NASA’s Perseverance rover has just reached a small but significant milestone on Mars. After five years of carefully traveling about the bottom of Jezero Crater, the rover now knows exactly where it is without having to rely on a crew on Earth. A new system called Mars Global Localization has made the task possible in less than two minutes, with accuracy to within ten inches.

Engineers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab came up with the idea of allowing the rover to match what it sees on the ground to the super precise maps acquired from space. Perseverance begins by capturing a full 360-degree panorama with its cameras, similar to the vision you get when spinning around in a circle. It then stitches that together to provide a circular perspective from above, similar to a bird’s-eye view. The software then compares that to some ultra high-resolution topography maps taken by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.

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Matching up the features between the two is quick since the program just looks for similar rocks, ridges, and slopes in both the rover’s perspective on the ground and from space. And once it finds a match, the rover is quite accurate. The entire operation is powered by an outdated processor from the Ingenuity helicopter, which is far faster than the technology in the rover. That’s why it can all be done in two minutes.

Perseverance had previously become trapped as it drove larger distances. The visual odometry was attempting to follow how the rocks around it moved in the camera frames, but the wheel simply slipping on the soft soil was causing the position to shift over time. After a few hundred feet, the position could shift by more than a hundred feet. So the team would send it more photographs, and the specialists on Earth would manually align them with the images from space, which could take a full day or longer.

Mars Global Localization changes all of that because the rover can now determine its position immediately after a drive, make any necessary corrections, and simply keep going. With it linked with the existing AutoNav system, which can already handle obstructions, the rover can just keep going. The more ground it traverses per Martian day, the faster it will pass through Jezero Crater and beyond.

The technology underwent extensive testing prior to its debut. The engineers tested it on data from 264 previous rover pauses and found that it correctly identified every single one by comparing old photographs to space maps. Then it saw its first real use on February 2, 2026, and it worked again a few weeks later. One of the first times it was utilized was in a somewhat dull section of the crater rim known as Mala Mala, where there aren’t many fascinating landmarks to look at, but the system still managed to pinpoint the location within the target margin of error.

It looks like a March launch is no longer in the cards for Artemis II, NASA’s first crewed trip to the moon’s vicinity since the final Apollo mission over 50 years ago. While preparations were underway at the Kennedy Space Center for a launch as soon as March 6, the space agency says it ran into an issue with the flow of helium to its SLS rocket’s upper stage this weekend and it now has to roll the rocket from the launch pad back to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to figure out what’s wrong and fix it. A media briefing is planned for sometime this week to discuss the problem and what’s next.

But in a post on X, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman confirmed the rollback will “take the March launch window out of consideration.” NASA noted on its blog that the current effort “potentially preserves the April launch window, pending the outcome of data findings, repair efforts, and how the schedule comes to fruition in the coming days and weeks.” It’s a four-mile trip back to the VAB that will take hours to carefully transport the massive rocket and the Orion spacecraft. NASA says it’s eyeing February 24 for this trek.

The issue occurred overnight in the early hours of February 21, when NASA says it observed “interrupted flow of helium to the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket’s interim cryogenic propulsion stage.” The space agency explained:

The upper stage uses helium to maintain the proper environmental conditions for the stage’s engine and to pressurize liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellant tanks. The systems worked during NASA’s Artemis II wet dress rehearsals, but teams were not able to properly flow helium during normal operations and reconfigurations following the wet dress rehearsal that concluded Feb. 19. Operators are using a backup method to maintain the environmental conditions for the upper stage engines and the rocket, which remains in a safe configuration.

The Artemis II crew — Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, Mission Specialist — had just entered quarantine a day before the issue arose. NASA says the astronauts have since come out of quarantine.

At the start of this year, NASA announced an accelerated timeline for Artemis II, which was previously set for April 2026 after experiencing delays in 2024. For this 10-day mission, which will be the first crewed flight of the SLS rocket, the Artemis II astronauts will take a trip around the moon in the Orion spacecraft. While it initially targeted early February, the launch was pushed to March due to issues that popped up during the wet dress rehearsal. Now, we’re back to the beginning with a possible April launch, but that’ll depend on the fix being a quick one.

• AI-generated passwords follow patterns hackers can study
• Surface complexity hides statistical predictability beneath
• Entropy gaps in AI passwords expose structural weaknesses in AI logins

Large language models (LLMs) can produce passwords look complex, yet recent testing suggests those strings are far from random.

A study by Irregular examined password outputs from AI systems such as Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini, asking each to generate 16-character passwords with symbols, numbers, and mixed-case letters.

Apple Store gift cards are a convenient gifting option for many people, since they allow a person to buy whatever they want. If you recently received an Apple Store gift card, but aren’t sure of its balance, there are plenty of ways to check it from different devices like your iPhone, MacBook, or even a Windows laptop. Here’s how.

1. Use Apple’s Website

The easiest way to check your Apple Store gift card balance is by heading to the official Apple website. To do this:

1. Go to the Apple Support website.
2. Sign in with your Apple ID.
3. Enter the PIN of your gift card.
   

That’s it. You should now see the remaining balance on your gift card.

2. Check Balance on iPhone & iPad

1. Open the App Store on your iPhone.
2. Click on the profile button on the top right.
3. Your balance would be visible underneath your name.

3. Check Balance on MacBook

1. Open the App Store on your Mac.
2. Tap on your name located at the bottom left corner.
   
3. Your balance should appear underneath the Apple ID.

4. Check Balance on Windows

If you’re using a Windows device and want to check your balance there, you can do so with the iTunes website.

1. Head to the iTunes website and sign in with your account.
2. Navigate to Account > View My Account.
3. Look for your gift card balance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Nvidia is preparing to re-enter the consumer PC market with laptops powered by its own processors, potentially launching before the end of this year. The development, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, marks a significant expansion for the company, which currently dominates graphics chips and AI data-center hardware.

Nvidia’s shift toward full PC processors

Nvidia is developing Arm-based system-on-a-chip processors tailored for laptops. Unlike its traditional role of supplying discrete GPUs that work alongside CPUs from Intel or AMD, these new chips combine CPU, GPU, and dedicated AI acceleration into a single unit. According to the report, major PC manufacturers such as Dell and Lenovo are already working on laptop models that integrate Nvidia’s new processors.

The goal is to build lighter, more power-efficient laptops capable of delivering strong AI performance and competitive battery life. These systems are expected to directly challenge Apple’s MacBooks, which have set the benchmark for energy-efficient performance through Apple Silicon.

This move represents a major strategic shift for Nvidia

While the company has become the backbone of modern artificial intelligence, its presence inside everyday consumer computers has decreased over the last decade. By introducing complete laptop processors, Nvidia is positioning itself to compete directly with Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm as AI-powered computing becomes the new standard.

The broader industry is transitioning to architectures optimized for on-device AI tasks such as real-time language processing, image generation, and local inference. Nvidia’s entry into full laptop processors aligns with this shift and could significantly reshape the Windows PC landscape.

What users can expect

For consumers, Nvidia-powered laptops could mean thinner designs, longer battery life, and improved AI features integrated directly into Windows. While Nvidia’s graphics capabilities have always been a strength, the real advantage could come from cohesive hardware integration similar to what Apple achieved with its unified memory architecture.

However, early devices may face challenges, especially around software compatibility and balancing thermal efficiency with performance – common issues for first-generation platforms.

The first laptops featuring Nvidia’s processors are expected to arrive later this year, with broader availability in 2026. Analysts will be watching closely to see how Nvidia prices these systems and how they perform against established competitors. If successful, Nvidia could rapidly become a major force in consumer PCs once again, marking one of the most significant shifts in the PC processor market in more than a decade.

Google is quietly saying goodbye to one of Android’s most familiar mini-apps. The company is phasing out the long-standing Google Weather experience and replacing it with a redesigned weather interface inside Google Search, as reported by 9to5Google.

If you have ever tapped the sun-and-cloud shortcut on your home screen to quickly check the forecast, you have already used what many consider Android’s default weather app. Despite feeling like a standalone app, it was actually a full-screen weather experience built into the Google app. However, that shortcut is now being redirected to a new Search-based weather page, and the change appears to be rolling out widely after months of testing.

The original interface was simple and recognizable. It opened into a clean, full-screen feed with Google’s iconic “Froggy” background, showing current conditions, a 10-day forecast, and quick switching between saved cities. For many Android users, it became the fastest way to check the weather without installing a third-party app.

The replacement keeps most of the same information, but the experience is changing. Instead of a self-contained full-screen app, tapping the shortcut now opens a Google Search results page that includes the weather card alongside other search elements. The redesigned page still shows forecasts, air quality data, and detailed weather metrics. It also introduces an AI-generated summary alongside the usual hourly and 10-day forecasts. However, the experience now behaves like a typical web results page, complete with additional links and search content as you scroll.

Interestingly, Pixel phone owners are mostly unaffected. Those devices already ship with a dedicated Pixel Weather app, meaning the change primarily impacts non-Pixel Android users who relied on the shortcut as their main built-in weather tool. That said, for non-Pixel users, if you prefer quick, dedicated weather tools, this shift might nudge you toward third-party apps. Nonetheless, it is another sign that Google’s future on Android increasingly revolves around Search as the hub for everyday information.

Most Apple Watches last only a day or two at most. However, if yours is dying even faster, something could be draining your battery, such as background apps, Hey Siri, or other features. In this article, we’ll cover seven easy ways to fix the Apple Watch battery draining fast.

1. Dim the Screen and Wake Time

A brighter screen and longer wake time can deplete your Apple Watch battery faster. Reducing the screen brightness and its wake duration not only saves power but also reduces eye strain. This small trick can make a big difference to the battery life of a day.

To do this, head to Settings > Display & Brightness on your Apple Watch. Reduce the brightness slider and reduce the wake duration to a shorter period. You can also disable Wake on Wrist Raise so the screen isn’t turned on unless you press the Digital Crown.

2. Turn Off Background Apps

Most installed apps continue to run in the background to update information. While most don’t affect the battery life, some might. Turning off background app refresh saves battery, and you can opt to do it for all apps or a selected few.

On your iPhone, navigate to the Apple Watch app > My Watch > General > Background App Refresh. Disable it entirely or disable it for specific apps you don’t want to be running in the background.

3. Modify Workout Settings

Workouts consume more battery life since your Apple Watch continuously monitors your heart rate, GPS, and other activity information. If you exercise often, this can noticeably shorten battery life. Thankfully, you can still track your workouts without draining too much power. Using Low Power Mode turns off certain features, like the Always-On display, while still logging your activity.

From your Apple Watch, go to Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode. Or you can proceed to your Workout settings and turn on Low Power Mode and Fewer GPS and Heart Rate Readings to conserve even more battery when you have extended workouts.

4. Turn Off “Hey Siri”

Your Apple Watch is constantly waiting for the “Hey Siri” phrase, which drains a little but an ongoing amount of battery time. If you don’t use Siri very often, disabling this feature will extend your watch’s battery life. You can still activate Siri by pressing and holding the Digital Crown when you need it.

On your Apple Watch, go to Settings > Siri and turn off Listen for ‘Hey Siri.’

5. Turn on Bluetooth

If you disable Bluetooth on your iPhone, your Apple Watch will continue to try to connect, draining your battery more quickly. Bluetooth on provides you with a consistent connection and allows your watch to consume less power to sync data.

On your iPhone, open Settings > Bluetooth and turn it on.

6. Update WatchOS

Software issues can sometimes cause battery drain, and Apple will typically fix those issues through updates. Getting your watchOS updated ensures you get the best updates, bug fixes, and optimized battery life.

Go to your iPhone > Watch app > General > Software Update. Charge your Apple Watch by putting it on the charger and making sure it has at least 50% battery life before you update.

7. Check Battery Health

If the battery health of your Apple Watch is poor, it will not last long despite its power-saving capabilities. The battery capacity will simply decline with time, but knowing its current state can assist you in deciding whether it should be replaced.

On your Apple Watch, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health. If the maximum capacity is under a certain level, a battery replacement through Apple’s repair service is recommended.