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NASA hedges its bets on costly Mars rock mission

NPR News Headlines - Tue, 01/07/2025 - 13:20

NASA has announced it is moving forward with several plans to return rock samples from Mars.

Categories: News

The Hyve smart delivery pod takes a surprisingly low-tech approach with a focus on simplicity and sustainability

TechRadar News - Tue, 01/07/2025 - 13:01
  • The latest smart delivery pod is dubbed the 'Hyve,' but it doesn't scream high-tech.
  • It can stand up to heavy rain and offers room inside to safely store several packages.
  • Delivery workers will enter a code that you can generate in an app to open the delivery pod.

There’s a new package delivery box on the block – well, at least announced – as the Hyve is making its debut at CES 2025. This latest smart home-delivery pod is surprisingly smart, but hidden behind a fairly low-tech look and feel.

It’s a vertical package locker that's designed to be placed outside your front door on a porch, a side door, near a garage, or wherever you’re getting deliveries. It stands at 32 inches in height, and with a square end it’s about 20 inches by 20 inches. This means that if you unlock the lid, which pops open, you could stack several packages or even bags inside.

On the top of the Hyve delivery pod are a number pad, delivery window, and a solar panel for charging (Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

When it begins shipping in June for $299 (we don't know if or when it'll launch outside the US), the Hyve delivery pod will be available in two colors – gray or white – and is primarily constructed from polypropylene plastic with stainless steel rods on the sides to help it keep its proper shape. As you might suspect, the whole build is waterproof up to the IP65 standard. A tether and a door frame lock are included in the box, allowing you to install the Hyve safely.

However, if someone manages to get through the tether or bracket, an onboard accelerometer will sound a siren if it detects it’s being moved. And that’s the start of the smart, intelligent features here.

Essentially, from the Hyve app for Android or iOS, you’ll be able to generate delivery codes which you can assign by retailer – potentially Amazon or BestBuy – delivery service – UPS, FedEx, DHL, USPS, etc. – or couriers for services like Instacart, Doordash, or Uber Eats.

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

Once you generate that code, the delivery person can enter the code on the Hyve via a keypad, and the lid pops open, allowing them to place the package or delivery inside. It has a clear window, enabling them to provide proof of delivery as well. And this is what gives the Hyve as a whole a sort of low-tech, high-tech feel – yes, it has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi integration for connectivity, so you can get an alert when a package is dropped off and when the lid is opened, but it doesn’t scream high-tech.

Just four AA batteries power the package delivery pod, and Hyve says it should last for 18 months, which is likely thanks to a small solar cell that works to top them off. While no smart home integration is planned, Hyve says it will work with select security systems at launch – we’re just keen to find out what those are when it comes closer to launch.

(Image credit: Future)

We’re covering all of the latest CES news from the show as it happens. Stick with us for the big stories on everything from 8K TVs and foldable displays to new phones, laptops, smart home gadgets, and the latest in AI.

And don’t forget to follow us on TikTok for the latest from the CES show floor!

Additionally, there is the notion of sustainability, with Hyve aiming to work with retailers to help with product returns to reduce packaging waste, but also on the delivery front with folks potentially opting to ship items in their basic packaging instead of needing to wrap them another layer, as it will be left securely in the Hyve locked box.

Suffice it to say, minimal recharges and a simple app to generate codes make it quite appealing; I’d just like to see some smart home integration arrive and maybe a few retail partners.

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Categories: Technology

Meta Now Lets Users Say Gay and Trans People Have 'Mental Illness'

WIRED Top Stories - Tue, 01/07/2025 - 12:45
Meta rolled out a number of changes to its “Hateful Conduct” policy Tuesday as part of a sweeping overhaul of its approach toward content moderation.
Categories: Technology

Trump in news conference says 'all hell will break out' if Gaza hostages not released

NPR News Headlines - Tue, 01/07/2025 - 12:39

The president-elect made a similar pledge on social media in early December. His latest comments came during a wide-ranging news conference from Mar-a-Lago.

(Image credit: Evan Vucci)

Categories: News

License Plate Readers Are Leaking Real-Time Video Feeds and Vehicle Data

WIRED Top Stories - Tue, 01/07/2025 - 12:38
Misconfigured license-plate-recognition systems reveal the livestreams of individual cameras and the wealth of data they collect about every vehicle that passes by them.
Categories: Technology

I think the title of the world's most powerful mini PC has been claimed by HP and yes, it's an AMD workstation

TechRadar News - Tue, 01/07/2025 - 12:31
  • The Z2 Mini G1a is what HP calls a compact Next Gen AI PC
  • Its top model comes with a Ryzen AI Max+ Pro 395 teamed with 128GB LPDDR5X
  • 30 of them can fit in a 42U rack tower

The HP Z2 Mini G1a Workstation Desktop PC is an advanced mini workstation designed for professionals engaged in demanding tasks such as AI processing, 3D design, and graphics rendering.

The company says its new powerhouse release will allow users to tackle complex AI-enhanced projects and graphics-intensive tasks simultaneously.

Its compact form factor, measuring just 3.4 x 6.6 x 7.9 inches and weighing 5.07 pounds, should allow it to fit into any workspace, whether placed on a desk, mounted behind a monitor, or rack-mounted to maximize space efficiency.

High-end processor and AI capabilities

At the core of the HP Z2 Mini G1a is the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 processor, offering up to 16 cores and 32 threads with a clock speed of 3.0 GHz (base) to 5.1 GHz (boost).

The processor is supported by AMD Radeon graphics, with neural processing units (NPU) providing up to 50 TOPS of AI performance for cutting-edge tasks.

This workstation is equipped with up to 128GB of LPDDR5X memory, capable of allocating up to 96GB directly to the GPU.

For storage, users can opt for dual NVMe modules with RAID capabilities, offering configurations up to 8TB, ensuring both speed and reliability.

The HP Z2 Mini G1a comes with multiple connectivity options including Thunderbolt 4, USB Type-C, and Ethernet ports.

There are also optional modules for additional USB ports, serial interfaces, or enhanced networking options. In addition, it supports Wi-Fi 7 for wireless connectivity.

This system also supports up to four 4K displays simultaneously, ideal for multitasking in professional environments. Wi-Fi 7.

According to HP, this device is built with 60% recycled plastics 20% recycled steel, and 100% sustainably sourced outer box packaging.

There's no information on pricing just yet, so stay tuned for more information, but we'd expect the HP Z2 Mini G1a to launch later in 2025.

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Categories: Technology

Meta’s Fact-Checking Partners Say They Were ‘Blindsided’ by Decision to Axe Them

WIRED Top Stories - Tue, 01/07/2025 - 12:20
Fact-checkers claim they had no idea the company was going to end their partnerships and are scrambling to figure out the financial implications of the move.
Categories: Technology

Best Earbuds for Phone Calls for 2025

CNET News - Tue, 01/07/2025 - 12:15
Looking for a new pair of earbuds to improve your call quality? These wireless earbuds offer the best voice-calling performance, according to a CNET audio expert.
Categories: Technology

Google fires back as Microsoft is accused of 'tricking' people into using Bing

TechRadar News - Tue, 01/07/2025 - 12:11
  • Microsoft has been accused of using an underhand trick to drive Bing traffic
  • In certain situations, searching for ‘Google’ in Bing will produce a results page that looks a lot like Google's home page
  • Critics argue this might lead to people searching via Bing rather than Google without knowing

Microsoft’s been accused of using underhand tricks that push the use of the Bing search engine at the expense of Google – and the outcry has prompted a senior Google employee to speak out.

According to Windows Latest, people who searched for Google using either Edge or Chrome web browsers with Bing set as their default search engine would get a results page that looked a lot like Google's home page, rather than the usual Bing results page.

When Bing returns the search results, Microsoft has apparently made a change so that the Bing search bar – normally found at the top of the list of results – has had an image added to it, rather like a Google doodle.

This has led to some on the internet accusing Microsoft of making it look like the Google home page has loaded, and even suggesting that the web page is loaded in such a way that the ‘Microsoft Bing’ logo and bar at the very top are hidden away.

This could make users go ahead and run a search, using the Bing bar, while thinking they are using Google.

The backlash has been swift and vocal, with even a senior employee at Google weighing in.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but Microsoft spoofing the Google homepage is another tactic in its long history of tricks to confuse users & limit choice. New year; new low @Microsoft https://t.co/LKSNNKB7HyJanuary 6, 2025

This is a major intervention – and a surprising one at that. Parisa Tabriz is VP of Chrome at Google, and she's making some bold accusations, even going as far as to tag Microsoft. We don't often see such senior employees getting involved in accusations that (as far as we can tell) are far from substantiated.

The fact that Tabriz has commented on this, likely with senior Google staff knowing about it, suggests that Google is not happy about this. However, we shouldn't rush to judgment, and Google should be careful about amplifying accusations against a major rival (and one that Google frequently collaborates with).

There's no denying this looks like the Google home page. (Image credit: Future / Microsoft) Analysis: An unedifying spat

Neither Google nor Microsoft come out of this particularly well. There's no denying that the results page for 'Google' using Bing does look a lot like Google's home page (we've tried it here ourselves), and the usual Bing branding is indeed obscured as the page loads slightly scrolled down. Perhaps the most damning aspect is that this only happens when you search for 'Google'. Other searches (we tried 'hats') gives you the default Bing page.

Microsoft's past attempts to get people to use its services means many people are reluctant to give it the benefit of the doubt – but regardless of your opinion of the company, we have to bear in mind that there's no evidence that this is a deliberate ploy to trick users into using Bing over Google.

This makes Tabriz's comment all the more risky, especially as due to her position in the company, many people might assume her comments reflect the views of Google – and that opens it up to accusations of hypocrisy.

Google's rise to the top of the search engine and browser markets has led to accusations of limiting choice for users with tactics that some describe as unfair.

So, while Microsoft's motivations should definitely be interrogated, Google should also be careful about throwing too many stones from its own glass house. We've reached out to both Microsoft and Google for their responses to these accusations and we'll update this story when we hear back.

As for users who just want to search the internet in peace – this is a reminder that like most things you do on the internet, you should always make sure you're using the website or service that you trust by double-checking before you enter in any information.

Via 9 to 5 Google

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Categories: Technology

Best Phone Plan Deals: Find Big Savings at Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and More

CNET News - Tue, 01/07/2025 - 12:11
Being on a budget doesn't mean you have to settle for spotty service. Check out the best ways to get signed up with a carrier for less.
Categories: Technology

CES 2025 Wellness Tech: Products That Might Refine How We Think About Health

CNET News - Tue, 01/07/2025 - 12:07
From smart mirrors to wearable tech and AI-powered hearing aids, these are some of the top wellness products from CES this year.
Categories: Technology

You May See an AI Version of Yourself as an Instagram Post: Here's How to Turn It Off

CNET News - Tue, 01/07/2025 - 12:00
Some users are seeing AI-generated images of themselves as private posts on the platform.
Categories: Technology

Arsenal vs. Newcastle Livestream: How to Watch Carabao Cup Semifinal Soccer From Anywhere

CNET News - Tue, 01/07/2025 - 12:00
The Gunners have home advantage in this first-leg clash with the Magpies at the Emirates Stadium, with both teams in good form.
Categories: Technology

Aptera Solar EV Gets All the Energy It Needs From the Sun video

CNET News - Tue, 01/07/2025 - 12:00
CNET kicks the tires and takes a ride in Aptera's upcoming solar electric car, which hits the road for preorder holders later this year.
Categories: Technology

Microsoft really wants you to update to Windows 11 in 2025

TechRadar News - Tue, 01/07/2025 - 12:00
  • Microsoft calls 2025 ‘the year of the Windows 11 PC refresh’
  • Windows 10 EOS will push 80% of businesses to buy new devices
  • Microsoft reckons its Copilot+ PCs are faster than the current-generation MacBook Air

Microsoft has decided CES 2025 is the perfect opportunity to once again plug Windows 11, as adoption figures continue to underwhelm, even as the official Windows 10 end of life looms large.

In a company blog post, Microsoft Executive Vice President and Consumer Chief Marketing Officer Yusuf Mehdi declared 2025, “the year of the Windows 11 PC refresh”

In a bid to attract more users to Windows 11, Mehdi highlighted Microsoft's latest artificial intelligence improvements, including Copilot+ PCs and the new Copilot button that features on many of the latest models.

Microsoft is still struggling with Windows 11 adoption

“Building on Windows 11, our most secure version of Windows, we introduced a new category of PCs – the Copilot+ PC," Mehdi wrote.

Figures quoted in a separate post by Microsoft claim the top Copilot+ PCs are up to 58% faster than the MacBook Air M3, with up to 47% faster AI performance than the same Apple laptop. Comparing its latest hardware to previous iterations, the company also stated that Copilot+ PCs are up to 5x faster than the most popular five-year-old Windows PCs still in use today.

Following a decade of updates and support, Windows 10 end of service has been confirmed for October 14, 2025, but despite being more than three years old, Windows 11 is still struggling to gain the same level of traction.

As 2024 drew to a close, Windows 10 maintained a nearly two-thirds market share, at 63%. The remaining third was given to Windows 11 (34%), with Windows 7 barely accounting for 2.5%.

Microsoft is hopeful, though, with IDC research suggesting that 80% of businesses could be refreshing their PC portfolios by the end of 2025 and 70% of consumers doing so in the next two years.

Canalys research is also positive, with AI PCs accounting for 20% of the market in Q3 2024. More than half (53%) were Windows PCs, such as Copilot+ models. However, the research firm polled channel partners in November 2024 and found that one in three (31%) do not plan to sell Copilot+ PCs in 2025.

“We believe that Windows 11 is available at a time when the world needs it most – providing advanced AI capabilities and modern security benefits that customers expect in 2025 and beyond," Mehdi concluded.

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Categories: Technology

CES 2025 day 2: the 11 coolest gadgets we've seen, from Samsung's The Frame Pro TV to AI air fryers

TechRadar News - Tue, 01/07/2025 - 12:00

(Image credit: Future)

TechRadar will be extensively covering this year's CES, and will bring you all of the big announcements as they happen. Head over to our CES 2025 news page for the latest stories and our hands-on verdicts on everything from 8K TVs and foldable displays to new phones, laptops, smart home gadgets, and the latest in AI.

And don’t forget to follow us on TikTok and WhatsApp for the latest from the CES show floor!

CES 2025 is now well underway – and while the grand expo technically starts today (January 7), for those in the media (including the TechRadar team), it's the second day of showcases and announcements. It's been another hectic day of tech news, so we're giving you a round-up of the best bits right here.

As with the first day of CES 2025, the gadgets and gizmos on show below will help to define the year in technology. We've got big news from Samsung, Nvidia and LG, as well as new smartwatches, robot vacuums, AI-powered air fryers, and... parasols with batteries attached (perfect for your next beach day).

CES is a tech showcase, so you won't be able to buy all of these products right away – but they give us a glimpse of what's coming later in 2025, so you can start saving up now.

This isn't the end of the CES 2025 fun either, because we'll have another full round-up of hardware for you to dig into tomorrow...

1. Samsung The Frame Pro TV
  • Best feature: The addition of mini-LED tech

The 2025 version is a major upgrade (Image credit: Future)

We've always been intrigued by The Frame TV from Samsung – the television that doubles up as an art showcase – and here at CES 2025 the latest model has been unveiled. The Frame Pro adds mini-LED technology and improved HDR to the mix, and the difference between this and the 2024 model is simply stunning.

There's an extra vibrancy here and some other tweaks (like improved refresh rate) that make The Frame Pro a better TV, and yet it doesn't lose any of its appeal when the Art Mode is active. We'll need to put the model more fully to the test, but it seems Samsung may have finally hit on the right formula this time around.

2. Nvidia RTX 5090
  • Best feature: Proper 8K gaming support

Here comes Nvidia's new RTX 5090 card (Image credit: Nvidia)

We've been waiting a long time, but the Nvidia RTX 5000 series GPUs are finally official – including the top-of-the-range RTX 5090. Early impressions: these graphics cards will be living up to the hype, and pack in an enormous amount of power, though you're going have to pay top dollar to get hold of them.

The RTX 5090 specifically brings with it 92 billion transistors, next-gen Tensor Cores and Ray Tracing Cores, and more than double the AI processing speed of the RTX 4090 (which was a complete beast). Oh, and there's 32GB of new GDDR7 VRAM too, making this comfortably the most powerful GPU on the planet.

3. SwitchBot K20+ Pro
  • Best feature: An innovative mounting platform

Why do one job when you can do three? (Image credit: SwitchBot)

If you've ever thought the key feature missing from your robot vacuum was the ability to bring you a sandwich while cleaning your floors, take a look at the new SwitchBot K20+ Pro. It comes with a mounting platform for attachments such as fans, security cameras, and trays for bringing your lunch right to you (perhaps).

It's a neat idea, and expands the capabilities of the standard robovac – it makes sense that it could also be taking care of other jobs (such as purifying the indoor air) while keeping everything spick and span. How the device and its accessories are priced will be crucial, and we'll find that out at some point later in 2025.

4. LG xboom Stage 301
  • Best feature: Works on the floor or on a stand

The LG xboom Stage 301 produces some serious sound (Image credit: Future)

Musician will.i.am is back in the tech game, and has partnered up with LG to bring us the xboom series of speakers. The best of the bunch right now is the LG xboom Stage 301, which is designed like a stage speaker – it has a corner cut off at the bottom, so you can angle it upwards, just like the pro musicians do.

What's most important though is the sound, and the 6.5-inch woofer and twin 2.5-inch mid-range drivers do a very impressive job here, based on our testing on the CES 2025 show floor. The speaker works on a stand as well as on the floor, and is designed to be versatile enough to meet a whole range of different needs.

5. Anker SOLIX parasol
  • Best feature: Shade cover with solar power

"Look... still got Wi-Fi..." (Image credit: Anker)

You know you're at CES when you're looking at recharging stations paired with objects you wouldn't necessarily associate with gadget charging – and that brings us to the Anker SOLIX parasol, which you can wheel out to the beach to make sure you stay very much on the grid while you're soaking in some rays.

Or rather, not soaking in the rays, if you're benefitting from the parasol's cover. The umbrella is waterproof and comes with some clever solar cells on top, so you can use the power of the sun to charge up your phones and tablets. It also pairs rather nicely with other products in the Anker range, including power stations.

6. Amazfit Active 2
  • Best feature: A personal wrist-based AI assistant

The Amazfit Active 2 is available in a number of configurations (Image credit: Amazfit)

It's now been well-established that Amazfit is one of the go-to brands if you're looking for a smartwatch that's both feature-packed and affordable, and the new Amazfit Active 2 series continues that trend. The starting price here is a mere $99.99 (about £80 / AU$160), but you get an awful lot of bang for your buck.

The watch series boasts stainless steel frames, 10 days of battery life, offline maps support, and 160 sports mode options. There are multiple strap and AMOLED display options, and you also get the AI Zepp Flow assistant on board, ready and waiting to help you with fitness insights, watch settings, messaging, and more.

7. Ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential
  • Best feature: Saving energy at an affordable price

Heat your home in style (Image credit: Ecobee)

Ecobee isn't missing out on the CES 2025 fun, and it has a new Smart Thermostat Essential to show off in Las Vegas. Not only does it learn the heating and cooling speeds for your home and bring with it a full color touchscreen, it's also half the price of the 4th-gen Nest Learning Thermostat Google unveiled last year.

It'll set you back $129.99 (about £100 / AU$200) when it goes on sale in March. All the standard features are included, such as customizable schedules and remote control, and it'll work with Ecobee's SmartSensors too, if you have them installed. We haven't had chance to test it yet, but the early signs are very promising.

8. Dreo ChefMaker 2
  • Best feature: AI-powered conversions for oven recipes

The original Dreo ChefMaker (Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

We're often a little disappointed by AI tricks that don't really live up to the hype, but we like the idea of the Dreo ChefMaker 2 air fryer: it uses artificial intelligence to convert standard oven recipes taken from websites or cookbooks, into actual programs the machine can use, with revised temperatures and timings.

Now until we try it out, we don't know how well this works – but given how good the original Dreo ChefMaker was, we're hopeful. If you don't want to rely on AI, there are also 100 pre-programmed recipes available to get you started, and the device looks to offer the usual Dreo build quality and cooking prowess.

9. TCL Playcube
  • Best feature: Can be easily angled in any direction

We need more details about this gadget please, TCL (Image credit: TCL)

We've only seen a fleeting mention of the TCL Playcube at CES 2025 so far, but we're very interested in learning more. The portable projector is battery powered so it can go just about anywhere you like, and it features a 'magic cube' design that means you can easily angle the projected image in any direction.

And... that's just about all we know – TCL hasn't offered any information in the way of pricing or a release date. The previous TCL A1 projector was affordably priced and came with Google TV software on board, so we're expecting the same from the Playcube. Stay tuned to TechRadar for future updates on this.

10. HMD OffGrid
  • Best feature: Satellite connectivity for all smartphones

The new HMD OffGrid device (Image credit: HMD)

The HMD OffGrid brings satellite messaging to any smartphone, so you don't need the latest iPhone to keep in touch with people without any Wi-Fi or cellular coverage. It works like a mobile hotspot that can also reach satellites, and it comes with support for connecting to 24/7 search and rescue services too.

All of this comes at a cost, specifically $199 / £169 upfront with a $14.99 / £14.99 monthly subscription fee – but for some of you outdoor adventurers, that will be well worth it. HMD hasn't confirmed the exact phones this is going to work with, but we should hear more later in the month, when the device goes on sale.

11. Flic Duo
  • Best feature: Hugely customizable and versatile

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

Sometimes the best gadgets are the simplest gadgets, and the Flic Duo is a case in point from CES 2025: at first glance, it looks like a simple wall switch, but its two buttons can be programmed in all kinds of different ways, and as well as accepting button pushes, you can also control connected devices using swipes.

So, for example, you could change the brightness of smart lights or move a smart blind up and down by moving your finger across one of the buttons. As well as using it on the wall, you can easily pull it off and use it as you wander around your home, making it a versatile and convenient controller for your smart devices.

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Categories: Technology

Asus Debuts Lightest Copilot Plus PC and Updates Massive Dual-Screen Laptop

CNET News - Tue, 01/07/2025 - 11:57
The Zenbook A14 is a very light, very rigid 14-inch laptop, and the Zenbook Duo gets the latest Intel silicon.
Categories: Technology

See John Deere's Second-Gen Self-Driving Tractor in Action video

CNET News - Tue, 01/07/2025 - 11:49
John Deere is bringing its next-gen autonomous technology to orchards, quarries and campus lawns.
Categories: Technology

White House Launches 'U.S. Cyber Trust Mark' Security Program

CNET News - Tue, 01/07/2025 - 11:45
A new government seal is meant to help consumers identify connected devices that meet minimum standards for digital security and privacy.
Categories: Technology

Human Metapneumovirus Is Finally Being Taken Seriously

WIRED Top Stories - Tue, 01/07/2025 - 11:42
The attention being paid to a Chinese outbreak of a virus often confused with flu is a sign that respiratory infection tracking is improving.
Categories: Technology

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