Ollama allows you to use a local LLM for your artificial intelligence needs, but by default, it is a command-line-only tool. To avoid having to use the terminal, try this extension instead.

'Over the Hill' is the long-awaited spiritual successor to the stunning 'Art of Rally'.FunselektorIt wasnt perfect, and it certainly didnt hold your hand, but the superb Art of Rally remains one of the most beautiful and balanced racing games of the last five years. Today, developer Funselektor finally revealed a spiritual successor one that takes the driving experience onto even trickier terrain.Over the Hill celebrates the golden age of offroading that promises a gorgeous world of challenging trails that you can conquer on your own or with friends, using vehicles inspired by iconic autos from the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, like the Land Rover 110, Toyota Land Cruiser, and Ford Bronco.As the second game created by Funselektor and Strelka Games, who collaborated last year on the impressive, F1-inspired management racer Golden Lap, Over the Hill draws on the personal experiences of Funselektor founder Dune Casu. He left behind Vancouvers high rental costs and transformed a cargo van into a fully functional camper, containing a kitchen, bed, solar panels, and crucially a workspace.After having developed several games about motorsport, we wanted to go off-track by offering players a vast world to lose themselves at a slower pace, Casu said. Theres something special about being in the wilderness in the middle of nowhere, from the peace, the sounds of nature, and less distraction from the civilized world. I hope this game can really drive that feeling home.MORE FOR YOUThe experience aims to offer a free-roaming off-road exploration game with beautiful visuals, modeled after the minimalistic art style of Art of Rally. Across a range of familiar biomes and terrains, the world is subject to day and night cycles, and changing weather that hope to deliver an ever-changing and consistently original experience.'Over the Hill' places a large focus on cozy multiplayer driving.FunselektorOver the Hill also aims to reward dedication with numerous progression routes. Portals link environments together and unlock new areas. Each region has its own objectives, challenges, and hidden gems. You can also customize your ride with equipment that makes certain journeys easier to navigate.From its trailer, the real charm of Over the Hill seems to be its multiplayer appeal a lo-fi take on Expeditions: A MudRunner Game that focuses less on overcoming hurdles and more on shared relaxation.Theres no firm release date for Over the Hill just yet, but you can wishlist it now on Steam. There arent any plans for a console release just yet, but Art of Rally found itself on Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch around a year after its PC debut and this follow-up seems like the perfect day-one multiplayer debut for the likes of Game Pass.

In a nutshell: Buffalo has introduced the RUF3-KEV a USB flash drive with a unique twist. This seemingly ordinary device is engineered to serve as the final line of defense against viral infections when transferring files between computers. At first glance, the RUF3-KEV looks like an ordinary USB stick. However, beneath its unassuming exterior lies Buffalo's proprietary "DiXiM Security Endpoint" an embedded anti-malware system that monitors files for threats in real-time. According to PC Watch, any rogue programs or virus signatures are instantly quarantined and neutralized before they can cause harm.The drive also includes a built-in antivirus scanner that scans new file transfers, detecting and removing infected payloads on the fly. An additional "heuristic" layer analyzes program behaviors, identifying and isolating anything that exhibits suspicious traits.For added security, the RUF3-KEV features password authentication, preventing unauthorized access to its data.The RUF3-KEV features a capless design to prevent dust infiltration, and its auto-retracting USB connector reduces wear and tear. Despite being a USB 3.2 Gen 1 flash drive, it boasts a compact stature, measuring approximately 19.8 x 10 x 68 mm.It's worth noting that USB 3.2 Gen 1 is far from the latest standard, as it has been surpassed by USB 3.2 Gen 2, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, and USB4. Clearly, speed is not the primary focus of this device. // Related StoriesThe drive is available in 64GB, 32GB, and 16GB capacities. Pricing, announced in Japanese yen, starts at 10,000 ($64) for the 64GB version, 8,300 ($53) for the 32GB model, and 6,600 ($42) for the 16GB option.For now, the RUF3-KEV is only available via Amazon Japan, which may involve additional shipping costs. While Buffalo has a US subsidiary (Buffalo Americas), it remains unclear if the device will launch stateside.For users frequently transferring sensitive files between computers, the added peace of mind may justify the extra expense.Buffalo, best known for its LinkStation and TeraStation lines of network-attached storage devices that enable centralized data access across networks, also offers a range of portable drives and networking components.

WTF?! With everything that's happened to TikTok over the last few days, it's no surprise that the app and owner ByteDance have rarely been out of the news cycle. There have even been reports that YouTube's most-subscribed star, Jimmy Donaldson, aka MrBeast, is in the race to buy TikTok's US operations, though his spokesperson said discussions are ongoing. Donaldson posted a jokey message on X on January 13 that read, "Okay fine, I'll buy Tik Tok so it doesn't get banned." A day later, he wrote that "Unironically I've had so many billionaires reach out to me since I tweeted this, let's see if we can pull this off."Donaldson taking over TikTok might be more plausible than it sounds. There were reports earlier this month that Chinese authorities were considering selling TikTok to X owner Elon Musk. Donald Trump has said he is open to Musk or fellow tech billionaire Larry Ellison buying the app in the US.On Tuesday, law firm Paul Hastings announced that it is advising a syndicate of investors led by Recruiter.com founder/CEO Jesse Tinsley in an all-cash offer to acquire TikTok's US operations and various assets from ByteDance. It adds that the investor group comprises institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals, including MrBeast.The statement does not include the size of the bid, though Trump said the app was valued at $1 trillion with a "permit" to operate in the US under 50% US ownership. Donaldson's net worth is estimated to be around $1 billion.On Tuesday evening, Donaldson replied to a tweet about his bid to buy TikTok alongside investors. He wrote that "The leading groups who are all credible bidding on Tik Tok have reached out for us to help them, I'm excited to partner/make this a reality. Big things cooking"While all signs point to Donaldson trying to become a part-owner of US TikTok, MrBeast spokesperson Matthew Hiltzik said the YouTube star hasn't yet officially joined any bids. "Several buyers are holding ongoing discussions with Jimmy," Hiltzik told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "He has no exclusive agreements with any of them." // Related StoriesAfter blocking access for US users on Saturday, hours before it was due to be banned, TikTok's services began returning on Sunday, for which the company thanked Trump. On his first day in office on Monday, the president issued an executive order telling the DoJ not to enforce the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act or to punish those who violate it for 75 days.TikTok is still not available to download from the Apple App and Google Play Stores after being removed over the weekend.

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsBumps in the roadWhats the next stop?When you hear EV, you tend to think of a car, but the term is a big umbrella. E-bikes and scooters fall under the category as well, and so do buses. Public transit is already a fairly sustainable choice. Given the large size of bus battery packs and their pre-existing efficiency for mass transportation, does switching buses to electric appreciably lower emissions? Is it worth the work and cost of adding commercial charging infrastructure?Our first stop in answering these questions was the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation. This specialized government group supports the electrification of public transit by providing resources and technical assistance to local agencies.Recommended VideosThey tell us that over the lifetime of a single battery electric bus, total greenhouse gas emissions are estimated at 1,192 short tons versus 2,112 short tons for a diesel equivalent. Thats a difference of over 40% and a strong argument for electric buses on climate impact alone.The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation pointed us to the AFLEET online tool, which provides estimations for all sorts of transit emission scenarios. For example, a single all-electric transit bus operating in the District of Columbia has an estimated fuel economy of 11.2 miles per diesel gallon equivalent (MPDGE), while a diesel transit bus is estimated at 4.4 miles per gallon (MPG). Getting more than twice the mileage for the emissions is pretty dang good.ZumBeyond greenhouse gas emissions are local emissions. People using public transit are exposed to all sorts of particulates. The American Lung Association says we can mitigate pediatric asthma attacks and infant deaths by reducing exposure to direct transportation emissions. The adoption of zero-emission vehicles could cumulatively amount to $978 billion in public health benefits, 89,300 fewer premature deaths, 2.2 million fewer asthma attacks, and 10.7 million fewer lost workdays. These benefits would be equitable too, since lower-income people are more likely to be riding the bus.As for charging, DC fast chargers can be centralized at bus depots where they can be well-maintained. Electric buses use chargers that are similar to those for consumer vehicles, which minimizes technological hurdles. That said, additional charging stations across service areas are required for buses to maintain consistent uptime, and bus routes need to be adjusted accordingly.Public transit is just the first stop on electrifying buses, however. School buses move a lot more people on a daily basis. In the U.S., over 25 million kids ride the bus every day. Set schedules with big breaks in between provides predictability for school bus charging and grid demand. Bus batteries are so big that their potential contribution in vehicle-to-grid energy on this timetable is promising. Through schemes like that provided by Zum in Oakland, school buses can help power homes during peak evening hours when the grid is under the most strain. These buses can even start paying back their up-front cost through net metering, whereby schools earn credit on their electrical bills by feeding power back into the grid when its needed most.As we look for success stories, its hard to ignore China.BYDThey have about half a million EV buses on the road now. That suggests we could be doing more in this space. I would not be surprised if China is 80% of the worlds electric bus fleet. says Christopher Knittel.Christopher Knittel is from the Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research at MIT. Hes an economist who has spent a lot of time looking at costs, challenges, and opportunities around transit electrification. Sure enough, his take on China is accurate. The last tally in 2022 put Chinas count of pure electric buses at around 455,500, which was 64.8% of the global share at the time. By comparison, the U.S. had a little over 6,000 battery electric buses in 2023.Shenzhen is particularly noteworthy. This tech hub on the border of Hong Kong is where many of our favourite gadgets are built. Local expertise has been equally applied to electrify their entire 16,000-bus fleet, and that was seven years ago. Since then theyve also completely electrified their taxi fleet. This shows that it can be done, but it requires a lot of government support.IndyGoWhy havent we flipped the switch already and electrified Americas bus fleets?For one, we have to wait on the gas-guzzlers to retire. Municipalities have spent good money on the buses they have, and with tight budgets, it makes no financial sense to retire them while theyre still functional. As of 2021, about 22% of the American bus fleet was eligible for retirement, which isnt a bad chunk to start with.Even once diesel buses are retired, electric alternatives still cost upwards of three times more than their fossil fuel counterparts. Thats a hard pill to swallow, even with long-term savings in fuel and maintenance costs. It would take $8.5 billion to replace the 22% of the bus fleet that was ready to go as of 2021 and another $2.0 to $3.1 billion to replace the three to four thousand buses retiring each year until 2035. On the flip side, Chicagos transit authority estimates that they would save about $25 million in annual costs with a fully converted fleet.Climate also impacts EV performance. Batteries get unstable when subjected to high temperature, requiring extra energy be spent on cooling. That extra energy can put a 25% dent into range, depending on conditions. One rollout in Albuquerque was stalled due to buses failing to perform under the heat, though there were other issues, and the city went on to expand their electrified fleet. Meanwhile, Indianapolis needed to install additional wireless charging stations to make up for the range shortfall caused by cold.When asked about how to improve U.S. adoption of electrified fleets, Knittels hopes lay with policy changes.I would love to see more federal guidance on this. We can leave it up to municipalities. We can leave it up to the states. We can leave it up to school districts. But theres potentially a lot of economies of scale here. Unless we have market coordination across states and cities, were just not going to have access to the cheapest and best technologies.The state of New York has already enacted a mandate to shift to electric school buses, and California has similar legislation for public transit transitioning completely by 2040. New tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act provides some federal-level incentives for commercial EVs and charging infrastructure, plus about $1.5 billion is being provided in direct electrification funding. It will take time to see the impact of this funding. Its a good start, but theres still a long road ahead.Editors RecommendationsGenesis Electrified GV70 first drive review: a killer high-end EV with one flaw

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsSamsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: specsSamsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: design and displaySamsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: performanceSamsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: battery and chargingSamsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: camerasSamsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: software and updatesSamsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: price and availabilitySamsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: which should you buy?Its a new year, so its time for Samsung to release new phones. For 2025, this includes the Galaxy S25 series. Lets look at how the top model, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, compares to Apples iPhone 16 Pro Max.Though we have not yet spent time with a Galaxy S25 Ultra, we still know much about it to begin the comparison. Heres how the Galaxu S25 Ultra compares to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, at this early stage.Recommended VideosSpecsSamsung Galaxy S25 UltraiPhone 16 Pro MaxSize162 x 77.6 x 8.2mm163 x 77.6 x 8.25mmWeight218 grams227 gramsScreen6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X1440 x 3120 pixelsSuper Smooth 120Hzrefresh rate (1~120Hz)2,600 nits brightness6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED1320 x 2868 pixelsProMotion with 120Hz dynamic refresh rate2,000 nits brightnessOperating systemAndroid 15One UI 7iOS 18RAM and storage256GB, 512GB, 1TB12GB RAM256GB, 512GB, 1TB8GB RAMProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for GalaxyApple A18 ProCameraRear:200-megapixel primary50MP ultrawide50MP telephoto, 5x optical zoom10MP telephoto, 3x optical zoomFront:12MPRear:48MP primary48MP ultrawide12MP telephoto, 5x optical zoomFront:12MPConnectivityWi-Fi 7Bluetooth 5.4Wi-Fi 7, dual-bandBluetooth 5.3Water resistanceIP68 (maximum depth of 1.5m up to 30 minutes)IP68 (maximum depth of 6m up to 30 minutes)Battery & charging5,000mAh battery45W fast chargingFast Wireless Charging 2.0Wireless PowerShareQi wireless charging4,685mAh battery45W fast charging25W wireless charging via MagSafe15W Qi2 wireless chargingColorsTitanium Silverblue, Titanium Black, Titanium Whitesilver and Titanium GreyBlack Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, Desert TitaniumPriceStarting at $1,299Starts at $1,199ReviewTo be publishediPhone 16 Pro MaxNirave Gondhia / Digital TrendsRelatedThe Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra features a sleek, sophisticated design characterized by rounded corners and a thinner, lighter profile than its predecessor, the Galaxy S24 Ultra. It boasts a large 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED display, providing vibrant colors, deep blacks, and an immersive viewing experience. Like the previous model, the S25 Ultra offers a display with an impressive refresh rate of 120Hz, ensuring smooth scrolling and fluid animations. Peak brightness is 2600 nits. Additionally, it includes an in-display fingerprint sensor for secure and convenient unlocking.It is also important to note that the Galaxy S25 Ultra includes an S-Pen, a feature unique to Samsung devices. While this pen has lost some functionality compared to previous models, it will continue to be a significant reason for many users to choose Samsung.Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsThe iPhone 16 Pro Max features a refined design characterized by a titanium frame, contributing to its durability and lightweight nature. This choice of material enhances the devices appearance while offering protection against everyday wear and tear. The phone maintains a flat-edged design, a recognizable Apple aesthetic aspect.The iPhone 16 Pro Max also has a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display. This OLED screen provides vibrant colors, deep blacks, and clarity due to its high resolution (2868 x 1320 pixels). It also includes ProMotion technology with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and animations. With a peak brightness of up to 2000 nits, the display remains visible in bright conditions, and it is safeguarded by Apples Ceramic Shield for increased scratch and drop resistance.On paper, Samsungs phone is slightly lighter than Apples and has an ever-so-slightly smaller body, even though both phones have a 6.9-inch display. Does this make the newer phone easier to carry? Well know once weve had a chance to review it.Winner: TieNirave Gondhia / Digital TrendsWhile we have not yet had the opportunity to test the Galaxy S25 Ultra, we have preliminary compared its processor, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, and the A18 Pro chip used in the iPhone 16 Pro Max.At first glance, the Snapdragon 8 Elite has a distinct advantage due to its innovative architecture thats slightly newer. It has more CPU cores with enhanced multi-core performance and a more powerful Adreno GPU. This combination significantly boosts capabilities in demanding tasks such as gaming, 3D rendering, and multitasking. Users can expect smoother gameplay and noticeably faster processing speeds when navigating resource-intensive applications.In contrast, the A18 Pro shines in single-core performance. This makes it exceptionally efficient for everyday tasks such as web browsing, messaging, and using productivity apps. Users who value quick responsiveness in day-to-day activities may find the A18 Pro more appealing. The Snapdragon 8 Elite suits mobile gamers and users who regularly engage in demanding multitasking scenarios. Its higher core count and advanced GPU ensure that even the most graphically intense games run smoothly, providing an immersive experience without lag.Conversely, if you are deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem and appreciate the seamless hardware and software integration, the A18 Pro remains an exemplary pick. It provides efficient performance and a user-friendly interface, making it a strong contender for those who prioritize optimization and ease of use in light computing tasks.Ultimately, our hands-on testing of the Galaxy S25 Ultra will be the real determining factor. Once we delve into its performance metrics in real-world scenarios, we will gain more insight into how the Snapdragon 8 Elite compares to the A18 Pro, paving the way for a clearer choice based on users unique needs and preferences.Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraChristine Romero-Chan / Digital TrendsThe Galaxy S25 Ultra, like last years model, features a 5,000mAh battery. Samsung claims this will provide up to 31 hours of video playback on a single charge, one hour longer than the Galaxy S24 Ultra. We got up to two days of battery life with the S24 Ultra, which is quite impressive, and we anticipate similar performance from the newer model.The Galaxy S25 Ultra promises a 65% charge in about 30 minutes when using a 45W adapter. It also supports Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 and Wireless PowerShare. We expect to learn more details on battery charging in the coming days, and when we do, well adjust this post.The iPhone 16 Pro Max offers impressive features when it comes to battery life and charging. It is equipped with a 4,685mAh battery, which is a significant upgrade from the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This larger battery plays a key role in providing excellent battery life.Apple claims that the device can deliver up to 33 hours of video playback and up to 105 hours of audio playback. This means it can easily last through a full day of regular use, even with heavy activity. In our tests, we found that the iPhone 16 Pro Max could last between a day and a half to two days on a single charge.Regarding charging capabilities, the iPhone 16 Pro Max supports a maximum of 30W with a MagSafe charger. It can reach up to 50% battery in just 30 minutes when using a 20W adapter or higher with a wired USB-C connection. Additionally, the phone offers wireless charging at up to 25W with MagSafe and 15W with accessories that use the more common Qi2 standard. Both the iPhone 16 Pro Max and its predecessor can also wirelessly charge accessories like AirPods.Winner: Tie (for now)Nirave Gondhia / Digital TrendsSamsung has made a significant change to the Galaxy S25 Ultras quad-camera system compared to the Galaxy S24 Ultra. The ultrawide camera has been upgraded from 12-megapixels to 50MP, which should enhance clarity and vibrancy in photos. The wide-angle camera remains at 200MP, while the telephoto lens features 50MP and 10MP.In addition to the hardware upgrades, various software enhancements have been implemented for the Galaxy S25 Ultras cameras, many of which benefit from the improved chipset on the phone. These updates will enhance both photo and video quality. New camera features include improved low-light performance, advanced AI processing, and a virtual aperture. This virtual aperture allows users to adjust the depth of field after taking a photo, offering greater control over the background blur, similar to portrait mode but with more flexibility. In particular, w e cant wait to test the enhanced zoom capabilities and improved night mode.The iPhone 16 Pro Max features a comprehensive camera system that aims to capture high-quality photos and videos in various environments. The rear setup includes a triple-lens configuration, highlighted by a 48MP primary camera equipped with a larger sensor and second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization. This combination is intended to enhance image clarity, particularly in low-light conditions. Accompanying the primary lens is a 48MP ultrawide camera that offers a generous 120-degree field of view, making it suitable for photographing expansive landscapes or large group shots. The third component of the camera system is a 12MP telephoto lens featuring 5x optical zoom, allowing for detailed close-up shots without losing quality.Apple has incorporated a range of computational photography advancements into the camera system, including an upgraded Photonic Engine designed to enhance image quality across various lighting scenarios. The iPhone 16 Pro Max also allows for ProRAW capture, providing users with more editing options and flexibility in post-processing. Regarding video capabilities, the device supports recording in Dolby Vision HDR, which has resolutions up to 4K and frames reaching 120 frames per second. For self-portraits, the front-facing camera presents a 12MP sensor with autofocus and supports the Photonic Engine, contributing to improved image quality for selfies.The iPhone 16 Pro Max, like the other phones in the iPhone 16 series, includes a Camera Control button on one side to make it easier to take photos and videos in horizontal form.Until we can test the Galaxy S25 Ultras camera system and compare and contrast it with the iPhone 16 Pro Max, we consider the systems a tie.Winner: TieAndy Boxall / Digital TrendsThe Samsung Galaxy S25 series becomes the first Samsung devices to support Android 15 and include the companys new One UI 7 on the top. This combination should provide an improved user experience with enhanced privacy features, a redesigned quick settings panel, improved multitasking, and more. There are also enhanced AI capabilities and fresh or updated productivity and creativity tools.In terms of software upgrades, Samsung has extended to seven years of guaranteed OS and security updates. Yes, seven years, which is impressive.The iPhone 16 Pro Max operates on iOS 18, introducing various new features and enhancements, including improved personalization options, upgraded communication tools, and a more advanced Siri. A key addition is Apple Intelligence, an AI-powered feature providing systemwide writing tools to help refine your writing style, check for grammar errors, and summarize text.Unlike Samsung, Apple does not guarantee specific years for operating system updates. However, Apple has a strong history of providing software updates for its devices, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max is expected to receive several years of iOS updates. This ensures your phone remains current with the latest features, security enhancements, and performance improvements. These updates are delivered wirelessly and are easy to install, keeping your iPhone 16 Pro Max running smoothly and securely for years.Both the Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max are packed full of software features and should only get better over time as improvements are made. In particular, both offer the latest AI features from their respective companies. Its safe to say even before testing Samsungs newest phone, it will be next to impossible to pick a winner here. Assume that iPhone fans will stick with the iPhone 16 Pro Max, while Android fans will pick the Galaxy S25 Ultra.Winner: TieChristine Romero-Chan / Digital TrendsAt launch, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is available with 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of storage starting at $1,299. Like in past years, you can expect discounts directly from Samsung that will bring prices down.Everywhere, the phone is available in Titanium Silverblue, Titanium Black, Titanium Whitesilver and Titanium Grey. On Samsungs website, the phone is also available in Titanium Jadegreen, Titanium Jetblack, and Titanium Pinkgold.The iPhone 16 series has been on the market since last fall. Therefore, these models are easy to find for purchase. The iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199 for a 256GB model. You can also purchase the phone with 512GB ($1,399) or 1TB ($1,599) of storage. Its offered in all-new Desert Titanium, plusBlack Titanium, White Titanium, and Natural Titanium.Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsThe Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max are powerhouse smartphones vying for the top spot. Under the hood, Samsungs new phone uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, while Apple relies on its own A18 Pro chip both promising blazing-fast performance. Samsung continues its megapixel race in the camera department, while Apple has improved its system with enhanced telephoto capabilities. A key differentiator remains the S Pen stylus, exclusive to the S25 Ultra, providing a unique advantage for productivity and creativity. The iPhone, however, boasts its Dynamic Island for fluid multitasking and interactive notifications.Software-wise, its Android with One UI versus iOS 18 a classic battle of personal preference. Ultimately, the better phone depends on your needs and priorities. The S25 Ultra appeals to those seeking cutting-edge camera tech, the versatility of the S Pen, and the flexibility of Android. The iPhone 16 Pro Max attracts users entrenched in the Apple ecosystem, valuing iOS simplicity and the raw power of Apple silicon.Editors Recommendations

OpenAI said its Operator agent went live for some users on Thursday, creating the ability for artificial intelligence to automate tasks such as buying groceries and filing expense reports.

The contenders for the top prize, whose winner will be announced on March 2, include the sweeping epics The Brutalist and Dune: Part Two, the magical musical Wicked, and the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown.

"Better late than never" Court rules FBIs warrantless searches violated Fourth Amendment Rights groups demand lawmakers add a warrant requirement to Section 702. Ashley Belanger Jan 23, 2025 12:50 pm | 12 Credit: domoyega | iStock / Getty Images Plus Credit: domoyega | iStock / Getty Images Plus Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreIt's official: The FBI's warrantless searches of communications seized to protect US national security have at last been ruled unconstitutional and in violation of the Fourth Amendment.In a major December ruling made public this week, US District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall settled one of the biggest debates about feared government overreach that has prompted calls to reform Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) for more than a decade.Critics' primary concern was whether the FBI needed a warrant to search and query Americans' communications that are often incidentally, inadvertently, or mistakenly seized during investigations of suspected foreign terrorists.The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), a digital rights group that has long said a warrant is needed to conduct such invasive searches, celebrated the ruling as "better late than never." The EFF noted that the FBI conducted 3.4 million warrantless searches of US persons' 702 data in 2021, describing it as a "routine practice" and calling out Section 702 as a "finders keepers" rule that for years has seemingly given feds' unfettered access to many Americans' private and sensitive communication data.DeArcy Hall agreed with an appeals court that ruled that "the government cannot circumvent application of the warrant requirement simply because queried information is already collected and held by the government," as the US unsuccessfully tried to argue."To hold otherwise would effectively allow law enforcement to amass a repository of communications under Section 702, including those of US persons that can later be searched on demand without limitation," DeArcy Hall wrote. "While communications of US persons may nonetheless be intercepted, incidentally or inadvertently, it would be paradoxical to permit warrantless searches of the same information that Section 702 is specifically designed to avoid collecting," she said. And likely equally important, "public interest alone does not justify warrantless querying," she said.But she declined to issue harsh sanctions and denied a request to suppress evidence in the casewhich involved a permanent US resident, Agron Hasbajrami, who was arrested in 2011 partly based on FBI queries of 702 data, for providing material support to a terrorist organization. According to DeArcy Hall, the government conducted these searches in "good faith" and "objectively" believed "those queries did not require a warrant."Specific exceptions may applyThe ruling ends what DeArcy Hall described as the government's attempts to seek a broad general exception to search Americans' data that was accidentally collected without a warranteven when there is no timely reason to rush the queries. DeArcy Hall noted that the government searched Hasbajrami's communications for months without ever seeking a warrant and provided no evidence that seeking a warrant would have hindered their investigation."It is simply inconceivable that the government's aims would have been frustrated by securing a warrant at any time over the course of many months," DeArcy Hall wrote, and further, "there can be no argument that these queries were harmless."But she stopped short of ruling that all warrantless 702 searches of Americans' data are unconstitutional, noting that in certain cases where the feds need "timely" access to information to address a national security emergency, specific exceptions allowing warrantless searches may apply. Otherwise, "querying a Section 702 database in connection with a US person generally requires a warrant, even where the initial interception was lawfully conducted," DeArcy Hall ruled, partly because US persons maintain "a legitimate expectation of privacy.""Certainly, the Court can imagine situations where obtaining a warrant might frustrate the purpose of querying, particularly where exigency requires immediate querying," DeArcy Hall wrote. "This is why the Court does not hold that querying Section 702-acquired information always requires a warrant."Ruling renews calls for 702 reformsWhile digital rights groups like the EFF and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) cheered the ruling as providing much-needed clarity, they also suggested that the ruling should prompt lawmakers to go back to the drawing board and reform Section 702.Section 702 is set to expire on April 15, 2026. Over the years, Congress has repeatedly voted to renew 702 protections, but the EFF is hoping that DeArcy Hall's ruling will perhaps spark a sea change."In light of this ruling, we ask Congress to uphold its responsibility to protect civil rights and civil liberties by refusing to renew Section 702 absent a number of necessary reforms, including an official warrant requirement for querying US persons data and increased transparency," the EFF wrote in a blog.A warrant requirement could help truly end backdoor searches, the EFF suggested, and ensure "that the intelligence community does not continue to trample on the constitutionally protected rights to private communications."The ACLU warned that reforms are especially critical now, considering that unconstitutional backdoor searches have been "used by the government to conduct warrantless surveillance of Americans, including protesters, members of Congress, and journalists."Patrick Toomey, the deputy director of the ACLUs National Security Project, dubbed 702 "one of the most abused provisions of FISA.""As the court recognized, the FBI's rampant digital searches of Americans are an immense invasion of privacy and trigger the bedrock protections of the Fourth Amendment," Toomey said. "Section 702 is long overdue for reform by Congress, and this opinion shows why.Ashley BelangerSenior Policy ReporterAshley BelangerSenior Policy Reporter Ashley is a senior policy reporter for Ars Technica, dedicated to tracking social impacts of emerging policies and new technologies. She is a Chicago-based journalist with 20 years of experience. 12 Comments

News distortion complaints Trumps FCC chair gets to work on punishing TV news stations accused of bias Chairman Brendan Carr revives bias complaints against CBS, ABC, and NBC stations. Jon Brodkin Jan 23, 2025 11:52 am | 111 FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Maryland on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. Credit: Getty Images | Bloomberg FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Maryland on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. Credit: Getty Images | Bloomberg Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreFederal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr has revived three complaints against broadcast stations accused of bias against President Donald Trump.Outgoing Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel last week directed the FCC to dismiss the complaints against CBS, ABC, and NBC stations, along with a fourth complaint about Fox, in what she called a stand for the First Amendment. Rosenworcel said the "threat to the First Amendment has taken on new forms, as the incoming President has called on the Federal Communications Commission to revoke licenses for broadcast television stations because he disagrees with their content and coverage."But in three orders issued yesterday, the FCC Enforcement Bureau reversed the CBS, ABC, and NBC decisions. "We find that the previous order was issued prematurely based on an insufficient investigatory record for the station-specific conduct at issue," each new order said. "We therefore conclude that this complaint requires further consideration."The revived complaints target WNBC in New York, WCBS in New York, and 6 ABC in Philadelphia (also known as WPVI-TV). The complaints were filed by the Center for American Rights and supported Trump's claims of bias regarding ABC's fact-checking during a presidential debate, the editing of a CBS 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris, and NBC putting Harris on a Saturday Night Live episode. The complaints against CBS and ABC were made under the FCC's news distortion rules, while the complaint against NBC alleges a violation of the FCC's Equal Time rule.We must respect the First AmendmentCommissioner Anna Gomez, one of two Democrats on the commission, criticized the Carr FCC's decisions. "As I stated last week, we cannot allow our licensing authority to be weaponized to curtail freedom of the press," Gomez said yesterday. "The First Amendment is a pillar of American democracy, and our country needs a press free from interference from regulators like me. In fact, the Communications Act explicitly prohibits the Commission from censoring broadcasters. We must respect the protections of the First Amendment and the restrictions in the Communications Act."The previous decisions were easy to reverse. There's an FCC rule saying that the agency "may, on its own motion, set aside any action made or taken by it within 30 days from the date of public notice of such action."Carr has made it clear that he wants the FCC to punish news broadcasters that he perceives as being unfair to Trump or Republicans in general. He claimed that NBC putting Harris on Saturday Night Live before the election was "a clear and blatant effort to evade the FCC's Equal Time rule," even though NBC gave Trump two free 60-second messages in order to comply with the rule.Carr also told Fox News that he is interested in investigating the complaint against CBS when the FCC reviews a pending deal involving Skydance and Paramount, which owns and operates 28 local broadcast TV stations of the CBS Television Network. "I'm pretty confident that news distortion complaint over the CBS 60 Minutes transcript is something that is likely to arise in the context of the FCC's review of that transaction," Carr said.Carr intends to weaponize the FCCAfter Rosenworcel dismissed the complaints, the Center for American Rights said it would keep fighting. "We fundamentally believe that several actions taken by the three major networks were partisan, dishonest and designed to support Vice President Harris in her bid to become President," the group said in a statement provided to Ars last week. "We will continue to pursue avenues to ensure the American public is protected from media manipulation of our Republic. The First Amendment does not protect intentional misrepresentation or fraud."In a statement applauding Carr's reversal today, the group said that Rosenworcel's "last-minute actions were political, not based on a principled defense of the First Amendment."Networks have denied allegations of bias. "Former President Donald Trump is accusing 60 Minutes of deceitful editing of our Oct. 7 interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. That is false," CBS said. "60 Minutes gave an excerpt of our interview to Face the Nation that used a longer section of her answer than that on 60 Minutes. Same question. Same answer. But a different portion of the response."Rosenworcel last week also rejected a petition to deny a license renewal for WTXF-TV in Philadelphia, a station owned and operated by Fox. The Media and Democracy Project petition alleged that Fox willfully distorted news with false reports of fraud in the 2020 election that Trump lost.Rosenworcel said the complaints and petition she dismissed "come from all cornersright and leftbut what they have in common is they ask the FCC to penalize broadcast television stations because they dislike station behavior, content, or coverage." Yesterday, advocacy group Public Knowledge said that "in reinstating just those complaints that suit his partisan agenda, Chairman Carr has made it plain he intends to weaponize the FCC to threaten political speech and news coverage he disagrees with."Jon BrodkinSenior IT ReporterJon BrodkinSenior IT Reporter Jon is a Senior IT Reporter for Ars Technica. He covers the telecom industry, Federal Communications Commission rulemakings, broadband consumer affairs, court cases, and government regulation of the tech industry. 111 Comments