Strava has exercised its right to expand. A bad pun, yes, but apt considering the exercise tracking app has purchased Runna, a UK-based company that provides its users personalized running plans and coaching. The deal proceeded for an undisclosed sum of money. 

Strava reports that interest in running has grown significantly, with 43 percent of its members wanting to do a big race or event this year. “Running is booming worldwide — nearly 1 billion runs were recorded on Strava in 2024. Runna’s mission to give every runner a personalised plan to achieve their goal is a perfect fit,” Strava CEO Michael Martin stated. “Coming off Strava’s accelerated innovation and unprecedented growth last year, it was the right time to look for complementary businesses that could create even greater value for our users.” Last year, Strava launched features such as a family plan and night heat maps. 

Runna launched in 2022, but has since grown to a team of 180 employees working on an app available in 180 countries. According to Martin, Strava and Runna will be kept as separate apps for the time being, with plans to expand the latter’s team and resources. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/strava-buys-uk-based-personalized-running-plan-app-runna-133044850.html?src=rss

Inspired by Flint’s spray-on shoes from Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs (I love the possibility of rain AND pasta), Youtuber Jlaservideo decided to develop his own spray-on shoes. The result is pretty impressive, and both water and fire-proof. He also makes some spray-on pants and shirts. Come on, no underwear? Of all the clothes I’d like to be able to spray on in an emergency, underwear is number one. I already live 95% of my life pantless and shirtless anyways.

Nike has teamed up with Hyperice, a company that specializes in products meant for muscle recovery and relaxation in athletes, to launch the Hyperboot. Originally introduced in the summer of 2024, the Hyperboot looks pretty much like a pair of chunky high-top shoes. The companies said it’s more than that, however, calling it a “heat and dynamic air-compression massage tool” that you can walk in.

It’s equipped with dual-air bladders with heating elements throughout its entire upper. The Hyperboot was designed to massage its wearer’s feet with sequential compression patterns designed to “drive heat deep into the muscle and tissue in the foot and ankle.” Apparently, that helps athletes feel like they’ve already warmed up before they even start their warm-up routine. It also helps them recover much faster. Nike and Hyperice have been testing the Hyperboot with help from athletes, one of whom was Sha’Carri Richardson, Olympic gold medalist for track and field, who said that the device allowed her to “start warming up and recovering while still being mobile.” 

Wearers will be able to synchronize their boots with the press of a button to make sure they’re delivering compressions at the same time. They’ll also be able to choose from three levels of compression and three levels of heat. And for those wondering why the boots’ soles are so thick, it’s because that’s where the battery packs are located. They can power the footwear for one to one-and-a-half hours on maximum setting and up to eight hours in massage mode with no heat. It takes five to six hours to charge them. 

The Hyperboot might look like a concept, but it’ll soon be something you can actually buy. It will be available from Nike’s and Hyperice’s websites, as well as from some of their retail partners, starting on May 17 in North America. They’re also planning to release it worldwide later this year.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/nike-and-hyperice-to-release-the-hyperboot-warm-up-footwear-for-athletes-on-may-17-130019623.html?src=rss

Pellet grills are great for the “set it and forget it” style of low-and-slow cooking things like brisket, pork shoulders and other barbecue meats require. And most of them will get hot enough to sear a steak, although not all models offer some type of direct-flame grilling. Recteq thinks it has finally cracked the code with its new X-Fire Pro, a smart pellet grill that the company says will replace a gas grill thanks to a 1,250-degree Fahrenheit maximum temperature. 

The X-Fire Pro has two separate modes for both of those styles of cooking: Grill Mode and Smoke Mode. The grill offers a temperature range of 225-1,250 degrees Fahrenheit, so it can do everything in between smoking and searing too. Adaptive Sear Control allows backyard cooks to adjust how much direct flame they want. Turn it all the way up to sear a steak or keep it at a lower level for “classic grilling.” And Grill Mode has low, medium and high temperature settings, so using it will feel familiar to anyone who has used a gas grill. 

“This is a totally new grill concept for Recteq and the pellet grill category as a whole,” CEO Ralph Santana said in the X-Fire Pro announcement. “Our research indicated that while the majority of gas grillers enjoy their current grilling experience, they wish they could also cook low and slow. So, we challenged ourselves to replicate the hot, fast, open-lid convenience of gas while still delivering that additional control and versatility of pellet grill smoking.” 

recteq

With 825 square inches of cooking space, Recteq says you’ll have enough capacity for 28 pork chops or 26 burgers, and that should be plenty of room for multiple chickens, briskets or pork shoulders. The hopper holds up to 20 pounds of pellets, which is enough fuel for up to 20 hours of use. Durable materials like stainless steel and cast iron were used for components like the barrel, heat deflector and grill grates. 

The X-Fire Pro is also equipped with Recteq’s smart grilling tech, which includes precise PID temperature control for Smoke Mode and the ability to monitor temperatures from afar with Wi-Fi connectivity. This is done with the Recteq app, software that also allows you to make adjustments to the grill from your phone. The X-Fire Pro comes with two meat temperature probes, and those stats get beamed to the app as well. 

The X-Fire Pro is available now from Recteq, Amazon and other retailers in the US for $1,550. The company is also selling a rotisserie spit rod add-on for $250. That price is comparable to Traeger’s new Woodridge Elite that comes with slightly more cooking space, enclosed storage and a side burner. That grill doesn’t have an open-lid mode though. Weber’s Searwood does, and the largest version of it clocks in at $1,199. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/kitchen-tech/recteq-debuts-the-x-fire-pro-dual-mode-pellet-grill-that-can-sear-at-1250-degrees-130007516.html?src=rss

China is banning automakers from using the terms “smart driving” and “autonomous driving” when they advertise driving assistance features, and it will tighten scrutiny of such technology upgrades. From a report: The mandate on vehicle advertising was delivered by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in its meeting with nearly 60 representatives from automakers on Wednesday, according to a transcript seen by Reuters and confirmed by one of the attendees. The move follows a fatal accident involving Xiaomi’s best-selling SU7 sedan in March that triggered widespread concerns over vehicle safety.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Hulu’s May lineup brings viewers back into the world of Mormon “MomTok” with the second season of cult reality show The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (May 15). The series centers on eight Utah-based, Mormon TikTok influencers navigating ongoing relationship drama. Also back for a second season is reality series Vanderpump Villa (May 8), which follows the staff at Real Housewives and Vanderpump Rules star Lisa Vanderpump’s French estate.

Nine Perfect Strangers (May 21), originally produced as a miniseries, is returning with another installment as an anthology series starring Nicole Kidman and ensemble cast that includes Annie Murphy, Christine Baransky, and Murray Bartlett, among others. The second season brings nine strangers together at a wellness retreat in the Austrian Alps, with Kidman reprising her role as the Russian founder and guru.

At the end of the month, Hulu will get the first season of FX’s Adults (May 29), an ensemble comedy series from The Tonight Show‘s Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw about a group of 20-somethings in New York City.

Finally, there’s a new standup hour from Matteo Lane—The Al Dente Special, a Hulu original, will drop on May 16.

Here’s everything else coming to (and leaving) Hulu in May.

What’s coming to Hulu in May 2025

Arriving May 1

• Alone Australia: Complete Season 1

• The Chicano Squad: Complete Season 1

• History’s Greatest Escapes with Morgan Freeman: Complete Season 2

• Inmate to Roommate: Complete Season 2

• James Brown: Say it Loud: Complete Season 1

• Jeopardy! Masters: Season 3 Premiere

• Mormon Mom Gone Wrong: The Ruby Franke Story

• Naruto Shippuden: Complete Season 9 (Dubbed)

• Pawn Stars: Complete Season 22

• Alienoid (2022)

• Alienoid 2 (2024)

• Anaconda (1997)

• Anaconda En Espanol (1997)

• Attack The Block (2011)

• Attack the Block En Espanol (2011)

• Austenland (2013)

• Austenland En Espanol (2013)

• Babylon A.D. (2008)

• Bad Teacher (2011)

• Bad Teacher En Espanol (2011)

• Basic (2003)

• Basic En Espanol (2003)

• Battle of the Year (2013)

• Battle Of The Year En Espanol (2013)

• The Childe (2023)

• Con Air (1997)

• Courage Under Fire (1996)

• Deliver Us From Evil (2020)

• Enemy Of The State (1998)

• Far From the Madding Crowd (2015)

• The 5th Wave (2016)

• The 5th Wave En Espanol (2016)

• The Guardian (2006)

• Georgia Rule (2007)

• The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil (2019)

• Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

• Horrible Bosses (2011)

• Horrible Bosses 2 (2014)

• The Infiltrator (2016)

• The Insider (1999)

• Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (2013)

• Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa En Espanol (2013)

• Joy (2015)

• The King’s Man (2021)

• Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)

• Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)

• Kung Fu Panda (2008)

• Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)

• Little Fockers (2010)

• The Negotiator (1998)

• The Power Of One (1992)

• Maid in Manhattan (2002)

• Maid in Manhattan En Espanol (2002)

• Man on Fire (2004)

• The Marine (2006)

• Meet the Fockers (2004)

• Meet the Parents (2000)

• Meet the Spartans (2008)

• Mission: Impossible (1996)

• Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)

• Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol En Espanol (2011)

• Mission: Impossible II (2000)

• Mission: Impossible II En Espanol (2000)

• Mission: Impossible III (2006)

• Mission: Impossible III En Espanol (2006)

• Once (2007)

• Once Upon a Time in America (1984)

• Prospect (2018)

• Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

• The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty (2013)

• Sex Tape (2014)

• Sex Tape En Espanol (2014)

• Shadow (2018)

• Spy (2015)

• Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)

• Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

• Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)

• Street Kings (2008)

• Stuber (2019)

• Super Troopers 2 (2018)

• Take Me Home Tonight (2011)

• Tears of the Sun (2003)

• That’s My Boy (2012)

• The Villainess (2017)

• The Wailing (2016)

• The Witch: Subversion (2018)

• The Witch 2: The Other One (2022)

• Tropic Thunder (2008)

• Waitress (2007)

• Wedding Crashers (2005)

Arriving May 2

• Pita Hall: Film Premiere

• Decision to Leave (2022)

• Harbin (2024)

• The Last Word (2017)

• 72 Hours (2024)

Arriving May 3

• Evil Lives Here: Complete Season 13

• Naked and Afraid: Complete Season 10

• Naked and Afraid XL: Complete Season 3

• Unsellable Houses: Complete Season 2

• Escape (2024)

• Jimmy O. Yang: Guess How Much (2023)

Arriving May 4

• Insidious: The Red Door (2023)

• Insidious: The Red Door En Espanol (2023)

Arriving May 7

• Kun by Agüero: Complete Limited Series (Subbed)

Arriving May 8

• Vanderpump Villa: Complete Season 2

• Alone Australia: Complete Season 2

• Find My Country House: Australia: Complete Season 1

• New House No Debt: Complete Season 1

• 60 Days In: Complete Season 9

• Pil’s Adventures (2021)

Arriving May 9

• The UnXplained: Complete Season 7

• Summer of 69: Film Premiere

• Behind Enemy Lines (2001)

• Commando (1985)

• The Damned (2024)

• Hitman (2007)

• Hitman: Agent 47 (2015)

• Men Of Honor (2000)

• The Thin Red Line (1998)

• The Transporter (2002)

• Transporter 2 (2005)

Arriving May 10

• Expedition Unknown: Complete Season 6

• How It’s Made: Complete Season 21

• My 600-lb Life: Complete Season 2

• My 600-lb Life: Where Are They Now?: Complete Season 1

• Robert Durst: An ID Murder Mystery: Complete Season 1

• Scorned: Love Kills: Complete Season 2

• Blonde and Blonder (2008)

• Strangerland (2015)

• Trust (2010)

• Vengeance: A Love Story (2017)

• War Inc. (2008)

Arriving May 12

• I’m the Villainess, So I’m Taming the Final Boss: Complete Season 1 (Subbed & Dubbed)

• My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!: Complete Season 1 (Subbed & Dubbed)

• Hells Paradise: Complete Season 1 (Subbed & Dubbed)

• SHANGRILA FRONTIER: Complete Season 1 (Subbed & Dubbed)

Arriving May 13

• Not Others: Complete Season 1 (Subbed)

• Good Bad Things (2023)

• Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)

• Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation En Espanol (2015)

• Not Others (2023)

Arriving May 15

• The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Season 2 Premiere

• Beach Hunters: Complete Season 7

• Cake Boss: Complete Season 15

• Container Homes: Complete Season 1

• Curb Appeal: Complete Season 25

• Cutthroat Kitchen: Complete Season 4-5

• Dr. Pimple Popper: Complete Season 5

• Extreme Homes: Complete Season 5

• Flea Market Flip: Complete Seasons 10 and 14

• Island Life: Complete Seasons 19 and 20

• My 600-lb Life: Complete Season 3

• My Strange Addiction: Complte Season 5 and 6

• Naked and Afraid: Complete Season 9

• Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta Complete Season 7

• Tanked: Complete Seasons 13-15

• The Last Alaskans: Complete Season 4

• Undercover Billionaire: Complete Season 2

• Unusual Suspects: Complete Season 7

• Worst Cooks in America: Complete Season 24

Arriving May 16

• Matteo Lane: The Al Dente Special (2025)

• Welcome to Wrexham: Season 4 Premiere

• Crossroads (2002)

• The Last Breath (2025)

Arriving May 17

• Death by Fame: Complete Season 1

• Destinations of the Damned With Zak Bagans: Complete Season 1

• Expedition X: Complete Season 6-7

• Spring Baking Championship: Complete Season 1-3

• Jim Gaffigan: Noble Ape (2018)

• Jim Gaffigan: Quality Time (2019)

• Jimmy O. Yang: Good Deal (2020)

• Zarna Garg: One in a Billion (2023)

Arriving May 20

• American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story (2021)

• Night Call (2024)

Arriving May 21

• Nine Perfect Strangers: Season 2 Premiere

• Nine Puzzles: Series Premiere

Arriving May 22

• Ancient Aliens: Complete Season 20

• Intervention: Complete Season 25

• Jump!: Complete Season 1

• Outrageous Love with Nene Leakes: Complete Season 1

• Taken in Plain Sight (2024)

Arriving May 23

• The Last Showgirl (2024)

Arriving May 24

• BBQ Brawl: Flay V. Anderson V. Burrell: Complete Season 4

• Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern: Complete Season 3

• Fixer Upper: Welcome Home: Complete Season 1

• Gold Rush: Complete Season 1

• Homestead Rescue: Complete Season 12

Arriving May 25

• How to Please a Woman (2022)

Arriving May 27

• Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy: Complete Season 1

• Re: Zero: Complete Season 1

• Tower of God: Complete Season 1

• The Seed of the Sacred Fig (2024)

Arriving May 29

• Adults: Complete Season 1

• The Silencing (2020)

Arriving May 30

• Into the Deep (2024)

• Rickey Smiley: Untitled (2025)

Arriving May 31

• House Hunters: Complete Season 253

• House Hunters International: Complete Season 18

• Mysteries at the Museum: Complete Season 24

• Tournament of Champions: Complete Season 1

• Vanished in New Canaan: An ID Mystery: Complete Season 1

• Leanne Morgan: So Yummy (2018)

What’s leaving Hulu in May 2025

Leaving May 3

• Both Sides of the Blade (2022)

Leaving May 4

• Last Survivors (2022)

Leaving May 8

• The Last Warrior (2022)

Leaving May 10

• Bar Fight! (2022)

• Murder at Yellowstone City (2022)

Leaving May 11

• A Cops and Robbers Story (2020)

• Italian Studies (2021)

Leaving May 12

• Not Going Quietly (2021)

Leaving May 13

• The Capote Tapes (2019)

Leaving May 14

• All the Streets Are Silent: The Convergence of Hip Hop and Skateboarding (1987-1997) (2021)

Leaving May 16

• Kandahar (2023)

• Sundown (2021)

• The Immaculate Room (2022)

Leaving May 17

• Slash/Back (2022)

Leaving May 19

• President (2021)

Leaving May 25

• A Taste of Hunger (2021)

Leaving May 27

• The Requin (2022)

Leaving May 28

• Intrigo: Death Of An Author (2018)

Leaving May 31

• Gamestop: Rise of the Players (2022)

• Mob Land (2023)

• The Last Tourist (2021)

• Try Harder! (2021)

One of the more serious players in the air taxi game, Archer, has just unveiled routes for a potential service in New York City. Its Midnight aircraft would shuttle passengers from Manhattan to JFK, LaGuardia and Newark airpots in five to 15 minutes, potentially shaving an hour or more from typical driving times. However, Archer didn’t provide any dates for the start of the service and all of this could be derailed by regulatory bodies, particularly the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Any news about air taxis should come with the caveat that no such services are operating yet, even though startups have been trying for a decade or more. With that said, Archer has partnered with a number of established aviation and other companies including Fiat Chrysler and United Airlines, along with fixed base operators (FBOs) like Signature Aviation and Atlantic Aviation. Archer also previously announced proposed air taxi networks in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago. 

Archer’s plan is to have you book air taxi rides as an “add-on” to traditional flights. You’d launch from existing Manhattan facilities, namely the East 34th Street Heliport, Downtown Skyport and West 30th Street Heliport. From there, you’d be able to fly to “vertiports” at JFK, LaGuardia and Newark airpots, along with locations at other regional airports. Flights would be aboard the company’s human-piloted, four-passenger Midnight aircraft with 12 rotors, six batteries and a range of 20-50 miles. 

Archer

Archer does have United Airlines, New York’s Port Authority and the New York City Economic Development Corportation (NYCEDC) all on board. However, it hasn’t provided important details like the number of potential flights per day, operating hours and more. That information would be vital to the FAA, which must decide if the service is safe for passengers, other aircraft and people on the ground.

That’s an undertaking that could require a lot of time and cost, and Archer’s VTOL aircraft still hasn’t received its FAA type certification required for any operations. The company did receive the FAA’s final airworthiness criteria, though, making it one of only two air taxi companies with that certification along with rival Joby Aviation. The only air taxi company to obtain type certification from an aviation regulator is EHang from China’s Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC). 

The air taxi game is risky for startups, too. Late last year one of Archer’s VTOL rivals, Lilium ceased operations, laying off 1,000 people, despite successful flight tests. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/archer-outlines-its-plan-to-use-air-taxis-between-new-yorks-major-airports-123024903.html?src=rss

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds FE are down to $47.99 on Woot right now—their lowest price to date, according to price trackers. That’s a solid $22 cheaper than Amazon’s current listing at $69.99. This deal is live for two weeks or until it sells out, and it comes with a 90-day Woot limited warranty. If you’re a Prime member, you’ll get free shipping—otherwise, there’s a $6 shipping charge.

Samsung Galaxy Buds FE

$47.99
at Woot

$99.99
Save $52.00

$47.99
at Woot

$99.99
Save $52.00

At this price, these are a decent entry point into Samsung’s audio ecosystem, especially if you’re already using Galaxy devices. You’ll get decent active noise cancellation that holds up surprisingly well in everyday environments like cafes or public transit, enough to cut out most low-level hums and chatter. That said, it doesn’t completely block the outside world, but it muffles it enough to focus on music or a call.

The touch controls are responsive—maybe too responsive at times; accidental skips and pauses are common until you get used to the layout. As for battery life, Samsung claims up to six hours of playback with ANC on, and the case adds another 21 hours. That’s more than enough to get through a day or two of regular use. There’s no wireless charging here, though—just USB-C. These days, that feels like a cut corner. And while the EQ presets are decent, there’s no manual tuning option, so if you’re picky about your sound profile, that might feel limiting, notes this PCMag review.

There’s also the Galaxy-only interpreter feature that sounds cool on paper but won’t work if you’re using anything other than a Samsung phone. Cross-device sync works great within the ecosystem, though, and the Find My Earbuds tool is genuinely helpful for the forgetful. Still, these aren’t ideal for everything. If you’re planning to use them at the gym or on runs, the IPX2 rating won’t cut it—it barely holds up against sweat. And if you’re not a Samsung user, the app experience feels half-baked. For something more flexible and water-resistant, the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC at $69.99 (down from $99.99) might offer better value.

Alright, let’s talk AI. The field’s buzzing like a server room full of caffeinated bees, and standing tall amidst it all is IBM with Granite. Now, IBM isn’t some fresh-faced startup that just discovered algorithms. It has been wrestling with AI concepts for decades. Seriously. Since before AI was the cool kid at the tech party, IBM was building “expert systems” back when the rest of us were mastering floppy disks. Granite is IBM’s latest heavyweight champ, built on being Open, Performant and Trusted. Think of it as the friendly giant of the AI world.

Why Open Source Is IBM’s Jam

IBM is really into open source, and frankly, it makes sense. Why keep your cool tech locked in a black box when you can share it (under licenses like the friendly Apache 2.0, not the scary kind)? Granite models often strut their stuff out in the open, meaning they’re usually free-ish to use and way easier to tinker with than those mysterious proprietary AIs.

This openness is IBM’s superpower. It’s a wizard at taking a solid open-source foundation (like Granite) and helping businesses sprinkle their own secret sauce (aka client data) on top. The result? Custom AI that actually works for specific needs, built faster than you can say “synergistic optimization.”

Need proof? One poor company was drowning in 300,000 customer calls, trying to get answers to 81 questions using some fancy proprietary AI that was… well, not helping. It was like using a fork to eat soup. IBM swooped in, Granite model in hand (figuratively speaking), and bam – success! Open source for the win.

From Texting to Talking: Granite’s Glow-Up

Granite didn’t just appear fully formed. It’s had quite the evolution. It started with text, like most AIs learning their ABCs. Then it got good with time-based stuff for forecasting (predicting the future, basically). Granite 3.2 learned to see, adding image support. And now, with 3.3, it’s got the gift of gab – full voice support! We’re talking speech recognition, translation and transcribing even those super long, rambling meeting notes. Its ability to handle context has also ballooned from 12K to a whopping 128K tokens – that’s like going from reading a pamphlet to understanding an epic novel.

Imagine this in insurance: Granite looks at your dented car pics, chats with you about what happened (“Did a rogue shopping cart attack?”), and gets the claim rolling, mostly on its own. Less paperwork for you, faster processing – it’s almost enough to make insurance feel… pleasant? Maybe? It’s also a whiz at pulling key info from dense technical manuals and answering questions about it, especially with some RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) magic involved.

Lean, Mean, AI Machine

Don’t let the “open” part fool you into thinking Granite isn’t powerful. IBM claims it’s the speediest open-source model out there, giving even the big-name proprietary AIs a serious run for their money. On tasks like speech recognition, benchmarks show it matching or beating the competition.

And here’s the kicker: it’s efficient. Granite models can often do their magic on a single, affordable GPU – no need for a server farm cooled by arctic winds. This efficiency is huge for businesses wanting to actually use AI without breaking the bank. IBM’s own research suggests smaller Granite models can be more cost-effective for certain tasks than gigantic ones like GPT-4 (nerd out on the details here). Remember the US Open? When faced with a tsunami of tennis matches, IBM’s AI (powered by tech like Granite) managed to report on everything in real-time – a first! That’s handling scale.

Thinking Deep, Playing Safe

Granite is also getting smarter with enhanced reasoning, like “chain-of-thought” (basically, showing its work). This can create a lot of digital chatter (tokens), but Granite’s efficiency handles it gracefully. Importantly, IBM baked in safety and quality from day one. So, while some other models apparently lost their minds a bit when trying to get smarter (looking at you, DeepSeek comparison!), Granite kept its cool, focusing on reliable, trustworthy results. Less chance of your AI suddenly deciding the sky is plaid.

This “Trusted” label isn’t just marketing fluff. It’s backed by that clear Apache 2.0 license, transparent data practices, IP indemnification (lawyer-speak for “we got your back”), and strong digital guardrails to keep things secure.

Wrapping Up

So, IBM Granite? It’s Big Blue’s experienced, open and surprisingly efficient answer to the AI call. It’s already making waves within IBM itself and helping clients tackle real problems. By mixing performance with openness and a solid dose of trust (plus maybe saving you from rogue shopping carts), Granite is definitely an AI suite worth watching in the business world. It’s AI that’s ready to work, not just hog the headlines.

The 1873 Colt Single-Action Army Revolver Toy stands as a masterpiece of craftsmanship, blending historical authenticity with modern safety standards. Designed for enthusiasts of all ages, this 1:1 scale replica captures the essence of the American West through its realistic metal construction, rotating wheel action, and immersive play experience. Weighing 755 grams and measuring 28 x 14 cm, the revolver offers a tactile connection to the past while prioritizing safety with non-toxic materials and EVA foam darts. Ideal for educational role-playing or collectors seeking a functional art piece, this toy bridges generations by combining nostalgia with innovative design.

Historical Significance of the Colt Single-Action Army Revolver

The Icon of the American Frontier

The Colt Single-Action Army Revolver, colloquially known as the “Peacemaker,” revolutionized firearm technology in 1873 and became synonymous with the expansion of the American West. Its rugged reliability made it the sidearm of choice for cowboys, lawmen, and outlaws alike, cementing its place in cultural lore. This toy replica pays homage to that legacy, replicating every contour and mechanism with precision to evoke the spirit of frontier life.

Engineering a Legend

Original Colt revolvers were celebrated for their simplicity and durability—qualities mirrored in this replica’s design. The 1:1 scale reproduction ensures historical accuracy, allowing users to handle a piece of engineering history without the risks associated with antique firearms. The rotating cylinder, a hallmark of the Single-Action Army’s functionality, has been faithfully recreated to mimic the loading and firing process, providing an authentic tactile experience.

Design and Build Quality: Where Realism Meets Safety

Metal Construction for Authentic Aesthetics

Crafted primarily from metal, this replica achieves a level of realism rarely seen in toy firearms. The heft (755 grams) and textured grip replicate the feel of handling an original Colt, while the polished finish and engraved details mirror the artistry of 19th-century gunsmithing. Unlike plastic alternatives, the metal build ensures longevity, making it a durable addition to collections or outdoor play.

Ergonomic and Functional Design

Measuring 28 cm in length, the revolver gun fits comfortably in both adult and adolescent hands. The 14 cm barrel length maintains proportionality, ensuring the toy remains manageable while preserving its iconic silhouette. Each component, from the trigger to the hammer, operates smoothly, reinforcing the illusion of a functional firearm while adhering to toy safety standards.

Immersive Play Experience: Mechanics and Performance

Rotating Cylinder Action

The revolver’s standout feature is its rotating cylinder, which turns with each simulated shot. This mechanism, powered by a spring-loaded system, replicates the sequential firing process of the original Colt. Users load the six included shells into the cylinder, pull back the hammer, and squeeze the trigger to “fire” a dart, creating a cycle of action that mirrors historical reloading techniques.

Precision Targeting with EVA Foam Darts

Included with the revolver are 20 EVA foam darts, designed for safe yet engaging target practice. With an effective range of 15–25 feet, these darts allow users to hone their aim in backyards or designated play areas. The soft-tip design eliminates injury risks, making the toy suitable for children aged 8 and above.

Safety and Environmental Considerations

Non-Toxic Materials for Family-Friendly Use

Prioritizing child safety, the revolver is constructed from materials free of lead, phthalates, and BPA. The EVA darts are similarly compliant with international toy safety regulations, ensuring peace of mind for parents. Even the metal components have rounded edges to prevent accidental cuts or scratches.

Eco-Conscious Manufacturing

M416GelBlasters.com collaborates with suppliers who adhere to sustainable production practices. The revolver’s packaging excludes non-recyclable plastics, and the absence of a retail box reduces shipping weight, lowering its carbon footprint.

Educational Value: Teaching History Through Play

Role-Playing as a Learning Tool

This revolver serves as an interactive educational aid, helping children visualize historical scenarios like cattle drives or sheriff’s posse formations. By simulating frontier life, it encourages interest in American history and the technological advancements of the 19th century.

Developing Responsibility and Coordination

Operating the revolver teaches fine motor skills, as users must sequentially load shells, rotate the cylinder, and aim carefully. Parents can use play sessions to discuss firearm safety, fostering respect for real weapons while differentiating them from toys.

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M416GelBlasters.com specializes in curating historically accurate toys that balance authenticity with modern safety standards. Their 1873 Colt replica exemplifies this commitment, offering unparalleled attention to detail compared to mass-market alternatives. By sourcing directly from manufacturers, they ensure competitive pricing without compromising quality—a rare find in niche toy markets.

Conclusion: Bridging Generations Through Play

The 1873 Colt Single-Action Army Revolver Toy transcends typical plaything status, serving as a bridge between past and present. Its combination of historical fidelity, robust construction, and child-safe design makes it a versatile tool for education, collection, or imaginative play. As families seek toys that encourage offline interaction and learning, this revolver stands out as a testament to thoughtful engineering and cultural preservation.

Nintendo’s lawyers systematically dismantled Atari Games in a landmark 1989 legal battle that reshaped the gaming industry, killing off the Tengen brand until its surprise resurrection recently.

When Atari Games (operating as Tengen) attempted to circumvent Nintendo’s control by reverse-engineering the NES security system, Nintendo’s legal team discovered a fatal flaw in their rival’s approach: Atari had fraudulently obtained Nintendo’s proprietary code from the Copyright Office by falsely claiming they were defendants in a nonexistent lawsuit.

Though courts ultimately established that reverse engineering was legal under fair use principles, Atari’s deception proved catastrophic. The judge invoked the centuries-old “unclean hands” doctrine, ruling that Atari could not claim fair use protection after approaching the court in bad faith.

“As a result of its lawyers’ filthy hands, Atari was barred from manufacturing games for the NES. Nintendo, with its stronger legal team, subsequently ‘bled Atari to death,'” writes tech industry attorney Julien Mailland. The court ordered the recall of Tengen’s “Tetris” version, now a rare collector’s item.

After a 30-year absence, Tengen Games returned in July 2024 with “Zed and Zee” for the NES, finally achieving what its predecessor was legally prohibited from doing.

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Astronomers have detected what may be the strongest evidence yet of extraterrestrial life on K2-18b, a massive exoplanet orbiting a star 120 light-years from Earth. The research team, led by Cambridge astronomer Nikku Madhusudhan, published their findings today in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Using the James Webb Space Telescope, researchers found significant concentrations of dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide in K2-18b’s atmosphere. On Earth, these sulfur compounds are exclusively produced by living organisms, particularly marine algae. “It is in no one’s interest to claim prematurely that we have detected life,” said Madhusudhan, though he described the findings as “a revolutionary moment” and “the first time humanity has seen potential biosignatures on a habitable planet.”

The team detected the signals during two separate observations, with the second showing an even stronger signature. Their analysis suggests K2-18b may be a “Hycean” planet — covered with warm oceans and wrapped in a hydrogen-rich atmosphere — with concentrations of dimethyl sulfide thousands of times higher than Earth levels.

Other scientists remain cautious. Christopher Glein of the Southwest Research Institute suggested K2-18b could instead be “a massive hunk of rock with a magma ocean and a thick, scorching hydrogen atmosphere.” Further observations with Webb and future NASA telescopes will be necessary to confirm whether K2-18b is truly habitable or inhabited, though planned budget cuts may impact follow-up research.

Further reading: Water Found On a Potentially Life-Friendly Alien Planet (2019).

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In a recent interview with Wired, Nobel laureate Venkatraman Ramakrishnan discusses his book Why We Die, in which he argues that death is not genetically programmed but rather a consequence of evolution favoring reproduction over longevity. Here are some of the most thought-provoking excerpts:
WIRED: Professor Ramakrishnan, the crucial question in your book is why we die. But exactly what is death?
Venki Ramakrishnan: By death, we mean the irreversible loss of the ability to function as a coherent individual. It is the result of the failure of a critical system or apparatus, for example, heart, brain, lung, or kidney failure. In this sense there is an apparent paradox: When our organism, as a whole, is alive, millions of cells within us are constantly dying, and we do not even realize it. On the other hand, at the time of death, most of the cells in our bodies are still alive, and entire organs are still functioning and can be donated to people in need of transplantation. But at that point the body has lost the ability to function as a whole. In this sense, it is therefore important to distinguish between cell death and death of the individual.

Speaking of death and aging, you say in your most recent book that you “wanted to offer an objective look at our current understanding of the two phenomena.” What was the biggest surprise or most deeply held belief that you had to reconsider while writing and researching this work?

There have been several surprises, actually. One is that death, contrary to what one might think, is not programmed by our genes. Evolution does not care how long we live, but merely selects the ability to pass on our genes, a process known as “fitness” in evolutionary biology. Thus, the traits that are selected are those that help us survive childhood and reproduce. And it is these traits, later in life, that cause aging and decline. Another curious finding was the fact that aging is not simply due to wear and tear on cells. Wear and tear happens constantly in all living things, yet different species have very different lifespans. Instead, lifespan is the result of a balance between the expenditure of resources needed to keep the organism functioning and repairing it and those needed to make it grow, mature, and keep it healthy until it reproduces and nurtures offspring.

Do you think there is an aspect of the biology of aging that is still deeply misunderstood by the general public?
Certainly the indefinite extension of life. Although in principle there are no laws or constraints that prevent us from living much longer than we do currently, great longevity or “eternal youth” are still far off, and very significant obstacles to increasing our maximum life expectancy remain. We must also beware of the pseudoscience — and business — around the concepts of “anti-aging” or the “reversal of aging.” These are often baseless concepts, unsupported by hard evidence, even though they may use language that sounds scientific. Unfortunately, we are all afraid of growing old and dying, so we are very sensitive to any claim that promises to help us avoid it. […]

What do you think are the social and ethical implications of our desire to live longer?
Ever since we became aware of our mortality, we have desired to defeat aging and death. However, our individual desires may conflict with what is best for society. A society in which fertility rates are very low and lifespans are very high will be a stagnant society, with very slow generational turnover, and probably much less dynamic and creative. The Nobel Prize-winning South American novelist Mario Vargas Llosa, who recently passed away, expressed it best: “Old age on the one hand terrifies us, but when we feel anxious, it is important to remember how terrible it would be to live forever. If eternity were guaranteed, all the incentives and illusions of life would vanish. This thought can help us live old age in a better way.”

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Microsoft has acknowledged that Classic Outlook can mysteriously transform into a system resource hog, causing CPU usage spikes between 30-50% and significantly increasing power consumption on both Windows 10 and 11 systems.

Users first reported the issue in November 2024, but Microsoft only confirmed the problem this week, offering little resolution beyond stating that “the Outlook Team is investigating this issue.” The company’s sole workaround involves forcing a switch to the Semi-Annual Channel update through registry edits — an approach many enterprise environments will likely avoid. Microsoft hasn’t announced a definitive end date for Classic Outlook, but the company continues pushing users toward its New Outlook client despite its incomplete feature set.

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After more than a decade of development, Harvard’s insect-sized flying robot, RoboBee, has successfully learned to land using dragonfly-inspired legs and improved flight controls. The researchers see RoboBee as a potential substitute for endangered bees, assisting in the pollination of plants. From a report: RoboBee is a micro flying robot that Harvard has been developing since 2013. As the name suggests, it is the size of a bee, capable of flying like a bee and hovering in mid-air. Its wings are 3 cm long and it weighs only 0.08 g. The weight was reduced by using light piezoelectric elements instead of motors. Piezoelectric elements change shape when an electric current flows through them. The researchers were able to make RoboBee flap its wings 120 times per second by turning the current on and off, which is similar to actual insects.

While RoboBee exhibited flight capabilities comparable to those of a bee, the real problem was landing. Being too light and having short wings, it could not withstand the air turbulence generated during landing. It is easy to understand if you think about the strong winds generated when a helicopter approaches the ground. Christian Chan, a graduate student at Harvard who participated in the research, said, “Until now, it was a matter of shutting off the robot while it attempted to land and praying for a proper touchdown.”

To ensure RoboBee’s safe landing, it was important to dissipate energy just before touchdown. Hyun Nak-Seung, a professor at Purdue University who participated in the development of RoboBee, explained, “For any flying object, the success of landing depends on minimizing speed just before impact and rapidly dissipating energy afterward. Even for tiny flapping like RoboBee’s, the ground effect cannot be ignored, and after landing, the risk of bouncing or rolling makes the situation more complex.” The findings have been published in the journal Science Robotics.

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Researchers at the University of Tokyo have created what they believe is the largest single piece of lab-grown meat to date: a chicken nugget-sized chunk measuring 7 centimeters long, 4 centimeters wide, and 2.25 centimeters thick, weighing 11 grams. The breakthrough, reported today in Trends in Biotechnology, uses an artificial circulatory system to overcome a fundamental limitation in cultured meat production.

The team, led by biohybrid system engineer Shoji Takeuchi, grew cells around a network of semipermeable hollow fibers — similar to those used in water filters and dialysis machines — that deliver nutrients and oxygen throughout the tissue. Unlike most commercial approaches that produce tiny meat fragments later assembled with binders or scaffolds, this method creates a single coherent piece with more natural structure and texture.

This is the first working model using tubes to grow muscle tissue into a thick slab, according to Mark Post, chief science officer at Mosa Meat, who created the world’s first lab-grown hamburger in 2013. Significant hurdles remain before commercialization. The hollow fibers aren’t edible and must be manually removed. Researchers are exploring automating this process or creating edible alternatives using cellulose.

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Discord has begun testing age verification via facial scans or ID uploads for users in the UK and Australia seeking access to sensitive content. “The chat app’s new process has been described as an ‘experiment,’ and comes in response to laws passed in those countries that place guardrails on youth access to online platforms,” reports Gizmodo. From the report: Users may be asked to verify their age when encountering content that has been flagged by Discord’s systems as being sensitive in nature, or when they change their settings to enable access to sensitive content. The app will ask users to scan their face through a computer or smartphone webcam; alternatively, they can scan a driver’s license or other form of ID. “We’re currently running tests in select regions to age-gate access to certain spaces or user settings,” a spokesperson for Discord said in a statement. “The information shared to power the age verification method is only used for the one-time age verification process and is not stored by Discord or our vendor. For Face Scan, the solution our vendor uses operates on-device, which means there is no collection of any biometric information when you scan your face. For ID verification, the scan of your ID is deleted upon verification.”

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An anonymous reader quotes a report from 404 Media: As part of the company’s months-long obsession with catching employees leaking internal developments to the press, staff at WordPress parent company Automattic recently noticed individually-unique watermarks on internal sites, according to employees who spoke to 404 Media. Automattic added the watermarks to an internal employee communications platform called P2. P2 is a WordPress product other workplaces can also use. There are hundreds of P2 sites across teams at Automattic alone; many are team-specific, but some are company-wide for announcements. The watermarks in Automattic’s P2 instance are nearly invisible, rendered as a pattern overlaid on the site’s white page backgrounds. Zooming in or manually changing the background color reveals the pattern. If, for example, a journalist published a screenshot leaked to them that was taken from P2, Automattic could theoretically identify the employee who shared it.

In October, as part of a series of buyout offers meant to test employee’s loyalty to his leadership, Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg issued a threat for anyone speaking to the press, saying they should “exit gracefully, or be fired tomorrow with no severance.” Earlier this month, the company laid off nearly 300 people. […] It’s not clear when the watermarks started appearing on P2, and Automattic has not responded to a request for comment. But Mullenweg has been warring with web hosting platform WP Engine — and as the story has developed, seemingly with his own staff — since last year. […] One Automattic employee told me they don’t think anyone is shocked by the watermarking, considering Mullenweg’s ongoing campaign to find leakers, but that it’s still adding to the uncertain, demoralized environment at the company. “Can’t help but feel even more paranoid now,” they said.

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For the first time — and despite fears that it might never happen — nations have agreed a series of measures to prevent, prepare for and respond to pandemics. Nature: The terms of the first global pandemic accord were still being hashed out at the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, up until the early hours of 16 April. “This is a definitive moment in the history of global health,” says Lawrence Gostin, a specialist in health law and policy at Georgetown University in Washington DC, who followed the negotiations closely. The accord “sets out some very important norms to keep the world safe,” he says.

The accord was agreed without the United States, which withdrew from the pandemic treaty the day that President Trump was inaugurated. This reduces its power, says Gostin, but is also a source of strength. “Instead of collapsing in the face of President Trump’s assault on global health, the world came together.” The treaty is not perfect but represents a major achievement, says Michelle Childs, policy advocacy director at the non-profit organization Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative in Geneva. “People didn’t think that they’d get to this stage of agreeing at all.”

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