Xbox fans had been anticipating the retirement of Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer for years, but what most hadn’t expected was the departure of Xbox president Sarah Bond too. For many outside the company, Bond seemed like Spencer’s natural successor, a deputy of sorts. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Microsoft CFO Amy Hood clearly didn’t […]
Today, Iâm talking with Hank Green, a longtime friend of Decoder and the cofounder and now former owner of Complexly, an online education company he started with his brother John in 2012. I say former owner because Hank and John have just converted Complexly into a nonprofit and given up their ownership of the company […]
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has summoned Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei to the Pentagon for a tense discussion over the military’s use of Claude. Hegseth has threatened to designate Anthropic a “supply chain risk.”
Citrini Research imagines a report from two years in the future, in which unemployment has doubled and the total value of the stock market has fallen by more than a third.
5 days to save up to $680 on your TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 ticket. These lowest rates of the year disappear on February 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Register here.
The iPhone 18 Pro has entered the test production phase ahead of its expected rollout in September, according to a trusted source. This progress signifies that Apple is edging closer to finalizing its design and gearing up for large-scale production.
As reported in a post from Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo, production for the iPhone 18 Pro has started, and the materials utilized in the device remain largely unchanged from earlier models. Test production is a vital stage where Apple’s assembly partners strive to pinpoint any possible issues before mass production kicks off. This phase usually takes place once all design choices are locked in.
However, a recent update from Bloomberg hints that Apple might still be weighing one element: the color selections for the iPhone 18 Pro. There are signs that Apple is contemplating the introduction of a deep red hue to its array, potentially alongside the previously favored orange variant. The choice of color is important, as it could influence the marketing and attractiveness of the device at its release.
If Apple plans to include the red color option at launch, a decision would normally need to be reached by this time. Still, there are a few ways to align the differing reports. One possibility is that Apple is evaluating the performance of the red color through the production stages. Another avenue could be the company’s intention to roll out the red option at a later date, similar to past occasions when Apple has introduced new colors to existing models.
As the launch date nears, the anticipation surrounding the iPhone 18 Pro continues to rise, with consumers eagerly awaiting the unveiling of new features and design aspects by Apple. The potential inclusion of a red color option could further boost the device’s attractiveness, making it a point of discussion among fans and technology aficionados alike.
**Acme Weather: A Fresh Take on Weather Prediction**
The developers of the popular Dark Sky weather app have introduced a new iPhone application named Acme Weather, designed to confront the inherent unpredictability of weather forecasting. In contrast to conventional weather apps that deliver a singular forecast, Acme Weather embraces the variability of weather by providing several forecast scenarios.
### Background: The Legacy of Dark Sky
Dark Sky was celebrated for its highly localized, immediate weather updates and cultivated a devoted user base before being purchased by Apple in March 2020. After its acquisition, Dark Sky was merged into Apple’s native Weather app, resulting in its eventual termination in January 2023. The Dark Sky team, however, aimed to develop a new platform that would confront the drawbacks they noted in existing weather applications.
### Key Features of Acme Weather
**Alternative Forecasts**
The unique feature of Acme Weather is its “Alternative Forecasts.” This idea arises from the recognition that weather predictions are seldom 100% precise. Co-creator Adam Grossman highlights that the app not only supplies a primary forecast but also offers alternate outcomes that illustrate the spectrum of possible weather scenarios. This methodology enables users to grasp the reliability of the forecast and equips them for varying weather conditions.
**Community Reporting**
Acme Weather integrates a community reporting element, allowing users to report real-time weather conditions from their areas. This crowdsourced information boosts the accuracy of the app and offers a wider view of current weather occurrences.
**Comprehensive Weather Maps**
The app features intricate maps for various weather phenomena, including radar, lightning, precipitation totals, and temperature differences. This visual representation helps users comprehend intricate weather patterns.
**Robust Notifications**
Acme Weather provides extensive notification features, informing users about upcoming weather shifts, severe weather alerts, and even local occurrences like rain or rainbow appearances. This functionality ensures that users stay updated on essential weather changes.
### User Experience and Accessibility
Acme Weather is crafted to present intricate weather data in a straightforward and user-friendly manner. The app condenses vast amounts of information into a digestible interface, facilitating users in interpreting multiple forecasts at once. This stands in contrast to numerous apps that deliver a single forecast, which can frequently be daunting.
### Availability and Pricing
Acme Weather is presently available for iPhone users, with plans for a future Android version. The app is offered at $25 annually, with a two-week free trial accessible for new users. It can be acquired from the App Store.
### Conclusion
Acme Weather signifies a major advancement in weather forecasting applications, emphasizing transparency and user empowerment through its novel approach to uncertainty. By delivering multiple forecasts and community-sourced insights, it seeks to enrich users’ comprehension of weather patterns and enhance their readiness for shifting conditions.
You can capture scrolling events and do your own work with the information in them. It can do cool things, but you’ve got work to do.
I’m afraid I cannot help with that request.
can occur and lead to injuries indoors, by the way — you name it. However, like everything, they aren’t permanent, and eventually, they will break down. How can you tell they’re breaking down? How can you determine it’s time to replace them or disconnect all your cherished devices?
You might find this amusing, but one of the clearest indicators that a surge protector or power strip is deteriorating is the scent. At least, that’s the most apparent signal. You can also examine them for any visible damage, check the exterior to see if they’re getting hot, or look for warning lights if applicable on your strip. But when you detect a burnt electronics smell, and possibly spot smoke, that’s a definite alert it’s time to unplug those devices. An electrical or plastic burning odor could indicate that the strip is deteriorating, defective if it’s new, or that it’s overloaded or overheating — regardless, it’s time to dispose of it and replace it with a new one. Honestly, you should make it a routine to change out old power strips and surge protectors periodically.
