You've heard the news about a possible detection of ancient life on Mars... now get the inside scoop from one of the paper's key authors. Dr. Michael Tice is a research scientist and planetary geologist at Texas A&M, and has a lot to say about how the research was pulled from the year-old drill sampling, the incredible rigor that was applied to their findings, and what's next in this amazing story. It's the one we've all been waiting for--a possible indication of life beyond our own planet!

Headlines:

• NASA's Interim Chief Declares Mission to Beat China Back to the Moon
• Starlink Satellite Photobombs Maxar Image of Secret Chinese Airbase
• James Webb Telescope Captures Stunning Interstellar Jet "Flatulence"

Main Topic: Signs of Ancient Life Discovered on Mars by Perseverance

• Dr. Michael Tice Explains Potential Biosignatures in Jezero Crater
• Discovery of Unusual "Leopard Spots" Linked to Possible Microbial Activity
• Redox Reactions and Organics Suggest Favorable Conditions for Life
• Debate Between Biological and Abiotic Explanations for Findings
• Cutting-Edge Rover Instruments Push Detection Limits
• Challenges of Confirming Life Without Sample Return to Earth
• Future Work Needed: Sample Return Missions and Analogs on Earth
• Broader Reflections on Mars Science, Search for Life, and Technology Choices

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Dr. Michael Tice

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Jacob Ward of The Rip Current podcast and newsletter joins Mikah Sargent this week! The impact that generative AI is having on energy and our climate. The privacy and social issues around AI wearables. And everything that was announced at Apple's 'Awe Dropping' event.

• Jacob shares a paper published recently that covered generative AI and how the massive use of GPU energy is causing concerns about its impact on the climate.
• Mikah talks about a new wearable AI companion device called Friend and how these always-listening devices present privacy challenges for not just others around the user but also for the company itself.
• And Zac Hall of 9to5Mac was at Apple's 'Awe Dropping' event this past Tuesday and was fortunate to get his hands on the new hardware the company announced. He shares his initial thoughts on the new AirPods Pro 3 and iPhone Air!

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Jacob Ward

Guest: Zac Hall

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Windows 11's latest update finally tackles a 30-year-old security flaw with a new feature called Administrator Protection. Find out how this major change uses Windows Hello to quietly lock down your PC without making your day-to-day experience a hassle.

Host: Paul Thurrott

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Apple just dropped the iPhone 17 lineup and Mikah Sargent walks you through a smart pre-order setup that could be the difference between snagging your dream device on day one or missing out. Find out the exact steps and tips to avoid the dreaded "sold out" message.

Host: Mikah Sargent

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This year's CEDIA (Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association) Expo was chock full of interesting audio and video products, though very few made their world debut at the show. Still, there's plenty to discuss with special guest Michael Heiss, industry journalist, consultant, and jolly good CEDIA Fellow. In Part 1, we discuss all the video goodies he saw there.

Host: Scott Wilkinson

Guest: Michael Heiss

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From wrestling with multiple time zones to sharing calendars with tech-challenged family members, Rosemary and Dan dig into the moments when Apple's new calendar tricks save the day.

• Calendars on iOS get a redesigned UI in iOS 26
• Comparing Apple's Calendar app vs. Fantastical for daily use
• Integrating Reminders with Calendar and viewing tasks alongside events
• Travel time, time zones, and scheduling events across regions
• Strategies for managing multiple calendars and color-coding
• Sharing events and whole calendars with others, controlling access
• Using location and attachments in events for enhanced info sharing
• Subscribing to public calendars for holidays, school schedules, and updates
• Filtering calendars by focus mode and limitations of current implementations
• Siri suggestions for calendar events: upsides and annoyances
• Tips for handling duplicate events and event merging wish list
• Viewing your weekly calendar using an iPhone in landscape mode
• Using calendar widgets and lock screen features to see upcoming events
• App Caps: Belkin MagSafe car vent mount and ESR Halo Lock charger for phones
• App Caps: Silicone cable ties for cable management, alternatives, and best practices

Hosts: Rosemary Orchard and Dan Moren

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AI isn't just the ultimate nonsense generator—it's also a powerful tool students and teachers can't afford to ignore. In this episode, professors Carl Bergstrom and Jevin West reveal how their new "BS Machines" curriculum helps the next generation stay sharp and skeptical in a world overflowing with synthetic "facts."

• Interview with Carl T. Bergstrom and Jevin D. West
• Warner Bros. Discovery Sues AI Giant Midjourney for Copyright Infringement In Major Legal Battle
• AI Watchdog
• At Least 15 Million YouTube Videos Have Been Snatched by AI Companies
• Most Scraped Websites of 2025
• AI surveillance should be banned while there is still time.
• Alterego
• I Hate My Friend
• R-Zero: Self-Evolving Reasoning LLM from Zero Data
• AI godfather Geoffrey Hinton says a girlfriend once broke up with him using a chatbot
• Business Insider yanked 40 essays with suspect bylines. Are they related?
• OpenAI's post on the paper
• Gina Trappani starts a new blog
• Schnitzel press
• NFL Debut on YouTube Draws 17.3 Million
• Set a two TikTok toilet limit to reduce haemorrhoid risk, doctors advise"

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Jeff Jarvis, and Paris Martineau

Co-Host: Harper Reed

Guests: Carl T. Bergstrom and Jevin D. West

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Windows 11
• Patch Tuesday arrives with several new features for all Windows 11 users
• A few new features added for Copilot+ PCs
• This may be the last cumulative update before 25H2

Windows Insider
• New Canary build includes features we've seen before
• Copilot+ PCs bring Windows Studio Effects to secondary cameras in Dev and Beta channels

Hardware
• 40-year Intel veteran now leads PC chips business
• Paul's continued criticism of Lunar Lake problems
• Lenovo's three IFA concept devices should become shipping products

Apps
• Atlassian acquires The Browser Company, potentially threatening the Dia browser

Microsoft
• Microsoft mandates employees return to office three days per week
• Microsoft accused of "gross cybersecurity negligence"

Dev
• Microsoft open sources 6502 BASIC
• First Visual Studio 2026 preview now available
• Individual developers can register for Microsoft Store for free

Mobile
• Google ships Android 16 QPR1 with Material 3 Expressive on Pixel devices plus September Pixel Drop
• Apple announces iPhone 17 lineup, iPhone Air, AirPods Pro 3, and new Apple Watches
• Comparison of OS updating styles between Apple, Google, and Microsoft and their impact on hardware upgrades

AI
• Microsoft to pay almost $20 billion for third-party AI infrastructure
• Microsoft may turn to Anthropic for Office apps
• Anthropic settles with book authors, then judge rejects the settlement (Apple faces similar lawsuit)
• Google details all Gemini tier offerings
• Firefox will use Apple Intelligence on iPhones with iOS 26

Xbox and Games
• Lenovo Legion Go 2 coming in October with new Xbox Ally OS in early 2026
• Xbox to announce games at Tokyo Game Show on September 25
• Xbox Cloud Gaming coming to select cars
• PlayStation 6 will be modular

Tips and Picks
• Something to read: iWar by Tim Higgins
• Something to watch: New Dave Plumber interview on YouTube
• Something to get for free: Microsoft 365 free for US students for one year
• Something to plan for: Proton offers emergency access on accounts
• RunAs Radio this week: Training for AI with Stephanie Donahue
• Brown liquor pick of the week: Boplaas 8 Single Grain Whisky

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

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Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com

The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin.

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