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Eels are fish

Let’s dive right in: for most of history, we didn’t really know where eels come from. Which is strange, because they’re everywhere—rivers, lakes, oceans. Even now, we only have the faintest sense of where they spawn or how. Their lives remain partly hidden, and that blank space has always invited stories. Aristotle thought they slithered out of mud, giving the primordial ooze its first big break. Another tale claimed they rose from sea foam, like a grotesque remix of Aphrodite’s birth. Japa

Instagram launches official iPad app, now available on App Store

The day has finally arrived: Instagram for iPad is here. Though it seemed like it might never happen, the popular social media app now offers an official iPadOS version. Here are the details. Instagram for iPad rolling out to all users now Instagram’s iPad app is now rolling out to all users on the App Store. As you might expect, it includes access to your feed, stories, and most of the features you would expect. But Instagram has built its iPad app with a special emphasis on Reels. From th

Instagram finally has an iPad app 15 years after it first launched

The social media platform Instagram is finally available on the iPad as a native app. It only took 15 years, as the app first launched all the way back in 2010. We knew this was coming and, well, now it's here. The iPad is a different platform from a smartphone, so the tablet-based app features redesigned elements. For instance, the app opens directly into a feed of Reels. The iPad app also lets users organize posts and Reels into a chronological list, with recent posts appearing first. This is

After 15 Years, Instagram Finally Releases an iPad App

Fact: the iPad launched 15 years ago in 2010. Steve Jobs famously made himself comfortable in a leather armchair and then proceeded to show everybody how “magical” the iPad was for browsing the web, looking at photos, and—yes—checking Facebook. Also fact: Instagram launched months later that fall, two years before Mark Zuckerberg would cut the app’s founders, Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, a fat check for $1 billion. In the decade and a half since establishing itself as the go-to place to share

Today, I learned that eels are fish

Let’s dive right in: for most of history, we didn’t really know where eels come from. Which is strange, because they’re everywhere—rivers, lakes, oceans. Even now, we only have the faintest sense of where they spawn or how. Their lives remain partly hidden, and that blank space has always invited stories. Aristotle thought they slithered out of mud, giving the primordial ooze its first big break. Another tale claimed they rose from sea foam, like a grotesque remix of Aphrodite’s birth. Japa

You may soon be able to watch Instagram Reels in picture-in-picture mode

In a new test, Meta is letting select users keep watching Instagram Reels as a floating window on their devices even after they close the app. Here’s what it looks like. As spotted by Radu Onescu on Threads, Instagram is prompting select users to “Try Picture in Picture” with a pop-up when they swipe through posts made on Reels: The pop-up reads: “Try picture in picture Turn this on to continue watching reels in a floating window on your device after you’ve left Instagram. Manage your picture

Instagram now lets creators link multiple reels in a series

Instagram has begun allowing creators to connect multiple reels in a series, the Meta-owned social network told TechCrunch exclusively. The new capability, which is already available on TikTok, makes it easier for viewers to follow and discover related content. Now if a creator is telling a story in a series of videos and follow-ups, they can link them all together so that viewers don’t have to scroll or search for different parts. For instance, creators often tell followers to “come back for p

Meta’s AI translation tool can dub your Instagram videos

is a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO. Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. Meta is bringing its AI translation tool to more users on Facebook and Instagram, which automatically dubs your reels into another language. The feature also uses AI to make its dub match up with the sound of your voice and the movement of your mouth. For now,

Show HN: I built an app to block Shorts and Reels

Block Reels & Shorts on Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, YouTube. Set scrolling limits on any app with antiscroll mode. No Ads, No Reels, No Shorts, No Distractions. iOS has some limitations,so it’s not technically possible to block Reels and Shorts the same way as on Android. Although it can't be done the same way, I’m building an iPhone app with a different approach to help cut down on scrolling addiction. Drop your email and I’ll let you know when is launched!

Does Steven Spielberg’s ‘AI: Artificial Intelligence’ Play Differently Today?

Rewatching Steven Spielberg’s 2001 film AI: Artificial Intelligence, it feels as plausible as ever, but also more misguided. In 2001, AI was barely a thought in everyday life. It was the thing that destroyed the world in Terminator, and still a lofty goal in tech circles. Today, as the technology continues to grow and dominate daily conversation in almost every way, you may expect to watch the film and have a slightly new perspective. Some change in insight. Instead, the film falters as Spielber

Instagram lets you see your friends' locations now, and vice versa - here's how

Instagram / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET ZDNET's takeaways Instagram is unveiling several new features. Its new Snapchat-style map lets you see where your friends are. There's also a new way to see content your friends are interacting with. Meta has unveiled a number of changes to Instagram, all aimed at helping you better connect with your friends and their favorite content. A new location-sharing map is on the way, along with new ways to find content. A Snapchat-style friend map Maybe t

Instagram Adds New Features, Including Reposts and Maps

Instagram has launched new features aimed at further connecting users with their online contacts, the company announced Wednesday. One involves sharing public feed posts and reels, another shares locations with others on an Instagram map, and a new Friends tab shows what content your contacts have liked or commented on. For reposts, you'll be able to share public reels and feed posts from other users. The original poster will be credited and those reshares will appear in the sharer's profile in

I Lived With Alexa+ for a Week. Here’s How It Went (2025)

I've had Alexa, Amazon's cloud-based voice service, in my house for the better part of a decade. I had the original rounded tower in my first post-grad apartment, and now the second-generation Echo Spot (7/10, WIRED Review) has a permanent place in my office as I cycle among different smart speakers while testing for my guide to the Best Smart Speakers. For years, Alexa's been a constant for controlling my many smart lights and allowing me to jam to my playlist of choice. There was always a lot

Americans Are Obsessed With Watching Short Video Dramas From China

My partner recently confessed something to me about his screen-time habits: When he’s giggling at his phone, he’s often watching short English-language soap operas that have begun showing up on his social feeds. The plots are basic, the acting is exaggerated, and the performers are stereotypically good-looking, but the constant twists and turns keep him spellbound and wanting more. I knew exactly where these videos were coming from. It’s been four years since I first heard about the exploding p

Amazon Prime Day Is the Perfect Time to Upgrade Your Gaming Battle Station With These Peripheral Deals

With the latest Amazon Prime Day sales, PC gamers have a big opportunity to grab some SteelSeries peripherals, including some excellent gaming keyboards. Prices are also extra low on higher-end add-ons you may've been waiting for -- check out the full list here. My favorite is $100 off the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless HyperMagnetic Gaming Keyboard, with its price dropping to $150. When CNET's Lori Grunin reviewed the latest SteelSeries Apex Pro keyboard's abilities, she said, "Both Protect

Amazon Prime Day Is the Perfect Time to Upgrade Your Gaming Battlestation With These Peripheral Deals

PC gamers have a big opportunity with the latest Amazon Prime Day sales to grab some SteelSeries peripherals, including some excellent gaming keyboards and extra-low prices on higher-end add-ons that you may have been waiting for -- check out the full list here. My favorite is $100 off the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless HyperMagnetic Gaming Keyboard, with its price dropping to $150. When CNET’s own Lori Grunin reviewed the latest SteelSeries Apex Pro keyboard's abilities, she said, “Both Pro

The ‘Hot Wheels’ Movie Is Definitely Happening

After Wicked: For Good bows in theaters this fall, filmmaker Jon M. Chu will be trading flight for high-speed races with the Hot Wheels movie. According to Deadline, Warner Bros., in partnership with Bad Robot and Mattel, has inked a deal with Chu for the live-action film. They Cloned Tyrone and Creed II writers Juel Taylor and Tony Rettenmaier have also come aboard as writers. Between the fun in They Cloned Tyrone and Chu’s knack for capturing movement and deeply personal stories, we’re excite

Topics: bad chu hot mattel wheels

Best Laptop Stands (2025): 25+ Models Tested and Reviewed

More Laptop Stands to Consider There’s no shortage of computer stands out there, and most of them get the job done. While these didn’t quite make my top picks, they still have some perks worth considering. Rain Design iLevel2 Photograph: Rain Design Rain Design iLevel2 for $65: I wanted to love the Rain Design iLevel2, assuming that it was a bestseller for a reason. Adjusting the height is easy—you slide the front level—but even at its lowest (5.4 inches), it still feels too high for some set

Doug Liman Will Attempt to Cram Stephen King’s Epic Novel ‘The Stand’ Into a Single Movie

The world already feels like it’s on the brink of doomsday, so we might as well gear up for another round of Captain Trips. The Stand, Stephen King’s doorstop-sized 1978 post-apocalyptic novel, is getting a new adaptation from director Doug Liman—with a twist. Instead of another series following in the footsteps of the 1994 and 2020 versions, this will be instead be a feature film. This news comes from the Hollywood Reporter, which notes that Liman is aboard to direct and produce, but “the proj

MagSafe Monday: PITAKA delivers a new MagSafe battery pack with Qi2 and a stylish design

I’ve tested more MagSafe battery packs than I can count over the past few years. Some are too bulky, while others have weak magnets. Some of the designs are also somewhat dull. PITAKA’s new Aramid Fiber Magnetic Power Bank manages to avoid all those issues while checking all the boxes for a great MagSafe battery. Some of my favorite gear eufyCam 2C Upgrade your home security with wireless cameras that includes HomeKit compatibility. MagSafe Monday: Every Monday, Bradley Chambers looks at the l

New Hot Wheels Sets for 'Jaws' and 'Back to the Future' Will Hit Comic-Con

Two movie milestones are being celebrated in 2025: Back to the Future's 40th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of Jaws. To mark the occasion, Mattel is releasing new Hot Wheels collectible sets for each film at San Diego Comic-Con this July. The company shared the news on Monday that the products are rolling out under its Nostalgic Film Favorites line. "These movies have left an indelible mark on pop culture. We worked closely with our creative teams to make sure every detail celebrates the

TikTok's Not Getting Banned, but These Apps Give It a Run for Its Money

The US ban on TikTok has likely been avoided (again). On Tuesday President Trump signaled his intent to add a 90-day extension to prevent the ban from taking effect on June 19. The extra time is meant to give the Chinese-owned app an opportunity to find a US-approved buyer. TikTok was shut down for less than 24 hours in January, in anticipation of a ban upheld by the Supreme Court. Access to TikTok was restored after the app received an extra 75 days to find a US buyer, and in April the deadlin

Meta is making all Facebook videos reels

is a news editor covering technology, gaming, and more. He joined The Verge in 2019 after nearly two years at Techmeme. Meta is making a change to how sharing videos works on Facebook. Right now, you can share videos as a video from the post composer or as a reel, and both have different sharing workflows. In “the coming months,” however, “all videos on Facebook will be shared as reels,” according to a blog post. “Facebook remains a home for all types of video – short, long, and Live,” Meta sa

Facebook videos are all just going to be reels now

Facebook is once again rebranding the "video" section of its app. This time, the tab formerly known as " video ," which was also once called " watch ," will become "reels." The change comes as the company says that all video on the social network will now fall under the umbrella of "reels" regardless of how long the clip is or how it was shot. According to Meta , the change will make things simpler for users and creators sharing video clips on the platform. Previously, users had to decide wheth

Facebook announces that all videos on its platform will soon be shared as reels

Facebook announced on Tuesday that all videos on its platform will soon be shared as reels, regardless of their length or orientation. Up until now, users have been able to share both video posts and reels. The company is also renaming the “Video” tab on its platform to the “Reels” tab. The update won’t change what videos are recommended to you, Facebook says. In the coming months, users won’t have to choose between uploading a video or reel, as it will automatically be shared as a reel. In add

Instagram will soon let you re-arrange your grid

You don't have to make a huge effort planning Instagram posts anymore so that your profile takes on a certain aesthetic or so that your grid reads or looks a certain way. Instagram will soon (and finally) let you re-order the posts already on your grid. Alessandro Paluzzi, who reverse engineered apps and posted upcoming features online, found an "edit grid" option within Instagram way back in 2022. Instagram didn't say when exactly the feature will be available, but when you do get the edit grid