Researchers sequenced and analyzed genomes of the sedge Rhynchospora tenuis and a related species, R. austrobrasiliensis, using PacBio HiFi and Hi-C sequencing alongside cytological studies of meiosis. They found that R. tenuis undergoes sexual reproduction but skips the genetic recombination step known as crossing over, producing offspring genetically similar to clones despite reproducing through pollen and eggs.
nature.com
· 2026-09-16
USB-C offers better convenience thanks to its reversible design and widespread use across laptops, tablets and smartphones, making it ideal for transferring large files on mobile devices. However, the connector type alone does not determine speed—actual performance depends on the USB specification (like 2.0 or 3.2) built into the drive and the port it's plugged into.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-15
Apple's MagSafe charging technology, first introduced in 2006 and revived after being dropped for USB-C in 2015, offers a magnetic, snap-on connection that reduces the risk of a MacBook being pulled off a surface if the cord is tugged. However, it remains a proprietary cable that only charges MacBooks, unlike USB-C cables which charge multiple devices and connect displays, drives and other peripherals.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-15
OpenAI's charitable foundation, which holds a 26% stake in OpenAI worth up to $250 billion, has given $500,000 to nonprofit 1Day Sooner to acquire biological research datasets from companies that have gone bankrupt. The group's leader says such datasets could often be obtained for only tens of thousands of dollars, and the funding is meant to test whether this rescue model works at scale. This grant is part of the foundation's broader push to ramp up giving, including a $100 million donation earlier this year for hepatitis C treatment access.
technologyreview.com
· 2026-09-15
Voicemod has released the Key Pocket, a USB-C hardware dongle that lets Android and iOS users apply real-time voice changing and sound effects during calls, streaming, or mobile gaming. It works as an external audio bridge, routing microphone input through Voicemod's app before passing it to other apps like Fortnite, Discord, or calling apps, sidestepping mobile OS restrictions on altering live mic audio. It costs $99.90 alone or $129.90 bundled with a lifetime Voicemod Pro license.
theverge.com
· 2026-09-15
Apple confirmed that its foldable iPhone Duo won't support the Apple Pencil at launch with iOS 27.1, with compatibility instead arriving via a software update expected around November. Only the Apple Pencil USB-C model will work with the device, meaning owners of the Apple Pencil 2 or Pencil Pro will need to buy a new $79 stylus. Unlike iPads, the iPhone Duo lacks magnets for wireless charging, so the Pencil must be paired and charged via a USB-C cable.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-15
USB-C video capability depends on DisplayPort Alternate Mode, a feature that lets a single cable carry both data and display signals, but it requires the device, cable, and monitor to all support it. Older USB 3.1/3.2 devices may or may not include this support depending on the manufacturer, while USB4 and all Thunderbolt 3-5 connections guarantee it.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-14
Most major phone makers, including Apple, Google and Samsung, have phased out the 3.5mm headphone jack in favor of USB-C for wired audio, charging and data transfer. Apple made the switch starting with the iPhone 7 in 2016, followed by Google in 2017 and Samsung in 2019, with Apple finally adopting USB-C for the iPhone 15 due to EU regulation. Sony remains an exception, still including a 3.5mm jack on its upcoming Xperia 1 VIII.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-14
Tiffany & Co. partnered with agency L&C on the '1837 Tiffany Blue Conservation' campaign, which took the jeweler's tightly controlled signature hue and let it appear more freely to raise awareness about ocean health. The effort has been recognized as a winner in Fast Company's 2026 Innovation by Design Awards.
fastcompany.com
· 2026-09-14
MagSafe cables detach safely if yanked, protecting a MacBook from being dragged off a table, while USB-C stays firmly plugged in and can pull the laptop down in an accident. On charging speed, MagSafe reaches up to 140W with Apple's $99 adapter, enabling a 50% charge in 30 minutes, whereas standard USB-C tops out at 60W unless users buy specialized 100W or 240W cables.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-14
A Digital Work Trends Report from Slingshot finds that while 86% of C-suite executives say AI use is mandatory at their companies, only 49% of middle managers are actually reinforcing that expectation with their teams. An Infragistics executive argues the disconnect stems from leadership style, not technology, since employees need coaching and modeling rather than top-down mandates to adopt new tools.
entrepreneur.com
· 2026-09-13
Apple unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro at its recent event, starting at $1,199 and adding a variable aperture camera and a faster A20 Pro chip. The comparison to the iPhone 14 Pro, released four years earlier, shows major shifts including the switch from Lightning to USB-C, a brighter display capable of 3,000 nits versus 1,000 nits, and an upgraded Dynamic Island that can display three activities simultaneously.
cnet.com
· 2026-09-13
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