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This Key Airport Runway Safety Feature Can Stop A Plane In Seconds

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From runway collisions to engine explosions to door plugs blowing out in mid-air, the seemingly ever-increasing number of aircraft accidents in recent years has probably made you think twice about boarding a commercial airline. However, based on all available evidence, the old adage is still true: it’s safer to fly the friendly skies than it is to climb into your car and go to work every day. Still, knowing which passenger jets have the worst safety record isn’t a bad idea.

According to USAFacts, during the 20-year span between 2003 and 2023, only 675 serious injuries aboard domestic airlines (about 32 per year) were documented. Before shouting that’s too many, ponder this: more than 47 million passenger vehicle occupants were hurt on highways in the U.S. during that same period, which breaks down to 2.2 million per year. In 2023 alone, commercial airplanes in the U.S. flew more than 773 billion miles, yet only 33 passengers were injured. For the mathletes out there, this shakes out to just 0.004 injuries for every 100 million miles flown. By comparison, vehicle occupant injuries in 2023 occurred at a far greater clip — 42.2 per 100 million miles driven.

One of the many safety measures the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandates to help keep air passengers safe specifically concerns airport runway safety. Unless you’re an aviation geek, you’ve probably never heard of the Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS). This key safety feature can literally stop an aircraft after it’s touched down in mere seconds, which might seem hard to fathom given the speeds at which these big commercial airplanes are going when they land (between 130 and 160 mph), but it’s true.

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The EMAS will catch ’em

If a plane shoots past the end of a runway, EMAS will rapidly stop it thanks to lightweight, crushable material that lies beyond. The most common form — currently installed on 116 runways at 69 airports – is known as “EMASMAX” and uses collapsible cellular concrete blocks. The newer version is called “greenEMAS” — installed on four runways at just one airport — and uses silica foam made from recycled glass poured into a plastic mesh attached to the pavement, covered by cement, and topped with a layer of sealant.

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A plane going as fast as 80 mph will be caught and stopped, its own weight causing the wheels to sink deeply into the crushable material, regardless of how the jet’s suspension works. Think of it as the airplane’s version of a runaway-truck ramp found at the bottom of steep highway grades. According to the FAA, this system has safely stopped 25 planes carrying a total of 491 crew and passengers.

EMAS has only been around since 1996, when it was first installed at New York’s JFK International Airport. It’s actually one part of a broader safety feature you may not be aware of, one that was first adopted in the 1980s after the FAA concluded that pre-existing obstacles like water, dense population, train tracks, and highways constricted existing runway safety areas (RSAs). All-encompassing RSAs surround the runway and can range between 250 and 500 feet to either side and 1,000 feet at both the beginning and end of the airstrip. When an airport doesn’t have the necessary land available to create the required RSA zone, they install the engineered materials.

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Vivo’s best camera phone option has a launch date

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Vivo has finally locked in a launch date for its next big camera phone.

The Vivo X300 Ultra is expected to be the brand’s top-tier photography flagship, and it’ll officially make its debut on March 30 in China. It will launch alongside a second device, the Vivo X300s.

The announcement comes after weeks of teasers and a brief appearance at MWC 2026. However, this time Vivo is also giving us a clearer look at the design. In a post shared on Weibo, product manager Han Boxiao revealed both phones in a new ‘Film Green’ colour. They feature a two-tone finish that leans into the Ultra’s camera-first identity.

Unsurprisingly, the X300 Ultra is all about the camera module. It looks broadly similar to the X300 Pro at a glance, but there are some tweaks — including a revised lens layout and what appears to be a multispectral sensor tucked into the setup. If previous leaks are anything to go by, that extra sensor could play a role in improving colour accuracy and image processing. Vivo hasn’t confirmed specifics just yet, though.

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The X300s, meanwhile, takes a more familiar route. Its design sticks closer to the standard X300, though it does get a refreshed camera ring. The overall sensor layout doesn’t seem to change much, suggesting more of a refinement than a major upgrade.

Vivo hasn’t shared full specs yet, but it’s clear the Ultra is the main event here. Notably, it’s also expected to launch globally, unlike some of Vivo’s previous camera-focused flagships.

With just days to go before the official reveal, more details are likely to drop soon. But even from this early look, the X300 Ultra is shaping up to be Vivo’s most serious shot at a best-in-class camera phone yet.

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Best Protein Bars (2026): Vegan, Gluten-Free, High Fiber

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The best protein bars are grab-and-go snacks, not meal replacements. They’re most helpful when whole foods aren’t available or when your schedule won’t allow for a proper meal. The most beneficial sources of protein come with fiber, healthy fats, and other nutrients. (That’s why registered dietitians recommend whole foods over ultra-processed alternatives.) So, while high-protein snacks may boast impressive counts on the label, they’re not always the healthiest option.

After consulting the nutrition experts about key ingredients to look for (and what to avoid), we’ve rounded up the best protein bars that meet those standards. For more tips on protein, check out our guide to the Best Protein Powders and How Much Protein Do I Need?

Updated March 2026: I added Aloha Organic Protein Bars, Promix Protein Puff Bars, and Mush Protein Bars as new picks. I added an Honorable Mentions section with more protein bars to consider, as well as a FAQ section that includes a note about David Protein Bars. Lastly, I’ve included my testing process and updated existing picks with new information, prices, and links.

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Best Protein Bars Overall

RxBar now offers a couple of different protein bars, but the Classic 12G remains the best. Made from whole foods, the base is a mix of egg whites—a complete protein—dates for sweetness and binding, and nuts (pecans, hazelnuts, cashews, walnuts, peanuts, almonds). I’ve taste-tested the chocolate sea salt, but RxBar also sells blueberry, peanut butter, peanut butter chocolate, vanilla almond, coconut chocolate, and strawberry. It has a sticky, uber-chewy texture, so if that’s not your taste, there’s a nut butter & oat variety pack that swaps the dates for rolled oats. These may also be a better option if you follow a keto diet or are concerned about the sugar from dates, but keep in mind that nut butters still contain sugar, and protein content varies by flavor, so check the nutrition label.

Avoid these if you’re allergic to eggs. The formula is otherwise simple and clean, with the exception of “natural flavors.” RxBar has shared more information on what those entail, which is more clarity than most companies offer, but it may still be a concern if you prioritize full transparency.

TL;DR: RxBars is one of the cleanest protein bars available, with a short ingredient list and balanced macros. There are several variations to choose from, but avoid them entirely if you have an egg allergy. 7.25/10.

Best Plant-Based Protein Bars

  • Photograph: Boutayna Chokrane

  • Photograph: Boutayna Chokrane

Aloha

Organic Protein Bars

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Aloha Protein Bars are a standout vegan option, offering 14 grams of protein from brown rice and pumpkin seed blends. They also deliver between 6 and 10 grams of fiber, depending on the flavor, so some bars (like the cookies and creme) are as much a fiber boost as a protein snack. They’re free from soy, dairy, gluten, stevia, and sugar alcohols. Their sweetness comes from monk fruit, tapioca syrup, and rice syrup powder. While mostly clean, they do contain natural flavors, which seem to be the only processed outlier.

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A Model For HHS: New Mexico Measles Outbreak Was Curtailed With Mass Vaccination Campaign

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from the no-shit dept

With RFK Jr. and his version of HHS entirely out to lunch on the ongoing measles issue in America, it’s been left to states and local medical professionals to try to figure out how to do combat with one of the most infectious diseases on the planet. In a sane world with a real, big boy executive branch, HHS would be taking the lead on this sort of thing. Since Kennedy’s eugenics-lite belief system promotes a “survival of the fittest” mentality instead, we get to examine how different states and local governments react to measles outbreaks. South Carolina, for instance, appears to be largely uninterested at the governmental level in doing anything at all about the failure in data-sharing, case-reporting, and combating the bullshit religious exemptions to vaccinations that led to a loss of herd immunity to begin with.

New Mexico, which suffered its own measles outbreak last year, went the opposite route. And when you compare that state’s response specifically to Texas’, as they were both part of the same outbreak, the lessons learned are even more instructive.

Texas declared the outbreak within its borders over on August 18, with an end tally of 762 cases. In New Mexico, officials declared its outbreak, which began in February, over on September 26, with a total of just 99 cases.

One of the key differences, according to a new study, was that in New Mexico, the rapid spread of the highly infectious virus spurred a massive surge in measles vaccinations among children and adults. Overall, shots of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine increased 55 percent statewide from January to September compared to the same period in 2024.

This is all based on a recent CDC study. I simply must point out that it’s quite interesting to see this uptick in vaccinations. It’s what I’ve advocated for, of course, but it certainly calls into question the reasoning for having not vaccinated before the reports of the outbreak. If these were more religious exemptions, did people suddenly become less religious? If it was fear of all the nonsense dangers RFK Jr. warns about with the MMR vaccines that kept them from vaccinating before, are they suddenly less afraid now? Or was all of that performative excuse making for people not wanting to get a simple shot in their arm?

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Regardless, it was a coordinated effort by New Mexico government groups and local doctors to be transparent about the outbreak, its dangers, and mobilize for mass vaccinations.

In the MMWR report, officials explained that they had a data-driven response effort that assessed local vaccination coverage and real-time vaccine inventories and targeted mobile vaccination delivery. They went all out on communication, releasing 12 health advisories to clinicians, 26 press releases to the public, and 184 social media posts. They also launched a regularly updated measles outbreak data page with information in English and Spanish. Finally, they set up a measles helpline, which got over 2,000 calls during the outbreak. The officials noted that their response to the outbreak was built on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In all, “the strategies implemented in New Mexico could serve as a model for other states that are addressing measles cases or outbreaks,” they concluded.

Or, gee, I don’t know, how about it being a model for the federal fucking agency with a charter that centers on keeping Americans healthy and combating infectious diseases? Why is this left to the states to figure out? States can be laboratories for democracy all we like, but infectious diseases don’t respect state borders.

Instead of spending time licking his wounds from his recent losses in federal court, it sure would be nice if Kennedy could spend that time actually getting involved in combating measles, a disease that could only be resurrected thanks to the misinformation he spewed for decades.

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Filed Under: cdc, health & human services, measles, new mexico, outbreaks, rfk jr., texas, vaccines

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Intel, NVIDIA, AMD GPU Drivers Finally Play Nice With ReactOS

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ReactOS aims to be compatible with programs and drivers developed for Windows Server 2003 and later versions of Microsoft Windows.

And Slashdot reader jeditobe reports that the project has now “announced significant progress in achieving compatibility with proprietary graphics drivers.”

ReactOS now supports roughly 90% of GPU drivers for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, thanks to a series of fixes and the implementation of the KMDF (Kernel-Mode Driver Framework) and WDDM (Windows Display Driver Model) subsystems. Prior to these changes, many proprietary drivers either failed to launch or exhibited unstable behavior. In the latest nightly builds of the 0.4.16 branch, drivers from a variety of manufacturers — including Intel, NVIDIA, and AMD — are running reliably.

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The project demonstrated ReactOS running on real hardware, including booting with installed drivers for graphics cards such as Intel GMA 945, NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS and GTX 750 Ti, and AMD Radeon HD 7530G. They also highlighted successful operation on mobile GPUs like the NVIDIA Quadro 1000M, with 2D/3D acceleration, audio, and network connectivity all functioning correctly. Further tests confirmed support on less common or older configurations, including a laptop with a Radeon Xpress 1100, as well as high-performance cards like the NVIDIA GTX Titan X.

A key contribution came from a patch merged into the main branch for the memory management subsystem, which improved driver stability and reduced crashes during graphics adapter initialization.

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5 Products Michelin Makes That Aren’t Tires

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We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Michelin is a French multinational company that many consumers consider to be one of the most satisfying major tire brands. This firm makes several tire models that offer comfort, performance, all-terrain prowess, and everything in between — including cutting-edge products like the $42,000-per-set Michelin Pilot Sport PAX that it developed specifically for the Bugatti Veyron. Aside from its own tires, Michelin also owns other tire brands that you might be familiar with, including BFGoodrich, Achilles, and Corsa.

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While tires are what Michelin is known for, the company has put its name to more than the rubber that wraps around your car’s rims. In fact, the company sells several other products that aren’t tires. So, we’re listing a few Michelin-branded items that you can buy online and in retail stores. While they might not all be made of rubber or even related to vehicles, these tools and accessories can come in handy when keeping your car — and even yourself — in good shape.

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Michelin tire inflator

Since Michelin is primarily known for its tires, it makes sense for the company to sell a Michelin-branded tire inflator as well. That way, if you get a flat on one of the Michelin tires on your car or want to regularly top up your car’s tire pressure to maintain optimum performance, you can use a Michelin-branded pump to fill up your tires. The company actually sells several types of inflators on its Amazon page, but it only offers a single motorized unit — the Michelin Micro Tyre Inflator, which is available on Amazon for $98.99.

This little device is only slightly wider than an iPhone 17 and weighs about 400 grams, or 14 ounces. This means it’s easy to store in your car and to move to whichever tire needs topping up. More importantly, it takes power from a 12-volt socket, allowing you to run it using your car’s battery. It also has a USB port for charging your phone (or any other USB device) in case of an emergency.

Some users say that the device is slow, taking about 12 minutes to bring a tire from 10 to 32 PSI, but that’s not unexpected given its small size. Still, it should be good enough for regular weekly maintenance if you know your car’s proper tire pressure, or in case of an emergency. Its biggest downside is that you need a power source to run it, but having a dead battery and a flat tire simultaneously is likely a rare occurrence in many modern cars.

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Michelin mini fridge

Taking a road trip during the summer can get you thirsty, and there’s no better way to quench that thirst than by drinking a cool can of soda (or your beverage of choice). If you want to ensure that you’ll always have a cold drink ready while you’re driving on the freeway, Michelin’s mini fridge will help you with that. This nifty little refrigerator is available on Amazon for just $99.99 and can be connected to either 110V AC or 12V DC power, ensuring that it will work on both your desk and in your car.

The mini fridge measures 6.9 x 9.45 x 10 inches (17.5 x 24 x 25.4 cm), meaning it can easily fit on a garage shelf or office desk. It should also be small enough to put on the floor of your car. Despite that relatively small size, it’s large enough to fit six 350-ml cans or four 500-ml bottles, and it will keep these items at a chilly 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 18 degrees Celsius. It also has an LED light on the door, so it can double as a night light if necessary.

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Aside from keeping your drinks (and other food items) below room temperature, it also has a few other creature comforts. These include a removable shelf and door basket for flexibility and easy cleaning, as well as a retractable carry handle and a self-locking door to make transportation easier.

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Michelin car floor mats

Heavy-duty car floor mats are often made from rubber for durability and water resistance, and since Michelin is in the business of rubber, it makes sense for the company to offer exactly that. So, if you want to protect your vehicle’s floor from dirt, dust, and mud, the company can help you with its Michelin all-weather car floor mats. This four-piece package is available on Amazon for $49.99 and comes in either black or tan.

The surface of these floor mats is specially designed to trap debris, snow, and water, preventing them from ruining the carpet on your vehicle. The mats have a cleat backing that grips your car’s floor and prevents them from slipping. The front row mats also come with what Michelin calls a Gripclip Retention System, allowing them to clip into your vehicle’s safety clips and adding even more reassurance that they won’t accidentally slip while you’re driving and pose a hazard to your safety.

These mats are universal and will work in most vehicles. However, they’re also easy to customize: If you find them a bit too large for the footwell of your tiny hatchback, you can use a pair of scissors to trim the edges for a perfect fit.

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Michelin Stealth Ultra wiper blades

While Michelin’s Stealth Ultra wiper blades aren’t generally considered among the best windshield wipers, they appear to be a pretty good choice given their four-star rating on Amazon. These wipers cost $49.99 and are available in various size combinations for all sorts of cars. This ensures that no matter what vehicle you’re driving, you can probably find a set that will fit your needs.

These Michelin wipers are curved to conform to the shape of your windscreen for a clean, streak-free wipe. The company’s Amazon listing claims that these are designed to “withstand rain, wind, snow, mud, dust, or any other debris that might hamper your windshield’s visibility.” While you might think that windshield wipers are pretty simple items, and that you can just purchase any generic wipers off the internet, you must remember that they’re essential so that you have the best visibility possible during inclement weather. So, for your safety, consider investing in a set from a reputable brand like Michelin.

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Michelin work boots

Michelin is known for making rubber tires to put on your car’s “feet,” but did you know it also makes shoes for the driver’s feet? The company makes sports & outdoor footwear, as well as shoes for work and safety. For this example, we have the Michelin HydroEdge Steel Toe waterproof work boot, listed for $210 on Amazon and at Georgia Boot. This shoe is available in U.S. sizes from 7.5 up to 14, ensuring that no matter what size you wear, you can get a Michelin work boot for yourself.

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As the name suggests, this pair of shoes has steel toes to protect your feet from accidental impacts and is fully waterproof to help keep your feet dry, even in supposedly severe conditions. It also meets ASTM F2413 standards for electrical protection, meaning it has fully insulating soles to protect you from electrical hazards at work. Michelin also added what it calls an Advanced Rear Suspension system to its heel, ensuring proper shock absorption when you walk.



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OMOWAY Omo-X Heads to Production as Space Gyroscopes Turn This Electric Scooter Into a Steady Ride

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OMOWAY Omo-X Self-Balancing Electric Scooter Production
Test footage shows the Omo-X electric scooter remaining as stable as a rock on a seesaw despite the platform heaving beneath it, but only because no one is on board. This is all down to the control moment gyroscope, which was adapted from satellites / spacecraft and spins as fast as lightning to counteract any tilt.



As the camera and sensors provide data to the processor, the gyroscope fine-tunes in real time, keeping the item upright even in slow-moving traffic. It also becomes more intelligent as it learns the roads you use the most frequently via cloud links and responds to variations in weight or surface.

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Riders sit on a floating seat just above a large rear wheel, with angular bodywork extending all along the sides and LED strips lighting the path, including the unique saberlight strip along the front. The front end is entirely influenced by spacecraft shapes, giving it a sharp, forward-leaning appearance that allows it to glide through the air effortlessly. Then there are the panels to swap out, with three options: a simple step-through scooter, a street model, and a touring arrangement ready to carry bags.

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They must have done something right with the Omo-X, as it received an iF Design Award for 2026, which is not bad for a design like this. A large 10.25-inch screen in the center of the cockpit displays all sorts of important information, such as navigation, local charging stations, and more, eliminating the need to park your phone. This is only the beginning, for connectivity runs deep here, as you have your digital key for unlocking the phone. It can even speak with other vehicles on the road, enabling group rides and shared routes. Then there’s the app for remote monitoring and control.

OMOWAY Omo-X Self-Balancing Electric Scooter Production
Safety kicks in immediately and smoothly. The Omo-X provides 360-degree vision thanks to many cameras; there are no blind spots, and threats are visible. If the rider takes their eyes off the road for an extended period of time, the brakes are activated to bring the vehicle to a halt. Wet roads and tight curves need a little more support to avoid slipping. All of this takes a fraction of a second. Adaptive cruise control keeps up with traffic flow, one-touch parking holds position on demand, and a summon option brings the item to you without requiring you to jump on.

OMOWAY Omo-X Self-Balancing Electric Scooter Production
Performance data is finally available, with a top speed of more than 68 mph and a proven range of 125 miles on a single charge. We don’t know all the details on the battery and engine yet, as that will have to wait until the official reveal. According to early estimates, the price will be roughly $3,800, which is reasonable given that it is electric. Pre-orders begin in Indonesia at the end of April, with a public debut scheduled for late May, with intentions to expand to other countries following that.
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Nintendo redesigns Switch 2 for EU rules with a user-replaceable battery

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According to a Nikkei report, the update will allow consumers to remove and replace batteries using ordinary tools, without special equipment or risking damage to the device. The more easily repairable model is expected to debut in Europe, with the design expanding to other markets if required by similar legal…
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Amazon's $949 15-inch MacBook Air deal hits lowest price ever ahead of Big Spring Sale

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Amazon’s weekend deal drops the 15-inch M4 MacBook Air down to a record low of $949 ahead of next week’s Big Spring Sale.

Two open MacBook Air laptops, silver and gold, shown from above on colorful background, with large centered text reading 15-inch MacBook Air 949 dollars
Amazon’s $949 15-inch MacBook Air deal matches the lowest price ever.

The blowout $949 deal at Amazon reflects a $250 discount off the original MSRP on the M4 15-inch MacBook Air with 16GB of unified memory and 256GB of storage.
Buy 15″ MacBook Air M4 for $949
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5 Creative Uses For Your Old Amazon Echo

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If you have an old Amazon Echo or Echo Dot sitting in the drawer, don’t just give it away or toss it in the trash. That little plastic speaker is still a capable, interconnected computer. Even if the music quality is not great compared to the new one, the voice controls and smart features are perfectly fine for other tasks. 

Whether you want to keep your kids busy without handing them a pricey tablet, keep your dog calm when you are away, or use it as a personal assistant inside your old car, that old Amazon Echo can be put to good use. In this guide, we have compiled five creative ways to repurpose your old Amazon Echo.

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Use it as a bathroom assistant

People often use their smartphones in the bathroom. Smartphones may be water-resistant, but it’s still risky. Besides, you’ll get better sound quality from a dedicated speaker. This is where you can put your old Amazon Echo to good use. Your Amazon Echo can play your favorite music with easy voice commands instead of wet fingers on a slippery screen. Remember, Amazon Echo isn’t water-resistant, either, but it’s much cheaper than your smartphone.

Beyond just playing your favorite songs in the shower, Echo helps stock up on bathroom supplies. Imagine you’re showering and you find your shampoo bottle is empty. Instead of making a mental note and swiftly forgetting, you can instruct Amazon Echo to add shampoo to your shopping list. Also, if you’re guilty of losing track of time under the warm, relaxing water, get Alexa to add a timer. 

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Use it as a dedicated language tutor

Learning a new language is difficult. Daily practice is necessary, and an Amazon Echo can be your personal language tutor. Using the Alexa app on your phone, you can change the default language on your Echo without changing the rest of the devices in your house. 

For instance, if you want to learn Spanish for your next trip to Mexico, you can set the speaker entirely to Spanish and talk to it at will. You can start with greetings and small talk, ask for the time, or request music. Since the speaker needs clear pronunciation to understand, it will give you instant feedback on the clarity of your accent. Your confidence should grow with everyday conversation, and you can start having longer chats with Alexa. You can also test yourself with language apps

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Set it up as an automatic pet sitter

Leaving your pets at home can be tough, but the Amazon Echo can act as a digital pet sitter. By using the Alexa app on your phone, you can set the smart speaker to listen to specific sounds in your home, such as barking or whimpering. All you need to do is place the Amazon Echo speaker close to your pet’s bed or crate.

Once set up, turn on the sound detection feature, and it will automatically start as soon as the speaker hears a loud sound. For example, if your nervous dog wakes up from sleep only to find you nowhere in the house, the speaker will hear their barking and react. You can set it to play classical music or whatever calms your dog. 

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You can record your own voice saying things like “good boy” or your pet’s name and have the speaker play it back. This trick will help distract your dog from outside noise and calm them down.

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Upgrade your old car’s stereo

Older cars are charming and refreshingly tech-lite. However, even a committed digital detoxer will concede the perks of smartphones and infotainment systems, and that’s where the Amazon Echo can come in. 

If your retro car has a cigarette lighter, you can plug in an AUX adapter to accommodate your Amazon Echo, which will need a USB charger for power. Once you have connected your smartphone to the Echo via a hotspot, you will have transformed your old dashboard into a fully working, hands-free smart assistant. You no longer need to look at your phone screen to play music, call contacts, set up navigation, and much more. 

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Let kids use it as a magic box

Finding things for your kids that do not involve a screen can be difficult. You have your work and daily chores to look after, and constantly playing with your kid is not possible. Here is where you can put your old Amazon Echo device to good use. Instead of handing them a tablet, you can hand them the old Amazon device.

But before you do that, make sure to set parental controls, which will block bad words, stop them from buying stuff, and set bedtimes. Once the speaker is locked down, your kids can use their voice to play adventure games where they have to choose to unlock the next clue. They can ask Alexa for bedtime stories or play background noise for their little pirate adventure.

If they feel like dancing, they can easily ask for kid-friendly dancing songs or movie soundtracks. This keeps them away from the flashy colors of a tablet or smartphone screen. The best part is that you do not have to worry about the device breaking. Yes, the speaker can get damaged, but it won’t hurt your pocket as much as fixing a shattered iPad display.

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This BFGoodrich Tire Changed Off-Roading Forever In The 1970s

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When picturing an off-road oriented truck or 4×4, what are some thoughts that come to mind? A lift kit with increased suspension travel, that’s a given, or maybe even camping gear if you’re going overlanding. One universal mainstay of all of these is the specialized off-road tire, and possibly the most famous of them all is the traditional BFGoodrich Radial All-Terrain T/A, a tire which celebrates its 50th birthday in 2026. Yes, really — BFGoodrich debuted this universally-beloved tire some 50 years ago, an incredible milestone to reach for any automotive part, much less something as vital and technically demanding as tires.

It’s not hyperbole to say that this tire revolutionized the world of off-roading, providing the footprint for everything from basic all-terrain 4x4s like Jeep CJs and Ford Broncos, all the way up to Baja desert racers. It was present at the inception and popularization of desert racing as a sport, in fact, a point of pride reflected in the tire’s earliest advertisement campaigns. But what’s so special about it? After all, off-road tires existed well before BFGoodrich entered the chat.

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What makes this tire special isn’t in its specialization, but rather its lack thereof. Unlike other dedicated off-road tires, the Radial All-Terrain T/A is a radial. In fact, it was the world’s first off-road radial tire. This grants an unparalleled level of capability versus previous tires, providing adequate grip on both on and off-highway surfaces, though lacking the exceptionalism of dedicated tires for these surfaces. Let’s take a deep dive and explore the tire’s history and what makes it so special that people continue using it to this day.

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A tire developed from motorsports

BFGoodrich is no stranger to auto racing; in fact, the company was the first in the world to assemble a street-legal radial racing tire, the BFGoodrich Tirebird in 1969. Several years later, the 1973 Oil Crisis struck a death blow to the Muscle Car Era, but motorsports continued unabated, and that includes off-road racing, and one of the most well-known and infamous races of that era was the Baja 1000. First run in 1969, the race encompasses a brutal 934-mile course through the Mexican desert. It was for this event, which BFGoodrich called America’s most torturous race, that the company first developed the Radial All-Terrain T/A.

There was one problem plaguing the off-road community — a lack of flexibility. Up to that point, all tires were either specialized for on or off-highway use, but nothing could do both. The tire market had a hole, and that provided a lucrative business opportunity for an enterprising company with racing expertise. So in 1975, the American tire manufacturer approached Baja racer Frank “Scoop” Vessels to test out a new design they were creating for the demanding race. Scoop obliged the request, fitting his Ford F-100 with the first Radial All-Terrain T/A, and ultimately securing wins in both the 1977 Baja 500 and 1000.

Marketing had a field day after these victories, advertising the Radial All-Terrain T/A as a 4×4 tire that was compliant for the road — quiet, smooth, and refined, with a long tread life to boot. It helped that the tire was bold and distinctive, with its aggressive pattern, radial construction, and distinctive white lettering, which BFGoodrich says made it a hot-ticket and iconic package.

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A continuing legacy

The success of the BFGoodrich Radial All-Terrain T/A didn’t diminish whatsoever in the following years. In fact, it served as the basis upon which the company has built a long and storied line of tires for different market segments, with the centerpiece remaining that same pivotal tire from 1976 — albeit with some updates since then, of course. These days, the Radial All-Terrain T/A is in its fourth generation, debuting in 2024 with the KO3 pattern, which the company claims has a 50,000 mile warranty, 15 percent better wear performance, and 20 percent more durability on gravel roads versus the KO2.

BFGoodrich is also expanding its portfolio to celebrate the tire’s 50th anniversary, offering the All-Terrain T/A in 12 additional sizes ranging from 30×9.50R15/Cs; up to 35×12.50R22/Es as part of the KO3 Phase 8 launch package. This latest tire incorporates all the usual bells and whistles we’ve come to expect after 50 years of innovation, though it still features that same durability and iconic look that made the original so beloved.

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Let’s not forget BFGoodrich’s racing commitments, which are still ongoing — in fact, the American manufacturer is the current sponsor of the SCORE Baja 1000. As such, these tires are virtually ubiquitous in the race, dominating the highest classes and remaining a perennial favorite among competitors. Moreover, because they maintained the same general look since 1976, they’re one of the few modern tires that still look correct on classics, tthough they’re still not dedicated classic car tires.



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