🧽 Window washing 2.0: Cleaning high-rise windows is risky work, but a spider-like AI robot is about to change that. Named after those gravity-defying mountain goats, Ibex only needs a button press to get to work. It climbs buildings, using cameras and sensors to scan surfaces, dodge window frames and leave no spot untouched. The robots are already in Texas, so don’t be surprised if they pop up everywhere soon.
Your phone’s dirty little secret
True or false: If your phone’s got all four reception bars lit up and it’s displaying the 5G symbol, you’ve got A+ service.
The answer? False. When you see “5G,” all it means is there are 5G connections nearby. Whether you’re on that network is another story. I know, eye roll. Cell service bars don’t mean much, either.
So, should we stop waving our phones in the air to try to get a better connection? I’ve got the inside scoop.
The 5G hype
The Washington Post just wrote a great piece about the 5G indicator on your phone. Even when you see 5G, you might really be connected to 4G or LTE. Yes, your phone will still work perfectly fine.
When you start doing something more intensive on your phone, though, like making a video call or playing an online game, your wireless network may automatically switch you to 5G for a better experience.
How do you know you’re really on 5G? Look for the letters next to the 5G icon. On Verizon, 5G UW means you’re likely connected to a 5G network. On T-Mobile, it’ll show up as 5G UC. AT&T displays 5G E, but that just means you’re close to a network.
Even the alphabet soup doesn’t guarantee your connection is supercharged.
Barhopping
If walking around looking for reception bars isn’t the solution, what is? Some of the ol’ free standbys still work.
- Keep your phone’s Wi-Fi calling option on. This way, you’ll switch over to known, saved internet networks (like work and home) automatically for calls, if they’re within range. On an iPhone, open Settings, then scroll and tap Cellular > Wi-Fi Calling. Toggle on the button next to Wi-Fi Calling. On an Android, open the Phone app, then tap More (or the three-dot icon) to open the menu. Tap Settings and select Wi-Fi calling. If you don’t see the option, your carrier may not support it, or the steps may vary on your phone.
- Look around. Some building materials can function like a faraday cage, killing your connection. If you’re inside, get closer to a window or go outside. Go upstairs if you’re on a lower level.
- Try a cellphone tower search site. CellMapper is easy to use and has a ton of filtering options. Set your country, provider and network speed, then enter your address in the Location Search field. Hit Enter and you’ll see the closest cell towers.
By the way, you may notice you get better cell service in the winter, when all the trees are bare. I know, you can’t make the leaves fall, but this is good to know!
😅 6G could be 9,000 times faster than 5G: But it’ll need tons of power. Some suggest visible light communication may be the solution, though it leaks tons of energy. Enter Bracelet+, a mini antenna that captures lost power. Researchers tried it on walls and phones, but guess what worked best? The human body.
Boston Dynamics' Atlas goes hands-on
Atlas doesn’t need lunch breaks: Boston Dynamics just dropped new footage of its humanoid robot Atlas. The bot does factory work, like moving engine covers between supplier containers and a mobile sequencing dolly — complete with full-motion bending and turning. The big deal is that no human needs to tell the bot what to do after training.
Flip, not flop: Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold SE is their first foldable phone with almost no crease in the middle. The Korea-only launch sold out instantly. Expect the same screen tech in the Galaxy Fold 7 in the U.S. next year. Psst, the Fold 6 (21% off) and Flip 6 (24% off) are on sale right now.
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Speaking of Amazon: Bad news if you got a new Kindle Colorsoft — many people are complaining about the bottom of the color display having a yellowish tint. If you own one, contact their support for a refund or replacement. Replacements ship out next week.
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📦 Coming in hot: Amazon just got the FAA greenlight to fly new, smaller delivery drones that cross into pilots’ line of sight. First stop: Tolleson, a city west of Phoenix (not near me … yet). Fingers crossed this MK30 model is quieter than the others. Locals, no skeet shooting for prizes!
It’s miles ahead: Toyota’s long-awaited solid-state battery is nearing production. It will go 745 miles on a single charge, tackling “range anxiety” once and for all. They’re also lighter and more compact than lithium-ion batteries, which means more legroom and cargo space. Finally.
Have an iPhone 14 Plus? There’s a problem with the rear cameras on phones manufactured between Apr. 10, 2023, and Apr. 28, 2024. Use this serial number checker to see if yours needs the free fix.
Jedi mind tricks: Neurable is creating mind-reading headphones that pick up tiny electrical impulses from your skull. Telepathy might be next. In one of their gamified exercises, the more you focus, the faster you make a rocket accelerate. Watch the video here — and while you’re watching, think where this tech will be in five years!
⭐️ Good news: Science Corporation’s new eye implant is bringing sight to the blind. Here’s how it works: A tiny 2mm chip sits under the retina while special glasses equipped with a camera capture what’s ahead. The camera sends infrared light to the chip, which translates it into signals the brain can understand. Patients can’t see full color or detail yet, but they can already recognize shapes and patterns. Amazing.
Cute … for now: Meet Proteus, a little bot zipping around Amazon’s Nashville facility. It can load packages up to 880 pounds into trucks. When its battery runs low, Proteus recharges in 8 minutes and then gets back to work. Amazon says they aren’t replacing humans (yet), but these little helpers already have fulfillment costs down 25%.
Finally, a full-color Kindle: Amazon’s new Kindle Colorsoft is easy on the eyes like the classic models but way better for reading colorful comics and magazines. It lasts up to eight weeks on a single charge, and it’s wireless-charging-compatible and waterproof. Preorder one for $280 and Oct. 30 shipping. Pro tip: Trade your old Kindle back to Amazon for 20% off your upgrade.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Apple’s Vision Pro won’t be around much longer: In September, only 10 new apps dropped for the Vision Pro. It’s a classic chicken-and-egg problem (paywall link). Developers don’t see enough customers, and people aren’t excited to spend $3,500 on an AR headset without much content.
Buttons are back: After nearly two decades of touchscreens, companies are going back to buttons, knobs and sliders. They’re in cars, appliances and personal electronics. Even the iPhone 16 has an “action button.” It turns out we like the feel of physical controls, and, bonus, they’re safer (paywall link). A volume knob is a lot less distracting than a car’s touchscreen.
Don’t buy one: After about two years of use, Apple’s M1 iMacs reportedly get dark horizontal lines across the screens. The issue appears to be hardware-related, and unless you have AppleCare+ coverage, repairs run up to $700. FYI, the M3 iMac (2023) is rumored to have this problem, too.
Amazon’s new lineup of Fire HD 8 tablets: They’ve got double the RAM of the previous models, a 5 MP rear cam, an 8-inch HD display, up to 13 hours of battery life, plus an AI webpage summary tool and a writing assistant. Good time to buy, too: The Fire HD 8 is 35% off right now, and the Fire HD 8 Kids and Fire HD 8 Kids Pro are both 50% off.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Scalpers ruin everything: The PlayStation 5 Pro ($699) and PlayStation 5 30th Anniversary Limited Edition bundle ($999) drop on Nov. 7. The updated models have 2TB of storage, a beefier GPU and AI upscaling tech. Only 12,300 Limited Edition models were made, and they sold out in seconds. Surprise, they’re on eBay for up to $12,300.
Apple’s home robots may be coming soon: Rumor has it two smart display devices will run a new operating system called homeOS. The high-end model is tricked out with a robotic arm, a large iPad-like display and a price starting at $1,000. The cheaper model, which is made for controlling home appliances, is expected to debut next year. Yep, AI’s included.