❌

Reading view

Tankers Sail Through Red Sea Despite Houthi Blockade

Dozens of ships continued to traverse the Red Sea this week, but with scattered disruption, uncertainty about the passage grows by the hour.

© Leanne Abraham/The New York Times

  •  

ZWO Seestar S30 Pro smart telescope review

Smart telescopes like the Seestar S30 Pro have changed astrophotography and, arguably, urban astronomy. The Seestar S30 Pro takes that concept further than most. Small enough to fit inside a camera backpack, it combines a refractor telescope, motorized mount, dual cameras and image-processing software into a compact unit controlled entirely from a smartphone. Within minutes of powering on, it can align itself to the night sky, slew to a specified target and begin stacking exposures to reveal galaxies, nebulas and star clusters — even from light-polluted locations.

A close-up of the the logo on the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro.

The Pro version of the S30 adds a higher resolution sensor, advanced optics and upgraded software functionality. (Image credit: Jamie Carter)

It makes astrophotography — once a complex and expensive hobby — possible with a single, automated device, though what makes the Seestar S30 Pro particularly interesting is not just its simplicity, but how it changes the experience of observing. Instead of actively operating a telescope, users watch a digital image build in real time. Sure, your eyes don’t see the photons coming from distant galaxies, but that misses the point — urban astronomers can’t see much of those galaxies anyway when using an optical telescope.

The Seestar logo on the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro.

(Image credit: Jamie Carter)

Positioned as an upgrade to the original Seestar S30, it introduces higher-resolution 8.3MP imaging, equatorial tracking support and expanded imaging modes aimed at more advanced users.

Designed for beginners, urban astronomers and astrophotographers of any level who are looking for a portable rig, the Seestar S30 Pro is about convenience, capability and a different way to explore the night sky.

ZWO Seestar S30 Pro smart telescope review

ZWO Seestar S30 Pro: Design

A close-up on the side of the optical tube on the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro pointing upwards.

The Seestar S30 Pro features four lens elements in an optical design called an apochromatic quadruplet refractor. (Image credit: Jamie Carter)
  • Lightweight design
  • Dual-camera system
  • Full smartphone control

At first glance, the Seestar S30 Pro barely resembles a telescope, being closer in size to a telephoto lens than a traditional optical instrument. That portability is one of its defining strengths — this is a telescope you can realistically take anywhere, whether into a backyard, onto a balcony or on a dark-sky trip. You could even take it as hand luggage on a trip to see a total solar eclipse in a distant land.

The ZWO Seestar S30 Pro mounted on a tripod on a wooden table.
When packed away the Seestar S30 Pro is very compact and highly portable.Jamie Carter
A bird's eye view of the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro on a wooden table.
Weighing just 3.6 lbs (1.65 kg) it is the lightest apochromatic quadruplet smart telescope.Jamie Carter

The design is deliberately minimal. Aside from a power button and USB-C slot, there are no physical controls. Everything — from slewing and focusing to image capture and processing — is handled through the Seestar app. Once connected to a phone via its own WiFi network, the system operates entirely offline, connecting directly to your phone without requiring an internet connection in the field.

The USB-C slot on the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro.
Apart from the power button and USB-C slot on the S30 Pro, there are no physical controls as everything is controlled by the app.Jamie Carter
A close-up on the side of the optical tube on the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro.
The Seestar S30 Pro combines a telescope, camera and automated mount in a single unit. Jamie Carter
Specifications

Optical design: Quadruplet apochromatic refractor (ED glass)

Aperture: 30mm / 1.18 inches

Focal length: 160mm / 6.3 inches

Focal ratio: f/5.3

Sensor: Sony IMX585 (tele) / Sony IMX586 (wide)

Resolution: 8.3MP (3,840 x 2,160)

Field of view: 4.6 degrees (tele) / 63 degrees (wide)

Mount type: Alt-azimuth (EQ mode supported)

Storage: 128GB internal

Battery: 6000 mAh (~6 hours)

Weight: 3.6 lbs (1.65 kg)

Dimensions: 8.25 x 5.5 x 3.15-in (210 x 140 x 80 mm)

A key feature of this new, improved model is its dual-camera system. The primary telephoto camera is dedicated to deep-sky imaging, using a Sony IMX585 sensor that’s capable of 8.3MP (4K) images, while the secondary wide-angle uses an equally capable Sony IMX586 sensor for sky alignment and wide-field imaging modes.

The tripod ZWO Seestar S30 Pro splayed open.

Any tripod can be used with the Seestar S30 Pro. (Image credit: Jamie Carter)

The included tabletop tripod is solid, if small, so users with backyards surrounded by buildings or trees will benefit from mounting the device on a full-size photographic tripod. It also comes with a handy, high-quality padded shoulder bag to store the telescope and all its accessories.

ZWO Seestar S30 Pro: Performance

Cropped view of the Orion Nebula (M42), as imaged by the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro in alt-azimuth mode.

The Orion Nebula (M42) shot in alt-azimuth mode. (Image credit: Jamie Carter)
  • Automatic stacking with intelligent frame rejection
  • EQ mode enables longer exposures
  • Strong results under urban/suburban skies

Using the Seestar S30 Pro is less about operating equipment and more about using an app. After powering on and connecting via WiFi, the telescope automatically plate-solves the stars overhead, determines its position and slews to a selected target. Within minutes, it begins capturing short exposures — typically around 10 seconds — which are stacked in real time to reduce noise and improve detail. Crucially, the system automatically discards poor-quality frames caused by tracking errors, wind shake or star trailing.

Bode’s Galaxy (M81) and the Cigar Galaxy (M82) as imaged by the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro alt-azimuth mode.

Bode’s Galaxy (M81) and the Cigar Galaxy (M82) shot in alt-azimuth mode. (Image credit: Jamie Carter)

The effect of the image stacking is gradual. As more data is collected, a faint patch of light slowly resolves into a nebula or distant galaxy. The longer the telescope runs, the clearer and more detailed the final image becomes, with nebulosity and spiral arms becoming visible. Stars remain sharp across the field of view — the Seestar S30 Pro’s optics may be small, but they are excellent quality. During our test, we produced some superb images of the Orion Nebula (M42), as well as Bode’s Galaxy (M81) and the Cigar Galaxy (M82), the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) and the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules (M13).

The first-quarter moon as imaged by the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro.

The first-quarter moon imaged by the Seestar S30 Pro. (Image credit: Jamie Carter)

Stacking images is a hugely effective way to do observational astronomy under light-polluted urban skies. By stacking multiple exposures and applying built-in filters (there are three), the Seestar S30 Pro can reveal objects that would otherwise be invisible through the eyepiece of a traditional optical telescope.

The Whirlpool Galaxy (M51), as imaged with the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro in EQ mode and edited with Deep Sky Stack and AI Denoise.
The Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) shot in EQ mode, edited using Deep Sky Stack and with AI Denoise applied.Jamie Carter
The Great Globular Cluster in Hercules (M13) as imaged by the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro in EQ mode.
The Great Globular Cluster in Hercules (M13) shot in EQ mode, edited using Deep Sky Stack and with AI Denoise applied.Jamie Carter

The all-new equatorial (EQ) mode extends performance further, though aligning the telescope with Earth’s rotation requires purchasing the add-on Seestar TH10 Fluid Tripod Head. This is easy to set up, thanks to an in-app setup process that perfectly positions the tripod and ball head. With Expert Mode engaged, exposures of up to 60 seconds are possible. We tried it on two faint targets — the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) and the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules (M13) — and got much greater detail.

Jupiter and its mons as image by the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro

Jupiter and its moons, as imaged by the Seestar S30 Pro. (Image credit: Jamie Carter)

Planetary imaging is less impressive, with planets appearing small and lacking fine detail. That said, we did manage to image Jupiter and its moons. The telescope is clearly optimized for deep-sky imaging rather than solar system work — the exception being the moon, which looked fabulous through the Seestar S30 Pro.

ZWO Seestar S30 Pro: Functionality

Screenshots from the Seestar app showing object identification, editing capability and astronomical information.

The Seestar app identifies objects, and offers editing and astronomical information. (Image credit: Jamie Carter)
  • Intuitive smartphone app
  • Automated imaging and Plan mode
  • Built-in processing and FITS export

The Seestar app is central to the entire experience. It acts as both controller and processing platform, offering a planetarium-style sky atlas that displays objects visible from the user’s location. Selecting a target triggers automatic alignment, slewing and image capture. Once imaging begins, the app displays real-time progress, including exposure count and total integration time. Users can stop a session at any time or continue it for deeper results. The telescope can operate largely unattended, making it easy to leave running and check later.

Screeshots from the Seestar app showing how to set up EQ mode on the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro.

Equatorial (EQ) mode set-up on the Seestar S30 Pro app for longer exposure times. (Image credit: Jamie Carter)

If all of this is beginning to sound like the Seestar S30 Pro is ideal for lazy astronomers, it doesn’t end there. Cue the app’s Plan mode, which allows users to schedule multiple targets for imaging overnight. Orion Nebula not rising until 3 a.m.? No problem. Pre-sunrise comet? Stay in bed. Assuming you’ve checked for clear skies beforehand, the Seestar S30 Pro can observe while you sleep. However, Plan mode does come with limits: exposure time and gain cannot be fine-tuned per target, so users must rely on default settings. For most, that won’t deter.

Screenshots from the Seestar app's Sky Atlas, showing the location of night sky targets.

The Seestar app’s Sky Atlas makes it easy to find objects. (Image credit: Jamie Carter)

For those interested in post-processing, the Seestar S30 Pro supports FITS file export, enabling images to be refined in external software such as Siril, PixInsight, DeepSkyStacker or Photoshop (though advanced users dealing in FITS files may find that the system’s 128GB internal storage needs frequent attention). Alternatively, the built-in Deep Sky Stack provides quick results with minimal effort, allowing frames to be discarded and the effective AI Denoise pipeline to be engaged — something that takes a little patience, but delivers excellent results.

How we tested the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro

A bird's eye view the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro pointing upwards.

The Seestar S30 Pro has a tiny footprint. (Image credit: Jamie Carter)

Testing took place over multiple nights during late winter and early spring, under suburban Bortle 6 skies in cold but not freezing temperatures. It was also used in Bortle 2 skies in sub-zero temperatures, with no ill effects on the 6-hour battery life. The telescope was used to image a variety of deep-sky objects, with sessions ranging from short captures to integrations lasting several hours. Both standard alt-az mode and EQ mode were tested.

Should you buy the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro?

Buy it if:

✅ You want an easy, automated entry into astrophotography: The S30 Pro is incredibly easy to use and highly portable without skimping on optical quality.

✅ You observe from light-polluted locations: Built-in image processing and stacking allows fine details to be resolved on deep sky objects even when observing from light-polluted locations.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You want full manual control over imaging: Whilst having equatorial (EQ) imaging mode and certain modes for the Milky Way and 8K wide-field stitching, it actually lacks custom exposure times and gain control for precision tweaking.

❌ You’re primarily interested in planetary observation: The S30 Pro is capable of imaging planets but they just aren't as impressive as its deep-sky images.

The Seestar S30 Pro is best understood not as a traditional telescope, but as an automated imaging system designed to make astrophotography accessible. It’s also an upgrade on the Seestar S30 that may or may not be worth the money, depending on your needs.

For beginners, it provides a clear pathway into astrophotography without the usual financial or technical barriers. For more advanced users, it’s an efficient grab-and-go system for casual or supplementary imaging.

If the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro isn't for you

If you’re looking for a more affordable entry point, the ZWO Seestar S30 offers similar ease of use, but with lower (2MP) resolution and fewer advanced features. For those who simply want basic, shareable images, it remains a strong alternative.

The DwarfLab Dwarf Mini is even smaller and more portable but it is limited to 2MP imaging. At the other end of the market, the Unistellar Odyssey is a premium smart telescope offering much larger apertures and access to citizen science campaigns, albeit at significantly higher prices.

For an overview of the top telescopes in this category, read our guide to the best smart telescopes.

  •  

Anthropic Book Training Settlement

AP (Hacker News):

A federal judge has approved a $1.5 billion copyright settlement in which artificial intelligence company Anthropic will pay thousands of authors about $3,000 per book after using pirated copies of their works to train its Claude chatbot.

[…]

Bestselling thriller novelist Andrea Bartz first brought the suit with two other authors in 2024. It’s the first major settlement in dozens of AI copyright lawsuits that are still working their way through courts.

Dare Obasanjo:

Somewhat ironic given recent claims from Anthropic about others training their AI on its work.

Previously:

  •  

Apple Loses Masimo Appeal

Marcus Mendes:

Apple’s requests to overturn a $634 million patent verdict and secure a new trial in its long-running legal battle with Masimo were denied.

Wesley Hilliard:

There doesn’t appear to be any other path for appeal or recourse, as the judge rejected both requests for either a new judgement or trial.

[…]

In the end, Masimo didn’t succeed in getting the Apple Watch banned or fundamentally redesigned. It won an empty victory with the funds it will be paid, and the patents affecting the lawsuit will expire in 2028 and 2029 anyway.

Paul Terpstra:

Although the ruling confirms the financial penalty, it does not affect current Apple Watch users. The smartwatch’s blood oxygen monitoring feature remains available after Apple introduced a software update in January 2024 that allowed sales to continue despite earlier legal challenges.

Previously:

  •  

Will Ternus split AAPL? Apple stock split buzz returns near record highs

Apple price target

With Apple shares trading near all-time highs around $326, fresh speculation about a potential stock split has resurfaced. While the company has not announced any plans, the upcoming leadership transition adds a new dimension to the discussion.

Apple announced in April 2026 that Tim Cook will step down as CEO on August 31 and transition to Executive Chairman, with John Ternus (currently Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering) taking over as CEO effective September 1, 2026. This marks the most significant leadership change at Apple in over 15 years.

Could the CEO Transition Influence a Split?

Analysts and investors are debating whether the smooth handover could accelerate or delay a split:

• Potential catalyst: A new CEO often seeks early wins to build momentum. A stock split would be a low-risk, high-visibility move that signals confidence and appeals to retail investors — especially as Ternus begins his tenure.

• Likely timing: Most observers expect any decision to wait until after the transition settles (late 2026 or 2027), once Ternus has established his priorities around AI, hardware innovation, and Mac refreshes.

• Continuity advantage: With Cook remaining as Executive Chairman, the board is expected to maintain strong oversight, reducing any perceived risk around major shareholder-friendly actions.

Apple has not split its stock since the 4-for-1 in August 2020. With fractional-share trading now widespread, the urgency is lower than in the past, but a split could still broaden accessibility and create psychological tailwinds.

Apple’s stock has performed strongly in 2026, rebounding from a weaker 2025 and recently approaching record levels. Solid services growth, ongoing buybacks, and AI/hardware momentum (including upcoming Mac lineup overhauls) have supported the rally — all without a split.

Historically, Apple splits (1987, 2000, 2005, 2014, 2020) have often coincided with periods of optimism and growth. A future split under Ternus could similarly project confidence in the company’s long-term trajectory.

MacDailyNews Take: The Cook-to-Ternus transition is unlikely to hinder a stock split and could even encourage one as an early signal of confidence under the new leadership. That said, Apple tends to be deliberate, so any move would likely prioritize substance over optics.

While a split (even a modest 2-for-1 or 3-for-1) could project optimism and attract more retail interest, Apple’s fundamentals (robust cash reserves, ongoing innovation, and execution on AI/hardware roadmaps) appear to be driving the stock’s current momentum without one. Splits are cosmetic in terms of intrinsic value but have historically aligned with growth phases. Investors should watch for any board signals or SEC filings, but the lack of a split hasn’t held back the rebound in 2026.

Apple’s split history:

• June 16, 1987: 2-for-1
• June 21, 2000: 2-for-1
• February 28, 2005: 2-for-1
• June 9, 2014: 7-for-1
• August 31, 2020: 4-for-1


‎
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!

Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.

The post Will Ternus split AAPL? Apple stock split buzz returns near record highs appeared first on MacDailyNews.

  •  

TreeSize won't renew perpetual-license support unless users subscribe

The company behind the disk space analyzer TreeSize has irked some users by no longer offering support or updates for perpetual licenses beyond their maintenance period unless customers subscribe. Further frustration has come from JAM Software's long-standing policy of not providing license keys or installers to TreeSize perpetual license holders after that support period ends.

Since 2025, JAM Software has been transitioning most TreeSize editions to subscription models. Today, it sells perpetual licenses only for personal use, which include 12 months of updates, support, and “downloads of older versions, and your license,” plus the option to extend the support period. TreeSize currently has "no plans to discontinue the sale of perpetual licenses for TreeSize Personal," product manager Hendrik Christ told Ars Technica.

As perpetual-license maintenance periods expire, customers are discovering that extending support now generally requires subscribing to software they already own the right to use.

Read full article

Comments

© TreeSize

  •  

TreeSize won't renew perpetual-license support unless users subscribe

The company behind the disk space analyzer TreeSize has irked some users by no longer offering support or updates for perpetual licenses beyond their maintenance period unless customers subscribe. Further frustration has come from JAM Software's long-standing policy of not providing license keys or installers to TreeSize perpetual license holders after that support period ends.

Since 2025, JAM Software has been transitioning most TreeSize editions to subscription models. Today, it sells perpetual licenses only for personal use, which include 12 months of updates, support, and “downloads of older versions, and your license,” plus the option to extend the support period. TreeSize currently has "no plans to discontinue the sale of perpetual licenses for TreeSize Personal," product manager Hendrik Christ told Ars Technica.

As perpetual-license maintenance periods expire, customers are discovering that extending support now generally requires subscribing to software they already own the right to use.

Read full article

Comments

© TreeSize

  •  

HP fined 1.4 billion rupees for “cartelization” of ink cartridges, toner, PCs

The Indian government has fined HP India and its partners a total of 1.4 billion rupees (about $14.4 million) for working with reseller partners in the “cartelization” of computers, ink cartridges, and toner.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) said this week that it found HP India had colluded with some channel partners to drive up the cost of bids for government contracts for computers, as well as for selling ink cartridges, toner, and other printing supplies, including graphic and digital manufacturing supplies.

It said that HP was aiming to outcompete other OEMs and discourage resellers from selling “counterfeit” ink and toner.

Read full article

Comments

© Getty

  •  

HP fined 1.4 billion rupees for “cartelization” of ink cartridges, toner, PCs

The Indian government has fined HP India and its partners a total of 1.4 billion rupees (about $14.4 million) for working with reseller partners in the “cartelization” of computers, ink cartridges, and toner.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) said this week that it found HP India had colluded with some channel partners to drive up the cost of bids for government contracts for computers, as well as for selling ink cartridges, toner, and other printing supplies, including graphic and digital manufacturing supplies.

It said that HP was aiming to outcompete other OEMs and discourage resellers from selling “counterfeit” ink and toner.

Read full article

Comments

© Getty

  •  

Now, even Russia's most elite hackers are using Clickfix to infect devices

One of the Russian government’s most elite hacking groups has adopted an attack, known as Clickfix, to compromise devices belonging to sensitive organizations in Ukraine, the latter country’s CERT center is warning.

Clickfix has emerged as an effective attack technique that attackers, primarily financially motivated criminals, began using in the last year or so. Websites under the control of the attackers display a CAPTCHA that requires the visitor to copy a jumble of text and paste it into the terminal. The text contains scripts that, once entered, perform malicious actions, typically by installing malware or exfiltrating sensitive data. Ukraine’s CERT said Wednesday that Sandworm, an advanced hacking unit inside the GRU, Russia’s military intelligence arm, is now using the technique.

"GhettoVibe," "ScoutCurl," and many more

The Clickfix attacks began in the spring and have continued through the summer. The campaign has resulted in the network compromise of at least one organization when a connected device was found to be infected by FreakyPoll, the name of one of Sandworm’s custom malware packages. Ukrainian authorities discovered 10 compromised websites that displayed a PowerShell command as part of a fake CAPTCHA that said it had to be passed to ensure a real human was behind the visiting device’s keyboard.

Read full article

Comments

© Getty Images

  •  

Energy IPOs surge as investors hunt for ways to play AI boom

Energy companies are raising money at IPO at their fastest pace this century, taking advantage of investors’ hunt for new ways to bet on the boom in power-intensive AI data centers.

Initial public offerings for energy firms raised $12.6 billion in the first half of this year, according to data firm Dealogic. That marks the highest half-year level since the peak of the dotcom bubble in late 1999 and the highest first-half figure on record. It is well above 2025’s full-year total of $4.3 billion.

The surge in fundraising comes as access to the vast amounts of energy needed to run data centers emerges as a bottleneck in a multi-trillion-dollar AI investment boom.

Read full article

Comments

© Michael Nagle/Bloomberg

  •  
❌