Apple Music is running a promo in which new subscribers can get three free months of the Family Plan tier. That’s a savings of $51, which is nothing to sneeze at. After this lengthy free trial is up, it costs $17 per month.

The Family Plan allows six different users to access the platform. It offers cross-device support and each user is tied to an Apple ID, so their favorite music won’t mess with anyone else’s algorithm.

Apple Music actually topped our list of the best music streaming platforms, and for good reason. It sounds great and it’s easy to use. What else is there? All music is available in CD quality or higher and there are plenty of personalized playlists and the like. The platform also operates a number of live radio stations, which is fun.

The service is available for Android devices, but it really shines on Apple products. To that end, the web and Windows PC apps aren’t as polished as the iOS version. It doesn’t pay artists properly, but that’s true of every music streaming platform. Apple Music does pay out more than Spotify, but that’s an incredibly low bar.

Offer for new subscribers redeeming on eligible devices. Auto-renews at $16.99/mo until cancelled. Requires Family Sharing. Terms apply.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/new-subscribers-can-get-three-free-months-of-the-apple-music-family-plan-151240882.html?src=rss

We knew it was coming, and now it’s here. The iPhone Air, as rumored, is only 5.6mm thick and has fewer features than the base iPhone 17, which is $200 cheaper. Sure, it’s not the first slimline reinterpretation of a major smartphone — Samsung beat Apple to the punch with the Galaxy S25 Edge earlier this year — but the influence of Apple can’t be underestimated. It’s too early to tell if the iPhone Air will shake up smartphones as the MacBook Air did with laptops, but it’s definitely a safer evolution. And hey, perhaps the iPhone Air is merely a pit-stop on the way to the first Apple foldable.

Let’s go back to 2008. With the MacBook Air, Apple ditched the optical disc drive and many ports, leading to a device that was so thin Steve Jobs pulled it out of a manila envelope when he first revealed it. The first MBA had some issues; it was underpowered, used a tiny and slow hard drive and battery life was pretty awful. But Apple refined the formula, which led to countless slimmed-down laptops and even a new category, the ultraportable.

Sadly, Apple didn’t figure out an equally iconic way to reveal its super slim iPhone. In fact, it dropped it in a carefully prepared marketing video, presumably in a bid to show off how confident it is with the hardiness of the iPhone Air. But it felt like Apple trying to assuage durability fears in a way that doesn’t really work, since this was just part of a carefully-manicured marketing promotion.

That’s one of two concerns for thinner phones: durability. Apple’s iPhone Air has a frame made from recycled titanium – previously an iPhone Pro feature. The Air also has the company’s Ceramic Shield, which Apple says is now 3x more scratch-resistant than past versions. It feels like Apple has engineered a phone less likely to get damaged. And of course, the company is happy to offer a super-slim 1mm case for the paranoid among us.

The other concern is battery life. A slimmer profile in a smartphone means less space for the battery. Apple claims that the iPhone Air’s internal architecture “maximizes space for the battery,” but the company doesn’t share specific battery capacity figures. Regardless, Apple says the iPhone Air will deliver “all-day battery life,” which remains hugely subjective.

Apple also announced a new $99 MagSafe charging pack to ensure the iPhone Air can play back video for up to 40 hours. But that charging puck seems even thicker than the camera unit — with the two devices combined, that’s no longer a superthin smartphone, it’s an iPhone 17 with one camera. The fact that it exists at all should give people pause about the Air’s longevity.

Apple

Also: that big old camera module. Samsung’s S25 Edge has a 5.8mm thick body, but if you count the camera, it’s closer to 10mm. The iPhone Air is thinner than the S25 Edge, at 5.6mm. But the camera “plateau” adds a significant width on top of that, although Apple hasn’t said just how thick it is. Judging by images, it could be almost twice as thick as the iPhone Air’s body alone.

Compared to the MacBook Air, the iPhone Air is unlikely to shake up the world of smartphones. While packed with tech upgrades, there’s nothing revolutionary. For example, the iPhone Air still has a USB-C port – early rumors suggested it might ditch all ports for wireless connections and charging. That single camera will probably take great photos, but the utility may be limited without a dedicated telephoto lens — a point I’ve been emphasizing. Samsung’s S25 Edge attempted to address that with a 200-megapixel camera, allowing for substantial digital zoom by cropping in.

Despite these potential pitfalls, I’m intrigued to see how the iPhone Air fares. I’ve often returned to Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge, simply because of the lighter, slimmer profile. The weaknesses of slimmer smartphones I’ve outlined here didn’t result in a bad phone. Like Sam Rutherford put in his review, the S25 Edge is arguably a better phone than the S25+.

Are people desperate for a thinner smartphone? The $999 iPhone Air is cleverly priced between the base iPhone 17 ($799) and the iPhone 17 Pro ($1,099), and the lack of a plus model just might push people towards the Air.

I think there’s a place for the iPhone Air. It’s lighter, it’ll fit in pockets better and it’ll have all the features of iOS 26 at a time when new functionality has shifted from hardware to software. Apple has attempted to address many of the concerns with superslim phones, but the true test of battery longevity and durability will come with a few months of use.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/welcome-to-the-era-of-thin-smartphones-whether-you-want-it-or-not-150729169.html?src=rss

Last year, we reported on the discovery of an intriguing arrow-shaped rock on Mars by NASA’s Perseverance rover. The rock contained chemical signatures and structures that could have been formed by ancient microbial life. Granted, this was not slam-dunk evidence of past life on Mars, and the results were preliminary, awaiting peer review. But it was an intriguing possibility nonetheless.

Now further analysis and peer review are complete, and there is a new paper, published in the journal Nature, reporting on the findings. It’s still not definitive proof that there was water-based life on Mars billions of years ago, but the results are consistent with a biosignature. It’s just that other non-biological processes would also be consistent with the data, so definitive proof might require analysis of the Martian samples back on Earth. You can watch NASA’s livestream briefing here.

“We have improved our understanding of the geological context of the discovery since [last year], and in the paper, we explore abiotic and biological pathways to the formation of the features that we observe,” co-author Joel Hurowitz, an astrobiologist at Stony Brook University in New York, told Ars. “My hope is that this discovery motivates a whole bunch of new research in laboratory and analog field settings on Earth to try to understand what conditions might give rise to the textures and mineral assemblages we’ve observed. This type of follow on work is exactly what is needed to explore the various biological and abiotic pathways to the formation of the features that we are calling potential biosignatures.”

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I have some good news for Apple Watch users. If you’re using an older Apple Watch, like the Series 9, Apple’s tossing you a couple of features that we previously thought were going to be exclusive to the new Series 11. At its “Awe Dropping” event yesterday, the company released three new Apple Watches with new features related to health tracking, but there’s a good chance you’re going to get them on a device you already have.

That’s because Apple didn’t mention on stage that these new features are actually software updates coming to watchOS 26 and iOS 26, and some of them don’t need new hardware. This means you might not need to upgrade your Apple Watch to get new high-blood pressure notifications or an Apple-generated Sleep Score.

Hypertension notifications come to Apple Watch Series 9 and higher

Credit: Apple

Apple has a new blood pressure monitoring system that sends a notification to the user when a pattern of high chronic blood pressure is detected. Apple isn’t using a cuff-based blood pressure monitor here. Instead, it’s using the optical heart rate sensor to analyze how a user’s blood vessels respond to the beats of the heart. It uses data-analysis over a period of 30 days to determine if there’s a consistent pattern that points to possible hypertension, then notifies you if so.

Because this feature is based on the optical heart rate sensor, it’s turns out it’s not limited to the Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3. In fact, it’s supported by Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 as well (but not the Apple Watch SE 3). The feature will be live for the users after the watchOS 26 update, and after regulatory approval. Apple says that it should be rolled out to 150 countries by October.

Sleep score comes to every Apple Watch since Series 6

Credit: Apple

The Apple Watch’s new Sleep Score metric is, again, a data-analysis feature. It combines sleep data like sleep duration, sleep stage duration, frequency of wakefulness, and more to come up with one score that informs you just how good your overall quality of sleep was. It uses data from multiple sensors like heart rate, wrist temperature, blood oxygen, and respiratory rate to rate the overall quality of your sleep.

This number can then help you decide if you want to tackle a more intensive workout, or you want to take things easy and turn in earlier that day.

And as it turns out, it’s going to be rolled out to all Apple Watches that support sleep tracking. That’s every Apple Watch Ultra, Series 6 and above, and even the Apple Watch SE 2.

Similarly, a few other software based features highlighted in the keynote aren’t exclusive to Series 11. The new wrist-flick feature in watchOS 26 will be supported on Series 9 and higher, and the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Outside of the realm of Apple Watches, this also goes for the AirPods Pro 3 as well. The Live Translation feature that Apple introduced with the AirPods Pro 3 will actually work with AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 as well, as long as it’s paired with an iPhone 15 Pro or higher (essentially, your phone needs to support Apple Intelligence). This means you can use the older AirPods to translate speech from multiple supported languages, without springing for a new $250 AirPods Pro.

Netflix’s film division faces a fundamental mismatch between its subscription model and filmmakers’ artistic ambitions, according to new data analysis examining a decade of original productions. The streamer’s movies cost two to three times more than A24 films but consistently score lower across review aggregators. Netflix attracts established actors like Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz but struggles to retain acclaimed directors.

The typical Netflix director has less critical acclaim and shorter filmographies than theatrical counterparts despite handling larger budgets. Directors recently turned down Netflix’s $150 million for Wuthering Heights and $50 million for Weapons, accepting lower offers from Warner Bros. that guaranteed theatrical releases. The Electric State cost Netflix $320 million in February 2025 and received a 30 Metacritic score and 14% on Rotten Tomatoes. Netflix’s business model requires filling hours to justify $9.99 monthly subscriptions. Directors seek theatrical releases where audiences watch films in one sitting without checking phones.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Researchers at the University of Tubingen have discovered that human brains process colors in remarkably similar ways across different individuals. The team used fMRI scans from 15 participants viewing various colors to train a machine-learning model that could then accurately predict which colors a second group was viewing based solely on their brain activity patterns.

Published in the Journal of Neuroscience, the study found that specific brain cells in the visual cortex consistently respond more strongly to particular colors across all participants. The discovery challenges long-standing philosophical questions about whether people perceive colors differently.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

At its “Awe Dropping” event yesterday, Apple finally announced its lineup for the Apple Watch in 2025. Along with the Apple Watch Series 11, which is a slight spec-bump over last year’s redesigned Series 10, we finally have a new Apple Watch SE. The Apple Watch SE 3 has been updated after three years, and it’s got a lot to show for it.

The key difference between the Series 11 and the SE 3 comes down to features and value. Traditionally, the SE lost out on quite a lot of features when compared to the flagship model. This year, they’re the closest they’ve ever been, which means it will be harder to decide which smartwatch is right for you.

We’ve got high blood pressure notifications, bigger battery life, and finally, an always-on display in the SE. But overall, how does Apple’s $249 entry-level smartwatch hold up against the flagship $429 Series 11?

The screen and design

Apple Watch Series 11.
Credit: Apple

The flagship Series 11 Apple Watch comes with a bigger and brighter display. It features an LTPO3 wide-angle OLED display that goes up to 2,000 nits outdoors. Both the Series 11 and SE 3 have an Ion-X display that makes it twice as scratch resistant compared to the Series 10 model (four times when compared to the outgoing SE 2). The SE 3 has an LPTO OLED display that goes up to 1,000 nits outdoors. But for the first time ever in an Apple Watch SE, you get an Always-on display, just like on the Series 11.

The Series 11 displays are also bigger compared to the SE 3, with 44mm and 46mm models. On the SE 3, you get options for 40mm and 44mm displays, with significantly larger bezels.

Apple Watch SE 3.
Credit: Apple

Apple redesigned the Apple Watch with the Series 10, reducing the bezels, and making the watch thinner (it and the Series 11 are the thinnest Apple Watches in the lineup). The SE3 is bulkier compared to the Series 11 (10.7 mm thickness against the Series 11’s 9.7mm), but it’s a bit lighter. The 46mm Series 11 case weighs 37.8 grams, while the SE 3 is 32.9 grams instead. It’s small, but it might be noticeable in daily use.

The battery life

The Series 11 has received the first big battery boost since the Watch came out. Apple has so far maintained an 18-hour all-day battery life as standard. Now, the Series 11 is bumping it up all the way to 24 hours. The SE 3 is still stuck with the old 18-hour battery life.

And if you use low-power mode, the Series 11 will supposedly last up to 38 hours now, while the SE can go up to 32 hours. Apple has also increased the fast-charge capability. The Series 11 will fast-charge to 80% in about 30 minutes, instead of 45 minutes for the SE 3. Plus, both watches can gain 8 hours of usage with just 15 minutes of fast-charge time.

If you hate charging your Apple Watch repeatedly, and you care about battery life above all else, the Series 11 is the right pick between the two.

Health and medical features

The Series 11 gets flagship-level sensors, with an electric heart rate sensor, third-generation optical heart rate sensor, water temperature sensor, and depth gauge. The SE loses out on the electric heart rate sensor, depth gauge, and water temperature sensor. Both watches can still sense the temperature on your wrist, though, leading to richer insights in the Vitals app.

Hypertension notifications on Apple Watch Series 11 (not available on Apple Watch SE 3).
Credit: Apple

The SE 3 also loses out on the ECG monitoring and Blood Oxygen monitoring, both features that are available in the Series 11.

Series 11 also gets a brand new blood pressure notifications feature, that uses data from the optical heart rate sensor to analyze how a user’s blood vessels respond to the beats of the heart. It works in the background and reviews data over 30 days. When it notices signs of chronic high blood pressure, it notifies the user. This is a passive tracking method, and it doesn’t require a cuff. The SE 3 does not get this feature, although it is being back-ported to the Series 9 and Series 10.

New Sleep Score metric available on both Apple Watch Series 11 and SE 3.
Credit: Apple

But both watches do get the Sleep Score feature that’s coming to the Sleep app. This feature analyses things like sleep duration, time spent in each sleep stage, and sleep quality to give an overall score.

Performance

Both devices share quite a few internals. They both run the same S10 64-bit dual-core processor chip that was released in last year’s Series 10 model. Both devices feature the same W3 wireless chip, 4-core Neural Engine, and 64GB storage. The Series 11, though, gets the Ultra Wideband chip, making it easier to locate nearby iPhones.

Both watches also feature 5G connectivity in the Cellular models, helping with faster downloads and streaming, and making sure that your calls never drop, even when you’re in areas with spotty connectivity.

The Series 11 and SE both have a built-in speaker, which was first released in Series 10. This lets you play podcasts and media out loud without the need for headphones. Both watches also include the double-tap and wrist flick gestures for controlling the Apple Watch without actually touching the screen.

Which Apple Watch is right for you?

As I mentioned above, the SE 3 packs a surprising amount of stuff in it $249 package. Both it and the Series 11 feature the same processor, which is very fast for a smartwatch, and an always-on display. They also have similar health sensors, fitness tracking, 5G connectivity, and a built-in speaker.

If you really want the latest design, a slim case, and a larger and brighter screen, then the Series 11 is the right pick for you. If battery life is your priority, the Series 11 again wins out, with its 24-hour battery life. The same goes if you want the latest health features like hypertension notifications on a new watch. And if you’re willing to pay $399 for the smaller 42mm model, or $429 for the larger 46mm model.

But if you don’t really care about those things, and if you’re on a budget, the Apple Watch SE 3 at $249 for the 40mm model, and $279 for the 44mm model, is hard to beat. You’ll still get a fast Apple Watch with all the essential features and an always-on display. It’s just going to be packaged in a slightly outdated design, and will lack some top-of-the-line health features.

Hold on to your Cappy, a Nintendo Direct is coming your way later this week. Nintendo has scheduled an hour-long presentation for September 12 at 9AM ET. You don’t often see Nintendo running Direct streams on Fridays, but hey, we’ll take it. There may be a Mario-shaped reason for this timing, too. You can watch the showcase above, on YouTube or in the Nintendo Today! app.

The Direct will include information on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 games. In terms of safe bets, we’ll likely get some more details on Pokémon Legends: Z-A and Kirby Air Riders, both of which have 2025 release dates. Those may very well bolster Switch 2 demand ahead of the holidays (as if Nintendo needed the help). It would be a surprise if Nintendo didn’t announce a release date — or delay — for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond during this Direct as well, since that game is still slated to arrive this year.

Otherwise, it’s a bit of a mystery as to what to expect. There’s always a chance that Nintendo might start teasing the next big Zelda game, even if it’s some time away. After all, the company announced The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom four years before it arrived. Plus, this Saturday is the 40th anniversary of the Japanese release of Super Mario Bros. so there surely has to be some kind of Mario-related announcement in store.

Elsewhere, perhaps we’ll get some more info on FromSoftware’s Switch 2 exclusive The Duskbloods. In any case, Nintendo has to start building out the Switch 2 slate for 2026, and we’ll probably get a mix of first- and third-party news here. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/an-hour-long-nintendo-direct-is-set-for-september-12-135935134.html?src=rss

Flanked by Silicon Valley’s most powerful executives in the White House last week, Melania Trump hailed artificial intelligence as potentially “the greatest engine of progress in the history of the United States of America.”

Less than a mile from the first lady, in a hotel ballroom packed with MAGA faithful, top Republican Josh Hawley had a different message.

AI “threatens the common man’s liberty” and could even undermine the Republic itself, the senior US senator from Missouri said.

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