By Kim Komando The Kim Komando Show Published December 27, 2024 4:03pm EST close Experts weigh in on the age of AI: Dont want to make the same mistake as social media Artificial intelligence experts Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin analyze the technology on One Nation. A 14-year-old committed suicide after following the advice of an AI chatbot. Another family is suing the same one Character AI after it told an autistic 14-year-old to kill his parents. It also exposed an 11-year-old to sexual content.These stories are heavy reminders that young people are especially vulnerable on the internet, but AI isnt the only thing targeting them.HOW TO (KINDLY) ASK PEOPLE NOT TO POST YOUR KIDS' PHOTOS ON SOCIAL MEDIAThe fine folks at the FBIs crime division say teens lost 2,500% more money to scams over a recent five-year stretch. Compare that to an 805% increase for seniors, which is still not great, but at least its not 2,500%.So, why teens? Because thieves have more ways than ever to target them. Talk to anyone in your circle born between 1996 and 2010 about this. Its a big deal.I share smart tech news and tips you can use every single day.Join 600K readers who get The Current.The most prevalent scams and tricksUnder the influence:Say a kiddo in your family idolizes an online influencer. That person is so easy to impersonate. All a fraudster has to do is set up a phony account that looks real, run a contest and trick "winners" into handing over their personal details (or more) to claim their (nonexistent) prizes. Done and done. This file photo shows someone checking his smartphone in Glenview, Ill. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)Pro tip:Stick to "official" influencer accounts with substantial follower counts. A smaller account is almost always a scammer, not some secret one. And never give financial info or money to someone via DM.Hey there, handsome:This is a classic for a reason. Scammers grab pictures of an attractive teen or 20-something and play digital Casanovas. All too soon, they profess their love then comes the request for money, gifts or info.Pro tip: Try a reverse image search to see if those pics pop up elsewhere online. If the person refuses to video call or meet you in person, its a bad sign.RELATED: Deepfakes are so easy to make.Talk to your kids.Send me a photo:This is the dangerous intersection of smartphones, sexting and scammers. Someone shares sexy pictures and asks for some in return. As soon as the victim sends a pic or video, everything changes.AI EXPERT: CHATGPT PROMPTS YOULL WISH YOU KNEW SOONERThe person on the other end is now blackmailing them. Pay up or theyll share the content with everyone the victim knows. Think about how horrifying that would be at any age, but especially as a teenager.I spoke to a family that lost their son to suicide after this happened to him. Such a heartbreaking story, and theyre not alone; this is way too common.Pro tip: Talk to your kids about sending pictures to others online. Urge them to never share anything explicit, even with someone they know in person and trust. Its just not worth it.You won! Not":This one targets younger teens. A thief tricks them into revealing credit card details or downloading malware under the guise of rewards in their favorite game. Social media apps are pictured on a smartphone. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)Pro tip: This ones easy. Only ever buy apps or make in-app purchases through an official app store no trades and nothing "private."So, what can you do?The internet is an incredible resource for learning, creativity and fun, but lets not sugarcoat it: there are dangers out there. Scammers and predators have become experts at manipulation, and kids can easily fall victim. The most important thing you can do as a parent? Foster open, honest communication.When my son was younger, I shared age-appropriate stories about what he might encounter online. We talked about the risks in a way he could understand. He knew that if anything or anyone made him feel uncomfortable, he should come to me immediately, no questions asked.DO THIS WITH YOUR FAMILY VIDEOS BEFORE ITS TOO LATEThats the foundation: trust. Kids need to know that they wont get in trouble for being fooled. Todays online predators are sneaky, and scammers know exactly how to win a childs trust. If your child is targeted, its never their fault.Heres my free tech safety contract you both can sign if youre not sure where to start the conversation around tech limits.Action plan for parentsRemember when you had a fake drivers license or told a little white lie to get what you wanted? Kids have ways around parental controls and are smart enough to spin the birth year wheel when signing up to get around age restrictions. A mother and teenage daughter are seen using a smartphone. (iStock)Set clear ground rules for screen time and device use, and keep the conversation going as they grow. A few simple steps to take:Have the passcode to their phone:You need access to everything at any time. Even if you dont pop in much, they need to know you can.Set limits:Use built-in app controls to monitor their time spent in the apps and tools like content filters to limit their exposure to inappropriate material."Friend" or "Follow" them: Stay connected on social media to see their circle and interactions. Without open dialogue, theyll find ways around you.Know the special settings:On Snapchat, Instagram and YouTube, you canconnect to your childs account.The best protection is being your childs go-to resource for help and guidance. Let your kids know youre there, ready to listen, no matter what. Thats the real safety net.Get tech-smarter on your scheduleAward-winning host Kim Komando is your secret weapon for navigating tech.National radio:Airing on 500+ stations across the US -Find yours or get the free podcast.Daily newsletter:Join 600,000 people who read the Current (free!)Watch: OnKims YouTube channelPodcast: "Kim Komando Today" - Listen wherever you get podcastsCopyright 2025, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved.

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Person standing on a mountain peakgettyAs summarized in last weeks report on Forbes.com, there are real challenges that the field of college mental health will likely face in 2025. However, the field is well-positioned to face these challenges. In fact, 2025 could accelerate the unique opportunities that college mental health provides, especially regarding being a high priority for the post-pandemic generation of students, receiving greater recognition as a benefit to society, being exempt from certain political conflicts, and receiving increased investments from university administrators.Mental Health As A Priority For The Post-Pandemic GenerationA 2024 report on Forbes.com explained how the Class of 2028 is the first college cohort that experienced the global pandemic during the formative years of early adolescence. Though its too early to determine how different this cohort will be from previous generations of college students, its established that providing mental health support to the post-pandemic generation of students is a priority. A 2024 report on NewAmerica.org, an online think tank about various policies in the United States, found that nearly eight in ten Americans currently believe that colleges students need mental health support services from their schools. The 2024 Gallup-Lumina State of Higher Education Report indicated that emotional stress and personal mental health concerns are the top two reasons why current students discontinue their college enrollment, and that these reasons are ranked more than twice the percentage as financial costs.This high priority opens the door for college mental health professionals to have conversations about expanding mental health services on campuses, experience less stigma from students about seeking counseling, and generate opportunities to showcase mental health services while recruiting future students. Furthermore, because of the upcoming enrollment cliff, and fewer college-age youth currently living on the planet, theres high interest in support services that increase student retention. According to a 2024 study in the Journal of College Student Mental Health, about two-thirds of campus counseling centers clients reported that counseling services helped them stay enrolled in school.Greater Recognition That College Mental Health Can Benefit SocietyAnother 2024 report on Forbes.com indicated that the value of college mental health remains high even though the public confidence in higher education is shrinking. Traditionally, college mental health was designed to offer limited/short-term counseling services. Similarly to many campus health centers, most student counseling centers focused on providing supportive services for acute and developmental needs, and students needing longer-term/specialized services were referred to an off-campus provider. This structure is consistent with the traditional mindset that colleges and universities are institutions of higher education and not treatment communities.However, theres growing recognition that campus counseling centers have unparallel access to the vital demographic of individuals between the ages of 18 and 25. Furthermore, most college campuses have ready-made facilities, modern technology, and an infrastructure already in place that no other health care system in America has. Thus, theres acknowledgment that college mental health can have an important role in reducing the mental health epidemic in America. As described in a 2024 report on Forbes.com, many schools are developing new models of campus counseling, which includes collaborating with treatment providers to offer specialized programs on campus. These new models have the potential to treat more individuals with less cost than traditional models, which is significant as a 2024 report by U.S. News and World Report indicates that mental health illnesses cost America approximately $282 billion per year.MORE FOR YOUBeing Exempt from Certain Political ConflictsA 2024 report by USA Today showed that many Americans feel hopeless about the increasing polarization and divide among politicians. One way in which political contention affects higher education is the recent tendency of state legislators to pass Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) bans. Unfortunately, many DEI bans include confusing language, such as prohibiting any campus office from offering differential treatment to students. However, the intention of politicians in using the term differential treatment is vastly different from how medical providers use the term. In fact, the Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors (which I serve as an executive board member) released a press release regarding concerns that health care providers have about many DEI bans. This message seems to resonate. States that passed DEI bans in 2024 include Alabama, Iowa, and Utah, all of which included exemptions/special considerations for health care providers. Representatives in other states, such as Texas, plan to introduce such exemptions in upcoming legislative sessions.Increased Investments From University AdministratorsLast weeks report also discussed how campus counseling centers must compete with the lures of private practice, and that many staff therapists can make more money, and control their own caseload and schedules, by leaving the field. Fortunately, it seems like university administrators are taking heed of this. The 2023 Directors Survey from the AUCCCD indicated that 59.8% of directors who responded reported that either all or some of their staff received salary raises outside the cost-of-living adjustments.College mental health is a premiere health care system in the world. College students are a vital demographic, most other health care systems cannot match the access and infrastructure of higher education, the work that college health providers do is respected by both political parties, and many universities are now finding ways to retain and recruit talent. Despite the challenges that are coming in 2025, there are many reasons to be optimistic.

Discovered in the ultramafic mountains in central Sabah, the species was named for the orangutan, due to its hairs striking resemblance to the great apes long, dark, rusty-red hair.Orangutan pitcher plant (Nepenthes pongoides) just discovered in Sabah, on the tropical island of ... [+] Borneo. (Credit: Alastair Robinson.)Alastair Robinson, with kind permission.An international team of botanists report they have just described a new species of giant pitcher plant that lives in a tiny area in the mountains on Borneo. The botanists, who are from Malaysia and Australia, discovered this rare tropical plant in May 2023, after it had originally been photographed in the wild in 2004. Additional photographs were captured in 2018, clearly revealing that this plant was probably a new species to science. The researchers planned an expedition in 2019 to locate the plant again but were delayed by the pandemic, but they eventually were able to search for it last year.The goal of the expedition was to make detailed field observations of the plant, to record its habitat, population size and ecological data and to collect representative samples whilst minimising harm by only taking terminal cuttings so the sampled individuals would survive and could regenerate.Oilpalm plantation of local smallholders along the Buis-Kiabau-Road. In the background is the Meliau ... [+] Range. The Meliau Range is a poorly-explored mountainous area in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, known for its rare and unique plant and animal species. (Credit: Uwe Aranas / CC BY-SA 3.0)Uwe Aranas via a Creative Commons licenseAccording to the formal description, the plant is the largest Nepenthes species yet discovered. The plants pitchers are enormous with distinctive bell-shaped upper and lower pitchers and narrow, upright lids. These pitchers capture rainfall and a variety of prey animals, both of which sustain and nourish the plant in a rocky environment where there is no running water. The researchers discovered a diversity of animal prey, from beetles and centipedes to giant millipedes and even freshwater crabs, inside the plants pitchers creatures that most other pitcher plants are too small to trap.MORE FOR YOUMost unusually, the leaves of this pitcher plant are covered in thick, rust colored fur (Figure 3) a distinctive and unique characteristic found in no other Bornean Nepenthes species known so far. For this reason, the plant was given the scientific name, Nepenthes pongoides, in honor of the Critically Endangered orangutan, Pongo pygmaeus, which lives in the area.Figure 3. Indumentum of Nepenthes pongoides. (a) Emerging foliage and phyllode bases densely covered ... [+] with long, rufous to reddish-gold hairs. (b) Tendril bearing long, pilose to hirsute and uniformly retrorse hairs. (c) Adaxial surface of phyllode with reddish indumentum of pilose hairs, particularly apparent along midrib. (d) Pubescent hairs of phyllode abaxial surface. (e) Scanning electron micrograph of phyllode abaxial surface hairs with bristle-like processes indicated (red arrows). Note scattered sessile glands between hairs. (f ) Simple and variably dendritic (red arrows) hairs on lower surface of lid. Scales: (d) = 1 cm; (e), (f) = 1 mm. Photographs (a) by A. Damit; (b)(f) by A.S. Robinson. (doi:10.1071/BT24050)doi:10.1071/BT24050We decided to name this plant after the orangutan primarily because of the long red hair that covers most parts of the plant, said field botanist and plant taxonomist Alastair Robinson, the managing botanist at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.When hes not searching for rare botanical treasures, Dr Robinson oversees plant identifications services, the identification web portals (VicFlora & HortFlora), the Library and Artwork components of the State Botanical Collection, the Conservation Seedbank, and the botanical journal Muelleria. Amongst his many activities, specialities and accolades, Dr Robinson is recognized as the worlds authority on plant carnivory in a range of genera, particularly Drosera (sundews) and Nepenthes.It just so happened that the night before we reached the plants, we had a fleeting glimpse of an orangutan, putting that comparison front of mind, Dr Robinson mentioned.Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus), Tanjung Putting National Park in Indonesia. The park is famous ... [+] for its orangutan conservation. (Credit: Thomas Fuhrmann / CC BY-SA 4.0)Thomas Fuhrmann via a Creative Commons licenseAdmittedly its not quite as hairy as an orangutan, its more like a really hairy-chested man.But the colour is almost the same as orangutan fur, Dr Robinson added, before pointing out that the team agreed to christen these plants as the orangutan pitcher plant whilst still on the mountain.It is also a positive conservation link since the orangutan is also a critically endangered species; in the age of plant blindness, it seemed like an appropriate link to make since the charismatic orangutan is well-loved around the world, while this hitherto unknown plant might benefit from that association, possibly even influencing the protections it receives.What surprised you most about this plant?The most surprising thing about this plant was the long red hair covering its foliage and pitchers, but also its very large size; the largest pitcher documented so far was 45 cm tall and capable of holding at least 2 L of water, Dr Robinson replied in email.Its just surprising that such a striking and large plant should go relatively unnoticed up until the present day.This may be because these plants are hidden in rock piles in a relatively inaccessible and poorly known mountainous area.An orangutan pitcher plant (Nepenthes pongoides) in the wild, with a grown man's boot (lower right) ... [+] for a size comparison. (Credit: Alastair S. Robinson.)Alastair S. Robinson with kind permission.[W]e found 39 individuals across two sub populations following a fairly exhaustive search. A proportion of these were juvenile and thus dont count yet as breeding plants, so the actual mature population is even lower, Dr Robinson told me in email on Christmas Day.Is it possible that there is another sub population or two of these plants that remain undiscovered? How big is the range occupied by these plants?The range that these plants grow in is not very large and so it is improbable that there are additional sub populations, though we certainly hope to be proven wrong when further exploration of this range occurs, Dr Robinson replied in email.Because they have such a small range, and there are so few plants known so far, how do they protect themselves from inbreeding?As far as genetics go, Nepenthes are dioecious, with separate male and female plants, which prevents self-pollination and presumably inbreeding, though this hypothesis is not well tested, Dr Robinson explained. However, it has been found to increase genetic diversity and to protect against deleterious mutations, and may partly account for why inbreeding does not appear to be a problem in the many microendemic Nepenthes known.It appears these range-limited rare plants may have other strategies to bolster their genetic resilience as well.Most of these microendemic species also occur in close proximity to other more widespread Nepenthes, and genetic transfer may play a factor in shoring up genetic resilience in naturally small populations, Dr Robinson added.Orangutan pitcher plant (Nepenthes pongoides) basking in the sun. (Credit: Alastair S. Robinson.)Alastair S. Robinson with kind permission.Nonetheless, such a tiny range predisposes this species to extinction. Dr Robinson and co-authors pointed out in their study (ref) that a wildfire or illegal collecting for the horticultural trade could easily wipe out the entire species. Indeed, Dr Robinson noted that even before they reached the site, there was evidence that poachers had already been in the area and had stolen some specimens because these plants had been posted online for sale. So are steps being taken to protect these plants?Since the plant has just been described, it is only afforded general protections under Malaysian law, however, we are hopeful that the species can be given a more protected status and ideally receive some attention from government to try to save this population from an unfortunate fate, Dr Robinson replied in email. How that is done is ultimately up to the Malaysian government, and there are various ways of achieving this.What is the best way to protect these plants? Would captive propagation help protect them from illegal collecting for the botanical trade?In situ conservation is always the ideal outcome, protecting the plants and their habitat from damage, however, if it were possible to locate seed and grow the plants up in laboratory conditions, they could be multiplied and distributed easily to botanic gardens and even nurseries worldwide, thereby reducing the collecting pressure on the wild populations.Due to its small population size and extreme vulnerability to illegal collection by plant collectors, the orangutan pitcher plant is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Indeed, poaching to meet the high market value of these ornamental plants is the most significant threat to most wild Nepenthes populations. There are more than 160 species of Nepenthes known so far but already, two species are extinct in the wild due to poaching.To finally discover and sample these rare plants in the wild, Dr Robinson and collaborators launched two expeditions to two separate locations in 2023, but still were only able to discover 39 of the plants in total. This discovery highlights the extreme vulnerability of these plants to extinction if quick and decisive action is not taken to protect them from poaching, and naming this critically endangered plant after a critically endangered animal certainly draws a strong conservation parallel for them both.Source:Alviana Damit, Nur Adillah Mohd Yusof, Jemson Jumian, Charles Clarke and Alastair S. Robinson (2024). Sabahs hidden giant: Nepenthes pongoides (Nepenthaceae), a micro-endemic tropical pitcher plant from northern Borneo, Australian Journal of Botany 72(8):BT24050 | doi:10.1071/BT24050 Copyright by GrrlScientist | hosted by Forbes | LinkTr.ee

2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV review: An affordable EV without compromiseMSRP$34,995.00 Score Details The Equinox EV is the rare car that lets you ignore the options list.ProsMax range available in base modelHandsome designPleasant to driveImpressive interior qualityConsMerely adequate fast charging hardwareTable of ContentsTable of Contents2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV: design2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV: specs2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV: tech2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV: driving experience2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV: range and charging2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV: How DT would configure this carWhen General Motors announced the EV component set formerly known as Ultium, the automaker promised that it would accommodate many different types of vehicles. So far, though, weve mainly seen big pickup trucks and luxury SUVs. Those more profitable models will help GM more quickly amortize the upfront cost of its EV investment, but they dont play to the automakers traditional strength of, as defined by executive Alfred P. Sloan, offering a car for every purse and purpose.Recommended VideosThe 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV changes that. Chevy launched this electric counterpart to its gasoline Equinox compact SUV for the 2024 model year, but for 2025, the Equinox EV becomes truly affordable thanks to an entry-level front-wheel drive LT model priced at $34,995 with 319 miles of range.RelatedThis goes a long way toward helping the Equinox EV stand in for the Chevy Bolt EV as a mass-market electric model until the latter returns from hiatus. I spent a week driving one to see how it compares to rivals like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Volkswagen ID.4 and whether GMs latest tech really makes a difference over the last Bolt EV in a mass-market vehicle.Stephen Edelstein/Digital TrendsGM is still planning a new Bolt EV, but for now, the Equinox EV capitalizes on the current popularity of SUVs and a recognizable name thats been around for almost two decades at this point. With its wide stance and long, low roofline, the Equinox EV looks sleeker than the last Bolt EV despite being a larger vehicle. But it will never be confused with a gasoline Equinox, as the latest version of that SUV goes for a more rugged, truck-like look.The Equinox EV looks very much of the moment, even in base form. The first thing that struck me upon seeing this Equinox EV LT test car was that it didnt look like a base model. It sported 19-inch wheels that nicely filled the wheel wells, intricate headlights and taillights, and a minimum of unpainted plastic. The second impression, however, was that the Equinox EV looks more like a hatchback than a true SUV something that can also be said of the Hyundai Ioniq 5. And like the Hyundai, the Chevys ultra-long wheelbase gives it odd proportions in profile view.Chevy did an excellent job of balancing cost and class.That stretched wheelbase creates plenty of passenger space, though. Front- and rear-seat headroom and legroom are competitive with rival EVs like the Ioniq 5. Headroom is particularly impressive given the Chevys sleek roofline, and despite the relatively high, flat floor, second-row passengers dont have to sit with their legs awkwardly elevated. The Equinoxs 26.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 57.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded are also respectable, albeit not segment-leading.Inside, Chevy did an excellent job of balancing cost and class. Manually-adjusting front seats and cloth upholstery are giveaways that this is the base model, but theres nothing entry-level about the Equinox EVs expansive digital dashboard display and cool design details like the large round air vents that flank the dashboard. The interior was mostly dark-colored plastic, but fit and finish were excellent and Chevy largely avoided the shiny piano black and shoddy hard-and-grained plastics that make so many new-car interiors feel cheaper than they are. This is the rare entry-level cabin that doesnt make you feel bad for spending less.Length190.5 inWidth84.8 inHeight64.8 inWheelbase116.3 inHeadroom (front/rear)39.1 in/38.4 inLegroom (front/rear)41.6 in/38.0 inCargo space (rear seats up/down)26.4 cubic feet/57.2 cubic feetPowertrainsingle-motor front-wheel drive or dual-motor all-wheel drive, 85.0-kilowatt-hour battery packHorsepower220 hp (FWD)300 hp (AWD)Torque243 lb-ft (FWD)355 lb-ft (AWD)Range319 miles (FWD)307 miles (AWD)Price$34,995 (LT)$44,795 (RS)Stephen Edelstein/Digital TrendsThe aforementioned dashboard display includes a 17.7-inch touchscreen and 11.0-inch digital instrument cluster, both in the same curved housing. A head-up display is also available as part of the optional Convenience Package, although theres no option for upgrading beyond the basic six-speaker audio system.As a new GM EV, this Chevy does not feature Apple CarPlay or standalone Android Auto. Thats due to the Google-intensive infotainment system that also makes Google Maps and Google Assistant the default apps for navigation and voice recognition, respectively. The Google Play Store is also built into the infotainment system, allowing third-party apps to be downloaded directly to the car rather than projected from a connected smartphone.The lack of CarPlay will likely remain a point of frustration for iPhone users, but it was hard to find fault with the native interface. The touchscreen is well positioned for easy swiping and responds quickly, while the reconfigurable instrument cluster offers plenty of options for paring down or building up displayed information, including a map view.Theres nothing entry-level about the Equinox EVs expansive dashboard display.That being said, GM falls into the same trap of touchscreen over-reliance as many other automakers. You shouldnt have to use the touchscreen to turn on the headlights, for example, and even the big volume knob is too far away for the front-seat passenger to easily use.This LT test car came standard with typical driver-assist features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist and lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and park-assist sensors.A surround-view camera system and traffic sign recognition are available at extra cost, along with GMs Super Cruise hands-free driver assist system. It may not be standard equipment, but most automakers systems cant match the capability of Super Cruise, which allows for sustained hands-free driving on most U.S. highways. And it generally operates more smoothly and predictably than the equivalent Blue Cruise system available in the Ford Mustang Mach-E.Stephen Edelstein/Digital TrendsThe gasoline Chevy Equinox was never a performance car, and thats also the case with the Equinox EV. A single-motor front-wheel drive powertrain is standard, offering a respectable, but not excessive, 220 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque. Dual-motor all-wheel drive models bump output to 300 hp and 355 lb-ft of torque, but you get an 85-kilowatt-hour battery pack in either case.Automakers like Hyundai and Volkswagen opted for rear-wheel drive for their EVs despite normally going for front-wheel drive with their internal combustion models, but Chevy kept things consistent. Rear-wheel drive usually offers the edge in driving dynamics because it more evenly divides labor between the front and back wheels, but nothing about the way the Equinox EV deployed its horsepower had me wishing for a switch. With the standard all-season tires, traction was a bit limited on cold and mildly damp pavement, though, so theres still a case to be made for all-wheel drive.The Equinox EV pleasantly surprised with excellent suspension tuning.From behind the wheel, it felt like Chevys engineers paid more attention to ride quality and handling than they did with the Chevy Blazer EV. An underwhelming experience with that larger SUV left me with low expectations for this entry-level model, but the Equinox EV pleasantly surprised with excellent suspension that allowed it to smoothly change directions with no fuss. And while this EVs substantial weight made itself apparent at times, soft damping and competent body control made for a much more polished driving experience than the Equinox EVs more expensive sibling and one less likely to make passengers uncomfortable.GM also avoided messing with a good thing when it comes to regenerative braking. It included a steering-wheel paddle for calling up additional deceleration in the Chevy Bolt EV, and thankfully, thats still the case with the Equinox EV. This is a handy way to maximize the use of one-pedal driving without having to toggle between modes, although the Equinox EV has those, too. The default one-pedal mode worked well in most situations, although I did turn it off on longer highway stints to save some energy by coasting when possible. Switching modes is done via a simple icon on the touchscreen, so you dont have to go digging around for that function.Stephen Edelstein/Digital TrendsIn addition to punching above its weight on design, tech, and the driving experience, the Equinox EV base model avoids a range penalty. Regardless of trim level, all front-wheel drive 2025 Equinox EV models are rated at 319 miles. For 2025, all-wheel drive models also manage 307 miles, up from 285 miles for the 2024 model year.This gives the entry-level version of the Equinox EV more range than the Kia Niro EV, Toyota bZ4X, and Volkswagen ID.4 offer in any configuration. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 offer 318 miles and 310 miles, respectively, but only if you spring for larger battery packs that inflate the price beyond the Chevys. The Tesla Model Y gets 337 miles in its least-expensive Long Range rear-wheel drive form, but at press time, it was just over $11,000 more expensive than the base Equinox EV LT.Chevy didnt pull off the same trick with charging, but the Equinox EV should still be easy to live with. It can DC fast charge at up to 150 kilowatts, which should allow for a 10% to 80% charge in the approximately 30 minutes needed to make this worthwhile, but it means the Equinox EV cant take advantage of higher-power 350 kW public fast chargers. The standard 11.5 kW AC onboard charger can also easily accommodate overnight home charging, and a more powerful 19.2 kW unit is also available.Stephen Edelstein/Digital TrendsThe Equinox EV is at its best in its most basic form. At $34,995, the front-wheel drive Equinox EV LT undercuts its rivals while offering over 300 miles of range and no drawbacks. Some might want to consider the optional dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain or Super Cruise, but the base model stands out as a compelling value.Standing out isnt easy considering the number of small electric SUVs now crowding dealership lots. From the sleek and sporty Ford Mustang Mach-E and Kia EV6 to the retro Hyundai Ioniq 5 and thoroughly modern Volkswagen ID.4, this is one segment of the EV market thats truly fleshed out.These are all competent EVs with their own plus points. The Ioniq 5 and EV6 offer better charging performance, while the Mach-E is more entertaining to drive. But getting the best version of these cars requires a closer perusal of the spec sheet and some sticker price inflation. By offering its maximum range at its base price, with design, driving dynamics, and an interior that dont feel entry-level, the Equinox EV takes the guesswork out of buying a new EV.Editors Recommendations

Warner Bros. PicturesTable of ContentsTable of ContentsLeatherheads (2008)Splice (2009)Faye (2024)I dont know about you, but Im done with Christmas already. The stockings have been stuffed away, the tree is already down, and the holiday music has been turned off. When Im watching a movie, I dont want to see a single red Santa suit or green mistletoe. Im over it.If youre like me, and need a good movie (or three) to watch this weekend, this list is for you. Max has plenty of non-holiday films for you to stream, and this batch, which includes an underrated sports rom-com and a creepy sci-fi flick, is just the ticket to get you over Christmas and prepare for 2025. (Oh, and if youre also going to the movie theater this weekend, check out Nosferatu. Its great!)Recommended VideosWe also have guides to the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max,andthe best movies on Disney+.RelatedLeatherheads (2008) - Hit Me In The Face Scene (8/10) | MovieclipsWas the world clamoring for a 1920s football rom-com? The answer, then and now, is a resounding no, but we got Leatherheads nonetheless. The 2008 movie didnt do so well at the box office, and its not really remembered today. Its not a bad film, though, and it features an appealing cast (George Clooney, Rene Zellweger, and John Krasinski form the love triangle) and immersive period detail to appeal to those looking for an old-fashioned romance.Jimmy Dodge Connelly (Clooney) has a big problem. Its 1925, and hes trying to make pro football a viable, profitable sport. His team, the Duluth Bulldogs, is struggling, and the idea of guys throwing pigskins at each other doesnt appeal to enough people. Enter Carter The Bullet Rutherford, a WWI hero and star player for Princeton University, whom Dodge is convinced can save his team and the league. But a nosy reporter, Lexie Littleton (Zellweger) thinks Carter is full of baloney, and is determined to expose him, and ruin Dodges dream of playing pro football.Warner Bros.If you liked Clooneys 2023 movie The Boys in the Boat, youll like Leatherheads. It has a similar old-timey feel, with direction so languid, you may just fall asleep. Thats praise, I promise! Krasinski shows the leading man qualities he got to flex in his Amazon John Ryan series, and Zellweger is game (pun intended there) to slip into Jean Arthurs shoes and play a no-nonsense reporter whose looking to get swept off her feet.Leatherheads is streaming on Max.Splice #3 Movie CLIP - A Miracle (2009) HDAI is all the rage these days, but 15 years ago, it was genetic engineering that dominated the hearts and minds of sci-fi nerds everywhere. Plenty of bad movies were made about the dangers of playing God, but one of the best was Splice, a 2009 sci-fi horror movie that stars two actors who arent normally associated with the genre: Oscar winners Adrien Brody (The Pianist) and Sarah Polley (Women Talking).They star as married scientists Clive and Elsa, who are secretly trying to create a female human-animal hybrid so they can extract the creatures proteins for medical research. Major problems naturally arise when the creature, named Dren, forms a bond with the two, and rapidly mutates as she grows from an infant to adolescence in a matter of days. As Clive and Elsas employers grow suspicious, can they hide Dren from them and the world? And can Dren resist her growing urge to leave and explore her surroundings, possibly endangering the human race?Well, what do you think? Splices plot may seem obvious, but it takes several major detours, including one Ive never quite seen in a sci-fi before. Both Brody and Polley elevate the material, and director Vincenzo Natali goes for broke in examining the perverse possibilities of playing with natures genes.Splice is streaming on Max.FAYE | Official Trailer | HBOThere are divas, and then theres Faye Dunaway. The Oscar-winning actress, still best known for her work in Bonnie and Clyde, Chinatown, and Network, has a reputation of being temperamental, with past conflicts with director Roman Polanski, actress Bette Davis, and playwright Andrew Lloyd Webber all contributing to her being labeled difficult.But as Faye reveals, in archival clips with her peers and her own candid interview that took place recently, she had her reasons. And thats what makes Faye so fascinating to watch. This isnt a documentary to whitewash her sins, but rather to explain them, own them, and recontextualize them.Warner Bros.The result is a fascinating portrait of a women who wasnt difficult as much as she was a perfectionist. If that label was acceptable for her male collaborators and peers like Warren Beatty and Stanley Kubrick, well, why not her?Faye is streaming on Max.Editors Recommendations

Enpass Individual Score Details Enpass Individual has affordable plans for mobile sync, but there are some trade-offs with its unique storage options.ProsStrong security via third-party cloudEasy access to logins and moreUnlimited free desktop appLow prices for mobile syncUnlimited secure storageConsNo web appSharing is awkwardEmail supportTable of ContentsTable of ContentsSpecsTiers and pricingDesignFeaturesSupportPrivacy and securityIs Enpass right for you?Enpass is a password manager that can store and sync logins to Google Drive, iCloud, or other cloud storage providers. That means you can choose which leading tech company you trust most to encrypt and secure your account passwords.Recommended VideosThe best password managers go beyond auto-filling passwords on favorite websites. You can also organize and share logins, notes, and more with ease. I went hands-on with the free and paid version of Enpass to find out how well its cloud sync works and whether its a good solution for your needs.RelatedEnpass PlatformsWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, AndroidDevicesUnlimitedSupportEmail, ForumsFree version?YesEnpass offers three price tiers: Individual, Family, and a One-Time payment plan. EnpassEnpass has a nice desktop app that you can use for free on Windows, macOS, and Linux computers. Android and iOS apps can only sync 25 logins for free, a good incentive to become a subscriber. Who has only 25 accounts?An Enpass plan starts at just $10 annually and renews at $24. Thats very affordable pricing thats equivalent to $1 initially, climbing to $2 per month after 12 months.Enpass Family provides accounts for up to six family members. The initial cost is $30, and the subscription renews at $48. That makes the family plan a good choice for families with three to six members.A unique one-time payment plan lets you buy a lifetime Enpass Individual license for $80. If you anticipate using Enpass for at least four years, the One-Time plan offers the best value. Its like year five and beyond are free.While its rare, there are other password managers that accept a single payment. For example, StickyPassword is an offline password manager that syncs to your other devices over Wi-Fi.A paid Enpass subscription unlocks unlimited items on mobile devices, more organization features, and monitoring for password breaches.Enpass has a clean user interface thats easy to navigate. Digital TrendsI started with the free Windows app. Enpass setup was quick and simple. I created an individual account and verified my email address. Next, I was given several cloud sync options, including Google Drive,Dropbox,iCloud, OneDrive, and Box.There are also options to save data locally and sync with other devices via Wi-Fi. I could also set up WebDAV or NextCloud servers to self-host. I chose Google Drive, authenticated, and chose a strong master password.I was guided to install the browser extension and authenticate. I checked the app and couldnt find a place to enter verify. After looking around for a bit, I went back to the browser and typed the code that I saw on screen even though there was no box to type into. That worked, and I was ready to start using Enpass in Microsoft Edge. Enpass also supports Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, Brave, and Vivaldi.I enabled Windows Hello in Enpass security settings. Digital TrendsI also switched on Windows Hello authentication so I didnt have to type my long master password when Enpass timed out or when I restarted my computer. Settings are arranged in tabs so it was easy to find what I needed.Enpass auto-filled my Netflix login when I selected the password box. Digital TrendsEnpass autofill worked just like most other password managers. When I visited Netflix, my login appeared as soon as I selected the username or password field. Signing in only took two clicks of my mouse.I enjoyed the speed of using the Enpass browser extension as a website launcher. Digital TrendsIf I use Enpass as a launcher, choosing a website from the Windows app or browser extension, the page loads and Im automatically logged in, so I can access my favorite websites even faster.Digital TrendsEnpass lets me attach files and photos to secure notes. Cross-platform syncing worked perfectly. I could see use the passwords from my Windows PC on my iPhone to autofill in Safari. I created a secure note and attached a photo from my iPhone gallery, and in seconds it appeared on my computer.While the 3GB secure storage limit of NordPass is generous, Enpass doesnt limit how much data I use. Thats between me and my cloud provider.Unfortunately, the simplicity breaks down when you want to share a login, note, or other item with someone else. I had to use the Enpass app and navigate through menus to generate a key, giving it a name and a password. The name is for my reference, but the password is needed by the recipient to unlock shared items.Enpass requires multiple steps and key generation before I could share a note. Digital TrendsNext, I find the item I want to share and provide an email address or copy a link to message to my friend or family member. The recipient must have the Enpass app installed to open the link. To make matters worse, Gmail didnt hyperlink the eight-line URL so they had to select copy and paste it into Enpass.Keeper and 1Password lead the way with simple yet robust sharing features that dont require everyone to have an account.I reached on to Enpass email support during the holidays, and the reply came in under 24 hours. Digital TrendsEnpass offers email support, which usually means youll have to wait up to 24 hours for a reply. Thats not as convenient as the 24/7 live chat option from competitor Keeper, but Enpass has a very thorough support center and online user guide to look up information.On the evening of December 24, I sent an email and also filled in the contact form on the support page. I received replies from both very early on the 26th, taking about 31 hours. Thats fast for email support during the holiday season.Enpass privacy policy looks good. It collects the minimum user data needed to provide service and doesnt sell or share your email address with third-party advertisers.Your data is stored on your own devices or in your chosen cloud service. No logins are uploaded, and Enpass uses end-to-end AES-256 encryption based on your master password, so no one can access your accounts, even Enpass staff.Enpass security has been verified by Cure53, a well-known and trusted independent security lab.Enpass is a great option for free use on Windows, macOS, and Linux computers. However, youll probably need to sync with mobile devices. In that case, there are better free password managers with full cross-platform syncing.I recommend Proton Pass, which is part of Proton Free, since it includes free password management, VPN, cloud storage, and more.The best password managers make a strong effort to secure your data, but there have been notable issues.LastPass was hacked in 2022and1Password suffered a minor breach in 2023.Where Enpass shines is the variety of storage options that let you choose where to your logins are saved. With a paid Enpass plan you can over local Wi-Fi, use your own server, or choose from a variety of popular cloud storage services. If you already trust Google, Microsoft, Apple, or others with most of your data, it might make sense to store logins there as well.Editors Recommendations

The painters 1924 canvas reflects his evolution toward Surrealism and abstraction even as it evokes his own identity.