.
Apple's "repeated efforts to resolve the matter amicably" were unsuccessful. The lawsuit alleges that the companies behind Apple Cinemas have received multiple warnings that the name would cause confusion among consumers, but carried on. The complaint includes examples of some people who believed that Apple Cinemas was owned by Apple, in the comment sections of various online news articles and social media posts.
The first warning came from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which in October 2024 denied Sand Media Corp Inc.'s trademark applications for the "Apple Cinemas" and "ACX — Apple Cinematic Experience" marks, given they were likely to cause confusion with Apple's prior trademark rights, according to the complaint.
Apple has very strong trademark rights in connection with a wide range of goods and services, including movie distribution, its attorneys said.
The second warning came in December 2024, when Apple sent Sand Media Corps Inc. a cease and desist letter directly, according to the complaint. Apple's attorneys also communicated with the company by phone and in writing several times, but it knowingly pushed forward with its Apple Cinemas expansion plans, the complaint adds.
As for how the Apple Cinemas name came to be? According to the complaint, the founders of the chain claim they adopted the name due to a planned first location at the Apple Valley Mall in Rhode Island, but they never opened a location there.
Apple is seeking both an injunction and monetary damages.Tag: Apple Lawsuits
This article, "Apple Sues Movie Theater Chain With Similar 'Apple Cinemas' Name" first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums
Apple Sues Movie Theater Chain With Similar 'Apple Cinemas' Name - MacRumors
"Apple Cinemas is knowingly and intentionally using the name Apple to sow confusion for its own benefit," alleged attorneys for Apple, in a complaint filed against all Apple Cinemas locations, and a Sand Media Corp Inc. company connected to the chain.
Established in 2013, Apple Cinemas maintained a limited presence in the Northeastern U.S. until last month, when it opened a theater in San Francisco. The complaint alleges that Apple Cinemas is pursuing a nationwide expansion across the U.S., including in areas near Apple's headquarters and retail stores, leading Apple to take action.
"Faced with Defendants' plan to expand to 100 theaters nationwide, as well as widespread public confusion about Apple's involvement in the theaters, Apple has no alternative but to file this lawsuit to protect its brand and customers from deception," the complaint states.
Apple Cinemas currently has 14 locations, according to its website.
Apple's "repeated efforts to resolve the matter amicably" were unsuccessful. The lawsuit alleges that the companies behind Apple Cinemas have received multiple warnings that the name would cause confusion among consumers, but carried on. The complaint includes examples of some people who believed that Apple Cinemas was owned by Apple, in the comment sections of various online news articles and social media posts.
The first warning came from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which in October 2024 denied Sand Media Corp Inc.'s trademark applications for the "Apple Cinemas" and "ACX — Apple Cinematic Experience" marks, given they were likely to cause confusion with Apple's prior trademark rights, according to the complaint.
Apple has very strong trademark rights in connection with a wide range of goods and services, including movie distribution, its attorneys said.
The second warning came in December 2024, when Apple sent Sand Media Corps Inc. a cease and desist letter directly, according to the complaint. Apple's attorneys also communicated with the company by phone and in writing several times, but it knowingly pushed forward with its Apple Cinemas expansion plans, the complaint adds.
As for how the Apple Cinemas name came to be? According to the complaint, the founders of the chain claim they adopted the name due to a planned first location at the Apple Valley Mall in Rhode Island, but they never opened a location there.
Apple is seeking both an injunction and monetary damages.Tag: Apple Lawsuits
This article, "Apple Sues Movie Theater Chain With Similar 'Apple Cinemas' Name" first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums
iPhone 17 Pro's Metal Battery Allegedly Revealed [Updated] - MacRumors
"Due to a miscommunication with my source, the information I reported yesterday is incorrect," said Majin Bu.
Original story follows.
A leaker known as Majin Bu today shared images of an alleged battery pack for Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 Air model, which is expected to launch in September.
The battery apparently has a metal cover, just like the iPhone 16 Pro's battery. This cover would help to dissipate heat generated by the battery inside the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, which is expected to measure just 5.5mm at its thinnest point.
A source told Majin Bu that the L-shaped battery pack will have a capacity of around 2,900 mAh. That tracks with previous rumors indicating that the iPhone 17 Air's battery capacity will be in the 2,800 mAh to 3,000 mAh range.
The batteries in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus use a type of adhesive that can be loosened with low-voltage electrical current, from a 9V battery or another power source. Majin Bu expects the iPhone 17 Air's battery will also be removable in this way.
Alleged images of iPhone 17 Air battery via Majin Bu
Majin Bu has a mixed track record with Apple rumors. They were most recently accurate about iPadOS 26 adding a Mac-like menu bar to iPads.
If the 2,900 mAh figure is accurate, the iPhone 17 Air could have the shortest battery life of any iPhone model since the iPhone 13 series, but the lower capacity could be offset by the A19 chip's improved power efficiency. In addition, iOS 26's new Adaptive Power Mode would help the iPhone 17 Air to achieve at least slightly longer battery life.
Earlier this year, The Information's Wayne Ma reported that the iPhone 17 Air would have "worse" battery life compared to previous iPhone models, due to the device's rumored ultra-thin design limiting internal space for a battery.
In internal testing, Apple determined that the percentage of users who will be able to use the iPhone 17 Air for a full day without needing to recharge the device throughout the day will be between 60% and 70%, according to that report. For other iPhone models, the report said that metric is apparently between 80% and 90%.
To mitigate this problem, the report said that Apple is planning to release a battery case as an optional accessory for the iPhone 17 Air.
Apple last released battery cases for the iPhone 11 lineup, followed by the since-discontinued MagSafe Battery Pack for iPhone 12 models and newer.Related Roundup: iPhone 17 AirTag: Majin BuRelated Forum: iPhone
This article, "iPhone 17 Pro's Metal Battery Allegedly Revealed [Updated]" first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums
iPhone 17 Pro's Metal Battery Allegedly Revealed [Updated] - MacRumors
"Due to a miscommunication with my source, the information I reported yesterday is incorrect," said Majin Bu.
Original story follows.
A leaker known as Majin Bu today shared images of an alleged battery pack for Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 Air model, which is expected to launch in September.
The battery apparently has a metal cover, just like the iPhone 16 Pro's battery. This cover would help to dissipate heat generated by the battery inside the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, which is expected to measure just 5.5mm at its thinnest point.
A source told Majin Bu that the L-shaped battery pack will have a capacity of around 2,900 mAh. That tracks with previous rumors indicating that the iPhone 17 Air's battery capacity will be in the 2,800 mAh to 3,000 mAh range.
The batteries in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus use a type of adhesive that can be loosened with low-voltage electrical current, from a 9V battery or another power source. Majin Bu expects the iPhone 17 Air's battery will also be removable in this way.
Alleged images of iPhone 17 Air battery via Majin Bu
Majin Bu has a mixed track record with Apple rumors. They were most recently accurate about iPadOS 26 adding a Mac-like menu bar to iPads.
If the 2,900 mAh figure is accurate, the iPhone 17 Air could have the shortest battery life of any iPhone model since the iPhone 13 series, but the lower capacity could be offset by the A19 chip's improved power efficiency. In addition, iOS 26's new Adaptive Power Mode would help the iPhone 17 Air to achieve at least slightly longer battery life.
Earlier this year, The Information's Wayne Ma reported that the iPhone 17 Air would have "worse" battery life compared to previous iPhone models, due to the device's rumored ultra-thin design limiting internal space for a battery.
In internal testing, Apple determined that the percentage of users who will be able to use the iPhone 17 Air for a full day without needing to recharge the device throughout the day will be between 60% and 70%, according to that report. For other iPhone models, the report said that metric is apparently between 80% and 90%.
To mitigate this problem, the report said that Apple is planning to release a battery case as an optional accessory for the iPhone 17 Air.
Apple last released battery cases for the iPhone 11 lineup, followed by the since-discontinued MagSafe Battery Pack for iPhone 12 models and newer.Related Roundup: iPhone 17 AirTag: Majin BuRelated Forum: iPhone
This article, "iPhone 17 Pro's Metal Battery Allegedly Revealed [Updated]" first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums
Best Apple Deals of the Week: M4 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Hit New Record Low Prices - MacRumors
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
M4 MacBook Air
- What's the deal? Get $200 off M4 MacBook Air
- Where can I get it? Amazon
- Where can I find the original deal? Right here
$200 OFF13-inch M4 MacBook Air (256GB) for $799.00
$200 OFF15-inch M4 MacBook Air (256GB) for $999.00
Amazon this week introduced a new record low price across the entire M4 MacBook Air lineup, and you can still get the 13-inch M4 MacBook Air (256GB) for just $799.00, plus many other deals.
M4 MacBook Pro
- What's the deal? Get up to $436 off M4 MacBook Pro
- Where can I get it? Amazon
- Where can I find the original deal? Right here
$300 OFF14-inch M4 MacBook Pro (512GB) for $1,299.00
Continuing this week's theme of steep MacBook-related discounts, Amazon also has great deals on the M4 MacBook Pro right now. You'll find up to $436 off these computers, starting at $1,299.00 for the entry-level 14-inch model.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
- What's the deal? Get $150 off Apple Watch Ultra 2
- Where can I get it? Best Buy and Amazon
- Where can I find the original deal? Right here
$150 OFFApple Watch Ultra 2 (Black) for $649.00
Both Amazon and Best Buy brought back the all-time low price on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 this week in multiple colors and band styles.
AirPods Max
- What's the deal? Get $99 off AirPods Max
- Where can I get it? Amazon
- Where can I find the original deal? Right here
$99 OFFAirPods Max (USB-C) for $449.99
You can get the AirPods Max for $449.99 in all colors except Purple this week on Amazon, which is a $99 discount and second-best price.
If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2025? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
Related Roundup: Apple Deals
This article, "Best Apple Deals of the Week: M4 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Hit New Record Low Prices" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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Best Apple Deals of the Week: M4 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Hit New Record Low Prices - MacRumors
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
M4 MacBook Air
- What's the deal? Get $200 off M4 MacBook Air
- Where can I get it? Amazon
- Where can I find the original deal? Right here
$200 OFF13-inch M4 MacBook Air (256GB) for $799.00
$200 OFF15-inch M4 MacBook Air (256GB) for $999.00
Amazon this week introduced a new record low price across the entire M4 MacBook Air lineup, and you can still get the 13-inch M4 MacBook Air (256GB) for just $799.00, plus many other deals.
M4 MacBook Pro
- What's the deal? Get up to $436 off M4 MacBook Pro
- Where can I get it? Amazon
- Where can I find the original deal? Right here
$300 OFF14-inch M4 MacBook Pro (512GB) for $1,299.00
Continuing this week's theme of steep MacBook-related discounts, Amazon also has great deals on the M4 MacBook Pro right now. You'll find up to $436 off these computers, starting at $1,299.00 for the entry-level 14-inch model.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
- What's the deal? Get $150 off Apple Watch Ultra 2
- Where can I get it? Best Buy and Amazon
- Where can I find the original deal? Right here
$150 OFFApple Watch Ultra 2 (Black) for $649.00
Both Amazon and Best Buy brought back the all-time low price on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 this week in multiple colors and band styles.
AirPods Max
- What's the deal? Get $99 off AirPods Max
- Where can I get it? Amazon
- Where can I find the original deal? Right here
$99 OFFAirPods Max (USB-C) for $449.99
You can get the AirPods Max for $449.99 in all colors except Purple this week on Amazon, which is a $99 discount and second-best price.
If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2025? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
Related Roundup: Apple Deals
This article, "Best Apple Deals of the Week: M4 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Hit New Record Low Prices" first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums
Rare purple crabs spotted in Thailand - Popular Science
What’s purple, white, and hard all over? Some rare crabs, according to Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. The department recently published pictures of the violaceous, alien-looking crustaceans on their Facebook page.
According to the translated social media post, park rangers stationed at Kaeng Krachan National Park’s Panoen Thung checkpoint photographed the rare “Princess” or “Sirindhorn” crabs just before the area closed at the end of the tourist season. The crabs carapace–or shell on its back–can be about an inch long when they are fully grown.
Not much is known about these small, but vibrant, crabs. CREDIT: Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation via Facebook.“The discovery is considered a precious gift from nature,” the post reads. “The appearance of the Princess Crab is not only a rare sighting of an elusive species, but also an important indicator of the ecosystem’s health.”
The crabs are reportedly named in honor of Thailand’s Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, but more commonly known as panda crabs. Panda crabs (Lepidothelphusa cognetti) are semi-terrestrial crabs named for their (usually) panda-like black and white patterns. According to the Bangkok Post, the panda crab was discovered in Ngao Waterfall National Park in 1986, though other sources indicate that the crustacean was actually discovered earlier.
While there isn’t too much data about panda crabs yet, much less the purple variety, one thing is certain—the pictures are fantastic. Earlier this month, Kaeng Krachan National Park also celebrated finding a specimen of the more traditional black-and-white version.
When fully grown, their carapace can be about one inch wide. CREDIT: Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation via Facebook.“Kaeng Krachan National Park, a World Heritage Site with invaluable biodiversity, is home to protected wildlife species. The presence of these animals demonstrates that the forest area still maintains excellent environmental quality,” continues the more recent Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation post. In addition to crabs, the park also hosts an impressive diversity of animals, from leopards and bears to broadbill birds and king cobra snakes.
“The appearance of the royal crab serves as a reminder of the value of our world heritage forest, which we must all help to preserve,” concludes the post.
The post Rare purple crabs spotted in Thailand appeared first on Popular Science.
You might not realize it, but your iPhone probably needs this - Popular Science
I don’t really know why it does it, but sometimes I’ll take a picture, and it’ll look good. Then, I’ll move my phone, and it’s like it was still actively taking the picture several seconds later. So now I have literally hundreds of weird, blurry images where my cat went from looking like a beautiful princess to some sort of elastic Cronenberg. Naturally, I could go back through my gallery and delete all those blurry messes manually, but just like all the random pocket pictures I’ve accidentally taken and a dozen other annoying things on my phone, it would take time.
So I’m using the Cleaner Kit. It’s an iOS tool to clear out some space on your phone. It uses AI to help you find and delete blurry photos, outdated calendar events, duplicate contacts, and more. It’s also only $29.99 on sale (reg. $104.97).
What does the Cleaner Kit do?Cleaner Kit groups your photos by date, so you can swipe left on the disasters and right on the ones worth keeping. Or just let the app decide what to clear. Honestly, it’s usually right. It also compresses videos to save space without making them unwatchable.
It’s not just for your gallery either. It merges duplicate contacts, clears old calendar events, and even organizes your Gmail inbox by sender so you can clear out entire threads with a tap. If there’s anything private, like contacts or files you don’t want floating around, there’s a secure vault built in too.
Right now, it’s only $29.99 to get a Cleaner Kit Lifetime Subscription.
StackSocial prices subject to change
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Cleaner Kit for iOS Premium Plan: Lifetime Subscription
The post You might not realize it, but your iPhone probably needs this appeared first on Popular Science.
Top Stories: iOS 18.6 Released, iPhone 17 Leaks, and More - MacRumors
Testing on iOS 26 and related updates is also in full swing, even as this week saw the release of iOS 18.6, macOS Sequoia 15.6, and more to provide bug fixes and security updates for users. Rumors about Apple's foldable iPhone also continue to surface, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more!
Apple Releases iOS 18.6 With Photos Bug Fix
While iOS 26 and related major updates are now in public beta testing ahead of their official releases later this year, Apple is continuing to tweak the current versions with bug fixes and security updates. This week saw the release of iOS 18.6 with a fix for a bug in the Photos app that could prevent memory movies from being shared. The update also includes over 20 security fixes, so it's important to update your devices as soon as possible.
In addition to iOS 18.6, Apple also released macOS Sequoia 15.6, watchOS 11.6, tvOS 18.6, and more, to ensure that all of the company's platforms receive the important fixes.
iPhone 17 Pro Could Come in Surprising Orange Color, Dummy Models Suggest
We've been hearing more and more about the expected color options for the iPhone 17 lineup coming later this year, and a fresh crop of dummy units reportedly intended to showcase the actual shades Apple is planning on launching reveal a surprisingly bright orange color for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max.
In other iPhone rumors, a tipster claims that the Pro models will include up to 8× optical zoom for the Telephoto lens, an additional Camera Control button, and a new pro camera app. The larger camera bumps on the Pro models will also necessitate a change to the MagSafe design, though backward compatibility will be included.
iPhone 17 Pro Spotted in the Wild?
While the iPhone 17 Pro is not expected to launch until September, a prototype of the device was potentially spotted in the wild this week.
It could certainly be a hoax, but the details shown in the photos are consistent with the rumored design of the phone and with how Apple is known to conceal unreleased hardware that has to be tested in the real world.
JPMorgan: Foldable iPhone to Launch in September 2026
Rumors are continuing to line up behind the idea of Apple releasing its first foldable phone in September 2026, alongside several iPhone 18 models.
The latest research note from JPMorgan suggests that the foldable is likely to start at around $1,999, creating a roughly $65 billion market opportunity for Apple. The firm forecasts foldable iPhone sales to be in the low-teens of million in 2027, reaching 45 million units by 2028.
These 10 Apple Stores Are Opening or Closing Later This Year
There has been a flurry of Apple retail news over the past few weeks, with the company announcing the opening of several new or renovated locations while closing a few others. Beyond our initial list of stores from earlier this week, Tim Cook also announced on Thursday's earnings conference call that several more openings are coming to India and the United Arab Emirates later this year.
The closings, which include a rare closure of a Chinese store in Dalian, typically occur in shopping malls that have been in decline and losing other major tenants. In some cases Apple has been replacing the stores in other nearby locations where they are expected to perform better, while in other cases customers are directed to alternative existing Apple retail stores in their areas.
MacRumors Newsletter
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!Tag: Top Stories
This article, "Top Stories: iOS 18.6 Released, iPhone 17 Leaks, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums
Top Stories: iOS 18.6 Released, iPhone 17 Leaks, and More - MacRumors
Testing on iOS 26 and related updates is also in full swing, even as this week saw the release of iOS 18.6, macOS Sequoia 15.6, and more to provide bug fixes and security updates for users. Rumors about Apple's foldable iPhone also continue to surface, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more!
Apple Releases iOS 18.6 With Photos Bug Fix
While iOS 26 and related major updates are now in public beta testing ahead of their official releases later this year, Apple is continuing to tweak the current versions with bug fixes and security updates. This week saw the release of iOS 18.6 with a fix for a bug in the Photos app that could prevent memory movies from being shared. The update also includes over 20 security fixes, so it's important to update your devices as soon as possible.
In addition to iOS 18.6, Apple also released macOS Sequoia 15.6, watchOS 11.6, tvOS 18.6, and more, to ensure that all of the company's platforms receive the important fixes.
iPhone 17 Pro Could Come in Surprising Orange Color, Dummy Models Suggest
We've been hearing more and more about the expected color options for the iPhone 17 lineup coming later this year, and a fresh crop of dummy units reportedly intended to showcase the actual shades Apple is planning on launching reveal a surprisingly bright orange color for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max.
In other iPhone rumors, a tipster claims that the Pro models will include up to 8× optical zoom for the Telephoto lens, an additional Camera Control button, and a new pro camera app. The larger camera bumps on the Pro models will also necessitate a change to the MagSafe design, though backward compatibility will be included.
iPhone 17 Pro Spotted in the Wild?
While the iPhone 17 Pro is not expected to launch until September, a prototype of the device was potentially spotted in the wild this week.
It could certainly be a hoax, but the details shown in the photos are consistent with the rumored design of the phone and with how Apple is known to conceal unreleased hardware that has to be tested in the real world.
JPMorgan: Foldable iPhone to Launch in September 2026
Rumors are continuing to line up behind the idea of Apple releasing its first foldable phone in September 2026, alongside several iPhone 18 models.
The latest research note from JPMorgan suggests that the foldable is likely to start at around $1,999, creating a roughly $65 billion market opportunity for Apple. The firm forecasts foldable iPhone sales to be in the low-teens of million in 2027, reaching 45 million units by 2028.
These 10 Apple Stores Are Opening or Closing Later This Year
There has been a flurry of Apple retail news over the past few weeks, with the company announcing the opening of several new or renovated locations while closing a few others. Beyond our initial list of stores from earlier this week, Tim Cook also announced on Thursday's earnings conference call that several more openings are coming to India and the United Arab Emirates later this year.
The closings, which include a rare closure of a Chinese store in Dalian, typically occur in shopping malls that have been in decline and losing other major tenants. In some cases Apple has been replacing the stores in other nearby locations where they are expected to perform better, while in other cases customers are directed to alternative existing Apple retail stores in their areas.
MacRumors Newsletter
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!Tag: Top Stories
This article, "Top Stories: iOS 18.6 Released, iPhone 17 Leaks, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums
14 beautiful wildlife images from the 2025 Mangrove Photography Awards - Popular Science
Mangroves provide a rest stop for migratory flamingos in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. As the vibrant birds snack on algae and small invertebrates, the still and shallow waters create a mirror effect. Photographer Ibrahim Alshwamin captured the serene moment (seen above) and took home runner-up honors in the Birds category of the 2025 Mangrove Photography Awards.
Now in its 11th year, the competition puts a spotlight on vital and fragile mangrove ecosystems around the world. This year’s edition saw more than 3,000 entries from 78 countries. Mark Ian Cook earned the prestigious title of Mangrove Photographer of the Year 2025 for his striking aerial image (seen below) of Roseate Spoonbills soaring over the Florida Bay as a lemon shark swims by.
“Birds’ eye view of the hunt “Overall Winner
Historically, Florida Bay was the primary nestling region of the Roseate Spoonbill in the US, but this species is becoming increasingly rare there as sea level rise negatively impacts their important mangrove foraging habitat. This species feeds on small, estuarine fish which it captures with its odd, spoon-shaped bill. Spoonbills are tactile foragers, meaning they feed by touch. As they forage, they sweep their bill from side to side in the water holding it slightly open so it creates a negative pressure that effectively sucks any small fish it encounters into the bill. However, for this foraging method to be successful the birds need relatively shallow water with very high densities of fish. This becomes particularly critical during the energetic bottleneck of the nesting season when the birds need to feed not only themselves but also 2 or 3 rapidly growing nestlings. High densities of fish are produced in the dry season when water levels decline, the area coverage of water in the mangroves shrinks, and fish become concentrated in increasingly smaller and shallower pools. Once a threshold depth of about 13 cm is reached the spoonbills can feed effectively and start nesting. However, with climate-change induced sea-level rise, these critical lower water depths in the mangroves are increasingly failing to be met, fish densities are insufficient for effective foraging, and fewer birds are able to breed.
Credit: Mark Ian Cook / MANGROVE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
“This is an extraordinary perspective showing just how dynamic mangroves can be,” judge Tanya Houppermans said of the photograph. “What makes the photo especially impressive is that while there is a lot of action taking place with the flight of the spoonbills and the predation by the lemon shark, the brilliant multi-layered composition allows the viewer to take it all in without being overwhelmed. Really an exceptional image!”
Visit the Mangrove Action Project to learn more about how healthy mangroves sustain wildlife.
“Guardian of the Underworld”HIGHLY COMMENDED, Underwater
In Mayan culture, the crocodile is a sacred creature. It links earth, air and water. It is linked not only to nature, but also to the underworld, the place where souls wander. For the Mayans of Yucatan, cenotes are doorways to the underworld. And in mythology, the crocodile floated on the edge between the world of the living and that of the dead. This image of the crocodile, floating on the surface of this cenote, perfectly illustrates this sacred legend.
Credit: Rodolphe Guignard, @rodolpheguignard / MANGROVE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
“Scent marking went wrong”
RUNNER-UP, Wildlife, Mammals
Sundarbans is a challenging place because Tiger territories keep submerging into water every six hours according to the moon cycle. While there is a myth in people that Tigers do not do scent/territory markings here because they lose the mark in water very quickly, I was lucky to photograph this rare behavior in mangroves. Only funny part was, the entire urine went on the subadult Tiger’s face.
Credit: Trikansh Sharma, @trikansh_sharma / MANGROVE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR “Mosquito are dangerous than a tiger”
RUNNER UP, Young Photographer
“Mosquito are dangerous than a tiger” is a Thai proverb. This saying seem to hold true, especially in mangrove forest where mosquitoes are abundant. Almost every creature appears to fall victim to them even mudskipper and me.
Credit: Katanyou Wuttichaitanakorn, @akatanyou / MANGROVE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
“A Snack in the Mangrove Forest “
WINNER, Wildlife, Mammals
This juvenile proboscis monkey is seen savoring an avicennia fruit it found. The avicennia fruit is one of the primary food sources for proboscis monkeys. This image highlights the vital role of mangrove ecosystems in supporting the survival of this endangered species.
Credit: Satwika Satria, @ian_satwika / MANGROVE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR Satwika Satria “The Silent Sentinel of the Mangroves”
HIGHLY COMMENDED, Wildlife, Mammals
In 2021, during a boat safari in the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve, our quest for the elusive swamp tiger went unanswered. As we turned back, a sleeping Jungle Cat emerged from the mangrove shadows. I captured its slow awakening — a deep stretch and a powerful yawn exposing sharp teeth — before it vanished into the dense tidal forest. This fleeting moment perfectly reflects the Sundarbans’ mysterious spirit and the wild rewards of patient observation.
Credit: Tanmoy Das Karmakar, @tanmoy_wildlife / MANGROVE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
Tanmoy Das Karmakar “Mangrove Under the Milky Way”
WINNER, Landscape, On the Ground
This is Walakiri Beach. Not long after sunset, a breathtaking view of the Milky Way unfolded overhead. It’s pristine where you can experience the spectacular night sky in all its glory.
Credit: Gwi Bin Lim, @gwibinlim / MANGROVE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
LIM GWI BIM 010-2386-7303 “Mother’s protection”
HIGHLY COMMENDED, Wildlife, Mammals
One evening of winter of Indian Sundarban I was in the safari and I had a information of jungle cat and her cubs. I was waiting for 3 hours with make distance. After some time I saw the mother jungle cat sleeping and her little cub was also sleeping in her lap. As sun down she started licking her cub and took up and move to the jungle. The whole moment was breathing to me. As I saw the life time moment, also the protective nature of mother.
Credit: Satyaki Naha, @satyakinaha_photography / MANGROVE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
“Low tide on hermit crab island”
WINNER, Underwater
While Clibanarius taeniatus is one of Australia’s more common hermit crab species, very little is known about it and I’m not sure it even has a common name. A study from 2003 found that its presence in large numbers generally indicates an environment that experiences higher freshwater flow than other marine intertidal regions. This is certainly true of the mangrove island I found at the entrance of Lake Macquarie which was absolutely teeming with these creatures. I visited this island at both low and high tides, and at low tide there were literally thousands of C.taeniatus feeding within the matrix of mangrove roots.
Credit: Alex Pike, @alexjpike / MANGROVE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR “Claws of Power”
RUNNER UP, Wildlife, Other Species
A male Fiddler Crab (Uca sp.) performing a signal dance in the mud at sunset. During courtship, males wave their enlarged claw and produce sounds to attract females. This behavior is more intense at night and can involve synchronous waving with other males.
Credit: Javier Aznar González De Rueda, @javier_aznar_photography / MANGROVE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR Javier Aznar González de Rueda “Breaking the Bat”
HIGHLY COMMENDED, Wildlife, Other Species
A morning stroll at Singapore’s Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (2022), yielded an unexpected encounter. As I arrived, I noticed a Reticulated Python (Malayopython reticulatus) hunting for Lesser Dog-faced Fruit Bats (Cynopterus brachyotis) in the rafters. Out of nowhere, it made a daring lunge for a mother bat and her child, flinging itself off the rafters and onto a signboard below where I was observing them. I watched in astonishment as the python constricted the bats, which were emitting loud squeaks. However, this encounter was brief. Seemingly stunned from the harsh fall, the python released its grip on the two and swiftly departed shortly after. The baby bat tragically died, while its mother lived to see another day. The outcome was a photo of the longest snake in the world suffocating its helpless prey, which donned a chilling expression.
Credit: Robbin Tan, @robbintann / MANGROVE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR “Sunset Snack”
HIGHLY COMMENDED, Underwater
A gentle manatee grazes peacefully underwater, nestled beneath the tangled roots of a mangrove forest.
Credit: Valentina Cucchiara, @valeoceano_liquidjungle / MANGROVE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
“The Dancing Trees”
HIGHLY COMMENDED, Landscape On the Ground
The dancing trees of Sumba, framed through another dancing tree.
Credit: Max Terwindt, @maxterwindt / MANGROVE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
The post 14 beautiful wildlife images from the 2025 Mangrove Photography Awards appeared first on Popular Science.
It’s the final countdown for Windows 10—grab 11 Pro for just $15 - Popular Science
Still running Windows 10 and pretending everything’s fine? No judgment—we’ve all clicked “Remind me later” more times than we can count. But here’s the thing: Microsoft is officially ending support for Windows 10 in October 2025. That means no more security updates, no more features, and no more tech support. Yikes.
But there’s no need to stress. Windows 11 Pro is available right now for a wallet-hugging $14.97 (reg. $199). This is a one-time payment for a lifetime license—no subscriptions, no strings. Just a smoother, smarter OS that’s ready for today’s multitasking, hybrid-working, game-streaming world.
With a sleek new interface, faster performance, built-in security like BitLocker and Smart App Control, plus productivity tools like Snap Layouts, Windows 11 Pro is designed to actually make your computer life easier (not just shinier).
One of the standout features of Windows 11 Pro is Copilot, your built-in AI assistant that’s actually helpful (we promise). Copilot can answer questions, summarize web pages, draft emails, generate images, suggest code, and even help tweak your system settings—all without leaving your desktop.
Just press the Windows key + C or tap the Copilot key (if your keyboard has one) to summon it. Whether you’re brainstorming ideas, organizing tasks, or figuring out how to switch your default browser (again), Copilot is like having a tech-savvy sidekick who never needs a coffee break.
And if you need professional features, you’ll find tools like Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, and Azure AD support baked in. Whether you’re a creative, coder, business pro—or just someone who doesn’t want their system stuck in the past—it’s the upgrade that makes sense.
And yes, it’s digital. Download it, install it, and you’re done.
So instead of scrambling in the fall (along with everyone else), upgrade today and check one more thing off your tech to-do list.
Get Windows 11 Pro for just $14.97 (reg. $199) for a limited time.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
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Microsoft Windows 11 Pro
The post It’s the final countdown for Windows 10—grab 11 Pro for just $15 appeared first on Popular Science.
iOS 26: 10+ Features Coming to the Phone App - MacRumors
Unified Design
The Phone app has a new unified design, but there is an option to use the original iOS 18 layout as well. The unified design puts recent calls, missed calls, and voicemails on a single screen.
Favorite contacts remain at the top of the interface, and there's still a tab for swapping over to contacts and the keypad. You can turn the unified view on or off by tapping on the icon with three lines in the upper right corner of the display.
Call Screening
Apple has expanded call screening functionality in iOS 26. There is an option to ask unknown callers (aka people who you don't have saved in your Contacts list) for their name and reason for calling. When enabled, this is an automated process.
The iPhone intercepts an incoming call, and requests the person's name and a short reason for calling. The information is transcribed to text and relayed to you, and you can decide whether to ask for more information, accept the call, or decline the call.
The person on the other end of the call receives an automated response similar to a voicemail asking for more information, and they are placed on hold while you make a decision on accepting or declining the call.
To use this feature, toggle on "Ask Reason for Calling" in the Phone section of the Settings app.
Silence Unknown Callers
Rather than asking for more information from unknown callers, there is still a silence unknown caller option that can be turned on instead. As in iOS 18, toggling this on silences calls from unsaved numbers, sending them to voicemail automatically. Calls that are silenced will show up on the Recents list, and you will also see the voicemail for information about why someone was calling.
If you don't want to use silence unknown callers or the ask reason for calling feature, you can set the Screen Unknown Callers option to "Never." With this setting, calls from unsaved numbers ring as normal, and missed calls are shown on the Recents list.
Call Filtering
In addition to improved call screening, iOS 26 has new call filtering features. There is an option to move missed calls and voicemails from unsaved numbers to a dedicated Unknown Callers list, hiding them from the main view.
There's also a toggle to automatically silence calls that are marked as spam by a carrier. If you have Verizon, for example, Verizon automatically marks some numbers as spam, and the iPhone can automatically send those calls to voicemail and move the calls to the Spam list. This setting will vary by carrier.
With these options turned on, you can tap on the icon in the upper right of the phone app to see calls that have been moved to the Unknown Caller section or marked as spam.
Spam Voicemails
When you tap into a voicemail from an unknown number, there's now a "Report Spam" button. Tapping on it sends the voicemail to Apple, and you can either report the message as spam and keep it, or report it and delete it. Deleting a voicemail from an unknown number also brings up the option to report it as spam, and there is an option to report spam right when listening to an incoming voicemail as well.
Reporting a voicemail as spam does not block the caller, and that needs to be done with a separate step. Tap on the "i" button, scroll down on the contact card, and tap on Block Contact to block a spammer.
Hold Assist
If you make a call and are placed on hold, there's a feature in iOS 26 that will wait for you so you can do other things. It listens for hold music playing, and then alerts you when a person comes on the line so you can pick up the call.
You can turn on Hold Assist on any call by placing the call, then tapping on the "..." button once the call has connected. Your phone will ring and you will be alerted to pick up when a person is on the line. If the iPhone detects hold music, it may also automatically prompt you to turn on Hold Assist.
Since the feature works by detecting hold music, it can be imperfect when a number has a voice-based automation reminding you to stay on the line, or if there's music with distinct lyrics. You will see a transcript of any spoken words, so you can determine when a person is actually on the line.
Live Translation
Live Translation is a feature that can translate incoming phone calls from one language to another. When a call is in progress, tap on the "..." button and then tap on Live Translation to use the feature.
You can then select the language that you want to translate from (the language spoken by the person you're talking to) and the language that you want to translate to (your language). As of now, Live Translation for the Phone app supports English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish.
When a translation is in progress, you'll see a small notice at the bottom of the phone app that says "Translating [Language]" and there will be a live transcript of the call. An AI voiceover will audibly translate what's said from one language to another, with a slight delay while this is happening.
Live Translation works on the iPhone to translate what you're hearing and what you're saying, so the person on the other end does not need to have an iPhone or even a smartphone at all.
Call History
There is an extended call history available for each of your contacts in iOS 26. In the Phone app, tap on the "i" next to any name or number, and then tap on the "Call History" option. From there, you can see every time you've spoken with that person, dating years back.
Type to Siri
While on a phone call, you can now use the Type to Siri feature to ask Siri questions or to complete a task.
Screen Sharing and SharePlay
Apple added SharePlay and screen sharing support to the Phone app in iOS 26. When on a call with a person that has a compatible device, tap on the "..." button and then choose either SharePlay or Screen Sharing to access the features.
When using SharePlay, you're able to select an app to use with the feature, such as Apple TV or Apple Music.
With screen sharing, you can ask for remote access to a device, which is useful for helping troubleshoot tech problems.
Both participants need to be using a device with iOS 26, iPadOS 26, or macOS Tahoe to use screen sharing and SharePlay with the Phone app.
eSIM Improvements
If you need to transfer an eSIM to Android or an Android eSIM to an iPhone, the process has been streamlined in iOS 26. In the iPhone's cellular settings, there is a "Transfer to Android" option for an existing SIM, as well as an option to "Transfer From Android" when adding a new SIM to an iPhone.
Phone App for iPad and Mac
The Phone app has expanded to the iPad in iPadOS 26 and the Mac in macOS Tahoe. All of the features like Call Screening, Hold Assist, and Live Translation also work on the iPad and the Mac.
To use the Phone app on iPad or Mac, you do need an iPhone on the same Apple Account, and you need to activate Wi-Fi Calling so that calls can be accepted on other devices.
Read More
More on the features that are available in iOS 26 can be found in our iOS 26 roundup.Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26Related Forum: iOS 26
This article, "iOS 26: 10+ Features Coming to the Phone App" first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums
iOS 26: 10+ Features Coming to the Phone App - MacRumors
Unified Design
The Phone app has a new unified design, but there is an option to use the original iOS 18 layout as well. The unified design puts recent calls, missed calls, and voicemails on a single screen.
Favorite contacts remain at the top of the interface, and there's still a tab for swapping over to contacts and the keypad. You can turn the unified view on or off by tapping on the icon with three lines in the upper right corner of the display.
Call Screening
Apple has expanded call screening functionality in iOS 26. There is an option to ask unknown callers (aka people who you don't have saved in your Contacts list) for their name and reason for calling. When enabled, this is an automated process.
The iPhone intercepts an incoming call, and requests the person's name and a short reason for calling. The information is transcribed to text and relayed to you, and you can decide whether to ask for more information, accept the call, or decline the call.
The person on the other end of the call receives an automated response similar to a voicemail asking for more information, and they are placed on hold while you make a decision on accepting or declining the call.
To use this feature, toggle on "Ask Reason for Calling" in the Phone section of the Settings app.
Silence Unknown Callers
Rather than asking for more information from unknown callers, there is still a silence unknown caller option that can be turned on instead. As in iOS 18, toggling this on silences calls from unsaved numbers, sending them to voicemail automatically. Calls that are silenced will show up on the Recents list, and you will also see the voicemail for information about why someone was calling.
If you don't want to use silence unknown callers or the ask reason for calling feature, you can set the Screen Unknown Callers option to "Never." With this setting, calls from unsaved numbers ring as normal, and missed calls are shown on the Recents list.
Call Filtering
In addition to improved call screening, iOS 26 has new call filtering features. There is an option to move missed calls and voicemails from unsaved numbers to a dedicated Unknown Callers list, hiding them from the main view.
There's also a toggle to automatically silence calls that are marked as spam by a carrier. If you have Verizon, for example, Verizon automatically marks some numbers as spam, and the iPhone can automatically send those calls to voicemail and move the calls to the Spam list. This setting will vary by carrier.
With these options turned on, you can tap on the icon in the upper right of the phone app to see calls that have been moved to the Unknown Caller section or marked as spam.
Spam Voicemails
When you tap into a voicemail from an unknown number, there's now a "Report Spam" button. Tapping on it sends the voicemail to Apple, and you can either report the message as spam and keep it, or report it and delete it. Deleting a voicemail from an unknown number also brings up the option to report it as spam, and there is an option to report spam right when listening to an incoming voicemail as well.
Reporting a voicemail as spam does not block the caller, and that needs to be done with a separate step. Tap on the "i" button, scroll down on the contact card, and tap on Block Contact to block a spammer.
Hold Assist
If you make a call and are placed on hold, there's a feature in iOS 26 that will wait for you so you can do other things. It listens for hold music playing, and then alerts you when a person comes on the line so you can pick up the call.
You can turn on Hold Assist on any call by placing the call, then tapping on the "..." button once the call has connected. Your phone will ring and you will be alerted to pick up when a person is on the line. If the iPhone detects hold music, it may also automatically prompt you to turn on Hold Assist.
Since the feature works by detecting hold music, it can be imperfect when a number has a voice-based automation reminding you to stay on the line, or if there's music with distinct lyrics. You will see a transcript of any spoken words, so you can determine when a person is actually on the line.
Live Translation
Live Translation is a feature that can translate incoming phone calls from one language to another. When a call is in progress, tap on the "..." button and then tap on Live Translation to use the feature.
You can then select the language that you want to translate from (the language spoken by the person you're talking to) and the language that you want to translate to (your language). As of now, Live Translation for the Phone app supports English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish.
When a translation is in progress, you'll see a small notice at the bottom of the phone app that says "Translating [Language]" and there will be a live transcript of the call. An AI voiceover will audibly translate what's said from one language to another, with a slight delay while this is happening.
Live Translation works on the iPhone to translate what you're hearing and what you're saying, so the person on the other end does not need to have an iPhone or even a smartphone at all.
Call History
There is an extended call history available for each of your contacts in iOS 26. In the Phone app, tap on the "i" next to any name or number, and then tap on the "Call History" option. From there, you can see every time you've spoken with that person, dating years back.
Type to Siri
While on a phone call, you can now use the Type to Siri feature to ask Siri questions or to complete a task.
Screen Sharing and SharePlay
Apple added SharePlay and screen sharing support to the Phone app in iOS 26. When on a call with a person that has a compatible device, tap on the "..." button and then choose either SharePlay or Screen Sharing to access the features.
When using SharePlay, you're able to select an app to use with the feature, such as Apple TV or Apple Music.
With screen sharing, you can ask for remote access to a device, which is useful for helping troubleshoot tech problems.
Both participants need to be using a device with iOS 26, iPadOS 26, or macOS Tahoe to use screen sharing and SharePlay with the Phone app.
eSIM Improvements
If you need to transfer an eSIM to Android or an Android eSIM to an iPhone, the process has been streamlined in iOS 26. In the iPhone's cellular settings, there is a "Transfer to Android" option for an existing SIM, as well as an option to "Transfer From Android" when adding a new SIM to an iPhone.
Phone App for iPad and Mac
The Phone app has expanded to the iPad in iPadOS 26 and the Mac in macOS Tahoe. All of the features like Call Screening, Hold Assist, and Live Translation also work on the iPad and the Mac.
To use the Phone app on iPad or Mac, you do need an iPhone on the same Apple Account, and you need to activate Wi-Fi Calling so that calls can be accepted on other devices.
Read More
More on the features that are available in iOS 26 can be found in our iOS 26 roundup.Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26Related Forum: iOS 26
This article, "iOS 26: 10+ Features Coming to the Phone App" first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums
macOS Tahoe Review: Spotlight Shines, Liquid Glass Disappoints - MacRumors
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Like iOS 26, macOS Tahoe adopts the Liquid Glass design. It's used for the Dock, widgets, Control Center, menu bars, navigation bars in apps, app icons, and a few other places, but its implementation is less widespread than it is in iOS and iPadOS. It's clear that Liquid Glass was not a Mac-first design, and the glass parts of the interface feel cobbled together with the previous design language.
The floating element of Liquid Glass looks natural on the iPhone and the iPad, where glassy buttons hover over the app's content to provide a sense of depth, but macOS Tahoe doesn't have enough of the glass-like transparency to make that work in the same way on the Mac. There are not-so-transparent gray-shaded buttons and navigation bars that have a dated-looking shadowing behind them, and the rounded look doesn't help make things appear modern either. Liquid Glass looks better on darker backgrounds, but it very much feels like a work in progress. This is a beta, of course, so we could see further updates to Liquid Glass on the Mac before Tahoe launches.
Apple has been updating the macOS Tahoe design from beta to beta. Up until beta 4, Safari had a design where non-active tabs were denoted as such with an underline, while the active tab had none. That's typically not how underlining works, so determining which tab was in use was confusing. Apple thankfully adopted a color-based design in beta 4, so it's now clear which tab is at the forefront.
Though Liquid Glass doesn't feel fully developed in macOS Tahoe, there are other new features that make a positive change to customization and function.
The Control Center and Menu Bar can be customized with the apps and features that you need most, and other less useful options can be tucked away or removed. The Control Center is more like the iOS Control Center, and you can create multiple pages with options organized in a way that works for you. Third-party app functions will be able to be added to the Menu Bar and Control Center too.
macOS adopts the tinted icon option from iOS, so you can tint your icons all the same color, or choose the Liquid Glass-style clear option (though be warned, it's more gray than clear on macOS). Folder colors can be customized too, and you can add an emoji to a folder to make it stand out.
One of the biggest changes in macOS Tahoe is to Spotlight, which is now a one-stop spot for everything that you might need to do on a Mac. You can use it to open apps, find anything on your Mac, see your clipboard history, and complete actions. Spotlight replaces Launchpad, so when you want to open an app, you'll now use Spotlight.
Search is more comprehensive and you're more likely to find what you're looking for using the file searching feature, plus you can keep tabs on what you've copied and pasted with the new clipboard history option. It stores a log of what you've copied for 24 hours.
Actions is an all-new Spotlight function. You can do all kinds of things without ever opening an app, like sending an email or message, starting a timer, creating a note, placing a call, creating a reminder or calendar event, and much more. Apple added quick access buttons that are easy to learn, so you can use Command 1, 2, 3, and 4 to get to the different Spotlight functions. For things you use most often, you can set up your own quick keys.
The Phone app is now on the Mac, which could be useful depending on your daily habits. There was already an option to answer a call on the Mac or make a FaceTime audio or video call, but now you have access to the full suite of phone functions for placing calls from the Mac. You'll need a connected iPhone with Wi-Fi Calling, of course. The Phone app on Mac includes the new features like Hold Assist, Call Screening, and Live Translation that you'll also find on the iPhone.
There's a new Games app that basically includes what's in the Games section of the Mac App Store and Apple Arcade. There's a "Play Together" option for challenging friends to beat you at a specific goal in a single-player game, and there's a multiplayer section for finding games to play with friends. The Games app doesn't seem all that useful as of right now, but maybe it will get additional features to make it more appealing in the future.
The Journal app is also now available for Mac, which will be a welcome change for those who want to write journal entries using a Mac's keyboard.
Many of the most useful iOS 26 features and changes are also available on the Mac, like personalized Messages backgrounds, Apple Intelligence support for organizing Reminders, new ChatGPT styles for Image Playground, and support for the updated Genmoji.
Have you tried macOS Tahoe yet? Let us know what you think of the update in the comments.
Read More About macOS Tahoe
We have a macOS Tahoe roundup that walks through all of the different features in the update.Related Roundup: macOS Tahoe 26Related Forum: macOS Tahoe
This article, "macOS Tahoe Review: Spotlight Shines, Liquid Glass Disappoints" first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums
macOS Tahoe Review: Spotlight Shines, Liquid Glass Disappoints - MacRumors
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.
Like iOS 26, macOS Tahoe adopts the Liquid Glass design. It's used for the Dock, widgets, Control Center, menu bars, navigation bars in apps, app icons, and a few other places, but its implementation is less widespread than it is in iOS and iPadOS. It's clear that Liquid Glass was not a Mac-first design, and the glass parts of the interface feel cobbled together with the previous design language.
The floating element of Liquid Glass looks natural on the iPhone and the iPad, where glassy buttons hover over the app's content to provide a sense of depth, but macOS Tahoe doesn't have enough of the glass-like transparency to make that work in the same way on the Mac. There are not-so-transparent gray-shaded buttons and navigation bars that have a dated-looking shadowing behind them, and the rounded look doesn't help make things appear modern either. Liquid Glass looks better on darker backgrounds, but it very much feels like a work in progress. This is a beta, of course, so we could see further updates to Liquid Glass on the Mac before Tahoe launches.
Apple has been updating the macOS Tahoe design from beta to beta. Up until beta 4, Safari had a design where non-active tabs were denoted as such with an underline, while the active tab had none. That's typically not how underlining works, so determining which tab was in use was confusing. Apple thankfully adopted a color-based design in beta 4, so it's now clear which tab is at the forefront.
Though Liquid Glass doesn't feel fully developed in macOS Tahoe, there are other new features that make a positive change to customization and function.
The Control Center and Menu Bar can be customized with the apps and features that you need most, and other less useful options can be tucked away or removed. The Control Center is more like the iOS Control Center, and you can create multiple pages with options organized in a way that works for you. Third-party app functions will be able to be added to the Menu Bar and Control Center too.
macOS adopts the tinted icon option from iOS, so you can tint your icons all the same color, or choose the Liquid Glass-style clear option (though be warned, it's more gray than clear on macOS). Folder colors can be customized too, and you can add an emoji to a folder to make it stand out.
One of the biggest changes in macOS Tahoe is to Spotlight, which is now a one-stop spot for everything that you might need to do on a Mac. You can use it to open apps, find anything on your Mac, see your clipboard history, and complete actions. Spotlight replaces Launchpad, so when you want to open an app, you'll now use Spotlight.
Search is more comprehensive and you're more likely to find what you're looking for using the file searching feature, plus you can keep tabs on what you've copied and pasted with the new clipboard history option. It stores a log of what you've copied for 24 hours.
Actions is an all-new Spotlight function. You can do all kinds of things without ever opening an app, like sending an email or message, starting a timer, creating a note, placing a call, creating a reminder or calendar event, and much more. Apple added quick access buttons that are easy to learn, so you can use Command 1, 2, 3, and 4 to get to the different Spotlight functions. For things you use most often, you can set up your own quick keys.
The Phone app is now on the Mac, which could be useful depending on your daily habits. There was already an option to answer a call on the Mac or make a FaceTime audio or video call, but now you have access to the full suite of phone functions for placing calls from the Mac. You'll need a connected iPhone with Wi-Fi Calling, of course. The Phone app on Mac includes the new features like Hold Assist, Call Screening, and Live Translation that you'll also find on the iPhone.
There's a new Games app that basically includes what's in the Games section of the Mac App Store and Apple Arcade. There's a "Play Together" option for challenging friends to beat you at a specific goal in a single-player game, and there's a multiplayer section for finding games to play with friends. The Games app doesn't seem all that useful as of right now, but maybe it will get additional features to make it more appealing in the future.
The Journal app is also now available for Mac, which will be a welcome change for those who want to write journal entries using a Mac's keyboard.
Many of the most useful iOS 26 features and changes are also available on the Mac, like personalized Messages backgrounds, Apple Intelligence support for organizing Reminders, new ChatGPT styles for Image Playground, and support for the updated Genmoji.
Have you tried macOS Tahoe yet? Let us know what you think of the update in the comments.
Read More About macOS Tahoe
We have a macOS Tahoe roundup that walks through all of the different features in the update.Related Roundup: macOS Tahoe 26Related Forum: macOS Tahoe
This article, "macOS Tahoe Review: Spotlight Shines, Liquid Glass Disappoints" first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums
CalDigit TS5 Plus Dock Review: Maximum Ports, Maximum Power - MacRumors
The TS5 Plus looks like CalDigit's prior docks, featuring a simple rectangular shape and an aluminum build with some ridging at the top, bottom, and sides for visual interest and heat dissipation.
It's a black aluminum color that matches the Space Black of the M4 MacBook Pro models, and it comes with a hefty 330W power brick. In fact, the power brick is longer than the dock itself, but it's flat and tucks away under a desk fairly well. The TS5 Plus is six inches long, five inches wide, and 1.8 inches thick, while the power brick is seven inches long, 3.5 inches wide, and a little under an inch thick.
After using Anker's Thunderbolt 5 dock with a built-in power supply, I am disappointed with the large size of the CalDigit power brick. There's a power supply cable that attaches to the power brick, and then the power brick has a cable that plugs into the dock. CalDigit includes a high-quality 3.3ft Thunderbolt 5 cable with a braided design, and a set of rubber feet.
Though I am complaining about the power brick compared to the Anker Prime's more compact design with included power supply, the CalDigit TS5 Plus has six more available ports, faster Ethernet, and more charging power for accessory devices.
At the front of the dock, there's a 10Gb/s USB-A port that can provide 7.5W to charge AirPods or an Apple Watch, along with two 10Gb/s USB-C ports, one that supplies 7.5W and a second that supplies 36W, which is enough to fast charge an iPhone or iPad, and even enough power for a MacBook Air. The front also has an SD card slot and a microSD card reader, plus there's an audio combo jack and a small LED that lets you know when the dock has power. The card slots support UHS-II transfer speeds at up to 312MB/s.
The rest of the ports are on the back, and include the following:
- 3 10Gb/s USB-C data ports that can provide 7.5W
- 4 10Gb/s USB-A ports that can provide 7.5W
- 10GbE Ethernet port
- Audio in
- Audio out
- DisplayPort 2.1
- Two downstream 80Gb/s Thunderbolt 5 ports that supply 36W
- One upstream Thunderbolt 5 port that supplies 140W to the host machine (with the included TB5 cable)
- One security slot
- DC in
There are enough ports to connect a ton of peripherals and multiple displays, but this isn't a dock that has an HDMI port. If you need HDMI, you can get an appropriate DisplayPort to HDMI adapter or just use the Mac's HDMI port.
I like the port arrangement. It's been useful having a 36W USB-C port front and center, and the SD card slot on the front is convenient for transferring photos from my camera. The USB-C ports charge my devices even when I don't have my MacBook connected, so the TS5 Plus also works as a charging station.
It's useful to have three 36W USB-C ports available on the TS5 Plus because I can charge an iPhone, iPad Pro, Apple Watch, AirPods, and MacBook Air all at the same time while still charging my MacBook Pro and powering multiple displays. I did get the full fast charging for the 16-inch MacBook Pro, and plugging in more devices didn't drop the power levels.
The TS5 Plus has dual USB controllers inside (one for the front and one for the back), and there's no throttling with multiple devices plugged in and transferring data at the same time. I tested with the Thunderbolt 5 SSD and two additional USB-C SSDs, and I didn't see any drop off in transfer speeds.
Since there is no fan inside, the TS5 Plus can get warm to the touch. It's not hot enough to burn, but it would warm your hands in the winter, and I wouldn't want to put a chocolate bar on top. The aluminum ridges do dissipate heat, but it won't run as cool as the Anker Prime. On the plus side, operation is silent because it doesn't have a fan.
Thunderbolt 5 supports 80Gb/s speeds with a bandwidth boost of up to 120Gb/s for displays, so it's twice as fast as Thunderbolt 4, which maxes out at 40Gb/s. There's also more bandwidth available for SSDs, which allows for faster data transfers.
Using the TS5 Plus and the Thunderbolt 5 Envoy Ultra from OWC, I was able to get maximum speeds of 4,647MB/s write and 5,154MB/s read. Speeds were just a little slower than the SSD plugged in directly to my MacBook Pro.
Thunderbolt 5 supports up to three displays on PCs, but not on Macs. On the Mac, you're still going to max out at two displays over a single Thunderbolt 5 connection (aka run through a dock) because of GPU limitations. With the TS5 Plus, you can use two 8K displays at 60Hz, two 6K displays at 60Hz, a 5K and a 6K display, two 4K displays at 240Hz, and several other display combinations depending on which Mac you have and what it supports.
With the M4 Pro or M4 Max, you can actually run up to four displays, but you'll either need two Thunderbolt 5 docks for that setup, or you'll need to use the other Thunderbolt and HDMI ports you have available on your machine.
For higher resolutions, the M4 Pro only supports a single 8K display, so that's what you're limited to with the dock. The M4 Max can support two 8K displays at 60Hz, two 6K displays at 60Hz and one 8K display at 60Hz, or four displays at 6K 60Hz. CalDigit says you can run two 8K displays through the TS5 Plus, but you might test bandwidth limits if you have other devices like SSDs connected. You'd probably get better performance plugging one 8K display into the dock and then connecting the other 8K display to a different Thunderbolt 5 port or the Mac's HDMI port
I don't have a dual 6K or 8K dual display setup available, so I wasn't able to push the TS5 Plus to its limits. I normally use my MacBook Pro with just a single 5K Studio Display connected over Thunderbolt, but I added a 4K 144Hz Samsung display for testing with the TS5 Plus. I didn't run into any issues with two displays, even with multiple SSDs and other peripherals connected.
If you have a similar setup with a 5K display and a 4K display, or two 6K displays, you're not going to run into any problems, plus you'll have the bandwidth for upgrading to higher resolution displays as that kind of technology comes down in price. There are some fine-print limitations on displays that any potential buyer should check out. You can't run dual LG UltraFine 5K displays, for example. Dual 5K monitors need to be Thunderbolt 4 or Apple Studio displays, and 6K monitors need to be the Pro Display XDR or Thunderbolt 4 displays.
I primarily tested the TS5 Plus with an M4 Pro MacBook Pro, but it's also compatible with Thunderbolt 4 machines. I also had no issues using it with my M1 Max MacBook Pro, and it worked flawlessly with an M4 MacBook Air as well. You can also connect to iPads that support Thunderbolt, such as the M4 iPad Pro.
For older Macs with base M1, M2, or M3 chips, you can only use one external display with CalDigit's dock. If you have a M1/M2/M3 Max or Pro chip, you can use dual displays with no issue.
Bottom Line
If you have a Thunderbolt 5 Mac and need the fastest data transfer speeds along with the ability to drive high resolution displays, you're not going to go wrong with the TS5 Plus. This is one of the most capable Thunderbolt 5 docks on the market, and its wide selection of ports are going to work for nearly any configuration.
Thunderbolt 5 docks are backwards compatible with Thunderbolt 4 machines, so it might also be worth opting for the TS5 Plus for future-proofing purposes, to get 10GbE, or to get the multi-device charging power that it offers. With three 36W USB-C ports, you can most likely charge all of your devices with the TS5 Plus, eliminating the need for multiple cables running from your desk to a power source.
This is the dock to get if you're looking for the best Thunderbolt 5 performance, and it's the one I'd recommend for use for any professional setup that involves high resolution displays and the need for fast transfer speeds. It is more expensive than some other docks, including the $400 CalDigit TS5 and the $400 Anker Prime, but the extra money may be worth it if you need the flexibility of 20 ports.
How to Buy
The TS5 Plus can be purchased from the CalDigit website or from Amazon for $500.
Note: CalDigit provided MacRumors with a TS5 Plus for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.
This article, "CalDigit TS5 Plus Dock Review: Maximum Ports, Maximum Power" first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums
CalDigit TS5 Plus Dock Review: Maximum Ports, Maximum Power - MacRumors
The TS5 Plus looks like CalDigit's prior docks, featuring a simple rectangular shape and an aluminum build with some ridging at the top, bottom, and sides for visual interest and heat dissipation.
It's a black aluminum color that matches the Space Black of the M4 MacBook Pro models, and it comes with a hefty 330W power brick. In fact, the power brick is longer than the dock itself, but it's flat and tucks away under a desk fairly well. The TS5 Plus is six inches long, five inches wide, and 1.8 inches thick, while the power brick is seven inches long, 3.5 inches wide, and a little under an inch thick.
After using Anker's Thunderbolt 5 dock with a built-in power supply, I am disappointed with the large size of the CalDigit power brick. There's a power supply cable that attaches to the power brick, and then the power brick has a cable that plugs into the dock. CalDigit includes a high-quality 3.3ft Thunderbolt 5 cable with a braided design, and a set of rubber feet.
Though I am complaining about the power brick compared to the Anker Prime's more compact design with included power supply, the CalDigit TS5 Plus has six more available ports, faster Ethernet, and more charging power for accessory devices.
At the front of the dock, there's a 10Gb/s USB-A port that can provide 7.5W to charge AirPods or an Apple Watch, along with two 10Gb/s USB-C ports, one that supplies 7.5W and a second that supplies 36W, which is enough to fast charge an iPhone or iPad, and even enough power for a MacBook Air. The front also has an SD card slot and a microSD card reader, plus there's an audio combo jack and a small LED that lets you know when the dock has power. The card slots support UHS-II transfer speeds at up to 312MB/s.
The rest of the ports are on the back, and include the following:
- 3 10Gb/s USB-C data ports that can provide 7.5W
- 4 10Gb/s USB-A ports that can provide 7.5W
- 10GbE Ethernet port
- Audio in
- Audio out
- DisplayPort 2.1
- Two downstream 80Gb/s Thunderbolt 5 ports that supply 36W
- One upstream Thunderbolt 5 port that supplies 140W to the host machine (with the included TB5 cable)
- One security slot
- DC in
There are enough ports to connect a ton of peripherals and multiple displays, but this isn't a dock that has an HDMI port. If you need HDMI, you can get an appropriate DisplayPort to HDMI adapter or just use the Mac's HDMI port.
I like the port arrangement. It's been useful having a 36W USB-C port front and center, and the SD card slot on the front is convenient for transferring photos from my camera. The USB-C ports charge my devices even when I don't have my MacBook connected, so the TS5 Plus also works as a charging station.
It's useful to have three 36W USB-C ports available on the TS5 Plus because I can charge an iPhone, iPad Pro, Apple Watch, AirPods, and MacBook Air all at the same time while still charging my MacBook Pro and powering multiple displays. I did get the full fast charging for the 16-inch MacBook Pro, and plugging in more devices didn't drop the power levels.
The TS5 Plus has dual USB controllers inside (one for the front and one for the back), and there's no throttling with multiple devices plugged in and transferring data at the same time. I tested with the Thunderbolt 5 SSD and two additional USB-C SSDs, and I didn't see any drop off in transfer speeds.
Since there is no fan inside, the TS5 Plus can get warm to the touch. It's not hot enough to burn, but it would warm your hands in the winter, and I wouldn't want to put a chocolate bar on top. The aluminum ridges do dissipate heat, but it won't run as cool as the Anker Prime. On the plus side, operation is silent because it doesn't have a fan.
Thunderbolt 5 supports 80Gb/s speeds with a bandwidth boost of up to 120Gb/s for displays, so it's twice as fast as Thunderbolt 4, which maxes out at 40Gb/s. There's also more bandwidth available for SSDs, which allows for faster data transfers.
Using the TS5 Plus and the Thunderbolt 5 Envoy Ultra from OWC, I was able to get maximum speeds of 4,647MB/s write and 5,154MB/s read. Speeds were just a little slower than the SSD plugged in directly to my MacBook Pro.
Thunderbolt 5 supports up to three displays on PCs, but not on Macs. On the Mac, you're still going to max out at two displays over a single Thunderbolt 5 connection (aka run through a dock) because of GPU limitations. With the TS5 Plus, you can use two 8K displays at 60Hz, two 6K displays at 60Hz, a 5K and a 6K display, two 4K displays at 240Hz, and several other display combinations depending on which Mac you have and what it supports.
With the M4 Pro or M4 Max, you can actually run up to four displays, but you'll either need two Thunderbolt 5 docks for that setup, or you'll need to use the other Thunderbolt and HDMI ports you have available on your machine.
For higher resolutions, the M4 Pro only supports a single 8K display, so that's what you're limited to with the dock. The M4 Max can support two 8K displays at 60Hz, two 6K displays at 60Hz and one 8K display at 60Hz, or four displays at 6K 60Hz. CalDigit says you can run two 8K displays through the TS5 Plus, but you might test bandwidth limits if you have other devices like SSDs connected. You'd probably get better performance plugging one 8K display into the dock and then connecting the other 8K display to a different Thunderbolt 5 port or the Mac's HDMI port
I don't have a dual 6K or 8K dual display setup available, so I wasn't able to push the TS5 Plus to its limits. I normally use my MacBook Pro with just a single 5K Studio Display connected over Thunderbolt, but I added a 4K 144Hz Samsung display for testing with the TS5 Plus. I didn't run into any issues with two displays, even with multiple SSDs and other peripherals connected.
If you have a similar setup with a 5K display and a 4K display, or two 6K displays, you're not going to run into any problems, plus you'll have the bandwidth for upgrading to higher resolution displays as that kind of technology comes down in price. There are some fine-print limitations on displays that any potential buyer should check out. You can't run dual LG UltraFine 5K displays, for example. Dual 5K monitors need to be Thunderbolt 4 or Apple Studio displays, and 6K monitors need to be the Pro Display XDR or Thunderbolt 4 displays.
I primarily tested the TS5 Plus with an M4 Pro MacBook Pro, but it's also compatible with Thunderbolt 4 machines. I also had no issues using it with my M1 Max MacBook Pro, and it worked flawlessly with an M4 MacBook Air as well. You can also connect to iPads that support Thunderbolt, such as the M4 iPad Pro.
For older Macs with base M1, M2, or M3 chips, you can only use one external display with CalDigit's dock. If you have a M1/M2/M3 Max or Pro chip, you can use dual displays with no issue.
Bottom Line
If you have a Thunderbolt 5 Mac and need the fastest data transfer speeds along with the ability to drive high resolution displays, you're not going to go wrong with the TS5 Plus. This is one of the most capable Thunderbolt 5 docks on the market, and its wide selection of ports are going to work for nearly any configuration.
Thunderbolt 5 docks are backwards compatible with Thunderbolt 4 machines, so it might also be worth opting for the TS5 Plus for future-proofing purposes, to get 10GbE, or to get the multi-device charging power that it offers. With three 36W USB-C ports, you can most likely charge all of your devices with the TS5 Plus, eliminating the need for multiple cables running from your desk to a power source.
This is the dock to get if you're looking for the best Thunderbolt 5 performance, and it's the one I'd recommend for use for any professional setup that involves high resolution displays and the need for fast transfer speeds. It is more expensive than some other docks, including the $400 CalDigit TS5 and the $400 Anker Prime, but the extra money may be worth it if you need the flexibility of 20 ports.
How to Buy
The TS5 Plus can be purchased from the CalDigit website or from Amazon for $500.
Note: CalDigit provided MacRumors with a TS5 Plus for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.
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Tim Cook Defends Apple's AI Delay: 'We've Rarely Been First' - MacRumors
"Apple must do this. Apple will do this. This is sort of ours to grab. We will make the investment to do it," Cook told employees.
Cook pointed out that Apple has dominated several markets even when the company wasn't first to the technology. "We've rarely been first. There was a PC before the Mac; there was a smartphone before the iPhone; there were many tablets before the iPad; there was an MP3 player before iPod," Cook said, suggesting that Apple will play a major role in transforming AI in the future.
The all-hands meeting comes a day after Apple's earnings call, where Cook made similar remarks about Apple's plan to make significant investments in AI. During the call, Cook said Apple was open to making an acquisition that would accelerate its roadmap.
Apple has held talks with Perplexity and Mistral about a potential major AI acquisition, and the company has also discussed using technology from OpenAI or Anthropic for an LLM-based version of Siri.
Apple software chief Craig Federighi was also on hand to discuss Siri, and he said the company's efforts to overhaul the underlying Siri architecture are promising. Apple is getting the "needed" results from the Siri overhaul. "This has put us in a position to not just deliver what we announced, but to deliver a much bigger upgrade than we envisioned. There is no project people are taking more seriously," Federighi said.
Cook and Federighi may have been aiming to reassure employees about Apple's dedication to AI due to Meta's efforts to poach AI experts. Several Apple AI engineers have left Apple for Meta because Meta has been offering massive pay packages, and morale at Apple has been falling.Tag: Tim Cook
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Tim Cook Defends Apple's AI Delay: 'We've Rarely Been First' - MacRumors
"Apple must do this. Apple will do this. This is sort of ours to grab. We will make the investment to do it," Cook told employees.
Cook pointed out that Apple has dominated several markets even when the company wasn't first to the technology. "We've rarely been first. There was a PC before the Mac; there was a smartphone before the iPhone; there were many tablets before the iPad; there was an MP3 player before iPod," Cook said, suggesting that Apple will play a major role in transforming AI in the future.
The all-hands meeting comes a day after Apple's earnings call, where Cook made similar remarks about Apple's plan to make significant investments in AI. During the call, Cook said Apple was open to making an acquisition that would accelerate its roadmap.
Apple has held talks with Perplexity and Mistral about a potential major AI acquisition, and the company has also discussed using technology from OpenAI or Anthropic for an LLM-based version of Siri.
Apple software chief Craig Federighi was also on hand to discuss Siri, and he said the company's efforts to overhaul the underlying Siri architecture are promising. Apple is getting the "needed" results from the Siri overhaul. "This has put us in a position to not just deliver what we announced, but to deliver a much bigger upgrade than we envisioned. There is no project people are taking more seriously," Federighi said.
Cook and Federighi may have been aiming to reassure employees about Apple's dedication to AI due to Meta's efforts to poach AI experts. Several Apple AI engineers have left Apple for Meta because Meta has been offering massive pay packages, and morale at Apple has been falling.Tag: Tim Cook
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01 Ago 2025
Apple Watch Series 1 Now Obsolete - MacRumors
Apple updated the list to move the Series 1 Apple Watch models from the vintage section to the obsolete section, as it has now been more than seven years since the devices were last offered for sale. The Series 1 models were sold alongside the Apple Watch Series 2 models, and were the successor to the original Apple Watch models. The Series 1 Apple Watch was almost identical to the original Apple Watch, but it had a faster S1P processor.
Apple products are considered vintage five years after they were last distributed for sale, while a product is considered obsolete at the seven year mark. Vintage products can still be repaired at Apple retail stores and by Apple Authorized Service Providers (AASPs) if the required parts are available, but products that are obsolete are no longer repairable and Apple does not provide parts.Tag: Vintage and Obsolete Apple Products
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Apple Watch Series 1 Now Obsolete - MacRumors
Apple updated the list to move the Series 1 Apple Watch models from the vintage section to the obsolete section, as it has now been more than seven years since the devices were last offered for sale. The Series 1 models were sold alongside the Apple Watch Series 2 models, and were the successor to the original Apple Watch models. The Series 1 Apple Watch was almost identical to the original Apple Watch, but it had a faster S1P processor.
Apple products are considered vintage five years after they were last distributed for sale, while a product is considered obsolete at the seven year mark. Vintage products can still be repaired at Apple retail stores and by Apple Authorized Service Providers (AASPs) if the required parts are available, but products that are obsolete are no longer repairable and Apple does not provide parts.Tag: Vintage and Obsolete Apple Products
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These drones drop burning balls in the forest to control wildfires - Popular Science
On July Fourth, amid a cacophony of fireworks and flame-throwing propane grills, a seemingly ordinary lightning strike hit somewhere in Grand Canyon National Park. The resulting spark ignited surrounding dry vegetation, and strong winds quickly spread the flames for miles. Over the course of several weeks, that initial spark has grown into a blaze engulfing more than 100,000 acres, officially classifying it as a “megafire” and the largest wildfire of 2025…so far. As of this writing, “The Dragon Bravo Fire” has already destroyed 70 buildings, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge.
The Dragon Bravo Fire continues to burn on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Its has currently scorched over 55,000 acres. pic.twitter.com/7EypDQlMWH
It’s impossible to completely prevent wildfires like this one, but one of the most effective mitigation strategies is also one of the oldest. For centuries, firefighters around the world have used controlled burns, sometimes called a prescribed fire, to preemptively remove leaves, dead branches, and other dry materials that can serve as combustible fuel in the path of raging wildfires. Removing that fuel, the idea goes, should help prevent a wildfire from getting even larger and more dangerous.
Increasingly though, these controlled burns aren’t being initiated by people on the ground or from piloted aircraft overhead, but by small quadcopter drones carrying hundreds of ping pong ball-sized “Dragon Eggs.” These combustible eggs ignite small, trackable and contained fires when they are released.
Drone Amplified, a Nebraska-based startup, pioneered this system, which it calls “IGNIS” in 2017 with input from the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Forest Service. Now, eight years later, Drone Amplified’s Vice President of Business Development Dan Justa tells Popular Science that the company’s drones are currently operating more than 200 systems in at least 30 US states, as well as Canada, Germany, and Australia.
“This [system] allows you to cover a tremendous amount of ground and get eyes on fire for situational awareness during wildfires,” Justa said. “It also allows you to fly at night.”
Drone operators navigate smoky conditions. Image: Drone Amplified Moving from recon to interventionFirefighters have been using drones in some capacity for well over a decade. Around 2011, state and federal agencies began deploying drones equipped with cameras to capture photos and videos—either for early surveillance or to assess damage after a wildfire. From the beginning, small, unmanned drones were viewed as more affordable alternatives to helicopters for wildlife monitoring and real-time data collection. Their compact size also lets them access areas that may be unreachable by larger, piloted aircraft.
The Western Fire Chiefs Association estimates that around 200 fire departments across the U.S. were using drones by 2018. That number tripled within just two years. Drone Amplified represents a more recent shift toward using those drones for active wildfire mitigation, moving a step beyond basic surveillance and documentation. Drone companies focused on disaster response also gained momentum following the passage of a bipartisan 2019 bill that encouraged greater drone use by federal agencies in wildfire management operations.
“One of our North Stars is doing cool stuff with drones that actually impacts the world rather than just images,” Justa said. “A lot of drones are just flying cameras or sensors.”
Fighting fire with fireDrone Amplified’s IGNIS system, which gestated from research done by a pair of professors at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, consists of four main subsystems. According to Justa, the drone itself is a heavily modified version of the American-made Freefly Systems Alta X model. Attached is a large hopper that holds up to 450 (or around 13 pounds) of the “Dragon Egg” balls. These small plastic spheres are filled with potassium permanganate. During a controlled burn, each ball is dropped into a separate puncture mechanism where it’s injected with ethylene glycol, a compound commonly found in antifreeze. The resulting chemical reaction produces a steady, relatively cool, and controlled flame.
#Ignis in action. pic.twitter.com/789yP1AnuF
— Drone Amplified (@DroneAmplified) February 6, 2020Once pierced, the Dragon Eggs take about 30 to 45 seconds to ignite, during which time they are launched from the drone toward their pre-programmed targets. This process can be repeated up to 120 times per minute until the hopper is empty. Firefighters can adjust the number of eggs dropped depending on the desired intensity of the burn. Each payload is also programmed to release the incendiary balls only within a specific geographic area.
Firefighters control the drone using a companion app. The drone is equipped with thermal cameras, allowing operators to see targets clearly even in smoky conditions and to monitor the progress of prescribed burns once they begin. According to Justa, the drone, its accompanying software, and the necessary training combined cost approximately $100,000.
That sounds like a lot of money, but it’s often a more affordable option than deploying a helicopter with a full crew of firefighters. It’s also notably safer. Drones aren’t affected by smoke inhalation or the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, allowing them to operate in more hazardous environments. There’s the added benefit too that crashing a drone, while pricey, isn’t life threatening. The CDC estimates around 25 percent of all firefighting fatalities are related to aviation.
“It’s extremely dangerous to fly helicopters over wildfires because you have thermals, you have smoke, you can’t see anything,” Justa said. “The drones you can put up anywhere.”
All of this gives firefighters equipped with drones greater capacity and flexibility to carry out prescribed burns, tools that can make a significant difference. A 2024 study published in the Forest Ecology and Management found that prescribed burning, when combined with tree thinning, reduced wildfire severity by more than 60 percent compared to areas that did not receive similar treatment.
Making sure Dragon Eggs are used for goodBut there’s also the concern of ensuring that a drone capable of starting a wildfire does so only in the place it’s supposed to. To that end, Justa says the company has designed its system with safety and mitigation tools built in from the ground up. While pilots are free to navigate the drone as needed, the hopper will only dispense the Dragon Eggs within a predetermined, geofenced area—the designated controlled burn zone. Sensors onboard can detect if the drone or its payload sustain damage. If that happens, the system automatically disables the dropper mechanism and triggers a small, low-temperature fire designed to safely burn out.
And as for the risk of hackers gaining access to the device and using it to wreak havoc, Justa says the drones mitigate risk by using radio-based encryption. He also points out that anyone intent on starting a forest fire almost certainly has easier methods available to them. Buying a pack of cigarettes at a gas station is far cheaper and simpler than hacking a drone.
Though its most notable impacts so far have been in wildfire management, Drone Amplified’s object-dropping mechanism isn’t limited to dispensing Dragon Eggs. Last month, the company partnered with the American Bird Conservancy to drop dozens of biodegradable, lab-grown mosquito pods over Hawaiian forests in an effort to curb the area’s invasive mosquito population, which poses a serious threat to some native bird species. Justa told Popular Science that the company is also working with the Alaska Department of Transportation to deploy controlled explosive charges for triggering managed avalanches.
The post These drones drop burning balls in the forest to control wildfires appeared first on Popular Science.
T-Mobile Completes UScellular Acquisition - MacRumors
T-Mobile announced the acquisition back in May 2024, but it was contingent on regulatory approval. According to Reuters, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission approved the merger in mid-July after T-Mobile ended its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
T-Mobile sent the FCC a letter [PDF] with a promise to end DEI on July 9, and the deal was approved two days later. T-Mobile said that it was eliminating its DEI-related policies "not just in name, but in substance."
According to T-Mobile, the UScellular acquisition is a "big win for customers." Existing UScellular customers will be incorporated into the T-Mobile network. While UScellular users can keep their plans for the time being, T-Mobile will begin allowing them to the transition to T-Mobile unlimited plans "as networks and systems are integrated."
T-Mobile previously acquired MetroPCS and Sprint. The MetroPCS acquisition was completed in 2013, and the Sprint acquisition was completed in 2020.Tag: T-Mobile
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T-Mobile Completes UScellular Acquisition - MacRumors
T-Mobile announced the acquisition back in May 2024, but it was contingent on regulatory approval. According to Reuters, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission approved the merger in mid-July after T-Mobile ended its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
T-Mobile sent the FCC a letter [PDF] with a promise to end DEI on July 9, and the deal was approved two days later. T-Mobile said that it was eliminating its DEI-related policies "not just in name, but in substance."
According to T-Mobile, the UScellular acquisition is a "big win for customers." Existing UScellular customers will be incorporated into the T-Mobile network. While UScellular users can keep their plans for the time being, T-Mobile will begin allowing them to the transition to T-Mobile unlimited plans "as networks and systems are integrated."
T-Mobile previously acquired MetroPCS and Sprint. The MetroPCS acquisition was completed in 2013, and the Sprint acquisition was completed in 2020.Tag: T-Mobile
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Check Out This Music Video Shot With 40 iPhones - MacRumors
The iPhones were used to capture video from every angle simultaneously, with all of the shots merged into a single 3-minute music video.
Apple shared details on Instagram, and Apple's marketing chief Greg Joswiak also highlighted the video on social media.
Look at what the very talented @KroiOfficial could do with 40 iPhone 16 Pros in their latest music video for “Method”! #ShotOniPhone pic.twitter.com/run9yPnUuZ
— Greg Joswiak (@gregjoz) August 1, 2025The video was directed by Japanese filmmaker Taichi Kimura, who was also recently featured on Apple Music. Apple regularly highlights videos, movies, and TV shows that use the iPhone for its ongoing "Shot on iPhone" series.
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Check Out This Music Video Shot With 40 iPhones - MacRumors
The iPhones were used to capture video from every angle simultaneously, with all of the shots merged into a single 3-minute music video.
Apple shared details on Instagram, and Apple's marketing chief Greg Joswiak also highlighted the video on social media.
Look at what the very talented @KroiOfficial could do with 40 iPhone 16 Pros in their latest music video for “Method”! #ShotOniPhone pic.twitter.com/run9yPnUuZ
— Greg Joswiak (@gregjoz) August 1, 2025The video was directed by Japanese filmmaker Taichi Kimura, who was also recently featured on Apple Music. Apple regularly highlights videos, movies, and TV shows that use the iPhone for its ongoing "Shot on iPhone" series.
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Bose is blowing out noise-canceling headphones and earbuds during its back-to-school sale - Popular Science
College is a noisy place. Your roommate sleeps with his mouth open. The kid across the hall is an aspiring DJ. Professors are always trying to teach you about photosynthesis while you’re trying to play Call of Duty on your laptop. Those are just a few of the things that make noise-canceling headphones essential school gear. Right now, Bose has its Quietcomfort headphones, as well as a ton of other audio gear, on deep discount for its back-to-school sale.
Bose QuietComfort Headphones $229 (was $359) These have been standard issue for frequent travelers for years.Bose
Buy them at Bose.comThe QuietComfort headphones have been a staple for office workers, frequent travelers, students, and just about anyone else who wants to drown out the noise of the outside world. Bose has always been a leader in the noise canceling space and the QuietComfort headphones are a tried-and-true option. They come in seven different colors, each of which offers some of the most powerful noise canceling you can get in a consumer headphone.
They’re extremely comfortable to wear, even for long periods of time (hence the name) and the built-in battery can provide up to 24 hours of playback on a charge depending on your settings. With the Bose companion app, listeners can tweak the headphones’ performance to adjust the overall sound as well as the strength of the noise canceling. They easily connect to anything with a headphone jack using the optional cable.
This is one of the best sounding and most versatile headphones on the market and it has been for years.
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds $229 (was $299) The unique design lets sound in from the outside world.Bose
See ItIf you want to go the other way and make sure you can always hear the outside world in addition to your music, these open earbuds are the way to go. They’re designed for activities that require situational awareness like running outside or simply walking down the street. The clever design allows ambient sound to come in and mixes your music with it. That way you can stay aware while pretending you have your own personal soundtrack as you go down the street.
Despite the open design, the unique driver design ensures that very little sound leaks out into the world. So, if you’re like me and you listen to belligerent death metal all the time, you won’t have to subject the outside world to it. The Ultra Opens’ unique shape makes them comfortable to wear for long periods of time and they come in nine different colors so you can perfectly match your expensive running shoes.
More Bose dealsBose SoundLink Flex Portable Speaker (2nd Gen) $129 (was $149)
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds $149 (was $179)
Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II Bluetooth Speaker $219 (was $299)
Bose SoundLink Home Bluetooth Speaker $199 (was $229)
Bose TV Speaker $199 (was $279)
The post Bose is blowing out noise-canceling headphones and earbuds during its back-to-school sale appeared first on Popular Science.
Verizon Ending Free Apple Arcade Access and Loyalty Discounts - MacRumors
Customers are receiving emails letting them know that the Apple Arcade and Google Play Pass freebies included with some plans will be discontinued by September 22, 2025.
Verizon used to bundle its 5G plans with free access to Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Disney+ and Hulu, and more, and customers on these prior-generation plans have continued to be able to use the included perks.
In 2023, Verizon changed its plan options, unbundling cellular service from the perks that it had used to lure subscribers in the past. Verizon now offers three base plans starting at $75 per month ($65 with auto pay enabled), and customers can pay an additional fee to get access to subscription services that used to be included.
Apple One with Apple Music, Apple TV+, and Apple Arcade is $15 per month through Verizon, for example, and Apple Music is $10 per month. Through Apple directly, the base Apple One plan is $19.95 per month.
In the email announcing the change, Verizon encourages subscribers to choose a myPlan option instead of one of the legacy plans.
We are writing to let you know that a discount on your account will soon end. This discount will be removed no sooner than September 1, 2025. It is important to us to be upfront and transparent when changes are made to your account.
We want to ensure you get the best value and experience from Verizon and encourage you to check out our myPlan options for the plan that works best for you.
Verizon's new plans with add-ons are more expensive than the bundled plans that it offered in the past.
Verizon is also removing loyalty line discounts from customers starting in September. The company says that to "continue improving" its mobile network and services, legacy discounts are being removed from accounts. Line level loyalty, the $10 Verizon loyalty discount, $10 and $15 loyalty account credits, and discounts on select unlimited offers are being discontinued.Tag: Verizon
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Verizon Ending Free Apple Arcade Access and Loyalty Discounts - MacRumors
Customers are receiving emails letting them know that the Apple Arcade and Google Play Pass freebies included with some plans will be discontinued by September 22, 2025.
Verizon used to bundle its 5G plans with free access to Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Disney+ and Hulu, and more, and customers on these prior-generation plans have continued to be able to use the included perks.
In 2023, Verizon changed its plan options, unbundling cellular service from the perks that it had used to lure subscribers in the past. Verizon now offers three base plans starting at $75 per month ($65 with auto pay enabled), and customers can pay an additional fee to get access to subscription services that used to be included.
Apple One with Apple Music, Apple TV+, and Apple Arcade is $15 per month through Verizon, for example, and Apple Music is $10 per month. Through Apple directly, the base Apple One plan is $19.95 per month.
In the email announcing the change, Verizon encourages subscribers to choose a myPlan option instead of one of the legacy plans.
We are writing to let you know that a discount on your account will soon end. This discount will be removed no sooner than September 1, 2025. It is important to us to be upfront and transparent when changes are made to your account.
We want to ensure you get the best value and experience from Verizon and encourage you to check out our myPlan options for the plan that works best for you.
Verizon's new plans with add-ons are more expensive than the bundled plans that it offered in the past.
Verizon is also removing loyalty line discounts from customers starting in September. The company says that to "continue improving" its mobile network and services, legacy discounts are being removed from accounts. Line level loyalty, the $10 Verizon loyalty discount, $10 and $15 loyalty account credits, and discounts on select unlimited offers are being discontinued.Tag: Verizon
This article, "Verizon Ending Free Apple Arcade Access and Loyalty Discounts" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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Electrical workers uncover 5,000-year-old burial pits in Germany - Popular Science
Germany’s ongoing SuedOstLink high-voltage electric powerline project is one of the nation’s largest ongoing infrastructure endeavors. But construction along the 105-mile-long transmission route is also yielding some of the country’s most striking and surprising archaeological finds in years. In July, workers uncovered multiple graves near the town of Krauschwitz dating back 4,500 years to the Neolithic Corded Ware Culture. According to the State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology Saxony-Anhalt, the construction has revealed yet another notable funerary site, this time about 115 miles east. About 500 years older than the previous discovery, the 12 pits were constructed by the Salzmünde Culture—a people whose ceremonial burials appear to reflect a violent and difficult world.
The Salzmünde Culture was a regional offshoot of the broader Funnelbeaker Culture that lived along the lower and middle Saale River between roughly 3400–3050 BCE. Archaeologists first discovered evidence of the group in 1921, and have since documented multiple sites linked to the group. Among these are graves displaying elaborate and unusual traditions, including burials beneath mounds of broken pottery, charred house materials, and even partial skeleton reburials—most often the skulls.
The grave seen above included two individuals and was created in a repurposed oven pit. Credit: Oliver DietrichThe latest finds mirror these ceremonies in many ways. Each pit measured 6.5 to 9.8 feet wide and 6.5 to 8.2 feet deep, and contained mixtures of burnt offerings including housing rubble. One chamber notably featured a pair of well preserved ceramic vessels likely intended as sacrificial offerings. In another chamber, archaeologists found charred dog bones still interred in anatomical order beside a human skull that displayed no signs of weathering.
“This suggests that the pits remained open during extended ceremonies, or that the dog bones were kept in another place for a prolonged period of time,” researchers explained in a statement.
Experts believe these details reflect the complexities of funerals for the Salzmünde Culture. One burial also seems to be in a converted oven pit, and included the remains of two individuals. Experts explained it appears they had, “apparently been laid out elsewhere for some time” prior to the community moving them to their final internment location. This further suggests Salzmünde Culture mourning rituals required multiple phases before they were completed.
But why were these observances so lengthy, detailed, and complicated? While direct evidence, archaeologists think the process reflected the harsh era in which the Salzmünde Culture lived. Both physical artifacts and climatological data indicate that Central Europe during the late 4th millennium BCE saw cooler and more erratic weather patterns. This would have dramatically affected agricultural communities such as the Salzmünde. Meanwhile, another Neolithic group known as the Bernburg Culture began expanding into the region from the north around the same time, possibly adding even more stress on both the community and local resources.
“The rituals, by which people were apparently seeking the support of their ancestors, can be understood in the context of this period of crisis,” the team explained.
More specifically, the inclusion of dogs possibly symbolized the Neolithic culture’s belief in the animals as spiritual guides, protectors, or even intermediaries between this world and the afterlife. Otherwise, there simply isn’t much direct evidence to explain the burned home rubble, or if the ceremonies were communal, family-oriented, or only reserved for prominent figures in society.
The post Electrical workers uncover 5,000-year-old burial pits in Germany appeared first on Popular Science.
This painting uses leather from an invasive Burmese python - Popular Science
Fine artist Laura Shape uses quite an unexpected medium in her visual artwork. It lends striking patterns to her abstract canvases, while helping restore rivers, reefs, and wetlands. Shape uses the leather of invasive species—specifically lionfish, carp, and Burmese pythons.
“I use those materials to make vibrant, textured, abstract acrylic pieces,” she tells Popular Science via video call. Shape procures the lionfish and carp leather from a leather company called INVERSA and the python leather from the professional (and now famous) python huntress Amy Siewe.
“What I am excited about is that my art doesn’t just raise awareness about the problem of invasive species. It actually physically removes those species from harming the ecosystems that they’ve been placed into,” she explains. “So every piece that I make has a measurable impact behind it.”
‘Golden Hour’ is made with invasive carp, which are found through the Mississippi River system. CREDIT: Laura Sharpe.Shape, who is based in Denver, Colorado, says she was inspired by the American alligator’s unique conservation story. The reptiles almost went extinct in the 20th century, but saw a major recovery after they were protected by the Endangered Species Act. The alligator leather industry may play an unexpectedly positive role in the conservation of the reptiles and their environments. Simply put, a closely regulated market of alligator products makes use of a limited percentage of alligators while incentivizing the conservation of their habitat, according to the United States Fish & Wildlife Service.
Shape had been using American alligator leather in her artwork for years. But about three years ago, she decided to start looking for a medium she “could feel inarguably good about using.” Enter invasive lionfish, carp, and Burmese pythons.
Laura Sharpe’s ‘Luminous Drift’ uses lionfish leather. These fish are particularly destructive to coral reefs. CREDIT: Laura Sharpe.Native to the South Pacific and Indian Oceans, Lionfish are strongly disrupting coral reef habitats in the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean. Their populations are incredibly tough to manage, because they aren’t attracted to lures and are difficult to catch with nets. Basically, the only way to catch (and kill) lionfish is with spears.
Carp, a family of fish from Europe and Asia, are now wreaking havoc in the Mississippi River system. Silver carp, for example, notoriously jump up to 10 feet out of the water when disturbed by things like passing boats, trains, or even geese (imagine getting smacked by over 20-pound fish while boating…)
[ Related: Scientists propose eating more python. ]
As for Burmese pythons, the exotic pet industry brought the giant snakes to Florida in the mid-20th century. They have since then become top predators in the local food web and one of the most problematic invasive species in South Florida—so problematic that researchers are resorting to robotic bunnies to try and capture them and the state sponsors an annual python hunt.
“As far as I know, I’m the first artist ever to do this,” Shape says. Her artwork joins a host of other solutions tackling the problem of invasive species with creative approaches. At least she’s not asking you to eat an invasive marsh rodent.
“By virtue of collecting my work, you are becoming an activist, whether you like it or not.”
The post This painting uses leather from an invasive Burmese python appeared first on Popular Science.
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