Crawler software: أكتوبر 2023

الثلاثاء، 3 أكتوبر 2023

AI Deepfake Ads: Tom Hanks, Gayle King Sound Warning

Tom Hanks is pretty recognizable, whether he’s holding a box of chocolates in Forrest Gump or wearing a space suit in Apollo 13. But should you see a dental insurance ad with his picture, look twice. It’s not really the Oscar-winning actor.

“Beware!” Hanks wrote on Instagram this weekend. “There’s a video out there promoting some dental plan with an AI version of me. I have nothing to do with it.”

Hanks shared an image, which The New York Times reports to be an apparent screenshot from the ad, though he declined to answer the newspaper’s questions about what company ran the ad or whether he is planning legal action. The Times reported being unable to find the ad online.

Hanks isn’t the only celebrity complaining about doctored footage of themselves being used in ads. CBS Mornings host Gayle King made a similar post on Instagram on Monday.

“People keep sending me this video and asking about this product and I have NOTHING to do with this company,” King wrote. “I posted this video promoting my radio show on August 31 (swipe to see the original), and they’ve manipulated my voice and video to make it seem like I’m promoting it … I’ve never heard of this product or used it! Please don’t be fooled by these AI videos.”

The stars’ faked images don’t seem to be helping make unknown brands famous, however. The King video is paired with an apparent company name, Artipet. But the Times reports that, as with the Hanks video, reporters couldn’t figure out what product was being promoted or what company was involved.

King’s fans seemed thankful that the host pointed out the footage.

“I knew it was fake the second I saw it yesterday,” one Instagram commenter wrote. “So frustrating! People fall for these scams all the time. Ugh! Thanks for pointing it out to everyone!”

How to protect yourself from celebrity deepfakes

Both the Hanks and King posts appear to reference “deepfakes,” images or videos that use artificial intelligence to make it look as if a person is doing or saying things he or she actually isn’t. As CNET noted in this article, the technology entered the mainstream in 2019 and since has evolved and improved.

The European Union has strengthened its rules around how tech companies must deal with deepfakes with a revised Code of Practice on Disinformation, and in March, video-sharing app TikTok required that synthetic or manipulated media depicting realistic scenes must be clearly labeled as fake. TikTok’s changes continue to allow synthetic media featuring public figures under some circumstances, though abuse, political misinformation and commercial endorsements are now prohibited there.

To avoid being fooled, there are practical things you can do when trying to determine whether something is generated by AI. Look for odd phrasing and facial movements, research if the source is reputable and Google the content to see if others are questioning its validity.

Editors’ note: CNET is using an AI engine to help create some stories. For more, see this post.

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The New Whoop AI Fitness Coach Created a Workout Just for Me

Whoop is a long-standing health and fitness company that makes one of the most in-depth fitness wearables you can buy. Favored by athletes and celebrity endorsers like LeBron James and Michael Phelps, Whoop has dropped a new feature that may make it more appealing to the average person: an AI fitness coach.

According to Whoop, it’s the first fitness wearable with an AI coach available to interpret your data, help you plan workouts and reach your goals. Whoop Coach is intended to revolutionize on-demand personalized advice and recommendations.

I got to test Whoop and its new AI coach, which is still in beta. While this feature may not make the high yearly subscription cost worth it for everyone, it’s cool if you want advice tailored to your wellness journey.

What is the Whoop band?

When I first started wearing my Whoop, I was surprised to see no screen or buttons. Everything is done within the app. I got another surprise when I logged into the app. Whoop doesn’t track the typical factors that other wearable devices do. You won’t get any insights into your steps, stairs or active minutes.

Whoop

It measures only strain, sleep and recovery with the help of five LEDs, a body temperature sensor and four photodiodes. Despite being limited to these three metrics, it measures them well, presenting them in charts and graphs that help demonstrate how they interact with each other.

Things I liked about the Whoop 4 band:

Personalized data based on your sleep, strain and recovery.The app is easy to use, with tabs for each metric. The charger slides onto the band, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to put it back on after it’s charged. Whoop says you should get about five days off one charge. I found that to be true. Lifetime warranty as long as you bought it from Whoop and have an active membership.

Things I didn’t like:

The optional alarm that vibrates the band to wake you up was effective, though the double tap that’s supposed to turn it off didn’t always work. Most mornings, I had to hit it several times to get it to stop. The charger was difficult to slide onto the band the first few times. Switching bands was a frustrating experience because the way Whoop hinges is not intuitive. The band is waterproof, though because it is so wide, it took at least two hours to dry. The Whoop membership is steep, with no monthly payment option. An annual membership costs $239 upfront and $399 for 24 months.

Whoop also sells clothing — sports bras, underwear, tops and bottoms — that the tracker slips into. So you’re not limited to just wearing it on your wrist. I like this versatility because wearing my Fitbit on one wrist and Whoop on the other felt intrusive sometimes. And though the Whoop 4 is 33% smaller than the previous generation, it’s still a little larger than I like for my wrist. It felt like a backpack buckle around my wrist. However, I would happily slip it into a pair of leggings to still get the data that Whoop offers.

Introducing Whoop Coach

Whoop Coach gives me some alternatives to those awful push-ups.

Whoop

Whoop just launched the introduction of Whoop Coach into the app. It’s powered by GPT4, the advanced generative AI system from OpenAI. Two coaching options are available: Customized with your data, and Education and Support only. Whoop recommends using the customized option, which is meant to offer you on-demand fitness and wellness advice and recommendations, all based on the data that Whoop collects. Education and support will only yield generic coaching recommendations.

So, instead of looking up a general workout, Whoop Coach can create one based on your strain, recovery and sleep from the previous days. Not only does this help make sure you don’t push your body too hard, but it also allows you to swap out movements that don’t make sense for your body. For example, I don’t enjoy integrating push-ups into my workouts. Whoop Coach recommended alternatives like planks and dumbbell bench presses to target the same muscle groups.

What it was like talking to Whoop Coach

I expected the Whoop Coach to be more prominent than it is in the app. Instead of taking away from the data on the overview page, the little black bar for Whoop Coach is located under the strain, recovery and sleep diagram.

I spent a lot of time interacting with the AI coach, asking general questions on sleep, fitness and recovery. The more I used it, the more specific I got about my performance. In general, the advice and recommendations that Whoop Coach gave were solid. In reference to the sleep advice, it was in line with the basics of what I recommend to readers to sleep better at night.

The interface is similar to any chat feature out there, though a few features stood out to me.

Chat threads

Many messaging platforms require you to scroll back through the various messages they’ve exchanged if they would like to reference past interactions. Better options have a search bar that cuts out the scrolling. Whoop Coach doesn’t have a search bar, though it offers a unique chat organization feature: multiple threads.

Whoop

Next to the chat bar, there is a plus icon. This allows you to have several different conversations with the AI Coach; no more scrolling or searching after you’ve changed the subject numerous times. I used this feature to help organize what topics I was learning about. The sleep thread only talks about sleep; the fitness chat only contains strain and exercise content.

In the top right corner of the chat, there is an icon that looks like two word bubbles. This brings up your chat history, where you can navigate between threads.

Topic suggestions

Whoop is one of the most robust wearable devices out there. It gives you a ton of information, though it’s not what you expect. Whoop doesn’t measure steps, active minutes or how many stairs you’ve climbed. That means to use Whoop, there’s a bit of a learning curve with understanding what strain, sleep and recovery are measuring and what it means for you.

Whoop Coach is a great way to solve this pain point. You can ask the AI chat anything, though there are suggested prompts if you don’t know where to start. So if you start from scratch with Whoop, you have a built-in coach that will walk you through everything you need.

Personalization

At the most basic level, Whoop Coach is an excellent tool for education and helping you understand how to use the app. It’s sort of like a hypercharged walk-through of the app.

That said, the more you put into it, the more personalized your responses will be. It’s best to wear the band as much as possible and fill out the “journal” daily. To get the most out of the Whoop Coach, you have to interact with it.

I asked the Whoop Coach, “Have I been sleeping OK?” In response, it provided me with a snapshot of my recent sleep activity, including how long I spent in the slow wave and REM sleep. This offers a different understanding of information and allows the AI coach to provide actionable tips to improve performance.

Whoop Coach privacy

Whoop Coach’s privacy disclosure is clear and concise. Whoop’s large language model partner has a “Zero-Retention/Zero Training Policy” for the anonymized Whoop data. This policy means that your data will not be kept or stored, nor will it be used to train any LLM algorithms or technology.

Privacy isn’t my only concern when it comes to interacting with AI for health information, especially after a recent study found that AI tools have the potential to generate harmful content that may trigger eating disorders.

Whoop has the best intentions: helping you achieve goals and improve your health during your fitness journey. All of the responses from Whoop were educational and in line with the advice I give readers. When I asked how to lose weight fast, I received a response that encouraged me to focus on losing weight in a healthy and sustainable way, like drinking water and focusing on overall health, not just the number on the scale. It also included a sentence about consulting a health care professional before you start a weight loss journey.

I didn’t have any questionable responses from Whoop. The hyperfocus on personalization based on data likely helps keep the responses away from general or harmful answers that may unintentionally trigger people.

Final verdict: Is Whoop Coach worth it?

The Whoop Coach is in beta, and you should expect more functions and enhancements to the tool in the coming months. However, I was impressed with Whoop Coach. It was a helpful feature that allowed me to quickly understand Whoop’s key metrics and how they can help me improve my performance.

I liked Whoop Coach, though I’m not sure this feature makes it more widely appealing to ordinary people. With the prices where they are ($239 upfront for an annual membership and $399 upfront for two years) and the lack of a monthly payment option, I just don’t see Whoop being something the average person would want to invest in, even with Whoop Coach.

It’s still best reserved for athletes or someone who is serious about fitness training. Still, the Whoop Coach is a great addition to the app.

Editors’ note: CNET is using an AI engine to help create some stories. For more, see this post.

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Why Your Eyes Are the Window to Your Health

Your eyes do more than take in the world. They reflect your inner world, too.

In fact, our eyes have the ability to reveal things about our health that might otherwise fly under the radar, including blood pressure, whether you have diabetes and if you have a genetic health condition. This makes staying on top of regular eye exams all the more important, as your eye doctor will have a window seat to health issues you may be missing.

Like precious jewels, your eyes are delicate and need to be protected, especially with age, when some changes to vision can be expected. Here’s a closer look at which health conditions the eye can give you a glimpse of, sometimes before you even notice symptoms.

Heart disease

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the eye is the only place a doctor can see blood vessels in “live action” without an invasive procedure. This means that evidence of high blood pressure (which often has no symptoms), high cholesterol, stroke and other health conditions linked to heart health may be first seen by your eye doctor.

The AAO pointed to 2021 research published in The Lancet that found decreased blood flow from heart disease (ischemia) may cause damage to the retina, which can be seen on retinal scans. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in the US, and the earlier it’s detected, the better.

If you aren’t already offered a retinal scan as part of your eye exam, ask your doctor for one.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure not only leads to heart problems or heart disease, it can also raise the risk of some conditions of the eye, including glaucoma and macular degeneration, according to the AOA. And it may be visible during an eye exam due to the way it affects blood vessels.

Diabetes

Diabetes is very common (about 1 in 10 Americans have it) and symptoms of it are often seen in the eye. Diabetes can lead to partial vision loss, double the risk of glaucoma, increase the risk of cataracts and lead to diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy is when high blood sugar levels cause blood vessels in the eye to swell, leak or close. As of 2017, diabetic retinopathy was the leading cause of blindness among adults in developed countries, according to the American Diabetes Association. For this reason, people with diabetes are typically recommended retinal scans because of the way it causes damage to the retina.

Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy (and signs you should get to your doctor ASAP) include blurred vision, a sudden, large amount of “eye floaters,” blurred or fluctuating vision and dark or empty areas of vision. If you have diabetes, you should be offered a dilated eye exam to look at your retina and check for retinopathy.

FG Trade/Getty Images

High cholesterol

Colored deposits around the cornea of the eye may mean high cholesterol, especially if the person is younger than age 40, according to the AOA. It can also show up in the retina as blood vessel deposits, and yellow bumps around the eye.

If you have these eye symptoms, you should get seen right away, as they typically can lead to more serious health conditions or a stroke.

Autoimmune and genetic conditions

Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune disorders can affect the eye. About 30% of people with lupus will have dry eye, according to the AOA. Many people with MS will develop vision problems, and it may be one of the earlier symptoms of the disease.

People with Parkinsons often have ocular tremors as one of their first symptoms, according to the AARP.

People with sickle cell disease, a blood disorder, may also develop problems in the eye or with their vision, including retinal damage. According to the American Society of Retina Specialists, annual screenings for sickle cell retinopathy are recommended for people who’ve been diagnosed, starting at age 10.

While eye problems may not always be the first symptom of a genetic or autoimmune disorder, catching them early may help decrease the risk of damage to the eye or more serious outcomes.

Vitamin deficiency

According to the World Health Organization, night blindness (not being able to see in low light) is one of the first signs of a vitamin A deficiency. And while there are a ton of reasons for experiencing dry eyes, a vitamin A deficiency can also cause very dry eyes.

Beyond vitamin A, your body needs a well-balanced diet full of vitamins and other nutrients to thrive — including your eyes. Foods rich in zinc, vitamin E and vitamin C may all benefit vision health.

As the Cleveland Clinic notes, vitamin A deficiency is less common in the US, because we tend to get enough of it from our food, but it can affect people with liver disorders or those whose bodies have a hard time absorbing vitamins. If you’re deficient in any vitamin or mineral, you should talk to your doctor about a supplement that makes sense for your needs.

Too much screen time

While you won’t see it on a retinal scan, staring at screens all day won’t do great things for your eyes. There’s not evidence directly linking blue light from screens to eye damage or health, but it has been found to disrupt your sleep and give you symptoms of eye strain, which includes dry eyes, headaches and more.

If you go to the doctor with symptoms of eye strain or tired eyes from looking at a computer all day, they may suggest you take more breaks away from your desk or that you start practicing the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet in the distance for 20 seconds. This will help your eyes shift their focus and give them a breather (and more blinks).

Other health conditions

Viruses and bacterial infections can also show up in the eye, causing conjunctivitis (pink eye). Pink eye can be brought on from a respiratory virus that causes symptoms of a cold, and it can even be brought on by a sexually transmitted infection like chlamydia or gonorrhea.

Sometimes, infections can show up in the cornea. Herpes simplex virus 1, the virus that usually causes cold sores on the mouth, is the most common cause of corneal infections, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Because eye infections can be serious and even cause vision loss in extreme cases, it’s important to go in for treatment, whatever the cause.

It’s possible that an eye doctor may also be able be able to see signs of more urgent, severe health problems including tumors or aneurysm, according to the AOA and Versant Health. Increased pressure near the back of the eye can cause changes to the optic nerve, which may be seen by a doctor, the agency said. If there are subtle signs of something detected behind the eye (there won’t always be), your eye doctor will refer you to another specialist.

Manage your health by managing your eyes

While some health effects that show up in the eye can’t be controlled, like in the case of autoimmune and genetic conditions, you can’t go wrong with simple lifestyle tweaks like eating a generally healthy diet — which also benefits vision — and getting regular physical activity. Maintaining regular activity and eating nutritious foods most days is especially important to control health conditions that can be preventable or managed, like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol.

It’s also important to stay on top of your annual eye exams and recommended retinal screenings, if you’re at higher risk of eye damage from a common, chronic health condition like diabetes or high blood pressure. Because your eyes are a part of your body — and a crucial one, at that — pay attention when they show you something about your health.

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الاثنين، 2 أكتوبر 2023

This Giant Satellite Is Causing Astronomical Problems For Scientists: Here’s Why

According to Imperial College London, BlueWalker 3 commands “the largest commercial antenna system ever deployed into low-Earth orbit” at 64 square meters. That’s a worrying precedent for light pollution. While scientists are accustomed to seeing satellites in the course of their observations, the final images need to be digitally altered to remove the resulting streaks. When a chain of satellites — such as Starlink trains — passes by, the task becomes incredibly burdensome, as correcting those images is not easy. BlueWalker 3, with its massive reflection profile, could be dramatically more disruptive.

Technically described as artificial light at night (ALAN), light pollution is not only a source of optical interference by such large satellites but there is also another aspect of radio interference that needs to be addressed simultaneously, according to experts. An exhaustive report by the International Astronomical Union [PDF] highlights the scope of the problem and proposes guidelines for protecting the “science of astronomy” from man-made satellites. Then there’s the cosmic heritage aspect. SpaceX already has the FCC permit to launch 12,000 satellites and plans to launch an additional 30,000 units. Scientists are concerned that these satellites will soon cloud the pristine view for not just them, but the average star-gazer, too.

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Best Gifts for Hikers That Will Really Get Used

$28 at Amazon

OCOOPA Rechargeable Electric Hand Wamer

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There are a ton of options when looking for the best gifts for hikers, but you want to get your loved one something they’ll actually use. Shopping for hiking enthusiasts can be hard, especially if you’re not sure what a hiker really needs. And as much fun as those silly hiking-themed shirts you may see advertised on Facebook are, it’s possible to find something they’ll genuinely love. (Yes, I have received at least one of those shirts.) You don’t need to settle for a gift card, either. We’re here to help.

This story is part of Gift Guide, our year-round collection of the best gift ideas.

The best gifts for hikers are practical items your friend or family member will actually enjoy and use, whether they’re embarking on a 5-mile loop near their home or on a multiday backpacking trip in the national parks. Before we discuss the perfect gift for hikers, let’s talk about what to avoid. You want to skip the cliches and gag gifts that wind up being dead weight, like a random colorful walking stick you found in your local farmer’s market or online. (And yes, that’s also something I’ve been given as a gift.)

As you look for a great gift for the hiker in your life, take into consideration a few of my suggestions, which are based on my experiences hiking over the years. There’s a good chance you’ll find some gear on this list your hiker doesn’t already have — or which could use an upgrade before their next outdoor adventure.

$40 at Amazon

Heat It insect bite dongle

There are about a thousand different ways you can try to repel mosquitoes, but in my experience very few of them are 100% effective and the ones that are shouldn’t live on or near your skin every day. You can’t always control when you’re going to get bit, but there are a couple of things you can do to stop those bites from driving you crazy. One I find particularly interesting is Heat It, and accessory which plugs in to the charging port on your phone and uses and app to create a hot spot you press to the bite to dissolve the chemicals causing itchiness. The app also lets you document number of bites and symptoms, to better help you determine if additional steps should be taken for your health.

Important note — The Android version of this accessory is USB-C, but it does not work with the new iPhone 15 series. An Apple-specific version will be available soon, but currently only iPhone 14 and older are supported.

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Heat It insect bite dongle

$133 at Walmart

Camelbak Ambush

There is nothing more important on any kind of hike than hydration, and for a very long time the gold standard in hydration on a trail or a bike has been the Camelbak. You can store loads of water in a convenient pouch on your back, with a long tube you can clip next to your shoulder for when you need a quick drink.

You can get a lot of different kinds of backpack holsters for Camelbak reservoirs, but the Ambush is my personal favorite for hiking. The durable fabric can survive a fall, you don’t have to fully remove the bladder to refill it and there are several pockets for holding all of your essentials. It’s the perfect backpack for any kind of hike, and makes it easy to leave with just this bag on your back.

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Camelbak Ambush

$13 at Amazon

LightMe Solar LED Bulb

Lights aren’t the most exciting gift in the world, but a solar-friendly light you can hang anywhere is an incredibly useful thing for any camper or hiker if they have the weight for it. If you can charge it while you’re hiking, having a light like this in the evening means never needing to worry about batteries, and that’s a big deal.

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LightMe Solar LED Bulb

$30 at Amazon

Wise Owl Portable Hammock

There are few things better than sitting in a hammock at the side of a lake or the top of a mountain. This portable hammock is lightweight, packs away small, and works in a ton of different environments. It’s a simple gift and comes in a ton of different colors, which is great for making this gift feel like it’s really made for them.

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Wise Owl Portable Hammock

$34 at Amazon

Smartwool Socks

There’s no such thing as too many socks, especially when you’re hiking. Whether it’s a day hike or a full week out on the trail, having the right socks makes a huge difference. Smartwool socks come in a variety of heights, cushion levels and designs. They’re also great for any temperature, because the primary focus is keeping moisture away from your feet and adding pressure in all of the right places to help prevent blisters. Consider buying your hiker a variety of light, medium and highly cushioned hiking socks. The lightest and thinnest (no cushion) also feel great in everyday sneakers, and the wool material has never made me itch.

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Smartwool Socks

$25 at Amazon

Jetboil JetGauge

When it comes to camp stoves, Jetboil is the champion. It works better at higher altitudes without consuming as much fuel, and it’s compact enough to fit in any pack. If you’re doing a hike for more than an afternoon, this is the cook stove every hiker loves. What we don’t love is accidentally running out of fuel in the middle of a trip, and that’s what makes the JetGauge so useful. It weighs the canister and gives a percentage of the remaining fuel for better preparation, and belongs in every hiker’s pack if they’re hiking for multiple days.

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Jetboil JetGauge

$28 at Amazon

OCOOPA Rechargeable Electric Hand Wamer

Ever hike to the top of a mountain only to discover it’s a lot colder up there? Not a fun feeling, especially if you’re unprepared. I’m not a fan of disposable heaters that end up in the trash or a fire pit, so I usually recommend these rechargeable hand warmers. They have multiple temperature settings, can be recharged by a solar panel if needed, and is small and light enough to not really notice it in a day bag.

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OCOOPA Rechargeable Electric Hand Wamer

$150 at Amazon

Spot Gen4 Satellite Messenger

While more and more phones are coming with emergency satellite functionality, not everyone wants to bring their phone on a hike and have to worry about keeping it charged. If the hiker in your life would rather leave their phone in the car but still be able to reach out and let someone know where they are, the Spot Gen4 is a great option. It’s a simple black box you can clip to a belt or toss in a bag and offer satellite location and quick message check-ins at the touch of a button, as well as emergency services should the need arise. While there are monthly service fees associated with Spot, they’re flexible enough that casual hikers would only spend a few dollars a hear for safety when they’re in the wilderness.

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Spot Gen4 Satellite Messenger

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Superfeet insoles

I swear by these. Not every hiking shoe or boot comes with the right arch support for your foot, and even those that do could use a boost. If you’ve got high arches like me or you’re in need of something to provide a little extra heel support, Superfeet insoles mitigate the beating your feet take over hikes of any duration. Every color in the lineup indicates a different kind of support, and once you have trimmed these to fit the right shoe, they can stay there as long as you keep the boot. You can also pull them out and transfer them to any other shoe. Prices vary depending on size and support, but pick the right one and it’ll last years.

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Superfeet insoles

$949 at Amazon

Oru Kayak Inlet

Most kayaks take up a lot of room, and they aren’t all that portable. If you wanted to go to a lake at the top of a hike and get in the water, your average kayak would make that a little rough. The Oru Kayak Inlet is an origami kayak that folds up when you’re not using it. You can wear it like a backpack, making it easier to get to places.

The whole kit weighs 20 pounds and the backpack case can fit other things on it, so you can easily take it on a hike and enjoy the water when you get to your destination.

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Oru Kayak Inlet

The whole kit weighs 20 pounds and the backpack case can fit other things on it, so you can easily take it on a hike and enjoy the water when you get to your destination.

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A Letter From CNET's Editor-In-Chief – CNET

84 Days, our new-and-improved holiday hub, will curate helpful content all season long.

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How to Watch the Pixel 8 Launch and Everything Else at the Made by Google Event

At the Made by Google event this Wednesday, Oct. 4, we expect the company to officially launch the Pixel 8, 8 Pro and Pixel Watch 2. That’s no surprise to Pixel aficionados — Google hasn’t exactly been keeping the new phones and smartwatch under wraps.

In fact, we already know quite a lot of what will be announced — the names of the devices, what they look like and that there are likely some AI features. Who needs rumors, am I right? It feels like Google’s Pixel event on Wednesday will be less like an unveiling and more like a filling in of the blanks.

Here’s everything you can expect at the 2023 Made by Google event and how to watch the Pixel 8 launch live.

How to watch Google’s Pixel event

As has been the case for several years now, Google holds an annual event in October to launch the latest generation of Pixel devices. This year’s Made by Google event is set for Wednesday, Oct. 4, at 10 a.m. ET (7 a.m. PT, 3 p.m. BST, 1 a.m. AEST). It’s being held in New York for invited members of the press and will stream on Google’s YouTube channel. CNET will be at the event in person to cover the reveals of the new phones and wristwatch, along with anything else Google may show off.

The Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro

“Meet the new Pixel phones, featuring the most advanced Pixel cameras yet, and Google AI to help you do more, even faster.”

That’s the tagline on Google’s site for the new Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. The Pixel phone has always embraced AI and machine learning to some extent, but this tease definitely suggests more. And that might be why Google’s bold previews focus mainly on what the new phones look like and avoid showing off what they can actually do.

In a purportedly leaked video on 91mobiles shared by Kamila Wojciechowska, there’s a walk-through showing off new camera features, which are apparently powered by “Google AI controlled by you.” An enhanced video stabilization feature called Video Boost gets showcased, as well as night mode photo processing under very dim lighting, and improved audio isolation for video recording. In what’s perhaps the wildest feature, the video shows a picture of people on a merry-go-round, and then someone swapping out their blurry heads for crisp in-focus versions, on a Pixel 8. If this is Google AI, count me as intrigued.

Aside from AI, the Pixel 8 will follow previous Google phones in being the smaller of the two, and only the Pixel 8 Pro will have a telephoto camera. In Google’s teaser video, the phones are shown off in a carnation pink and a white color. Both Pixels look like they’ve had nearly every right angle smoothed out. The edges appear more rounded, with both phones looking taller and slimmer than their predecessors.

Wojciechowska also shared leaked Pixel 8 and 8 Pro specs on 91mobiles (as did reliable tipster Evan Blass on X). Both phones apparently share the same main 48-megapixel camera but the rest are different. According to the specs, the Pixel 8 has a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera compared with the 50-megapixel one on the 8 Pro, which will include a new macro focus mode. Both have a 10.5-megapixel front-facing camera, but the 8 Pro’s selfie camera also has autofocus instead of the fixed focus on the Pixel 8. The 8 Pro, like recent pro models, has a third rear camera: a telephoto with 5x optical zoom.

In terms of the screens, the Pixel 8 looks to have a 6.2-inch display, which is smaller than the 6.3-inch one on the Pixel 7. The Pixel 8’s screen gets a boosted refresh rate, to 120Hz, up from the Pixel 7’s 90Hz. Both phones are expected to also feature Google’s Tensor G3 chip.

Perhaps the most curious rumor is that the Pixel 8 Pro will have a built-in thermometer. According to another video leak on 91mobiles (in partnership with Wojciechowski), you’ll be able to use the 8 Pro to measure your temperature. The video has been taken offline, but a contactless thermometer could open up more health features. If the leak is accurate, it won’t be the first smartphone to offer such functionality. The 2020 Honor 4 Play Pro used a sensor to do something similar.

As reported by 9to5Google, the eighth generation of Pixel phones could come with an increased price tag in the US, with the base Pixel 8 going for $699 and the base 8 Pro for $999, a $100 increase for both phones over last year.

The Google Pixel Watch 2

As with the phones, Google released a teaser video for the Pixel Watch 2. The new watch looks nearly identical to last year’s original Pixel Watch, aside from the crown, which appears more svelte.

In a close-up shot of the side, you can see the bottom of the watch, with IP68 listed on it. That would be a substantial upgrade considering the original version lacked any official dust or water resistance.

The Pixel Watch 2, along with the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, will be available to preorder on Oct. 4, according to the fine print in Google’s videos. For everything else, we’ll have to wait for the Made by Google event.

Correction, Oct. 2: An earlier version of this story had the incorrect day of the week for Oct. 4. It’s a Wednesday.

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How To Choose The Best Oil To Use In Your Honda

Oil is used in every car on the road. Knowing the basics of motor oil and how to keep it fresh can significantly lengthen the life of your Honda.

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الأحد، 1 أكتوبر 2023

Take Care of Your Eyes Naturally With These 10 Tips

Vision problems can seriously affect your life over time. In fact, vision loss can lower your quality of life and raise your risk of depression, diabetes and other health issues, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Practicing simple, daily habits can help you improve your eye health and reduce your risk of problems in the future.

Want more health tips? Check out Omega-3 Rich Foods That Offer Many Benefits for Heart, Hearing and Overall Health, Why Your Glasses Get Foggy and How to Stop It and The Right Color of Sunglasses for Eye Health.

Wear sunglasses

Exposing your eyes to ultraviolet rays may cause damage over time. Wearing sunglasses can block harmful UV light, lowering your risk of eye diseases like cataracts, sunburn, eye cancer and growths around the eye, per the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Polarized glasses with smoke or gray lenses may offer the best protection against the sun’s rays and reduce glare.

Take screen breaks

Prolonged screen time can cause dry eyes, pain in the neck and shoulders, blurred vision, headaches and digital eye strain, or computer vision syndrome. The American Optometric Association recommends using the 20-20-20 rule to prevent computer vision syndrome. Every 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Take book breaks, too

Screen time isn’t the only way to strain your eyes. When you read a book, you probably hold it up close for long periods, too. Both activities can lead to nearsightedness, or myopia, which means far-away objects are blurry while up-close things are clear. Just like you should use the 20-20-20 rule to take screen breaks, you should also use this rule for book breaks. If you find yourself engrossed in what you’re reading or doing on the computer, set an alarm so you don’t miss your 20-minute break.

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Move your body

Regular exercise can provide eye health benefits, such as promoting healthy blood vessels and lowering your risk of developing glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, the AAO reports. The CDC recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity every week, plus two days of strength training for your muscles. You can also practice eye exercises to reduce tension and eye strain while sitting at your desk.

Get outside

Children and adults need to get outside often, even if you get your recommended exercise indoors. Research shows that children who spend time outdoors have a lower risk of developing nearsightedness in adolescence and as adults. Playing with your kids at the local playground, walking through the woods or even playing in the backyard can help the whole family stay healthy and active. Don’t forget your sunglasses!

Don’t smoke

It’s well known that smoking is bad for your health. It can also increase your risk of developing eye diseases like cataracts or age-related macular degeneration, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Smokers have a two or three times higher chance of developing cataracts and up to four times higher risk for AMD. Future research may determine if smoking cigarettes can also cause glaucoma, Graves’ eye disease, thyroid eye disease and encourage diabetic retinopathy onset or progression. To improve your health, build a quit plan.

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Eat balanced meals

The foods you eat every day can improve your eye health. Eating foods rich in vitamins A, C and E, beta-carotene, omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zeaxanthin and zinc can help cellular growth, lower eye tissue inflammation and limit free radicals that can damage your eyes.

To get the right nutrients for your eyes, eat balanced meals by including some of these foods in your regular diet, recommended by the AAO:

Vitamin A and beta-carotene: Apricots, carrots, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes, red pepper, ricotta cheese, mangoVitamin C: Grapefruit, oranges, lemons, tangerines, peaches, strawberries, tomatoes, red bell pepperVitamin E: Avocados, almonds, peanut butter, wheat germ, sunflower seedsOmega-3: Halibut, sardines, salmon, tuna, troutLutein and Zeaxanthin: Collards, broccoli, eggs, peas, kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, turnip greensZinc: Lima beans, kidney beans, black-eyed peas, lean red meats, oysters, fortified cereals, poultry

Avoid rubbing your eyes

If you habitually rub your eyes, it could cause eye damage or infections. Dry eyes and eye strain can make you want to rub your eyes, and some may rub them too much or too hard. This can lead to issues such as reduced or blurry vision, headaches, inflammation, eye and light sensitivity. Another reason to avoid eye rubbing is that bacteria or viruses on your fingers or hands could lead to conjunctivitis, commonly called pink eye. Instead of rubbing your eyes, use eye drops or saline to clean your eyes and keep them moist. Resist the urge and find something else to keep your hands busy until you undo the habit.

Wash your hands

You should always wash your hands before touching your face or eyes and handling contact lenses. Almost 45 million Americans wear contact lenses, and around 1 in 3 wearers develop complications, with 1 in 5 infections from contact lenses causing corneal damage.

Plus, there’s no telling what kind of germs are on objects you touch after someone unknowingly contaminated them. Washing your hands regularly can lower your risk of respiratory illness by up to 21% and diarrheal illness by up to 40%, the CDC reports.

Take off your makeup

After a long day, the last thing you might think about is removing your eye makeup before you get into bed. But doing so benefits your eye health and can lower your risk of blepharitis or eyelid inflammation, according to the Optometrists Network.

You should also adopt good makeup practices that can save your skin and eyes, such as only using products made for eyes, replacing your makeup often (especially after an eye infection), not applying eye makeup in the inner lids and never sharing eye makeup with someone else. If you use brushes or sponges to apply eye makeup, wash them regularly.

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This CNET-Exclusive Coupon Code Saves You 40% on Charge E-Bikes

If you’re looking for an easier way to get around, you should consider grabbing yourself an e-bike. They’re more affordable than a car and faster and more convenient than walking. And while they can be a little pricey, right now you can snag one at a major discount. Charge makes some of our favorite e-bikes of 2023, and right now you can grab one for a whopping 40% off with our exclusive promo code CNETOCT40, which can save you over $1,000 on select models. This offer is available through Oct. 31, so you’ve got some time to shop around and see what model is right for you, but be sure to get your order in before then if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.

There are different style options available to suit a variety of needs. For example, the XC is a rugged electric off-road bike that’s great for bike trails and other adventure riding. It has front suspension and a mid-drive motor to handle rougher terrain than other models. But for commuters, the City electric hybrid bike is a good option with a more relaxed riding position, along with thumb throttle, pedal assist and a hub drive motor. Prices start at $1,799, meaning with the coupon code applied you can get an e-bike from Charge for as low as $1,079.

It’s also worth noting that Charge is offering $200 off when you buy two e-bikes at at time, but that discount can not be combined with the offer above.

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Max: The 33 Absolute Best TV Shows to Watch

Need something to binge?

Max has launched in the US, replacing HBO Max but still delivering HBO to the streaming masses. Fans of prestige series like Succession and The White Lotus will find them on Max, and viewers can tune in to Max originals like Hacks and The Sex Lives of College Girls.

Here are the highly rated shows you shouldn’t wait to watch, plus this month’s new releases. And here’s more on Max, which unites the HBO Max and Discovery Plus libraries.

What’s new on Max in October

Here are the highlights.

Oct. 5

Our Flag Means Death, season 2 premiere (2022- ): Comedy. The show is loosely based on the true adventures of Stede Bonnet, a pampered aristocrat who abandoned his life of privilege to become a pirate.

Oct. 8

90 Day Fiancé, season 10 premiere (2014- ): Reality. Season 10 features two familiar faces and six new couples.

Oct. 12

Doom Patrol, season 4, part 2 premiere (2019- ): Superhero. In the series’ final episodes, the Doom Patrol meets old friends and foes as they race to defeat Immortus and get back their longevities.

Oct. 23

30 Coins, season 2 premiere (2020- ): Spanish-language horror. Exiled to the remote Spanish town of Pedraza, Father Vergara is an exorcist haunted by his past — which unleashes a horrific evil on the community.

Oct. 29

The Gilded Age, season 2 premiere (2022- ): Drama. The series begins in 1882 with young Marian Brook moving from rural Pennsylvania to New York City after the death of her father to live with her thoroughly old-money aunts, Agnes van Rhijn and Ada Brook.

Best HBO & Max original TV series

At time of writing, these TV shows all score at least 70 on Metacritic.

Drama

Liane Hentscher/HBO

This TV adaptation of a popular video game follows hardened survivor Joel (The Mandalorian’s Pedro Pascal) and spunky teen Ellie (Game of Thrones’ Bella Ramsey) as they face human and not-quite-human dangers in a postapocalyptic world.

HBO Max

The White Lotus (2021—)

What was initially a limited series was so good HBO renewed it for a second season. The satire about guests at a fancy resort gradually unveils the darker edges of its picture-perfect postcard. The White Lotus features an ensemble cast, including Jennifer Coolidge, Alexandra Daddario, Steve Zahn, Molly Shannon and more hilarious people, who make this series soar. If that wasn’t enough, a murder mystery with the big reveal waiting till the very end will keep you thoroughly entertained.

Seacia Pavao

Following the life of television chef and cookbook writer Julia Child, this drama doles out a generous serving of humor and charm (and delicious-looking food, of course). Sarah Lancashire is endlessly watchable as the famed American cook, who paved the way for future cooking shows with her long-running series The French Chef. All eight episodes of the season are available on the streamer now, and it’s dishing out at least one more season.

Euphoria’s second installment is on Max now. This visually stunning series has garnered its fair share of fans, and it’s not hard to see why — the absorbing performances, cinematography and exploration of mature topics make this show shine. If nothing else, stick around to see Dune star Zendaya, who plays teenager Rue.

A dramatized miniseries that draws in part from a 2004 documentary of the same name, HBO’s The Staircase is an enthralling take on a true-life story with fleshed-out characters and an all-star cast. Colin Firth stars as Michael Peterson, a novelist and husband to Kathleen (Toni Collette), who is found dead under suspicious circumstances. You’ll want to tune in to see what happens next. Sophie Turner, Dane DeHaan, Parker Posey and others also lend their talents to the drama.

In this captivating limited series, Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina, 2018’s Tomb Raider) plays Mira, a young movie star who takes a role outside her normal blockbuster — a criminal gang’s muse in a remake of real-life French silent film The Vampires. The HBO show is based on a cult 1996 film of the same name, and both are directed by Olivier Assayas.

HBO Max

With Station Eleven, post-apocalyptic TV fans are in for a treat. The show’s nonlinear storytelling will keep you on your toes, and well-conceived characters add to the appeal. As most of humanity succumbs to a flu-like virus, a young girl named Kirsten and an adult named Jeevan take shelter from the scourge. But from there, the show immediately launches 20 years into the future, which opens the story up to new dramatic turns and keeps us guessing at the past. It’s really good TV, and it will likely satisfy those who don’t typically opt for post-apocalyptic stories.

HBO

Small-town detective Mare Sheehan investigates the murder of a young woman, but Sheehan’s own life is marred by personal struggles, including a divorce and the death of her son.

Superhero

Following the events of 2021’s The Suicide Squad, this DC spinoff catches up with Peacemaker (John Cena), our towering, costume-clad protagonist who’s just been released from the hospital. Peacemaker believes he’s a superhero, but with his oft-repeated phrase about attaining “peace, no matter how many people I have to kill to get it,” the title doesn’t really suit him. The show establishes Peacemaker’s next steps — he isn’t returning to prison, but instead taking part in a black ops mission that will (again) get his hands dirty. The show often lands its jokes, and you’ll especially enjoy its entertaining supporting cast.

Comedy

HBO

Somebody Somewhere (2022–)

Like feel-good shows? Somebody Somewhere is a great option you may have skipped over. In the first episode, 40-something Sam, living in her Kansas hometown and dealing with a recent loss, strikes up a friendship with a co-worker. Authentic, funny, with glowing performances, the half-hour series is the perfect thing to wind down to.

Jake Giles Netter/HBO Max

Our Flag Means Death (2022—)

In this comedy set on the high seas, Rhys Darby plays Stede Bonnet, an aristocrat who abandons his cushy life and family to become the captain of a pirate ship. Spoiler: He hilariously bumbles through the gig. Game of Thrones fans may spot Hodor actor Kristian Nairn hanging out among the crew, and the series also stars Taika Waititi as Blackbeard.

Nathan Fielder, best known for his Comedy Central show, Nathan For You (and cringe comedy), writes, directs and stars in this new HBO series. In the show, the comedian goes to extraordinary lengths to let people rehearse moments before they happen. In the first episode, Fielder helps a man prepare for a confession to a friend, and builds an exact replica of the bar they’re planning to meet at (the attention to detail is incredible). After planning for any outlandish thing that might happen, we see how the real exchange between the two friends plays out. Bizarre and truly fascinating, The Rehearsal should get some time on your screen.

A half-hour comedy series from Issa Rae (the star and creator of HBO’s acclaimed series Insecure), Rap Sh!t introduces two former friends from high school. Shawna is an aspiring, socially conscious rapper, and Mia is a make-up artist and single mother who works multiple jobs. By the end of the first episode, the young women (now in their 20s) have reconnected and filmed a mesmerizing rap video that takes off on the internet. The show’s protagonists are phone-obsessed, constantly checking up on social media and recording videos, and it impacts the viewing experience in interesting ways.

HBO Max

The great Jean Smart rightfully takes the spotlight in this acclaimed comedy-drama series. Throwing iPads into swimming pools and delivering withering looks, Smart plays Deborah Vance, a legendary Las Vegas comedy diva who must face the prospect of appealing to a younger audience or disappearing into obscurity. She’s partnered with Ava (Hannah Einbinder), a young and equally snarky comedy writer, to freshen up her material. Perfectly balancing its biting insight into how the comedy business treats women, with the warmth of an odd couple buddy comedy, Hacks is one of the best originals to come out of HBO Max.

HBO Max

Starstruck is a classic screwball comedy, starring the lovably goofy Rose Matafeo. She plays Jessie, a twentysomething Londoner who parties it up on New Year’s Eve, then later discovers she had a one-night stand with Tom Kapoor, a celebrity played by Nikesh Patel. Follow Jessie as she juggles odd jobs, from cinema worker to nanny, and her blossoming relationship with a film star that involves no high jinks whatsoever. Watch out for scene-stealer Minnie Driver as Tom’s agent in this witty, neatly crafted comedy package.

The Sex Lives of College Girls (2021—)

Mindy Kaling co-created this dramedy about four 18-year-old girls who start their freshman year of college together in Vermont. Equipped with distinctly different personalities, the college newcomers navigate love and sex in their own ways. The show is funny, easily bingeable and bolstered by the chemistry between its female leads. A contemporary teen comedy showcasing messy experiences, relatable characters and raunchy jokes.

HBO Max

I Hate Suzie sees Billie Piper team up once again with Secret Diary of a Call Girl writer Lucy Prebble. The result is a frenetic tour de force of ideas, steered by a vulnerable performance from Piper. She plays the titular Suzie, an actress who, moments after winning a part in a Disney movie, discovers she’s one of the victims in a celebrity phone hacking scandal. Each episode explores a stage of trauma, tackling the question of how compromising leaks both upend and perhaps liberate a person’s life. Amid the ruthless satire is a wonderful friendship between Suzie and her manager Naomi (Leila Farzad).

HBO Max

The Righteous Gemstones (2019—)

This outrageous series highlights a highly dysfunctional family of famous televangelists called the Gemstones. In the show’s first season, a member of the family is blackmailed, and ridiculous antics ensue. John Goodman stars as the family patriarch, Eli, and Danny McBride, Edi Patterson and Adam Devine also commit to the bit, pulling off an absurd and addicting black comedy. The second season of the show just wrapped up, and HBO has already renewed the series for a third.

HBO Max

From the minds of the gang behind Horrible Histories comes Ghosts, a sitcom that manages to become better and better with every episode. The ever-reliable Charlotte Ritchie (Feel Good, Call The Midwife) stars as Alison, a woman doing up the old mansion she inherited with the help of her amateur builder husband. On top of money problems, their reno plans aren’t helped by the ghostly residents who want the house to themselves. If you’re on the look out for purely light-hearted viewing, Ghosts delivers a high gag rate, a talented comedic ensemble and even an endearing arc of friendship. Most of all, it’s gleefully silly.

HBO Max

The sibling rivalry is strong and primed for hilarity in this comedy from a couple of Saturday Night Live writers. Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider tell the story of Cary (Drew Tarver) and Brooke (Heléne Yorker), siblings in their late 20s who struggle with the sudden rise to internet fame of their 13-year-old Justin Bieber-channeling brother. Molly Shannon is a treat as their mother, Pat, ushering her children through open doors to success. Once you get over the gimmicky premise, The Other Two’s pop culture satire and surprisingly heartfelt storylines are a winning combination. Schitt’s Creek fans should give this a look.

HBO

This satirical show follows the family controlling the world’s biggest media and entertainment company, whose members become embroiled in a battle to take over as their father’s health declines.

HBO Max

Search Party caught the eye of HBO Max, shifting to production with the streamer in its third and fourth seasons. The latter is arguably its best yet, taking the story of four, clueless millennials to even greater extremes, including a bizarrely brilliant Susan Sarandon cameo. But we begin when twentysomething Dory becomes an amateur detective to track down a missing woman she barely knew in college. Really, she’s searching for something else: herself. Equally conceited are her boyfriend Drew, the scene-stealing Elliott and the hilariously blonde Portia. This oddball show somehow creates the perfect cocktail of dark humor, mystery and insane characters. A collector’s item that won’t come around very often.

HBO Max

The best TV show of 2021 might already be here. It’s a Sin follows a group of young gay men living in London during the ’80s, just when HIV/AIDS was first diagnosed. This unique look at the early stages of what became a death sentence is handled with creator Russell T Davies’ trademark irrepressible joy for life. The warm, empathetic characters continue to live their lives to the full, flitting between bustling share houses and local bars to the beat of a popping ’80s soundtrack. Fast-paced, stylish and eye-opening, with a prevailing sense of hope, It’s a Sin is a soaring triumph for everyone to fall in love with.

HBO

In the words of CNET reviewer Richard Knightwell: “2020 sucked. You got up every morning and it all was all just a tiny bit worse. But every now and then a ray of sun would appear through the clouds. One of those bright spots was Betty, a fly-on-wall-style tale of skateboarding teens in a balmy New York. Utterly real and breathlessly dreamy at the same time, HBO’s TV follow-up to the indie hit Skate Kitchen painted a picture of young women facing the world head-on, pushing off and gaining speed and reducing obstacles into things waiting to be jumped over while looking cool. My baby daughter turned one while this show was on, and I can’t wait to plonk her on a skateboard. I hope she finds a Betty crew of her own.”

HBO Max

This black comedy takes us from London to Newcastle, Australia, following the misfortune of a woman who loses everything after the untimely death of her husband (don’t ask how he died). Broke and desperate, Sammy is forced to return to her hometown with her son and daughter, where she soon discovers she isn’t exactly a popular resident. The cringe factor is strong as Sammy does everything in her power to return to London, with some standout moments when she reunites with her bickering brother.

In Barry’s opening scene, SNL alum Bill Hader casually leaves a hotel room that contains a dead body. The actor plays hitman Barry Berkman, who isn’t happy with life or his unconventional profession, but his path is altered when he travels to Los Angeles and gets roped into performing in an acting class. Barry features plenty of violence and a deeply troubled protagonist, leaning into the “dark” part of its dark comedy designation. But it’s also really funny, and there are three seasons to binge. At the very least, you’ll want to tune in for truly great scenes between Hader and his acting teacher, played by Henry Winkler.

Thriller

HBO Max

The Flight Attendant (2020-22)

This compulsive thriller starring Kaley Cuoco is one of the best new shows to come out of HBO Max. Cuoco plays Cassie, a reckless flight attendant who sleeps with a passenger on a wild night out. She wakes up in Bangkok with barely any memory — and a dead body in bed with her. With the ghost of the deceased helping her piece things back together, she sobers up and takes on the mystery of what happened. Watch out for a fantastic title sequence, as well as a surprisingly dark psychological layer. But mainly enjoy the amusing combination of an inept detective bumbling through the world of cold killers.

Documentary

Award-winning filmmaker Nanfu Wang (One Child Nation, In the Same Breath) directs this fascinating docuseries about the 1985 murder of 68-year-old Helen Wilson in the small town of Beatrice, Nebraska. There’s a lot to the story — six people were convicted for her murder and exonerated 20 years later. In the first episode, we learn about the impact of these events on Wilson’s family and the Beatrice community. The show also introduces Burt Searcy, a former policeman who decided to launch a private investigation into the case.

Animation

HBO Max

Harley Quinn is an adult-oriented animated series that centers on the baseball bat-wielding antihero. Kaley Cuoco voices the mayhem-prone Harley, who in the first episode breaks up with the Joker and tells him she’s going to replace him as the top villain in Gotham. The hilarious, action-packed show also features characters like Poison Ivy, and three seasons are available to binge. It premiered on the DC Universe streaming service before moving to HBO Max.

HBO Max

Adventure Time: Distant Lands (2020-21)

Two years after Adventure Time ended, this four hour-long special came along, and it’s a brilliant treat for fans of the animated series. The miniseries nails the spinoff brief, introducing new characters and expanding on the Land of Ooo universe, while remaining true to its source material. Its heroes Finn and Jake, his magical doggo pal, set off on new adventures, along with Princess Bubblegum, Marceline the Vampire Queen and BMO. The hourlong format is a nice way to change up and add to the exciting storytelling. A surprisingly emotional ride packed with every ingredient that made the original so beloved.

Crime

Season 1 of Tokyo Vice, a crime drama based on a book by journalist Jake Adelstein, has slickly stepped on to Max. Set in Japan in the late 1990s, this noir follows an American journalist (Ansel Elgort) who eagerly joins the staff of a major Japanese newspaper. A world of grisly murders, neon nightclubs and powerful crime bosses awaits.

This well-reviewed crime miniseries comes from David Simon and George Pelecanos, who’ve also worked together on The Deuce, Treme and The Wire (which Simon created). It’s directed by King Richard’s Reinaldo Marcus Green. Based on a nonfiction book written by a Baltimore Sun reporter, the absorbing, six-episode show explores police corruption through a story about the Baltimore Police Department’s Gun Trace Task Force.

HBO Max

With its fifth and final season, this Italian crime drama based on a true story has carved itself a place among the great mafia shows. It stands out for its realistic portrayal of the Naples underworld, following a clan’s internal power struggle after its head is arrested. With a dark, claustrophobic atmosphere and believable characters, Gomorrah is a refreshing and complete piece of TV.

New Movies Coming in 2023 From Marvel, Netflix, DC and More

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