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Season 12 of “Shark Tank,” aired during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, featured a variety of entrepreneurs presenting tech gadgets and applications. Notable examples from this season included the Hopscotch app for teaching children coding, Sparkcharge for charging electric vehicles, and Flipstik for supporting and mounting your phone. Another significant tech-oriented product that made an impression during the season was the self-cleaning water bottle known as LARQ. Introduced by the CEO and co-founder, Justin Wang, LARQ asserted it utilized proprietary technology to purify the water contained within the bottle by removing impurities like chlorine, lead, mercury, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and more.

Wang’s pitch on “Shark Tank” was initially met with skeptical laughter from the investors present, as he sought a $500,000 investment for a mere 1% of his company. Kevin O’Leary, one of the episode’s investors, even commented that this was the highest valuation ever requested on the program. However, as negotiations advanced and Wang elaborated on LARQ’s potential growth prospects, he secured a deal from O’Leary and Lori Greiner for $1 million in exchange for a 4% equity stake. Nevertheless, an appearance or agreement on “Shark Tank” is far from ensuring success. For instance, the CATE app from season 4 ultimately faded away despite an agreement announcement from Kevin O’Leary and Daymond John. So, what transpired with LARQ following its showcase on “Shark Tank”?

LARQ was already in a favorable position even before its “Shark Tank” appearance. The company had been operational for over two years at that point, generating more than $5.5 million in sales during its first year, and $9 million in its second year. Additionally, it had raised $6.7 million in venture capital at a valuation of $31.7 million prior to its “Shark Tank” debut, much of which remained in the company’s accounts. Consequently, an investment was likely more of a supplementary benefit for LARQ rather than a crucial lifeline. It is still uncertain if the “Shark Tank” deal was actualized after the episode aired. However, the announcement and the appearance did indeed catalyze growth and enhance LARQ’s visibility. Shortly after its episode, the company raised another $10 million in a Series A funding round spearheaded by Seventure Partners, a European venture capital firm.

At the time of the funding round, LARQ bottles were already being sold through 88 retailers in 16 countries. The firm also diversified its product offerings, introducing several versions of the LARQ Bottle and LARQ Pitcher. LARQ continued its successful trajectory following the funding and was acquired by Germany-based Brita SE in early 2024. While details of the transaction remain undisclosed, the company became a subsidiary of Brita. As of early 2026, Wang remains at the helm of LARQ, which is still located in the Bay Area. Its products are available through several major retailers, including Amazon, Target, and Apple.com, as well as the company’s own website. Therefore, if you have an interest in LARQ or its offerings, the company appears to be well-established for the foreseeable future.

Apple’s development of two distinct Studio Display models was accurate, as the company revealed, in conjunction with the new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, the second-generation Studio Display and the new Studio Display XDR, which takes the place of the 2019 Pro Display XDR. These latest monitors feature enhanced camera functionality and superior sound quality, but Apple reserved some unique features for the new XDR model, which boasts a 120-hertz refresh rate, a capability that has been absent from Apple’s monitors until this update.

With these launches, Apple presents a more unified array of displays, continuing its transformation of the Mac division. Bloomberg had indicated that the company intended to discontinue the Mac Pro. With its companion display being replaced by Studio Display, the forthcoming Mac Studio may officially succeed the Mac Pro, previously known as Apple’s premier computer.

“The Studio Display improves further with a new 12MP Center Stage camera and robust Thunderbolt 5 connectivity. Meanwhile, the Studio Display XDR represents a significant advancement in XDR technology, featuring a mini-LED backlight, 2,000 nits of peak HDR brightness, superior color accuracy, and a 120Hz refresh rate, revolutionizing tasks such as filmmaking, design and print, and 3D animation. It’s undeniably the world’s leading pro display,” stated John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, in the press release.

iRobot has recently declared bankruptcy, yet Roombas continue to thrive in 2026, though the robot vacuum competition has significantly expanded. This isn’t to imply that purchasing a Roomba isn’t valuable; there are simply numerous alternative options to consider when looking for a robot vacuum. We’ve previously discussed several leading robot vacuum brands, but today we will concentrate on five of the top robot vacuum brands worth exploring that are not affiliated with iRobot/Roomba.

To create this list, we examined some of the most sought-after non-Roomba vacuums available to identify the latest technologies and features. As you might expect, AI-enhanced cleaning has experienced remarkable growth in the past few years, and companies like Roborock have also intensified their focus on vacuum-mop combinations. We also ensured to include one or two economical alternatives for each brand we chose.

Following the unveiling of the iPhone 17e and the iPad Air equipped with the M4 chip, Apple today announced the latest MacBook Air featuring the M5 processor, along with the premium variant of the MacBook Pro that incorporates the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. These refreshed laptops boast increased storage, Apple’s integrated connectivity chip, and several additional enhancements.

While the company is said to be planning a redesign of the MacBook Pro lineup later this year, suggesting that most users may want to wait a bit longer, the MacBook Air has been notably improved and remains the most sensible choice for anyone considering a Mac.

“The new MacBook Air with M5 delivers exceptional performance and enhanced functionality to the most sought-after laptop globally,” commented John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. “With M5, the MacBook Air efficiently handles a broad spectrum of tasks, from everyday productivity to creative endeavors, and it shows notable speed improvements for AI.” Here’s all you need to know regarding the new M5 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models before Wednesday’s pre-sale and their official launch next week.

M5 MacBook Air: Apple’s top-selling laptop sees significant upgrades

Offered in 13 and 15-inch variants, the new MacBook Air featuring the M5 chip delivers 4x increased performance over the prior generation for AI applications, alongside enhancements in graphic processing attributed to Neural Accelerators within each GPU core. Apple claims this laptop excels at running AI models locally, and its unified memory with 153GB/s bandwidth ensures a more responsive experience when customers are editing videos, rendering 3D objects using ray tracing, or processing multiple images.

A remarkable improvement from the prior generation is that the MacBook Air now starts with a minimum of 512GB of storage, expandable to 4TB for the first time. This new SSD also offers twice the read and write speed compared to the M4 model. Additional upgrades include Apple’s innovative N1 chip, an in-house solution for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 that enhances connectivity performance, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a superior 12MP Center Stage camera, and battery life extending to 18 hours.

Furthermore, Apple maintains the same color options as the earlier generation, including sky blue, midnight, starlight, and silver. Although the MacBook Air may come across as slightly pricier, starting again at $1,099, the doubling of base storage arguably balances that increase.

MacBook Pro boasts significant improvements in the latest iteration

After launching the basic M5 MacBook Pro last year, Apple is now updating the high-end model with the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. The company claims it provides up to 4x enhanced AI performance compared to the M4 generation, and for those selecting the M5 Pro variant, it begins with 1TB of storage, while the M5 Max option offers a minimum of 2TB.

The new chips are designed with an up to 18-core CPU, delivering performance that is up to 30% faster than the prior generation, and Apple asserts that it features the fastest CPU core globally. The new GPU architecture, combined with the Neural Accelerator, provides a 50% boost in graphics performance over the M4 models, as the company emphasizes these laptops are optimized for processing LLM prompts, 3D rendering, and editing high-quality content. The M5 Pro can now support up to 64GB of memory and offers a memory bandwidth of up to 307GB/s; in contrast, the M5 Max model can accommodate up to 128GB of RAM and up to 614GB/s of memory bandwidth.

Similar to the MacBook Air, Apple has introduced a new SSD which reads and writes data at double the speed of the previous model, achieving speeds of up to 14.5GB/s. It also includes Apple’s N1 connectivity chip featuring support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. This laptop now comes with three Thunderbolt 5 ports and starts at $2,199.

Aircraft carriers rank among the largest seagoing vessels in the U.S. Navy’s fleet. Their immense size demands significant power, making refueling a process that can stretch across years in drydock. Conversely, these carriers can remain at sea for extended periods, yet they still need essential supplies like food, water, and ammunition to support their crews. Unlike a straightforward pizza delivery to a military installation, resupplying aircraft carriers poses a perilous challenge that can endanger lives.

To facilitate the transfer of fresh supplies and fuel, a supply ship and carrier must keep a distance of up to 300 feet while securing a highline that can transport a fuel hose and cargo through the Standard Tensioned Replenishment Alongside Method (STREAM). Ram-tensioner devices aid in maintaining constant tension; however, the core issue is rooted in physics. Both vessels, weighing tens to hundreds of tons, must synchronize their speed and trajectory. Any ship maneuvering too close to another generates hydrodynamic interactions that result in a suction effect between the ships. If helmsmen fail to make the necessary adjustments, deviating even slightly from perfect parallel alignment can lead to a collision.

Though these vessels are equipped with emergency breakaway systems to prevent such situations, accidents remain a possibility. Earlier this year, for instance, the USS Truxtun, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, accidentally struck the USNS Supply (yes, that’s its actual name). Fortunately, only two crew members sustained injuries, but the incident led to the termination of Truxtun’s captain, former Commander James Koffi. Given that destroyers are one-tenth the size of carriers, the potential damage could have been significantly worse.

Ships must continue to resupply even amid inclement weather and hostile fire.

In optimal conditions, crew members should contend merely with waves and underwater currents that threaten to collide the ships, but actual ocean conditions rarely meet this standard. Inclement weather can erupt suddenly, rendering already risky refueling missions even more perilous—especially as climate change escalates extreme weather occurrences.

Rain and fog diminish visibility, while strong winds can snap the taut cables, damaging equipment in proximity and severely harming crew members. And then there are hurricanes. If either an aircraft carrier or supply vessel encounters one, they halt supply operations and seek safer waters to resume. Given the hazards posed by hurricanes, one might think that Navy ships would also suspend resupply missions during critical situations, like under attack. Yet, this is not the case.

From September 2024 to May 2025, the USS Harry S. Truman was deployed in the Red Sea, receiving supplies from the USNS Arctic while reportedly “under fire from Houthi missiles and one-way attack drones.” Crewmembers managed to unload everything from missiles to ice cream onto the aircraft carrier. Although the USS Harry S. Truman received most of the recognition, the USNS Arctic played a pivotal yet unheralded role in the mission.

Cutting-edge technology is enhancing the safety of resupply operations.

While the STREAM procedure serves as the standard for resupplying aircraft carriers and other vessels, it is not the sole technique available. Helicopters such as the MH-60S Seahawks (distinct from SeaHawk drones used for water pollution monitoring) can assist in resupply by transporting several thousand pounds of cargo and directly dropping it onto carrier flight decks. Additionally, the Navy is investing in unmanned logistics drones to aid in resupply efforts. However, both aerial methods encounter unique constraints, as high winds and poor visibility can pose significant risks.

The Navy is also modernizing conventional resupply and refueling techniques. For example, the T-AO is a new class of fleet resupply vessel set to replace the existing fleet oilers, while the U.S. Navy is exploring autonomous refueling systems, though currently targeting unmanned vehicles.

In 2025, the U.S. Navy enlisted Louisville company Stratom to create a refueling mechanism capable of replenishing Unmanned Surface Vehicles. Although these vessels are quite different from aircraft carriers, this system could represent an initial progression toward safer resupply practices for manned naval ships. However, if that is the case, it’s still a considerable way off.

Today, audiences connect Chris Pratt with several billion-dollar movie franchises. He features as Star-Lord in the top Marvel MCU phase 5 film, and he portrays Owen Grady in the “Jurassic World” series. Prior to that, Pratt was a comedic performer, most recognized for his part in “Parks and Recreation.” His evolution into one of Hollywood’s most sought-after action heroes commenced with the 2012 film “Zero Dark Thirty.” The film received many prestigious awards, including an Oscar. Chris Pratt is in a supporting role, but it clearly signals his future as a leading actor. “Zero Dark Thirty” is currently streaming on Netflix.

In “Zero Dark Thirty,” Pratt plays a Navy SEAL involved in the search for al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden. To prepare for his character as an elite military agent, Pratt engaged in physical training to achieve a physique nearly as fit as a genuine Navy SEAL. Kevin Feige, the Marvel Cinematic Universe producer, later consulted with Chris Pratt before casting him in “Guardians of the Galaxy.” Feige referenced an Instagram image Pratt had posted during his prep for “Zero Dark Thirty” and inquired, “Can you achieve this in six months? Can you do it again?” The rest is history for the actor who now frequently appears as a superhero, a dinosaur handler, and much more.

“Zero Dark Thirty” is categorized as a docudrama that depicts the concluding days of the actual decade-long pursuit of Osama bin Laden by the United States, albeit with many creative liberties for dramatic impact. The film features Jessica Chastain as a CIA analyst whose observations are crucial in finally locating the al-Qaeda leader. The Navy SEAL unit DEVGRU executes the pivotal nighttime strike mission. Chris Pratt is among seven on-screen members of DEVGRU, with actor Joel Edgerton playing the team’s commander.

With a critic score of 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, “Zero Dark Thirty” is an unmistakable achievement in filmmaking. Even as a supporting actor sharing minimal screen time with other DEVGRU members, the film’s acclaim and the behind-the-scenes efforts were more than sufficient to propel Chris Pratt’s journey as an action star. Naturally, Chris Pratt also voices beloved animated characters like Garfield and Mario these days. He’s a versatile talent with a filmography to match, and it’s worthwhile to stream “Zero Dark Thirty” on Netflix to witness the precise moment his career shifted toward stardom.

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acquisition of your gadgets from Costco, whether for culinary use or other areas, presents additional cost benefits. From an air fryer that cuts down on device clutter to a motion-sensor trash receptacle that enhances kitchen cleanliness, these devices will elevate your kitchen’s intelligence and productivity. Every item has received a minimum average rating of 4.3 stars on the Costco website, based on feedback from actual users.

recently unveiled a new iPad Pro featuring an M5 chip, yet as per Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company is already gearing up for an iPad that incorporates one of the iPhone’s standout features: the vapor chamber cooling technology. In his Power On newsletter, the journalist indicates that Apple aims to launch this tablet around spring 2027, as it maintains its focus on a year-and-a-half upgrade cycle.

The vapor chamber made its debut with the iPhone 17 Pro series, enhancing not only the reliability of the iPhone’s performance but also helping to conserve battery life by preventing overheating, which was an issue in earlier versions. Gurman notes that implementing vapor chamber-like technology in the iPad Pro would enable the tablet to operate at higher speeds with reduced performance throttling. This enhancement would further elevate the iPad Pro as Apple continues to expand the capabilities of this device with new software iterations. For instance, iPadOS 26 introduces proper background updates, window tiling for simultaneous app use, and with the newly launched Creator Studio bundle, users can access all of the Mac’s professional applications on the tablet, including Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, among others.