Key facts at a glance

• The Gmail Verified Sender Program begins on September 8, 2026.
• It allows qualifying political committees, candidates, parties, and PACs to bypass Gmail’s standard spam filtering.
• Participants must use a verified domain, meet authentication and security standards, and keep user spam reports below 0.3% over a 14-day average.
• Google can suspend or remove senders that fail to comply, returning their emails to normal filtering.
• Gmail users retain the ability to mark messages as spam, block senders, and unsubscribe.
• The program arrives less than two months before the November 3, 2026 midterm elections.

What is the Gmail Verified Sender Program?

The Gmail Verified Sender Program is part of Google’s broader effort to improve email authentication and reduce spam across its platform. In recent years, Gmail has pushed senders to adopt stricter protocols, including SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, which help verify that messages actually come from the domain they claim to use. The new program extends that framework to political committees, offering a kind of trusted sender status to those who meet certain thresholds.

For political campaigns, the stakes are high. Email has long been one of the most efficient ways to reach supporters and raise money. A single fundraising appeal can bring in millions of dollars, and timing is everything. Messages that land in spam folders are often never seen, so campaigns spend considerable time and money maintaining their sender reputation. Google’s new program gives qualifying political groups a way to improve deliverability without relying on workarounds.

The program is not a blanket exemption from all filtering. It is better understood as a lane with fewer obstacles. Verified senders still need to comply with Gmail’s requirements, and their messages remain subject to user actions such as reporting spam. The key difference is that they will not be automatically penalized by the same aggressive filters that apply to unknown or low-reputation senders.

Requirements for participation

To participate in the Gmail Verified Sender Program, political committees must satisfy several conditions. Google has outlined a set of requirements designed to prevent abuse and protect users from unwanted email.

First, senders must use a verified domain. This means the domain must be authenticated and linked to the sending organization in a way that Gmail can confirm. Domain verification helps prevent impersonation and makes it harder for bad actors to hide their identity.

Second, participants must meet Google’s authentication and security standards. This includes adopting standard email authentication methods such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. These protocols allow Gmail to check that an email was sent by an authorized server and has not been tampered with during transit.

Third, senders must keep their spam complaint rate below 0.3% based on a 14-day average. In other words, fewer than three out of every 1,000 messages sent by a campaign should be marked as spam by Gmail users. This is a strict threshold, and it means campaigns need to be thoughtful about how often they email supporters and how relevant their messages are.

If a participant fails to meet these requirements, Google can suspend or remove them from the program. Once removed, their emails will go back through Gmail’s normal filtering system. This enforcement mechanism is intended to keep the program from becoming a loophole for mass emailers who ignore user preferences.

Why Google is making the change

Google has said the program is intended to help connect people with emails they actually want while keeping users in control of their inboxes. The company has long faced pressure from political groups over email deliverability, particularly from Republican committees who alleged that Gmail’s spam filter disproportionately affected conservative fundraising messages.

Those complaints date back several years. In 2022, researchers and political operatives raised questions about Gmail’s algorithms after a study from North Carolina State University suggested that Gmail’s spam filter had a bias against conservative emails. The study was later revised, and Gmail’s practices remained a topic of debate. In 2023, the Republican National Committee sued Google, alleging that the company was intentionally suppressing Republican fundraising emails. A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit, but the underlying concerns did not disappear entirely.

The Federal Election Commission also considered a related complaint but dismissed it, leaving the question unresolved. Google has consistently denied any political bias, pointing to its neutral spam filters and the fact that user behavior plays a major role in determining which emails are marked as spam.

By creating a formal verified sender program for political committees, Google may be trying to address these concerns in a structured way. Instead of relying on opaque algorithms, campaigns can follow clear requirements and earn better deliverability. This could reduce the appearance of bias, even if the underlying filters remain unchanged.

What this means for Gmail users

For average Gmail users, the launch of the Verified Sender Program is likely to mean more political emails in the primary inbox during the final stretch of the 2026 election cycle. Candidates and parties will have a stronger incentive to invest in their sender infrastructure and grow their email lists, knowing that those messages are more likely to be seen.

That could be exhausting for voters who are already inundated with political content. Midterm elections generate billions of dollars in fundraising, and email is one of the most direct channels for campaigns to solicit donations. With a clearer path to the inbox, political committees may ramp up their appeals in the weeks leading up to Election Day.

It is important to remember that users still have tools to manage unwanted email. Gmail allows users to mark any message as spam, block specific senders, and unsubscribe from commercial email lists. Political emails are not exempt from these user controls. If a verified sender’s emails are frequently marked as spam, they risk losing their verified status.

Historical context: political email fundraising

Political email fundraising has grown dramatically over the past two decades. Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign demonstrated the power of small-dollar online donations, and the strategy became a cornerstone of political campaigns ever since. Today, campaigns send dozens or even hundreds of emails per month, testing subject lines, calls to action, and urgency tactics to maximize donations.

The rise of digital fundraising has also made email deliverability a battleground. Campaigns know that a message sent at the right time with the right subject line can produce an immediate spike in donations. At the same time, spam filters have become more sophisticated, learning from user behavior to identify unwanted messages.

Gmail is one of the largest email providers in the world, so its policies have an outsized impact on political fundraising. Any change to its filtering system can shift the balance of power between campaigns and shape which messages voters see.

Potential concerns and next steps

Not everyone is likely to welcome the new program. Consumer advocates and privacy groups may worry that giving political senders privileged access to inboxes will make it easier for campaigns to overwhelm voters. There are also questions about enforcement. With thousands of political committees across the country, monitoring spam rates and authentication compliance will not be easy.

Google’s approach is not entirely novel. Other email providers have offered similar verified sender programs for legitimate bulk senders, such as newsletters and transactional email services. The difference here is that the program is specifically tailored to political committees, a category of senders that is particularly sensitive due to campaign finance rules and the public interest in political speech.

The timing is also significant. With the program starting on September 8, 2026, campaigns will have roughly eight weeks to take advantage of it before the November 3 elections. That is a short window, but it covers the period when fundraising typically intensifies. Political committees that can meet the requirements quickly will have a clearer path to supporters’ inboxes during the final push.

Gmail users who want to reduce the number of political emails they see can take proactive steps. Unsubscribing from lists they no longer want, marking unsolicited emails as spam, and using Gmail’s filters to automatically archive or delete certain senders can all help keep the inbox manageable. These user signals also help Google determine which senders are providing value and which are not.

The Verified Sender Program is another reminder that email remains one of the most important communication tools in modern life, even as newer platforms like messaging apps and social media have grown. For political campaigns, the inbox is a direct line to supporters that cannot be ignored. Google’s latest move ensures that line remains open, but with guardrails.

Source: Android Authority News

The announcement marks a significant milestone in Google's long-running efforts to establish a meaningful presence in the premium laptop market. While the company has been involved in computing hardware for years through its Pixel line of Chromebooks and phones, Googlebooks represents a new strategic direction — one that seeks to merge the productivity strengths of ChromeOS with the vast native application ecosystem of Android. The September event is expected to be the fullest look yet at that vision, combining keynote presentations with hands-on demonstration stations where members of the media can interact with the hardware directly.

The Road to Googlebooks

Google first announced Googlebooks in May as a new category of premium laptops built on the Android technology stack. The company positioned the devices as a fresh alternative to traditional laptops and Chromebooks, promising a combination of premium materials, flexible form factors, and deep integration with Google's suite of services, particularly Gemini. At the time, Google named Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo as its first five hardware partners, with the initial devices expected to arrive in the fall. That timeframe has now been sharpened to a preview event in mid-September, with retail availability presumably following in the weeks or months after.

The choice of New York City as the venue is notable. Google has often held major consumer hardware events in the city, particularly for its Pixel lineup, and the location suggests that the company is positioning Googlebooks as a consumer-facing product rather than an enterprise-only initiative. The in-person nature of the event is also significant — it will be a full hardware showcase, not just a virtual announcement. Attendees will reportedly be allowed to photograph, film, and benchmark the first wave of devices, indicating that Google is confident enough in the hardware and software to open it up to immediate scrutiny.

What to Expect from the September 15 Event

According to Chrome Unboxed, the event will feature a keynote by Google leadership covering the new computing platform, its software architecture, and Google's vision for bringing together ChromeOS-style web productivity with Android's native codebase. This is a critical distinction. Existing Chromebooks run on ChromeOS, which is primarily web-centric, while Googlebooks are expected to support Android apps natively, making the platform far more versatile for users who rely on Android applications for everything from productivity to entertainment.

The keynote is also expected to clarify the official branding of the operating system. For months, the tech community has been referring to the system as Aluminium OS, a name that emerged from code references and speculative reporting. Google has never officially used that name, and it is widely expected that the company will unveil a more polished, marketable brand identity at the event. The naming choice could carry significant weight, as it will signal how Google intends to position the platform relative to ChromeOS, Android, and competing operating systems.

Beyond the software, the event is expected to be a hardware-heavy affair. Dedicated demo stations will allow attendees to spend hands-on time with Googlebooks from Google's launch partners. The publication notes that media will be able to photograph, film, and benchmark the devices, suggesting that Google is prepared to let the hardware speak for itself. That is particularly interesting given how little Google has officially revealed about the devices so far. The company has only said that Googlebooks will feature premium materials, come in different shapes and sizes, and share a distinctive Glowbar design.

Design and Hardware: The Glowbar Era

The Glowbar is one of the most intriguing aspects of the Googlebook concept. Based on leaked renders of a Lenovo Googlebook 15 and an ASUS model, the Glowbar appears to be a light bar located on the lid or around the keyboard that provides both aesthetic appeal and functional feedback. Some leaks suggest that the Glowbar will be integrated with Google's Gemini assistant, potentially serving as a visual indicator for voice commands, notifications, or system status. Hardware controls designed around Gemini could include dedicated microphones, activation buttons, and enhanced audio systems to support hands-free interactions.

Lenovo's Googlebook 15, as seen in leaked renders, appears to have a clean, minimalist design with a slim profile and a large display, typical of premium ultrabooks. The ASUS model has also been spotted, showing similar design characteristics. While these are early renders, the consensus is that Googlebooks will be visually distinctive and easily recognizable, thanks in part to the Glowbar. It remains to be seen whether the Glowbar will be purely cosmetic or if it will offer meaningful functionality. Given Google's emphasis on Gemini integration, it is likely to be more than just an aesthetic flourish.

Premium materials have been explicitly promised by Google, which suggests that the first Googlebooks will not be budget-friendly. Instead, they are expected to compete directly with the likes of Apple's MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, Microsoft's Surface Laptop, and high-end Windows ultrabooks. The involvement of five major hardware partners — Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo — indicates that Googlebooks will be available in a variety of configurations, sizes, and price points, but all will share the core Android technology stack and a common design language.

Software: The Aluminium OS Mystery

Perhaps the biggest question mark heading into the September 15 event is the operating system's official name. The project has been known internally and in leaks as Aluminium OS, a code name that has stuck in public discourse. However, Google has never confirmed that name, and the brand identity of a platform can be crucial to its adoption. Revealing the official name at the event will be an important moment, as it will shape how the product is perceived by consumers and developers.

The software architecture itself is a hybrid of two worlds. ChromeOS has long been praised for its simplicity, security, and speed, but it has also been criticized for its limited app ecosystem and heavy reliance on web apps. Android, on the other hand, has a massive library of native applications, but it has traditionally been designed for touchscreens and mobile devices. Googlebooks aims to combine the best of both — a desktop-class web experience with the ability to run native Android apps seamlessly. This approach could make Googlebooks an attractive option for users who have invested in the Android ecosystem but need the productivity capabilities of a traditional laptop.

The integration of Gemini is another key component. Google has been pushing its Gemini AI assistant across its products, and Googlebooks is expected to feature deep AI integration. Hardware controls designed around Gemini could include dedicated buttons, contextual voice input, and system-wide AI functions that help users with tasks such as email drafting, image generation, or real-time translation. The company has already shown how Gemini can enhance productivity on other devices, and Googlebooks is likely to be a showcase for these capabilities.

The Impact on the Laptop Market

The launch of Googlebooks comes at a time when the laptop market is ripe for disruption. Apple's MacBooks continue to dominate the premium segment, while Chromebooks have found a niche in education and budget-conscious consumers. Windows offers the most flexibility and software compatibility, but it also suffers from fragmentation and occasional inconsistencies. Googlebooks could carve out a new space by offering a polished, secure, and AI-enhanced experience that appeals to both existing Google users and converts from other platforms.

One of the challenges Google will face is convincing consumers that yet another laptop operating system is worth their attention. The company has learned from the mixed reception of earlier attempts at Android laptops, many of which struggled to offer a good keyboard-and-trackpad experience. However, Android has evolved significantly since then, and Google has invested heavily in making apps work better on larger screens. The partnership with five major hardware manufacturers is also a positive sign, as it provides the distribution and marketing reach needed to compete in the mainstream market.

Developers will also need to adapt their Android apps to take full advantage of the Googlebook form factor. The event is likely to include information on how developers can optimize their apps for keyboard and mouse input, resizable windows, and larger displays. If Google can attract a strong developer community, Googlebooks could rival Windows in terms of app availability, while offering a more consistent and secure experience.

The timing of the announcement is also strategic. By holding the event in September, Google is positioning Googlebooks ahead of the holiday shopping season, when many consumers are in the market for new laptops. The company will likely want to have devices available for purchase before Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and the preview event on September 15 is a clear signal that retail availability is just around the corner.

For now, all attention turns to New York City, where Google is expected to pull back the curtain on its long-awaited laptop platform. The event promises to be one of the biggest tech announcements of 2026, with major implications for the future of Android, ChromeOS, and the entire laptop market. With media set to go hands-on with the first Googlebooks, we will finally get concrete answers to the questions that have been building for months — what will the devices look like, what will they be called, and how will they perform? All will be revealed on September 15.

Source: Android Authority News

Rambler, introduced earlier this year as part of the Gemini Intelligence suite for Gboard, represents a significant leap forward in mobile voice transcription. Unlike traditional voice typing, which simply converts speech to text, Rambler applies sophisticated language models to polish dictation in real time. It can remove filler words, correct grammar, add punctuation, and even rewrite sentences in a requested style. That places it well beyond the basic speech-to-text functionality that Android users have had access to for years.

The usage limit question has been a point of concern for early adopters who rely on voice typing for productivity, accessibility, or convenience. A support page for Rambler had noted that the feature is subject to usage limits, but it did not specify what those limits are or what would happen once they are reached. Now, a Google representative has provided a direct answer, along with details on the offline fallback experience.

Key Facts

• Rambler switches to offline mode after users reach the usage cap.
• Offline mode still includes basic punctuation, capitalization, and filler word removal.
• More complex commands, like rewriting text in a particular style, require an internet connection and are unavailable once the limit is reached.
• The offline experience is effectively the same as the voice typing on previous Pixel phones.

Google’s Clarification on Offline Mode

In an emailed response to an inquiry, a Google representative explained that Rambler does not simply stop working after the usage limit is reached. Instead, it gracefully degrades to offline mode, which is designed to handle basic dictation tasks without relying on cloud servers. The representative specifically noted that offline Rambler still removes filler words from dictation, in addition to adding punctuation and capitalization. That means users who occasionally hit the limit will still be able to dictate emails, messages, and notes with a reasonable level of polish.

What is lost in offline mode is the more advanced functionality that requires server-side processing. Those features include rewriting a sentence in a particular style, condensing a block of text, or making complex conversational edits. For example, if a user dictates a paragraph and then asks Rambler to make it shorter or phrase it more formally, that command will not work when the device is offline or when the usage cap has been reached. The distinction is important because it sets expectations for what voice typing can achieve under constrained conditions.

Needless to say, it sounds like offline voice typing via Rambler could still be an effective solution for day-to-day use. The removal of filler words, combined with automatic punctuation and capitalization, addresses some of the most common frustrations with early voice input systems. Users who need advanced editing capabilities, however, will need to ensure they have not exhausted their cloud quota.

Understanding the Usage Cap

Google has not yet disclosed the specific number of voice dictation sessions or characters that trigger the usage limit. The company's support page merely states that Rambler relies on the cloud for polished transcriptions and may switch to offline models under limited connectivity or after reaching usage limits. This lack of transparency has left some users uncertain about how heavily they can rely on the feature, especially those who use voice typing extensively for work or creative writing.

The existence of a usage cap is not entirely surprising, given the computational cost of running large language models in the cloud. Every voice dictation session that requires rewriting, stylistic adjustments, or advanced punctuation may send audio or text data to Google's servers for processing. To manage infrastructure costs and prevent abuse, the company likely imposes a fair-use policy. Similar limits are common in AI-powered tools, including virtual assistants, transcription services, and generative AI chatbots.

What remains unclear is whether the usage cap resets daily, weekly, or monthly. It also is not known whether users on different subscription tiers have different limits. Given that Gboard is a free app and Rambler is part of the Gemini Intelligence suite, which is available to consumers without a paid tier, it is possible that Google will adjust limits over time based on demand and operational experience.

How Rambler Compares to Previous Pixel Voice Typing

Google's confirmation that offline Rambler is effectively the same as the voice typing seen on previous Pixel phones provides a useful reference point. Earlier Pixel devices featured on-device speech recognition with the ability to insert punctuation and formatting commands such as “comma” or “question mark.” They also supported basic cleanup, like removing the word “ultimately” if dictated by mistake, but they lacked the contextual understanding and generative rewriting capabilities that Rambler introduces.

For longtime Pixel users, this means the fallback experience will feel familiar. It is reliable, fast, and private because processing happens entirely on the device. However, it will not be able to handle requests that involve understanding the meaning or intent of a sentence beyond literal transcription. A user cannot ask an offline Pixel voice typing model to “make that sound more professional” or “turn this into bullet points,” tasks that Rambler's cloud mode might handle with ease.

This split between on-device and cloud processing is a strategic choice that balances performance and privacy. On-device models ensure that basic dictation works even in airplane mode or in areas with poor connectivity, while cloud models push the boundaries of what voice input can achieve. For users who frequently travel or work in remote locations, the offline fallback is particularly valuable.

The Role of Gemini Intelligence

Rambler is not a standalone feature. It is part of the broader Gemini Intelligence suite that Google has been integrating into Android and its many services. Gemini Intelligence is designed to bring generative AI capabilities to everyday tasks, ranging from text composition to image generation and voice interactions. Gboard's Rambler is one of the most visible examples of how generative AI is being applied to mobile input methods.

The integration with Gemini means that Rambler benefits from continuous improvements in language models. Google can update the cloud-side algorithms without requiring users to install new versions of Gboard. This allows the feature to evolve rapidly, adding new stylistic options, better understanding of context, and improved handling of multiple languages. However, it also creates a reliance on internet connectivity and introduces the possibility of usage caps, as seen here.

The name “Rambler” itself is a nod to the idea of talking at length without pause, which is exactly what the feature aims to improve. By cleaning up rambling speech, it makes voice input more usable for serious writing tasks. But the usage limit suggests that even the most advanced AI still has practical constraints.

User Reactions and Concerns

Early reactions to the usage limit have been mixed. Some users have expressed frustration that a feature they have come to rely on may become less useful once the cap is reached. Others have welcomed the clarification, noting that knowing the fallback behavior makes the limit easier to tolerate. The removal of filler words offline is seen as a significant positive, as it addresses the most obvious signs of careless dictation.

Accessibility advocates have also weighed in, pointing out that voice typing is a critical tool for people with motor impairments or repetitive strain injuries. For these users, losing advanced features at an arbitrary limit could be more than an inconvenience; it could hinder their ability to communicate effectively. There are calls for Google to either raise the limit for accessibility users or provide a more transparent usage dashboard.

On the other hand, some commentators believe that usage limits are a reasonable trade-off for a free, powerful service. Running large language models is expensive, and if Gboard offers the feature at no cost, some constraints are expected. The key is whether Google can make the limits predictable and fair, so users can plan their usage accordingly.

What This Means for the Future of Voice Typing

Google's handling of Rambler's usage limit may offer clues about the future of AI-powered features in mobile apps. As AI becomes more integrated into everyday tools, companies will inevitably need to balance cost, performance, and user experience. Cloud-based AI features are powerful but cannot be truly unlimited for every user. Offline fallbacks provide a pragmatic solution, ensuring that core functionality remains available even when premium or advanced features are not.

For now, Rambler users can take comfort in knowing that hitting the usage cap will not leave them without support. The offline mode will continue to provide decent voice transcription with basic punctuation and filler word removal. And when the cap resets or connectivity returns, the full advanced feature set will once again be available.

The next step for Google may be to clarify the details of the usage cap, such as how many requests are allowed per day or week and whether there are ways to check remaining quota. Transparency in this area will help users make the most of Rambler without fear of unexpected service degradation. It would also align with Google's broader efforts to build trust in its AI-powered products.

Rambler represents a meaningful step forward in mobile voice input, but its usage limit serves as a reminder that even the most magical technology has underlying infrastructure costs. By gracefully dropping to offline mode, Google has ensured that the transition is not jarring. Instead, users lose access to the flashier capabilities while retaining the reliable basics. That is a balanced approach that other companies may emulate as they roll out their own AI-infused features.

Source: Android Authority News

The false alarm that worried Pixel Watch owners

Pixel Watch owners took to social media on Tuesday after spotting a notification inside the Google Health app that warned about the loss of sync support. The exact wording was not immediately clear across all reports, but users described it as a system-level alert that claimed their watch would stop syncing health data with Google servers. For owners of the original Pixel Watch, the timing seemed especially ominous because the device has already been surpassed by multiple newer generations.

The worry was understandable. Google has been gradually shifting its wearable health strategy, moving away from the Fitbit app toward the newer Google Health app. This transition has already led to significant changes for Fitbit users, including the migration of accounts and features. So when a message appeared that seemed to say the Pixel Watch 1 would lose Google Health support, many assumed this was the next step in that migration, and that the device was finally being cut off.

Reddit threads quickly filled with concerned owners asking whether their watches were about to become useless for health tracking. Some users reported seeing the warning immediately after opening the Google Health app, while others said it appeared after a software update. A few even speculated that Google was intentionally pushing owners of older devices to upgrade to newer Pixel Watch models. That theory gained traction for a while, but it turned out to be completely wrong.

Google responds: it was a bug

Google has now officially responded to the confusion. A company spokesperson confirmed that the warning was caused by a bug and that legacy Pixel Watch and Fitbit devices remain fully supported. The spokesperson told Android Authority: “We spotted this, too, and can confirm that the Google Health App and Coach fully support legacy Pixel Watch and Fitbit devices. We are aware of a bug that was incorrectly showing a message to some users, and it has been fixed.”

That statement should reassure owners of the original Pixel Watch and older Fitbit devices who saw the alarming message. Google was not quietly trying to remove support for these products. Instead, the notification was a technical glitch that has already been resolved on the backend. For users who still see the warning, a simple app update or a restart of the watch should prevent it from appearing again.

It is also worth noting that the bug did not affect the actual ability to sync health data. Google says that even when the warning was displayed, the sync functionality continued to work normally. The notification was purely cosmetic and misleading, not a sign of an actual outage or shutdown.

Still need Wear OS 4 or newer

While the bug has been fixed, Google did take the opportunity to restate an important system requirement. The Google Health app requires Wear OS 4 or later on Pixel Watch and other Wear OS devices. This is not new, but it is a useful reminder for users who may have older smartwatches or who neglected to install recent software updates.

The original Pixel Watch was indeed eligible for the Wear OS 4 update, so most units should already be running a compatible version of the operating system. Google’s requirement is aimed at ensuring that devices have the necessary underlying software to support the health app’s features, including advanced sleep tracking, heart health metrics, and the newly introduced Google Health Coach capabilities.

If you are unsure which version your watch is running, Google says you can check by going to Settings > System > About > Versions on the watch. This will show the current Wear OS version along with other system information. To check for updates, navigate to Settings > System > About > System updates on the watch, or open the Play Store on your watch and look for updates to the Wear OS system components.

Background: the Pixel Watch 1 and its place in Google’s ecosystem

The original Pixel Watch was announced in October 2022 and launched later that year. It was Google’s first fully in-house smartwatch, following years of partnership with Samsung and others in the Wear OS space. The watch featured a round OLED display, a stainless steel case, and deep integration with Fitbit health tracking. At launch, it ran Wear OS 3.5, but Google later rolled out the Wear OS 4 update to the device, bringing improved battery life, new watch faces, and better performance.

As part of Google’s effort to unify its health and fitness offerings, the company began transitioning users away from the traditional Fitbit app and toward a new Google Health app. This new app is designed to serve as a central hub for health data across Pixel Watch devices, Fitbit trackers, and other Wear OS smartwatches. The transition has not been entirely smooth, with some users reporting data migration issues, missing features, and confusion about which app to use. The bug this week was another example of that friction, even though Google was quick to remediate it.

For Pixel Watch 1 owners, this week’s scare highlights the importance of staying updated. The original Pixel Watch remains a capable device for health tracking, and Google has not announced any plans to discontinue support for it. The company’s official statement clearly includes “legacy Pixel Watch and Fitbit devices” in the list of supported products, which suggests that the first-gen watch will continue to receive app updates and compatibility for the foreseeable future.

What does this mean for Fitbit and legacy Wear OS users?

Google’s confirmation is also good news for owners of older Fitbit devices. Many Fitbit users have been concerned about the gradual shift toward the Google Health app, especially after Google announced that some Fitbit features would be consolidated or moved into the Pixel ecosystem. The company has repeatedly stated that it remains committed to supporting legacy Fitbit devices, and this week’s statement reinforces that commitment. If a first-gen Pixel Watch is still fully supported, it is highly likely that Fitbit Charge, Inspire, Versa, and Sense series devices will also remain operational for the time being.

That said, users should be aware that the Google Health app may require occasional updates to maintain compatibility with older hardware. Some features may rely on newer sensors or software capabilities that are not available on all devices. Google’s requirement of Wear OS 4 or newer is an example of that, but Wear OS 4 is not a very high barrier. Most smartwatches released in the past few years either come with Wear OS 4 out of the box or have received an update to that version.

Key facts at a glance

• Some first-gen Pixel Watch owners saw a warning suggesting their watches would lose Google Health sync support.
• Google has now clarified that the warning was caused by a bug and confirmed that legacy Pixel Watch and Fitbit devices remain fully supported.
• The Google Health app requires Wear OS 4 or newer on Pixel Watch and other Wear OS devices.
• The warning has already been fixed, and no actual sync functionality was affected.
• Users can check their Wear OS version under Settings > System > About > Versions, and update via Settings > System > About > System updates or the Play Store.

For now, the story is a reminder that not every alarming notification is a sign of the end. Google’s quick response and clear communication should reassure Pixel Watch 1 owners that their devices remain part of the company’s health ecosystem. If the warning appears again, the best course of action is to check for app and system updates, restart the watch, and contact Google support if the message persists. But as of now there is no reason to panic about the original Pixel Watch losing Google Health support.

Source: Android Authority News

For a time, Car Thing seemed like a clever niche product. It offered a streamlined, focused Spotify experience without requiring drivers to fiddle with their phones. However, Spotify eventually decided to discontinue the hardware. In late 2024, the company turned off the servers that powered Car Thing, effectively bricking every unit in existence. Without those servers, the device could no longer authenticate users, retrieve streaming data, or even perform basic functions. Owners were left with a small piece of plastic and electronics that had no purpose.

The unexpected death of a niche gadget

Spotify's decision to kill Car Thing did not come without warning. The company had already stopped selling the device in 2022, citing supply chain issues and lower-than-expected demand. But the server shutdown in 2024 came as a shock to many users who had invested in the hardware. Some had purchased Car Thing at retail, while others received it as a promotional item. Regardless of how they acquired it, the result was the same: their devices became unusable overnight.

The bricking of Car Thing also raised broader questions about the longevity of connected hardware. In an era where more gadgets rely on cloud services, the risk of sudden obsolescence is real. Consumers were reminded that they do not truly own the software on their devices, and that companies can revoke functionality at any time. The open source community, however, saw this as an opportunity rather than a loss.

Open source resurrection efforts

Almost immediately after the Car Thing shutdown, developers began exploring ways to keep the hardware alive. Forums and social media channels lit up with discussions about jailbreaking, custom firmware, and alternative operating systems. Some developers pointed out that the hardware inside Car Thing was quite modest, featuring a low-end processor and limited memory. This made full-fledged Linux distributions or Android builds difficult to port. Still, several projects emerged, each with its own approach.

Some projects focused on turning Car Thing into a generic Spotify remote using a web browser or custom client. Others attempted to repurpose the device as a smart home controller, a weather display, or a dashboard for various online services. But many of these earlier efforts were incomplete, requiring complex setup or lacking reliability. The Car Thing community kept waiting for a polished, user-friendly solution.

Introducing Mira: a new lease on life

This week, a new open source project called Mira appeared on GitHub, and it has captured the attention of Car Thing owners. Mira aims to restore a significant portion of the original Car Thing functionality, with a laser focus on Spotify. Unlike broader attempts to transform the hardware into a general-purpose Android device, Mira hones in on what Car Thing did best: providing a dedicated Spotify controller for your car or home.

According to the project's GitHub page, Mira is designed to work with your existing Spotify account. Once installed and linked, it allows you to control Spotify on your connected devices, be it a phone, tablet, computer, or smart speaker. The interface takes full advantage of Car Thing's physical controls, including the large knob, the preset buttons, and even gesture controls on the touchscreen. This means that the familiar tactile experience from the original device is preserved, but now powered by an independent open source implementation.

Features that breathe new life into old hardware

Mira is not trying to replace your phone or your car's infotainment system. Instead, it positions itself as a remote control for Spotify. It can display album art and synchronized lyrics, making it a useful companion for long drives. The interface is clean and minimal, reducing distractions while driving. Additionally, Mira includes basic voice control for playback commands. This may not be as robust as a full-fledged digital assistant, but it covers the essentials like play, pause, skip, and volume adjustment.

The project also supports preset buttons, which were a hallmark of the original Car Thing. Users can assign their favorite playlists, albums, or podcasts to these buttons for one-press access. The large knob allows for scrolling through menus and adjusting volume, just like the factory firmware did. Gesture controls, such as swiping on the touchscreen, are also supported, enabling quick navigation without taking your eyes off the road for too long.

How to get Mira running on your Car Thing

The installation process for Mira appears to be in line with other community-driven projects. Interested users will need to connect their Car Thing to a computer and flash the custom firmware. The GitHub repository likely includes detailed instructions, and the developer has provided pre-built binaries or source code for those who prefer to compile themselves. Because this is open source, the project is free to use, though users may need to enable developer mode and install necessary drivers.

Once Mira is installed, the device will no longer rely on Spotify's defunct Car Thing servers. Instead, it communicates directly with Spotify's Web API or through a local connection to your phone. This architecture ensures that the hardware remains functional even if future changes to Spotify's ecosystem occur. It also means that Mira could potentially be adapted to work with other music streaming services in the future, should the developer or community choose to expand its scope.

The bigger picture: right to repair and e-waste

The revival of Car Thing through projects like Mira highlights a growing movement in consumer electronics: the right to repair and the fight against planned obsolescence. When a company discontinues a product and shuts down its servers, it effectively creates e-waste unless independent developers step in. By reverse engineering and creating custom software, the open source community extends the lifespan of hardware that would otherwise end up in a landfill.

Car Thing is just one example among many. Similar efforts have been made to rescue smart speakers, home hubs, and even game consoles that lost official support. These projects often operate in a legal gray area, as they may involve circumventing digital rights management or reverse engineering proprietary protocols. However, they also serve the public interest by reducing waste and giving consumers more control over devices they purchased.

What the future holds for Car Thing and Mira

Mira is still in its early stages, and it remains to be seen how widely it will be adopted. The project's GitHub page suggests that it is reasonably full-featured, but there may be bugs and edge cases that need ironing out. The developer encourages feedback from the community, and the open source nature of the project means that other programmers can contribute improvements. As more Car Thing owners dust off their devices and try Mira, the project will likely evolve and mature.

For those who have kept their Car Thing in a drawer or garage, now is a good time to consider giving it a second chance. With Mira, the device can once again serve as a functional Spotify remote, even if it is no longer an official product. The experience may not be identical to the original software, but it offers a solid and growing set of features that could enhance your listening experience.

The story of Car Thing is a reminder that technology is not always permanent. Products can be discontinued, services can be shut down, and hardware can become obsolete. But it also shows that passionate communities and dedicated developers can push back against these forces. By keeping abandoned devices alive, they not only save money for consumers but also preserve the joy that comes from using a well-designed piece of hardware. If you happen to own a Car Thing, you no longer have to let it gather dust. Mira offers a path back to a working, useful life — and it is just a flash away.

Source: Android Authority News

The new measures will be introduced gradually over the coming weeks. The most significant change is that Audit Assistance, a feature that was previously optional, will now be required for every agency using Flock. Audit Assistance is designed to identify abnormal search behavior, such as repeatedly querying the same license plate without an official justification. When the system detects suspicious activity, it immediately locks the user out until an administrator reviews the logs. All users will also need to enter a case code before running a search, making it harder to use the system for personal reasons. Administrators can override the code requirement for emergencies like finding a missing child, but every override will be automatically flagged for later review.

Flock is also changing the default retention period for data collected from its ALPR cameras. Previously, the company stored location and plate data for 30 days. That default is now being cut to seven days, moving closer to recommendations made by civil liberties groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union. Police departments can still choose to lengthen the retention period if they can justify it, and a new feature called Evidence Mode will preserve data tied to a specific investigation. In addition, the company is overhauling its data-sharing rules. In the past, agencies shared their entire Flock database with other agencies on an all-or-nothing basis. Now, they will be able to set granular permissions, allowing a neighboring police department to search for a homicide suspect while blocking access for immigration enforcement.

What prompted the changes

The policy overhaul comes after a series of alarming reports. In Braselton, Georgia, a police chief was accused of searching his ex-girlfriend's license plate more than 500 times over seven months. Local prosecutors in Riverside County, California, alleged that a former sheriff's deputy used Flock data to stalk his ex-girlfriend and look up information about the men she was dating. These reports are just the latest examples in a pattern of ALPR abuse documented by the Institute for Justice since 2021. The incidents have drawn renewed attention to the risks of mass surveillance and the way police can exploit access to location data.

Langley acknowledged that the company had been too passive in waiting for lawmakers to act. Flock had long argued that local governments should decide what guardrails are necessary, and that tools like Audit Assistance should be optional because departments had different needs. But since Audit Assistance became available in April, only about a third of agencies using Flock turned it on. Langley says that among those that did, the identification of abuse went up as expected. "This is such an obvious way to curb abuse," he said. "And I said, 'Fine. You know what? I think that's right, and we got this one wrong. We should make it a requirement.'"

How the reforms will work in practice

For a police department using Flock, the changes will be visible almost immediately. When an officer logs into the system, they will need to enter a valid case number tied to an ongoing investigation. If no case number is entered, the search will not run. If the search is conducted under an emergency override, the system will record the override and notify an administrator. The goal, according to Langley, is to create a clear trail that makes it easier to identify not just blatant abuse, but also patterns of behavior that might indicate an officer is gradually crossing a line.

Audit Assistance will automatically analyze search history and flag deviations from normal behavior. For example, a user who suddenly searches a specific address or license plate many times in a short period would be locked out. An administrator would then need to review the activity and decide whether to restore access or escalate the matter to internal affairs. This removes the burden of continuous manual monitoring, which many small departments lack the resources to do effectively.

Data sharing changes will also require agencies to make intentional choices. Instead of a simple toggle that shares all data with all agencies, administrators will need to specify which partner agencies can access their data and for what purpose. A county sheriff might grant a city police department access to search for a missing child, but restrict access for something like enforcing immigration laws. The system will log every cross-agency query and make sure it aligns with the sharing permissions.

These detailed controls are designed to address concerns that ALPR data can be repurposed for actions that the collecting agency did not intend. But they also add new layers of administrative complexity. Smaller agencies with fewer technology staff may struggle to keep up with the requirements. Langley says Flock has dedicated support teams to help agencies transition, and he believes the extra work is justified by the need to restore public confidence.

A change in tone

Langley has not always been conciliatory. In an interview last year, he described DeFlock, a website that maps Flock camera locations, as a "terroristic" group. In July, he apologized and called that characterization a "mistake." His recent comments reflect an acknowledgment that the company's technology has profound consequences. "You are going to see more officers fired and more officers arrested for abusing police power," he predicted. He said Audit Assistance would help departments identify problematic behavior without requiring manual review of thousands of logs.

Langley says his thinking evolved through conversations with community members, including at city council meetings and other public forums. He understands that many critics will not immediately trust his intentions. "All I guess I'm asking for is for a fair shot," he said. He still believes legislators should make key decisions about policing tools, and he hopes that Flock's changes will push rival ALPR companies to adopt similar protections. But he now concedes that waiting for regulation is not enough when harm is happening now.

Civil liberties groups are skeptical

The ACLU quickly issued an analysis of Flock's announcements. While the group called the shorter data retention period a potential "step in the right direction," it concluded that the changes appear "more focused on addressing a perceived PR problem than the significant harms its products create." The ACLU said the real impact will depend on how Evidence Mode is implemented and called for independent evaluation of Flock's auditing tools and case code requirements.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation and other advocacy groups have also been critical, accusing Flock of minimizing the privacy risks of ALPRs. They have noted that data collected by these cameras can be used to track people seeking reproductive care, journalists, protestors, and other vulnerable individuals. Flock has said officers are prohibited from using its system for searches related to reproductive care in states where such searches are restricted, but skeptics question whether voluntary policies are enforceable.

Understanding ALPR technology

Automatic license plate readers are a form of automated surveillance that has expanded rapidly across the U.S. The cameras capture license plate numbers and often log the precise time and location. Flock markets its system as a crime-fighting tool, pointing to statistics about stolen vehicles and missing persons. In July, according to Langley, Flock helped find almost a thousand missing people and more than 22,000 stolen cars. But the same data can reveal intimate details about people's lives, including where they sleep, work, worship, and meet with friends. The surveillance is often conducted without the knowledge or consent of the people being recorded.

The recent changes are part of a larger debate over ALPRs and other surveillance tools. Some cities have enacted ordinances restricting their use; the Los Angeles Police Department, for instance, recently suspended its use of Flock cameras. Meanwhile, new products and capabilities continue to emerge, including artificial intelligence-based analysis that can identify vehicle makes, models, and drivers. The tension between public safety benefits and privacy risks is likely to intensify as the technology becomes more common.

Langley's apology and the accompanying policy changes mark a notable shift for Flock, but it remains to be seen whether the reforms will satisfy the company's critics. The company says it is committed to making the changes work and to ensuring that law enforcement agencies are held accountable for misuse. For now, Langley says he hopes Flock can be given a fair chance to show that it is serious about reducing abuse, while acknowledging that trust must be earned.

Source: The Verge News

I’ve been testing two bags from the new City Line — the 12-liter City Crescent crossbody ($119.95) and the 15-liter City Backpack ($179.95) — while traveling through France. After a few weeks of daily use, the BagLev hook has completely changed my expectations. It’s so handy that my other bags now feel primitively inadequate.

The BagLev hook

Where does this hook come from? It’s a small, nonslip piece of hardware tucked into a dedicated pocket on each bag. On the City Crescent, the hook swings freely and can be positioned to hang from almost any edge — a tabletop, a chair back, a branch, or even a fence rail. The added fabric extension gives it more freedom of motion than the version on the backpack, making it easier to find a stable attachment point.

The hook itself is cleverly designed to grip firmly without falling off. During my testing, it held the bag steady on smooth wooden tables, rough stone ledges, and even a metal railing. The rubberized coating prevents slipping, and the shape makes it easy to hook without damaging furniture.

On the City Backpack, the hook is stashed inside a small pocket at the top of the bag. It works well but doesn’t rotate like its cousin on the Crescent. That limits its usefulness when you’re dealing with very short overhangs or unusually shaped chairs. Fortunately, the backpack also has a sturdy grab handle that can double as a secondary hanging point. Between the two, you can usually find a way to keep the bag off the ground.

The beauty of the BagLev is that it eliminates a dirty habit many of us have: tossing a bag onto a kitchen counter or a cafe table. Think about all the surfaces your bag has touched — subway floors, park benches, restroom tiles, the underside of a pub table. The BagLev keeps those contaminants away from your eating surface and, by extension, your keys, wallet, and everything else inside.

Peak Design City Crescent 12L

The City Crescent is the bag I found myself grabbing most often. It’s a crossbody that drapes comfortably across your chest or hip, weighing just 530 grams (1.16 pounds). The main compartment is surprisingly large, with enough room for a 14-inch MacBook Pro (though without padding, so you’d want a sleeve), a water bottle, and a small assortment of daily gear.

The exterior is made from a mono-shell 660D fabric that repels rain and wipes clean easily. In the near-white “Moon” color, the material picked up a few smudges, but a damp cloth removed them in seconds. Zippers are chunky and easy to grab, and the magnetic pocket on one side is perfect for quick access to glasses or a phone.

One of my favorite details is the side pocket that holds a 24-ounce (0.75-liter) water bottle or a compact umbrella. You can access that pocket from the outside or from inside the main compartment, which makes it easy to grab a drink without fully unzipping the bag. There’s also a key tether, a hidden AirTag slot, and two stretchy pouches for cables and other small items.

The shoulder strap is wide and adjustable, though it lacks padding. With a light load, that’s fine, but if you’re carrying a laptop and a water bottle, you’ll feel the strap digging in after a couple of hours. That’s where the City Backpack becomes the better choice.

Peak Design City Backpack 15L

The City Backpack is the smarter option for commuters who haul a laptop every day. It weighs 750 grams (1.6 pounds) and features padded shoulder straps that distribute weight well. Even when fully loaded with a laptop, cables, a water bottle, and a rain jacket, it stayed comfortable during long walks and bike rides.

The laptop sleeve is particularly well designed. It’s a deep internal pocket that suspends the computer off the bottom of the bag, offering protection on all sides. My 14-inch MacBook Pro fits perfectly, with the padding coming right up to the top edge. If you have a larger 15- or 16-inch laptop, you’ll get less coverage, so be cautious.

There’s also a dedicated tablet sleeve, two stretchy side pockets that can hold water bottles or even a bottle of wine and a baguette, and a top-access pocket with an integrated key lanyard. Inside the main compartment, you’ll find a mix of zippered pouches and semi-transparent stretchy pockets for all your accessories. There’s even a passthrough sleeve on the back that fits over a rolling suitcase handle for airport travel.

The BagLev hook on the backpack is less flexible because it can’t rotate. On a few occasions, I struggled to find a table edge with enough depth to keep the bag from slipping. The grab handle helped, but it’s an odd oversight from a company whose name is practically a pun on “peak design.” Still, when you do get it hooked securely, it works just as well as the Crescent’s.

Why the hook matters more than you think

The more I used these bags, the more I realized how often I used to set my bag down in unsavory places. A bag hook seems like a minor addition, but it changes your daily routine. You’ll never again balance a bag on a wet park bench or watch it slide off a glossy restaurant counter.

For people who’ve never tried a bag hook, there are more affordable options on the market. A few simple tabletop hooks cost under $10 and can do a similar job. The difference is that Peak Design’s BagLev is integrated, always with you, and requires no extra equipment. It’s there when you need it, and it tucks away neatly when you don’t.

Peak Design’s City Line fits nicely between its lightweight Outdoor lineup and its more rugged Travel and Everyday collections. The City bags are priced at $119.95 for the Crescent and $179.95 for the Backpack, which puts them in the premium but reasonable range. Given the thoughtful construction, the water-resistant fabric, and the clever hook system, they’re a strong value compared to other bags in the same category.

If you’re looking for a daily carry that keeps your gear organized and off the ground, the City Crescent is a fantastic choice for those who prefer a crossbody. The City Backpack is the better pick for laptop commuters. Either way, the BagLev hook will quickly become an indispensable part of your routine — and you’ll never want to go back to a bag without it.

Source: The Verge News

At least, that is the idea behind the Litter-Robot 5 Pro, the highest-end model from the OG robotic pooper scooper company Whisker. Boasting a dual camera system and an array of sensors to literally sniff out your cat’s deposits, all wrapped up with AI algorithms and machine learning, the 5 Pro promises to not only deal with my boys’ bathroom habits but also accurately monitor and track them. It failed.

Who could get these two precious faces mixed up? Smokey, left, and Boone, right, are indoor/outdoor kitties who love their Litter Robot, even if it can’t tell them apart.

I spent six months testing the $899 Litter-Robot 5 Pro, alongside its budget counterpart, the $599 Litter-Robot Evo, both of which launched late last year. These ingenious devices work using sensors and motors. The cat goes into the large globe lined with litter; the sensors register him while he does his thing, and once he’s left, the robot rotates the drum to filter and sift the waste into the sealed bin below.

This takes away a yucky daily chore; you only have to empty the drawer about once a week, and it hides the gross litter box itself from view, while containing most of the smell. A fully featured app gives you remote control of most of the device’s functions; you can also check the waste and litter levels and see your kitty’s weight thanks to an onboard scale. A litter robot is a great gadget if you travel a lot, as it leaves your kitty with a cleaner place to go during his abandonment.

The Litter Robot Pro 5 is very large and almost 30 inches tall. It takes up a good deal of room in my small laundry room. Its globe is roomier than the Evo and LR4 making it suitable for more and larger cats — up to 5 topping out at 30lbs!

Whisker currently has four models: the Litter-Robot Evo, the Litter-Robot 4, the Litter-Robot 5, and the 5 Pro. They all work this same way to “scoop.” Today, I wouldn’t recommend paying the premium for the 5 Pro’s AI features — because they just don’t work. I was also disappointed in the tradeoffs that come with the Evo compared to the Litter-Robot 4.

I wouldn’t recommend paying the premium for the 5 Pro’s AI features — because they just don’t work.

There’s no litter-level monitoring on the Evo, so the app doesn’t alert you when it’s low; it supports fewer and smaller cats, has a smaller bin, and no night light. It also doesn’t work with the litter hopper accessory Whisker sells.

While the Evo’s footprint is better for tight spaces, its build quality didn’t feel as sturdy, and its waste drawer is finicky and doesn’t always shut properly. I do like that it has an LCD screen to tell you what it’s doing, as does the 5 Pro. These are both better solutions than the confusing LED indicator lights on the LR4.

The Evo has a similar footprint to the 5, but it’s shorter and slightly narrower. It fit neatly into the corner of a small bedroom in my house. Though the litter mat had to go. The Evo is suitable for 1 to 2 cats who are under 19 pounds. This is Osa, a female kitten who joined our family a week ago. She’s too little to use the robot without supervision.

Whisker Litter-Robot 5 Pro

$899 at Whisker

Whisker Litter-Robot EVO

$599 at Whisker

Whisker Litter-Robot 4

$699 at Whisker

As a pooper-scooper, the Litter-Robot 5 Pro dispatches waste superbly. Its bigger bin, more intuitive controls — including that LCD screen — and larger dome make it a better robot overall than its predecessor, the $699 Litter-Robot 4. But the smarts are seriously lacking.

I have a middle-aged fur baby, and the appeal of this significantly more expensive device was the promise it could keep him healthier for longer by catching possible issues earlier. Thankfully, Smokey is currently fit as a fiddle, but in my time using the 5 Pro, its $8-a-month Whisker Plus subscription that covers its AI health features and video storage didn’t deliver one actionable or useful insight.

Its new WasteID system, which purportedly can tell the difference between 1 and 2 and dispatch the latter faster to reduce odors, repeatedly failed to accurately identify waste, and its two new cameras couldn’t tell my large gray and white tabby from my small, sleek tuxedo kitty, getting confused between them and eventually merging them into two identical cats.

I was also disappointed that I couldn’t use the camera to watch my kitty poop. Yes, I’m weird, but I’m also not alone — the Litter-Robot 4 has a camera mount accessory for exactly this reason! Getting an inside look at what’s happening in the litter tray before the results are whisked away is valuable data for many cat parents.

While the front-facing camera records visits, the interior cameras only allow a live view; catching a cat in the act is very hard (I only managed it once). The advertising for the product implies you’ll get recordings from both, but even with the monthly subscription, only the front-facing camera, which catches the kitty coming in, records anything. Whisker tells me the poop-view is coming soon.

The 5 Pro has two cameras and several sensors to keep track of your kitty.

The camera wasn’t totally useless; I did appreciate being able to remotely check in and make sure there wasn’t a kitty trapped in the litter box if I received a “cycle interrupted” or an obstruction detected alert, features that stop the globe rotating if there’s any activity detected while the machine is rotating.

The robot still thinks my cat is lighter than he is; I wish my bathroom scale did that

Just be very careful where you place the litter robot. It took me about a week to realize that where I had put mine, the front-facing camera not only caught my kitties’ bathroom trips, but also those of anyone who used the powder room across the hall. There is an option to turn on recording only when a cat is spotted, but — as many cat parents will know — feline friends like to accompany their owners into the bathroom!

For me, the 5 Pro’s biggest letdown was the kitty facial recognition feature, called Cat ID. The front-facing camera is supposed to recognize which cat is entering and then assign any business to that cat in the app’s history section. It can apparently keep track of up to five cats, but it struggled mightily with my two who don’t look a lick alike.

After a week or so of use, the app presents a PawPrint setup option, Whisker’s name for facial recognition, where it shows you images the camera has captured of your cats, and you pick the two best — mine were all fairly bad. Whisker does sell a $29 RFID PetTag to help with cats that look similar; my cats don’t wear collars, but a $900 machine advertising facial recognition shouldn’t need a wearable to tell two different-looking cats apart.

These were the images PawPrint presented to me to set up CatID. There was no option to change them or upload my own.

According to Whisker, things like poor lighting and bad initial imaging can throw the camera off, and when it’s not sure, it will use other signals, such as its onboard scale, to guess. All this is apparently why my 13.4-pound Smokey lost 2 pounds overnight, with his weight recorded as Boone’s when the robot mistook his scrawny younger brother for him.

Whisker says my unit’s feces-sensing gas sensor was off

The robot didn’t correct itself either, and a week later both cats were still registering as the same weight. I knew this was an error, but false information can lead to false conclusions, and a robot guessing my cat’s weight is not helpful.

Getting things back on track — resetting the weights in each cat’s profile, reassigning incorrect visits, correcting video logs — was a lot of work to help this nearly $1,000 machine do its job. And the camera still doesn’t correctly recognize either cat. Whisker says the system is built to learn, so it should get better. The company also told me that they have “improved the enrollment process so it’s more selective about the images it uses for facial recognition.”

The app keeps track of each pets visits. Clicking on their name takes you to an insights page.

Then there’s the health monitoring. Beyond assigning the cats the wrong weight, WasteID consistently failed to recognize the type of waste and often couldn’t provide the weight of each deposit.

Whisker says my unit’s feces-sensing gas sensor was off, something they were able to correct it remotely. When that didn’t improve things they determined that my unit’s scale was off, which possibly contributed to both the WasteID and the PawPrint issues. That would require a whole new machine to fix.

The good news: The company recently rolled out a new feature called Patterns that goes some way toward the actionable insights I was looking for. It summarizes each cat’s day: “Yesterday Smokey weighed 12.52 lbs, visited the Litter Robot 1 times and spent .9 minutes in total, everything in range” (The robot still thinks he’s lighter than he is; I wish my bathroom scale did that). But there are still no details here about waste type.

Patterns, along with several other updates to improve the core features, have arrived several months after the product launched — which means 5 Pro owners have been paying $8 a month for features that didn’t work.

The 5 Pro has a very spacious globe and a night light.

While the AI features are clearly still a work in progress, the Litter Robot 5 Pro does its main job very well. My litter robot experience is limited to this brand, having tested the LR4 before, but I would never go back to life with a manual litter box. Instead of scooping twice a day, I just empty once a week.

My cats also both took to it immediately; Smokey jumped right in and did his business, and Boone followed suit. He’s younger, however, and does love to play with it. I’ve caught him waiting for it to cycle, then batting at the inside to throw it off. He also shredded the optional litter mat accessory within a week.

The Litter Robot is amazingly quiet, so much so that I tested the Evo in my daughter’s room, and she said it never woke her up once because of noise or smell. The 5 Pro, however, is bigger and much taller — taking up roughly the same room as a side table. It’s still as quiet. For both, you need an outlet nearby, but if you have the space, it will earn its spot.

The Evo is compact enough to fit in a small bedroom.

AI aside, if you like the idea of having a camera as a safety feature and have a large cat (up to 30lbs) or five furry friends, the Pro 5 will serve you well. However, I suggest you save yourself $100 and go with the regular Litter Robot 5. This ditches the camera but gets you all the other features — including WasteID.

Whisker put too much faith in AI’s potential capabilities

If you don’t care about the WasteID tracking and have up to four kitties, the $699 LR 4 does an excellent job without any AI at all. I’d recommend it over the cheapest model, the $599 Evo. Unless you are really tight on space, this isn’t worth the $100 savings; its build feels flimsier, and it constantly threw off errors, particularly around phantom bonnet detachments. Whisker told me this was likely a hardware error with my particular unit, so your mileage may vary.

The Litter Robot is a fantastic invention, but with the 5 Pro, Whisker has fallen into a trap I’ve seen many smart home companies stumble into; it put too much faith in AI’s potential capabilities. Once AI is out in the wild, it behaves very differently than in the lab. This is especially true in the home, where the variables are endless.

It’s possible the 5 Pro will eventually do everything it promised at launch. But as readers of tech reviews know well, never buy a product based on the promised future updates. Today, the AI just isn’t ready.

Source: The Verge News

These rules come from OSHA’s portable fire extinguisher standards, which apply to most general industry workplaces. The standards are intended to ensure that extinguishers are readily accessible during an emergency. They also require employers to select the right type and size of extinguisher for the hazards in their facility, to mount it in a visible and accessible location, and to make sure employees know how to use it. Travel distance is among the most critical parts of the equation.

Why travel distance matters

The whole point of a portable fire extinguisher is to allow a person to respond to a fire before it grows out of control. Fire grows quickly. A small flame can become significant in a matter of minutes. If an extinguisher is too far away, a worker may be tempted to attempt suppression without one, or the fire may have already spread beyond the point where a portable extinguisher can be effective. OSHA’s travel distance rules are based on the idea that an employee should be able to spot a fire, travel to the extinguisher, and return to the fire while the blaze is still small enough to be controlled.

Class A fires: 75 feet

Class A fires are the most common type in general industry. They involve ordinary combustible materials such as wood, paper, fabric, trash, and certain plastics. For these hazards, OSHA says employees should never have to travel more than 75 feet to reach a fire extinguisher. A facility with large open areas, storage rooms, or production floors must keep Class A extinguishers spaced so that any employee working within that area can make a reasonably direct trip to a unit within that limit.

Employers also have an alternative for Class A protection. OSHA allows the use of certain standpipe systems or hose stations connected to a water supply, provided they meet the same applicable requirements. This can be a practical solution in buildings that already have fire sprinkler systems or standpipes installed.

Class B fires: 50 feet

Class B hazards involve flammable liquids, gases, and petroleum products. This includes solvents, oil, gasoline, propane, and many industrial chemicals. Because such fires can spread rapidly and produce more intense heat, the travel distance is stricter. OSHA requires that the distance from a Class B hazard area to an extinguisher be 50 feet or less. A smaller travel distance gives employees less time to reach the device and return before the fire expands.

Class B extinguishers are rated with numbers that indicate their relative suppression capability. A higher rating means a larger fire can be tackled. Employers need to consider both the rating and the travel distance when selecting and placing these extinguishers.

Class C fires: depends on the underlying hazard

Class C fire extinguishers are designed for fires involving energized electrical equipment, such as motors, transformers, computers, and electrical panels. The unique feature of a Class C extinguisher is that its extinguishing agent does not conduct electricity, which makes it safe to use when power cannot be immediately shut off. However, the travel distance for a Class C extinguisher is not a standalone number. It depends on whether the potential fire hazard is primarily Class A or Class B in nature.

If the electrical equipment sits in an area where the main risk is ordinary combustibles, then the Class C extinguisher must be within 75 feet, just like a Class A unit. If the equipment is located near flammable liquids or gases, the travel distance is 50 feet, matching the Class B requirement. In many workplaces, extinguishers rated for Class A, B, and C are used to cover a range of hazards, and their placement follows the most restrictive of the applicable distances.

Class D fires: 75 feet in metal-working areas

Class D hazards are less common but extremely dangerous. These are fires involving combustible metal powders, flakes, shavings, or dust. Examples include magnesium, titanium, sodium, and aluminum powder. Not every metalworking operation requires a Class D extinguisher. OSHA’s rule triggers a requirement when combustible metal powders, flakes, or shavings are being generated at least every two weeks. In such facilities, the employer must place a Class D extinguishing agent within 75 feet of the metal-working area.

Class D extinguishers use specialized agents that smother and absorb heat without reacting violently with the burning metal. They are not interchangeable with water, foam, or dry chemical extinguishers, because those can actually make a metal fire worse. Travel distance for these units is important because metal fires can be especially difficult to approach and require a specific agent.

Class K fires: 30 feet in commercial kitchens

Class K fires involve cooking oils and fats used in commercial kitchens, such as in restaurants, cafeterias, and catering facilities. These fires burn at very high temperatures and are not the same as ordinary grease fires. OSHA sets the travel distance for Class K extinguishers at 30 feet. This shorter distance reflects the rapid growth of cooking oil fires and the need for employees to act quickly before the fire reaches the ventilation hood or spreads to adjacent surfaces.

Class K extinguishers are usually filled with a wet chemical agent that is specifically formulated to cool the oil and create a foam blanket that suppresses re-ignition. They are often paired with automatic kitchen hood suppression systems for comprehensive protection.

Walking path is part of the measurement

One of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of travel distance is how it is measured. OSHA does not simply measure a straight line from the hazard to the extinguisher. The distance must account for walls, partitions, machinery, locked doors, and other obstructions. It has to be the actual walking path a person could reasonably take. An extinguisher may technically be only 50 feet away in a direct line, but if a wall, conveyor, or locked door makes the walkable route significantly longer, the arrangement is not compliant.

Employers should visually inspect the routes to extinguishers and walk them to confirm that the distance is within the limit. Over time, changes in the layout of a facility can affect travel distance. Adding new storage racks, installing temporary barriers, or reconfiguring a production line can all make an existing extinguisher placement non-compliant.

Placement and identification requirements

Beyond travel distance, OSHA requires extinguishers to be properly mounted, located, and identified. Extinguishers must be installed in a conspicuous place where they are readily accessible. They must be mounted so that the operating instructions face outward and the unit is not hidden behind equipment or piles of material. When extinguishers pose a physical hazard, such as being hit by forklifts or being exposed to corrosive environments, they may need protective enclosures or specialized housings.

Employers are also required to clearly identify extinguisher locations so that employees can find them quickly. In larger facilities, signs or other visual indicators can help workers navigate to a unit even when visibility is reduced by smoke. Extinguishers should not be obstructed, and their access should be maintained at all times.

Training and employee knowledge

Having extinguishers in the right places is only part of the equation. OSHA expects employers to train workers on how to use fire extinguishers when they are designated to use them as part of an emergency response plan. Commonly, this training includes the PASS technique: pull the pin, aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, squeeze the handle, and sweep from side to side. Training also covers when to fight a fire and when to evacuate instead, as portable extinguishers are only intended for incipient-stage fires.

If an employer chooses to evacuate employees rather than have them fight fires, the travel distance rules may not apply in the same way, but the employer must fully implement an emergency action plan and provide appropriate training. The decision to fight a fire is one that must be made quickly and based on the size and location of the fire.

Inspection and maintenance

Travel distance rules are meaningless if extinguishers are not in working order. OSHA requires periodic inspections to ensure that extinguishers are in their designated location, visible, and unobstructed. They must also undergo maintenance checks to ensure that pressure is within the proper range, seals are intact, and the extinguisher is free from damage or corrosion. Extinguishers that have been used, even partially, must be refilled or replaced and put back in service without delay.

Hydrostatic testing is another requirement for certain extinguishers to ensure that the cylinder is safe to use. These tests are conducted at intervals determined by the type of extinguisher and the manufacturer’s specifications. Records of maintenance and testing should be kept to demonstrate compliance with workplace safety regulations.

NFPA and building codes

While OSHA sets the minimum federal requirements, many workplaces also need to comply with local building codes and the standards developed by the National Fire Protection Association, particularly NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers. NFPA 10 provides detailed guidance on extinguisher selection, placement, spacing, inspection, and maintenance. It is often referenced by state and local jurisdictions and is considered a best-practice benchmark for fire safety.

NFPA 10 similarly specifies maximum travel distances for extinguishers, but in some cases the distances align with OSHA’s requirements and in other cases they may be more specific. For example, NFPA 10 has its own classification system and ratings. Builders and facility managers must carefully coordinate their extinguisher placement with the applicable national, state, and local rules. The important thing is that employees in any workplace can count on a nearby extinguisher when they need it.

Source: SlashGear News

Turn Google Sheets into an Etch A Sketch

Remember the classic Etch A Sketch toy with its two white knobs and red frame? You can recreate the same drawing experience directly inside Google Sheets without any special equipment. One enthusiastic spreadsheet developer built a functioning Etch A Sketch, playfully named Etch A Sheet, using only native Sheets features. The drawing interface is controlled by checkboxes instead of knobs. Two checkboxes move the drawing left or right, two more move it up or down, and a reset checkbox clears the entire board.

The magic behind this project lies entirely in Google Sheets formulas. The IF function detects which checkbox is checked, iterative calculation tracks the current coordinates, and a sparkline formula draws the line on the grid. As the user checks and unchecks boxes, the drawing expands in that direction, leaving a trail of colored lines. The drawing starts from the bottom left corner each time, which is a small quirk compared with the original toy, but it still offers endless drawing fun.

If you want to build your own Etch A Sheet, you can recreate the logic step by step. Use a grid of cells as the drawing canvas, assign checkboxes to control movement, and write formulas that update a chosen cell's value based on the checkboxes. For those who prefer instant gratification, a ready-made template can be copied directly into your Google Drive. This is a wonderful way to introduce children to spreadsheet logic while also letting adults relive a nostalgic toy experience.

Play Tetris on Google Sheets

Tetris may be available on every device imaginable, but few would expect to find it running inside a spreadsheet. A software engineer named Tyler Robertson managed to create a basic but fully playable Tetris game using only Google Sheets functions and no external scripts. The game pieces fall from the top of the grid, and your goal is to arrange them into complete rows to score points. Instead of controlling the blocks with keyboard keys, you press buttons within the sheet to move them left or right and to drop them down.

This spreadsheet version of Tetris has some interesting differences from the classic game. Most notably, the blocks do not automatically fall on their own; you have to manually bring them down. This removes the time pressure, making it a more laid-back puzzle experience. However, there is also no rotation option, which means you must carefully decide when and where to place each piece. A red line near the top of the board marks the danger zone, and if the stacked blocks cross it, the game ends. Every cleared line earns you one point, giving you a simple scoring system.

The game is built with familiar spreadsheet functions such as AND, COUNTIF, and IF. It is a brilliant demonstration of how conditional logic can be used to simulate game mechanics. For those who enjoy exploring unconventional uses of Google Sheets, this Tetris clone is a fantastic starting point. You can also find other games made in Sheets, including chess, Wordle-style word challenges, Minesweeper, and even an escape room experience, all powered by nothing more than spreadsheet formulas.

Design a house floor plan in Sheets

Designing a home layout usually requires specialized software with steep learning curves. But for a simple floor plan, Google Sheets can do the job surprisingly well. The grid of cells acts as a built-in graph paper, and the border and color tools help you draw walls, doors, and windows with ease. Start by selecting all the cells and dragging the row height to match the column width, so each cell becomes a perfect square. This step ensures that your drawing stays proportional and accurately represents real-world dimensions.

Next, decide on a scale. One cell could represent one foot or one meter, depending on your preference. Once the scale is set, you can outline the rooms by adding borders around groups of cells. Use thick lines for walls, double lines for windows, and leave openings for doors. You can apply fill colors to different rooms to make the layout easier to read. If you want to include furniture, the drawing tools in Google Sheets let you insert shapes, arrows, and freehand sketches directly onto the grid.

Another advantage of using Sheets for floor planning is the ability to integrate data with the drawing. In a separate tab, you can list the furniture pieces you plan to purchase, include links to product pages, or store measurements for appliances. This turns your floor plan from a simple drawing into a complete home organization tool. Even if you design your home only once, learning to use Sheets this way avoids the hassle of downloading and mastering a new application.

Plan your tile placement in Google Sheets

Installing a backsplash or a tiled bathroom wall can be a creative process, but visualizing the tile pattern before you start can save time and money. Google Sheets offers a surprisingly effective way to plan tile layouts. Instead of drawing on graph paper, you can use spreadsheet cells to represent individual tiles. The key is to adjust the cell size so it matches the aspect ratio of your actual tile. For most rectangular tiles, this means resizing the columns and rows to mimic the tile shape.

To begin, measure the area you plan to cover and the dimensions of the tile. Divide the total length of the space by the length of one tile, adding a small gap for grout, to find the number of tiles needed per row. Do the same for the width to find the number of rows. Then, in a blank Google Sheet, set the number of columns to the first number and the number of rows to the second. Each cell in that grid represents one tile. Add a border around the entire area so you know exactly where the tile placement ends.

Once your grid is ready, you can experiment with colors, patterns, and decors. You might choose to use two alternating colors for a checkerboard effect, or place a few decorative tiles among plain ones. By filling cells with different colors, you can see the pattern come to life before buying anything. This method is especially useful for intricate patterns, as it allows you to fine-tune every placement and count the exact number of tiles of each type you need. When you are satisfied with the design, you can even print the sheet or keep it on your phone as a visual reference during installation.

Make a digital advent calendar in Sheets

Advent calendars are a beloved holiday tradition, but they don't have to be made of cardboard and chocolate. You can create a fully digital advent calendar in Google Sheets that reveals a hidden image each day leading up to Christmas. The same spreadsheet enthusiast behind the Etch A Sketch project also designed a digital advent calendar that is both interactive and cheat-proof. The calendar consists of 24 numbered windows, each with a checkmark above it. When you click the checkmark on the correct day, a hidden photo is revealed, such as a reindeer, candy cane, Santa Claus, or mistletoe.

The restriction that prevents opening future windows is implemented with a simple IF formula. The formula checks whether today's date falls within the range of days since the start of the advent season. For example, for the third door to open, today's date must be within three days of November 30. If the date is correct, the IF function returns the image; if not, the cell remains blank. This clever use of date functions ensures the calendar works on its own, without any manual intervention.

Building your own digital advent calendar is a fun holiday project. Start by creating a 4x6 grid of cells to represent the 24 days. Add a checkmark to each cell using the data validation feature, and place an image off to the side or in a hidden area. Then write IF formulas that reference the current date and the day number. You can also add a snowfall effect by using a formula to randomly place snowflake characters across the sheet. This digital calendar is perfect for sharing with family, and it can be reused year after year with updated images.

Create crochet patterns with Sheets

Crocheters and knitters are always looking for clear charts to guide their projects, and Google Sheets can serve as a surprisingly powerful pattern maker. Because each cell can be individually filled with a color, you can use Sheets to create pixel art that translates directly into a crochet or cross-stitch pattern. One crafter used a Google Sheet to design a narwhal pixel art and then crocheted it into a baby blanket. The filled cells represented the colors of yarn, allowing for precise placement of each stitch.

The secret to making this work for crochet is to format the cells as squares, so the pattern has equal height and width. You can do this by selecting the entire sheet and dragging the column width to match the row height. Once the cells are square, you can begin filling them with colors to create your design. Another helpful feature is the checkbox. By adding a checkbox to each cell, you can mark off rows or individual stitches as you complete them. The checkboxes act as a progress tracker, preventing you from losing your place in a complex pattern.

Creating your own crochet pattern is straightforward. Start with a grid of square cells, insert checkboxes across the whole area, and then fill cells with the colors of your chosen image. You can draw freehand in the spreadsheet or reproduce an image from online pixel art collections. The result is a digital chart that you can zoom into, scroll through, and update as you work. Whether you are making a blanket, a pillow, or a wall hanging, Google Sheets gives you an accessible and flexible tool for turning pixel art into tangible crafts.

These six unexpected uses prove that Google Sheets is far more than a number cruncher. From playful games to practical home design and creative crafting, the application's basic features can be combined in imaginative ways. The next time you open a blank spreadsheet, think beyond rows and columns, and consider how the humble grid might help you draw, play, design, or celebrate.

Source: SlashGear News

Circuit breakers can go bad after being in use for an extended period due to normal wear and tear. Over time, for example, springs lose tension, or if the circuit experiences frequent overloading, the breaker can fail sooner. It goes without saying that low-quality circuit breakers are more likely to go bad than those from reputable manufacturers, and in most use cases, you'll likely discover a cheap circuit breaker malfunctioning even if it hasn't tripped.

A faulty circuit breaker is a cause for concern, as it may not stop the flow of current during overload or short circuit. This can damage electrical appliances on that particular circuit and increase the risk of electric shock and fires. The good news is that detecting a bad circuit breaker is fairly easy, as there are a few obvious signs that tell you when it's time to get it inspected or spend the money to install a new circuit breaker.

What happens inside a circuit breaker?

To understand why a breaker can go bad without tripping, it helps to know what happens inside the small plastic case. A standard thermal-magnetic circuit breaker contains two primary mechanisms: a bimetallic strip and an electromagnet. The bimetallic strip bends when heated by prolonged overcurrent, eventually tripping the mechanism. The electromagnet instantly trips the breaker during a short circuit, when current spikes dramatically. Both mechanisms rely on springs, contacts, and hinges to physically separate the electrical contacts and interrupt current flow.

If any of these internal components wear out or become misaligned, the breaker may fail to perform its safety function. The contacts can become pitted or corroded from repeated arcing, the springs can lose tension and fail to snap the contacts open, or the bimetallic strip can drift out of calibration. In such cases, the breaker still appears to be in the "on" position, and it may even continue passing power to the circuit, but it may no longer trip when it should. This is the most dangerous type of breaker failure because there is no visible indication that protection has been lost.

Why a circuit breaker can fail without tripping

Several factors can cause a breaker to go bad silently. Age is one of the most common. Circuit breakers are mechanical devices, and they wear out over decades of normal use. The internal springs and contacts are especially vulnerable to fatigue. A 20- or 30-year-old panel may contain breakers that are still functional but have lost their sensitivity to overloads.

Frequent tripping also accelerates wear. Every time a breaker trips, an electrical arc is drawn between its contacts. While the arc is contained and extinguished, it slowly erodes the contact surfaces. If a circuit is regularly overloaded, the breaker may trip dozens of times, each time bringing it closer to failure. Eventually, the contacts may become so damaged that they weld together or fail to separate, even when the thermal mechanism calls for a trip.

Environmental conditions matter too. Breakers installed in damp, dusty, or hot locations are more likely to corrode or collect contaminants. Loose connections at the panel bus bar or at the breaker terminals can generate heat, which damages the breaker over time. Power surges, whether from lightning or utility switching, can also damage the internal components without causing a visible trip.

Quality is a major factor. Breakage rates are higher among off-brand or counterfeit breakers, which may use substandard materials and lack the rigorous testing of products from established manufacturers. A cheap breaker might work fine initially but fail earlier due to thinner contacts and weaker springs. For this reason, building codes and electricians often recommend using only breakers that are listed and rated for the specific panel.

Common signs of a bad circuit breaker

One of the most common signs of a bad circuit breaker is excessive heat generation. A circuit breaker shouldn't be unusually hot during normal operations, but if you notice it's constantly hot or there's a burning smell, it's likely that the circuit breaker is bad. Additionally, check for any burn marks, melted casing, charring, signs of arcing, and listen for buzzing or crackling sounds coming from the electrical panel.

Heat and burning smells

Heat is a red flag. Under normal load, a breaker might be slightly warm, but it should never be too hot to touch. If the breaker face feels hot, that indicates internal resistance, a loose connection, or an overload that the breaker is not handling correctly. A burning smell coming from the panel is even more serious, as it often means that plastic is melting or wires are overheating. In such cases, the breaker should be replaced immediately.

Flickering lights and power fluctuations

Beyond this, flickering or dimming lights, intermittent power loss, or appliances shutting off unexpectedly are other obvious signs for the average homeowner. If you notice that appliances suddenly feel underpowered or are underperforming, it may also be an indication of a failing circuit breaker. To find out what's at fault, you can connect the appliance to an outlet on a circuit in another area. If the problem persists, it could be the appliance, but if things seem alright, you may need to get the circuit breaker checked out.

Lights that flicker when you switch on a vacuum cleaner or a hair dryer can indicate a breaker that is struggling to maintain stable current. Similarly, a computer that suddenly shuts down or a refrigerator that seems to run poorly could be drawing current through a failing breaker. These signs are easy to dismiss, but they are often the first clue that a breaker has gone bad.

Physical damage and sounds

The breaker itself can display physical evidence of trouble. Inspect the panel cover and the area around the breaker for discoloration, soot, or a brownish residue. Melted plastic, tiny burn marks, or a warped switch face are all signs of arcing or excessive heat. Buzzing or crackling sounds coming from a breaker are also abnormal. A healthy breaker should be silent, and any noise indicates loose parts or electrical arcing.

Breaker won't reset or trips immediately

Lastly, if the circuit breaker feels stuck and doesn't move to the ON position, or trips as soon as it's set to ON, it's an obvious indicator that there's a problem somewhere. A breaker that trips instantly might be doing its job in the case of a genuine short circuit, but if the circuit is known to be clear, then the breaker itself might be faulty. A breaker that feels mushy or loose when you toggle it may also have internal damage to its mechanism.

How to test if a circuit breaker is bad

While some signs are obvious, others require more careful investigation. A homeowner with basic electrical knowledge can perform a few tests, but safety must always come first. It is dangerous to work around a live electrical panel, and only qualified individuals should remove the panel cover or touch the bus bars.

The simplest test is to swap the suspect breaker with another breaker of the same rating in the panel, ideally one that is known to work. If the problem moves to the new circuit, the original breaker is bad. If the problem stays, the issue may be in the wiring or the appliance. This test is quick but requires caution because the breaker must be handled while the panel is live.

Another method is to use a digital multimeter to check the breaker's output voltage. With the breaker on, you can measure the voltage between the load terminal and the neutral bus. A healthy 120-volt breaker should read around 110 to 125 volts. If the voltage is significantly lower or absent, the breaker may have internal problems. However, this test does not always reveal a breaker that fails to trip under overload, because it only measures current-carrying capacity, not protective function.

Testing the tripping function is more complex and usually requires specialized equipment, such as a breaker tester or a clamp meter that can inject a test current. Because of this, many electricians recommend simply replacing a breaker that shows any sign of age or damage. Breakers are relatively inexpensive compared to the cost of a house fire or a serious electric shock.

Preventive maintenance and when to call a professional

Even though circuit breakers can last decades, operating conditions play a major role, and ignoring signs is a common electrical mistake many people make, putting their homes at risk. Regular maintenance can extend the life of breakers and reduce the chance of silent failure. Homeowners should occasionally check the electrical panel for any visible damage, ensure the panel is not blocked, and avoid overloading circuits.

It is also wise to document the age of the panel. If your home has older breakers, especially those made by manufacturers with a history of problems or ones that have been recalled, it may be worth having them inspected. Professional electricians can perform a thermal scan of the panel to identify hot spots, test breaker tripping times, and verify that all connections are tight.

When a breaker is suspected of being bad, it is best to consult a professional. Attempting to replace a breaker without proper training can result in severe injury or additional damage to the electrical system. Most DIY enthusiasts can safely change an outlet or a switch, but working inside a breaker panel is a different matter. There is a real risk of contacting energized bus bars, which remain live even when the main breaker is turned off unless the utility service is disconnected.

Replacement breakers should always match the panel brand and the current rating of the old unit. Installing a higher-rated breaker to stop nuisance tripping is extremely dangerous, as it can cause the wires to overheat and start a fire before the breaker ever trips. Similarly, pushing a breaker that refuses to stay on is never a solution; it indicates a real problem that needs investigation.

In many cases, a bad breaker can be detected early and replaced before any damage occurs. Knowing the warning signs, understanding how breakers fail, and calling an electrician when something seems off are the best ways to keep your home's electrical system safe. Failing to take these steps transforms a small, easy fix into a potentially life-threatening hazard. If you notice any of these signs in your own panel, do not ignore them. Schedule an inspection and, if necessary, install a new circuit breaker to restore reliable protection.

Source: SlashGear News

Cameras and lenses are sensitive to temperature shifts, moisture, dust, and impact. To keep them in top condition, you need a combination of good habits and the right accessories. Based on years of hands-on experience with camera gear, here are four things that can make a significant difference in extending the life of your equipment.

Camera and Lens Cleaning Kits

Camera lenses are essentially expensive pieces of glass stacked together, and glass is one of the easiest materials to smudge. It can be tempting to grab the nearest cloth and wipe away dirt or fingerprints, but that is a terrible idea. Most modern lenses have decent scratch resistance, but it is not worth the risk. Abrasive fabrics can leave micro-scratches that reduce contrast and sharpness. Worse, particles of grit on a cloth can act like sandpaper against the lens coating.

A proper cleaning kit is an essential investment. You do not need the most expensive set, but it should include a blower, a soft brush, and a microfiber cloth. An alcohol-based cleaning solution is also recommended for removing stubborn smudges. The best approach is to begin with the blower or brush to remove visible dust particles. This prevents scratching when you later wipe the surface. Then, apply a small amount of cleaning solution to the microfiber cloth—not directly to the lens—and wipe gently in a circular motion, starting from the center and moving outward. This method ensures an even clean and helps avoid smearing.

Your camera body also needs periodic cleaning. When you swap lenses, dust can enter the chamber and settle on the sensor. This often appears as dark spots in your images, especially at narrow apertures. A blower is useful for removing loose dust from the sensor, but you must be careful. Many cameras have a sensor cleaning mode that lifts the shutter and locks the mirror, allowing safe access. If you are unsure, consult the manual or a professional. Also, do not clean the sensor too often. Over-cleaning can wear out the delicate low-pass filter or introduce static that attracts more dust. A balance is key.

Proper Storage Solutions

Humidity is one of the biggest enemies of camera equipment. Excess moisture can lead to the buildup of condensation inside lenses, which can encourage fungus growth on the glass elements. Fungus can permanently etch the lens coatings and ruin image quality. Moisture can also corrode the electronics and circuitry of the camera body. Even in moderately humid environments, leaving your gear in a damp bag or closet can cause long-term damage.

After using your equipment in humid conditions, wipe it down with a dry cloth before storing it. Avoid leaving lenses and cameras in places that are prone to dampness, such as basements or garages. A simple solution is to store your gear in a room with a dehumidifier. This helps maintain a stable relative humidity level, which is usually safe for camera equipment.

For more serious protection, consider investing in a dry cabinet. These cabinets are designed specifically for cameras and lenses. They use temperature and moisture sensors to automatically regulate humidity. You can find models in various sizes, from small cabinets that hold a single camera body and a couple of lenses to larger units for extensive collections. Prices vary, but the peace of mind is worth it, especially if you live in a humid climate or plan to store gear for long periods.

Proper storage also applies when you are on the move. Throwing your camera into a regular backpack full of other items is asking for trouble. Cameras and lenses have many moving parts, and impacts can knock them out of alignment. A dedicated camera bag with padded dividers is a much safer choice. Many good options exist, including backpacks that have customizable compartments. These bags provide cushioning and allow you to organize your gear neatly. If a full camera bag is too much, a padded pouch or insert can offer basic protection inside a larger bag. The key is to ensure that the camera and lenses do not knock against each other or hard objects.

Filters for Your Lenses

When buying a lens, you consider aperture, focal length, and size. But the protection and functionality of your lens can be greatly enhanced with filters. In bright conditions, you might find yourself lowering the ISO or increasing shutter speed to reduce light entering the camera. While these settings can help, they also have drawbacks. Low ISO is fine for stills, but for video, you often need to maintain a certain shutter speed for natural motion blur. This is where ND filters come in.

An ND filter is a piece of darkened glass that screws onto the front of your lens. It reduces the amount of light without affecting color. This allows you to use wider apertures or slower shutter speeds even in bright sunlight. ND filters are essential for videographers who want cinematic motion blur or shallow depth of field outdoors. Variable ND filters offer adjustable density, so you can quickly change the amount of light reduction without carrying multiple filters.

UV filters have a different purpose. Originally, they were used to block ultraviolet light, which could create hazy images on film. With digital cameras, UV filters are less necessary for image quality, but they remain useful as physical protection. A UV filter acts as a sacrificial layer of glass over your expensive lens. If you drop the lens or scrape it against a hard surface, the filter may break or scratch while the lens underneath remains safe. This is a much cheaper replacement than a lens repair. Some photographers argue that adding an extra layer of glass can increase flare or reduce sharpness, but high-quality filters are coated and barely affect image quality.

Beyond filters, there are other simple protective accessories. A screen protector for your camera's LCD can prevent scratches from daily use. Lens caps and rear caps should always be used when lenses are not mounted. A lens hood also provides shade and helps block stray light, while offering some physical protection if the lens hits an object. These small items add up to significant protection over time.

Good Quality Batteries and Chargers

One of the most frustrating aspects of camera use is battery life. It always seems to run out at the worst moment. Many photographers buy spare batteries to swap in between shoots. The market is flooded with cheap, third-party batteries that closely resemble official ones. While these may work initially, they are not always reliable. Some third-party batteries have lower capacity, shorter lifespan, or even safety issues. Sticking with official accessories is the wiser choice. Genuine batteries are designed to match the camera's power management system, and they are tested for quality and safety.

Battery care is also crucial. If you do not use your camera frequently, remove the battery and store it separately. This prevents slow discharge, which can deplete the cell and reduce its overall health over time. Batteries should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat. Extreme temperatures can damage the cells and shorten their life. As a general rule, charge your batteries to about 50% if you plan to store them for a long period. Full charge and full discharge are both stressful for lithium-ion cells. Manufacturers like Nikon recommend charging and discharging your batteries once every six months to keep them in optimal condition.

When charging, avoid leaving the charger plugged in after the battery is fully charged. Modern chargers have overcharge protection, but it is still good practice to unplug once charging is complete. This reduces unnecessary heat and wear. If you use your camera for long sessions, such as live streaming or time-lapse photography, consider a dummy battery. This is a device that fits into the battery compartment and connects to an AC adapter, supplying direct power to the camera. It eliminates the worry of battery drain and is a reliable solution for studio work.

By following these four practices—using proper cleaning kits, storing your gear correctly, adding protective filters, and choosing quality batteries—you can greatly extend the lifespan of your camera and lenses. Each of these simple steps helps protect your investment and ensures that your equipment continues to deliver high-quality results for many years.

Source: SlashGear News

HDR, or High Dynamic Range, is a technology that has become a core feature of modern televisions, streaming players, and mobile devices. It expands the range between the darkest and brightest parts of an image, and simultaneously widens the color palette. The result is a picture with deeper blacks, brighter highlights, and more vivid colors than standard dynamic range. HDR content is now widely available from major streaming services, Ultra HD Blu-rays, and even video games. Yet the experience of watching HDR can vary dramatically depending on the display.

Why HDR Consistency Matters

The problem with HDR has always been consistency. One of the key selling points of HDR is its ability to deliver a lifelike image, but that promise can fall apart when the same piece of content looks different on a phone, a mid-range TV, and a high-end reference monitor. The reason lies in how displays handle HDR signals. Content arrives with instructions embedded in the form of metadata, which describes how bright certain elements should be, what color gamut to use, and how to map highlights and shadows. The display then interprets those instructions using a process called tone mapping, which attempts to render the content according to the screen's capabilities.

Tone mapping is not standardized across manufacturers. Different brands, and even different models from the same brand, apply different algorithms to decide how to compress or expand the HDR signal. A scene that looks spectacular on one television may appear too dark, too bright, or less saturated on another. This inconsistency has been a source of frustration for both consumers and content creators. It also makes it harder for reviewers to recommend specific settings, because there is no universal baseline for how HDR should look.

How Eclipsa Video Works Under the Hood

Eclipsa Video takes a different approach to solving this problem. Instead of relying entirely on the display's interpretation of a video's brightness and color, it includes precise guidelines that tell compatible displays exactly how to render the image. This does not mean every screen will produce an identical picture, because hardware capabilities still matter. But it does mean the display is given a much clearer set of instructions, reducing the variability caused by different tone mapping algorithms.

The format also allows displays to dynamically adapt content mapping depending on ambient lighting conditions and the hardware capabilities of the screen. If you are watching in a bright living room, the display can adjust its mapping to preserve visibility without crushing the creative intent. In a dark home theater, the same content can maintain its intended shadow detail and highlight punch. This flexibility is a significant shift from traditional HDR, where the display usually assumes a fixed viewing environment and applies a static tone mapping curve.

One of the key concepts in Eclipsa Video is the HDR reference white. This provides a consistent baseline for normal brightness, meaning everyday scenes should look stable and uniform across devices. Brighter highlights are allowed to extend beyond that baseline, but they are rendered dynamically according to the capabilities of each screen. This prevents the jarring brightness spikes that can occur when switching from one video to another, because the baseline is anchored to a shared reference point rather than left to each device to decide on its own.

Another important element is the format's use of dynamic metadata. Unlike HDR10, which applies a single set of instructions to an entire video clip, Eclipsa Video provides frame-by-frame instructions. This allows the display to optimize each scene individually, preserving highlights in one shot and shadow detail in the next. Dynamic metadata is not new, as Dolby Vision has used a similar approach for years, but Eclipsa Video is built on an open standard and is designed to be widely adopted across the industry.

Eclipsa Video vs. HDR10

To understand how Eclipsa Video stacks up against HDR10, it helps to look at the role metadata plays in each format. HDR10 is the most common HDR format currently in use. It is an open standard that nearly every HDR-capable display supports, and it relies on static metadata. That means the instructions for brightness, color, and contrast are fixed for the entire piece of content.

Static metadata has a clear advantage: it is simple and easy to implement. But it also has a major drawback. A movie with a bright exterior scene followed by a dark interior scene will force the display to use a single set of tone mapping parameters for both. The result can be a bright scene that looks blown out, a dark scene that looks murky, or some compromise that leaves both looking less than ideal. Eclipsa Video avoids this problem by using dynamic metadata, which can adjust the tone mapping curve from scene to scene or even frame to frame.

HDR10+ is another format that uses dynamic metadata, so it is closer to Eclipsa Video in that regard. However, HDR10+ has not achieved the same level of adoption as HDR10 or Dolby Vision, and its implementation varies among manufacturers. Eclipsa Video, by contrast, is backed by a coalition of major technology companies and is built on the SMPTE ST 2094-50 specification, which may help it gain broader support over time.

Eclipsa Video vs. Dolby Vision

Dolby Vision is often considered the gold standard for HDR because it uses dynamic metadata and includes a wide color gamut. Like Eclipsa Video, Dolby Vision provides scene-by-scene instructions that help the display render content more faithfully. It also supports peak brightness levels that exceed the capabilities of many current televisions, which gives premium displays room to shine.

The most obvious difference between Dolby Vision and Eclipsa Video is licensing and openness. Dolby Vision is a proprietary format from Dolby Laboratories, and manufacturers typically need to pay royalties and pass certification tests to use it. That has not prevented its widespread adoption, but it has created a fragmented ecosystem where some devices support Dolby Vision and others do not. Eclipsa Video is based on an open standard, and its development includes Google, Apple, and NBCUniversal, which could lead to deeper integration across many platforms, including Android, iOS, and streaming services.

There are also technical differences in how the two formats handle tone mapping. Dolby Vision uses its own tone mapping algorithm and requires certified displays for full effect. Eclipsa Video is designed to be more flexible, allowing displays to adapt the mapping based on ambient lighting conditions and the specific capabilities of the screen. This could make it easier for manufacturers to implement on a wide range of devices, from budget TVs to flagship smartphones.

What Eclipsa Video Means for Viewers

For average viewers, the emergence of Eclipsa Video could mean a more predictable HDR experience. Instead of having to fiddle with picture settings or worry about whether a particular TV handles HDR well, users could see consistent results across different apps and devices. The format's ability to adapt to ambient light is especially useful for portable devices, which are often used in changing environments. A phone screen in direct sunlight and the same phone screen in a dim bedroom would normally require very different tone mapping. Eclipsa Video aims to handle that automatically, preserving the content's intent while respecting the display's limitations.

Content creators also stand to benefit. With the old approach, a director might spend significant time grading a movie to look a certain way, only to have it appear wildly different on many screens. Eclipsa Video's precise guidelines and dynamic metadata give creators more confidence that their work will be seen closer to what they intended. The open nature of the standard also means it is not tied to any single hardware ecosystem, which could encourage broader adoption by streaming services, TV manufacturers, and even the film industry.

The industry has yet to see exactly how quickly Eclipsa Video will be adopted or how it will coexist with existing formats. HDR10 remains the baseline for most content, and Dolby Vision has a strong presence in premium streaming and physical media. Eclipsa Video's success will depend on whether its open, flexible approach persuades manufacturers and content distributors to include support alongside the formats already in use. If that happens, it may become an important part of the HDR landscape, offering a middle ground between the simplicity of HDR10 and the strict control of Dolby Vision.

Source: SlashGear News

Key facts

• watchOS 27 has not introduced any new Apple Watch faces yet.
• Modular Ultra is exclusive to the Apple Watch Ultra family.
• The face can show six compact complications, a medium complication, and bezel data.
• A simplified configuration uses large time, visible seconds, and just two complications.
• Apple Watch Ultra 3 can keep seconds visible even in always-on mode.
• The red notification dot sits off-center when the top-middle complication is empty.
• Apple Watch Ultra 3 starts at $699; the Ultra 2 is available refurbished for $589.

A more modular, less ultra version of Modular Ultra face

Modular Ultra was designed for people who want to see as much information as possible. It is the most capable watch face on an Apple Watch Ultra. The screen can be divided into many sections, each one dedicated to a different piece of data. With the right setup, the face can show everything from weather and activity to altitude, depth, and training load. That is ideal for adventurers, athletes, and anyone who likes to monitor multiple metrics throughout the day.

Yet the same face can also be configured in a much calmer way. Instead of filling every slot, the main time display can be kept large, with a second readout. The remaining complications can be reduced to just one for weather and one for activity rings. The other slots stay empty. This creates a different personality. The technical dashboard becomes a quiet watch face that still retains the core tools of a sports watch.

On Apple Watch Ultra 3, the large time display with seconds is especially nice because the seconds are always visible. In always-on mode, the watch dims the screen but continues to show the time and the top-level state. On many previous Apple Watch models, a seconds readout would disappear when the wrist was lowered. The Ultra 3 changes that behavior. Watching the seconds tick by is a small pleasure, and it makes the watch feel more alive.

The bottom left complication in this pared-down layout is the current temperature with the day’s low and high. This is a compact way to answer the most common weather question: Do I need a jacket? The top right complication shows activity rings. That slot can change based on interest. Some days it may show the UV index, especially during summer months; other days it might show a timer or the next calendar event. The four remaining small complication slots are intentionally blank. This produces a balanced look and gives the eye space to rest.

Modular Ultra can display a lot of data

For comparison, a fully loaded Modular Ultra face is a different beast. It can show six compact complications spread across the screen. Below the smaller clock, a medium complication can be added. Around the edge, bezel data can be assigned to show seconds, depth, elevation, or training load. In this configuration, the face becomes a miniature data center on the wrist.

This full-capacity setup is useful in specific situations. A diver can check depth without opening an app. A hiker can keep an eye on elevation. A runner can watch training load and heart rate. The weather can appear alongside a calendar, and activity rings can remain visible. There is no denying the power of that many complications in one glance.

However, cramming in every possible data source comes with a cost. The more icons and numbers on the screen, the harder it is for the brain to identify what matters. A dense watch face can be noisy. It requires a moment of scanning, and that moment can make the watch feel less efficient. The same information can be obtained by opening an app or checking the Siri watch face when needed.

The minimal configuration avoids that problem. With only two complications and large negative space, each element gets more attention. The time is the hero. The temperature and activity rings are secondary. No other element competes for space. This is why a scaled-back Modular Ultra can feel like a better everyday face than the full data version, even if it technically uses fewer features.

The versatility of Apple Watch faces

Apple has offered many different watch face styles since the first Apple Watch launched. Some are minimal, like the Solar Dial or Numerals. Others are packed with information, like the Infograph face that appeared with Series 4. Modular Ultra, introduced with the first Apple Watch Ultra, took the idea of Infograph and made it more extreme. It was built for a larger display and a more rugged audience.

The watchOS ecosystem has continued to evolve. Each big update often introduces new faces, but watchOS 27 has not yet done so. That means current users are spending time with the faces already available. Reconfiguring a face is the easiest way to make the watch feel new. The colors, complications, and layout can all be changed in a matter of seconds. Modular Ultra offers more adjustment options than many other faces, which is why it remains so popular.

The lack of new faces does not mean the watch experience is stagnant. Apple sometimes adds new faces in later updates or with new hardware. A leak has suggested that watchOS 27 could eventually bring an upgraded version of an existing face, and rumors point to a brand new face arriving down the line. Until that happens, customization is the best way to refresh the look of the watch.

How to set up a simplified Modular Ultra face

Changing the face is easy. Press and hold the current watch face, tap the plus button, and choose Modular Ultra from the gallery. Then tap the face to enter edit mode. The Apple Watch shows a series of controls. Scroll through the options to

Source: 9to5Mac News

The new movies are available at no additional cost to Apple TV subscribers, though the exact selection varies by region. In the United States, the list includes widely beloved hits such as The Martian, Arrival, Gone Girl, The Proposal, Zodiac, and 21 Jump Street. These are the kinds of films that appeal to a broad audience, from sci-fi epics and psychological thrillers to romantic comedies and action comedies. By adding them, Apple has essentially doubled its film library overnight—a move that signals a more aggressive licensing strategy than the company has previously pursued.

Why Apple is adding classic movies

Streaming platforms have long recognized the value of familiar favorites. Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video have built substantial catalogs by combining licensed content with original productions. Apple TV, by contrast, launched with a focus almost exclusively on original programming. For years, subscribers were treated to a curated but relatively small collection of Apple-produced shows and films. That approach earned critical acclaim but left the service feeling thinner than its competitors in terms of pure content volume.

The addition of these classic movies represents a shift. Apple seems to understand that while originals drive buzz and awards season momentum, a deep library of familiar titles keeps subscribers engaged week after week. Studies have shown that viewers often return to films they already love, making classic movies a powerful retention tool. By bringing in titles like Arrival and Gone Girl, Apple is giving audiences a reason to open the app not just for a new premiere, but for a comfortable rewatch.

The timing is also telling. Apple is not waiting for a quiet period to roll out these additions. Instead, it is presenting them as part of a larger narrative: movies are having a moment, and Apple intends to be at the forefront. Theatrical hits like The Odyssey, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and Obsession have fueled a growing cultural excitement around film. Apple appears eager to ride that wave, and the newly licensed catalog is the first step.

Apple TV’s fall 2026 original film lineup

While the classic movie additions are a major story of their own, Apple is not neglecting its original film efforts. In fact, the licensed drop is arriving just before one of the most ambitious fall seasons in the streamer’s history. Apple TV has confirmed six new original films that will premiere between September and November. They represent a deliberate mix of commercial entertainment and awards-season prestige.

Here is the complete schedule:

• September 4: Mayday
• October 2: The Last First: Winter K2
• October 9: Matchbox The Movie
• October 16: Tenzing
• November 13: Being Heumann
• November 25: Way of the Warrior Kid

On the surface, the lineup appears carefully balanced. Mayday, Matchbox The Movie, and Way of the Warrior Kid all look like fun, lighthearted action films, anchored by stars such as Ryan Reynolds and John Cena. These are the kind of films designed to draw families and casual viewers, delivering big-name star power and accessible storytelling. Matchbox, in particular, carries the weight of a popular toy brand, suggesting Apple is looking for franchise potential beyond its own original IP.

On the other end of the spectrum, Being Heumann, Tenzing, and The Last First: Winter K2 are clearly aiming for awards contention. Being Heumann is expected to tell the story of Judith Heumann, a legendary disability rights activist whose work helped shape modern civil rights law. Tenzing will explore the life of Tenzing Norgay, one of the first two climbers to summit Mount Everest, a story rich with emotional and historical depth. The Last First: Winter K2 is about a perilous winter climb of one of the world’s most dangerous mountains—a topic that lends itself to breathtaking visuals and intense human drama.

This blend of titles reflects a strategy that Apple has been perfecting for years: alternating between Oscar-caliber dramas and more mainstream genre pieces. The approach has worked on the television side, where shows like Ted Lasso and Severance have demonstrated that the streamer can produce both feel-good hits and cerebral mysteries. Now Apple is trying to replicate that success with its film slate.

The larger context of Apple’s film strategy

Apple’s film ambitions have been growing steadily since the launch of Apple TV+. The streamer’s early cinematic releases were modest in number but high in prestige, with films like CODA winning Best Picture at the Academy Awards. That historic win established Apple as a serious player in the film industry, not just a gadget company dabbling in content. Since then, Apple has funded a number of high-profile projects, including Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, Ridley Scott’s Napoleon, and Matthew Vaughn’s Argylle.

Yet Apple has also faced criticism that its film releases are too sporadic and too awards-focused. The addition of classic movies and the upcoming fall slate suggest Apple is listening to that feedback. By doubling its film library with popular licensed titles, the company is addressing the immediate complaint that there is not enough to watch. By releasing six original films in seven weeks, it is providing a steady stream of new titles that can keep subscribers checking back.

The move also positions Apple better against competitors. Disney+ has its massive Marvel and Star Wars libraries, Netflix releases new movies every week, and Prime Video boasts a huge collection of licensed and original content. Apple TV+, for all its critical acclaim, has often been seen as a smaller, more niche service. The latest changes will not entirely close that gap, but they are a significant step toward making Apple TV a more comprehensive destination for film lovers.

What the new classic movies mean for subscribers

For existing subscribers, the arrival of these 15+ films is an immediate upgrade to the service. Many of the titles are considered modern classics, and they fill notable gaps in Apple TV’s catalog. The Martian and Arrival, for instance, are two of the most beloved hard science fiction films of the past decade, while Gone Girl and Zodiac showcase director David Fincher’s mastery of suspense. The Proposal is a staple romantic comedy, and 21 Jump Street remains one of the funniest buddy comedies of the 2010s.

Subscribers can expect more of these licensed titles in the future. Apple has not announced a specific number, but the company is widely reported to be pursuing additional catalog deals. This is consistent with a broader industry trend. Streaming services have realized that original content alone is not enough to retain subscribers in a crowded market. Deep libraries of familiar favorites are essential, whether that means old episodes of sitcoms or decades of classic movies.

At $12.99 per month, or as part of the Apple One bundle, Apple TV remains competitively priced even with the expanded library. The service still offers a smaller catalog than Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, but the quality of both its originals and its new licensed titles is high. For many viewers, the addition of films like Arrival and The Proposal could be the deciding factor in choosing Apple TV over another service.

Looking ahead

Apple’s film plans are still evolving. The company has reportedly dedicated more than $1 billion a year to theatrical movie releases, aiming to become a major studio. The fall 2026 lineup is an early glimpse of that ambition, and the classic movie additions are a signal that Apple is thinking about the long-term health of its streaming service. By combining a growing collection of beloved licensed films with a steady rhythm of big-budget originals, Apple is building a library that can satisfy both casual viewers and hardcore film buffs.

The coming weeks will be a testing ground. If the fall slate performs well, and if subscribers continue to engage with the new classic movie collection, Apple is likely to accelerate its efforts. Movies have always been a prime driver of cultural conversation, and Apple clearly wants to be at the center of that conversation. With Ted Lasso back on television and an exciting film lineup for the fall, Apple TV is entering what looks like its strongest season yet.

Source: 9to5Mac News

Apple Submits Off-App Store Commission Proposal

Apple's submission is a direct response to the District Court's mandate to determine what fee, if any, the company can charge developers when users are directed to external payment methods. The company had repeatedly attempted to delay this process, arguing that the Supreme Court's review of a related contempt order could alter the legal landscape. However, after the Supreme Court denied its request for a stay, Apple was compelled to present its proffer in compliance with Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers's instructions.

The proposed commission rates are structured into three tiers:

• 15% for standard apps that are subject to the usual 30% in-app purchase commission.
• 10% for the Video Partner Program (VPP), the News Partner Program (NPP), the Mini Apps Partner Program (MPP), and subscription renewals.
• 5% for apps enrolled in the Small Business Program, which already benefit from reduced IAP commissions.

Apple contends that these rates are supported by both factual and expert evidence. In its filing, the company states that a significant number of U.S. developers, accounting for a substantial share of App Store revenue, would be able to link out profitably at the proposed rates. Apple argues that this would create meaningful competitive pressure on its own IAP system, a goal that the court has repeatedly emphasized throughout the proceedings. At the same time, Apple maintains that the fees would allow it to recover compensation for the value provided by its intellectual property-protected tools, technologies, and services, which courts have recognized as legitimate and procompetitive.

The company also drew comparisons to rival app store operators, including Google Play, Samsung Galaxy Store, and Amazon's Android App Marketplace. Apple specifically noted that Google Play imposes linked-out rates of 20% for standard apps, 15% for program participants, and 10% for subscriptions, pointing out that Epic had agreed to those terms in its own dealings with Google. Apple used this comparison to argue that its proposed 15% standard rate is competitive and reasonable in the broader market context.

Despite submitting the proposal, Apple reiterated its belief that the rate-determination proceedings should be paused while its case is pending before the Supreme Court. The company made clear that it only filed the proffer to comply with the judge's directive, not as a concession on the merits of the underlying dispute.

Background of the Epic v. Apple Dispute

The conflict between Apple and Epic Games dates back to August 2020, when Epic deliberately violated App Store guidelines by adding a direct payment option in Fortnite, bypassing Apple's IAP system. Apple subsequently removed Fortnite from the App Store, prompting Epic to file an antitrust lawsuit. The case centered on whether Apple's App Store policies, including the mandatory use of IAP and the 30% commission, constituted illegal monopolization.

In September 2021, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers issued a ruling that largely favored Apple on antitrust claims but also found that Apple's anti-steering provisions violated California's Unfair Competition Law. She issued an injunction requiring Apple to allow developers to include external links to alternative payment methods. However, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals later partially reversed that decision, specifically overturning the outright ban on commissions for linked-out purchases. The appellate court clarified that such commissions are problematic only if they are effectively prohibitive, leaving room for Apple to charge some fee.

The case then returned to the District Court for the purpose of determining a permissible rate. Apple sought to pause this process while pursuing its appeal to the Supreme Court, but the high court denied the request, allowing the fee-setting proceedings to continue in parallel. Apple is expected to file its Supreme Court brief by September 14.

Epic's Reaction

Epic Games responded to Apple's filing with a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter). The Epic Newsroom account noted that Apple's own filing admitted that, under the Ninth Circuit's definition of “necessary costs,” Apple would charge a 0% commission for purchases made via link-outs to the web. Epic argued that Apple's proposed rates of 15% for standard apps and 5% for Small Business Program apps are still excessive and inconsistent with the appellate court's guidance.

Epic's statement suggests that the two companies remain far apart on what constitutes a fair fee. The dispute has broader implications for the entire app economy, as developers worldwide watch to see how courts define the boundaries of Apple's control over App Store transactions. A ruling that imposes strict limits on Apple's commission could embolden developers to seek alternative payment systems and reduce their reliance on Apple's ecosystem.

Implications for Developers

If Apple's proposal is accepted, developers would still face a significant cost for transactions completed outside the App Store. The 15% standard rate is half of the traditional 30% IAP commission, but it would nonetheless eat into the savings that developers might hope to achieve by steering users toward direct payment methods. For small developers in the Small Business Program, the 5% rate would be more favorable, potentially encouraging broader participation in that program.

The proposal also highlights the growing complexity of app store economics. Apple has argued that even when a purchase occurs outside its storefront, it still incurs costs related to the App Store platform, including developer tools, security infrastructure, and user trust. The company maintains that its commission is a legitimate return on those investments, a position reinforced by court rulings that recognize Apple's ecosystem benefits as procompetitive.

Critics, however, argue that Apple's fees are designed to maintain its dominance and discourage developers from pursuing alternative payment methods. They point to Apple's history of resisting changes to its App Store policies and note that the company has only made concessions under legal or regulatory pressure. The Epic case is one of several global challenges to Apple's practices, including actions by regulators in the European Union, Japan, and the United Kingdom.

The outcome of this fee-setting determination could set a precedent for how other platforms are allowed to charge for out-of-store transactions. If Apple is forced to lower its rates or abandon commissions altogether, similar rules might apply to Google, Samsung, Amazon, and other app store operators. Conversely, if Apple's 15% proposal is accepted, it could provide a safe harbor for other platforms to adopt comparable fee structures.

Next Steps in the Legal Process

With Apple's proffer now on the record, Epic will have an opportunity to respond. The company is expected to argue that even a 15% fee is excessive and unjustified, given that Apple does not process the payment, host the transaction, or provide the same level of service for external purchases. Epic may also renew its call for the court to impose a 0% commission, consistent with its interpretation of the Ninth Circuit's “necessary costs” language.

Judge Rogers will ultimately need to decide whether Apple's proposed rates are permissible under the appellate court's standard. She could accept the proposal, reject it and impose a different rate, or remand for further fact-finding. The decision will likely be appealed regardless of which side prevails, meaning the final resolution could take years.

Meanwhile, Apple is proceeding with its Supreme Court appeal on the contempt ruling tied to its 27% commission on off-App Store purchases. That appeal is separate from the rate-setting proceedings but is closely watched because it could affect whether Apple is penalized for charging its previous fee. The interplay between the Supreme Court review and the District Court's rate determination adds another layer of uncertainty to the case.

For now, the tech industry awaits the next filings and hearings. Apple has emphasized that its proposal is meant to comply with the court's directive while preserving its right to argue that no commission should be required at all. Epic, for its part, remains committed to the principle that developers should be free to connect with customers without paying a toll to a platform gatekeeper. The clash between these two visions will continue to shape the digital marketplace for the foreseeable future.

As the legal battle unfolds, developers and consumers alike are watching closely. The outcome will influence not only how Apple does business but also how the entire mobile software ecosystem evolves. With the Supreme Court review pending and the District Court preparing to set a rate, the next few months are likely to bring further consequential decisions in this landmark case.

Source: 9to5Mac News

Key facts at a glance

• Apple is expected to unveil Apple Watch Ultra 4 and Apple Watch Series 12 at its September event.
• Both watches are expected to receive a faster chip, likely the S11, after several years of modest performance gains.
• Health features are likely to be a major focus, with rumors of additional sensors and a new hypertension notification feature under regulatory review.
• Design changes remain uncertain: some reports suggest a redesign, while others expect only small updates or a ceramic case option.

Apple Watch Ultra 4 and Apple Watch Series 12: expected features

Apple introduces new Watch models every September alongside its iPhones, and 2026 is expected to follow that pattern. According to multiple reports, the two new models will be the Apple Watch Ultra 4 and the Apple Watch Series 12. Both are said to feature a long-awaited upgrade to the chip inside the watch, which could have significant implications for performance, Apple Intelligence features, and future health capabilities.

Current Apple Watch models run on the S10 chip. Although Apple has continued to introduce new Watch hardware each year, the underlying processor performance has not changed dramatically since the S9 chip arrived in 2023. That has left some users wondering when the next meaningful speed bump would arrive. With watchOS 27 introducing Siri AI and more on-device intelligence, the timing appears right for an S11 chip. A faster processor would allow the watch to handle more complex Siri requests directly, improve app loading times, and provide headroom for the next generation of health algorithms.

Health tracking remains the centerpiece of Apple Watch, and the upcoming models are expected to push further in that direction. One report claims that the Apple Watch Ultra 4 will receive a significant upgrade to its sensing functions, potentially doubling the number of sensors in the device. That sounds ambitious, but Apple has been gradually expanding the health capabilities of its wearable for years, and a sensor-heavy refresh would fit the Ultra line’s positioning as a tool for serious athletes and outdoor explorers. Some of those new sensors may be related to hypertension monitoring, an area Apple has already begun exploring in recent software updates.

Hypertension notifications and health monitoring

Apple introduced hypertension notifications in watchOS 26 last year. The feature is designed to alert users when their blood pressure readings appear to be elevated, which could help people spot potential health issues before they become serious. The feature is not a medical diagnosis, but it is a meaningful step toward making blood pressure monitoring more accessible to everyday users. Now, there are signs that Apple is preparing an additional notification feature related to high blood pressure. Reports indicate that the FDA is reviewing the new feature, and it could be unveiled alongside the Apple Watch Ultra 4 and Series 12 this fall.

If Apple does expand its hypertension tools, it would continue a trend that started with the original Apple Watch’s heart rate sensor and later expanded to include ECG, blood oxygen, temperature sensing, and fall detection. Each new health feature has helped Apple position the Watch not just as a notification device for the iPhone, but as a proactive health companion. The addition of more sensors or more sophisticated notification features would deepen that story. However, it is worth noting that not all rumored health features arrive on time, and regulatory approvals can push launches back or cause Apple to ship a feature in a limited capacity.

Design rumors and the ceramic case question

One of the most debated topics surrounding the next Apple Watch models is design. A report from Digitimes, a Taiwanese trade publication, has claimed that the Apple Watch Ultra 4 will receive a major redesign. That would be an exciting development for fans of the Ultra line, which has retained the same basic look since the original Apple Watch Ultra was introduced. However, other reporting suggests that a full redesign is not yet ready. Some analysts believe that major visual changes will not happen until at least next year, and that the 2026 models will be more of an incremental update.

One possibility that has been mentioned is the return of a ceramic case option. Apple previously offered ceramic variants of the Apple Watch, but those were discontinued after the Series 5 generation. Bringing ceramic back would give the new Watch lineup a more premium and distinctive option, while also differentiating it from the aluminum, steel, and titanium models currently available. Ceramic is known for being scratch-resistant and lightweight, and it could appeal to buyers looking for a high-end Watch that stands out from the crowd.

Why the chip upgrade matters

Let’s talk about the chip in more detail. The S10 chip currently powers Apple’s latest watch models. The S9 chip, which arrived in 2023, introduced a faster Neural Engine and enabled on-device Siri features. The S10 kept many of those improvements, but performance gains were modest compared to the jump from older models. As a result, some users have held onto their watches longer, waiting for a reason to upgrade.

An S11 chip would be the first major performance leap in several generations. It would likely be built on a more advanced manufacturing process, offering better power efficiency as well as faster speeds. That could lead to better battery life, a long-standing concern for Apple Watch users. It could also enable new watch faces, smoother animations, and more capable apps. Most importantly, it would give developers a stronger platform to build richer applications on the watch, which has traditionally been a challenge due to hardware limitations.

What to expect from the September event

Apple’s September event is typically held in the second week of September, and the company uses it to launch the new iPhone lineup. The event also serves as the stage for the next Apple Watch and often includes announcements about software release dates, new services, and accessories. While the focus will be on Apple’s next flagship phones, the Watch segment should get its fair share of attention, especially if the new models include meaningful health upgrades.

As with any Apple event, there is still room for surprises. Apple has a habit of introducing features that were not heavily rumored, or saving a compelling announcement for a smaller part of the presentation. It is also possible that some of the rumored features, such as the ceramic case or the new hypertension notification, will be delayed or changed before the final announcement. The good news is that we do not have long to wait. The event will take place next month, and all of the unanswered questions should be resolved by then.

What users are hoping for

Many Apple Watch owners have clear wishes for the next generation. Some want longer battery life, especially on the Ultra model. Others want new health sensors that can track metrics like blood pressure and sleep apnea more accurately. There is also demand for better durability, more customization options, and tools that make the Watch more useful for people who do not consider themselves athletes. Apple does not always deliver everything users ask for, but the combination of a new chip and potential health features suggests that this year’s models will be more compelling than the last few updates.

Whether you are upgrading from an older model or buying your first Apple Watch, the Ultra 4 and Series 12 are shaping up to be important releases. The new chip will provide a stronger foundation for future software, and the health features could make the Watch an even more essential part of everyday life. With the September event only weeks away, we will soon know exactly what Apple has been working on and how it plans to define the next era of its wearable.

Source: 9to5Mac News

Kendall Jenner has spent years establishing herself as one of the defining it-girls of her generation. With a minimalist aesthetic that somehow always feels fresh, she has become a reliable barometer for what fashion-forward women will be wearing next. Her latest outfit is no exception. Spotted walking through the streets of LA before heading to a concert with her friend Hailey Bieber, Jenner turned a deceptively simple look into a masterclass in modern style.

A Minimalist Look with a Powerful Statement Shoe

For her outing, Kendall Jenner chose the kind of easy, relaxed pieces that have become her signature. She paired a classic black baby tee with a pair of baggy blue jeans and a brown bowling bag. On the surface, it’s the kind of outfit that could easily go unnoticed—but then there were the shoes. Jenner slipped into a pair of black wedge heel pumps from The Row, known as the Liisa Pumps. And it was this choice that transformed her entire look.

The Liisa Pumps are anything but ordinary. They feature an extremely elongated toe that gives the silhouette a sleek, almost sculptural quality. But the most striking detail is the curved wedge heel, which gently swings inward rather than standing straight up and down. This subtle architectural twist changes the entire feel of the shoe, giving it a retro, 1960s-inspired charm that feels completely modern at the same time. It’s as if the pumps were pulled directly from a vintage boutique, yet designed with contemporary sensibilities in mind.

What makes Jenner’s styling so clever is how she let the shoes do all the talking. With an otherwise basic outfit—simple black tee, denim, and a classic bag—the wedge heels instantly became the centerpiece of the ensemble. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the right pair of shoes can elevate even the most ordinary look into something editorial-worthy.

Why Wedge Heel Pumps Are the Future of Fall Fashion

The combination of an elongated toe and a curved wedge heel is not just a passing whim. According to early previews of luxury collections, fall 2026 is shaping up to be the season where wedge heels take center stage. After years of skinny stilettos and kitten heels dominating runways, the wedge is returning with a new sense of confidence. And it’s not difficult to understand why.

Wedge heels offer a rare combination of height and comfort. Unlike stilettos, which can leave you wincing after just a few hours, wedges distribute your weight more evenly across the foot, allowing you to stay on your feet for longer without sacrificing style. That’s an appealing trade-off for anyone who wants to look polished without feeling miserable. The wedge also lends itself beautifully to retro and futuristic design explorations, making it a favorite among designers who want to push boundaries while remaining wearable.

The resurgence of the wedge heel first became visible last summer, when platform sandals and wedge espadrilles started popping up on the feet of stylish women from Paris to New York. But the trend is far from over. Now, it’s moving indoors, so to speak, transitioning from casual summer footwear to a more formal, polished pump silhouette that works perfectly for fall. Imagine a pointy-toed wedge pump in rich leather, paired with tailored trousers or a flowing midi dress—that’s the look that’s about to take over.

Designers Are Already on Board

If you need proof that the wedge heel pump will be the shoe of the season, look no further than the latest presentations from major fashion houses. Louis Vuitton, for instance, has embraced the trend with a striking black wedge pump that features a very high, sculptural heel. It’s a graphic, bold choice that pairs beautifully with oversized blazers and tailored suits, offering the same visual impact as a stiletto but with far more stability.

Loro Piana, known for its understated luxury, has also introduced a wedge heel pump in a rich brown leather. With an almond-shaped toe and a subtly sloping heel, this version strikes a perfect balance between classic and contemporary. It would look stunning with a satin midi skirt and a crisp white baby tee—a chic office look that is both comfortable and distinguished.

Meanwhile, Reformation has gone in a more playful direction, presenting a patent leather wedge pump with an ankle strap. This style adds a touch of edge and could be the perfect companion for a leather skirt and shirt combo. Massimo Dutti, on the other hand, is offering a mule version with a dramatically elongated toe. It’s a sophisticated, almost futuristic take that works exceptionally well with straight-leg jeans and a simple tank top.

These diverse interpretations prove that the wedge heel pump is far from a one-note trend. Whether you prefer a high, statement-making platform or a more subtle, curved heel, there’s a version for every taste and lifestyle. Designers are exploring the silhouette with enthusiasm, and the result is a thoughtfully crafted collection of shoes that deserve a place in your fall wardrobe.

How to Style Wedge Heel Pumps for Fall 2026

If you’re ready to adopt this trend, you might be wondering how to incorporate it into your everyday looks. The good news is that wedge heel pumps are surprisingly versatile. Here are a few ways to wear them as the season changes.

• With Tailored Suits: The graphic nature of a chunky wedge pump pairs beautifully with a sharp, oversized suit. The contrast between masculine tailoring and feminine curves creates a powerful silhouette.
• With Denim: For a casual weekend look, slip on a pair of wedge pumps with straight-leg or flared jeans. The extra height instantly elongates your legs and dresses up even the simplest combination of a white tee and blazer.
• With Midi Skirts: A satin or flowy midi skirt works perfectly with a wedge heel. The softness of the fabric complements the structured shoe, making it ideal for brunch, gallery openings, or even the office.
• With Leather Pieces: To lean into the edgier side of the trend, pair your wedge pumps with a leather skirt or leather trousers. This combination adds a touch of rock and roll to an otherwise refined shoe.

The Enduring Appeal of a Once-Forgotten Silhouette

The wedge heel is one of those rare fashion inventions that never truly disappears. It has been reinterpreted time and time again, from the iconic espadrilles of the 1970s to the sleek platforms of the 1990s and now the refined pumps of the 2020s. What makes the current iteration so exciting is its focus on craftsmanship and sculptural detailing. Designers are treating the wedge as an object of design, exploring new shapes, curves, and proportions in ways that feel fresh and contemporary.

Kendall Jenner’s choice of The Row Liisa Pumps is particularly telling. The Row is a brand celebrated for its quiet luxury, impeccable materials, and attention to detail. By selecting these shoes for a simple daytime outing, Jenner is signaling that the wedge heel pump is not reserved for evening events or special occasions—it can be an everyday staple. That’s the mark of a true trend: when it feels accessible, practical, and desirable.

Of course, not all wedge heels are created equal. The key to making this look work is to focus on proportions. Look for styles with an elongated toe to keep the silhouette sleek, and pay attention to the curve of the heel—it should feel intentional, not exaggerated. The beauty of this trend lies in its ability to combine retro charm with modern innovation, giving you a shoe that feels both nostalgic and forward-thinking.

As the fashion world slowly shifts its focus from summer to fall, all eyes are on the future. And if Kendall Jenner’s latest street style moment is any indication, the wedge heel pump will be the shoe that carries us into the new season. With comfortable heights, striking silhouettes, and endless styling possibilities, it’s no surprise that this retro-inspired footwear is gaining momentum. From luxury runways to high street brands, the wedge is being reintroduced as the smart, stylish choice for those who refuse to compromise on comfort or flair.

So, before you pack away your sandals for the year, consider giving your closet a subtle upgrade. One pair of curve-soled wedge pumps might be all you need to refresh your fall wardrobe and stay ahead of the style curve. If the trend forecasts are right, you’ll be more than prepared for September—and you’ll have Kendall Jenner’s sharp eye to thank for spotting it first.

Source: MSN News

Bella Hadid est l'une des personnalités publiques les plus médiatisées de sa génération. Mais au-delà de sa carrière dans la mode, elle est devenue une figure centrale du mouvement propalestinien à Hollywood et dans l'industrie du mannequinat. Son engagement assumé a déjà provoqué plusieurs polémiques, notamment avec Adidas en 2024. Le choix d'Alo Yoga l'expose à nouveau, dans une équation commerciale délicate puisque la marque compte également l'actrice israélienne Gal Gadot parmi ses ambassadrices.

Les points clés de la polémique

• Alo Yoga, marque américaine de sportswear haut de gamme, choisit Bella Hadid pour sa campagne pre-fall 2026.
• Des organisations pro-israéliennes appellent au boycott de la marque.
• Bella Hadid est une militante propalestinienne de longue date.
• Gal Gadot, égérie d'Alo Yoga, est engagée en faveur d'Israël.
• Alo Yoga fait déjà l'objet d'une polémique en Israël après des colis contenant des messages pro-palestiniens envoyés à des clientes.
• La marque n'a pas pris position publiquement.

Alo Yoga, une marque au sommet du sportswear

Alo Yoga a été fondée en 2007 à Los Angeles par Danny Harris et Marco DeGeorge. La griffe s'est rapidement imposée dans l'univers du yoga et de l'athleisure, un style vestimentaire hybride entre sport et ville. Elle est connue pour ses leggings techniques, ses soutiens-gorge de sport, ses vestes zippées et ses ensembles élégants. La marque associe souvent ses créations à des valeurs de bien-être, de respiration et de mouvement, ce qui lui permet de toucher une clientèle soucieuse d'une vie saine.

Alo a construit sa notoriété en collaborant avec des athlètes, des influenceurs et des célébrités. Ses boutiques, installées dans les quartiers chics de Los Angeles, de New York ou encore de Cannes et Saint-Tropez, en font une marque prisée des adeptes du yoga et de la mode. Elle se positionne comme une enseigne lifestyle, vendant bien plus que des vêtements : des cours en ligne, des tapis, des accessoires et toute une philosophie de vie positive.

Bella Hadid, une voix engagée pour la Palestine

Née à Washington et élevée à Los Angeles, Bella Hadid est la fille de Mohamed Hadid, un promoteur immobilier d'origine palestinienne, et de Yolanda Hadid, une ancienne mannequin néerlandaise. Elle a commencé le mannequinat à l'adolescence et est devenue l'un des visages les plus demandés des défilés de mode internationaux. Ses campagnes pour les plus grandes maisons, ses couvertures de magazines et sa présence sur les réseaux sociaux lui ont donné une influence considérable.

Tout au long de sa carrière, Bella Hadid n'a jamais dissocié son parcours professionnel de son histoire familiale. Elle a souvent évoqué ses racines palestiniennes, en particulier après les violences dans la bande de Gaza. En mai 2021, elle a participé à une manifestation propalestinienne à New York. Vêtue d'un keffieh, ce foulard traditionnel devenu un symbole de l'identité nationale palestinienne, elle brandissait un drapeau palestinien au milieu des militants.

En mai 2024, elle a récidivé sur le tapis rouge du Festival de Cannes en portant une robe rouge et blanche dont le motif rappelait clairement le keffieh. Ce geste avait déjà été interprété comme une prise de position esthétique et politique, applaudie par ses soutiens et critiquée par ses détracteurs.

Un précédent avec Adidas en 2024

Avant Alo Yoga, Bella Hadid a été au centre d'une polémique avec Adidas. En juillet 2024, la marque allemande avait lancé une campagne publicitaire autour d'une sneaker inspirée des Jeux olympiques de Munich de 1972. Or ces Jeux avaient été marqués par la prise d'otages et la mort de onze athlètes israéliens, perpétrées par un commando palestinien. La présence de Bella Hadid, mannequin propalestinienne, dans cette campagne avait provoqué la fureur des autorités israéliennes. Sous la pression, Adidas avait retiré la publicité et présenté des excuses. Bella Hadid avait alors publié un communiqué affirmant qu'elle n'aurait jamais participé à une campagne liée à une tragédie. Cet épisode reste gravé dans les mémoires.

Gal Gadot, l'autre visage d'Alo Yoga

Le choix de Bella Hadid est d'autant plus remarqué qu'Alo Yoga compte aussi Gal Gadot parmi ses ambassadrices. L'actrice israélienne, révélée au grand public par son rôle de Wonder Woman, est un symbole de la culture israélienne au cinéma. Elle a régulièrement pris la parole pour défendre son pays, notamment après l'attaque du Hamas du 7 octobre 2023.

Ce jour-là, Gal Gadot a publié sur Instagram : I stand with Israel. You should too, appelant la communauté internationale à ne pas rester neutre. Elle a ensuite cosigné, avec plus de 700 personnalités d'Hollywood, une lettre ouverte de soutien à Israël, condamnant le Hamas et réclamant la libération des otages. Depuis, elle a multiplié les messages en faveur des familles des captifs, suscitant en retour des appels au boycott de la part des militants propalestiniens.

La coexistence de deux personnalités aussi opposées sur le même contrat marketing est doublement sensible pour Alo Yoga. D'un côté, la marque cherche à capter une clientèle jeune, branchée et souvent attentive aux questions de justice sociale. De l'autre, elle doit préserver ses parts de marché dans un pays où elle s'est développée et où se trouve un réseau de franchise.

Un climat déjà tendu en Israël

Alo Yoga évolue déjà sur un terrain miné. Le quotidien israélien a relayé le 6 août des appels au boycott lancés par des organisations pro-israéliennes après l'annonce du choix de Bella Hadid. Mais cette nouvelle polémique ne survient pas dans un vide. Quelques mois plus tôt, en mai 2026, au moins deux clientes israéliennes avaient affirmé avoir reçu, à la place de leurs commandes, des paquets contenant des messages propalestiniens. Selon leurs témoignages, certains messages exprimaient un soutien au Hamas, d'autres étaient ouvertement hostiles à l'armée israélienne.

StandWithUs, une organisation internationale de soutien à Israël et de lutte contre l'antisémitisme, avait réagi en lançant un appel à l'action sur les réseaux sociaux. L'organisation encourageait ses sympathisants à interpeller Alo Yoga sur Instagram, demandant à la marque d'enquêter sur ces incidents, de condamner publiquement l'antisémitisme et de mettre en place des procédures pour éviter que de tels faits ne se reproduisent.

Le franchisé israélien d'Alo avait indiqué avoir transmis l'affaire au siège mondial de la marque à Los Angeles pour examen. Quelques jours plus tard, un média américain a précisé qu'Alo n'avait pas répondu à sa demande de commentaire. À ce jour, la marque n'a pas pris de position publique, ni sur les colis, ni sur le choix de Bella Hadid.

Une polémique aux réactions contrastées

La désignation de Bella Hadid a suscité des commentaires passionnés. Les organisations pro-israéliennes y voient une provocation, tandis que les internautes favorables à la cause palestinienne saluent une visibilité inédite pour une mannequin qui a toujours revendiqué ses origines. Beaucoup pointent le fait que cette nomination intervient alors que la question palestinienne reste extrêmement sensible partout dans le monde.

Cette situation illustre les difficultés croissantes pour les grandes marques de rester neutres dans un environnement médiatique polarisé. Chaque ambassadeur, chaque campagne, chaque publication Instagram peut devenir le déclencheur d'une crise. Alo Yoga, qui a construit son succès sur une image de bien-être et de spiritualité contemporaine, se retrouve prise entre des attentes contradictoires. Ses dirigeants doivent maintenant choisir entre assumer un marketing militant, tenter de relativiser la portée politique de leurs choix ou adapter leur stratégie en fonction des marchés. La pression ne retombe pas, et pendant ce temps les consommateurs, partagés, investissent la page Instagram de la marque de leurs commentaires enflammés.

Source: FashionUnited News

The move aligns with the European Union's AI Act, which introduced a transparency code that took effect on August 2. Under this code, AI companies are required to make AI-generated or edited content identifiable by other systems, not just by human readers. This is intended to help platforms, regulators, and users distinguish between human-authored and machine-generated material, especially as AI tools become more widely used in publishing, social media, and customer communications.

EU AI Act transparency requirements

The EU AI Act is a landmark piece of legislation that governs how artificial intelligence is developed and deployed in the European Union. Its transparency provisions target generative AI systems, including large language models like Anthropic's Claude. The rules require providers to ensure that AI-generated content is marked in a way that allows automated systems to detect it. This is different from visible labels or disclaimers, which can be ignored or removed by users. Machine-readable watermarks are designed to survive basic edits and remain embedded in the content metadata.

Anthropic's support page now states that watermarking will be applied at the model level. This means that regardless of whether a user accesses Claude through the API, the Claude chat interface, Claude Code, Claude Cowork, or Claude Tag, the generated text will carry the same watermark. The company also said that the watermark will travel with text when it is copied and pasted elsewhere, and that it may persist through some editing. For files, Anthropic is using the C2PA open standard, which is increasingly adopted across the media and technology industries.

How Anthropic's watermarking works

C2PA, or the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity, is an open technical standard that cryptographically binds metadata to digital content. It allows creators and publishers to attest to the origin and history of a piece of content. When applied to AI-generated files, C2PA metadata can indicate that the content was created by a specific model. For text, watermarking often involves subtle statistical patterns in word choice or sentence structure that are invisible to readers but detectable by algorithms. These patterns can be designed to survive copy-paste operations and minor modifications.

Anthropic's approach appears to combine both visible and invisible techniques. The company says the watermark is part of the text itself, which is why it travels when copied and pasted. This is an important distinction from watermarking methods that rely on separate metadata fields, which can be stripped by some applications. By embedding the watermark directly into the generated text, Anthropic aims to make it more robust and harder to remove inadvertently.

The company also said it will extend support for watermarking to older models, although it did not provide a specific timeline for when those updates would roll out. This retroactive compatibility is significant because many businesses and individuals already rely on earlier versions of Claude for content generation. Without watermarking on older models, there would be a gap in coverage that could be exploited by those seeking to avoid detection.

Products covered by watermarking

Anthropic detailed that watermarking will apply to a range of its products. The Claude platform API is used by developers to integrate Claude into third-party applications, and watermarking will be active for all responses generated through that interface. Claude Code, which is Anthropic's command-line tool for coding assistance, will also produce watermarked output. Claude Cowork and Claude Tag, two newer entries in Anthropic's product lineup, will follow the same rules. This broad coverage means that even if users switch between different Claude surfaces, they cannot accidentally or intentionally avoid the watermark.

The company acknowledged that it is not yet clear how much editing would need to happen before the watermark is removed. Anthropic has been asked for clarification on this point, and the support page does not provide specific details about the watermark's robustness against paraphrasing, translation, or heavy rewriting. This uncertainty is not unique to Anthropic; the broader AI industry is still grappling with the technical challenges of watermarking text without degrading output quality.

Industrywide moves toward AI content labeling

Anthropic is not alone in moving toward watermarking. The broader technology industry has been accelerating efforts to label AI-generated content after public backlash and regulatory pressure. Last week, AI music platform Suno said it would mark tracks created on its platform after facing a series of legal challenges. Suno's decision reflects a growing recognition that AI-generated content must be distinguishable from human-created work, particularly in creative fields where copyright and originality are contested.

In the newsletter space, Substack recently partnered with Pangram to flag AI-generated content. Substack's CEO, Chris Best, highlighted the issue of what he called Claudefishing, a term used to describe people using AI to generate content while presenting it as their own original work. This phenomenon has become more visible as AI writing tools have improved, making it harder for readers to tell whether a human or a machine wrote a particular article, essay, or newsletter.

Other major AI companies have also committed to adhering to the EU's transparency code. Black Forest Labs, Google, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Synthesia are among the organizations that have said they will comply with the requirements. Each company is taking a slightly different technical approach, but the shared goal is to create a common framework for identifying AI-generated content across platforms and jurisdictions.

Challenges and limitations of watermarking

Watermarking is not a perfect solution. Researchers have pointed out that text watermarking methods vary in reliability, especially against adversarial users who deliberately try to strip the watermark. Paraphrasing, for example, can alter sentence structure and word choice enough to break the statistical patterns used by some detectors. Translation from one language to another may also disrupt watermarks, as the output text is no longer directly tied to the original model's token probabilities.

There are also privacy and security concerns. If watermarking is implemented at the model level, it might be possible for an observer to determine whether a given text was produced by a specific AI system. That could be useful for accountability, but it also raises questions about how much information is exposed and who can access the detection tools. The EU AI Act tries to balance these concerns by requiring transparency without mandating specific technical solutions, giving companies some flexibility in how they implement watermarking.

Another issue is the potential impact on content quality. Aggressive watermarking could make AI-generated text sound unnatural or less diverse, particularly if the watermark relies on restricting the model's vocabulary or sentence patterns. Anthropic has not disclosed the technical details of its watermarking method, so it remains unclear whether users will notice any difference in Claude's output. The company is likely to monitor feedback and adjust its approach if quality problems arise.

For businesses that rely on AI-generated content, watermarking could create operational challenges. Content management systems, marketing teams, and newsrooms may need to update their workflows to handle watermarked text. In some cases, they may want to preserve the watermark for compliance reasons, while in other cases they might prefer to remove it before publishing. The lack of clarity about how easily the watermark can be removed adds complexity for these organizations.

Despite these uncertainties, the industry trend is clearly moving toward greater transparency. The combination of regulatory pressure, public scrutiny, and legal disputes has pushed AI companies to adopt watermarking and other labeling mechanisms. Anthropic's announcement is part of this larger shift, and it reflects the company's effort to position itself as a responsible actor in the AI ecosystem.

Anthropic's support page notes that watermarking will be present no matter which Claude product or surface the text comes from. That means the ChatGPT competitor is taking a uniform approach across its entire product line. As more AI systems integrate watermarking, users may begin to expect transparency as a standard feature rather than an occasional add-on. The EU AI Act's code has become a reference point for other regulators around the world, and companies that comply with it may find it easier to operate across multiple jurisdictions.

The effectiveness of Anthropic's watermarking will ultimately depend on how well it survives real-world usage. Copy-paste into word processors, content management systems, and messaging apps is common, and any watermark that breaks under those conditions would be less useful. Anthropic's claim that the watermark travels with the text suggests the company has designed it to withstand routine operations. Whether it can survive more aggressive manipulations, such as full paraphrasing or rewriting, remains to be seen.

Other companies in the AI space are also experimenting with different watermarking techniques. Google has explored embedding watermarks into generated images and text, while OpenAI has discussed similar plans for its models. The use of C2PA metadata is becoming more common for file-based content, but text remains the harder challenge because there is no natural container for metadata once the text is extracted. Embedding the watermark directly into the text itself is one solution, and Anthropic appears to have adopted that approach.

As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, AI companies will need to balance innovation with compliance. Watermarking is just one piece of the puzzle; broader questions about content provenance, algorithm transparency, and accountability are still being worked out. Anthropic's decision to watermark all new models after August 2 is a concrete step, but it is unlikely to be the final word on how AI-generated content is identified and managed in the future.

Source: TechCrunch News