All politics is local, as the old saying goes. The modern corollary could be that all local politics is national politics, given the power and reach of social media. That’s part of our focus this week in our Citizen Now series: We’re looking at what’s happening close to home as school boards, teachers, parents and students grapple with hot-button issues.

It’s unsettling for a lot of people. “What is frightening is that we’re now seeing national-style politics in our largest and most trusted public institution, schools,” Rebecca Jacobsen, a Michigan State professor of educational policy, told CNET’s Maggie Reardon. After a contentious board of education meeting on books in schools earlier this year, described by CNET’s Zachary McAuliffe, one student said of the aggressive behavior: “It was really eye-opening to see it in person.”

Those features are among the many in-depth features and thought-provoking commentaries that also appeared on CNET this week. So here you go. These are the stories you don’t want to miss.

School Boards Are Becoming the Fiercest Battlefront for the Culture Wars

Here’s why you should be more aware of what’s going on with your children’s school boards. 

Meta Offers Look at What Might Follow the Quest 2 as It Pursues a VR Future 

The social media giant, formerly known as Facebook, has been working on several prototype VR headsets to make virtual worlds appear more realistic. 

Foldable Phones Are Having a Moment 

Rumors suggest new foldable models from Samsung, Google and Motorola are in the works.  

Book Bans Are on the Rise, but Students Are Fighting Back  

Some students are speaking out at local board of education meetings and in state houses, and some are filing lawsuits.

Enter the General Relativity Rabbit Hole: Unraveling Einstein’s Theory That Deconstructs Space and Time  

A deep dive into our universe’s most paradoxical and confusing, yet elegant and shatterproof theory.  

How Abortion Searches Online Can Be Used Against You  

Roe v. Wade has been overturned, and police could use your location data as criminal evidence.

A Virtual Tour Uncovers the Hidden History of Black Disenfranchisement

Virtual reality is helping to unearth stories of the Black experience that have been paved over through the years.   

For Climate Activists, War in Ukraine Is Changing Everything

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is shaping the lives and work of European climate activists, who are asking their governments to stop financing the war through fossil fuels.

‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ Did the Impossible: It Made Star Wars Fans Happy

Well, most of them anyway. 

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If you’ve got a smartwatch, chances are you’re using it to track some aspect of your health. During the pandemic, that might have included keeping tabs on your blood oxygen levels. Smartwatches from Apple, Samsung, Fitbit and Withings all offer that capability. 

It’s a complicated matter, though, to assess what exactly those blood oxygen (aka SpO2) numbers mean at any given moment, and over time. CNET’s Lisa Eadicicco talked to doctors and product experts about the benefits and shortcomings of that health feature, and she’s here to pass along to you what she learned.

Her article is among the many in-depth features and thought-provoking commentaries that appeared on CNET this week. So here you go. These are the stories you don’t want to miss.

Smartwatches Have Measured Blood Oxygen for Years. But Is This Useful?

Having access to more health data from home is helpful, but smartwatches still have limitations to overcome. 

These Apps Are Cheaper Than Payday Loans, but Fees Can Add Up

Earned-wage apps also don’t fix problems caused by inflation and low wages.  

How Ancient Graves May Have Finally Revealed the Black Death’s Mysterious Origin

DNA analysis might’ve finally solved a puzzle surrounding one of history’s deadliest diseases.

Your Worst Nightmare: The Reason We Experience Terrifying Dreams 

From waking up in a cold sweat to the lingering unease of the morning after, here’s what happens when you’re struck by a nightmare.   

Apple Lays Out More Pieces of Its Future AR Headset Puzzle

WWDC has come and gone, and still no Apple AR/VR goggles. But new software hints at future possibilities.

I Took an Esports Brain Test. I’m Not Even Close to Being a Pro Gamer

The test measures a variety of gamer skills. I wasn’t up to snuff in any.  

Life in Venus Clouds Would Break Everything We Know About the Planet’s Chemistry

The strange lack of sulfur dioxide in Venus’ clouds doesn’t appear to be the doing of aliens.

Reality Dating Shows Are Super Weird Now. What’s Going On?

Commentary: Somehow, reality dating shows are growing more unhinged, and actual dating isn’t far behind.

Are You Afraid of the Dark? What’s Not Normal, Why It Happens and How to Treat It

Fear of the dark is common in children, but adults can have it too.

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This week brought us Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference, when the maker of Macs and iPhones shares details of coming changes to the software that runs those and other devices. WWDC is on the geeky side, but it’s also pretty clear what’s in store for everyone who uses Apple products.

We found out, for instance, about iOS 16, coming to iPhones later this year with features like an updated lock screen heavy on customization; Apple Pay Later, which splits the cost of a purchase across four payments; and Safety Check, designed to help people at risk of abuse. We got a peek at MacOS Ventura, along with a redesigned MacBook Air and a 13-inch MacBook Pro, both of which will pack the new M2 chip. And we learned about WatchOS 9 and iPadOS 16, too.

Our stories about WWDC came to you among the many in-depth features and thought-provoking commentaries that also appeared on CNET this week. So here you go. These are the stories you don’t want to miss. 

iOS 16’s Lock Screen Upgrades Make the iPhone More Like a Smartwatch

Commentary: Apple’s changes to the iPhone lock screen are a bigger deal than you think.

The Metaverse Needs to Figure Out How to Deal With Sexual Assault 

Commentary: Moderating social media is hard. Moderating the metaverse will be harder. 

Apple’s Safety Check Is Built to Prevent ‘Terrifying’ Consequences

As tech’s reach grows, companies are taking on a new, very personal, set of issues.

Sleep Paralysis: I Hallucinated a Giant Spider, but My Doctor Said It Was Fine  

Here’s why people freeze in place and have waking nightmares.

‘Ms. Marvel’ on Disney Plus Is the Muslim Representation I’ve Been Waiting For

The new MCU series about a Pakistani Muslim-American superhero shows just how far Hollywood has come.   

The Time I Tried Polyphasic Sleep and Almost Lost My Mind  

I don’t recommend it.

Hayabusa2’s Ancient Asteroid Samples Are the Most Pristine Ever Seen. Why That’s a Big Deal

Initial analysis of the samples from asteroid Ryugu show the rock could change our understanding of the early solar system.

What WatchOS 9 May Reveal About the Next Apple Watch 

Commentary: WatchOS 9’s new running features could pair nicely with the rumored Apple Watch Explorer Edition.

It’s Time to Learn About Passkeys, the No-Password Login Tech 

Google, Apple, and Microsoft expect passkeys can completely replace passwords. Apple support arrives in iOS 16 and MacOS Ventura.

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We’ve all had it happen: a cracked or shattered phone screen. But how many of us have tried to fix that on our own? It might not have been an option. But now Apple, which had long resisted it, is giving iPhone owners a way to repair their phones on their own.

CNET’s Chris Parker took them up on it. He ordered a repair kit from Apple’s Self Service Repair Program and put his DIY skills to the test, and he lays out the process step by step so you can see what’s involved. “The support manual was very helpful,” he reports, “even if I did bungle a couple of steps along the way.”

His article is among the many in-depth features and thought-provoking commentaries that appeared on CNET this week. So here you go. These are the stories you don’t want to miss.

I Fixed My Broken iPhone Screen Using Apple’s Self Service Repair Kit

Join me as I exercise my right to repair my shattered iPhone SE using the new DIY repair kit from Apple.   

‘Stranger Things’ Will Be Netflix’s Biggest Hit Yet. How? Netflix Changed its Rules

Netflix quietly revised how it ranks popularity, letting a few shows — like Stranger Things — enjoy wildly inflated stats.  

This Stylish, Luxury Hybrid Watch (Almost) Made Me Ditch My Apple Watch

The Withings ScanWatch Horizon is a hybrid watch with plenty of health-tracking features. But it’s not as good at replacing my phone as the Apple Watch.

‘The Internet’s Best Friend’: TikTok Comedian Gets Laughs While Raising Mental Health Awareness  

Making people laugh isn’t the only thing Elyse Myers does. She’s also bringing large-scale awareness to mental health struggles.

These Drones Could Give You 5G Networking in the Next Hurricane 

AT&T already has sent its “flying COWs” aloft to provide network coverage during earlier disasters.

Goblintown Is a $37M NFT Collection That No One Can Explain

After being given out for free 12 days ago, Goblintown NFTs are selling for $11,000. No one knows what it’s about.

Wristcam’s Apple Watch Video Calling Is Proof-of-Concept for FaceTime-like Calls

Taking a video call on your wrist sounds like a futuristic dream. But it’s not quite ready to replace your phone just yet.  

Scientists Discover a Black Hole Illusion That Will Trick Your Brain and Your Eyes 

Your pupils might speak louder than words when it comes to this brain-melting artwork.  

Why Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard Dominated the Internet  

Social media feeds have been drowning in Heard vs. Depp content, in a high-profile case that just wrapped up its time in court.

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For many of us, our connection to the internet from our homes happens via cable. Even our phones often rely on that, as we connect to Wi-Fi to work, Wordle, shop or spin through TikTok. There are alternatives, though, and not just satellite service.

Nowadays, there’s a 5G option for home internet, at least in some areas. CNET’s Eli Blumenthal spent a few weeks trying it out and said this broadband option shows “plenty of promise,” along with notable shortfalls. 

His story is among the many in-depth features and thought-provoking commentaries that appeared on CNET this week. So here you go. These are the stories you don’t want to miss.

Verizon, T-Mobile and My Personal Attempt to Replace Cable Internet With 5G

T-Mobile’s and Verizon’s respective 5G home internet offerings have potential, but both need work to fix consistency.  

What Google’s Pixel Watch Can Learn From Its Phones

Commentary: Google has an opportunity to make its first smartwatch stand out with Pixel-specific features. 

Don’t Just Tour That Home Online. By All Means Judge It

McMansion Hell and Zillow Gone Wild are part of a big world of architecture and real estate voyeurism. 

I Tried the ‘Anti-Instagram’ App Called BeReal, and It’s Actually Kinda Fun

This social app, which seeks to avoid the phoniness of its much-bigger rivals, takes just a couple minutes a day and still allows for friendly competition.

On the Edge of Chaos: Why Your Brain Balances on a High Wire

We derive a wealth of benefits from teetering between calmness and mayhem.

What’s at Stake in Your Statehouse

Every state legislature is different, and it’s important to know what yours does and how it functions. Our guide can help.

Stylish, Kooky ’18 1/2′ Finds the Weird in Watergate

This unique take on the scandal is anything but the movie you’re expecting.

Please Don’t Let Neil deGrasse Tyson Ruin Lunar Eclipses for You 

“Un-spectacular,” huh?

My Favorite Things on the Internet

A very personal list of the best things I’ve ever seen online.

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The Met Gala they’re not, but tech events like Google I/O have an appeal to folks beyond the developers in the audience. They offer a peek at the tech that’ll soon be in our hands and our homes.

This year’s Google I/O brought us more than software updates, like Android 13, tweaks to Google Maps and the shift to the Monk skin tone scale. Google went big on hardware as well, talking up, among other things, the Pixel 6A and Pixel 7 phones, the Pixel Buds Pro earbuds and the Pixel Watch, its first smartwatch. Be sure to check out our complete Google I/O coverage.

Those stories are part and parcel with the many in-depth features and thought-provoking commentaries that appeared on CNET this week. So here you go. These are the stories you don’t want to miss.

No Joke: Google’s AI Is Smart Enough to Understand Your Humor

Google’s language algorithm can handle your dad jokes. Here’s why that matters.

Breaking Down the Mind-Bending Milky Way Black Hole Image

Here’s why the first black hole images look like fiery doughnuts. 

Here’s How Apple’s iPod Lasted for 20 Years

Commentary: The gadget survived music streaming, rival players and the iPhone.  

Facebook Accused of Deliberately Causing Havoc in Australia Over News Law — Read the Whistleblower Files

Facebook said last year that it mistakenly took down pages of the Australian government and emergency services. Whistleblowers say it was intentional.

Google’s Promise to Simplify Tech Puts Its Devices Everywhere

Commentary: Google wants to make technology less obtrusive. But to do so, its devices need to be everywhere.   

The Productivity Hack That’s Taking Over TikTok

Body doubling can be a total game changer for people who struggle to retain focus. 

iPod Creator Tony Fadell Isn’t Buying the Metaverse Hype

We need to fix the problems that already exist on today’s social platforms, he says. 

Luna Cryptocurrency Collapse: How UST Broke and Why It Matters  

Last week, a luna coin was worth $85. Now it’s worth a penny. Here’s why that matters. 

Immersive Theater Is Back, But It’s Hard to Leave Real Life at the Door  

The Burnt City proves that Punchdrunk can still create fantastical new worlds, but exploring them brings new discomfort.  

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VR brings a third dimension to computing. Strap on a headset, and you’re not just looking at something, you’re surrounded by it. There’s a real sense of depth and volume and immersion. You are as good as there.

One outstanding example of that is a virtual reality installation called The Infinite, which puts you inside the International Space Station and enables you to gaze down on Earth from orbit. CNET’s Joan Solsman has tried it out, and has some thoughts, too, on how that sort of location-based VR compares with wearing an Oculus headset in your living room. She also talked with two astronauts who can attest to how vivid an experience The Infinite is: “When the lights came up in the film and around me was the space station that I remembered as my home, I wasn’t ready,” said Christina Koch. “I wasn’t ready to have to say goodbye again.”

Those stories are among the many in-depth features and thought-provoking commentaries that appeared on CNET this week. So here you go. These are the stories you don’t want to miss.

‘The Infinite’ VR Is the Closest You’ll Feel to Space Without Floating

Stepping into a massive, virtual International Space Station is like slipping into the ISS’ living memory.

Apple, Google and Samsung May Have Exciting Smartwatch Plans for 2022

A more durable Apple Watch, Google’s long-rumored Pixel Watch and the first Wear OS Fitbit smartwatch might launch this year.

Why the Hell Is Elden Ring So Popular?  

Commentary: It makes no sense.

In-Person VR Is a Crystal Ball to the Metaverse. COVID Tried to Shatter It 

Location-based virtual reality fell derelict in the pandemic. Now, with in-person experiences reviving, it’s where you’ll touch the metaverse’s future. 

I Used Loop to Hack My Insulin Pump to Better Control My Blood Sugar Levels 

Loop is a DIY automated insulin delivery system with more customization and features than FDA-approved systems on the market. 

Waffle Is Just Like Wordle but at Least Five Times Better  

Commentary: I was sick of Wordle spinoffs, but I’ll be devouring a Waffle every day. 

Merge Away, Warner Bros. Discovery. Just Don’t Charge Us More for HBO Max  

Commentary: Mergers can come with price hikes, but $15 per month is already expensive enough.

Ukraine, Fighting Russia With Drones, Is Rewriting the Rules of War

The same quadcopters you can buy at Amazon are on the front lines of the battle for Ukraine.

Why Smart Clothes Are Still Years Away From Entering Your Wardrobe

Yes, we can put sensors in clothes — but there still isn’t a great reason you can’t use a smartwatch instead.

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Elon Musk Says Buying Twitter Isn’t About Making Money

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The post 9 Great Reads From CNET This Week: ‘Infinite’ VR, 2022 Smartwatches, Elden Ring and more first appeared on Joggingvideo.com.

The internet is pretty much the air we all breathe now. It’s where we communicate, shop, find entertainment and discover what’s happening. It’s also where businesses track so much of what we do.

So it behooves us to know how all that works, for good and for ill, and to learn how we can take control of our online lives. That’s the subject of CNET’s new Citizen Now series, which launched this week with stories that examine our massive digital footprints and what we can do to protect our personal data, that explore how to use social media for good and that introduce us to people fighting misinformation. The series also looks into how to be on your best behavior in the metaverse and how Estonia created a nationwide digital identity that could serve as a model for all of us.

Those stories are among the many in-depth features and thought-provoking commentaries that appeared on CNET this week. So here you go. These are the stories you don’t want to miss.

Your Digital Footprint: It’s Bigger Than You Realize

Just about everything about you is online, whether you put it there or not.

Apple’s iMessage Could Be Way More Flexible With WhatsApp’s New Feature   

Commentary: WhatsApp offers speedy access across computers and tablets, even when your phone’s switched off.  

4 Changes Elon Musk Could Push at Twitter  

“Do you want an edit button?” Musk’s frank tweets provide a glimpse into what the tech mogul wants to fix.

Meet the Unsung Force Shining a Light on Misinformation 

For these grad students, going down the rabbit hole is required to get a degree.  

It’s Time to Treat Your Home Security Cameras as Compromised  

Commentary: Wyze has taught us a valuable lesson.  

Magic Leap 2 Aims to Bring AR to Businesses, With No BS This Time

CEO Peggy Johnson explains why a focus on the business sector with its new, smaller headset can transform the augmented-reality market.  

How TikTok Songs Make the Most Intense Earworms Ever  

Commentary: Nearly everyone gets earworms, but is TikTok making them more potent? 

Writer Drew Magary at Peace Never Knowing Why His Brain ‘Exploded’

As part of CNET’s series Mysteries of the Brain, the popular author and Defector writer shares how a fall to a concrete floor changed his life forever.

Bitcoin Blackmailers Attempted to Steal $25,000 From My Dad’s E-Trade Account

A cautionary tale about a new type of financial fraud.  

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Fake News Real Talk: Your Brain Is Fooling You

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In the new movie The Batman, the caped crusader has high-tech contact lenses embedded with computer circuitry. Easy enough for Hollywood to fake something like that. But it may not be as far-fetched as you think. A company called Mojo Vision is working on a prototype contact lens that’s flexing some pretty impressive powers.

CNET’s Scott Stein got to try out the Mojo Lens a few weeks back, and he reports on how far along it is toward practical reality. A hard lens, it has a monochrome green display that can show text, basic graphics and even some illustrations, and with its accelerometer, gyro and magnetometer, it can also now do eye tracking. The Mojo Lens isn’t yet approved for everyday use, but it’s surely a step closer to a sci-fi future.

That story is among the many in-depth features and thought-provoking commentaries that appeared on CNET this week. So here you go. These are the stories you don’t want to miss.

Mojo Vision Brings Its Eye-Tracking, Display-Enabled Contact Lenses One Step Closer to Reality

A lens-on-a-stick demo showed me how smart contacts from Mojo Vision could work. The next step is in-eye testing.

T-Mobile’s New Un-Carrier Identity: Less F-Bombs, More 5G

Under CEO Mike Sievert, the company takes fewer potshots at competitors as it reconstructs its image. 

Why People Have Spent $90M on NFT Stick Figures

Even for an NFT, “mfers” is an unlikely success story.  

Billie Eilish’s ‘Happier Than Ever’ Tour Is a Cathartic Release for Fans

Throughout her stellar performance in San Francisco, the singer-songwriter encourages fans to let go and come together — much needed reminders after two years of isolation. 

Apple’s Magic Keyboard for iPad: Still Excellent, but Time for a Revision  

Two years in, this expensive accessory makes the iPad feel like a laptop, but it’s not without flaws. 

What I Want to See in a New Roku Box

Commentary: Xbox Game Pass on a Roku? Yes, please.   

Astronaut Helmets Straight out of Sci-Fi Could Decipher Our Brains in Microgravity

To settle Mars, we’ll need to know how space transforms the human brain. A neuroscience startup is on it, beginning with the crew of the historic Axiom-1 mission. 

Why Moon Knight Isn’t a Mystical Batman Knockoff

Moon Knight makes his small-screen debut on Disney Plus, and the Batman comparisons heat up.   

How to Slide Into Someone’s DMs Without Being a Creep 

On this edition of Love Syncs: DM slides don’t have to be an unsettling move, if you do it right.

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Mojo Vision Gave Me a Peek at Eye-Tracking Displays in…

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In a war zone, the highest priority for many people is finding safety and taking care of loved ones. For some, there’s also a need to communicate with the outside world. That’s been especially apparent in Ukraine since Russia invaded in late February.

In Ukraine, smartphones and messaging apps have helped ordinary citizens share videos of their plight. Social media has enabled the Ukrainian government, personified by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, shape how world sees the war. Meanwhile, cryptocurrency has given some people the means to get by when other financial systems have closed down.

Our stories on those topics, by David Lumb, Imad Khan and Dan Van Boom, are among the many in-depth features and thought-provoking commentaries that appeared on CNET this week. So here you go. These are the stories you don’t want to miss.

How Ukrainian Civilians Are Using Phones to Share the Invasion With the World

From connecting with loved ones to spreading footage of the war, Ukrainians use their phones as an essential tool.  

Designing an Airline From the Name Up 

Before it can start flying, the new Northern Pacific Airways needed a name, a color and visual identity for its planes. Brand designer Edmond Huot explains how it’s done.  

‘Still Working 9 to 5’ Follows Dolly Parton’s Breakout Movie Through Feminist History

 Forty years on, it’s still all taking and no giving.  

Ukraine Is Rallying the World With Videos, Tweets, Charisma

The country is using social media to expose Russia’s invasion and build support for Ukraine’s defense.

Early MySpace Was the Peak of Social Media

The late 2000s were a golden age of social media, and MySpace was king. Here’s why. 

Pausing My At-Home Exercise Plan Didn’t Mean Giving Up

Commentary: Life events disrupted my exercise routine, but I’m staying positive as I pick things up again. 

Surviving Off Crypto When Cash Fails

Many Ukrainians and Russians lost access to their bank accounts in the days following Russia’s invasion.

Universal Control From Apple Builds a Deeper iOS-MacOS Relationship

Commentary: When it works, Universal Control feels like a mind meld for its devices. It could and should go further.  

Elden Ring Diary: Crushed by Caelid  

Join me as I document my journey through the Lands Between. 

The post 9 Great Reads From CNET This Week: Tech in Ukraine, Airline Design, ‘9 to 5’ and More first appeared on Joggingvideo.com.