author

“Planet of the Apes Film Alleged to Have Borrowed Technology from Cult Sci-Fi Classic”

find an alternative application for an aging computer monitor, Hollywood creators excel at discovering methods to repurpose various items to capture the finest shots for their films. Nevertheless, the outcomes are not always amazing, and some enthusiasts notice when films recycle particular objects. For the 2001 movie “The Planet of the Apes” — a remake generally regarded as one of the less favorable in the series – the film appropriated elements from the cult-classic “Starship Troopers,” and people paid attention.

Although a film that receives high praise and is accurate enough that even NASA acknowledges it can be quite commendable, there’s something about a lighthearted movie taking cues from another film that can provide a unique form of entertainment, even if it might be a bit off-putting. Explore the specifics below, and remember this for your next movie-themed trivia night — we won’t even request you to share your winnings with us if you succeed.

2001’s Planet of the Apes took helmets from a cult sci-fi classic

Belkin’s Modular Qi2 Charging Dock Compatible with Pixel and Galaxy Watch Pucks

Belkin has unveiled a multifunctional solution for smartwatch owners fed up with charging stations meant solely for the Apple Watch. Their latest UltraCharge Modular Charging Dock, revealed at CES 2026, accommodates a variety of smartwatches, including models from Apple, Google, and Samsung, thanks to its modular smartwatch charger tray. This feature empowers users to utilize their own charging pucks, offering flexibility and compatibility across different devices.

The UltraCharge Dock is priced at $64.99 and is equipped with a primary Qi2.2 25W charging pad, ideal for phones such as the Google Pixel 10 series, along with a secondary pad for earbuds. The dock’s modular design serves Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, and Google Pixel Watch users, though only first- and second-generation Pixel Watches are compatible due to Google’s transition to pin-based charging systems with the Pixel Watch 3.

The dock comes with a pop-out tray for smartwatch chargers, consisting of inserts and spacers to accommodate various models. The design conceals cables within the stand’s body, linking to a USB-C input and output. The main charging pad adheres to Qi2.2 technology, enabling 25W charging speeds, and the dock is adjustable for optimal viewing angles or flat storage.

Belkin’s UltraCharge Modular Charging Dock is anticipated to launch this quarter in select markets, delivering a comprehensive charging solution for Samsung and Google ecosystems, encompassing phones, earbuds, and smartwatches.

Jenna Ortega’s Character in a Disputed Marvel Movie

Though Jenna Ortega is now widely celebrated for her role in “Wednesday,” one of Netflix’s standout series, and her significant performances in horror movies, her entry into blockbuster films occurred much earlier. This initial venture took place on one of pop culture’s largest platforms: Marvel, through a brief appearance in the MCU that numerous viewers may not remember.

This minor Marvel role was in “Iron Man 3,” when she was just 10 years old. Even though her role was small, Ortega’s character played a crucial part in the villain’s scheme, as the film leverages her character’s health issue to enable the antagonist to manipulate the U.S. government to his advantage. While it may be easy to overlook, the character remains connected to the film’s primary conflict.

Simultaneously, Ortega’s entry into the Marvel universe coincided with one of the most polarizing projects of Phase 2 in the MCU. Despite “Iron Man 3” achieving box office success upon its release, it did not become one of the franchise’s most cherished installments, mainly due to certain script decisions.

Jenna Ortega reflects on her almost wordless Marvel debut in ‘Iron Man 3’

For those who do not recall Jenna Ortega’s part in “Iron Man 3,” her scene lasts only a few seconds, occurring approximately an hour and a half into the film. Ortega’s character is depicted interacting with her father during a Christmas family event. Although the moment is subtle, it indicates that she uses a wheelchair, a detail that becomes significant to the film’s storyline later on.

In a discussion with Entertainment Weekly, the actress spoke about her short role in this Marvel movie, which also ranked among her earliest works. “I occupy the frame. I have one leg, and I’m the vice president’s daughter.” She also noted revisions made in post-production, as the character was initially supposed to have some dialogue, but as Ortega mentioned, “they cut all my lines out.” Additionally, Ortega’s name does not appear in the credits.

Ortega also took the opportunity in that interview to respond to speculation about a possible return to the MCU, amidst the various rumors concerning the franchise’s future, while indicating that her brief appearance in “Iron Man 3” leaves little room for a future role. In her perspective, that cameo was her passage through Marvel films, and she views it as a completed chapter.

Why Iron Man 3 remains one of the MCU’s most controversial films

The film that marked Ortega’s Marvel entry is also considered one of the franchise’s most contentious installments. Despite its success at the box office, “Iron Man 3” made several creative choices that left many comic book fans dissatisfied. A significant portion of the backlash focused on the Mandarin, the film’s antagonist, whose representation diverges greatly from the original material. This twist compelled Marvel to later clarify the matter in Shang-Chi, addressing who the true leader of the Ten Rings was.

Another reason the film polarized fans was its departure from the focus of the first two “Iron Man” films, showcasing a deeper exploration of Tony Stark’s trauma following “The Avengers.” While some viewers appreciated this direction, many were anticipating a more conventional superhero narrative, which contributed to the film’s mixed reputation.

Nevertheless, “Iron Man 3” surpassed the $1 billion mark at the box office, demonstrating that a more psychological approach to a superhero narrative could still resonate with mainstream audiences. The film also concluded Robert Downey Jr.’s solo trilogy and, in hindsight, provided Ortega with an early blockbuster debut.

Clicks Creates a BlackBerry-Like Device to Tackle Smartphone Distraction

Clicks, a firm celebrated for its forward-thinking technology strategies, has rolled out a novel idea in the smartphone sector, underlining the significance of tactile feedback with actual buttons. During CES 2026, Clicks revealed its inaugural smartphone, the Communicator, crafted around a tactile QWERTY keyboard, intelligent notification features, and the cutting-edge Android 16 operating system. This gadget is not meant to replace your main smartphone but to act as a communication-centric companion.

The Communicator boasts a 4.03-inch AMOLED touchscreen, a 50MP OIS primary camera, a 24MP selfie camera, and a 4,000mAh battery with Qi2 wireless charging capabilities. Additionally, it includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, 5G connectivity, NFC for transactions, and expandable storage up to 2TB. The phone’s distinctive design features a fingerprint sensor embedded in the spacebar for instant unlocking and a customizable Signal LED for alerts.

Alongside the Communicator, Clicks has launched the Power Keyboard, a multifunctional 3-in-1 accessory that serves as a magnetic phone holder, a 2,150 mAh wireless backup power source, and a universal Bluetooth keyboard. This accessory can magnetically attach to gadgets using MagSafe or Qi2, offering 5W wireless charging while in use. It can toggle between three saved devices, making it a practical tool for a variety of electronics.

Clicks’ strategy emphasizes the persistent demand for physical buttons in a landscape dominated by touchscreen gadgets. The Communicator and Power Keyboard deliver a distinctive combination of contemporary technology and classic tactile feedback, appealing to those who prioritize effective communication and productivity. With introductory pricing commencing at $399 for the Communicator and $79 for the Power Keyboard, Clicks aims to transform the way we engage with our devices.

Reasons Behind Costco’s Lower Prices on TVs

mentioned in an interview a few years prior. “Our objective is consistently to negotiate enhanced specifications, extra warranties or streaming credits with well-known services like Paramount+, Showtime, and Xbox, to provide added value for our members.”

Moreover, since consumers do not frequently buy new television sets, competitively pricing them is an effective strategy to attract shoppers, who can then be marketed to for other electronics, alongside more affordable higher-margin products such as clothing and groceries. In conclusion, some of the television models available at the retailer are exclusive to Costco and are not found elsewhere. This creates an opportunity for the company to reduce prices without concerns about competing stores undermining their prices or instigating a price-matching competition.

Costco generates the majority of its revenue from memberships

Uncover Four Obscure Yet Essential TV and Streaming Applications

streaming platforms that justify your investment. You also have the choice to utilize free streaming applications to conserve funds as subscription prices continue to rise. Nevertheless, having trustworthy and valid channels for viewing content is merely part of the equation.

The true difficulty begins once you settle in to watch something. It’s quite common to spend more time browsing than actually viewing anything, as discovering your next “must-see” can prove challenging. Frequently, you may hear about a popular film or series, but you’re uncertain where it’s available for streaming or if it’s truly worth your valuable time. This is where tools like JustWatch and Marathon become essential.

These frequently disregarded applications provide significant value to your viewing experience, supplying detailed information that you won’t typically encounter on a regular streaming platform. Here are four TV and streaming applications that you should consider downloading on your smart TV or mobile device. We chose these applications after thoroughly evaluating their features, overall usefulness, and user reviews from the Android and iOS app stores.

Justwatch

Justwatch is an excellent application to discover where every film or television series is available for streaming. Just type in the title of the content you want to view, and it will indicate which streaming services are offering it in your region, or from where you can rent or purchase its digital version. However, this extraordinarily handy function is just the beginning of what Justwatch offers. It also reveals today’s trending selections across various streaming platforms and lists the latest additions to your chosen services. Furthermore, you can compile your own lists to monitor particular TV series and receive notifications when a new episode or season is released.

Additional features include content suggestions based on your viewing habits, alerts about which titles are set to leave certain services, or which are soon to be added. Beyond films and TV series, Justwatch can inform you whether you can watch your favorite sports live, such as football, soccer, tennis, basketball, and ice hockey. It has official applications available for all major platforms, including mobile devices and

Why Inexpensive Headphones Offer Mediocre Sound Quality

top-value headphones deliver sound quality that exceeds expectations for their cost, offering genuine performance without emptying your bank account.

What makes inexpensive headphones sound inferior?

Exploring If Mobile Applications Have Access to Your Contacts

similar to the malicious Albiriox trojan, can also monitor your contacts through your address book or related data.

<pRegardless of the motivation or origin of an application's access to your contact details, it remains highly intrusive. If your smartphone is infected with malware, spyware, or stalkerware, there is much more to be concerned about than just the contacts in your phone app. While you can still manage your information, you can achieve this by being cautious about the applications you download and by disabling permissions and asking for your data to be erased. Meta, for instance, allows you to request the deletion of personal information or automatically removes it after you delete your account. So, what methods do apps use to gain access to your contacts, and what steps can you take to mitigate this?

What is the rationale behind smartphone apps accessing your contacts?

Top 5 Smart TVs Perfect for Sports Fans

favorite sports streaming applications. Attributes like elevated refresh rates, sophisticated processing, anti-reflective coatings, and robust backlighting enhance the visual quality of live sports, which not every television available at retail can provide.

Given the quick-paced action, erratic movements, illuminated arenas, and expansive viewing angles of sports, your television requires exceptional motion handling, high luminance, and solid contrast to allow you to fully appreciate the game, plus a display that maintains clarity for those not positioned directly in front of the screen. Naturally, televisions excelling in all these aspects, like the Sony Bravia 9, typically come with a hefty price tag and occupy the premium segment of the market.

Top-tier OLEDs and Mini-LED televisions may be quite pricey, especially in larger dimensions ideal for enjoying your preferred games. However, you don’t have to break the bank to achieve a satisfactory sports viewing experience. Several budget-friendly models can provide remarkable motion enhancement, brightness, and size for the investment. Let’s explore notable televisions that stand out for sports viewing. You will see that the list features both high-end and economical choices, ensuring that everyone can find an affordable television.

Sony Bravia 9 Mini LED

<a href="https://r.bttn.io?btn_ref=org-225e4e0aac880b8f&btn_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FSony-85-class-BRAVIA-9-Mini-LED-QLED-4K-HDR-Smart-Google-TV-K85XR90-2024-Model%2F5558569818%3FclassType%3DREGULAR&btn_pub_ref=2063947-in_text-2" target="_blank" rel