This guide covers where those free, legal libraries actually live in 2026, what changed now that Crunchyroll’s free tier is gone and its paid plans cost more, and how to avoid the fake “free streaming” sites that just exist to serve ads or steal your data.

Quick Answer

The most reliable legal, free, no-account-needed options are Tubi and Pluto TV, both of which carry large ad-supported anime libraries. For classic ’70s-’90s series specifically, RetroCrush is a dedicated free legal anime service. Crunchyroll no longer offers a free ad-supported tier as of January 1, 2026, and it raised its paid plan prices in February 2026. As of August 2026, its entry-level Fan plan starts at $9.99/month, up from $7.99 before the increase.

Legal Free Anime Platforms Worth Using

Tubi is the biggest fully free streaming service in the U.S. — no subscription, and in most cases no account required to start watching. Its anime section is deep, covering long-running dub-friendly favorites like Naruto, Bleach, Dragon Ball Z, One Piece, Death Note, Sword Art Online, Pokémon, and Yu-Gi-Oh!, funded entirely by ad breaks. The tradeoff: Tubi doesn’t carry same-season simulcasts, so it’s best for completed or older series rather than the newest releases.

Pluto TV works more like free cable — it runs dedicated 24/7 anime channels you tune into rather than picking individual episodes, which is a good fit if you’d rather flip to “anime” and let it play. Like Tubi, it’s ad-supported and requires no payment.

RetroCrush (explore.retrocrush.tv) is a smaller, purpose-built service licensing classic anime from the ’70s through the ’90s. It’s free with ads, with an optional ad-free premium tier if you want it — but the core library is genuinely free to stream.

Plex also carries a free, ad-supported on-demand library that includes some anime titles alongside its live channel guide, and it’s worth checking if you already use Plex for other media.

Crunchyroll used to be the default answer here, but it shut down its free ad-supported tier at the end of 2025. In February 2026 it also raised prices across all paid tiers — as of August 2026, the entry-level Fan plan runs $9.99/month, its first increase since 2019. Official Crunchyroll clips and some full episodes still appear for free on its verified YouTube channel, but the main catalog is subscription-only.

How to Actually Find What You Want to Watch

Start by searching the title directly inside Tubi’s and Pluto TV’s own apps or sites rather than Googling “watch [show] free” — that search pattern is exactly what pirate sites optimize for, and legitimate results often get buried under them.

For newer or currently airing series, official distributor YouTube channels such as Muse Asia and Ani-One Asia post full, free, legally licensed episodes — but much of their catalog is geo-restricted to Asia-Pacific regions, so availability depends on where you’re watching from.

If a show isn’t free anywhere yet, check whether your local library card unlocks Kanopy or Hoopla — both occasionally carry anime titles and are fully free through library membership, with no ads.

Rotate platforms based on what you’re chasing: Tubi and Pluto TV for big, familiar franchises; RetroCrush for retro titles; a paid Crunchyroll or HIDIVE subscription only if you need this week’s newest simulcast episode the day it airs.

Tips and Common Mistakes

Don’t trust random “streaming” sites that ask you to disable your ad blocker, download a “special player,” or sign in with a credit card for a supposedly free service — those are the telltale signs of a pirate or scam site, not a legal one.

Check regional availability before assuming a title is missing. Tubi, Pluto TV, and RetroCrush libraries vary by country due to licensing, so a show that’s absent in one region may show up if you’re traveling or using a different account region.

Remember that free, ad-supported doesn’t mean lower quality video — Tubi and Pluto TV both stream in HD on supported devices; the ads are the cost, not a compressed picture.

If you’re using a streaming device (Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or a smart TV), install Tubi, Pluto TV, and RetroCrush as dedicated apps rather than casting from a browser — the apps are more stable and load your watch history correctly.

Explore more: more culture and entertainment guides.

watching anime legally for free FAQs

Is it actually legal to watch anime for free online?

Yes, as long as you’re using a licensed platform like Tubi, Pluto TV, RetroCrush, or an official distributor’s YouTube channel. These services pay for streaming rights and cover costs through advertising instead of subscriptions. Unlicensed “free streaming” sites are piracy, even if no one asks you to pay.

Does Crunchyroll still have a free version in 2026?

No. Crunchyroll ended its free, ad-supported tier at the end of 2025, and it also raised prices on its paid tiers in February 2026. As of August 2026, the entry-level Fan plan runs $9.99/month, up from $7.99 before the increase. Some free clips and full episodes still appear on Crunchyroll’s official YouTube channel.

What’s the best free site for watching English-dubbed anime?

Tubi currently has the strongest free, ad-supported dub library, including long-running franchises like Naruto, Bleach, Dragon Ball Z, and One Piece, with no account required to start watching.

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Images: Tubi.

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Every item below links to its original source.

The TLDR

• Tech & Apps: New Mac Mini Rumored to Launch Before Apple’s September Event
• AI Tools: Instinct’s AI Assistant Is Raising Privacy Red Flags
• Science & Space: NASA-Backed Concept Would Use a Starshade to Directly Image Earth-Like Planets

Tech & Apps

New Mac Mini Rumored to Launch Before Apple’s September Event

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple could release an updated Mac mini within days, ahead of the iPhone event expected next month, per 9to5Mac. It would be the Mac mini’s first update in nearly two years, and Apple has reportedly tested versions with both M5 and M6 chips. Apple hasn’t confirmed anything, so treat the timing as a rumor for now.

Apple’s Second-Gen AirTags Four-Pack Is $20 Off

A four-pack of Apple’s second-generation AirTags has dropped to $79, down from $99, at both Amazon and Target — the lowest price the bundle has hit yet, according to The Verge. That works out to just under $20 per tracker instead of paying $24 for a single AirTag. Each tag runs on a replaceable coin-cell battery, and if you’ve ever wondered why batteries lose charge even sitting unused, it’s worth a read before you stash spares in a drawer.

How to Watch NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Launch

NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is set to launch no earlier than 7:26 a.m. ET on August 30, with a backup window the next morning, per Engadget. A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket will carry it from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A, with live coverage on NASA’s website and SpaceX’s X account starting at 6:20 a.m. ET.

AI Tools

Instinct’s AI Assistant Is Raising Privacy Red Flags

Instinct, a private-testing AI personal assistant that can book appointments, manage email, and act on a user’s behalf, is drawing privacy and security concerns from early testers, reports TechCrunch. Its terms grant broad rights to use personal data for training, and testers have flagged issues like emails remaining stored after disconnecting an account and difficulty getting records deleted. The tool remains in limited private access.

SEC Probes AI Hedge Fund After Its Near-Collapse

The SEC is investigating Situational Awareness, an AI-focused hedge fund led by former OpenAI researcher Leopold Aschenbrenner, after a late-July downturn in AI stocks wiped out much of its value, according to TechCrunch. Regulators have subpoenaed banks that handled trading and funding for the firm, though no wrongdoing has been alleged.

Science & Space

NASA-Backed Concept Would Use a Starshade to Directly Image Earth-Like Planets

Researchers have proposed pairing an orbital starshade with next-generation ground telescopes to directly image rocky exoplanets within 20 light-years of Earth, according to a 2026 Nature Astronomy paper covered by Phys.org. The design calls for a 50-meter starshade with 48 petals to block a star’s glare, and the team has applied for NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts funding they hope to receive by 2027.

Explore more: why batteries lose charge even sitting unused, T-Mobile Starlink vs. AST SpaceMobile.

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The post 6 Tech & Science News Stories for Tuesday, August 25, 2026: New Mac Mini Rumored to Launch Before Apple’s September Event appeared first on GTWebs.

This guide breaks down the project management apps that actually work for one-person businesses juggling multiple clients, what each one costs, and how to pick the right fit without overbuilding your setup before you need to.

Quick Answer

For most solopreneurs working with clients, Basecamp and ClickUp are the strongest overall picks: Basecamp for its flat, client-friendly pricing and simplicity, ClickUp for its powerful free plan and flexibility. Trello works well if you just need a lightweight visual board to share, and Notion is a good fit if you already use it for notes and docs and don’t mind building your own system.

Top Picks for Solopreneurs Who Work With Clients

ClickUp offers a genuinely usable free plan with unlimited tasks and unlimited members, plus 15+ views including boards, lists, and Gantt charts, which makes it easy to give a client limited visibility into their project without paying extra. Paid plans start around $7 per user per month billed annually if you outgrow the free tier’s storage and automation limits. The tradeoff is a learning curve — ClickUp has a lot of settings to configure before it feels simple.

Basecamp is built almost exactly for this use case. Its Freelancer plan runs about $25 a month flat and covers up to 3 active projects and 20 users total, which means you can add clients to a project without per-seat fees eating into your margin. Every plan, including the free one, includes message boards, to-do lists, file storage, and a Kanban-style card table, so clients get one clean, no-frills place to check in instead of another confusing dashboard.

Trello is the simplest option if all you need is a shared visual board. The free plan includes 10 boards, and the Standard tier (around $5 per user per month annually) adds custom fields and more storage. Because boards are easy to share via a link, Trello works well for solopreneurs who want to give a client a quick, read-only view of progress without a full account.

Asana suits solopreneurs who run several client projects at once and need task dependencies and timelines to stay organized internally. The free Personal plan caps out at a small number of collaborators, so most solopreneurs working with clients will need the Starter plan, priced around $10.99 per user per month billed annually.

Notion is less a dedicated project tool and more a flexible workspace — unlimited pages on the free plan, with a small number of guest seats included before you need the Plus tier (roughly $10 per member per month annually). It’s a strong choice if you want client-facing docs, proposals, and task tracking in the same place, but expect to spend time building your own templates rather than using something out of the box.

How to Choose the Right Tool

Start with how many active clients you realistically manage at once. If it’s one or two, almost any free tier will work; once you’re juggling several concurrent projects, look closely at guest/collaborator limits before committing, since those are what usually force an upgrade.

Decide whether clients need their own login or just a shareable view. Tools like Basecamp and ClickUp support dedicated client access with limited permissions, while Trello’s simplest approach is just sharing a board link — which avoids extra seats but gives less control over what’s visible.

Factor in what you already use. If your notes, proposals, and docs already live in Notion, adding project tracking there avoids a second tool. If you’re starting fresh, a purpose-built option like Basecamp or ClickUp will get you productive faster.

Tips and Common Mistakes

Build one reusable project template with your standard task list, milestones, and file structure, then duplicate it for every new client instead of setting each project up from scratch.

Don’t give clients full internal access by default — most tools let you limit what a client sees to just their project and relevant tasks, which keeps other clients’ information private and avoids overwhelming them with your internal workflow.

Avoid switching tools every time a new one looks shinier. Migrating client history and rebuilding templates costs more time than most feature differences save.

Keep personal admin tasks (invoicing follow-ups, marketing, bookkeeping) in a separate space or clearly separated project from client work, so client-facing views never accidentally expose your own to-do list.

Explore more: more business tech guides.

Project management apps for solopreneurs FAQs

What’s the best free project management tool for solopreneurs?

ClickUp’s free plan is the most generous for solopreneurs, with unlimited tasks and members. Trello’s free plan is a good lightweight alternative if you only need simple boards, and Basecamp’s free tier works for a single small project.

Can clients see my project management tool directly, or do I need a separate client portal?

Most of these tools let you give clients limited, project-specific access instead of a full account — Basecamp and ClickUp both support this, and Trello lets you share a single board link, so a separate client portal usually isn’t necessary.

Do I need a paid plan to start working with clients?

Not necessarily. Free tiers on ClickUp, Trello, Basecamp, and Notion can comfortably support a handful of clients before you hit user, storage, or project limits that require upgrading.

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This guide walks through designing podcast cover art in Canva from a blank canvas to a finished export that meets Apple’s official size and format requirements, plus the design habits that keep your artwork readable at thumbnail size.

Quick Answer

In Canva, start a custom design at 3000 x 3000 pixels (Apple’s recommended size; the accepted range is 1400 x 1400 to 3000 x 3000). Design a square, text-forward layout, then export as JPEG or PNG in RGB color, keeping the file under 512KB.

Step-by-Step: Building Your Cover in Canva

Open Canva and click ‘Create a design,’ then choose ‘Custom size.’ Enter 3000 by 3000 pixels rather than using a preset — Canva’s search results for ‘podcast cover’ include templates, but confirming the custom size yourself guarantees you hit Apple’s exact recommended dimensions instead of a slightly-off preset.

Pick a template to start from, or build from scratch: add a background color or image first, then layer your show title as bold, high-contrast text near the center or upper third. Use Canva’s Text panel to choose a heavy sans-serif font — thin or script fonts disappear at the small sizes most listeners will actually see (roughly 100-160 pixels wide in an app list).

Add your host name, a subtitle, or a simple icon/illustration from Canva’s Elements library if it fits your show’s branding, but resist the urge to fill every corner. Apple’s own design guidance for creators emphasizes keeping the composition simple and bold rather than cramming in extra text or graphics.

Check your ‘safe area’ by mentally shrinking the design to a thumbnail (or using Canva’s zoom-out preview) — anything too close to the edges can get visually cropped or cramped on some platforms, so keep key text and logos comfortably inside the canvas, away from the outer edge.

Once you’re happy with the layout, click ‘Share’ then ‘Download.’ Choose PNG if your design is mostly flat colors, shapes, and text (crisper edges, larger files), or JPG if it’s photo-heavy (smaller files, adjustable quality).

Meeting Apple’s Technical Requirements

Apple Podcasts requires cover art between 1400 x 1400 and 3000 x 3000 pixels, with 3000 x 3000 recommended so your art looks sharp across devices and in any Apple Podcasts feature placement. The file must be a square (equal width and height) JPEG or PNG in RGB color mode — not CMYK, which is common in print-oriented design files.

There’s also a practical file-size ceiling: Apple podcast hosting platforms commonly cap show artwork around 512KB. If your PNG export comes in too large, re-export as JPEG and set the quality slider to roughly 80-90% in Canva’s download options — this shrinks the file substantially with minimal visible quality loss for cover art.

Before uploading to your podcast host or Apple Podcasts Connect, double-check the exported file’s actual pixel dimensions (right-click the file on desktop, or check image properties) rather than trusting Canva’s canvas size alone, especially if you resized or duplicated a template partway through.

Tips and Common Mistakes

Don’t reuse a rectangular YouTube thumbnail or banner as your podcast cover — Apple requires a perfect square, and stretching a non-square image distorts text and logos.

Avoid tiny or thin fonts for the show title; test readability by viewing your design at a small size before exporting, since most listeners will encounter your cover as a small thumbnail, not full-screen.

Skip busy photo backgrounds with lots of small detail — they tend to turn muddy at thumbnail size. A simple background with one strong focal element usually reads better.

Don’t upload a CMYK file exported for print; Canva exports RGB by default for web/PNG/JPG downloads, so this is rarely an issue unless you’ve imported artwork originally built for a print process.

Keep a master file at the full 3000 x 3000 size even if your host accepts smaller uploads — you’ll want the highest-resolution version if you ever redesign, print merchandise, or need Apple’s largest accepted size for feature consideration.

Explore more: more design guides.

Podcast cover art in Canva FAQs

What size should podcast cover art be for Apple Podcasts?

Apple accepts cover art from 1400 x 1400 up to 3000 x 3000 pixels, with 3000 x 3000 recommended. The image must be a perfect square.

Should I export my Canva podcast cover as JPG or PNG?

Either works for Apple Podcasts. PNG tends to look crisper for flat colors and text but produces a larger file; JPG at 80-90% quality is usually smaller and fine for photo-based covers. Just keep the final file under roughly 512KB.

Is Canva’s free plan enough to design podcast cover art?

Yes. Custom canvas sizing, text tools, and many templates and elements are available on Canva’s free plan, though some premium templates, photos, and elements require Canva Pro.

Can I use a rectangular banner image as my podcast cover?

No — Apple Podcasts requires a square image. If you have a rectangular design, you’ll need to crop or redesign it to a 1:1 square in Canva before exporting.

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This guide walks through exactly how Magic Switch works, what it can and can’t do, and how to get the cleanest results so you’re not stuck manually fixing every resized version afterward.

Quick Answer

Open your design in Canva, click Magic Switch (or Resize) in the top toolbar, choose the platform sizes you want from the preset list or enter custom dimensions, and select ‘Copy and resize.’ Canva creates a separate resized copy of your design for each size you picked, saved together in a new folder. Magic Switch is a premium feature: it’s included on paid Canva plans, and it’s also unlocked at no cost for accounts approved for Canva for Education or Canva for Nonprofits, since both programs grant free access to Canva’s premium feature set.

Step-by-Step: Using Magic Switch

Open the design you want to repurpose, then look for ‘Magic Switch’ or ‘Resize’ in the toolbar above the canvas (its exact label can vary slightly depending on your account and design type). Click it to open the resize panel.

Pick your target sizes. Canva shows preset options grouped by use case — social media posts, Stories, covers, presentations, print materials, and more — covering platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and YouTube. You can select several presets at once, or enter a custom width and height if you need a size that isn’t listed.

Choose ‘Copy and resize.’ Canva generates a new version of your design at each selected size and groups them together in a new folder in your Projects, leaving your original design untouched.

Review every resized version individually. Magic Switch does a smart job of repositioning and rescaling elements, but it isn’t perfect — text can overflow, images can crop awkwardly, and logos can end up too small or too close to the edge. Treat the output as a strong first draft, not a finished file.

Fine-tune each version: reposition or resize text boxes that got cramped, re-crop photos so the subject isn’t cut off, and check that any safe-zone text (like on Stories or Reels formats) isn’t hidden behind platform UI elements such as profile icons or captions.

What Magic Switch Can and Can’t Do

Magic Switch works on standard image-based designs — social posts, presentations, posters, and similar layouts. It can also resize video designs so the same content is reformatted across different video aspect ratios for platforms like Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts.

It’s less reliable on designs with dense, precisely placed text or complex multi-column layouts, since the AI has to make judgment calls about how to rearrange elements for a very different aspect ratio (for example, turning a wide horizontal banner into a tall vertical Story). The bigger the shape change, the more manual cleanup you should expect.

Magic Switch sits behind Canva’s premium tier, so it isn’t part of the standard free plan. That said, it’s not exclusively a paid-plan perk: organizations approved for Canva for Education (K-12 schools and their students) or Canva for Nonprofits get it free too, since both programs grant qualifying accounts full access to Canva’s premium features, Magic Switch included. If you don’t qualify for either program and aren’t on a paid plan, you’ll need to manually recreate the design at each size, or duplicate the page and adjust the frame size yourself.

Tips for Better Multi-Platform Results

Design with flexibility in mind from the start: keep key text and logos away from the extreme edges of your canvas, since those areas are most likely to get cropped or repositioned when the design is reshaped into a very different aspect ratio.

Use Canva’s grouping feature to lock text and logo elements together before resizing — grouped elements tend to move as a unit, which reduces the chance of pieces getting scattered.

Resize into the most different formats first (like a square post into a tall Story), since those need the most manual adjustment, then work your way to formats closer to your original aspect ratio, which usually need little to no cleanup.

Don’t skip the manual review step. It’s tempting to batch-generate ten sizes and export them all immediately, but even one version with cut-off text or a misplaced logo can undercut an otherwise polished campaign.

Explore more: more design how-tos.

Canva Magic Switch FAQs

Is Magic Switch free in Canva?

It’s a premium feature, so it isn’t on the standard free plan — you typically need a paid Canva plan to use it. The exception is eligible Canva for Education accounts (K-12 schools) and approved Canva for Nonprofits organizations, which get it free because both programs unlock Canva’s premium features at no cost.

Will Magic Switch ruin my design when it resizes it?

It usually produces a solid starting point, but it can misplace text, crop images oddly, or shrink logos too much — especially when resizing between very different aspect ratios (like square to vertical). Always review and adjust each resized version before publishing.

Can I resize a video with Magic Switch, not just images?

Yes, Canva can auto-resize video designs across different aspect ratios so the same content works for multiple video-based platforms and formats.

Does resizing overwrite my original design?

No. Choosing ‘Copy and resize’ creates new, separate resized copies grouped in a new folder, and leaves your original design exactly as it was.

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Also in today’s tech news roundup: unconfirmed reports about the foldable iPhone Ultra and a refreshed M6 iMac, a list of smartwatches losing software support this year, a mysterious anonymous AI coding model called Ox Alpha, NASA funding for 18 experimental spaceflight concepts (including a plan to fling 10,000 tiny probes into Saturn’s rings), China’s delayed Chang’e 7 Moon mission, and a new Star Trek documentary headed to theaters this fall.

The TLDR

• Android Auto vs. Automotive: Android Auto mirrors your phone on the dashboard; Android Automotive OS runs built into the car itself — here’s the real difference.
• iPhone Ultra (rumor): Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports Apple insiders like the foldable’s pocket-friendly size and hinge — not officially confirmed.
• Smartwatches losing support: Several Apple Watch, Pixel Watch, and Galaxy Watch models are entering their last year of software updates.
• iMac M6 (rumor): A refreshed iMac with an M6 chip and new colors is reportedly coming before year’s end, per a Bloomberg report.
• Ox Alpha AI model: A mysterious ‘stealth’ AI coding model has developers guessing who built it — no company has claimed it.
• NASA spaceflight concepts: NASA funded 18 early-stage ideas, including flinging 10,000 tiny probes into Saturn’s rings.
• China Moon mission delay: China postponed its Chang’e 7 lunar south pole mission after determining launch conditions weren’t met.
• Star Trek documentary: A new documentary featuring William Shatner marking Star Trek’s 60th anniversary is headed to theaters this fall.

Tech & Apps

Android Auto and Android Automotive Aren’t the Same Thing

Despite the similar names, Android Auto and Android Automotive OS are two different Google products, according to Engadget. Android Auto mirrors apps from your connected phone onto the car’s screen and needs that phone present to work, while Android Automotive OS runs directly on the vehicle’s own hardware, no phone required. Google also offers a separate licensed add-on called Google built-in, which brings native Google Maps, the Play Store, and a voice assistant to cars running Android Automotive; Polestar and Rivian are among the automakers already using Android Automotive. If your phone tends to overheat while it’s plugged into the dashboard running Android Auto, our guide on stopping your Android phone from overheating while charging can help.

Rumor: Apple Insiders Reportedly Love the Foldable iPhone Ultra’s Size

The unreleased foldable iPhone Ultra is reportedly winning over people inside Apple who’ve tried it, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, as relayed by 9to5Mac. Testers reportedly like how it fits in a pocket despite a 5.5-inch outer display, the durability of its hinge, and how it performs as a camera viewfinder. None of this is confirmed by Apple, and the device remains an unofficial rumor ahead of an expected launch in the coming weeks.

These Smartwatches Are Losing Software Support This Year

A handful of popular smartwatches are entering their final year of updates, per Engadget. Apple Watch Series 6, 7, and 8, the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra, and the Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) are expected to lose support once watchOS 27 arrives in mid-September. Google’s Pixel Watch 2 loses support on October 1 under Google’s three-year policy, and Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro lose Wear OS updates by the end of December. Losing updates doesn’t stop a watch from working, but it can mean missing security patches — if you’re shopping for a replacement, our guide to the best smartwatches for travel can help you pick one built for the long haul.

Report: A Refreshed iMac With M6 Chip and New Colors Could Arrive This Year

Apple may be preparing an updated iMac with an M6 chip and new color options, according to a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman relayed by 9to5Mac. The iMac hasn’t seen a major chip update in two years, and the report says the new model should arrive before the end of the year. Apple hasn’t confirmed any of this, so treat the timing and details as unofficial for now.

AI Tools

A Mysterious ‘Stealth’ AI Model Called Ox Alpha Has Everyone Guessing

In one of today’s odder tech news items, a previously unknown AI model called Ox Alpha appeared on the OpenRouter platform last week, and nobody will officially say who built it, per TechCrunch. OpenRouter lists it only as being run by an anonymous third-party provider, and it’s reportedly being offered to users for free. Online speculation has pointed at a Chinese AI lab and at Microsoft’s unreleased MAI model, but neither has been confirmed, and who actually built Ox Alpha remains unknown.

Science & Space

NASA Funds 18 Far-Out Spaceflight Concepts, Including Tiny Probes for Saturn’s Rings

In another highlight from today’s tech news, NASA has awarded early-stage funding to 18 experimental spaceflight concepts through its Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program, according to Space.com. One proposal, from a Northwestern University researcher, envisions releasing 10,000 tiny ‘femtosat’ probes, each weighing under 100 grams, directly into Saturn’s rings to study them up close. Each selected project gets up to $175,000 in Phase I funding, and none of these concepts are official NASA missions yet — they’re early research into ideas that may or may not ever fly.

China Delays Its Chang’e 7 Moon Mission

China’s space agency said Sunday that its Chang’e 7 lunar mission does not meet the conditions needed for launch, postponing the robotic mission, according to Ars Technica and Phys.org. The delay comes less than two weeks after a separate rare launch failure, and the agency said it was prioritizing what it called ‘absolute success’ over sticking to the original schedule. Chang’e 7 is part of China’s broader effort to land a crew near the Moon by 2030.

New Star Trek Documentary With William Shatner Heads to Theaters This Fall

A documentary marking Star Trek’s 60th anniversary, featuring William Shatner, is set for a theatrical release this fall, according to Space.com. Titled ‘The Sixty-Year Mission: How Star Trek Changed Television and the World,’ the film includes interviews with original series cast members William Shatner, George Takei, and Walter Koenig. It’s scheduled to open in Regal Cinemas theaters on October 9, 2026.

Explore more: stopping your Android phone from overheating while charging, the best smartwatches for travel.

Tech News FAQs

What’s the difference between Android Auto and Android Automotive OS?

Android Auto mirrors apps from a connected phone onto your car’s screen, while Android Automotive OS runs directly on the vehicle’s own hardware without needing a phone. Automakers like Polestar and Rivian use Android Automotive in their vehicles.

Is the iPhone Ultra officially confirmed?

No. As of late August 2026, the foldable iPhone Ultra is based on reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, not an official Apple announcement. A launch is expected within weeks, but Apple hasn’t confirmed pricing, specs, or a release date.

Which smartwatches are losing software support in 2026?

Reported models include Apple Watch Series 6, 7, and 8, the first-gen Apple Watch Ultra, and Apple Watch SE (2nd gen), plus the Google Pixel Watch 2 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro. Each brand has its own cutoff date between September and December 2026.

Who made the Ox Alpha AI model?

Nobody has officially claimed it. Ox Alpha appeared as an anonymous ‘stealth model’ on OpenRouter, and online speculation has pointed to a Chinese AI lab or Microsoft’s unreleased MAI model, but neither is confirmed.

When does the new Star Trek documentary come out?

‘The Sixty-Year Mission: How Star Trek Changed Television and the World’ is scheduled to open in Regal Cinemas on October 9, 2026, featuring William Shatner, George Takei, and Walter Koenig.

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Photo: Maurizio Pesce from Milan, Italia / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

The post 8 Essential Tech News Stories for Monday, August 24, 2026: Android Auto vs. Automotive Explained, Plus NASA’s Wild Saturn Probe Plan appeared first on GTWebs.

This guide walks through picking hardware, installing either server, organizing your media so it gets matched correctly, and setting up remote streaming — plus the key differences that should decide which one you pick.

Quick Answer

Install Plex Media Server or Jellyfin on a computer or NAS that stays on 24/7, point it at folders containing your movies, TV shows, and music, let it scan and fetch artwork automatically, then connect from the free apps on your phone, TV, or browser. Jellyfin is fully free and open-source with no subscription. Plex is free for local use and for remote music or photo streaming, but now requires a paid Plex Pass or Remote Watch Pass to stream video remotely, outside your home network.

Step 1: Pick Your Hardware

You need a device that can stay powered on and reachable on your network: an old desktop, a Mac Mini, a Raspberry Pi (for light libraries), or a purpose-built NAS from Synology or QNAP. If you only ever watch on devices that can play your files natively (called ‘direct play’), almost any hardware works fine.

If you’ll be transcoding — converting video on the fly for devices or connections that can’t handle the original file — look for a CPU with built-in hardware transcoding support, such as an Intel chip with Quick Sync. Jellyfin includes hardware transcoding for free; Plex restricts it to Plex Pass subscribers. Some newer NAS models have also removed the graphics drivers needed for hardware transcoding, so check current compatibility lists before buying hardware specifically for this.

Step 2: Install and Configure the Server

For Plex: download Plex Media Server from plex.tv for your OS or NAS, run the installer, then sign in or create a free Plex account when the setup wizard opens in your browser. Add a library for each media type (Movies, TV Shows, Music) and point it at the matching folder.

For Jellyfin: download the free installer from jellyfin.org for Windows, macOS, Linux, or Docker, then open the setup wizard in your browser to create an admin account. Add media libraries the same way — one folder per content type.

Both tools work best when your files follow standard naming conventions, such as ‘Movie Name (Year).mkv’ for movies and ‘Show Name/Season 01/Show Name S01E01.mkv’ for TV. Clean naming lets the server match titles to online metadata automatically and pull in posters, descriptions, and cast info. Messy or renamed files are the number one cause of wrong matches.

Step 3: Set Up Remote Access

In Jellyfin, remote access works out of the box on the free tier — you’ll typically forward port 8096 (HTTP) or 8920 (HTTPS) on your router to your server’s local IP address, or use a reverse proxy or VPN for a more secure setup.

In Plex, remote access uses port 32400 and can often auto-configure itself through your router’s UPnP settings. As of Plex’s 2025-2026 changes, remote music streaming through Plexamp and remote photo streaming remain free, but streaming video away from your home network now requires a paid Plex Pass or the cheaper Remote Watch Pass. Watching video at home on your own network is still free either way.

Whichever server you choose, avoid exposing the admin interface directly to the internet without HTTPS or a VPN. A reverse proxy (like Nginx or Caddy) with a valid SSL certificate, or a WireGuard/Tailscale VPN into your home network, are both safer than raw port forwarding.

Step 4: Install Client Apps

Both platforms have apps for Android, iOS, Fire TV, Android TV, Roku, and web browsers, plus support in smart TVs and streaming boxes. Jellyfin also has actively developed community clients for platforms like Kodi and Apple TV. Sign into the app with your server credentials (Jellyfin) or Plex account (Plex), and your library appears ready to browse and stream.

Tips and Common Mistakes

Rename messy files before your first library scan — fixing metadata after the fact is more tedious than doing it right the first time. Create separate libraries for Movies, TV, and Music rather than dumping everything into one folder, since mixed content confuses the metadata matchers.

Don’t oversubscribe your upload bandwidth: if multiple people stream remotely at once and your server has to transcode each stream, a weak CPU or slow home upload speed will cause buffering. Test with a couple of remote streams before assuming your setup can handle a full household.

Back up your server’s database/config folder (not just your media files) — that’s where watch history, user accounts, and library settings live, and losing it means rebuilding your setup from scratch.

Explore more: More Culture guides.

Plex or Jellyfin media server FAQs

Is Jellyfin really free, or are there hidden costs?

Jellyfin’s server software, clients, hardware transcoding, and remote access are all free with no subscription tier — it’s open-source and community-run. You only pay for the hardware and electricity to run it.

Do I need a Plex Pass to use Plex?

No, the core Plex server, local (in-home) streaming, and remote music or photo streaming remain free. A Plex Pass or the lower-cost Remote Watch Pass is only required if you want to stream video from your personal library while away from your home network, and Plex Pass also unlocks hardware transcoding and a few extra features.

Which one should I choose, Plex or Jellyfin?

Choose Jellyfin if you want a fully free, privacy-focused, open-source setup with no subscriptions. Choose Plex if you value its more polished interface, broader smart-TV app support, and don’t mind paying for remote video streaming and hardware transcoding.

Can I run both Plex and Jellyfin on the same server?

Yes, they can run side by side on the same machine pointed at the same media folders, since neither modifies your original files. This lets you try both before settling on one.

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This guide explains what actually causes batteries to lose charge in storage, why some types (like rechargeable NiMH cells) drain much faster than others (like alkaline or lithium), and what you can do to keep stored batteries usable for longer.

Quick Answer

Batteries lose charge in storage because slow chemical reactions keep happening inside the cell even when it’s disconnected from any device. This is called self-discharge. The rate depends heavily on battery chemistry and storage temperature — alkaline and lithium batteries hold their charge for years, while standard rechargeable NiMH batteries can lose a meaningful chunk of their charge within weeks.

What’s Actually Happening Inside the Battery

A battery stores energy in chemical form and releases it as electricity when a circuit connects its positive and negative terminals. But the internal materials aren’t perfectly stable sitting on the shelf. Tiny amounts of the same chemical reactions that power your device also happen spontaneously inside a battery that’s just sitting there, plus minor internal short-circuit paths and impurities in the electrode materials let a trickle of current leak between the terminals without ever being used.

This isn’t a manufacturing defect — it’s an inherent property of how electrochemical cells work. Manufacturers can slow it down with better separators, purer materials, and protective coatings, but they can’t eliminate it entirely.

Temperature is the biggest factor you control. As a rough rule of thumb, self-discharge roughly doubles for every 10°C (18°F) rise in storage temperature, which is why batteries left in a hot car or garage degrade much faster than ones kept in a cool closet.

Battery chemistry matters just as much. Alkaline batteries (the standard disposable AA/AAA cells) have a very low self-discharge rate and typically retain most of their capacity even after a few years on a shelf. Lithium primary batteries (like the 3V coin cells used in watches and key fobs, or lithium-metal AA cells) are even more stable in storage. Rechargeable batteries behave differently: standard nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) cells lose charge noticeably faster, often dropping a sizable amount of capacity within the first day after charging and continuing to fade over the following weeks. Lithium-ion (Li-ion) rechargeables, the kind in phones, laptops, and power tools, fall in between — they lose some charge quickly right after charging, then settle into a slower monthly decline.

Why It Varies So Much Between Battery Types

Disposable alkaline and lithium primary batteries are built for long shelf life. Their chemistries are chosen specifically because the reactions that generate electricity are hard to trigger without a completed circuit, which is why an unopened pack of AA batteries can sit in storage for years and still work fine.

Standard rechargeable NiMH batteries use a different chemistry that’s more prone to internal side reactions, so they drain faster even sitting unused. This is why a NiMH battery you charged last month might already feel weak, even though you never used it. If you buy rechargeables for things like remote controls, game controllers, or flashlights that sit idle for long stretches, look for ‘low self-discharge’ or ‘pre-charged/ready-to-use’ NiMH batteries (sold under names like Eneloop or similar ‘stay-charged’ lines) — they use a design that holds a charge dramatically longer than standard NiMH cells, closer to how alkaline batteries behave.

Lithium-ion batteries in devices like laptops and phones also self-discharge, though at a more moderate pace than standard NiMH. The bigger issue with Li-ion is that heat and a full charge accelerate both self-discharge and long-term capacity loss, which is why manufacturers recommend storing Li-ion devices at a partial charge (roughly 40–60%) rather than fully charged if they’ll sit unused for a long time.

Rechargeable batteries also have built-in protection circuitry (in Li-ion packs especially) that draws a small amount of current on its own, adding a bit to the total drain even when the battery isn’t otherwise being used.

Tips / Common Mistakes

Store spare batteries in a cool, dry place rather than a hot garage, car, or attic — heat is the single biggest accelerant of self-discharge. A closet or drawer at normal room temperature works better than most people expect; you don’t need to refrigerate batteries, and doing so can cause condensation issues when they warm back up.

Keep batteries in their original packaging or a case that prevents the terminals from touching metal objects like coins or keys, since accidental contact can create a drain path and, in some cases, a safety hazard.

For long-term storage, buy alkaline or lithium primary batteries rather than standard rechargeables if the device will sit unused for months, since they hold their charge far longer.

For low-drain devices that sit idle, like remotes, clocks, or flashlights, low self-discharge NiMH batteries are a good rechargeable option since they hold their charge much longer than standard NiMH cells. Smoke and CO detectors are the exception: always use the exact battery type listed in the manufacturer’s manual, which is typically a specific alkaline or lithium cell, not a rechargeable — most smoke alarm makers advise against rechargeable batteries because they can’t reliably guarantee the alarm’s required backup power, and using an unlisted battery type can also void the warranty.

Don’t store lithium-ion devices at 100% charge for long periods; a partial charge slows both self-discharge and long-term wear. Also avoid storing any battery at 0%, since deep discharge for extended periods can permanently damage rechargeable cells.

A common mistake is assuming a battery that tests ‘dead’ after storage is ruined — many alkaline and lithium batteries just need to be tested under load, and even partially self-discharged rechargeables can often be revived with a normal charge cycle.

Explore more: more science explainers.

Battery self-discharge FAQs

Do batteries drain faster if they’re left in a device versus stored loose?

Yes, usually. Left inside a device, batteries can also power small standby drains (like a clock circuit or memory chip) in addition to normal self-discharge, and old batteries can leak and damage the device. Removing batteries from devices you won’t use for a while helps them last longer and protects the device.

Is it normal for a brand-new battery to already show less than full charge?

Yes. Batteries begin self-discharging as soon as they’re manufactured, so a battery that’s spent months on a store shelf or in a warehouse will already have lost a small amount of charge before you ever buy it. This is normal and expected, especially with rechargeable types.

Can a self-discharged rechargeable battery be brought back to full capacity?

In most cases, yes — simply running it through a normal charge cycle restores it. The exception is if a rechargeable battery has been left at a very low or zero charge for an extended period, which can cause permanent capacity loss or, in some lithium-ion cells, trigger a safety cutoff that prevents recharging.

Can I use rechargeable batteries in a smoke detector?

Only if the manufacturer’s manual explicitly says it’s supported. Most smoke and CO alarm makers specify alkaline or lithium primary batteries and advise against rechargeables, because a rechargeable cell’s voltage and self-discharge behavior may not reliably meet the backup power the alarm needs, and using an unlisted battery type can void the warranty. Always check the battery compartment label or manual for the exact type required.

Why do lithium coin cell batteries last so long in storage compared to rechargeables?

Lithium primary (non-rechargeable) coin cells use a chemistry with very slow internal side reactions and no charge/discharge cycling, so they hold their charge for years. Rechargeable chemistries like NiMH are inherently more reactive internally, which is the tradeoff for being reusable.

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Every item below links to its original source.

The TLDR

• Tech & Apps: A browser tool turns Spirograph drawings into music
• AI Tools: Harvard’s $699 bootcamp now teaches through AI avatars of its instructors
• Science & Space: NASA’s astronaut training hub adapts as commercial space stations near reality

Tech & Apps

A browser tool turns Spirograph drawings into music

A new browser-based tool called Musical Spirograph turns generative art into generative music, tracing spirograph-style patterns across concentric rings that trigger notes as they pass through. Users can run up to three drawing arms at once, choose from six scales or a custom note set, and pick among six synth presets without installing anything. The Verge called the patterns “hypnotic and gorgeous,” though the tool doesn’t yet support MIDI output.

W. Kamau Bell’s most indispensable tool is refreshingly simple

Comedian and Peabody winner W. Kamau Bell named the item he considers his most indispensable tool in a new interview: a charger. “All of this is just shiny paperweights without a charger,” he said. Bell also discussed his podcast Who’s With Me and an upcoming children’s book, Rock Paper Scissors Cheese, due out October 27, 2026, in the conversation with The Verge.

Why Waymo’s cars aren’t actually ‘full self-driving’

Waymo’s cars are classified as Level 4 automation, meaning the system fully handles driving only within a defined geographic area and set of conditions — not everywhere. Level 5, which would mean no location or weather restrictions at all, doesn’t exist in any consumer vehicle from any company yet, according to Engadget‘s breakdown of the automation scale.

Pixel 11’s new camera feature gives photos deeper customization

Google’s Pixel 11, unveiled earlier this month, includes a new photo option called Camera Looks that offers far more granular control over image processing than a typical filter. Examples highlighted by 9to5Mac include “Digi,” a noisy, high-contrast look, and “Minimal,” which dials back post-processing, with each preset individually adjustable. The outlet suggested Apple add similar depth to iPhone’s Photographic Styles.

New tvOS app CloudGear puts every cloud gaming service in one place

A new Apple TV app called CloudGear bundles several cloud gaming services — including GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud Streaming, Amazon Luna, and Boosteroid — into a single interface, with matching iPhone and iPad apps. Featured in 9to5Mac‘s Indie App Spotlight series, it’s free to download with subscription options at $1.99 a month, $14.99 a year, or a $39.99 lifetime unlock, and it requires tvOS 18.6 or later.

AI Tools

Harvard’s $699 bootcamp now teaches through AI avatars of its instructors

Harvard Business School’s Foundry program now offers an 8-week, $699 startup bootcamp that pairs live weekly sessions from real instructors with AI avatar versions of those same instructors, who give feedback during mock pitches and simulated board meetings. The avatars, built by AI startup HeyGen, are modeled on faculty including Flybridge Capital co-founder Jeff Bussgang, who told TechCrunch that “my students love it,” even as he called the experience “creepy.” Program director Katharina Rings said the format shifted from a simpler chatbot after feedback from earlier trials.

Science & Space

NASA’s astronaut training hub adapts as commercial space stations near reality

As the International Space Station approaches its planned retirement around 2030, NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston — where every NASA astronaut and ISS-bound international astronaut currently trains — is expected to adapt alongside a growing set of commercial space stations. Space.com points to NASA’s Commercial LEO Destinations program, which has awarded roughly $415 million combined to teams led by Nanoracks, Blue Origin, and Northrop Grumman to build private stations meant to host astronauts once the ISS is retired.

Weekly GLP-1 shot beats insulin for a rare, blood-disorder-linked diabetes

A new study found that weekly injections of the GLP-1 drug dulaglutide worked better than daily insulin for treating diabetes caused by transfusion-dependent beta-thalassaemia, a blood disorder that leads to iron overload damaging the pancreas. Researchers at Egypt’s Ain Shams University tracked 80 adolescents ages 10 to 18 over 24 weeks, split evenly between the two treatments, and found the dulaglutide group had better blood sugar control with no significant weight gain or hypoglycemia risk, according to ScienceAlert. The findings apply specifically to this rare diabetes type, not to Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes generally.

Explore more: T-Mobile Starlink vs AST SpaceMobile, schedule and automate social media posts.

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The post 8 Tech & Science News Stories for Sunday, August 23, 2026: A browser tool turns Spirograph drawings into music appeared first on GTWebs.

This guide breaks down exactly what’s happening at the molecular level, where the fog you see actually comes from (it’s a more interesting answer than most people assume), and what that means for how you should actually handle the stuff.

Quick Answer

Dry ice skips the liquid phase entirely because normal atmospheric pressure is too low for CO2 to exist as a liquid — it goes directly from solid to gas, a process called sublimation. The thick white ‘fog’ you see when dry ice is dropped into water isn’t the CO2 gas itself (which is invisible); it’s real water. Water evaporates off the surrounding water into the intensely cold CO2 bubbles forming around the dry ice, then instantly condenses back into tiny liquid droplets inside those bubbles, which carry the fog up and out as they burst at the surface.

Why CO2 Can’t Melt at Normal Pressure

Every substance has a ‘triple point’ — a specific combination of temperature and pressure at which its solid, liquid, and gas phases can all exist at once. Below the triple point’s pressure, a liquid phase isn’t possible at all, no matter the temperature. For water, the triple point pressure is very low (well below normal atmospheric pressure), which is why ice melts into liquid water so easily on a normal day.

Carbon dioxide’s triple point sits at roughly 5.1 atmospheres of pressure and about -56.6°C (-69.9°F). Regular atmospheric pressure is only 1 atmosphere — far below that threshold. Since there’s no pressure ‘window’ for liquid CO2 to exist at 1 atmosphere, solid CO2 (dry ice) has only one place to go when it warms up: straight to gas. That’s sublimation, and it happens at around -78.5°C (-109.2°F) at sea-level pressure.

This is also why CO2 fire extinguishers and soda cartridges store carbon dioxide as a pressurized liquid — cranking up the pressure past that 5.1-atmosphere threshold is the only way to make liquid CO2 exist in the first place.

So Where Does the Fog Actually Come From?

The gas coming directly off dry ice is pure CO2, and pure CO2 gas is completely colorless. If you sublimate dry ice in a bone-dry room with no water nearby, you’ll see only a faint wisp, if that — there’s simply not enough moisture around to make a dense cloud.

The thick, dramatic fog people associate with dry ice — the kind used in Halloween decorations and stage effects — comes from dropping it into water, and research into the effect has shown the water in that fog is drawn from the water in the container, not from humidity in the air. As the dry ice sublimates, it forms bubbles of CO2 gas at the water’s surface. Because that gas is close to -78.5°C, water immediately evaporates off the surrounding liquid and into the bubble, then just as immediately condenses back into a swarm of tiny liquid droplets inside the still-forming bubble — high-speed video of the process shows bubbles already cloudy with fog before they even separate from the ice. As each bubble empties of water vapor, more water evaporates in to replace it, so the cycle keeps feeding itself. When those cloud-filled bubbles reach the surface and burst, the fog spills out and rolls across the surrounding surface.

This is also why the fog rolls downward and pools along the floor or table instead of rising like steam: the CO2 gas carrying those droplets is significantly denser than the surrounding air, so it sinks and spreads outward in that classic low-lying ‘spooky fog’ layer.

Tips / Common Mistakes

Never seal dry ice in an airtight container. As it sublimates it releases a large volume of CO2 gas, and pressure can build up fast enough to rupture or explode the container. Use a container with a loose-fitting lid or some ventilation.

Always handle it with insulated gloves or tongs. At around -78.5°C, direct skin contact can cause frostbite-like burns within seconds.

Don’t use it to fog a small, unventilated room. Because the CO2 gas sinks and can displace breathable air near the floor, dry ice fog in an enclosed space is a genuine suffocation risk — always keep the area ventilated, especially at floor level.

For the biggest, longest-lasting fog effect (a common ask for Halloween decorations or stage effects), drop chunks into hot rather than cold water. Warmer water speeds up sublimation and evaporates into the CO2 bubbles faster, feeding the condensation cycle that produces the cloud — which is also why fog machines and haunted-house setups almost always use a water bath rather than bare dry ice.

Explore more: more science explainers.

Dry ice sublimation FAQs

Does dry ice ever melt into a liquid?

Not at normal atmospheric pressure. Liquid CO2 only exists above about 5.1 atmospheres of pressure, so at sea-level pressure dry ice sublimates directly from solid to gas instead of melting.

Does the dry ice fog come from the air or the water?

When dry ice is dropped in water, the fog is made of real water pulled from that water — it evaporates into the freezing-cold CO2 bubbles forming at the dry ice and instantly condenses into droplets, which the bubbles carry to the surface. It’s not condensed humidity from the surrounding air.

Is the fog from dry ice dangerous to breathe?

In a well-ventilated area it’s generally fine, but CO2 gas is heavier than air and can build up in low, enclosed spaces, so avoid using dry ice fog in small, sealed rooms without ventilation.

How cold is dry ice?

Dry ice sublimates at about -78.5°C (-109.2°F) at normal atmospheric pressure, making it roughly 100°F colder than a regular ice cube.

Why does dry ice fog sink instead of rise?

The CO2 gas released is denser than the surrounding air, so it sinks and spreads along the ground rather than rising the way steam does.

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