A new report published by the child safety groups Heat Initiative and ParentsTogether Action details the alarming presence of inappropriate apps that are rated as suitable for children as young as four years old on Apples App Store. The groups worked with a researcher to review as many apps as possible in the span of 24 hours, and say they ultimately identified over 200 apps that contained concerning content or features given the ages they were rated for including stranger chat and AI girlfriend apps, gaming apps with sexual or violent prompts and imagery, and AI-powered appearance rating apps. Engadget has reached out to Apple for comment and will update this story upon hearing back.The research focused on apps with assigned age ratings of 4+, 9+ and 12+ in categories considered to be risky: chat (including AI and stranger chat apps), beauty, diet and weight loss, unfiltered internet access (apps for accessing schools banned sites) and gaming. Among the findings, the report says at least 24 sexual games and 9 stranger chat apps were marked as appropriate for kids in these age groups. The research also identified 40 apps for unfiltered internet access and 75 apps relating to beauty, body image and weight loss carrying these age ratings, along with 28 shooter and crime games. Collectively, the roughly 200 offending apps spotted during the 24-hour investigation have been downloaded over 550 million times, according to Heat Initiative.About 800 apps were reviewed in all, and the research found that some categories were more likely than others to carry apps with inappropriately low age ratings. For stranger chat apps and games, fewer were rated as appropriate for children, the report says. In most cases, they were 17+. But in the categories of weight loss and unfiltered internet access, nearly all apps reviewed were approved for kids 4+. The report calls on Apple to do better when it comes to child safety measures on the App Store, urging the company to use third-party reviewers to verify apps age ratings before they become available to download, and to make its age rating process transparent to consumers. You can read the full report, Rotten Ratings: 24 Hours in Apples App Store, here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/inappropriate-apps-rated-as-safe-for-young-children-are-prevalent-in-the-app-store-report-warns-213727965.html?src=rss

Androxgh0st integration with Mozi targets critical systems with advanced tactics and exploiting new vulnerabilities.

Remember when we all agreed that GenAI tools were going to be used to scam people with fake images of unreal scenarios or fake products? Well, this isnt one of those times. Images of a Porsche 911 backpack began circulating on the internet, and although sure, the image is absolutely 100% AI generated, turns out that there are actually prototypers and manufacturers working on a real version of the product.Remember the Gorilla Couch phenomenon? If youre hearing it for the first time, try searching the words Gorilla Couch and seeing what the internet throws up. The story goes like this someone generated images of a gorilla-shaped couch and it instantly picked up online with people wanting to buy it. However, rather than it being a fake scam, manufacturers (some in China) actually reverse-engineered the images and MADE the couch, selling it online. The internet basically WILLED an AI product into existence, and now gorilla couches are even available on Amazon.The Porsche 911 Backpacks story is somewhat similar. The lifestyle image above is clearly AI-generated, but hey, sometimes the AI generates some pretty neat images, right? So someone just decided to turn the images into a real product. You can see the prototyping below in action, from someone who clearly works in the vacuum-molded luggage space. It makes sense to vacuum-mold the outer -facade, giving the backpack a hard outer shell, although where one would put the zip is still anyones guess. Maybe the backpack opens like the cars boot?!The backpacks design is a great example of form NOT following function, though. A car like the Porsche 911 is truly iconic, but its shape applies to automotives, not necessarily to fashion. The result is an odd backpack that has tremendous visual appeal, but I honestly dont know what its shape would hold. It wont fit any tech like a laptop for sure, but maybe you could carry a lunchbox, a book or two, and maybe a few clothes in it. The backpack does, however, fulfill its need to look fashionable. Its gorgeous (even if it isnt practical), and the spoiler mounted on top literally feels like a cherry on the cake!It isnt entirely clear where the product will be sold (I found these images on Instagram), but it sure as hell wont be available at your nearest Porsche dealership. I see the Porsche logo molded into the back too, so thats definitely a lawsuit waiting to happen. Try AliExpress or Temu, maybe? Id say for $120, chances are the backpack will either be of dubious quality, or probably wont ship at all. Does it still look cool? Oh yes, for sure.The post This Porsche 911 Backpack is Apparently a Real Product and Costs $120 first appeared on Yanko Design.

There are some notable names in the watchmaking sphere that have a different take on the concept of timepieces with their larger-than-life dials. URWERK and MB&F particularly have this idea of watchmaking that distinguishes their watches from the others at the first gawk. What really is stuck with them are darker hues, but this one particular time, URWREK is actually making a detour from that overpowering love for black and gray-toned cases.The Swiss watchmaker has unveiled the second iteration of its 230 series with the launch of this UR-230 Polaris, which in its white exuberating self, ventures on an unceasing quest to rethink the basics of the series design whilst preserving its aesthetics and strength. Following the success of the UR-230 Eagle constructed from a block of fiberglass-enhanced ceramic in white comes the UR-230 Polaris.Designer: URWERKThe new white-colored model comes in a 44.81mm-sized ceramic-based composite case and brings a new perspective to URWERKs interesting lineup. The radiant white encompassing an all-black UR-7.30 caliber movement gives the watch a nice panda effect. The dial is uniquely laid out with white numerals and satellite complication and it rests within a 53.55mm long and 18.38mm thick trapeze-shaped case elongating toward 6 oclock.The new UR-230 Polaris provides a very legible and unobstructed view of time in its futuristic design overpowered by a three-armed carousel with four-hour numerals. The current hour is prominently displayed on a semicircular section running along the watch base spanning 4 to 8 oclock.It is not only the faade marked by the white ceramic case that really stands out about the UR-230 Polaris, the watch is equally exciting on back reverse side as well. It features a contrasting black DLC titanium caseback and comes paired with a vulcanized rubber strap again in a white hue with the black accent at the buckle. The UR-230 Polaris is strictly limited to only 35 examples that the interested can bag for 150,000 CHF (approximately $169,000).The post Urwerk UR-230 Polaris has distinct aesthetic complemented by white ceramic case first appeared on Yanko Design.

While Apple appears to have no plans to revive its former AirPort routers, the networking know-how that powered them may be returning via a new chip that will add similar functionality to the company's home devices like the HomePod mini.New HomePod mini (right) and Apple's old AirPort Express (left)Apple first introduced the AirPort line of residential internet gateways in 1999, and continued to iterate the product line until the final AirPort Extreme router was discontinued in 2018. Since then, fans have called for the company to revive the product, celebrated for its ease of setup and management.While most third-party routers have gotten increasingly antenna-laden and spider-like, home gateways from the big residential internet providers, such as AT&T, Comcast, Optimum, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Windstream have mostly moved to AirPort-like smooth boxes. These home routers utilize internal antennas, offering whole-home coverage for most single-story homes, with small plug-in signal repeaters for multi-story or larger residences. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn MoreWhile the 2024 U.S. election focused on traditional issues like the economy and immigration, its quiet impact on AI policy could prove even more transformative. Without a single debate question or major campaign promise about AI, voters inadvertently tipped the scales in favor of accelerationists those who advocate for rapid AI development with minimal regulatory hurdles. The implications of this acceleration are profound, heralding a new era of AI policy that prioritizes innovation over caution and signals a decisive shift in the debate between AIs potential risks and rewards.The pro-business stance of President-elect Donald Trump leads many to assume that his administration will favor those developing and marketing AI and other advanced technologies. His party platform has little to say about AI. However, it does emphasize a policy approach focused on repealing AI regulations, particularly targeting what they described as radical left-wing ideas within existing executive orders of the outgoing administration. In contrast, the platform supported AI development aimed at fostering free speech and human flourishing, calling for policies that enable innovation in AI while opposing measures perceived to hinder technological progress.Early indications based on appointments to leading government positions underscore this direction. However, there is a larger story unfolding: The resolution of the intense debate over AIs future.An intense debateEver since ChatGPT appeared in November 2022, there has been a raging debate between those in the AI field who want to accelerate AI development and those who want to decelerate.Famously, in March 2023 the latter group proposed a six-month AI pause in development of the most advanced systems, warning in an open letter that AI tools present profound risks to society and humanity. This letter, spearheaded by the Future of Life Institute, was prompted by OpenAIs release of the GPT-4 large language model (LLM), several months after ChatGPT launched.The letter was initially signed by more than 1,000 technology leaders and researchers, including Elon Musk, Apple Co-founder Steve Wozniak, 2020 Presidential candidate Andrew Yang, podcaster Lex Fridman, and AI pioneers Yoshua Bengio and Stuart Russell. The number of signees of the letter eventually swelled to more than 33,000. Collectively, they became known as doomers, a term to capture their concerns about potential existential risks from AI.Not everyone agreed. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman did not sign. Nor did Bill Gates and many others. Their reasons for not doing so varied, although many voiced concerns about potential harm from AI. This led to many conversations about the potential for AI to run amok, leading to disaster. It became fashionable for many in the AI field to talk about their assessment of the probability of doom, often referred to as an equation: p(doom). Nevertheless, work on AI development did not pause.For the record, my p(doom) in June 2023 was 5%. That might seem low, but it was not zero. I felt that the major AI labs were sincere in their efforts to stringently test new models prior to release and in providing significant guardrails for their use.Many observers concerned about AI dangers have rated existential risks higher than 5%, and some have rated much higher. AI safety researcher Roman Yampolskiy rated the probability of AI ending humanity at over 99%. That said, a study released early this year, well before the election andrepresenting the views of more than 2,700 AI researchers, showed that the median prediction for extremely bad outcomes, such as human extinction, was 5%. Would you board a plane if there were a 5% chance it might crash? This is the dilemma AI researchers and policymakers face.Must go fasterOthers have been openly dismissive of worries about AI, pointing instead to what they perceived as the huge upside of the technology. These include Andrew Ng (who founded and led the Google Brain project) and Pedro Domingos (a professor of computer science and engineering at the University of Washington and author of The Master Algorithm). They argued, instead, that AI is part of the solution. As put forward by Ng, there are indeed existential dangers, such as climate change and future pandemics, and AI can be part of how these are addressed and mitigated.Ng argued that AI development should not be paused, but should instead go faster. This utopian view of technology has been echoed by others who are collectively known as effective accelerationists or e/acc for short. They argue that technology and especially AI is not the problem, but the solution to most, if not all, of the worlds issues. Startup accelerator Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan, along with other prominent Silicon Valley leaders, included the term e/acc in their usernames on X to show alignment to the vision. Reporter Kevin Roose at the New York Times captured the essence of these accelerationists by saying they have an all-gas, no-brakes approach.A Substack newsletter from a couple years ago described the principles underlying effective accelerationism. Here is the summation they offer at the end of the article, plus a comment from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.The 2024 election outcome may be seen as a turning point, putting the accelerationist vision in a position to shape U.S. AI policy for the next several years. For example, the President-elect recently appointed technology entrepreneur and venture capitalist David Sacks as AI czar.Sacks, a vocal critic of AI regulation and a proponent of market-driven innovation, brings his experience as a technology investor to this role. He is one of the leading voices in the AI industry, and much of what he has said about AI aligns with the accelerationist viewpoints expressed by the incoming party platform.In response to the AI executive order from the Biden administration in 2023, Sacks tweeted: The U.S. political and fiscal situation is hopelessly broken, but we have one unparalleled asset as a country: Cutting-edge innovation in AI driven by a completely free and unregulated market for software development. That just ended. While the amount of influence Sacks will have on AI policy remains to be seen, his appointment signals a shift toward policies favoring industry self-regulation and rapid innovation.Elections have consequencesI doubt most of the voting public gave much thought to AI policy implications when casting their votes. Nevertheless, in a very tangible way, the accelerationists have won as a consequence of the election, potentially sidelining those advocating for a more cautious approach by the federal government to mitigate AIs long-term risks.As accelerationists chart the path forward, the stakes could not be higher. Whether this era ushers in unparalleled progress or unintended catastrophe remains to be seen. As AI development accelerates, the need for informed public discourse and vigilant oversight becomes ever more paramount. How we navigate this era will define not only technological progress but also our collective future.As a counterbalance to a lack of action at the federal level, it is possible that one or more states will adopt various regulations, which has already happened to some extent in California and Colorado. For instance, Californias AI safety bills focus on transparency requirements, while Colorado addresses AI discrimination in hiring practices, offering models for state-level governance. Now, all eyes will be on the voluntary testing and self-imposed guardrails at Anthropic, Google, OpenAI and other AI model developers.In summary, the accelerationist victory means less restrictions on AI innovation. This increased speed may indeed lead to faster innovation, but also raises the risk of unintended consequences. Im now revising my p(doom) to 10%. What is yours?Gary Grossman is EVP of technology practice at Edelman and global lead of the Edelman AI Center of Excellence.DataDecisionMakersWelcome to the VentureBeat community!DataDecisionMakers is where experts, including the technical people doing data work, can share data-related insights and innovation.If you want to read about cutting-edge ideas and up-to-date information, best practices, and the future of data and data tech, join us at DataDecisionMakers.You might even considercontributing an articleof your own!Read More From DataDecisionMakers

On December 20, OpenAI announced OpenAI o3, the latest model in its o-Model Reasoning Series. Building on its predecessors, o3 showcases advancements in mathematical and scientific reasoning, prompting discussions about its capabilities and constraints. This article takes a closer look at the insights and implications surrounding OpenAI o3, weaving in information from official announcements, expert analyses, and community reactions.Progress in Reasoning CapabilitiesOpenAI describes o3 as a model designed to refine reasoning in areas requiring structured thought, such as mathematics and science. The model was tested using a specialized reasoning benchmark ARC AGI, where it reportedly surpassed the previous model score of 32% and went up to 87%. This advancement demonstrates o3s improved capacity to address complex logical and mathematical problems.source: https://arcprize.org/blog/oai-o3-pub-breakthroughThe models enhanced abilities stem from an architecture tailored for hierarchical reasoning tasks. While this marks a step toward broader reasoning abilities, OpenAI acknowledges that o3 is far from achieving Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).Performance Overviewsource: https://x.com/OpenAI/status/1870186518230511844Mathematics: Achieved a 96.7% success rate on advanced mathematical tests, a notable improvement over o1s 56.7%.Scientific Reasoning: Displayed a 10% increase in accuracy for solving PhD-level Science Questions.Code Understanding: Demonstrated capability in comprehending and debugging code snippets, offering potential utility in software development.Architectural InnovationsOpenAI o3 employs a hybrid reasoning framework, combining neural-symbolic learning with probabilistic logic. This architecture enables the model to:Break Down Problems: Simplify complex queries into smaller, manageable components.Leverage Context: Utilize extended memory to retain context over prolonged interactions.Iterate Solutions: Refine answers through multiple reasoning cycles.These features make o3 particularly adept at tackling multi-step reasoning challenges where traditional Transformer-based models often falter.Real-World ApplicationsOpenAI o3 could benefit several fields:Education: Assist students with complex mathematical and scientific problems.Healthcare: Support diagnostic processes and optimize treatment plans through data analysis.Software Development: Debug and generate code, providing practical support for developers.OpenAIs Broader VisionOpenAI released a video that illustrates its vision for AI reasoning. The demonstrations include o3 addressing problems in physics, mathematics, and ethical dilemmas, underscoring its aspirations to develop models capable of reasoning across a wide range of scenarios.Also,dont forget to follow us onTwitter and join ourTelegram Channel andLinkedIn Group. Dont Forget to join our60k+ ML SubReddit. Asif RazzaqAsif Razzaq is the CEO of Marktechpost Media Inc.. As a visionary entrepreneur and engineer, Asif is committed to harnessing the potential of Artificial Intelligence for social good. His most recent endeavor is the launch of an Artificial Intelligence Media Platform, Marktechpost, which stands out for its in-depth coverage of machine learning and deep learning news that is both technically sound and easily understandable by a wide audience. The platform boasts of over 2 million monthly views, illustrating its popularity among audiences. [Download] Evaluation of Large Language Model Vulnerabilities Report (Promoted)

Endings are hard. Weve always known endings are hard, says Steve Pemberton in new BBC Two documentary Inside No. 9: The Partys Over. Hes not just talking about devising the perfect conclusion, with the right balance of surprise and satisfaction, for an Inside No. 9 story; hes talking about concluding the whole show.The new hour-long doc goes behind the scenes on the ninth and final series of Inside No. 9, when he and co-creator Reece Shearsmith capped their extraordinary 55-film achievement with Plodding On, a guest star and Easter egg-packed finale that paid due homage to everything thats gone before. As the documentary goes behind the camera on the creation of the shows final six episodes, it revealed some fun Inside No. 9 trivia for fansWorking Titles Included No. 5 and Behind Closed DoorsLooking through Steve Pembertons old notebooks from when the show was being developed, a couple of alternative titles are listed: No. 5 and Behind Closed Doors. If theyd gone with the former, then they might have stopped after the fifth series instead of the ninth, and deprived us of several great instalments. And Behind Closed Doors feels more like the title of a DVD Extra than the creepy, genre-hopping Inside No. 9.The Musical Sting Was a Last-Minute ImprovAccording to Inside No. 9 composer Christian Henson, the shows theme music was originally supposed to have been a fuller piece performed by a whole group of musicians, but when that composition didnt get the thumbs-up, he took less than two minutes to improvise this eight-second pizzicato sting, and submitted it as an alternative. His sister told him that hed be the jammiest person in the world if they went for it, and clearly, he is.Prop SouvenirsIts traditional for creators to take home a prop or two from a wrapped show, and the ones chosen by Reece Shearsmith include: the straw doll that was used in his sacrifice scene in The Wicker Man-inspired Mr King, the leather portfolio used by Pembertons character in Christmas special The Bones of St. Nicholas, the Scaramouche mask he wears in commedia dellarte episode Wuthering Heist, and the model of his own decapitated head created for Halloween special Dead Line.Natalie Dormers No. 9 Claim to FameOf the many, many death scenes filmed for Inside No. 9 (burned to death in wardrobe, drowned in bath, stabbed, guillotined, shot, bitten by vampire) the final one you see in the entire run is Natalie Dormers character falling from the balcony in classical music period piece The Curse of the Ninth.Read more Real-Life Episode InspirationsDonna Prestons character Bev in series six episode Hurry Up and Wait was inspired by a real experience the creators had while filming The League of Gentlemen. Told to wait between scenes in a residential house that they thought was empty, they came across the house owner wearing a dressing gown and telling them, Im having a glass of champagne. Its my birthday today. It went straight in the script. Series three episode The Bill was inspired by Pemberton and Shearsmith witnessing a fight over who got to pay the bill at Stellas Room Caf in Muswell Hill.A Horror Poster PedigreeGraham Humphreys, who designed nine of the shows excellent episode posters (for Sardines, The Harrowing, The Devil of Christmas, The Riddle of the Sphinx, Tempting Fate, Private View, Nine Lives Kat, The Bones of St. Nicholas, and CTRL, ALT, ESC) is a celebrated artist who also designed original posters for Sam Raimis Evil Dead film series.Past Projects RevisitedIn fan-favourite episode Bernie Cliftons Dressing Room, the punk dummy and professorial ventriloquist outfits were inspired by an old photograph of Pemberton and Shearsmith wearing those same outfits on stage in their own pre-TV comedy double act. And series one episode Tom & Gerri was adapted from a play the pair had written very early in their careers called The Dole Boy.The End of the End?The final shot Pemberton and Shearsmith filmed together for Inside No. 9 is actually the final scene of the series (its not always the case). In series nine finale Plodding On, the pair reconcile in the toilets at the wrap party bash and Pemberton (playing himself) asks what they should do next. Shearsmith (playing himself) says There is a third option, which cues up the punchline montage of scenes from an On the Buses-inspired, 1970s-styled sitcom Hold on Tight.Its not quite the end yet though. The Inside No. 9 live show Stage/Fright, starring Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, produced by Richard Osman and directed by Simon Evans, arrives in January 2025 at the Wyndham Theatre. More information here.Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!Inside No. 9 series one to nine are available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.

Last week, The Wall Street Journal reported that the iPhone 17 Air will cost less than the iPhone Pro models, contradicting the long-standing expectation that the new ultra-thin iPhone would be even more expensive than the iPhone Pro Max models. With that being the case, the phone actually makes more sense than ever.New pricing rumorIn a new report, The Wall Street Journal said the following about the long-rumored iPhone 17 Air:Starting next year, Apple plans to introduce an iPhone that will be thinner than the approximately 8-millimeter profile of current models, said people familiar with the companys plans. The model is intended to be cheaper than Pro models, with a simplified camera system to reduce costs.This goes against what had been previously reported. Back in May, when The Information revealed some of the first details about the device, this was what they stated:The slimmer iPhone could be released concurrently with the iPhone 17, expected in September 2025, according to the three people with direct knowledge and two others familiar with the project. It could be priced higher than the iPhone Pro Max, currently Apples most expensive model starting at $1,200, they said.Why it mattersObviously, more expensive than the iPhone Pro Max implies a price tag of at least $1199 possibly even as high as $1299. For a thinner iPhone with less features, a compromised battery life, and a single camera. That didnt seem very worth it. Sure, it wouldve looked very nice, and potentially wouldve laid the groundwork for future iPhones to be thinner, but it wouldnt have made too much sense to buy.More recently, weve even heard that the iPhone 17 Air will lack a second speaker, relying only on the earpiece to output audio. With so many compromises, it never wouldve made sense to pay such a large premium for.However, if newer reports are to hold true, were now expecting a model cheaper than the Pro models. It isnt clear what this means exactly, since there could potentially be a price hike with the iPhone 17 Pro, but regardless, the iPhone 17 Air should come in under $1000. If there is no price hike on the iPhone 17 Pro, then the 17 Air could potentially be as low as $899, taking the same price point as iPhone 16 Plus. That drastically changes the value proposition there, making the new model up to $400 cheaper than we initially thought.Wrap upSure, youd still be losing out on battery life and a second camera compared to the iPhone 16 Plus, and youd also be missing a second speaker. All that being said though, you would be getting the cool, shiny looking, and far thinner iPhone for the same price you paid last year. Apple is probably betting on that being the appeal. This will be the first iPhone in a large number of years thatll look truly different compared to the prior model.Plus, unlike the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, the base model iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air will equip 120Hz ProMotion displays, making it more appealing to techies as well.My favorite iPhone accessories on Amazon:Follow Michael:X/Twitter,Bluesky,InstagramAdd 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

7.6 /10 SCORE Our Verdict Our Verdict Best for: Back sleeper Combo sleeper Stomach sleeper Score Breakdown Performance 9 /10 Policies 8.5 /10 Durability 8.5 /10 Features 7 /10 Pros and Cons Pros Gel memory foam offers body-conforming qualities Pocketed coils offer support for heavier body types Excellent motion isolation and edge support Ideal for back and stomach sleepers Cons Not as affordable as the all-foam version People under 150 pounds might not need the added support Not the softest option for side and combination sleepers Table of Contents Are you looking for a memory foam hybrid bed that has it all? Then you'll be stoked with the Nectar Hybrid Mattress. Nectar is well known for having budget-friendly all-foam mattresses, and with the hybrid mattress, there's so much more variety. The Nectar Hybrid Mattress is designed to offer exceptional support and comfort, thanks to its advanced construction that includes pocketed coils. These coils respond individually to pressure, providing tailored support and minimizing motion transfer, which is ideal for couples or restless sleepers. To evaluate the performance of this mattress across various sleeping styles, the CNET team carefully analyzed factors such as support, pressure relief and temperature regulation during our assessment. Heres an in-depth look at our thoughts on the Nectar Hybrid Mattress, and how it caters to the diverse needs of different sleepers.First impressions Jonathan Gomez/CNETLike many other mattresses you order online, the Nectar Hybrid arrived in a box thats around 4 feet tall. The bed itself was tightly compressed and rolled up in vacuum-sealed plastic. I dumped out the contents of the box, tore off all the packaging and the Nectar Hybrid started to unfurl before my eyes.The bed reached its true form quickly, thanks to the fact it has support coils instead of dense foam. Coils allow hybrid beds to expand quickly, so you can usually test these types of beds right after the unboxing. Since the Nectar Hybrid has memory foam on top, however, I still gave the bed some time to inflate.Overall, the bed felt similar to the foam version of the flagship Nectar in regards to firmness and feel. It performed slightly better in terms of responsiveness and edge support, largely due to the coil unit below. If you want to see my actual hands-on experience with the mattress, check out my full video review.Video: Nectar Hybrid mattress reviewWatch me review the Nectar Hybrid mattress in this video review. Nectar Hybrid mattress firmness and feelWhat does the Nectar Hybrid feel like? Jonathan Gomez/CNETLike the all-foam version, the Nectar Hybrid exhibits a dense memory foam feel. Swapping the support system out for coils gives the bed more responsiveness, but the beds main comfort layer of gel memory foam still provides that slow-to-respond, body-conforming sensation. Even with the coils, the bed still feels like a Tempur-pedic style of mattress, just without the sticker shock.How firm is the Nectar Hybrid mattress?Similar to the all-foam model, the Nectar Hybrid is around a proper medium-firm on CNET's scale. This means it should work fine for all sleepers, but it should be ideal for back and stomach sleepers looking for more of a support advantage. If youre a heavier person like me, this will likely be the more supportive version of the bed for your body type, but you may find it softer than this ranking. CNET's scale measures firmness against the size of an average person -- around 180 pounds, give or take.If youre looking for a softer mattress from Nectar, the brand offers a couple of other options. The upgraded Nectar Premier is their softest option at a medium, while the top-tier Nectar Premier Copper sits in between that and a medium-firm. Both of these more enhanced Nectar beds are also available as all-foam or hybrid mattresses.Nectar Hybrid mattress construction Jonathan Gomez/CNETThis hybrid version is similar to the all-foam counterpart in terms of construction, minus the support system. Heres exactly what the bed is made up of:1. On the bottom, there's a layer of base foam. This is a thin, dense foam that acts as a foundation for everything else to rest on.2. Then you have the bed's main support system of pocketed coils, which have reinforced edges to give the bed sturdy edge support.3. Next is a Dynamic transition layer, which acts as a buffer between the coils so you don't feel them as much.4. For the bed's main comfort layer, there's a 2-inch layer of gel memory foam. This provides the mattress with a body-contouring feel.Nectar Hybrid mattress performance Jonathan Gomez/CNETMotion isolationYoull want a mattress that isolates a good amount of cross-mattress movement if your partner is a light sleeper. Luckily, the Nectar Hybrid isn't half bad in this regard since it uses dense memory foam on top. If motion isolation is a top priority for you when considering your next mattress, you may be getting the most out of the all-foam version. I'd say that the Nectar Hybrid deadens motion quite well, though.Edge-to-edge supportSometimes, your partner can hog the mattress unknowingly, causing you to sleep close to the edges. If thats the case in your relationship, youll want a bed with a sturdy perimeter. Since this is a hybrid bed with reinforced coils along the edges, I'd say this mattress has a solid amount of edge support. Those coils help to keep you placed firmly along the edges, so I doubt youll feel any roll-off sensation.TemperatureThough the mattress is advertised as a cooler sleeping bed, itll still sleep around the temperature-neutral range for most people. It shouldnt actively cool you down while also not excessively heating you up at night. Sleeping temperature varies on a case-by-case basis and often depends on exterior factors rather than the bed itself.While the cover of this bed isnt necessarily active cooling, it is, in fact, antimicrobial. This helps with general mattress cleanliness, and it should reduce the amount of allergens and bacteria the bed picks up over time as you use it.DurabilitySince this is a hybrid bed that uses coils for support, it should be durable enough to handle all body types, including much heavier people. Pocketed coils are usually more supportive than dense support foam units in the long run, which makes all-foam beds slightly less durable than hybrid options. For this reason, the Nectar Hybrid should provide plenty of support and last you for quite a while.Off-gassingSometimes, your brand-new bed stinks right out of the box -- and I mean that in the literal sense. Like other products that ship to you in a box, theres often a factory smell. Rest assured, nothing is wrong with your new bed. This odor is a completely normal part of the process and should go away after a couple of nights.Who is the Nectar mattress best for?Though the bed is supportive enough to handle all body types, its feel and firmness don't make it the best option for absolutely everyone. Here's who we think the Nectar Hybrid mattress will be best for.Sleeping positionGiven that this is a firmer mattress, it's most suitable for back and stomach sleepers who want a bed with a more supportive profile. It also has a dense memory foam feel where you slowly sink into the bed, so its not the most responsive mattress. For this reason, it might not be the best option for combination sleepers who like to rotate around at night. If you like to hang out in one main sleeping position while you rest, this mattress should accommodate that preference well.If youre more of a side sleeper, you may want to look into the Nectar Premier, as it's the softest of the lot. If you're more of a combination sleeper or you just want a Nectar bed to accommodate all sleeping positions, the Premier Copper may be best.Body typeThe Nectar Hybrid mattress should be supportive enough to handle all body types, even much heavier folks. If you're a bigger person like me, around 250 pounds, youll likely prefer the durability and support of a hybrid bed compared to an all-foam one. This is because steel coils are unlikely to degrade as quickly as polyurethane foam over time. We all hate a bed that bows in the middle -- I cant see that happening here.The hybrid version will cost you a bit more than the all-foam, but its only a price difference of around $100 or so. Even with that slight price bump, the bed is still pretty affordable after a discount. Speaking of which, though, whats the price looking like for this thing?Nectar Hybrid mattress pricing Size Measurements (inches)PriceTwin 38x75 inches$499Twin XL 38x80 inches$749Full 54x75 inches$749Queen 60x80 inches$799King 76x80 inches$999Cal King 72x84 inches$999Split King 72x84 inches$1,498 One big reason for Nectar's popularity is its affordability. If youre looking for a quality hybrid bed online these days, youre lucky to walk away without spending $1,000 -- at a bare minimum.Like everything else you buy online, beds are simply getting more and more expensive, so its nice to know that you can still pick up a queen-size Nectar Hybrid for around $800 after a discount. That's a competitive price for a memory foam hybrid bed like this.Trial, shipping and warrantyAs a brand, Nectar backs its beds with above-average policies. Its beds ship to you in a box for free, and once it's in your possession, you get a 365-night trial period to try it at home risk-free. That's a full year before you're stuck with it. If you happen not to like it within that time frame, you have a return option. But if you decide to keep it, youre backed by a forever warranty. Just be sure to use the right foundation for the bed. Otherwise, you could void your beds warranty.The final verdict Jonathan Gomez/CNETId suggest checking out the Nectar Hybrid if you're more of a back or stomach sleeper looking for a bed with a dense memory foam feel. If you want a hybrid option that should work for all body types, definitely consider this option in the Helix Sleep core line.If the criteria above sound like you and you only have a budget of around $1,000, that could also be reason enough to look into it.You might like the Nectar Hybrid mattress if:You want a supportive hybrid mattressYoure a primary back or stomach sleeperYou like a bed with a dense memory foam feelYoure an average to heavier-sized personYou might not like the Nectar Hybrid bed if:You're looking for an all-foam mattressYou want a bed with a neutral feelYou want a soft mattress for strict side sleepingYoure on a super strict budgetOther mattresses from NectarAs I alluded to earlier, Nectar doesnt just offer this hybrid bed. It's also available as an all-foam mattress, and you also have those two support options on the Nectar Premier and Premier Copper.How does the Nectar Hybrid compare to other mattresses?Nectar Hybrid vs. Nectar Memory FoamWhen it comes to comparing these two support options of the flagship Nectar mattress, there are a couple of key differences. The first one has to do with the appropriate body types for each bed. The foam version of Nectar is best for average to petite-sized individuals, whereas the hybrid model can handle all body types, including heavy people. Bigger people could get by on both renditions of the bed, but over time, the foam version could degrade more quickly than the hybrid one.Between the two support options, the foam model has superior motion isolation. This isnt to say that it's at all bad on the hybrid, but the coils just dont deaden motion as well as a dense foam. If youre in a relationship and motion isolation is a top priority for you and your partner, definitely look into the foam Nectar instead of the hybrid.Nectar Hybrid vs. DreamCloud HybridThis used to be an easy comparison back when these beds were quite different -- these days, not so much. Both have coils for support, memory foam for comfort and are backed by the exact same policies.The main differences have to do with specific feel, firmness and comfort elements. The DreamCloud Hybrid is firmer than the Nectar Hybrid and is a bit more responsive in regards to its memory foam feel. It also uses some additional comfort layers beneath the cashmere cover. This could come down to personal preference. If you prefer a tufted cover, go with the DreamCloud Hybrid, and if you prefer a flatter sleeping surface, check out the Nectar Hybrid. Nectar Hybrid Mattress FAQs How long will a Nectar Hybrid mattress last? The average lifespan of a mattress is usually around seven to 10 years. Since hybrid beds are designed to be on the more supportive and durable side, Id say this bed will last even longer than that. Also, if you put a mattress protector on it, that wont hurt longevity either. Is Nectar the same as DreamCloud? Both brands are owned by the same parent company, Resident Home. I would say Nectar, as a brand, offers more straightforward beds for memory foam lovers, while DreamCloud is going for that "affordable luxury" aesthetic. Both have six different options to choose from, all at affordable prices. I guess it just comes down to the type of mattress youre looking for.