Artemis II commander and pilot become NASA's first astronaut emeriti
"Artemis II is done."
https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/09/artemis-ii-commander-and-pilot-become-nasas-first-astronaut-emeriti/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
4 groups caught using the same Chrome and Windows exploit kit
A patch gap and the hastened pace of AI-based vulnerability discovery are likely contributors.
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2026/09/4-groups-caught-using-the-same-chrome-and-windows-exploit-kit/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
As Europe flounders in space, a rising French star may show the way
"We will not be relevant without a massive rocket at a massive cadence."
https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/09/as-europe-flounders-in-space-a-rising-french-star-may-show-the-way/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
Six Chinese AI firms accused of aggressively copying US frontier models
US urges AI firms to ID, then secretly switch, Chinese users to less-capable models.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/09/six-chinese-ai-firms-accused-of-aggressively-copying-us-frontier-models/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
Apple's long-rumored foldable becomes reality with the $2,000 iPhone Duo
Apple's first foldable can be yours next month.
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/09/apples-long-rumored-foldable-becomes-reality-with-the-2000-iphone-duo/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
Scientists really love to reference The Beatles in their work
New study detects 3,200 references to Beatles song titles and lyrics in academic papers.
https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/09/scientists-really-love-to-reference-the-beatles-in-their-work/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
Lawsuit: Amazon refused to give pregnant workers bathroom breaks and chairs
Four women sue Amazon, say company denied basic accommodations and fired them.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/09/lawsuit-amazon-refused-to-give-pregnant-workers-bathroom-breaks-and-chairs/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
Apple debuts $129 AirPods 5 with better noise cancellation and transparency mode
AirPods 5 with noise cancellation is cheaper than its predecessor.
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/09/apple-debuts-129-airpods-5-with-better-noise-cancellation-and-transparency-mode/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
Apple Watch Series 12, Ultra 4 have wearables' “most accurate heart rate sensing"
New Apple Intelligence features, too.
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/09/apple-watch-series-12-ultra-4-have-wearables-most-accurate-heart-rate-sensing/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
What to know about COVID and flu shots as RFK Jr.'s chaos drags on
Here are the evidence-based recommendations and this year's vaccine rollout.
https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/09/what-to-know-about-covid-and-flu-shots-as-rfk-jr-s-chaos-drags-on/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro adds variable camera aperture and a more powerful chip
There's also a new thermal management system, reducing overheating.
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/09/apples-iphone-18-pro-adds-variable-camera-aperture-and-a-more-powerful-chip/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
UN “Correct the Map” resolution won’t change Mercator map use in navigation apps
UN-backed Equal Earth map has educational value but won’t alter navigation apps.
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/09/un-correct-the-map-resolution-wont-change-mercator-map-use-in-navigation-apps/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
Anthropic researcher quits with a warning: Self-improving AI could "kill us all"
"We really do earnestly believe AI could kill all humans!"
https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/09/anthropic-researcher-quits-with-a-warning-self-improving-ai-could-kill-us-all/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
Prime Video releases full trailer for Mike Flanagan's Carrie
"All I ever wanted was to go to school."
https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/09/prime-video-releases-full-trailer-for-mike-flanagans-carrie/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
Google's AI genome system evaluates every possible one-base change
Most one-base changes to the human genome do nothing, but a few are significant.
https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/09/googles-ai-genome-system-evaluates-every-possible-one-base-change/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
NOAA is putting commercial fishing ahead of conservation
Critics say the new agenda could weaken science-based rules and marine protections.
https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/09/noaa-is-putting-commercial-fishing-ahead-of-conservation/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
Man told ChatGPT he was feeling delusional. ChatGPT insisted he was Jesus.
Man with bipolar disorder sued OpenAI after surviving ChatGPT-linked suicide attempt.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/09/man-told-chatgpt-he-was-feeling-delusional-chatgpt-insisted-he-was-jesus/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
LG TV shown capable of tracking user activity, even when offline
“It doesn’t cost a lot to store text forever.”
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/09/lg-tv-shown-capable-of-tracking-user-activity-even-when-offline/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
GOG brings back "big box" PC games, one printable template at a time
Preservation "goodies" also includes downloadable 3D models for desktop perusal.
https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2026/09/gog-brings-back-big-box-pc-games-one-printable-template-at-a-time/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
Microsoft patches a record 972 vulnerabilities, 112 of them critical
Security gnomes are pumping out patches ahead of an expected onslaught of AI-assisted attacks.
https://arstechnica.com/security/2026/09/microsoft-patches-a-record-972-vulnerabilities-112-of-them-critical/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
