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Internet cables are becoming seismic sensors on land, under the sea, and possibly on the moon. Millions of miles of fiber-optic cable already cover the Earth, including about 920,000 miles of undersea cables on the ocean floor. As some of the oldest cables are being pulled from the ocean and new cables are laid, scientists are increasingly tracking natural hazards like earthquakes, volcanoes, and floods along this global network.

Distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) uses laser pulses to read minute changes in vibration, strain, ground movement, and water movement. Traditional seismometers measure ground motion at an isolated point. A fiber-optic cable can act as a continuous sensor over a larger area, collecting real-time, high-resolution data, and Iceland’s volcanic Grindavík eruption showed how the technology can help track hazards beyond earthquakes. The U.S. National Science Foundation reported that the system supported a warning 26 minutes before the eruption, giving nearby residents time to evacuate.

Caltech researchers also proved how powerful the monitoring system can be. They tapped into a roughly 62-mile fiber-optic cable section, collecting data equivalent to 10,000 traditional seismometers. Their findings could have a sizable impact on seismic monitoring at a much lower cost than traditional systems. There are more than 700 seismometers in California, each costing up to $50,000. A DAS system needs one $200,000 interrogator to send laser light pulses down miles of cable. The same approach could help with underwater seismic monitoring, which gets even more expensive and difficult. In the Canary Islands, researchers turned a submarine telecommunications cable into 11,968 strain sensors across about 75 miles. The DAS system detected local and regional earthquakes along with seismic waves from oceanic earthquakes thousands of miles away.

How the same technology could detect moonquakes

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The same technology could be headed to space, as Los Alamos National Laboratory researchers propose using fiber-optic cables to detect moonquakes. Cables could be unspooled across miles of the moon’s surface. Researchers suggest cables may not need to be buried after testing signal clarity in a lab using crushed basalt to simulate the moon’s surface. The same cables deployed as seismic sensors could one day support communications for lunar missions.

The moon doesn’t have the kind of tectonic plates that shake the Earth’s fault lines, causing most earthquakes. Moonquakes are instead triggered by forces such as Earth’s gravitational pull and meteorite impacts. Also, scientists say the surface of the moon is even colder than we originally thought, dropping lower than -410 degrees Fahrenheit at night and heating up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. These temperature fluctuations make the surface expand and contract, adding to the moon’s seismic activity.

Scientists believe understanding seismic waves caused by this activity will help them learn more about what’s inside the moon, such as its density, composition, and whether it contains liquid. 
If scientists discover faults, it could indicate the moon is more geologically active than previously believed. In 2019, researchers used moonquake data to infer that the natural satellite’s size was shrinking. However, additional moonquake data could reveal new insights into how the moon formed. 

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The Apple Pencil is one of the best iPad accessories, being essential for any artists who use their tablet for digital projects. While the Apple Pencil is expensive and there are smart money alternative iPad styluses that accomplish the basics for free, the device’s pressure sensitivity is unmatched, emulating the feeling of writing on paper better than any other digital pen. However, a worn out Apple Pencil tip will impact your experience, which is why it’s important to replace them when necessary.

The lifespan of an Apple Pencil tip varies greatly based on how frequently you’re using it and how hard you press down. Those who use their Pencil hours a day for art or notetaking shouldn’t have to replace theirs super often, though, with tips generally lasting at least six months or a year even with heavy usage. Keep in mind that screen protectors can cause your Apple Pencil tip to wear out much faster, especially if you’re using a rough matte one. One user reported their Pencil tip wore out after just a month of using it with a paper-like protector, so that’s something to keep in mind when choosing a screen protector.

When to replace your Apple Pencil tip

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If you’re not sure whether or not it’s time to replace your Apple Pencil tip, there are some things to consider. First, if you can see the metal poking out, it’s definitely time for a replacement. You’ll likely notice it visibly wearing out before it gets that far, and while a little wear is probably fine, continued use will eventually impact the user experience. In addition to not feeling smooth on the screen, your Apple Pencil may lag or not respond as well, which is a clear sign that it’s time for a new tip.

Fortunately, Apple Pencil tips are incredibly easy to replace, taking just seconds. All you need to do is unscrew the current tip counter-clockwise to remove it, then screw the new one in until it’s secure. While the first-generation Apple Pencil came with a replacement tip, newer ones don’t, so you’ll need to purchase them separately. Apple sells a four-pack for $19, but you can get third-party ones that work just as well for much cheaper.

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No laptop battery lasts forever. While there are ways to optimize its lifespan, such as ditching harmful habits that may be killing your laptop battery, it’s likely you’ll eventually need to replace this essential component. However, the signs of a failing battery aren’t always as obvious as your device sending you an alert letting you know it’s time for a replacement. That’s why it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with some of the less obvious signs that a laptop battery might be dying.

Several of the red flags here could potentially indicate a range of technical issues. It’s true, of course, that a failing battery isn’t always to blame for these types of laptop problems. That said, battery trouble is often the culprit in these instances. While you should take steps to confirm the root of any of these problems, which may involve bringing your device to a professional, these are often signs that a laptop’s battery is on its last legs.

Your laptop shuts down for seemingly no reason

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Has your device begun shutting down with no apparent warning when it’s running on battery power? There are several potential causes of this issue. If it occurs when your battery nevertheless indicates it has sufficient charge to keep the laptop running, you might understandably assume that another factor is to blame. It’s certainly not a bad idea to run a virus scan and confirm that a piece of malware isn’t the issue.

If your scan indicates no viruses or malware, a laptop crashing without warning could be a sign of a failing battery. This may be the case even if the battery supposedly still has a charge. A functioning laptop battery should provide the device with a consistent flow of power. The laptop may shut down unexpectedly if the battery fails to do so effectively. A battery that doesn’t supply consistent power is likely faulty, damaged, or dying, and it will probably need to be replaced.

You face a range of charging (or charge-related) issues

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The amount of time it takes for your laptop to charge usually shouldn’t vary all that much. If it takes your laptop longer to charge than normal, this might be a sign of a dying battery. Be aware that taking a long time to bring it back to full isn’t the only charging issue that could be linked to battery trouble.

For example, you might notice that charging is inconsistent. Sometimes, the laptop charges reliably, while in other instances it may not. Even if the device charges up, its battery power may nevertheless drain more quickly than expected. A battery that doesn’t retain its charge for as long as it used to is probably in need of a replacement.

A similar problem that can be easy to overlook if you’re not actively paying attention to it is fast, seemingly random, or unexpected changes in a battery’s charge. For example, maybe your battery is at 80%, then within a few minutes, it depletes to 50%, only to shoot back up suddenly after. This is yet another red flag that you should install a new battery. It’s worth noting that, although it’s technically possible to run a laptop without a battery by relying solely on AC power, doing so isn’t recommended. For instance, a sudden cut to the power could result in the device crashing, resulting in any unsaved work being lost.

Your laptop battery is over 2 years old

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You’ll find various estimates for how long a laptop battery is supposed to last before it needs to be replaced. Some will claim a laptop battery is typically only reliable for 2 to 3 years, while others will suggest 2 to 5 years is more of a reasonable lifespan. In reality, a laptop battery can essentially be charged only a finite number of times. What this number is varies from one laptop battery model to another, but it’s typically somewhere between 300 and 1000.

In any case, a laptop battery that’s over 2 years of age definitely isn’t getting any healthier. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to replace the battery as soon as it hits its second birthday. However, it does mean that you should start monitoring for the warning signs listed here. Be prepared to replace the battery if you notice any other issues developing.

The battery is swelling

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Most of the issues here should prompt you to start looking into replacement batteries sooner rather than later. However, this particular sign of a failing battery tells you it’s time to avoid using your laptop entirely until a professional has addressed the problem. You could risk injury if you continue using your device when the battery is damaged in this capacity.

Do you notice the battery seems to be swelling? Similarly, you might notice that its housing is cracked, or the laptop looks swollen around the trackpad or keyboard areas. This could be the result of chemical processes causing the battery to release gases internally. If you continue using the device with a battery in this condition, it could theoretically catch fire or even explode. See a professional repair tech right away to fix the issue.

Keep in mind that there are certain steps you can take to prevent your battery from dying prematurely. For example, you should try not to let your battery’s charge dip below 20% before hooking the laptop back up to AC power. Just remember that any laptop battery will die eventually. Monitoring for these warning signs can help you anticipate when this may be happening, giving you the chance to replace the unit before the battery fails for good.

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Installing security cameras are among the simple ways to help make your home more secure. Modern smart models have companion apps that will let you look through their lenses in real time, and they have different storage options for the videos that they record. However, even premium, feature-packed security cameras can only do their job if they’re positioned well.

There are clever ways to hide indoor security cameras at home, and the best outdoor security cameras can monitor a wide area, but proper surveillance starts with understanding the limitations of these devices. If they’re set up in the wrong place, they won’t be able to protect your family, and worse, they can compromise their safety and privacy.

If you’re thinking of setting up security cameras around the house, or if you want to check if you’ve made mistakes in your decisions on where to install them, you should consult this roundup of the worst places to put home security cameras. We’ve also provided alternatives to help you identify better areas for these devices.

Private areas like bedrooms and bathrooms

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First and foremost, security cameras shouldn’t be placed in areas where your family members expect privacy, such as in their bedrooms and the bathrooms. They’re supposed to provide a sense of safety, not make them uncomfortable in their own home. Additionally, it would be very troublesome if hackers find a way to break into your cloud storage and access sensitive recordings from your bedroom, as they can use the videos for blackmail.

To keep an eye on your loved ones while they’re at home, security cameras should be placed in shared spaces such as in the living room or the kitchen. If you really want to make sure that there are no thieves sneaking into the rooms of your house, you could instead install contact sensors that trigger an alarm whenever your doors or windows are opened, and arm them whenever you and your family are away.

Facing outside through windows

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You may think you’re being clever by placing an indoor security camera in a spot that will let you pan it to look outside through your window. It’s not going to work as you intend though, as the glare from the glass won’t give you a good look of your yard. An awkward position may also get you accused of looking into your neighbor’s property, which could be seen as an invasion of privacy and lead to a lawsuit.

If you want solid surveillance of your backyard, you have to buy an outdoor security camera. These devices are designed to withstand the elements, and you can set them at an angle that won’t make your neighbors uncomfortable. It’s going to be an additional cost, but fortunately, security cameras are among the tech products you should never pay full price for. You can take advantage of discounts on bundles with multiple units of an outdoor security camera, or a package that also includes other smart home devices such as video doorbells.

At the end of narrow passages

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When you buy a security camera today, you can expect a wide field of view and the possibility of pan and tilt controls while you’re checking the livestream through its companion app. However, these features are negated if you place it at the end of a narrow passage, as you’ll mostly see walls even if you adjust the camera’s angles.

If it’s important for you to monitor passages and hallways, for purposes like checking where your pets are hanging out, you should consider placing a security camera at the corner instead. This will allow you to maximize the coverage of the device, especially if it has a panning and tilting option as you can swivel it from looking at one passage to another. In fact, if the security camera has a very wide field of view, you may be able to see both hallways at once.

Under bright lights

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While security cameras will benefit from proper lighting, too much will result in glare that could block its sight or make it difficult to see details in the videos that they take. This could happen to indoor security cameras when they’re placed right below lamps and other lighting fixtures, and to outdoor security cameras if the sky takes up too much of their field of view.

To avoid these issues, you have to be mindful of light sources and the sun when you’re installing security cameras. For indoor security cameras, you should turn on the lights after you temporarily affix them to a spot to check if there are any visibility issues. Meanwhile, for outdoor security cameras, you have to place them at an angle that doesn’t look towards the direction of the sun. While some of these devices may come with features that automatically adjust exposure and white balance to bypass this problem, it’s not a good idea to rely on them as you never know when a crucial piece of footage can be lost because the sun is shining too bright.

Too low or too high

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Particularly for outdoor security cameras, you shouldn’t place them too high or too low. If they’re too high, you may get a wider look at your driveway or your backyard, but this often negatively affects video quality. The camera may catch a suspicious person, but if it’s too high up, it would be hard to discern their facial features. On the other hand, if the device is placed too low and easily spotted, it becomes open to sabotage.

A good position for an outdoor security camera is anywhere between 8 to 10 feet from the ground. At this height, it will be able to capture details such as faces and license plates, and it’s just out of arm’s reach to avoid vandalism. This is less of an issue with indoor security cameras, but installing them higher would give you more coverage with fewer cameras compared to more cameras at eye-level places.

Outdoors with too much exposure

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Outdoor security cameras are designed to endure harsh weather, and their IP ratings show how much punishment they can take. However, it’s still not a good idea to place them where they would be entirely exposed, particularly to snow. This is because even if security cameras are weatherproof, they may still be affected by the buildup of moisture, which can result in lower image quality and reliability issues in the long run.

If possible, outdoor security cameras should be placed underneath the eaves of a roof, or anywhere with similar protection, to prevent them from being covered in snow during winter and submerged in torrential rain. If this isn’t ideal as it wouldn’t allow for the angle that you want for surveillance, and you really have to place it on a wall where it would be fully exposed, you should invest in a security camera with an IP67 or IP68 rating for the durability needed to survive harsh conditions.

Above the fireplace or near any heat source

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The fireplace is usually at the center of the living room, so you might think that placing a security camera above it would provide good coverage. While that’s true, there are other issues with positioning the device there, or near any other heat source such as exhaust vents and space heaters. Dust and debris may collect on the security camera’s lens and block its sight, and the prolonged exposure to heightened temperatures may damage the electronics or its battery.

For optimum coverage of your living room, you can consider placing it in an elevated position at a corner. You should also be mindful of windows in the same sense as avoiding heat sources, as the glass may have a magnifying glass effect on the security camera and raise it to dangerous temperatures during extremely sunny days.

Anywhere with a chance of obstruction

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You may think that you found the perfect spot for your security camera, but you need to consider possible obstructions. There may not be anything along the device’s line of sight upon installation, but for outdoor cameras, trees and their branches may eventually grow and cover them, and for indoor cameras, opening doors may conceal faces of potential intruders.

When you’re installing a security camera, you should ask yourself if there’s any chance that its view will be blocked. You need to carefully analyze where you plan to position the device before pushing through with it, or else you may find yourself having to move it to another spot, or regretting that an obstruction made what would otherwise be crucial footage useless. Select a place with no elements around it that move or grow so that it would be a permanent location for your security camera.

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Look back far enough into the history of Hasbro’s G.I. Joe toys, and odds are they’ll eventually become almost unrecognizable, at least if you came up during the ’80s era of the iconic action figures, when the toy line was anchored by Marvel’s eponymous comic book and the television series. Back in the 1960s, when the toy line was first introduced, there was very little of the character, color, and imagination that later came to define the series (and a far cry from the wild novelty recently seen at the 2026 Toy Fair or the recent crop of sophisticated fidget toys on Amazon).

The figures launched in the ’60s were much more traditional U.S. soldiers, recalling the infantrymen of World War II. The brand underwent a number of transformations through the years, but its most significant was the relaunch in the early ’80s. A new line of much smaller toys (3.75-inch figures replacing the 12-inch and 8-inch versions available in the ’60s and ’70s) appeared alongside the Marvel comic, later accompanied by a five-part TV movie.

While the relaunched toys were wildly different from the ’60s original, representing individual characters locked in an epic conflict with an evil organization called Cobra, they did hearken back to the originals in one important way: an agreement with the Rhode Island National Guard to create realistic vehicles and uniforms.

A history of cooperation with the U.S. military

The original toy line was developed as a product to appeal to boys, in answer to the popularity of girls’ dolls, an evolution of the rigid plastic and lead soldier figures that predated it. Positioned originally as a “Movable Fighting Man,” the original G.I. Joe was the first action figure ever developed, and its poseability opened play opportunities that rigid figures missed.

When Don Levine, who headed the G.I. Joe development team in the ’60s, and Hasbro president Merrill Hassenfield first developed the toy line, they reached out to the National Guard to ensure verisimilitude. According to a report on the U.S. Army’s website, the two reached out to an old friend, National Guard Major General Leonard Holland, who offered up a selection of authentic military equipment as research for the toy line. According to Bill Ratner, when the time came to relaunch the line in the 80s, Hasbro took the same tack.

The U.S. military was suffering greatly in terms of public perception because of the travails of the war in Vietnam, Ratner told The Hollywood Reporter, and Hasbro capitalized. The company “made a deal with the Rhode Island National Guard in order to get perfectly accurate attack vehicles and uniforms,” Ratner said. “When Hasbro approached the director of the National Guard in Rhode Island, they said yes, and it was a quid pro quo. It was, ‘You’re doing a military show. We want the military to look good.'”

A successful collaboration

The G.I. Joe toy line has sold hundreds of millions of figures across its history, and has been described as the world’s most successful boys’ toy. Despite not launching until the summer of 1964, the line racked up an impressive 16 million units sold in its first year alone. Within two years, Joe accounted for almost 66% of Hasbro’s total profits.

The toys have since spawned countless spin-offs beyond the 1982 comic and original television series, and now span media, including video games and feature films. A trio of live-action films released in 2009, 2013, and 2021 have grossed more than $700 million worldwide at the box office, and the toys remain one of the most recognizable brands in the world. Despite toy makers’ fears that kids are increasingly turning to high-tech toys, the enduring popularity of classics like G.I. Joe is showcased by the success of recent inclusions like the G.I. Joe Classified Series.

Launched in 2020, it’s since expanded into multiple waves, premium exclusives, and retail partnerships. The HasLab H.I.S.S. Tank crowdfunding campaign, which offered a $299.99 version of the iconic Cobra vehicle, reached its funding goal of 8,000 backers in just half a day, eventually more than doubling that number.

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If you’re looking to buy a new e-reader on Amazon, you may have noticed that the online retailer offers a kids edition of its Kindle. Even though its name indicates a different edition and is $20 more expensive than the base Kindle, both devices have the exact same hardware. Their price difference exists because of the Kindle Kids’ extra services — which include a protective case, an extended warranty, and a free content subscription.

It sounds strange to pay an extra $20 for the Kindle Kids if both devices come with the same hardware, but the decision makes more sense when you drill into its details. For instance, the bundle includes a two-year warranty — which is one year longer than its standard counterpart. This extended warranty is complemented by a protective case included in the box. If you search the retailer, cases with similar quality can run anywhere between $8 and $30-plus on average.

What else makes the Kindle Kids worth the extra $20

While some adults may be hesitant to purchase a Kindle Kids over a desire to avoid content restrictions, this edition carries no reading or purchase constraints, unless the device is in “Kids Mode.” Adults just need to log in with their regular account and adjust profile settings accordingly. However, if you do have children, Amazon adds six months of Amazon Kids+ for free, which includes an ad-free, age-appropriate library with thousands of books. The subscription also boasts a plethora of shows, podcasts, games, and more.

Adults should note that in the past, you could skip ads for free on a Kindle Kids, but now, you need to pay $20 for ad removal unless browsing under a kids profile. If you’re interested in getting more out of your Kindle beyond ad removal, check out our guide highlighting ways to optimize usage of your device. 

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Following the pattern of the past few years, Apple decided to announce upcoming software features ahead of its WWDC keynote. This time, the company is officially unveiling a handful of new accessibility functions for iOS 27, which is expected to be previewed during the WWDC 2026 keynote on June 8, and released to all users by fall. While the star of this keynote should be new Apple Intelligence features and an all-new Siri powered by Google Gemini models, the company already teased a bit of that by revealing that Apple Intelligence will power VoiceOver and Magnifier, natural language will come to Voice Controls, and a few other perks that will make the iPhone, but also the iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro more accessible to users.

What’s more interesting about Apple’s accessibility features is that everybody can take advantage of them, as one of the most popular features have been Vehicle Motion Cues, which helps improve motion sickness when the person is using a gadget in a vehicle. For example, this functionality will expand to visionOS 27, as many Apple Vision Pro users take advantage of that headset in airplanes, trains, and other moving vehicles.

Despite rumors regarding upcoming iOS 27 features, these are the first batch of officially announced functions, and here’s how they might make your iPhone experience better once iOS 27 becomes available to everyone.

VoiceOver and Magnifier get Apple Intelligence

VoiceOver and Magnifier are accessibility features focused on blind people or those with low vision. What they have in common is that they can describe what’s on the iPhone screen so users can quickly navigate through apps, reply to messages, or get a description of a photo. Now, Apple is expanding this feature with Apple Intelligence. While it’s unclear how much the company might rely on the new models in partnership with Google, the company says VoiceOver is getting Image Explorer, which gives better descriptions of photos, bills, personal records, and visual content in general.

Live Recognition works similarly to Visual Intelligence for blind people and those with low vision, as you can press the Action Button to ask a question about what your camera is pointing to. Besides a detailed response, Apple says that users can ask follow-up questions to get a better understanding of what’s going on.

Magnifier, which is focused on helping people with low vision to navigate their iPhones, is adding Apple Intelligence to this high-contrast interface to make it easier for users to understand what’s onscreen. Apple explains that users can use the Action Button, or do spoken requests so they can get more details about a bill, article, or image, while also giving commands to control the iPhone.

Natural language comes to Voice Controls

The same way Apple CarPlay users can control the infotainment system with voice commands, including very specific ones like “Open the second app in the first row,” “Zoom in” for Apple Maps routes, and even control music playback, Voice Control will get more natural with Apple Intelligence’s updated natural language. This is something the company has been rolling out over the past few years on its apps, including Apple Music, App Store, Apple TV, and other search boxes, but it’s now expanding system-wide to make it easier for more people to enjoy their iPhones.

Basically, iPhone and iPad users will be able to control their smartphones and tablets without having to touch the display. From the “Say what you see” command, Apple Intelligence will guide users through their own devices and help them get what they want, whether it’s finding a document in the Files app, getting a guide about restaurants in the area with Apple Maps, or getting access to parts of an app which aren’t very accessible.

This way, Apple Intelligence can describe the page, give you information about the buttons it can tap, and you can decide what you want to do. This feature joins a handful of other accessibility features, including the ability to control the iPhone through eye gestures. While these functions might sound cool for everyone to try, they’re especially useful for users with disabilities or restricted movements.

Accessibility Reader gets really accessible

Apple is also improving its Accessibility Reader feature by powering it with a more inclusive AI. While users can already ask Siri to read a document, zoom it in, or even use Apple Intelligence to summarize an article, iOS 27 will make it easier for iPhone users to read more complex materials.

Apple says that users will benefit the most when trying to peruse scientific articles, text with multiple columns, images, and tables. After all, these documents don’t necessarily follow a very straightforward reading, which could be challenging for the current Reader to give a proper continuity for the user. Now, Apple says iOS 27 and Apple Intelligence will be better to handle that.

Another very interesting upgrade for the Accessibility Reader is that Apple Intelligence can translate documents to make them readable in your native language but also maintain the formatting, font, and colors of the original file, meaning you can comfortably read a paper, story, scientific article, and more, the way the author intended. This way, Apple ensures that users can take advantage of more types of files and documents all by themselves.

Auto-generated subtitles

Over the years, Apple has added several nice-to-have features related to video and subtitles. With iOS and tvOS, if you don’t understand what’s been said on an Apple TV show (or other supported streamers), you can ask “What was that they said?” and Siri would rewind a few seconds and automatically add subtitles to make it easier for you to understand what’s onscreen. The company also made it easier to customize the font and color of subtitles. However, this upcoming iOS 27 accessibility feature could be even more interesting, as Apple says it’ll now auto-generate subtitles for videos.

However, the company isn’t talking specifically about adding an auto-generated subtitle to your Netflix show. As a matter of fact, it’s going to create auto-generated subtitles for personal videos, images that family members and friends share, and even spoken audio. With that, Apple wants to make it easier for deaf or hard of hearing users to have the same experience of sharing and understanding content as anyone else.

Apple says that, at first, this feature will be available in English in the U.S. and Canada. While the company didn’t share plans as to when it might expand this feature to additional countries, it says that everything is processed on-device, meaning that an auto-generated subtitle will never send your personal videos or memories shared by your family to a server, as everything will be handled by your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro.

Name Recognition, new API for FaceTime, and game controllers

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The sixth cool accessibility feature coming to iOS 27 is an improvement to Name Recognition. While this feature has already been available, and it can give several cues that someone called you by flashing your iPhone flashlight, getting a notification, and so on, it can now be enjoyed by people across more than 50 languages worldwide, helping make deaf or hard of hearing people more aware when someone calls their names.

Besides that, following the introduction of Live Translation for FaceTime calls, which can automatically transcribe or generate what someone is saying from one language to the other, Apple is now releasing a new API that can let developers add a human interpreter to an ongoing FaceTime video call for people who use sign language. This way, if you, a friend, a family member, or even a business is having a hard time communicating, apps can now offer the ability to add a human interpreter into the mix.

Last but not least, Apple is expanding support for traditional game controllers with iOS, iPadOS, and macOS to more inclusive options, like Sony Access controller. With this accessory, users can make the controller more accessible for them, as it’s possible to tweak the thumbstick, built-in buttons, external ones, or improve the specialty switches to a layout that works for your needs. Apple says that users can even combine two controllers, making the experience truly inclusive for any gamer.

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No list of essential iPhone apps would be complete without the iPhone Weather app, and for good reason. It’s one of the few apps that’s useful whether you’re at home or out and about. Without its temperature and rain forecasts, it becomes much harder to plan what to wear, what chores to finish, what to bring outdoors, and where to go for the weekend.

But if you thought that the iPhone Weather app is designed only for telling you the temperature and current weather conditions in your area, you might want to think again. It’s actually a treasure trove of weather information, offering much more than just the standard details. In fact, it includes at least ten different data points, such as air quality, wind speed, UV index, humidity, and even visibility level. Under the hood, it has several other nifty functionalities you might not have realized even existed. We’ll show you four of these hidden features to help you make the most out of the iPhone Weather app.

Monitor the lunar phases

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If you often enjoy fishing, boating, skywatching, or taking astrophotos, then you probably monitor the phase of the moon all the time. Normally, you’d just hop on your browser to check, but with the iPhone Weather app, you really won’t need to. You can simply open the app and view the moon conditions from there. These conditions include details like what the current moon phase is, how much it is illuminated by the sun, and how far the moon is from Earth. It will also tell you the times for the moonrise and moonset for that day and the number of days until the next full moon arrives.

For convenience, the iPhone Weather app also comes complete with a moon phase calendar. Here, you’ll see what the phase of the moon is for certain days and which days the new and full moons fall on. This allows you to plan your coastal or skywatching activity more efficiently. You can also select any day on the calendar to check the moon details for that day. If you need to reference the previous month or plan ahead for next month, the iPhone Weather app features a moon phase calendar for those months, too.

To view all this information, go to the Home screen on the Weather app and scroll to the bottom until you see an image of the moon. This image represents the current moon phase. Tap on the tile to see the lunar details and calendar.

Check the weather conditions from your Home Screen and Lock Screen

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There are instances when you want to quickly see the weather conditions in your area but don’t want to go through the hassle of unlocking your phone or opening the app. Thankfully, the iPhone Weather app offers some nifty widgets for both the Home Screen and Lock Screen. All you need to do is customize your iPhone’s Home Screen and Lock Screen and add your Weather widget of choice. Here’s how to do so on your Lock Screen first:

1. Go to your Lock Screen.
2. Touch and hold an empty space.
3. Press Customize.
4. Tap on Add Widgets.
5. Go to Weather.
6. Choose which widget to put on your Lock Screen. Options include Temperature, Conditions, UV Index, Sunrise and Sunset, Moon, Precipitation, Wind, and Air Quality. Depending on which widgets you picked, you can add up to three or four.
7. Tap outside the widget panel.
8. Hit Done in the upper right corner.

You should then see the widgets whenever you wake your screen. If you have Always On Display enabled, the widgets will also show up there. To pin Weather widgets on your Home Screen, just long-press on the Home Screen, press Edit, and select Add Widget. Open Weather from the menu to view all the available widgets. Compared to the Lock Screen widgets, though, the Home Screen widgets for the Weather app are more limited. You only have the current forecast, current weather details (UV index, wind, precipitation, temperature), hourly forecast, daily forecast, detailed multi-day forecast, and sunrise and sunset times.

Get rain alerts for the next hour

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The weather can be so unpredictable in some locations that you might still feel unprepared even after checking your weather app. To make sure you don’t get caught in a rain shower while on the go, it’s a good idea to turn to one of iPhone Weather’s hidden features: Next-Hour Precipitation notifications. Once enabled, you’ll get forecasted rain alerts to help you prepare. These alerts tell you what time the rain is expected to start, how heavy it will be (light, moderate, heavy, or extreme), and how long it will last. This feature isn’t switched on by default, though, so you need to manually enable it. Here’s how:

1. On the Weather app Home page, tap the list icon in the bottom-right corner. 
2. Select the more icon (three dots) at the top-right. 
3. Go to Notifications. 
4. When prompted, press Continue to give the Weather app the necessary permissions. 
5. Tap on your location. 
6. Toggle on Next-Hour Precipitation. 
7. Press the checkmark to go back to the locations list.

If you don’t see your location or the Next-Hour Precipitation option, your location likely doesn’t support it. As of May 2026, this feature is only available in select countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, and Ireland. In some locations, you can make your iPhone warn you about severe weather instead. Other than the notifications, the Weather app also shows you a minute-by-minute rain forecast for the next hour for a specific location. For instance, you might get a message saying, “Rain is expected to stop in 3 min and start again 11 min later,” or “Chance of light rain in the next hour.”

Interact with a global map of weather conditions

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The iPhone Weather features a host of data to help you prepare for today and the upcoming days. But with all the different charts and figures, it can get quite overwhelming to make sense of the forecast. If you’re a visual person, you might better understand the data with a weather map instead. The iPhone Weather app has one right on the Home page, and it lets you track four key data points: precipitation, temperature, air quality, and wind.

To open this map, navigate to the Home screen on the Weather app and press the map icon in the bottom-left corner. You’ll then see an interactive map of the world with the specific forecast data layered on top. To read the map, refer to the color legend on the left of the screen. It shows you what color corresponds to a specific value. For instance, on the Temperature map, -40 degrees Fahrenheit shows up as violet, 30 degrees Fahrenheit as blue, 90 degrees Fahrenheit as red-orange, and 130 degrees Fahrenheit as deep red. Keep in mind that some data, like air quality, aren’t available everywhere in the world, so certain locations will appear colorless.

You can easily switch between weather data types by tapping on the layers icon in the upper right corner of the screen and choosing an option from the menu. For the Precipitation and Wind maps, a forecast timeline will pop up at the bottom. You can scrub the timeline manually or let it play out automatically.

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Knowing how much data you actually use or intend to use can be quite important for saving money down the line. For example, mobile hotspots might not be as reliable as you think, so you may prefer to stick to your network. Others using less data may benefit from one of many cheaper plans. Most people are fine using only 15 to 20GB, which can cover a mix of video streaming, gaming, listening to music, and general browsing. 

If you’re someone who regularly travels away from a trusted Wi-Fi source and uses one of many popular smartphone apps chewing up data, you’ll probably need a larger plan. Homebodies who stay connected to Wi-Fi 24/7 might only require a handful of GB in edge cases. Since the right amount of data for you depends on your individual needs, you should check your phone’s data usage and set restrictions or a cap if necessary. This planning can prevent surprise overages. 

How to check your data usage on iPhone and Android

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Despite often being similar, the steps for checking your monthly data usage vary by brand and OS version, primarily Android and iOS. On iPhone, navigate to Settings > Cellular. Under Cellular Data, you will see it broken down into Current Period and Current Period Roaming (data used on other networks). If you want to see it broken down by app, simply scroll down. On Android, the specific UI will depend heavily on the model and branding, as some manufacturers install a custom skin that’s very different from the near-stock one, such as One UI versus Pixel UI. But for a near-stock Android OS example, Pixel devices can find this data in Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > App data usage. In this menu, you can also select the date range to view the monthly billing cycle you want.

If you’re feeling anxious about going over your data cap, you can always select a limit to help you keep on top of your usage. On iPhone, you can’t do this directly. Still, you can restrict data usage for apps by going to Settings > Cellular Data and toggling them off. You can also reduce your background app data usage by going to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options, selecting Data Mode, and choosing Low Data Mode. Some versions have you go straight to Low Data Mode after selecting Cellular Data Options. On Android, it’s more straightforward: on a Pixel, navigate to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs, then choose Data warning & limit > Data limit, then select Set data limit to specify a value and choose Set to confirm. 

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In 2026, Apple is expected to unveil several new smart home devices. While they’ve allegedly been postponed because Apple Intelligence is bad and the current iteration of Siri can’t even keep up with basic conversations, the company continues to improve what will be the hub of the experience, the Apple Home app. With iOS 26, released in September 2025, Apple added an all-new Liquid Glass design, Adaptive Temperature for compatible thermostats, and a few other perks that make this software more useful.

Even though Apple recently released iOS 26.5, the company hasn’t focused too much on its Home app since the launch of iOS 26 last fall. Still, those who rely on the Home app to control their home and smart devices got a few improvements, including one that directly affects HomePod speakers.

According to rumors, Apple is currently preparing to release an all-new Apple TV 4K, new HomePod models, a HomePad, which will be a combo of a HomePod with an iPad display, security cameras, and even a locker with Face ID. Since we might have to wait for the iOS 27 announcement or even later to learn more about these upcoming products, these are some of the notable changes Apple added to the Home app in iOS 26.

Adaptive Temperature

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One of the main features with iOS 26 regarding the Home app is Adaptive Temperature. After all, thermostats are only useful if you don’t have to think about them all the time. With the latest software update, you can let your iPhone do the hard work to predict when you’re getting home and then offer you the perfect temperature. So whenever you get home from work, take your kids to school, or you’re just experiencing a terribly hot or cold day, the temperature in your house will be exactly how you enjoy it.

More than just adjusting the temperature for your likes, this functionality is also great to help you save energy when you’re away from home, as the house doesn’t need to be as warm or cold if there’s nobody there. Using on-device intelligence, Apple says that this feature gets information from your routine by understanding your sleep schedule created on the iPhone, and it leaves the perfect temperature for whenever you’re hitting the bed or waking up.

To take advantage of that functionality, Apple says that users need to have an Apple TV or HomePod, in addition to a compatible Matter thermostat. Users also need to follow a few requirements, including having the latest software update on their smart home device and activating location services for Home app and Home Accessories.

A new Liquid Glass experience

The second biggest change available on the Apple Home app with iOS 26 is the introduction of the Liquid Glass design language. When the company unveiled iOS 26, it said that Liquid Glass “makes apps and system experiences more expressive and delightful, while keeping iOS instantly familiar.” With this change, Apple says it wants content to be what users are always looking at when interacting with their phone, so app icons, widgets, and how people navigate with their devices will just be more seamless as everything blends in.

Despite a revamped app icon for the Home app, Apple also offers a new Clear icon and updated Default, Dark, and Tinted options. Once users open the Home app in iOS 26, for example, they’ll utilize the new Liquid Glass UI for navigation, as the bottom tabs are now in a hover bar.

By sliding their finger through the “Home,” “Automation,” and “Discover” tabs, users can understand a bit more of the Liquid Glass experience on the app, and how Apple focused on prioritizing content. Finally, the company also updated the toggles and how the interaction happens when you tap the products paired in the Home app.

AirPlay enhancements and enroll multiple accessories

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Also related to the Home app, the third feature introduced with iOS 26 has been AirPlay improvements. AirPlay is Apple’s proprietary technology of how users can stream video and audio on speakers, TVs, soundbars, and more.

With the latest software update, when you have your HomePod playing songs using AirPlay, everyone added to the Home app can see what’s playing, control the music, and even control which HomePod speakers are playing the song. This gives more freedom for everyone to enjoy a collaborative sound experience. Apple also improved AirPlay with Siri on AirPlay, as you can ask Siri to play to other HomePod speakers in your home.

The fourth change came a little later with iOS 26.2. With this update, Apple added muli-ipack accessory pairing. Basically, if you need to enroll several accessories from the same manufacturer, like light bulbs, light strips, or anything else that support the latest Matter standard, you can use the same setup code, making it a more straightforward experience to pair them all to your Home app and then control them with your iPhone, iPad, or smart home hub. Previously, you would have to pair one by one, making the entire process take a lot longer than it should.

Aqara Smart Lock integration

Ahead of Apple’s secretive smart lock with Face ID support, Aqara released during CES 2026 possibly the best smart lock available on the market currently. With the Aqara U400 smart lock, it’s the first device of its kind to support Apple’s ultra-wideband (UWB) chip, meaning that you don’t need to hold your iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock your door. By approaching the door, Apple’s ultra-wideband tech will unlock the door for you, which is especially useful if you have your hands full.

The ultrawide-band technology has been recently improved with a second-generation chip in the iPhone 16 or newer, but all main iPhone models since the iPhone 11 and Apple Watch Series 6 feature ultra-wideband technology. What’s most interesting about this smart lock is that you can also share access with guests, so even if you’re not at home, you can send a temporary digital key to a friend or family member. Other authentication methods include a password or fingerprint.

Unlike other smart lockers that use Bluetooth, the ultra-wideband chip is a lot more precise, enabling it to identify your device even if it’s in your pocket or on your wrist, so you don’t have to worry about picking it up or approaching your door with your device in hand.

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