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Apple’s Vision Pro goggles unleash a mixed reality that could lead to more innovation and isolation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:07 GMT

CUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) — Reporters are a skeptical bunch, so it was unusual to hear so many of them raving about their firsthand experience with Apple’s next Big Thing: the high-priced headset called Vision Pro, a device infused with totally virtual reality as well as augmented reality that projects digital images on top of real-world settings.But after wearing the Vision Pro during a half-hour demonstration meticulously orchestrated by Apple, I joined the ranks of those blown away by all the impressive technology Apple has packed into the goggles-like headset. Still, that excitement was muted by a disquieting sense of having just passed through a gateway that eventually will lead society down another avenue of digital isolation.THE POTENTIAL UPSIDESBut first the good stuff: Vision Pro is a highly sophisticated device that is fairly easy to set up and incredibly intuitive to use. The setup requires using an iPhone to automatically take some assessments of your eyes and ears. I...

Virginia jet crash victims remembered: “I could not love a human being more”

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:07 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — One passenger was a caretaker from Jamaica known for her generous portions of plantain porridge. Another was a luxury real estate broker, returning from a family visit with her 2-year-old daughter. The man behind the controls of the plane, last seen slumped in the cockpit, was a skilled aviator with decades of experience.All four died Sunday when the private jet they were traveling in lost contact with air traffic controllers and crashed into a mountain in rural Virginia. At one point, the unresponsive Cessna Citation flew directly over Washington, prompting the launch of military fighter jets that set off a sonic boom around the capital region.As federal investigators continue to piece together what happened, new details are emerging about the people who lost their lives in a tragedy that has left friends and family reeling from the Hamptons to South Florida.Adina Azarian, 49, was well known in New York’s real estate circles, a luxury broker whose portfolio of exclu...

Benefits over beats: 'Hip Hop Tuesday' a safe space for Chicago kids

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:07 GMT

CHICAGO — A summer safe space is being created for kids in Chicago's 15th Police District in the city's Austin neighborhood. The move is part of an initiative called 'Hip Hop Tuesday.'Offered to kids of all ages, the safe harbor for Chicago's youth provides TV, video games, air hockey, board games, basketball, table tennis, and more. But there's also mentorship.SEE ALSO | SKATE for Girls program helps girls gain confidence on the ice and in the classroomCity officers are all ears, listening to kid air their grievances. The cops involved are also watching how kids are doing in school because, at the end of the year, the cops get a copy of their report cards. If the group collectively has a GPA over 3.0, they get a new piece of equipment. Participant Kumir Hill spoke about the benefits of the program."They help out with homework and if you don't want to go home right after school and do something productive, you can come here," Hill said. "They have games and other kids here your age,...

Fire crews respond to 2-alarm blaze at rail container yard in Back of the Yards

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:07 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago firefighters on Tuesday worked to contain an extra-alarm fire in the city's Back of the Yards neighborhood. Fire officials say multiple engines responded to the scene at a truck and rail container storage yard at 50th and Morgan. pic.twitter.com/KkhGZ46BA7— Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) June 6, 2023Crews doused the flames from all angles to keep the blaze from spreading to a nearby wooden pallet facility. Photo from CFDPhoto from CFDPhoto from CFDRead more: Latest Chicago news headlinesNo word on the cause of the fire, but no injuries have been reported. SkyCam9 flew above the scene.

How old is your iPhone? Apple's iOS 17 will only support these devices

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:07 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Along with the introduction of Apple's long-anticipated $3,500 headset, the Cupertino-based company gave a preview of its newest operating system, iOS 17, which won't be compatible with iPhones of a certain age.People with recent models will have access to new ways of sharing and viewing someone's location, increased customization of phone calls, Live Stickers made with personal photos, contact sharing with Airdrop, a tool to combat unsolicited nude photos and improved autocorrect, among other features. Popular Android app started spying on users, making recordings “With iOS 17, we’ve made iPhone more personal and intuitive by deeply considering the features we all rely on every day,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering in a news release. “Phone, FaceTime, and Messages are central to how we communicate, and this release is packed with updates we think our users are going to love."Apple made it clear on its website that the latest...

One week into special session, Texas Republicans no closer to a property tax deal

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:07 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Top Republicans show no signs of compromising on a plan to lower Texans' property taxes after Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick reiterated their commitments to their competing plans Tuesday.As an ongoing special session with only the upper chamber present for business beats on, $17.6 billion hangs in the balance as leaders debate different ideas for how to use an unprecedented surplus for property tax relief. CATCH UP: House passes Abbott-backed property tax relief and border bill, adjourns special session Abbott directed the legislature to spend all $17.6 billion on lowering school district property tax rates. After the House and Senate failed to reach a deal in the regular session, he called lawmakers to pass a plan to lower property taxes "solely by reducing the school district maximum compressed tax rate." That strategy, known as compression, simply gives school districts more money in return for lower tax rates."Every dollar we spend should go towa...

Puppies continue to be found near Austin golf course

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:07 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Charlie Crenshaw has earned the nickname "The Dog Whisperer of Balcones" after finding three puppies at a golf course in the past month. "I don't know how I find myself at the right place at the right time with these dogs," Crenshaw said. Crenshaw, who works as a golf instructor at the Balcones Country Club, said he found the first dog running near U.S. Highway 183 in December. Crenshaw said he whistled and the dog came running toward him."He immediately just turned, looked at me and just ran right into my arms," he said. "It was like he and I were just meant to be."Photos of the dog were shared on social media and the dog and its owner were quickly reunited. Two more dogs were found in recent weeks. One was found near the country club early one morning as nearby traffic was getting heavy. The other was found under a van across the street from the country club. Neither dog had a collar or microchip, Crenshaw said. Luckily, they were able to find new homes for each pu...

'Ended up living in the woods': Hays County homeless advocates want more low-income housing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:07 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — More affordable housing options are coming to Hays County after commissioners voted to join the Texas Housing Foundation, a public housing authority. "We're able to put a lot of multifamily development down on the ground," Texas Housing Foundation President and CEO Mark Mayfield said. Mayfield said it's already a part of Williamson County, Llano County, Bastrop County, Blanco County and Burnet County. "Everyone has to have a place to live," Mayfield said. "That's why we exist is to try to create those opportunities."While many said it's a step in the right direction, some housing advocates are pushing for more. Low-income housing needsGeorge Barbour never thought he'd see the day he'd have his own apartment. "I didn't have nowhere to go, no source of income and I didn't know anybody. I ended up living in the woods," Barbour said. He was homeless and his health was deteriorating. "I just kept getting sicker and sicker," Barbour said. "The city found me in ...

Twins’ Byron Buxton lands on injured list days after being hit by pitch in ribs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:07 GMT

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Byron Buxton avoided the worst-case scenario when he was plunked on the ribs last Thursday by a Tanner Bibee fastball.But while he was fortunate to escape without any broken bones, Buxton hasn’t seen the field since then. And on Tuesday, after days of playing short-handed, the Twins made the decision to place the designated hitter on the injured list with a left rib contusion.Twins manager Rocco Baldelli had said on Sunday that he was hopeful that Buxton might be back on Tuesday. Instead, he’ll have a chance to heal for the next week. The move is retroactive to June 3, meaning Buxton would be eligible to return next Tuesday when the Twins play the Milwaukee Brewers.While Buxton was thankful to walk away from the incident without a fracture, the pain got to be so great the first night that he slept in a chair because he couldn’t lay on his side.“To know there’s nothing wrong and it’s just a bruise. For me, that’s a big positive,” Buxton said after hearing his X...

Canada wildfires are leading to air-quality alerts in U.S. Here’s how to stay safe

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:16:07 GMT

Canada is dealing with a series of intense wildfires that have spread from the western provinces to Quebec, with hundreds of forest fires burning. The smoke has traveled into the United States, resulting in a number of air quality alerts issued since May.On Tuesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a poor air quality alert for New England, a day after parts of Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota received a similar advisory. Last week, U.S. officials as far south as Maryland, Baltimore, Virginia and Pennsylvania reported being impacted by the wildfires.Here’s a summary of what’s being evaluated and some suggested precautions:WHAT’S HAPPENING?Smoke from Canada’s wildfires has been moving into the United States since last month. The most recent fires near Quebec have been burning for at least several days.The EPA said hazy skies, reduced visibility and the odor of burning wood are likely, and that the smoke will linger for a few days in New England.“It’s not unusual for us...