Not a priority Apple enables RCS messaging for Google Fi subscribers at last Apple only supported RCS on the big three carriers in the first iOS18 releases. Ryan Whitwam Apr 1, 2025 4:22 pm | 3 Credit: Getty Images | NurPhoto Credit: Getty Images | NurPhoto Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreApple spent years ignoring RCS, allowing iPhones to offer a degraded messaging experience with Android users. This made Android folks unwelcome in many a group chat, but Apple finally started rectifying this issue last year with the addition of RCS support in iOS. It has been a slow rollout, though, with Google's mobile service only now getting support.While Apple supports RCS messaging on iPhones now, it has not exactly been enthusiastic about it. Anyone using Google Fi on an iPhone was left in the lurch even after Apple changed course. The first RCS update rolled out in iOS 18 last fall, but it only supported postpaid plans on the big three carriers. Everyone else was left waiting, including Google Fi, as confirmed to Ars last year. It was a suitably amusing outcome, considering Google is largely responsible for reviving the RCS standard and runs the Jibe back-end servers through which many iPhone RCS messages flow.Slowly but surely, Apple is making good on its promises to enable RCS. The company released iOS 18.4 this week, and hiding amid the control center tweaks and priority notifications is support for RCS on Google Fi and other T-Mobile MVNOs. Some users spotted this feature in the recent beta releases, but the servers that handle RCS for Google's mobile service were not yet connectable. With the final release, Google has confirmed that RCS is ready at last.With RCS, iPhone users can converse with non-Apple users without losing the enhanced features to which they've become accustomed in iMessage. That includes longer messages, HD media, typing indicators, and much more. Google Fi has several different options for data plans, and the company notes that RCS does use mobile data when away from Wi-Fi. Those on the "Flexible" Fi plan pay for blocks of data as they go, and using RCS messaging could inadvertently increase their bill.If that's not a concern, it's a snap for Fi users to enable RCS on the new iOS update. Head to Apps > Messages, and then find the Text Messaging section to toggle on RCS. It may, however, take a few minutes for your phone number to be registered with the Fi RCS server.In hindsight, the way Apple implemented iMessage was clever. By intercepting messages being sent to other iPhone phone numbers, Apple was able to add enhanced features to its phones instantly. It had the possibly intended side effect of reinforcing the perception that Android phones were less capable. This turned Android users into dreaded green bubbles that limited chat features. Users complained, and Google ran ads calling on Apple to support RCS. That, along with some pointed questions from reporters prompted Apple to announce the change in late 2023. It took some time, but you almost don't have to worry about missing messaging features in 2025.Ryan WhitwamSenior Technology ReporterRyan WhitwamSenior Technology Reporter Ryan Whitwam is a senior technology reporter at Ars Technica, covering the ways Google, AI, and mobile technology continue to change the world. Over his 20-year career, he's written for Android Police, ExtremeTech, Wirecutter, NY Times, and more. He has reviewed more phones than most people will ever own. You can follow him on Bluesky, where you will see photos of his dozens of mechanical keyboards. 3 Comments

People harvesting cowpeas in Tahoua, NigerJake Lyell/AlamyHuman urine that has been matured in the sun for at least one month appears to be both a fertiliser and an effective pesticide. The findings could be particularly helpful for combatting insect infestations in West Africa, where soil quality is typically low and traditional pesticides are expensive.Farmers taking part in a previous trial in Niger to investigate the use of urine as a fertiliser discovered that it was also having a pesticide effect, as plants treated with it had less pest damage than those that werent.

Luigi Manigone has a good chance of dodging the death penalty, ex-prosecutors say. Curtis Means/AP Photo; St. Charles County Department of Corrections/Getty Images 2025-04-01T20:42:17Z SaveSaved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? The US seeks to execute Luigi Mangione for the ambush murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.The government's odds for success are steep, given the hesitancy of death penalty juries in NY.In 2023, a death penalty jury could not agree on Sayfullo Saipov, a terrorist who killed 8 people.On Halloween in 2017, an avowed Islamist extremist named Sayfullo Saipov drove a rental truck across the George Washington Bridge into Manhattan, then careened south along a popular west-side bike path, sending cyclists flying. Eight people died.If Saipov's jury failed to send him to death row, there's no way another jury sitting, like Saipov's, in a federal courtroom in Manhattan will vote to end the life of Luigi Mangione, former federal prosecutors told Business Insider."Honestly I don't believe any Manhattan jury is going to decide to impose the death penalty," said Ephraim Savitt, a former federal prosecutor now in private practice.Mangione does not fit the profile of a death penalty eligible criminal, he said, speaking Tuesday after Attorney General Pam Bondi said the government will seek the ultimate penalty in the "cold-blooded assassination" of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson."Maybe in Texas," Savitt said. "But it's not a mass shooting. It's not an act of terrorism. It's a horrible crime, of course. But as serious as it is, it does not fit in the rubric of someone who should be put to death."He added, "Mangione is not going to be sentenced to death."Mangione is facing charges in three jurisdictions.The least serious are the weapons and forgery charges out of Pennsylvania, where the 26-year-old software developer from Maryland was arrested after a five-day manhunt.He is also facing state-level charges of murder as an act of terror out of Manhattan, where DA Alvin Bragg has said that Mangione would be tried first.Mangione's federal jury would be chosen from the Southern District of New York, which includes people from Manhattan, the city's four other boroughs, Westchester County, and five other counties on the southern end of the state.In federal court, now that this is an official death penalty case, a single trial jury would preside over a phase to determine Mangione's guilt and then another to determine how he should be punished.There's a strategy in seeking the death penaltyThe jury would be comprised only of people who are willing to impose a death penalty, tilting it in the government's favor, Ephraim said."It improves your odds of a conviction, absolutely," said Savitt, of the Ephraim Savitt Law Firm in Manhattan.That's one of two key strategic benefits to seeking the death penalty, former prosecutors said, even if an ultimate verdict of death may be unlikely.Another strategic benefit to seeking the death penalty is it gives the government "great leverage" in plea negotiations, said another former federal prosecutor, Michael Bachner."If you're the defense lawyer you may want to work it out as a package he pleads to both cases and there's no death penalty," said Bachner, now in private practice at Bachner & Associates.In Mangione's favor is that a death penalty verdict must be unanimous. The defense need only persuade one juror that Mangione does not deserve the death penalty, Bachner and Saviott said.Both former prosecutors said, strategy aside, the real benefit to seeking the death penalty is political.The top count against Mangione murder through the use of a firearm in the commission of crimes of violence is death penalty eligible, and President Donald Trump has promised to seek executions in all eligible cases."I think seeking the death penalty in this case is a reaction to Donald Trump's previous statements," said Bachner.Should the case go to trial, and a death penalty phase be necessary, much of the evidence would center on Mangione's mental health, Bachner said."Just in the evidence that's in the papers, his behavior, his writings, his break with his parents, and although there was planning, he certainly is not all there," Bachner said."And juries are not going to convict a 26-year-old kid who's had no violence in the past, and may have mental issues, and who comes from a good family," he added."I don't think there's any jury anywhere that would unanimously impose the death penalty on Luigi Mangione," he said.A split jury, no matter how small the split, would mean that Mangione would face life in prison without parole.Recommended video

Annual revenue, profit, stock prices and sold EVs show how close the competition is between Tesla and its Chinese rival, BDY.Read the original article on Business Insider

If you check in on any of New Jersey Sen. Cory Bookers social media pages today, youll probably notice that hes been talking for a while.Hes standing on the Senate floor (occasionally resting against his desk) to criticize the Trump administrations agenda and the work of Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency. Hes also showing his fellow Democrats what it looks like to do something when youre locked out of power in Washington DC.Now well past the 18th hour of a marathon address on the Senate floor, Booker is engaging in a not-quite filibuster an old congressional tradition. Usually known as a filibuster, these kinds of marathon addresses are a procedural tool. They take advantage of the Senates rules that allow for unlimited debate or speaking by a senator unless there have been special limits put in place. Senators recognized by the presiding officer can speak indefinitely, usually cannot be forced to cede the floor, or even be interruptedbut must remain standing and must speak more or less continuously, according to the Congressional Research Service.But Bookers address isnt a filibuster theres no legislation that hes trying to hold up. Instead, its a form of political theater and protest against the Trump administration. And it comes at a time when overwhelming shares of his partys membership think their elected leaders arent putting up a tough enough fight to resist Donald Trumps agenda. About two-thirds of Democratic voters would prefer their leaders stick to their positions even if this means not getting things done in Washington a March NBC News poll found. This kind of show of political force, at least, has been what top Democrats were saying when warning about Trump on the campaign trail last year.They would prefer congressional leadership use whatever tools they have available to slow down the administrations work: One recent poll, for example, even found that about three-quarters of Democratic and Democratic-leaning independent voters support the idea of using procedural tactics like the filibuster to prevent Republican bills from passing.Still, attention-grabbing moments like these arent guaranteed to have staying power. Its far too early to tell whether Booker is galvanizing a lasting opposition as he might have hoped, or whether this will be drowned out by another Trump story. Still, its feeding the Democratic bases hunger for (any kind of) Trump resistance as he overruns traditional checks on his power.Thats not easy to do when youre locked out of power, so Bookers gamble is yet the latest attempt of Democrats trying to figure out how to fight back.Bookers speech started on Monday evening, when he announced he would be speaking as long as he is physically able to lift the voices of Americans who are being harmed and not being heard in this moment of crisis.These are not normal times in our nation, he said. And they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate.Since then, hes only stopped to allow the Senate chaplain to deliver a traditional prayer at noon, and to allow fellow Democratic senators to ask him questions and give him a bit of a rest. Yet he has remained standing, and only taken a couple drinks of water. Hes already entered the top rankings of the longest Senate speeches delivered. (Only one other sitting senator, Republican Ted Cruz of Texas, has delivered a longer address, when trying unsuccessfully to defund the Affordable Care Act.)This kind of show of political force, at least, has been what top Democrats were saying when warning about Trump on the campaign trail last year. Yet many in the Democratic base have felt like since Trump entered office, their leaders werent acting with that kind of urgency. Poll after poll shows that the Democratic rank and file feel adrift, leaderless, and dissatisfied.That fury intensified last month, when Democrats voted for a GOP-brokered spending bill to keep the government open. The thinking at the time was that a shutdown would do more harm than good, but many in the partys base saw it as an unforgivable cave.Bookers speech is an attempt to try something else. And whether or not it works, its something different.See More:

WWE Superstars will be reimagined as iconic characters inside the world of Clash of Clans in a partnership with Supercell and WWE ahead of Wrestlemania 41 later this monthNews19:24, 01 Apr 2025Updated 19:24, 01 Apr 2025WWE will take over Clash of ClansWWE and Supercell's hit mobile game Clash of Clans, boasting over two billion lifetime downloads, have announced a thrilling partnership that will feature a line-up of WWE Superstars in an electrifying in-game event throughout April.This exciting collaboration will see Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, Rhea Ripley, The Undertaker, Bianca Belair and other WWE Superstars reimagined as iconic characters within the Clash of Clans universe. This will culminate in an enhanced match sponsorship at WrestleMania 41 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.Article continues belowStarting today (April 1) fans can experience their favourite WWE Superstars in Clash of Clans and enjoy a plethora of WWE-themed features appearing in the game throughout the month. These include themed environments, gameplay events, cosmetics and Easter Eggs honouring WWE's rich legacy.Both Rhea Ripley and Cody Rhodes will join the gameLeading the integration is Rhodes, who, after nearly a decade of playing Clash of Clans and ranking in the top 10 percent of players worldwide, will be reimagined in the game as "Barbarian King."Simultaneously, under his long-time "OverlordRhodes" player handle, Rhodes stars in the live-action launch video, showcasing a gameplay style centred on villainous destruction and domination.Further WWE Superstar integrations include:Rhea Ripley as Archer QueenThe Undertaker as Grand WardenBianca Belair as Royal ChampionRey Mysterio as Minion PrinceKane as P.E.K.K.ABecky Lynch as ValkyrieJey Uso as ThrowerWWE's finest are storming into the virtual world, with Rhea Ripley suiting up as "Archer Queen" and The Undertaker stepping into the shoes of "Grand Warden". Bianca Belair is flexing her muscles as "Royal Champion", while Rey Mysterio zips around as "Minion Prince".Not to be outdone, Kane is smashing it as "P.E.K.K.A", Becky Lynch is swinging axes as "Valkyrie", and Jey Uso is chucking bombs as "Thrower".Cody Rhodes is an avid player of the gameCody Rhodes, WWE legend and now a digital conqueror, is all about domination in Clash of Clans. He's not just in it for the defence; he's there to take over."I've spent years building my legacy in WWE, but it's time for fans to know where I've landed most of my victories, in Clash of Clans," said Rhodes. "As OverlordRhodes, I don't defend, I conquer. Villages will fall, and any opposition will be crushed under my command. This isn't about playing fair in the ring, it's about ruling the battlefield. Just like at WrestleMania 41, I'm stepping in with one goal absolute victory. I've waited a long time for this moment, and now that I've arrived, there's no stopping me."Sara Bach, Head of Live Games at Supercell, couldn't contain her excitement about the WWE and Clash of Clans crossover. "When the game team found out Cody Rhodes and other Superstars were long-time Clash of Clans fans, they didn't hesitate to reach out to WWE," she revealed.Article continues below"This partnership in Clash of Clans is on a scale we've never created before from the in-game event reaching tens of millions of players, to WrestleMania 41 and our Clash of Clans match as a first-of-its-kind event on the biggest stage."For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.

By Thomas Maxwell Published April 1, 2025 | Comments (0) | A judge has shut down Arkansas' Social Media Safety Act, which would require some social networks to verify the ages of users and require minors have parental permission. Will Newton/AP A judge in Arkansas has shut down the states law requiring some social networks to verify the ages of those in the state to create an account and ensure that minors have parental permission. Judge Timothy L. Brooks ruled the law, dubbed the Social Media Safety Act, was too broad as to violate the First Amendment rights of internet users and was so vague it was unclear which social networks the law would cover. Arkansas takes a hatchet to adults and minors protected speech alike though the Constitution demands it use a scalpel, the US District Court for the Western District of Arkansas wrote in an opinion issued Monday. Lawmakers across the United States and abroad have sought to protect minors against the potential long-term harms posed by social media, and smartphone access writ large. Utah recently passed a law that requires app stores from Apple and Google to verify the ages of users before they can download apps and requires minors to have accounts connected to their parents. Meta was in favor of this law because it put the onus on other companies to verify users; it was opposed to Arkansas law. States and school districts across the country have also been implementing laws that prohibit students from accessing their phones during the school day to eliminate distractions and potentially combat bullying. While social media has been linked to increased mental health risks in adolescents, many teens have reported benefits to using the services, such as finding like-minded communities where they feel belonging. Moreover, critics of age-verification laws say while there are risks to minors using social media, these types of laws infringe on everyones right to privacyin states like Florida and Texas, where laws have passed requiring porn sites to verify the ages of users, major services including PornHub have chosen to shut down rather than make users hand over personally identifiable information. In an age when the White House is willing to retaliate against individuals over their free expression, the risks of requiring users to verify their identities are clear. Rather than targeting content that is harmful to minors, Act 689 [the Social Media Safety Act] simply impedes access to content writ large, Brooks said. There are effectively no federal privacy laws concerning internet platforms, with the recent collapse of 23andMe highlighting the problem. It was recently announced that as part of the DNA testing companys bankruptcy, genetic data from customers could be sold off, potentially to be used against individuals.Judge Brooks also noted the law was too vague, pointing out that the states attorney general believed Snapchat was exempt from the requirements, while the laws co-sponsor thought it was covered. I respect the courts decision, and we are evaluating our options, Attorney General Tim Griffin said in a statement. Social media companies have continued to implement tools to combat bullying, such as by allowing users to restrict others access to their content. During the Biden administration, the U.S. Surgeon General recommended social networks should display warning labels highlighting the potential harms for adolescents, and potentially redesign their apps to address problems like insecurity that can be caused by beauty filters and other tools.Some who believe social media is harmful to adolescents argue that laws like age verification and smartphone bans during the school day are not addressing the actual problem. Teenagers will get around age checks, and if they cannot use their phone during the school day, they will just use it more after class. These laws do not address the root cause, they argue, which is the inherent design of social media apps.Daily NewsletterYou May Also Like By AJ Dellinger Published March 31, 2025 By AJ Dellinger Published March 31, 2025 By Kyle Barr Published March 31, 2025 By Florence Ion Published March 28, 2025 By Kyle Barr Published March 28, 2025 By AJ Dellinger Published March 25, 2025

After a blockbuster March, Lego is once again having a bit of a quiet season coming into April but a small number of releases doesnt make them any less major, as almost everything dropping this month is a huge set. Or, well, huge from your perspective, if you happen to be a halfling eager for the nextLord of the Rings release.Yes, there may not be that many sets this month (Star Wars is smartly taking the month off to prepare for its usual extravaganza in May), but most of what is coming is pretty sizable. That includes the highlight set of the month, the third entry in the revived Lord of the Rings Icons series, whisking us away to the idyllic Shire to celebrate Bilbos 111th birthday. Check out whats coming from Lego this month below!Lego Icons Beauty and the Beast Castle LegoThe latest Disney release takes us back toBeauty and the Beast with this lavish 2,916-piece castle. The set also comes with a line up of five minifigures (Gaston, LeFou, Belle, Beast, and Belles father Maurice), as well as five brick-built characters (Cogsworth, Chip and Mrs. Potts, Lumire, and Fifi)and, of course, the enchanted rose at the heart of the story. ($280, available here from 4/1 for Lego Insiders, 4/4 wide release)See Beauty and the Beast Castle at LEGOLego Ideas River Steamboat LegoThe next set recreation from the community-submitted ideas line is a massive old-timey paddle steamer. Clocking in at overfour thousand pieces, the River Steamboat includes a fully functioning wheelhouse controlled by its own steering wheel, and three decks to build and explore: a boiler room with a small museum display, the main deck with a lavish dining lounge, and a small cabin for the crew. ($330, available here from 4/7 for Lego Insiders, 4/10 wide release)See River Steamboat at LEGOLego IconsLord of the Rings Shire LegoAfter wowing us with the beautiful safe havens of Rivendell and the ominous spires of Barad-Dr,Lego is opting for the quiet life with the third entry in its annual collector-focused Lord of the Rings series. Taking us to the opening act ofFellowship of the Ring, the 2,017-piece set recreates Bilbo and Frodos home in the hobbit hole of Bag End, as well as a few extra elements of the Shire to depict Bilbos 111th birthday bash at the Party Tree. As well as Bilbo and Frodo of course, the set comes with seven more minifigures inspired by those scenes: Gandalf the Grey, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Rosie Cotton, and Farmer Proudfoot and his wife. ($270, available here from 4/2 for Lego Insiders, 4/5 wide release)See The Lord of the Rings: The Shire at LEGOLego Marvel Iron Mans Laboratory: Hall of Armor LegoLegos done plenty of Hall of Armor sets before, but this latest takes you toIron Man 3 with a condensed take on Tonys Lab. As well as three armor pods to house any Iron Man minifigures you may already have, the set includes the Mk 43 and Mk 6 versions of Tonys armor, and the Iron Patriot suit, that you can slot in too. As well as them, the set has Pepper Potts and Aldrich Killian minifigures, and buildable versions of the Dum-E robot and the Igor Mk3 mech. ($55, available here)See Iron Mans Laboratory: Hall of Armor at LEGOLego Yellow Travel Suitcase LegoNeed to pick up a reminder of a recent vacation? More specifically, the thing you used to take stuff to and from that vacation? Well, Lego has you covered with this cute little model of a suitably Lego-yellow suitcase, which includes buildable accessories you can put inside, including a camera, boarding pass, toothbrush, and passport. At least this suitcase would nicely fit into your carry-on baggage! ($15, available here)See Yellow Travel Suitcase at LEGOWant more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

Pavuna Park / Emby - Paisagismo EcossistmicoSave this picture! Douglas LopesSquareRio de Janeiro, BrazilArchitects: Emby - Paisagismo EcossistmicoAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:14434 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2022 PhotographsPhotographs:Douglas LopesMore SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. The Parque Pavuna is located in the North Zone of Rio de Janeiro, at the top of the Complexo do Chapado. In a neighborhood marked by one of the city's lowest social development indices, the park was designed to become an open and high-quality urban facility, a green and inclusive gathering space.Save this picture!The park accommodates sports, leisure, and learning facilities, such as soccer, volleyball, and basketball courts, a skate park, a children's playground, an outdoor gym for the elderly, food kiosks, and a Nave do Conhecimento unit a digital inclusion and creativity center managed by the municipality.Save this picture!To optimize the use of the land, the project takes advantage of the existing sloping terrain, distributing the program across different plateaus and overcoming level differences with the creation of stairs, bleachers, and ramps. The new structures integrate with the planting of native shrub and tree species from the Mata Atlntica biome, while also preserving existing vegetation in landscaped areas, promoting rainwater infiltration and aiding thermal comfort.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The most striking feature of the project is the water plaza, dominated by a 22-meter-high sculpture evoking mangrove roots, from which water jets flow during the day and beams of light emerge at night. The plaza references the laje shower, a common element in local homes, reinterpreting and transferring it from the domestic sphere to public space. Adjacent to the water feature, sand-covered areas recreate a beach-like atmosphere, a beloved environment for cariocas, offering a playful space that complements children's bathing activities.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The parks paved sections were treated as an additional design layer. In a simple solution that introduced dynamism to pathways and social areas, the gray concrete received painted graphic elements in colors inspired by the surroundings, such as the terracotta of exposed bricks and the blue of water tanks commonly found in Rios suburban homes.Save this picture!Through Landscape Architecture principles, the balance between pre-existing elements, challenging topography, carefully selected vegetation, and a versatile program grants Parque Pavuna a unique identity. The park fosters integrated coexistence, understanding, valuing, and enhancing the relationship between the community and its neighborhood.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Rua Marechal Guilherme, Pavuna, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, BrazilLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officePublished on April 01, 2025Cite: "Pavuna Park / Emby - Paisagismo Ecossistmico" [Parque Pavuna / Emby - Paisagismo Ecossistmico] 01 Apr 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1027963/pavuna-park-embya-paisagismo-ecossistemico&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Create A Growing Material Transition in C4DMembers Only Tutorial + Project File https://cgshortcuts.com/courses/c4d-materials/lessons/create-a-growing-material-transition-in-c4d/ How to create an organic growing effect to use as a mask between 2 different materials as a transition.#Cinema4D #C4D #Redshift #CGShortcuts