What it's like to have a brain implant for 5 years

"Rodney Gorham recently passed a milestone that few people have reached. He's had a brain-computer interface implanted for five years. Made by startup Synchron, the experimental implant allows him to control a computer and other digital devices around his home using just his thoughts. It's been a lifeline for 65-year-old Gorham, who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, and can no longer walk, talk, or move his hands. Synchron is among several companies, including Elon Musk's Neuralink, aiming to commercialize brain-computer interfaces to help individuals with paralysis. Over the past five years, Synchron's software and hardware have gone through many iterations, with Gorham helping to shape the evolution of the technology."

WIRED »

An iPhone loophole just appeared

Buying a new iPhone usually involves a sad understanding that your bank account is about to take a massive hit — because they get more expensive with each model. But now the iPhone 17e is… wait… $299.99? Doesn't sound right, but it is. Buy the iPhone 17e for $299.99 and activate the Total 5G+ Unlimited plan from Total Wireless, and you'll receive $25 in service credits applied to your bill every month for 12 months. For once, the "should I upgrade?" conversation is a lot shorter and way easier to say yes to. [Ad]

Upgrade for less »

MIT engineers develop 'mini livers' that can be injected into the body

"'Mini livers' that can be injected into the body to help take over the functions of a failing liver have been created by scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). If realized clinically, the development could provide a lifeline for many of the more than 10,000 Americans with chronic liver disease currently waiting for a transplant — amid a present shortage of donor organs to match. … In early studies in mice, the researchers have demonstrated that these engineered tissue grants successfully generate many of the enzymes and other proteins produced by real livers — and can remain viable in the body for at least two months."

Newsweek »

New world's tallest timber skyscraper smashes height records

"The new world's tallest hybrid timber tower is nearing completion. Named Atlassian Central, this ambitious 'plyscraper' features an innovative design that incorporates concrete and steel to reach unprecedented heights. Atlassian Central is designed by BVN and SHoP Architects and is part of a larger development in Sydney, Australia. To put its scale into perspective, Milwaukee's Ascent has until now been considered the world's tallest hybrid timber skyscraper and reaches a height of 86.6 m (284 ft). Atlassian Central will top out at 183 m (600 ft), making it over twice as tall and — according to the CTBUH, the premier authority on building heights — the world's tallest, excepting proposals that haven't yet been approved."

New Atlas »

Image Source - Giphy

The weather is done ruining your plans

Weather forecasts love vague promises. "Chance of rain." "Partly cloudy." Translation: bring an umbrella and emotional resilience. Weather Hi-Def Radar skips the guessing game and shows the storm itself: live radar, hyper-local forecasts, and real-time tracking so you can literally watch the weather roll toward you. It's not exactly fortune-telling… but it's atmospheric surveillance that's less likely to ruin your day. [Ad]

What's the weather? »

10 hacks every Bluesky user should know

"If you're tired of X and Threads, it might be time to move to greener, or perhaps bluer, pastures. Lifehacker's own Joel Cunningham moved to Bluesky way back in 2024, and since then, a lot of our writers and editors have followed suit and are living it up over on the butterfly site. It turns out that, with the right platform, it's possible to like social media again. Bluesky is quite unlike most other social media networks. You have a lot of control over who sees your posts and how they reply to them, plus you can block and mute users en masse and tweak moderation settings just so. If you're new to Bluesky, or if you've just been using the default settings, it's time to dig deeper into all the ways you can customize your experience."

Lifehacker »