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History shows revoking Harvard's tax status won't be easy — or fast

NPR News Headlines - Fri, 04/18/2025 - 15:24

A presidential effort to revoke Harvard University's tax-exempt status could run up against a number of challenges, including violating federal law.

(Image credit: Bettmann Archive)

Categories: News

Chinese manufacturers on TikTok claim they make the world's luxury goods. Is that true?

NPR News Headlines - Fri, 04/18/2025 - 15:24

Amid tariff confusion, online vendors are looking to recruit new customers.

(Image credit: (@Senbags02 and @elizabethhenzie/Screenshot by NPR))

Categories: News

'Lab Leak,' a flashy page on the virus' origins, replaces government COVID sites

NPR News Headlines - Fri, 04/18/2025 - 15:23

The new page emphatically promotes a theory that many scientists question. Meanwhile, basic information about COVID testing and vaccines has disappeared.

(Image credit: Whitehouse.gov/Screenshot by NPR)

Categories: News

After 100 Years We Now Have a Video of a Living Colossal Squid: Watch Now

CNET News - Fri, 04/18/2025 - 15:19
The minute-plus-long video displays the baby squid's see-through body, which looks as if it's made of glass.
Categories: Technology

Today's Wordle Hints, Answer and Help for April 19, #1400

CNET News - Fri, 04/18/2025 - 15:00
Here are hints -- and the answer -- for today's Wordle No. 1,400 for April 19.
Categories: Technology

Today's NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for April 19, #412

CNET News - Fri, 04/18/2025 - 15:00
Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle No. 412 for April 19.
Categories: Technology

Today's NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for April 19, #678

CNET News - Fri, 04/18/2025 - 15:00
Hints and answers for Connections for April 19, #678.
Categories: Technology

The Best Budgeting Apps to Help You Manage Your Money

CNET News - Fri, 04/18/2025 - 14:44
Monitor your spending, boost your savings and make your money work for you with free or subscription-based apps.
Categories: Technology

Samsung's latest smartphone has a very simple feature that no other Samsung phone offers right now

TechRadar News - Fri, 04/18/2025 - 14:32
  • Samsung Galaxy XCover7 Pro revives the removable battery for power in rugged environments
  • Dual programmable keys allow instant access to essential features and field apps
  • Built tough with IP68, MIL-STD-810H and Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection

Samsung has officially introduced the Galaxy XCover7 Pro, a rugged smartphone that offers a rare return to basics with a standout feature missing from most modern devices – a 4,350mAh removable battery.

Powering the new smartphone is the mid-range 4nm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card up to 2TB.

The XCover7 Pro features a 6.6-inch FHD+ TFT LCD with a 120Hz refresh rate, 20:9 aspect ratio, glove-friendly touch sensitivity, and Vision Booster for improved visibility. It is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+, offering resistance to drops, scratches, and disinfectants like ethanol and chlorine-based solutions.

A rugged smartphone built for real-world demands

Designed for frontline professionals, the Galaxy XCover7 Pro is IP68-rated for water and dust resistance and MIL-STD-810H certified for environmental durability, a benchmark for top-tier rugged phones and rugged tablets.

“At Samsung, we understand that frontline professionals need technology that adapts to their fast-paced and demanding work environments,” said Jerry Park, EVP and Head of Global Mobile B2B Team, MX Business at Samsung Electronics.

Although this device focuses on durability, it includes a 50MP wide main sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide lens on the rear. For selfies, there's a 13MP front camera with an f/2.2 aperture.

The business smartphone supports both physical SIM and eSIM. Connectivity options include 5G Sub-6, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 5.4, and NFC. For navigation, the device supports GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, and QZSS, though availability may vary by region.

Weighing 240g, the XCover7 Pro includes a POGO pin interface for use with dedicated charging docks (sold separately), and two programmable hardware keys - the Top Key and XCover Key - which can be programmed to specific apps or features.

“The Galaxy XCover7 Pro combines ruggedized durability, enterprise-grade security, seamless connectivity and intuitive AI-driven features to help businesses operate efficiently in harsh conditions while maximizing productivity and minimizing downtime,” Park added

The device is priced at £559 in the UK and will be available starting April 2025. There's no word on US pricing at the moment.

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Categories: Technology

You freak out when battery life hits 38%, but here's how to extend it and calm the heck down

TechRadar News - Fri, 04/18/2025 - 14:30

The moment when you think it's time to start charging your smartphone is probably as personal as your hairstyle. I doubt anyone fully agrees on when to plug back in, except when you're completely out of juice. While some might be fine with 50% in the middle of the day, others might panic, just a little, when they hit 38%. At least that's what a new study from Talker Research says.

In a survey of 2000 people in the US, researchers found that 38% is when the concern creeps in, and the majority of smartphone owners start searching for a charging option.

A third of the respondents wait until, for instance, their iPhone warns them the battery is running low (20% or less), and 13% are willing to wait until the power drops below 10%.

I've seen people take far riskier approaches, with as little as 1% left on their phone, and, somehow, they seem unconcerned. Perhaps they always have an extra battery backup in their back pocket.

The research, though, indicates there may be some generational differences in our battery approach. Gen Zers reach for a charging cable far sooner than their Millennial, Gen X, and Boomer counterparts, plugging in as soon as 44%.

When do you start panicking about a low phone battery life?April 18, 2025

In my own anecdotal survey on X, I found the majority start worrying about battery life when it reaches 20%. That's even more than those who seem concerned at 10%.

This makes sense to me. 20% has long been my trigger, which means I plug and rarely see 10% or less. There is, by the way, a small contingent who charge up when the battery life hits 60%. They are, I bet, part of the "ABC" (Always Be Charging) crowd.

I got a few comments on X telling me there was no need to "panic" and that they found that some phones, like the Samsung Galaxy series, had good enough battery life that they rarely worry.

What you can do

The thing is, you have far more control over the life and longevity of your smartphone battery than you might think.

First of all, Android and iOS, along with hardware-based AI and machine learning, do their fair share to manage battery life, especially the longevity of the battery. That's why your battery doesn't always charge to 100%. The system has to manage the battery's health so that the 100% battery life you experience when you first buy the phone is not radically different from the 100% battery life you get six months later.

Under Settings/Battery, you can see the health of your battery and the percentage it can actually charge to (95% capacity, 80% capacity, etc.)

For day-to-day battery life, there are a handful of well-worn tips for both iOS and Android that can significantly extend your charge while having minimal impact on the phone's operation.

So, instead of panicking about 38% battery life, you can take charge, and maybe show friends who let the battery life drop to 10% what to do so they can make it through the rest of the night without being tethered to a wall outlet.

iPhone battery tips
  • Dim your brightness (under Control Center)
  • Turn on Auto Brightness (Under Settings/Accessibility)
  • In WiFi settings, turn off cell service
  • Enable Low Power Mode (Under Settings/Battery)
  • Turn off background activity (Settings/General/Background App Refresh)
  • Adjust mail fetch intervals (Settings/Accounts and Passwords/Fetch new data)
  • Turn off location services on an app-by-app basis (Settings/Privacy/Location Services)
  • Tamp down notifications (Settings/Notifications)
Android battery tips
  • Reduce screen brightness (swiped down from the top to access control)
  • Adjust your screen timeout setting (usually under Settings/Display)
  • Use Dark Mode (usually under Settings/Display)
  • Turn off keyboard vibrations and sounds (Settings/sounds and vibration)
  • Turn on Power Saving (Settings/Battery)
  • Turn on Put unused apps to sleep (Settings/Battery/Background Usage Limits)
  • Turn off cell service in WiFi situations (Settings/Connections)

There are more ways to manage battery life and, especially in Android phones, battery-saving features specific to each manufacturer. I suggest you dig into your settings to see what you can adjust.

If all else fails, it's always a good idea to travel with a cable and charge adapter, and also a portable charger.

ABC folks, A...B...C.

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Categories: Technology

30 years later, Oklahoma City bombing survivor recalls vow to change her life while trapped

NPR News Headlines - Fri, 04/18/2025 - 14:29

Amy Downs was buried in 10 feet of rubble after the Oklahoma City bombing 30 years ago. While trapped, she vowed to change her life, but it was long journey.

(Image credit: LM Otero)

Categories: News

Opera Mini stuffs a whole AI assistant into a tiny Android browser

TechRadar News - Fri, 04/18/2025 - 14:00
  • Opera has added its AI assistant Aria to the Opera Mini browser for Android
  • Users can access real-time information, summarize text, and generate images in the lightweight Android browser
  • The Opera Mini version of Aria is optimized for low data usage and older devices

Opera is giving a major AI upgrade to its Opera Mini mobile web browser. The company is embedding its Aria AI assistant into the Android version of Opera Mini, whose low-cost, data-saving approach to browsing is used by more than a hundred million people globally.

Aria will aid Opera Mini users by answering questions, generating text or software code, creating images, summarizing webpages, and pulling real-time info from the internet. Aria relies on Composer, Opera’s own AI engine, which stitches together tools and models from both OpenAI and Google, including making images with Google’s Imagen 3 model.

"AI is rapidly becoming an integral part of the daily internet experience – bringing Aria to Opera Mini is a natural addition to our most-downloaded browser," Opera executive vice president Jørgen Arnesen explained in a statement. "With the addition of our built-in AI, Aria, we’re excited to explore how AI can further enhance the feature set our users rely on every day.”

Pianissimo Opera AI

Opera Mini is popular because it can provide a web browser that doesn't use too much bandwidth. AI assistants like ChatGPT or Google Gemini tend to rely on a significant amount of energy and computational power. In many parts of the world, AI features are only available to people with the latest flagship phones, massive storage, or expensive subscriptions.

What Opera Mini is doing with Aria offers an alternative, one built to fit a browser already designed for places with unreliable connections, slow speeds, and high data costs. If you have an Android device, you can simply update the Opera Mini browser and start using Aria.

The release sets an interesting precedent. As AI becomes a staple in digital tools, developers have to consider not only how to make AI smarter and more powerful but also more flexible and accessible to people in different circumstances. Opera Mini's addition of Aria could end up being the example developers refer to when creating an AI assistant that won't eat up all your storage space or data budget.

Opera has teased that other new Mini features are in the pipeline, though it hasn’t said exactly what they will be. If the new features blend with the browser like Aria, it could end up as a semi-independent path toward AI adoption, one very different from its flashier cousins.

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Categories: Technology

Nearly 300 scientists apply for French academic program amid Trump cuts in U.S.

NPR News Headlines - Fri, 04/18/2025 - 13:43

Nearly 300 U.S.-based researchers have applied to one program that promises "scientific refugee status" for those fleeing Trump's academic funding rollbacks.

(Image credit: Robyn Beck)

Categories: News

Star Wars: Starfighter Movie Is Coming: Here's What We Know So Far

CNET News - Fri, 04/18/2025 - 13:39
The new Star Wars: Starfighter film stars Ryan Gosling as a character new to the famed space franchise.
Categories: Technology

Ryan Gosling is joining the Star Wars universe as an all-new character in 'Starfighter'

TechRadar News - Fri, 04/18/2025 - 13:31
  • Ryan Gosling is officially joining the Star Wars universe
  • He'll play an all-new character in Star Wars: Starfighter, which hit theaters in May of 2026
  • The casting and film were announced at Star Wars Celebration in Japan

While we’ve known there are some feature-length Star Wars films in the works, up until late last night – April 17, 2025 – we only knew that the Mandalorian and Grogu would make the jump to the big screen next Memorial Day, May 26, 2026.

But hold your blue milk – there’s another brand-new Star Wars film set for May 2027, and it starts production this Fall. Even better, it’s directed by Shawn Levy, the man behind the incredibly excellent Deadpool & Wolverine, but maybe even better is the fact that Ryan Gosling is joining the Star Wars universe.

Yes, the actor with his roots in the Mickey Mouse Club and the person who played Ken in Barbie, will be playing an all-new character in Star Wars: Starfighter. The title of the forthcoming film certainly has intrigue, but not a whole lot else about the plot or the storyline is known.

Star Wars: Starfighter comes to theaters on May 28, 2027. #StarWarsCelebration pic.twitter.com/dsbVb3VdBYApril 18, 2025

The casting was announced on stage at Star Wars Celebration 2025 in Japan. Starfighter will be a stand-alone film that is set five years after The Rise of Skywalker. Gosling was wearing a hat with the phrase, “Never tell me the odds.” on it, a Han Solo quote which might hint that this will be an action-packed adventure film. And it will be turning a new page as the Skywalker saga will be concluded by this point.

Star Wars: Starfighter is slated to begin production this fall and will be released on Memorial Day 2027, which means May 28. After a year, Star Wars is set to return to big screen with The Mandalorian & Grogu.

While we have footage of both Gosling and Levy on stage at Celebration 2025, the only other piece of media is a logo, title teaser for the Starfighter film. It’s a journey we’ll be following closely on TechRadar, though.

Sam Witwer has surprised fans at the Lucasfilm Animation 20th anniversary #StarWarsCelebration panel. https://t.co/l7Y4C7Zr3M pic.twitter.com/M76x28yJFSApril 18, 2025

Also announced at Star Wars Celebration 2025 is a new animated series titled, Maul: Shadow Lord. And this will be excellent news for fans of The Clone Wars, among other animated shows in the Star Wars universe. Better yet, Sam Witwer will be reprising his role to voice Maul in this show. Maul: Shadow Lord will be exclusive to one of the best streaming services, Disney+, when it arrives in 2026.

If you’re looking for more of the latest news from Star Wars Celebration 2025, stick with TechRadar. We’ve already gotten a closer look at Lucasfilm’s Beyond Victory title for the Meta Quest 3S and 3, a slew of new Lego sets, and a bunch more Celebration-exclusive products that are appearing on Amazon.

That helps with the fomo a bit, but I do hope Star Wars continues the trend of the Mandalorian movie and puts the BDX Droids in Starfighter.

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Categories: Technology

Scammers Are Impersonating the FBI. Here's How To Spot Them

CNET News - Fri, 04/18/2025 - 13:12
Cybercriminals are trying to pass themselves off as the FBI employees tasked with helping victims of online scams. Don't fall for it.
Categories: Technology

VA officials acknowledge the need for privacy for telehealth therapy

NPR News Headlines - Fri, 04/18/2025 - 13:00

The VA looks like it is changing course on a plan that would have threatened the privacy of veterans receiving mental health care via telehealth, according to documents obtained by NPR.

(Image credit: Chip Somodevilla)

Categories: News

Here's why you should avoid Vivid mode, even on the best OLED TVs

TechRadar News - Fri, 04/18/2025 - 13:00

It’s no secret that we here at TechRadar use Filmmaker or Movie picture mode, depending on the TV, during our testing when we’re reviewing TVs – we've written about why in our explanation of how we test TVs. As one of TechRadar’s TV reviewers, I find that these modes generally give the most accurate colors, contrast and textures when compared with most other picture modes, even on the best TVs.

That said, some TVs actually have a very good Standard mode, which can be useful for daytime, broadcast TV or brighter, more colorful movies. And of course, picture mode choice is subjective; not everyone will like the dimmer, warm-favoring Filmmaker Mode.

One thing that all of us here at TechRadar will stand by, however, is our feelings on Vivid modes; they're bad. Or at least they're the worst of the picture modes. Colors are often oversaturated, textures are too sharp and brightness is dialled up way too high, overblowing bright sections of the picture.

To demonstrate, I put the LG G5 OLED TV (one of the best OLED TVs of 2025 which earned five-out-of-five in our LG G5 review) next to the Panasonic MZ1500 (one of the best mid-range OLEDs of the last few years) playing the same scene from Wicked.

In the below pictures, you’ll see I cycle through the G5’s different Dolby Vision picture modes, while the MZ1500 stays in the most accurate Dolby Vision Dark mode as a point of reference – we love the MZ1500 for its natural picture and accuracy, so this provides a great baseline.

The LG G5 is on the left and the Panasonic MZ1500 is on the right for all images.

Dolby Vision Filmmaker

(Image credit: Future)

In Dolby Vision Filmmaker Mode, the G5 demonstrates natural-looking colors that also still deliver the vibrant, dynamic punch you’d want when viewing a colorful movie like Wicked. Textures are also true-to-life, with both Elphaba’s skin and the surrounding stone walls displayed with real accuracy.

There’s also good contrast on display here, with the blue inlays balancing well with the beige stone, and Elphaba’s black dress also contrasting well with the brighter surroundings, including the glossy pink flowers.

Dolby Vision Cinema

(Image credit: Future)

Compared with Dolby Vision Filmmaker, Dolby Vision Cinema shows a boost in brightness, which means colors have a bit more punch and the brighter tones of the picture (the beige, stone walls) appear that little bit lighter.

Crucially however, textures and details are still accurate and natural, as are colors, and contrast between light and dark tones (the walls with Elphaba’s dress) are still balanced. Although I still prefer Filmmaker Mode, this is a very close second.

Dolby Vision Standard

(Image credit: Future)

Dolby Vision Standard goes even brighter than Dolby Vision Cinema mode and favors a cooler color palette than both Filmmaker Mode and Cinema mode. The beige walls take on a slighter whiter hue, but again colors get that injection of higher brightness.

This is where textures and colors straddle the line between accurate and oversaturated, with the pink flowers now starting to take on a glossier, shinier look (which isn’t always better). Elphaba’s green skin remains mostly true-to-life however and contrast is still solid enough.

Dolby Vision Vivid

(Image credit: Future)

And then there’s Dolby Vision Vivid. Yes, there’s a significant brightness boost, which in this instance shows just how bright the LG G5’s new Primary Tandem RGB, or ‘four-stack’, OLED panel can go. While some may like the increase in brightness, this is where accuracy takes a real hit.

The pink flowers now take on an oversaturated, ‘neon’ pink color and as a result, definition between each flower is lost. Textures start to lose their true-to-life look as well, with the cracks in the walls all too well-defined, taking on an unnatural, over-sharpened appearance.

Even the blue details on the walls, which were more subtle in other picture modes, stand out too much and again take on this unrealistic tone. The details on Elphaba’s dress, such as the creases and buttons, also stick out like a sore thumb, taking on the horrible ‘uncanny valley’ effect.

Browse all the above images:

Image 1 of 4

Dolby Vision Filmmaker on the G5 (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 4

Dolby Vision Cinema on the G5 (Image credit: Future)Image 3 of 4

Dolby Vision Standard on the G5 (Image credit: Future)Image 4 of 4

Dolby Vision Vivid on the G5 (Image credit: Future) Avoid Vivid

Interestingly, the LG G5 is actually one of the better examples of Vivid I’ve come across in my time testing TVs. But that’s because it’s an elite OLED! Even then, I’d still avoid its Vivid mode like the plague. If Filmmaker Mode isn’t for you, Cinema or Standard should offer more than sufficient enough brightness without sacrificing accuracy or true-to-life colors and textures.

Yes, Wicked is a naturally bold and dynamic movie with an exaggerated color palette (green is a pretty central theme after all) but even then, it shouldn’t look as overexaggerated as Vivid would suggest.

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Categories: Technology

NBA Playoffs 2025: TV Schedule, First Round Matchups, How to Watch Today's Games

CNET News - Fri, 04/18/2025 - 12:57
Here's everything you need to know to watch or stream the NBA playoffs without cable.
Categories: Technology

3D-Printed Starbucks Set to Open in South Texas

CNET News - Fri, 04/18/2025 - 12:55
The coffee shop location, which isn't far from SpaceX's launch site, is set to open this month and is made from 3D-printed concrete.
Categories: Technology

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