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Google confirms Pixel phones were exploited in ‘targeted’ attack related to modem
Google has confirmed that a “limited” number of Pixel phones were attacked by a vulnerability related to the modem on...
Get an iPhone 18 Pro on T-Mobile with any condition trade-in
Join T-Mobile today and get an iPhone 18 Pro on them, or get a giant discount on the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and you'll benefit from the fastest network* with iPhone Handoff and Magenta Status.
Google says some Pixel phone owners were hacked in zero-day attacks
The Pixel phone maker said there are indications that a bug in the phone's modem "may be under limited, targeted exploitation."
iPhone 18 Pro Reviews: Excellent Yet... Meh?
The first iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max reviews have been published today by selected tech websites and YouTube channels, ahead of the devices beginning to arrive to customers and launching in stores this Friday, September 18. While the iPhone 17 Pro models featured a major design overhaul last year, the iPhone 18 Pro models look the same overall and have a set of more incremental year-over-year upgrades related to the cameras, battery life, and performance.
iOS 27 adds scam-prevention feature to iPhone, here’s how to enable it
iOS 27 adds ‘Impersonation Risk Detection’ to help protect against scams, but it’s off by default. Here’s how to enable it.
iOS 27 adds three new iPhone features you’ll use all the time
iOS 27 launched this week as the next major iPhone update, here are three new features that could be among the most-used for many users.
iOS 27 is here: 10 iPhone features you’ll want to try now
Safari's Notify Me can monitor websites for price changes and restocks, while new AI photo tools let you reframe and extend shots in iOS 27.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max review: It’s what’s on the inside that counts
Looks the same as last year, but packs a larger battery and a better camera.
Notre Dame Defense Could Dominate Matchups Against Michigan State
Notre Dame's defense has been off to a hot start in 2026, answering a lot of questions we might have had about this unit in during the offseason. They held Wisconsin's offense to 13 points in the season opener and shut out Rice in the home opener last weekend. This Saturday night, they host the Michigan State Spartans in the battle for the Megaphone Trophy. Their offense, now under the direction of offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan, has scored 30 points or more in back to back games. If the Ir
The iPhone 18 Pro’s big camera update is all about the small gains
I put the iPhone 18 Pro’s ambitious new camera system to the test.
Was Life Better Before Cellphones? People Say Yes
"It's funny, isn't it? How we talked for hours on the phone back then, but now that we all have a phone in our pockets, we rarely talk on the phone."
You can now hide your iPhone's location without anyone noticing
With a new iOS 27 feature, it just looks like your iPhone is turned off or in a bad service area.
The day Galaxy S26 series owners have been waiting for since May has finally arrived... for some
The stable Android 17-based One UI 9 update is (slowly) rolling out for Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra devices at last.
Apple explains how the iPhone 18 Pro’s new Reference Image camera mode works
A new post on Apple’s Security Research blog details the fascinating tech, architecture, and thinking behind the iPhone 18 Pro’s new Reference Image camera mode.
Apple Details How Reference Image Proves a Photo is Real
The iPhone 18 Pro models support Apple Reference Image, a way to verify that a photo was taken with an iPhone and hasn't been edited. Apple says it's a method to prove that something actually happened and wasn't AI-generated, likening the feature to a digital film negative. Apple Reference Image offers a trustworthy, scalable guarantee that a reference image is what it claims to be: a real photograph, captured by a real sensor in an iPhone camera, at a specific time.
Meta now lets AI agents handle the boring parts of WhatsApp Business setup
A new WhatsApp Business MCP server lets developers use AI coding agents like Claude, Cursor, Codex, and ChatGPT to handle setup, messaging templates, testing, and troubleshooting.
Luminis Health cyberattack: Patients still waiting for care, answers nearly two weeks late
Nearly two weeks after a cyberattack disrupted phone lines and computer systems across Luminis Health, patients are still dealing with canceled appointments, de
iPhone Duo could be very hard to get at launch, per report
iPhone Duo pre-orders open next month, and a new analyst report indicates the device could be in even shorter supply at launch than expected.
Google Photos backup is coming to Samsung Gallery
A few weeks ago, Samsung announced that it would end support for Microsoft OneDrive integration with the Gallery app on Galaxy phones and tablets. Now, it has b
Reminder: iOS 27's All-New Siri AI Has a Waitlist, Here's How to Sign Up
Apple this week released iOS 27 following around three months of beta testing. If you just installed the software update on your iPhone, you might be wondering where the new-and-improved Siri AI and dedicated Siri app are. In case you missed it, you must join Apple's waitlist in order to gain access to these new features. Keep in mind that while iOS 27 is compatible with the iPhone 11 and newer, Siri AI is limited to the iPhone 15 Pro and newer.
Is Meta Stock Still The Self-Funding Ad Business You Bought?
If you bought Meta Platforms (META) for its advertising engine, the engine still runs: revenue rose 28% year over year in the June 2026 quarter, and its Advantage+ automated campaigns keep growing. What has changed is where the cash goes afterward.
iOS 27 gives Camera app on iPhone three powerful new features
iOS 27 upgrades the iPhone’s Camera app in new ways, especially for users with AI-compatible models. Here’s what’s new for Camera in iOS 27.
Rapper Santy Sharma Makes Viral Joke And Meme About The New iPhone Duo’s Insane Price Tag
After Apple announced the iPhone Duo, it's first foldable phone, Indian rapper Santy Sharma posted an AI-generated image of himself holding the smartphone and a scar on his stomach, implying he would ...
Rapper Santy Sharma Makes Viral Joke And Meme About The New iPhone Duo’s Insane Price Tag
After Apple announced the iPhone Duo, it's first foldable phone, Indian rapper Santy Sharma posted an AI-generated image of himself holding the smartphone and a scar on his stomach, implying he would ...
Apple Cuts iPhone Trade-In Values While Raising Mac and iPad
Apple has updated its U.S. trade-in estimates, cutting values for every eligible iPhone while raising them across the iPad and Mac lineups. The refresh follows the announcement of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo. Their predecessors now appear on Apple's trade-in list for the first time, led by the iPhone 17 Pro Max at up to $885.
Battery draining faster after updating to iOS 27? Don’t panic …
If you’ve just updated your iPhone to iOS 27, you may have felt concerned after seeing your battery draining faster...
Voicemod’s new pocket-friendly device brings real-time voice changing to your phone
Voicemod’s real-time voice changing comes to iOS and Android.
Lukewarm orders for iPhone 18 Pro, says analyst, but it doesn't mean much
A high-profile analyst has said that demand for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max appears “lukewarm” based on pre-order...
iPhone 18 Pro Pre-Orders Off to a Muted Start, Analyst Says
Initial wait times for Apple's iPhone 18 Pro models in the pre-order phase are "lukewarm," according to GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu, who has subsequently trimmed his production estimates for both the company's Pro lineup and the foldable iPhone Duo. iPhone 18 Pro pre-orders opened on September 12 in the U.S.
MediaTek launches new mobile chip using TSMC's most advanced technology
Taiwan's MediaTek unveiled on Tuesday a new smartphone chip made using TSMC's most advanced manufacturing technology, as it targets the premium handset market with semiconductors capable of running more AI features directly on the device.
MediaTek launches new mobile chip using TSMC's most advanced technology
Taiwan's MediaTek unveiled on Tuesday a new smartphone chip made using TSMC's most advanced manufacturing technology, as it targets the premium handset market with semiconductors capable of running more AI features directly on the device.
50 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27
Apple released iOS 27 this week, and despite the company's focus this year on refining its flagship operating system and nixing bugs, there are still many additional features to explore, not least of which is Apple's new context-aware Siri, re-tooled for the generative AI era. Which iPhones Support Every iOS 27 Feature? This year's major iPhone software update isn't all about AI, though, as the following feature list testifies.
The Fujifilm Instax Link Wide 2 Portable Printer Puts Your Smartphone Photos Onto Instant Film
Printing your smartphone photos onto instant film.
iPhone 18 Pro demand continues to be surprisingly low
You may still need to wait a bit to get an iPhone 18 Pro, but the delay won’t be all that long.
New Apple CEO John Ternus attending Emmy Awards (and sporting iPhone Duo)
It’s Emmy Awards night, and John Ternus is in attendance. The new Apple CEO officially took over for Tim Cook...
Two MVNOs, one under the radar, make announcements about the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max
Can you get a better deal, including your monthly service plan, by buying your new iPhone from one of these MVNOs?
Roane County EMS partners with HopeNation for daily mental health check-ins
Roane County EMS is partnering with Tennessee-based HopeNation to provide first responders with confidential, daily mental health check-ins sent directly to their phones.
iOS 27 AI Camera Summaries Cost $9.99 for One Camera, $59.99 for Five
Apple is requiring a $9.99 iCloud+ plan to use the iOS 27 Apple Intelligence Home app features with a single HomeKit camera, and iPhone users aren't happy about it. iOS 27 includes text-based descriptions for motion alerts, a feature that uses Apple Intelligence. It recognizes people, animals, vehicles, packages, and general motion, and summarizes what's happening.
Samsung Finds Another Guy Named Tim Cook To Promote Galaxy Z Fold 8
With a cheeky new ad trolling rival Apple just as it released its new foldable iPhone Duo, rival Samsung can now honestly say Tim Cook has chosen a Galaxy device.
iOS 27 update: Here are the biggest changes coming to your iPhone
Apple is updating the brains inside the iPhone. Here are the biggest changes in iOS 27, which launched on Monday.
OpenAI buys smartphone camera maker Glass Imaging for $300 million, report says
Glass Imaging was founded by a pair of former Apple engineers who previously led the team that developed Apple's Portrait Mode.
OpenAI acquires Israeli-founded camera startup Glass Imaging for over $300 million
Founded by Israeli former Apple engineer Ziv Attar and his former colleague Tom Bishop, Glass Imaging uses AI to overcome limitations in compact cameras and has developed technology for smartphones, drones and wearables.
Our top iPhone 18 Pro accessories to upgrade your setup
We are taking look at some of the iPhone 18 Pro accessories we are picking up for ourselves this year...
Samsung pokes fun at iPhone to Android switching drama in reality star-packed ad [Video]
Switching from iPhone to Android is a process that’s getting continually better and, in a new ad, Samsung pokes fun...
Apple Releases iOS 26.7 With Security Fixes
Alongside iOS 27, Apple today released iOS 26.7, an update to the existing iOS 26 software. Users who check for new software will see iOS 26.7 as the default update, with iOS 27 listed as an option at the bottom of the Software Update interface. According to Apple's release notes, iOS 26.7 includes security fixes, but it does not have any other features. Apple will eventually show iOS 27 as the main update for the iPhone, but that likely won't happen for a few weeks.
iOS 26.7 now available for iPhone, here’s what’s new
Apple launched its major iOS 27 release today for iPhone, but a smaller iOS 26.7 update is available too. Here’s what’s new.
Samsung reportedly considers early ‘Galaxy Z TriFold 2’ release in wake of iPhone Duo
In the wake of iPhone Duo, Samsung is reportedly considering an early release for a Galaxy Z TriFold sequel. The...
Apple Releases iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 With Siri AI and Liquid Glass Update
Apple today released iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, the newest operating system updates for the iPhone and iPad. The software is available for free on all compatible devices, and can be downloaded over the air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. It can take several minutes for the updates to propagate to all users due to high demand on launch day. iOS 27 can be installed on all iPhones that run iOS 26, which includes the iPhone SE 2 and the iPhone 11 series and later.
iOS 27's iPhone Handoff Feature Expanding to More Carriers This Year
Apple last week announced that Verizon and EE will support iOS 27's new iPhone Handoff feature later this year. The feature allows you to switch between any two iPhones running iOS 27 while using the same phone number on each device. iPhone Handoff is initially supported by T-Mobile (which is charging $5/month for it) and Deutsche Telekom. iPhone Handoff is initially supported by T-Mobile (which is charging $5/month for it) and Deutsche Telekom.
Google rolls out Motion Assist bubbles to Pixel, Samsung
After announcing earlier this month, Google has rolled out Motion Assist to Pixel and Samsung phones running Android 17.
7 USB Mini Gadgets That Just Work
Mini USB gadgets can expand the functionality of devices that rely on a single port. Some of the best include a keyboard light and a headphone adapter.
iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max pre-orders now delayed to October for most models
Here’s the latest update on iPhone 18 Pro pre-order delivery estimates, which have now slipped to October in most cases.
How to prepare your iPhone for the iOS 27 update
iOS 27 packs loads of new features for your iPhone. Before you update, you should prepare with these steps to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Apple Foldable iPhone Could Change Smartphones Forever
Apple Just Entered the Foldable War. Gurman Says Its New iPhone Could Transform the Market
Here's how the iPhone Duo compares to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8
CNET has a series of pieces comparing the iPhone Duo to three current Android foldables. While it’s a little frustrating...
Forget iPhone Duo, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Gets an Early Drop to Its Lowest Price Despite Being Brand New
You can run three apps side by side and then fold the whole thing shut.
iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone 18 Pro Max Buyer's Guide
Apple recently unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, featuring a new Main camera with a variable aperture, new Pro camera controls, the A20 Pro chip, and more. With the foldable iPhone Duo now sitting above them in the lineup, the two Pro models are no longer the most expensive iPhones Apple sells, but they remain the most fully-featured traditional iPhones available. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 and the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299.
Small Fees On Your Phone Bill Could Help Prevent Suicides
By Ernie Mundell HealthDay ReporterMONDAY, Sept. 14, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Small fees added to monthly phone bills are helping fund 988 suicide prevention crisis lines in a dozen states, a new study shows. The approach could be a model for the nation, researchers contend. “Mental health advocates ...
Third-Gen iPhone Duo to Get Face ID, Telephoto Lens, Expects Gurman
Apple will prioritize adding Face ID and a telephoto lens to future iPhone Duo models, argues Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The device debuted with Touch ID and dual rear cameras, likely owing to physical constraints.
iPhone Duo Has a Hidden Display Setting for Case Compatibility
Apple's new iPhone Duo has a special option in its display settings that adds a narrow black border to the left side of the screen. Blogger Nicolas Lellouche discovered the setting in the Display & Brightness menu during his hands-on time with the device shortly after Apple's iPhone event stream last week.
Samsung will apparently launch the Galaxy Tab S12 series a bit later than expected
Two of the best Android tablets you're probably going to be able to buy this holiday season will only arrive next month in stores around the world.
Gurman: 'iPhone Duo Max' With Bigger Display Likely in Apple's Plans
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has suggested Apple will release an "iPhone Duo Max" in the coming years, highlighting why Apple chose the "Duo" moniker over other names. In the months leading up to Apple's iPhone Duo unveiling, Gurman reported that employees within Apple had begun referring to the device as the "iPhone Ultra," possibly having been influenced by media coverage of the device and leaker speculation.
5 Budget Android Phones You Should Consider Instead Of The Google Pixel 11
Considering a Google Pixel 11 smartphone, but feeling put off by the $900 price tag? Why not consider these five much cheaper Android phone alternatives.
iOS 27 Available Tomorrow With These 8 New Features
During its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo event last week, Apple announced that iOS 27 will be released widely on Monday, September 14. iOS 27 should be available around 10 a.m. Pacific Time / 1 p.m. Eastern Time tomorrow via the Settings app, under General → Software Update. Below, we have highlighted 12 new features and changes coming with iOS 27, with the main attraction being a major revamp of Siri.
Better Business Bureau shares tips for identifying scams over the phone
As the techniques that scammers use to deceive victims are becoming more elaborate, the Better Business Bureau has tips for consumers to protect themselves.
Apple is reportedly working on iPhone game controllers
The accessories would likely be sold under the Beats brand.
iPhone Duo vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Apple's and Samsung's Premium Foldables Compared
From durability to cameras and battery life, here's how the premium foldable phones stack up.
Why your iPhone may not get iOS 27, Apple’s next major update coming this week
Apple’s next major iOS update is about to be released, but there may be a few obstacles standing between you and the latest features.
Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro vs. 14 Pro: The Four-Year Difference Between Apple’s Pro Phones
If you're considering an upgrade from the iPhone 14 Pro to the iPhone 18 Pro, you'll see a lot of improvements.
Apple is designing its own game controllers for iPhone, could be Beats branded
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has today corroborated references discovered in macOS beta code that indicated Apple is designing its own game...
A Galaxy S27 Ultra upgrade to match the iPhone Duo
Samsung isn't cutting corners everywhere.
Apple's $1,199 iPhone 18 Pro Is Free If Your Old Phone Still Turns On
The thing gathering dust in your drawer is currently worth more than anything you'd get selling it, and enough to cover a brand new Pro entirely.
Report: Macomb mental health-substance abuse efforts rise with need
“We use full geo-location technology. If you’re physically in Macomb County and dial 988, or our 586-307-9100 phone number, you’re getting the same group of people, which is local individuals.” — Macomb County Community M…
What if Rutgers pulls the plug on Schiano? Who’s next?
I know, still ten more games. But, it’s when, not if. Time to start thinking who could we get to replace him? I know more than a few people who start shopping for Christmas in July….well, actually they never stop shopping. They have a notebook (okay, a notes app on their phone) where they list […]
Apple's iPhone Duo event should put the bears to rest
Apple, the innovator, just got its memory chip inflation-beating groove back.
Apple’s new phones are here
In this week’s Installer: iPhones, AirPods, Meta’s AI agent, and more.
Here's When iOS 27 Rolls Out in Every Time Zone
Apple is about to release iOS 27, which will finally deliver more advanced Siri AI capabilities as well as a variety of other refinements, improvements, and new features to iPhones. It's Apple's biggest software update of the year, and Apple announced at Wednesday's iPhone event that it will be releasing iOS 27 sometime tomorrow – Monday, September 14.
Galaxy S27 Pro and S27 Ultra to get biggest OLED upgrade in 3 years
Samsung is making big changes to the Galaxy S series next year. The company is expected to launch four Galaxy S27 series phones early in the year, and two of th
5 Mini Gadgets From Belkin That Are Small Enough To Take Anywhere
Belkin's UltraCharge Power Bank, Wireless Microphone, Magnetic Charging Camera Grip, RockStar USB-C Audio Adapter, and Magnetic Wireless Power Bank w/ Stand.
iPhone 18 Pro pre-orders: Here's what still arrives on launch day
Apple’s new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max lineup went up for pre-order today, ahead of the September...
Apple Says iPhone 18 Pro Max Sold in U.S. Differs in One Way
As noted by Nicolas Lellouche, who writes for the French tech website Numerama, Apple has updated its tech specs pages for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max to clarify which models are equipped with its new C2 cellular modem and where. Apple now says the iPhone 18 Pro has a C2 modem worldwide, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max uses the chip in every country except for the U.S.
Left-handed Apple users cry discrimination as new foldable iPhone Duo designed for right-handers
Apple nailed iPhone Duo split screen, even as iPad multitasking feels convoluted
Apple this week unveiled its new iPhone lineup, including the first ever foldable iPhone – the iPhone Duo. While the...
ESR's iPhone accessory lineup is ready for Apple's foldable era
ESR's new lineup covers the iPhone Duo and iPhone 18 with a vegan leather Flex Stand case, Armorite screen protection, and CryoBoost charging.
Live Science reviewed the Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ telescope
Live Science reviewed the Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ, a 130 mm Newtonian reflector with smartphone-guided pointing, outlining its optics, observing capabilities and limitations.
Didn't Pre-Order iPhone 18 Pro Yet? Here's How Long the Wait is Now
iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max pre-orders began today in the U.S. and many other countries. If you have yet to place a pre-order on Apple's online store, you might face a longer wait now, depending on your desired configuration. The first customers who pre-ordered right when pre-orders began at 5 a.m. Pacific Time today will have their device delivered on Friday, September 18 launch day. As of 6:45 a.m.
Best iPhone 18 Pro cases now available for purchase9to5Mac
It is time to take a look at the best new iPhone 18 Pro cases. Pre-orders for Apple’s latest just...
iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max Now Available to Pre-Order
Apple is now accepting pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max through its online storefront and the Apple Store app. If you don't see the option to order, make sure to refresh until the store comes up. The app is often a quicker way to get a pre-order in. Pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro models are available in more than 65 countries and regions around the world. If you used "Get Ready" ahead of time, you'll be able to place an order with just a couple of taps.
Stand-up comic Ali Saddiq talks storytelling and return to Tower District in Fresno
The stand-up comic was on the phone with The Bee in advance two performances, 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday at the Tower Theatre.
Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ review
A sharp, wide-field and genuinely portable 130mm reflector whose phone-guided pointing makes star-hopping optional, offering stunning views of the solar system and brighter deep-sky objects.
Apple iOS 27 Release Date Is Sept. 14: Check If Your iPhone Can Upgrade
Can your iPhone run the latest iPhone software when it arrives in a matter of days? Here’s a complete list of compatible hardware and what’s in the release.
T-Mobile is giving away the Apple iPhone 18 Pro for free
The time has come. The iPhone 18 Pro has been announced, and mobile carriers are scrambling to offer you the best pre-order deals.
The politics and possibilities of ‘AI could kill us all’
I found myself fielding a lot of questions from folks who don’t usually talk much about AI this week. They were mostly along the lines of “do you think AI is going to kill us all?” or “how worried should I be about this human extinction stuff?” Motivating this wave of existential anxiety was the highly dramatic resignation of now-former Anthropic employee Jacob Coxon, who quit his job while publicly sharing his concerns about safety practices at the leading AI companies. More specifically, he declared that almost everyone at OpenAI and Anthropic, the leading AI labs, believes that there’s a decent chance the AI systems they’re producing could “kill us all” by the end of the decade, and the companies aren’t “acting responsibly.” Other AI safety researchers, including those still employed at Anthropic and OpenAI, all confirmed that yes, Coxon is correct, they’re all worried that their company’s products might prove fatal for the entire human race as well. Two more AI employees quit and joined the chorus. Now, the warning shot has been covered everywhere from the Wall Street Journal to Fox News to WIRED to the Guardian. I understand why all this sounds scary, but my response to those who have asked, has generally been: No, you don’t need to worry that AI will kill go rogue and kill us all. But that does not mean we shouldn’t worry, period. Far from it. The companies building AI products are now among the wealthiest and most powerful entities in the world. And they very much are building enormous engines of mass surveillance, extraction, and automation. They can and have allowed their AI systems to carry out felony hacks of other companies, provided the government with autonomously generated kill lists, and sold enterprise technology to firms around the world that is explicitly intended to replace jobs. But “AI” has done these things not because they have all-powerful minds of their own but, ultimately, because people have programmed, calibrated, and directed them to. In other words, it’s not AI we need to worry the most about. It’s the people and corporations working to profit from and gain power by deploying it. The technology is sophisticated, sure, and, especially in cybersecurity contexts, potentially disruptive to plenty of existing systems. But if we want to stop this predatory, profiteering, and extractive form of AI—and it’s worth noting that at this point, most people do—we absolutely can. A quick note/plea: I can only do all of this with the support of readers like you, so if you find value in independent, critical tech journalism and analysis, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. I want to keep as much of this un-paywalled as absolutely possible, and I need your support to do so. Many thanks to all who continue to chip in, it’s very much appreciated. Onward. Subscribe First, some context: AI industry folks like Coxon have been discussing the prospect that AI will destroy humanity for years. Even before the beginning of the AI boom, many working in the industry, from the executive staff to the rank and file researchers, have obsessed over ‘x-risk’, or the possibility that AI will become sentient or semi-sentient and move one way or another to exterminate humanity. This is ostensibly why Elon Musk bankrolled OpenAI in the first place, and is the grounds for his lawsuit alleging OpenAI betrayed its charter by abandoning its nonprofit status to become a commercial enterprise. Many AI engineers and startup founders have calculated their own personal p(doom), or the probability that the tech product they are working on will initiate an actual humanity-extinguishing apocalypse. 10-25% p(doom)s are pretty common. (I wrote about a long weekend I spent among these folks at one of their top conferences here, to give you an idea of their ideas and belief systems.) Sam Altman himself drove the narrative of the imminent rise of a super-powerful AI, or artificial general intelligence, to prominence by declaring that the technology he was building posed an existential risk to humanity. This idea is in other words baked into the DNA of modern AI companies and into the products they engineer. It’s also why the industry is routinely accused, by myself and others, of “doom marketing,” ie, using such proclamations and framings to impart the sheer power of the technology behind your product onto investors, partners, consumers, and the state. Some ambient understanding of this tendency may have helped prevent the press from repeating the claim every time one of the x-risk folks made it over the years, including when they quit their jobs at AI companies while doing so. Yet Coxon’s AI x-risk alarm has broken containment, as they say, and has exposed the idea to the mainstream media once again. This has happened, I think, for a number of reasons. First, when AI CEOs were going around saying AI might kill everyone in 2023, their companies were well-capitalized, but not nearly to the extent they are today. They were more easily dismissed as eccentric geeks of the sort that Silicon Valley is supposed to produce. Now, not only do their products have much greater market saturation, but people are more aware of a) the often unethical ways the executives and companies comport themselves b) the other adverse impacts of AI that have already arrived, and c) the physical cost of building these systems, particularly when it comes to data centers. Finally, toss in the constant stream of headlines in 2026 about AI models going rogue or potentially upending the world’s infrastructure. [ ](https://www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/with-the-backlash-to-data-centers) [ With the backlash to data centers, Flock and AI glasses, a mass opposition to big tech is underway. Silicon Valley is in denial. ](https://www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/with-the-backlash-to-data-centers) Brian Merchant · Aug 27 [ Read full story ](https://www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/with-the-backlash-to-data-centers) As a result, general sentiment was already overwhelmingly skeptical of AI and its overlords, so the table was pretty well set for someone to come along and say ‘just a reminder, the companies that are building the product that promises to take your job and leave a data center in your neighborhood also think that it might exterminate the human race’ and get a strong reaction from the media and the public. The question is: Should we understand this stuff as hype, strategically fanned to feed already swelling valuations? Is it doom marketing? Genuine cause for alarm that the infrastructure that undergirds modern life is facing a novel threat vector? Or reason to be sincerely worried that AI companies are amassing too much power, and that their products are genuinely dangerous? The answer, I’m afraid, is “yes.” Let me try to untangle all of this a bit, because arguments over how to navigate this moment are extremely heated right now, as they are essentially arguments over how to approach the politics of AI at a moment where there may be a unique opening for action. Those sympathetic to AI alignment concerns and x risk arguments—which increasingly includes a faction on the left who want to shut down AI over safety concerns—argue that people who dismiss AI as all hype have their heads in the sand. Meanwhile, critics of the x-risk narrative—which I might note includes a cadre of investors and tech folks on the right, too—argue that it is hype and can be used to further inflate valuations or for pursuing regulatory capture. The challenge is that many feel that dismissing AI as just hype or purely marketing also diminishes the urgency of taking on the AI industry as the novel and threat to labor, civil society, and the public sphere it is; others that by accepting the industry’s own terms, we imbue it with undue power and enable it. But let’s be clear: Declarations that AI is so powerful it might end the world are a kind of marketing, and anyone who says otherwise is just as off base as those who say that’s all that it is. If you don’t think that these sub-trillion dollar companies have higher-ups who noticed that when their founders talked about super-powerful dangerous AI they got spikes in media interest and phone calls from investors, or that those founders didn’t notice that themselves, and lean into certain narratives to advantage their products, then I don’t know what to tell you. Not all marketing is a Pepsi ad campaign with a celebrity spokesperson. Yet confronting the AI industry should certainly be considered an urgent project. Do I share the x-riskers’ fear that out-of-control, super-intelligent AI agents might end the world? I do not. I’ve read a good deal of AI extinction literature over the last couple of years and I have not come across a credible, step-by-step documentation of how exactly AI might move from self-recursively improving AI to killing every single human on the planet. Most of what I’ve read seems predicated on a sort of reverse Ian Malcolmian logic: Eventually, it becomes smart enough and AI, uh, finds a way (to exterminate humanity). Are the AI companies also overstating and dramatizing what their products can do? Yes, pretty much all the time. They’re in a knife fight for market share and are trying to win customers and government contracts before their investors come knocking. And yet. They have concentrated enormous amounts of compute, have extensive data collection and surveillance capacities, have inserted themselves into the state in numerous capacities, including military kill chains, and they are being run by egomaniacal billionaires who are rushing to monopolize an entire new market. The way I think about their most recent frightening-seeming exploits is not as a “swarm of rogue AI agents building a new civilization” or whatever, but as corporations with a hitherto-unimaginable amount of compute at their disposal recklessly experimenting with automation programs, completely unafraid of any repercussions because we have been unwilling or unable to impose any on them. So I think we should welcome any newfound imperative to hold them accountable. I also think that ultimately, the AI critics, Pause AI folks, leftists, doomers, effective altruists, and, honestly, most of the public, want a lot of the same things: legitimate checks and limits on AI companies’ power, actual transparency into what the companies are doing, and for more of AI to be under public control. (Ultimately, a lot of what animates the x-risk fears are rooted in just that: a fear of losing control.) How we move towards all this, exactly, is the question of the day, and while there’s much to be argued over in terms of building a viable political platform to challenge the AI industry’s power, I do want to cast a vote against one particular approach. Not to pick on Chris here, as there are a lot of folks out there proposing stuff like this, and the policy ideas actually stem from AI safety groups. But not only would this be challenging to land politically (I can already hear the ‘China will beat us to AGI’ calls) and all but unworkable in practice, this approach is a) far too limiting, b) fails to address the current harms caused by AI and c) would likely only wind up serving Anthropic and OpenAI; it’s what regulatory capture looks like in action. Full model transparency is the floor for what should be on offer here. If these companies believe their products will kill us, the very least we deserve is to know how. It’s in the public interest. I would also argue we might get a lot of the way to stopping any currently envisioned robot apocalypse simply by forcing AI companies to assume liability, and to submit to the full brunt of the law. If Sam Altman were liable to be charged with a felony for approving the hack on Hugging Face1, if Google was forced to pay defamation fines each time it published a false and injurious AI Overviews, these companies might suddenly find cause to restrain their models’ output, and we might hear less about rogue AI. We would need to introduce new frameworks and available tools for tracking automated lawbreaking, to be sure, but I’d wager that little would frighten the AI companies more than actually being held accountable for what their products enable. To that end, Illinois has passed an AI liability law, which the industry fought tooth and nail, and Florida is considering one. The next steps would be towards moving AI under public control; again, it’s only reasonable, since everyone, not just AI insiders, should get a say over how a technology whose developers say might kill us is developed and deployed. Dismantling the whole industrial project as currently structured should be on the table, too, pending democratic input. But that’s for another post. For now, suffice to say that while I won’t be losing any sleep about an AI-enabled extinction event, Mr. Coxon and co. have given us an opportunity to underscore the urgency of the clear and present damage AI companies are doing, the extreme power they wield and the extent to which they hold themselves unaccountable, and the abundance of political capital there is out there for taking them on. Subscribe 1 Purely speculative! I do not know if he did or not.
Apple Store Down Ahead of iPhone 18 Pro Pre-Orders
Apple's online store is down ahead of iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max pre-orders, which begin at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Saturday, September 12. "Be right back," reads the Apple Store's message when visiting the U.S. website. "We're making updates to the Apple Store. Check back soon". Apple has been opening pre-orders at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time for several years, rather than the 12:01 a.m. start time it previously used. Today the store went down especially early.
Here's When iPhone 18 Pro Pre-Orders Begin in Every Time Zone
Pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are set to begin on Saturday, September 12, at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time, with the new devices set to become available for pre-order in numerous countries around the world simultaneously. We've compiled pre-order times for various countries to help MacRumors readers be among the first to order. This list isn't exhaustive, so please verify the exact time for your specific location. Australia West - 8:00 p.m.
iPhone 18 Pro Pre-Orders: Deadline to 'Get Ready' Early is Tonight
iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max pre-orders begin this Saturday, September 12 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time. Apple allows you to prepare for your pre-order early. Simply look for the "Get Ready" button on the Shop iPhone page or in the Apple Store app and proceed to select your iPhone 18 Pro model and any accessories, get pre-approved for financing or leasing if necessary, and so forth. Apple is giving customers until 9 p.m. Apple is giving customers until 9 p.m.
Elon Musk's PAC adds Maine 2nd District race to electioneering bid
Musk's America PAC is already spending on the high-profile Maine U.S. Senate race. Now it's sending text and phone messages hoping to boost Republican Paul LePage in his contest against Democrat Matt Dunlap.
iPhone 18 Pro vs Pixel 11 Pro: How Apple and Google's flagships stack up
Google and Apple's latest flagships feature more AI, better cameras and few reasons to switch ecosystems.
Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro cases are already in stores, and not just for the new models
Apple’s new iPhone 18 Pro cases and other accessories are now available in Apple Stores. Pre-orders for the new phones...