Published January 5, 2025 8:00am EST close 'CyberGuy': Is your VPN enough without antivirus protection? VPNs ensure privacy; antivirus stops malware. Tech expert Kurt Knutsson says both are essential for online security. Virtual private networks (VPNs) are important if you care about your data and privacy. They create a secure, encrypted connection between your device and the internet, hiding your IP address and protecting your online activity.There are tons of apps out there that claim to offer VPN services, but not all of them are legit. Some are fakes trying to steal your data.In the third quarter of 2024, security researchers found that the number of users encountering fake VPN apps jumped 2 times compared to the second quarter globally. These apps were either malware or programs that could be used by malicious actors.Im diving into the rise of fake VPN apps and how you can stay safe. A VPN on a cellphone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)What you need to know about the surge in fake VPN appsAccording to Kaspersky, cybercriminals are taking advantage of people who want to use free VPN services. In May 2024, law enforcement shut down a botnet, a network of hijacked devices, called 911 S5. Several free VPN services, including MaskVPN, DewVPN, PaladinVPN, ProxyGate, ShieldVPN and ShineVPN, were used to create this botnet.WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?When users installed these VPN apps, their devices were turned into proxy servers, meaning they were used to redirect someone elses internet traffic.This huge network spread across 19 million unique IP addresses in over 190 countries, making it possibly the largest botnet ever created. The people controlling the botnet sold access to these infected devices to other criminals, who used them for cyberattacks, money laundering and fraud. AVPN on a laptop (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Dont trust free VPNsYou cant trust free VPN apps because they have no reason to keep you or your data safe. Here's why you should be cautious:Data sharing: Many free VPNs share user data with third parties.Weak encryption: About 36% of free VPNs use weak encryption, compromising your online security.Data leaks: Nearly 90% of free VPNs leak some kind of data, with 17% leaking more than they should.Unreliable connections: More than half of free VPNs have unstable connections.Excessive permissions: Almost 70% ask for permissions they shouldn't need, like tracking your location (20%) or checking what apps you have installed (46%).Why people fall for fake VPNsThere's a growing demand for VPN apps across all platforms, including smartphones and computers. Users often believe that if they find a VPN app in an official store, like Google Play, it's safe to use. They're especially drawn to free services, thinking it's a great deal. However, this can often be a trap.Choose trusted VPN services for optimal security and privacyIf you need a VPN, stick to a service thats well-known, trusted and not free. Look for ones that are talked about on mainstream sites and backed by solid reviews. If youre not sure where to start, Ive put together a handylist of my favorite VPNs. Ive tested them myself, and you can trust them to keep your data safe.For best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on yourWindows, Mac, Android and iOS devices. A woman looking at a VPN app on her phone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)7 important tips for choosing and using VPNsHere are seven essential steps to help you choose a reliable VPN and safeguard your online privacy.1. Stick to official app stores:Always download apps from trusted platforms like the App Store for iOS or the Google Play Store for Android. These stores have built-in security measures that help detect and remove fake or harmful apps. Avoid downloading apps from random websites or third-party stores, as they are more likely to host malicious software. Even on official stores, check the apps reviews, ratings and download count to ensure its trustworthy.2. Pay attention to app permissions:Be careful about the permissions you grant to apps during installation. A flashlight app, for example, doesnt need access to your contacts or location. Question any permission that doesnt align with the apps functionality. Both iOS and Android allow you to review and manage app permissions in your settings, so take the time to double-check what youve already allowed.GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE3. Use two-factor authentication (2FA): Implement2FA for your VPN accounts to add an extra layer of security beyond just a password.4. Keep software updated: Regularly update all VPN-related software, including clients, servers and associated networking hardware, to benefit from the latest security patches and improvements.5. Use strong encryption: Look for VPN services that use robust encryption protocols like AES-256 to protect your data.6. Monitor VPN traffic: Continuously monitor VPN traffic and logs for unusual patterns that might indicate security issues.7. Invest in strong antivirus software: A strong antivirus program can help detect and remove malware before it compromises your device. Many antivirus apps also come with features like web protection, anti-phishing tools and the ability to scan new apps for threats. While there are free options, premium versions often provide more comprehensive protection. Look for a trusted name in cybersecurity when choosing an antivirus solution.Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.Kurts key takeawayFake VPN apps are everywhere, and theyre bad news. Theyre not just useless. They can turn your device into a tool for cybercriminals. The 911 S5 botnet showed us just how dangerous free VPNs can be, turning millions of devices into a giant network for fraud and attacks. The truth is free VPNs arent really free. They often come with weak security, leak your data or demand permissions that put your privacy at risk. If youre serious about protecting your online activity, invest in a trusted, paid VPN service.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPHow often do you check the credibility of apps you download?Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/ContactFor more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading toCyberguy.com/NewsletterAsk Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to coverFollow Kurt on his social channelsAnswers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com. Related Topics

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While smartwatches often include GPS and can provide casual athletes all they need, dedicated GPS sports watches track more data and provide extensive customization of the information displayed on the watch while working out. Most provide some basic smartphone notifications, but the emphasis is on focused sports and outdoor activity tracking.Companies are also taking a broader look at your daily life so that sleep, typical activity, and more are incorporated into calculating adequate recovery time for optimal training periods. Exercises and other activities to help you improve your fitness may be presented, while stress measurements, breathing exercises, blood oxygen monitoring, ECG measurements, and more are designed to help you improve your overall health and wellness.Also: The best Garmin watches: Expert testedWhat is the best sports watch right now?After testing and living with more than a dozen sports watches over the past year, the Garmin Enduro 2 kept knocking those other watches out. Thus, when Garmin announced the Garmin Enduro 3 in August, I immediately placed my order, and published my review in October. Like its predecessor, the Garmin Enduro 3 is a reliable and dependable companion that serves dutifully for long periods of time, and its large size, extended battery life, attractive color, and continued software updates make it my pick for the best sports watch overall. That superb LED flashlight also makes this watch one that is not going to easily be replaced. Sort by All The best sports watches of 2025 Show less View now at Garmin The Garmin Enduro 3 is the ultimate GPS multi-sport watch from Garmin, made with premium products and advanced sports tracking features. It is now crowned the battery champ for Garmin with up to 320 hours in GPS mode with solar charging.In addition to extremely long battery life and a superb LED flashlight, the Enduro 3 sports the latest Garmin user interface, which offers improvements over an already refined and optimized experience for athletes. The same black titanium with sapphire glass and amp yellow highlights is present, along with an ultra-comfortable UltraFit nylon band.Compared to the Enduro 2, the Enduro 3 has a longer battery life, twice the solar energy harvesting capability, the new Garmin Elevate fifth-generation heart rate sensor, new activity and mapping functions, and a redesigned user interface. Some of these software-related improvements could come to the Enduro 2, but the extended battery life and improved heart rate sensor are alone worth the upgrade.The Enduro 3 connects seamlessly to Android and iOS smartphones too, in addition to golf club sensors, bike sensors, and more. Just about every sport is covered, now including pickleball, with an updated smartphone experience so you can customize the watch settings on your phone and sync them over to the watch. Outdoor adventures are well supported with trail run VO2 max calculations, ultrarun activity, and adventure racing supported on the Enduro 3.Garmin Enduro 3 tech specs: Display: 1.4-inch 280x280 pixels MIP | Battery Life (GPS tracking mode): 320 hours with solar charging, 120 hours without | Dimensions: 51x51x15.7 mm | Weight: 63 grams (with Ultrafit nylon band) | Water/Dust Resistance: 10 ATM | Band Size: 26mm Pros Extremely long battery life with improved solar charging Useful LED flashlight Vast performance metrics Comfortable Ultrafit band Improved smartphone experience One size and $200 price drop Cons 51mm size may be too large for many people No phone or voice assistant support The Garmin Enduro 3 is the ultimate GPS multi-sport watch from Garmin, made with premium products and advanced sports tracking features. It is now crowned the battery champ for Garmin with up to 320 hours in GPS mode with solar charging.In addition to extremely long battery life and a superb LED flashlight, the Enduro 3 sports the latest Garmin user interface, which offers improvements over an already refined and optimized experience for athletes. The same black titanium with sapphire glass and amp yellow highlights is present, along with an ultra-comfortable UltraFit nylon band.Compared to the Enduro 2, the Enduro 3 has a longer battery life, twice the solar energy harvesting capability, the new Garmin Elevate fifth-generation heart rate sensor, new activity and mapping functions, and a redesigned user interface. Some of these software-related improvements could come to the Enduro 2, but the extended battery life and improved heart rate sensor are alone worth the upgrade.The Enduro 3 connects seamlessly to Android and iOS smartphones too, in addition to golf club sensors, bike sensors, and more. Just about every sport is covered, now including pickleball, with an updated smartphone experience so you can customize the watch settings on your phone and sync them over to the watch. Outdoor adventures are well supported with trail run VO2 max calculations, ultrarun activity, and adventure racing supported on the Enduro 3.Garmin Enduro 3 tech specs: Display: 1.4-inch 280x280 pixels MIP | Battery Life (GPS tracking mode): 320 hours with solar charging, 120 hours without | Dimensions: 51x51x15.7 mm | Weight: 63 grams (with Ultrafit nylon band) | Water/Dust Resistance: 10 ATM | Band Size: 26mm Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon One company that continues to push the limits of what you can buy for just under $235 is Amazfit. The Amazfit T-Rex 3 far exceeded my expectations, and if I didn't review watches for a career, I could probably be perfectly satisfied with the $235 T-Rex 3 that provides an experience very similar to watches priced two or three times as much. Several other wearable technology reviewers agree it is a fantastic watch the punches far beyond its low price.The large 1.5-inch 480x480 pixels resolution AMOLED Gorilla Glass display is brilliant with up to 2,000 nits of brightness, making watch faces with lots of complications easy to view and interact with. I love that Amazfit added the ability to enable night mode, which changes everything on the display to one color, and with this watch, you get the choice of three colors.The watch has a very large 700 mAh capacity battery that can provide up to 180 hours of continuous GPS tracking. Expect to go two to three weeks between charging as you enjoy tracking your activities, sleep, and more.Unlike some other modern smartwatches, the Amazfit T-Rex 3 connects to external Bluetooth sensors and action cameras. All of the advanced metrics found in flagship sports watches are present with an integrated AI coach and a natural language voice assistant.Amazfit provides the Zepp smartphone application that provides an exhaustive experience to track every detail of the data captured by the various sensors. Amazfit recently updated the smartphone application and the new user interface is much easier to navigate and understand. Amazfit still provides an incredible amount of data, but the company has been listening to users and improving the experienceAmazfit T-Rex 3 tech specs: Display: 1.5-inch, 480 x 480 pixels AMOLED | Battery life: 27 days | Dimensions: 48.5 x 48.5 x 13.75 mm | Weight: 68.3 grams (w/o strap) | Water resistance: 10 ATM | LTE Cellular option: No Pros Gorgeous AMOLED display Vibrant display Rugged durability Long battery life Low price Extensive health and wellness support AI coach Cons No speaker for calls or headset-free audio Overwhelming Zepp smartphone app experience One company that continues to push the limits of what you can buy for just under $235 is Amazfit. The Amazfit T-Rex 3 far exceeded my expectations, and if I didn't review watches for a career, I could probably be perfectly satisfied with the $235 T-Rex 3 that provides an experience very similar to watches priced two or three times as much. Several other wearable technology reviewers agree it is a fantastic watch the punches far beyond its low price.The large 1.5-inch 480x480 pixels resolution AMOLED Gorilla Glass display is brilliant with up to 2,000 nits of brightness, making watch faces with lots of complications easy to view and interact with. I love that Amazfit added the ability to enable night mode, which changes everything on the display to one color, and with this watch, you get the choice of three colors.The watch has a very large 700 mAh capacity battery that can provide up to 180 hours of continuous GPS tracking. Expect to go two to three weeks between charging as you enjoy tracking your activities, sleep, and more.Unlike some other modern smartwatches, the Amazfit T-Rex 3 connects to external Bluetooth sensors and action cameras. All of the advanced metrics found in flagship sports watches are present with an integrated AI coach and a natural language voice assistant.Amazfit provides the Zepp smartphone application that provides an exhaustive experience to track every detail of the data captured by the various sensors. Amazfit recently updated the smartphone application and the new user interface is much easier to navigate and understand. Amazfit still provides an incredible amount of data, but the company has been listening to users and improving the experienceAmazfit T-Rex 3 tech specs: Display: 1.5-inch, 480 x 480 pixels AMOLED | Battery life: 27 days | Dimensions: 48.5 x 48.5 x 13.75 mm | Weight: 68.3 grams (w/o strap) | Water resistance: 10 ATM | LTE Cellular option: No Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon After testing out the Coros Vertix for myself a couple of years ago, I purchased the cool Ice Breaker model. Coros released the Vertix 2 in August 2021 with an improved larger display, longer battery life, onboard music support, dual-frequency GNSS, and Insta360/GoPro camera control. The new Vertix 2S looks about the same as the Vertix 2 with three new colorways to choose from, and the latest optical heart rate sensor with new GPS chipset.Even with these new internals and the current economic environment, Coros was able to launch the Vertix 2S at the same $699 price as the Vertix 2. One of the best features of the Vertix 2S is the battery life, which lasts for weeks at a time, including up to 118 hours in GPS mode. There is something to be said for a watch that you can just wear and enjoy for weeks without fussing with a charger every day or two.Coros also has a powerful smartphone app and Training Hub website with EvoLabmetrics and widgets, customizable workout programs, training plans, muscle heatmaps, and more. The power of the Coros ecosystem is found in the potential of the software that you have full control over developing for your particular needs.Like the watch itself, Coros regularly updates the smartphone application and the latest software lets you mirror your watch display on a smartphone. Thus, you can use your Coros Vertix 2S and paired smartphone as your bike computer. There are also many features for climbers, cyclists, swimmers, and runners.Coros Vertix 2S tech specs: Display: 1.4-inch 280x280 pixels | Battery Life (GPS tracking mode): 118 hours | Dimensions: 50.3x50.3x16 mm | Weight: 70 grams (with nylon band) | Water/Dust Resistance: 10 ATM | Band Size: 26mm Pros Built to withstand all environments Premium materials Extremely long battery life Powerful smartphone app Cons No support for subscription music services Limited sleep tracking After testing out the Coros Vertix for myself a couple of years ago, I purchased the cool Ice Breaker model. Coros released the Vertix 2 in August 2021 with an improved larger display, longer battery life, onboard music support, dual-frequency GNSS, and Insta360/GoPro camera control. The new Vertix 2S looks about the same as the Vertix 2 with three new colorways to choose from, and the latest optical heart rate sensor with new GPS chipset.Even with these new internals and the current economic environment, Coros was able to launch the Vertix 2S at the same $699 price as the Vertix 2. One of the best features of the Vertix 2S is the battery life, which lasts for weeks at a time, including up to 118 hours in GPS mode. There is something to be said for a watch that you can just wear and enjoy for weeks without fussing with a charger every day or two.Coros also has a powerful smartphone app and Training Hub website with EvoLabmetrics and widgets, customizable workout programs, training plans, muscle heatmaps, and more. The power of the Coros ecosystem is found in the potential of the software that you have full control over developing for your particular needs.Like the watch itself, Coros regularly updates the smartphone application and the latest software lets you mirror your watch display on a smartphone. Thus, you can use your Coros Vertix 2S and paired smartphone as your bike computer. There are also many features for climbers, cyclists, swimmers, and runners.Coros Vertix 2S tech specs: Display: 1.4-inch 280x280 pixels | Battery Life (GPS tracking mode): 118 hours | Dimensions: 50.3x50.3x16 mm | Weight: 70 grams (with nylon band) | Water/Dust Resistance: 10 ATM | Band Size: 26mm Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less The original Coros Pace was the first GPS sports watch I tested from Coros. Since then, the company has released a few new watches while continuing to provide software updates, leading all others in this level of support. The Coros Pace Pro is the company's first with a modern AMOLED display, and it also brings in nearly every flagship software feature for just $349.The Pace Pro has a 1.3-inch 416x416 AMOLED color touchscreen display with a rotating dial that helps you easily navigate the watch interface. The watch incorporates a 22mm quick-release band system so you can swap it out with your preferred band. It weighs 37 grams with the nylon band and 49 grams with the silicone band.This watch provides 38 hours of battery life with GPS tracking, as Coros continues to set the bar for battery life. Track running, strength training, and even running power from the watch are supported.The AMOLED display makes mapping enjoyable and functional, with back-to-start, checkpoints, turn-by-turn, and location-saving navigational features. A new charging system is incorporated, which extends to a standard USB-C cable.Coros Pace Pro tech specs: Display: 1.3-inch 416x416 pixels | Battery Life (GPS tracking mode): 38 hours | Dimensions: 46x46x12.25 mm | Weight: 49 grams | Water/Dust Resistance: 5 ATM | Band Size: 22mm Pros Brilliant AMOLED touchscreen display Lightweight Long battery life Custom workout screens Running power from the wrist Affordable Cons Limited smartwatch functionality Less expensive plastic hardware The original Coros Pace was the first GPS sports watch I tested from Coros. Since then, the company has released a few new watches while continuing to provide software updates, leading all others in this level of support. The Coros Pace Pro is the company's first with a modern AMOLED display, and it also brings in nearly every flagship software feature for just $349.The Pace Pro has a 1.3-inch 416x416 AMOLED color touchscreen display with a rotating dial that helps you easily navigate the watch interface. The watch incorporates a 22mm quick-release band system so you can swap it out with your preferred band. It weighs 37 grams with the nylon band and 49 grams with the silicone band.This watch provides 38 hours of battery life with GPS tracking, as Coros continues to set the bar for battery life. Track running, strength training, and even running power from the watch are supported.The AMOLED display makes mapping enjoyable and functional, with back-to-start, checkpoints, turn-by-turn, and location-saving navigational features. A new charging system is incorporated, which extends to a standard USB-C cable.Coros Pace Pro tech specs: Display: 1.3-inch 416x416 pixels | Battery Life (GPS tracking mode): 38 hours | Dimensions: 46x46x12.25 mm | Weight: 49 grams | Water/Dust Resistance: 5 ATM | Band Size: 22mm Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less Garmin's Forerunner series is optimized for runners and tri-athletes, with long battery life, advanced running dynamics, standalone music playback support, Garmin Pay, and more. The latest Garmin 965 brings a lovely AMOLED display to the Forerunner series with every metric and option that a runner needs to excel in training and races.Maps are available for hiking and skiing with point-to-point navigation, points of interest, Nextfork trail navigation, and more. Advanced training features include Load Ratio, Chronic Load, Acute Load, real-time Stamina, ClimbPro, heat and altitude acclimation, and much more. If you are a triathlete, the Forerunner 965 is clearly the preferred watch for your activity.The Forerunner 265 will likely meet the needs of most runners for $150 less than the Forerunner 965. However, I like big watches, and the Forerunner 965 is perfect for my wrist and my eyes.Garmin Forerunner 965 tech specs: Display: 1.4-inch 454x454 pixels | Battery Life (GPS tracking mode): 31 hours | Dimensions: 47.2x47.2x13.2 mm | Weight: 53 grams | Water/Dust Resistance: 5 ATM | Band Size: 22mm Health & wellness 9 Build quality/durability 9 Advanced features 7 Applications 9 Core functionality 10 Pros Lightweight and comfortable Large, gorgeous display Long battery life Nearly unlimited customizability of data screens Accurate GPS and heart rate tracking Cons Expensive Garmin Forerunner 965 Best sports watch for running 4.4 / 5 Score Garmin's Forerunner series is optimized for runners and tri-athletes, with long battery life, advanced running dynamics, standalone music playback support, Garmin Pay, and more. The latest Garmin 965 brings a lovely AMOLED display to the Forerunner series with every metric and option that a runner needs to excel in training and races.Maps are available for hiking and skiing with point-to-point navigation, points of interest, Nextfork trail navigation, and more. Advanced training features include Load Ratio, Chronic Load, Acute Load, real-time Stamina, ClimbPro, heat and altitude acclimation, and much more. If you are a triathlete, the Forerunner 965 is clearly the preferred watch for your activity.The Forerunner 265 will likely meet the needs of most runners for $150 less than the Forerunner 965. However, I like big watches, and the Forerunner 965 is perfect for my wrist and my eyes.Garmin Forerunner 965 tech specs: Display: 1.4-inch 454x454 pixels | Battery Life (GPS tracking mode): 31 hours | Dimensions: 47.2x47.2x13.2 mm | Weight: 53 grams | Water/Dust Resistance: 5 ATM | Band Size: 22mm Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less For a couple of years, Garmin carried the Epix line with an AMOLED display that stood apart from the Fenix series. In August, that changed, with the Fenix 8 now appearing with both AMOLED and solar MIP display options. Given that the Enduro 3 offers a solar MIP display and we are looking for the best GPS sports watch for mapping, the AMOLED models are best for this type of activity.A big AMOLED display is key to viewing maps. In addition, Garmin provides accurate and detailed maps with multiple satellite options defining your precise location. You can buy the watch in 43mm, 47mm, and 51mm sizes, and it comes with a variety of watch case and band color options.Touch screen capability is available, while the traditional Garmin five-button interface is also present to give you access to all options for navigating the watch. No solar options are available since the AMOLED display consumes too much battery power for solar to make much impact at this time.The Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED connects seamlessly to Android and iOS smartphones too, in addition to golf club sensors, bike sensors, and more. Just about every sport is covered, including pickleball, with an updated smartphone experience so you can customize the watch settings on your phone and sync them over to the watch.Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED (51mm) tech specs: Display: 1.4-inch 454x454 pixels | Battery Life (GPS tracking mode): 84 hours | Dimensions: 51x51x14.7 mm | Weight: 92 grams (with band) | Water/Dust Resistance: 10 ATM | Band Size: 26mm Pros Gorgeous, brilliant AMOLED touchscreen display Extensive size and feature options Solid battery life Vast performance metrics Three available sizes Mic and speaker Cons Expensive For a couple of years, Garmin carried the Epix line with an AMOLED display that stood apart from the Fenix series. In August, that changed, with the Fenix 8 now appearing with both AMOLED and solar MIP display options. Given that the Enduro 3 offers a solar MIP display and we are looking for the best GPS sports watch for mapping, the AMOLED models are best for this type of activity.A big AMOLED display is key to viewing maps. In addition, Garmin provides accurate and detailed maps with multiple satellite options defining your precise location. You can buy the watch in 43mm, 47mm, and 51mm sizes, and it comes with a variety of watch case and band color options.Touch screen capability is available, while the traditional Garmin five-button interface is also present to give you access to all options for navigating the watch. No solar options are available since the AMOLED display consumes too much battery power for solar to make much impact at this time.The Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED connects seamlessly to Android and iOS smartphones too, in addition to golf club sensors, bike sensors, and more. Just about every sport is covered, including pickleball, with an updated smartphone experience so you can customize the watch settings on your phone and sync them over to the watch.Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED (51mm) tech specs: Display: 1.4-inch 454x454 pixels | Battery Life (GPS tracking mode): 84 hours | Dimensions: 51x51x14.7 mm | Weight: 92 grams (with band) | Water/Dust Resistance: 10 ATM | Band Size: 26mm Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon The Polar Grit X2 Pro is essentially the same watch as the Polar Vantage V3in a rugged body that is also priced higher than the V3. It is the latest sports watch available from the company with a focus on multiple new sensors and features. If you are looking for the most exhaustive smartphone application and website for analyzing your data and running reports, then a Polar watch is the way to access that data. The custom training plans are fantastic, even for off-season training.The watch has multi-band GPS, and tracking has proven to match other flagship sports watches. The GPS antenna design is a bit different than the Vantage V3 to accommodate the case design changes. The Grit X2 Pro provides blood oxygen, wrist-based ECG, nightly skin temperature, and more.Polar continues to use an AMOLED display under curved Gorilla Glass 3 material. Offline maps are also provided for phone-free navigation. More than 150 sports profiles are included, so you can be certain that the Grit X2 Pro will track every activity.The Grit X2 Pro is built for outdoor adventurists with the first ever Polar MIL-STD-810H certification that also has a 100-meter water-resistant rating, compared to 50 m for the Vantage V3. You need to decide if this form factor is worth the $150 premium over the Vantage V3.Polar Grit X2 Pro tech specs: Display: 1.39-inch 454x454 pixels | Battery Life (GPS tracking mode): 43 hours | Dimensions: 48.6 x 48.6 x 13.4 mm | Weight: 57 grams (without strap) | Water/Dust Resistance: 100m | Band Size: 22mm Pros Bright display Rugged design accounts for variety of terrain and temperatures Action button allows quick access to exercise apps Cellular support Cons Expensive Just two days of battery life The Polar Grit X2 Pro is essentially the same watch as the Polar Vantage V3in a rugged body that is also priced higher than the V3. It is the latest sports watch available from the company with a focus on multiple new sensors and features. If you are looking for the most exhaustive smartphone application and website for analyzing your data and running reports, then a Polar watch is the way to access that data. The custom training plans are fantastic, even for off-season training.The watch has multi-band GPS, and tracking has proven to match other flagship sports watches. The GPS antenna design is a bit different than the Vantage V3 to accommodate the case design changes. The Grit X2 Pro provides blood oxygen, wrist-based ECG, nightly skin temperature, and more.Polar continues to use an AMOLED display under curved Gorilla Glass 3 material. Offline maps are also provided for phone-free navigation. More than 150 sports profiles are included, so you can be certain that the Grit X2 Pro will track every activity.The Grit X2 Pro is built for outdoor adventurists with the first ever Polar MIL-STD-810H certification that also has a 100-meter water-resistant rating, compared to 50 m for the Vantage V3. You need to decide if this form factor is worth the $150 premium over the Vantage V3.Polar Grit X2 Pro tech specs: Display: 1.39-inch 454x454 pixels | Battery Life (GPS tracking mode): 43 hours | Dimensions: 48.6 x 48.6 x 13.4 mm | Weight: 57 grams (without strap) | Water/Dust Resistance: 100m | Band Size: 22mm Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less When the Apple Watch Ultra first debuted in 2022, many comparisons were made between it and sports watches from Garmin, Coros, and Polar. But that first-generation Watch Ultra, it turns out, wasn't quite ready to take over the wrist from dedicated GPS sports watches. Still, the potential was certainly there.One year later, when the Watch Ultra 2 along with WatchOS 10 arrived, it became clear that Apple was continuing to develop its smartwatch platform into one suited for athletes. One feature revealed at WWDC was the introduction of APIs designed for exercise developers to send custom workouts directly into the Apple Watch Workout app.With the custom training plan integration into the Apple Workout app, deep integration into Apple Health, and extensive sensors in the watch, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will have athletes questioning the need for a dedicated GPS sports watch. The Watch Ultra 2 comes with advanced metrics for stride length, ground contact time, and running power. Support for mapping has also been integrated and the last major hurdle to compete with other GPS sports watches is extending the battery life for longer than two days.The Apple Watch Ultra 2 features a programmable action button, along with the right-side button and digital crown. The action button allows you to choose quick access to many apps, such as Workouts, Backtracks, and more.Apple Watch Ultra 2 tech specs: Display: Just under 2 inches 240x240 pixels | Battery Life (GPS tracking mode): 36 hours | Dimensions: 49 mm | Weight: 41 grams | Water/Dust Resistance: 5 ATM | Band Size: 49mm Pros 36 hours of battery life Bright display Rugged design accounts for variety of terrain and temperatures Action button allows quick access to exercise apps Cellular support Cons Expensive When the Apple Watch Ultra first debuted in 2022, many comparisons were made between it and sports watches from Garmin, Coros, and Polar. But that first-generation Watch Ultra, it turns out, wasn't quite ready to take over the wrist from dedicated GPS sports watches. Still, the potential was certainly there.One year later, when the Watch Ultra 2 along with WatchOS 10 arrived, it became clear that Apple was continuing to develop its smartwatch platform into one suited for athletes. One feature revealed at WWDC was the introduction of APIs designed for exercise developers to send custom workouts directly into the Apple Watch Workout app.With the custom training plan integration into the Apple Workout app, deep integration into Apple Health, and extensive sensors in the watch, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will have athletes questioning the need for a dedicated GPS sports watch. The Watch Ultra 2 comes with advanced metrics for stride length, ground contact time, and running power. Support for mapping has also been integrated and the last major hurdle to compete with other GPS sports watches is extending the battery life for longer than two days.The Apple Watch Ultra 2 features a programmable action button, along with the right-side button and digital crown. The action button allows you to choose quick access to many apps, such as Workouts, Backtracks, and more.Apple Watch Ultra 2 tech specs: Display: Just under 2 inches 240x240 pixels | Battery Life (GPS tracking mode): 36 hours | Dimensions: 49 mm | Weight: 41 grams | Water/Dust Resistance: 5 ATM | Band Size: 49mm Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon The Suunto Race is one of the best GPS sports watches I have used in this price range. It shines with accurate location tracking, useful health/wellness data, and solid hardware. There are a few areas for improvement, but the reasonable price makes it easier to accept compromises, especially with the assumption that future software updates can streamline its performance.The Suunto smartphone app is well-designed and provides one of the best user interfaces I have seen from a sports watch brand. It provides key weekly stats at a glance, while colorful, detailed results are just a tap away.The software Integrates TrainingPeaks metrics and guidance, and AI-based coaching helps you attack your progress and recovery goals. Features like this prove that smartwatch makers need to provide more practical guidance to compete with GPS watch brands.Heart rate tracking results showed higher heart rate readings than I've ever seen, including an obviously inaccurate reading of nearly 190 bpm, where other watches showed 30 bpm lower. We have seen heart rate issues with other watches in the past and it is possible that a software update can resolve the anomalies.Suunto Race tech specs: Display: 1.43-inch 466 x 466 pixels AMOLED | Battery Life (GPS tracking mode): 65 hours | Dimensions: 49 x 49 x 13.3 mm | Weight: 83 grams (with silicone band) | Water/Dust Resistance: 10 ATM | Band Size: 22mm Pros Affordable $549 price for titanium model Perfect GPS tracking Outstanding battery life Useful AI coaching Cons Substandard heart rate results Compass needs regular recalibration The Suunto Race is one of the best GPS sports watches I have used in this price range. It shines with accurate location tracking, useful health/wellness data, and solid hardware. There are a few areas for improvement, but the reasonable price makes it easier to accept compromises, especially with the assumption that future software updates can streamline its performance.The Suunto smartphone app is well-designed and provides one of the best user interfaces I have seen from a sports watch brand. It provides key weekly stats at a glance, while colorful, detailed results are just a tap away.The software Integrates TrainingPeaks metrics and guidance, and AI-based coaching helps you attack your progress and recovery goals. Features like this prove that smartwatch makers need to provide more practical guidance to compete with GPS watch brands.Heart rate tracking results showed higher heart rate readings than I've ever seen, including an obviously inaccurate reading of nearly 190 bpm, where other watches showed 30 bpm lower. We have seen heart rate issues with other watches in the past and it is possible that a software update can resolve the anomalies.Suunto Race tech specs: Display: 1.43-inch 466 x 466 pixels AMOLED | Battery Life (GPS tracking mode): 65 hours | Dimensions: 49 x 49 x 13.3 mm | Weight: 83 grams (with silicone band) | Water/Dust Resistance: 10 ATM | Band Size: 22mm Read More Show Expert Take Show less What is the best sports watch? We chose the Garmin Enduro 3 for its long battery life, support for just about every activity/sport you can participate in, and LED flashlight. However, with an abundance of exceptional options available, this table can help you compare the best models based on pricing and special features. Sports watchPriceSpecial featuresGarmin Enduro 3$900Extremely long battery life with solar, LED flashlight, every sport includedAmazfit T-Rex 3$280Personalized training plans, long battery life, rugged design and durability, affordable priceCoros Vertix 2S$699Built to withstand all environments, powerful smartphone appCoros Pace Pro$349Vibrant AMOLED, lightweight, extensive features, long battery lifeGarmin Forerunner 965$600Brilliant AMOLED, extensive recovery and training metrics, lightweightGarmin Fenix 8 AMOLED$1,200Gorgeous AMOLED touchscreen display, vast performance metricsPolar Grit X2 Pro$750A vast amount of data captured, lovely display, accurate GPS tracking, rugged designApple Watch Ultra 2$74936 hours of battery life, action button for quick access to exercise appsSuunto Race Titanium$549AI coaching, custom training plans, and accurate GPS tracking Show more Which sports watch is right for you? It depends on your purpose for using it and how much money you want to spend. If budget isn't a concern, then options like the Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED or Apple Watch Ultra 2 provide you with beautiful displays and advanced performance metrics. Meanwhile, the Coros PACE 3 is an excellent starter watch, as it contains custom workout screens, and the price is very reasonable. Buy this sports watchIf you want or are...Garmin Enduro 3An athlete that participates in an extensive variety of sports, wants custom workout data screens, and uses your watch for everythingAmazfit T-Rex 3An ultra-rugged watch for less than $300 and want one that also pairs well with the Helio Ring so you don't have to wear a watch for sleep trackingCoros Vertix 2SA rugged watch to withstand all environments and a generous battery life with extensive online Training HubCoros Pace ProAn affordable option that supports flagship features and a modern AMOLED touchscreen displayGarmin Forerunner 965The best sports watch for runners and triathletes looking for a watch with a lovely AMOLED displayGarmin Fenix 8 AMOLEDThe best Garmin with a modern display, LED flashlight, and extensive support for a variety of activitiesPolar Grit X2 ProEasy custom training plan creation that incorporates running with strength, stretching, and other workouts. Vast access to data for detailed reportsApple Watch Ultra 2The best watch for Apple users with rugged design, 36 hours of battery life, and action button for quick access to exercise appsSuunto RaceAn affordable flagship sports watch with titanium casing, long battery life, brilliant display, and accurate GPS tracking Show more Factors to consider when buying a sports watch Sports watches are designed to accurately capture data from training and race events to help us improve. They are also important for helping people evaluate their health and wellness, even if they are casual athletes who are not training for a specific event. Several factors will help you quickly narrow down available candidates, so let's take a closer look and help you select the best sports watch for you.Battery life: Expect your smartwatch to last a full day and night, so you can track your sleep, and then charge it while you get ready for work. A few new smartwatches are now easily lasting 48 hours between charging, with some pushing that another day or two, so we are seeing improvements in battery life. Smartphone app and website:All sports watches include an associated smartphone application, and the overall experience with the watch can be dependent on the usability of the smartphone app. Some brands also have incredible websites to access your data for deep analysis and more. Polar provides one of the most extensive website experiences with its Polar Flow service. Coros and Garmin also provide useful website experiences, so you don't have to spend too much time looking at a small display to track your performance.Price: Most sports watches are priced in the $500 to $800 range, but there are also some affordable models for casual athletes. Serious athletes are looking for a watch that captures accurate data so price is not as important as accuracy. The Amazfit T-Rex 3 bucks this trend with a low price and support for capturing an extensive amount of data and helping you understand and use that data to improve your performance.Accuracy: I've been using sports watches for a long time, and some of my worst experiences happened when I went out on a training session and then came back to find that the watch either never captured the data or it was lost when the session ended. It takes a considerable amount of time to complete a number of activities to test the accuracy and reliability of the watch. GPS accuracy is usually good with most watches today using dual frequency and multi-band GNSS, so when a watch isn't accurate, it is fairly obvious. Heart rate accuracy is also important, but a reliable armband or chest strap is a more reliable method to capture the best heart rate data. Show more How we test sports watches Exercise is a part of my life, and just about every watch in this list has been mounted on my wrist for extensive testing, primarily while running, indoor rowing, trail running, and biking. I've been an athlete my entire life and love spending many hours with each of these sports watches. When we test sports watches, we typically follow the same routine for each one to see which performs best.Daily wear: I wear the sports watch as my primary watch with data fields, applications, and other elements being tested as if it was my only watch.Workouts: Sports watches are first and foremost designed and sold to help track your activities and help you improve your health, wellness, and performance. I take my sports watch out for running with GPS, rowing on the Hydrow, biking on trails, and walking with the family. I track GPS and heart rate data, and then I evaluate the accuracy against proven GPS sports watches, typically a Garmin watch.Training plans: One of the reasons I started wearing a sports watch many years ago was to train for a half marathon. The ability to either use the watchmaker's software to create a training plan or to import a plan from another service that syncs to the watch is essential for a sports watch. The watch can then guide you through your training plan and the ability for the watch to perform that function is key to our evaluation.Sleep and activity tracking: Sleep tracking has improved with watches over time and we evaluate them as compared to smart rings and other watches. Most sports watches today use sleep data, and other data captured while you sleep, to calculate your recovery metrics to help inform you of your preparedness for activities you plan to take part in that day.Check out our full smartwatch testing methodology for more information on our testing process. Show more FAQs on sports watches These all seem good, how can I even begin to narrow down the best options? This is a tough one to answer, and in many cases, you will find that people are pretty tied into one brand and then continue buying new models when they are released. Many of these sports watch brands have other products to offer that sync data between the watch and other products. For example, I ride bikes with a Garmin bike computer and also own a Garmin scale so purchasing Garmin watches makes a lot of sense for me.Polar has heart rate monitors and a scale too while Coros just launched its first bike computer. Thankfully, many of these products appear as standard sensors so you can use a Polar chest strap with a Garmin watch and vice versa.You can adapt to any watch over time so the major differentiator comes down to the smartphone, and possibly website, experience. Are you able to easily view your workout trends, develop and implement training plans, and improve your performance using the brands tools that are provided to analyze and understand all of the data that is collected by the watch? Show more What sports watch do you use daily and why? I've spent decades using GPS sports watches to track running, biking, hiking, and more. While these capture an extensive amount of detailed data, battery life has risen to the top of my priorities. However, when Garmin released watches with an LED flashlight, those models became my preferred wearable and I use the flashlight daily.Thus, a Garmin Enduro 3 is usually found on one wrist. It could be replaced by a Coros Vertix 2S if there was a flashlight since I don't use that many of Garmin's lifestyle features.An Apple Watch Ultra 2 is on my other wrist and as Apple continues to include better support for training plans and advanced metrics then one day I may only wear one watch. Show more How's the track record for updates? One aspect we have seen over the past few years that can be used to differentiate between these GPS watches is the update process. When you spend hundreds of dollars on a GPS sports watch and want to use it for years to track your progress, improve your performance, and run reports, it is important to stick with one company. Hopefully, that also means using a watch for years as well.Garmin used to let me down with a lack of updates, but now supports an easily accessible public beta program and provides updates on a quarterly basis. The company has proven to update older models for a couple of years, so it is easier to recommend its watches today.Coros set the bar over the past couple of years with limited hardware releases and major software updates that have added an extensive number of features. The company even released an update for the Vertix that added touch-screen capability. When you buy a Coros watch, you can likely count on it having the latest and greatest software for three years and having a battery life that will last you at least a week with sports tracking for several events.Polar has also demonstrated an ability to provide software support and major feature updates for years, along with a longer period of time between hardware releases.Apple is the leader in the smartwatch market and brings its excellent iPhone update process over to the Apple Watch. WatchOS 11 brought exciting new features to the Apple Watch and we are certain to see even more in 2025. Show more Is a touchscreen or button navigation better? While smartwatches all have touchscreen displays, GPS sports watches tend to have either hardware button navigation or touchscreen navigation. Most watches also offer a combination of the two so you can decide when to use your preferred method.It often comes down to what activities you engage in and the environment in which you perform them. For example, I run in the rain and the dark in the fall and winter, so touchscreens have been finicky for me in the past.I can always rely on hardware buttons and even use them without having to look at the watch face. Touchscreen displays are often disengaged while working out, which is the best of both worlds. Show more Alternative sports watches worth considering ZDNETs Smartwatch Guide Smartwatch Roundups Smartwatches Reviewed & Compared Apple Watches Explained ZDNET Recommends

'Gundam Assemble' is a new and upcoming tabletop game.Bandai SpiritsIn a new move from Bandai Spirits, a Gundam tabletop game called Gundam Assemble has been announced.The game will feature 5-centimeter tall miniatures that players build and paint themselves and then play with them via a tabletop game.The mecha included will be across the Gundam pantheon and not just limited to one series or timeline.The miniatures setup is similar in a reduced sense to how gunpla works, which is a nice touch, but I am somewhat skeptical of how this will work out overall.Most major tabletop properties use a single framework for the lore. The Gundam saga is split across multiple distinct and separate timelines.When the various Gundam Build Fighters anime tried to do something across the various timelines, they used re-purposed versions of classic mecha designs and set the story within one coherent setting.These look to be the actual designs from their respective Gundam series with no unifying lore to make it all work together.Its a bit like how Gundam Evolution took a very top-down corporate approach to how the mecha worked and sort of ignored the respective settings, and that didnt work out well for the game in the long run.MORE FOR YOUI get that Bandai Namco is trying to diversify the Gundam brand but its doing it in a very generic and uninformed way.If anything is to come of this, its that the buildable miniatures could act as a gateway to building bigger and more complex gunpla. However, as a tabletop gaming enterprise, I am certainly wary.Follow me on X, Facebook and YouTube. I also manage Mecha Damashii and am currently featured in the Giant Robots exhibition currently touring Japan.

The USS Indianapolis, a 120,000 ton American heavy-cruiser, sank in 1945. Three hundred souls were ... [+] lost in the sinking, but around 900 survived. Stranded without rescue for days, they encountered one of the deadliest shark attacks in recorded history.Bettmann ArchiveThe sinking of the USS Indianapolis in 1945 set the stage for one of the deadliest shark attacks in history. The tale begins in the dead of night on July 30, 1945, when the USS Indianapolis was struck by two Japanese torpedoes in the vast, unforgiving expanse of the Pacific Ocean. Within 12 minutes, the mighty ship disappeared beneath the waves, taking around 300 lives with it.But the USS Indianapolis was no ordinary ship, and her mission was shrouded in secrecy.Just days earlier, she had delivered the components of Little Boy, the atomic bomb that would later devastate Hiroshima and bring World War II closer to its end. The cargo had been a top priority, transported across the Pacific in record time, with the crew largely unaware of its significance. Having completed this critical mission, the ship was en route to rejoin the fleet when disaster struck.Humans Bobbing Around In The Pacific With Minimal Provisions For DaysFor the 900 sailors who survived the initial sinking, the real nightmare was just beginning. With no lifeboats, limited provisions, and no immediate hope of rescue, they were left adrift in the vast expanse of the Pacific.But it wasnt just dehydration, hunger, or exposure they had to contend withit was the sharks. Dozens of oceanic whitetips, known as the wolves of the sea, were drawn to the wreck by the sounds of destruction and the scent of blood. For days, they circled the survivors, turning the tragedy into a gruesome feeding frenzy.MORE FOR YOUThe scene was nothing short of chaos. Survivors described the water as boiling with sharks, their fins slicing through the waves, their teeth flashing in the sunlight. Men huddled together in makeshift rafts, trying to stay calm and conserve energy, while others, weak from injuries or delirious from dehydration, drifted away and became easy targets. The sharks attacked relentlessly, picking off survivors one by one.The Sharks Make Their First AppearanceThe initial hours of survival was a blur of shock, exhaustion, and disbelief.However, as the sun rose on the horizon, the true horror began to unfold. Survivors recall the eerie stillness of the ocean before the sharks arrived. At first, only a few fins appeared, cutting through the water with quiet menace.But by the afternoon, the numbers swelled, and the attack on survivors began. Youd hear a blood-curdling scream and see him go under. He would come back to the surface but youd see fins and realize his legs were gone, or he just had a torso, Edgar Harrell, one of the ships marines who miraculously survived the ordeal recalled.The Oceanic Whitetip Sharks Just Found The Perfect BuffetFor the human body, the open ocean is one of the most extreme and unforgiving environments imaginable. Humans are land mammals, built for stability, shelter, and regulated temperatures. In the ocean, every advantage lies with the predator. Humans lack the insulating blubber or specialized heat-regulating systems needed to endure fluctuating ocean temperatures. Prolonged exposure leads to hypothermia, slowing bodily functions, impairing movement, and dulling the sensesessentially making survival a race against time.Sharks, on the other hand, are perfectly adapted to this environment. The oceanic whitetip shark, a species heavily implicated in the USS Indianapolis attacks, is a formidable open-water predator.With streamlined bodies, powerful tail fins, and rows of razor-sharp teeth, they are built for speed and precision. They can detect blood in the water from miles away, thanks to their acute olfactory senses, and their ampullae of Lorenzinia network of electroreceptorsallow them to sense the electrical impulses of prey. Sharks also possess tough, hydrodynamic skin that minimizes drag and enhances their stealth.An oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) swims in open water off the islands of the ... [+] Bahamas. It is sleek, powerful, and a true apex predator of the open ocean.gettyIn stark contrast, the survivors of the Indianapolis were adrift with no means of protection or escape, their pale, flailing limbs drawing the attention of the sharks. The sailors splashes and cries, along with the debris from the sinking ship, likely signaled to the sharks that an easy feast was at hand.Uncommon Circumstances for the SharksDespite the ferocity of the attacks, its worth noting that such mass predation events are incredibly rare. Sharks are not mindless killersthey are opportunistic predators. The situation following the Indianapolis sinking was a convergence of circumstances that created a perfect storm for shark attacks.First, the sheer number of survivorsnearly 900created an unprecedented concentration of potential prey in the water. Second, the scent of blood from injuries sustained during the sinking likely acted as a beacon, drawing in sharks from miles away. Lastly, the lack of immediate rescue meant that survivors were left exposed in open water for an extended period, increasing their vulnerability.Oceanic whitetips typically scavenge and feed opportunistically in open waters. Their involvement in this tragedy underscores how extreme and unnatural this scenario was, even for them. Unlike coastal sharks that occasionally encounter humans near beaches, these deep-water predators would have rarely, if ever, encountered such a large, stationary group of humans.For the men of the Indianapolis, it was a battle against both nature and timean extraordinary and horrifying encounter where survival meant enduring the unendurable.The Worst Shark Attack In U.S. HistoryAnd Possibly The WorldEvents like the USS Indianapolis shark attacks are incredibly rare, even in the vast and unpredictable oceans. Sharks rarely encounter humans in such high numbers, let alone under circumstances where conditions so overwhelmingly favor the predators.While the Indianapolis tragedy stands as the deadliest recorded shark attack in U.S. history, it shares a grim parallel with another large-scale attack: the SS Nova Scotia. In 1942, this British ship was torpedoed off the coast of South Africa, and the surviving sailors were similarly preyed upon by sharks. These moments are extreme outliers, shaped by a unique collision of war, human vulnerability and the relentless instincts of ocean predators.But consider thisif you place humans, unprotected and unprepared, among apex predators in their natural habitat, the outcome is almost inevitable. The predator, perfectly attuned to the environment, will almost always prevail. This stark truth is a humbling reminder of how far removed we are from the ecosystems we share with these animals.Against all odds, nearly 320 men survived, rescued after four harrowing days at sea. Their stories endure as both a testament to human resilience and a sobering reflection on the unforgiving power of nature. The tragedy of the Indianapolis is not just a tale of war or survival but a stark lesson in how humanity, for all its ingenuity, remains vulnerable in the vast, untamed wilderness of our planet.Curious about how connected you are to nature? Take the Connectedness to Nature Scale quiz to find out. This test isnt just a fun reflectionits a chance to discover how deeply you relate to the natural world, and why understanding that connection matters.

Forward-looking: How much automation is too much? Premium Samsung refrigerators already offer impressive features, like tracking the expiration dates of food items both inside and outside the fridge. Now, they're taken it a step further by assisting with grocery shopping. Samsung has announced a multi-year partnership with online grocery delivery service Instacart, aiming to bring seamless and convenient grocery shopping directly to your kitchen.Starting with Samsung's 2025 Bespoke refrigerator models including the 32-inch AI Family Hub+ and the new 9-inch AI Home users will be able to restock their favorite grocery items effortlessly through Instacart's service. This integration leverages Samsung's proprietary AI Vision Inside food recognition technology alongside Instacart's product-matching API.AI Vision Inside utilizes cameras installed inside the refrigerator to monitor its contents and track items running low. The system can identify up to 37 commonly purchased food items, with a particular focus on fruits and vegetables.As items start running low, the refrigerator's screen will provide suggestions via Instacart's service. Users can review these suggestions, add needed items to their cart, and place an order all without ever picking up their phone.It's important to note that users must still approve actual purchases the AI simply adds items to the list for consideration. // Related StoriesThis feature marks a significant upgrade from previous Samsung models, which required users to manually track their food inventory using the Samsung Food app before sending items to Instacart.For those who prefer a more hands-on approach, the Samsung Food app remains available on both smartphones and refrigerators, allowing users to manually manage their grocery lists."We've all dreamt of a refrigerator that could replenish itself, and now thanks to this partnership with Samsung, that's no longer the stuff of science fiction," said Daniel Danker, chief product officer at Instacart.The Instacart integration for Samsung's AI-powered refrigerators will roll out later this year through a firmware update, with existing AI Family Hub+ units also set to receive the upgrade.Still, one can't help but wonder: what if the next innovation automates restocking entirely? Imagine a robot smart enough to pick up deliveries and arrange them neatly in the fridge. Coming home to a fully replenished vegetable tray after a long workday would truly redefine effortless dinner prep.

What just happened? The net neutrality saga is effectively over following a federal appeals court ruling this week, unless Congress decides to revisit the debate. Given the current political climate, that seems improbable, and the Trump administration is unlikely to revive the cause. The Federal Communications Commission's long-standing effort to establish stronger oversight of the internet was dealt a decisive blow this week when the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the FCC lacks the authority to regulate wireless and home broadband services under the same set of rules that have traditionally governed telephone service.The court's decision hinged on the recent Supreme Court ruling that overturned the Chevron deference, a precedent that had previously granted federal agencies significant leeway in interpreting ambiguous statutory language. This ruling significantly curtailed the FCC's ability to implement and enforce net neutrality regulations.Net neutrality, a principle that advocates for equal treatment of all internet traffic, has been a contentious issue in American politics for over a decade. The concept aims to prevent internet service providers from favoring certain websites or services over others a practice that could potentially stifle competition and innovation.The Obama administration introduced robust net neutrality rules in 2015, which were subsequently repealed in 2017 under the Trump administration. In 2021, President Biden signed an executive order calling for the reinstatement of these regulations. The FCC, under the leadership of Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, voted to restore net neutrality rules in 2024.The Sixth Circuit Court's decision effectively nullifies the FCC's Safeguarding Order, which would have reinstated net neutrality regulations. The court declared that broadband internet service providers offer only an "information service" as defined under current US law, and therefore, the FCC lacks the statutory authority to impose net neutrality policies through the "telecommunications service" provision of the Communications Act. // Related StoriesFurthermore, the court ruled that the FCC cannot classify mobile broadband as a "commercial mobile service," which would have allowed the agency to impose net neutrality regulations on those services. The Sixth Circuit explicitly cited the absence of Chevron deference in its ruling, stating that they no longer afford deference to the FCC's interpretation of the statute.In response to the court's decision, Rosenworcel called on Congress to enshrine net neutrality principles in federal law an acknowledgment that the FCC's regulatory efforts have reached an impasse.On the other hand, Republican FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, who is set to become the agency's chair later this month, praised the court's ruling. Carr criticized the Biden administration's approach, stating that their plan relied on "persuading Americans that the internet would break in the absence of these so-called 'net neutrality' regulations."As for the future of net neutrality, the ball is now in Congress's court. However, given the current political landscape and the other pressing issues facing the government, it remains uncertain whether Congress will take up this challenge. With Carr poised to take the helm, it also seems unlikely that the agency will pursue further regulatory action on net neutrality.

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsFeeding the 5,000+ passengersThe infamous I-95 corridorInto the engine control roomUp to the bridgeBitten by the cruising bugHave you ever been on a cruise? I recently went on my first cruise, and it was on one of the biggest ships youll find. The Allure of the Seas the second in Royal Caribbeans Oasis class and formerly the biggest cruise ship in the world is effectively a floating town with a capacity for 5,400 passengers and 2,300 crew members.The experience aside, the cruise also offered an opportunity to learn more about the inner workings of a Royal Caribbean ship. Considering the logistical operation required to ensure smooth sailing, it was an opportunity I couldnt pas up.Recommended VideosFrom the galleys that provide thousands of meals in a single sailing to how the ship handles provisions to the engine control room and even a quick trip to the bridge, heres a behind-the-scenes tour of Allure Of The Seas, captured on the iPhone 16 Pro.RelatedNirave Gondhia / Digital TrendsThe tour kicked off in Main Dining Room 5, and a lack of clear instructions left Michael Fisher aka MrMobile scrambling to join the group before the tour began. Its worth noting that if you reserve this tour, the operators have pictures and cabin numbers for everyone booked on it.Below is the smallest of the three dining rooms (it takes over 1,000 staff members to ensure passengers are fed every evening).After signing a waiver form, it was time to kick things off with a tour of the kitchens, of which there are multiple across several levels. To say this is a commercial operation would be an understatement; the kitchens are essentially the heart of the ship and responsible for all of the food served across the Main Dining Rooms, specialty restaurants, and the various vendors on board.Its a mammoth effort involving hundreds of staff and a refined process where everything runs like clockwork. There are different grills for different types of meat to prevent cross-contamination and ensure that its cooked to a proper temperature. Meanwhile, the bakery delivers all the bread, rolls, baked goods, and cookies served on board. Its worth noting, however, that the pizza dough is sourced externally, although the bakery can provide dough when needed.Ive been in a few commercial kitchens, but nothing remotely comes close to this scale. Hundreds of assistants, cooks, and executive chefs prepare meals around the clock. There are giant vats containing thousands of liters of French onion soup and tomato sauce, and they have to make several more when its on the menu.Feeding 5,000-plus passengers let alone the thousands of crew onboard requires a lot of processes, a specific system, and many provisions. The latter is where our tour took us next.Nirave Gondhia / Digital TrendsIf youve been on a cruise ship, youll know that passenger staircases are wide, carpeted, and comfortable. As we traverse the kitchens and make our way to the bottom of the ship, I notice that the crew staircases are the exact opposite. This theme continues throughout the tour: As you might expect, the passenger-facing areas are decorated well, while the crew-only areas are far less glamorous.Having made our way downstairs, were on the I-95. No, not the freeway youre used to, but something akin to a cruise equivalent. Like its land-based U.S. namesake, the I-95 is the main throughway and how provisions and crew move around the ship. As you can imagine, its somewhat chaotic if youre not used to it, and it was fairly busy in the middle of day three. Considering this was an inadvertent sea day due to 40-plus mph winds preventing us from docking in Nassau and the boat was almost at capacity, it felt far less chaotic than I would have expected.The loading doors for provisions and other supplies Nirave Gondhia / Digital TrendsThe I-95 is also where all provisions are stored. There are separate boxes for different types of meat, vegetables, fish, poultry, and other frozen goods. Each is temperature-controlled to ensure that the produce doesnt go bad. That seems to be a somewhat rare occurrence, as the ship usually only stocks enough produce for a weeks worth of cruising. As delightful as refrigerator boxes are, I quickly lost interest in the details in this section and instead marveled at the sheer size of the operation behind one of the biggest cruise ships in the world.Nirave Gondhia / Digital TrendsDown the I-95 and to the left, we find ourselves at the Engine Control Room, the mechanical heart of the ship. At sea, there is always at least one engineer in this room, keeping an eye on the six engines that power this 200,000-plus-ton ship through the waters.As we slowly cruise back to Miami at a speed of 4 knots, were only using two of the six engines. An alarm goes off, but while some of us appear concerned, the engineers arent and quickly resolve it. There are technical drawings and diagrams across the various walls and on the conference table in the middle of the room, as well as an array of screens that display a variety of essential data metrics.Any engineer knows the value of accurate data, and the engine control room is set up to provide exactly that. Im not very nautical, but listening to my fellow tour members, its clear that its an impressive setup. I love numbers, and the engine control room has many vital ones, like ship speed, depth, and wind velocity.Nirave Gondhia / Digital TrendsHave you ever wondered where the bridge is on a cruise ship? Its the place where the officers reside and drive the boat from, so youd think the bridge would be in a secluded part of the ship. Surprisingly, the opposite is true; its behind a crew-only door at one end of a passenger deck. The door looks no different from any other door in a corridor, except that behind this door lies a sacrosanct part of any ship. We had security with us who enabled access to the bridge, and there are likely many precautions to stop unwanted access.The bridge is beautiful and a key reason that I booked this tour. The captain referred to it as the worlds greatest office, and given the impressive bank of windows that provided a stunning view directly ahead, I can see why someone would love this career. Beneath us in front of the bridge, we can see the helipad, as well as the deck area thats only accessible by the crew.Captain Tobias Oster, who has traversed the seas for Royal Caribbean for more than 20 years. Nirave Gondhia / Digital TrendsThe bank of windows makes sense, as its crucial for visibility. At 1,181 feet long and weighing 225,000 tons, the Allure of the Seas is an enormous ship, so visibility is key. Turning it around isnt an easy feat, and at a rate of roughly 3 degrees per minute, it takes around two hours for the ship to perform a complete U-turn.Nirave Gondhia / Digital TrendsThe bridge mostly made the tour worthwhile overall although its not something I would likely do again. But the icing on the cake was meeting the captain. Hes from Sweden and has been with Royal Caribbean for 20 years. The first and second officers have also been with the company for years.Beyond this tour, there are so many things to do on the 18-deck cruise ship. From the pools on Deck 15 to the casino on Deck 4 to the boardwalk on Deck 6 to Central Park on Deck 8, three days wasnt enough to truly experience everything.Im already planning my next cruise. The only question is, which ship will it be on, and which phone from our best smartphone list will I take next?Editors Recommendations

Table of ContentsTable of Contents5. On Call (January 9, 2025)4. Reacher season 3 (February 20, 2025)3. Invincible season 3 (February 6, 2025)2. We Were Liars (spring 2025)1. Gen V season 2 (TBA)Like several major streamers, Amazons primary business is not TV. Even though the company makes most of its money in other ways, though, Prime Video remains a pretty vibrant home for new and ongoing TV series. Theres an entire corner devoted almost exclusively to dad TV, but those arent the only shows on the service.If you have Prime Video and are looking for some shows to look forward to in the new year, weve got you covered. These are the Prime Video shows that are either new or returning in 2025 that were most excited for in the next 12 months.Recommended VideosWe also have guides to the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu,the best movies on Max,andthe best movies on Disney+.RelatedThe cop show formula has endured for decades for a reason it fundamentally works.On Calldoesnt look like its going to reinvent the ideas at the heart of the genre, but nevertheless, it looks like a pretty good riff.The series will follows a rookie cop and his veteran partner as they patrol the streets of Long Beach, California, and reckon with the role they play as servants and enforcers within their own community. On Callmight not be radically anti-cop, but it seems like it might be a little more straightforward than just propaganda, which would definitely be a step in the right direction.You can watchOn Callon Amazon Prime Video.Reacher has been an unqualified success for Prime Video, and the streamer is going to keep that gravy train rolling for as long as possible. With its third season,Reacherwill follow its titular character as he goes into the heart of a vast criminal enterprise in order to rescue an undercover DEA agent whose time might be running short.Some of the shows core cast will be returning for the new season, but Alan Ritchson and team will be joined by a lineup of new faces, including a massive body builder who might make the shows lead actor look tiny.You can watchRecaheron Amazon Prime Video.After two seasons on the air, InvincibleAs he develops powers of his own, he begins to examine his fathers legacy, and learns that his father is not the uncomplicated hero he always believed him to be. Heading into its third season,Invinciblehas evolved into a complex portrait of people weighing the morality of every action they take.You can watchInvincibleon Amazon Prime Video.Adapted from a popular YA novel of the same name,We Were Liarstells the story of four teenagers who return to the summer home that they share in order to recount the events of two years prior.The novel, which received critical acclaim upon its release, has taken over a decade to come to the screen, and is decidedly more horror-forward than some of Prime Videos other teen series likeThe Summer I Turned Pretty. Its young ensemble cast is excellent, though, and should give you reason enough to be excited.You can watchWe Were Liarson Amazon Prime Video.If you were shocked to discover that the college-set spinoff of The BoysGen Vhas established itself as just as good as the show it shares a universe with, and perhaps even a little better, it can no longer be the surprise hit it was initially.The Boyseventually fell into a trap of returning to the same status quo at the end of every season, andGen Vhas to be careful not to fall into that trap as it enters its second season with higher expectations than ever.You can watchGen Von Amazon Prime Video.Editors Recommendations

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsWatch the 2025 Golden Globes: date, time, channelCan you stream the 2025 Golden Globes?2025 Golden Globes: presenters2025 Golden Globes: nomineesThe first major ceremony of the awards season kicks off Sunday night with the 2025 Golden Globes. This event marks the 82nd edition of the Golden Globes, which will be held inside the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. After last years disappointing outing from Jo Koy, comedian Nikki Glaser will try her hand at hosting. Glaser had a terrific year in comedy, highlighted by her performance at The Roast of Tom Brady.Emilia Prez is the most nominated film of the night with 10 nominations. After Emilia Prez,The Brutalistreceived seven nominations, while Conclave garnered six. In the television categories, The BearOnly Murders in the Building and Shgun with four apiece. Find out how to watch the 2025 Golden Globes below.Recommended VideosIt's officially 2025 which means awards season is about to kick off with the 82nd Annual #GoldenGlobes this Sunday The countdown is ON tune in this Sunday at 8 ET | 5 PT on @CBS and @paramountplus! pic.twitter.com/dApsISXbc6 Golden Globes (@goldenglobes) January 3, 2025RelatedThe 2025 Golden Globes will air at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Sunday, January 5, 2025. The ceremony will be broadcast live on CBS. Download the CBS app or stream CBS.com on your mobile device or desktop. Sign in with your TV provider for full access.Watch CBSIt's happening! The #GoldenGlobes carpet has officially been rolled out at the @beverlyhilton. Tune in LIVE this Sunday on @CBS and @paramountplus at 8 ET | 5 PT. pic.twitter.com/bCivSuh9tm Golden Globes (@goldenglobes) January 3, 2025Yes. The 2025 Golden Globes will be available to stream live on Paramount+. Only Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers can stream the ceremony via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream the Golden Globes live. However, Essential subscribers can watch the special on demand the next day in the U.S. only.Paramount+ Essential costs $8 per month, or $60 per year. Paramount+ with Showtime costs $13 per month, or $120 per year. Paramount+ is currently offering afree seven-day trial,so new subscribers can try the service and enjoy the Golden Globes..@TheRock #GoldenGlobesCatch him presenting this Sunday at 8 ET | 5 PT on @CBS and @paramountplus! pic.twitter.com/gWgy1cdrRd Golden Globes (@goldenglobes) January 2, 2025The list of presenters is an eclectic mix of Hollywoods biggest and brightest stars. Presenters include: Andrew Garfield, Anthony Mackie, Anthony Ramos, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ariana DeBose, Aubrey Plaza, Aulii Cravalho, Awkwafina, Brandi Carlile, Catherine OHara, Colin Farrell, Colman Domingo, Demi Moore, Dwayne Johnson, dgar Ramrez, Elton John, Gal Gadot, Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum, Jennifer Coolidge, Kaley Cuoco, Kate Hudson, Kathy Bates, Ke Huy Quan, Kerry Washington, Margaret Qualley, Melissa McCarthy, Michael Keaton, Michelle Yeoh, Miles Teller, Mindy Kaling, Morris Chestnut, Nate Bargatze, Nicolas Cage, Rachel Brosnahan, Rob McElhenney, Salma Hayek Pinault, Sarah Paulson, Seth Rogen, Sharon Stone, Vin Diesel, Viola Davis, and Zo Kravitz.NetflixBest Motion Picture DramaThe BrutalistA Complete UnknownConclaveDune: Part TwoNickel BoysSeptember 5Best Motion Picture Musical or ComedyAnoraChallengersEmilia PrezA Real PainThe SubstanceWickedBest Television Series DramaThe Day Of The JackalThe DiplomatMr. and Mrs. SmithShgunSlow HorsesSquid GameBest Television Series Musical or ComedyAbbott ElementaryThe BearThe GentlemenHacksNobody Wants ThisOnly Murders in the BuildingBest Television Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for TelevisionBaby ReindeerDisclaimerMonsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez StoryThe PenguinRipleyTrue Detective: Night CountryView the entire list of nominees.Editors Recommendations