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31 Dic 2024

Upcoming Conference Spotlights California's Orphan Wells - Planetizen

Upcoming Conference Spotlights California's Orphan Wells Clement Lau Tue, 12/31/2024 - 11:00 Primary Image

The 2025 Orphan & Idle Wells California Conference will convene on March 25-26 in Bakersfield, California, to address the multifaceted environmental, economic, and public health challenges posed by abandoned oil and gas wells. With over four million wells across the U.S., including approximately 130,000 orphan wells, these aging structures present severe risks, from toxic leaks to methane emissions, exacerbating climate change and burdening communities. The conference will explore the impacts of the $4.7 billion federal fund allocated under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), focusing on innovative approaches to managing these wells and allocating resources effectively.

California's orphan well crisis stands out due to the state’s unique environmental and demographic factors. Many wells, relics of the 19th-century petroleum boom, threaten public health and water security in one of the most populous and agriculturally vital states. High cleanup costs, ranging from $68,000 to $750,000 per well, amplify the financial strain, making this issue an urgent priority for a state already grappling with seismic risks and water scarcity. The conference will highlight California’s leadership in addressing these challenges through innovative remediation technologies, regulatory frameworks, and community-focused solutions.

This event, part of a North American series, will feature insights from an esteemed advisory board and explore topics such as well-plugging techniques, data-driven decision-making, policy advocacy, and public health priorities. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of California’s strategies to address orphan wells while contributing to broader sustainability and climate goals. As the state continues to lead in environmental action, the conference provides a platform to collaborate, share knowledge, and drive progress in the transition toward sustainable energy practices.

Geography California Category Community / Economic Development Energy Environment Government / Politics Infrastructure Land Use Technology Tags

Publication Energy Conference Network Publication Date Mon, 12/02/2024 - 12:00 Publication Links Orphan & Idle Wells California Conference 2 minutes

Upcoming Conference Spotlights California's Orphan Wells - Planetizen

Upcoming Conference Spotlights California's Orphan Wells Clement Lau Tue, 12/31/2024 - 11:00 Primary Image

Geography California Category Community / Economic Development Energy Environment Government / Politics Infrastructure Land Use Technology Tags

Publication Energy Conference Network Publication Date Mon, 12/02/2024 - 12:00 Publication Links Orphan & Idle Wells California Conference 2 minutes

Awe-inspiring science reporting, technology news, and DIY projects. Skunks to space robots, primates to climates. That's Popular Science, 150 years strong.

5 aerospace breakthroughs of 2024 - Popular Science

The past year in aerospace was so full of exciting developments that we had a tough time picking a final five. From the rise in sustainable and green aviation to the overall growth in public and private space innovations, 2024 has been an inflection point for the future of flight tech. The boldest breakthroughs, though, came in the form of a flying taxi powered by hydrogen, a rocket plane that can reach outer space, commercial astronauts outside their spacecraft, the potential return of supersonic air travel, and the launch of a mission to find life beyond the asteroid belt.

(Editor’s Note: This is a section from Popular Science’s 37th annual Best of What’s New awards. Be sure to read the full list of the 50 greatest innovations of 2024.)

Grand Award Winner Hydrogen-electric VTOL air taxi by Joby: Fly from Boston to Washington without visiting an airport and with no emissions Learn More

Between the negative impact of carbon emissions and the headache of TSA lines, flying often feels like more hassle than it’s worth. But Joby Aviation’s hydrogen-powered air taxi might just be the breath of fresh (and clean) air we’ve been waiting for. By swapping out traditional batteries for a cutting-edge liquid hydrogen fuel system, Joby has supercharged the range of its electric vertical takeoff aircraft beyond its original roughly 150 miles on battery power. To prove it, they pulled off a 523-mile test flight in July, showing off what could soon redefine regional travel. As if on cue, the FAA in October introduced its first new category of civilian aircraft since the helicopter debuted in the 1940s, clearing the runway for air taxis to potentially become as common as choppers in our daily lives.

Mk-II Aurora rocket-powered aircraft by Dawn Aerospace: A rapidly reusable spacecraft Learn More

One of the biggest challenges to the commercialization of space remains relatively high launch costs. Dawn Aerospace’s Mk-II Aurora offers a solution to this problem by combining rocket-powered performance with the operational flexibility of an aircraft. Though still in the testing stages, the Aurora is designed to demonstrate rapid reusability, allowing it to complete multiple flights in one day. This is a key step toward making commercial space as accessible and efficient as commercial aviation. The Aurora’s innovative design allows it to take off from standard runways without requiring exclusive airspace, making it ideal for applications including atmospheric research, Earth observation, and microgravity experiments. As a technology demonstrator, it also serves as a foundation for development, perhaps one day proving that the sky is no longer the limit for runway-based flight.

Polaris Dawn spacewalk by SpaceX: First EVA by private astronauts Learn More

Imagine stepping out of your cozy spacecraft into the vast, uncharted expanse of space—no government agency holding your hand, just you, your crew, and the infinite cosmos. That’s precisely what the Polaris Dawn team achieved on September 12th with the first-ever commercial spacewalk. By venturing into the void without the usual safety net of governmental oversight, the Polaris Dawn mission has opened the door to a future where space isn’t just the playground of governments. Instead, it’s accessible to private enterprises and, possibly someday, everyday adventurers. The Polaris Dawn spacewalk also tested SpaceX’s new EVA suits to show that private companies can develop and deploy the technology needed for humans to survive in outer space.

X-59 Quiet Supersonic Transport by NASA and Lockheed Martin: A return to supersonic air travel Learn More

NASA’s Quesst Mission is attempting to make sonic boom-free supersonic travel a reality with their X-59 supersonic aircraft. Traditional supersonic planes like the Concorde were notorious for their earth-shaking sonic booms, limiting their ability to fly over land. The X-59, which made its public debut in January, is designed to eliminate the boom and replace it with a soft “thump” using clever engineering like a super-streamlined body and advanced aerodynamic features. If successful, the X-59 could pave the way for the resumption of supersonic passenger flights over populated areas, cutting travel times dramatically without disturbing communities. After test flights to ensure safety in 2025, NASA plans to fly the X-59 over various US cities, gathering public feedback to help rewrite aviation regulations that currently ban overland supersonic flights.

Europa Clipper by NASA: Searching for life’s ingredients in Jupiter’s orbit Learn More

Just launched in October, the Europa Clipper is NASA’s newest research probe. It’s set to investigate one of the solar system’s most intriguing mysteries: Does Jupiter’s icy moon Europa have what it takes to support life? Europa is theorized to have a vast, salty ocean beneath its frozen crust—an environment ripe for life as we know it. That’s where the Clipper comes in: It’s equipped with cutting-edge instruments to detect evidence of water or any potential signs of life. When it reaches Europa in 2031, the spacecraft will make dozens of flybys, capturing detailed images of the moon’s surface and analyzing plumes of water vapor thought to erupt from cracks in its icy crust. By exploring what may lie beneath Europa’s surface, the Clipper could redefine our understanding of Europa and guide future missions.

The post 5 aerospace breakthroughs of 2024 appeared first on Popular Science.

Apple, iPhone, iPad, Mac News and Rumors

Revisit Your Highlights of 2024 With Apple Intelligence's Memory Maker - MacRumors

As 2024 comes to an end, Apple Intelligence's memory maker provides a new tool to revisit your highlights, milestones, and cherished moments of the year.

The memory maker tool is a powerful new feature in iOS 18's revamped Photos app, found within the Memories collection. It allows users to create personalized "Memory Movies" from their photo libraries using simple written prompts.

By leveraging advanced machine learning, the memory maker identifies relevant photos and videos, arranges them into a cohesive narrative, and pairs them with curated music and animations. One standout aspect of the new memory maker is its ability to weave together moments with a beginning, middle, and end, creating a narrative that is designed to feel intentional and cinematic.

Like other ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features, the memory maker is only available on iPhones and iPads with the A17 Pro or M1 chip or newer. Likewise, you need to be running iOS 18.1 or iPadOS 18.1 or newer.

How to Use the Memory Maker

Launch the Photos app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap on the Memories tab to view auto-generated slideshows or start creating your own.

Tap the Create button within Memories. You'll be prompted to enter a short text description of the memory you want to create, such as "My family trip to Greece," "Celebrating Mia's 18th birthday," or "Fun moments from summer 2024." Be as specific or general as you like—the more detailed your description, the more targeted the memory maker's selections will be.

Wait while the ‌Photos‌ app creates your memory. Once completed, watch the video. You can also scroll through the images at the bottom of the screen.

Tap the three dots at the top right of the screen to edit the movie's timeline or title, or loop it. If you're an Apple Music subscriber, you can choose a different soundtrack to accompany your movie by tapping the music icon.

When you're happy with the Memory Movie, you can tap the three dots to share, export, AirPlay, or delete it, and well as add it to Favorite Memories.

As the new year approaches, the memory maker is the perfect new tool to try out to relive your 2024 highlights. What do you think of the feature? Let us know in the comments.Tags: Apple Intelligence, Photos
This article, "Revisit Your Highlights of 2024 With Apple Intelligence's Memory Maker" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple, iPhone, iPad, Mac News and Rumors

Revisit Your Highlights of 2024 With Apple Intelligence's Memory Maker - MacRumors

Launch the Photos app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap on the Memories tab to view auto-generated slideshows or start creating your own.

Tap the Create button within Memories. You'll be prompted to enter a short text description of the memory you want to create, such as "My family trip to Greece," "Celebrating Mia's 18th birthday," or "Fun moments from summer 2024." Be as specific or general as you like—the more detailed your description, the more targeted the memory maker's selections will be.

Wait while the ‌Photos‌ app creates your memory. Once completed, watch the video. You can also scroll through the images at the bottom of the screen.

Tap the three dots at the top right of the screen to edit the movie's timeline or title, or loop it. If you're an Apple Music subscriber, you can choose a different soundtrack to accompany your movie by tapping the music icon.

When you're happy with the Memory Movie, you can tap the three dots to share, export, AirPlay, or delete it, and well as add it to Favorite Memories.

Waymo Robotaxis Often Fail to Stop for Pedestrians - Planetizen

Waymo Robotaxis Often Fail to Stop for Pedestrians Diana Ionescu Tue, 12/31/2024 - 10:00 Primary Image Primary Image Caption A Waymo robotaxi in San Francisco, California.

In a piece for The Washington Post, Geoffrey A. Fowler describes his experience as a pedestrian in San Francisco, where autonomous Waymo taxis are failing to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.

“When I try to cross my street at a marked crosswalk, the Waymo robotaxis often wouldn’t yield to me. I would step out into the white-striped pavement, look at the Waymo, wait to see whether it’s going to stop — and the car would zip right past,” Fowler writes. In a week, he recorded over a dozen Waymo vehicles that failed to stop when he was crossing a street. Waymo representatives told Fowler that the cars’ software tries to predict whether a pedestrian will really cross. “It’s classic Silicon Valley hubris to assume Waymo’s ability to predict my behavior supersedes a law designed to protect me.”

It is a cautionary tale about how AI, intended to make us more safe, also needs to learn how to coexist with us. The experience has taught my family that the safest place around an autonomous vehicle is inside it, not walking around it.

While human drivers who don’t yield to pedestrians face the risk of a ticket or even jail time, “In California, a computer driver can’t even get a meaningful traffic ticket yet and is certainly not worried about going to jail.” Fowler also notes that cities can empower pedestrians with more safety measures such as flashing lights and signage at crosswalks.

Geography California Category Technology Transportation Tags

Publication The Washington Post Publication Date Mon, 12/30/2024 - 12:00 Publication Links On roads teeming with robotaxis, crossing the street can be harrowing 2 minutes

Waymo Robotaxis Often Fail to Stop for Pedestrians - Planetizen

Waymo Robotaxis Often Fail to Stop for Pedestrians Diana Ionescu Tue, 12/31/2024 - 10:00 Primary Image Primary Image Caption A Waymo robotaxi in San Francisco, California.

In a piece for The Washington Post, Geoffrey A. Fowler describes his experience as a pedestrian in San Francisco, where autonomous Waymo taxis are failing to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.

Geography California Category Technology Transportation Tags

Publication The Washington Post Publication Date Mon, 12/30/2024 - 12:00 Publication Links On roads teeming with robotaxis, crossing the street can be harrowing 2 minutes

$2.1 Billion Secured for Maui Wildfire Recovery and Resilience - Planetizen

$2.1 Billion Secured for Maui Wildfire Recovery and Resilience Clement Lau Tue, 12/31/2024 - 09:00 Primary Image Primary Image Caption Wildfire damage in Lahaina, Maui.

In a significant move to aid Maui’s recovery from the devastating 2023 wildfires, Congress has approved $2.1 billion in federal funding as part of a short-term spending bill. As reported by Catherine Cluett Pactol, the allocation includes $1.6 billion in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds for housing and $480 million for economic development, small business support, and critical infrastructure improvements such as roads and water systems. U.S. Senator Brian Schatz heralded the bill’s passage, calling it a long-awaited milestone for the community and a crucial step toward rebuilding.

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen expressed gratitude for the federal relief, emphasizing its importance in addressing the needs of the most vulnerable wildfire survivors and investing in resilience projects to better prepare the community for future challenges. Strict federal guidelines will govern the allocation and use of these funds, requiring comprehensive financial oversight and reporting by Maui County. To ensure proper management, a dedicated program office has been established within the county’s Office of Recovery.

This funding represents a pivotal opportunity to not only rebuild homes and businesses but also to fortify Maui’s infrastructure against future disasters. Mayor Bissen and local leaders view the funding as an essential component of their long-term vision for a stronger, more resilient Maui. With the President’s signature on the bill imminent, this landmark investment is set to drive forward recovery efforts and enhance the island’s preparedness for years to come.

Geography Hawaii Category Community / Economic Development Environment Government / Politics Infrastructure Land Use Social / Demographics Tags

Publication Hawaii Public Radio Publication Date Thu, 12/26/2024 - 12:00 Publication Links $2.1B in federal funding will help in Maui's wildfire recovery efforts 2 minutes

$2.1 Billion Secured for Maui Wildfire Recovery and Resilience - Planetizen

$2.1 Billion Secured for Maui Wildfire Recovery and Resilience Clement Lau Tue, 12/31/2024 - 09:00 Primary Image Primary Image Caption Wildfire damage in Lahaina, Maui.

Geography Hawaii Category Community / Economic Development Environment Government / Politics Infrastructure Land Use Social / Demographics Tags

Publication Hawaii Public Radio Publication Date Thu, 12/26/2024 - 12:00 Publication Links $2.1B in federal funding will help in Maui's wildfire recovery efforts 2 minutes

One Year Into Brazil’s ‘Hostile Architecture’ Ban - Planetizen

One Year Into Brazil’s ‘Hostile Architecture’ Ban Diana Ionescu Tue, 12/31/2024 - 08:00 Primary Image

It’s been one year since Brazil passed a law banning “hostile architecture,” infrastructure designed to prevent people from sitting or lying in public spaces. Hostile architecture is widely used around the world to limit access for people deemed ‘undesirable,’ explains Raphael Tsavkko Garcia explains in Next City.

The decree stipulates measures to curb the use of hostile materials, structures, equipment and construction techniques in open spaces for public use. It also requires urban planning tools and policies, such as zoning regulations and building codes, to help prevent the use of hostile architectural elements.

However, some cities have been slow to implement the law, and experts say hostile architecture or “defensive design” is part of a broader social problem. “Architects Elenara Stein Leitão, Oscar Muller and Vinicius Gonçalves tell Next City that hostile architecture is just one facet of ‘a society that focuses on security, often the fruit of social exclusion, in which it would be possible to differentiate into two strands: the security of those who own property and the expulsion of the undesirables.’”

Geography Central and South America Category Architecture Infrastructure Landscape Architecture Tags

Publication Next City Publication Date Mon, 12/30/2024 - 12:00 Publication Links One Year Ago, Brazil Banned Hostile Architecture. Easier Said Than Done. 1 minute

One Year Into Brazil’s ‘Hostile Architecture’ Ban - Planetizen

One Year Into Brazil’s ‘Hostile Architecture’ Ban Diana Ionescu Tue, 12/31/2024 - 08:00 Primary Image

Geography Central and South America Category Architecture Infrastructure Landscape Architecture Tags

Publication Next City Publication Date Mon, 12/30/2024 - 12:00 Publication Links One Year Ago, Brazil Banned Hostile Architecture. Easier Said Than Done. 1 minute

Reclaiming Oil Wells for Renewable Energy in Rural Colorado - Planetizen

Reclaiming Oil Wells for Renewable Energy in Rural Colorado Clement Lau Tue, 12/31/2024 - 07:00 Primary Image

In Pierce, Colorado, a startup called Gradient Geothermal aims to repurpose abandoned oil wells for a geothermal energy system that could heat and cool local buildings, including homes, schools, and a meatpacking plant. By reusing wells instead of drilling new ones, the project dramatically reduces the cost of geothermal energy production, making it a viable clean energy solution for small towns. As reported by Adele Peters, Gradient’s approach taps into the wells’ existing infrastructure, where hot water produced alongside oil can be utilized to create a central heating network, potentially even warming sidewalks during snowy winters.

This innovative project aligns with Colorado's push for geothermal energy, supported by state grants to test new applications. Gradient’s feasibility study will determine the system’s cost, capacity, and environmental benefits, with promising results already seen in a similar Nevada project where reused oil wells helped power ongoing oil operations. If successful, the Pierce system could offer an alternative to natural gas and wood stoves, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create local jobs by leveraging the skills of former oil and gas workers. The town views the initiative as an opportunity for economic growth and sustainability.

Beyond Pierce, this model has the potential for replication across the U.S., where millions of abandoned oil wells could serve as cost-effective geothermal sources. With Chevron as a partner in this project, there is significant interest in expanding the approach to other sites, transforming old oil infrastructure into a pathway for renewable energy. By integrating geothermal solutions into local communities, projects like this could provide an innovative and sustainable future for towns historically reliant on fossil fuels.

Geography Colorado Category Community / Economic Development Energy Environment Infrastructure Technology Tags

Publication Fast Company Publication Date Thu, 12/12/2024 - 12:00 Publication Links In rural Colorado, these abandoned oil wells could soon be used to heat a nearb… 2 minutes

Reclaiming Oil Wells for Renewable Energy in Rural Colorado - Planetizen

Reclaiming Oil Wells for Renewable Energy in Rural Colorado Clement Lau Tue, 12/31/2024 - 07:00 Primary Image

Geography Colorado Category Community / Economic Development Energy Environment Infrastructure Technology Tags

Publication Fast Company Publication Date Thu, 12/12/2024 - 12:00 Publication Links In rural Colorado, these abandoned oil wells could soon be used to heat a nearb… 2 minutes

Awe-inspiring science reporting, technology news, and DIY projects. Skunks to space robots, primates to climates. That's Popular Science, 150 years strong.

Why don’t cars have hood ornaments anymore? - Popular Science

Hood ornaments started as a disguise for homely radiator caps more than a century ago. Once upon a time, radiator caps were featured on the outside of the car so drivers could keep an eye on the coolant water vapor temperature. Those caps weren’t particularly fetching as a design feature, so automakers started getting creative by adding “car mascots.”

Early cars were not equipped with coolant temperature gauges. One enterprising company created the Moto-Meter, a temperature gauge mounted on the radiator. As manufacturers began to incorporate coolant temperature gauges, the Moto-Meter disappeared, but the hood ornament remained for some brands.

Today, only a few high-end manufacturers still offer these gorgeous hood jewelry, like Rolls-Royce and Bentley. What happened to these mobile works of art?

Ultra luxury brands like Bentley and Rolls-Royce retain their hood ornaments, with a twist: they retract. Image: Kristin Shaw / Popular Science Pushed out for safety and design

According to the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automotive Museum in Auburn, Indiana, safety experts began to scrutinize hood ornaments as a potential hazard in collisions during the 1960s. Hood ornaments were omitted in subsequent designs during the same era; think Mustang, Corvette, Camaro, or a streamlined Plymouth Superbird. As cars got faster, automakers could see that anything that increased the coefficient of drag and affected its fuel efficiency was a liability. Hood ornaments like the whimsical Bugatti bear or Rolls-Royce’s Spirit of Ecstasy, sadly, can certainly affect a car’s aerodynamics.

In Europe, car regulations pushed out hood ornaments because of the risk they pose to pedestrians who get hit by cars. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says pedestrian fatalities increased 57 percent from 4,779 to 7,522 between 2013 and 2022. In September of 2024, the organization proposed a new rule that “would establish test procedures simulating a head-to-hood impact and performance requirements to minimize the risk of head injury.” Protruding sculptures like “Leaper,” Jaguar’s mascot, could ostensibly act as a spear in a collision with a pedestrian, I suppose, although finding statistics on actual injuries by hood ornament have been elusive.

Not all car companies erased the mascots from their front ends back in the ‘60s, however. Cadillac kept its crest on the hood on some models even into the early 2000s, following a law that required the piece to bend on impact. Unfortunately, Cadillac and Mercedes-Benz hood ornaments were stolen fairly often, and one prominent rapper wore them as neck ornaments instead (I’m looking at you, Rick Ross). Rolls-Royce and Bentley have all but eliminated the vandalism and safety hazard issues with a cool trick: their mascots electronically disappear into a special compartment in front of the hood opening.

Hood ornaments of the past, into the future

One of my favorite hood ornaments of the past is Chrysler’s winged mascot, which looks quite a bit like a golden snitch from Harry Potter’s quidditch games. I have a 1956 Buick Roadmaster hood ornament on my desk, a ridiculously heavy chrome jet. Pierce-Arrow’s Archer adorned the bonnets of its pre-war cars, and it’s a sculpture worthy of an art museum.

You might remember Cadillac’s three-dimensional crest, however, the American brand also created two distinctive hood ornaments with the iconic flying Goddess and a heron in the 1930s. The Goddess returns in the GM luxury brand’s Celestiq as a glass-encased piece inside the cabin and the front fender, and it will be good to see her back. Perhaps more automakers will find ways to bring back their ornaments of the past as an emblem on the side of the car or integrated into the cabin.

Hood ornaments–also known as car mascots–were points of pride for automakers. L-R: Rolls-Royce, Bugatti, Packard. Images: Kristin Shaw / Popular Science

Fifty years ago, car bling was also presented as a useful tool before in-car cameras came into play. In the December 5, 1972 issue of the New York Times, writer Jerry M. Flint said that automaker executives in Detroit “believe [hood] ornaments give the driver an aiming point toward the center of the road, possibly making for easier and safer car handling.” Dick Macadam, a chief stylist at the Chrysler Corporation, called the hood ornament a “driving tool.”

William Mitchell, vice president for styling at GM, defended the use of car mascots as a style differentiator.

“I can’t stand a hood that looks like a turkey roaster or a bedpan,” Mitchell said. I can only imagine what Mr. Mitchell would say about some of the lozenge-shaped cars on the market today. The next time you’re wandering along the rows of classic vehicles at a museum or car show, take note of the ornaments throughout history. And join me to mourn their decline.

This story is part of Popular Science’s Ask Us Anything series, where we answer your most outlandish, mind-burning questions, from the ordinary to the off-the-wall. Have something you’ve always wanted to know? Ask us.

The post Why don’t cars have hood ornaments anymore? appeared first on Popular Science.

Apple, iPhone, iPad, Mac News and Rumors

Apple Launched These 25+ Products This Year - MacRumors

Apple launched almost 30 new hardware products in 2024. Here's a look back at exactly what we got this year.

With the exception of Vision Pro, Apple's 2024 hardware releases largely marked a year of steady refinement. It wasn't a year of massive overhauls across the board, but it did feature some key themes.

The Vision Pro, released in February, stands out as Apple's biggest product launch. While its $3,499 price tag keeps it squarely in early-adopter territory, Apple's first spatial computing device provides a hint at where the company expects technology to move over the coming years. Despite both excitement and criticism surrounding its capabilities, it's clear that 2024 was about laying the foundation, with its true impact likely to unfold in the years to come.

With minor refreshes to the MacBook Air and iPad Air, and no new hardware releases at WWDC, the star of the first half of the year was undoubtedly the iPad Pro, which gained OLED displays, a thinner design, the M4 chip, an all-new Magic Keyboard, a landscape front-facing camera, and more.

February

Apple Vision Pro

March

‌MacBook Air‌ 13-inch (M3)

‌MacBook Air‌ 15-inch (M3)

May

‌iPad Air‌ 11-inch (M2)

‌iPad Air‌ 13-inch (‌M2‌)

‌iPad Pro‌ 11-inch (M4)

‌iPad Pro‌ 13-inch (M4)

Magic Keyboard for ‌iPad Pro‌

Apple Pencil Pro

July

HomePod mini (Midnight)

September

iPhone 16

‌iPhone 16‌ Plus

iPhone 16 Pro

‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max

MagSafe Charger (25 W)

Apple Watch Series 10

Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Black)

AirPods (4th generation)

AirPods Max (USB-C)

October

iPad mini (A17 Pro)

Magic Mouse 2 (USB-C)

Magic Trackpad 2 (USB-C)

Magic Keyboard (second generation, USB-C)

Magic Keyboard with Touch ID (USB-C)

Magic Keyboard with ‌Touch ID‌ and Numeric Keypad (USB-C)

November

iMac (24-inch, M4, 2024)

Mac mini (M4 and M4 Pro, 2024)

MacBook Pro (M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max) (14-inch, 2024)

‌MacBook Pro‌ (M4 Pro and M4 Max) (16-inch, 2024)

In the second half of the year, Apple virtually completed its transition to USB-C with the long-awaited refresh of the AirPods, ‌AirPods Max‌, Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Mouse. All that's left is the iPhone SE, which is now expected around March 2025.

The company also released new iPhone and Apple Watch models as usual in the fall, followed by a minor ‌iPad mini‌ refresh that added the A17 Pro chip and more memory for Apple Intelligence support. The ‌iPhone 16‌ lineup focused on ‌Apple Intelligence‌ and the Camera Control, while the Apple Watch Series 10 saw the introduction of a more refined design and sleep apnea detection.

Closing out the year, Apple turned its attention to its Mac lineup. The M4 family of chips made its way to the ‌iMac‌, ‌MacBook Pro‌, and ‌Mac mini‌, with the latter receiving a complete redesign for the first time in well over a decade. Next up to gain M4 chips are the ‌MacBook Air‌, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro in 2025.

What do you think of Apple's 2024 product releases? Let us know in the comments.
This article, "Apple Launched These 25+ Products This Year" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple, iPhone, iPad, Mac News and Rumors

Apple Launched These 25+ Products This Year - MacRumors

Apple Vision Pro

March

‌MacBook Air‌ 13-inch (M3)

‌MacBook Air‌ 15-inch (M3)

May

‌iPad Air‌ 11-inch (M2)

‌iPad Air‌ 13-inch (‌M2‌)

‌iPad Pro‌ 11-inch (M4)

‌iPad Pro‌ 13-inch (M4)

Magic Keyboard for ‌iPad Pro‌

Apple Pencil Pro

July

HomePod mini (Midnight)

September

iPhone 16

‌iPhone 16‌ Plus

iPhone 16 Pro

‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max

MagSafe Charger (25 W)

Apple Watch Series 10

Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Black)

AirPods (4th generation)

AirPods Max (USB-C)

October

iPad mini (A17 Pro)

Magic Mouse 2 (USB-C)

Magic Trackpad 2 (USB-C)

Magic Keyboard (second generation, USB-C)

Magic Keyboard with Touch ID (USB-C)

Magic Keyboard with ‌Touch ID‌ and Numeric Keypad (USB-C)

November

iMac (24-inch, M4, 2024)

Mac mini (M4 and M4 Pro, 2024)

MacBook Pro (M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max) (14-inch, 2024)

‌MacBook Pro‌ (M4 Pro and M4 Max) (16-inch, 2024)

Awe-inspiring science reporting, technology news, and DIY projects. Skunks to space robots, primates to climates. That's Popular Science, 150 years strong.

The #1 subscription you should cancel in 2025 - Popular Science

2025 is the year to rethink your subscriptions. Yeah, including Netflix and Amazon Prime. But we’ll start with one that’s a lot easier to leave: Microsoft 365. You’re paying $70 every year just to get Office apps, even though there’s a cheaper way.

It’s called a Microsoft Office lifetime license. You’ll pay once, download the suite to your Windows PC, and use the apps as long as your computer lasts. During our New Year’s sale, this license is only $60 instead of $220! But don’t wait—this price drop won’t be around long.

The cheapest way to own your favorite apps

If you’re used to Microsoft 365, you’re in for a real treat. So many users complain about recent shutdowns locking them out of their work, constant app updates making them re-learn tools like Outlook, and having to be online to work. This Office permanent license takes away all that stress.

The apps are never affected by servers, never change in appearance, and you can use them offline. And the coolest part? You’re never asked to pay recurring fees.

Here’s how to get them set up on your PC:

Buy the Microsoft Office lifetime download here.
You’ll get a download link via email.
Enter your unique software license key.
Install the apps and use them freely.

Download Microsoft Office for Windows while it’s on sale for $60 (reg. $220) during our New Year’s sale. No coupon is needed to get this price.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License – $60

See Deal

The post The #1 subscription you should cancel in 2025 appeared first on Popular Science.

Awe-inspiring science reporting, technology news, and DIY projects. Skunks to space robots, primates to climates. That's Popular Science, 150 years strong.

10 of the year’s most interesting auctions: Dinosaurs, coins, and Einstein’s love letters - Popular Science

Some of 2024’s most interesting science, technology, and history stories could be found in international auctions. Regardless of their final winning bids, each of the following items and artifacts are impressive in their own right. From AI-painted artwork to hunks of coal, these auction items highlight the wide range of not just artifacts from the past, but future-forward items, as well.

Stegosaurus ‘Apex’ sold for $45 million Apex is reportedly the ‘finest’ and most complete stegosaurus skeleton to ever come to market. Credit: Alexi Rosenfeld / Getty Images

If nearly $45 million sounds like a lot for a dinosaur skeleton to you, you aren’t alone. Although billed as one of the “finest” known examples, a stegosaurus named “Apex” almost immediately drew controversy over the summer for a final bid that came in at over 10 times Sotheby’s initial estimation. Billionaire Ken Griffith said he purchased Apex to ensure the dinosaur remained in America, but critics argue such prices can inflate the market and deprive educational institutions of valuable additions. Meanwhile, at least one paleontologist claimed that many in their field were laughing at the exorbitant price paid for such a relatively common dinosaur.

Titanic from the coal auctioned for over double its estimate The auctioned coal was originally intended for the Titanic’s boilers. Credit: Lay’s Auctioneers

While the Titanic itself is slowly succumbing to the harsh conditions at the North Atlantic’s ocean floor, artifacts recovered during and after the historic tragedy went up for auction in October. Some of those items included chunks of coal originally intended as fuel for the luxury liner’s boilers. The coal sold for $1,896, well over its $780 estimate. The same auction included a number of other historical shipwreck relics, including rope from one of King Henry VIII’s vessels and a WWII-era pistol from the SS Ostend.

“AI God” made history as the first auction of a machine-made painting Five portraits painted by Ai-Da were displayed at the United Nations in May, including ‘AI God’ on the right. Credit: Courtesy of Aiden Meller

Ai-Da is an ongoing, experimental project centered on an artificial intelligence-guided robot of the same name tasked with creating its own works of art. One of those, a portrait of Alan Turing called “AI God,” made history in November as the first-ever auctioned painting made by a machine. An accompanying statement issued by Ai-Da’s generative language model cited a famous transhumanist feminist manifesto as its partial inspiration while aiming to honor Turing’s legacy.

Extremely rare dime sold for $506,250 This rare dime is missing the “S” that indicates it was struck at the San Francisco mint. GreatCollections/Ian Russell

Dimes aren’t always worth ten cents—sometimes, they’re worth half a million dollars to the right buyer. What makes such a diminutive coin from 1975 sell for five million times its original value? A subtle error shared by only one other dime known in existence. US coin designs always include one of four letters indicating where it was minted—D for Denver, W for West Point, P for Philadelphia, and S for San Francisco. But when, for example, an uncirculated San Francisco “proof” dime is accidentally created without the S and then remains in a bank vault for 40 years, its worth apparently appreciates considerably.

Steve Jobs’ own Apple I desktop auctioned for nearly $1 million

Only an estimated 200 Apple-1 computers were ever made, including this one owned by Steve Jobs. Credit: Christie’s

A standard, base model iMac currently retails for $1,299, but in September, one of the very first Apple desktop computers sold for $945,000. Apart from its historical significance, this particular Apple I belonged to company co-founder Steve Jobs. And if that wasn’t enough, existing Apple I’s are hard to find, since they essentially ended up being a limited-run prototype. Jobs and collaborator Steve Wozniak only manufactured 200 of them before moving on to develop the groundbreaking Apple II.

Colonial threepence coin receives $2.5 million winning bid The Massachusetts silver threepence is about the size of a nickel. The NE denotes that it was made in New England and the III represents its value of threepence. Stack’s Bowers Galleries

One of the most lucrative US coin auctions this year centered on currency that predates the American Revolution by over a century. Minted in 1652, the Massachusetts threepence is a nickel-sized coin weighing just 1.1 grams and contains just $1.03 worth of silver in today’s market. The historical currency was struck just weeks before the British colonies’ first mint officially opened in Boston, and is the only known example found outside a museum.

Three battered Lamborghini Miuras discovered in a junkyard sold for millions Three Miuras went up for auction. Image: Patrick Ernzen, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

Sometimes vintage cars don’t need to be in pristine condition to fetch a fortune. In some cases, they can look like they just came straight from a junkyard. This was the case for three extremely rare, beaten-up Lamborghini Miuras long only rumored to exist in collector circles. The Miura was the first supercar developed by Lamborghini, and featured a 350-hp 4.0-liter V12 engine. The 1967, 1968, and 1969 models sold by Sotheby’s earlier this year auctioned for a collective $2.9 million, and are expected to be restored to their former glory.

Government supercomputer bought for $480,085 Cheyenne is located at the NCAR’s Supercomputing Center in Cheyenne, Wyoming. You’ll have to pick it up. GSA Auctions

It’s unclear who exactly would be in the market for a 26,000 lbs supercomputer formerly owned by the US government, but someone was willing to pony up $480,085 for one earlier this year. Previously utilized by the National Center for Atmospheric Research and named after the capital in which it was located, Cheyenne is nearly a decade old, but remained in operation a full two years longer than anticipated. As such, whoever bought it will need to contend with a water cooling system leak after a professional moving company relocates it to its new home.

Double eagle California Gold Rush coin nabbed $1.44 million at auction This $20 gold coin last sold in 1986 for over $23,000. Stack’s Bowers Galleries

Only between 35 and 65 of the historic 1870-Carson City (CC) double eagle $20 gold coins still exist. The one auctioned for $1.44 million isn’t in perfect mint condition, but it’s likely the best currently known. A $20 coin was originally never planned for mint, but the CC double eagles were authorized by Congress following the California Gold Rush’s influx of precious metal.

Albert Einstein’s love letters to first wife sell for over $555,000 Einstein was married to his first wife, Mileva Marić, from 1903-1919. Credit: Public Domain

The 43 handwritten letters to Mileva Marić—Einstein’s first wife and potential physics collaborator—actually undersold the auction’s initial $876,000 minimum estimate by over $300,000. But that doesn’t make them any less historically significant, or emotionally poignant. While historians and physicists understandably focus mostly on Einstein’s revolutionary ideas, artifacts such as these personal messages are a vital look into one the modern world’s most brilliant minds.

The post 10 of the year’s most interesting auctions: Dinosaurs, coins, and Einstein’s love letters appeared first on Popular Science.

Recycling’s Real Impact: Challenges, Misconceptions, and the Path Forward - Planetizen

Recycling’s Real Impact: Challenges, Misconceptions, and the Path Forward Clement Lau Tue, 12/31/2024 - 06:00 Primary Image

Recycling has long been championed as a solution to reducing plastic waste and conserving resources, but its effectiveness remains fraught with challenges. Despite its good intentions, the world produces over 507 million tons of plastic annually, with less than 10 percent recycled globally. In the U.S., only a fraction of recyclable materials—such as glass, cans, and plastics—avoid landfills due to inadequate infrastructure and low participation rates. Compounding the problem, most plastics, even those bearing the familiar recycling symbol, cannot be effectively recycled, often ending up in landfills or polluting ecosystems.

As reported by Julia Musto, experts argue that recycling alone cannot solve the growing plastic waste crisis. Greenpeace and other organizations highlight that the plastics industry has long promoted recycling while increasing production, which is projected to triple by 2050. Toxicity concerns also grow with recycling, as many plastics leach harmful chemicals. Critics like MIT’s Andrew McAfee suggest that focusing on landfill disposal may be more environmentally sound than perpetuating ineffective recycling practices, given the minimal reduction in greenhouse gas emissions achieved through recycling.

While recycling has limitations, it still offers modest environmental benefits, such as saving energy and cutting water use compared to alternatives like incineration. However, experts emphasize the need for systemic change to make a meaningful impact. This includes reducing plastic production, investing in better recycling infrastructure, addressing contamination issues, and exploring complementary waste reduction strategies like composting, upcycling, and reusable systems. Without significant reforms, the environmental crisis driven by plastic waste will continue to escalate.

Geography United States Category Education & Careers Energy Environment Government / Politics Land Use Technology Urban Development Tags

Publication The Independent Publication Date Thu, 12/26/2024 - 12:00 Publication Links Is recycling worth it? 2 minutes

Recycling’s Real Impact: Challenges, Misconceptions, and the Path Forward - Planetizen

Recycling’s Real Impact: Challenges, Misconceptions, and the Path Forward Clement Lau Tue, 12/31/2024 - 06:00 Primary Image

Geography United States Category Education & Careers Energy Environment Government / Politics Land Use Technology Urban Development Tags

Publication The Independent Publication Date Thu, 12/26/2024 - 12:00 Publication Links Is recycling worth it? 2 minutes

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Geek out in 2025 and beyond with documentaries for life, no subscription required - Popular Science

If you’re the type of person who gets way too excited about space documentaries or can’t resist diving into a deep-dive history special, then Curiosity Stream is calling your name.

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With a library of content curated by the best in the business, you can expect award-winning documentaries produced in stunning HD. Whether you’re exploring far-off galaxies, diving deep into the ocean, or learning about groundbreaking technology, Curiosity Stream’s content delivers an immersive, educational experience that will keep you hooked. Plus, with the ability to stream on multiple devices, you can access your favorite documentaries, whether you’re at home on your smart TV, on your laptop, or on the go with your smartphone or tablet.

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Apple, iPhone, iPad, Mac News and Rumors

Keep YouTube Playing in the Background on Your iPhone - MacRumors

On iPhone, listening to YouTube audio in the background usually requires paying for a YouTube Premium subscription, but there is a simple workaround that allows you to keep listening to a video when you are doing other things on your iPhone or when your device is locked. Keep reading to learn how it's done.

As YouTube has grown in popularity over the years, Google has opted to park several features of the video hosting service behind a paywall, such as ad-free viewing, SharePlay on iOS, and the ability to listen to YouTube audio on your iPhone when the app is closed.

Unfortunately, YouTube Premium costs $13.99 a month to access these features. But if all you want to do is listen to YouTube-hosted audio like podcasts, music, or lectures when you are in other apps or when your iPhone is locked and in your pocket, there is a way to achieve this without paying for the subscription.

The following steps show you how it's done.

Launch Safari on your iPhone and visit youtube.com, then search for the video whose audio you want to listen to.

Tap the left-hand icon in Safari's address bar.

Next, tap the More (three dots) button in the bottom-right corner, then select Request Desktop Website from the popup menu.
Tap the play button or tap the video to begin playback, while ignoring or dismissing any popups encouraging you to open the YouTube mobile app. (You will need to watch or skip a few ads before video playback begins.)

Now, lock your iPhone with the device's Side button. The audio will pause, but you can just tap the Play button in the Lock Screen playback controls widget to resume listening.

After following the above steps, the audio from YouTube will continue to play on your locked iPhone for as long as the video lasts, leaving you free to pocket your device and listen on headphones.

Alternatively, if you want to use other apps while listening, simply swipe up from the bottom of the screen to exit out of Safari, and then use the media controls in your iPhone's Dynamic Island or Control Center to resume playback when it automatically stops.Tag: YouTube
This article, "Keep YouTube Playing in the Background on Your iPhone" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple, iPhone, iPad, Mac News and Rumors

Keep YouTube Playing in the Background on Your iPhone - MacRumors

Launch Safari on your iPhone and visit youtube.com, then search for the video whose audio you want to listen to.

Tap the left-hand icon in Safari's address bar.

Next, tap the More (three dots) button in the bottom-right corner, then select Request Desktop Website from the popup menu.
Tap the play button or tap the video to begin playback, while ignoring or dismissing any popups encouraging you to open the YouTube mobile app. (You will need to watch or skip a few ads before video playback begins.)

Now, lock your iPhone with the device's Side button. The audio will pause, but you can just tap the Play button in the Lock Screen playback controls widget to resume listening.

Apple, iPhone, iPad, Mac News and Rumors

Apple Opens Doors to Its iPhone Audio and Video Testing Chambers - MacRumors

Apple recently invited CNET's Patrick Holland to tour its specialized laboratories in Cupertino where company engineers test and calibrate the iPhone 16's audio and video capabilities.

Holland's visit centered on a long wave anechoic chamber, where walls, ceiling, and floor are covered with foam wedges to eliminate echoes. The facility is used for testing the iPhone 16's four microphones, which despite their small size, are engineered to deliver professional-grade audio quality.
"The iPhone is such a ubiquitous recording device and gets used in so many different environments that we want to make sure that we're able to capture the memory that our users are trying to capture in the truest form," explained Ruchir Dave, senior director of acoustics engineering at Apple.

"The approach we took was to go after both quality as well as utility. And as part of that, we developed a novel microphone component that allows us to deliver some of the best acoustic performance in a phone product," said Dave. "At the same time, [we] developed a feature like Audio Mix that gives users the flexibility to be able to capture different sounds and gives you that creative freedom in the edit to adjust it how you like."The testing process Apple uses includes a sophisticated array of speakers that play chimes while the iPhone rotates, creating a spherical sound profile. This data forms the foundation for features like spatial audio and Audio Mix, which allows users to adjust recorded audio to simulate different microphone types. In separate soundproof studios, Apple conducts comparative playback tests with multiple testers to ensure consistent audio quality.

iPhone 16: Edit Spatial Audio in Videos With Audio Mix

The tour's highlight was a theater-sized video verification lab, where Apple engineers calibrate display performance across various lighting conditions. The facility features a massive screen that simulates how videos appear on iPhone displays, whether viewed in dark rooms, offices, or bright sunlight. For all the details, check out the full writeup over at CNET.
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Apple Opens Doors to Its iPhone Audio and Video Testing Chambers - MacRumors

iPhone 16: Edit Spatial Audio in Videos With Audio Mix

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Even More Scrambled Maps - Google Maps Mania

Scrambled Maps In September I released a new daily map challenge called Scrambled Maps. TripGeo then enhanced my original game by introducing options to define the number of map tiles and to play with random cities. Scrambled Maps has since become TripGeo’s most popular game. For instance, just yesterday, it was played over 1,000 times by people across the globe.TripGeo's Scrambled Maps has Keir Clarkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07052313829398691711noreply@blogger.com0

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Even More Scrambled Maps - Google Maps Mania

30 Dic 2024

Apple, iPhone, iPad, Mac News and Rumors

Gurman: Voice Control for Next Magic Mouse 'Makes Sense' - MacRumors

An upcoming version of the Magic Mouse with voice control for AI would "make sense," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said today, though he claimed that he has heard no rumors about the feature so far.

A report from Korean leaker "yeux1222" this morning suggested that Apple has created a prototype Magic Mouse that includes a mix of touch, voice controls, and hand gestures. Gurman said on social media that the functionality is logical in light of AI, but he also claimed that the rumor is "just an incorrect back-and-forth translation" of a line from a report that he shared earlier in December about a future Magic Mouse.

Voice control in the new Magic Mouse I wrote about this month makes sense in light of AI — and the fact that Apple is on a decade-plus cycle. From what I’ve heard, big focus is ergonomics and gestures (relocated USB-C too). I’d expect a new keyboard too. https://t.co/FtUcR2Yqdj

— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) December 30, 2024

As @ChanceHMiller points out, the rumor making the rounds today is just an incorrect back-and-forth translation of this line from my initial report: "In a computing world now infused with touch screens, voice commands and hand gestures..."

— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) December 30, 2024
It's not clear whether the rumor from yeux1222 is based on Gurman's original report, but Gurman did clarify today that Apple plans to focus on a more ergonomic design and unspecified gestures with the refreshed mouse.

If voice control is included in the next Magic Mouse, it could be used for Apple Intelligence, with users perhaps able to summon Siri or perform specific actions using voice-based commands. Gurman claims that even if there isn't a clear use case in the near future due to Macs already supporting such voice-based features, there could be one in five to 10 years.

Adding voice control to the Magic Mouse could be done for future proofing given the long update cycle. So far, Apple has not frequently updated the Magic Mouse, and it has not received notable updates since the Magic Mouse 2 was introduced in 2019. In fact, Apple has only added new colors and swapped the Lightning port for a USB-C port.

Earlier this month, Gurman said that Apple is planning a "full overhaul" of the Magic Mouse, with a more modern design. He said that Apple will finally move the charging port from the bottom of the device to an easier to access location, but he did not mention voice controls or gesture support at the time.

Both Gurman and the information shared by yeux1222 suggest that the Magic Mouse will launch in 2026, and it is possible it will come alongside an OLED MacBook Pro, which is also rumored to launch that year.Tag: Magic Mouse
This article, "Gurman: Voice Control for Next Magic Mouse 'Makes Sense'" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Gurman: Voice Control for Next Magic Mouse 'Makes Sense' - MacRumors

— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) December 30, 2024

Apple, iPhone, iPad, Mac News and Rumors

What to Expect From Apple in 2025 - MacRumors

Apple is going to have a busy year in 2025, based on the rumors that we're hearing right now. All of the rest of the Mac lineup will be updated with M4 chips, plus there's a new iPhone SE coming, and a whole new iPhone 17 "Air" that's slimmer than any iPhone to date.

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The ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro models might also get a major design update with a new look for the camera and the chassis, plus Apple is going to debut a whole new "Command Center" device for smart homes. New AirPods Pro 3 are on the horizon, and some iPad refreshes are coming, too.

This guide outlines everything that we know about the new products coming from Apple in 2025, based on current rumors.

New Flagship iPhones
It'll come as no surprise, but this September, Apple will unveil the iPhone 17 lineup. Apple is making some major changes to its flagship models this year, eliminating the ‌iPhone 17‌ Plus and introducing a new ultra thin model.

iPhone 17 Air (September 2025)
In 2024, Apple introduced a super thin iPad Pro that's just 5.1mm thick, and it's part of a new trend toward making products thinner and lighter. Instead of an ‌iPhone 17‌ Plus, this year we're getting a super thin ‌iPhone 17‌ that'll be something of a hybrid between the standard ‌iPhone 17‌ and the ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro in terms of price.

We don't yet know what Apple will call the new ‌iPhone‌, but rumors have been referencing it as the "‌iPhone 17‌ Air," and the "Air" name fits in with the "Pro" naming that Apple already uses for the ‌iPhone‌ lineup.

The ‌iPhone 17‌ Air will mark the biggest update to the ‌iPhone‌'s design we've had since the ‌iPhone‌ X launched in 2017. The ‌iPhone 17‌ Air isn't a directly replacement for the ‌iPhone 17‌ Plus, so it's not just an ‌iPhone 17‌ that's thin. It's going to have a single-lens 48-megapixel camera rather than a dual-lens or even triple-lens setup, and there's a new display size.

It's supposed to have a 6.6-inch display, so larger than the ‌iPhone 17‌ and 17 Pro, but smaller than the 17 Pro Max. It will be slim, but just how slim is unclear. Rumors suggest that it could be around 2mm thinner than the iPhone 16 Pro, which measures in at 8.25mm thick, so between 6 and 6.25mm is likely. That would make the ‌iPhone 17‌ Air the thinnest ‌iPhone‌ to date, slimmer even than the 6.9mm ‌iPhone‌ 6 that holds the title right now.

Because the new ‌iPhone‌ is so thin, it can only house a single-lens rear camera, and there's only going to be one speaker at the top rather than one at the top and one at the bottom. It's possible there will be a narrower pill-shaped cutout for the front-facing camera, resulting in a narrower Dynamic Island, but whether that'll actually happen remains to be seen.

This year, all ‌iPhone 17‌ models are expected to get ProMotion display technology with up to 120Hz refresh rates, so that will no longer be a feature limited to the Pro models.

The ‌iPhone 17‌ Air could get a titanium-aluminum frame, which would keep it lightweight, and it will have the same next-generation chip Apple plans to use in the ‌iPhone 17‌ rather than the higher-end chip Apple will use for the Pro models.

Apple plans to use its Apple-designed modem in the ‌iPhone 17‌ Air to test it out. The new 5G chip will be launched in the ‌iPhone SE‌, low-cost ‌iPad‌, and ‌iPhone 17‌ Air this year, and Apple is already working on improvements that will make it feasible to use across the ‌iPhone‌ lineup.

The 5G chip won't support mmWave 5G, but it does have sub-6GHz 5G, which is more commonly used in suburban and rural areas in the U.S. and in other countries.

With the ‌iPhone 17‌ Air, Apple is focusing on design and form factor as the device's selling points rather than its internals, and we are expecting a price tag somewhere between the ‌iPhone 17‌ and 17 Pro. It's likely to be more expensive than the iPhone 16, which is priced starting at $799, but less expensive than the 16 Pro, which starts at $999.

iPhone 17 (September 2025)
Apple still plans to offer a plain old ‌iPhone 17‌, and it could have a larger 6.3-inch display, up from 6.1 inches. It's expected to be Apple's lowest-cost flagship device, but rumors suggest we can count on a dual-lens camera setup with a 48-megapixel Main camera, a 24-megapixel front-facing camera, and support for ProMotion.

iPhone 17 Pro (September 2025)
The ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro and ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro Max will be Apple's high-end devices per usual, but this year there could be some notable design changes. Rumors suggest Apple is planning to do away with the titanium frame in favor of an aluminum frame, and there could be a half-glass half-aluminum rear casing.

Removing half of the glass in the ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro models and replacing it with aluminum would make them more durable to drops and damage, while leaving support for wireless charging in place.

There have also been rumors about a new camera bump that's made from aluminum rather than glass. Some rumors say it will have an "elongated oval shape" and a horizontal layout, but it's not quite clear just what the camera setup is going to look like at this point.

The ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro models could get 12GB RAM, with other models set to have 8GB RAM.

Apple is expected to upgrade the camera in the Pro models, introducing a 48-megapixel Telephoto lens. With that upgrade, the ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro models will have a 48-megapixel Wide lens, a 48-megapixel Ultra Wide lens, and a 48-megapixel Telephoto lens.

At least one ‌iPhone 17‌ model is expected to have a mechanical aperture that will let users adjust the size of the aperture, which changes the amount of light that reaches the lens. A variable aperture will let images be captured with a shallower depth-of-field, and it's likely that this would be an ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro feature.

Features Rumored for All iPhone 17 Models

24-megapixel front-facing camera with six-element lens, a notable upgrade over the current 12-megapixel selfie camera.

ProMotion Display technology with 120Hz refresh rate, enabled by the use of LTPO panels.

Always-on display technology across all ‌iPhone 17‌ models.

Tougher Ceramic Shield coating with anti-reflective layer better able to stand up to wear and tear

A19 chip, though ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro models will likely get A19 Pro chips. A19 chips will be faster and more efficient.

An Apple-designed Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 7 chip.

iPhone SE 4 (Early 2025)
It seems like we've been hearing about a new iPhone SE for years now, and the next-generation version of Apple's low-cost ‌iPhone‌ will finally launch in 2025.

The ‌iPhone SE‌ 4 will mark the end of Touch ID in the ‌iPhone‌ lineup, as Apple is transitioning to Face ID for the device, and it will also spell the end of ultra small phones with no more 4.7-inch screens available.

Rumors suggest that the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4 will be modeled after the iPhone 14, with a 6.06-inch display, ‌Face ID‌, and a notch. At that size, the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4 will be significantly larger than the current ‌iPhone SE‌. It will use OLED display technology, which also means Apple will finally finish phasing out LCD displays from the ‌iPhone‌ lineup.

The device will have a single-lens 48-megapixel rear camera and a USB-C port. There is a possibility it will have the same multi-function Action Button that's available with the ‌iPhone 16‌ models.

The ‌iPhone SE‌ will get a faster A-series chip, likely the A18, which will support Apple Intelligence. Adding ‌Apple Intelligence‌ support also means that it will need a minimum of 8GB RAM.

With the launch of the ‌iPhone SE‌, Apple will introduce the custom modem chip that it has been designing in-house for the last several years. The Apple 5G chip won't support mmWave 5G, but it will support sub-6GHz. Apple is debuting the modem chip in the ‌iPhone SE‌ to make sure that it works well before it is expanded to additional devices such as the flagship iPhones.

Though the ‌iPhone SE‌ is getting a slew of major upgrades in 2025, we are expecting a sub-$500 price tag for the device. The ‌iPhone SE‌ 4 will likely launch in early 2025.

Smart Home Command Center
Apple is developing a home accessory that's meant to serve as a central hub or "Command Center" for smart home management. While the Apple TV and HomePod are already home hubs and there are multiple options for controlling a HomeKit setup, Apple is creating a more accessible all-in-one home management product that will make control easier.

The device is said to somewhat resemble an ‌iPad‌, but it has a more square design with a six inch display that has thick bezels around the edges. It will be about the size of two iPhones side-by-side, making it small enough to tuck into any area of the home, and to be transported from room to room.

The hub's display will support touch input for opening apps and controlling connected devices, and while it's not getting a dedicated App Store, it will have Apple apps like Notes, Calendar, Home, Apple Music, Apple News, Photos, Safari, Reminders, and more installed.

Apple is designing a dock that can house the hub, but it will also be able to be mounted on the wall. Speakers will be built in, and there will be a camera for FaceTime calls. Built-in sensors will be able to determine how close a person is to the hub, and information displayed on the screen can shift based on that proximity. It may also support person detection that would allow it to be used in smart home automations for doing things like turning on the lights when someone enters a room.

With an A18 chip, the device will support ‌Apple Intelligence‌, and speaking to Siri will be a main part of communication with the hub. Apple envisions multiple devices being in different rooms of the house, and the device will serve as a room-to-room intercom and it will be able to play music.

Competing products from companies like Amazon have hub accessories priced at around $90, so Apple may be aiming to meet that price point with its own hub. The smart home hub could be released as soon as early 2025, though there has been some disagreement on its launch timeline so it could also come later in the year.

Apple Watches
In 2024, Apple only updated the Series 10, but this year, there are updates for the standard Apple Watch, the Apple Watch SE, and the Apple Watch Ultra planned.

Apple Watch Series 11 (September 2025)
The Apple Watch gets a yearly refresh, and 2025 will be no exception. If Apple can finish the feature on time, the Apple Watch Series 11 could support blood pressure monitoring. The feature won't measure exact systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels, but will instead measure trends and alert the wearer if high blood pressure has been detected.

Apple is transitioning to MediaTek cellular modems for future Apple Watch models, doing away with Intel's modems. Apple will use MediaTek's 5G chip, which supports 5G RedCap, a 5G service aimed at wearables. 5G RedCap doesn't offer standard 5G speeds, but it would likely be an improvement over the 4G LTE the current Apple Watch models are limited to.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 (September 2025)
Apple did not refresh the Apple Watch Ultra in 2024, but a new model is expected in 2025. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 will get satellite connectivity, allowing for off-grid texting and communication when Wi-Fi and cellular connections are unavailable. Satellite connectivity would be an Apple Watch Ultra exclusive, distinguishing it from Apple's lower-cost models.

A blood pressure monitoring feature could be included in the Apple Watch Ultra 3 if Apple is able to complete work on it in time for a 2025 launch.

Apple Watch SE (September 2025)
Apple will refresh the ‌Apple Watch SE‌ in 2025, adding a new, faster processor. As a lower-cost Apple Watch option, the ‌Apple Watch SE‌ does not offer the same health features as the standard Apple Watch like ECG functionality, the ability to read temperature, and more, but it does have all of the standard sleep tracking and heart rate tracking features.

The next ‌Apple Watch SE‌ could get a notable update, with Apple transitioning from an aluminum casing to a rigid plastic material instead. Plastic would be more affordable than aluminum, and it could be made in bright colors, better appealing to children and their parents.

Apple has been focusing on Apple Watch for kids marketing, and the ‌Apple Watch SE‌ offers a way for parents to give their children managed devices for location tracking and communication.

New Apple Watch models often come out in September, so we are expecting to see the next ‌Apple Watch SE‌ debut alongside new iPhones in the fall.

AirPods Pro 3
The AirPods were refreshed in 2024, and in 2025, it's the AirPods Pro's turn. New ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ are expected at some point in 2025, though the timing is not yet clear.

Apple is working on a new design for the ‌AirPods Pro 3‌, but details are light as of now. Both the earbuds and the case will get a refresh, with the case perhaps getting slimmed down like the AirPods case.

Better audio quality is expected, along with improvements to Active Noise Cancellation and better integration with the Vision Pro headset.

Apple is working on a new H3 connectivity chip that powers everything from Active Noise Cancellation to ‌Siri‌, and a faster H3 chip could bring multiple improvements for ANC, music quality, spatial audio, and more.

There are rumors that Apple has been testing some AirPods health features like body temperature monitoring and heart rate monitoring, and there is a possibility that we could get those features. Temperature reading specifically has the potential to be useful because temperatures taken from the ear are more accurate than the wrist temperature measurement the Apple Watch uses, and heart rate monitoring would bring the feature to ‌iPhone‌ users who do not have an Apple Watch.

With the AirPods 4, Apple removed the physical pairing button and replaced it with a hidden capacitive button and a hidden LED light, so we could see those same updates made to the ‌AirPods Pro‌ 4.

HomePod Mini
Apple will update the HomePod mini in 2025, adding a faster S-series chip and a new Apple-designed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip that will replace components from supplier Broadcom. Along with these internal changes, we will likely see new color options. Timing on the ‌HomePod mini‌ refresh is unknown.

Apple TV
Apple is expected to refresh the Apple TV 4K in 2025, adding a faster A-series chip and a new Apple-designed Bluetooth and Wi-Fi combo chip. The new chip will allow Apple's smart home devices to work better together and synchronize data quicker.

No design changes are expected for the ‌Apple TV‌, and it's not quite clear when in 2025 a new model might come out.

MacBook Air (Early 2025)
In early 2025, Apple plans to update the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models with M4 chip technology, which will replace the model with the current M3 chip. The M4 chip will offer speed and efficiency improvements over the M3 chip, but it will be an incremental update that won't tempt those who already own an M3 MacBook Air.

The M4 chip is built on Apple's 3-nanometer process, much like the M3. There isn't as big of a performance improvement between M3 and M4 as there was between M2 and M3 because there's no change in node size, but Apple did eke out respectable GPU and CPU speed boosts.

The device will have 16GB RAM minimum, and we are not expecting any design changes. The ‌MacBook Air‌ will be refreshed early in the year, likely in the March timeframe.

Mac Pro (Late 2025)
Apple plans to refresh the Mac Pro in 2025, adding a higher-end M4 chip. So far, Apple has introduced M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips, but the Mac Pro will likely launch with an M4 Ultra option, which offers double the performance of the M4 Max.

So far, there are no design changes coming to the Mac that we know of, but the ‌Mac Pro‌ could support up to 500GB Unified Memory, a major increase over the current 192GB maximum. Right now, the ‌Mac Pro‌ uses an ‌M2‌ Ultra chip, so Apple is skipping the M3 generation and going straight to M4.

We're expecting the ‌Mac Pro‌ to be refreshed late in the year, perhaps around the October or November timeframe.

Mac Studio (Mid-2025)
Last time the Mac Studio was updated, it was refreshed alongside the ‌Mac Pro‌, and that's likely what's going to happen in 2025, too.

‌Mac Studio‌ models will be equipped with the M4 Max chips, plus the highest-end options will likely be configurable with an M4 Ultra chip that has yet to be announced. The ‌Mac Studio‌ could support up to 500GB Unified Memory, up from the current 192GB maximum.

As with the ‌Mac Pro‌, Apple will skip the M3 chip generation for the ‌Mac Studio‌, and no design changes are expected. The ‌Mac Studio‌ could see an update in mid to late 2025.

M5 MacBook Pro
An updated MacBook Pro with an M5 chip could launch in 2025, bringing a small performance boost. No new display technologies such as OLED are expected until 2026 or 2027. The machine could have a new camera that's more compact, potentially allowing Apple to cut down on the size of the notch.

M5 Vision Pro
Rumors about what's next for the Vision Pro have been all over the place, but Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple will come out with a next-generation version of the Vision Pro in 2025. Kuo is not expecting major design changes, but the headset will get an M5 chip, up from the current ‌M2‌ chip.

Low-Cost iPad (Early 2025)
The low-cost iPad is set to be refreshed in 2025. Apple will add a faster A-series chip, likely the A17 Pro chip that Apple added to the iPad mini in 2024.

The A17 Pro would allow the low-cost ‌iPad‌ to support ‌Apple Intelligence‌, and it is also worth noting that ‌Apple Intelligence‌ requires 8GB RAM at a minimum, so that's another upgrade the low-cost ‌iPad‌ will probably get. An A17 Pro chip would bring a major leap in performance and battery, considering that the current 10th-generation ‌iPad‌ has an A14 chip.

It is possible that Apple won't bring ‌Apple Intelligence‌ to its most affordable ‌iPad‌, and if that's the case, a less powerful chip could be included.

Along with an updated chip, the low-cost ‌iPad‌ will be one of the first devices to feature the 5G modem chip that Apple designed in-house. The low-cost ‌iPad‌ is expected to see a refresh early in the year.

iPad Air (Early 2025)
Apple will update the iPad Air with a new M-series chip. The current model has the ‌M2‌, so Apple is expected to upgrade it to the M3. That's a generation behind the M4 chip in the ‌iPad Pro‌, which will give the ‌iPad Pro‌ an edge over the lower-cost iPad Air.

Since the M3 chip is built on Apple's 3-nanometer process, it will bring a notable update over the ‌M2‌. The M3's CPU performance is up to 30 percent faster than the ‌‌M2‌‌ CPU performance, and GPU performance is 15 percent faster, plus it's more efficient so battery life could be improved.

Alongside the ‌iPad Air‌, Apple could introduce an updated Magic Keyboard with a function row of keys.

AirTag 2
Apple is working on a new version of the AirTag that has a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for improved range. With the new chip, users will be able to locate their AirTags from further away.

Software (mid-2025)
June will see the introduction of iOS 19, iPadOS 19, macOS 16, tvOS 19, watchOS 12, and visionOS 3, and we're counting on new ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features.

Even before June, we're going to get a new update to iOS 18.4 that's supposed to make ‌Siri‌ much smarter. ‌Siri‌ will learn more about you to better help you with tasks, and ‌Siri‌ will be able to do more in and between apps, making the personal assistant more capable than ever.

iOS 18.4 is likely coming out in April, and then with ‌iOS 19‌ in June, Apple will announce even more ‌Siri‌ and ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features.

Wrap Up
With so many changes planned for the ‌iPhone‌ lineup, 2025 isn't going to be a boring year for Apple, especially with new ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features slated to be announced in ‌iOS 19‌.

We're also getting new Macs, including a refreshed ‌Mac Pro‌, and we'll see Apple making a major push into smart home hardware.

Make sure to follow MacRumors.com and the MacRumors roundups and guides over the course of 2025 to keep up with all of the rumors we're hearing. Bookmark our What to Expect Guide and our Events Guide to see a continually updated overview of what's on the horizon.
This article, "What to Expect From Apple in 2025" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple, iPhone, iPad, Mac News and Rumors

What to Expect From Apple in 2025 - MacRumors

24-megapixel front-facing camera with six-element lens, a notable upgrade over the current 12-megapixel selfie camera.

ProMotion Display technology with 120Hz refresh rate, enabled by the use of LTPO panels.

Always-on display technology across all ‌iPhone 17‌ models.

Tougher Ceramic Shield coating with anti-reflective layer better able to stand up to wear and tear

A19 chip, though ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro models will likely get A19 Pro chips. A19 chips will be faster and more efficient.

An Apple-designed Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 7 chip.

Maui's Deadly Firestorm: Investigating the Tragedy and Lessons for the Future - Planetizen

Maui's Deadly Firestorm: Investigating the Tragedy and Lessons for the Future Clement Lau Mon, 12/30/2024 - 11:00 Primary Image

FRONTLINE’s new documentary, Maui’s Deadly Firestorm, delves into the devastating wildfire that swept through Lahaina, Hawaii, in August 2023, becoming the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century. Sparked by a downed power line and fueled by Hurricane Dora’s high winds, the fire claimed over 100 lives, displaced thousands, and exposed significant gaps in emergency preparedness and response. The documentary, directed by Xinyan Yu and produced by Christina Avalos, reconstructs the events through survivor testimonies, harrowing footage, and an analysis of public records, revealing a tragedy decades in the making.

The film highlights the years of warnings from experts and community leaders, such as Lahaina’s Ke‘eaumoku Kapu, who raised alarms about Maui’s vulnerability to wildfires. Despite these warnings, insufficient investments in prevention and preparedness left the island ill-equipped to face such a disaster. FRONTLINE examines critical missteps, including the decision not to activate emergency sirens, blocked evacuation routes, and broader systemic failures. The documentary also explores the increasing impact of climate change and landscape changes on Maui’s fire risks, offering a sobering look at how such disasters could be mitigated in the future.

Premiering digitally on December 17, 2024, and airing on PBS on January 7, 2025, Maui’s Deadly Firestorm raises urgent questions about accountability and preparedness. Featuring firsthand accounts from survivors, victims’ families, and officials like Hawaii Governor Josh Green, the documentary not only honors the resilience of those affected but also underscores the critical need to learn from this tragedy to prevent future catastrophes.

Geography Hawaii Category Community / Economic Development Environment Government / Politics Infrastructure Land Use Social / Demographics Tags

Publication PBS Publication Date Fri, 12/13/2024 - 12:00 Publication Links FRONTLINE Investigates ‘Maui’s Deadly Firestorm’ in New Documentary 2 minutes

Maui's Deadly Firestorm: Investigating the Tragedy and Lessons for the Future - Planetizen

Maui's Deadly Firestorm: Investigating the Tragedy and Lessons for the Future Clement Lau Mon, 12/30/2024 - 11:00 Primary Image

Geography Hawaii Category Community / Economic Development Environment Government / Politics Infrastructure Land Use Social / Demographics Tags

Publication PBS Publication Date Fri, 12/13/2024 - 12:00 Publication Links FRONTLINE Investigates ‘Maui’s Deadly Firestorm’ in New Documentary 2 minutes

Storms and Sea Levels: The Growing Threat to California’s Piers - Planetizen

Storms and Sea Levels: The Growing Threat to California’s Piers Clement Lau Mon, 12/30/2024 - 10:00 Primary Image

California’s iconic piers, symbols of coastal culture and history, are increasingly imperiled by climate change. As reported by Noah Haggerty, recent storms, including those that severely damaged Santa Cruz Wharf and Ocean Beach Pier, have highlighted the vulnerabilities of these aging structures to intensifying storm patterns, rising sea levels, and unpredictable weather events. Despite ongoing efforts to reinforce piers with structural upgrades, the challenges of climate change are outpacing these interventions. Scientists warn that shifts in storm direction, fueled by warming temperatures, are striking even sheltered piers, creating an urgent need for strategic planning and resource allocation to preserve these landmarks.

The costs of maintaining and upgrading piers are steep, with repairs often running into millions of dollars and leaving piers closed for years. Santa Cruz Wharf, for example, faced delays due to lawsuits over environmental impact reports, while interim repairs began too late to prevent further damage from extreme storms. Similarly, San Diego’s Ocean Beach Pier has been deemed irreparable, necessitating an $8 million replacement project. Many other piers, such as the Ventura Pier, have required substantial restoration following storm-induced damage, and some, like Seacliff State Beach Pier, have been removed entirely after severe deterioration.

California’s coastal piers are at a crossroads. Most were built over a century ago, originally designed for calmer seas and different purposes. While they now serve as cultural and recreational hubs, the question of their future looms large. With limited resources, officials must make tough decisions about which piers to protect and how to adapt to the changing climate. As Patrick Barnard of the U.S. Geological Survey notes, strategic prioritization will be key as the state grapples with the growing impacts of climate change on its historic coastal infrastructure.

Geography California Category Community / Economic Development Environment History / Preservation Infrastructure Tags

Publication Los Angeles Times Publication Date Sat, 12/28/2024 - 12:00 Publication Links California’s piers may not be able to withstand climate change 2 minutes

Storms and Sea Levels: The Growing Threat to California’s Piers - Planetizen

Storms and Sea Levels: The Growing Threat to California’s Piers Clement Lau Mon, 12/30/2024 - 10:00 Primary Image

Geography California Category Community / Economic Development Environment History / Preservation Infrastructure Tags

Publication Los Angeles Times Publication Date Sat, 12/28/2024 - 12:00 Publication Links California’s piers may not be able to withstand climate change 2 minutes

Awe-inspiring science reporting, technology news, and DIY projects. Skunks to space robots, primates to climates. That's Popular Science, 150 years strong.

The 5 greatest gadget innovations of 2024 - Popular Science

Had you asked me at the beginning of 2024 what our best gadgets list would look like, I’d have guessed it would be filled with quirky AI-driven devices like the rabbit R1 or the Humane Ai Pin. “Now with AI” is a phrase that has dominated consumer electronics in the 2020s. These devices promised unadulterated access to the power of neural networks in ways that would seamlessly integrate into our lives without relying on phones or smart fridges. Then, the devices came out. The software is slow and buggy, and the hardware is clunky. Maybe the stand-alone AI device will still have its year, and we’ll look back and chuckle at these humble beginnings. In reality, 2024’s big breakthrough came from Apple in the form of its long-rumored Vision Pro headset. The device has its own hurdles to clear, but after just a few minutes of using it, it was clear that it’s something different, important, and honestly pretty amazing. The list also includes Sony’s innovative pro-grade camera, the most accessible drone we’ve ever used, and a no-fun phone—no fun in a good way, of course.

(Editor’s Note: This is a section from Popular Science’s 37th annual Best of What’s New awards. Be sure to read the full list of the 50 greatest innovations of 2024.)

Innovation of the Year Vision Pro from Apple: A new dimension for augmented reality Learn More

Credible rumors of Apple’s VR bounced around the gadget blogs and tech sites for nearly a decade. It was consumer tech’s sasquatch in that people claimed to have seen it, but no one knew if it even existed. Then, the Vision Pro emerged from the proverbial forest in February with a surprising design and a massive $3,500 price tag. It also came toting a new R-series chip and a dedicated OS meant for spatial computing.

From a hardware perspective, this headset offers a 23-million-pixel screen, which dishes out more than 4K quality to each eye. It’s a true AR device, so external cameras pump a real-time view of the outside world into the display. Virtual displays, AR game boards, and other digital artifacts integrate seamlessly into your view of the real world. It’s actually jarring to take the headset off and see the real world free of floating UI. There are no controllers to use, buttons to press, or other obstacles between a user and the augmented space.

While AR headsets have existed before, this one gets our award because of how much potential it shows. It’s part of Apple’s overall hardware plan. The new iPhone cameras have a specific arrangement to shoot spatial video for consumption in AR. Familiar apps can offer augmented experiences specifically meant for headsets. We expect the next version of the hardware will skip the creepy image of your eyes that shows up on the exterior screen. Still, we’re curious to see what Apple does next, because a consumer-friendly price on an experience like this could be a true game changer.

A9 III from Sony: The first consumer mirrorless camera to eradicate wiggly images Learn More

Take a photo or video of a very fast-moving object with a typical digital camera (including the one in your smartphone), and there’s a chance you’ll notice the dreaded wobble effect. Digital camera sensors don’t capture every pixel at the same time; rather, they scan horizontal rows in sequence, which can cause fast-moving objects to look warped or distorted. Sony’s A9 III employs a global shutter, which means it fires every pixel simultaneously. As a result, it can capture images at shutter speeds up to 1/80,000th of a second, without distorting objects in the frame. The company achieves this with a newly designed stacked sensor, which means the same chip that captures the light also has computing hardware built into it. Consequently, it can operate faster than a typical camera system since everything is integrated together. The speed requires some trade-offs, like slightly noisier images when shooting in low light, but that’s a small price to pay for the fastest consumer camera on the market.

DJI Neo: A sub-$200 drone that isn’t a toy Learn More

Most cheap drones are little more than toys. They offer lousy cameras, barebones (if any) flight sensors, laggy controls, and cheap parts. DJI’s Neo drone weighs just 135 grams (well under the limit that would require registration with the FAA before flight) and can take off from a pilot’s palm. It takes commands from a smartphone app via Wi-Fi, which makes it accessible for super-green amateur pilots, but it’s also compatible with DJI controllers for upgrading down the line. The drone can automatically track and follow a subject or perform many pre-programmed flight paths like much bigger and more expensive models. The Neo feels like a real drone and not a toy. We recommend getting extra batteries if you buy one yourself—each cell only realistically gets you 15 minutes of flight time—but this is a big deal for content creators who want to shoot aerial 4K before those brand deal dollars start pouring in.

Palma by BOOX: An e-ink phone that’s no-fun in a good way Learn More

Smartphones are too much fun. Those glowing, brightly colored screens lather our brains in dopamine, soak up our free time, and make us painfully aware of things like The Rizzler. The BOOX Palma attempts to remedy those issues with its 6.13-inch e-ink display. It’s a monochrome screen that refreshes slowly like an e-reader. It technically runs full Android but won’t allow you to doom scroll. Instead, it encourages users to navigate essential apps and information by creating simple widgets. Text looks fantastic on the 1,200 dpi screen, and it’s a great way to consume information in a much healthier way. It won’t replace your phone in all situations, but it’s great for weaning yourself off those late-night TikTok marathons.

Snapdragon X series chips by Qualcomm: An AI-powered brain built for Windows computers Learn More

You’re probably familiar with the big chip makers that power almost every laptop. You choose from AMD, Intel, or Apple. This year, Qualcomm introduced its Snapdragon X Elite chip, which is meant to extend the company’s approach to mobile hardware into full-fledged PCs and powerful tablets like the Microsoft Surface Pro. Both Intel and AMD split their chip’s cores into high-power and efficiency categories to balance overall performance with battery life. Qualcomm’s chips, however, designate all of their cores as “high performance.” That comes with a promise of long battery life without serious drops in performance when unplugged from a power adapter. The first generation of Copilot+ PCs have largely focused on thinness and performance, but we’re hopeful this new chip will be the key to all the weird form factor Windows PCs we’ve been wishing for.

The post The 5 greatest gadget innovations of 2024 appeared first on Popular Science.

New Orleans Seeks Consultants for $8M Tree Planting Initiative - Planetizen

New Orleans Seeks Consultants for $8M Tree Planting Initiative Clement Lau Mon, 12/30/2024 - 09:00 Primary Image

The City of New Orleans is soliciting proposals from seven qualified nonprofit consultancy firms to help manage an $8 million Urban and Community Forestry Grant awarded by the USDA Forest Service through the Inflation Reduction Act. The New Orleans Department of Parks and Parkways, which oversees over 2,000 acres of public green spaces and 450,000 street trees, aims to collaborate with consultants to plant native and adaptive species, advance urban forestry goals, and protect the city’s tree canopy. As reported by Kelly Hite, this initiative aligns with the city’s Climate Action Plan goal of planting 40,000 trees by 2030 and includes updating the Tree Protection Ordinance to safeguard existing trees.

Recognized as a 2024 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, New Orleans was also awarded the prestigious Growth Award for surpassing key urban forestry standards. The Arbor Day Foundation lauded the city’s leadership in promoting the critical role of trees as urban infrastructure, emphasizing their benefits in mitigating the urban heat island effect, reducing stormwater runoff, and improving air quality. Trees also enhance mental and physical health, reduce energy costs, and boost property values, underscoring their importance in urban environments.

This ambitious tree-planting program builds on New Orleans’ longstanding commitment to green initiatives and community resilience. The Department of Parks and Parkways will implement the grant through partnerships with nonprofit tree-planting groups and innovative urban forestry projects. As part of the city’s broader sustainability efforts, this initiative aims to create healthier, more livable neighborhoods while setting an example for urban forestry nationwide.

Geography Louisiana Category Community / Economic Development Environment Infrastructure Landscape Architecture Social / Demographics Urban Development Tags

Publication Biz New Orleans Publication Date Mon, 12/23/2024 - 12:00 Publication Links Parks and Parkways seeking consultancy firms for $8M USDA Tree Planting Grant 2 minutes

New Orleans Seeks Consultants for $8M Tree Planting Initiative - Planetizen

New Orleans Seeks Consultants for $8M Tree Planting Initiative Clement Lau Mon, 12/30/2024 - 09:00 Primary Image

Geography Louisiana Category Community / Economic Development Environment Infrastructure Landscape Architecture Social / Demographics Urban Development Tags

Publication Biz New Orleans Publication Date Mon, 12/23/2024 - 12:00 Publication Links Parks and Parkways seeking consultancy firms for $8M USDA Tree Planting Grant 2 minutes

Apple, iPhone, iPad, Mac News and Rumors

Apple Honors Jimmy Carter With Homepage Tribute - MacRumors

Apple today updated its homepage to honor former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who passed away yesterday at the age of 100.

The longest-lived president in U.S. history, Carter served in the position from 1977 to 1981 and was known for redefining the post-presidency with his focus on human rights and diplomacy through the Carter Center, for which he won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Carter was also a prominent advocate for and participant in the nonprofit Habitat for Humanity.

Today, we honor President Carter’s lifetime of service and his commitment to leaving the world better than he found it. May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/cXl99kT7lr

— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) December 29, 2024
Apple CEO Tim Cook also honored Carter in a tweet on Sunday.
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Apple Honors Jimmy Carter With Homepage Tribute - MacRumors

Today, we honor President Carter’s lifetime of service and his commitment to leaving the world better than he found it. May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/cXl99kT7lr

Six Positive Innovations in Housing From 2024 - Planetizen

Six Positive Innovations in Housing From 2024 Diana Ionescu Mon, 12/30/2024 - 08:00 Primary Image Primary Image Caption Converting just a fraction of vacant strip malls to housing could yield as many as 700,000 housing units.

In a piece for Vox, Rachel Cohen describes six housing policy ideas from 2024 that could make an impact on the housing crisis.

Describing herself as “cautiously optimistic” about each of them, Cohen begins with the idea of converting vacant malls — particularly strip malls — into housing, a concept that is catching on as retail increasingly moves online and commercial vacancies rise. According to Cohen, “Strip malls in particular offer some unique advantages for developers because they usually come with big empty parking lots that make it easier to build. Recent research estimated that converting just the top 10 percent of strip mall candidates could create more than 700,000 new homes across the country.”

Other positive developments include switching to cash assistance instead of vouchers for people receiving housing assistance, which can cut down on bureaucracy and help people access housing sooner, and using adaptive reuse to convert office buildings into “affordable, dorm-style housing.” Cohen also praises the ‘Yes in God’s Backyard,’ or YIGBY, movement, in which churches and faith communities are taking on the task of building housing on their properties.

For Cohen, “The housing affordability challenges ahead are real, but a lot can change for the better when hard-working people pay attention.” But journalism is about facts and follow-through: “We’re going to keep watching how these ideas develop and what implementation actually looks like.”

Geography United States Category Housing Tags

Publication Vox Publication Date Fri, 12/27/2024 - 12:00 Publication Links 6 standout housing policy ideas from 2024 2 minutes

Six Positive Innovations in Housing From 2024 - Planetizen

In a piece for Vox, Rachel Cohen describes six housing policy ideas from 2024 that could make an impact on the housing crisis.

Geography United States Category Housing Tags

Publication Vox Publication Date Fri, 12/27/2024 - 12:00 Publication Links 6 standout housing policy ideas from 2024 2 minutes

Apple, iPhone, iPad, Mac News and Rumors

Redesigned Magic Mouse With Touch and Voice Controls Reportedly Coming in 2026 - MacRumors

A completely redesigned version of the Magic Mouse featuring touch and voice controls is coming in 2026, a Korean leaker claims.

Expanding on a recent report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the Korean Apple news aggregator known as "yeux1122" says that Apple's next-generation Magic Mouse will feature a new, more ergonomic design that addresses long-standing complaints, including the location of the charging port.

While the Magic Mouse switched from Lightning to USB-C a few months ago, the charging port is still located on the bottom of the mouse, which prevents it from being used while charging. This is only a minor inconvenience, as charging the mouse is a quick and infrequent process, but it sounds like Apple will finally relocate the port in the accessory's next incarnation.

Apple has apparently designed a prototype of the new mouse that incorporates a mixture of touch, voice controls, and hand gestures, making it more suitable for today's computing demands. It reportedly plans to release the new Magic Mouse alongside the OLED, "M6" MacBook Pro in 2026.

The overall look of the Magic Mouse has not changed much since 2009, so a redesign seems to be long overdue. Notable changes over the years include switching from AA batteries to a built-in rechargeable battery in 2015, new color-matching options with the iMac in 2021, and the switch from Lightning to USB-C earlier this year.Tags: Magic Mouse, Naver
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Redesigned Magic Mouse With Touch and Voice Controls Reportedly Coming in 2026 - MacRumors

Apple, iPhone, iPad, Mac News and Rumors

iPhone SE 4 Could Be More Expensive - MacRumors

Apple's fourth-generation iPhone SE could see a slight price increase over the current model, according to a new report originating in Asia.

Citing a Japanese source, the aggregator known as "yeux1122" on Korean social media site Naver claims that the fourth-generation ‌iPhone SE‌ will be priced below 78,000 yen–about $500. However, the price of the device is likely to exceed 800,000 won in Korea—around $540. This international pricing may indicate that the new ‌iPhone SE‌ could come in at a slightly higher price than the current model, which starts at $429.

Previous reports have indicated that the new model may continue to be priced starting at $429, or see an increase of around 10 percent. This would place it at about $470. Apple reportedly plans to keep the pricing below $500 in the United States, even if the price does go up slightly.

While the ‌iPhone SE‌ is Apple's low-cost iPhone option, a small price increase would be understandable given the device's expected upgrade to Face ID, a more modern all-screen design, OLED, USB-C, and more. The fourth-generation ‌iPhone SE‌ could launch as soon as March 2025. Related Roundup: iPhone SETag: NaverBuyer's Guide: iPhone SE (Don't Buy)Related Forum: iPhone
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iPhone SE 4 Could Be More Expensive - MacRumors

Chicago Transit Authority Announces Service Boosts Ahead of NYE - Planetizen

Chicago Transit Authority Announces Service Boosts Ahead of NYE Diana Ionescu Mon, 12/30/2024 - 07:00 Primary Image

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) announced its goal of boosting service to reach pre-pandemic levels by December 31, reports Streetsblog Chicago article.

“According to the CTA, it will hit this target by increasing service on 19 bus routes, with some (not all) additional runs kicking off this Sunday, December 22. The agency credited the improvement to adding more bus drivers to its roster,” the article adds. The agency says it is in the process of having hired over 200 new rail operators and 1,000 new bus operators in 2024.

According to a CTA press release, “Ridership on routes that already received additional service in 2024 were up 14 to 15 percent year-over-year in October, while routes that did not receive service adjustments have also increased, but at a lower rate of 10 percent during the same period.”

Transit advocates praise the announcement, but caution that actual changes may not live up to the proposed frequency.

Geography Illinois Category Transportation Tags

Publication Streetsblog Chicago Publication Date Fri, 12/20/2024 - 12:00 Publication Links CTA says pre-pandemic-level bus service will be bus-ting out all over, starting… 1 minute

Chicago Transit Authority Announces Service Boosts Ahead of NYE - Planetizen

Chicago Transit Authority Announces Service Boosts Ahead of NYE Diana Ionescu Mon, 12/30/2024 - 07:00 Primary Image

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) announced its goal of boosting service to reach pre-pandemic levels by December 31, reports Streetsblog Chicago article.

Transit advocates praise the announcement, but caution that actual changes may not live up to the proposed frequency.

Geography Illinois Category Transportation Tags

Publication Streetsblog Chicago Publication Date Fri, 12/20/2024 - 12:00 Publication Links CTA says pre-pandemic-level bus service will be bus-ting out all over, starting… 1 minute

Apple, iPhone, iPad, Mac News and Rumors

Apple TV+ Announces Free Weekend - MacRumors

Apple TV+ is set to be available to stream for free from Saturday, January 4 to Sunday, January 5, providing its full catalog with no subscription fee.

Following a series of teasers, Apple today confirmed the free weekend on social media, building anticipation for new releases early in 2025 such as the second season of "Severance." Simply open the ‌Apple TV‌ app to watch for free.

This weekend, see for yourself.

Stream for free Jan 4-5. pic.twitter.com/8p6PCUYpms

— Apple TV (@AppleTV) December 30, 2024

Apple has never done a free all-you-can-watch ‌‌Apple TV‌‌+ event before, but it does offer free trials for new subscribers and it provides the first episodes of some shows so that potential customers can get a preview before choosing to subscribe.

‌‌Apple TV‌‌+ is priced at $9.99 per month, and up to six members of a Family Sharing group are able to watch content at that price point. It is also available in the various Apple One subscription bundles, starting at $19.95 per month.Tag: Apple TV
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Apple TV+ Announces Free Weekend - MacRumors

This weekend, see for yourself.

Stream for free Jan 4-5. pic.twitter.com/8p6PCUYpms

31 Dic 2024

Upcoming Conference Spotlights California's Orphan Wells - Planetizen

Upcoming Conference Spotlights California's Orphan Wells - Planetizen

5 aerospace breakthroughs of 2024 - Popular Science

Revisit Your Highlights of 2024 With Apple Intelligence's Memory Maker - MacRumors

Revisit Your Highlights of 2024 With Apple Intelligence's Memory Maker - MacRumors

Waymo Robotaxis Often Fail to Stop for Pedestrians - Planetizen

Waymo Robotaxis Often Fail to Stop for Pedestrians - Planetizen

$2.1 Billion Secured for Maui Wildfire Recovery and Resilience - Planetizen

$2.1 Billion Secured for Maui Wildfire Recovery and Resilience - Planetizen

One Year Into Brazil’s ‘Hostile Architecture’ Ban - Planetizen

One Year Into Brazil’s ‘Hostile Architecture’ Ban - Planetizen

Reclaiming Oil Wells for Renewable Energy in Rural Colorado - Planetizen

Reclaiming Oil Wells for Renewable Energy in Rural Colorado - Planetizen

Why don’t cars have hood ornaments anymore? - Popular Science

Apple Launched These 25+ Products This Year - MacRumors

Apple Launched These 25+ Products This Year - MacRumors

The #1 subscription you should cancel in 2025 - Popular Science

10 of the year’s most interesting auctions: Dinosaurs, coins, and Einstein’s love letters - Popular Science

Recycling’s Real Impact: Challenges, Misconceptions, and the Path Forward - Planetizen

Recycling’s Real Impact: Challenges, Misconceptions, and the Path Forward - Planetizen

Geek out in 2025 and beyond with documentaries for life, no subscription required - Popular Science

Keep YouTube Playing in the Background on Your iPhone - MacRumors

Keep YouTube Playing in the Background on Your iPhone - MacRumors

Apple Opens Doors to Its iPhone Audio and Video Testing Chambers - MacRumors

Apple Opens Doors to Its iPhone Audio and Video Testing Chambers - MacRumors

Even More Scrambled Maps - Google Maps Mania

Even More Scrambled Maps - Google Maps Mania

30 Dic 2024

Gurman: Voice Control for Next Magic Mouse 'Makes Sense' - MacRumors

Gurman: Voice Control for Next Magic Mouse 'Makes Sense' - MacRumors

What to Expect From Apple in 2025 - MacRumors

What to Expect From Apple in 2025 - MacRumors

Maui's Deadly Firestorm: Investigating the Tragedy and Lessons for the Future - Planetizen

Maui's Deadly Firestorm: Investigating the Tragedy and Lessons for the Future - Planetizen

Storms and Sea Levels: The Growing Threat to California’s Piers - Planetizen

Storms and Sea Levels: The Growing Threat to California’s Piers - Planetizen

The 5 greatest gadget innovations of 2024 - Popular Science

New Orleans Seeks Consultants for $8M Tree Planting Initiative - Planetizen

New Orleans Seeks Consultants for $8M Tree Planting Initiative - Planetizen

Apple Honors Jimmy Carter With Homepage Tribute - MacRumors

Apple Honors Jimmy Carter With Homepage Tribute - MacRumors

Six Positive Innovations in Housing From 2024 - Planetizen

Six Positive Innovations in Housing From 2024 - Planetizen

Redesigned Magic Mouse With Touch and Voice Controls Reportedly Coming in 2026 - MacRumors

Redesigned Magic Mouse With Touch and Voice Controls Reportedly Coming in 2026 - MacRumors

iPhone SE 4 Could Be More Expensive - MacRumors

iPhone SE 4 Could Be More Expensive - MacRumors

Chicago Transit Authority Announces Service Boosts Ahead of NYE - Planetizen

Chicago Transit Authority Announces Service Boosts Ahead of NYE - Planetizen

Apple TV+ Announces Free Weekend - MacRumors

Apple TV+ Announces Free Weekend - MacRumors

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2013

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