© Gizmodo I wish I was making this stuff up, but chaos seems to follow me at all tech events. After waiting an hour to try out Google’s hyped-up Android XR smart glasses for five minutes, I was actually given a three-minute demo, where I actually had 90 seconds to use Gemini in an extremely controlled environment. And actually, if you watch the video in my hands-on write-up below, you’ll see that I spent even less time with it because Gemini fumbled a few times in the beginning. Oof. I really hope there’s another chance to try them again because it was just too rushed. I think it might be the most rushed product demo I’ve ever had in my life, and I’ve been covering new gadgets for the past 15 years. —Raymond Wong Google, a company valued at $2 trillion, seemingly brought one pair of Android XR smart glasses for press to demo… and one pair of Samsung’s Project Moohan mixed reality headset running the same augmented reality platform. I’m told the wait is 1 hour to try either device for 5 minutes. Of course, I’m going to try out the smart glasses. But if I want to demo Moohan, I need to get back in line and wait all over again. This is madness! —Raymond Wong May 20Keynote Fin © Raymond Wong / Gizmodo Talk about a loooooong keynote. Total duration: 1 hour and 55 minutes, and then Sundar Pichai walked off stage. What do you make of all the AI announcements? Let’s hang in the comments! I’m headed over to a demo area to try out a pair of Android XR smart glasses. I can’t lie, even though the video stream from the live demo lagged for a good portion, I’m hyped! It really feels like Google is finally delivering on Google Glass over a decade later. Shoulda had Google co-founder Sergey Brin jump out of a helicopter and land on stage again, though. —Raymond Wong Pieces of Project Astra, Google’s computer vision-based UI, are winding up in various different products, it seems, and not all of them are geared toward smart glasses specifically. One of the most exciting updates to Astra is “computer control,” which allows one to do a lot more on their devices with computer vision alone. For instance, you could just point your phone at an object (say, a bike) and then ask Astra to search for the bike, find some brakes for it, and then even pull up a YouTube tutorial on how to fix it—all without typing anything into your phone. —James Pero Shopping bots aren’t just for scalpers anymore. Google is putting the power of automated consumerism in your hands with its new AI shopping tool. There are some pretty wild ideas here, too, including a virtual shopping avatar that’s supposed to represent your own body—the idea is you can make it try on clothes to see how they fit. How all that works in practice is TBD, but if you’re ready for a full AI shopping experience, you’ve finally got it. For the whole story, check out our story from Gizmodo’s Senior Editor, Consumer Tech, Raymond Wong. —James Pero I got what I wanted. Google showed off what its Android XR tech can bring to smart glasses. In a live demo, Google showcased how a pair of unspecified smart glasses did a few of the things that I’ve been waiting to do, including projecting live navigation and remembering objects in your environment—basically the stuff that it pitched with Project Astra last year, but in a glasses form factor. There’s still a lot that needs to happen, both hardware and software-wise, before you can walk around wearing glasses that actually do all those things, but it was exciting to see that Google is making progress in that direction. It’s worth noting that not all of the demos went off smoothly—there was lots of stutter in the live translation demo—but I guess props to them for giving it a go. When we’ll actually get to walk around wearing functional smart glasses with some kind of optical passthrough or virtual display is anyone’s guess, but the race is certainly heating up. —James Pero Google’s SynthID has been around for nearly three years, but it’s been largely kept out of the public eye. The system disturbs AI-generated images, video, or audio with an invisible, undetectable watermark that can be observed with Google DeepMind’s proprietary tool. At I/O, Google said it was working with both Nvidia and GetReal to introduce the same watermarking technique with those companies’ AI image generators. Users may be able to detect these watermarks themselves, even if only part of the media was modified with AI. Early testers are getting access to it “today,” but hopefully more people can acess it at a later date from labs.google/synthid. — Kyle Barr This keynote has been going on for 1.5 hours now. Do I run to the restroom now or wait? But how much longer until it ends??? Can we petiton to Sundar Pichai to make these keynotes shorter or at least have an intermission? Update: I ran for it right near the end before Android XR news hit. I almost made it… —Raymond Wong © Raymond Wong / Gizmodo Google’s new video generator Veo, is getting a big upgrade that includes sound generation, and it’s not just dialogue. Veo 3 can also generate sound effects and music. In a demo, Google showed off an animated forest scene that includes all three—dialogue, sound effects, and video. The length of clips, I assume, will be short at first, but the results look pretty sophisticated if the demo is to be believed. —James Pero If you pay for a Google One subscription, you’ll start to see Gemini in your Google Chrome browser (and—judging by this developer conference—everywhere else) later this week. This will appear as the sparkle icon at the top of your browser app. You can use this to bring up a prompt box to ask a question about the current page you’re browsing, such as if you want to consolidate a number of user reviews for a local campsite. — Kyle Barr © Google / GIF by Gizmodo Google’s high-tech video conferencing tech, now called Beam, looks impressive. You can make eye contact! It feels like the person in the screen is right in front of you! It’s glasses-free 3D! Come back down to Earth, buddy—it’s not coming out as a consumer product. Commercial first with partners like HP. Time to apply for a new job? —Raymond Wong Read more here: Google doesn’t want Search to be tied to your browser or apps anymore. Search Live is akin to the video and audio comprehension capabilities of Gemini Live, but with the added benefit of getting quick answers based on sites from around the web. Google showed how Search Live could comprehend queries about at-home science experiment and bring in answers from sites like Quora or YouTube. — Kyle Barr Google is getting deep into augmented reality with Android XR—its operating system built specifically for AR glasses and VR headsets. Google showed us how users may be able to see a holographic live Google Maps view directly on their glasses or set up calendar events, all without needing to touch a single screen. This uses Gemini AI to comprehend your voice prompts and follow through on your instructions. Google doesn’t have its own device to share at I/O, but its planning to work with companies like XReal and Samsung to craft new devices across both AR and VR. — Kyle Barr Read our full report here: I know how much you all love subscriptions! Google does too, apparently, and is now offering a $250 per month AI bundle that groups some of its most advanced AI services. Subscribing to Google AI Ultra will get you: Gemini and its full capabilities Flow, a new, more advanced AI filmmaking tool based on Veo Whisk, which allows text-to-image creation NotebookLM, an AI note-taking app Gemini in Gmail and Docs Gemini in Chrome Project Mariner, an agentic research AI 30TB of storage I’m not sure who needs all of this, but maybe there are more AI superusers than I thought. —James Pero Google CEO Sundar Pichai was keen to claim that users are big, big fans of AI overviews in Google Search results. If there wasn’t already enough AI on your search bar, Google will now stick an entire “AI Mode” tab on your search bar next to the Google Lens button. This encompasses the Gemini 2.5 model. This opens up an entirely new UI for searching via a prompt with a chatbot. After you input your rambling search query, it will bring up an assortment of short-form textual answers, links, and even a Google Maps widget depending on what you were looking for. AI Mode should be available starting today. Google said AI Mode pulls together information from the web alongside its other data like weather or academic research through Google Scholar. It should also eventually encompass your “personal context,” which will be available later this summer. Eventually, Google will add more AI Mode capabilities directly to AI Overviews. — Kyle Barr May 20News Embargo Has Lifted! © Xreal Get your butt over to Gizmodo.com’s home page because the Google I/O news embargo just lifted. We’ve got a bunch of stories, including this one about Google partnering up with Xreal for a new pair of “optical see-through” (OST) smart glasses called Project Aura. The smart glasses run Android XR and are powered by a Qualcomm chip. You can see three cameras. Wireless, these are not—you’ll need to tether to a phone or other device. Update: Little scoop: I’ve confirmed that Project Aura has a 70-degree field of view, which is way wider than the One Pro’s FOV, which is 57 degrees. —Raymond Wong © Raymond Wong / Gizmodo Google’s DeepMind CEO showed off the updated version of Project Astra running on a phone and drove home how its “personal, proactive, and powerful” AI features are the groundwork for a “universal assistant” that truly understands and works on your behalf. If you think Gemini is a fad, it’s time to get familiar with it because it’s not going anywhere. —Raymond Wong May 20Gemini 2.5 Pro Is Here © Gizmodo Google says Gemini 2.5 Pro is its “most advanced model yet,” and comes with “enhanced reasoning,” better coding ability, and can even create interactive simulations. You can try it now via Google AI Studio. —James Pero There are two major types of transformer AI used today. One is the LLM, AKA large language models, and diffusion models—which are mostly used for image generation. The Gemini Diffusion model blurs the lines of these types of models. Google said its new research model can iterate on a solution quickly and correct itself while generating an answer. For math or coding prompts, Gemini Diffusion can potentially output an entire response much faster than a typical Chatbot. Unlike a traditional LLM model, which may take a few seconds to answer a question, Gemini Diffusion can create a response to a complex math equation in the blink of an eye, and still share the steps it took to reach its conclusion. — Kyle Barr © Gizmodo New Gemini 2.5 Flash and Gemini Pro models are incoming and, naturally, Google says both are faster and more sophisticated across the board. One of the improvements for Gemini 2.5 Flash is even more inflection when speaking. Unfortunately for my ears, Google demoed the new Flash speaking in a whisper that sent chills down my spine. —James Pero Is anybody keeping track of how many times Google execs have said “Gemini” and “AI” so far? Oops, I think I’m already drunk, and we’re only 20 minutes in. —Raymond Wong © Raymond Wong / Gizmodo Google’s Project Astra is supposed to be getting much better at avoiding hallucinations, AKA when the AI makes stuff up. Project Astra’s vision and audio comprehension capabilities are supposed to be far better at knowing when you’re trying to trick it. In a video, Google showed how its Gemini Live AI wouldn’t buy your bullshit if you tell it that a garbage truck is a convertible, a lamp pole is a skyscraper, or your shadow is some stalker. This should hopefully mean the AI doesn’t confidently lie to you, as well. Google CEO Sundar Pichai said “Gemini is really good at telling you when you’re wrong.” These enhanced features should be rolling out today for Gemini app on iOS and Android. — Kyle Barr May 20Release the Agents Like pretty much every other AI player, Google is pursuing agentic AI in a big way. I’d prepare for a lot more talk about how Gemini can take tasks off your hands as the keynote progresses. —James Pero © Gizmodo Google has finally moved Project Starline—its futuristic video-calling machine—into a commercial project called Google Beam. According to Pichai, Google Beam can take a 2D image and transform it into a 3D one, and will also incorporate live translate. —James Pero © Gizmodo Google’s CEO, Sundar Pichai, says Google is shipping at a relentless pace, and to be honest, I tend to agree. There are tons of Gemini models out there already, even though it’s only been out for two years. Probably my favorite milestone, though, is that it has now completed Pokémon Blue, earning all 8 badges according to Pichai. —James Pero May 20Let’s Do This Buckle up, kiddos, it’s I/O time. Methinks there will be a lot to get to, so you may want to grab a snack now. —James Pero Counting down until the keynote… only a few more minutes to go. The DJ just said AI is changing music and how it’s made. But don’t forget that we’re all here… in person. Will we all be wearing Android XR smart glasses next year? Mixed reality headsets? —Raymond Wong © Raymond Wong / Gizmodo Fun fact: I haven’t attended Google I/O in person since before Covid-19. The Wi-Fi is definitely stronger and more stable now. It’s so great to be back and covering for Gizmodo. Dream job, unlocked! —Raymond Wong © Raymond Wong / Gizmodo Mini breakfast burritos… bagels… but these bagels can’t compare to real Made In New York City bagels with that authentic NY water 😏 —Raymond Wong © Raymond Wong / Gizmodo © Raymond Wong / Gizmodo © Raymond Wong / Gizmodo © Raymond Wong / Gizmodo I’ve arrived at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, Calif., where the Google I/O keynote is taking place in 40 minutes. Seats are filling up. But first, must go check out the breakfast situation because my tummy is growling… —Raymond Wong May 20Should We Do a Giveaway? © Raymond Wong / Gizmodo Google I/O attendees get a special tote bag, a metal water bottle, a cap, and a cute sheet of stickers. I always end up donating this stuff to Goodwill during the holidays. A guy living in NYC with two cats only has so much room for tote bags and water bottles… Would be cool to do giveaway. Leave a comment to let us know if you’d be into that and I can pester top brass to make it happen 🤪 —Raymond Wong May 20Got My Press Badge! In 13 hours, Google will blitz everyone with Gemini AI, Gemini AI, and tons more Gemini AI. Who’s ready for… Gemini AI? —Raymond Wong May 19Google Glass: The Redux © Google / Screenshot by Gizmodo Google is very obviously inching toward the release of some kind of smart glasses product for the first time since (gulp) Google Glass, and if I were a betting man, I’d say this one will have a much warmer reception than its forebearer. I’m not saying Google can snatch the crown from Meta and its Ray-Ban smart glasses right out of the gate, but if it plays its cards right, it could capitalize on the integration with its other hardware (hello, Pixel devices) in a big way. Meta may finally have a real competitor on its hands. ICYMI: Here’s Google’s President of the Android Ecosystem, Sameer Samat, teasing some kind of smart glasses device in a recorded demo last week. —James Pero Hi folks, I’m James Pero, Gizmodo’s new Senior Writer. There’s a lot we have to get to with Google I/O, so I’ll keep this introduction short. I like long walks on the beach, the wind in my nonexistent hair, and I’m really, really, looking forward to bringing you even more of the spicy, insightful, and entertaining coverage on consumer tech that Gizmodo is known for. I’m starting my tenure here out hot with Google I/O, so make sure you check back here throughout the week to get those sweet, sweet blogs and commentary from me and Gizmodo’s Senior Consumer Tech Editor Raymond Wong. —James Pero © Raymond Wong / Gizmodo Hey everyone! Raymond Wong, senior editor in charge of Gizmodo’s consumer tech team, here! Landed in San Francisco (the sunrise was *chef’s kiss*), and I’ll be making my way over to Mountain View, California, later today to pick up my press badge and scope out the scene for tomorrow’s Google I/O keynote, which kicks off at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT. Google I/O is a developer conference, but that doesn’t mean it’s news only for engineers. While there will be a lot of nerdy stuff that will have developers hollering, what Google announces—expect updates on Gemini AI, Android, and Android XR, to name a few headliners—will shape consumer products (hardware, software, and services) for the rest of this year and also the years to come. I/O is a glimpse at Google’s technology roadmap as AI weaves itself into the way we compute at our desks and on the go. This is going to be a fun live blog! —Raymond Wong

There’s a healthy swarm of discounts buzzing across every platform today, from indie gems to AAA heavy-hitters. Whether you're into sword-swinging epics, musical dungeon crawlers, or cosmic cowboy chaos, there’s something here worth chucking onto your backlog. Let's dig into the weird, wonderful, and wallet-friendly highlights for this very rainy Thursday.This Day in Gaming 🎂In retro news, I'm celebrating the 28th birthday of Fighters Megamix, the Sega Saturn's answer to Smash Bros before that was even a thing. Sega of the '90s was especially 3D fightin' obsessed, so the concept here was simple—smoosh a bunch of brawlers from the Virtua Fighter series, Fighting Vipers, and other games into one punch-a-rrific package. I remember being particularly stoked with the ten weirdo unlockable characters, like some Sonic the Fighters contestants, the palm tree from AM2's logo, a gun-packing Janet from Virtua Cop, and a *double checks memory* Daytona USA NASCAR.Aussie bdays for notable games- Fighters Megamix (SAT) 1997. eBay- Planetside (PC) 2003.- Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney (DS) 2008. Get- Klonoa (Wii) 2009. Remake- Ratchet & Clank: QForce (PSV) 2013. eBayContentsNintendoXboxPlayStationPCPC GearLEGOHeadphonesTVsNice Savings for Nintendo SwitchNintendo kicks things off with Hogwarts Legacy for A$59. The game includes a sly nod to the Harry Potter films with the moving staircases built from the same blueprints as the original set. Meanwhile, Crypt of the NecroDancer is just A$6.00, a steal for a rhythm-based roguelike whose composer Danny Baranowsky hid a remixed Zelda-style theme deep in the soundtrack.Hogwarts Legacy (-34%) - A$59.00Crypt of the NecroDancer (-80%) - A$6.00Yooka-Laylee (-80%) - A$6.50Guacamelee! Super Turbo Champ. Ed. (-75%) - A$5.00Lego Jurassic World (-90%) - A$5.90Expiring Recent DealsNBA 2K25 (-68%) - A$29Sea of Stars (-35%) - A$33Scribblenauts Mega Pack (-90%) - A$4Lego The Incredibles (-92%) - A$7Lego DC Super-Villains (-90%) - A$8Or gift a Nintendo eShop Card.Switch Console PricesHow much to Switch it up?Back to topExciting Bargains for XboxOn Xbox Series X, Resident Evil 4 slashes its price to A$31.40. This remake revives the fan-favourite inventory “attache case” system, which was originally inspired by Tetris. Mass Effect Legendary Edition, now just A$9.90, lets players romance aliens and punch annoying reporters, something BioWare gleefully leaned into after memes flooded the fandom.Resident Evil 4 (-47%) - A$31.40Star Wars Outlaws (-64%) - A$40.00Mass Effect Leg. Ed. (-90%) - A$9.90TB Stealth Pivot Controller (-33%) - A$168.40Hogwarts Legacy (-55%) - A$49.00Xbox OneTB VelocityOne Flightstick (-18%) - A$205.60Grand Theft Auto V (-52%) - A$29.00Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (-90%) - A$10.00Expiring Recent DealsCoD: Black Ops 6 (-19%) - A$89Split Fiction (-16%) - A$59Lies of P (-35%) - A$58Crisis Core: FF VII Reunion (-46%) - A$46Crash Team Racing Nitro Fueled (-26%) - A$51Burnout Paradise Rem. (-75%) - A$7Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Rem. (-80%) - A$11Or just invest in an Xbox Card.Xbox Console PricesHow many bucks for a 'Box?Back to topPure Scores for PlayStationOver on PlayStation 5, Elden Ring: Nightreign may only be 9% off at A$64.00, but it’s a fresh and massive sandbox filled with my kind of masochism and regret. Meanwhile, Star Wars Outlaws is A$40.00 and features a BD-unit droid originally designed for The Mandalorian but scrapped due to budget constraints. Elden Ring: Nightreign (-9%) - A$64.00Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 (-19%) - A$89.00Star Wars Outlaws (-64%) - A$40.00Cyberpunk 2077: Ult. Ed. (-20%) - A$84.00Monster Hunter Wilds (-26%) - A$89.00PS4Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown (-73%) - A$26.80Bayonetta (-75%) - A$9.40Catherine: Full Body (-80%) - A$10.90Expiring Recent DealsDeath Stranding 2 (-21%) - A$99Gran Turismo 7 (-29%) - A$88NBA 2K25 (-68%) - A$38Final Fantasy XVI (-48%) - A$44Astro Bot (-19%) - A$89CoD: Black Ops 6 (-19%) - A$89Red Dead (-68%) - A$29Ni No Kuni: WotWW (-80%) - A$13Crysis Rem. Trilogy (-75%) - A$18PS+ Monthly FreebiesYours to keep from May 1 with this subscriptionArk: Survival Ascended (PS5)Balatro (PS5/PS4)Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun (PS5/PS4)Or purchase a PS Store Card.What you'll pay to 'Station.Back to topPurchase Cheap for PCFinally, PC players can snag Red Dead Redemption 2 for A$22.40, a game so detailed it tracks horse testicle shrinkage in cold weather (yes, really). Or saddle up with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown at A$29, a criminally under-bought platformer.Red Dead Redemption 2 (-75%) - A$22.40Hogwarts Legacy (-75%) - A$22.40Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (-50%) - A$29.90Assassin's Creed Valhalla (-75%) - A$22.40Maneater (-80%) - A$11.30Expiring Recent DealsHelldivers 2 (-31%) - A$41RoadCraft (-17%) - A$51Cyberpunk 2077: Ult. Ed. (-45%) - A$65Inside (-90%) - A$2.99Limbo (-90%) - A$1.49Or just get a Steam Wallet CardPC Hardware PricesSlay your pile of shame.Laptop DealsHP Envy x360 16" 2-in-1 (-39%) – A$1,399HP Laptop 15.6" Ryzen (-34%) – A$1,049ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 (-35%) – A$869Lenovo Yoga 7i Gen 9 (-41%) – A$1,229Apple 2024 MacBook Air 15-inch (-16%) – A$2,094Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 (-36%) - A$879Lenovo ThinkBook 16 Gen7 (-27%) - A$1,018Desktop DealsLenovo neo 50q Gen 4 Tiny (-35%) – A$639Lenovo neo 50t Gen 5 Desk (-20%) – A$871.20Lenovo Legion Tower 5i (-29%) – A$1,899Monitor DealsARZOPA 16.1" 144Hz (-55%) – A$159.99Z-Edge 27" 240Hz (-15%) – A$237.99Gawfolk 34" WQHD (-28%) – A$359LG 27" Ultragear (-42%) – A$349Component DealsMSI PRO B650M-A WiFi Motherboard (-41%) – A$229AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D (-7%) – A$876Corsair Vengeance 32GB (-35%) – A$82Kingston FURY Beast 16GB (-30%) – A$48Storage DealsSeagate One Touch Portable HDD (-24%) – A$228Kingston 1TB USB 3.2 SSD (-17%) – A$115SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO (-63%) – A$29SanDisk 32GB Ultra SDHC (-53%) – A$9.90Back to topLegit LEGO DealsMandalorian Moff Gideon Battle (-42%) - A$35.00Space Construction Mech (-33%) - A$10.00Fountain Garden Building (-28%) - A$129.90Williams Racing & Haas F1 Race Cars (-27%) - A$22.00Expiring Recent DealsBotanicals Daffodils (-48%) - A$12Minions’ Music Party Bus (-42%) - A$35Deep-Sea Research Submarine (-33%) - A$39Construction Steamroller (-33%) - A$10Back to topHot Headphones DealsAudiophilia for lessGalaxy Buds2 Pro (-31%) – A$239Technics Wireless NC (-33%) – A$365SoundPEATS Space (-25%) – A$56.99Sony MDR7506 Pro (-18%) – A$199Back to topTerrific TV DealsDo right by your console, upgrade your tellyLG 43" UT80 4K (-24%) – A$635Kogan 65" QLED 4K (-50%) – A$699Kogan 55" QLED 4K (-45%) – A$549LG 55" UT80 4K (-28%) – A$866Back to top Adam Mathew is our Aussie deals wrangler. He plays practically everything, often on YouTube.

The U.S. Ran Its First Space Weather Preparedness Drill—Here’s How It Went Ironically, the exercise last May was interrupted by a real scenario, when Earth was hit by the strongest solar storm in two decades NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) captured this image of extreme solar activity on May 10, 2024. NASA SDO In May last year, the United States government hosted its first-ever “Space Weather Tabletop Exercise,” a hypothetical practice test to determine whether the country is prepared for space weather events, such as intense geomagnetic storms. The exercise brought together agencies such as NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Department of Homeland Security to talk through how they would handle such a threat—and the risks it would pose to Earth. “Minimizing the impacts of such storms requires close coordination, and this meeting was their chance to practice,” reads a NASA statement. The outcome of the test? State and federal agencies found out they need all the practice they can get. “Overall, the exercise demonstrated the need for better coordination to produce meaningful [space weather] notifications that describe the potential impacts to critical infrastructure,” reads the post-exercise report, “as well as emphasized the importance of the whole-of-government planning approach for significant [space weather] events.” Geomagnetic storms are strong disturbances in Earth’s magnetic field, and they can result from solar storms: explosions of material including energy, particles and magnetic fields from the sun’s surface, which can include solar flares and coronal mass ejections. Geomagnetic storms can wreck satellites, trigger radio blackouts and power outages and endanger astronauts by exposing them to intense radiation, according to the statement. Extreme geomagnetic storms only occur every few decades, per Live Science’s Tereza Pultarova. But our society has become so dependent on vulnerable technologies that the impact of space weather today could be significant. On May 8 and 9, 2024, participants at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland and the Federal Emergency Management Agency office in Colorado pretended it was January 2028, and they had to work through hypothetical scenarios involving harmful solar activity. At the beginning of the exercise, NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center notified participants that an active region on the sun had rotated to a point that, if it exploded, it could impact Earth. To make matters worse, two NASA astronauts were in a spacecraft orbiting the moon, with two of their colleagues currently on the lunar surface. The scenario quickly introduced harmful solar activity. Hypothetical effects included satellites, astronauts and airplanes exposed to intense radiation; disrupted or blocked radio communication and GPS systems; degraded communication with orbiting satellites and widespread power outages. One issue the report highlights is that space weather forecasters have very little time to determine the potential impact of the sun’s coronal mass ejections (CMEs). They can’t measure the CME until it passes satellites at the first Lagrange point, a gravitationally stable location that’s about 930,000 miles from Earth. “We never know … what the CME is composed of and what to make of it until it gets just one million miles from Earth, where it’s only 15 to 45 minutes away,” Shawn Dahl, senior space weather forecaster at the Space Weather Prediction Center, told Gizmodo’s Passant Rabie in August. “That’s when we can see what the CME is composed of. How strong is it magnetically? What’s the speed of its movement? Is it going to connect with Earth?” According to the NASA statement, the exercise demonstrated “a critical need” for “more robust forecasting capabilities of space weather drivers and effects.” The report also emphasizes the need to educate the public, continue developing response plans, make critical infrastructure less vulnerable and collaborate with both the private sector and international agencies. What Happened During the Biggest Geomagnetic Storm in More than 20 Years Watch on Notably, the hypothetical exercise last year was interrupted by a real one, when Earth was hit by the most severe solar storm in more than 20 years, now named the Gannon storm. That staggering event, which first struck our planet on May 10, 2024, provided a real-world example for scientists to study. “These extraordinary events required key participants to simultaneously manage both simulated actions of the [exercise] and the real-world needs of the nation,” according to a statement from NOAA. The storm tripped high-voltage lines, overheated transformers, interfered with GPS-guided farm equipment and re-routed flights over the Atlantic Ocean. The atmosphere expanded from heat, reaching a whopping 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit (compared to the standard high of 1,200 degrees), and that led to increased drag on satellites. It super-charged the magnetosphere with the largest electric current seen in 20 years, and it temporarily restructured the planet’s ionosphere. Participants reported that running through the hypothetical scenario generated important conversations and improved communication across agencies. Still, it remains to be seen how prepared we’ll be next time an angry solar region turns our way. Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.

Memorial Day weekend is still more than half a work week away, but the most of the sales have already arrived at some of the biggest online retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Costco, Home Depot, and Walmart. While prices may not be quite as good as Prime Day or the Black Friday season, these discounts are still a great opportunity to save money. To help you sort through what's live and what isn't, I've put together a quick list of all of the biggest Memorial Day sales already happening ahead of the weekend. I'll be updating this page with all of the new sales as they go live ahead of the weekend.The Best Memorial Day Sales Live NowThe Biggest SaleAmazon Memorial Day SaleSee it at AmazonTech and AppliancesBest Buy Memorial Day SaleSee it at Best BuyRetailer SaleWalmart Memorial Day SaleSee it at WalmartFurnitureWayfair Memorial Day saleSee it at WayfairPC and LaptopsHP Memorial Day SaleSee it at HPAppliances and FurnitureHome Depot Memorial Day SaleSee it at Home DepotClothing and Outdoor GearREI Anniversary SaleSee it at REIRetailer SaleTarget Memorial Day SaleSee it at TargetAppliances and FurnitureLowes Memorial Day SaleSee it at LowesSelect DealseBay Memorial Day SaleSee it at eBayRetailer SaleCostco Memorial Day SaleSee it at CostcoMattressesCasper Memorial Day SaleSee it at CasperMattressesDreamCloud Mattress SaleSee it at DreamCloudPC and LaptopsDell Memorial Day SaleSee it at DellPC and LaptopsLenovo Memorial Day SaleSee it at LenovoGaming chairs and desksSecretlab Memorial Day SaleSee it at SecretlabShoes and SportswearAdidas Memorial Day SaleSee it at AdidasFurniture and KitchenwareCrate&Barrel Memorial Day SaleSee it at Crate&BarrelKitchenwareWilliams Sonoma Memorial Day SaleSee it at Williams SonomaMattressesSleep Number Memorial Day SaleSee it at Sleep NumberAppliancesLG Memorial Day SaleSee it at LGClothingMacy's Memorial Day SaleSee it at Macy'sSportswear and Outdoor GearDick's Sporting Goods Memorial Day SaleSee it at Dick'sOffice FurnitureFlexiSpot Memorial Day SaleSee it at FlexiSpotGaming ChairsAndaSeat Memorial Day SaleSee it at AndaSeatTuft & Needle Memorial Day SaleSee it at Tuft & NeedleI've been covering and shopping Memorial Day sales for years and, honestly, I'm not that impressed with a lot of the discounts we've seen so far from these retailers. That being said, it is still fairly early in the week and I expect to see prices drop a bit more before the weekend. Memorial Day isn't until May 26 this year, and many smaller retailers will likely launch their sales closer to the actual holiday weekend.Should you shop Memorial Day sales or wait for better discounts?The biggest question around Memorial Day sales in general is whether you should shop now or wait for better deals later in the year. In the past, we could usually count on upcoming sales events like Prime Day and Black Friday to have the lowest prices of the year on just about everything. Unfortunately, there has been a lot of confusion around tariffs and price increases in 2025 and it seems almost certain that baseline prices on many goods in the U.S. are probably going to go up before the end of the year.If you're hoping to save as much money as possible in 2025, Memorial Day sales are definitely worth considering. Tariffs on most Chinese imports are likely to affect prices later in the year, so if you find a really good price on something you need right now, don't hesitate to pick it up before the price can go up.What Should You Buy During Memorial Day Sales?While there are certainly exceptions, I have generally found that the best Memorial Day sales tend to be for the same few categories every year. Unlike bigger shopping events like Black Friday, discounts tend to be more focused around home goods, consumer electronics, and clothing. Here's a quick breakdown of what is absolutely worth buying during Memorial Day weekend.Top Deals TodayAfter combing through all of the Memorial Day promotions that are already live, I've found that the Amazon sale has the best overall discounts. This includes things like a Star Wars LEGO set deal and discounted iPads that are at their best prices of the year. Below I've curated some of the top deals from that sale into a neat little catalog for you to browse.Lowest Ever Price65" LG Evo C4 4K OLED Smart TVLowest Ever PriceThe New Apple iPad 11-inchLowest Ever PriceRing Battery DoorbellLowest Ever PriceThrone of Glass Hardcover Box SetLowest Ever PriceLEGO Star Wars The Mandalorian HelmetLowest Ever PriceKingdom Come: Deliverance IILowest Ever PriceSamsung 49" Odyssey OLED G9 (G95SC) Series Curved Smart Gaming MonitorSee it at AmazonLowest Price EverChar-Broil 3-Burner Cabinet Style Gas GrillLowest Ever PriceTraeger Grills Woodridge Pro Electric Wood Pellet Grill and SmokerLowest Ever PriceColeman Pro 45qt Ultra-Light Premium Hard CoolerFurniturePerhaps the overall best thing to buy during Memorial Day sales is furniture. Unless you're getting a really cheap nightstand from Ikea, furniture is generally expensive. Memorial Day deals are an excellent time to save a ton of money on pretty much every type of furniture, including desks, gaming chairs, and outdoor patio options. While you can find these deals at most major retailers like Amazon, Target, and Walmart, I'd recommend starting with the Wayfair Memorial Day sale. Though if you're on the hunt for a gaming chair specifically, the Secretlab sale and AndaSeat sales are the way to go. There are also some pretty good discounts at FlexiSpot on various types of office furniture, including popular standing desks.FurnitureWayfair Memorial Day saleSee it at WayfairGaming chairs and desksSecretlab Memorial Day SaleSee it at SecretlabFurniture and KitchenwareCrate&Barrel Memorial Day SaleSee it at Crate&BarrelOffice FurnitureFlexiSpot Memorial Day SaleSee it at FlexiSpotGaming ChairsAndaSeat Memorial Day SaleSee it at AndaSeatMajor AppliancesPurchasing a major appliance for your home is going to be expensive no matter when you do it, but Memorial Day sales can help mitigate that cost a fraction. Major appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and ovens are all on sale right now across quite a number of retailers. You can find these deals at Costco, Best Buy, Home Depot, and Lowes currently. Some of the sales are straight discounts while others are a buy one, get one free situation. Below are the sales I'd recommend shopping if you're on the hunt for new appliances. Best Buy is a great option for most brands, but you can also get a free refrigerator from LG direct if you're only looking for the best fridge deal.Tech and AppliancesBest Buy Memorial Day SaleSee it at Best BuyAppliancesLG Memorial Day SaleSee it at LGAppliances and FurnitureHome Depot Memorial Day SaleSee it at Home DepotRetailer SaleCostco Memorial Day SaleSee it at CostcoAppliances and FurnitureLowes Memorial Day SaleSee it at LowesTVsThere are actually a lot of good times to buy a new TV throughout the year, but Memorial Day weekend is consistently one of the best times to find discounts on newer TVs. This likely has something to do with the TV release cycle as we are now about halfway through the year and the latest TVs have finally started to drop in price. If you're looking to buy a great new television for a good price, I'd recommend picking up the LG C4 that just dropped to its lowest price ever. However, there are already plenty of other TV deals to choose from.Lowest Price Ever65" LG Evo C4 4K OLED Smart TVLowest Price EverSAMSUNG 55-Inch Class QLED 4K QN85D Series Mini LEDLowest Price EverLG 55-Inch Class UT75 Series LED Smart TV 4K2024 ModelSony - 65" Class BRAVIA 8 OLED 4K UHD Smart Google TVMattressesAlthough mattresses technically count as furniture, I've broken them out into their own category because of the sheer number of Memorial Day mattress sales. Memorial Day weekend is far and away one of the best times to buy a mattress every year – you likely won't find lower prices even on Black Friday. Most major retailers have mattress promotions right now and you can find deals at Amazon, Walmart, and even Costco. However, I'd recommend shopping direct from the manufacturer to save the most money. The DreamCloud mattress sale will get you up to 60% off a new mattress right now.MattressesDreamCloud Mattress SaleSee it at DreamCloudTuft & Needle Memorial Day SaleSee it at Tuft & NeedleMattressesSleep Number Memorial Day SaleSee it at Sleep NumberMattressesCasper Memorial Day SaleSee it at CasperClothingHoliday weekends are almost always a good time to find discounts on clothes. This is largely thanks to their proximity to a change in seasons. In the case of a Memorial Day weekend, you should be able to find some of the best prices of the year on both summer and winter clothes. Winter clothes are most likely to be part of clearance sales during this time and you should be able to find good deals on things like jackets, sweaters, and other outdoor gear. Meanwhile, every major retailer will have a sale on some sort of summer-related clothing as we head into warmer weather. I'd personally recommend checking out the REI Anniversary sale happening right now as it is its biggest sale of the year. There's also an adidas sale that is pretty good if you're looking for some athleisure deals.Clothing and Outdoor GearREI Anniversary SaleSee it at REIShoes and SportswearAdidas Memorial Day SaleSee it at AdidasClothingMacy's Memorial Day SaleSee it at Macy'sSportswear and Outdoor GearDick's Sporting Goods Memorial Day SaleSee it at Dick'sLaptops and PCsIf you're looking to buy a new laptop or PC this year, I'd recommend making a purchase sooner rather than later. This is especially true if you're trying to find the best time to buy a gaming PC this year, because GPU prices are already on the rise. The best Memorial Day sales tend to be directly from the manufacturers, so that's usually where you'll want to look. Dell, HP, and Lenovo all have at least part of their Memorial Day sales live right now. You can also check out Best Buy and Amazon if you're looking for brands like Acer and LG at a discount, however.PC and LaptopsHP Memorial Day SaleSee it at HPPC and LaptopsDell Memorial Day SaleSee it at DellPC and LaptopsLenovo Memorial Day SaleSee it at LenovoTech and AppliancesBest Buy Memorial Day SaleSee it at Best BuyKitchenwareMany of the same stores that have furniture sales are likely to have discounts on kitchenware as well during Memorial Day weekend. There is a clear crossover between furniture and the kitchen, which means now is a good time to find discounts on things like dining tables and small appliances all at once. Major online retailers like Amazon and Target have discounts on these types of things, but if you're looking for only kitchenware deals, I'd suggest taking a look at the Williams Sonoma sale. It is a lot of higher-end stuff, so discounts like these are worth checking out whenever they come around.KitchenwareWilliams Sonoma Memorial Day SaleSee it at Williams SonomaGrillsIf you're hoping to pick up a new barbecue before the summer season, Memorial Day sales are arguably the best time to do so. Pretty much every major retailer that has outdoor furniture on sale is going to have grills discounted right now as well. Amazon, Walmart, Costco, Home Depot, and Lowes all of discounts on popular grill brands ahead of the weekend. I'm personally planning on shopping the Home Depot sale to get a new grill this year, so that's my suggestion for anyone else. If you happen to miss this sale, you can also find deals just as good or better near the end of the summer during Labor Day sales.The Biggest SaleAmazon Memorial Day SaleSee it at AmazonRetailer SaleWalmart Memorial Day SaleSee it at WalmartAppliances and FurnitureHome Depot Memorial Day SaleSee it at Home DepotRetailer SaleCostco Memorial Day SaleSee it at CostcoAppliances and FurnitureLowes Memorial Day SaleSee it at LowesVideo GamesMemorial Day sales aren't exactly the very best time to buy video games, but that doesn't stop there from being Memorial Day video game deals. Most of the discounts are from across a variety of retailers, but Amazon and Woot have the most prominent price cuts right now. Some of the most popular video games of the last year are on sale right now, including Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 and Kingdom Come Deliverance II. GameStop is also having a surprisingly good sale with popular games as low as $15 right now.$15 and $30 Game Sale at GameStopSee it at GameStopKingdom Come: Deliverance II (PS5, XSX)Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (PS5, XSX)Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake (PS5, XSX, Switch)Silent Hill 2 (PS5)Sid Meier's Civilization VII (PS5, XSX, Switch)Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition (Switch)Star Wars Jedi Survivor (PS5, XSX)Star Wars Outlaws - Limited Edition (XSX)Suikoden I & II HD Remastered (PS5, XSX, Switch)Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol.1 (PS5, Switch)Dragon Age: The Veilguard- Deluxe Edition (PS5, XSX)Final Fantasy XVI (PS5)Diablo IV (Xbox)Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (PS5)Super Mario RPG (Switch)Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (PS5)When Do Memorial Day Sales End?Quite a few Memorial Day sales still haven't gone live yet, so there is still plenty of time to shop before the deals are gone. Most Memorial Day sales will be ending at the end of actual Memorial Day – which is Monday, May 26 this year.Jacob Kienlen is a Senior SEO Strategist and Writer for IGN. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, he has considered the Northwest his home for his entire life. With a bachelor's degree in communication and over 8 years of professional writing experience, his expertise ranges from books and games to technology and food. He has spent a good chunk of his career writing about deals and sales to help consumers find the best discounts on whatever they may be looking to buy.

Federal agencies are struggling to predict the weather and monitor disease 

A successful game of fetch I helped a lost dog’s AirTag ping its owner: An ode to replaceable batteries The most repair-friendly device Apple makes needs to stick with coin batteries. Kevin Purdy – May 21, 2025 5:31 pm | 24 This is Serene, a 7-year-old pitbull mix available for adoption at the Humane Rescue Alliance in Washington, DC. Credit: Humane Rescue Alliance This is Serene, a 7-year-old pitbull mix available for adoption at the Humane Rescue Alliance in Washington, DC. Credit: Humane Rescue Alliance Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only   Learn more Out of all the books I read for my formal education, one bit, from one slim paperback, has lodged the deepest into my brain. William Blundell's The Art and Craft of Feature Writing offers a "selective list of what readers like." It starts with a definitive No. 1: "Dogs, followed by other cute animals and well-behaved small children." People, Blundell writes, are your second-best option, providing they are doing or saying something interesting. I have failed to provide Ars Technica readers with a dog story during nearly three years here. Today, I intend to fix that. This is a story about a dog, but also a rare optimistic take on a ubiquitous "smart" product, one that helped out a very good girl. Note: The images in this post are not of the aforementioned dog, so as to protect their owner's privacy. The Humane Rescue Alliance of Washington, DC, provided photos of adoptable dogs with some resemblance to that dog. Hello, stranger My wife and I were sitting with our dog on our front porch on a recent weekend morning. We were drinking coffee, reading, and enjoying DC's tiny window for temperate spring weather. I went inside for a moment; when I came back, my dog was inside, but my wife was not. Confused, I cracked open the door to look out. A dog, not my own, stuck its nose into the door gap, eager to sniff me out. "There's a dog here?" my wife said, partly to herself. "She just ran up on the porch. I have no idea where she came from." Rexi, a nearly 3-year-old mixed breed, is being fostered and ready for adoption at the Humane Rescue Alliance. The author's wife thinks Rexi looks the most like their unexpected dog visitor. Credit: Humane Rescue Alliance Rexi, a nearly 3-year-old mixed breed, is being fostered and ready for adoption at the Humane Rescue Alliance. The author's wife thinks Rexi looks the most like their unexpected dog visitor. Credit: Humane Rescue Alliance I secured my dog inside, then headed out to meet this fast-moving but friendly interloper. She had a collar, but no leash, and looked well-groomed, healthy, and lightly frantic. The collar had a silicone band on it, holding one of Apple's AirTags underneath. I pulled out the AirTag, tapped it against my phone, and nothing happened. While my wife posted on our neighborhood's various social outlets (Facebook, Nextdoor, and a WhatsApp group for immediate neighbors), I went into the garage and grabbed a CR2032 battery. That's not something everyone has, but I have a few AirTags, along with a bit of a home automation habit. After some pressing, twisting, and replacing, the AirTag beeped and returned to service. I tapped the AirTag against my phone, this time receiving a link to a webpage with the tag's serial number and the last four digits of its owner's phone number. I had not yet needed to actually find something truly lost with an AirTag, so I looked up how it worked. Once you set an AirTag in your Apple account to "Lost" status, you can then choose to have a full phone number and message appear to anybody who taps it with their device (iOS or Android). If you don't know that your AirTag or Find-My-compatible item is missing and mark it that way, you can't preemptively have it offer up details. Maybe Apple should change that, for certain kinds of tracking. Noma, a 1-year-old pit bull mix, at the Humane Rescue Alliance. Credit: Humane Rescue Alliance Noma, a 1-year-old pit bull mix, at the Humane Rescue Alliance. Credit: Humane Rescue Alliance I had to leave the house, leaving my wife to negotiate space and sight lines between our concerned, confused dog and this excited newcomer. The local animal control encouraged my wife to monitor social channels before dropping the dog off at their facility. After two hours of unexpected fostering, we were anxiously texting one another. We were glad to have gotten this dog off the street and into a home with leashes and a crate available, but we had to make a decision before the animal shelter closed for the day. Then the doorbell rang. The dog's owner, led by the AirTag, asked if we had her dog. She explained how the dog got loose and pledged to keep a fresh battery in there from now on. My wife said goodbye to her temporary charge, and I came home to find both her and my dog far more relaxed. Maybe the dog's owner would have seen postings on Facebook or Nextdoor, though I cannot blame anybody who doesn't want those networks in their life. Perhaps a neighborhood phone chain would have come through, or the shelter could have connected us. But Apple's coin battery-powered nub came through in the nick of time, and I'm grateful. That’s a good AirTag—now, stay Cresha, a 3-year-old mixed-breed dog, is available for adoption. Credit: Humane Rescue Alliance Cresha, a 3-year-old mixed-breed dog, is available for adoption. Credit: Humane Rescue Alliance I was working at iFixit when rumors circulated about Apple developing a "Tile-like" item tracker in early 2019. The teardown and communications teams at iFixit were largely expecting Apple to release another tiny product that was impossible to fix or have its batteries swapped, filling the gaps in landfills alongside AirPods. Tile, one of the first in the Bluetooth tracking market, had introduced replaceable batteries a few months prior. But Apple, at that point still defending its butterfly MacBook keyboards and holding tight to Lightning ports, seemed unlikely to go the way of the common denominator. But Apple chose wisely. After addressing some of the early concerns about their potential misuses (though others remain), AirTags have become very handy devices. Some dog owners go for GPS tracker collars, which might fare better in rural areas. But it's a good bet that somebody with an iPhone will get close enough to your dog—or wallet, or keys—to update its location. Even if they don't have an iPhone to provide a location ping, they can get some information on who owns this tag. Apple is seemingly gearing up to offer a new AirTag, one with purportedly greater range and fewer avenues for privacy-invading misuse. I humbly request that the new model continue to be powered by a coin cell battery. When something important goes missing—especially something that likes ear scritches and pumpkin treats—it is best not to have to find a charging cable or magnetic charging pad, or discover the cells inside are dead. Coin cells are not perfectly recyclable, because nothing really is, but they're generally much easier to handle than lithium-ion waste. I have AirTags on my family's bikes, keys, wallets, and a couple other things. Depending on what the next AirTag looks like, I'm keen to get one on my dog's collar, too. Take the battery warnings seriously, and they can help some wayward good boys and girls. And I hope they made this human, telling a story about coin batteries, momentarily interesting. Kevin Purdy Senior Technology Reporter Kevin Purdy Senior Technology Reporter Kevin is a senior technology reporter at Ars Technica, covering open-source software, PC gaming, home automation, repairability, e-bikes, and tech history. He has previously worked at Lifehacker, Wirecutter, iFixit, and Carbon Switch. 24 Comments

Not every emergency calls for grabbing your bug-out bag and running out the door. Some are less severe, shelter-in-place, short-term scenarios. But no matter the situation, life is more dangerous in the dark, especially when you weren’t expecting the lights to go out. A little bit of preparation can go a long way when it comes to emergency illumination. “When power outages strike, having the right lights on hand can make all the difference,” says George Carrillo, former sheriff’s deputy and current CEO of the Hispanic Construction Council. “Not just in convenience but in ensuring the safety and comfort of your loved ones.” While candles can be handy in a pinch (especially if you have candles specifically meant for survival situations), you’ll want a more robust strategy for emergency illumination. Whether you need to be ready for a short electrical blimp or a prolonged blackout, it doesn’t take much to keep your home lit and provide your household with peace of mind.  Sterno 100-Hour Emergency Candles – Long Burning Unscented Candles for Emergencies These liquid wax candles provide up to 100 hours of steady illumination each. Sterno Why have emergency lighting? First off, let’s look at why you should plan ahead when it comes to emergency lighting. “I’ve seen how critical it is to be ready for the unexpected,” says Carrillo. “One area that’s often overlooked until it’s too late is emergency lighting.” You don’t want to wait until after the lights have already gone out to start looking for a solution. At that point, you’re in the dark, and finding and preparing lights will be much more difficult, if not impossible. This may be a mere inconvenience during a short blackout, but for longer outages it can have a significant impact on your household’s comfort and well-being. In more catastrophic scenarios, when the power might be out for long periods of time, emergency lighting or the lack thereof can make a major difference in terms of security. A dark house is not only a tripping hazard for those inside, but it’s a potential target for those outside looking to take advantage of the situation.  What’s more, the likelihood of experiencing a power outage is high. According to the US Census Bureau, one in four homes report losing power each year, with 70 percent of those reporting at least one outage longer than six hours. For a quarter of American homes, households, it’s not a matter of if but when. So your first step should involve getting lights before you need them. Once you have them, make sure they’re ready to go. Have backups to the backups According to Carrillo, “A layered approach to emergency lighting is essential.” That means equipping your home with multiple lighting elements that provide light in different ways. Carrillo advises having personal lights and room lights powered by a combination of batteries and solar. Personal lighting MagLite ML300L LED 3-Cell D Display Box, Black The classics are classics for a reason. MagLite Be sure that you have easy access to a few personal lighting options. That means flashlights, and Carrillo also suggests having a headlamp, “which allows hands-free lighting so you can handle tasks such as checking the breaker box or navigating cluttered areas without a hassle.” COAST POLYSTEEL 600 1000 Lumen LED Flashlight with Pure Beam Twist Focus Focusing allows you to control the width and concentration of the beam. Coast Polysteel He specifically recommends flashlights from “Maglite or the Coast Polysteel series because they’re compact, sturdy, and provide powerful beams to light your way,” as well as the Black Diamond Spot headlamp. BLACK DIAMOND Spot 400 LED Headlamp Black Diamond Room lighting It’s also important to have a number of stationary lanterns and other larger lighting options capable of illuminating a room. This not only helps with visibility to reduce accidents, but can make your home much more comfortable during an outage. Goal Zero Lighthouse Core Lantern and USB Power Hub It looks like an old school lantern, but it’s rechargeable and lasts for a long time on a charge. Goal Zero “The Goal Zero Lighthouse Core is an excellent choice,” says Carrillo, “offering long battery life and the added perk of charging other devices during an outage.” The Goal Zero Torch 500 is also a great option as it doubles as both flashlight and lamp, its rechargeable battery has an impressively long lifespan, and an integrated solar panel allows for charging in sunlight. Goal Zero 500 Lumen Torch Light, Multi-Use Weatherproof LED Flashlight and Solar Lantern More versatile lighting options offer options without taking up tons of space. Goal Zero While lanterns can be stored somewhere accessible, it’s also a good idea to keep one readily available in each room you expect to use the most, like your living room and bedrooms. (Consider keeping BioLite Inflatable Camping Lanterns in various drawers/cabinets.) Flood lights Most households under most power outage situations should be fine with the aforementioned indoor lighting. But if you expect the lights to be out for longer periods, worry about security, or simply may need to do something outdoors, consider using some form of battery-powered flood lights.  Beams MB3000 High Performance 500 Lumen Wireless Battery Powered Motion Sensing LED This light is useful even when there isn’t a blackout. Beams Flood lights come in several varieties. Some are designed for outdoor installation, much like a typical garage door motion detector light. The only difference is that in this case, you’ll need to look for models that can be powered by batteries or solar panels. For battery-powered models, we’re fans of the Beams MB3000, which is easy to install, adjustable, and plenty bright, and for solar, we suggest Intelamp for all the same reasons. DEWALT 20V MAX LED Work Light You can use the same batteries that run your power tools to provide light. DeWalt Alternatively, free-standing work lights can be a good option as you can move them as necessary. We like the Dewalt 20V MAX because it’s bright, versatile, and folds down for easy storage.  Power sources Whatever lights you choose, Carrillo recommends having multiple power sources. In addition to flashlights and lanterns that are rechargeable or use batteries (whether single-use or rechargeable), consider getting a backup hand-crank flashlight that can be powered no matter what happens. Eton – Scorpion II Rugged Multipowered Portable Emergency Weather Radio & Flashlight In addition to the illumination, this model also includes a radio. Eton Solar power has also become increasingly efficient, and these days, you can get flashlights that can charge in the sun during the day in preparation for the night. Solar power generators can provide a substantial source of backup power for charging rechargeable lights and other devices. The Jackery 2000 Plus is a good option as it offers an excellent balance between capacity and portability. The ultimate backup power source is a whole-home generator, which can provide enough juice to keep your entire home lit while using additional appliances or ensuring the consistent operation of essential medical equipment. The DuroMax XP13000HX is one of our top recommendations for emergency situations thanks to its high output, dual-fuel versatility, and all-around reliable build quality. DuroMax XP13000HX Dual Fuel Portable Generator A generator is an investment, but it can make a huge difference in an emergency. DuroMax Keep in mind that it is still wise to have flashlights and lanterns available even if you plan on lighting your home with a generator. Final thoughts on emergency lighting In the end, an effective emergency lighting array is pretty straightforward. “Preparedness doesn’t have to be complicated,” says Carrillo. “A flashlight in your bedside table, a lantern on the bookshelf, and a headlamp in your toolbox can transform how you handle emergencies. Having backup options like these ensures you’re prepared even during prolonged outages. The right tools not only provide safety and peace of mind but also allow you to face unforeseen challenges with confidence.”

Anker Solix F3800 Plus MSRP $4,799.00 Score Details “The Anker Solix F3800 Plus beats the competition in usability, versatility and value.” Pros Very portable Good looking Very strong warranty, lifetime customer service High-quality battery Expandable to 53.8kWh Cons Comes with a very short power cord EV charging is not practical Expensive for casual users With the Anker Solix F3800 Plus, the company promises people a more feature-rich, evolved power station that addresses many of the shortfalls from the 1st generation F3800. I got a chance to put the old and the new unit’s side-by side to see just how well Anker has listened to its fanbase. Recommended Videos Last February, I was able to spend some time on the original Anker Solix F3800, which was then brand new to the market and despite having some minor bugs, is still one of the most impressive power stations out there. Fortunately, in the year that I have had it, Anker has released a plethora of firmware updates to make sure things ran smoothly without complications. You can read about my experience with the Solix F3800 over on our other site, The Manual. Since it’s introduction, the Solix F3800 has garnered quite a lot of fans, a lot of which have asked Anker for some new features and fixes. This is where the Solix F3800 Plus comes in. Not only has Anker listened to its customers by addressing some of the complaints, but it has added several new features which are sure to make new customers happy. How much does the Anker Solix F3800 Plus cost? The Anker Solix F3800 Plus price is $4,799 MSRP, but you should be able to find it listed for less than that if you shop around. At the time of writing for example, you can pick up the Solix F3800 Plus for about $3,499 directly from Anker, which is $21,300 off of their regular MSRP. I was also able to find the F3800 Plus available at a number of online retailers, including Amazon – prices varied depending on what is packaged with it. When I reached out to Anker to ask about the discounts available, I was told that there are always discounts and specials running. What’s in the box of the Anker Solix F3800 Plus: Only a few things come packed with the F3800 Plus – the instruction and warranty pamphlets, the AC Charging cable for the unit itself, and two solar charging cables so you can connect some solar panels to the unit. I was bummed to see that the AC charging cable is considerably shorter than the one that came with the original F3800 unit. So, make sure that you have an AC outlet nearby, or be prepared to purchase a longer cord, separately. The original Anker Solix F3800 next to the F3800 Plus Ian Bell / Digital Trends Features and Design of the F3800 Plus The F3800 Plus doesn’t look any different than the original F3800 at first glance. Their shapes are pretty much identical, they weigh about the same etc., but when you take a closer look at the connections on the side of the F3800 Plus, that’s where things change. Here is a list of key differences between the F3800 and the F3800 Plus I was able to keep track of: The original F3800 accepts up to 2400W of solar input whereas the F3800 Plus accepts 3200W of solar input. This means you can charge the batteries much quicker You will need an adapter for the original F3800 if you want to charge your EV, the F3800 Plus has a port on the side where you can plug your EV in directly The F3800 Plus is compatible with 240V gas generators (up to 6,000 bypass) The F3800 Plus supports charging via generator or solar while simultaneously powering connected devices The original F3800 was not able to output AC power while charging with AC at the same time – this has been fixed with the Plus version Anker has a good comparison video on YouTube highlighting the key differences. Anker Solix F3800 Plus specifications Capacity 51.2Vdc 75Ah/3840Wh AC output AC Output 2 120V~ 20A Max, 60Hz, 2400W Max AC Output (NEMA L14-30R) 120V/240V~ 25A Max, 60Hz, 6000W Max USB-A Output 5V – 2.4A (12W Max Per Port) USB-C Output 5V – 3A / 9V – 3A / 15V – 3A / 20V – 3A / 20V – 5A (100W Max Per Port) Cell chemistry LiFePO4 Cell EPS/UPS UPS: 20ms Solar input 11-165V – 17A Max (1600W Max Each) (2) Solar Inputs Environmental Operation Discharging Temperature -4°F-104°F / -20°C-40°C Charging Temperature 32°F-104°F / 0°C-40°C AC input AC Input 120V~ 15A Max (< 3hrs) / 12A Max (continuous), 60Hz, L+N+PE AC Input Power (Charging) 1800W Max AC Input Power (Bypass Mode) 1440W Max Connectivity Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Dimensions 27.6×15.3×15.6 in / 70.2×38.8×39.5 cm Weight: 136.7lb Anker Solix F3800 Plus Vs. Competition Feature Anker F3800 Plus EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra Bluetti AC500 + B300S Goal Zero Yeti 6000X Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Battery Capacity 3.84 kWh (expandable to 26.9 kWh) 3.6 kWh (expandable to 25 kWh) 3.072 kWh per module (expandable to 18.4 kWh) 6.071 kWh 3.024 kWh AC Output (Continuous) 6,000W 7,200W 5,000W 2,000W 3,000W AC Output (Surge) 9,000W 10,800W 10,000W 3,500W 6,000W Solar Input Capacity 3,200W 5,600W 3,000W 600W 1,200W Portability Moderate (wheeled) Low (heavier) Moderate Low (heavier) High (wheeled) Expandability High High High Limited Limited Generator Charging I noticed that there are a few channels on YouTube covering 240V generator recharging with the F3800 Plus. Now, while I do not have a gas generator, nor do I plan on getting one now that I have the F3800 Plus here at home, I do understand that if you have both a gas generator and the F3800 Plus, you will want to use one to charge the other. Make sure that you purchase the Anker Solix Generator input Adapter so you can connect it to your gas generator first. Once connected to the 240V generator you should be able to charge your unit at 3300W according to the manual, and 6000W with an expansion battery attached. John from the YouTube channel Backyard Maine has a great video where he shares his experience connecting the F3800 Plus to his gas generator, I recommend checking it out if this is of interest to you. Solar Charging the F3800 Plus Anker did not send me any solar panels to test the F3800 Plus with, but once I get some, I will update and include my experience in the review here. The good news is that there are a lot of folks on YouTube that have connected solar panels, personally, I am a fan of Tommy Callaway’s Anker video. For home use, the F3800 Plus supports 410W permanent solar panels which you can purchase from Anker directly, or an aftermarket brand should you choose to. If you plan on taking the unit to the park or simply do not want to install the permanent panels, you can purchase some portable panels from Anker as well. The F38000 Plus supports a maximum 3200W charging input regardless of the panel’s portability. Accessories solar panels, ranging from portable panels to more permanent fixed panels. There are also several adapters to choose from that either allow you to connect the F3800 Plus to an EV, RV or solar panels. The system truly is expandable and designed to meet a number of needs. Expansion Batteries The Anker Solix F3800 Plus can increase it’s storage capacity up to 26,880Wh by connecting 6 Anker expansion batteries, or 12 if you are connecting a second F3800. The expansion batteries are about $2K each when on sale.Anker F3800 and F3800 Plus connections compared Ian Bell / Digital Trends “Real World” Testing the Anker Solix F3800 Plus I always find it amusing to watch videos or read articles where people are testing these power stations with power equipment in the garage, food blenders, or charging their EV’s. It’s as if we all expect life to go on as normal during a power outage, that’s how these companies want you to imagine things. But for a lot of people, including myself, I am not expecting a power outage to last days or weeks, I simply want my food to stay fresh, for the home to be comfortable depending on the weather, or my phone and lights to stay charged. And that’s for home use. If I am taking the F3800 plus to the park or camping , then sure, I will use it to power items to cook with, keep the lights on or play a sound system – and that’s why I like the F3800 Plus, when compared to a lot of its competitors – it’s portable with wheels and a built-in handle. The handle extends a little over a foot and is about the same length as you would get from carry-on luggage; it feels sturdy and didn’t make me worry about it breaking with prolonged use. For lifting the F3800, there is a smaller handle that flips out on the bottom so that you can lift the unit with two people. The unit itself weighs just over 132 lbs. and is too wide in my opinion for a single person to lift, so make sure you have some help with you. I transported the F3800 throughout the house, up some steps and over some grass in the yard. The wheels worked well and at no time did I feel like the unit was going to break – there were no clunking sounds or anything feeling loose.How does the App work? The Anker app is simple to use. Once installed, you can connect to the F3800 through Bluetooth, and then you will want to connect the F3800 to your Wi-Fi system so you can monitor the unit remotely. I was able to spend some considerable time with the Bluetti AC500 and can tell you that the Anker F3800’s app is considerably easier to navigate and use. You can also add multiple Anker devices through their app which is nice for when and if you decide to expand on this system. The first thing to notice is that the display is very easy to read and the instruction manual does a great job explaining what the icons mean on the display. Buttons on the front of the F3800 have a nice tactile feel to them – they are not mushy or sticky when pressed. Controls are intuitive to use for the most part. I would recommend keeping the manual handy so you can quickly find out how to put the F3800 into EV charging mode, and which side of the AC outlets you should use if you want to use the UPS function. These two areas are not easy to find unless you have the manual. To test the F3800 Plus at my home, I had it power a large freezer outside in the garage, charge some electric bikes, power a regular refrigerator and charge some laptops. Here is what the results are for those items. Danby 10 cu ft. chest freezer that I have in my garage: Started May 16th at 7:45PM and fully drained the Anker F3800 by May 18th 1:58PM – about 43 hours total. A little under 2 days of charge with a 47w draw from the F3800 Plus Frigidaire refrigerator – 20 hours until completely drains at a 150W draw. You could maybe get a couple more hours if no one opened the fridge. Standard laptop charges: between 30 and 60 charges if you avg, 50-100 Wh per laptop for example, triple that phone phones Charging an EV: With my Rivian R1S, I was able to get about 5 miles of charge out of the F3800 Plus – fully drained. Online, some Tesla owners were able to get about 11 miles of charge If you were confident the power would come back on in a hurry, you would be able to keep a fridge or freezer running, charge a few laptops or phones, maybe charge up an e-Bike and the F3800 Plus base unit would last about 17 hours before needing a recharge . With both the freezer and my fridge plugged in at the same time, I was about to get 7.34 hours before the unit was completely drained. Recharging the F3800 through a regular 120v outlet took 3.17 hours at 1645W (screenshot attached). Charging an EV with the F3800 is gimmicky in my opinion, but I just know that if Anker did not include this capability, some people will make a stink about it. Unless you are stuck in a zombie apocalypse and need that extra 5 miles of range to get somewhere else to charge your car, this feature just doesn’t make sense to me. If power outages are common in your area, ymy recommendation is that you ‘’ll want to buy the solar panels so you can charge the F3800 Plus if you are expecting outages for multiple days. And you will likely want to add a battery pack (or two) as well. 1. Anker Solix F3800 Plus App 2. Anker Solix F3800 Plus App 3. Anker Solix F3800 Plus App Can you connect the older, original F3800 to the F3800 Plus? Yes, you can use the Anker Solix Double Power Hub ($299). This increases your maximum output to 12,000W – impressive! As mentioned above, if you have two units connected, you can expand your batteries by 12 total, giving you days of backup for your home. The Anker Solix F3800 Plus can power your e-bike, EV and other devices Ian Bell / Digital Trends How long will the Anker Solix F3800 Plus Last? The Anker Solix F3800 Plus has an expected lifespan of 10 years or more due to the fact that they areit’s using EV grade batteries (lithium-ion batteries that use lithium iron phosphate as the cathode) which are considered safer than other lithium-ion batteries. Like a lot of companies, Anker releases regular firmware updates to address problems. Product Warranty Coverage Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus 5-year warranty with an expected lifespan of 10+ years using EV-grade LiFePO₄ batteries . With lifetime customer support EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra 5-year warranty covering both the inverter and battery components . BLUETTI AC500 + B300S 4-year warranty for both the AC500 power station and B300S battery module . Goal Zero Yeti 6000X 2-year warranty standard for lithium-based Yeti products . Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro 3-year standard warranty, extendable to 5 years upon product registration . Should you buy it? If your needs match mine, then I would recommend buying it. I like the design, portability and the warranty. Would I power my entire home with this? I probably would not, but according to other reviews on the web, and community forums, it certainly seems capable of doing the job if you go with the extra batteries and available accessories – for me, it’s a great base system that you can build from. I am “either/or” in this camp. If I purchased the F3800 Plus and the necessary equipment with the intention of powering my entire home, I am not going to go through all the trouble to disconnect it and take it somewhere – the portability aspect is useless to me. Because the F3800 Plus comes with wheels, an extension handle and a rear handle for portability, that’s what I would use it for. The Anker Solix F3800 Plus improves on the original F3800 in a lot of ways, and I like how Anker fixed a lot of the quirks I encountered from the original F3800. I spent a lot of time in the community forums learning a lot from F3800 owners, and it appears that the community as a whole has been happy with Anker’s support and firmware fixes. I plan on tracking my use as I get more hours with the F3800 and will see if Anker has plans to address any quirks that come up. If you currently have an existing Solix F3800 and none of the new features make sense to you, then there are no reasons to upgrade; Anker has consistently been providing firmware updates to improve the unit and any bugs associated with it. The good news is that you can add the F3800 plus to your existing unit and build from there too. If you are buying from scratch and want a versatile system that looks good, has a solid user interface, is a reliable performer and plenty of accessories and options for building upon, then this is the power station for you. The Anker Solix F3800 Plus beats the competition in usability, versatility and value. We have a pretty extensive list of Power Station reviews worth checking out if you think the Solix F3800 Plus isn’t right for you.

News Artificial Intelligence A new AI-based weather tool surpasses current forecasts Aurora can be tweaked to predict air pollution, ocean waves, tropical cyclones and more Typhoon Doksuri struck the Philippines in July 2023 and didn’t follow the predicted storm path. A new AI model called Aurora figured out the correct route from data captured four days in advance of the storm. NASA By Kathryn Hulick 2 hours ago Weather forecasting is getting cheaper and more accurate. An AI model named Aurora used machine learning to outperform current weather prediction systems, researchers report May 21 in Nature. Aurora could accurately predict tropical cyclone paths, air pollution and ocean waves, as well as global weather at the scale of towns or cities — offering up forecasts in a matter of seconds. The fact that Aurora can make such high-resolution predictions using machine learning impressed Peter Dueben, who heads the Earth system modeling group at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts in Bonn, Germany. “I think they have been the first to push that limit,” he says. Sign up for our newsletter We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.