Verizon has announced that it will now support sending text messages via satellite on phones from the Pixel 9 and Galaxy S25 lineup. Both Google and Samsung's current phones support satellite connectivity, but neither has really leveraged the skill outside of the Satellite SOS feature that was added to Android 15.Sending texts via satellite will be available when Pixel 9 and Galaxy S25 phones are "outside the reach of terrestrial cellular networks," Verizon says, and should come with same limitations as other satellite tools, like the need to position yourself so that there's no large structures or tree cover getting between your phone and the sky. It's also worth noting: the necessary changes "enabling this service start today and will continue over the next two weeks," so you might want to wait a bit longer before you start your next off-grid adventure.Apple introduced Messages via Satellite alongside iOS 18, which doesn't rely on carriers for support, but should offer a good illustration of how Verizon's satellite messaging will work when it's fully available on the Pixel 9 and Galaxy S25.The carrier is partnered with satellite provider AST SpaceMobile for its expanding list of satellite-connected services, and the companies have experimented with even more demanding communication options, like video calls. Competitors like T-Mobile already offer satellite messaging through a partnership with SpaceX's Starlink.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/verizon-now-supports-texting-via-satellite-on-the-pixel-9-and-galaxy-s25-193348606.html?src=rss

Google has followed up an ocean's worth of leaks with the official announcement of its Pixel 9a smartphone, which will retail for $499. Possibly the biggest change to the new A-series model is in its appearance, with the removal of the camera bar on the back of the phone. In the 9a, the camera housing is "slightly domed," sitting nearly flush with the rest of the frame, giving this midrange model a sleeker appearance. There are also new colors for this series a pale purple dubbed Iris and a vibrant pink named Peony joining the usual Porcelain and Obsidian options. (The peony option is similar to that on the pricier Pixel 9.) Our senior reviewer Sam Rutherford has already been able to check out the new device in person, and you can read why he thinks the Pixel 9a might be "the new midrange smartphone king." But here's the details before you head over to his impressions. In addition to what's already been covered here, the Pixel 9a is also getting a chip upgrade, moving up to Google's Tensor G4 processor from the G3 that was in Google's excellent Pixel 8a. Performance in the 8a was already quite good, so expect even smoother control with the G4. As with the 8a, the 9a is equipped with 8GB of RAM and comes with either 128GB or 256GB of storage. The new A-series also promises up to "30+ hour battery life." Cameras were a big reason why we liked the Pixel 8a, naming it our top pick for a midrange smartphone. The housing is different in the 9a, but it's also got slightly different specs inside. The rear dual cameras in the 9a offer 48MP wide and 13MP ultrawide lenses, while the front is equipped with a 13MP selfie camera; the 8a had 64MP wide in the rear camera. It'll support AI-powered features such as Magic Editor, Magic Eraser, Best Take and Photo Unblur. Google is bringing the Macro Focus option to the A-series for the first time for photos with lots of close-up details. There's also Night Sight to help improve your nocturnal photography. It is worth noting that since the announcement, Ars Technica has reported that because the Pixel 9a ships with 8GB of RAM, it's "forced to" rely on an "extra extra small" model of Gemini AI. The article also notes that this means "some of Google's coolest AI features don't work on the 9a." The 9a will be available in the US and Canada in North America, as well as numerous other countries in Europe and the Asia Pacific region. Google says the device will be available in April, with no further detail on specific timing. Update, March 19 2025, 12:16PM ET: This story has been updated to correct the last sentence, which said pre-orders would open in April. There will be no pre-orders. Update, March 19 2025, 3:27PM ET: This story has been updated to add a paragraph informing readers of our hands-on of the Pixel 9a, as well as another paragraph about an Ars Technica report on limited AI features. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/google-unveils-the-new-pixel-9a-for-499-140028552.html?src=rss

We've now seen the remote delete feature in action, following on from the rumors of its arrival last month.

Amazon, Meta and Google sign a pledge to triple nuclear energy output by 2050, but where are Microsoft and Oracle?

"Speed is the best cost-reduction system," Huang said Tuesday, after his keynote speech at Nvidia's GTC conference.

Commercial fishermen and seafood processors and distributors looking to switch to new, lower-carbon-emission systems say the federal funding they relied on for this work is either frozen or unavailable due to significant budget cuts promoted by President Donald TrumpsDepartment of Government Efficiency.The changes are designed to replace old diesel-burning engines and outdated at-sea cooling systems and are touted by environmentalists as a way to reduce seafoods carbon footprint. Salmon harvesters in Washington state, scallop distributors in Maine and halibut fishermen in Alaska are among those who told The Associated Press their federal commitments for projects like new boat engines and refrigeration systems have been rescinded or are under review.The uncertainty. This is not a business-friendly environment, said Togue Brawn, a Maine seafood distributor who said she is out tens of thousands of dollars. If they want to make America great again, then honor your word and tell people whats going on.Decarbonization of the fishing fleet has been a target of environmental activists in recent years. One study published in theMarine Policyjournal states that more than 200 million tons of carbon dioxide were released via fishing in 2016.That is far less than agriculture, but still a significant piece of the worldwide emissions puzzle. With Earth experiencingworsening stormsandits hottest yearon record in 2024, reducing the burning of fossil fuels across different industry sectors is critical to fighting climate change, scientists have said.Butclimate-friendly projectsoften cost tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, leading fishermen to seek U.S. Department of Agriculture or Environmental Protection Agency funds to cover some costs. DOGE, a commission assembled to cut federal spending, has targeted both agencies for cutbacks.That has left fishermen like Robert Buchmayr of Seattle on the hook for huge bills. Buchmayr said he is nearing completion of a refrigeration project for a salmon boat and was counting on a $45,000 USDA grant to pay for a chunk of it. The agency told him last month the funding is on hold until further notice, he said.Im scrambling, where does the money come from. I was counting on the grant, Buchmayr said. I was under the impression that if you got a grant from the United States, it was a commitment. Nothing in the letter was saying, Yes, well guarantee you the funds depending on who is elected.Fishermen search for answers after getting bad newsThe full extent of the cuts is unclear, and fishermen affected by them described the situation as chaotic and confusing.Representatives for the USDA and EPA did not respond to requests for comment from AP about the value of the cuts and whether they were permanent. Dan Smith, USDA Rural Developments state energy director for Alaska, said updates about some grants could arrive in April.Numerous fishermen, commercial fishing groups and advocates for working waterfronts told AP they learned about the changed status of their grant money in February and March. Some were told the money would not be coming and others were told the funds were frozen while they were subject to a review.Many prospective grant recipients said they have had difficulty getting updates from the agencies. The lack of certainty has fishermen worried and seeking answers, said Sarah Schumann, a Rhode Island fisherman and director of the Fishery Friendly Climate Action Campaign, a fishermen-led network that works on climate issues.Theyve started contacting me in the last couple of weeks because theyve had the plug pulled on money that was already committed, Schumann said. If they miss a season they could go out of business.In Homer, Alaska, Lacey Velsko of Kaia Fisheries was excited for her decarbonization project, which she said hinged on hundreds of thousands of dollars via a USDA grant to improve a refrigeration system on one of her boats. The recently completed project burns less fuel and yields a higher quality project for the company, which fishes for halibut, Pacific cod and other fish, she said.But, now the company is told the money is unavailable, leaving a huge cost to bear, Velsko said.Of course we think it was unfair that we signed a contract and were told we would be funded and now were not funded. If six months down the road were still not funded I dont know what avenue to take, she said.Lack of funding puts businesses in jeopardyThe funding cuts have also hurt seafood processors and distributors, such as Brawn in Bremen, Maine. Brawn said she received a little more than half a USDA grant of about $350,000 before learning the rest might not arrive.Brawn received the grant for Dayboat Blue, a project that uses a membership-based model to get Maine seafood to nationwide customers while reducing the carbon footprint of transportation and packaging.This model can really help fishermen, it can help consumers, it can help communities, Brawn said. What its going to do is its going to stop the program.The confusion on the waterfront is another example of the bumpy rollout of government cutbacks under Trump. The Trump administrationhalted its firingsof hundreds of federal employees who worked on nuclear weapons programs last month. It also moved torehiremedical device, food safety and other workers lost to mass firings at the Food and Drug Administration. New tariffs on key trading partners have also beenchaotic.In Bellingham, Washington, EPA funding was paused for five engine replacement projects split between three companies, said Dan Tucker, executive director of the Working Waterfront Coalition of Whatcom County. He said the uncertainty about funding has made it difficult for fishermen to move ahead with projects that will ultimately benefit their businesses and the community at large.A lot of the small guys are like, Well, I really want to help out with climate change but I cant afford it, Tucker said.Patrick Whittle, Associated PressThis story was supported by funding from the Walton Family Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Theres a lot of momentum around womens sports right now, as ad spending doubled in 2024 and the largest dedicated female sports fund recently announced it has expanded from $150 million to $250 million.While these leaps and bounds are notable, more progress is needed to ensure this isnt a fleeting momentbut rather the beginning of transformative change. Of course, more money always helps, too.Womens sports is skyrocketing and its because we are more visible, more than ever, right now, Stef Strack, founder and CEO of Voice in Sport, said during a panel discussion at the Fast Company Grill at SXSW. Investors are looking at womens sports as a growth opportunity, not a charity, and that is a really key moment.Deals flow to professional volleyballAnd investors are putting a lot of money behind womens sports. League One Volleyball (LOVB), a new professional womens league with teams in six cities, raised $160 million through investors, according to Rosie Spaulding, the leagues president, which also has a youth-to-pro ecosystem with 60 youth clubs across 23 states. Whats more, to have a brand like Adidas partner with LOVB for a multimillion-dollar, multiyear deal is a sign of change, she said.When we first started League One Volleyball, I thought womens sports were on the rise back in 2020, Spaulding said. I think now we can all say that theyre on fire.Another really, really awesome development is that professional athletes are able to build a brand and benefit from sponsorship deals from more brands that are interested in partnering with women in sports, added Logan Eggleston, who plays on the LOVB Austin team in the leagues inaugural season. Shes a partner with CELSIUS, maker of energy drinks, and thats an added benefit to making a living playing the sport she loves.I didnt know that professional volleyball was a thing when I was younger, Eggleston said. To be able to show those young athletes what they can potentially be one day, and then also provide resources and mentorship for them, is so incredible.A long way to goBut all three panelists noted that more change is neededfrom the level of investment to media attention to addressing pay inequity to policy changes (and enforcement) around Title IX to an improved focus on the athlete experience.Weve seen a ton of momentum, but right now we still have so much more progress to make, Strack said. Theres a lot of discrimination built into the current system, so we have to look fundamentally at everything in the ecosystem and think about, how do we reengineer it?Strack rattled off various stats that show that more change is needed, including: only 10% of sports sponsorship dollars go to women athletes, no women landed in the top 100 list of highest-paid athletes, and that 93% of schools at the collegiate level arent complying with Title IX, the federal civil rights law prohibiting discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities.We have to think about what do we do at the grassroots level, what do we do at the professional level, and then what do we do on the federal policy side to really change things for girls and women in sports, Strack told the audience.Even more basic changes matter, Spaulding added, like giving womens sports prime time slots or providing uniforms that actually fit women or fan gear thats made for women. Yes, theres been more media, more investment through media, through private equity, through partnerships, et cetera, she said. But theres a long way to go, and its all in the details.Why fan support mattersAnd buy-in from the fans is also important, Eggleston said. They need to show up for womens sports, they need to learn about the sports, educate themselves on the sports, get to know the athletes, the players that theyre getting to watch.And while equal pay would be amazing, Eggleston said if more female athletes become household names like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have in womens basketball, that also moves the needleand particularly if young boys grow up with female athletes as their favorite players.That would be so cool to see, said Eggleston, who said shes already experiencing the perfect time to be an athlete in womens sports. Its so cool to be starting a league right now when the momentum is really, really just being driven forward. And I just cant even imagine whats going to be happening in the next five years.

Is it just me or does that cuckoo bird look a lot like Perry the Platypus??LEGO sets have long flirted with mechanical complexity, but this cuckoo clock takes things to a different level. It doesnt just mimic a clockit is a clock. The movement is weight-driven, using components borrowed from LEGOs Liebherr Crawler Crane set, and the mechanism is intricate enough to make even seasoned Technic builders take a step back in admiration. A motorized system keeps the clock wound, so it doesnt run out of power every few minutes. And then theres the pice de rsistance: the cuckoo, triggered by a proximity sensor that detects the second hand, ensuring it bursts out at just the right moment. Its whimsical, precise, and completely unnecessary in the best possible way.Designer: marginibuildsWhat makes this so incredibly fascinating is the level of detail crammed into the design. The clock face features a Black Forest-esque clock design with Roman numerals, a charmingly old-school touch. The hands can be manually adjusted with a side knob, keeping it rooted in the tactile charm of traditional timepieces. And then there are the feet, which are, for reasons unknown, made from LEGO frog pieces and gold Hagrid hair. This is the kind of design choice that reminds you LEGO builders operate on a different wavelength from the rest of us.This clock feels like a love letter to LEGOs greatest hits. It blends the intricate engineering of Technic sets with the nostalgic appeal of LEGOs more decorative models, like the retro typewriter or grand piano. But its also deeply rooted in historycuckoo clocks trace their origins to the Black Forest region of Germany, where master clockmakers spent centuries perfecting their designs. The LEGO version pays homage to that legacy while simultaneously flipping it on its head.Its a Technic-heavy build, sure, but it also requires a certain level of patience and problem-solving. It forces you to engage with the mechanics of time itself, watching as gears and weights interact to keep things moving. And, of course, every 60 seconds, youre rewarded with the satisfying cuckoo! of a tiny LEGO bird emerging from its plastic sanctuary. Im not saying you have to give it a top-hat, but if you did, it would absolutely look like a Perry The Platypus Cuckoo Clock!As much as this set would be an engineering marvel, it also taps into something deeper: the way LEGO continues to surprise us. At this point, it should be impossible to be shocked by what people can build with these bricks. Yet, time and time again, a project like this comes along and rewires our expectations. A fully functional cuckoo clock should be an absurd proposition, something relegated to the realm of wouldnt it be cool if? Yet, here it is, proving that LEGOs true magic lies in its ability to turn the impossible into something tangible.The real question now is whether LEGO will actually greenlight this as a set. Theres precedentcomplex, nostalgia-driven builds aimed at adult fans have been a growing trend. But even among LEGOs most intricate designs, this one stands out. Its not just a display piece; its something youd actually use. And that alone makes it one of the most compelling LEGO ideas in years.The post Fully Functional LEGO Cuckoo Clock Has a Self-Winding Design, Pendulum, and Pop-out Cuckoo Bird first appeared on Yanko Design.

European Union regulators said the tech giants likely violated the law by unfairly boxing out smaller competitors, adding to tensions between Europe and the United States

MacworldLayerX Labs on Tuesday posted its finding on a new phishing attack that originally targeted Windows users, but now can be found on Macs. The phishing attack attempts to get a users username and password by making the user think their Mac is compromised.The attack involves fake security warnings that appear while browsing the web. Alerts appear stating that the Mac has been compromised and locked and the webpage appears frozen to heighten the sense of a compromise. A window appears prompting the user to enter their Macs username and password, along with a phone number to contact for support.LayerX LabsLayerX Labs provided a screenshot of the phishing attempt, though the attackers may modify the alert to make it more convincing. It has several telltale signs that it is fake, such as the design that doesnt conform to Apples style and the incorrect styling of the name macOS. Macworld called the phone number in the screenshot at 11 a.m. Pacific and got a message stating that they were not available and to call back between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., so its a fake number that no one answers.LayX Labs states that users run into these attacks inadvertently by making typos in the URLs entered into the browser. These mistyped URLs led users to compromised domain parking pages with the phishing attack.The phishing attack initially focused on Windows users but Microsoft, Google, and Mozilla implemented new security features in their browsers that effectively blocked the attack. This caused the attackers to turn to Mac users.How to protect yourself from web phishing attacksThe easiest way to protect yourself from this attack is to verify the URL you have typed into your browser. Bookmark the sites you visit frequently so you dont have to type in the URL every time. In some instances, you can use a search engine, type the name of the place you want to visit, and then click on the link after looking at the URL it goes to. For example, type Macworld into the search engine you use, and then click on the link thats designated at www.macworld.com. This way isnt as efficient but if you make a typo, youll see it in the search and Google will steer you in the right direction.Apple releases security patches through OS updates, so installing them as soon as possible is important. If you use a third-party browser, Macworld has several guides to help, including a guide onwhether or not you need antivirus software, alist of Mac viruses, malware, and trojans, and acomparison of Mac security software.