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