Tech News Weekly 404: iPhone Air First Impressions

You've heard the news about a possible detection of ancient life on Mars... now get the inside scoop from one of the paper's key authors. Dr. Michael Tice is a research scientist and planetary geologist at Texas A&M, and has a lot to say about how the research was pulled from the year-old drill sampling, the incredible rigor that was applied to their findings, and what's next in this amazing story. It's the one we've all been waiting for--a possible indication of life beyond our own planet! Headlines: NASA's Interim Chief Declares Mission to Beat China Back to the Moon Starlink Satellite Photobombs Maxar Image of Secret Chinese Airbase James Webb Telescope Captures Stunning Interstellar Jet "Flatulence" Main Topic: Signs of Ancient Life Discovered on Mars by Perseverance Dr. Michael Tice Explains Potential Biosignatures in Jezero Crater Discovery of Unusual "Leopard Spots" Linked to Possible Microbial Activity Redox Reactions and Organics Suggest Favorable Conditions for Life Debate Between Biological and Abiotic Explanations for Findings Cutting-Edge Rover Instruments Push Detection Limits Challenges of Confirming Life Without Sample Return to Earth Future Work Needed: Sample Return Missions and Analogs on Earth Broader Reflections on Mars Science, Search for Life, and Technology Choices Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Dr. Michael Tice Download or subscribe to This Week in Space at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Jacob Ward of The Rip Current podcast and newsletter joins Mikah Sargent this week! The impact that generative AI is having on energy and our climate. The privacy and social issues around AI wearables. And everything that was announced at Apple's 'Awe Dropping' event. Jacob shares a paper published recently that covered generative AI and how the massive use of GPU energy is causing concerns about its impact on the climate. Mikah talks about a new wearable AI companion device called Friend and how these always-listening devices present privacy challenges for not just others around the user but also for the company itself. And Zac Hall of 9to5Mac was at Apple's 'Awe Dropping' event this past Tuesday and was fortunate to get his hands on the new hardware the company announced. He shares his initial thoughts on the new AirPods Pro 3 and iPhone Air! Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Jacob Ward Guest: Zac Hall Download or subscribe to Tech News Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: threatlocker.com/twit pantheon.io uscloud.com cachefly.com/twit

Windows 11's latest update finally tackles a 30-year-old security flaw with a new feature called Administrator Protection. Find out how this major change uses Windows Hello to quietly lock down your PC without making your day-to-day experience a hassle. Host: Paul Thurrott Download or subscribe to Hands-On Windows at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-windows Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

From wrestling with multiple time zones to sharing calendars with tech-challenged family members, Rosemary and Dan dig into the moments when Apple's new calendar tricks save the day. Calendars on iOS get a redesigned UI in iOS 26 Comparing Apple's Calendar app vs. Fantastical for daily use Integrating Reminders with Calendar and viewing tasks alongside events Travel time, time zones, and scheduling events across regions Strategies for managing multiple calendars and color-coding Sharing events and whole calendars with others, controlling access Using location and attachments in events for enhanced info sharing Subscribing to public calendars for holidays, school schedules, and updates Filtering calendars by focus mode and limitations of current implementations Siri suggestions for calendar events: upsides and annoyances Tips for handling duplicate events and event merging wish list Viewing your weekly calendar using an iPhone in landscape mode Using calendar widgets and lock screen features to see upcoming events App Caps: Belkin MagSafe car vent mount and ESR Halo Lock charger for phones App Caps: Silicone cable ties for cable management, alternatives, and best practices Hosts: Rosemary Orchard and Dan Moren Contact iOS Today at [email protected]. Download or subscribe to iOS Today at https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

This year's CEDIA (Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association) Expo was chock full of interesting audio and video products, though very few made their world debut at the show. Still, there's plenty to discuss with special guest Michael Heiss, industry journalist, consultant, and jolly good CEDIA Fellow. In Part 1, we discuss all the video goodies he saw there. Host: Scott Wilkinson Guest: Michael Heiss Download or subscribe to Home Theater Geeks at https://twit.tv/shows/home-theater-geeks Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Apple just dropped the iPhone 17 lineup and Mikah Sargent walks you through a smart pre-order setup that could be the difference between snagging your dream device on day one or missing out. Find out the exact steps and tips to avoid the dreaded "sold out" message. Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

AI isn't just the ultimate nonsense generator—it's also a powerful tool students and teachers can't afford to ignore. In this episode, professors Carl Bergstrom and Jevin West reveal how their new "BS Machines" curriculum helps the next generation stay sharp and skeptical in a world overflowing with synthetic "facts." Interview with Carl T. Bergstrom and Jevin D. West Warner Bros. Discovery Sues AI Giant Midjourney for Copyright Infringement In Major Legal Battle AI Watchdog At Least 15 Million YouTube Videos Have Been Snatched by AI Companies Most Scraped Websites of 2025 AI surveillance should be banned while there is still time. Alterego I Hate My Friend R-Zero: Self-Evolving Reasoning LLM from Zero Data AI godfather Geoffrey Hinton says a girlfriend once broke up with him using a chatbot Business Insider yanked 40 essays with suspect bylines. Are they related? OpenAI's post on the paper Gina Trappani starts a new blog Schnitzel press NFL Debut on YouTube Draws 17.3 Million Set a two TikTok toilet limit to reduce haemorrhoid risk, doctors advise" Hosts: Leo Laporte, Jeff Jarvis, and Paris Martineau Co-Host: Harper Reed Guests: Carl T. Bergstrom and Jevin D. West Download or subscribe to Intelligent Machines at https://twit.tv/shows/intelligent-machines. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: Melissa.com/twit spaceship.com/twit

Windows 11 just dropped one of its biggest updates yet, but new features and relentless AI integrations are making right-click menus bigger—and more confusing—than ever. Is Windows getting better, or just busier? Windows 11 • Patch Tuesday arrives with several new features for all Windows 11 users • A few new features added for Copilot+ PCs • This may be the last cumulative update before 25H2 Windows Insider • New Canary build includes features we've seen before • Copilot+ PCs bring Windows Studio Effects to secondary cameras in Dev and Beta channels Hardware • 40-year Intel veteran now leads PC chips business • Paul's continued criticism of Lunar Lake problems • Lenovo's three IFA concept devices should become shipping products Apps • Atlassian acquires The Browser Company, potentially threatening the Dia browser Microsoft • Microsoft mandates employees return to office three days per week • Microsoft accused of "gross cybersecurity negligence" Dev • Microsoft open sources 6502 BASIC • First Visual Studio 2026 preview now available • Individual developers can register for Microsoft Store for free Mobile • Google ships Android 16 QPR1 with Material 3 Expressive on Pixel devices plus September Pixel Drop • Apple announces iPhone 17 lineup, iPhone Air, AirPods Pro 3, and new Apple Watches • Comparison of OS updating styles between Apple, Google, and Microsoft and their impact on hardware upgrades AI • Microsoft to pay almost $20 billion for third-party AI infrastructure • Microsoft may turn to Anthropic for Office apps • Anthropic settles with book authors, then judge rejects the settlement (Apple faces similar lawsuit) • Google details all Gemini tier offerings • Firefox will use Apple Intelligence on iPhones with iOS 26 Xbox and Games • Lenovo Legion Go 2 coming in October with new Xbox Ally OS in early 2026 • Xbox to announce games at Tokyo Game Show on September 25 • Xbox Cloud Gaming coming to select cars • PlayStation 6 will be modular Tips and Picks • Something to read: iWar by Tim Higgins • Something to watch: New Dave Plumber interview on YouTube • Something to get for free: Microsoft 365 free for US students for one year • Something to plan for: Proton offers emergency access on accounts • RunAs Radio this week: Training for AI with Stephanie Donahue • Brown liquor pick of the week: Boplaas 8 Single Grain Whisky Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell Download or subscribe to Windows Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: helixsleep.com/twit bitwarden.com/twit

Is the U.S. on the verge of legalizing "hack back" missions, turning private companies into sanctioned cyber warriors? Steve and Leo unpack Google's plan for a cyber disruption unit and why the lines between defense and digital retaliation are suddenly blurring. My experience with 'X' vs email. Google TIG blackmailed to fire two security researchers. 1.1.1.1 DNS TLS certificate mis-issued. Artists blackmailed with threats of training AI on their art. Firefox extended end-of-life for Windows 7 to next March. Is the renewal of cybersecurity info sharing coming soon. Should security analysis be censored due to vibe-coding. UK versus Apple may not be settled after all. Another very serious supply chain attack. Can the software supply-chain ever be trustworthy. Why did BYTE Magazine die. What happens if Google and others go on the attack Show Notes - https://www.grc.com/sn/SN-1042-Notes.pdf Hosts: Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte Download or subscribe to Security Now at https://twit.tv/shows/security-now. You can submit a question to Security Now at the GRC Feedback Page. For 16kbps versions, transcripts, and notes (including fixes), visit Steve's site: grc.com, also the home of the best disk maintenance and recovery utility ever written Spinrite 6. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: uscloud.com canary.tools/twit - use code: TWIT bigid.com/securitynow zscaler.com/security expressvpn.com/securitynow

The Apple Event just concluded, and the MacBreak Weekly panel is ready to discuss what was announced at the event! New AI features are coming to the AirPods Pro 3. Apple unveiled its long-rumored iPhone Air, its slimmest iPhone yet. And the iPhone 17 Pro officially shows off its new bold orange color option for its premium lineup. Introducing AirPods Pro 3, the ultimate audio experience Apple introduces Apple Watch SE 3. Apple debuts Apple Watch Series 11, featuring groundbreaking health insights. Introducing Apple Watch Ultra 3. Apple unveils iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the most powerful and advanced Pro models ever. Introducing iPhone Air, a powerful new iPhone with a breakthrough design. Apple debuts iPhone 17. Instagram finally comes to iPad. Adobe's Premiere video editor is coming to iPhone for free. All the President's Tech CEOs. Apple triumphs with 15 wins at night one of the 77th Creative Arts Emmy Awards as "The Studio" and "Severance" lead for comedy and drama. Steve Hayden, writer behind Apple's pivotal '1984' commercial, dies at 78. All 54 lost clickwheel iPod games have now been preserved for posterity. Hosts: Leo Laporte, Alex Lindsay, and Andy Ihnatko Guest: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to MacBreak Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/macbreak-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: spaceship.com/twit 1password.com/macbreak