The Influence of Planet of the Apes on Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek Successor Series

ashes are now in space) transformed the landscape of science fiction as we recognize it when he developed the “Star Trek” series and universe in 1964 — subsequently debuting in 1966. While Roddenberry’s legacy is marred by allegations of sexism and antisemitism, the original “Star Trek” television series showcased a diverse ensemble, envisioned a more optimistic, utopian future than previously seen, and tackled topics infrequently addressed on TV at that time, such as slavery, racism, and warfare.

“Star Trek’s” distinctive premise resulted in the series cultivating a fervent, outspoken fan community that endures for over sixty years. The original series launched a franchise that has since produced 12 television series and 13 films — and sparked actual scientific breakthroughs like real-time translation. Nonetheless, not all of Roddenberry’s projects achieved similar success.

In 1972, the esteemed screenwriter penned a script for “Genesis II,” a concept he aspired to turn into another successful sci-fi television series. However, “Planet of the Apes” thwarted his ambitions.

What is Genesis II?

A television film crafted for science fiction, “Genesis II” centers on NASA scientist Dylan Hunt (portrayed by “Stagecoach’s” Alex Cord), who awakens after 154 years in suspended animation to discover himself in a post-apocalyptic reality divided between two factions: the peaceful inhabitants of PAX and the authoritarian Tyranians — both of whom seek Hunt’s allegiance. To discover whom he aligns with, you will need to view it for yourself.

However, Gene Roddenberry never meant for “Genesis II”

How to Keep an Eye on Technology Offers at Costco

deep savings on products to ongoing promotions on items that the company intends to discontinue, there’s nearly always something discounted at the warehouse store. You may even occasionally discover better bargains at Costco compared to other platforms. However, locating the top tech offers isn’t always straightforward. If you visit the store, you must roam around and manually check how the deals stack up by looking online as you explore the aisles.

The same holds true for the website as well. While Costco frequently features sections on its site dedicated to significant deals, sifting through the extensive variety of options can be laborious. Additionally, it may not guarantee that a real deal is available. That’s why a noteworthy tool for tracking tech deals that we’ve spotted on Reddit and in browser extension repositories is Price Lasso.

The extension is accessible to users of Chrome, Firefox, and Safari, and functions across a range of retailers like Costco, Amazon, Target, Walmart, and more. One reason individuals might consider trying Price Lasso is that it also enables you to set alerts for price drops, allowing you to seamlessly monitor when the tech you wish to purchase goes on sale.

You can utilize Price Lasso to hunt for deals on items you genuinely desire

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Regrettably, Price Lasso does not provide a method to filter through deals before adding them to your list. Instead, the main approach to search for deals is to be proactive and know what you seek. To commence tracking deals on specific products, all you have to do is visit Costco’s website after you’ve installed the extension in your preferred browser. Keep in mind you will

Four Less Recognized Soundbar Brands Challenging Sonos

the finest soundbars available are adept at providing an immersive 5.1 experience or even superior, with Sonos being one of the top brands associated with this level of power and sound clarity. Following the debut of the Sonos Playbar in 2013, this well-known audio company transformed how we enjoy our favorite films and series, building on its prior transformation of our music listening experience.

Currently, the soundbar offerings from Sonos feature powerful models such as the Sonos Arc Ultra designed for expansive home theater setups. The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) serves small to medium spaces well, while the Sonos Ray is an option for enhancing the audio quality of your guest room TV. However, as you might expect, Sonos is not the sole renowned soundbar manufacturer available. There is robust competition, with numerous impressive options often flying under the radar.

Consider audio giants like Nakamichi and JBL, among other notable names in the high-end AV market. For your review, we selected four underrated soundbar brands that can rival Sonos effectively.

Nakamichi

Despite soundbars not providing the full immersion of a traditional surround setup, Sonos comes close, as does Nakamichi. In fact, Nakamichi may be the superior choice for cinematic details and overall power, with systems like the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC Soundbar showcasing the brand’s capability in home theater. With a jaw-dropping 1,300 watts, this powerful soundbar package includes two 10-inch subwoofers and four surround sound speakers.

This kind of 360-degree audio is what the Sonos Arc Ultra manages reasonably well, yet the Shockwafe boasts more distinct channels and enhanced speaker separation. In most environments, this results in a broader soundstage with convincing rear and spatial effects. Additionally, the cost of a comparable Sonos Arc Ultra setup with a Sonos Sub 4 and just two Era 100 speakers is higher ($2,311 compared to the Shockwafe’s $1,900). Regrettably, $1,900 sits at the lower end of Nakamichi’s price range, along with a few compromises.

While the Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 features three HDMI 2.0 inputs, digital optical, and several other physical connections absent on the Arc Ultra, it lacks Wi-Fi support. You can still use Qualcomm aptX HD via Bluetooth, but functionalities such as multi-room audio, AirPlay, and ecosystem controls (e.g., Alexa, Google Home) are unavailable. Nonetheless, it’s difficult to overlook Nakamichi in a roundup of Sonos competitors.

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AirPods Health Functionality Provides Capabilities Similar to a $3,000 Device

HearingTracker, a notable decline from $4,672 in 2018. Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, averaging $502 per pair, might be a contributing factor to this reduction. However, individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss can spend around $160 for refurbished Apple AirPods Pro 2 or $249 for a brand new pair of <a href="https://r.bttn.io?btn_ref=org-225e4e0aac880b8f&btn_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FApple-Cancellation-Translation-Headphones-High-Fidelity%2Fdp%2FB0FQFB8FMG%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1_sspa%3Fcrid%3D1FDC8L1DDNWHD%26dib%3DeyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-6Mq1a30ARUnl1Lym1aBRFzPddgj6JNxj231PKoevH0U-qoLE8imdAXBO2xQRCcUJHLLgiek0hvCUSnf6LB5YDanuvCbkivc2R9_f5C5iGLJGrLrKzq_rfx3qjK9HGSRbVuqZiAs7Pxn2wEoE8DML9Ym6fOMNX2_wgSl9RHau8MYyxTV9sIsdaEWPoSGgXUqNSxPEIgyqei2rt7SILXWf5lAkx4E-d6jVdmUEEGNx5I.scr2bZj86K0WR9lEkTVXzzqKWuw69xZ4kRrS0DCKEPQ

4 Distinct Kindle App Features Not Found on a Traditional Kindle

reasons that demonstrate the advantages of reading e-books on a Kindle in comparison to reading on your smartphone, including the fact that Kindles are more beneficial for your eyesight than phones or tablets. Anecdotal observations indicate that Kindle e-readers can have an extended lifespan, with some individuals successfully utilizing them for almost ten years. Nonetheless, the Kindle reading applications that many people utilize on their smartphones, tablets, and desktops offer a variety of advantages and functions that are not available on the e-reader. These advantages can be particularly useful for those who favor reading on their phone or alternate between the e-reader and their mobile device, based on their needs and circumstances.

The exclusive features of the Kindle app include providing you with a helpful summary of the section of the book you have read up to this point, as well as a clever reading ruler for improved concentration. Keep in mind that the availability of these features may differ among platforms, and one platform, such as Kindle for iOS, usually receives the features first before they are introduced to other platforms. However, if you can access them, they are certainly worth exploring.

Story So Far

Even though both Kindles launched since 2018 and Kindle apps can summarize most books you have finished, in case you seek a more recent reminder, solely the Kindle app features the Story So Far option to help you recall a book you are currently reading. As the title indicates, Story So Far summarizes the main points of the section of the book that you have read up until now, assisting you in remembering if you return to a read after a lengthy absence. The feature shares only the spoiler-free version to prevent any unintended disclosures.

Regrettably, Story So Far is confined to Kindle for iOS in the U.S. as of May 2026. To use it, press and hold the book in your Kindle library and look for the “Read recap” button. Alternatively, when the book is open, use the three-dot menu to navigate to Recap and select Story So Far. It remains uncertain when this feature will be available for the Android version of the Kindle or the desktop applications.

Typical Lifespan of Smart Plugs

innovative functions that smart plugs offer make them incredibly adaptable for basic electronics, lights, and fans. They are frequently much less expensive than purchasing a specific smart gadget, like a smart thermostat, and they enable integration with a smart assistant such as Google Nest or Alexa for voice activation.

Nonetheless, as with all electronic devices, smart plugs have a limited lifespan. Typically, you can anticipate a smart plug to operate effectively for three to five years, potentially even longer with proper usage. Since one of the main advantages of a smart plug is the ability to decrease energy consumption and costs, an extended lifespan inherently results in greater savings.

A significant benefit of using a smart plug is its environmental impact. However, for a smart plug to validate its eco-friendly claim, it must conserve more energy throughout its usage than what is consumed during its production process. You can enhance this aspect by using your smart plug thoughtfully and carefully to promote its durability.

Ways to prolong your smart plug’s durability