Tech news roundup for Monday, September 14, 2026: leading today’s stories, a renewed AI industry safety debate follows an Anthropic researcher’s public resignation over concerns that leading AI companies are taking outsized risks. Also making headlines, Apple is reportedly planning to bring back dedicated Genius Bar counters at its retail stores.

Also in today’s tech news roundup: Android Auto is rolling out Gemini as its default driving assistant, and former President Obama told Democrats they need a clear plan on AI. Rounding things out, we look at how far you can run an Ethernet cable before speeds drop, and NASA astronaut Jessica Meir’s zero-gravity curly hair tips from the ISS.

The TLDR

• Tech & Apps: How Far Can You Run an Ethernet Cable Before Speeds Drop?
• AI Tools: Why AI Companies Are Talking About Existential Risk Again
• Science & Space: NASA Astronaut Jessica Meir Shares Zero-Gravity Curly Hair Tips

Tech & Apps

How Far Can You Run an Ethernet Cable Before Speeds Drop?

Standard Ethernet cabling can run up to about 328 feet before a connection starts to become unreliable, according to Engadget. Cat5e and Cat6 both hold a 1 Gbps connection for the full run, but Cat6 at 10 Gbps is only reliable up to about 180 feet — Cat6a is needed to hit 10 Gbps at the full 328-foot distance. For most home setups under 100 feet, cable category won’t make a noticeable difference.

Android Auto Is Rolling Out Gemini as Its Default Assistant

Android Auto is widening its rollout of Gemini as the default voice assistant for drivers, replacing the standard Google Assistant, according to Engadget. Gemini can handle conversational follow-up questions, summarize messages, and pull from Gmail and Calendar to help on long drives. If you’d rather manage how much Google’s AI can see across your devices, see our guide on how to turn off Google’s Personal Intelligence feature.

Apple Reportedly Planning to Bring Back Dedicated Genius Bars

Apple is reportedly planning several changes to its retail stores, including the return of dedicated Genius Bar counters that were phased out over a decade ago, according to a Bloomberg report cited by 9to5Mac. The changes reportedly also include removing large in-store video walls and adding dedicated pickup and Today at Apple bays. Apple has reportedly been testing the concepts internationally, with renovations expected to roll out store by store.

AI Tools

Why AI Companies Are Talking About Existential Risk Again

TechCrunch’s Equity podcast dug into renewed AI safety alarm after an Anthropic researcher publicly resigned, saying he’s concerned leading AI companies are taking outsized risks, according to TechCrunch. An Anthropic alignment researcher separately estimated a real chance AI could pose a catastrophic risk within the next decade. The discussion also touched on whether the timing lines up with Anthropic’s reported plans for an IPO.

Obama Tells Democrats They Need a ‘Clear Plan’ on AI

Former President Obama said Democrats need to make AI a central policy focus and have a “very clear plan” for its economic and safety impact, speaking at a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee event on September 10, according to TechCrunch. He said AI is “moving very fast in private hands” and could be risky without more government engagement. Obama has reportedly spoken with both Anthropic’s and OpenAI’s CEOs as he positions himself as a sounding board on AI policy.

Science & Space

NASA Astronaut Jessica Meir Shares Zero-Gravity Curly Hair Tips

NASA astronaut Jessica Meir, now commanding the ISS’s Expedition 75 during her second spaceflight, shared curly-hair care tips from orbit in a video posted September 9, according to Space.com. Her tips include using no-rinse, scalp-focused shampoo and finger-detangling instead of brushes. She noted her hair texture changes in zero gravity and that she’s looking forward to a real shower back on Earth.

Explore more: how to turn off Google’s Personal Intelligence feature, SkySafari vs Stellarium astronomy apps.

Tech News FAQs

How do I turn on Gemini in Android Auto?

Go to Settings > Connected devices > Android Auto > Manage your digital assistant > Digital assistants from Google, then select Gemini to replace the standard Google Assistant.

How long can an Ethernet cable be before speeds slow down?

Standard Ethernet cabling maxes out around 328 feet. Cat5e and Cat6 hold 1 Gbps for the full distance, but Cat6 needs to be under about 180 feet to sustain 10 Gbps — Cat6a is required for 10 Gbps at the full 328-foot run.

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Photo: Joel Kowsky / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

The post Tech News Roundup: 6 Essential Stories for Monday, September 14, 2026 — AI Safety Warnings and Apple’s Return of Genius Bars appeared first on GTWebs.

This guide breaks down how each tool actually handles a multi-city itinerary — route logic, collaboration, booking, and pricing — so you can pick the one that fits how you plan, not just the one with the flashier demo.

Quick Answer

For multi-city trips, Wanderlog is the stronger pick when your priority is a map-first itinerary you can drag, reorder, and route efficiently between stops — it’s built around the map, not the chat window. Mindtrip is the stronger pick if you want a conversational AI to help you decide what to do in each city and turn inspiration (a screenshot, PDF, or blog post) directly into a plan, with in-chat booking along the way. Many travelers end up using Mindtrip to research and shape the trip, then Wanderlog to lock in the day-by-day route.

How Each Tool Handles Multiple Cities

Wanderlog treats your whole trip as a single map with pins for every city, hotel, and activity. Its route optimization feature reorders your stops into the most efficient path automatically, which matters a lot once you’re stringing together several cities or a road trip with detours — you can see the whole route at a glance and drag stops between days without losing the map view. The free plan already covers unlimited places, itinerary building, and live collaboration; Wanderlog Pro (around $40/year) layers on offline maps, its AI assistant, and more advanced route tools, which is worth it if you’ll be planning or navigating without reliable signal.

Mindtrip works more like a planning conversation. You describe the trip — or start from a photo, screenshot, PDF, or link via its ‘Start Anywhere’ feature — and it builds out a visual itinerary with map pins, recommendations, and nearby discovery for each city, adapting as you chat with it further. It handles multi-city trips by keeping each city’s plan coherent and swappable rather than optimizing the route between them the way Wanderlog does. Mindtrip also lets you book flights, hotels, and activities directly in the chat through its booking partners, and you can upload confirmations and receipts so everything for a multi-leg trip stays in one place.

Collaboration, Booking, and Pricing

Both tools support real-time collaboration, which matters when a multi-city trip involves splitting decisions across a group — Mindtrip adds a shared group chat alongside the shared itinerary, which some travelers find easier for hashing out where to go next than passing edits back and forth on a map.

On booking, Mindtrip is more integrated: it can book flights, hotels, and activities without leaving the chat, and it earns its revenue from booking commissions rather than subscriptions, which is why the core planning experience has no premium tier or feature paywall. Wanderlog also imports flight and hotel confirmations (by forwarding booking emails) and adds expense tracking with cost-splitting between travelers, which Mindtrip doesn’t offer — useful if your multi-city trip has a shared group budget to reconcile afterward.

On price, Mindtrip is free with no locked core features. Wanderlog’s free tier is generous too, but its offline access, AI assistant, and some route-optimization depth sit behind the Pro subscription — worth checking against how much offline map access and AI help you actually expect to need.

Tips / Common Mistakes

Don’t build your whole itinerary in the AI chat and skip the map view — both tools’ map layouts are where you’ll actually catch inefficient routing between cities, like a leg that backtracks across a region you already passed through.

If your trip depends on offline access (rural regions, limited data plans, long train rides), confirm which parts of Wanderlog’s offline mode you need before the trip, since some of that depth is Pro-only.

When comparing group trips, decide upfront whether you need built-in expense splitting (Wanderlog) or a shared group chat baked into the itinerary (Mindtrip) — trying to bolt either feature onto the other tool afterward is more friction than switching plans early.

Cross-check any in-chat AI booking suggestion against the airline’s or hotel’s own site before paying — both tools are convenient for discovery, but it’s worth verifying price and cancellation terms directly with the provider.

Explore more: more travel planning guides.

Mindtrip vs Wanderlog FAQs

Which is better for a multi-city trip, Mindtrip or Wanderlog?

Wanderlog is generally better if you want precise, map-based route logic across many stops. Mindtrip is generally better if you want an AI to help shape the itinerary conversationally and book things without leaving the chat.

Is Wanderlog or Mindtrip free?

Both have solid free plans. Wanderlog’s free tier covers itinerary building and collaboration, with a Pro subscription (around $40/year) for offline maps and its AI assistant. Mindtrip is free with no premium tier, monetizing through booking commissions instead.

Can I use both Mindtrip and Wanderlog for the same trip?

Yes — a common workflow is using Mindtrip to research each city and generate ideas, then rebuilding the finalized route in Wanderlog for day-by-day route optimization and expense tracking.

Does either tool book flights and hotels automatically?

Mindtrip supports in-chat booking for flights, hotels, and activities through its booking partners. Wanderlog focuses more on organizing bookings you’ve already made, importing confirmations via email forwarding.

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Images: Mindtrip.

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Tech news roundup for September 13, 2026: Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro preorders are underway, though shipping for some iPhone 18 Pro Max configurations has already slipped past the September 18 launch day.

Beyond Apple, today’s roundup covers Blizzard’s surprise reveal of a new open-world StarCraft shooter, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s comments on delaying an IPO, and Anthropic’s proposal to slow the pace of AI development.

The TLDR

• Tech & Apps: iPhone 18 Pro preorders are open — but some colors already won’t arrive on launch day
• AI Tools: Sam Altman says an OpenAI IPO in 2026 is off the table

Tech & Apps

iPhone 18 Pro preorders are open — but some colors already won’t arrive on launch day

Apple opened preorders for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max on September 12, ahead of the September 18 launch, according to The Verge. By Saturday evening, shipping estimates for several iPhone 18 Pro Max configurations had already slipped into October, with Burgundy and Glacier colors in 256GB and 512GB hit hardest, per 9to5Mac. The standard iPhone 18 Pro saw only minor delays, and every 2TB configuration of both phones is still on track for launch-day delivery.

Blizzard reveals a new open-world StarCraft shooter, targeting 2030

Blizzard announced a new StarCraft game built as an open-world, story-driven shooter, set decades after StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void, according to The Verge. The project is led by Dan Hay, a former Far Cry producer, and Blizzard says it’s early in development, with a 2030 launch window and more details to come in future years.

AI Tools

Sam Altman says an OpenAI IPO in 2026 is off the table

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman told Fortune’s editor-in-chief that going public in 2026 would be “ill-advised,” confirming the IPO won’t happen this year, according to TechCrunch. OpenAI has already filed confidentially for an IPO after initially targeting the second half of 2026, but Altman said the company will go public only “when the business is ready.”

Anthropic’s CEO proposes a plan to slow down AI development

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei published a plan calling for the AI industry to “pace the frontier,” including third-party evaluators like METR to verify safety commitments and coordinated safety standards among AI companies, per TechCrunch. He also called for the U.S. and its allies to coordinate with other governments, including China, on limiting the riskiest AI applications, and said Sam Altman had agreed to adopt the third-party evaluator approach. If you’re trying to get more day-to-day use out of AI tools yourself, see our guide on using ChatGPT to plan a weekend road trip on a budget.

Explore more: using ChatGPT to plan a weekend road trip on a budget, turning off Google’s Personal Intelligence feature.

Tech News FAQs

When do iPhone 18 Pro preorders ship?

Preorders opened September 12, 2026, ahead of the September 18 launch day. Most configurations ship on time, but some iPhone 18 Pro Max colors and storage sizes have slipped into October.

What is the new StarCraft game Blizzard announced?

It’s a new open-world, story-driven shooter set in the StarCraft universe, led by former Far Cry producer Dan Hay. Blizzard is targeting a 2030 release and says the game is still early in development.

Is OpenAI going public in 2026?

No. CEO Sam Altman said in a Fortune interview that an IPO in 2026 would be “ill-advised,” even though OpenAI has already filed confidentially. The company says it will go public only when the business is ready.

What did Anthropic propose about slowing down AI?

CEO Dario Amodei proposed third-party safety evaluators, coordinated safety standards among AI companies, and international coordination on limiting the riskiest AI applications. Sam Altman reportedly agreed to adopt the third-party evaluator approach.

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Tech news roundup for Saturday, September 12, 2026 leads with Rocket Lab formally protesting NASA’s decision to award Blue Origin a $700 million Mars orbiter contract, plus a fresh comparison of the iPhone Duo against Google’s Pixel 11 Pro Fold and Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8.

Also in today’s tech news roundup: Moss developer Polyarc has shut down after nearly 12 years and leaked specs point to a premium Lenovo Googlebook 15. On the AI beat, robot-training startup Mecka AI is nearing a $500 million valuation and Y Combinator’s Garry Tan weighed in on AI model distillation, while our science desk revisits an astronaut’s view of 9/11 from space 25 years later.

The TLDR

• Tech & Apps: iPhone Duo vs. Pixel 11 Pro Fold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8: How They Compare
• AI Tools: Robot-Training Startup Mecka AI Nears $500M Valuation
• Science & Space: Rocket Lab Protests NASA’s $700M Blue Origin Mars Contract

Tech & Apps

iPhone Duo vs. Pixel 11 Pro Fold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8: How They Compare

With Apple’s first foldable iPhone approaching, Lifehacker lined up the iPhone Duo against Google’s Pixel 11 Pro Fold and Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8. The Duo is the heaviest and thickest of the three, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is the lightest and thinnest; the Pixel’s inner display is larger at 8 inches versus the Duo’s 7.6 inches. On cameras, the Pixel’s triple-lens setup leads on zoom, while the Duo leans on 4K/120fps video with Dolby Vision and ProRes support.

Moss Developer Polyarc Shuts Down After Nearly 12 Years

Seattle VR studio Polyarc, the team behind the Moss series, has closed after nearly 12 years, Engadget reports. The closure follows layoffs earlier in 2026 after the studio said it couldn’t secure funding once a large, unannounced project was canceled. It comes shortly after Polyarc shipped Moss: The Forgotten Relic in July 2026 across PS5, Xbox, Switch, Switch 2, and PC.

Lenovo Googlebook 15 Leak Points to a Premium Chromebook Rival (Unconfirmed)

Leaked specs reported by Engadget suggest Lenovo’s unannounced Googlebook 15 will target the premium laptop tier, with a 15.3-inch 120Hz OLED display and an Intel Core Ultra 5 chip reportedly on board. Neither Lenovo nor Google has confirmed the device, so treat the leaked RAM, storage, and battery details as unconfirmed until there’s an official announcement. If Google’s growing footprint on your devices already bothers you, it’s worth knowing how to turn off Google’s Personal Intelligence feature in the meantime.

AI Tools

Robot-Training Startup Mecka AI Nears $500M Valuation

Robotics data startup Mecka AI is nearing a roughly $500 million valuation in a new funding round led by Sequoia Capital, TechCrunch reports. The two-year-old company pays crowdsourced workers to record themselves doing everyday tasks to help train humanoid robots. The round comes just months after Mecka’s Series A, underscoring how much investor money is chasing real-world robot training data right now.

Y Combinator’s Garry Tan Says Leave AI Model Distillation Alone

Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan says regulators shouldn’t crack down on AI “distillation,” the practice of training a new model by heavily querying an existing one, TechCrunch reports. His comments come as U.S. AI labs have accused Chinese competitors of distilling their frontier models; Tan argues smaller American open-weight labs should be free to use the same technique on U.S. frontier models rather than face new restrictions.

Science & Space

Rocket Lab Protests NASA’s $700M Blue Origin Mars Contract

Rocket Lab has filed a formal protest with the Government Accountability Office over NASA’s decision to award Blue Origin a $700 million contract to build a Mars communications orbiter, Space.com reports. Rocket Lab argues NASA’s award is inconsistent with eligibility rules Congress laid out for the program and says the agency’s technical review of its own bid contained errors. Under the award, Blue Origin is contracted to deliver the Mars Telecommunications Network by the end of 2028.

25 Years Later: An Astronaut’s View of 9/11 From Space

This week marked 25 years since NASA astronaut Frank Culbertson witnessed the September 11, 2001 attacks from aboard the International Space Station, and Space.com revisited his account for the anniversary. Culbertson was the only American not on Earth that day, and he watched and recorded the aftermath from orbit before later describing what he saw. Space fans who like tracking orbital passes for themselves can compare SkySafari vs Stellarium to find the right astronomy app for watching the ISS go by.

Explore more: Fitbit Premium is still worth it now that it lives under Google Health, how to turn off Google’s Personal Intelligence feature, compare SkySafari vs Stellarium.

Tech News FAQs

Why is Rocket Lab protesting NASA’s Mars orbiter contract?

Rocket Lab filed a protest with the Government Accountability Office arguing that NASA’s award of a $700 million Mars communications orbiter contract to Blue Origin doesn’t meet the eligibility rules Congress set for the program, and that NASA’s technical review of its bid was flawed.

Is the Lenovo Googlebook 15 an official product?

No. As of this roundup, the Googlebook 15 is based on leaked specifications reported by outlets like Engadget, not an official Lenovo or Google announcement, so pricing and final specs could still change.

Why did Moss developer Polyarc close?

Polyarc shut down after failing to secure new funding once a large, unannounced project was canceled, following layoffs earlier in 2026. The closure comes after nearly 12 years and shortly after releasing Moss: The Forgotten Relic in July 2026.

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Photo: US Embassy from New Zealand / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

The post 7 Essential Stories in Today’s Tech News Roundup for Saturday, September 12, 2026: Rocket Lab Protests NASA’s Blue Origin Mars Deal, iPhone Duo vs. Pixel and Galaxy Foldables appeared first on GTWebs.

This guide breaks down how their libraries actually differ, what each app does best, and which one makes more sense depending on how you like to watch.

Quick Answer

Tubi has the bigger and deeper on-demand library of movies and TV shows, making it the better pick if you want to search for a specific title. Pluto TV is still the more channel-first experience for passive, background viewing with themed 24/7 stations. Both now offer hundreds of live channels alongside their on-demand catalogs, and both are completely free with no subscription or credit card required.

Live TV vs On-Demand: The Core Difference

Pluto TV’s identity is still its lineup of 250-plus live, linear channels covering movies, classic sitcoms, sci-fi, true crime, news, sports highlights, and niche genre stations, alongside a smaller on-demand section for movies and full TV seasons. Because the channels run on a fixed schedule like cable, you don’t get to pause, rewind, or record what’s playing live — you just tune in wherever the schedule happens to be.

Tubi is no longer on-demand only. It has expanded into live TV as well, now offering more than 260 free live channels covering news, sports, true crime, movies, and other themed programming, in addition to its much larger on-demand catalog. The key difference is emphasis: Tubi’s live channels are a bonus layered on top of a search-first, on-demand-first app, while Pluto TV’s on-demand section is the secondary feature bolted onto a channel-surfing core experience.

Library Size and Content Types

Tubi, owned by Fox Corporation, has built one of the largest free on-demand catalogs available, spanning major-studio movies, older TV series, documentaries, foreign-language film, and a growing slate of Tubi Originals. It also runs a dedicated Tubi Kids section with a large, curated library of family-friendly movies and shows, complete with parental controls.

Pluto TV, owned by Paramount, leans on its parent company’s back catalog — CBS, MTV, and Nickelodeon programming shows up frequently — plus a wide mix of licensed movies and older TV series spread across its themed channels. Its on-demand library has grown over time but is still smaller and less searchable than Tubi’s, since much of Pluto’s content is designed to be discovered by flipping channels rather than browsing a catalog.

If you specifically want a movie or show you already have in mind, Tubi’s search-first catalog will usually get you there faster. If you want something to put on in the background without deciding what to watch, Pluto TV’s channel lineup still does that job a bit more naturally, though Tubi’s growing live channel list now covers a lot of the same ground.

Tips / Common Mistakes

Don’t expect DVR-style controls on either app’s live channels — you can’t pause or rewind live streams on Pluto TV or Tubi, so switch to the on-demand tab on either app if you want that flexibility.

Both apps are ad-supported, and neither requires an account to start watching casually, though creating a free account on either lets you save favorites and resume shows across devices.

Check availability before assuming a title is missing — both libraries rotate content in and out on licensing schedules, so a movie or show can disappear and reappear later.

You don’t have to choose just one. Both apps are free with no subscription fee, so many people keep both installed: Tubi for planned viewing and a large on-demand catalog, Pluto TV for its deeper bench of themed live channels.

Explore more: more streaming and entertainment guides.

Pluto TV vs Tubi FAQs

Is Pluto TV or Tubi completely free?

Yes, both are entirely free and ad-supported. Neither requires a subscription, credit card, or trial period to watch.

Does Tubi have live TV channels like Pluto TV?

Yes. Tubi now offers more than 260 free live channels in addition to its on-demand library. Pluto TV still has the larger, more central live-channel lineup, but Tubi is no longer on-demand only.

Which app has more content overall?

Tubi’s on-demand library is larger and easier to search by title, genre, or actor. Pluto TV’s traditional strength is its live channel lineup, though both apps now offer live channels and on-demand titles.

Can I watch Pluto TV or Tubi without creating an account?

Yes, both let you start watching immediately without signing up. Creating a free account adds the ability to save favorites and pick up where you left off across devices.

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Images: Pluto TV.

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This guide breaks down what each app actually does well, how much they cost across their different tiers, and which one fits your setup — whether you’re a casual backyard observer or someone running a telescope with GoTo tracking.

Quick Answer

For casual stargazing and stunning sky visuals at no cost, start with Stellarium — the desktop version is completely free, and the mobile app (iOS and Android) is also free to download with an optional Plus in-app upgrade. If you own a telescope and want deep observation planning, logging, and GoTo/telescope control, SkySafari (especially the Plus or Pro tier) is the stronger tool and worth paying for.

How the Two Apps Actually Differ

SkySafari comes in tiers — Basic, Plus, and Pro (currently on SkySafari 8) — for iOS and Android, with pricing that scales from a few dollars for Basic up to tens of dollars for Pro depending on promotions. Pro is the version built for serious observing: it includes a large stellar and deep-sky object database, telescope control via ASCOM, INDI, SkyFi, Celestron WiFi, and StarSense Explorer, high-resolution Moon mapping, and plate-solving support. Simulation Curriculum also offers a Premium membership (a yearly or monthly add-on) that layers extra content like live satellite tracking and expert commentary onto any SkySafari 7 or 8 app.

Stellarium’s desktop program (Windows, macOS, and Linux) is free and open source and is known for its photorealistic rendering of the sky — the kind of visuals used in planetariums and classroom projectors. Stellarium Mobile (iOS and Android) is a separate, simplified app: it’s free to download on both platforms, with core sky-identification features included at no cost. An optional Stellarium Plus in-app purchase (offered as either a one-time payment or a subscription) unlocks the full Gaia star catalog with well over a billion stars, millions of additional galaxies and nebulae, deeper magnitude limits, offline data, and telescope control over WiFi for GoTo mounts using NexStar, SynScan, or LX200 protocols.

Which One Should You Actually Pick

If you’re new to stargazing and just want to point your phone at the sky and identify what you’re looking at, Stellarium Mobile’s free tier or SkySafari’s low-cost Basic tier will cover you — either works fine without a telescope. If you’re planning to observe or photograph specific targets in advance, Stellarium’s desktop app is hard to beat since it’s free and lets you rehearse a session on a full-size screen before heading outside.

If you own a telescope — especially a GoTo or computerized mount — SkySafari Pro is generally the better investment. Its telescope-control protocol support is broader on mobile, it integrates with StarSense Explorer (Celestron’s phone-based alignment system), and its planning/logging tools were built specifically for visual and imaging sessions. Stellarium can also drive a mount through its desktop plugin system or the Mobile Plus WiFi feature, but it’s less purpose-built for in-the-field telescope operation than SkySafari.

Many experienced observers actually use both: Stellarium on a laptop for pre-session planning and framing, and SkySafari on a phone in the field for real-time telescope pointing and object logging.

Tips / Common Mistakes

Don’t buy SkySafari Pro before checking whether your telescope’s mount actually supports one of its listed protocols (ASCOM, INDI, SkyFi, Celestron WiFi, or StarSense Explorer) — if it doesn’t, a cheaper tier will do everything you need. Similarly, don’t pay for the Stellarium Plus in-app upgrade just for extra stars if you mainly stargaze with the naked eye or binoculars; the free tier’s default catalog already covers everything visible without optical aid.

Remember that Stellarium’s free desktop app and its mobile app are different products from different codebases with different feature sets — reviews of one don’t necessarily apply to the other. Both are free to download on iOS and Android, so don’t assume you need to pay upfront just to try Stellarium Mobile. Finally, grant location and GPS permissions when you first open either app — an inaccurate location is the most common reason the displayed sky doesn’t match what you’re actually seeing outside.

Explore more: more space and astronomy guides.

SkySafari vs Stellarium FAQs

Is Stellarium completely free?

The desktop version (Windows, macOS, Linux) is free and open source. The mobile app (iOS and Android) is also free to download, with an optional Stellarium Plus in-app upgrade for expanded star catalogs and telescope control.

Does SkySafari require a subscription?

No — the core app (Basic, Plus, or Pro) is a one-time purchase per tier. SkySafari Premium is an optional add-on subscription that adds extra content on top of any SkySafari 7 or 8 app.

Which app has better telescope control?

SkySafari, particularly the Pro tier, supports the widest range of telescope protocols on mobile (ASCOM, INDI, SkyFi, Celestron WiFi, StarSense Explorer). Stellarium supports mount control mainly through its desktop plugin system, or via WiFi in Stellarium Plus for select GoTo protocols.

Can I use SkySafari and Stellarium together?

Yes — a common workflow is planning and framing a session on Stellarium’s free desktop app, then using SkySafari on a phone in the field for real-time pointing and telescope control.

Which app is better for beginners with no telescope?

Either free tier works well. Stellarium Mobile’s free version and SkySafari Basic both let you identify stars, planets, and constellations by pointing your phone at the sky, without needing to buy anything.

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Images: SkySafari Astronomy.

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Here are today’s 7 verified tech & science stories, covering Tech & Apps, AI Tools and Science & Space.

Every item below links to its original source.

The TLDR

• Tech & Apps: Android now lets you securely move passwords between password manager apps
• AI Tools: Nvidia’s Jensen Huang says he expects 70% revenue growth next year
• Science & Space: New study finds toilet flushes can carry germs up to breathing height

Tech & Apps

Android now lets you securely move passwords between password manager apps

Google has added a system-level way to transfer both saved passwords and passkeys directly between password manager apps on Android, without exporting an unencrypted file first. At launch, the transfer works between Google Password Manager, 1Password, Bitwarden, and Dashlane, with more apps able to add support through Google’s Credential Manager API, per Ars Technica. Previously, passkeys couldn’t transfer between managers at all and had to be recreated from scratch.

Meta’s new Muse AI agent can shop, email, and plan trips for you

Meta has launched Muse, an AI agent that browses the web on your behalf to research trips, fill out forms, and complete purchases using a one-time-use virtual card through Stripe. It’s available now to adults in the US via iOS, Android, WhatsApp, and the Muse website, with a free tier and two paid subscription options, per The Verge. If you’d rather stick with a simpler chat-based approach, our guide to planning trips with ChatGPT is a good starting point.

Google’s Gemini app is finally available as a native Windows app

Google has released a native Gemini desktop app for Windows 10 and 11, mirroring the Mac version that launched earlier this year. It opens with a keyboard shortcut and connects to Gmail and Google Drive, alongside Google’s image and video generation tools, according to Engadget. If Google’s AI features on your PC feel like too much, our guide to turning off Google’s Personal Intelligence feature shows how to dial some of it back.

AI Tools

Nvidia’s Jensen Huang says he expects 70% revenue growth next year

Speaking at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology conference, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said he expects the company’s revenue to grow around 70% year-over-year, pointing to one server product line seeing 27% month-to-month sales growth. Asked about concerns that Nvidia’s investments in AI companies that then buy its chips amount to circular deals, Huang pushed back, saying the company puts in “a little bit of money” and gets “a lot of money” back, according to TechCrunch.

Mark Wahlberg will join TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 to talk business, not movies

Actor and entrepreneur Mark Wahlberg is set to appear at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, running October 13-15 in San Francisco, for a fireside chat with Keebeck Wealth Management CEO Bruce K. Lee. The conversation will focus on Wahlberg’s move from Hollywood into investing and entrepreneurship, including his ventures in healthcare and wellness startups, according to TechCrunch.

Science & Space

New study finds toilet flushes can carry germs up to breathing height

A review of 22 studies by researchers at Flinders University in Australia found that flushing a toilet can send aerosol plumes containing bacteria and viruses up to adult breathing height, where they can linger for about 20 seconds. The team, whose review published in Science of the Total Environment, found that more forceful, high-volume flushes released more microbes, and recommends closing the lid before flushing as a simple precaution, according to ScienceAlert.

Stargazers can still catch the Summer Triangle before it fades

The Summer Triangle, formed by the bright stars Vega, Altair, and Deneb, remains visible high in the evening sky even as summer winds down, according to Space.com. Each star belongs to a different constellation, and the trio is easy to spot with the naked eye shortly after sunset in the coming weeks.

Explore more: Fitbit Premium breakdown, guide to planning trips with ChatGPT, turning off Google’s Personal Intelligence feature.

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Photo: KK IN HK / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

The post 7 Tech & Science News Stories for Friday, September 11, 2026: Android now lets you securely move passwords between password manager apps appeared first on GTWebs.

This guide walks through the correct sizes for a Discord server icon and server banner, then shows how to set up, design, and export both in Canva so they look sharp on desktop and mobile.

Quick Answer

In Canva, create a custom-size design at 512×512 px for your server icon and 960×540 px (or 1920×1080 px for extra sharpness) for your server banner. Design each with your logo or brand colors, keep key elements centered since the icon displays as a circle, then download as PNG and upload them in Discord’s Server Settings > Overview. Note that the banner only shows up inside your server, above the channel list — it is not the image people see on the invite/join screen before they enter.

Know Your Dimensions Before You Open Canva

Discord uses two separate image slots with different shapes, so it’s worth setting them up correctly from the start rather than resizing later. The server icon displays at 512×512 px, but Discord crops it into a circle everywhere it appears — in the server list, the channel sidebar, and on the invite pop-up next to your server’s name. Because it often shows at very small sizes (as small as 48px in a crowded server list), keep the design simple, high-contrast, and centered away from the corners, since anything near the edges gets clipped by the circular crop.

The server banner is a wide, rectangular image (16:9 aspect ratio) that runs across the top of the channel list once someone is inside your server. Discord’s minimum accepted size is 960×540 px, but designing at 1920×1080 px gives you a sharper result on high-resolution monitors (Discord will scale it down automatically). Keep the top strip of the image simple, since Discord’s UI can overlay elements there. The banner is a Server Boost perk: your server needs to reach Boost Level 2 to unlock a static banner, and Level 3 to unlock an animated one. This banner does not appear on the invite/join screen that people see before entering your server — that separate screen instead uses Discord’s Server Invite Background, its own 1920×1080 image slot that unlocks at Boost Level 1. If you only design and upload a server banner, the invite screen will still show your icon and server name over Discord’s default background, not your banner, unless you separately upload an Invite Background image. If your server isn’t boosted yet, you can still design and save the banner in Canva and upload it as soon as boosting unlocks the feature.

Step-by-Step: Building Both Assets in Canva

Start with the icon. In Canva, click ‘Create a design’ > ‘Custom size’ and enter 512 x 512 px. Since this shows as a circle, drag a circular frame or shape guide onto your canvas so you can see exactly what will be visible after cropping — place your logo mark, initials, or main icon inside that circle with a bit of padding. Use one or two brand colors as a solid or gradient background rather than a busy photo, since detail gets lost at small sizes. When you’re happy with it, click ‘Share’ > ‘Download,’ choose PNG, and make sure ‘Transparent background’ is off if Discord will apply its own dark background (a solid-color background looks cleaner in most themes).

For the banner, create a second custom size at 1920 x 1080 px. Because Discord’s UI overlays your server name and member count icons on top of the bottom-left corner of the banner, keep your most important text or logo elements centered or in the upper two-thirds of the canvas so nothing important gets covered. Use Canva’s search bar to pull in a background photo, texture, or gradient that matches your community’s theme, then layer your server name or tagline using a font from your Brand Kit if you’ve set one up (a Canva Pro feature that stores your brand colors, fonts, and logo for consistent reuse). Export the same way: ‘Share’ > ‘Download’ > PNG. If you also want a matching invite screen, repeat this process as a separate 1920×1080 design and upload it specifically as the Server Invite Background rather than reusing the banner file.

To upload both, open Discord on desktop, go to Server Settings > Overview, click the server icon or banner image placeholder, and select the files you downloaded. Discord will show a live preview so you can confirm the crop before saving.

Tips / Common Mistakes

Don’t design the icon as a square with content stretching to the edges — because it’s cropped into a circle, any logo or text near the corners will be cut off. Preview it small (Discord shrinks it to under 50px in most views) before finalizing.

For the banner, avoid placing critical text in the bottom-left, since Discord’s server name and boost badges sit on top of that area for most members. Test how it looks against both Discord’s light and dark themes if your community allows switching, since a banner that pops on dark mode can look washed out on light mode.

Don’t assume your server banner will automatically show up on the invite/join screen — that’s a separate image slot (the Server Invite Background) with its own upload step, so design and upload it on its own if you want your invite page to be branded too.

If you want the icon, banner, and invite background to feel like a matching set, design them in the same Canva project so you can copy colors, fonts, and logo placement between assets rather than starting each from scratch. Save them as Brand Templates (Canva Pro) if you’ll need to update them regularly for events or seasonal promotions.

Explore more: More Canva and design guides.

Discord server banner and icon design in Canva FAQs

What is the ideal Discord server icon size?

512×512 pixels. Discord displays it as a circle throughout the app, so keep important design elements centered and away from the edges.

What size should a Discord server banner be?

960×540 pixels is the minimum Discord accepts, but 1920×1080 pixels (same 16:9 ratio) gives a sharper result on larger screens. This banner only appears at the top of the channel list once someone has joined your server — it is not shown on the invite/join screen. That screen uses a separate image slot called the Server Invite Background, which is also 1920×1080 but unlocks at a lower Boost level and has to be uploaded on its own.

Do I need Canva Pro to make a Discord banner or icon?

No. Canva’s free plan supports custom canvas sizes and PNG downloads, which is all you need. Canva Pro adds extras like Brand Kits and Brand Templates for reusing your colors and fonts across future designs.

Why can’t I upload a server banner in Discord?

The server banner is a Server Boost perk — your server needs to reach Boost Level 2 for a static banner or Boost Level 3 for an animated one before the upload option appears in Server Settings.

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Photo: Coolcaesar / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

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Here are today’s 9 verified tech & science stories, covering Tech & Apps, AI Tools, Science & Space and Fitness & Health Tech.

Every item below links to its original source.

The TLDR

• Tech & Apps: Apple’s First Foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, Is Here
• AI Tools: AI Researchers Debate Whether Superintelligence Should Be Allowed
• Science & Space: SpaceX Launches Classified Space Force Mission Today
• Fitness & Health Tech: Zwift Ride V2 Smart Bike Fits Shorter Riders Better

Tech & Apps

Apple’s First Foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, Is Here

Apple unveiled its first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, at a September 9 event, according to 9to5Mac. The book-style device pairs a 5.4-inch outer display with a 7.6-inch inner screen, Apple’s largest iPhone display yet, and runs on the new A20 Pro chip with Touch ID instead of Face ID. It starts at $1,999, with preorders opening October 16 and sales beginning October 23.

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max Bring a New Camera Trick and a $100 Price Hike

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max debuted with the first variable-aperture main camera on an iPhone, adjusting between f/1.48 and f/4, plus a new A20 Pro chip and a redesigned cooling system Apple says cuts overheating, per Ars Technica. Pricing rose $100 across the board: the Pro now starts at $1,199 and the Pro Max at $1,299, according to a Bloomberg report cited by 9to5Mac.

Even Older iPhones Cost More Now, and Apple Isn’t Alone

Apple also raised prices on its existing lineup by $100 apiece: the iPhone 16 now starts at $799, the iPhone 17 at $899, the iPhone Air at $1,099, and the iPhone 17e at $699, per Engadget. The Verge notes other phone makers have raised prices similarly this year, largely blamed on rising component costs.

AirPods 5 Launch at $129 With Stronger Noise Cancellation

Apple also introduced AirPods 5, priced at $129 (or $149 with a wireless charging case), with active noise cancellation Apple says blocks up to 50% more outside noise than the previous ANC model, plus an improved Transparency mode, according to Ars Technica. Preorders opened September 9, with shipping starting September 18.

Volvo Brings Back the Plug-In Hybrid XC40 With Gemini AI Onboard

Volvo announced on September 10 that it’s reviving the plug-in hybrid version of its XC40 SUV, discontinued in most markets around 2023, with a facelift and a new sensor suite for collision avoidance, per The Verge. The refreshed SUV adds Google Gemini AI integration for its infotainment system and is set to reach dealerships in early 2027; Volvo hasn’t released battery, range, or pricing details yet.

Microsoft’s September Patch Tuesday Fixes Nearly 1,000 Flaws, Including Two Active Zero-Days

Microsoft’s September 8 security update patched 966 vulnerabilities, one of its largest Patch Tuesday releases on record, per Lifehacker. Two of the flaws are zero-days already being actively exploited, both letting attackers gain SYSTEM-level access on Windows machines, so security experts recommend installing the update as soon as possible.

AI Tools

AI Researchers Debate Whether Superintelligence Should Be Allowed

On a September 9 episode of TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, AI researcher and ControlAI executive director Connor Leahy discussed the risks of building AI systems more capable than humans and whether the industry should slow down, per TechCrunch. The conversation cited past AI safety incidents from earlier this year as a reason for caution, rather than pointing to any new breach.

Science & Space

SpaceX Launches Classified Space Force Mission Today

SpaceX is targeting an 11:37 a.m. ET liftoff today from Vandenberg Space Force Base for the classified USSF-153 mission, flying on a Falcon 9 booster making its 27th flight, according to Space.com. The payload’s exact purpose hasn’t been disclosed, and a backup launch window is available September 11 if needed.

Fitness & Health Tech

Zwift Ride V2 Smart Bike Fits Shorter Riders Better

Zwift released the Zwift Ride V2 smart bike on September 9, widening its compatible rider height range to 4’10” to 6’6″ with a redesigned, easier-to-adjust seatpost and crank arms available in five lengths, according to DC Rainmaker. Price stays at $1,299, and existing Zwift Ride owners can buy the new seatpost and crank set separately as upgrade kits.

Explore more: how to turn off Google’s Personal Intelligence feature, whether Fitbit Premium is worth it now that it’s part of Google Health.

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The good news is that almost all of it lives behind toggles you can switch off in a few minutes, no third-party tools or registry hacking required (though a registry option exists if you manage multiple PCs). Here’s exactly where to find each setting.

Quick Answer

Open File Explorer, click the three-dot menu (“See more”) on the toolbar, choose Options, and turn off two things: on the General tab, uncheck “Show recommended section”; on the View tab, scroll to Advanced settings and uncheck “Show sync provider notifications.” For the OneDrive “Start backup” banner specifically, right-click it and choose “Turn off reminder.”

Turn Off the “Recommended” Section on the Home Tab

The Home view in File Explorer shows a “Recommended” row that surfaces files you use frequently or have recently downloaded, along with recent activity from shared documents and files stored in OneDrive. It replaces the older, simpler Quick Access section, and if you’d rather just see your pinned and frequent folders, it’s easy to turn off: open File Explorer, click the three-dot “See more” icon in the command bar, select Options, stay on the General tab, and under the Privacy section uncheck “Show recommended section.” Click OK. File Explorer’s Home page will then go back to showing only your pinned and frequent folders.

While you’re on the General tab, you can also change “Open File Explorer to” from Home to This PC if you’d rather skip the curated Home view entirely and land straight on your drives.

Stop the OneDrive “Start Backup” Banner and Sync Notifications

The OneDrive backup prompt that appears at the top of Desktop, Documents, or Pictures folders is the most common complaint. On current Windows 11 builds, you can dismiss it folder-by-folder: right-click (or press and hold, on touch devices) the “Start backup” bar and choose either “Remind me in 1 month” to snooze it, or “Turn off reminder” to stop it for that folder permanently.

To cut down on OneDrive-related pop-ups more broadly, go to File Explorer Options (three-dot menu > Options), switch to the View tab, scroll down to Advanced settings, and uncheck “Show sync provider notifications.” Click Apply, then OK. This suppresses the sync-status balloon notifications and prompts that OneDrive (and other cloud-sync apps) inject into File Explorer.

If you’d rather not use OneDrive at all, you can also right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray, open Settings, and unlink your account from the Account tab — that removes most of the nagging at the source, though it also stops cloud backup and sync for that PC.

For IT admins managing several machines, the same sync-notification setting can be pushed via the registry key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced, setting the DWORD value ShowSyncProviderNotifications to 0.

Tips / Common Mistakes

Don’t confuse “Show sync provider notifications” with disabling OneDrive syncing itself — the checkbox only silences the pop-ups and banners; your files keep syncing normally in the background.

If you don’t see a right-click “Turn off reminder” option on the Start Backup banner, your Windows 11 build may not have that feature yet — the General/View tab settings above will still work as the fallback.

These settings are per Windows user account, so if you share a PC with family members or coworkers, you’ll need to repeat the steps under each profile.

Windows updates occasionally reset File Explorer preferences or expand the Recommended feed’s scope, so it’s worth a quick re-check after major feature updates if the clutter reappears.

Explore more: More Windows tutorials.

File Explorer ads and OneDrive nags FAQs

What is the “Recommended” section in File Explorer actually showing?

It’s a row of files you use frequently or have recently downloaded, plus recent activity from shared documents and OneDrive files — not app suggestions or promotions. You can still turn it off if you’d rather have a plain Home view.

Will turning off sync provider notifications break OneDrive?

No. It only stops the banners and pop-up notifications from OneDrive (and any other cloud-sync app) inside File Explorer. Your files will keep syncing in the background as normal.

Can I stop the OneDrive backup prompt without unlinking my account?

Yes. Right-click the “Start backup” bar in the affected folder and choose “Turn off reminder,” or disable sync provider notifications in File Explorer Options as described above. You don’t need to remove your OneDrive account to silence the prompts.

Does this work on Windows 10 too?

Windows 10’s File Explorer has a similar “Show sync provider notifications” option under Folder Options > View, but it doesn’t have the newer “Recommended” section or the right-click “Turn off reminder” option, since those are Windows 11-specific additions.

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Photo by Antonis Georgiou on Unsplash.

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