ScreenshotThe iPhone 16e is a unique phone for many reasons. The most notable feature, however, is that it includes Apples first-ever cellular modem, the C1. In an interview with Reuters this week, Johny Srouji, Apples Senior Vice President of Hardware Technologies, teased that the C1 is just the start of Apples work in this industry.Meanwhile, Andru Edwards also had the opportunity to tour Apples modem testing labs for a behind-the-scenes look at what went into the development of the new C1 modem.In the Reuters interview, Srouji said:We build a platform for generations. C1 is the start, and were going to keep improving that technology each generation, so that it becomes a platform for us that will be used to truly differentiate this technology for our products.Srouji also said that Apple didnt set out to match the specifications of modems created by other companies like Qualcomm. Instead, the company prioritized meeting the specific needs of Apple products. Were not the merchant vendor to go compete with Qualcomm and MediaTek and others. I believe were building something truly differentiating that our customer will benefit from, he explained.Andrus video offers a fascinating look inside Apples modem testing labs, where the C1 underwent rigorous evaluation before making its way to the iPhone 16e.Andru also got the rundown on a handful of interesting C1 features and considerations in conversations with Srouji and Arun Mathias, Apples VP of wireless software. One of the most interesting tidbits is how the C1 interacts with the A18 chip in the iPhone 16e.For example, in a congested network area, the A18 chip in the iPhone 16e can instruct the C1 modem to dynamically manage traffic, prioritizing your needs in real-time. If youre trying to send a photo or video to someone, for instance, the A18 will tell the C1 to prioritize that network traffic over other data tasks.Additionally, Apple says that the baseband modem in the C1 is manufactured with a 4-nanometer fabrication technology, while the transceiver is made with a 7-nanometer technology. I highly recommend watching Andrus video, which weve embedded below.Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Unelected White House budget slasher and richest man in the world Elon Musk's so-called Department of Government Efficiency has ripped through the federal government like a bull in a china shop.The billionaire's hodge-podge team of underqualified 20-somethings and at least one literal teenager have already ripped up countless government contracts and fired thousands of federal employees only to rehire those who were in charge of nuclear security and protecting the US from a looming bird flu crisis.It's a spectacular level of incompetence that has Americans increasingly furious, as a new Washington Post-Ipsos poll shows.A whopping 49 percent of respondents said they disapproved of the "job that Elon Musk is doing within the federal government," while only 34 approved. The degree of animosity shouldn't be understated either, with 41 percent "strongly" disapproving, while only eight percent "somewhat" disapproved.When asked about Musk shutting down "federal government programs that he decides are unnecessary,"52 percent of all respondents disapproved, while only 26 percent approved.And 63 percent of respondents said they were "concerned" about Musk's DOGE boys "getting access to some federal government databases that have Americans' personal Social Security, Medicare and tax information."Unsurprisingly, the political divide is pretty stark, with 69 percent of respondents who identify as "conservative" approving of the job that Musk is doing, while only seven percent of "liberal" respondents said they approved.Previous polling painted a damning picture of the entrepreneur's popularity, showing that his public support, even among Trump supporters, is dropping precipitously. A The Economist and YouGov poll found earlier this month that a mere 25 percent of Trump voters said that Musk should have "a lot" of influence on the Trump administration compared to 51 percent just days after the election.Even independent voters are becoming concerned about Musk's reckless approach.One independent white woman from Texas said in her response to the WaPo-Ipsos poll that "hiring Elon Musk to gut the government" was the worst thing the president had done. "Elon Musk may be a brilliant man," she said, "but he is not good working with people and does not know what he is doing quite frankly."Conservatives are also concerned about Musk's activities, with 37 percent of Republican-leaning voters saying they were "somewhat" concerned about Musk getting access to their data.A separate poll conducted by CNN, the results of which were released today, found that 54 percent of Americans said that "giving Elon Musk a prominent role in [Trump's] administration" was a "bad thing," while only 28 percent said it was a "good thing."A Pew Research Center survey also corroborates that growing disillusionment, with just over half of US adults saying they have an "unfavorable view of Musk," 36 percent of whom have a "very unfavorable" opinion. Only 11 percent,tellingly, had a "very favorable" view of Musk.The outspoken fury against the billionaire is also dragging down his business interests, with waves of protesters targeting Tesla dealerships around the world. The Washington Post also recently reported that there's growing sentiment among the EV maker's employees that Musk has become "disengaged" from his role as CEO. Some managers even expressed that the company would be better off without him.Indeed, the carmaker is feeling the hurt in large part due to Musk's actions, with year-over-year car sales falling in 2024, despite the global EV market growing 25 percent. Sales are also plummeting across Europe, further highlighting the mercurial entrepreneur's extreme divisiveness.A poll conducted over the President's Day weekend also showed that US voters are becoming less likely to either buy or lease a Tesla.If there's one person who knows very well just how unpopular dismantling the US government could be, it's Musk himself. During an October town hall at his social media platform Twitter-formerly-X, a month before Trump won the election, he said that people would likely be "upset" following his attempts to purportedly "balance the budget immediately.""Ill probably need a lot of security, but its got to be done," he said at the time. "And if its not done, well just go bankrupt."Whether the billionaire will end up being right about that last bit, let alone get anywhere near balancing the budget, remains to be seen.In fact, his reckless approach could prove disastrous for the economy. As University of California professor and former Department of Labor economist Jesse Rothstein argued in a recent post on Bluesky, a massive jolt in unemployment following sweeping layoffs could result in a "deep, deep recession.""Add on to that enormous private market uncertainty how could you hire in these conditions? and this is going to be very, very bad," he added.More on Musk's popularity: Public Support for Elon Musk Is Plummeting, Even Among Trump VotersShare This Article

Feb 21, 2025Ravie LakshmananDark Web / CybercrimeThe threat actors behind the Darcula phishing-as-a-service (PhaaS) platform appear to be readying a new version that allows prospective customers and cyber crooks to clone any brand's legitimate website and create a phishing version, further bringing down the technical expertise required to pull off phishing attacks at scale.The latest iteration of the phishing suite "represents a significant shift in criminal capabilities, reducing the barrier to entry for bad actors to target any brand with complex, customizable phishing campaigns," Netcraft said in a new analysis.The cybersecurity company said it has detected and blocked more than 95,000 new Darcula phishing domains, nearly 31,000 IP addresses, and taken down more than 20,000 fraudulent websites since it was first exposed in late March 2024.The biggest change incorporated into Darcula is the ability for any user to generate a phishing kit for any brand in an on-demand fashion."The new and remastered version is now ready for testing," the core developers behind the service said in a post made on January 19, 2025, in a Telegram channel that has over 1,200 subscribers."Now, you can also customize the front-end yourself. Using darcula-suite, you can complete the production of a front-end in 10 minutes."To do this, all a customer has to do is provide the URL of the brand to be impersonated in a web interface, with the platform employing a browser automation tool like Puppeteer to export the HTML and all required assets.Users can then select the HTML element to replace and inject the phishing content (e.g., payment forms and login fields) such that it matches the look and feel of the branded landing page. The generated phishing page is then uploaded to an admin panel."Like any Software-as-a-Service product, the darcula-suite PhaaS platform provides admin dashboards that make it simple for fraudsters to manage their various campaigns," security researcher Harry Freeborough said."Once generated, these kits are uploaded to another platform where criminals can manage their active campaigns, find extracted data, and monitor their deployed phishing campaigns."Besides featuring dashboards that highlight the aggregated performance statistics of the phishing campaigns, Darcula v3 goes a step further by offering a way to convert the stolen credit card details into a virtual image of the victim's card that can be scanned and added to a digital wallet for illicit purposes. Specifically, the cards are loaded onto burner phones and sold to other criminals.The tool is said to be currently in the internal testing stage. In a follow-up post dated February 10, 2025, the malware author posted the message: "I have been busy these days, so the v3 update will be postponed for a few days."Found this article interesting? Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.SHARE

Feb 21, 2025The Hacker NewsIdentity Security / Threat PreventionIn today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, weak identity security isn't just a flawit's a major risk that can expose your business to breaches and costly downtime. Many organizations are overwhelmed by an excess of user identities and aging systems, making them vulnerable to attacks. Without a strategic plan, these security gaps can quickly turn into expensive liabilities.Join us for "Building Resilient Identity: Reducing Security Debt in 2025" and discover smart, actionable strategies to protect your business against modern cyber threats.This webinar offers you a chance to cut through the complexity of identity security with clear, practical solutions. Our seasoned experts will show you how to detect risks early, optimize your resources, and upgrade your systems to stay ahead of emerging threats.What You'll Learn:Spot Hidden Risks: Uncover how weaknesses in identity security can lead to significant breaches and extra costs.Step-by-Step Solutions: Follow an easy-to-understand roadmap to address and fix critical vulnerabilities.Future-Proof Your Security: Learn how to continuously evolve your security measures to keep hackers at bay.Meet the Experts:Karl Henrik Smith Senior Product Marketing Manager of SecurityAdam Boucher Director of Service Sales for the Public SectorThey will simplify complex security challenges into smart, straightforward actions that you can start using immediately. This is a must-attend event for anyone serious about making informed decisions and building a robust, resilient identity security framework.Register Now to take the first step towards a safer, smarter future. Don't let security gaps jeopardize your businesslearn the proactive, effective strategies that will secure your organization for 2025 and beyond.Found this article interesting? This article is a contributed piece from one of our valued partners. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.SHARE

This is today's edition ofThe Download,our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what's going on in the world of technology. The foundations of Americas prosperity are being dismantled Ever since World War II, the US has been the global leader in science and technologyand benefited immensely from it. Research fuels American innovation and the economy in turn. Scientists around the world want to study in the US and collaborate with American scientists to produce more of that research. These international collaborations play a critical role in American soft power and diplomacy. The products Americans can buy, the drugs they have access to, the diseases theyre at risk of catchingare all directly related to the strength of American research and its connections to the worlds scientists. That scientific leadership is now being dismantled, according to more than 10 federal workers who spoke to MIT Technology Review, as the Trump administration slashes personnel, programs, and agencies. And it could lead to long-lasting, perhaps irreparable damage to everything from the quality of health care to the publics access to next-generation technologies. Read the full story. Karen Hao 8,000 pregnant women may die in just 90 days because of US aid cuts A barrage of actions by the new Trump administration is hitting reproductive care hard for people around the world. On January 20, his first day in office, Trump ordered a 90-day pause in United States foreign development assistance for such programs to be assessed. By January 24, a stop work memo issued by the State Department brought US-funded aid programs around the world to a halt. Recent estimates suggest that more than 8,000 women will die from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth over the next 90 days if the funding is not reinstated. Read our story to get up to date on whats happened. Jessica Hamzelou This story is from The Checkup, our weekly newsletter all about whats going on in health and biotech. Sign up to receive it in your inbox every Thursday. Doctors and patients are calling for more telehealth. Where is it? Doctors in the US are generally allowed to practice medicine only where they have a license. Its a situation that has led to a nonsensical norm: A woman with a rare cancer boarding an airplane, at the risk of her chemotherapy-weakened immune system, to see a specialist thousands of miles away, for example, or a baby with a rare disease whos repeatedly shuttled between Arizona and Massachusetts. The use of telehealth has grown since the pandemic, but there are still significant challenges to it being an option for more people. Read our story to learn what they are, and how they might be overcome. Isabel Ruehl This story is from the next edition of our print magazine, which is all about relationships. Subscribe now to read it and get a copy of the magazine when it lands on February 26! The must-reads Ive combed the internet to find you todays most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology. 1 The USs AI Safety Institute is being gutted As part of mass firings at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. (Wired $)+ NIH grants are still frozen, despite lawsuits challenging Trumps actions. (Nature)2 OpenAI says ChatGPT has over 400 million usersThat must make it one of the most popular tech products ever launched. (CNBC)+ AI is making Silicon Valley startups leaner. (NYT $)+ AI took two days to crack a superbug problem scientists have been working on for years. (BBC)3 Ukraine claims it rigged Russian drone pilot goggles with explosivesMuch like Mossads exploding pagers operation. (FT $)+ Russia is secretly sabotaging Europes undersea cables. (BBC)4 Trumps FTC chief has launched an inquiry into Big Tech censorshipSo much for all that cosying up at the inauguration. (Bloomberg $)+ Meanwhile, Elon Musk says hes going to fix Community Notes on X so it agrees with him. (Gizmodo)5 Figure unveiled new AI software for household robotsAnd, best of all, you can instruct it with your voice. (TechCrunch)+ Why everyones excited about household robots again. (MIT Technology Review)6 We still dont know which animal sparked covid-19But suspicions are starting to alight on racoon dogs. (Nature)+ Meet the scientist at the center of the covid lab leak controversy. (MIT Technology Review)7 How should we feel about chatbots of dead people?Theyre a lot less scary if you think of them as a means for remembrance, rather than companions. (Aeon)+ Technology that lets us speak to our dead relatives has arrived. Are we ready? (MIT Technology Review)8 In-office work is at the highest level since the pandemicLots of workers are heading back in now, whether they like it or not. (WP $)9 How to fight back against scam textsDo not click that link! (Vox)10 Amazon has acquired the James Bond franchiseThe names Bezos. Jeffrey Bezos. (The Guardian)Quote of the day What a lie. And from someone who complains about lack of honesty from the mainstream media. Danish astronaut Andreas Andy Mogensen criticizes Elon Musks claim that former president Joe Biden intentionally abandoned two American astronauts aboard the International Space Station, the Guardian reports. The big story Bright LEDs could spell the end of dark skies ADAM SCHMID/GETTY IMAGES August 2022 Scientists have known for years that light pollution is growing and can harm both humans and wildlife. In people, increased exposure to light at night disrupts sleep cycles and has been linked to cancer and cardiovascular disease, while wildlife suffers from interruption to their reproductive patterns, and increased danger. Astronomers, policymakers, and lighting professionals are all working to find ways to reduce light pollution. Many of them advocate installing light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, in outdoor fixtures such as city streetlights, mainly for their ability to direct light to a targeted area. But the high initial investment and durability of modern LEDs mean cities need to get the transition right the first time or potentially face decades of consequences. Read the full story. Shel Evergreen We can still have nice things A place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or skeet 'em at me.) + I thoroughly enjoyed this food critics mic-dropping finalcolumn. + The simplest cocktails are often thebest.+ Check outPikaswaps: fun filters, boosted with generative AI.+ Sometimes I really missScottish Twitter.

2023 Serpentine Pavilion designer was unanimous favourite among shortlist of big names including David ChipperfieldLina Ghotmeh has clinched the job to redesign a third of the British Museums galleries following an international competitionLina Ghotmeh Architecture has been announced as the winner of an international competition to redesign a third of the British Museums galleries, including the space which houses the Elgin Marbles.Practice founder Lina Ghotmeh, the designer of the 2023 Serpentine Pavilion, triumphed over a host of big names to win the prestigious commission, including David Chipperfield Architects and Eric Parry.The Lebanese born and Paris-based architect, a rising star in the global architectural circles, emerged as the unanimous favourite in the second stage of the competition, the museum said.Ghotmeh's proposals for the Western Range1/4show captionShe is said to have impressed judges with her deep understanding and sensitivity towards the Bloomsbury museums buildings and the complexity of how diverse visitor groups interact with its collections.Ghotmehs vision is also said to have resonated with the judging panel because of her archeological approach to architectural design.She is said to have likened each new project to an archaeological dig, looking at a buildings past to support the reimagination and story of its future, with sustainability at its heart and a close observance to the use of natural materials.The panel felt this sentiment resonated with the Museums collection which spans two million years of human history.The competition win follows a string of high profile projects designed by Ghotmeh, who was nominated for the Mies Van der Rohe Award in 2017, including the recently completed Herms Leather Workshop in Normandy and the Estonian National Museum in Tartu.British Museum chairman George Osborne, the former chancellor under David Cameron who became chair of the museum in 2021, said: We set out to find the best and I believe weve found her.In Lina Ghotmeh we have an architect who combines a deep sensitivity to the history of our great collection while being a voice for the future, he said.We had many outstanding entries and I thank the other practices for all their hard work but I can say as chair of the judging panel, she was the standout winner.Osborne said Ghotmehs design ideas had excited and enthused the trustees, adding that he believes they will produce a similar effect on visitors as the museums original buildings did when they were first opened in the early 19th century.The museums director Nicholas Cullinan described Ghotmeh as an architect of extraordinary grace and gravitas.Lina Ghotmeh and Nicholas Cullinan in the Western RangeHer teams proposals demonstrated an exceptional and materially sensitive architectural vision for the British Museum, and their archaeological approach clearly understood the ambition for this project to be as much an intellectual transformation as an architectural one, he said.Ghotmeh said: My team and I are thrilled to embark on this journey for the renovation of the Western Range of the British Museum. This competition has been an exciting process shaped by dialogue and multiple voices. I am looking forward to continuing this rich and collaborative process as we work towards transforming this section of the museum into an extraordinary space a place of connections for the world and of the world.Four other teams were shortlisted in the second stage of the competition, led by practices Eric Parry and Jamie Fobert Architects, David Chipperfield Architects, 6a Architects and OMA.

Source: Chris DaltonSource: Chris DaltonSource: Chris DaltonSource: Chris DaltonSource: Chris DaltonSource: Chris DaltonSource: Chris DaltonSource: Chris Dalton1/8show captionZaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) has completed the conversion of Palazzo Capponi in Rome into a luxury hotel. Located on Via di Ripetta, near Piazza del Popolo, the 16th-century building has undergone significant restoration and adaptation, introducing contemporary architectural interventions while responding to the sites complex history.The design, led by ZHA director Paola Cattarin, draws on Romes tradition of layered architectural history, in which Baroque and Renaissance structures were built atop their Roman predecessors. It was one of the last projects that Zaha Hadid was directly involved before her death in 2016.The hotel contains 74 bedrooms and suites.The project takes inspiration from Romes masonry vaults, reinterpreting their structural forms to create new spatial configurations throughout the building. Vaults appear in various forms across the hotels interiors, with ZHA applying its characteristic free-flowing geometries to ceilings, walls, and furniture.Materials include Macassar ebony, Nero Marquina marble, and Carrara Statuarietto marble. Some suites on the piano nobile incorporate restored 17th-century frescoes, while upper-floor rooms have private terraces with views over the city.Source: Chris DaltonSource: Chris DaltonSource: Chris DaltonSource: Chris DaltonSource: Chris Dalton1/5show captionPalazzo Capponi has undergone multiple alterations throughout its history, including substantial modifications during the mid-20th century when it was occupied by Italys National Institute for Assistance of Accidents at Work (INAIL). The existing fabric required extensive structural reinforcement, with surveys revealing the need for substantial stabilisation.Due to heritage protection requirements, mechanical and electrical services could not be embedded within the original walls. Instead, a secondary internal skin has been installed throughout the building, creating a narrow cavity to house services while preserving the structure.Source: Chris DaltonA previously undocumented Roman bottega (workshop) was discovered during excavation worksDuring excavation works for the hotels garden, a previously undocumented Roman bottega (workshop) was discovered, featuring stonework dating back approximately 2,000 years. In response, a 90 sq. m subterranean gallery was created beneath the garden to preserve the remains. A glazed ceiling allows visitors to view the site from above, forming the base of the hotels swimming pool.Project teamArchitect: Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA)Design: Zaha Hadid and Patrik SchumacherStructural Engineers: Studio Beta srlMEP Consultants: Spring srlLighting: Corte Gherardi sncWater Features: Fluidra Engineering SluSpecial Structures: EOSS ArchitetturaInterior Furnishings: ARTE+PARTNERS-BRAGA spa, Barretta srl, Devoto Design srlConstruction Company: Mannelli Costruzioni srl, Ga.Re.Co. srl

Amazon is expected to announce a major artificial intelligence upgrade for itsvoice assistant Alexanext week, which could change how we interact with this popular piece ofsmart home tech. Amazon sent out media invites for a Feb. 26 event in New York City, and Amazon's Devices and Services team lead Panos Panay is scheduled to speak.Panay joined Amazon in 2023 after spending decades at Microsoft, where he helped shape the Surface product line.The event is expected to preview Alexa's long-rumored generative AI voice capabilities, which could significantly enhance its ability to engage in more natural, contextual conversations and complete multistep tasks.If announced, this would mark Alexa's most significant evolution since its debut in 2014. Although Amazon has long been a leader in the AI assistant space, the landscape is rapidly shifting. Companies like OpenAI, Google and Anthropic are rolling out increasingly sophisticated AI assistants capable of multitasking and completing complex requests.Alexa currently processes one command at a time. Last month, OpenAI introduced a new AI agent called Operator, which aims to handle everyday tasks like making dinner reservations, ordering groceries and filling out forms. Amazon told CNET that the event will highlight the latest innovations from the Alexa team but did not provide further details.With more than half a billion Alexa-enabled devices in homes worldwide, a generative AI upgrade could reshape how users interact with voice assistants, and potentially introduce a paid tier for more advanced capabilities. Reuters reported that Amazon has considered charging between $5 and $10 per month for the service, while keeping the original version of Alexa free.Apple is also rumored to ramp up its smart home efforts with a Siri-powered, wall-mounted display designed to control household devices such as thermostats, lights and appliances.Predicted to launch in March, the device is expected to be part of Apple's push to compete more aggressively in the smart home market, where it has historically trailed Google and Amazon.

Apple's $599 iPhone 16E is the cheapest new phone that the company's released in years. Its debut Wednesday showcases a big rethink to how Apple presents itself for value-oriented shoppers.On one hand, Apple's created a device that's built to last for years by including the same A18 processor that's shipping in the $799 iPhone 16. The device's similarities to the iPhone 16 don't end there, with a similar display size, screen resolution, a USB-C port and front-facing camera. While there are some obvious differences -- a single rear 48-megapixel main camera and the lack of a Dynamic Island notch -- plenty of shoppers might otherwise decide that these trade-offs are more than worth the "$200 discount" from the iPhone 16.Yet there are a number of areas where the iPhone 16E falls short of my expectations, at least on paper, like where is MagSafe? I'm looking forward to trying out the iPhone 16E, but based on Wednesday's announcement, these are my early thoughts on what Apple's getting right with the iPhone 16E and what decisions the company's made that confuse me. Watch this: The iPhone 16E Has Arrived 05:08 Pro: All of Apple's new iOS 18 features for $200 LessApple Intelligence is clearly a major focus for the iPhone 16E, and the A18 processor's inclusion allows for the new phone to be a compelling rival to similarly priced Android options with their own AI features like the $499 Google Pixel 8A, $600 OnePlus 13R and $650 Samsung Galaxy S24 FE.All of these devices tout a similar value: An entry-level phone that lacks certain hardware features to maximize the software experience and new AI features.On paper, this means that the iPhone 16E will not only be capable of the full Apple Intelligence suite -- encompassing GenMoji, text editing and ChatGPT integration -- but also able to run more complex games like Death Stranding and Resident Evil 4 Remake that are otherwise exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and later. The iPhone 16E includes Apple Intelligence features like this integration with ChatGPT. Apple/CNETCon: Apple's iPhone 16E is more expensive than the iPhone SEThe iPhone 16E seems like a fantastic value: you're getting a scaled-down version of the iPhone 16 that costs $200 less. But when the $429 iPhone SE arrived in 2022, customers saved a whopping $300 compared with the $729 iPhone 13 Mini.To be fair, the iPhone SE for that year was quite a different phone from the iPhone 13 Mini, but it gave customers an option to buy an iPhone for under $500. A smaller LED display, home button and single camera were trade-offs that likely appealed to someone who just wanted any new iPhone.Even though the iPhone 16E is closer to the base iPhone 16, $599 still represents a much heftier entry-level price than $429. That alone might drive people to upgrade their iPhone SE from 2020 or 2022 to a used or refurbished device. For instance, a refurbished iPhone 15 on Amazon can be easily found for roughly $570, and it has a second camera (ultrawide) and Dynamic Island despite lacking Apple Intelligence and running on the A16 Bionic chip that debuted in 2022 on the iPhone 14 Pro. The iPhone 16E includes a USB-C port. Apple/Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNETPro: The USB-C switch from Lightning might be a pain, but it's worth itThe iPhone 16E's most-intended audience is likely existing iPhone SE owners and anyone with an iPhone 11 or earlier. And for those considering this iPhone 16E, you'll have to switch your charging cables from Lightning to USB-C though the phone comes with a new USB- to USB-C cable.Look, everyone hates replacing their power cables, but the change to USB-C will impact anyone who hasn't already done so.For instance, if your laptop or tablet already uses a USB-C cable to charge, now you can use the same cable for your iPhone. And if you are switching to a USB-C power adapter from the older USB-A power block that Apple used to sell with its phones, you'll get 20-watt wired charging speeds that will be four times faster than what the 5-watt adapter was capable of providing. The iPhone 16E does not include MagSafe support for magnetic accessories, but it does have Qi wireless charging. AppleCon: Apple's iPhone 16E's MagSafe exclusion makes no senseApple's MagSafe wireless charging is a fantastic feature that's even more widespread thanks to Qi2 magnetic accessories that are hitting the market. Every major iPhone release since 2020 -- barring the iPhone SE -- has included MagSafe wireless charging that makes the iPhone natively compatible with magnetic docks, cases and wallets.Unfortunately, MagSafe got the chop on the iPhone 16E, and I find it completely shocking. Apple's not even selling a magnetic case to help make up for the omission, whereas Samsung and OnePlus offer first-party magnetic cases for compatibility. Apple's been referring to wireless charging and MagSafe interchangeably for years, and it's strange to see a device capable of Apple Intelligence but not capable of magnetic wireless charging.This does not mean that the iPhone 16E won't work with magnetic accessories. But it does mean you'll need a third-party case that supports magnetic accessories. Apple also announced that the iPhone 16E will be limited to 7.5-watt wireless charging speeds, which is much slower than the 25-watt speeds we're seeing on the iPhone 16 through MagSafe. Graphic detailing various iPhone 16E features. ApplePro: Satellite connectivity's now an entry-level perkApple's iPhone 16E's sleeper best feature might be its satellite connectivity. And while the feature has been available since the iPhone 14, it's new for prior iPhone SE owners making the jump.While it debuted initially for emergency services only, the iPhone's satellite connectivity now allows for standard texting whenever you lose phone signal. This feature became particularly relevant during the Los Angeles wildfires, during which a number of additional satellite services kicked in to help people stay connected in areas where cellular service was affected.But it also comes in clutch in less dire circumstances. For instance, my colleague David Lumb was able to text from a remote hike in Hawaii where cellular service did not exist. The iPhone 16E includes the company's new in-house modem for 5G connectivity. Apple/CNETCon: Apple's iPhone 16E won't work with the fastest 5G bandsWhile Apple's making a point to tout its new C1 modem as the "most power-efficient" that's ever been in an iPhone, it lacks compatibility with the faster millimeter-wave 5G bands that are available in certain major cities and venues.Whether this will matter depends on the kind of cellular plan you are signed up for, as well as your proximity to an area of the country that has this kind of 5G. If you are considering an upgrade from an iPhone 12 or later, this might be a step back in terms of functionality. But if you upgrade from any iPhone SE, this will matter less because the 2022 iPhone SE also did not include support for 5G millimeter-wave.I'm surprised that ultra-fast 5G support is an area that Apple cut a corner on when similarly shaped iPhone models have included this for years. But it might most have to do with wanting a device that can debut its first in-house 5G modem, which the Wall Street Journal reports took several years to develop. Other cheaper Android phones also omit 5G millimeter-wave support, so it's not unheard of among devices in this price range. The A18 processor inside of the iPhone 16E will power Apple Intelligence as well as intensive games. Apple/Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNETWhile there are areas where I wish Apple provided more value for this new entry-level iPhone, it's likely that the upcoming phone will offer plenty of perks for its $599 price. In the meantime, you can check out more iPhone 16E information, including our first take, our thoughts on who the device is for, how the iPhone 16E signals Apple's AI plans, everything Apple killed about phones with the iPhone 16E's launch and how the device's launch could be the company's most important. Apple's New iPhone 16E in 8 Photos See all photos

OpinionFebruary 21, 20254 min readWhyOw! Needs Absolutely No TranslationThe sounds we make during emotional moments or when experiencing pain may not be arbitraryBy Katarzyna Pisanski, Aitana Garca Arasco & Maa Ponsonnet edited by Daisy Yuhas Alashi/Getty ImagesImagine youve just slammed a door on your finger. More often than not, this sudden jolt of pain elicits a vocal response. Maybe you exclaim ouch! or let out a cry or loud groan. But do the sounds we make in such moments differ across cultures?Humans are remarkably vocally expressive. We not only speak but also giggle, moan, sob or screamsounds that scientists call nonlinguistic vocalizations. Further, our species uses interjections to express emotions. These are standalone words, such as ouch or wow, that dont combine grammatically with other words.Emotional vocalizations and interjections have been observed in every human culture studied to date. Yet scientists still know extremely little about how these sounds might vary across the globe or why they might do so. In our recent research, we tackled this question by focusing on the vowel sounds in vocal expressions of pain, disgust and joy across more than 130 of the worlds languages. We wanted to test whether the interjections and vocalizations that express these emotions consistently contain the same kinds of vowels across disparate cultures and languages. What we found could offer clues into the evolutionary history of language and vocal communication.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.The central idea guiding our work was that the sounds people make are not arbitrary. Instead we suspect these sounds have evolved to support their communicative functions. For example, pain cries are often loud, high-pitched and harsh to grab the attention of listeners and elicit aid. They are also often produced with a wide-open mouth, which basically forces the vocalizer to produce an [a]-like vowel sound (as in cat). Give it a try. See if you can say ski or knee with a wide-open mouth. Youll find its nearly impossible to produce these kinds of [i]-like vowels with your jaws so far apart! Instead [i]-like vowels will more readily arise when we adjust our lips, tongue and jaws into a smile.In line with the idea that certain sounds may coincide with particular emotions, researchers have found that words may likewise link particular vowel sounds with certain experiences or perceptual associations. For example, people across several languages have a tendency to link smiley [i] vowels with positive, bright things.To build on these ideas, we decided to explore the possibility that vocalizations and interjections linked to emotional experiences contain specific vowels for pain, joy and disgust. In addition to predicting that pain interjections would contain a high number of [a] vowels, we predicted that joy would have an overrepresentation of smiley [i] vowels. For disgust, we expected a higher proportion of what are called schwa-like vowels, such as in uh, that a person might produce when grimacing or gagging.To test our predictions, we first collected more than 600 pain, disgust and joy interjections from dictionaries spanning 131 languages across Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and Latin America. We also used large language databases to collect thousands of words from those same languages. Then we statistically compared the proportions of different vowels in emotional interjections to those in the general lexicon of each language.As a second step, we asked English, Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish and Turkish speakers to produce sounds without using words to express pain, disgust and joy. With acoustic analysis, we determined the vowels in each of these 375 recorded vocalizations by measuring the resonances of the vocal tract, or the part of the airway that is used to produce speech, in each vocalization. (Because these resonances differ in predictable ways from vowel to vowel, measuring them can tell us which vowel is being produced when a person vocalizes.)Our results revealed that across the globeas predictedpain interjections have a much higher than expected proportion of [a]-like single vowels and diphthongs (when two vowels glide together, such as in ay or ow). Joy and disgust interjections did not show robust vowel patterns that were consistent across cultures, however.But when we put aside the interjections and looked more broadly at nonlinguistic vocalizations, we found specific vowel signatures for every emotion. As predicted, pain cries had more open [a]-like vowels, expressions of joy had more [i]-like vowels, and expressions of disgust had more schwa-like central vowels, such as in uh.Our work hints that most humans may turn to certain sounds to communicate specific emotional experiencesbut pain, in our study, stands apart for inducing the same vowel patterns across cultures, whether people produce noises or interjections. This suggests that pain interjections may have originated from nonlinguistic vocalizations. These findings also support the idea that some words may not have originated in totally arbitrary or random ways. Rather, to some extent, they may have acoustic forms that reflect their meaning or communicative function.Research on nonlinguistic vocalizations and interjections is still remarkably limited, especially work that explores comparisons across cultures and languages. These results are just a first step in what we hope is a long line of inquiry into form-function relationships in human vocal behavior, with the aim to shed new light on the origins of vocal communication and ultimately language. In the meantime, rest assured that if you hurt your finger and shout in response, most peopleregardless of culture or languagewill understand.Are you a scientist who specializes in neuroscience, cognitive science or psychology? And have you read a recent peer-reviewed paper that you would like to write about for Mind Matters? Please send suggestions to Scientific Americans Mind Matters editor Daisy Yuhas at dyuhas@sciam.com.This is an opinion and analysis article, and the views expressed by the author or authors are not necessarily those of Scientific American.