As a boy, I once owned a whoopee cushion. I thought it hilarious; my aging and extremely “proper” great aunt—God rest her soul—did not, and at one Thanksgiving dinner, she let me know. Chastened, I never used a whoopee cushion again. Nor, as the decades passed, did I think much more about the possible humor value of fake farts.

Until this week, when I came across the strange case of Alexander Paul Robertson Lewis, who has been charged with a felony in South Carolina for—and let me quote from the official police press release here—using “an Internet-acquired spray designed to imitate fecal odor.”

The nanny state run amok? The criminalization of fun? Authorities who Just Can’t Take A Joke?

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I’d be willing to bet the one thing most of us want from our iPhones is quite simple: more battery life. Apple can keep adding new features and designs with each new smartphone iteration, but if the company just announced a new iPhone with record-breaking battery life, customers would be thrilled.

While we may have to wait for a time when the iPhone can go a couple days in between charges, Apple has added a new option to iOS 26 in an effort to help extend your iPhone’s battery life. The feature, Adaptive Power, uses on-device AI to analyze your iPhone usage and guess the times you’ll need additional battery life. This is exactly how I want to see AI being used—not for generating hyper-realistic videos or musical slop.

How Adaptive Power tries to boost your battery

When Adaptive Power decides it’s time to engage, the feature can adjust your iPhone’s performance level. This will make some tasks take longer than they normally would, but that slower speed supposedly saves on battery life. In addition, Adaptive Power lowers screen brightness by 3%, limits background activity, and, when your iPhone reaches 20%, kicks on Low Power Mode without asking you first.

Apple isn’t totally clear here about the difference between Low Power Mode and Adaptive Power in general. From what we know, it seems that Adaptive Power simply reduces processing speeds at select intervals, and only slightly lowers brightness, while Low Power Mode slows speeds and display refresh rate, and limits brightness, 5G, iCloud syncing, and mail fetch, among other tasks.

Adaptive Power is enabled by default on Apple’s newest iPhones, including the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air—the latter of which could most likely benefit from such a feature. For all other compatible iPhones, which includes iPhone 15 Pro and newer, the feature is turned off by default. That means, unless you have an iPhone 17 device, you’ll need to turn this on yourself.

How to turn Adaptive Power on or off

Whether you have an iPhone 15 Pro or an iPhone 17, you’ll find the controls for Adaptive Power in the same place. Open Settings, then head to Battery > Power Mode. Here, you can tap the toggle next to “Adaptive Power” to turn the setting on or off.

Since Adaptive Power turns on and off throughout the day, Apple also offers you the option to receive alerts whenever the feature is active. You can adjust this setting from the “Adaptive Power Notifications” toggle.

I’ve been using Adaptive Power since iOS 26 dropped on Sept. 15, but it’s tough to say whether the feature has had a noticeable impact on my battery life. I think it would help if Apple added Adaptive Power information to my battery stats, so I could compare the impacts before and after using the feature. For now, I’ll continue using it, if for no other reason than to offer my battery the best possible chance of making it through the day without its charger.

After the posting—and apparent editing—of a job opening spotted this week, it’s expected that Amazon will bring its homegrown operating system to Fire TV devices this year.

Most of Amazon’s Fire-branded devices, which include tablets, currently run some version of Fire OS, which is an Android fork based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). For years, Fire OS’s reliance on AOSP has resulted in Amazon devices coming out with older software, such as 2024’s Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet, which came out with Fire OS 8, which is based on 2020’s Android 11.

Some devices already run Amazon’s proprietary software, reportedly codenamed Vega OS. The current Echo Hub smart home control panel, Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) smart home display, and Echo Spot smart speaker all run an OS based on the Linux 5.16 kernel, per details in Amazon’s source code notice for Alexa devices. However, Amazon has never publicly acknowledged that the OS exists.

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Ruby Central, a non-profit organization committed to “driving innovation and building community within the Ruby programming ecosystem since 2001,” removed all RubyGems maintainers from the project’s GitHub repository on September 18, granting administrative access exclusively to its employees and contractors following alleged pressure from Shopify, one of its biggest backers, according to Ruby developer Joel Drapper. The nonprofit organization, which operates RubyConf and RailsConf, cited fiduciary responsibility and supply chain security concerns following a recent audit.

The controversy began September 9 when HSBT (Hiroshi Shibata), a Ruby infrastructure maintainer, renamed the RubyGems GitHub enterprise to “Ruby Central” and added Director of Open Source Marty Haught as owner while demoting other maintainers. The action allegedly followed Shopify’s threat to cut funding unless Ruby Central assumed full ownership of RubyGems and Bundler. Ruby Central had reportedly become financially dependent on Shopify after Sidekiq withdrew $250,000 annual sponsorship over the organization platforming Rails creator DHH at RailsConf 2025. Andre Arko, a veteran contributor on-call for RubyGems.org at the time, was among those removed.

Maintainer Ellen Dash has characterized the action as a “hostile takeover” and also resigned. Executive Director Shan Cureton acknowledged poor communication in a YouTube video Monday, stating removals were temporary while finalizing operator agreements. Arko and others are launching Spinel, an alternative Ruby tooling project, though Shopify’s Rafael Franca commented that Spinel admins shouldn’t be trusted to avoid “sabotaging rubygems or bundler.”

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

These are several videos of the years-long dream of Youtuber Brian Brocken to build a flying Delorean time machine from Back To The Future. It’s basically a carbon fiber quadrocopter with a laeser-cut foam Delorean body on top. Still, paint that thing stainless steel and you’ve got yourself the best Halloween prop of all time. I know, because I’ve traveled though time and seen all the Halloween props. Just don’t ask me any questions about your future because I won’t tell you. I mean it. FINE, I ACCIDENTALLY HTI YOU WITH MY TIME MACHINE, OKAY? I’m sorry.

Your iPhone is essentially a computer that fits in your pocket, so it only makes sense for Apple to treat it as such. To that point, with iOS 26, both the iPhone and the iPad get a new app that was a Mac exclusive for over 20 years: Preview.

What can you do with the Preview app?

Like on macOS, the Preview app for iOS and iPadOS is largely made for viewing PDFs and other documents. When you first open the app, you’ll see the options to either create a new document or scan one with your iPhone’s camera.

Most of the time, however, you probably you have an existing document you want to open using Preview. If so, you’ll find those options in the bottom half of this starting page. This is Preview’s integration with the Files app: You can browse your documents from Files and open any with Preview.

Once you have a document loaded up, you’re able to view, annotate, markup, and edit it. If you need to fill out a document with your information, you can use AutoFill to automatically enter contact info and other saved details. You can add your signature, and if you’re on your iPad, you can use your Apple Pencil to draw on the document. Otherwise, you can use your finger to mark up the file.

You can also export documents from the Preview app. You can work with file types including HEIDC, JPEG, PDF, PNG, and TIFF. And as with Preview on macOS, there are a number of controls when exporting, such as resolution, embedding text, and saving images as JPEG.

While there’s a lot you can do here, the biggest strength I see for this mobile Preview app is using it as a tool for legal documents. If you need to sign an important document, you can quickly scan it into the app, add your signature, fill out any information—perhaps automatically with AutoFill—then email the doc out, all without needing to jump to your computer.

Preview on iOS is still a work in progress

If you look at Preview’s App Store page, you’ll notice some mixed reviews. After using the app for a bit, I understand why. Preview for iOS is definitely still a work in progress and in need of some key upgrades.

The biggest quirks I noticed immediately: The main menu page is cluttered, with the Files integration looking more like a glitch than a dedicated window. Speaking of Files, Apple made the decision to have documents in Files open in Preview. At first, that sounds like a good idea, until you experience it in person on both iOS and iPadOS. Being dragged out of the Files app when you’re not expecting it is jarring, especially when you’re used to viewing your docs directly in the app.

The workaround here is to avoid Files for opening, well, files. Use the Files integration within Preview, so you stay in the same app. How intuitive. You could also choose to delete the Preview app, but that’s a bit of a shame when it’s such a major update for iOS and iPadOS 26.

Also, when you choose the Markup option, there’s no clear way to exit without closing the whole app first. As far as I can tell, the only way to do so is to tap the three-dots in the top right, then tap Markup to exit this menu. The Markup button should really stay on screen as it does on macOS, so it’s obvious how to dismiss it.

The Meta AI app — you know, the one where people publicly shared their private conversations with the chatbot by accident — now has a dedicated feed for AI slop. The Vibes feed is a home for AI-generated short-form videos in the Meta AI app and website. Users can scroll the creations of other people, or can make their own clips, either by building from scratch or adapting other videos from the feed. The videos people make can also be shared via DM or cross-posted to Instagram or Facebook.

The company said it plans to add more features for AI-generated creation in the future. According to a Threads post by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Vibes is “an early look at some of the new product directions we’re exploring.” He added that Meta Superintelligence Labs will work with Midjourney and Black Forest Labs on upcoming AI projects.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/meta-now-has-a-feed-for-ai-slop-205751808.html?src=rss

Germany’s defense minister, Boris Pistorius, said Thursday that it’s time for his country to consider putting “offensive capabilities” in space after revealing Russian spacecraft are tracking two communications satellites used by the German military.

Speaking at the German industry’s Space Congress event in Berlin, Pistorius said the country must ramp up its investment in space security to counter threats from Russia and China, which he said have rapidly expanded their capacity for space warfare.

“They can jam, blind, manipulate, or kinetically destroy satellites,” Pistorius said. “There are no borders or continents in space. Russia and China are our direct neighbors there.”

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On Thursday, OpenAI announced ChatGPT Pulse, a new “push” feature that generates personalized daily updates for users without having to ask each time. The preview feature, available now for Pro subscribers on mobile, marks OpenAI’s latest attempt to make ChatGPT proactive rather than reactive, with the AI model conducting overnight research to deliver morning updates based on user history and connected apps. OpenAI calls it “personalized research and timely updates that appear regularly to keep you informed.”

ChatGPT Pulse works by analyzing a user’s chat history, saved preferences, and optional connections to Gmail and Google Calendar each night. The next morning, users receive visual “cards” (small illustrated squares with topic summaries that can be expanded for detail) containing updates on topics the model determines are relevant, such as project follow-ups, dinner suggestions, or travel recommendations. Users can provide feedback through thumbs up or down ratings and request specific topics through a “curate” button.

OpenAI says that rather than waiting for users to initiate conversations, ChatGPT now attempts to deliver information preemptively using what OpenAI calls “asynchronous research,” essentially having the model generate queries and responses overnight using traditional methods. Updates appear once daily and disappear after 24 hours unless users save them or ask follow-up questions, which converts them into standard chat conversations.

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The original Beats Studio Buds may not be the brand’s latest or most advanced earbuds, but they are still a crowdpleaser—and a more budget-friendly alternative to newer generations. Currently, they’re an even better buy on Amazon, as they’re 47% off, their lowest price ever according to price tracking tools. 

Beats Studio Buds

$79.95
at Amazon

$149.95
Save $70.00

$79.95
at Amazon

$149.95
Save $70.00

These buds offer decent active noise cancellation (although unlike pricier alternatives, they only use a fixed filter rather than adaptive ANC), easy-to-use on-ear controls, punchy bass, and balanced and crisp highs—strong performance at an $80 price point.

The earbuds also feature iOS integration and one-touch pairing with both Android and iOS. Most users find the fit comfortable, although this PCMag review notes that since they are on the smaller side and have a slick surface, they can be a little tricky to place in your ears. However, once they’re in, they remain secure, and the inclusion of three different eartip sizes lets you customize the experience. 

They carry an IPX4 water-resistance rating, so while they can’t be submerged or held under running water, they can withstand light rain and sweat. The battery life is decent—up to five hours when noise cancellation is on, and eight hours when it’s off, plus up to an extra 16 hours from the charging case.

If you don’t need high-end noise cancellation but still want a pair of reliable earbuds that deliver major bass, decent ANC, and a price point well under $100 price point, the Beats Studio Buds offer a great blend of quality and affordability. 

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The market for fitness bands competing with Whoop is beginning to fill out, and the latest one I’ve gotten my hands on is the Polar Loop. (I recently reviewed Amazfit’s Helio Strap and Garmin’s screenless tracker, which turned out to be a sleep-only specialty device.) 

My full review of the Polar Loop will have to wait until I have more data, but right away I noticed some significant physical differences between the Polar Loop and its competitors.

Below is a size comparison of the Whoop MG (left), the Polar Loop (center), and the Amazfit Helio Strap (right). The three devices are lined up in declining order of both price and size: the Whoop is the smallest and costs anywhere from $199/year to $359/year depending on which tier of membership you choose. The Polar Loop is $199.99 as a one-time purchase with no subscription, and the Amazfit Helio Strap is $99.99, also with no subscription. 

Left to right: Whoop MG, Polar Loop, Amazfit Helio Strap
Credit: Beth Skwarecki

I’m not sure if the Loop will be able to justify being double the price of the Helio, at least on functionality (but we’ll see how I feel after I put it through its paces). In its defense, though, I will say it seems that the Polar team put a little more effort into styling than Amazfit did, and in one respect perhaps a bit more than Whoop. The Whoop device only comes in black, although you can cover it with bands of any color. The Polar Loop, meanwhile, comes in black if you buy it with a black or brown strap, and in a pale grayish color if you buy it with the greige strap. 

Credit: Beth Skwarecki

The shiny accent under the band is a nice touch. Like both the Whoop and the Helio, the Polar Loop covers its device with a fabric strap. Its design looks simpler to replicate, though: just thread a 21-millimeter strap through the slots and you have a Polar Loop strap. 

Meanwhile, the Whoop has its own unique shape of band and clasp (and the current 5.0/MG Whoop takes a different band than the 4.0 generation). The Helio can take any 22-millimeter watch strap, but only if you’re OK with the blank plastic face of the device showing. The third-party strap market looks more promising to me for the Loop than for its competitors. And while Polar probably doesn’t love to think about it that way, I consider plentiful, affordable strap selection to be a plus for any wearable.