The protests at Columbia University began on Wednesday.
Andrew Lichtenstein/Getty Images
Columbia University's president announced that all classes on Monday will be virtual.
The decision follows days of unrest on campus and protests over Israel's war in Gaza.
A rabbi has encouraged Jewish students to leave campus. Protesters say that they are peaceful.
Columbia University is holding all its classes virtually on Monday due to ongoing protests on campus, the school's president, Nemat "Minouche" Shafik, announced.
While students and faculty have been urged not to go onto campus, Shafik said that "a working group of Deans, university administrators, and faculty members will try to bring this crisis to a resolution."
A coalition of student groups — Columbia University Apartheid Divest, Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine, and Jewish Voice for Peace — took part in setting up "Gaza Solidarity Encampments" in the center of campus.
One of the goals of the protest is to convince the university to divest all its "finances, including the endowment, from companies and institutions that profit from Israeli apartheid, genocide, and occupation in Palestine," according to Columbia University Apartheid Divest's website.
Police were called in
On Thursday, April 18, Shafik authorized the New York Police Department to clear the encampment. "Attempts to resolve the situation were rejected by the students involved. As a result, NYPD officers are now on campus and the process of clearing the encampment is underway," she said in a statement.
This resulted in the arrest of more than 100 people on suspicion of criminal trespass, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said in a news conference.
Protests have continued since then.
A rabbi advised Jewish students to stay home
Chabad at Columbia, a group that supports Jewish students, released a letter on social media that said Jewish students were targeted with offensive rhetoric during the protests.
President Joe Biden called out antisemitism on campus in his Passover statement on Sunday.
"Even in recent days, we've seen harassment and calls for violence against Jews. This blatant Antisemitism is reprehensible and dangerous — and it has absolutely no place on college campuses, or anywhere in our country," Biden said.
And Rabbi Elie Buechler, who is affiliated with the university, sent a message to 300 Jewish students to "strongly recommend" they leave campus for their own safety, CNN reported on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Columbia Barnard Hillel organization that promotes Jewish life said in a post on X that they don't believe Jewish students should leave campus but said that "the University and the City need to do more to ensure the safety of our students."
Columbia student organizations participating in the protest have insisted that their protests are peaceful.
One student group, Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine, said in a statement on X that they are frustrated by the attention paid to "inflammatory individuals who do not represent us."
"We firmly reject any form of hate or bigotry and stand against non-students attempting to disrupt our solidarity," the statement said.
While the conventional wisdom is that the US Senate will likely approve the bill this week, and President Joe Biden will sign it into law shortly after, TikTok won't go anywhere immediately.
At the very earliest, the ban wouldn't go into effect until nine months after Biden signs the bill — meaning 2025. But even that is unlikely to happen.
The language around the proposed ban has also been tweaked. Instead of requiring ByteDance to sell off its US operations in six months, the company now has nine months to get a deal done. And the bill also gives a US president the power to extend that new deadline by another three months if there's a deal in the works.
So you're saying ByteDance really has a year to sell TikTok to a different owner?
Yes. But also, no.
If Biden signs the bill, that nine months-to-one-year countdown starts. Except that ByteDance has already said it will challenge the law in court, and will presumably seek an injunction — putting the entire thing on pause. And a court battle could take a very long time.
OK. But what if the bill does pass, and does hold up in court? What happens then? Does TikTok disappear from my phone?
No.
If ByteDance can't or won't find a buyer for US TikTok, the bill requires Google and Apple to remove TikTok from their app stores — something they have practice doing in other countries. But that wouldn't shut down TikTok in the US itself — it would just make it very difficult for the app to add more US-based users.
The bill would also prohibit US-based internet companies from helping TikTok maintain or update the service. So TikTok could continue to operate in the US, but its owner would have a harder time keeping it going and growing.
I remember hearing about people who wanted to buy TikTok to keep it going in the US. What's going on with that?
Good question. The first thing to resolve is whether China would actually allow ByteDance to sell one of the country's biggest internet successes at metaphorical gunpoint. Then there are plenty of technical questions about how a sale would work and how TikTok could function if cleaved off from its main owner.
On one Upper West Side side street, you can hear the quiet hum of electric vehicles almost all day and night.
Manhattan isn't known for its plentiful parking. But this street has something even rarer: two public spots reserved for EV charging. Often, vehicles linger for hours.
On a recent weekday, one licensed ride-hailing driver had been charging for more than 12 hours. Another EV sat for more than five hours at the neighboring plug. For the ride-hailing driver, that's 12 hours they didn't work. For other EV owners, it's one less charger to plug in to. A Tesla slowed as it drove by in hopes the spaces weren't occupied.
This snapshot in time comes as New York City aims to convert almost its entire ride-hailing industry to EVs by 2030, with the exception of wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Mayor Eric Adams' Green Rides Initiative affects the city's more than 84,000 Uber and Lyft drivers — among the largest markets in the world. It's an ambitious target, given that under 10% of rides were taken in an EV in March, according to city data.
The biggest hurdle is building enough public chargers, especially in such a densely packed city with an old power grid and lengthy bureaucratic delays. For Uber and Lyft drivers, time is money, so widely accessible charging is key to the EV switch. The majority live in NYC's outer boroughs, such as Queens, and park on the street, where chargers are sparse. A study by the US Department of Energy found that 1,000 fast chargers were needed for every 20,000 EV drivers on the road. Currently, there are fewer than 200 across NYC. Plus, building thousands of new chargers requires billions of dollars of investment.
City officials and ride-hailing companies told Business Insider that electrifying the sector could unlock a broader EV revolution because it could solve a crucial conundrum: Companies won't build charging stations if there aren't enough drivers, but drivers won't buy an EV if charging isn't widely accessible.
"This is the industry that's going to get this infrastructure off the ground because a ride-share driver is a great customer for a charging station," said Bobby Familiar, a spokesperson for Revel, an all-electric ride-hailing service that operates three public fast-charging stations in NYC. "They have to charge every single day that they do a shift. They want fast charging because every minute spent at the charger is time they could be on the road earning a fare."
Electrifying the ride-hailing industry also has big returns for the environment, Michael Replogle, a former deputy commissioner for policy at NYC's Department of Transportation, said.
"If you can electrify Ubers, Lyfts, and taxis that drive several hundred miles a day, it will really reduce the city's carbon footprint and clean up the air," he said.
Given the stakes, a lot has to go right in the coming years. The city has to strike a balance between the number of EV drivers and charging sites. Long wait times risk turning off drivers from making the switch, but if there isn't enough demand, the economics could fall apart for stations run by the government or private entities. Chargers also must be in neighborhoods with a history of underinvestment.
A mad dash for EV licenses
The transition is getting an early test this year now that thousands more ride-hailing drivers have licenses.
In October, the Taxi & Limousine Commission opened applications for this gig work for the first time in five years — but for EV drivers only. A cap had been in place since 2018 to stabilize drivers' wages and decrease traffic congestion.
The TLC approved about 8,400 EV licenses. That brought the total to more than 11,000, a huge jump compared with several years ago.
The program is on hold because of a lawsuit filed by the New York Taxi Workers Alliance. It represents the yellow-cab industry, which isn't under the EV mandate but can voluntarily make the switch to certain models. The alliance argued that the market would become oversaturated.
TLC Commissioner David Do said many of those who applied were ride-hailing drivers already and the total number of drivers in NYC was still lower than pre-pandemic levels.
A lot of ride-hailing drivers are excited about the EV push because it's a pathway to owning their own car, rather than renting from fleet owners, according to Aeraj Qazi, the owner of Primetime Brokerage, which helps drivers through the TLC licensing process.
"Rentals are like handcuffs for drivers, so EVs provide an opportunity for drivers to own their own plates," Qazi said.
Weekly rental rates average between $450 and $600, several drivers told BI. That's more than a typical monthly car payment.
Qazi said he and other brokerages helped file thousands of EV applications before the court-ordered injunction took effect late last year.
"We didn't realize how crazy it would get. The charging infrastructure isn't there right now," Qazi said.
Guillermo Fondeur, an Uber driver who bought a Tesla in 2021, charges at home. He said the switch had saved him money on gas and maintenance, and he earns some perks from Uber, including an extra $1 on every ride.
But he's heard complaints from other EV owners about the lack of public charging infrastructure.
"It's very inconvenient to find chargers," Fondeur said. "There are one- to two-hour waits to plug in some places."
He added: "Drivers want to charge on the block where they live. The city could put chargers in the parking spaces. There's also a lot of parking lots."
NYC's most valuable asset
Today, there are nearly 200 fast chargers in NYC and more than 1,900 Level 2 chargers. The Adams administration wants to grow the network this decade to 6,000 fast chargers and 40,000 Level 2 plugs.
"We need every space we can find," Do said.
In general, EVs can get up to 30 miles of range for every hour they're plugged in to a Level 2 charger. That makes them ideal for overnight street parking, or for several hours during the day while drivers run errands or go to work. Fast chargers, such as those in Tesla's Supercharger network, can add up to 200 miles of range in just 15 minutes, helping ease range anxiety among road trippers and ride-hailing drivers who need a quick refill but don't want to lose too much time.
Making progress in NYC requires coordination across the government, power utilities, and private companies. Do is part of a charging task force that brings those parties together.
The TLC is sharing data on where drivers live and where and how often trips happen to help inform where chargers should be. The utility Con Edison is identifying where enough power is already available for new chargers and expanded a statewide program that subsidizes the cost of bringing electricity to chargers to $585 million. The Department of Transportation is investing in some curbside charging and fast chargers in municipal parking lots.
The department's efforts build on a curbside-charging pilot with Con Edison and a Canadian company, Flo. It created 100 Level 2 plug-ins across all five boroughs, a spokesperson for the department said, and there are plans for hundreds more.
But those efforts alone won't spur enough development, Replogle, the former DOT official, said.
"It took us 3 ½ years to stand up that pilot," he said. "We recognized we would not be getting thousands of on-street Level 2 chargers by scaling up that model. It's going to take some competitive procurement with the private sector to make this happen."
There are barriers, Replogle added. There isn't a clear path for private charging companies and real-estate owners to get regulatory approval for installing curbside plugs.
"Street space is one of the most valuable assets the city owns," Replogle said. "There are 3 million parking spaces, and less than 250,000 of them are priced. So there are a fair number of spaces that can produce the kind of economic return for electrification to happen."
A DOT spokesperson said the department last year sent out a request for information from EV-charging companies, which will inform future partnerships.
Beyond curbside, there are hurdles for companies such as Revel that are building larger fast-charging stations with dozens of plugs. These sites often need electrical-power upgrades to connect to the grid, a lengthy process with Con Edison.
"We're approaching every charging station like it's a new high-rise building," Familiar said. "But the timeline for getting a charging station up and running is a lot different than a building. If we have power, we can get a site done within months, not years. The power-upgrade timeline does not match that."
Charging stations should go to the front of the line, he added.
A spokesperson for Con Edison said the utility was evolving its grid-planning process to prepare for large EV loads.
"When upgrades are needed at the customer property, we are working to reduce interconnection timelines at every step in the process from early customer engagement and education through improved work coordination and collaborating closely with municipalities on permitting," the spokesperson said.
The charging pipeline
Despite the delays, Revel has a pipeline of 300 fast chargers over the next two years, Familiar said. That figure reflects active site leases in various phases of design and construction.
Revel owns a fleet of 500 vehicles and more than 50 plugs in NYC that are open to any model.
One of the new stations is set to be at LaGuardia Airport, one of the busiest areas for ride-hailing trips in the city. Installing 48 plugs would make it the largest fast-charging location at any airport nationwide. It's expected to open next year.
Revel in March also struck a deal with Uber that guaranteed its drivers would use at least 250 of Revel's plugs a certain amount of the time. If Uber doesn't meet the use threshold, it's financially liable. In exchange, Uber drivers will get up to a 25% discount when they charge.
The agreement could help Uber meet its own goal to have its drivers go fully electric this decade. So far, more than 6% of Uber's fleet in the US and Canada has zero emissions, and more than 17% of trips in NYC were in EVs last year. The company said it's spending $800 million by 2025 to encourage drivers to make the switch.
Josh Gold, Uber's senior director of public policy, said that after the TLC lifted its cap on EV licenses, he saw longer lines at Tesla's Superchargers. And for years, many of the platform's early EV adopters were going to Manhattan to charge, often in paywalled parking garages.
"That's not where our drivers live," he said. "So that's been a worry, but now we're seeing the charging infrastructure develop more."
Uber is sharing ride data with Revel so it can locate chargers in the most convenient places for drivers. Uber has a similar agreement with Tesla.
Lyft, for its part, said it's investing $80 million through 2025 on its EV push and working with charging companies including EVgo and Electrify America to offer discounts. Nearly 17% of NYC Lyft rides were in EVs last year.
The rising demand from the ride-hailing industry for EV charging could help buoy other startups. Itselectric is piloting some Level 2 curbside charging using excess power from buildings, which avoids the need for utility upgrades and therefore could speed up the build-out. In a parking garage in midtown Manhattan, Gravity in March opened what it says are the 24 fastest chargers in the country.
Almost everyone BI interviewed for this story acknowledged that the city's EV's ambitions were lofty.
There are some promising signs, however.
Do said that the Green Rides Initiative was two years ahead of schedule. By 2025, at least 15% of ride-hailing trips were supposed to be in zero-emissions or wheelchair-accessible vehicles. That threshold was crossed in January and ticked up even higher in March to 17%. That month, more than 2 million trips were taken in an EV — a fivefold increase compared with November.
Do said he wanted to boost the TLC's outreach to drivers so they could understand the perks of switching to an EV.
"There are so many more benefits to a green vehicle, not only for the future of our city but for kids who will breathe cleaner air, and it also might be a little cheaper," he said. "So we've laid the foundation, but now we need to convince many other drivers to convert."
Juliana Kaplan contributed to this article.
This article is part of "The Great Transition," a series covering the big changes across industries that are leading to a more sustainable future. For more climate-action news, visit Insider's One Planet hub.
Neom is hosting hundreds of prospective investors for on-the-ground tours, Bloomberg reports.
Neom developers also recently met with financiers in China.
Saudi Arabia's government has reportedly been worried about rising costs for the futuristic city.
For the first time, Saudi Arabia is inviting hundreds of private bankers this week to visit Neom, its futuristic — and cash-strapped — city in the desert, Bloomberg reported.
Neom CEO Nadhmi Al-Nasr will now show visitors the construction work on "The Line," the planned city between two mirrored skyscrapers.
The tours will mark the first time a large group of financiers will be able to see anything of the futuristic city with their own eyes, as opposed to virtual renderings.
The potential investors will also tour vacation spot Sindalah and industrial hub Oxagon before leaving on jets, Bloomberg reported.
Neom is a $500 billion project that's been in the works since 2017. The Saudis plan to build the city in a straight line and run it using renewable energy.
But the high-tech city has gotten off to a rough start, despite being a key part of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan to expand the country's economy beyond oil.
Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund hasn't approved Neom's budget for 2024 yet. The ballooning cost of the project has raised eyebrows in the Saudi government, Bloomberg reported
Neom recently scaled back estimates for occupancy at The Line — projecting 300,000 residents by 2030 as opposed to previous estimates of 1.5 million, according to Bloomberg.
Bloomberg previously reported that Neom is set to issue bonds for the first time that could raise up to $1.3 billion. According to AFP, developers also recently courted investors in China — though no deals have been announced — after having previously taken its road show to Korea, Japan, Singapore, the US, France, Germany, and the UK.
Neom did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.
The US may already be in a recession, according to Danielle DiMartino Booth.
A steady rise in the unemployment rate above cycle lows signals a recession, she said.
Other forecasters have said the unemployment rate could reach 5% by year-end.
The US could see a rise in layoffs, and there's one indicator in the labor market that suggests a recession is already here, according to veteran market forecaster Danielle DiMartino Booth.
The Quill Intelligence Research chief strategist pointed to worrying signs in the labor market, despite headline job growth remaining strong. The economy added 303,000 workers in March — but the jobless rate has steadily ticked higher, rising from a low of 3.4% in April 2023 to around 3.8% last month.
As of February, the labor market has been pointing to a historical recession indicator that flashes when the unemployment rate rises 0.35% above its cycle low and holds above that level for at least three months. That was the case for the 2008 recession, Booth noted, with the National Bureau of Economic Research dating the recession back to the month the indicator was first triggered.
"So we're in a recession, as far as the unemployment rate is concerned," Booth said, speaking in an interview on The David Lin Report last week.
She estimated that layoffs for the year could rise to 370,000 by the end of April. That would be the highest number of layoffs recorded over the first four months of the year since 2009, in the wake of the Great Financial Crisis, she said.
Booth has been warning for months of a coming wave of job losses. Top economist David Rosenberg has also predicted that the unemployment rate could rise to around 5% by the end of the year as a recession hits the economy.
Nikhil Teja Kolli is the cofounder and chief executive of MokSa.ai.
Arthur King/DetPics
Nikhil Teja Kolli's startup MokSa.ai uses AI-enabled security cameras to curb theft and fraud.
Since its launch a year ago, MokSa.ai has garnered over 70 customers and $240,000 in ARR.
MokSa.ai has secured $1.5 million in pre-seed funding and aims to expand its operations.
When he was a college student in Kansas, Nikhil Teja Kolli worked a night shift at a convenience store on the edge of the Ozarks. One night, a man lingered inside the store until the other customers cleared out, then approached the counter with a gun stretched in Kolli's direction. The gunman swiped the cash in the drawer and left Kolli frozen. He felt helpless to stop it.
Eight months later, he would be held at gunpoint again.
He couldn't have known it then, but Kolli would go on to start a business focused on mitigating theft.
His startup MokSa.ai, which aims to help businesses curb theft and employee fraud using artificial intelligence-enabled security cameras, launched from stealth less than a year ago. But it already has a raft of paying customers, which is rare among startups of its size. According to Kolli, its real-time monitoring system is in use at over 70 gas stations, liquor stores, and bodegas nationwide and is generating $20,000 a month in recurring revenue.
Now, this potent cocktail of machine learning and profits has persuaded investors to provide it with pre-seed funding. MokSa.ai tells Business Insider it closed $1.5 million in a March round led by Array Ventures, with participation from Jay Farner, the former chief executive of Quicken Loans, and The Fund Midwest.
The company uses computer vision to automate away some parts of surveillance still done by humans. It makes software for off-the-shelf security cameras that detect suspicious activity — think, a person stuffs a six-pack of beer in their pants or a cashier gives away merchandise to a friend — and sends a real-time notification to the customer dashboard. The alert includes a clip of the incident, which saves the business owner time they might spend playing back hours of camera footage.
MokSa.ai uses general-use models and customizes them to detect suspicious activity at store locations.
MokSa.ai
Kolli said the company initially tried to use open-source, pre-trained artificial intelligence models but found that some of these models showed biases representative of the datasets they were trained on. It then tried fine-tuning those models, but Kolli said their performance fell apart. Eventually, it landed on using general-use models that continuously learn as new footage comes in.
The company also pays college interns in India to watch footage for suspicious activity and annotate it — a process called data labeling.
"As we sit and speak, there is new data coming in and these models are getting better," Kolli said.
According to Shruti Gandhi, the founder and sole general partner at Array Ventures, part of MokSa.ai's magic is its customized models for this use case.
"The data sets they have gathered in the last two years of being a services company allowed them to deploy trained models in customers from their first week of onboarding," she said. "That is not possible today with a lot of business intelligence companies because most think they're going to get better once they have customer data. So the reason some companies will win over others in the same category is their access to unique, differentiated data."
Given that MokSa.ai's software works with a range of internet-connected security cameras, it's positioned itself as the Android of the surveillance market. The company will also provide a business with the cameras it needs in exchange for signing a multiyear contract. It charges a monthly subscription that scales based on the number of cameras in use.
Customers can pay extra to have an operator call them when the system detects an event, and that's as far as MokSa.ai's responsibility goes, Kolli said. It won't contact the police.
"We are offering surveillance audit platform," he said. "So it's up to the customer to understand what they want to do with that information we provide."
The dashboard shows reports of suspicious activity at a glance.
MokSa.ai
The Android of the surveillance market
Before MokSa.ai, Kolli worked as a quality manager at a company producing parts for high-speed rails. He got the itch to build this company after speaking to a friend who owned the gas station and liquor store where he worked in college. The friend had found out an employee had stolen thousands of dollars worth of merchandise and cash and he asked Kolli how technology might be able to catch bad actors. The idea planted the seed for what would become MokSa.ai.
Later, Kolli enrolled in the startup accelerator Techstars Detroit, where one of his mentors introduced him to his future investor.
Kolli told Gandhi the MokSa.ai story over the phone. He didn't have a pitch deck to show her or any other investor pledges to move her to act. But, the Array Ventures founder bought into the round before the call ended. The next day, Kolli had a term sheet.
The investment was a "no-brainer," Gandhi said.
The company is now gearing up for growth. MokSa.ai just signed a contract with Royal Ozarks, a large commercial real-estate developer in the South, to deploy its system across 150 store locations. Kolli said the partnership will bring its $240,000 annual recurring revenue to over $1 million this year.
The new funding will allow the company to grow its sales and customer support teams as part of this expansion. It's also working to release a mobile app that will allow business owners to view their notifications on the go.
In its bid to create a smarter surveillance system, MokSa.ai faces competition from startups like Verkada, a maker of building security tools that's raised over $360 million in funding, and Rhombus, a newer entrant that just announced $26 million in capital. While these two tout their abilities to detect suspicious activity and send alerts, they both require customers to use their cameras and sensors.
That could be the wedge that gives MokSa.ai a chance despite being much younger than its competitors.
Gandhi summed it up, "What they're saying is keep your camera, we will figure out the best way to use this camera."
Beginning in 2026, 1,250 megawatts of electricity could speed along 339 miles of underground cable to provide a million New York City homes with hydropower generated in Canada.
The $6 billion Champlain Hudson Power Express transmission line is under construction to help New York state meet its clean-energy goals.
It's also part of a larger nationwide push to create more transmission lines to bring renewable energy to the country's aging electrical grid.
When CHPE (pronounced "chippy") broke ground in 2022, it became one of New York's first Tier 4 projects, the state's program aimed at sourcing 70 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
"We're looking forward to the day when we are going to be turning on the switch and bringing that clean energy into New York City," Donald Jessome, the founder and former CEO of Transmission Developers, the company behind CHPE, told Business Insider.
The state has been making up for the loss with three natural-gas plants that came online between 2018 and 2020. According to EPA data, carbon emissions in the New York City area rose by about 20% between 2019 and 2022.
Nearly half of New York City's power comes from plants within the city, including the Ravenswood Generating Station in Astoria.
Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
"Because of bottlenecks in the grid south of Albany, there's a limit to the extent to which that generation can be used to satisfy demand in the New York City area," Ryan Calder, an assistant professor in environmental health and policy at Virginia Tech, told Business Insider.
CHPE will bypass Albany, Poughkeepsie, and other cities north of New York City. The transmission line will tap into Hydro-Québec's existing generation and send a fraction of it to New York, avoiding upstate bottlenecks that can tax the grid during peak-demand times.
Bringing renewable energy to New York City
Much of the US is struggling to connect renewable-energy projects to the electrical grid. About 930 gigawatts of solar, wind, nuclear, and other electricity sources are waiting for grid access, according to the Department of Energy. That's more than three times as much wind and solar power as the US generated in 2022 and enough to power roughly 171 million homes.
The map shows where the 339 miles of cable will run from the Canadian border to Queens, New York.
CHPE
Transmission lines are like highways for electrons, Calder said. They connect sources of energy generation to areas of demand.
"A lot of renewable sources of electricity, wind, and hydroelectric power in Canada are far from densely populated urban areas," he said.
Once CHPE is up and running, it will reduce carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons, New York state officials said in a statement.
Since hydropower doesn't emit CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide like fossil-fuel plants, a recent study from Calder and his coauthors estimated the project will save an additional $13.2 billion in social costs by 2050. That includes potentially preventing over 300 premature deaths.
Gas-fired power plants contribute to poor air quality, which can lead to health problems like asthma. The asthma rate for children in New York City, especially in poorer neighborhoods, is one of the highest in the country. Switching to a cleaner energy source could improve health outcomes for kids and adults.
Environmental groups, including the Sierra Club and the Center for Biological Diversity, have objected to the project and the route. They've raised concerns over Atlantic sturgeon habitats and Hydro-Québec's history with First Nation communities in Canada.
The company's past projects flooded Indigenous lands, a process that created methylmercury, a neurotoxin, in waterways, Grist reported. Methylmercury accumulates in fish and can make its way to humans. Ingesting mercury can have serious health effects.
Jessome said TDI worked with local communities to address their concerns about construction.
CHPE will use high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable to connect New York City with Canada.
CHPE
Since the CHPE construction won't involve creating new dams, Calder said he didn't factor the impact of flooding into his study. Other environmental concerns, such as how the project could affect fish habitats, were outside the scope of the study.
New York has six years to achieve its goal of powering 70 percent of its grid with renewable energy. The state's officials are banking CHPE providing a chunk of that energy.
"We'll be in that community for the next 60, 70, 80 years," Jessome said. "This project's here for the long term. It's going to have benefits well into the future."
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The New York Stock Exchange is considering going 24/7, the FT reported.
The exchange polled market participants about the merits of round-the-clock trading, per the outlet.
Meanwhile, a Steve Cohen-backed startup is seeking SEC approval for a 24-hour exchange.
In a move that may be appropriate for the city that doesn't sleep, as the song goes, the New York Stock Exchange is mulling whether trading should take place around the clock.
The Financial Times reported on Monday that the NYSE's data analytics team had polled market participants about the merits of being open 24 hours a day.
Investors can only trade equities on the exchange between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET, while other assets including stock futures, US Treasury bonds, and cryptocurrencies can be bought and sold at any time.
It's also possible to trade before the market opens from 4 a.m, and after it closes until 8 p.m., although liquidity is generally lower and transaction fees tend to be higher in those periods. Some brokers also allow investors to trade round-the-clock on weekdays.
In its poll, the NYSE asked market participants whether they thought the exchange should be open 24/7, or just 24 hours on weekdays, the FT reported.
It also surveyed them on how investors should be protected during periods of volatility, what its overnight staffing plan should be, and whether respondents thought that "time spent thinking about overnight trading would be better spent on regular market hour trading," per the outlet.
Meanwhile, a startup backed by billionaire Steve Cohen's VC firm Point72 Ventures is seeking SEC approval to launch the world's first 24-hour stock exchange.
Bermuda-based 24 Exchange, which netted $14 million worth of investment from Point72 and others, aims to bring the non-stop nature of crypto trading — which has captivated retail investors in recent years — to the stock market.
"The same people that trade cryptocurrencies started to trade more stocks because of the GameStop movement and the overall participation of retail that [has] increased significantly," 24 Exchange founder and CEO Dmitri Galinov said in December 2021. "If Elon Musk tweets something on Saturday, people would want to buy or sell Tesla stock."
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The Ultra 2 is the biggest (and priciest) Apple Watch to date.
Antonio Villas-Boas/Business Insider
Like most smartwatches, every Apple Watch is an extension of your phone that delivers notifications, takes or makes calls, sends messages, and shows you a variety of information depending on the widgets you choose. The best Apple Watch for you will also fit your budget and your needs for health monitoring tools.
Our pick as the best Apple Watch for the vast majority of people is the Apple Watch Series 9. It features an always-on display, a fast processor, enhanced screen brightness, and a handy new single-handed gesture that improves accessibility. The second-generation Apple Watch SE is a more affordable and basic version of the Series 9 that doesn't include an always-on display or an ECG sensor. It's still a fantastic smartwatch for the price that comes with everything most people would ever need.
Best for fitness and outdoors: Apple Watch Ultra 2 – See at Amazon
Best overall
The Apple Watch Series 9 is our pick as the best wearable in Apple's lineup, not because it's a huge upgrade over its predecessor, the Series 8, but because it delivers one of the finest smartwatch experiences. No other wearable offers the same premium combination of smartwatch functionality, fitness and health tracking capability, and overall value as the Series 9.
Although the watch carries over much of what was already native to the Series 8, it did introduce a few new features. These include a fast new processor chip, on-device Siri access, SmartStack functionality, and a brighter display. Other additions include updated hiking and cycling feedback, more mental health tools, and a new ultra-wideband chip that greatly improves location accuracy.
The Series 9 boasts a fast, powerful processor, intuitive smartwatch functionality, and the useful new Double Tap Gesture.
Rick Stella/Insider
While those upgrades are useful, my favorite new feature is the Double Tap Gesture, which allows you to interact with the watch by double-tapping your thumb and index finger. Doing this controls an app's primary button, so you can answer or hang up a phone call, start or stop a timer, or snap a photo while in the camera.
The brighter screen is also a nice new touch, allowing for better visibility in high-lighting conditions. The screen can also dim to one nit, which is especially useful in a movie theater.
Another feature I found highly useful was the new Smart Stack display, which is essentially a customizable group of widgets accessible on the watch's home screen. These can include a glance at the weather, whatever calendar events you might have for the day, or even a snippet of the news.
Overall, the Series 9 is a powerful smartwatch. There are many differences when comparing the Series 9 vs. the Ultra 2, but the new Double Tap Gesture, brighter screen, Smart Stack display, and improved health and fitness tracking tools make the Series 9 noticeably more capable than the Series 8. This is why we think it's the best Apple Watch you can buy.
The second-generation Apple Watch SE is surprisingly affordable for such a feature-packed smartwatch and is, by far, the best Apple Watch for those on a budget. It's just as capable as the Series 9 and Ultra 2 for tracking fitness, sleep, checking notifications, taking calls, and ensuring you're OK with health and safety features like Crash Detection, Fall Detection, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and more.
It compromises slightly on design with thicker borders around the display, but we never found that it looked dated during testing. It's available in both 40mm and 44mm options.
If you're considering the second-gen SE, you're most likely looking at the Series 9, too. The most significant difference between the Apple Watch SE and the Series 9 is whether you're willing to pay more for a bigger display with an always-on option, plus electrocardiogram and skin-temperature sensors. Those looking for Apple's latest and greatest in health sensors should upgrade at least to the Series 8.
The second-gen SE is the best option for first-time wearers or casual users who won't be bothered by the lacking always-on display.
Antonio Villas-Boas
If those tools don't interest you, the SE is the best budget Apple Watch that's an ideal and affordable option.
For first-time buyers, the SE will make you wonder how you ever lived without one. It's incredibly convenient to get notifications, send texts, make calls, and customize the Apple Watch face with all the widgets and information you find useful — and it does all this without you needing to pull out your phone.
At least, opting for the SE lets you get a better idea of the Apple Watch's baseline features starting at $249. From there, you can consider if features like always-on display and the latest health sensors are worth the upgrade. If not, then the second-gen SE is your best option.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 doesn't represent a drastic improvement over its predecessor, but it did usher in a few new features designed specifically for the outdoor user. These include the brightest screen of any Apple Watch, which allows for improved visibility in bright light conditions, an upgraded altitude range, and new water sports features for scuba diving and freediving.
The Ultra 2 also shares some new features debuting on the Series 9, such as the new Double Tap Gesture, the new S9 processor, and on-device Siri access. The Double Tap Gesture, specifically, is a great new feature that improves the wearable's accessibility. With this feature active, users can simply double-tap their thumb and index finger to interact with the watch, be it to start or stop an alarm or pick up or end a phone call, among others.
Much of the rest of the Ultra 2 is rolled over from the original model, including its overall design, which features a corrosion-resistant titanium casing and a 49mm screen.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the best option for outdoor enthusiasts and those who want longer battery life.
Rick Stella/Insider
Battery life is a major highlight of the Ultra 2, as it can last upwards of three days on a single charge, which is roughly double what we've gotten out of the Series 9. The exact amount of battery life depends on how often the GPS is used, and whether the Always-On display is on, but the difference in the frequency of charging the Ultra 2 compared to the Series 9 is apparent.
Arguably, the Ultra line's best feature, the unique Action Button, returns and functions the same on the Ultra 2 as on the previous model. It is still capable of starting and stopping workouts or being programmed to sync with various shortcuts.
The sum of these parts may not be enough to sway the casual user into spending $800 on the watch, but it remains a highly worthwhile tool for avid outdoor enthusiasts and serious athletes.
An older Apple Watch model may have too short a support window to justify a purchase.
Antonio Villas-Boas/Insider
Even though it's possible to find refurbished versions of the Apple Watch Series 3 for around $100, we wouldn't recommend it, namely because it's discontinued and no longer supports the latest versions of WatchOS. It should go without saying that we don't recommend the Series 1 or 2 either.
If you can find Series 5 or 6 for between $100 and $150 refurbished, they both include an always-on display, which is a major advantage over the Series 4 and even the current SE. Plus, they'll have more life in terms of support and performance than the Series 4.
Still, buying an older refurbished Apple Watch could be more of a hassle than it's worth. Older models have shorter support windows than newer and current models, which means you'd have to buy another Apple Watch sooner than you might want to — if you want to keep up with security and watchOS updates, that is.
What to look for in an Apple Watch
The latest Apple Watch models offer a slate of worthwhile features.
Rick Stella/Insider
There are many reasons to buy one of the best Apple Watches, and understanding them can help you know what to look for. Each Apple Watch is also one of the best fitness trackers you can buy and offers unique health monitoring tools that can positively impact your wellness.
For health and fitness tracking, you'll want to review which model offers what sensors. The latest Apple Watch models include a heart rate monitor, the newest gyroscope, and a high-g accelerometer that powers Apple's Crash Detection feature.
For day-to-day tasks, you'll more or less get the same experience thanks to each watch supporting the latest WatchOS software. But if you want an always-on display, which we think could make or break a decision, you should consider the Series 9 as your best Apple Watch. Likewise, if you want the biggest screen and the best battery life, there's the Ultra 2.
After that, it's deciding whether you want the smaller or larger models of a specific Apple Watch series. It's mostly down to personal preference and your comfort levels, and it makes no difference to battery life. Larger screens make it easier to read and control with on-screen items, but smaller models are still large enough to offer a good experience.
How we test Apple Watches
We put each Apple Watch model through standard usage and testing.
Rick Stella/Business Insider
We can assess the best Apple Watch in a relatively short amount of time thanks to our extensive personal experience with the wearables, as well as reviewing them professionally through the generations.
The best way to test these wearables is to wear and use them daily with an iPhone as if they were our own for at least a week, often longer. We focus on ease of use, performance, usefulness, features and sensors, battery life, and how their price relates to the overall experience.
During testing, we assess all these aspects during various activities, like a workout, running errands, lounging, sleeping, and traveling (when possible). We actively test notifications, calls, messages, settings and options, and customization, and we note where an Apple Watch excels or lacks.
We don't perform tests that could damage our review unit or ourselves (Crash Detection). At the same time, we don't take special care of our Apple Watch review units and subject them to typical wear and tear from normal usage.
We also look at how the new models compare to older models and lay out the benefits of upgrading from various older models. Looking at the specific model changes and upgrades year-over-year helps us choose the overall best models.
The best Apple Watch bands to buy
Pick the right Apple Watch band for your needs.
Insider
One of the Apple Watch's best features is its ability to use different watch straps and band types. This allows you to swap on the best Apple Watch bands suited to a specific activity or event, such as a sports band for working out or a metal band for wearing to work.
For more style inspiration, check out our other band guides:
What is the difference between GPS and GPS + Cellular models?
A GPS-only model lets you carry out tasks like receiving text messages, answering phone calls, and receiving notifications when it's connected and close to your iPhone via Bluetooth or WiFi. GPS-only models are cheaper than cellular models.
A GPS + Cellular model offers increased connectivity with the addition of built-in cellular. That means you can receive text messages, answer calls, and stream music — even if you don't have your iPhone with you. You just need to add the watch to your current carrier plan. Most carriers charge $10 a month for a watch-compatible cellular plan.
Does the Apple Watch use data?
Only the GPS + Cellular models with a separate data plan use data from your carrier if you don't have your iPhone nearby. Otherwise, Apple Watches are simply extensions of your iPhone and don't use more data than you would on your iPhone if it's nearby.
Do Apple Watches work with Android?
The short answer is no. An Apple Watch will not pair seamlessly with an Android phone. Even if you get a GPS + Cellular model that doesn't rely on an iPhone connection, an iPhone is required for setup. You also need an iPhone to download apps onto it.
While the Apple Watch is one of the best smartwatches, Android users should instead consider purchasing one of the best Android smartwatches to use something that's 100% compatible with their phone.
Is the Apple Watch waterproof?
No Apple Watch is "waterproof," but they are water resistant, which means they can sustain splashes and submersion down to a certain depth. The SE and Series 9 can go down as far as 50 meters, or around 164 feet. The Ultra 2 supports depths of 100 meters, or 328 feet, and 40 meters (131 feet) for recreational dives.
What is the best Apple Watch for kids?
If you want a way for your kid to stay connected without giving them a smartphone, an Apple Watch could be your answer. For kids, we recommend the second-generation Apple Watch SE in the 40mm, GPS + Cellular model. You can use Family Setup, which allows you to choose what apps and services your kids can access and who they can call or send messages to.
Is the Series 8 outdated with the release of the Series 9?
No, not at all. Although Apple doesn't sell the Series 8 anymore, that doesn't mean it's no longer supported. The Series 8 is compatible with the new operating system, WatchOS 10, which debuted alongside the Series 9 and Ultra 2, which means that many of the software features that debuted on the new models will also be available on the Series 8 once it upgrades to WatchOS 10.
How often should I upgrade my Apple Watch?
This depends on a few different factors. First, is there a new feature native to one of the newer models you'd like to use? For instance, the new Double Tap Gesture released on the Series 9 and Ultra 2 can only be used on those models.
You may also consider upgrading if your watch isn't compatible with the latest operating system. Regarding the new WatchOS 10, any Series 4 or newer model is compatible.
Another reason you may want to upgrade is if you'd like to move from the Series line to the Ultra line. In this scenario, even Series 9 users may consider upgrading to the Ultra 2 to take advantage of its unique features, like its longer battery life, the useful Action Button, and the bigger design.
Best overall: Apple Watch Series 9
The Apple Watch Series 9 boasts a fast, powerful processor, intuitive smartwatch functionality, and the useful new Double Tap Gesture.
Rick Stella/Insider
The Apple Watch Series 9 is our pick as the best wearable in Apple's lineup not because it's a huge upgrade over its predecessor, the Series 8, but because it delivers one of the finest smartwatch experiences. No other wearable offers the same premium combination of smartwatch functionality, fitness and health tracking capability, and overall value as the Series 9.
Although the watch carries over much of what was already native to the Series 8, it did introduce a few new features. These include a fast new processor chip, on-device Siri access, SmartStack functionality, and a brighter display. Other additions include updated hiking and cycling feedback, more mental health tools, and a new ultra-wideband chip that greatly improves location accuracy.
While those upgrades are useful, my favorite new feature is the Double Tap Gesture which allows you to interact with the watch by double-tapping your thumb and index finger. Doing this controls an app's primary button, so you can answer or hang up a phone call, start or stop a timer, or snap a photo while in the camera.
The brighter screen is also a nice new touch, as this allows for better visibility in high-lighting conditions. The screen can also dim to one nit, which is especially useful in a movie theater.
Another feature I found highly useful was the new Smart Stack display, which is essentially a customizable group of widgets accessible on the watch's home screen. These can include a glance at the weather, whatever calendar events you might have for the day, or even a snippet of the news.
The sum of these parts makes the Series 9 a powerful smartwatch. The new Double Tap Gesture, brighter screen, Smart Stack display, and improved health and fitness tracking tools make it noticeably more capable than the Series 8 — and give it the title of the best Apple Watch you can buy.
The Apple Watch Series 8 is nearly identical to the Series 9, and you may be able to find it for a lower price, whether new or refurbished.
Antonio Villas-Boas/Insider
Although Apple discontinued the Series 8 in favor of the Series 9, it's still the same do-it-all wearable that nearly stands toe-to-toe with the new flagship. Slim bezels, check. Smooth performance, check. Always on display, check. All of Apple's latest health sensors, impressive battery life, and safety features like Crash Detection? Check, check, and check.
Better yet, the Series 8 is now the best discounted Apple Watch, costing roughly $319 for the 41mm model and $379 for the 45mm model, which puts it between the SE and Ultra models in terms of price and capabilities.
A display with an always-on option may sound minor but it's a quality-of-life feature that makes a big difference. It means you can glance at your watch to tell the time or check a notification without making a wrist gesture to wake the screen. It's handy whether you don't want to appear rude by checking your watch, or don't want to deal with inconsistent gesture recognition, which sometimes happens with the Apple Watch SE.
It also features Crash Detection, designed to automatically contact emergency services in the event of a car crash. The Series 8 is also compatible with a variety of the best Apple Watch bands, like sports bands, metal bands, and designer options (and make sure you clean your bands often, too).
Generally, there's a lot to love about the Apple Watch's latest operating system, watchOS 10, which is also compatible with the Series 8. The watch supports fast charging, which makes a meaningful difference if you need a quick top-off before you set off. All told, there's not a ton of difference between the Apple Watch Series 9 vs. the Series 8, so if you can find the Series 8 at a solid discount, it's worth every penny.
Best for athletes and adventurers: Apple Watch Ultra 2
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the best option for outdoor enthusiasts and those who want longer battery life.
Rick Stella/Insider
The second-generation Apple Watch Ultra 2 doesn't represent a drastic improvement over its predecessor but it did usher in a few new features designed specifically for the outdoor user. These include the brightest screen of any Apple Watch which allows for improved visibility in bright light conditions, an upgraded altitude range, and new water sports features for scuba diving and freediving.
The Ultra 2 also shares some of the new features debuting on the Series 9 such as the new Double Tap Gesture, the new S9 processor chip, and on-device Siri access. The Double Tap Gesture, specifically, is a great new feature that improves the wearable's accessibility. With this feature active, users can simply double-tap their thumb and index finger to interact with the watch, be it to start or stop an alarm or pick up or end a phone call, among others.
Much of the rest of the Ultra 2 is rolled over from the original model, including its overall design which again features a corrosion-resistant titanium casing and a 49mm screen. Though it features a raised lip around the display to reduce the risk of cracks and scratches, we do recommend picking up one of the best Apple Watch screen protectors to further protect the watch.
Battery life is a major highlight of the Ultra 2 as it's capable of lasting upwards of three days on a single charge, which is roughly double what we've gotten out of the Series 9. The exact amount of battery life depends on how often the GPS is used, and whether the Always-On display is on, but the difference in the frequency of charging the Ultra 2 compared to the Series 9 is apparent (be sure to calibrate your Apple Watch, as well).
Arguably the Ultra line's best feature, the unique Action Button, returns and functions the same on the Ultra 2 as it did on the previous model. It still is capable of starting and stopping workouts or being programmed to sync with a variety of shortcuts.
The sum of these parts may not be enough to sway the casual user into spending $800 on the watch, but it remains a highly valuable investment for avid outdoor enthusiasts and serious athletes.
And if you already own an Ultra, or picked up the new Ultra 2, do take a look at our guide on the best Apple Watch Ultra 2 bands.
The Apple Watch SE is the best option for first-timers trying out the Apple Watch or casual users who won't be bothered by the lacking always-on display.
Antonio Villas-Boas
The Apple Watch SE is surprisingly affordable for such a feature-packed smartwatch and is, by far, the best Apple Watch for folks on a budget. It's just as capable as the Series 8 and Ultra for tracking fitness, sleep, checking notifications, taking calls, and making sure you're OK with health and safety features like Crash Detection, Fall Detection, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and more.
It compromises slightly on design with thicker borders around the display but we never found that it looked dated during testing. It's available in both 40mm and 44mm options.
If you're considering the Apple Watch SE, you're most likely looking at the Series 8, too. The most significant difference between the Apple Watch SE vs. the Apple Watch Series 8 is whether you're willing to pay more for a bigger display with an always-on option, plus electrocardiogram and skin-temperature sensors. Those looking for Apple's latest and greatest in health sensors should upgrade to the Series 8.
If those tools don't interest you, the SE is the best budget Apple Watch that's an ideal and affordable option.
For first-time buyers, the Apple Watch SE will make you wonder how you ever lived without one. It's incredibly convenient to get notifications, send texts, make calls, and customize the Apple Watch face with all the widgets and information you find useful — and it does all this without you needing to pull out your phone.
If anything, opting for the SE lets you get a better idea of the Apple Watch's baseline features starting at $249. From there, you can consider if features like always-on display and the latest health sensors are worth the upgrade. If not, then the SE is the best Apple Watch to buy.
Don't buy the Apple Watch Series 3 or older, even if you can get them for a very low price.
Hollis Johnson
Even though it's possible to find refurbished versions of the Apple Watch Series 3 for around $100, we wouldn't recommend it, namely because the Series 3 is discontinued and no longer supports the latest versions of WatchOS. It should go without saying that we don't recommend the Series 1 or 2 either.
The Series 4 still has some life in terms of support and performance, but it'll likely lose support soon — perhaps as early as September 2023 when Apple announces new Apple Watch models.
If you can find Series 5 or 6 for between $150 and $200 refurbished, they both include an always-on display, which is a major advantage over the Series 4, and even the current SE. Plus, they'll have more life in terms of support and performance than the Series 4.
You can even find the first generation Apple Watch SE for $200 new from Walmart. Even if you're spending $100 more than you would on a refurbished Series 3, it poses significantly better value with its newer processor and sleeker display.
What to look for in an Apple Watch
Certain Apple Watch models have health sensors that could make the decision for you, and the always-on display is a pretty big factor to consider.
Antonio Villas-Boas/Insider
There are many reasons to buy one of the best Apple Watches, and understanding them can help you hone in on what to look for. Apple Watches are excellent for fitness and health tracking, as well as streamlining routine tasks and giving you access to your phone while it's in your pocket.
For health and fitness tracking, you'll want to review which model offers what sensors. All the best Apple Watch models include a heart rate monitor, as well as the latest gyroscope and high-g accelerometer that power Apple's Crash Detection feature.
The Series 8 and Ultra have expanded capabilities, including temperature sensors for ovulation tracking. Ultimately, you may decide that features like these are the deciding factor, and want to look into the best fitness trackers instead.
For day-to-day tasks, you'll more or less get the same experience thanks to each watch supporting the latest WatchOS software. But if you want an always-on display, which we think could make or break a decision, you should consider the Series 8 as the best Apple Watch for you. Likewise, if you want the biggest screen and the best battery life, there's the Ultra.
After that, it's deciding whether you want the smaller or larger models of a specific Apple Watch series. It's mostly down to personal preference and your comfort levels, and it makes no difference to battery life. Larger screens do make it easier to read and control with on-screen items, but smaller models are still large enough to offer a good experience.
How we test Apple Watches
The Insider Reviews team tests all Apple Watches.
Rick Stella/Insider
We can assess the best Apple Watch in a relatively short amount of time thanks to our extensive personal experience with the wearable, as well as reviewing them professionally through the generations.
The best way to test Apple Watches is to wear and use them daily with an iPhone as if they were our own for at least a week, often longer. We focus on ease of use, performance, usefulness, features and sensors, battery life, and how their price relates to the overall experience.
During testing, we assess all these aspects during various activities, like a workout, running errands, lounging, sleeping, and traveling (when possible). We actively test notifications, calls, messages, settings and options, and customization, and we note where an Apple Watch excels or lacks.
We don't perform tests that could damage our review unit, or ourselves (Crash Detection). At the same time, we don't take special care of our Apple Watch review units, and we subject them to typical wear and tear from normal usage.
We also look at how the new models compare to older models and lay out the benefits of upgrading from various older models. Looking at the specific model changes and upgrades year-over-year helps us choose the best Apple Watch.
The best Apple Watch bands to buy
Insider
One of the Apple Watch's best features is its ability to use different watch straps and band types. This allows you to swap the band to something best suited to a specific activity or event, such as a sports band for working out or a metal band for wearing to work.
The bands are easy to swap out, too. With a simple press of two buttons on the underside of the Apple Watch, the current strap slides out, allowing a different band to slot in.
For style inspiration, check out our guides to the best Apple Watch bands:
What is the difference between GPS and GPS + Cellular models?
An Apple Watch GPS-only model lets you carry out tasks like receiving text messages, answering phone calls, and receiving notifications when it's connected and close to your iPhone via Bluetooth or WiFi. GPS-only models are cheaper than cellular models.
A GPS + Cellular Apple Watch offers increased connectivity with the addition of built-in cellular. That means you can receive text messages, answer calls, and stream music — even if you don't have your iPhone with you. You just need to add the Apple Watch to your current carrier plan. Most carriers charge $10 a month for an Apple Watch cellular plan.
Does the Apple Watch use data?
Only the GPS + Cellular Apple Watch models with a separate data plan use data from your carrier if you don't have your iPhone nearby. Otherwise, Apple Watches are simply extensions of your iPhone and don't use more data than you would on your iPhone if it's nearby.
Do Apple Watches work with Android?
The short answer is no. An Apple Watch will not pair seamlessly with an Android phone. Even if you get a GPS + Cellular model that doesn't rely on an iPhone connection, an iPhone is required for setup. You also need an iPhone to download apps onto it.
No Apple Watch is "waterproof" but they are water resistant, which means they can sustain splashes and submersion down to a certain depth. The SE and Series 9 can go down as far as 50 meters, or around 164 feet. The Ultra 2 supports depths of 100 meters, or 328 feet, as well as 40 meters (131 feet) for recreational dives.
What is the best Apple Watch for kids?
If you want a way for your kid to stay connected without giving them a smartphone, an Apple Watch could be your answer. For kids, the best Apple Watch we recommend is the 40mm SE GPS + Cellular model. You can use Family Setup, which allows you to choose what apps and services your kids can access, and who they can call or send messages to.
Is the Series 8 outdated with the release of the Series 9?
No, not at all. Although Apple doesn't sell the Series 8 anymore, that doesn't mean it's no longer supported. This is especially true considering the fact the Series 8 is compatible with the new operating system, WatchOS 10, which debuted alongside the Series 9 and Ultra 2. This means that many of the new software features that debuted on the new models will also be available on the Series 8 once it upgrades to WatchOS 10.
How often should I upgrade my Apple Watch?
This depends on a few different factors. First, is there a new feature native to one of the later Apple Watch models that you'd like to use? For instance, the new Double Tap Gesture that was released on the Series 9 and Ultra 2 is only able to be used on those models.
You may also consider upgrading if your watch isn't compatible with the latest operating system. Regarding the new WatchOS 10, any Apple Watch that is a Series 4 or newer is compatible.
Another reason you may want to get a new Apple Watch is if you'd like to upgrade from the Series line to the Ultra line. In this scenario, even users of the Series 7 may consider upgrading to the Ultra to take advantage of its unique features like its longer battery life, the useful Action Button, and the bigger design.
On Monday, the mammoth plane took off from Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport at about 3:20 a.m. local time and landed at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport more than 14 hours later, just after 10 a.m. ET.
This is the first time Etihad's quad jet fleet has flown the route since 2020 and represents its official re-entry into the US market after four years. The superjumbo also flies between Abu Dhabi and London.
According to Etihad, the A380 will boost capacity between the two metropolitan cities as it takes over one of the two flights presently serving New York-JFK — the second operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
"Our North American portfolio has continued to exceed expectations with the second daily JFK flight introduced last year performing well," Etihad CRO Arik De told Business Insider in December when the route was first announced.
According to De, the Residence is only available by upgrading a first class ticket. Fares were priced at over $20,000 one-way pre-pandemic.
A screenshot showing the $24,000 price tag for The Residence in May 2024. Fares vary greatly depending on season and route.
Etihad Airways
When booking on Etihad's website in December for a flight between New York and Abu Dhabi in mid-May, its first-class apartments were priced between roughly $9,000 and $10,000 each way, with another $3,000 per leg on top for the Residence, totaling about $24,000.
Looking again on Monday, it appears the Residence is already booked up on most days for May, as it cannot be added to first-class bookings.
Demand for The Residence is booming — helping make Etihad's A380 an 'overall commercially profitable venture in New York.'
The Residence' lavatory sits between the living room and the bedroom.
Marwan Naamani/Getty Images
"We had our first bookings within minutes of the announcement that the A380 was coming to New York," De told BI. "It's a famous experience, and there are plenty of people out there who want to sample it, either as a dream one-off or as part of their overall travel mix."
The first space in The Residence is the livingroom with a giant flatscreen television and a multi-person couch.
The living room onboard one of Etihad's A380.
Etihad Airways via Getty Images
The living room has a sliding door to ensure full privacy from the rest of the aircraft.
The space is designed to accommodate up to two people.
Here, travelers can eat, work, or watch movies.
The living room on an Etihad A380 "The Residence" cabin.
Hollis Johnson
A dedicated cabin crew team serves The Residence passengers. They will set up the dining table and serve meals, as well as prep the space for sleeping.
Passengers will be served luxury meals, including things like caviar, steak, champagne, and wine.
A butler used to serve The Residence passengers, though an interview with Etihad's CEO revealed they would not return.
Etihad Airways
However, the butler service formerly offered in The Residence will not return, aviation journalist Andreas Spaeth said on X in mid-November after an interview with Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves.
Etihad confirmed to BI that a butler would not be onboard.
Down the hall from the living room is The Residence's private bathroom, complete with a shower.
The Residence bathroom with a shower.
Etihad Airways via Getty Images
"[The Residence] is a great experience for everyone, whether they are flying for business or pleasure or both," De told BI. "Flights between Abu Dhabi and New York are over 13 hours long, and people flying for business want to arrive refreshed and relaxed."
Monday's flight took a northern route across Russia, putting the trek at more than 14 hours, according to FlightAware.
Showers are rare onboard airliners because the water adds extra weight, with Emirates as the only other carrier offering one.
Considered one of the most luxurious airline offerings in the sky, travelers were worried when Etihad's A380 nearly retired.
The lounge and bar space on the A380's upper deck can be accessed by first and business class passengers.
Etihad Airways
The A380's poor economics and fuel-hungry quad-engines make it an expensive jet to fly, and many carriers have ditched it for more efficient twinjets like the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A350.
Fortunately, the surge in demand for air travel in 2022 prompted Etihad to add it back to the fleet.
An Etihad Airbus A380.
Hollis Johnson
"We are entering a new phase of sustainable growth to meet the demands of our customers, and the A380 is the right aircraft to meet capacity demands on very select routes," De told BI. "We brought it back on our London services earlier this year, and saw tremendous commercial success, with guests loving the experience."
Etihad's new A380 route will be the second in its network following the return to London in July 2023.
Hollis Johnson
According to Cirium data, Etihad has been flying three of its A380s between Abu Dhabi and London as of October, but one was plucked to serve the New York-JFK route.
De told BI that Etihad has a total of four planes in service and, in the short term, "will deploy them where it makes the most sense."
De told BI that the decision to add the A380 to NYC came after the second frequency proved commercially successful.
Etihad's Airbus A380 business class.
Hollis Johnson
"Given the commercial performance, and the popularity of the aircraft with our guests, we feel now is the right time to bring the A380 on to our service to New York," he said.
Although some of its A380s are flying again, six of Etihad's 10 superjumbos are still parked but remain 'in reserve.'
An Etihad A380 flies to the US.
Etihad
The six jets are sitting in airports across France and Spain, according to Planespotters.
"We are focused on sustainable expansion going forward, and having the option of drawing on our A380 fleet is an element of that," De told BI, noting Etihad plans to double its fleet size to 150 planes and carry 33 million passengers by 2030. "We will make sure we choose the right aircraft to achieve that, and the A380s will be part of that mix for a while."