Wednesday, February 18

Science

Google cancels today’s Android 17 Beta 1 release
Science

Google cancels today’s Android 17 Beta 1 release

Android 17 Beta 1 was supposed to launch today, but Google has since pulled the release. The Android 17 Beta was supposed to debut at 10 am PT. We and other publications posted our coverage at that time, but Google’s Android Developers blog post and other developer.android.com documentation did not go live. The logo Google is using for Android 17 can be seen above. Historically, there is sometimes a gap, but that official announcement usually comes first even if the OTA images are delayed later into the day. Google has since reached out with an update about how Android 17 Beta 1 is “coming soon,” but is no longer releasing today. No explanation was provided. Advertisement - scroll for more content Updating… FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate li...
Bill would enable Oregon Ocean Science Trust to expand fundraising opportunities
Science

Bill would enable Oregon Ocean Science Trust to expand fundraising opportunities

A bill that would enable the Oregon Ocean Science Trust to expand fundraising in support of ocean research is advancing through the state legislature. The Oregon House approved HB 4097 Tuesday.In 2013, the Legislature created the Oregon Ocean Science Trust as a link between the state and ocean research and monitoring. Since then, the Trust has issued grants to study Oregon’s marine environment, almost exclusively with state money.Lisa DeBruyckere is Director of Strategic Initiatives and Programs for the Trust and said HB 4097 would enable them to establish a nonprofit arm and greatly expand the scope of fundraising.“Branching off and creating a 501(c)(3) arm of the Oregon Ocean Science Trust will increase our capacity to leverage state dollars and attract private foundation funding as well...
Apple releases iOS 26.3 for iPhone, here’s what’s new
Science

Apple releases iOS 26.3 for iPhone, here’s what’s new

There’s a new software update available for iPhone. Apple has released iOS 26.3, the third big update to Apple’s redesigned operating system and the last before a major improvement to Siri.  iOS 26.3 introduces an easier way to switch between Android and iPhone, tweaks to the Astronomy and Weather wallpaper gallery, and more. The update follows the official release of iOS 26.2 for iPhone in December and iOS 26.2.1 in January. That update introduced new ways to tweak Liquid Glass design elements, more CarPlay customization options, and much more. There’s also a new feature for iPhones and iPads with Apple C1 and C1X modems for limiting precise location using cellular with select service providers. Looking beyond iOS 26.3, we expect iOS 26.4 to be the first version that i...
Texas Science Festival Invites Community to Partake in the Joys of Discovery – UT Austin News
Science

Texas Science Festival Invites Community to Partake in the Joys of Discovery – UT Austin News

The Texas Science Festival, organized by The University of Texas at Austin’s College of Natural Sciences, takes place from February 18-March 5, with experiences on the UT campus and around Central Texas. They include a variety of events including an open house at Brackenridge Field Laboratory, complete with a “citizen-science” training for volunteer researchers; fireside-style chats with world-renowned scientists; an activity fair at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center; and science-inspired film screenings at Austin Film Society, the Texas Union and the Long Center for Performing Arts. Events also include a planetarium event at Austin Nature & Science Center; special themed tours at the Blanton Museum of Art and Texas Science & Natural History Museum; an event at a local vineya...
Mass. school shelters in place as science project mistaken for bomb
Science

Mass. school shelters in place as science project mistaken for bomb

NewsPublished: Feb. 11, 2026, 2:40 p.m.Abington’s middle and high school were ordered to shelter in place Wednesday after police received a report of a suspicious package.Police and firefighters determined the package to be safe, according to Boston 25 News, and school resumed.Abington Police Chief John Bonney told the outlet the incident was a misunderstanding stemming from a science project that included a wire with a timer attached.“There was a reference to it being a bomb,” Bonney told Boston 25 News. “This was simply a STEM project that had no explosives attached to it. It was removed from the school and brought to a field for further review by the MSP Explosives team.”Abington Schools Superintendent Felicia Moschella did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Mike Grimala i...
Qualcomm’s Most Powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro May Get Skipped By Xiaomi Due To Its Expensive Price, A Pitfall Of Switching To TSMC’s 2nm Process
Science

Qualcomm’s Most Powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro May Get Skipped By Xiaomi Due To Its Expensive Price, A Pitfall Of Switching To TSMC’s 2nm Process

0-20%: Unlikely - Lacks credible sources 21-40%: Questionable - Some concerns remain 41-60%: Plausible - Reasonable evidence 61-80%: Probable - Strong evidence 81-100%: Highly Likely - Multiple reliable sources Most smartphone manufacturers would have gladly equipped their flagships with Qualcomm’s pricey Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro had it not been for rising DRAM and NAND flash prices. Xiaomi, which has always announced its premium smartphones sporting the top-end silicon first, is starting to feel this weight on its shoulders. On top of that, the transition to TSMC’s 2nm process for this year’s chipsets isn’t going to be cheap, so in light of all these factors, a new rumor is doing the rounds, claiming that Xiaomi’s entire flagship smartphone lin...
Rockville Science Center faces eviction, searches for new home
Science

Rockville Science Center faces eviction, searches for new home

Neuroscientist Abdeladim Elhamdani teaches students about the intricacies of the human brain. Credit: Jacqueline Kalil On Monday morning at 10 a.m., a group of homeschooled students filed into the Rockville Science Center for a lesson on the intricacies of the human brain. The pupils, all younger than 12, taped together pieces of paper representing parts of the brain—amygdala and all—creating colorful “brain hats” they proudly placed atop their heads. After more than five years, scenes like that one may come to an end at 36C Maryland Ave. Morguard Management Co., which owns and manages the property leased by the center, notified the nonprofit in late January that it would need to vacate the space to make room for another tenant. Although Rockville Science Center has not yet been g...
No Man’s Sky update 6.20 “Remnant” out now
Science

No Man’s Sky update 6.20 “Remnant” out now

Hello Games has announced and released No Man’s Sky update 6.20 “Remnant”, adding a new gravity gun tool, waste cleanup on planets, and more.Remnant: Introducing Update 6.2 Upgrade your Multi-Tool and harness the power of gravity in update 6.2, Remnant! Magnetise, carry, and launch stacks of industrial waste – and transport your haul in your off-road Colossus. Deck out your vehicle with custom modules and technologies; process salvage; join the community in a cross-country expedition – and much more! Reconfigure Your Colossus An array of different cabins, chassis attachments, running gear and paint finishes allow you to kit out your vehicle for any situation. Design, save, and name a variety of Colossus Exocraft configurations suitable for a range of planetary adventures!  Gravitino Coil M...
Science National Honor Society demo team to perform science night Feb. 12 – The Hawk Eye
Science

Science National Honor Society demo team to perform science night Feb. 12 – The Hawk Eye

Science National Honor Society’s (SNHS) Big Blue Demo Crew will perform a science show at Castle Hills Elementary Feb. 12 from 5-7 p.m. There will be a total of 16 chemistry demonstrations during each performance, with two shows total. Demo team sponsor and science teacher Dr. Kathleen Holley has worked with the team for 34 years. “The whole idea is to get people excited, but also to teach them about science,” Holley said. “The fact that tap water doesn’t burn, so why is this burning? What does it mean when the water disappears? Where did it go?” The performance will begin with acid-base demos, including a welcome poster and a “bloody” hand experiment. 15 student volunteers will take turns going on the stage to perform their part. Senior Henry Liu is the demo team head and leads the rehear...
Despite Low Expectations, Pokémon Pokopia Had Me Grinning From Ear To Ear
Science

Despite Low Expectations, Pokémon Pokopia Had Me Grinning From Ear To Ear

There was a moment quite early into my time with Pokémon Pokopia where I sat back, exhaled, and said, “Oh dear, it’s got me.” See, I’ve not been too hot on Pokémon games for a while now, and initial trailers for Pokopia suggested that this probably wouldn’t be changing anytime soon. After spending 90 minutes with both single-player and multiplayer components at Nintendo of Europe's Frankfurt offices, however, I’m convinced: Pokopia — which has Koei Tecmo's Omega Force of Warriors fame heading up development — is going to absolutely gobble up my time. Not only that, but if it's supported by a steady stream of post-launch content (maybe some cool crossover items or events with other Nintendo properties?), it has the potential to be huge. I could tell you that Pokopia is basically Animal Cros...