Apple is planning a new AirPods feature that allows the earbuds to live-translate an in-person conversation into another language, Bloomberg reports, citing people with knowledge of the matter. From the report: The capability will be offered as part of an AirPods software upgrade due later this year, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the effort is private. It will be tied to iOS 19, the upcoming update to Apple’s mobile-device operating system.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

A pair of human rights groups are challenging the UK government’s shockingly intrusive order for Apple to create a backdoor into its encrypted user data, as first reported by Financial Times. Privacy International and Liberty have filed a legal complaint with the country’s Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), which is reportedly scheduled to hear Apple’s appeal on Friday.

The complaint argues that Apple’s appeal to the order should be publicly heard. In addition, the groups’ challenge contends that the government’s move violates customers’ free expression and privacy rights by forcing the company to neuter its product security.

“The UK’s use of a secret order to undermine security for people worldwide is unacceptable and disproportionate,” Caroline Wilson Palow, legal director at Privacy International, told The FT. “People the world over rely on end-to-end encryption to protect themselves from harassment and oppression. No country should have the power to undermine that protection for everyone.”

UK media outlets (including the BBC, Reuters, Financial Times, The Guardian and more) have also filed complaints with the IPT, arguing that the case should be heard publicly. Ditto for the advocacy organizations Big Brother Watch, Index on Censorship and the Open Rights Group.

Apple

The UK order requires Apple to give the government blanket access to private user data encrypted through its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature. Introduced in iOS 16.2 in 2022, ADP applies end-to-end encryption to iCloud data like device backups, Messages content, notes and photos. Even Apple can’t access it.

Apple removed ADP in the UK in response to the order before issuing its own legal challenge. But since the backdoor would also apply to users outside the UK, the private data of anyone with an Apple account would be vulnerable. Security experts (and common sense) warn that the backdoor would needlessly expose anyone with an Apple Account to foreign spying, hackers and adversarial countries.

We only know about the UK order because of a leak last month. That’s because it was issued under the country’s Investigatory Powers Act 2016, which expanded the surveillance powers of British intelligence agencies and law enforcement (earning its, uh, term of endearment, the “Snooper’s Charter”). The rules also prevent Apple from commenting on or publicly acknowledging the existence of the privacy-eviscerating order — or using its appeal to delay compliance. Apple said last month, “We have never built a back door or master key to any of our products or services, and we never will.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/british-human-rights-groups-challenge-the-uks-apple-backdoor-order-163329777.html?src=rss

The drills include Canada, which has been the target of invasion threats by President Trump.

An attention-grabbing Kickstarter campaign attempting to reinvent the measuring spoon has turned into a mad, mad, mad, mad world for backers after years of broken promises and thousands of missing spoons.

The mind-boggling design for the measuring spoon first wowed the Internet in 2016 after a video promoting the Kickstarter campaign went viral and spawned widespread media coverage fawning over the unique design.

Known as Polygons, the three-in-one origami measuring spoons have a flat design that can be easily folded into common teaspoon and tablespoon measurements. “Regular spoons are so 3000 BC,” a tagline on the project’s website joked.

Read full article

Comments

Even when chatbots are provided direct quotes from real stories and asked for more information, they will often lie.

Firefly’s Blue Ghost witnessed Earth blocking out the Sun from its point of view on the Moon, while we experienced a lunar eclipse on Earth.

Jeffrey Combs is a man of many talents, but perhaps his greatest of all was giving us his star turn as Deep Space Nine‘s clone confidant.

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

I’m Lifehacker’s resident marathon runner and senior finance writer. And now, I’m merging my two worlds. Last month I wrote about what it looks like to invest in proper running gear. But while I was breaking down how much running gear can cost, I didn’t dive into how much gear should cost. Which expensive gear is actually worth it, even for the casual runner?

Quality running shoes

Nothing affects your running experience more than your shoes. Premium models from brands like Brooks, Hoka, Nike, and Saucony aren’t just marketing hype—they offer technology that can prevent injury and improve performance, with:

• Better cushioning systems that absorb impact

• Stability or motion control

• Durability that extends their lifespan (300-500 miles vs. 150-200 for budget options)

A proper fitting at a specialty running store is invaluable. Your ideal shoe depends on your gait, foot shape, and running goals—making this personalized service worth the premium you’ll pay over big-box stores. Lifehacker’s senior health editor Beth Skwarecki has a fantastic guide to get you started on how to find the perfect pair.

If you only splurge on one thing in the running world, it’s got to be shoes. My preferred pair at the moment? The Brooks Ghost 16. It’s a reliable “daily trainer” that gets the job done on quick sprints and slow long runs alike.

Brooks Ghost 16 Neutral Running Shoe

$139.95
at Amazon

$139.95
at Amazon

Socks

When it comes to socks, keep in mind not just quality, but quantity. Runners require a disgusting amount of laundry.

At the same time, your baseline for “quality” running socks should be a bit more discerning compared to your daily walking-around socks. If you want to spring for features like odor control and moisture management, be my guest—but I haven’t found a world of difference for that higher price. This six-pack from Nike for $30 is par for the course, and I wouldn’t spend much more than that.

If you find a mid-range pack of heel-tab socks that don’t give you blisters, stick with them, and ignore overly hyped running socks that you might find in a running-specific store.

High-performance sports bras

For women, a quality sports bra isn’t optional—it’s essential. “When you’re shopping options from sport-specific brands like Nike and Adidas, look for these sorts of features

• Enhanced support that keeps everything in place

• Moisture-wicking materials that prevent chafing

• Adjustable features for customized support

• Durability through hundreds of wash cycles

The difference between a $20 and $40-60 sports bra becomes apparent after mile three of a long run, when inferior options lead to certain discomfort—to put it mildly—that can sideline you.

Anti-chafing products

Cheap versions of anti-chafing sticks could mean skin irritation, greasiness, or simply a waste of time. Luckily, “cheap” in this instance means the difference between the Vaseline already in your house and buying a $10 stick.

This Body Glide anti-chafing stick works like a charm for just $8.99. Just one palm-sized stick has lasted longer than a full training cycle of long runs.

Basic shorts and shirts

While technical shirts and shorts can run you well over $50, in my experience, they only offer marginally better moisture-wicking and comfort. Budget options closer to $15-25 perform nearly as well for most runners.

Plus, if you get into the world of organized racing, you’ll have swag in the form of hats, shorts, and shirts for life.

Fitness trackers and GPS watches

While serious runners benefit from advanced metrics in $300+ GPS watches, casual runners can use free smartphone apps (Strava, MapMyRun, Nike Run Club).

If you ask me, extra features like running power, VO2 max estimates, and recovery advisors rarely justify the cost for recreational runners. While I tend to go watch-less on my runs, Beth has a great guide to finding a running watch here. One budget pick she recommends is the no-nonsense Forerunner 55 for $149.99.

Garmin Forerunner 55

$149.99
at Amazon

$199.99
Save $50.00

$149.99
at Amazon

$199.99
Save $50.00

Running belts

The two big names in running belts are the minimalist SPIbelt and the maximalist FlipBelt. The SPIbelt (“small personal item belt”) is perfect for the low-key runner who only needs to hold their phone or their keys.

While I wouldn’t call myself a maximalist runner—quite the opposite—I prefer FlipBelts for a much simpler reason. Compared to the SPIbelt, with my Flip, everything stays in place while you run. I tuck my energy gels, keys, phone, even some tissues in my FlipBelt, and it all stays snug on my person during my run—no bouncing up and down while you go.

FlipBelt Running Belt

$37.00
at Amazon

$37.00
at Amazon

Compression gear

Despite marketing claims, research shows mixed results on whether compression socks, sleeves, and tights ($30-80) improve performance or recovery for most runners. And hey, even if their muscle soreness superpowers are overhyped, they’re comfortable and feel good in the moment. Save your money unless you have specific circulation issues or find them exceptionally comfortable.

Designer sunglasses

I don’t wear sunglasses on my runs, and in my experience in races, the sunglasses I see are few and far between. While eye protection is a priority for some, $200 running sunglasses don’t offer significant advantages over $20-40 sport sunglasses from Target or Amazon. Unless you need them for medical reasons, you won’t find me recommending spending money on designer sunglasses.

Technical outerwear

For year-round runners, I recommend one high-quality waterproof/windproof jacket as a worthwhile investment. If you try to tough out the cold and rain with a cotton sweatshirt, you’ll find yourself soggy and suffocated pretty quick.

Still, you only need one good piece for the rain and extreme cold, not a collection. You can layer those budget options you already own, rather than waste money on a fancy technical wardrobe.

BALEAF Running Rain Jacket

$55.99
at Amazon

$59.99
Save $4.00

$55.99
at Amazon

$59.99
Save $4.00

Nutrition products

I’ve written before about what to eat before and during your long runs, which plays a critical role in how you recover. My preference in gels is aptly named “Gu.” A 24-pack of Gu runs me about $38.49. Other runners swear by Gatorade chews, Snickers bars, or even some loose dates in a Ziploc bag.

Investing in nutrition like gels, chews, and electrolyte drinks matters most during long runs (10+ miles). For shorter distances, cheaper alternatives or homemade options work fine.

The bottom line

The key to smart running investments is to prioritize gear that directly impacts injury prevention (shoes, socks, sports bras) and comfort (anti-chafing products). For everything else, ask yourself: “Will this significantly improve my running experience, or just my appearance?”

Remember that consistency trumps gear every time. An inexpensive but regular running habit will always outperform an occasional run in top-dollar equipment. The best investment isn’t always what costs the most—it’s what gets you out the door day after day.

The US government’s tariff announcements have become a “big headache” for technology companies such as iPhone maker Apple and cloud service provider Amazon, their manufacturing partner Foxconn said on Friday, in a rare public admission of the disruption caused by President Donald Trump’s erratic trade policy. Financial Times: “The issue of tariffs is something that is giving the CEOs of our customers a big headache now,” chief executive Young Liu told investors on an earnings call. “Judging by the attitude and the approach we see the US government taking towards tariffs, it is very, very hard to predict how things will develop over the next year. So we can only concentrate on doing well what we can control.”

Liu said the company’s customers were “one after another” hatching plans for co-operating with Foxconn on manufacturing in the US. He declined to give details as those plans were not yet finalised, but said there should be “more and more” manufacturing in the US.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

A massive screen with an even bigger discount. Now’s the time to upgrade!

This is a video of Sith cosplayer Kurt Mannebach, who has a nifty trick to make his lightsaber hover around him when thrown for EXTRA dark lord flair. And that trick, obviously, is actually being able to harness the Force. And my mom said it wasn’t real!

Thanks to Lydia, who agrees it’s all fun and games until you hit yourself in the head with your own lightsaber.

Warning: spoilers for season three of Ted Lasso are ahead.

It turns out that all Ted Lasso fans had to do was believe. After many months of rumors and uncertainty, the hit show is coming back to Apple TV+ for a fourth season.

Star, co-creator and executive producer Jason Sudeikis is returning as the eponymous college football coach who was hired to take charge of a soccer team in England. He told the Kelce brothers on their New Heights podcast that the writing team is working on the next season and that, this time around, Ted will be coaching a women’s team. That seems like a nice way to hit the reset button after the so-so third season (don’t @ me).

Apple hasn’t revealed more details about the new season of the Emmy juggernaut yet. No other cast members have been announced, but it was reported some months back that production company Warner Bros. Television has picked up contract options for co-stars Hannah Waddingham (Rebecca Welton), Brett Goldstein (Roy Kent) and Jeremy Swift (Leslie Higgins). Apple did confirm that Goldstein is returning as a writer and executive producer. Brendan Hunt (Coach Beard) is back as an executive producer too.

Ted left his team, AFC Richmond, at the end of season three, to return home to the US for family reasons. But given that a women’s team was proposed in the season finale and Sudeikis saying Ted will coach such a squad, it certainly seems like he’s returning to work alongside his old cohorts.

“As we all continue to live in a world where so many factors have conditioned us to ‘look before we leap,’ in season four, the folks at AFC Richmond learn to leap before they look, discovering that wherever they land, it’s exactly where they’re meant to be,” Sudeikis said.

It’s not clear as yet when Ted Lasso will return. However, given that the show’s writers are currently putting together the fourth season, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to watch new episodes until at least the tail end of this year.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/ted-lasso-is-returning-to-apple-tv-for-a-fourth-season-153152897.html?src=rss

If you own a pair of AirPods, you might have quite the futuristic upgrade arriving later this year. That is, unless you’re a former Google customer—otherwise this will seem a bit like old news.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is working on a live translation feature for AirPods with the release of iOS 19. Gurman’s sources appear to be keeping as quiet as possible, as the feature is still quite secret, so it’s not clear exactly which AirPods models are going to be compatible with this feature, should it arrive with the update. But seeing as most new AirPods features seem to hit the second-gen AirPods Pro these days, my guess would be those buds—maybe AirPods 4, if Apple is feeling generous. (I hope AirPods Max would be so lucky.)

Gurman’s sources did share how the feature will roughly work: When someone is speaking to you in another language, your AirPods will translate their words into your target language. Then, when you start to speak in reply, your iPhone will translate back into the other speaker’s language and read those words out loud.

Apple is not the first company to release a feature like this. In fact, Google’s Pixel Buds have had live translation for years now through “Conversation” mode in the Translate app. If you have the proper buds and an Android phone, you can open the Translate app, and ask your Pixel Buds to help you translate something in another language. This will automatically kick on Conversation mode: When the other party responds, your Pixel Buds will play the translation in your ear for you.

You don’t need the Pixel Buds for Conversation mode to work, of course. You can rely on your phone’s speaker to achieve the same result. But it’s cool that you can be the one to hear the translation in your ear, and understand what the other person was saying.

It’s not clear from Gurman’s limited information whether Apple’s feature will work this way via its proprietary Translate app. The fact that your iPhone will speak its translation of your side of the conversation sounds like how Google handles this feature, so it does seem likely that you’ll need the Translate app open in order for your AirPods to translate the other party’s words, as well. Apple’s app has its own Conversation mode too, so, like on Android, you can already have a live translation experience on iPhone. Give it a try if you want a taste of what the experience might be like once (or if) it arrives on AirPods.

Apple will likely reveal iOS 19 and all of its new features in June at WWDC. The company will then spend the summer beta testing the software, before releasing it to compatible iPhones sometime in the fall.