Matthew Miller/ZDNETI spent a couple of weeks with the OnePlus Watch 3, and it's clear that OnePlus took customer feedback to heart. The battery life is better, the rotating crown makes navigation easier, and the design caters to fans of larger watches. If size weren't a factor, this might be my new go-to Wear OS smartwatch.That said, a few software updates are still needed to iron out some issues. In fact, the launch was delayed by a couple of months due to a spelling error on the back panel.Also:The best Android smartwatches you can buy: Expert testedMeanwhile, it's been about six months since Google released the Pixel Watch 3, a minimalist smartwatch that keeps improving with regular updates. When it comes to software, nothing I've tested beats the Pixel Watch 3 -- and with two size options, it's a great fit for everyone. Both of these third-gen Android smartwatches are excellent, so let's break down why you might pick one over the other. Specifications OnePlus Watch 3Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm)Display 1.5-inch AMOLED LTPO, Sapphire Crystal 320ppi AMOLED LTPO, Gorilla Glass 5 Weight 49.7g (w/o strap) 37g (w/o strap) Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Storage32GB32GBBattery life5 days (120 hours)24 hours, 36 hours with battery saver modeDurabilityIP68, 5ATM, MIL-STD-810HIP68, 5ATMConnectivityBluetooth 5.2, WiFiBluetooth 5.3, WiFi, 4G LTEPriceStarting at $329.99Starting at $399.99 You should buy the OnePlus Watch 3 if... Matthew Miller/ZDNET 1. You want the longest battery life in a smartwatch OnePlus claims the Watch 3 lasts up to five days (or 120 hours) on a single charge, and in my experience, that holds true -- I've only needed to charge it once a week. On top of that, it supports fast charging, so just 10 minutes plugged in gives you a full day of battery life. Also:My new favorite Android smartwatch outperforms Google and Samsung in a crucial wayBattery life can stretch even further with power-saving mode, but in my testing, I left it in smart mode while running and rowing about three times a week. OnePlus provides detailed battery life estimates based on factors like wireless status, message frequency, and exercise tracking, so be sure to check the product page for specifics. Still, it's refreshing to move beyond the typical one- to two-day battery cycle -- thanks to a large-capacity battery, silicon-carbon technology, and a dual-OS architecture. 2. You want a durable smartwatch The Pixel Watch 3 is a sleek, minimalist smartwatch, but its design is dominated by curved glass that leaves the display exposed. In contrast, the OnePlus Watch 3 is built like a tank, featuring a sapphire crystal face with an 8+ rating on the Mohs hardness scale, a stainless steel case with a titanium bezel, IP68 dust and water resistance, a 50m water pressure rating, and MIL-STD-810H certification.The included rugged silicone band adds to its durability, with a substantial thickness and a stainless steel clasp that keeps it securely in place. Plus, the large rotating digital crown makes navigation easyeven when wearing gloves. 3. Basic health and wellness data is all you need GPS accuracy is excellent, and the heart rate sensor performs reliably in most conditions. The OnePlus Watch 3 supports a wide range of sports, even offering advanced metrics for some activities. However, you can't customize the data screens during workouts, so you're limited to the information OnePlus chooses to display. Also: I've tested dozens of smartwatches, but the Oura Ring 4 was first to show me I'm sickThe OHealth smartphone app provides post-workout insights, including running dynamics, but its home screen isn't customizable. Some tiles appear empty, and you can't arrange data for quick, glanceable access. That said, if you're looking for accurate tracking and a solid set of basic features, the OnePlus Watch 3 could be a great fit. You should buy the Google Pixel Watch 3 if... Matthew Miller/ZDNET 1. You want the best software experience While the OnePlus Watch 3 runs the latest version of Wear OS, some apps are simply more functional on the Pixel Watch 3. Take Google Home, for exampleon the Pixel Watch 3, you can connect to your cameras and view live video feeds. On the OnePlus Watch 3, the same app just redirects you to open Google Home on your phone. Also:This Android smartwatch made me consider switching to Google PixelThe Pixel Watch 3 also offers deep Fitbit integration and is optimized for runners, with dynamic coaching features that help you reach your goals using just the watch. It tracks advanced health and wellness metrics, and the overall software experience feels more polished. Plus, as a Google product, the Pixel Watch 3 is guaranteed to receive more frequent software updates. 2. You want LTE and connected safety features One of the standout features of the Pixel Watch 3 -- even surpassing the Apple Watch in this areais its focus on safety. The Safety Check feature lets you set a check-in timer when moving from point A to B, ensuring your emergency contacts are notified if something goes wrong. Best of all, you don't need a cellular plan to use these connected safety features. The watch also includes SOS alerts and emergency detection for falls and car crashes, similar to Apple's offerings. The Pixel Watch 3 also incorporates LTE support so you can pay a minimal fee to your carrier and leave your smartphone behind as you workout and still stay connected. There are rumors that a future OnePlus Watch may include LTE support. 3. You need emergency services and no one is around At Google's launch event last fall, the company showcased its Loss of Pulse Detection feature, and I spent time speaking with doctors about how it works. This technology feels especially personal to me -- five years ago, my father suffered a cardiac arrest while sitting in his recliner. His wife didn't find him for at least 15 minutes, and by then, it was too late. Also: Your Google Pixel Watch 3 is about to get a life-saving update - for freeThe Loss of Pulse DetectionGoogle uses advanced algorithms to be able to detect if a watch was removed on purpose or if the person wearing it is in a trauma state. I look forward to hearing stories of lives saved by Google with this feature. 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Clean and shiny lightbulb with Brazil as a glowing wire.gettyElectricity theft is a staggering global crisis, siphoning off an estimated $100 billion annually, disrupting energy markets, and straining already overburdened power grids. The scale of non-technical losses varies widely across regions: Brazil recorded an NTL index of 5%, costing the nation over $2.4 billion in 2015; India loses approximately $4.5 billion annually, with losses ranging from 10% to 40% of total revenue; and European Union countries experience losses between 2% and 10% per year, according to the 2023 Electrical Power Research Journal article. Power plant losses continue to be an issue in many parts of the developing world.These losses are exacerbated by factors such as high unemployment, economic recessions, soaring energy costs, and low human development indices, all of which create fertile ground for electricity theft. Whether through sophisticated cyberattacks on power grids in developed nations or unauthorized connections in underserved communities, energy theft is a multifaceted issue that demands urgent solutions. However, several countries have successfully implemented strategies to curb electricity theftoffering critical lessons and proven models for policymakers and utility companies worldwide.Brazil's Electricity Theft Solutions: A Proven ModelA web of electrical wires on a pole, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Paulo Fridman/Corbis via Getty ... [+] Images)Corbis via Getty ImagesBrazils Luz para Todos (Light for All) program, launched in 2003, has emerged as a powerful blueprint for reducing electricity theft while addressing a profound social issue: energy exclusion. In rural and underserved communities, the high upfront costs of connecting to the grid left many with no option but to resort to illegal electricity connections. The program broke this cycle by making legal access to electricity free for those in extreme poverty, shifting the paradigm from a demand-driven model to one where electricity access was seen as a public right, not a market commodity. With a $5.7 billion investment, approximately 72% of the programs funding came from the Reserva Global de Reverso (RGR) and the Conta de Desenvolvimento Energtico, both of which were supported by tariffs paid by all electricity consumers. The remaining 28% was funded by federal states, municipalities, and power supply companies. In areas with the lowest electrification rates, up to 90% of the investment was subsidized, lifting the financial burden from local utilities. The result was profound: over 3.4 million new connections and access to electricity for 15 million people, 68% more than the initial target, effectively reducing the need for illegal connections and fostering legal electricity use.With the infrastructure subsidization and shifting the financial burden across the sector, the Luz para Todos program provided a scalable and sustainable model for rural electrification. Notably, the program did not require consumers to pay upfront charges, making it accessible to even the poorest communities. The programs success offers a clear roadmap for other countries, particularly those in regions with high infrastructure costs and low electrification rates. This model demonstrates the efficacy of sector-wide tariffs, which enable government and industry funds to cover grid expansion while ensuring electricity access for all, regardless of income. Additionally, the model is adaptable to the integration of renewable energy sources, particularly in remote and hard-to-reach areas. Brazils success in universalizing electricity access not only highlights the transformative power of targeted subsidies and collaborative funding but also offers a replicable framework that can help other nations tackle both energy exclusion and theft.Electricity Subsidies: Bridging the Gap Between Theft and AccessibilityNight view of Avenida Vinte e Trs de Maio at the Anhangaba region, with a view in the background ... [+] to Praa da Bandeira, downtown So Paulo.gettyThe 2024 report Shedding Light on the Impacts of a Social Electricity Subsidy in Brazil, provides a comprehensive look at the Social Electricity Tariff Program, which is designed to help low-income families in Brazil reduce their energy bills. As Brazil is the largest energy consumer in South America, accounting for 36% of the region's total energy consumption, the program aims to alleviate financial burdens for vulnerable populations. Families eligible for the subsidy must meet specific criteria, such as earning less than half the minimum wage (US$ 143.75) per capita, having elderly or disabled members receiving government financial support, or requiring electricity for medical treatments. The program has been operational since 2010, but in January 2022, Law No. 14,203 streamlined the enrollment process, automatically enrolling qualifying families to reduce the barriers of time and documentation costs. As of 2022, this reform aimed to include over 11.5 million families.The subsidies are financed through the Energy Development Account referred to as CDE is supported by contributions from electricity distributors. The CDE not only funds the social tariff program but also initiatives aimed at electricity universalization and alternative energy sources. Consumers included in the program are exempt from certain energy costs, such as those associated with the Incentive Program for Alternative Sources of Electricity (Proinfa), benefiting both low-income households and electricity providers. According to the report, the social tariff accounted for 30.5% of all subsidies in the analyzed states, with the share of the electricity bill funded by the tariff varying between 0.23% and 1.01% from 2018 to 2022.While the program has grown in scope and accessibility, it operates in a challenging environment where electricity theft remains a significant problem. According to the 2023 article Fairness in the Favelas, Brazil experiences a rate of energy theft of approximately 15%, with this figure rising dramatically in the northern regions of the country, where theft can exceed 50%. In 2020 alone, the costs associated with electricity theft amounted to USD 1.23 million, which strains the overall energy infrastructure and increases costs for legitimate consumers. The prevalence of theft presents a notable hurdle in ensuring that the benefits of the Social Electricity Tariff Program reach those who need it most, as it inflates overall electricity costs.Powering Equity: Social Electricity TariffThe subsidy itself operates through a staggered discount system based on monthly consumption. Indigenous and quilombola families receive a 100% discount if their monthly consumption does not exceed 50 kWh, a 40% discount if consumption is between 51 kWh and 100 kWh, and a 10% discount for consumption between 101 kWh and 220 kWh. For non-indigenous or quilombola families, the largest discount of 65% applies if consumption is up to 30 kWh. Families exceeding these thresholds receive progressively smaller discounts, which are consistent across all family types.According to a technical note from the Plis Institute, the average consumption of families benefiting from the program was 130 kWh between 2020 and 2022, compared to 120 kWh between 2017 and 2019. In the first half of 2024, this figure had risen to 150 kWh per month, indicating an upward trend in energy use among subsidized families.Despite these advances, a major barrier remains: the lack of registration and information among eligible families. Before 2022, only 65% of eligible families were registered for the subsidy. However, the automatic enrollment implemented in 2022 has significantly improved this, ensuring more families benefit from the program without the additional financial and administrative burden.The Social Electricity Tariff Program has proven to be a vital mechanism for alleviating energy costs for Brazils low-income households. With automatic enrollment now in place, the subsidy is more accessible than ever.Brazils Framework for Tackling Electricity Theft: A Global BlueprintFramework to solve electricity theftgettyThe battle against electricity theft requires both a concerted global effort and a targeted approach to universal access. Brazils Luz para Todos program and the Social Electricity Tariff Program demonstrate the effectiveness of integrating subsidies, public-private partnerships, and renewable energy solutions. The 5 point strategic framework which can be modeled is highlighted below:Universal Access to ElectricityPrioritize affordable and legal electricity access for underserved communities.Subsidize Electricity Infrastructure CostsUse tariffs from broader electricity consumption to fund grid expansion and support low-income households.Implement Social Tariffs to Reduce TheftOffer discounts for low-income families to make electricity more affordable while minimizing illegal connections.Promote Renewable Energy IntegrationUtilize renewable energy sources, particularly in remote areas, to reduce dependency on traditional grids.Foster Public-Private PartnershipsEncourage collaboration between governments, utilities, and international organizations to fund and sustain anti-theft programs.As countries continue to face the pressures of electricity theft, Brazils model offers valuable insights that can be adapted globally to reduce theft and promote electricity access. Stay tuned for our next article, which will explore how Colombia has modeled its efforts to reduce electricity theft and how it can be adopted.For further insights, check out: 1. Electricity Theft: Economic Burden and Sustainability Risks 2. Power Plant Losses and AI: Tackling Inefficiencies for Sustainability 3. The Economic And Social Dimensions Of Electricity Theft

The man's remains were found resting in a bed in a Herculaneum building. His head can be seen at ... [+] right.Pier Paolo PetroneAlmost 1,950 years after Mt. Vesuvius erupted leaving a trail of death and destruction thats enthralled scientists and historians for centuries fossilized human remains continue to illuminate the catastrophes horrific toll.Scientists have already concluded that the fast-moving river of scalding ash, lava and gas that flowed downhill boiled victims blood and caused their skulls to explode. Now, Italian researchers say theyve figured out how the overwhelming heat from the volcanic blast likely caused natural organic glass to form in one persons brain. And they say what happened to him could have safety implications for today.Wait, back that up. Glass formed in the human brain? Yes, say the researchers, who detail their findings in a new study published Thursday in the pyroclastic flow deposits in Herculaneum, a Roman town buried by 20 feet of ash when Vesuvius erupted in 79 CE. Inside his skull, they discovered shiny dark gray and black fragments that looked a lot like the volcanic glass obsidian. The discovery stunned them, prompting further investigation.How Did The Glass Form?As shocking and strange as the presence of glass in the mans brain may be, the teams research led them to an explanation that follows familiar principles. Glass forms when sand and/or rocks are heated at high temperatures, melting and losing their crystalline structure. As the mixture cools, it solidifies into a new form.The Vesuvius researchers conclude that the victims body underwent a similar process when a superheated but short-lived ash cloud enveloped Herculaneum, leaving structures intact but killing residents by the thousands in the first deadly event following the eruption. One unlucky inhabitant who found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time was the man with the glass brain.The scientists suggest that the ash cloud quickly elevated his body above 950 degrees Fahrenheit before it rapidly cooled to ambient temperatures as the cloud dissipated. The young man didnt have sand or rock in him, but his soft, water-rich brain tissue hardened much like those materials do when converted to glass.Brain tissue would be expected to burn in such extreme heat. However, the thick bones of this particular mans skull and spine likely protected his brain from completely burning, the researchers say. That allowed the brain tissue, though damaged and disaggregated, to heat and then cool, forming the unique organic glass.The brain tissue studied here is the only known case of preserved vitrification of human tissue as a result of cooling after heating to very high temperatures, reads the study led by Roma Tre University geologist Guido Giordano.A fragment of the organic glass found inside the skull of a Mt. Vesuvius victim in Herculaneum. Pier Paolo PetroneSoft tissue turned to glass marks a strange and striking find, all the more so because the conversion to glass, a process known as vitrification, rarely happens in nature. This man, of course, faced highly unusual and specific conditions.To learn more about how the fragments formed and remained preserved, the researchers analyzed them using X-rays and electron microscopy, exposing them to varying temperatures to see how they behaved.It is amazing to see preserved the microscopic neural structures of an ancient brain, Giordano said in an interview.Critics Arent ConvincedThe victims carbonized body was first discovered in the 1960s lying on a wooden bed buried beneath volcanic ash at the Collegium Augustalium, a public building dedicated to the worship of Emperor Augustus where the young man likely served as a guard. But it wasnt until decades later, in 2020, that a team observed and described irregularly shaped pieces within his skull, the same group that recently reconstructed the sequence of events leading to the young mans death.Critics including archaeologists and chemists have questioned whether the dark shards found in the victims skull were in fact brain tissue. In a study published in 2020 in the journal Science & Technology of Archaeological Research,Still, every skeleton uncovered in Herculaneum and Pompeii offers a powerful glimpse into the personal tragedies of that day, reminding us that history is made up of real people with their own aspirations, hardships and fates.The cataclysm was an unimaginable situation of human loss and destruction. We still want to know the human side of that story, said University of Kentucky computer science professor Brent Seales. Seales is co-founder of the Vesuvius Challenge, an international contest that taps machine learning and computer vision to decipher the contents of scrolls burned in the eruption.But while the man whose brain allegedly turned to glass adds to our understanding of the past, he could have lessons for today, Giordano said.In active volcanic areas, while it is essential to evacuate all people possibly in the way of pyroclastic flows, it is also essential to fit houses as shelters able to resist heat, such as is done for wildfires, he said. This way, should anyone be caught in a dilute hot ash cloud, as was the case of the unfortunate ancient Roman in Herculaneum, there could be a possibility to survive and wait for rescue.Nearly two millennia after Vesuvius erupted, its victims still have much to reveal.

If you own a Google Pixel phone, you may have experienced issues with the Now Playing feature, which might malfunction or not work. Fortunately, a fix is on the way and is expected to be released within a few days.A recent comment on Googles Issue Tracker (shared via Reddit) indicates that the bug affecting Pixels Now Playing has been resolved, and the fix will be included in an upcoming software release. This is likely the forthcoming March Pixel Drop.Recommended VideosThe bug affects anyone with a Pixel 6 or later, including the Pixel 9 series. Depending on the phone model, the feature fails to recognize songs or simply doesnt work at all.Please enable Javascript to view this contentThe Now Playing feature on Google Pixel phones is designed to provide users with a seamless and private way to identify music playing in their surroundings. This feature primarily operates through on-device processing, using a downloaded database to recognize songs without continuously sending audio to external servers. This approach emphasizes user privacy.When enabled, Now Playing automatically displays the title and artist of any detected song on the Pixels lock screen, allowing for instant music identification without requiring user interaction. It also keeps a history of recognized songs, enabling users to review past identifications and mark their favorites.Now Playing on Pixel Lock Screen Bryan M. Wolfe / Digital TrendsAndroid Authority says the March Pixel Drop will contain more than a Now Playing feature fix. It should also resolve a buggy back gesture on Pixel phones and make customary performance and stability improvements.Further, it could finally bring the highly anticipated battery charging limit feature, customizable Do Not Disturb schedules called Modes, home screen icon shape customization, and more.Were unsure why it took Google so long to fix the issue with Now Playing. Regardless, its nice to see its finally about to be resolved.Editors Recommendations

Devolver Digital announced that Gorn 2 is coming to SteamVR, Meta Quest, and PlayStation VR2 later this year. Digital Trends went hands on with three of its levels on Meta Quest 3S ahead of its reveal, which showed off its new weapons and familiar gore.The original Gorn, a hack and slash action game developed by Anger Foot studio Free Lives, launched for VR headsets in 2019. It was a success on Meta Quest, selling over one million units as of 2021. Its sequel looks to recapture that success with a new studio at the helm. Wands developer Cortopia Studios is leading the project in collaboration with Free Lives.Recommended VideosGorn 2 doesnt switch up the original games formula too much, tossing players into a series of wave-based gladiator battles. The goal is to survive by slicing enemies up with oversized weapons and utilizing arena traps. The sequel will up the ante by giving players 35 weapons to toy with, from bows to floppy nuncucks to steak axes. It will feature five arenas, and endless mode, and custom game options.Devolver DigitalThe slice I played dropped me into its second arena, where I cut my way through three levels. I got the hang of it quickly, as I picked up a sword and started hacking away at incoming meatheads. The morbid fun of Gorn 2 comes from the fact that enemies can be hacked apart. I quite literally disarmed an enemy by lopping his entire arm off. I killed another instantly by bashing in his skull with a giant mace. Others got shredded into sheets that laid around the arena. Yes, its Gorn alright.RelatedTraps are a big part of the sequel, and I got a taste of three different environmental hazards during my demo. The first were spinning blades that rotated around the arena. I could knock enemies into them to slice them up (or just let them wander into them on their own). Another level was surrounded by giant spatulas that would occasionally slap down on and crush anything under them. The final level threw a fire pit in the middle of the arena, which I could bop enemies into and send them flying into the air.All of that works in concert with Gorn 2s physics, which can create unpredictable moments of emergent comedy. In one arena, an enemy swung a giant axe at me, but accidentally hit another enemy with it, who got stuck to the blade. When the first enemy swung his steel again, the corpse attached to it hit a lava pool and flew into the air. That yanked the enemy attached to him backwards onto a spatula that had just hit the ground. It swung back up as soon as he stepped on it, sending both of them flying. It was comedy gold.Devolver DigitalTheres plenty of more deliberate laughs packed into the three levels I played. I faced off against chickens who pooped eggs out at me as an attack. The second arenas finale ended with me eating a soy steak, which shrunk me to the size of an insect. I had to kill full-sized enemies by swiping at their legs and then drag them over to a grill in the middle of the arena, turning them into real steaks that turned me into a giant.If you enjoyed Gorn, theres plenty of reasons to look forward to Gorn 2, even with a new developer behind the helm. It looks to deliver more laughs and ultraviolence than its predecessor thatll make you feel like a sadistic psychopath. Thats the Gorn way.Gorn 2 launches later this year on Steam VR, Meta Quest, and PlayStation VR2.Editors Recommendations

Following Google and Microsofts quantum computing announcements, the tech giant says its new chip will lead to more reliable quantum computers.

taxi! What we know about Waymos 2025 expansion plans The public has a long way to go before it trusts autonomous vehicles. Sharon Feldman Feb 27, 2025 11:18 am | 11 Los Angeles is among the cities where Waymo's robotaxis will become more common in 2025. Credit: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Los Angeles is among the cities where Waymo's robotaxis will become more common in 2025. Credit: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreWaymo, Alphabet's autonomous driving subsidiary, has been rapidly expanding its self-driving robotaxi across various US cities, introducing both testing phases and public ride-hailing operations. Despite these expansion plans, many people remain hesitant to embrace autonomous technology. A Pew Research Center study from 2022 found that 45 percent of Americans would not feel comfortable sharing the road with driverless vehicles.Much of this skepticism comes from the coverage in the media of autonomous driving incidents. Crashes are rare, so when they do happen, they make headlines and fuel the idea that these cars are untrustworthy. The hype around a few high-profile crashes can easily drown out the bigger picture.The data tells a different story, though. In collaboration with Swiss insurance company Swiss Re, Waymo conducted a study analyzing 25.3 million miles driven by its autonomous vehicles. The findings revealed an 88 percent reduction in property damage claims and a 92 percent reduction in bodily injury claims compared to human-driven vehicles for the same distance traveled.Even the mandated NHTSA reports on Waymo incidents show only 47 injuries from 2021 to 2024, with three classified as serious. A recent fatal multi-vehicle accident gained media attention due to Waymos involvement, but the autonomous vehicle was stationary at the time and not responsible for the accident.The data suggests that self-driving cars could make the roads safer. But as the tech keeps maturing and more data rolls in, getting the public on board is just as important as the innovation itself. And Waymo will be able to collect more data as it expands its operations in 2025.Expansion plansLos AngelesWaymo launched its fully autonomous ride-hailing service in Los Angeles in March 2024, initially covering a 63-square-mile area from Santa Monica to Downtown LA.By February 2025, the service has expanded to nearly 80 square miles, and Waymo began testing its driverless operations on the freeways. Initially, freeway rides will be available only to Waymo employees, with plans to gradually expand access to the public, just as they did with non-freeway routes.Additionally, Waymo introduced a transit credit pilot program running from February 4 to April 1, 2025. Riders connecting to any of eight eligible transit stations receive a $3 credit toward their Waymo fare to promote integration with public transit. According to Waymo, this program was proven successful in San Francisco.AustinIn early 2024, Waymo started fully autonomous testing in Austin, covering a 43-square-mile area, including downtown, Barton Hills, Riverside, East Austin, and Hyde Park. Initially, rides were available only to employees, with services opening to select members of the public later that year.In partnership with Uber, Waymo plans to officially launch its autonomous ride service in early 2025. Meanwhile, Tesla is gearing up to test its Cybercab ride-hailing service in Austin later this year. Texas AV-friendly regulations have made it a prime destination for companies looking to expand their autonomous vehicle operations.New cities welcoming WaymoSan Diego and Las VegasIn January 2025, Waymo announced plans to expand testing to over 10 new cities, beginning with San Diego and Las Vegas. Fewer than 10 vehicles per city will be manually operated by trained specialists for a few months before transitioning to autonomous testing.These cities were specifically chosen to challenge Waymo vehicles since both cities have unique layouts and unconventional road designs.AtlantaIn partnership with Uber, Waymo plans to launch autonomous ride-hailing services in Atlanta in early 2025. The collaboration will use Waymo's fully autonomous, all-electric Jaguar I-Pace vehicles, with Uber managing and dispatching the fleet through its app.MiamiWaymo is preparing to introduce its robotaxi service in Miami, with testing of driverless vehicles set to begin in 2025. The company aims to launch public ride-hailing services in the city by 2026.TokyoIn December 2024, Waymo announced its first international expansion into Tokyo, partnering with Nihon Kotsu and the ride-hailing app GO to integrate autonomous technology into the city's complex urban environment. The initial phase will deploy 25 manually operated vehicles to map key districts, but there are no immediate plans for public ride-hailing.In addition to these new cities, Waymo continues testing in Michigans Upper Peninsula, upstate New York, and Truckee, California, to evaluate driving in different weather conditions.Cruise hits the brakesAs Waymo moves forward with expansion, one of its biggest competitors has pulled the plug on its robotaxi program. GM announced in December 2024 that the company was shutting down Cruise, its autonomous ridesharing service. After nearly a decade of development costing over $10 billion, GM acknowledged the challenges of scaling this type of business.Cruise also faced public scrutiny when a serious accident made headlines in 2023. One of its vehicles operating in San Francisco hit and dragged a pedestrian 20 feet down the street. This incident led to the suspension of Cruises permit, forcing it to halt services nationwide and causing the CEO to resign. Fortunately, the pedestrian survived.Ford also took a step back from developing robotaxis back in 2022 when it shut down Argo AI, the autonomous vehicle startup it was backing.Meanwhile, Tesla continues to forge ahead with testing its Cybercab in Austin despite regulatory challenges. Its autonomous taxis will allegedly be available to the public by 2027. 11 Comments

Brain of glass Study: Hot Vesuvian ash cloud really did turn a brain to glass Fresh analysis with calorimetry, X-rays, electron microscopy lend support to hotly debated theory. Jennifer Ouellette Feb 27, 2025 11:00 am | 7 Remains of a Vesuvius victim, still in bed in the Collegium Auguistalium at Herculaneum. Credit: Pier Paolo Petrone Remains of a Vesuvius victim, still in bed in the Collegium Auguistalium at Herculaneum. Credit: Pier Paolo Petrone Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreFor several years now, we've been following a tantalizing story indicating that the high heat of the ash cloud generated when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD was sufficiently hot to turn one of the victim's brains into glass. It remains a matter of debate in the archeological community, but a fresh analysis of the physical properties of the glass-like material found in the remains lends more evidence to the hypothesis, as detailed in a new paper published in the journal Scientific Reports.As previously reported, the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius released thermal energy roughly equivalent to 100,000 times the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II, spewing molten rock, pumice, and hot ash over the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in particular.The vast majority of the victims died of asphyxiation, choking to death on the thick clouds of noxious gas and ash.But a 2001 studyin Nature, co-authored by Petrone, estimated a temperature of 500 Celsius (932 Fahrenheit) for the pyroclastic surge that destroyed Pompeii, sufficient to kill inhabitants in fractions of a second. Back in 2018, we reportedon Petrone's conclusion that inhabitants of Herculaneum may have suffered a similar fate. There was fracturing in the bones and "cracking and explosion" of the skullcaps, consistent with forensic cases where skulls burst from extreme heat.In 2020, we reported on Petrone's follow-up study, which offered additional evidence that extreme heat killed many victims. He and several colleagues completed an analysis of one victim's skull in particular, first excavated in the 1960s from Herculaneum. The body was found on a wooden bed, buried in volcanic ash, and there was evidence of brain matter remains in the skull. He is believed to have been the guardian of the Collegium Augustalium, a public building dedicated to the worship of Caesar Augustus, where the remains were found.According to Petrone et al., usually such brain matter would be "saponified" by the extreme heatthat is, turned to soap (glycerol and fatty acids). But this particular victim's brain matter had been vitrified, i.e., fused into glass. Petrone et al. estimated that temperatures could have been as high as 520 Celsius (984 Fahrenheit) based on evidence gleaned from charred wood at the site.V is for vitrification A fragment of the organic glass found inside the skull of the deceased individual in Herculaneum. Pier Paolo Petrone A fragment of the organic glass found inside the skull of the deceased individual in Herculaneum. Pier Paolo Petrone A sample of the organic glass under direct light. Guido Giordano et al./Scientific Reports, 2025 A sample of the organic glass under direct light. Guido Giordano et al./Scientific Reports, 2025 Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), forensic archaeologists found evidence of human neurons in 2020. Pier Paolo Patrone Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), forensic archaeologists found evidence of human neurons in 2020. Pier Paolo Patrone A sample of the organic glass under direct light. Guido Giordano et al./Scientific Reports, 2025 Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), forensic archaeologists found evidence of human neurons in 2020. Pier Paolo Patrone Later that same year, Petrone struck again, claiming the discovery of preserved human neurons in the victim with the "glassified" brain. He looked at the genetic expression of previously identified proteins and also included the results of using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to image vitrified brain and spinal cord remains. They found that the images revealed distinctive features typical of the human central nervous system, including evidence for neurons and white matter axons.Brain tissue does sometimes preserve; there are around 1,300 samples worldwide dating back to the mid-16th and mid-17th centuries. But the Vesuvian preserved brain studied by Petrone et al. is both very old (although not the oldest) and unusual in terms of the hypothesis proposed about the precise mechanism by which it was preserved. Another 2020 paper documented the preservation of neurocytoarchitecture in a 2,600-year-old Iron Age human skull excavated in Heslington, York, albeit via a different mechanism than the vitrification claimed by Petrone et al.So this claim was met with some skepticism by others in the archaeological community, particularly since the raw data was not available. An alternative theory is that the victims at Herculaneum may have been essentially "baked" by lower-intensity heat, like roasting a joint in the oven. The archaeological site of Herculaneum, with Mount Vesuvius visible in the background. Pier Paolo Petrone The archaeological site of Herculaneum, with Mount Vesuvius visible in the background. Pier Paolo Petrone Annotated image of the remains of the deceased individual in situ in their bed in the Collegium Augustalium. Guido Giordano et al./Scientific Reports, 2025 Annotated image of the remains of the deceased individual in situ in their bed in the Collegium Augustalium. Guido Giordano et al./Scientific Reports, 2025 FE-SEM images of brain samples shown at different magnifications. Guido Giordano et al./Scientific Reports, 2025 FE-SEM images of brain samples shown at different magnifications. Guido Giordano et al./Scientific Reports, 2025 Annotated image of the remains of the deceased individual in situ in their bed in the Collegium Augustalium. Guido Giordano et al./Scientific Reports, 2025 FE-SEM images of brain samples shown at different magnifications. Guido Giordano et al./Scientific Reports, 2025 Now Petrone, Guido Giordano of the University of Roma Tre, and several other colleagues are back with a fresh analysis using various techniques to investigate the specific properties of samples taken from the glass-like material: field emission scanning electron microscopy, 3D scanning tomography, Raman spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry.The results: "Our comprehensive chemical and physical characterization of the material sampled from the skull of a human body buried at Herculaneum... shows compelling evidence that these are human brain remains, composed of organic glass formed at high temperatures, a process of preservation never previously documented for human or animal tissue, neither brain or any other kind," the authors wrote.Given these findings, the authors propose the following scenario. When Vesuvius erupted, the first "deadly event" was a very hot ash cloud that surrounded its victims, including the guardian at Herculaneum. This heated the guardian's brain to well above 510 Celsiusthe glass transition temperaturewhich likely badly damaged the brain but did not destroy it. Rather, the brain fell into smaller pieces (which matches what has been found at the site). It's possible that the guardian's thick skull bones and spine offered a little protection from the extreme heat, which likely vaporized the soft tissues of other victims at Herculaneum.Once the ash cloud dissipated, temperatures returned to ambient conditions, resulting in the "fast cooling" that turned the brain fragments into glass. The bodies would have been exposed to open air at first, as the ash cloud would have deposited only a few centimeters of ash on the ground. The bodies were subsequently buried by thick pyroclastic flows at lower temperatures, preserving the guardian's vitrified brain. Per the authors, "This is the only way by which such a glass type can be preserved in the geological or archaeological record and explains why this is a unique occurrence and preserves the ultra-fine neural structure of the brain."DOI: Scientific Reports, 2025. 10.1038/s41598-025-88894-5 (About DOIs).Jennifer OuelletteSenior WriterJennifer OuelletteSenior Writer Jennifer is a senior writer at Ars Technica with a particular focus on where science meets culture, covering everything from physics and related interdisciplinary topics to her favorite films and TV series. Jennifer lives in Baltimore with her spouse, physicist Sean M. Carroll, and their two cats, Ariel and Caliban. 7 Comments

Columnist and EnvironmentOverfishing of small fish has led to population declines in the birds that feed on them. Now the UK government's attempts to protect this crucial resource faces a serious challenge 26 February 2025 An Atlantic puffinAlex Cooper Photography/ShutterstockLast July I visited Bempton Cliffs, a nature reserve on the north-east coast of England managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.Throughout the spring and summer, around half a million seabirds nest on the precipitous chalk cliffs, making a cacophonous riot that is one of the most spectacular sights in the nature-denuded UK. A significant proportion of the worlds population of northern gannets breeds there, as do kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills and the star attraction Atlantic puffins. Whales and dolphins can be seen offshore, though I was out of

They look like small pieces of obsidian, smooth and shiny. But a set of small black fragments found inside the skull of a man who died in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in Southern Italy, in the year 79 CE, are thought to be pieces of his brainturned to glass. The discovery, reported in 2020, was exciting because a human brain had never been found in this state. Now, scientists studying his remains believe theyve found out more details about how the glass fragments were formed: The man was exposed to temperatures of over 500 C, followed by rapid cooling. These conditions also allowed for the preservation of tiny structures and cells inside his brain. Its an extraordinary finding, says Matteo Borrini, a forensic anthropologist at Liverpool John Moores University in the UK, who was not involved in the research. It tells us how [brain] preservation can work extreme conditions can produce extreme results. Glittering remains The Roman city of Herculaneum has been covered in ash for many hundreds of years. Excavations over the last few centuries have revealed amazing discoveries of preserved bodies, buildings, furniture, artworks, and even food. Theyve helped archaeologists piece together a picture of what life was like for people living in ancient Rome. But they are still yielding surprises. Around five years ago, Pier Paolo Petrone, a forensic archaeologist at the University of Naples Federico II, was studying remains first excavated in the 1960s of what is believed to be a 20-year-old man. The man was found inside a building thought to have been a place of worship. Archaeologists believe he may have been guarding the building. He was found lying face down on a wooden bed. The carbonized remains of the deceased individual in their bed in Herculaneum.GUIDO GIORDANO ET AL./SCIENTIFIC REPORTS Petrone was documenting the mans charred bones under a lamp when he noticed something unusual. I suddenly saw small glassy remains glittering in the volcanic ash that filled the skull, he tells MIT Technology Review via email. It had a black appearance and shiny surfaces quite similar to obsidian. But, he adds, unlike obsidian, the glassy remains were extremely brittle and easy to crumble. An analysis of the proteins in the sample suggested that the glassy remains were preserved brain tissue. And when Petrone and his colleagues studied bits of the material with microscopes, they were even able to see neurons. I [was] very excited because I understood that [the preserved brain] was something very unique, never seen before in any other archaeological or forensic context, he says. The next question was how the mans brain turned to glass in the first place, says Guido Giordano, a volcanologist at Roma Tre University in Rome, who was also involved in the research. To find out, he and his colleagues subjected tiny pieces of the glass brain fragmentsmeasuring millimeters wideto extreme temperatures in the lab. The goal was to identify its glass transition statethe temperature at which the material changed from brittle to soft. GUIDO GIORDANO ET AL./SCIENTIFIC REPORTS These experiments suggest that the material is a glass, and that it formed when the temperature dropped from above 510 C to room temperature, says Giordano. The heating stage would not have been long. Otherwise the material would have been cooked, and disappeared, he says. This, he adds, is probably what happened to the brains of the other people whose remains were found at Herculaneum, which were not preserved. The short periods of extremely high temperature might have resulted from super-hot volcanic gases and a few centimeters worth of ash, which enveloped the city shortly after the eruption and settled. Denser pyroclastic flows from the volcano would have hit the building hours later, possibly after the brain had a chance to rapidly cool down. The ash clouds can easily be 500 or 600 degrees [but] they may quickly pass and quickly vanish, says Giordano, who, along with his colleagues, published the results in the journal Scientific Reports on Thursday. That would provide the fast cooling that is required to produce the glass. A unique case No one knows for sure why this young mans brain was the only one to form glass fragments. It might have been because he was sheltered inside the building, says Giordano. It is thought that most of Herculaneums other residents flocked to the citys shores, hoping to be rescued. Its also not clear why the man was found lying face down on a bed. We dont know what he was doing, says Giordano. He might not have been guarding the building at all, says Karl Harrison, a forensic archaeologist at the University of Exeter in the UK. In a fire, people will end up in rooms they dont know, because theyre running through smoke, he says. The conditions may have been similar during the volcanic eruption. People end up in funny places, he adds. Either way, its a unique finding. Archaeologists have unearthed ancient human brains beforeover 4,400 have been discovered since the mid-17th century. But these samples tend to have been preserved through drying, freezing, or a process called saponification, in which the brains effectively turn to soap, says Harrison. He was involved in work on a site in Turkey at which an 8,000-year-old brain was found. That brain appears to have carbonized and turned charcoal-like, he says. Some of the glassy brain fragments remain at the site in Herculaneum, but others are being kept at universities, where scientists plan to continue research on them. Petrone wants to further study the proteins in the samples to learn more about whats in them. Holding the fragments feels quite amazing, says Giordano. A few times I stop and think: Im actually holding a bit of a brain of a human, he says. It can be touching.