AllYouCanTech

Google Chrome Continues to be Free, Whereas Agentic AI Features Could Necessitate a Subscription

Leopeva64 discovered indications in Chrome’s code suggesting that the agentic functionalities Google has been working on will be restricted to paid subscription tiers, at least initially. As reported by XDA Developers, the X user frequently finds new features in the code of Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. Leopeva64 posted the news about Chrome’s agentic functionalities on Christmas Eve in response to an October entry where he outlined a new toggle to activate/deactivate agentic Gemini behavior in Chrome.

It seems that Chrome’s agentic functionalities will be limited to AI subscription tiers, at least at the outset. A commit verifies that ‘actuation’ (the AI’s ability to perform actions on your behalf) will necessitate a paid subscription: https://t.co/FhI0S0ePqq https://t.co/T5wsDouMGk pic.twitter.com/mvg5fsz4r9

— Leopeva64 (@Leopeva64) December 24, 2025

Google has already integrated Gemini features into Chrome. <a href="https://www.bgr.com/1972880/gemini

A Thorough Examination of the Five Most Catastrophic Nuclear Accidents in History

the canines of Chernobyl might be adapting at an alternative pace due to the radiation, showcasing the intricate character of radiation. However, other significant calamities like the Three Mile Island partial meltdown and the Fukushima event have also fueled society’s apprehension regarding nuclear energy.

Radiation possesses a distinct influence over our minds. Its effects are unseen, and its existence is persistent. Furthermore, we are unaware of all the enduring impacts it can impose on humans. This incites a profound, instinctual anxiety within us. We are raised with tales of meltdowns, contaminated ghost towns, and genetic alterations that shape our perceptions of nuclear calamities. Yet, when viewed against the larger backdrop of energy generation, nuclear energy results in fewer fatalities per electricity unit produced than many alternatives. Indeed, the fatality rate associated with nuclear power is exceptionally low, even considering the most severe incidents. However, nuclear mishaps and their repercussions are alarming, so they demand our attention.

The statistics are revealing. Coal results in approximately 24.6 fatalities per terawatt hour, oil approximately 18.4, while nuclear stands at merely 0.03. Energy derived from fossil fuels leads to deaths through ongoing air pollution, mining catastrophes, and long-lasting health effects, all of which nuclear energy avoids. Yet, it is radiation that frightens us. Perhaps because it seems like a menace from beyond, a menace over which we lack control. This inability to manage the situation is starkly evident in some of the most significant nuclear disasters in our history.

Top 5 Electric Cars Below $50k Suggested by Consumer Reports

inconsistent electric vehicles are available, while reliable models remain a preferred option for environmentally conscious individuals who wish to decrease dependence on oil and conventional energy supplies. Opting for a pre-owned EV is advisable if you’re aiming to cut costs, but if you desire the most current technology, there are plenty of new vehicles to select from.

Manufacturers like Hyundai, Kia, Ford, and others now present a greater variety of EV choices than they did a few years back. With this abundance of models, the search for a new EV may feel daunting. To assist in this pursuit, we’ve selected five electric vehicles priced below $50,000 that have received favorable reviews from Consumer Reports, narrowing down the options for those on a budget.

The Significance of Selecting the Appropriate USB Port on Your MacBook

selecting the appropriate USB port to connect your gadgets can be significantly easier. However, the confusion persists even though they are all USB-C. Certain ports are more advantageous than others, and Apple promotes the majority of its ports as Thunderbolt rather than merely USB-C. So, how can you determine which one is the right choice?

It may be tempting to assume that all USB-C ports are the same, but that’s not true. Some ports are designated as Thunderbolt yet are still USB-C connectors; they simply employ a different protocol than standard USB-C ports. This allows them to offer additional features such as enhanced transfer speeds and the capability to transmit video to an external display. Thus, if your intention is to connect an external monitor, opting for a Thunderbolt connector is the only route, as standard USB-C ports can solely transmit video signals using DisplayPort Alt Mode, a functionality that modern MacBooks only provide through Thunderbolt ports. The distinctions between the two protocols highlight the necessity of understanding what to search for when selecting between a Thunderbolt and a USB-C monitor, as well as the implications of USB ports having different colors.

Some older MacBooks still provided USB-A connectors (which appear more like rectangular ports compared to the rounded USB-C connectors). These usually rely on outdated technology that doesn’t deliver the same functionalities as USB-C.

How the Lidar in Your Vehicle Can Harm Your Phone’s Camera

the lidar device on your iPhone is capable of identifying this intense laser light, and when it is directed straight into the lens of the camera, the outcome is damaged pixels. The chances of your vehicle’s lidar hurting your phone are relatively low, provided that you do not aim your camera lens directly at the lidar source of your car or utilize a zoom lens.

Key Distinctions Between The Boys Show on Prime Video and the Comics

dominated Prime Video following its 2019 launch. Flipping off the superhero genre, the series was directed by “Supernatural” creator Eric Kripke and drawn from the unfiltered, deeply provocative comic book series of the same title by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. First published in 2012, it presented a world not entirely dissimilar to ours, where superheroes are real and, to our disillusionment, made up of self-absorbed, contemptible, and frequently deranged individuals. This is the primary concern of a group that identifies itself as The Boys, an unofficial CIA team that strives to shatter the conspiracy cloaked in a superhero façade.

Now in its fourth season, the series has successfully captured Ennis’ often astonishingly crude universe, with much of the praise directed towards the supes-despising antihero, Billy Butcher (Karl Urban), and his sworn star-spangled foe, Homelander (Antony Starr, who featured in the underappreciated horror film “Cobweb”), the unhinged counterpart to Superman in this universe. Despite the abundance of violence and R-rated mayhem that occurs within this superhero narrative, there exist several story elements from the original comic that were omitted. Compiling a selection of these, here are five specific plot points that were too significant to overlook.

NASA and ESA Partner on an Essential Earth Initiative

In an initiative to observe our climate with greater precision, the Sentinel-6B Earth-monitoring satellite was launched recently. This project is backed by a global alliance of space agencies, spearheaded by NASA. The coalition also includes the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Organization for the Exploration of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The mission was set to launch on November 17, 2025, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, and the launch proceeded as intended.

Sentinel-6B has taken over the duties of its predecessor, Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, which was deployed in 2020. Thanks to these initiatives, scientists are able to persist in documenting global sea-level shifts continuously. The heating oceans and melting ice are causing global sea levels to rise at a concerning pace. Monitoring these variations is vital because even slight changes can affect and amplify storm surges. Coastal flooding events are also worsening, putting communities in these areas at ongoing risk. The goal of Sentinel-6 and its successor, Sentinel-6B, is to serve as an essential instrument in protecting our shorelines and combating climate change.

Track sea levels from space

The mission of Sentinel-6B (also referred to as Jason-CS B) aims to continue and improve upon the over 30-year record of global sea-level data. It is founded on international collaboration that has become crucial for observing our evolving planet. This partnership has combined scientific knowledge, technical resources, and decades of experience in ocean observation. The collaborating agencies have devised a mission that no single country could accomplish alone. With the launch finalized, Sentinel-6B now pairs with its predecessor, Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich. The two satellites will operate together in tandem for an estimated year.

During this transition period, both satellites will function concurrently on nearly identical ground tracks. This will enable scientists and engineers on the ground to calibrate and validate their measurement systems. Thus, the data stream’s continuity will be assured. The new satellite’s data must integrate smoothly with the existing baseline.

“Grasping tidal variations down to the inch is vital in safeguarding our usage of the oceans daily on Earth,” stated Nicky Fox, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, in a NASA press release. She highlighted that Sentinel-6B will build on the work of Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich by supplying measurements that enhance the forecasts relied on by coastal communities. The information collected by this mission will also play a role in ensuring the safe return of astronauts, including crews from NASA’s forthcoming Artemis lunar missions.

Once the transition is complete, Sentinel-6B will become the premier satellite globally for sea level measurements. It will uphold the lengthy record of observations that researchers depend on for climate studies, predictions, and planning. EUMETSAT is currently managing the satellite’s operations and will conduct the mission alongside its European and U.S. collaborators.

Additional information about Sentinel-6B

Sentinel-6B is a direct continuation of the work established by its predecessor, Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich. Nevertheless, the updated model is enhanced, enabling it to provide greater reliability in global sea level measurements. Among the key upgrades is the prolonged transition phase, though that is not the only improvement.

Sentinel-6B utilizes the same high-precision Poseidon-4 radar altimeter technology as its predecessor. It can measure sea-surface height with centimeter-level accuracy. Additionally, it features an advanced atmospheric microwave radiometer for climate (AMR-C) to compensate for atmospheric water vapor. Furthermore, it incorporates improved orbit-determination technology, which includes Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers, Doppler Orbitography Radio-positioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS), and a laser retroreflector. This allows it to achieve superior positioning and enhance sea-level measurements. It will cover approximately 90% of Earth’s ice-free oceans every 10 days.

Sentinel-6B is not merely a continuation of the mission. It represents a significant upgrade that secures nearly three decades of data and bolsters informed decision-making regarding our planet’s changing oceans, rising sea levels, and melting ice shelves.

Anticipated iOS 26.3 Features Coming in Early 2026

Apple launched the final version of iOS 26.2 earlier this December, and the initial beta tests for iOS 26.3 are currently in progress, though you might consider delaying the installation of the first beta version of iOS 26.3 at this time. A majority of Apple’s development team is on holiday leave; the diminished workforce at the end of the year suggests that beta bug submissions may go unanswered and essential fixes could take longer to address.

iOS 26.4 is set to bring significant updates (including a completely new Siri voice assistant) when it arrives in Spring 2026, yet iOS 26.3 has more limited aspirations. Nonetheless, iOS 26.3 will serve as a crucial precursor to the major update; continue reading to discover what features it will offer and the timing of its release. While Apple previously restricted beta testing to members of the paid Apple Developer program, anyone with an Apple ID can now obtain beta iOS builds following the instructions available on Apple’s website. First, you’ll need to activate developer mode on your device through settings; this prepares your iPhone or iPad to utilize Xcode.