Blizzard Entertainments Overwatch 2 saw its biggest update yet with Season 15s Perks, and Season 16 is keeping the momentum rolling with a new hero. Freja is a former search and rescue specialist turned bounty hunter who runs afoul of Maximilien. Though they reconcile their differences, the latter assigns her the task of hunting down a familiar (yet unnamed) target.The animated trailer showcases several of Frejas abilities, from her crossbow and timed explosive projectile to the ability to glide. She can also unleash a bolas, which doubles up as a vortex, snaring any nearby targets (and seemingly detonating). Thankfully, players wont have to wait to try her out as a limited-time test has been announced for March 21st to 24th.Season 16 lacks a release date, so stay tuned for more details, including other new content and upcoming cosmetics. Overwatch 2 is available for Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

The Hitch-Hiker is a 1953 American independent film noir thriller co-written and directed by Ida Lupino and starring Edmond O'Brien, William Talman, and Frank Lovejoy. Based on the 1950 killing spree of Billy Cook, the film follows two friends who are taken hostage by a murderous hitchhiker during an automobile trip to Mexico. The Hitch-Hiker was the first American mainstream film noir directed by a woman, and premiered in Boston on March20, 1953, to little fanfare. The film was marketed with the tagline: "When was the last time you invited death into your car?" It was selected in 1998 for preservation in the United States National Film Registry as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant".Film credit: Ida LupinoRecently featured: David LivingstoneSword-billed hummingbirdMolly MaguiresArchiveMore featured pictures

March 20: Nowruz (2025)Chemical structure of zidovudine1724 Following the death of Pope InnocentXIII, a papal conclave convened in Rome to elect a new pope.1861 An earthquake occurred in the Argentine province of Mendoza, causing at least 6,000 deaths and destroying most of the buildings in the province's capital city.1922 The United States Navy commissioned its first aircraft carrier, USSLangley.1944 World WarII: U.S. Marines made a landing on Emirau Island in the Bismarck Archipelago to develop an airbase as part of Operation Cartwheel.1987 The antiretroviral drug zidovudine (chemical structure pictured) became the first treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for HIV/AIDS.2014 Taliban militants killed nine civilians in a mass shooting at the Kabul Serena Hotel in Afghanistan.Maud Menten (b.1879)Willie Brown (b.1934)Fernando Torres (b.1984)Christel Boom (d.2004)More anniversaries: March 19March 20March 21ArchiveBy emailList of days of the yearAbout

Chris Kerr, News EditorMarch 19, 20252 Min ReadImage via CWAIndustry-wide union United Videogame Workers-CWA (UVW-CWA) has welcomed over 100 new members into its ranks within hours of breaking cover at GDC 2025.Union organizer KB shared the milestone during a labor panel at the conference, prompting a cacophony of applause from attendees.UVW-CWA was established by industry workers across the United States and Canada to "build worker power irrespective of studio and current job status."As a direct-join (or pre-majority) union, UVW-CWA enables workersincluding freelancers and those who have been laid offto organize without encountering hurdles that employers might lay down during the traditional union certification progress.KB underlined the importance of allowing those impacted by layoffs to unionize by asking attendees at the panel to raise their hands if they have personally been laid off or know someone who has. Almost everyone in the packed-out room obliged."UVW is a home for all of those people laid off," said KB. "The barrier to entry is very low. You pay your dues and you're in the union. This is for all of us."The idea behind direct-join organizing, then, is to blow the doors open on unionization and usher in positive change across the industry at large."We go in harmony with those certified unions," added KB. "What those bargaining units have won for themselves, we want to share that with the entire industry. By joining UVW you get to join that network of expertise."Related:It's a sentiment echoed by CWA president Claude Cummings, who earlier today described the formation of UVW-CWA as an "exciting next step in our union's work to help video game workers build power in their industry.""As video game studios have consolidated, the workers whose creativity, dedication, and skill bring the games to life have become more an afterthought," he added. "They are subject to endless cycles of layoffs and rehiring as corporate executives pursue short-term profits at the expense of a sustainable future.Those interested can learn more about UVW-CWA, including how to apply, on the CWA website.Read more about:UnionizationLaborGDC 2025About the AuthorChris KerrNews Editor, GameDeveloper.comGame Developer news editor Chris Kerr is an award-winning journalist and reporter with over a decade of experience in the game industry. His byline has appeared in notable print and digital publications including Edge, Stuff, Wireframe, International Business Times, andPocketGamer.biz. Throughout his career, Chris has covered major industry events including GDC, PAX Australia, Gamescom, Paris Games Week, and Develop Brighton. He has featured on the judging panel at The Develop Star Awards on multiple occasions and appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live to discuss breaking news.See more from Chris KerrDaily news, dev blogs, and stories from Game Developer straight to your inboxStay UpdatedYou May Also Like

President Donald Trumps sudden and unlawful firing of the Federal Trade Commissions two remaining Democrats will serve the tech billionaires who backed him, not the American people, warned one of the ousted officials today.I think we need to be focused on the billionaires over President Trumps shoulder at his inauguration and what this attempt will do for them, Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya said in some of his first live remarks since the firing, at a hearing before the Colorado state legislature. Above all else, we need to be asking ourselves, who will win from this attempt to illegally remove us, and frankly, who will lose?Bedoya and his fellow Democratic Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter were both fired by Trump on Tuesday evening in what they call an illegal removal from an independent agency. Trumps move appears to violate the law and a longstanding Supreme Court precedent preventing the president from firing commissioners without cause. In an interview with CNBC on Wednesday, Slaughter warned that their firings are a warning for other government entities that are supposed to be independent. If I can be fired, I dont know why Jerome Powell cant be fired, she said, referring to the chair of the Federal Reserve.Are you a current or former FTC employee, or a US federal government worker at another agency? Reach out securely with tips from a non-work device to Lauren Feiner via Signal at laurenfeiner.64.Even though Bedoya and Slaughter would have served in the minority on the FTC, theyve stressed that such a position is still critical for holding corporations to account. The agencys current Republican chair Andrew Ferguson, however, is readily willing to cede more power to the president. As head of the executive branch, Ferguson said in a statement Tuesday, Trump is vested with all of the executive power in our government. I have no doubts about his constitutional authority to remove Commissioners, which is necessary to ensure democratic accountability for our government.Trump hasnt made his specific reasons for the firings clear, especially since Republicans will soon have a majority on the panel anyway. White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said in a statement that Trump has the lawful authority to manage personnel within the executive branch. President Trump will continue to rid the federal government of bad actors unaligned with his common sense agenda the American people decisively voted for. Bedoya voiced his own suspicions. I think its interesting that the last public statement I made was critical of one of the men standing behind the Presidents shoulder at his inauguration, Bedoya told the Colorado legislators referring to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, one of numerous Big Tech CEOs that prominently attended the event.Its interesting that the last public statement I made was critical of one of the men standing behind the Presidents shoulder at his inaugurationI issued a statement criticizing Mr. Bezos for working his people and warehouses so fast, so hard that they literally have to put up vending machines on the warehouse floor, dispensing and capping the amount of painkillers each of those workers has to get. He added that hes not alleging that this was why I was fired, but I think its an interesting coincidence.Bedoyas statements were made at what had been originally scheduled as a presentation about the states role in protecting Americans affordability of goods and cost of living.Bezos isnt the only CEO that stands to gain from Democratic commissioners dismissals, Bedoya warned. Three of the tech executives who attended Trumps inauguration Amazons Bezos, X owner Elon Musk, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg each run a company that is subject to a court order or litigation from the FTC.While Trump has railed against Big Tech, the FTC recently removed guidance on its website that was critical of Amazon, Microsoft, and others. It asked to delay a consumer protection trial over Amazons Prime service due to staffing losses before abruptly reversing course.I think we need to take a step back and ask ourselves, who will win from this effort to remove us?I am sitting as a judge in a matter in which FTC staff is trying to tighten and ramp up the privacy protections for Meta users, Bedoya said. I am responsible for enforcing a 20-year privacy consent decree against the company most of us know as Twitter. And I am suing Amazon, Mr. Bezos company, in not one, but two separate lawsuits. So I think we need to take a step back and ask ourselves, who will win from this effort to remove us?More than two dozen Democratic senators, including Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), sent a letter to Trump urging him to reverse his dismissals. This action contradicts long standing Supreme Court precedent, undermines Congresss constitutional authority to create bipartisan, independent commissions, and upends more than 110 years of work at the FTC to protect consumers from deceptive practices and monopoly power, they wrote. We urge you to rescind these dismissals so the FTC can get back to the peoples work.But Bedoya made a point to stress an uncomfortable fact, which is that the issue of the corrupting influence of money in politics, I dont think, is limited to one party. He noted that former Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris did not commit to naming President Joe Bidens FTC Chair Lina Khan to lead the agency again, as big business donors criticized her aggressive approach to merger enforcement, among other things. By contrast, Vice President JD Vance has actually praised Khan in the past though that obviously didnt lead to maintaining her position as chair. Frankly, I think that has more than anything to do with the amount of money and big money donors that were giving to her campaign, Bedoya said. Chair Khans policies were wildly popular in rural America, urban America, suburban America, red, blue, you name it.This issue of the corrupting influence of billionaires in law enforcement is an issue that affects all of us, Bedoya said.See More:

From now through the end of March, AliExpress is hosting a US Anniversary Sale on locally shipped products, including video game consoles and accessories, computer peripherals, monitors, headphones, memory cards, gaming chairs, fitness equipment, and more. The products on sale are stocked in US-based warehouses, ship for free, and usually arrive to your door within one to two weeks, in stark contrast to products dropshipped from China that can take as long as a month or more and are sometimes tagged with outrageous shipping fees. In fact, AliExpress offers a refund on nearly all locally shipped products if your order doesn't arrive within 20 business days.AliExpress US Anniversary Sale (Locally Shipped Products)Is It Safe to Buy From AliExpress?AliExpress as a whole is a legitimate website, but since it is a marketplace comprised of individual sellers, you have to make sure that the vendor you're buying from is reputable. In many cases, the easiest way to do so is to look at the seller's rating and history. In terms of the products we've listed in this article, while it's true that some of the sellers may not have many reviews, AliExpress has reached out to us and personally vetted these vendors, which is why we feel comfortable promoting them. AliExpress also offers a 15 to 90 day free return policy depending on the product.US Anniversary Sale on Locally Shipped ProductsXbox Elite Series 2 Core Wireless Gaming ControllerXbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Gaming ControllerNintendo Switch Lite Portable Gaming ConsoleNintendo Switch OLEDEcoflow River 2 240Whr LiFePO4 Portable Power StationArzopa S1 15.6'' FHD USB Portable MonitorArzopa Z1FC 16.1" FHD 144Hz USB Portable MonitorLEGO Transformers Bumblebee 10338Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling HeadphonesSony PlayStation 5 Digital Edition ConsoleRGB Gaming ChairDon't Forget to Apply These Coupon CodesAliExpress often runs a suite of promo codes that generally don't have any product exclusions other than the usual tiered savings depending on how much you spend. Sometimes there's an extra incentive for new customers, but even returning buyers can usually find a coupon that applies on almost everything. Here are the ones that are available right now:IFP8WNN ($3 Off Orders $19+)IFPQHLH ($6 Off Orders $39+)IFP3TXY ($15 Off Orders $89+)IFP7FJZ ($25 Off Orders $159+)IFPI3V5 ($40 Off Orders $269+)IFPD5NS ($50 Off Orders $359+)IFPPVZR ($70 Off Orders $469+)IFPRZAZ ($100 Off Orders $599+)Xbox Elite Core Wireless Controller for $74.42Xbox Elite Series 2 Core Wireless Gaming ControllerAliExpress has dropped the price of the professional-grade Xbox Series X Elite Series 2 Core Wireless Controller to only $74.42 shipped after you apply coupon code "IFP3TXY" in cart. That's a huge price drop from its normal $140 list price and nearly the same cost as a standard Xbox controller. Note that this is a Hong Kong or Japanese import model in new retail packaging, but you won't find it cheaper anywhere else. Aside from the different color scheme, the Core controller is identical to the Xbox Elite Series 2 non-Core controller. The Core controller, however, does not include the component pack. AliExpress offers a 90-day return policy.Xbox Elite Wireless Controller for $100.29Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Gaming ControllerAliExpress also just dropped the price on a new retail boxed (imported) Xbox Series X Elite Series 2 wireless gaming controller component pack included to $100 shipped. This controller retails for $180 and the lowest price we've ever seen for this controller stateside is about $130-$140.Ecoflow Power StationsEcoflow River 3 230Whr LiFePO4 Portable Power StationEcoflow Delta 2 950Whr LiFePO4 Portable Power StationEcoflow Delta 2 1,024Whr LiFePO4 Portable Power StationEcoflow River 2 240Whr LiFePO4 Portable Power StationEcoflow River 2 Max 499Whr LiFePO4 Portable Power StationEcoflow River 2 Pro 716Whr LiFePO4 Portable Power StationEcoflow sells their power stations on several different marketplaces including Amazon, Costco, Walmart, eBay, and even directly on its own site. However, if you want the best deals on new (not refurbished) products, you'll have to head on over to AliExpress. There, Ecoflow sells its products under the handle Ecoflow Local US Store. Their products ship from a local US-based warehouse and usually arrives within 3-5 days (past 20 days and you'll get a complete refund). Since Ecoflow itself is the seller, you're entitled to the 5 year factory warranty.LEGO Transformers Bumblebee 10338 for $68.70LEGO Transformers Bumblebee 10338AliExpress is a good place to find LEGO sets at a discount, but just watch out for the knockoffs. Genuine listings always mention the word "LEGO" in their description. Imitation listings may show an item that looks just like the official LEGO set in the photos, but won't explicitly mention "LEGO" in the description, otherwise they get flagged by AliExpress. Also, if a price is way too be good to be true, it probably is. Don't buy a $100 LEGO set for $10 and come away with high expectations. The LEGO Bumblebee deal is a genuine product at a very good (albeit reasonable) price.Arzopa S1 15" USB Portable Monitor for $57Arzopa S1 15.6'' FHD USB Portable MonitorAliExpress has this Arzopa 15" 1080p USB Type-C portable monitor for only $57 shipped after you apply coupon code "IFPQHLH". We've posted deals on this portable monitor in the past, but this is the lowest price we've seen thus far. The marketplace vendor is Arzopa itself so you're getting the full manufacturer's warranty. This monitor is primarily designed to be a secondary display for a laptop, but the S1's 1080p 60Hz panel is a great match for the Nintendo Switch's hardware, since the Switch only supports up to 720p @ 60Hz anyway.Arzopa Z1FC 16" 144Hz USB Portable Monitor for $79Arzopa Z1FC 16.1" FHD 144Hz USB Portable MonitorFor only $22 more, you can upgrade to the higher end Arzopa Z1FC USB portable monitor, now only $79.19 after coupon code "IFPQHLH". It's currently $117 on Amazon. The Z1FC's upgrades include a larger display (16.1" vs 15.6"), a higher refresh rate (144Hz vs. 60Hz), and better color reproduction (100% sRGB color gamut). This is a better monitor than the S1 to pair with the Steam Deck or Asus ROG Ally because both gaming handhelds can support refresh rates up to 144Hz.New PlayStation 5 Slim Digital Console for $383Sony PlayStation 5 Digital Edition ConsoleAliExpress has currently listed a Sony PlayStation 5 Digital Edition console for $383.05 after you apply a $50 off coupon code "IFPJIKZ" during checkout. This is a genuine PlayStation console that's imported from Japan or Hong Kong; region locking is determined by your PlayStation account, not by console, so this system will play in the US without any problems. You'll also be able to select English as your default language just like any console you buy here.The PS5 had the best holiday ever last year, and it's not hard to see why. The PlayStation 5 console is current generation hardware capable of running games in 4K at up to 120Hz and more importantly it has an incredible library of games that includes excellent exclusives or timed exclusives like Astro Bot (2024 GOTY), Final Fantasy Rebirth, Spider-Man 2, God of War: Ragnarok, Horizon Forbidden West, Gran Turismo 7, and more. It's also backward compatible with PS4 games.Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise Canceling Headphones for $225Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling HeadphonesIf you're looking for an amazing pair of noise canceling headphones, AliExpress has the best deal on our favorite one. An imported pair of Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless noise canceling headphones is available for only $225 after coupon code "IFP7FJZ" is applied. In our glowing Sony WH1000XM5 review, Kevin Lee wrote that "the Sony WH-1000XM5 is hands down the best sounding and most impressive noise-canceling headphones around. They demand a high premium but the cost of audio excellence is well worth it with this pair of headphones."Nintendo Switch Lite for $158.27Nintendo Switch Lite Portable Gaming ConsolePick up a Nintendo Switch Lite handheld gaming system for only $135.91, compared to buying it for $200 at your local Best Buy or Gamestop. The Switch Lite is considerably cheaper than the Switch, yet is is compatible with the vast majority of Switch games, and it runs off the same hardware, so performance is identical. The three main tradeoffs of the Switch Lite are that the controllers are not detachable, the console can't be docked and played on a TV, and the display is smaller (5.5" vs 6.2" on Switch and 7" on Switch OLED). AliExpress offers a 15-day return policy.A note on imported Nintendo Switch consolesNintendo Switch consoles are region free, so you're able to play them in any country regardless of their origin of sale. You'll be able to select English as your default language just like any console you buy here. However, there are three things to keep in mind. An imported console comes with an overseas warranty that will most not likely be valid in the United States. The packaging and materials (like the manual) might be written in another language. And finally, the wall charger might need an adapter to fit US sockets (AliExpress sellers usually supply one).Nintendo Switch OLED for $272.18Nintendo Switch OLEDIf you're in the market for a new Switch console, here's a deal worth considering. AliExpress is currently offering a Nintendo Switch OLED console for only $272.18. This is a brand new, genuine Nintendo Switch OLED console in your choice of white or neon red/blue imported from either Japan or Hong Kong and comes with a 15-day return policy.Who Is AliExpress?AliExpress, an offshoot of Alibaba (one of the world's largest online retailers), is a one-stop shop for everything under the sun, from video games, consoles, and electronics to home decor, apparel, toys, and sporting goods. It operates as an online marketplace for Chinese-based sellers looking to sell their products to international customers. This is a great resource for US-based shoppers because prices on AliExpress are more often than not lower than the exact same product at a US retailer, including Amazon marketplace. These include officially licensed products from Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, and more. If you're willing to overlook some caveats (for example, imported models without a US warranty) and basic internet common sense (some prices are TGTBT), then AliExpress offers a great opportunity to save tons of money.Why Should You Trust IGN's Deals Team?IGN's deals team has a combined 30+ years of experience finding the best discounts in gaming, tech, and just about every other category. We don't try to trick our readers into buying things they don't need at prices that aren't worth buying something at. Our ultimate goal is to surface the best possible deals from brands we trust and our editorial team has personal experience with. You can check out our deals standards here for more information on our process, or keep up with the latest deals we find on IGN's Deals account on Twitter.Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.

A jump starter is an essential part of car's emergency kit, and a cordless one eliminates the need to plug it into an available cigarette lighter. You don't need to pay a premium for a jump starter that reliably gets the job done, either. Amazon is currently offering this AstroAI S8 Pro 12V 3,000A cordless car jump starter for $35.99 shipped after you clip a 40% off coupon code. Not only does it function as a jump starter, it can also be used to recharge your smartphone in a pinch.AstroAI S8 Pro 12V 3,000A Car Jump Starter for $35.99Clip the 40% Off CouponAmazon AstroAI S8 Pro 3,000A 12V Cordless Lithium Car Jump StarterThe AstroAI S8 Pro is a 12V cordless car jump starter that can supply 3,000A of peak power and 500 cold cranking amps. AstroAI states that it's capable of jump starting up to 9L gas or 6L diesel engines. The sizeable 12,000mAh battery will give you several jump starts before needing a recharge. Since the battery uses lithium (NMC) cells, it depletes a lot slower than your traditional battery and will retain most of its charge even after 24 months of non-use. Because the S8 Pro is essentially a portable power bank, you can also use it to charge your iPhone or smartphone in a pinch.The S8 Pro charges quickly over USB Type-C and if you don't have a cable on hand, a USB Type-A to USB Type-C is supplied in the package. There's even a flashlight with three separate modes (flashlight, SOS, and strobe) for emergencies. The jump starter is relatively compact, weighs about 1.5 pounds, and stows away easily in your trunk or dash.Why Should You Trust IGN's Deals Team?IGN's deals team has a combined 30+ years of experience finding the best discounts in gaming, tech, and just about every other category. We don't try to trick our readers into buying things they don't need at prices that aren't worth buying something at. Our ultimate goal is to surface the best possible deals from brands we trust and our editorial team has personal experience with. You can check out our deals standards here for more information on our process, or keep up with the latest deals we find on IGN's Deals account on Twitter.Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.

Weve been talking a lot about the rumored HomePad, a device that combines both the functionality of a HomePod and an iPad. However, Apple still has plans to update its HomePods especially the HomePod mini. Heres a recap of all the latest rumors about the HomePod mini 2.HomePod mini was introduced in 2020 as a smaller, more affordable version of Apples speaker. It has the same features as the larger HomePod, including Siri and multi-room audio with AirPlay. However, almost five years have passed and Apple has never updated the HomePod mini aside from adding new colors to the lineup.So what exactly are Apples plans for the HomePod mini 2? Heres what we know so far about a new generation of the product.Latest rumors on HomePod mini 2While some people are expecting major updates for the HomePod mini, it seems more likely that the new version wont bring any major changes, especially when it comes to design.Perhaps the biggest change is on the inside. A Bloomberg report last December revealed that Apple has been working on its own wireless chip to replace Broadcoms Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module. Similar to the C1, Apples first 5G modem, this new wireless chip will be more efficient and will also enable new capabilities.The chip is so advanced that it could be used to extend the Wi-Fi signal, thus turning devices into wireless access points. In other words, a device with this new chip could function as a Wi-Fi mesh router.Citing sources familiar with the matter, Bloomberg says that Apple will add its new wireless chip to the next generation Apple TV and also to the HomePod mini 2. However, its unclear whether Apple will highlight the new capabilities at launch. For example, the current HomePod mini has temperature and humidity sensors, but they were only enabled two years after launch with a software update.The new HomePod mini is also expected to feature Wi-Fi 6E support, a big leap from the Wi-Fi 4 standard supported by the current generation. Wi-Fi 6E can achieve much higher data transmission speeds and is also much more energy efficient. The more advanced protocol also provides reduced latency, ideal for streaming audio.Unfortunately, there are no rumors about HomePod mini getting support for Apple Intelligence features especially since they require the A17 Pro chip or later, which Apple may consider too expensive for a $99 product. Now that the new Siri experience has been delayed, this seems to be even less of a priority for Apple.A new HomePod mini is coming next year, and it definitely needs Apple IntelligenceAccording to Mark Gurman, Apple plans to announce the new HomePod mini by the end of the year.As for the larger HomePod, multiple leaks have revealed that Apple has been exploring the idea of adding an LCD touchscreen to the top of the speaker. With this display, users would be able to access quick playback controls and check information such as the name of the song currently playing.Theres also the HomePad, which was first expected to be announced in the first half of the year, but ended up being delayed due to its high reliance on the new Siri experience.Which new HomePod are you most excited to see first? Let us know in the comments section below.Gadgets I recommend:Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Apple spent many years developing the technology behind its new C1 modem. But before the iPhone 16es launch, expectations were that Apples C1 would trail Qualcomms own 5G modemat least in this first version. A just-published study of real-world findings, however, tells a different story.Study shows Apples C1 beats Qualcomm in key areasToday Ookla published a study of real-world data comparing Apples iPhone 16e with C1 against the standard iPhone 16 with Qualcomms modem.The findings were surprising.Ookla tracked performance on the top three US carriers across three different tiers:10th percentile (lowest performance experience)Median performance90th percentile (highest performance experience)The full data offers a nuanced picture of how each device fares against the other, but there were a number of key takeaways.First, iPhone 16e with C1 was the clear winner in the 10th percentile.This means that when analyzing those situations when connectivity is a struggle, and download speeds suffer, the C1 offered a better experience than Qualcomms modem.Second, the opposite proved true in the 90th percentile. iPhone 16 with Qualcomm had better top download speeds across AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.However, Ookla says this is unlikely to matter as much to users:Performance at the lowest 10th percentile often provides a more accurate reflection of overall quality of experience (QoE) than the fastest 90th percentile, which can be skewed by deployments in mmWave-covered locations and is subject to declining marginal returns.What about median performance?Though close, overall the edge goes to the iPhone 16e, as it offered faster median speeds across both AT&T and Verizon.However, T-Mobile users got faster median speeds with Qualcomm than Apples C1.Lastly, upload speeds were consistently faster for iPhone 16eacross all major carriers. With AT&T and Verizon the C1 offered in the ballpark of double the upload speeds of Qualcomm. On T-Mobile the C1 still had an edge, but just barely.9to5Macs TakeApple is in an interesting position with its C1 modem. On one hand, the company deserves to celebrate its achievement in creating a 5G modem that can go toe-to-toe with the market leaderand per this new data, even surpass it.But the company is also still shipping Qualcomm modems in all of its flagship, more premium iPhones. So it probably wouldnt go over too well if Apple started a big campaign about C1s strengths.Still, these findings make me very excited for the future of Apples modem efforts.What are your takeaways from seeing this comparison of Apples C1 to Qualcomm? Let us know in the comments.Best iPhone accessoriesAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Donald Trump insists, incorrectly, that he was the one to rescue those stranded astronauts and he's getting roundly called out for trying to take credit for something he had almost nothing to do with.As theWashington Post reports, the plans for the safe return of Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita Williams, the astronaut pair who flew up on Boeing's leaky Starliner craft last June only to be stuck there for nearly nine months longer than expected, were in the works long before Trump even won his second presidential match-up against Joe Biden.Despite the president's claims on his dying Twitter clone that he "asked Elon Musk to go up and get the abandoned Astronauts, because the Biden Administration was incapable of doing so," their return on a SpaceX capsule as part of its Crew-9 mission was announced last August, when NASA also revealed that Starliner would be coming back to Earth uncrewed.Though Biden was president during the Starliner launch, meaning NASA was under his purview when it decided to go ahead with the expensive and long-overdue mission despite concerns about its safety, the decision to delay Wilmore and Williams' return was made out of pragmatism and not "politics," as Trump and Musk have suggested.Scientists had long warned that Starliner was not safe enough to fly, but it flew all the same. If NASA had risked sending the astronauts back down on it, we may have ended up with a tragedy the likes of which our country hasn't seen since the Columbia explosion more than 20 years prior. It's not hard to imagine that had Trump been president during that debacle last year, he may not have made the right call.Over on Musk's flailing social network, the MAGA crowd's jubilance was tempered by even-keeled holdouts who pointed out that Trump had "nothing at all" to do with the astronauts' return."Did you know," the satirical PatriotTakes account posted, "that the so-called 'stuck' astronauts returned in a module already docked to the ISS since September 2024?"In a fit of literal gallows humor, another user included a gif of someone hanging themselves when joking about how well the president's propaganda works."Trump just said the astronauts were stranded by Biden again," the user quipped. "And my grandparents just ate that shit up like their space autism grandson didnt just explain to them exactly what happened less than an hour ago."Similar epithets were reserved for the president on Reddit, where another user was incredulous that another poster thought Trump and Musk "rescued" the astronauts."The astronauts themselves have said there was nothing political about this," the Redditor mocked, "and the arrangements were made for this in September, long before shit for brains took office."Trump's Truth Social post taking credit for the Williams' and Wilmore's return wasn't the first time he's fibbed about who deserves credit and blame for Starliner's failures and the subsequent stranding and it almost certainly won't be the last.More on Trump's blame game: Trump: "Crooked Joe Sold Them Down the River With His Ridiculous All Electric Car Hoax"Share This Article