Raycast, which is a more fully featured alternative to your Mac's Spotlight Search, has finally added a "hyper key" to its long list of features. The idea behind a hyper key is simple: you press one button, but your computer thinks you've pressed multiple buttons. Raycast lets you map the Hyper Key to all of your Mac's modifier keys, which means you can use it to press Command-Control-Option-Shift without mastering some kind of complex finger yoga. Just hit the one button and your Mac will think all the modifier keys are being pressed at the same time. Why would you want to do that? Well, it means you can create completely new keyboard shortcuts that don't interfere with the system defaults.To get started, open Raycast and go to the app's Settings. If you're not sure how to get there, just press Command-, (comma) when Raycast is open. Go to the Advanced tab and click the drop-down menu next to Hyper Key. This lets you choose which button to map to the Hyper Key. You can choose one of the following:Caps LockControlShiftOptionCommandRight Control (note that this key doesn't exist on some Mac keyboards)Right ShiftRight OptionRight CommandI chose Caps Lock because I hardly ever use that button. Then, I mapped Caps Lock-Tab as a shortcut for opening Pieoneer, an exciting new launcher app for your Mac. The good thing is that Raycast's Hyper Key feature is available for free, and you can map it to system-level shortcuts, too. In fact, I don't use the Hyper Key for any Raycast-related actions at all. Very few app shortcuts require you to use all the modifier keys at the same time, which makes it perfect for setting up a bunch of shortcuts that don't interfere with others. You can even make common system tasks such as taking screenshots a lot easier with the Hyper Key. For instance, instead of pressing Command-Control-Shift-3 to copy a full-page screenshot to the clipboard, you could map it to Raycast's Hyper Key to make Caps Lock-3 your shortcut instead. For a keyboard shortcut nerd like me, this opens up endless possibilities.In the odd chance you end up with a binding conflict, you can also check out common Hyper Key troubleshooting tips on the company's website.

Apple's home button died on Wednesday at the age of 18, surrounded by family and friends (including its partner, Touch ID). The home button, which launched on the original iPhone and later spread to the iPod touch and iPad, was unceremoniously axed this morning with the release of the new iPhone 16e.The iPhone 16e replaces the iPhone SE, switching to the full-screen design Apple first adopted with 2017's iPhone X. Since the third-gen iPhone SE was the last remaining Apple product with a home button, that means there isn't a single product left in Apple's lineup that uses any version of the iconic feature.Unless you pay close attention to these things, you may not have realized that the home button had several iterations through the years. It launched in 2007 as part of the first iPhone's seismic arrival. That version pressed inward mechanically, bounced back up with a spring and lacked biometric authentication. (That's right, kids, an old-fashioned passcode was your only option!) That first iteration also had a symbol on it: a square with rounded corners to represent app icons.The same type of home button launched a few months later on the iPod touch, which Apple finally discontinued in 2022, and a few years later on the first iPad.Brad Molen for EngadgetThe home button was paired with Touch ID beginning with 2013's iPhone 5s. Visually, it was marked by a surrounding metal ring, and the biometric sensors were housed under the button. That version still used a mechanical spring mechanism.The Touch ID home button made its way to Apple's tablet with the iPad Air 2 the following year. The lowly iPod touch never saw such highfalutin features.Perhaps the least concerning change of 2016 was Apple's transition to a solid-state home button in the iPhone 7. Like the trackpads in modern MacBooks, that version sensed your finger's presses and used haptic feedback to simulate a click inwards.The technical trickery did such a smashing job of fooling the brain that many users had no idea the updated button wasn't physically moving. The change made it easier for Apple's engineers to seal the phone it was the first model with a water and dust resistance rating (IP67). The solid-state home button never arrived on the iPad, with Apple's last home button-laden tablet (2021's ninth-generation model) still pairing Touch ID with mechanical presses.Will Lipman for EngadgetBefore today's news of the home button's demise, the writing had been on the wall for a long time. The iPhone X (2017) was the first blow, with Apple describing the full-screen flagship as a product that would "set the path for technology for the next decade." (Uh oh) By 2022, Apple had removed the home button from the last iPad (moving Touch ID to its power / sleep button in the entry-level model) and discontinued the easily forgotten iPod touch. The third-generation iPhone SE, which also launched that year, ran the last leg of the home button marathon, chugging away by itself until it finally met its end today with the release of its Face ID-equipped successor.It's been a good run, home button, and you will be missed.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/pour-one-out-for-apples-dearly-departed-home-button-164350259.html?src=rss

It's truly a USB-C world and we're just living in it. Apple has not only announced the new iPhone 16e with a USB-C port and also discontinued the iPhone 14, the final Lightning port relic. That's right, Apple is no longer selling any devices with a Lightning port, the true end of an era.Once upon a time, the Lightning port was the new guy in town. Apple first introduced it in 2012 as a replacement to the bulky 30-pin dock connector.The Lightning port didn't go down without a fight, though. While most other companies have been on the USB-C train for some time, Apple only swapped out the Lightning port when the EU forced its hand. In 2022, the EU announced that all new mobile devices so phones, tablets and earbuds had to come with a USB-C charging port. The bloc set the end of 2024 as a deadline, but Apple started the shift with its iPhone 15, released in September 2023. Laptops have until Spring 2026 to comply, but Apple has already shifted its MacBooks to USB-C chargers.Another Apple technology relic, the venerable Home Button, has also been discontinued as of today. The old iPhone SE was the last device in Apple's lineup to feature it truly a day where some classic Apple interfaces are going away forever.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/apple-officially-bids-farewell-to-the-lightning-port-after-13-years-163402113.html?src=rss

HBO has confirmed that its hugely popular dystopian drama series will return in less than two months.

New survey data suggests more and more people are using AI tools instead of search engines to find answers online. Here are the reasons why.

"I think we really need to step up in Europe," Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Thursday.

Hunters were once the greatest human threat to the countrys only unique wolf species. Today, its motorists.That fact was brought home last June, when red wolf breeding male No. 2444 was struck and killed on U.S. 64 near Manns Harbor, North Carolina. His death likely meant five pups hed been providing for died, too.We were hoping the mother would return and resume care, but she never did, Joe Madison, head of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services red wolf recovery program, said during a recent visit to the site.For decades, conservationists have pushed for changes to U.S. 64, a busy two-lane highway to the popular Outer Banks that runs straight through the Alligator River National Wildlife Refugeone of just two places in the world where red wolves run free.They may finally be getting their wish.In late December, the Federal Highway Administration awarded the first grants under a new $125 million Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program. Unless the grants are somehow undone by President Donald Trump, part of the money will help state agencies and nonprofit groups rebuild a 2.5-mile section of the highway with fencing and a series of culverts, or small underpasses, to allow red wolvesas well as black bears, white-tailed deer, and other animalsto pass safely underneath traffic.When you build wildlife bridges or underpasses, you reduce human-wildlife conflict, said Duke University ecologist Stuart Pimm, who studies wildlife migrations but is not directly involved in the project. There is increasing awareness that reducing traffic collisions is smart for wildlife, smart for people too.Other agency grants will support new bridges and underpasses for mule deer in Idaho, pronghorn antelope in New Mexico, and cougars and bears in Oregon, among other projects.But whats notable about the U.S. 64 project is that the goal is twofold: reducing dangerous collisions and roadkilland saving a critically endangered species. There are thought to be fewer than 20 red wolves left in the wild; besides Alligator River, the other remaining habitat is in the nearby Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.Madison calculates that No. 2444 represented 7% of the known wild red wolf population. So, every time you get a mortality, thats a significant hit, he said.Reducing roadkilland saving a species?Wildlife crossings have proliferated across the U.S. in the past 20 years with broad nonpartisan support. Most often, the objective is safety. One congressional report estimated that dangerous highway collisions with large animals kill hundreds of people and cost more than $8 billion each year.Researchers have learned a lot about what works for different species.Pronghorn dont want to go through tunnels or close spaces, so they avoid underpasses and need bridges, said Arthur Middleton, an ecologist who studies animal migration at the University of California, Berkeley. Whereas deer will go under or over.Gray wolves and coyotesand, presumably, red wolveswill also use underpasses, or culverts, of 6 or 8 feet in diameter. Fencing is critical to funnel the animals to the structures.Along U.S. 30 in Wyoming, seven small underpasses and fencing cut mule deer collisions by 81%. In Canada, a series of overpasses and underpasses along the Trans-Canada Highway in Banff National Park reduced collisions with hooved animals by 94%.But whether wildlife crossings can help prevent extinctions is a harder question to answer.Conservation was always a part of the story, but now were seeing crossings increasingly pop up that have conservation as a primary rationale, said Ben Goldfarb, author of the book Crossings: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of Our Planet.Some of the most ambitious crossings for conservation have just been built, and it will take time to assess the results.Outside Los Angeles, a wildlife crossing over 10 lanes of U.S. 101 is expected to open in 2026. The primary aim is to help connect the habitat of mountain lions, which need to cross the freeway to find suitable mates. Inbreeding among mountain lions in the L.A. region has already led to genetic mutations and decreased fertility.In Brazils Rio de Janeiro state, construction of a wildlife bridge spanning BR 101 was finished in 2020, then native seedlings were planted in a soil bed. Once those trees mature, researchers will study if the target speciesan endangered monkey called a golden lion tamarinuses the bridge regularly. Experts say the trees are necessary for creatures like monkeys or sloths to move across the bridge. Species that scamper on the ground, including foxes, anteaters, and armadillos, are already crossing.Hope at the end of the tunnel underpass for red wolves?While its not certain that a wildlife crossing can save the last red wolves, scientists say that doing nothing will almost certainly hasten their demise.Canis rufus, often called Americas wolf, once roamed from central Texas to southern Iowa and as far east as Long Island, New York. After being declared extinct in the wild, red wolves were reintroduced in North Carolina in 1987.For about 20 years, the population grew steadily to reach around 120 animals. Then their numbers crashedwith vehicle collisions a primary culprit. One study found that vehicle strikes had killed about 5% of the red wolf population each year between their reintroduction and 2022.Marcel P. Huijser, a study coauthor and a research ecologist at Montana State Universitys Western Transportation Institute, warned that the cost of doing nothing, including losing a wild species, can be far higher than the cost of implementing effective mitigation.In North Carolina, Fish and Wildlife biologists have tried other measures to prevent crasheslike flashing road signs and reflective collarswithout much success.Following No. 2444s death, conservation groups like the Wildlands Network and the Center for Biological Diversity pushed for another solution.In September, the North Carolina Department of Transportation submitted a grant application for the Red Wolf Essential Survival Crossings Under Evacuation Route, or RESCUER, project.Plans for the U.S. 64 wildlife crossing call for a series of underpass structuresseveral of them big enough for wolves and other large mammals to pass throughand the accompanying fencing. The exact number and size of the underpasses has yet to be determined, said Travis W. Wilson, eastern habitat conservation coordinator for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.The estimated total cost for the project is about $31.5 million, including $4 million in private donations raised by conservation groups and an anonymous donors matching grant.This is one of the most important wildlife connectivity projects in the country, said Beth Pratt, founder of the nonprofit The Wildlife Crossing Fund, which raised funds for the project. Critically endangered red wolves will disappear if we do nothing.By Allen G. Breed and Christina Larson, Associated PressThe Associated Presss Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. APs climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

A push to ban sugary drinks, candy, and more from the U.S. program that helps low-income families pay for nutritious food has been tried beforebut it may soon get a boost from new Trump administration officials.Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the newly confirmed health and human services secretary, andBrooke Rollins, the new agriculture secretary, have both signaled that they favor stripping such treats from SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.Kennedy has been most vocal, calling for the government to stop allowing the nearly $113 billion program that serves about 42 million Americans to use benefits to pay for soda or processed foods.The one place that I would say that we need to really change policy is the SNAP program and food stamps and in school lunches, Kennedy told Fox News host Laura Ingraham last week. There, the federal government in many cases is paying for it. And we shouldnt be subsidizing people to eat poison.In one of her first interviews after being confirmed, Rollins said she looked forward to working with Kennedy on the issue.When a taxpayer is putting money into SNAP, are they okay with us using their tax dollars to feed really bad food and sugary drinks to children who perhaps need something more nutritious? Rollins said. These are all massive questions were going to be asking and working on in the coming months and years.But removing certain foods from SNAPknown for years as food stampsisnt as simple as it sounds.The program is run by the USDA, not HHS, and is administered through individual states. It is authorized by the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, which says SNAP benefits can be used for any food or food product intended for human consumption, except alcohol, tobacco, and hot foods, including those prepared for immediate consumption.Excluding any foods would require Congress to change the lawor for states to get waivers that would let them restrict purchases, said Katie Bergh, a senior policy analyst for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nonpartisan research group. Over the past 20 years, lawmakers in several states have proposed stopping SNAP from paying for bottled water, soda, chips, ice cream, decorated cakes, and luxury meats like steak.None of those requests have ever been approved under either Republican or Democratic presidents, Bergh said.In the past, Agriculture Department officials rejected the waivers, sayingin a 2007 paperthat no clear standards exist to define foods as good or bad, or healthy or not healthy. In addition, the agency said restrictions would be difficult to implement, complicated, and costly. And they might not change recipients food purchases or reduce conditions such as obesity.Anti-hunger advocates point to research that shows SNAP recipients are no more likely than other low-income Americans to buy sugary drinks or snack foods. And they say that limiting food choices undermines the autonomy and dignity of people who receive, on average, about $187 per monthor about $6.16 per day, according to the latest figures.This is just another way to cut benefits, said Gina Plata-Nino, a deputy director at the Food Research and Action Center, a nonprofit advocacy group. Its like, how do we restrict people more? How do we stigmatize them more?Bills are pending in Congress and in several states to restrict SNAP benefits from paying for soda, candy, and other items.Representative Josh Breechan, an Oklahoma Republican, sponsored the Healthy SNAP Act.If someone wants to buy junk food on their own dime, thats up to them, he said. But what were saying is, dont ask the taxpayer to pay for it and then also expect the taxpayer to pick up the tab for the resulting health consequences.One SNAP recipient said she uses her monthly $291 benefit to buy necessities such as meat, oil, milk, and coffee. Martina Santos, 66, of New York City, supplements those foods with fresh vegetables and fruits from a pantry run by the West Side Campaign Against Hunger, where shes also a volunteer. Because she has diabetes and other health conditions, she said she understands the importance of using the benefits only for nutritious options.For me, SNAP is to be used toward healthy food to get people to avoid all the disease theyre having around right now: obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, Santos said.In Kansas and elsewhere, bills that would ban soft drinks and candy highlight some of the challenges of such changes.Several pending bills seek to keep SNAP from paying for soft drinks, but they would continue to allow drinks containing milk, milk alternatives like soy or almond milk, or drinks with more than 50% vegetable or fruit juice. Candy is characterized as any unrefrigerated, flourless preparation of sugar, honey, or other natural or artificial sweeteners in combination with chocolate, fruits, nuts, or other ingredients or flavorings in the form of bars, drops, or pieces.By that definition, Kit Kat and Twix bars, which contain flour, wouldnt be banned. And juices that contain high amounts of sugar but are more than half fruit juice by volume would be allowed.Such conundrums have stymied changes to the SNAP program for decades. But this moment could be different, said Dr. Anand Parekh, chief medical officer of the Bipartisan Policy Center, a think tank based in Washington, D.C.The momentum behind Kennedys Make America Healthy Again movement could spur a new focus on solutions to poor diets that account for leading risk factors for early disease and death.When we talk about the SNAP program, we have to remind people that the N stands for nutrition, Parekh said. Its about time that both parties can come together and see what are the innovations here to improve diet quality and nutrition.By Jonel Aleccia, AP health writerAssociated Press video journalist Mary Conlon contributed to this report.The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

When looking at options for furniture for their new or current house, people either look at the design and aesthetics while some prefer the more comfortable ones over the ones that would look good in their space. But of course there are those that can probably offer you both so wouldnt you want to have something that looks good in your space and also is pretty comfortable that youd want to use it for a long time?Designer: Mudu StudiosSOLO is a concept for a furniture collection that could offer both comfort and design. The focal point of this collection is the plush upholstery that is seemingly placed on a pedestal because of the materials used. The collection includes an armchair, sofa, and a pouf, all of which feature a soft aesthetic, in contrast to the metal or natural veneer of the base which acts like a pedestal to showcase the luxuriously soft upholstery and textile. This contrast highlights the plushness of the seating while adding a touch of modern sophistication. Accent seams further enhance the visual appeal, adding subtle detailing and contributing to the overall character of the collection.The collections expressive design language allows it to seamlessly integrate into a variety of interior styles, from contemporary minimalist spaces to more eclectic settings. The varied color palette offers a range of options to suit individual preferences and complement existing dcor. A standout feature of the SOLO armchair is its innovative twist mechanism. This thoughtful addition enhances comfort and allows users to easily find their perfect lounging position, further emphasizing the collections focus on relaxation and well-being. This isnt just about aesthetics; its about creating a harmonious balance between form and function. The elevated design not only adds visual interest but also contributes to the overall comfort by providing optimal support. The combination of soft textiles, a sturdy base, and thoughtful features like the twist mechanism in the armchair make SOLO a truly exceptional collection.Alas, the SOLO collection is still a concept and they are currently looking for a manufacturer. But to have something that is visually attractive and seemingly comfortable should make it easy for them to eventually find someone that can make this design a reality. I am now currently dreaming of taking a nap on that sofa or reading a book for hours on that armchair or sitting on that pouf while chatting and drinking with friends. The post Soft furniture concept lets you place comfort on a pedestal first appeared on Yanko Design.

MacworldThe iPhone Mirroring feature appeared with macOS Sequoia and lets you screen share your iPhone on a Mac in a way thats never existed before. Its like running a virtual version of your iPhone right there on the Desktop. However, you may encounter problems getting iPhone Mirroring to work because of the many requirements and settings.Check the requirementsTo use iPhone Mirroring, you need iOS 18 installed on your iPhone as well as Sequoia on your Mac. The Mac must be an Apple silicon model (M-series processor) or a later-generation Intel Mac with a T2 Security Chip. Fortunately, few Intel models that lack that chip can even run Sequoia, so youre unlikely to come across that scenario.You may be in any region except the European Union, where iPhone Mirroring is not supported.Because mirroring leans on Continuity, Apples term for a range of iOS/iPad/macOS integrated features, both your iPhone and Mac have to meet Continuity requirements:The same Apple Account must be signed into.The Apple Account needs to have two-factor authentication enabled.Bluetooth and Wi-Fi must be on.The devices must be near each other. Apple doesnt document that last point, but it uses Bluetooth both for part of the authentication process and for proximity checking.In addition, your iPhone must be locked, though it can be set to useStandBy. Your Mac cant be sharing its internet connection (via System Settings > General > Sharing > Internet Sharing), and may not be actively using AirPlay or Sidecar.Troubleshooting iPhone MirroringYou can run into trouble getting iPhone Mirroring to work if you have a VPN enabled or are using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi for what Apple calls intensive use, like streaming. Disable the VPN or stop streaming and see if it works then.Try resetting iPhone Mirroring settings in the macOS app in iPhone Mirroring > Settings: click Revoke Access toI[Phone name]. Then try connecting again.Revoke access to your iPhone as one step in troubleshooting.As a last resort, restart your Mac and iPhone.Ask Mac 911Weve compiled a list of the questions we get asked most frequently, along with answers and links to columns:read our super FAQto see if your question is covered. If not, were always looking for new problems to solve! Email yours tomac911@macworld.com, including screen captures as appropriate and whether you want your full name used. Not every question will be answered; we dont reply to emails, and we cannot provide direct troubleshooting advice.