Happy New Year 2025

Category: Technology

Sony’s surprising entry into electric vehicle market
Sony has officially entered the electric vehicle (EV) market with its new model, the Afeela 1. This innovative vehicle, developed in partnership with Honda, aims to redefine the driving experience by integrating advanced technology and entertainment features. Unveiled at CES 2025, the Afeela 1 is now available for preorder, marking a significant milestone in Sony’s expansion beyond consumer electronics into the automotive industry.

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Exterior of the Afeela 1 (Sony) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Performance and range

Equipped with a powerful 482 hp all-wheel-drive powertrain, the Afeela 1 features a 91 kWh battery that offers an EPA-estimated range of 300 miles. It supports fast charging at 150 kW and is compatible with Tesla’s Supercharger network, providing convenience for long-distance travel.

Exterior of the Afeela 1 at a Tesla charging station (Sony) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)

The Afeela 1 boasts an impressive array of 40 sensors and cameras, enabling Level 2+ ADAS features. These systems include lidar assistance for tasks like automated parking and real-time environmental monitoring. The vehicle’s AI processing capabilities allow it to perform up to 800 trillion operations per second, paving the way for future updates that may enhance its autonomous driving capabilities.

Exterior of the Afeela 1 (Sony) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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In-car technology and entertainment

Sony emphasizes creating an interactive experience within the Afeela 1. The car features:
- An AI-powered personal assistant for voice interactions
- A dashboard-length screen for navigation and entertainment
- Surround sound systems utilizing Sony’s 360 Reality Audio technology
Moreover, certain functionalities will be available through a subscription model after an initial three-year complimentary period.

Interior of the Afeela 1 (Sony) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Design and comfort

The design of the Afeela 1 focuses on comfort and aesthetics. Its interior is crafted from high-quality materials, including plant-derived and recycled components. The cabin is optimized for entertainment, featuring strategically placed displays and noise-canceling technology to enhance the passenger experience.

Interior of the Afeela 1 (Sony) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Pricing and availability

The Afeela 1 is available in two trims: the Origin, which starts at $89,900, and the Signature, priced at $102,900. Currently, preorders are open exclusively for California residents, requiring a refundable reservation fee of $200. The Signature variant is expected to ship in mid-2026, while the Origin will follow in 2027.

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Exterior of the Afeela 1 (Sony) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Kurt’s key takeaways

Sony’s entry into the electric vehicle market with the Afeela 1 represents a significant shift towards integrating technology and mobility. With its high-performance specs, advanced driver assistance systems and focus on entertainment, it aims to appeal to tech-savvy consumers looking for more than just transportation.

What features are most important in an electric vehicle, and how will that affect your decision to purchase one? Let us know what you think by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

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Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.
January 23, 2025
Earth bids farewell to ‘mini moon’ asteroid set for return visit in 2055
- Planet Earth is bidding farewell to a “mini moon,” a harmless asteroid named 2024 PT5, which has been trailing Earth for two months and will leave on Monday, drawn away by the sun’s stronger gravitational pull.
- First spotted in August, the asteroid began its brief gravitational interaction with Earth in late September.
- After its departure, the asteroid is not expected to return near Earth until 2055.
Planet Earth is parting company with an asteroid that’s been tagging along as a “mini moon” for the past two months.

The harmless space rock will peel away on Monday, overcome by the stronger tug of the sun’s gravity. But it will zip closer for a quick visit in January.

NASA will use a radar antenna to observe the 33-foot asteroid then. That should deepen scientists’ understanding of the object known as 2024 PT5, quite possibly a boulder that was blasted off the moon by an impacting, crater-forming asteroid.

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While not technically a moon — NASA stresses it was never captured by Earth’s gravity and fully in orbit — it’s “an interesting object” worthy of study.

A supermoon with a partial lunar eclipse rises over Lake Michigan in Chicago, on Sept. 17, 2024. Planet Earth is parting company with an asteroid that’s been tagging along as a “mini moon” for the past two months. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File)

The astrophysicist brothers who identified the asteroid’s “mini moon behavior,” Raul and Carlos de la Fuente Marcos of Complutense University of Madrid, have collaborated with telescopes in the Canary Islands for hundreds of observations so far.

Currently more than 2 million miles away, the object is too small and faint to see without a powerful telescope. It will pass as close as 1.1 million miles of Earth in January, maintaining a safe distance before it zooms farther into the solar system while orbiting the sun, not to return until 2055. That’s almost five times farther than the moon.

The NASA logo is displayed at NASA headquarters in Washington, DC, on June 21, 2023. (STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

First spotted in August, the asteroid began its semi jog around Earth in late September, after coming under the grips of Earth’s gravity and following a horseshoe-shaped path.

By the time it returns next year, it will be moving too fast — more than double its speed from September — to hang around, said Raul de la Fuente Marcos.

The Waning Gibbous moon is seen on June 8, 2023, in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

NASA will track the asteroid for more than a week in January using the Goldstone solar system radar antenna in California’s Mojave Desert, part of the Deep Space Network.

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Current data suggest that during its 2055 visit, the sun-circling asteroid will once again make a temporary and partial lap around Earth.
January 23, 2025
Does your Windows 11 PC keep restarting? Let’s fix that frustrating problem
Experiencing a Windows 11 boot loop can be incredibly frustrating, transforming your computer into a seemingly endless cycle of restarts that disrupts productivity. When your system continuously fails to load the login screen and instead repeatedly attempts to restart, you’re facing a critical technical issue that demands immediate attention.

This persistent reboot problem can stem from various causes. So, what do you do? Let’s look at some ways to diagnose and resolve the Windows 11 boot loop, helping you restore your computer’s functionality and get back to work.

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Windows 11 PC (Microsoft) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What causes a Windows 11 PC to keep restarting?

There’s no single cause for a Windows 11 PC getting stuck in a reboot loop. A reboot loop can be caused by an issue with your computer’s power supply, a malware infection, overheating or even hardware drivers. Here are the different things to check if your Windows 11 laptop or desktop keeps restarting.

Fix #1 – Boot your PC in safe mode

Step to boot your PC in safe mode (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

When you are troubleshooting any problem on your PC, you should boot your computer in safe mode. If your PC is in safe mode and no longer experiences the restart loop, this means that the default Windows 11 settings and drivers aren’t causing the issue. This allows you to narrow down the sources of problems causing your Windows 11 PC to crash, making it easier to troubleshoot. Here’s what you need to do to boot in safe mode:
- Press the Windows Logo key and R at the same time
- Type msconfig in the box
- Press OK
- Under Boot Options, click the Safe Boot checkbox
When your computer restarts, it will automatically restart in safe mode. If your computer restarting is making it difficult to follow these steps, you can also follow these steps at the sign-in screen:
- Hold the Shift key while clicking the Power icon
- Select Restart
- Your PC will restart
- Once your PC restarts, you will see a Choose option; click it.
- Select Advanced Options
- Select Startup Settings
Now, when your PC restarts, you will be presented with a list of options. Select 4 or F4 to start your PC in safe mode. If you need to use the internet while the computer is in safe mode, you can select option 5 or press F5.

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Fix #2 – Remove any new software

If your automatic rebooting problem began after installing a new app, uninstall that app and monitor your PC. If you still notice your PC restarting, there’s a chance that the app has infected your system settings before you uninstalled it. To fix this, you’ll need to restore the system. To do a system restore, you should first boot your PC in safe mode and then follow these steps:
- Open the Control Panel
- Search the Control Panel for Recovery
Step to remove any new software (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
- Select Recovery
- Choose Open System Restore
- Click Next
- Now you will click on your hard drive and select finish. Your computer will automatically restart.
Fix #3 – Make sure your computer isn’t overheating

An overheating laptop or desktop will try to prevent damage to critical hardware components by shutting itself down. This is one of the leading causes of a Windows 11 PC getting stuck in a restart loop. If you’ve noticed your desktop giving off a lot more heat than usual or a laptop feeling hot to the touch, chances are you have an overheating issue.

A computer’s CPU and GPU generate the most heat, so I recommend monitoring those hardware pieces to see if they are overheating. You don’t need any additional software to monitor the temperatures of your GPU, as some temperature readings are built into Windows 11. Here’s how to check your hardware temperatures in Windows 11:
- Open the Task Manager
- Click the second tile, Performance, on the left-hand side of your screen
- From here, you can click GPU, which will show you your GPU temperature.
Visual to show overheating on PC (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Unfortunately, the built-in temperature reading doesn’t read your CPU temperature, and you’ll need to manually go into the UEFI/BIOS to check the temperature without installing any additional software. However, there’s a multitude of free-to-use apps that manufacturers have developed to measure your CPU temperature, including Core Temp, HWMonitor or Open Hardware Monitor.

When you open one of these monitoring tools, you’ll be able to view your PC’s stats, including CPU and GPU temperatures and loads. If your CPU or GPU is running too hot, try cleaning the components to remove dust. For custom-built desktops, adding more exhaust fans to the case can improve airflow and cooling. Persistent overheating, especially in older laptops, may indicate that it’s time to consider upgrading your machine.

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Fix #4 – Check for issues with your PC’s power supply

Image of a PC’s power supply (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

A computer will randomly restart when it has a failing power supply unit (PSU). If you have an issue with your power supply, you’ll know if your computer won’t restart or turn on. In addition to causing shut-offs and restart loops, a faulty power supply can also cause a blue screen of death error. In severe cases, you might even smell a burning scent or witness smoke coming from your PC’s power supply exhaust vent. If you use a laptop with PSU issues, you cannot send your computer to a repair shop or the manufacturer for repair.

Desktop PC owners have it a bit easier, assuming they have a pre-built PC that can be altered easily. If you do have a desktop, turn off and unplug your computer before going into the case to investigate if dust build-up is affecting your PSU. If your PSU fails, you must purchase and install a new one.

Fix #5 – Scan your PC for viruses

Image of a woman working on a PC (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Malware and other viruses are a common cause of a crashing or constantly restarting PC. The easiest way to do this is by using strong antivirus software. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

If your computer is stuck rebooting, you may need to boot in safe mode in order to run an antivirus application. Here’s what you need to do to boot your PC in safe mode with Windows 11:
- When your computer restarts, at the sign-in screen, press and hold the Shift key
- Click Power
- Click Restart
Now, your computer should act more stable after booting in safe mode, allowing you to run an antivirus scan.

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Fix #6 – Disable automatic restart

Step to disable automatic restart (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

If you have automatic restart enabled in Windows 11, your PC will restart every time it encounters a system failure. You can easily disable this future within the Windows 11 command prompt. Here’s what you need to do:
- Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard
- Type sysdm.cpl and click OK
- Select the Advanced tab
- Under Startup and Recovery, click Settings
- Under System Failure, uncheck the box Automatically restart
- Click OK
Keep in mind this isn’t a fix for the problem, but it will help you further troubleshoot the restart loop problem by disabling automatic restarts.

Fix #7 – Repair your system files

Step to repair your system files (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

An issue with your Windows 11 system files may be causing your PC to constantly restart. If you think a corrupted system file is why your PC keeps restarting, there’s a quick and easy fix you can do within the Windows Powershell. The System File Checker (SFC) is a built-in tool that will scan your Windows system files for corruption or any other changes. If a system file has been modified, it will automatically replace the file with the correct version. Here’s how to run the SFC command:
- Open the Windows Powershell (or Command Prompt)
- Type in sfc /scannow
- Press Enter
- Leave the command prompt window open until the command completes, which could take some time
If there’s no problem with your Windows system files, after the scan, you’ll see a message that says, “Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.” If you instead see a message saying, “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them,” you should try running SFC again but in safe mode.

Fix #8 – Check for RAM issues in the command prompt

Your PC might be restarting itself because it doesn’t have access to enough random access memory (RAM). Windows 11 may become unstable without enough RAM in your computer, causing the OS to randomly reboot. You can use the built-in Memory Diagnostics Tool in Windows 11 to check your computer for issues related to RAM. Here’s what you need to do:
- Press the Windows Key and R
- Type mdsched.exe in the text box
- Click OK
- Select Restart Now and Check for Problems
When your PC restarts, the Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool will check for any RAM-related issues; if the test detects an error, take note of the error code. You can check the error code online to find the correct fix for that specific error.

Kurt’s key takeaways

These are the best fixes for a computer that is constantly restarting. While you can perform these fixes at home, it might be your best bet to send your computer to a repair shop or back to the manufacturer if you continue having an issue with your Windows 11 PC being stuck in a restart loop after these fixes. It also may be time to invest in a new laptop if you are experiencing a system slowdown and random restarting on your Windows 11 PC, but I would recommend trying to fix the problem first before buying a new machine.

What was the most challenging computer technical issue you’ve ever encountered, and how did you resolve it? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

Follow Kurt on his social channels:

Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

New from Kurt:

Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.
January 23, 2025
Interstellar Voyager 1 resumes operations after pause in communications with NASA

NASA has confirmed that after a pause in communications with Voyager 1 in late October, the spacecraft has regained its voice and resumed regular operations.

Voyager unexpectedly turned off its primary radio transmitter, known as its X-band, before turning on its much weaker S-band transmitter in October.

The interstellar spacecraft is currently located about 15.4 billion miles away from Earth and the S-band had not been used in over 40 years.

Communication between NASA and Voyager 1 has been spotty at times and the switch to the lower band prevented the Voyager mission team from downloading science data and information about the spacecraft’s status.

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NASA’s Voyager 1 spacecraft is depicted in this artist’s concept traveling through interstellar space, or the space between stars, which it entered in 2012. (NASA/JPL-Caltech)

Earlier this month, the team was able to reactivate the X-band transmitter and resume collection of data from the four operating science instruments onboard Voyager 1.

Now that the data can be collected and communications have resumed, engineers are finishing a few remaining tasks to return Voyager 1 back to the state it was in before the issue came up. One task is to reset the system that synchronizes Voyager 1’s three onboard computers.

The S-band was activated by the spacecraft’s fault protection system when engineers activated a heater on Voyager 1. The fault protection system determined the probe did not have enough power and automatically turned off systems that were not necessary to keep the spacecraft flying in order to keep providing power to critical systems.

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NASA’s Voyager 1 spacecraft, shown in this illustration, has been exploring our solar system since 1977, along with its twin, Voyager 2. (NASA/JPL-Caltech)

But in the process, the probes turned off all nonessential systems except for science instruments, NASA said, turning off the X-band and activating the S-band, which uses less power.

Voyager 1 had not used the S-band to communicate with Earth since 1981.

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This illustration provided by NASA depicts the most distant spacecraft from Earth, Voyager 1. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California announced this week that Voyager 1’s four scientific instruments are back in business after a technical problem. (NASA via AP, File)

Voyager 1′s odyssey began in 1977, when the spacecraft and its twin, Voyager 2, were launched on a tour of the gas giant planets of the solar system.

After beaming back dazzling postcard views of Jupiter’s giant red spot and Saturn’s shimmering rings, Voyager 2 hopscotched to Uranus and Neptune. Meanwhile, Voyager 1 used Saturn as a gravitational slingshot to power itself past Pluto.

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There are 10 science instruments on each spacecraft, and according to NASA, four are currently being used to study the particles, plasma and magnetic fields in interstellar space.

Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital.

Story tips and ideas can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter @GregWehner.

January 23, 2025
10 tech upgrades to save your time, privacy and money this year

At its best, today’s tech makes life easier. The trick is, you need to know the insider secrets. Luckily you have me.

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Here’s one to make your AI results better. With ChatGPT or any other, the more constraints you give, the better your answer. It’s called priming. Examples: “Limit your response to 250 words,” “Give me the list in bullet points” and “Format the results as a table.”

Sweet. Let’s keep going with 10 more tips and tricks.

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1. Ctrl + Z (undo) isn’t just for Word docs

Did you accidentally delete an email, close a browser tab or move a file? Ctrl + Z on a PC (Cmd + Z on a Mac) is the universal lifesaver. Use it everywhere, from editing spreadsheets to undoing changes in most apps. It’s a superpower.

2. Screenshots for the win

Forget scrambling for a pen and paper — just take a screenshot! Whether it’s a recipe, directions or an annoying error message, capturing your screen can save time and frustration. On your PC, hold down your Windows key + Shift + S. On a Mac, it’s Cmd + Shift + 4.

I have more time-saving keyboard tricks here.

From key shortcuts to easy, on-demand podcasts and magazines, these tech tips will help save you time and money this year. (iStock)

3. Use your voice more

You’ll be surprised by what you can tell your phone to do. For starters, forget fumbling for an app. Just say, “Hey, Siri, open Instagram” or, for Google Assistant, “Open Spotify.” You can also tell your assistant to call someone in your contacts, set a reminder, take a photo, convert milliliters to ounces, turn on the flashlight, flip a coin — the list goes on.

Pro tip for voice texting: To delete the last word you dictated, say, “Delete the last word.” To delete the last sentence, say, “Clear sentence.” If you want to get rid of everything you just said, say, “Clear all.”

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4. Because you never have a pen

Snap a pic with your phone’s camera, and you can copy, search or translate the text. On iPhone: Open the image in Photos. Tap and hold the text and select an option. On Android: Open a pic in Google Photos, then tap on the Lens icon. Select the text, then tap the action you want to take.

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ChromeOS Flex can help breathe new life into your old laptop. (iStock)

5. Bring your old laptop back to life

Install ChromeOS Flex, a free, cloud-based operating system. With processing done on Google’s servers and a bare-bones interface, you’ll get surprisingly good performance. Your PC needs to meet these minimum specs: x64 CPU, 4GB of RAM, 16GB of storage and a USB port for installation.

6. Calling back a random number?

Hide yours first. Punch in star, 6 and 7, followed by the number you’re calling, and that’s it. The caller will see “Private” or “Blocked.” If you want your number hidden all the time, change the settings on your smartphone. On an iPhone, tap Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID. Toggle it Off. On Android, the option is called Hide Number.

7. Instant podcasts about anything

Google’s NotebookLM lets you upload audio files, notes, documents or anything else, then search them, find citations (from your own docs) or produce a snazzy podcast you can listen to. It’s impressive. Reader Bob told me after he heard about it on my show, he used it to create training modules for his employees.

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Apple AirTags can help you keep tabs on your kids and your valuables. (Photo by James D. Morgan/Getty Images)

8. Track the kids

Apple AirTags (iOS) or Tile trackers (Android) let you keep tabs on your little ones. Attach a tracker to their backpack, shoelaces or belt loop. Pro tip: At somewhere very public, like a Disney park, give your child’s tracker a unique name, like “Buzz Lightyear.” That way, if someone gets a “Tracker Nearby” alert, your child’s name won’t pop up.

9. Every mail has its day

It’s a game-changer for staying organized. In Apple Mail on your iPhone or iPad, compose your email as usual, then tap and hold Send. You’ll see options like “Send Later,” where you can select a specific date and time for delivery. In Gmail, after drafting your email, click the small arrow next to the Send button and select Schedule Send.

10. Stop getting lured in at the grocery store

With an Amazon Prime account, you get access to a rotating library of popular magazines for free. Check them out here. Now you can read the latest weird royal rumors without paying for the magazine.

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Award-winning host Kim Komando is your secret weapon for navigating tech.

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January 23, 2025
Complete mastodon jaw found in New York homeowner’s backyard: ‘Remarkable discovery’

A homeowner in New York uncovered a complete mastodon jaw in their backyard in what officials are calling a “remarkable discovery.”

The jaw of the extinct mammal, which was similar to an elephant, and several bone fragments were excavated from a property in Scotchtown by researchers from the New York State Museum and SUNY Orange.

“The fossils – discovered by a curious homeowner – will undergo carbon dating and extensive scientific analysis to determine the mastodon’s age, diet, and habitat,” the New York State Museum said in a statement. “Once preserved and studied, the jaw and related findings will be showcased in public programming in 2025, offering visitors a glimpse into New York’s rich Ice Age history.”

The Albany-based Museum said the homeowner first noticed the jaw when they spotted “two unusual teeth concealed by plant fronds and, intrigued, dug a bit deeper to uncover two more teeth just inches beneath the surface.”

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New York State Museum and SUNY Orange staff excavate a mastodon jaw found on a property in Scotchtown, N.Y. (New York State Museum)

“When I found the teeth and examined them in my hands, I knew they were something special and decided to call in the experts,” the museum quoted the homeowner as saying. “I’m thrilled that our property has yielded such an important find for the scientific community.”

The discovery is also being described by the museum as the first of its kind in New York in 11 years, and a “prehistoric treasure.”

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A mastodon tooth that was still embedded in the jaw found in New York’s Orange County. (New York State Museum)

“Excavation efforts by the New York State Museum and SUNY Orange unearthed a full, well-preserved mastodon jaw belonging to an adult individual,” it said. “Alongside the jaw, researchers also recovered a piece of a toe bone and a rib fragment, offering valuable additional clues about the mastodon’s life and environment.”

Museum officials said 150 mastodon fossils have been found across New York, but a third of them have come from Orange County, where the jaw was discovered.

A printed illustration of a mastodon from the book Animals of the Prehistoric World. (Florilegius/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

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“While the jaw is the star of the show, the additional toe and rib fragments offer valuable context and the potential for additional research,” Cory Harris, Chair of SUNY Orange’s Behavioral Sciences Department, said in a statement. “We are also hoping to further explore the immediate area for more bones that may have been preserved.”

Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.

January 23, 2025
A new security seal of approval is coming to your smart home gadgets
The White House has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative to enhance the security of internet-connected devices in American homes.

The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, a new cybersecurity safety label, is set to appear on smart products sold in the United States later this year.

This program aims to help you make informed decisions about the safety of the smart devices you bring into your home.

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U.S. Cyber Trust Mark (FCC)

What is the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark?

The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark is a label designed for consumer smart devices, including home security cameras, TVs, internet-connected appliances, fitness trackers, climate control systems and baby monitors. This mark signals that a device meets a set of security features approved by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

How does it work?

Vendors can label their products with the Cyber Trust Mark logo if they meet NIST’s cybersecurity criteria. These criteria include:

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- Using unique and strong default passwords
- Providing software updates
- Implementing data protection measures
- Incorporating incident detection capabilities
Consumers will be able to scan a QR code next to the Cyber Trust Mark label to access additional security information. This information includes:
- Instructions for changing the default password
- Steps for securely configuring the device
- Details on automatic updates and how to access them
- The product’s minimum support period
- Notification if the manufacturer doesn’t offer updates for the device
U.S. Cyber Trust Mark (FCC)

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Why is this important?

There is a growing concern about cybercriminals remotely hacking into home security systems and malicious actors tapping into insecure home cameras. With the average U.S. household having 21 connected devices, according to a Deloitte study, the threat of cyberattacks is increasingly significant.

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When will we see it?

The program is set to launch in 2025. Companies will soon be able to submit their products for testing to earn the label, and major retailers like Best Buy and Amazon have committed to highlighting labeled products. The program has garnered support from major electronics, appliance and consumer product makers, including Amazon, Google, Best Buy, LG Electronics U.S.A., Logitech and Samsung Electronics.

What’s not on the Cyber Trust Mark menu?

While the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark aims to cover a wide range of smart home gadgets, not everything in your tech arsenal will be sporting this new seal of approval. Here’s a rundown of what’s left out:

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- Medical devices overseen by the FDA: Your smart pacemaker won’t be getting the mark.
- Cars and car equipment that are under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s watchful eye: So, no Cyber Trust Mark on your fancy new electric vehicle.
- Wired devices: This program is all about wireless wonders.
- Industrial and enterprise gear: It’s focused on consumer products, not factory floors.
- Any equipment on the FCC’s naughty list (aka Covered List) or made by companies on that list
- IoT products from companies flagged for national security concerns
- Gadgets made by companies banned from federal shopping sprees
And here’s a surprise: Your trusty personal computer, smartphone and router won’t be getting the Cyber Trust Mark either, at least not yet. The program is kicking off with wireless consumer IoT products, but who knows? It might grow to include more devices down the road. For now, NIST is cooking up some cybersecurity rules for those consumer-grade routers we all rely on.

So, while you might not see the Cyber Trust Mark on everything in your tech toolkit, it’s a solid start in making our connected homes a bit safer from digital ne’er-do-wells.

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Home devices and cellphone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Kurt’s key takeaways

The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark is a game-changer for you and me as consumers in our hyper-connected world. Let’s face it: Understanding device security can be a headache. But this program cuts through the tech jargon, giving us clear, easy-to-grasp info about the gadgets we’re considering bringing into our homes.

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How do you think the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark will impact your future purchasing decisions for smart home devices? Will you actively look for this label when shopping for new gadgets? Let us know what you think by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

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Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.
January 22, 2025
NASA finalizes strategy for human presence in space

This week, NASA finalized its strategy for sustaining a human presence in space. A document emphasized the importance of maintaining the ability for extended stays in orbit after the International Space Station is retired.

“NASA’s Low Earth Orbit Microgravity Strategy will guide the agency toward the next generation of continuous human presence in orbit, enable greater economic growth, and maintain international partnerships,” the document stated.

The commitment comes amid questions of whether the new space stations will be ready to go. With the incoming Trump administration’s effort to cut spending through the Department of Government Efficiency, there are also fears NASA could face cuts.

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“Just like everybody has to make hard decisions when the budget is tight, we’ve made some choices over the last year, in fact, to cut back programs or cancel them all together to make sure that we’re focused on our highest priorities,” said NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy.

Commercial space company Voyager is working on one of the space stations that could replace the International Space Station when it de-orbits in 2030. The company applauded NASA’s strategy to keep humans in space.

A rendering shows a Voyager spacecraft. Voyager is working on one of the space stations that could replace the International Space Station, which is expected to be retired in 2030. (Voyager Space)

“We need that commitment because we have our investors saying, ‘Is the United States committed?’” said Jeffrey Manber Voyager’s president of international and space stations.

President Reagan first launched the effort to keep humans in space at a permanent residence. He also warned of the need for private partnerships.

“America has always been greatest when we dared to be great. We can reach for greatness,” Reagan said during his 1984 State of the Union address. “The market for space transportation could surpass our capacity to develop it.”

Jeffrey Manber, president of international and space stations at Voyager Space, praised NASA’s commitment to researching how to sustain a human presence in space. (Associated Press)

The first piece of the ISS was launched in 1998. Since then, it has hosted more than 28 people from 23 countries. For 24 years, humans have occupied the ISS continuously.

The Trump administration released a national space policy in 2020 that called for maintaining a “continuous human presence in earth orbit” and also emphasized the need to transition to commercial platforms. The Biden administration maintained that policy.

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“Let’s say we didn’t have commercial stations that are ready to go. Technically, we could keep the space station going, but the idea was to fly it through 2030 and de-orbit it in 2031,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in June.

In recent months, there have been questions whether the policy would be maintained.

A rendering shows a Voyager Space spacecraft floating in orbit above the Earth. (Voyager Space)

“I just want to talk about the elephant in the room for a moment, continuous human presence. What does that mean? Is it continuous heartbeat or continuous capability? While we kind of originally hoped that this would just sort of emerge from this process, we’re still having conversations about that and understanding it,” Melroy said at the International Astronautical Congress in October.

NASA’s finalized strategy took into account concerns from commercial and international partners over what it would mean to lose the ISS without a commercial station ready to go.

“Almost all of our industry partners agreed. Continuous presence is continuous heartbeat. And so that’s where we stand,” Melroy said. “I think this continuous presence, it’s leadership. Today, the United States leads in human spaceflight. The only other space station that will be in orbit when ISS de-orbits, if we don’t bring a commercial destination up in time, will be the Chinese space station. And we want to stay and remain the partner of choice for our industry and for our goals for NASA.”

Three companies, including Voyager, are working with NASA to develop commercial space stations. Axiom signed an agreement with NASA in 2020. The agency awarded contracts to Nanoracks, now part of Voyager Space, and Blue Origin in 2021.

A rendering shows a Voyager Space spacecraft at a distance, passing in front of the moon. (Voyager Space)

“We’ve had some challenges, to be perfectly honest with you. The budget caps that were a deal that was cut between the White House and Congress for fiscal year (2024 and 2025) have left us without as much investment. So, what we do is we co-invest with our commercial partners to do the development. I think we’re still able to make it happen before the end of 2030, though, to get a commercial space station up and running so that we have a continuous heartbeat of American astronauts on orbit,” Melroy said.

Voyager says it is not behind in the development process and is still planning to launch their starship space station in 2028.

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“We’re not asking for more money. We’re going ahead. We’re ready to replace the International Space Station,” Manber said. “Everyone knows SpaceX, but there’s hundreds of companies that have created the space economy. And if we lose permanent presence, you lose that supply chain.”

Additional funds have been provided for the three companies since the initial space station contracts. A second round of funding could be crucial for some projects. NASA could also award funding for new space station proposals. One prospect is Long Beach, California’s Vast Space. The company recently unveiled concepts for its Haven modules. It plans to launch the Haven-1 as soon as next year.

“We absolutely think competition is critical. This is a development project. It’s challenging. It was hard to build the space station. We’re asking our commercial partners to step up and do this themselves with some help from us. We think it’s really important that we carry as many options going forward to see which one really pans out when we actually get there,” Melroy said.

Bret Baier currently serves as FOX News Channel’s (FNC) anchor and executive editor of Special Report with Bret Baier (weeknights at 6-7PM/ET), chief political anchor of the network and co-anchor of the network’s election coverage. Baier is also host of FOX News Audio’s “The Bret Baier Podcast” which includes Common Ground and The All-Star Panel. He joined FNC in 1998 as the first reporter in the Atlanta bureau and is now based in Washington, D.C.

January 22, 2025
5 best home inventory apps to protect your property in case of emergency
The recent disasters sweeping the nation, from the torrential floods in North Carolina to the fires still raging in Southern California, showed how vital it is to have an evacuation plan because you might only have mere seconds to determine which items to take with you as you evacuate.

While caring for your loved ones during this extremely stressful time should be a top priority, it is unavoidable that you must rebuild your home and life, which can mean having to provide detailed accounts of what you lost to your insurance provider.

Trying to figure out what to take when you are given seconds or minutes to evacuate or having to file detailed insurance claims afterward can be a painful and confusing process.

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Firefighters at a house fire (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Why keeping track of your home inventory matters

Home inventory and restoration apps can provide you with a tool to itemize and track every item in your home. Not only can these apps help you stay organized and fiscally responsible for everyday home projects, but they can also help you easily determine what you need to grab and where it would be when you have limited time to grab items to take with you when you evacuate. It is important to determine where and what to prioritize, especially if your home is at risk.

These apps can centralize all your home information so that you can stay within budget for home projects and maintenance work, and they can help you should you ever have to submit a claim after any disaster. It can also help you keep your home safer with routine maintenance. Additionally, creating a home inventory can help you determine if you have the appropriate amount of insurance coverage. Some apps allow you to upload important documentation for your home in general or specific items. This means if you ever deal with the worst-case scenario and cannot grab all the important home documents, your apps will have them stored for you and accessible by phone or computer.

Here are the top picks for apps that are best at keeping track of your home before or after a disaster.

A family watching their home go up in flames (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Top 5 apps for home inventory & management

1. HomeZada

A comprehensive home management platform, HomeZada, helps homeowners manage all aspects of their home, including but not limited to: maintenance, finances, inventory and improvement projects. Because it acts as a central hub to organize and track important home-related information, it will help you track, locate, rescue important items and make filing insurance claims easier.

Key features of HomeZada
- Home maintenance tracking: Create and schedule maintenance tasks such as HVAC servicing or gutter cleaning; get reminders for routine upkeep so it is one less thing for you to have to remember and prevent early replacement costs, as well as keep your home running more safely and smoothly
- Home inventory management: Ability to categorize inventory for all your indoor and outdoor spaces in a streamlined fashion with its established template so you do not have to start from scratch; assign photos, videos, receipts and warranty information for inventory items by room; critical for insurance purposes and disaster recovery
- Home improvement projects: Helps you create a budget, organize and track the progress of projects of all sizes around your home; store ideas, costs and documentation in one place to assist with tax and resale purposes
- Finance and property insights: Track home equity and overall property value by monitoring mortgage payments, utility bills and other home-related expenses
- Document storage: Employs key security features in storing important documents like purchase agreements, blueprints and appliance manuals
- Mobile access: Access available via web and mobile app makes it easy to manage your home wherever you are and however you want
Pricing

HomeZada offers both free and premium plans. Premium plans features include providing additional tools for inventory management, financial tracking and project planning.

Website

For more information or to sign up, click here.

TOP PICKS TO AMP UP YOUR HOME SECURITY

2. Centriq

While not as comprehensive as Homezada, Centriq has a strong focus on home management, which centralizes everything you need to organize, troubleshoot, operate and maintain your home.

Key features of Centriq
- Manage paperwork: Scan barcodes of appliances and purchases in the home, which allows you access to manuals and warranty information; photograph product receipts along with photos and video
- Maintenance tracking: Add tasks with a reminder along with any item in the app
- Mobile access: Access available via web and mobile app makes it easy to manage your home
- Troubleshoot with ease: Input product name or barcode with Centriq and get relevant troubleshooting videos to help you solve your problem
- Replacement and repair ease: Centriq will lead you to the correct replacement parts and accessories by simply inputting your model number
Pricing

Centriq offers both free and premium plans. Some of the extra features of the Premium plan include interactions between multiple properties and shared access for multi-users.

Website

For more information or to sign up, click here.

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3. NAIC Home Inventory

NAIC Home Inventory app (NAIC)

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners created the NAIC Home Inventory app to help you if you need to file a claim, as well as provide expert tips. The app showcases a simple, clean design of the inventory section with built-in room suggestions. Though a bit more generic than some of its competitors, this app helps you create an itemized list of your home should you need to file an insurance claim in the future.

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Key features of NAIC home inventory app
- Pro-tip access: Access informative guides from experts regarding insurance claims and disaster mitigation
- Home inventory management: Add or delete rooms suggested under the inventory section; use the barcode scan feature to easily pull up an item’s serial number; add photos and video with items
- Mobile access: Access available via web and mobile app makes it easy to manage your home
- Information access: Allows you to export inventory as a .CSV file without photos or as a PDF with photos
Pricing

NAIC Home Inventory app is free.

Website

For more information or to sign up, click here.

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4. Itemtopia

Itemtopia app (Itemtopia)

Unlike its namesake, Itemtopia actually goes beyond itemizing your belongings. Available in over 170 countries worldwide, the app allows you to manage services, warranties as well as medical records. A rich and interactive app helps you start with ease by incorporating AI intelligence.

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Key features of Itemtopia
- Home inventory management: Add or delete items under “Locations” or “Item Collections”; add photos and video with items along with warranties and receipts
- Life management tools: Add medical records by individual, receipts by service and even manage pet’s vet appointments through the app
- Mobile access: Access available via web and mobile app makes it easy to manage your home
- Information access: Allows you to share export inventory as a .CSV file without photos or as a PDF with photos via email, text and other channels
Pricing

Itemtopia offers both free and premium plans. Some of the extra features of the Premium plan include larger storage (up to 2 GB or approximately 3,000 items), the option to add more users and the ability to showcase items for sale with a shareable link.

Website

For more information or to sign up, click here.

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5. Encircle

Created originally for home restorers and insurance adjusters, Encircle is a professionally geared app that can help homeowners stay disaster-ready. This app helps you record items around your home quickly. Because of its focus on industry professionals, some of the features and terminology might be confusing or unnecessary for an average homeowner.

Key features for Encircle
- Home damage assessment: Document damage and progress of restoration jobs easily, collaborate with contractors and report a complete picture of a property loss
- Inventory management: Take photos, video and notes and organize by room; generate reports to instantaneously detail the story of loss; ensure the highest level of accuracy with time/date, user and GPS metadata info
- Mobile access: Access available via web and mobile app makes it easy to manage your home
- Information access: Share a link to your Encircle inventory through text or email; access spreadsheet view by logging into the web version of Encircle; create a PDF version of your inventory with photos by using the app’s “generate report” feature
Pricing

Encircle offers both free and paid plans. Users can use the home inventory app for free for up to two houses. Encircle’s restoration software has a free 14-day trial but is otherwise a monthly or annual paid membership.

Website

For more information or to sign up, click here.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

It’s easy to feel chaotic and overwhelmed when disaster strikes or when friends or family members are grappling with huge losses in home and security. There are, however, home apps that can help you create a plan before and after disaster strikes so you can have one less problem to manage while grieving your losses. While the hope is that disasters will not happen to you, these apps I mentioned will help you know, organize and restore your home should disaster strike. With some of the easiest and best ways to create a home inventory, it will give you peace of mind and a proactive way to respond during an emergency.

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Are you prepared for possible evacuation in an emergency? Have you survived a disaster? What did you learn, and what would you do differently? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

Follow Kurt on his social channels:

Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

New from Kurt:

Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.
January 22, 2025
Orbiter photos show lunar modules from first 2 moon landings more than 50 years later

Recent photos taken by India’s Space Research Organization moon orbiter, known as Chandrayaan 2, clearly show the Apollo 11 and Apollo 12 landing sites more than 50 years later.

The photos were taken by the Chandrayaan 2 orbiter in April 2021 and were reshared on Curiosity’s X page – which posts about space exploration – on Wednesday.

“Image of Apollo 11 and 12 taken by India’s Moon orbiter. Disapproving Moon landing deniers,” Curiosity wrote on X, along with the overhead photos that show the landing vehicles on the surface of the moon.

Apollo 11 landed on the moon on July 20, 1969, making Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin the first men to walk on its surface.

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Recent photos taken by India’s Space Research Organization moon orbiter, known as Chandrayaan 2, clearly show the Apollo 11 and Apollo 12 landing sites more than 50 years later. (India Space Research Organization )

Astronaut Michael Collins, the third man on the Apollo 11 mission, remained in orbit while Aldrin and Armstrong walked on the moon.

The lunar module, known as Eagle, was left in lunar orbit after it rendezvoused with the command module Collins was in the next day and Eagle eventually landed back on the moon’s surface.

Apollo 12 was NASA’s second crewed mission to land on the moon on Nov. 19, 1969, in which Charles “Pete” Conrad and Alan Bean became the third and fourth men to walk on its surface.

Apollo 11 astronaut Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin deploys a scientific experiment package on the surface of the moon. In the background is the Lunar Module, as is a flag of the United States. (Photo by Neil Armstrong/NASA/Getty Images) (Neil Armstrong/NASA/Getty Images)

The Apollo missions continued until December 1972, when the program was shut down and astronaut Eugene Cernan became the last man to walk on the moon.

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The Chandrayaan-2 mission launched on July 22, 2019, exactly 50 years after the Apollo 11 mission and two years before it captured images of the 1969 lunar landers.

Beside NASA’s Apollo 12 ‘Intrepid’ Lunar Module, American astronaut Alan Bean unloads equipment from the Modular Equipment Stowage Assembly (MESA) on the surface of the moon, November 19, 1969. (NASA/Interim Archives/Getty Images)

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India also launched Chandrayaan-3 last year, which became the first mission to successfully land neat the moon’s south pole.

January 22, 2025