New findings indicate that finerenone may help protect kidney function and reduce major health risks in people with chronic kidney disease who do not have diabetes. Chronic kidney disease affects an estimated 800 million people worldwide and is one of the leading causes of kidney failure, cardiovascular complications, and premature death. Yet for many patients [...]
While it’s true the data is based on a relatively small sample group, it does seem to reflect what the industry in general sees.
Apple’s chip design transforms Mac reliability
The success of Apple Silicon hardware is attributed to its simpler design, which integrates multiple components into a single chip, reducing the number of potential failure points. Additionally, Apple Silicon Macs run cooler, leading to less wear and tear on components such as batteries and USB-C ports, the report says. Across the wider laptop market, most studies show hardware faults affect one in five non-Apple machines over their first three years in use.
This builds on Apple’s enduring record for making good hardware as independent reliability surveys consistently rank the company as the most reliable laptop brand. To some extent, the data reflects the anecdotal experience most Mac users have — their computers seem to last much longer than other systems do, which helps them retain value on the second-user market.
Apple already had a good story to tell in terms of tech support before it introduced Apple Silicon machines. More than a decade ago, Fletcher Previn, then vice president of Workplace-as-a-Service at IBM, told the Jamf Nation User Conference that just 5% of IBM’s Mac-using employees needed to call the help desk; in contrast, an astonishing 40% of PC-using staff had to do so. That difference is significant because it translates into serious differences in cost; each tech support call made by those working on your ailing PC fleet has a price.
That TCO difference prompted Previn to say, “I can confidently say every Mac that we buy is making and saving IBM money.” Years later, as CIO at Cisco, he said the company’s tens of thousands of Mac users experienced five times fewer cyberthreats and nine times fewer virus issues than PCs, and that Cisco needed 33% fewer engineers to manage the Macs.
Those impressive real-world data points reflected Macs in the pre-Apple Silicon world. Those Intel Macs already worked better for longer and required less tech support. This month’s Hoxton Macs data, while based on a much smaller sample group, suggests that this particular advantage has grown even greater now. And it’s not just down to the silicon.
Fewer parts, less heat, fewer failures
Apple has designed its processors to deliver excellent performance per watt. Because these are SoCs (System on Chips) the power requirement to drive all the system components is that much lower, and it means whole categories of component failure are removed. The design also means they use less energy and generate less heat to run, dramatically reducing thermal wear and tear.
“Fewer parts, less heat, simpler construction: the result is a machine with markedly fewer ways to break,” Hoxton Mac said in an extensive article explaining its data.
>Failure rates are consequential to everyone. Even a small failure rate means some people will end up with Macs that have hardware issues, which is always a problem for those affected. But the low fail rate should be reassuring to the millions of people switching to Apple’s href="https://www.computerworld.com/article/4180406/after-a-quick-1-1m-sales-macbook-neo-set-to-reshape-the-pc-industry.html">even cooler-running MacBook Neos>.
Those users might now justifiably look forward to lower running costs from their new computers, combined with good resale rates once they’re ready to upgrade. It doesn’t hurt Apple’s platform loyalty either — making it even more likely those millions of users will stay with the Mac rather than going back to where they were before.
Tappy is a tiny wireless remote that doesn’t look like one.
Following the launch of the surprisingly popular Kobo Remote, Boox has released its own device to ease the burden of reaching for an e-reader’s touchscreen that’s an arm’s length away. The Tappy isn’t Boox’s first page-turning remote, but its design takes a much different approach to the company’s slim but boring B.T. Remoter. The Tappy feels like a mashup of wireless remotes, fidget toys, and macro pads, with a healthy dash of retro charm.
While the Kobo Remote looks like a streaming dongle accessory with a design that prioritizes ergonomics, the Tappy can be best described as a miniature keyboard distilled to just two buttons that draws its design inspiration from a retro typewriter. It’s not as comfortable to hold as Kobo’s accessory, but it’s small enough to sit discreetly in your hand. There are also four rubber feet on its underside so it won’t slide around if used on a desk, and it’s available in two very glossy color options: olive green and a bright orange that I tested.
Tappy’s two round buttons don’t use actual keyboard switches but they have about a quarter-inch of travel and are satisfying to press when you’re in need of something to fidget with. Out of the box, the buttons are labeled with a pixelated heart and steaming mug of coffee, which I just don’t understand. I immediately switched to the included alternatives that are instead labeled with an X and an O, but more customizability, even if it was just a sheet of stickers I had to apply myself, would be preferred. Forward and back arrows, or even just a plus and minus, would be welcome alternatives to what’s included.
Pairing the Tappy to a Boox device is easy, but don’t misplace the fold-out quick start guide that walks you through the process. After powering it on using a sliding metal switch on the side, you put the remote into pairing mode by holding down both buttons for about two seconds until a single LED on the side flashes blue. From there, you just need to connect to it through your Boox device’s Bluetooth settings. When you power it back on in the future, it reconnects automatically.
The buttons’ default functionality is Reading mode that turns pages forward and back or controls volume when outside a reading app, but the Tappy can be switched to two other modes. Multimedia mode changes the buttons’ functionality to skipping tracks in music, video, podcast, or audiobook apps, while Browsing mode lets you scroll up and down through long webpages or social media feeds for as long as you’re pressing either button.
Pressing both buttons for about five seconds switches modes, which causes the LED to momentarily flash green. Repeating that process cycles through Reading, Multimedia, and Browsing modes, and every time you switch, a notification pops up at the top of your Boox device letting you know the current mode. But it’s not persistent and can be easily missed. A trio of labeled LEDs indicating the Tappy’s current mode or even having the single LED display a different color for each one would make it easier to know what mode it was in at a glance, especially when using the remote with other devices.
While Tappy works best with Boox e-readers and tablets running the company’s V4.2 firmware or later (which includes recent hardware like the Boox Palma 2 Pro), it can also be used with other Android mobile devices, and iPhones and iPads, with varying levels of functionality. The functionality is supported in both the Kobo and Kindle Android apps, but not in the iOS or iPadOS versions. However, I was able to use the Tappy on my iPhone and OnePlus phone to scroll webpages, control music playback, and adjust the volume.
The bigger challenge when using the Tappy with non-Boox hardware is you don’t get the useful pop-up notifications letting you know which mode you’ve just switched to. And without any LED indicators, the only way to know what mode Tappy is in is to just press the buttons and see what happens. Did the volume go up and down? Great, you’re in Reading mode and are just two switches away from the Browsing mode you want.
Other e-readers from companies like Pocketboot or BigMe are supported, according to Good e-Reader’s testing, but I had no luck getting the Tappy to work with the Kobo and the Kindle. That’s unfortunate because while I still regularly enjoy using the Kobo Remote for reading at night, I would happily abandon it for the Tappy. The tiny remote has already replaced my Apple Watch for skipping tracks when streaming my iPhone through my HomePod, even if its buttons occasionally get accidentally pressed when it’s bouncing around my pocket. At $29.99 it’s the same price as the Kobo Remote, but its buttons are more satisfying to use and it’s more than just a one-device accessory.
The Apple Watch Series 11 is $100 off in all colors.
Apple’s upcoming watchOS 27 update will bring Siri AI and other exciting features to the Apple Watch Series 9 and newer Apple Watch models. If you’re contemplating an upgrade, all colorways of the GPS-enabled 42mm Apple Watch Series 11 — the latest model — are on sale for $299 ($100 off) at Amazon, Walmart, and Target, matching its best price so far. You can customize your look by picking up a discounted Apple Watch band at Woot, starting at $14.99 ($35 off).
Apple’s Series 11 watch is a solid upgrade, especially for those who are still using an Apple Watch Series 6 or older. Battery life is one area where you’ll see big improvements, with up to 24 hours on a single charge. It also has a more durable, scratch-resistant design and bright, wide-angle OLED screen. While it has the same S10 chip as the $219 Apple Watch SE 3 that we recommend to most people, the Series 11 has a host of extra features, including hypertension notifications, an ultra-wideband chip, a brighter (and more pixel-dense) screen, plus a depth gauge, to name most of the differences.
As previously mentioned it’s one of a few Apple Watch models that will support watchOS 27 when it arrives this fall. The update will bring a redesigned app grid, custom Wallet passes for cards that use barcodes or QR codes, and new Siri AI capabilities. Beyond asking Siri AI to handle a range of tasks from your wrist, it will also be able to surface information stored across your Apple devices, and let you continue conversations after starting them on your iPhone.
You can buy the Beats Studio Buds Plus wireless earbuds for $99.99 ($70 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, Target. That matches their best price so far this year, and includes the slick translucent option we were particularly fond of. The Studio Buds Plus deliver a good combination of excellent sound, solid noise cancellation, and comfort, while working well with both Android and iOS devices. They’re also water-resistant and last up to nine hours on a charge, with swappable ear tips for a more secure fit. Read our review.
Fujifilm will be releasing a new Instax Mini 13 on June 25th, but if you’d rather save some money — or pick up a fun Father’s Day gift — Fujifilm’s Instax Mini 12 is on sale for $79.95 ($14 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target, which is one of its better prices in recent months. While it lacks Mini 13’s self-timer, the Mini 12 is an excellent instant camera, producing clear, natural-looking prints and offering a simple, beginner-friendly experience that’s easy for all ages to enjoy.
The last-gen 11-inch LTE-enabled iPad Air with 128GB of storage is on sale for $499 ($250 off) at Best Buy, putting it at the same price as the Wi-Fi-only model. Its M3 chip isn’t as powerful as the newer M4’s, but it’s still fast, and it touts support for Apple Intelligence. It’ll be compatible with iPadOS 27 when it’s released in the fall, which adds Siri AI updates and makes transferring files to an external drive faster, among many other improvements. Read our review.
AirPods Pro 3 | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
Ahead of Prime Day, Walmart is offering the best price we’ve seen yet on the Apple AirPods 3 wireless earbuds. Originally $249 (though commonly selling somewhere between $200 and $220), they’re $179 at Walmart, presumably for a limited time. If you have an iPhone, these are the best wireless earbuds you can get at this price.
AirPods Pro 3
The AirPods Pro 3 have a new design that improves their fit, superior noise cancellation, better bass, and fairly accurate heart rate sensors. Read our review.
The AirPods Pro 3 are one of the three sets of earbuds that our A/V reviewer John Higgins always keeps in rotation. He appreciates their stellar active noise cancellation and sound quality, and for being super simple to use. Depending on the shape of your ears, they might not be ideal for workouts (the fin-equipped Beats Powerbeats Fit could be a better pick), but no other set of earbuds comes close when it comes to packing in as many features, especially at this low price.
The Google Nest Cam with Floodlight is marked down to $179.99 ($100 off) at multiple retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, Home Depot, and directly from Google. This weather-resistant outdoor camera captures 1080p video across a 130-degree diagonal field of view, with snappy notifications and great customization options.
Google Nest Cam with floodlight (wired)
A Google Nest Cam attached to two bright, adjustable floodlights, this camera has free video recording, powerful lights, and on-device processing of smart alerts for people, vehicles, and animals. There’s no siren, but there is 24/7 recording and facial recognition. Read our review.
Even without a subscription, the camera can store the past three hours of video, and offers notifications when it detects motion from people, vehicles, or animals. You can enable continuous recording and 30 or more days of saved video with a Google Home Premium plan, starting at $10 per month. While the field of view isn’t as wide as some competitors, the Nest Cam with Floodlight shoots clear video, even in the dark thanks to its color night vision.
You can easily adjust the camera and floodlight behavior from the Google Home app, including settings for different timing and motion-sensing responses, and incorporate them into your smart home routines for when you’re home or away. Even if the power goes out, its backup battery will let the camera keep recording, and it has enough internal storage to log up to one hour of events.
Many bees have a shimmery exoskeleton. So this reversible mood-ring–like effect might be quite common, scientists now say. The day-to-day color of other bees and insects might similarly change with humidity.
Jorge De La Cruz is a college student at the University of California, Santa Barbara. There, he’s training as an evolutionary biologist. He first noticed the color-change effect while preparing bee specimens for preservation and study. This was at the Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration.
Museum scientists often place insect specimens in a moist chamber. It makes them more flexible for mounting and imaging. And under moist conditions, some bees appeared to starkly shift their color. This caught De La Cruz’s attention.
“It can be a bit alarming when you’re not expecting it,” says Madeleine Ostwald. This ecologist works at Queen Mary University of London in England.
De La Cruz and Ostwald teamed up with two other researchers to look into this further. They shared what they learned April 22 in Biology Letters.
This sweat bee was photographed in Seattle, Wash. Its exoskeleton changes color with the humidity. Other iridescent insects may pull a similar color-change trick.Mike Davidson/iNaturalist
Humidity changes hue
The team studied two dozen museum bee specimens. All were fine-striped sweat bees (Agapostemon subtilior). The bees were exposed to high and low humidity for 55 hours each. After each exposure, the team took photos.
The researchers also reviewed more than 1,000 photos of living sweat bees. These came from the citizen-science app iNaturalist. Here, too, they noted the humidity present when an image had been taken.
In dry conditions (less than 10 percent humidity), the bees were blue-green. But at 95 percent humidity, they turned a light, coppery green.
Humidity may cause layers in the bees’ exoskeletons to swell. That may change how those layers reflect light, creating an iridescence. That layering appears to scatter light at different wavelengths, creating colors. If the layers swelled, the space between them would increase. The extra space would reflect longer, redder light.
“Because we saw redder bees in more humid conditions, this fits with that [scientific explanation],” Ostwald says.
Future work with high-powered microscopes might confirm this. Lots of insects produce color with tiny structures rather than pigments, Ostwald says. So, the phenomenon might be widespread.
Color can be really changeable as something responds to the environment, she says — and “in ways we didn’t expect.” It’s important to study the color of the living organism in its natural environment to know its true hue.
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These squirrels had no quarrels about what they were eating.