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universalhub_feedICE is still trying to kick Rümeysa Öztürk out of the country for the perfidy of writing an op-ed in a student newspaper it didn't like, but a judge ruled today that as long as she's here, it has to restore her listing in the national database that determines whether foreign students can participate in American college and work programs.
In a ruling today, US District Court Judge Denise Casper said that not only does ICE have to restore Öztürk listing in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), it has to give her and her lawyer at least a week's notice if it's thinking of purging her again.
Casper said Öztürk - dragooned by hooded men outside her Somerville apartment on March 25, then driven around New England before being flown to Louisiana - met all the requirements for the preliminary injunction that remains in effect as long as her case against removal remains active in court: She showed irreparable harm without it - she cannot get jobs and positions related to her educational work while she's not in the database - that an injunction is in the public interest and that she has a strong likelihood of winning based on the fact the government so obviously broke the law in the way it tried to strip her of her ability to continue as a student in the US.
The government contends that an injunction is not in the public interest, because of the government's interest in immigration control. The Court does not question that the government has multiple legitimate interests in the realm of immigration enforcement. ... The government, however, directs the Court to no case recognizing an interest in enforcing immigration policy through unlawful means.
Apple and Google Are Making It Easier to Switch Between iPhone and Android
Dec. 8th, 2025 09:30 pmlifehacker_feedWhen it's time to buy a new car, you don't necessarily need to stick with the one you had before. You don't lose your cloud-based photos by switching from Toyota to Subaru, nor will your friends yell at you for ruining the group chat by buying a Kia. That's not the case with smartphones: When you buy an iPhone, it's tough to switch away from it. The same goes for Android: While it's easy enough to switch within the Android ecosystem, such as between Pixel or Galaxy, moving from Android to iPhone can also be a pain. Tech companies tend to make it tempting to stick with their platform, and introduce friction when you try to leave.
That, of course, is entirely business-based. Apple hasn't traditionally made it easy to move to Android, because, well, you might actually do it. It doesn't have to be this way, either. There's nothing inherent to smartphones that should make it so challenging to break out of any particular ecosystem. All it takes is some intentional design: If smartphones were made to be traded, you could migrate from one to another, without worrying about losing pictures, messages, or any other important data or processes.
As it happens, that intentional design may be on the horizon. As reported by 9to5Google, Apple and Google are actually working together to make it easier to transfer data between iPhone and Androids, which would make switching between the two platforms more seamless. This isn't theoretical, either: Google has already released some of this progress as part of the latest Android Canary, the company's earliest pre-release software. All compatible Pixel devices can currently access this latest build, though it doesn't seem there are any user-facing features available to test. 9to5Google says that similar features will roll out to testers in a future iOS 26 beta. Perhaps at that time, Google will roll out its features to the Android beta as well, which has a much larger user base than Canary.
While details are slim here, any cooperation between Apple and Google on this front is huge. Current migration tools do exist, but they can be problematic. By actually working together on a native transfer solution, it might actually be seamless to move between platforms. Apple and Google might not be motivated by charity, of course, as the EU has been cracking down on restrictive practices by tech companies in recent years. But while both companies may see this as a way to lose customers, it's also a way to gain them: Sure, some iPhone users may switch to Android if it's easier to do so, but some Android users may do the reverse for the same reasons.
More choice is good for everyone—even if it doesn't guarantee exponential growth to shareholders.
universalhub_feedA Suffolk Superior Court judge today sentenced Anthony Dew, 43, of Dorchester to 7 1/2 to 9 years in state prison for a brutal attack on a woman who thought she was just going to share some drugs with him early on Sept. 8, 2024, the Suffolk County District Attorney's office reports.
A Suffolk jury convicted Dew last week of assault and battery, assault and battery causing serious bodily injury and strangulation for the attack in his mother's Evelyn Street apartment. However, a mistrial was declared for the remaining charges of attempted murder, rape and assault to murder. Dew will return to court January 21 for a status hearing on those charges, the DA's office reports.
Prosecutors told the jury that on September 8, 2024, Dew approached a 51-year-old homeless woman and invited her to do drugs. Dew brought her to his mother's house on Evelyn Street, where he raped, strangled, and beat her before fleeing and leaving her bloodied, undressed, and screaming for help in the driveway.
Upon arrival, officers observed a woman with her jeans pulled down to her ankles and a T-shirt soaked in what appeared to officers to be blood, pulled up. As officers approached the victim, she screamed “he raped me” and pointed to an apartment. The victim told police the man who attacked her lived there and had raped and beat her as she “went in and out” of consciousness. Officers observed the victim to be spitting up blood and her face to be covered in blood. Officers also saw what appeared to be the victim’s hair on the stairs leading out of the apartment.
The victim sustained contusions and abrasions all over her body and had swelling and bruising to her mouth, jaw, and both eyes. First responders transported her to a local hospital for treatment.
Prosecutors said Dew made his arrest easy: Although he fled the scene, he returned as first responders were still treating the woman "and became verbally combative with officers."
This was not Dew's first time in Suffolk Superior Court. In 2016, he pleaded guilty in 2016 to five counts of human trafficking and was sentenced to eight to ten years in state prison, under a deal in which rape charges against him were dropped.
In 2023, however, after he completed his prison time, however, the Supreme Judicial Court vacated his sentence.
The state's highest court concluded that Dew, both Black and Muslim, could not have gotten the best possible representation because his lawyer, court-appointed Richard Doyle, was, in fact, a virulent hater of both Blacks and Muslims, somebody who spent several years posting anti-Muslim and anti-Black images and rants on his Facebook page - sometimes while he was in court.
Innocent, etc.
The Google Pixel 10 Is $200 Off Right Now
Dec. 8th, 2025 08:00 pmlifehacker_feedWe may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.
Google phones keep offering great value for the money, dropping in price very quickly after their release, including the latest Pixel. The Google Pixel 10, with the 128GB going for $599 (originally $799) and the 256GB for $699 (originally $899), are both at record low prices right now, according to price-tracking tools.
universalhub_feedWatch the mariachi band at the press conference.
Judicial Watch, which has used public-records lawsuits to go after Hillary Clinton's e-mail and climate scientists, today filed a public-records lawsuit demanding City Hall turn over all of its records related to the performance of the Veronica Robles mariachi band at an Aug. 19 City Hall Plaza press conference and rally at which Mayor Wu, Sen. Ed Markey and others denounced regime demands that the city turn brown people over to ICE.
In its suit, filed in Suffolk Superior Court, the group, which was also active in spreading claims about voter fraud across the country, says City Hall has illegally refused to turn over the information it's demanding, specifically, "all emails sent between Boston Mayor's Office officials related to the appearance of a mariachi band at a rally/press conference on August 19, 2025" as well as "all budgetary records, including invoices, cancelled check, purchase orders, contracts, agreements and financial entries" related to the band's hiring.
But, of course, the group is also seeking "all internal emails among Mayor Wu's immediate staff, including Wu herself, related to an August 13, 2025 letter from US Attorney General Pam Bondi that Mayor Wu have a plan established to work with federal immigration authorities on deportation matters."
In the suit, the group avers it filed the required public-records request on Aug. 20 - the day after the press conference - and that after City Hall responded the next day that the request was "overly broad and vague," agreed to narrow its request to Wu and eight other top City Hall officials, including Chief of Streets Jascha Franklin-Hodge, not previously known for his involvement in immigration matters, and to limit specific search terms to "Bondi," "deportation," "sanctuary," and "mariachi."
The group says the city has yet to respond with any of the requested documents or to explain how they would be exempt from a public-records request.
The suit asks a judge to order the city to search its emails for the requested terms, hand over copies of any matches - or explanations why they're exempt - and not charge the group any fees, but pay it attorneys fees.
Coros’s New Beta Update Adds Everything Its Watches Have Been Missing
Dec. 8th, 2025 07:00 pmlifehacker_feedWe may earn a commission from links on this page.
I like Coros running because they do nearly everything Garmins do, at a lower cost. But there have always been a few areas where they fall short, which I’ve noted in my reviews. Now, that seems to be changing—the most recent beta firmware update adds a critical new feature while fixing some of my pet peeves.
I tried out the new features through a public beta from Coros. You can sign up for beta access with these instructions Coros posted on Reddit. (On iOS, you'll install a Testflight version of the Coros app, which can then give you access to the firmware update. On Android, you'll need to download the beta app, then go here to access the new beta firmware.) I tested these features out on a Pace 4, and I'm mostly happy with them.
Coros watches can now control music playing on your phone
In my reviews of Coros watches, I’ve always docked a few points for how they handle music. Until recently, the watch could only play music files that you downloaded directly to it. That’s fine if you want to run without your phone, but for me (and many others) it’s an unnecessary annoyance—a smartwatch really should be able to display and control what’s playing on your phone. Garmin and Suunto have long had this capability, and Coros was the only major brand missing it.
But now it’s here. When you long-press the lap button to view your toolbox, you'll see two different apps. The familiar “music” plays downloaded music, and the new “media control” option does exactly what you’d expect: It shows the track information for whatever is playing on your phone, and it gives you buttons to play, pause, skip, or adjust volume. Was that so hard?
Workouts no longer end themselves while you’re cooling down
When I swapped my Garmin for a Coros this summer, one of my biggest complaints was that Coros watches pause your workout once you’ve completed all the steps. So if you have a 4.5-mile run programmed, but want to total five miles for the day, you have to remember to hit "resume workout" after the 4.5-mile run ends. I tend jog through that beep, thinking nothing of it, and then swear at my watch when I realize at the end that the last half-mile never got recorded.
I prefer the way Garmin does it: After you complete a Garmin workout, the activity continues until you decide to manually stop it. Coros has apparently adopted that philosophy, as workouts now roll over into an open segment automatically.
You can now undo a lap button press
During an activity, pressing the lap button starts a new segment of the workout (or advances you to the next segment if you’re following a pre-written workout). I know I’m not the only one who sometimes presses this button by accident, so an “undo” option is nice. Garmin watches added this feature about a year ago. Coros adds it with this update.
Unfortunately the undo isn’t available for every lap button press. I do see it if I’m doing an unstructured workout and mark a lap—hitting the lap button again takes me back to the original lap in progress. But I don’t see an undo function if I’m following a workout that already has lap segments built in, or if I’m doing a strength workout (where the lap button switches between work and rest).
You can time your rests in strength workouts without choosing exercises ahead of time
My most common way of using the strength feature is to start an unstructured workout, then use the lap button to mark the end of each set and the start of my rest time. This way, I can keep track of rests during the workout and I know how many sets I’m doing. I might follow a pre-planned workout, but I never enter exercises from the watch during a workout.
This is simple enough on Garmin, but on Coros, the watch used to ask me to enter at least a body part for each exercise. So if I’m doing five sets of bench press, I have to select “chest” each time I begin a set. This drove me up the wall, and I stopped using the rest timer at all—which makes the strength feature nearly useless.
After the update, I can select a body part at the beginning of the workout, and that remains the active body part while I stop and start my sets. (“Full body” is an option, so I usually choose that one.) During the workout, hitting the start/stop button brings up a menu where I can switch body parts should I care to do so. Suddenly,. using the watch during my strength workouts seems like a viable option, instead of annoying.
The 20 Most Essential Podcasts of 2025 (and Two Episodes You Can't Miss)
Dec. 8th, 2025 06:30 pmlifehacker_feedIf 2024 was the year podcasts scrambled to find their footing after the massive wave of acquisitions and consolidation during the pandemic, 2025 is the year the medium truly hit its stride (and I should know...I not only write a podcast newsletter and run a podcast company, I also listen to literally thousands of hours of podcasts every year).
Whatever kind of show you're seeking—from a scripted story about demon possession, to a deeply reported investigation into outlaws at sea, to a brilliantly improvised comedy series—my guide to the best podcasts of 2025 has you covered. I've divided the list into categories to help you find exactly what you’re in the mood for—and because some episodes are just too good to get buried in your queue, I’ve also highlighted two standout episodes of past favorite shows that you shouldn’t miss. Let’s get listening.
The best fiction podcasts of 2025
Two Thousand and Late
This year, Lauren Shippen, the master of audio fiction and creator of The Bright Sessions, brought us Two Thousand and Late, a scripted fiction show about a woman who, on her 36th birthday, gets possessed by a demon who was supposed to visit her when she turned 16. This is a clever, tightly written, expertly produced, and endlessly fun adventure that blends corporate satire with time-travel chaos.
The Harbingers
The new audio drama from Gabriel Urbina (best known as the creator and head writer of Wolf 359), The Harbingers introduces us to two different-in-every-way grad students who eventually become the first people with genuine magical powers, making them the most powerful people in the world. This sweeping, sound-rich show is smart, unpredictable, and gripping from minute one.
The best comedy podcasts of 2025
Next We Have
I love a podcast with good segments, so of course I’m going to be drawn to a podcast that is only segments. Next We Have, hosted by Gareth Reynolds (of The Dollop and We’re Here to Help), brings on the best improvisers to create segments that can be completely ridiculous because the point isn’t to make them sustainable, but to see how far a bunch of comedians can stretch the medium. (Segment examples: penning a negative Yelp review for a chain hotel on behalf of a listener, calling Gareth’s childhood friend to see if he remembers a gross sleepover incident from their past, etc.)
Text Me Back
If you have been listening to podcasts long enough to remember Call Your Girlfriend, you will appreciate the tried but true format of eavesdropping on a best friend catch-up. Text Me Back co-hosts Lindy West and Meagan Hatcher-Mays have been besties since middle school, and listening to them brings back the flavor of that beloved show. While Call Your Girlfriend leaned heavily into everyday chatter, Text Me Back feels like non-stop standup. Lindy is an author and TV writer and Meagan is a democracy policy expert, but together they are an unstoppable comedy duo. They can spin mundane moments, like ordering salad for takeout, into listening gold. This is the perfect show to binge when you need a laugh (and some validation for your own awkward moments).
The best internet culture podcasts of 2025
The Last Invention
If you knew that aliens were going to take over the world in 50 years, would you be worried? The Last Invention argues that this is our reality, if you replace “aliens” with “AI.” The AI revolution, host Gregory Warner says, is already here, and The Last Invention begins with the history of machine learning and provides a thoughtful exploration of how it is being used now, before looking into the future to see what's coming, what we could gain, what we could lose, and how best to prepare ourselves. It’s fact-based rather than fear-mongering, yet it might be the most unsettling thing I listened to all year.
Suspicious Minds
Joel and Ian Gold are brothers (Joel’s a psychiatrist; Ian’s a philosopher) and co-authors of the book Suspicious Minds: How Culture Shapes Madness, which they've spun into this show (co-hosted with Sean O’Grady). It's a documentary series that tackles issues around AI-fueled delusions, and aims to understand where they fit into humanity’s history of delusional thinking in general. Using real patients’ riveting stories, it plunges listeners deep into their disturbed mental states, then follows their journeys toward managing the illness. We've read the headlines—the person who was gaslit by ChatGPT into thinking he was digital Jesus, or the man who was convinced he was a piece of software—but we don’t always get the context. Sean interviews these people with empathy to get that crucial context—and finds a troubling universality to their stories.
The best culture podcasts of 2025
Diabolical Lies
Diabolical Lies is a culture and politics podcast hosted by Katie Gatti Tassin and Caro Claire Burke. Think of it as a deep dive into the ideas shaping modern America, from algorithmic media, to late-stage capitalism, to identity politics. But it's really funny. And skeptical. And backed by tons and tons of research. Because it’s listener-supported and free from corporate pressures, the hosts have the freedom to question mainstream narratives. (Every dollar earned is split between Caro, Katie, and organizations that support mutual aid in Gaza, legal representation to immigrant kids ensnared in the legal system, and other worthy causes.)
Pablo Torre Finds Out
Pablo Torre is a veteran journalist and former ESPN commentator turned podcast powerhouse, and he now hosts Pablo Torre Finds Out, which uses sports as a lens through which to examine issues of culture and power. Blending investigative journalism, commentary, and personal curiosity, he goes beyond the surface to find the deeper meaning behind the headlines. His delve into a major scandal involving LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer was named one of Apple Podcast’s best podcasts episodes of the year, and that's just one of dozens of compelling stories you'll explore.
The best long form investigative podcasts of 2025
In the Dark: Blood Relatives
In earlier seasons, In The Dark has won awards, gotten a man released from jail, and uncovered a horrifying military conspiracy. The latest season, Blood Relatives, explores one of Britain's most notorious family massacres, revealing huge problems in the prosecution’s case against Jeremy Bamber, who is currently siting in prison for killing his parents, sister, and nephews back in 1985. Host Heidi Blake has access to sprawling case files and has talked to seemingly everyone even tangentially related to the case. What she found is astonishing, and infuriating.
The Outlaw Ocean
Season one of The Outlaw Ocean, which exposed true crimes committed at sea, was some of the most dangerous audio I have ever heard. Yet in the first episode of season two, Pulitzer-prize winning journalist and host Ian Urbina says that this season includes the most dangerous investigative reporting of his career. There’s a three-part series about seafaring migrants getting thrown in secret prisons (his team got jailed for reporting on that one), an exclusive profile on a guy who is either a pirate or a nautical James Bond, an expose on a massive Indian shrimp-processing plant, and an unprecedented deep dive into China’s secretive fishing practices. This is real investigative journalism, beautifully beautifully packaged but no less dangerous for it.
The best true crime podcsts of 2025
Beth’s Dead
Beth’s Dead isn’t a murder investigation show. It’s a story about what happens when parasocial relationships go dangerously wrong. It all began when Monica Padman (of Armchair Expert) started looking into why her favorite podcast, hosted by Elizabeth Laime and Andy Rosen, ended years ago. For Beth’s Dead, she gets on mic with Elizabeth and Andy to explore a chilling story involving obsessive listeners, manipulation, and what happens when one super fan turns into something much darker.
Wisecrack
You don’t often see stand-up comedy blended with true crime, but that's what you get with Wisecrack. The story centers on comedian Edd Hedges, who returns to his hometown for a charity comedy gig. That night, someone he went to school with murders his family, and Edd has reason to believe that this guy almost tried to murder Edd, too. Or did he? Hosted by TV crime producer Jodi Tovay, Wisecrack is about memory and trauma more than it is about a specific crime. If you liked Netflix’s Baby Reindeer, this expertly produced, genre-bending psychological puzzle is for you.
The best interview podcasts of 2025
Good Hang
Amy Poehler’s Good Hang is the best hang and one of the best celebrity-hosted podcasts ever. Poehler brings on superstar comedians to talk about what makes them laugh, share stories from their lives and careers, and just generally shoot the breeze. Conversations with people like Kristin Wiig, Idris Elba, and Ina Garten swing from gut-bustingly hilarious to raw and vulnerable, offering us an inside look into the entertainment industry. The production is as casual as the vibe: Amy leaves in “mistakes” that a different show might edit out, like a guest jumping into the zoom late, or what feels like minutes of laughter, and the result is a comfort-listen that will leave you feeling like you've just been hugged.
Strangers on a Bench
Strangers on a Bench isn’t your typical interview podcast. Musician/host Tom Rosenthal goes around parks, approaches random strangers on benches, and asks to sit down with them for completely open-ended conversations that feel like meditations. The strangers are always anonymous—we don’t get names or occupations or any other specifics. This means the strangers can get real, and they do. You never know what will happen when you hit play. Some episodes are light, ordinary “slice-of-life” chats, while others dive into issues of grief, trauma, loss, longing, mental-health struggles, or life transitions.
The best personal podcasts of 2025
Stop Rewind: The Lost Boy
Stop Rewind: The Lost Boy tells a true story so unbelievable I literally did not believe it—at first I assumed it was fictional. It’s the story of Taj, a child who was born in India and adopted by a family in the U.S. He had an abusive childhood, was raised in complete poverty, and had only hazy memories of that time—including some that suggested he was brought to America via a kidnapping. He spent his life trying to forget this, purposely or not, and carve his own path, until the day he found an old cassette tape filled with recordings of himself as a child that his mom recorded when he first arrived in the country, knowing he would eventually forget his native language. As an adult, long after he stopped being able to understand what his own voice was saying, Taj met someone who spoke the language, and the transcription of those tapes revealed what really happened to him. The results is a jaw-dropping story especially perfect for a podcast: it's “told through rare original recordings, immersive sound design and unforgettable first-person testimony.” You’re already dying to hear the tape, right?
Alternate Realities
Zach Mack’s Alternate Realities series, located on the Embedded feed, starts off with a bet between Zach and his dad, who each believed the other had been lost to conspiracy theories. Zach’s father had started to believe in chemtrails, that the government controls the weather, that ANTIFA staged January 6, that a cabal called the globalists is controlling the world. Zach…did not believe those things. So in early 2024 Zach’s dad made a list of 10 prophesies (such as: a bunch of democrats would be convicted of treason and/or murder, the U.S. would come under marshal law) that he was 100% sure would happen, and by Jan. 1, 2025, Zach would have to give his father $1,000 for every one that did. For every one that didn’t, Zach would get the $1,000. What starts as a strange bet develops in a beautifully depicted family tragedy that forces you to consider the depths of your own mortality.
The best independent podcasts of 2025
Cramped
Kate Downey has been having debilitating period pain every month since she was 14 years old. The affliction is common, yet something nobody seems to want to talk about or research—and certainly nobody is trying to have fun with it. But Kate is doing all of the above with Cramped, which is somehow boisterous and dead serious at the same time. It's full of fascinating interviews, illuminating info, and helpful tips for anyone with a uterus. She gets smart, funny people on the mic to talk about their that-time-of-the-month experiences, what is really going on in their bodies and why nobody cares, and why Kate hasn’t been able to get answers from a doctor after 20 years of asking questions.
Debt Heads
When I heard the first episode of Debt Heads I felt like a thirsty person who had just discovered water in the desert—I don’t like talking about money, yet this show has a lot of things I didn't know I’ve been craving. Jamie Feldman and Rachel Webster approach money matters from an angle we’re not used to hearing. They joke that it’s a “true crime investigation into the murder of our bank accounts,” and the show is made with the care of one as it considers the deeply human factors that can drive people into debt.
The best podcast series of 2025
Clotheshorse: I'm With the Brand
Clotheshorse’s Amanda Lee McCarty spent years working in retail and fashion as a buyer for huge brands like Urban Outfitters, before a quasi-spokesperson for debunking the glamour that obscures the real truths about the clothing we buy. Amanda’s multi-part series “I’m With the Brand” helps us begin to untangle our relationship with brands, built on both extensive research and her personal experience. You explore the history of brands, with shout-outs to several that are now just licensed zombie versions of themselves; an exposé of cause marketing; and a breakdown of the ten commandments of emotional branding, paired with specific stories about how they’ve been applied. (Careful, once you see them you cannot unsee them.) Repeat after Amanda: Brands are not your friends.
Camp Swamp Road
The Wall Street Journal's “Camp Swamp Road” is about a story that started as a road rage incident and ended up being either a stand your ground case, or a murder, depending who you ask. In 2023 on Camp Swamp Road in South Carolina, Weldon Boyd and Bradley Williams killed Scott Spivey, who they said was driving erratically and shooting his gun out his car window. Scott Spivey’s sister, who is for some reason going through all the audio of the incident, as well as audio of Weldon Boyd interacting with his family, friends, cop buddies, feels differently. The reporting here tries to get to the truth of the matter.
Two must-listen podcast episodes from 2025
“The Auralyn” (with Blair Braverman), You’re Wrong About
Adventurer Blair Braverman is building a mini-survival podcast on the You’re Wrong About feed. (If stories about the lives of Baby Jessica, Chris McCandless, or the 1972 Uruguayan plane crash interest you, search her name in the archive.) “The Auralyn” is one of her best: Blair’s telling of the story of Maurice and Maralyn Bailey, a couple who in 1972 miraculously survived 118 days adrift on a tiny rubber liferaft in the Pacific Ocean after their yacht was destroyed. Obviously this is a story about survival, but more importantly, it's about what buoys us, and what gives us the strength to survive, whether that be on a raft adrift at sea, or just through the course of a regular bad day.
“Kevin,” Heavyweight
On Heavyweight, Jonathan Goldstein acts as a detective who helps people resolve issues from their past. In this episode we meet “Kevin,” who had a cinematically terrible childhood. He had two friends who kind of saved his life, or at least his sanity, during these hard years, but one day they disappeared, so Jonathan set out to find them. Are they OK? Do they even remember Kevin? This episode has all the pieces of a compelling podcast: a wonderful storyteller in Kevin, a heart-wrenching narrative, a real chance at closure, and a resolution that isn’t easy to explain.
The Entire 'Planet of the Apes' Franchise Explained in 10 Infographics
Dec. 8th, 2025 06:00 pmlifehacker_feedFor more than half a century, audiences have been captivated by the Planet of the Apes—a sprawling sci-fi epic that spans at least three timelines, 3,000 years of history, and a franchise that includes 10 feature films, two TV series, three video games, and dozens of comics and novels. Whether you're a long-time fan trying to make sense of the lore or a newcomer wondering how a talking chimpanzee led to a post-apocalyptic planet dominated by primates, I’ve laid out the Planet of the Apes series by release order, chronological continuity, critical and commercial reception, the technological milestones of ape civilizations, and more.
This is your illustrated guide to the rise (and fall... and rise again, and fall, etc.) of the Planet of the Apes.
What is the Planet of the Apes?
Planet of the Apes is one of the strangest, most ambitious, and longest-running film franchises in cinema history. Films in the series vary wildly in quality, ambition, competence, and style, but all Apes movies, from the 1968 original to 2024’s Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, share a narrative focus: a world-shaking conflict between humans and intelligent apes.
Every Planet of the Apes movie, in chronological order
The original saga (1968–1973)
Planet of the Apes (1968): Based on Pierre Boulle’s 1963 sci-fi novel La Planète des Singes, 1968’s Planet of the Apes tells the story of astronaut George Taylor, who crash lands on what he thinks is a distant planet where apes are intelligent and in charge, and the people are dumb slaves.
Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970): While star Charlton Heston appears in the film briefly, Beneath the Planet of the Apes is really the story of Brent, an astronaut who’s been sent to rescue Taylor.
Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971): You’d think the annihilation of the entire planet would end the Planet of the Apes series, but no: In Escape, Cornelius, Zira, and Dr. Milo manage to flee the planet on Taylor’s ship before the doomsday bomb explodes; the trio time-travel to 1973.
Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972): The last two old-school Planet of the Apes movies had lower budgets than their predecessors, and it definitely shows. Lore-wise, Conquest presents a divergent narrative path to explain the development of ape intelligence and other events.
Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973): In the years since the Ape rebellion in Conquest, a nuclear war has killed most humans; humans and ape relations are good enough, but the fragile detente is broken by human-hating gorilla Aldo.
The Burton reboot (2001)
Planet of the Apes (2001): After a nearly 30-year hiatus, 2001’s Apes is a thematically and tonally uneven summer blockbuster featuring a by-the-numbers plot, mid-tier action, and an ending that confuses everyone. (The makeup and production design are top-notch, though.)
The modern quadrilogy (2011–2024)
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011): This movie blows the dust off the hoary old apes and breathes fresh creative life into a moribund franchise; Rise is a film packed with both action and dignity.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014): Dawn takes place about a decade after the events of the last movie, and apes are definitely on the come-up: It features the most nuanced (and most depressing) take on the conflict between species.
War for the Planet of the Apes (2017): If the message of Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is “war is inevitable…,” the message of War for the Planet of the Apes is “..and war is hell.” It's a grim movie.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024): Kingdom explores an ape-dominated world where the few humans left are brainless scavengers (or so it seems). It doesn’t break new ground the way Rise did, but Kingdom opens the way for more Planet of the Apes sequels in the future.
Geographic location of each Planet of the Apes movie
Over more than five decades of films, Planet of the Apes has taken audiences from the shattered ruins of New York City to the tranquil redwood forests of Northern California, and even to entirely different worlds (maybe). This map tracks the primary settings of each movie, showing how the saga’s conflicts play out across Earth.
Who traveled where in time?
From astronauts overshooting the present by millennia, to apes hurtling back to the 20th century’s hippy era, time travel is integral to the Planet of the Apes, so lets take a look at the franchise’s major temporal tourists, charting when they left, when they arrived, and just how far they jumped.
The complicated chronology of the Planet of the Apes
If you’re considering a watch order for the Planet of the Apes, "in order by chronology" is the worst option—the Apes timeline is simply all over the place. While there are a few moments in the modern quadrilogy (2011–2024) that suggest the films are prequels to the original pentalogy (1968–1973), these are ultimately fan-service Easter eggs; the two series just don’t connect unless you get very creative with time-travel loops and offscreen assumptions. Hell, the first five films don’t connect with themselves unless you get creative with time-travel. So, I got creative with time travel to break down the major historical milestones in the Planet of the Apes Universe, across three timelines. (Four, if you count the self-contained 2001 Planet.)
Here are the Planet of the Apes movies listed in order of the year that each one takes place:
Critical reception of Planet of the Apes movies
Critics have a love-hate relationship with Planet of the Apes movies. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the “best” Apes movie is War for the Planet of the Apes, which was praised by 94% of critics. The “worst” is Battle for the Planet of the Apes, with only 33% positivity. That’s a big spread!
How much money did each Planet of the Apes movie make?
Critical acceptance is great; but in cynical Hollywood terms, the only measure of a good movie is how much money it makes. By that metric, the “best” Apes movie is the 2001 reboot, Planet of the Apes. Despite mixed review, the movie made $328,049,530.32 in domestic ticket sales (adjusted for inflation), which is even more than the original and the 2014 blockbuster Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.
A who’s-who of ape leadership
Any society is defined by its leaders, including ape society, so here is a breakdown of the doctors, generals, and tribal chiefs who have ruled the apes over the last 50 years.
Dr. Zaius (Planet of the Apes, Beneath the Planet of the Apes): An orangutan Minister of Science and Defender of the Faith who balances political control with the fear of humanity’s return.
General Ursus (Beneath the Planet of the Apes): This violent gorilla warlord never encountered a problem he couldn’t meet with violence.
Dr. Zira (Escape from the Planet of the Apes, 1970): A compassionate and sharp-witted chimpanzee thrust into the role of cultural ambassador between societies on the verge of war, Dr. Zira is the defacto leader of a small band of ape time-travelers.
Caesar (Conquest of the Planet of the Apes, Battle for the Planet of the Apes): The original Caesar is a fiery revolutionary who transforms ape resentment into a successful uprising against humanity.
General Thade (Planet of the Apes, 2001): A sadistic and cunning chimpanzee general obsessed with wiping out humanity.
Caesar (Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, War for the Planet of the Apes): A hyper-intelligent chimp raised by humans, Caesar’s combination of tactical brilliance, political savvy, raw charisma, and genuine compassion for both apes and humans make him the best overall ape leader.
Koba (2014, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes): A bitter, scarred veteran of human torture and hero of the ape revolution, Koba has been through some shit.
Proximus Caesar (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes): An iron-fisted militarist who twists the past to justify authoritarian rule, Proximus Caesar rules through fear and historical revisionism.
Ape technological and intellectual milestones by movie
Across the Planet of the Apes films, the ever-shifting balance of power between apes and humans often comes down to brains as much as brawn. Each installment shows apes using technologies, social systems, and tactics that they’ve either developed or borrowed from humans. From crude tools and simple rules to heavy artillery and complex political structures, these milestones mark the evolving capabilities of ape society over the decades (and timelines) of the franchise. Here's a breakdown of the technological highlights of ape society in each movie.
Ape-adjacent TV shows, video games, comic books and movies
If ten feature films isn't enough Apes for you, there's plenty more material out there. The Ape-verse began with a novel, and has grown to include a live-action TV series, a cartoon series, three video games, and dozens of novelizations and comic books.
My Favorite Amazon Deal of the Day: The M4 iPad Pro
Dec. 8th, 2025 04:30 pmlifehacker_feedWe may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.
Apple has been top dog in the premium tablet space for years, and the iPad Pro with an M4 chip released last year solidified their dominance. If you've been waiting for a discount on the best-performing tablet you can get, the decked out 1TB M4 iPad Pro is $600 off and a great deal compared to the other variations. You can get the 13-inch 1TB wifi and cellular version for $1,499.97 (originally $2,099.99), the lowest price it has been since, according to price-tracking tools. To put this deal into perspective, the 256GB cellular version is $1,299 (originally $1,499), making the upgrade to four times the storage just $200. The smaller 11-inch sizes are also discounted, but not as much as the 13-inch 1TB cellular version.
Samsung's One UI 8.5 Beta Is Now Officially Available
Dec. 8th, 2025 04:00 pmlifehacker_feedIf you're getting bored with your Galaxy phone, there are changes on the horizon. Samsung announced One UI 8.5 on Monday, Dec. 8, the latest update for Galaxy devices. At present, this new update is only out in beta, but select Galaxy users can try it out right now. Here's what's new, according to Samsung.
Proactive Quick Share
With One UI 8.5, Quick Share can automatically identify people in photos. While that sounds a bit creepy, the idea is to proactively offer sharing recommendations to the people who are featured in any given photo. Say you hit Quick Share on a family photo you took over the weekend. Rather than manually enter all of the contacts you'd like to share that image with, the feature can identify each, and automatically suggest sending the image to those contacts. It should speed up sharing pictures with groups of people after you take them, but, again, a little unsettling.
Photo Assist updates
The Gallery app's Photo Assist feature is getting some upgrades in One UI 8.5. As of this version, Photo Assist now supports "uninterrupted editing." That means you can make your AI-generated edits without needing to save in between each change. Previously, each edit would produce an entirely new image, so this makes the feature a bit more like a traditional photo editor. In addition, you'll be able to view all of the AI images you made in your edit history, and choose the one you like the most.
Side note: Samsung says Photo Assist's Generate Edit feature requires an internet connection as well as a Samsung Account login. The feature also places a watermark on the image, so other people will know it was manipulated or generated with AI.
Audio Broadcast
One UI 8.5 now supports sharing audio to other devices via Auracast, following Google's wider support for the standard back in September. If you have any LE Audio-supported devices, like headphones or speakers, you can use Audio Broadcast to share media from your Galaxy. This isn't limited to music, podcasts, or audio from videos, either, as Samsung says you can also broadcast your Galaxy's microphone to LE Audio devices, too.
This feature is limited to Galaxy S25 devices, even after One UI 8.5 rolls out to other Galaxy phones.
Storage Share
If you have a number of Samsung Galaxy devices, you might find Storage Share useful. This One UI 8.5 feature lets you manage your files across other devices, including tablets, PCs and even TVs, in the My Files app on your smartphone.
Enhanced Security Controls
Samsung is also expanding One UI's security features with this latest beta. The company is rolling out updates to Theft Protection with One UI 8.5, an existing feature that can lock your device if it's lost or stolen. That way, whoever picks it up won't have access to your data, or won't be able to erase the device and set it up as their own. In that same vein, Samsung is also launching Failed Authentication Lock, which locks the display after too many failed verification attempts. If a thief tries too many PIN combinations, or the fingerprint scanner fails too many times, your screen will lock them out.
How to try the beta on your Galaxy
While you can apply for the beta program today, first, consider the risks. Like all beta software, this version of One UI is currently in testing, which means there may be bugs and glitches that could interrupt your experience using your smartphone. If you understand these risks (and back up all important information ahead of time), here's what you need to know.
First, this beta is only open for Galaxy S25 users in the U.S., Germany, India, Korea, Poland, and the UK. If you have an S24 or older, you'll need to wait for Samsung to roll out the One UI 8.5 beta more widely, or for the full release down the line.
Next, you'll need to apply to join the beta from the Samsung Members app. If you don't have the app yet, download it from the Play Store, then follow the instructions to enroll in the beta.
He won't rest until a Los Angeles art museum returns a bust stolen from our State House
Dec. 8th, 2025 02:41 pmuniversalhub_feedChris Faraone explains why it's important for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art to return the bust of early education reformer Charles Brooks by Thomas Crawford that somebody stole. The bust wound up auctioned off, some rich couple somehow obtained it, then donated it to LACMA.
How to Spot a ‘Sleeper’ Browser Extension That’s Actually Malware
Dec. 8th, 2025 02:00 pmlifehacker_feedMalicious extensions do occasionally find their way into the Chrome Web Store (and similar libraries in other browsers) by posing as legitimate add-ons. They are particularly difficult to catch when they are benign to begin with, only morphing into malware after gaining user trust.
That's what happened with a number of extensions on Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge: researchers at Koi Security identified add-ons across both browsers that operated legitimately for several years before receiving malicious updates that allow hackers to surveil users and collect and exfiltrate sensitive data. The scheme, known as ShadyPanda, reached four million downloads and is still active on Edge.
Threat actors ran a similar campaign targeting Firefox earlier this year: They gained approval for benign extensions mimicking popular crypto wallets, accumulated downloads and positive reviews, and then injected the add-ons with malicious code capable of logging form field inputs, which they used to access and steal crypto assets.
Browser extensions can turn bad
As Koi Security outlines, ShadyPanda started out as an affiliate scam, with 145 extensions masquerading as wallpaper and productivity apps across the two browsers. The initial phase injected affiliate tracking codes and paid commissions with clicks to eBay, Amazon, and Booking.com and then evolved to hijack and manipulate search results before launching the five extensions in 2018 that would later be converted to malware.
Those add-ons were marked as Featured and Verified in Chrome—one, a cache cleaner known as Clean Master, accrued a 4.8 rating from thousands of reviews. The extensions were updated in 2024 to run malware that could check hourly for new instructions and maintain full browser access, feeding information to ShadyPanda's servers. (These have since been removed from Chrome.)
Hackers launched an additional five extensions, including WeTab, to Edge in 2023. Two are comprehensive spyware, and all were still active as of Koi's report.
How to find malicious extensions in Chrome and Edge
Unfortunately, malicious extensions are usually pretending to be something else, so a quick visual check of your installed extensions may not reveal a problem. In this case, Koi Security has a list of the extension IDs associated with the ShadyPanda campaign, and you'll have to search for them one by one.
In Chrome, type chrome://extensions/ into your address bar and hit Enter. Toggle on Developer mode in the top-right corner to reveal the IDs for installed extensions. From here, you can copy and paste each ID into the search bar (Ctrl+F on your PC or Cmd+F on your Mac). If there are no results, your browser is safe. If you do find a malicious add-on, click the Remove button. In Edge, follow the same process from edge://extensions/.
While this campaign shows that extensions can be weaponized long after they've been installed, you should still follow best practices for vetting browser add-ons just as you would apps for your device. Check the name carefully, as fraudulent extensions often have names that are nearly identical to trustworthy ones. Review the description for any red flags, such as misspellings and unrelated images. If you see a lot of positive reviews in a short amount of time on a new extension, or if they seem to be reviewing something else entirely, proceed with caution. You can also do additional research, such as a search on Google or Reddit, to see if the extension is legit.
Use the 'MIT Method' to Keep Your Big-Picture Goals in Mind During Everyday Tasks
Dec. 8th, 2025 01:30 pmlifehacker_feedSo many productivity methods ask you to prioritize your daily tasks by considering how much time or effort they'll require, then tackling the resource-heavy ones first. For some people, that's a solid strategy, since you can definitely get some motivation from getting your toughest, most demanding responsibilities out of the way. There's even a weird name for doing that: "Eating the frog." But you can also find motivation in working toward a bigger goal, so what if you prioritized your tasks based on importance and impact, no matter how big or small they are?
That's what the Most Important Task (MIT) method involves: rather than thinking of specific tasks and how long they'll take, the MIT method asks you to look more broadly at the overall goal you're trying to accomplish. Reframing your approach to productivity by focusing on your goal instead can motivate you to get more done and achieve better results.
How to use the MIT method
First, you'll need to nail down your goals. You can set SMART goals or combine the MIT method with the Results Planning Method (RPM), which asks you to consider your purpose when planning your day. Take some time to write down your goals—the big ones, the ones that all your daily tasks are ostensibly supposed to move you toward. Think of weekly goals, monthly goals, and annual goals, as well as ongoing, long-term ones. Write these down or just keep them in mind, but always think about the broader, bigger picture. An easy example is school: You're not just studying so you can pass the test, but because your overall goal is to graduate, to do so with a solid GPA, and to get a quality job offer. Taking time to reaffirm that broader goal reframes how you view studying for one boring old test.
Every morning, make a list of two or three Most Important Tasks for the day. These are critical tasks that will have an impact on your goals, but they don't have to be huge or resource-draining. If answering emails from a potential client will move you toward a monthly sales goal, that is more of an MIT goal than building a presentation for your boss, even though creating the presentation seems like the more demanding, large-scale project. Consider the results of your tasks and prioritize those that have fast or meaningful ones. You want to focus on the two or three tasks that will actually make a difference in moving you toward your goal.
Take care of those two or three tasks first, then handle other, less important tasks from your to-do list for the rest of the day. You can use a scheduling technique like the 1-3-5 list or the pickle jar method to figure out which those are and how much time and energy you'll have for them. When using the MIT technique, you should also use a productivity journal to write down your daily to-dos in the morning and reflections on how it all went at night. If you're not familiar, learn how to conduct an after-action review so you have some structure to follow while reflecting and you can efficiently build on whatever takeaways you find. That nighttime reflection is key: You need to be able to identify and see how taking on those critical tasks impacts your progress toward your goal, plus what you did well and what you could do better as you keep striving. That will keep you motivated and moving forward.
Two Productivity Techniques That Can Help You Do More (by Actually Doing Less)
Dec. 8th, 2025 01:00 pmlifehacker_feedNot every productivity method works for every person. That's why there are so many out there, and it's also why you need to spend time figuring out which ones might work for you, even if you have to alter or adapt them a little bit. When you're facing down an unusually big or overwhelming task, the traditional methods that you usually rely on may not be helpful. Why not try a one-two punch, combining two I like a lot to make it easier?
The "one bite" technique
First, let's try the one-bite technique. This takes a little pre-planning, but can help you out when a task feels daunting. Grab a piece of paper (or use a digital document) and write down your task. Let's say it's leading a quarterly meeting at work. Next, break it down into the smaller tasks that make it up, which could be coordinating the attendees, setting an agenda, making sure the tech and meeting space are order, and keeping track of what is said during the meeting.
From there, keep breaking it all down. Coordinating attendees means not only sending out calendar invites, but determining who should get one and staying on top of the lists of who accepted and declined, as well as sending out or scheduling meeting reminders for everyone. Determining the agenda means checking in with presenters and managers on what they're able to present as well as simply writing down a list of topics to go over and allotting the right amount of time to each. Checking on the tech and meeting space mean coordinating with IT, renting the meeting room, checking that your digital meeting space subscription is paid up, and ensuring you'll have enough seats for all attendees. Keeping track of what is said involves designating a note-taker, making sure the AI transcription service is paid for and functioning, setting up a recording system, and creating a timeline and work flow to make sure minutes are distributed to necessary parties in a timely, efficient way when the meeting ends.
Obviously, when you take on the responsibility of setting up a meeting, you know these are all the things you'll need to do, but if you look at the task as one big thing—"run the meeting"—instead of consciously breaking it down into smaller duties, you're more likely to get overwhelmed. This is true for everything, from planning a vacation to cleaning the house. Training yourself to break tasks down into smaller "bites" instead of just launching into work on the larger product will not only help you keep everything running smoothly, but will motivate you, too: As you see smaller tasks getting done, you'll feel accomplished and prepared to keep going.
This is similar to the "one more" trick, which asks you to consider whether you can do "one more" thing every time you mark off a small accomplishment. I use "one more" when I'm cleaning now that I have consistently failed for years to follow a stricter cleaning schedule—and it works fabulously. Acquainting yourself with the various ways tasks can be broken down and approached can help you in your personal, professional, academic, and social lives. Below is another way you can do that if you're focusing on "bites" and need a touch of structure for your next steps.
The "reverse Pomodoro" technique
Breaking down the "bites" of your task isn't enough. You do have to actually complete the bites. When there's a lot to do, it can be hard to make yourself do it or know where to start.
You have to start by determining the order in which you'll tackle your bites. There are a few easy ways to do this with the easiest being the ABCDE method (where you assign subjective grades to each duty quickly, then start working), and a more complex, but objective, option being the Eisenhower matrix. Pick one and just get it done because you have to get started on the bites.
If you were using a traditional productivity technique, like the Pomodoro method, you'd start off by working for 25 minutes straight and then taking a five-minute break. That can be daunting, though. Frankly, 25 minutes is a lot of time when you're stressed, even if you've figured out a loose gameplan with one of the prioritization techniques above.
Instead, try the "reverse Pomodoro" method, which is just like its namesake, except switched around. Instead of working for 25 minutes and getting a tiny break, you work for five, then get a big break. It might seem counterproductive since working for five minutes and relaxing for 20 or 25 means you have a lot of downtime, but it's helpful if you're truly having a hard time getting into the flow of working. People who've tried this method praise it for helping them take the anxiety out of working on a big project because even though there's a lot of chilling out, work is getting done in those five minutes. Eventually, once you have a few tasks completed, you'll be feeling better about the project overall. Don't be surprised if you suddenly feel like you can slog it out for longer than five minutes at a time and slowly move into a more traditional Pomodoro framework to finish up the task. To be honest with you, it's a bit of a mental trick and is similar to the "one more" rule mentioned above. Whenever I tell myself I'll just do one thing, then chill, I always end up doing much more just because I feel more accomplished after the first few minutes. If you have to bamboozle your brain a little, so be it.
You can reap maximum benefits here by first breaking down your task into those small bites, then completing one bite per reverse-Pomodoro work slot. It's five minutes to email the meeting invitation, then a break. Five minutes to have IT check out the tech connections in the meeting room, then a break. Five minutes to draw up a schedule and pass it around, then a break. It's not cheating to focus on your downtime, especially if you're not being productive enough when you try to work for 25 minutes straight. In fact, breaks and downtime are essential to productivity overall. It's better to get something done than nothing and once you start racking up those somethings, you'll feel motivated to sprint to the finish line.
Put your circuits in the sea
Dec. 8th, 2025 02:58 amsovayspatch and I have finally just finished the first series of BBC Ghosts (2019–23), during which he pointed out to me the half of the cast that had been on Taskmaster. I recognized a guest-starring Sophie Thompson.This article on the megaliths of Orkney got Dave Goulder stuck in my head, especially once one of the archaeologists interviewed compared the Ring of Brodgar to sandstone pages. "They may not have been intended to last millennia, but, now that they have, they are stone doors through which the living try to touch the dead."
I wish a cult image of fish-tailed Artemis had existed at Phigalia, hunting pack of seals and all.
Any year now some part of my health could just fix itself a little, as a treat.
Boston loses an artist, Napoleon Jones-Henderson
Dec. 8th, 2025 04:07 amuniversalhub_feed
Napoleon Jones-Henderson during during Roxbury Open Studios, Oct. 7, 2023. Photo by Greg Cook.
Greg Cook reports the death of Napoleon Jones-Henderson, who helped start the AfriCOBRA artists collective in Chicago in the 1960s before moving to Boston, where he taught art and worked in a variety of media to chronicle and portray the Black and African experience.
"He was an eminence," Cook writes of Henderson, 82. "He was so cool."
Among his more public works is "Roxbury Rhapsody," a tile celebration of life in the neighborhood that is installed in the Bolling Building in Nubian Square. Video about the mural's creation by Clennon L. King.
Three sought for knifepoint holdup of market on Marcella Street in Roxbury
Dec. 8th, 2025 12:28 amuniversalhub_feed
Surveillance photos of suspects via BPD.
Boston Police report they are looking for three guys, possibly from the Heath Street area, who held up the Marcella Market, 80 Marcella St. in Roxbury at knifepoint around 4:40 p.m. on Friday.
Preliminary information indicates that three suspects entered the store, and one suspect brandished a knife. Two of the suspects then went behind the counter and stole various smoking items and vapes. All three suspects fled on foot on Marcella Street toward Centre Street.
If any of them look familiar, you can call detectives at 617-343-4275 or contact the anonymous tip line by calling 800-494-TIPS or by texting TIP to CRIME (27463).
Reach out and touch someone
Dec. 7th, 2025 09:58 pmuniversalhub_feed
There's been this empty payphone stand at the Roslindale Village train station for years. For awhile, somebody filled the forlorn assemblage with bouquets of fake flowers. More recently, somebody mounted a wall-mounted push-button phone. The intrepid UHub Mobile Action News Unit picked up the handset this afternoon, but didn't get a dial tone.
Wu turns to Reddit to explain property-tax proposal
Dec. 7th, 2025 06:29 pmuniversalhub_feedMayor Wu is in the middle of an Ask Me Anything session on Boston Reddit - she explained the Boston's request to the legislature to let it temporarily change a higher than otherwise allowed tax rate on large commercial properties to help homeowners, people asked questions, she says she'll post answers on Monday.
universalhub_feedKrista Kranyak Chalfin, who opened the pioneering farm-to-table Ten Tables on Centre Street 25 years ago, writes today that "it's time to turn the page" and that restaurant's last service will be Dec. 31 - but that then she'll be getting the space ready for a new dining concept:
I’m closing this chapter with immense gratitude - for every guest who squeezed into one of our tiny table tops, every farmer who showed up at the back door, and every member of our team who poured their heart into this restaurant.
In this same beloved space, I’ll be reimagining what comes next: a new concept that honors the intentional, crafted, and change-making purpose that is my passion. I can’t wait to share more soon.
Riders brace for Green Line bustitution
Dec. 7th, 2025 05:21 pmuniversalhub_feedAllstonia sums up the two weeks of Green Line disruption that start tomorrow for no doubt much needed repairs that just couldn't wait until after the Christmas shopping season.
Happiness Sunday: Finding a Book You Once Loved All Over Again
Dec. 7th, 2025 09:50 amjennycrusie_feedPeople I trust have been telling me I need serious help mentally, and who am I to argue? But it made me think about Jane Wagner’s marvelous book from the 80’s, The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe which has what might be my favorite quote of all time (although it has serious competition for “All right then, I’ll go to hell”).
““I made some studies, and reality is the leading cause of stress amongst those in touch with it. I can take it in small doses, but as a lifestyle, I found it too confining. It was just too needful; it expected me to be there for it all the time, and with all I have to do–I had to let something go.”
And that’s pretty much where I am now. I think that’s where a lot of authors are. It’s not like we’re good at reality. If we were, we wouldn’t have to make up new ones to live in for awhile.
Jane Wagner made me happy again after all these years.
What made you happy this week?
universalhub_feedA disgusted resident files a 311 complaint about an out-of-state luxury car parked in a resident-only space on Joy Street at Myrtle Street on Beacon Hill on Saturday afternoon:
Car brazenly parked in dwindling resident parking in Beacon Hill with CT plate and no sticker. Is it owning the BMW, or perhaps something else, that is responsible for the driver not thinking about anyone else and deciding the rules don’t apply to them? Uncertain but perhaps a rare consequence would be instructive.
Sure as the morning light when frigid love and fallen doves take flight
Dec. 6th, 2025 10:47 pmsovayrushthatspeaks in a reading of The Invention of Love (1997) in memoriam Tom Stoppard with a Discord group that does a different play every week. I was assigned Moses Jackson, the straightest himbo ever to play a sport. I consider it a triumph for the profession that I did not catch on fire enthusing about field athletics.When I read in passing that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (1966) had begun life as a one-act comedy entitled Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Meet King Lear, I went to fact-check this assertion immediately because it sounded like a joke, you know, like one of the great tragedies of the English stage starting out as the farcical Romeo and Ethel the Pirate's Daughter and then a ringing sound in my ears indicated that the penny had dropped.
Speaking of, I have seen going around the quotation from Arcadia (1993) on the destruction and endurance of history:
We shed as we pick up, like travellers who must carry everything in their arms, and what we let fall will be picked up by those behind. The procession is very long and life is very short. We die on the march. But there is nothing outside the march so nothing can be lost to it. The missing plays of Sophocles will turn up piece by piece, or be written again in another language. Ancient cures for diseases will reveal themselves once more. Mathematical discoveries glimpsed and lost to view will have their time again. You do not suppose, my lady, that if all of Archimedes had been hiding in the great library of Alexandria, we would be at a loss for a corkscrew?
Stoppard was not supposed to have known the full extent of his Jewishness until midlife, but it is such a diasporic way of thinking, the convergent echo of Emeric Pressburger is difficult for me not to hear. I keep writing of the coins in the field, everything that time gives back, if not always to those who lost it.
universalhub_feed
Photos via Transit PD.
Transit Police report they are looking for a guy they say undid his pants on both the Red and the Blue lines over a 45-minute period on Monday.
If Mr. Alleged Open and Gross looks familiar, contact detectives, anonymously if you prefer, at 617-222-1050.
universalhub_feed
Jpshipley was among the people caught in a traffic jam caused by the driver of an 18-wheeler who realized in time early this afternoon that his rig was not going to fit in the Callahan Tunnel.
Typically, when that happens, State Police arrive, open up the Backup of Shame ramp up from the tunnel entrance and then slowly direct the driver to back up to the surface.
It probably wasn't Flight 33 buzzing parts of Boston and Brookline early this morning
Dec. 6th, 2025 03:01 pmuniversalhub_feedBetween midnight and 1 a.m., people in Roslindale, Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury and South Brookline couldn't get to sleep - or were jolted out of their sleep - because of a low-flying plane that just kept circling, circling, circling.
What appeared to be a small propeller plane first circled Medford, Belmont and Somerville after doing the same over the North End and Charlestown a couple times, starting around 11:30 p.m. The pilot then headed south for an hour's worth of flying in circles over people who started calling 911 - which had no idea - and wondering what the hell was going on.
In the Keep Roslindale Quirky Facebook group, speculation ranged from somebody practicing night flying to State Police running a Stingray phone device to tap into somebody's phone calls. The State Police have a Cessna in their air wing.
One odd thing about the plane is that it wasn't showing up on a couple of the more popular flight-tracker sites, although it did make appearances on one called ADS-B Exchange.
Argh Author: Carrie Nichols’
Dec. 6th, 2025 09:54 amjennycrusie_feed
Our own Carrie Nichols had a book out in August, right before I broke my butt and I am trying to catch up now, so huge apologies to Carrie.
About the book:
He knows how to be brave on a battlefield
Now he has to be brave with his heart
Years of military service taught decorated veteran Braden Sullivan how to be strong. It didn’t teach him how to be vulnerable. Back in his Oregon hometown, with a job as a helicopter pilot and a two-family home to renovate, he’s not at all prepared for his heart to take flight after meeting his tenant, Cassie Donovan. The widowed single mom is beautiful, charming…and terrified of loving another pilot after losing her husband in a crash. Overcoming her fears and his own uncertainties will take courage—but isn’t that what a hero soldier is for?
Learn more at https://carrienichols.com
The buy links are:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Heros-Return-Widowed-Finding-Forever-ebook/dp/B0DP2YR5CF
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-heros-return-carrie-nichols/1146592438?ean=9780369773173
What does it do when we're asleep?
Dec. 6th, 2025 01:53 amsovayspatch's anniversary gift to me was a paperback of Satoshi Yagisawa's Days at the Morisaki Bookshop (trans. Eric Ozawa, 2010/2023). It was teeth-shockingly cold and we all but ran with our spoils back to the car.( Twenty-four hours every day. )
We had set out in search of resplendent food and found it in polpette that reminded us of the North End, a richly smoky rigatoni with ragù of deep-braised lamb, and a basil-decorated, fanciest eggplant parmesan I have encountered in my life, capped with panna cotta in a tumble of wintrily apt pomegranate seeds. Hestia investigated delicately but dangerously. After we had recovered, Rob showed me Powwow Highway (1989) right before it expired from the unreliable buffer of TCM because he thought and was right that I would love its anger and gentleness and hereness, plus its '64 Buick which has already gone on beyond Bluesmobile by the time it is discovered in a field of clunkers and a vision of ponies. It has no budget and so much of the world. As long as we're in it, we might as well be real.
universalhub_feedGBH reports on what happened at Faneuil Hall on Thursday.
She showed up as scheduled, and when she arrived, officers were asking everyone what country they were from, and if they said a certain country, they were told to step out of line and that their oath ceremonies were canceled.
These Noise-Canceling JBL Headphones Are Nearly Half Off Right Now
Dec. 5th, 2025 09:30 pmlifehacker_feedWe may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.
If you missed out on all the best headphone deals during Black Friday, there are still some bargains to be found, including on these JBL Tune 770NC wireless headphones, currently $80 from Amazon, 47% off the usual $150 price tag. They’re a solid choice for anyone seeking over-ear headphones with decent noise cancellation and that signature JBL sound.
According PCMag's review, these headphones offer a “sculpted sound signature with palpable bass,” which you can tweak using the adjustable in-app EQ. Long battery life is a major perk: They should last up to 70 hours with ANC off, letting you go at least a week of heavy use between charges. They also have Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and multipoint pairing, as well as three different ambient modes and a built-in mic for calls.
The 770NCs come in three colors, and the design is lightweight and foldable, with generous cushioning and a padded headband. While control buttons are responsive, they can be tricky to distinguish by feel, and PCMag notes that controls can be sensitive to misfires. The adaptive noise cancellation likewise isn’t top-tier; while it will reduce outside sound, it doesn’t do much against low-frequency noise.
Those caveats aside, if you want comfortable, long-lasting over-ear headphones with bass-y sound for a budget price (and you don’t need best-in-class noise cancellation), the JBL Tune 770NC wireless headphones land firmly in the “good enough” category, and deliver strong value at the current 47% discount.
The Best Sales on Headphones and Earbuds Right Now
Dec. 5th, 2025 09:00 pmlifehacker_feedWe may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.
Finding a pair of headphones or earbuds that meets your needs exactly—whether you’re using them at the gym, while working from home, or even when showering—doesn’t have to mean shelling out a ton of money. The best of them can be really expensive, yes—but if you're a patient shopper, you can usually find a good deal on just about any pair of headphones.
Here are the best deals, discounts, and sales you can find on earbuds and headphones right now. I'll be regularly updating this story with the best offers, but given these prices can change at any time, I would advise you not to wait if you spot one that fits your needs and budget.
This Surprisingly Convincing Phishing Scam Imitates Apple Support
Dec. 5th, 2025 08:00 pmlifehacker_feedYou may have a keen eye for spotting scams, but fraudsters are finding new ways to weaponize trusted systems to avoid detection. For example, threat actors are generating real Apple support tickets to phish two-factor authentication (2FA) codes and gain access to iCloud accounts.
The scheme, detailed on Medium by a security researcher and software product manager Eric Moret, shows how social engineering tactics can sow just enough fear and confusion to trick even those who know the red flags. (The money transfer scam that conned a financial advice columnist out of $50,000 is another example.)
How scammers are exploiting Apple's support system
The Apple support scam started with a text message from Apple containing a 2FA code, followed by verification notifications across devices, indicating that someone was trying to log into Moret's account. He then received an automated call from Apple with another 2FA code. The text was delivered from a five-digit short code, and the call from a toll-free number, both of which are used by legitimate businesses and not necessarily red flags of a scam.
The next call, however, came from an Atlanta-based 404 phone number. The caller claimed to be from Apple Support, stated that Moret's account was under attack, and assured him that they were opening up a support ticket. During a follow-up call lasting 25 minutes, Moret received a real Apple Support case confirmation via email (it turns out anyone can create an Apple support ticket in someone else's name) and was directed to reset his iCloud password.
He was then sent a link via text—from the 404 number this time—to close the ticket. After clicking through, Moret was directed to a phishing website that spoofed a real Apple page (the URL was appeal-apple[dot]com), where he was prompted to enter a 6-digit 2FA code he'd just received via text. An email to his inbox then alerted him that an unknown Mac mini had been used to sign into his iCloud account, which the rep on the phone told him was "expected as part of the security process" and "standard procedure."
Moret then immediately reset his iCloud password again to kick the unauthorized device off.
It may be easy in hindsight to see the signs: the unsolicited call about an urgent security issue, the 404 number, the phishing link that isn't a real Apple subdomain, the request for an authentication code. But the Apple support ticket—with a real case number and official emails from apple.com domains—lent just enough credibility, and the multiple 2FA notifications just enough urgency, to work.
That's the problem with social engineering. It manipulates emotions and instincts that are stronger than logic and reason, leading to actions that are not in our interest.
How to stay safe
As always, you should be wary of anyone who calls, texts, or emails you about a security or account issue, even if you have received real security alerts or they have a legitimate case number. Don't click links, enter credentials, or provide codes when prompted by these unsolicited callers. Don't accept reassurance from anyone on the phone, no matter how calm and confident they sound.
If you are concerned, you should reach out directly using trusted contact information or open support tickets yourself. Always check URLs and subdomains carefully, as hackers can play tricks to make them look legit.
Also, know that simply having 2FA enabled isn't enough to keep your accounts secure. Some forms are (obviously) easily phished, so if possible, you should use a multi-factor authentication method like a hardware key or WebAuthn credentials (biometrics and passkeys) rather than codes.
I’m a Deals Writer, and These Are the Top 10 Tech Deals This Week
Dec. 5th, 2025 07:30 pmlifehacker_feedWe may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.
As Lifehacker's tech deals writer, I'm always looking for the best bargains on TVs, speakers, laptops, and other tech. Now that it's Friday, I've gathered together this week's sales highlights, all of which I've vetted using my favorite price-tracking tools to make sure they are actually good deals. This week, you can find great sales on the Nintendo Switch 2, OLED TVs, AirPods, MacBooks, Kindles, and more.
A day’s worth of food prep
Dec. 5th, 2025 01:57 pmmagidI thought about a grocery run, but decided in the end to make do with what’s around (I’ll need to go next week, because I’m now out of non-garlic alliums). After all the turkey, the thought of pareve food was pretty appealing. I thought about beans and greens, and a vegetable pie. Chef Google brought me to some blog posts about Deeper ’n Ever Turnip ’n Tater ’n Beetroot Pie, and the idea of trying my first hot water pastry crust (inspired by The Great British Baking Show) came to me as well. All good, but then I had to figure out the correct order of operations: I have only one pareve soup pot, and I needed to do six things before the soup that would stay in the pot.
I figured it out overnight, in a way to minimize potential waste.
Make a half-batch of seitan dough using umami seasoning, smoked paprika, and shepherd’s herb mix.
Boil some water. Dice then parboil some purple-top turnips*. Dice some potatoes*. Take out the turnips. Parboil the potatoes. Dice some carrots*. Take out the potatoes. Parboil the carrots. Dice the beets* (a mix of golden and red). Take out the carrots. Parboil the beets. Take out the beets.
Add some soy sauce and umami seasoning to the boiling water in the pot, then add pieces of seitan and boil for half an hour.
Once the seitan cooled in its liquid, move everything to other containers.
Clean the pot.
Start plain water boiling with some Earth Balance, then use that to make a hot water dough. Set the dough aside to rest.
Clean the pot.
Start sauteing the last two (elderly) leeks*, in a mix of olive oil and Earth Balance. Once that looked nice, add flour and cook it a while, then add some of the excess seitan liquid to make a not-at-all-white sauce; it’s more pink, due to the beets’ turn boiling.
Next up was to assemble the pies: roll out the dough, add veggies, minced seitan, and the pink sauce, then a top crust, and into the oven to bake. I didn’t have a particular recipe, so guessed 375F would be ok for a while, then down to 350F until golden. They look nice (albeit matte, not glossy, lacking an egg wash before baking) but I haven’t tasted them yet.
While they were baking, time to make breakfast: saute the rest of the parboiled veggies with some shredded cabbage*, then add an egg and some umami powder. Yum.
Then I started the soup, using the rest of the excess seitan liquid, defrosted vegetable* stock, and the end of a bottle of white wine (Givon Chardonnay 2021), with some soaked pinto and Great Northern beans (bean soaking liquid went to water the plants). Once the beans were cooked, I added a diced onion, diced lemon, a lot of chopped spinach*, chopped garlic*, dried thyme, a bit of fermented hot sauce*, and some pureed garlic scapes*.
* locally sourced
Another investor sues South Boston developer over unpaid loan
Dec. 5th, 2025 06:17 pmuniversalhub_feedA real-estate investor yesterday sued Andrew Collins, who owns a series of commercial parcels along Dorchester Avenue in the area of D Street, over the more than $6 million he says Collins and two of his LLCs now owe on a promissory note in default since the spring.
Through his Ayoba Capital, Peter Russell alleges that Collins - brother of state Sen. Nick Collins - solicited him to invest in two projects: One to do something about all the commercial property Collins has amassed along Dorchester Avenue - the "Dot Ave. Assemblage Project," - the other "a group of multi-family homes" Collins had bought intending to fix them up and then sell them, some after converting them from apartments to condos, through two dozen different LLCs that Collins controls.
In his suit, filed in Suffolk Superior Court, Russell says he loaned money to Collins's LLCs involved in the two projects between May, 2022 and September, 2023 - $3.4 million in all. In 2024, he alleges, Collins began telling him he'd soon be getting a large infusion of cash that would let him repay the loans and interest, specifically,a $160 million investment from a Winchester investment concern. Based on that, the suit continues, Russell drafted a new promissory note that Collins signed committing to repay the $3.4 million, plus 20% interest, by March 1, 2025.
"The maturity date of March 1, 2025 has come and gone," the complaint adds. "There is no dispute that Defendants have made no payments on the note. ... As a result of Defendants' default on the Note, Plaintiff has incurred significant damage, including attorney's fees and costs, that Plaintiff brings this suit to recover.
The $6.05 million represents the original amount of the loans, plus interest, costs and attorney's fees.
Last month, the Globe reported several other investors have also sued Collins to try to recover their money - a total of $143 million in original loans plus interest and costs - and said that in those cases Collins would allegedly borrow money, then default on the loans, or resulting settlements. Through his attorney, Collins said the amounts are overblown because they include the supposed costs of interest, that he has repaid most of the money he owns and that the suits are all just accusations.
What the Netflix/Warner Bros. Merger Could Mean for Streaming
Dec. 8th, 2025 05:00 pmlifehacker_feedAfter initial reporting from The Wrap revealed that Netflix had won the bidding war for Warner Bros., the streamer stepped in on Friday to confirm that it has a deal with the Warner Bros. board to acquire the home of HBO and HBO Max, DC Comics, and Bugs Bunny for $82.7 billion. The acquisition would put an end to merger attempts from the likes of Paramount and Comcast, but it's also far from a done deal.
According to Netflix, its acquisition of Warner Bros. will need to wait until at least Q3 2026, to allow room for the previously announced Warner Bros. and Discovery split to go through, as Netflix does not plan to buy the Discovery part of the business (including its cable channels). Additionally, the deal will need to go through regulatory approval. Given these roadblocks, the companies expect "to close in 12–18 months."
The news of the acquisition follows Warner Bros.' announcement in October that it was open to a sale, at least partially motivated by its split with Discovery.
What happens next isn't entirely clear. The Wrap reported that Netflix's deal with Warner Bros. includes a $5 billion breakup fee in case regulators block the deal, pointing to some anxiety from both companies. To that end, CNBC reported that "a senior [Trump] administration official" has said that the government is looking at the merger with "heavy skepticism," and The New York Post and the Wall Street Journal both reported that Paramount (which recently completed its own merger with Skydance Entertainment, led by Trump ally David Ellison) is currently warning the administration away from allowing the deal. To that end, the BBC reported over the weekend that Trump said the merger "could be a problem."
Paramount is also not done bidding, it seems. The company announced a $108.4 billion hostile takeover bid this morning, bypassing the board and offering to buy Warner Bros. Discovery shares from shareholders at a premium. Notably, if accepted, the deal would include the whole of Warner Bros. Discovery, despite the upcoming split, which would also give Paramount access to cable networks like CNN and TBS. In its announcement, Paramount called out the Netflix deal as facing a "challenging regulatory approval process," implying that it would better be able to negotiate with the administration.
How regulators will respond to the purchase remains to be seen, but if the deal does go through, it will mark a major shift for both Hollywood and consumers. Netflix hasn't laid out complete plans for how the merger would affects its customers, but in its press release, it has offered a few hints. Should a combined Netflix and Warner Bros. come to pass, here's how you can expect it to affect you.
HBO Max probably isn't going away
Since Netflix's primary business is as a streaming app, the most obvious result of a Warner Bros. acquisition would probably be the shuttering of HBO Max, and the inclusion of its content into Netflix proper. However, it seems like we're more likely to get a Disney+/Hulu situation, with the company running both services simultaneously.
In its post announcing the merger, Netflix said it will "maintain Warner Bros.' current operations," and that HBO and HBO Max would be viewed as a "compelling, complementary offering" for its customers.
Whether that means Netflix subscribers will get complementary HBO subscriptions, or if they will simply be able to add HBO onto their plans as complemental "content," is unclear, although I would expect the latter interpretation to be the correct one. After all, Disney charges an additional fee for users who also want to subscribe to Hulu, even as it's working on killing the standalone Hulu app. There would be little reason for Netflix to not follow suit.
This is backed up by another line further into the press release which states that, "[b]y adding the deep film and TV libraries and HBO and HBO Max programming, Netflix members will have even more high-quality titles from which to choose." That implies HBO is something you'll add to an existing subscription, rather than content that will just become part of a base Netflix subscription, with the company saying the acquisition "also allows Netflix to optimize its plans for consumers."
Some Warner Bros. shows might come to Netflix
Netflix already offers a small smattering of shows originally developed for either HBO or HBO Max, such as Sex and the City and Scavenger's Reign. This is due to pre-existing content sharing agreements, but it's possible Netflix may continue to offer some HBO content to its existing subscribers for free, even if it continues to operate HBO as a separate entity.
For instance, Netflix says in the merger announcement that "shows and movies such as The Big Bang Theory, The Sopranos, Game of Thrones, The Wizard of Oz and the DC Universe will join Netflix's extensive portfolio." While this is likely simply acknowledging acquired IP, I wouldn't be surprised to see some select shows hit Netflix from time to time, either to prop up sparse release schedules or to promote HBO subscriptions/add-ons.
Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters also says in the release that, "[w]ith our global reach and proven business model, we can introduce a broader audience to the worlds they [Warner Bros.] create." He adds this would be an opportunity to attract, "more fans to our best-in-class streaming service."
Expect Netflix to ramp up U.S. production
While Netflix is most known to consumers as an app, its large selection of original content also means that it operates as a production studio. Netflix says that it will use the acquisition of Warner Bros. production side to "enhance Netflix's studio capabilities, allowing the Company to significantly expand U.S. production."
This means that viewers might expect to see more original Netflix content in the future, specifically more American-made shows in the vein of Stranger Things, alongside localized foreign programming like Squid Game.
Gamers need to pay attention too
Alongside its movie and TV businesses, Netflix will also be acquiring Warner Bros. Games, a spokesperson confirmed to Game Developer. That means the company will now be responsible for publishing both licensed works, such as the Batman Arkham series, as well as gaming originals, like the Mortal Kombat series. Little is known about how Netflix will handle suddenly being in charge of these longstanding AAA series, but given the company's recent gaming ambitions and its promise to continue Warner Bros. operations as usual, it's likely these titles will continue in some capacity.
Netflix will also publish DC Comics
In addition to suddenly stepping into big-budget, AAA gaming, Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros. also means it's getting control of DC Comics' print business alongside its film and TV businesses, as the publisher is wholly owned by Warner Bros. That's another big step for the company, although given that DC's print business serves largely as the foundation of lucrative IP such as Superman and Batman, it's likely Netflix will do its best to keep operations there as smooth as possible. However, readers might expect some Netflix and DC synergy, similar to when Marvel started publishing new Star Wars comics shortly after Disney acquired Lucasfilm. Batman visiting the Upside-Down from Stranger Things might be more likely than you'd think.
Don't expect Warner Bros. movies to go straight to streaming
Finally, while Netflix's past movie releases have often relied on direct-to-streaming drops complemented by just enough of a theatrical presence to qualify for awards, Netflix said in its release that it plans to continue distributing Warner Bros. produced movies as usual, "including theatrical releases for films," but that the exclusive theatrical window may shrink. In other words, The Batman 2 probably isn't going to get the Knives Out or KPop Demon Hunters treatment, but theater exclusivity for Warner Bros. movies might not be as long going forward.
Family of man murdered at Mattapan Square party sues party giver, landlord
Dec. 5th, 2025 06:05 pmuniversalhub_feedThe family of a man shot to death at a Mattapan Square New Year's party on Jan. 1, 2023 today filed a wrongful-death suit against both the woman they say gave the party in a Blue Hill Avenue commercial space and the landlord she rented the space from.
The family of Jymaal Cox, declared dead at the scene at 1601 Blue Hill Ave. shortly before 6 a.m., is seeking at least $150 million in the suit, filed in Suffolk Superior Court.
Another man who was shot at the party, but who survived, Melvin Gross, filed a similar suit against the landlord, Stamatos Family Properties of Jamaica Plain, last year. That suit, brought by the same law firm, is still pending.
Boston Police list Cox's murder as unsolved.
In their suit, the Cox family alleges that Kizuwanda Evans rented space in the commercial building from Stamatos for a 24-hour New Year's bash that included hiring DJs. They say that Cox was "lawfully on the premises" during the party and that he was fatally shot "during a criminal attack at the Premises."
The complaint alleges both Evans and Stamatos were criminally negligent for failing to take any measures to ensure a safe premises " to prevent the Plaintiff from coming in contact with an active shooter during a criminal attack."
No, Meta Is Not Scraping Your DMs to Train Its AI
Dec. 5th, 2025 05:30 pmlifehacker_feedI've been seeing a number of videos on my feeds circulating a serious, but perhaps not unbelievable, claim: The idea is, come Dec. 16, 2025, Meta will update its privacy policy to give itself permission to scrape direct messages from users on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, all in the name of training its generative AI models. While Meta is no bastion of user privacy by any stretch of the imagination, this particular claim is, fortunately, not true. You shouldn't expect the company to necessarily respect your data, but you also don't need to worry that future iterations of Meta AI will be generating text based on your Instagram DMs.
What's going on with Meta's Dec. 16 privacy policy?
If you've seen these claims on your feeds, too, you know they're often quite stark and hyperbolic. Snopes highlights one such viral Instagram post that reads, "Every conversation. Every photo. Every voice message. Fed into AI." Users scrolling through Instagram might understandably stop to read these claims, and may, also understandably, feel concerned about their data across their various Meta accounts.
The issue is, these claims are misinterpreting a real change Meta plans for its privacy policy. Once the policy updates on Dec. 16, Meta is making changes to the way it collects data from user interactions with Meta AI. Going forward, the data generated when using Meta's AI products can be used to personalize the content you see on Meta platforms, as well as the ads that are placed in your feeds. Once again, it's just more data collection in the pursuit of promoting user engagement and ad relevancy.
Part of the confusion is in the way this privacy policy is worded. Take the following statement, a part of Meta's explanation of the user information it uses: "Interactions with AI at Meta and related metadata. For example, information you or others exchange with AI at Meta like content and messages." That might sound like Meta is scraping your DMs to train its AI, but it's saying content and messages you share with Meta's AI are what's fair game. Just sending messages and attachments to users on Meta platforms doesn't end up in Meta AI's training data, but if you share those messages and attachments with the AI, then it might.
Meta confirmed as much with outlets, sending the following statement: “The update mentioned in the viral rumor isn’t about DMs at all, it’s about how we’ll use people’s interactions with our AI features to further personalize their experience. We do not use the content of your private messages with friends and family to train our AIs unless you or someone in the chat chooses to share those messages with our AIs. This also isn’t new, nor is it part of this Dec. 16 privacy policy update.”
Meta does collect data on your messages
Make no mistake, of course: If you're using a Meta messaging platform, the company does collect your data. In both the current and upcoming privacy policies, Meta does say messages you send and receive, including their content as well as their metadata, subject to applicable law, can be used by Meta for a number of functions. That might include personalizing Meta products to fit each user; improving Meta products in general; promoting safety and security on its platforms; storing, moving, and processing your data around the world; and processing information when the law requires.
Now, there are categories Meta will not use your messages for, unless you share those messages with its AI. That includes using your data for analytics and services for business; "providing a seamless experience" across Meta products; personalizing ads on Meta Audience Network; research and innovation for "social good;" anonymizing your info; and sharing data with law enforcement. In some of these cases, Meta will collect metadata about your messages—perhaps things like time or location sent—but not the message data itself.
Again, this article is not meant to flatter Meta; rather, it's to debunk unnecessary concerns. Social media posts often misrepresent these nuanced privacy and security points—especially when those posts turn up the dramatics. Understand if you're using Meta products, your data is constantly being collected—but, in this case, your messages aren't suddenly being scraped to train AI.
The best thing you can do to preserve your privacy and security with your Meta messages is to use end-to-end encryption (E2EE) whenever possible. WhatsApp has E2EE built-in, and Meta has automatically started rolling it out for Messenger, but you might need to manually start an E2EE chat for existing conversations in the app. The same goes for Instagram: Meta offers E2EE, but you need to enable it yourself. In either app, tap the name of the chat to check whether or not that conversation is currently E2EE.
universalhub_feedGov. Healey and Dr. Robbie Goldstein, state commissioner of public health, wasted no time blasting a vote by a panel handpicked by the nation's most prominent anti-vaxxer today to stop recommending all parents have their newborns vaccinated against Hepatitis B.
In a statement, Healey said:
This vote by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s handpicked advisers is dangerous and wrong. I want the people of Massachusetts to know that your state Department of Public Health - led by an actual doctor and guided by science and data - continues to recommend that newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine. We are going to continue to work with other states to ensure that all of our residents can receive the vaccines they need and want to keep them and their children healthy.
Goldstein added:
As an infectious disease physician, I cannot overstate how reckless this move is. Removing the newborn hepatitis B vaccine from the routine schedule is a decision driven by ideology - not science - and it ignores decades of irrefutable evidence that this dose saves lives. For more than three decades, the birth dose has been one of the safest, most effective, and most powerful tools we have to prevent lifelong infection, liver failure, and liver cancer. Turning away from a proven, lifesaving intervention puts infants at unnecessary risk and undermines the very foundation of evidence-based public health. Despite this misguided decision, the hepatitis B birth dose will remain available in Massachusetts, and the Department of Public Health continues to strongly recommend that every newborn receive a dose just after birth.
Get a Government Permit to Cut Your Own Christmas Tree at a National Forest
Dec. 5th, 2025 05:00 pmlifehacker_feedNormally, it's illegal to chop down a tree in a national forest. This month, however, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is all for it—provided you get yourself a Forest Service-issued permit first. In fact, cutting your own tree on federal land is actually a pretty affordable and ethical way to source a Christmas tree. The only catch is you must follow specific guidelines, which can vary from forest to forest.
Before you grab your axe and head into the woods this holiday season, here’s what you need to know about the USDA's tree-cutting permit program.
Why you should cut your own tree from a national forest
What's cool is that securing yourself a tree-cutting permit isn't just allowed—it's encouraged. Cutting down and carrying out your own holiday tree helps contribute to good overall forest health. Through this permit program, you’ll be helping to thin densely populated stands of small-diameter trees. Removing the trees already designated for removal by the Forest Service allows other trees to grow bigger and stronger. Plus, you’ll get the pride and satisfaction of chopping down the perfect Christmas tree for your home. It’s a true win-win.
But let's say you don't care about the environment—this is all about your needs and experiences. Well, then: In addition to helping maintain a healthy forest, cutting a holiday tree is a special tradition that can be shared with families and friends to create memorable holiday experience. For many families, venturing into the forest to cut a Christmas tree for the holidays is a treasured tradition carried on for generations. And most important of all: It can be a lot cheaper than buying one from a tree lot.
How to cut your own tree from a national forest
The USDA Forest Service sells Christmas Tree permits through Recreation.gov. Prices range from $5 to $20, depending on the location of the forest. To buy your permit in advance and find your local participating forest, use this site, which also provides guidelines for the allowable cutting areas that you’ll need to review before you start choppin’.
In three simple steps, you can begin your quest to find and bring home your own Christmas tree:
Choose your forest. Determine which participating forest works best for your Christmas tree outing. Each forest will have specific guidelines and season dates for cutting a holiday tree.
Be safe and prepared. Carefully read the details and rules of the applicable permit, and consider the Need to Know suggestions to prepare for your visit.
Buy a permit. Purchase and print your permit before heading out to the forest.
Tips for cutting your own Christmas tree
I spoke with the Recreation.gov team to get some additional tips as families looking to prepare for their Christmas tree cutting adventure.
Measure the space in your house so you can pick the right size tree once you are in the forest. (Don't assume you can eyeball it, or you'll find yourself with a Griswold situation on your hands.)
Check road and forest conditions and prepare for adverse weather.
Before cutting, make sure you are in a designated cutting area, and follow all guidelines for locations where tree cutting is allowed. Avoid venturing onto private property.
Choose a tree in an overcrowded stand to help thin it out.
Cut your tree close to the ground. The stump you leave behind should be about 6 inches tall.
Bring a rope and tarp to move your tree from the cutting area to your vehicle.
Secure your tree to your vehicle to ensure it remains in place for your trip home.
What else you need to know
Again: You can only cut down trees located in designated and approved areas in the forest. This permit program is run by the USDA Forest Service, which is not the same thing as U.S. National Parks. If you’re unsure whether you’re allowed to snag a tree in a certain area, visit this page and type in either the name of your state, or the name of the forest you have in mind.
Christmas tree permit sale dates may vary by national forest. Recreation.gov encourages families to check local forest guidelines to gather all information before purchasing to ensure they are prepared. A new permit is required each year to cut your own Christmas tree.
Why Deleting Your Browsing History Doesn’t Always Delete Your Browsing History
Dec. 5th, 2025 04:30 pmlifehacker_feedManually or automatically wiping your browsing history is a well-established way of protecting your privacy and making sure the digital trail you leave behind you is as short as possible—but it's important to be aware of the limitations of the process, and to understand why deleting your browsing history isn't always as comprehensive an act as you might think.
In short, the records of where you've been aren't only kept on your local computer or on your phone, they're found in various other places too. This is why fully wiping away your browsing history is more difficult than it initially appears.
Modern browsers typically sync your browsing history
Just about every modern browser can now sync your browsing history across devices, from laptop to mobile and back again. There are benefits to this—being able to continue your browsing on a different device, for example—but it means that deleting the list of websites you've visited on one device won't necessarily clear it everywhere.
Consider Apple's Safari, which by default will sync your online history, bookmarks, and open tabs between all of the iPhones, iPads, and Macs using the same Apple account. You can manage this by selecting your account name and then iCloud in Settings on iOS/iPadOS or in System Settings on macOS.
Whether or not Safari syncing is enabled through iCloud will affect how browsing history is deleted—when you try to delete this history on mobile or desktop, you'll see a message telling you what will happen on your other devices. In Safari on a Mac, choose History > Clear History; on an iPhone or iPad, choose Apps > Safari > Clear History and Website Data from Settings.
Most other browsers work in the same way, with options for both syncing history and deleting history. In Chrome on the desktop, for example, open Settings via the three-dot menu (top right): You can manage syncing via You and Google > Sync and Google Services > Manage what you sync, and clearing your history via Privacy and security > Delete browsing data.
The apps and sites you use are tracking you
Aside from all the history your actual web browser is collecting, you also need to think about the data being vacuumed up by the apps and websites you're using. If you log into Facebook, Meta will know about the comments you've left and the photos you've liked, no matter how much you scrub your history from Edge or Firefox.
How much you can do about this really depends on the app or site. Amazon lets you clear your search history, for example: On the desktop site, click Browsing History on the toolbar at the top, then click the gear icon (top right). The next screen lets you delete all or some of your browsing history, and block future tracking—though you won't be able to reorder items as easily, and your recommendations will be affected.
Meta lets you clear your Instagram and Facebook search history, at least: You can take care of both from the Meta Accounts Center page in a desktop browser. Click Your information and permissions then Search history to look back at what you've been searching for. The next screen gives you options for manually and automatically wiping your search history.
Google runs a whole host of online apps as well as a web browser. You can manage all your Google data from one central point from your desktop browser: Your Google Account page. Click Data and privacy to see everything Google has collected on you, and click through on any activity type to manually delete records or set them up to be automatically deleted after a certain period of time.
Your internet provider always knows where you've been
The final place there will be copies of your internet browsing history are on the servers of your internet service provider—that is, whichever company you're paying for access to the internet is keeping logs of the places you've been, for all kinds of purposes (from security to advertising). And yes, this includes sites that you open while in incognito mode.
How this is handled varies from provider to provider. For example, AT&T's privacy notice states that the company will "automatically collect a variety of information", including "website and IP addresses," "videos watched," and "search terms entered." The company says this data will be kept for, "as long as we need it for business, tax, or legal purposes."
There's not a whole lot you can do about this either—it's a trade-off you have to make if you want access to the web. Some providers, including AT&T, will let you opt out of certain types of information sharing if you get in touch with them directly, but you can't prevent the tracking from happening in the first place.
What you can do is mask your browsing with a VPN (Lifehacker has previously picked the best paid VPNs and the best free VPNs for you to try out). As all your internet traffic will be routed through the VPN's servers, your internet provider will no longer be able to see what you're doing. Your VPN provider will, however—so find one that you can trust, and which has a no-logs policy that's been verified by a third-party security auditor.
The Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses Are at Their All-Time Lowest Price Right Now
Dec. 5th, 2025 04:00 pmlifehacker_feedWe may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.
Are smart glasses worth the hype? If you’re looking for a stylish accessory that doubles as a camera, headphones, and AR display without needing to pull out a phone, they’re a life hack that’s worth the splurge. Right now, the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 1) smart glasses are 25% off at $246.75 (originally $329), marking their lowest price ever. This version is matte black with polarized lenses, but you can also get a slightly less expensive version that’s shiny with clear lenses for $224.25.
The Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 1) AI glasses have the retro aesthetic of the iconic Wayfarers, and at 49 grams, they’re only slightly heavier than regular glasses (though with prescription lenses, that’ll be bumped up to 54 grams). They allow you to do everything from record 1080p video and capture photos to listen to music, make calls, text while driving, live-stream on the go, or get answers from Meta AI. They have a wide field of view and solid image stabilization, although they only shoot in a vertical aspect ratio.
The glasses feature an ultra-wide 12 MP camera and have five mics, as well as built-in open-ear speakers that let you listen to audio without fully blocking out your surroundings. Meta AI is one of the main draws of this wearable tech, acting as a built-in personal assistant. There’s also live language translation that processes speech at a conversational pace, which is especially helpful when you’re traveling, and which we discuss in our in-depth Ray-Ban Metas review. They last up to four hours, and the case contains up to eight additional charges.
While they can do a lot, they can’t perform complex tasks like book hotel researvations, and the battery life and weight may not be ideal for prescription lens wearers who rely on wearing their glasses all day. Still, they’re a highly giftable gadget that makes everyday tasks smoother and more functional, and at an all-time low price, the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 1) smart glasses might be one of the top wearable tech buys of the season.
universalhub_feedThe regime announced yesterday it nabbed that visiting Harvard Law professor who decided to hunt rats on Beacon Street in Brookline with a BB gun but instead blasted out a car window near Temple Beth Zion as Yom Kippur was starting in October.
Rather than trying to fight deportation after the State Department revoked his visa - which might leave him locked up in an ICE gulag for months - Carlos Gouvêa agreed to get on the next plane back to his native Brazil, Homeland Security said.
The regime alleged that Gouvêa wasn't hunting rats, that he was an anti-Semite out to terrify Jews, and never mind that the temple itself said "We have no reason to believe this was an antisemitic event:"
From what we were initially told by police, the individual was unaware that he lived next to, and was shooting his BB gun next to, a synagogue or that it was a religious holiday. We were told he said he was shooting rats; the window of a car parked on Beacon was shot. It was potentially dangerous to use a BB gun in such a populated spot, but it does not appear to have been fuelled by antisemitism.
Brookline Police initially charged him with vandalism, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace and discharging a BB gun.
Brookline.News reported last month that he agreed to a plea deal with Norfolk County prosecutors in which the first three charges would be dropped, he would be subject to six months of probation and he would pay $386.59 to repair the car window he blew out.
This macOS App Makes It Easy to See (and Use) Your Keyboard Shortcuts
Dec. 5th, 2025 03:30 pmlifehacker_feedUsing keyboard shortcuts is a lot faster than clicking around in the menus, but only after you learn them. That's the hard part.
You could look up the documentation for the application or explore the menu bar—but if you're on a Mac, you could also just install KeyClu. This free application shows an overlay with all the keyboard shortcuts for the currently open Mac application, which is very useful for anyone trying to become a more keyboard-savvy computer user.
To get started, install the application. Then, you'll need to choose a trigger key (basically one of the modifier keys on your keyboard). By default, you will tap the key twice and hold on the second tap to trigger the overlay, but you can optionally set the application to simply press and hold the key if you prefer. I opted to press and hold Command.
After that, you'll be asked to enable permissions so KeyClu can access the keyboard shortcuts for your applications. Then you can start using the application. I tend to ignore the application until I wonder whether a keyboard shortcut for a particular function exists. I trigger the application, look through the list of keyboard shortcuts, and see what's available. When I let go of the trigger key, the window disappears.
This default floating window is useful, but you might want a window listing shortcuts to stay open even when you let go of the trigger. That's where the persistent panel comes in. This window, which you can trigger using the menu bar, stays open and always shows a list of keyboard shortcuts for the currently active application. You can add a separate keyboard shortcut for this window in the settings, if you like.
If you dig around in KeyClu's settings, you can configure the layout of both the pop-up and persistent panels, changing the size of the windows, how many columns shortcuts are sorted into, and which display the panels show up on.
It's a simple piece of software, but it's completely free and can help you get better at using your computer. And if you're reading Lifehacker, that's probably something you want. Speaking of keyboard shortcuts: here are a few keyboard shortcuts you should know. You can also check out our guide to creating your own macOS keyboard shortcuts.
This Bose Portable Speaker Is Nearly 20% Off Right Now
Dec. 5th, 2025 03:00 pmlifehacker_feedWe may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.
A lot of Bluetooth speakers try to impress you with apps, voice assistants, or complicated sound modes, but the Bose SoundLink Home takes the opposite approach. It is a simple, handsome speaker that focuses almost entirely on how it looks and sounds. At $179, down from $219—its lowest price yet according to price tracking tools—it becomes easier to appreciate that restraint.
The metal frame and fabric-wrapped body give it a clean, home-friendly look, and at two pounds, it feels sturdy without being tied to a single spot in your house. The physical buttons on top cover everything you need: power, pairing, playback, and volume. It even handles phone calls, and the microphone performs well enough for quick chats. You never feel like you are juggling menus or waiting for an app to load because there isn’t one.
That simplicity carries over to the sound. Bose does not offer EQ adjustments or preset profiles here, so what you hear is exactly what the engineers intended. For a single-driver speaker, the audio is surprisingly full, notes this PCMag review. Bass hits with enough weight to give modern pop tracks some impact, even though very deep sub-bass is out of reach, which is typical for a speaker of this size. Bluetooth 5.3 keeps the stream stable, and multipoint pairing is useful if you like switching between a phone and a laptop. There’s also USB-C audio input, which is rare in portable speakers and handy if you want a wired, lag-free connection. Pairing two units manually unlocks Bose’s Stereo Mode, which spreads out the soundstage and gives music more space, though it requires a second speaker and a specific button sequence.
That said, there is no wifi, so you cannot use Spotify Connect or multi-room audio. There is no voice assistant, which might be a dealbreaker if you rely on hands-free control. And with no waterproof rating, it isn't the kind of speaker you can take outside during a drizzle or leave near a bathroom sink. The battery lasts around nine hours on a full charge, which is fine but not competitive with some larger models.
Even so, the SoundLink Home succeeds at the one thing many speakers overcomplicate. It delivers rich, pleasant audio without setup hoops or extra software.