September 2026 is Moving Along with Some News and Links

We are in the swing of September, and a variety of interesting things have already occurred as of late. Let's discuss some...

Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo yesterday. It seems cool and is a potentially big metaphorical swing for the company. There is an outer screen that looks like a more standard iPhone, but then it folds open like a little book to reveal a bigger screen--it has been compared to popping open a passport. Other (new) folding phones have been around for a bit in the Android sphere of tech, but this is Apple's first foray into a folding phone. This seems to be a bit of a bridge between an iPhone and an iPad Mini. I'm intrigued, but upon hearing that it will cost a dollar less than 2 grand, I'll pass for now. The first generation of Apple products tends to be quite pricey, and later versions that eventually come out are a bit less exorbitant.

Also in tech news, Hideo Kojima is a game developer who has worked closely with Sony for decades, but now he's jumping over to Microsoft--their Xbox console, specifically. A tweet from Sony made it appear as if everyone is on good terms, while Kojima discussed on social media how Sony pulled the plug on his studio's game, "Physint," back in June. He described how everyone had scrambled to find a new partner up until now. Sony says any parting of ways was mutual; Kojima's version sounds more like a bitter breakup where Sony did him wrong. Between this, Sony dropping physical discs from their new console, and just recently arguing in court that gamers don't, "Own," digital purchases, I'd say Sony is having a rough 2026 in terms of optics.

The upcoming, "Avengers: Doomsday," has a lot riding on it for Marvel (and owner Disney). It simultaneously looks kind of cool and as if everything but the kitchen sink is being thrown out there in the hopes of a big hit flick. One encouraging sign of success is that it has already made about 50 million dollars in pre-sale tickets, with three-ish months still to go until the premiere on December 18th. Considering how much was spent making the movie (and will continue to be spent to promote it), that's probably a drop in the bucket, but a promising one.

"The Fury of Firestorm," was solicited as a six-issue mini-series by Jeff Lemire and Rafael de Latorre. It was really good and a hit. Hence, it grew to eight, nine, and now 15 total planned issues! It is interesting, in a time when Marvel seems to cancel stuff before it can really get going, that DC chooses to expand certain series.

In WTF-styled political news, Donald Trump recently claimed that if Republicans can take the House and the Senate in November, he'll make sure every American gets $5,000. Putting aside how it sounds like a weird bribe, the question of where this money would come from, and how we're all still waiting on our DOGE checks and Tariff refunds...what? I mean, if someone were a Republican or Democrat and made the statement that if I vote for their party and the candidates they like, I'll be given money, I'd be incredibly disturbed by the implication that someone thinks they can outright buy my vote--whether the way they're going about it is legal or not.

Finally, I continue to miss The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, which was canceled for purely financial reasons--right? I kind of recall fellow late-night host Jimmy Kimmel said he felt concerned when The Late Show went off the air--alluding to it feeling like the first domino of many falling, or such. Well, now there are ample rumors swirling that, "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" could be canceled and end in May of 2027. ABC released a statement that carefully avoided actually stating that the reports were incorrect. At this rate, anyone who dares to question the Trump administration via jokes that point out how much of a buffon he is seems to be in danger of losing their platform--lest the big companies who broadcast the shows suffer any financial strain from a vengeful and idiotic White House. It makes me worry Seth Meyers' show could be in trouble as well, sooner rather than later. Jimmy Fallon will probably be fine, as over the years he's become increasingly spineless and boring to watch.

MapQuest Wants you to Know it is Back and Ready to Guide You

MapQuest used to be huge. If you're over 30 (or so), you probably recall your parents printing out routes with it or doing such a thing yourself. With the rise of map apps on the phone, the idea of printing a bunch of pages with step-by-step directions for vacation or even to find a new spot locally became less than needed. MapQuest didn't really leave or stop existing, but it was a bit of a relic of the past with the most recent notable thing being a company called System1 acquiring MapQuest in 2019, with nothing else of interest happening, until recently. A smidgen ago, System1 launched, "Private Maps by MapQuest," which uses the tech of MapQuest to allow folks to have an app that doesn't, "Save," information about users in a sense. There is no data tracking, it doesn't show ads tailored to your interests, and your travel data isn't shared with other companies (i.e., if you always drive to McDonald's a certain time of day, you won't suddenly start seeing ads for the golden arches in the app). The standard MapQuest has been tweaked heavily, too, even if it lacks the extra privacy features--and it is being advertised with gusto. I mean, I learned that MapQuest in general was, "Back," when I started hearing ads for it and was intrigued. 

New updates both of the MapQuest-related apps continue to make it an appealing proposition with upgraded traffic monitoring features and the like. That is snazzy, but I'd argue the privacy aspect of Private Maps by MapQuest is a big selling point in an era where all of our information is always just...out there. In the same manner that Duck Duck Go has gained increased popularity thanks to not tracking IP addresses, tracking browsing history, or such, Private Maps by MapQuest could appeal to people who find the constant surveillance of Google and its Maps (or Apple Maps, if you're freaky like that), admittedly a bit creepy. I'd love to try the Private Maps by MapQuest app...but it isn't on iPhones.

Yes, that's right, Private Maps is unavailable on iOS. You can use the aforementioned, "Regular," MapQuest and its handy traffic features, but Private Maps is out of reach if you're on an iPhone (and not skilled at fancy hacking tricks or such). It is a bummer, but that could change at some point in the future. As it is, with an Android or iPhone, you can use a newer MapQuest--which is cool--but you need an Android to get the privacy-focused program. MapQuest has risen from a grave of obscurity to be the surprise underdog in a field it once dominated, and now you don't even need your printer!

Television Tuesday: "Severance," Has a Solid First Season and Amazing Second

I previously wrote about enjoying, "Plurb1us," on the blog. People who heard I and Samii enjoyed that show told us we needed to watch another AppleTV program, "Severance." The first season was a hit, people had to wait about three years, and the second season ran early this year. We watched it all over a week or so and had a great time! I will say, however, the first season was a bit slow and meandering at times for my tastes, whereas the second season is simply superb.

"Severance," is about a company called Lumon, which invented a way to split people's personalities/identities/etc. in two. These individuals undergo Severance to be Severed. They get in an elevator and a second later step out of that same elevator with no memory of the eight or so hours they spent working in a mysterious office. Meanwhile, a who other, "Self," only has memories of existing in this office and occasionally being told random facts about their outside self/"Outie," to ensure they're content. A large chunk of the show follows Mark Scout (Adam Scott) or as his, "Innie," is known, "Mark S." We learn early in the first season how Mark lost his wife and thought spending a large part of the day not feeling miserable without her might help. Issues quickly arise when a mysterious man claiming to be his old co-worker, who also now remembers everything, kicks off a number of mysteries. 

To the show's credit, it doesn't pull a, "LOST," and raise 100 questions while answering almost none. The first season has a good deal of payoff, and the second continues that payoff beautifully, with almost any questions raised getting answered outside of a few remaining things to ponder for the upcoming third season. "Severance," has nine episodes in the first season and ten in the second, which is interesting as the debut season is generally fun, but sometimes feels so slow. I suppose the metaphorical table needs to be set in much of the first season for its amazing finale, and how season 2 is almost all gas and no brakes (excluding a strange tangent of a really short later episode that kind of just shuffles a minor character around for 30-ish minutes to fill in some backstory about Lumon).

For real, though, the second season is great because it takes much of what we got used to with, "Severance," and turns it on its head. An episode spent mostly in a bright outdoor area instead of the claustrophobic office. An episode with some flashbacks that uses film instead of digital for those scenes to give everything a warm and nostalgic feel (an ingenious technique), and I could go on, but then I'd have to outright spoil a bunch of, "Severance." Instead of me doing that, you should check the show out yourself and then join me in anxiously awaiting the third season's arrival, hopefully sometime in late 2026/early 2027 instead of in three more years!

Season 1: 3.5 out of 5 Stars.

Season 2: 5 out of 5 Stars.

The Virtual Boy is Back, Kind of. Yes, for Real

The Virtual Boy was Nintendo's biggest flop. It was a console where you could play games in black-and-red 3D. I remember the first time I tried it out, actually. I was in Sears back in 1995 and they had a demo of it set up. I was so excited to try it out and...it was terrible. It had weird visuals, gave me a headache, all of that. Still, nostalgia is a funny thing and Nintendo announced yesterday how all the old Virtual Boy games will be coming via the Switch Online service. Plus, according to Polygon, "Nintendo's releasing a new Virtual Boy headset to use with the retro games. You'll insert your Switch 1 or Switch 2 screen directly into the accessory in order to get the stereoscopic 3D effect. There will also be a cardboard headset to allow dabblers to experience Virtual Boy games." The throwback console will run you a cool hundred bucks, but the cardboard option is only 25 smackers.

The Virtual Boy was always more interesting as a concept than in practice. It wasn't even really ahead of its time as we still are struggling as a society to figure out what to do with these so-called virtual reality/augmented reality headsets (even Apple couldn't crack it). If you have a Switch or Switch 2 and want to fiddle around with the old games that could be fun for an hour or two. Just get ready to possibly have an awful headache afterwards if you're anything like me.

When Even the, "Price is Right," Audience Groans At Your Product (an Apple Vision Pro) That Says a Lot

"The Price is Right" sometimes does a "The Price is Right at Night" special with significantly more expensive prizes, trips, and so forth. During a segment where everyone guesses the price of an Apple Vision Pro, even the closest bid was under by $2,000 or so, and the audience audibly groaned when they heard how expensive this device is—$3,500. I mean, this is a show where people get more excited over a coffeemaker than you'd think possible (and I'm saying that as someone who values their coffeemaker), so when even an audience on, "The Price is Right," can't get behind your product, that is saying something. Drew Carey even seemed surprised reading off the price tag.

I'm not exactly surprised the bids were low and the crowd was unenthused. I've always been skeptical of these virtual reality headsets and had extremely little excitement when this thing was announced back in 2023. If even Apple can't nail the whole virtual reality headset, "Trend," and they misfire, then perhaps this is a concept we should quit trying to make happen. That's my two cents, which is about how much I'm willing to spend on these VR headsets, as it is.

It's Not Just You, Honey Crisp Apples Have Become Increasingly Hit-or-Miss in Quality

I love apples. Our eldest child, Clarkson, is very picky about food but he'll eagerly eat apples. His little brother, Gibson, adores apples. My wife, Samii, is fond of apples as well. We have tried a variety and over time a clear favorite has emerged. We are big fans of the Honey Crisp apple. The thing is, over the years it has felt like some Honey Crisp apples just are not as good as they used to be. Is this in our head? Apparently, it is not, as a fascinating article by Genevieve Yam for Serious Eats discusses.

"How Honeycrisp Apples Went From Marvel to Mediocre," has Yam tracing the origin of the Honey Crisp apple to how attempts to greatly scale up production of the tasty fruit has at times impacted the quality. People trying to grow it in regions that aren't optimal for its biology, extensive storage times, and other factors have resulted in there being a risk that your Honey Crisp apple might not always have a delicious taste but instead be a bit weak and mealy--still better than a Red Delicious, though. I suppose in an attempt to meet the demand for the Honey Crisp apple it hurt the quality, a story that can sadly be applied to many products. It still is our household's favorite kind of apple, but I'll admit without hesitation that too many Honey Crisp apples these days for my liking are a disappointment once you chomp into them.

"Eternal Family," is the Weird Streaming Service I Didn't Know the World Desperately Needed

Look, I've complained about how there are too many streaming services. There are the mainstream ones that serve millions of folks like Netflix, Hulu, Prime, Disney+, Apple TV, HBO MAX/MAX, and more. There are niche ones too like, "Shudder," which focus on horror-based content or Crunchyroll with Anime. It is a lot, but I can appreciate how this variety is capable of resulting in something interesting too. Something strange. Something known as, "Eternal Family."

I was on Facebook and saw a weird ad full of random quirky clips. It said it was, "Eternal Family." It looked like the love child you'd get from the more esoteric shows on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim reproducing with the catalog of the cult movies brought back to life by Vinegar Syndrome. I did some research, and yeah, "Eternal Family is an offbeat streaming platform presenting hidden gems from the past and surreal entertainment." It has a bunch of old bizarre stuff, things the platform created with the talent involved in the service, and it is weird. The thing is, I'll always take weird over boring, so I checked it out.

Eternal Family has an app, a program you can access on Roku televisions, and a website. It offers a free 7-day trial and a subscription for $8 a month (or less if you buy a longer chunk of time). You navigate it like any other streaming service with its various genres of content. That's where it being like other streaming services ends, however.

There are old monster movies from foreign countries, strange television shows from the 90's. 80's comedies, low-budget and surreal horror movies. Short flicks, some anime, and a number of original content options, and it is all so random and entertaining. Back in the older days of the internet/Youtube/whatever you would just kind of stumble upon unique and cool things (there even was a website called, "Stumbleupon," for example). Now, of course, we go online to find something specific as quickly as possible. That is why search engines such as Google are so popular and Amazon with its nearly-infinite selection of items is massively successful. We want to find something fast and get it given to us even faster. That is all well and good, but Eternal Family evokes the feeling of just finding something cool. 

In an interview, the folks behind Eternal Family say, "It’s a bunch of weird stuff that you might not 'get' but makes me and my friends happy to watch." That's a great way to put it, but I'd argue there is enough variety to the stuff on, "Eternal Family," that anyone who tries it out will find something they get. Maybe a vintage silent film. Perhaps a T.V. movie titled, "Wishman," about a bioengineered creature featuring Linda Hamilton before she was in, "Terminator." A training video from the 90s about how to use a speed-bag could appeal too. Maybe entertainer and artist Kerwin Frost singing karaoke? What about a Latvian cartoon series for kids? These are all real options with, "Eternal Family," the strangest streaming service on the web. 

I'm unsure how Facebook knew to have a random ad for this streaming option appear to me (I mean, they probably studied my analytics and knew I'd like it, but yeah). I am happy I checked it out, however. Eternal Family is most definitely not for everyone, but it could be for anyone who wants something wild and different. Check it out, you'll be glad you did.

Haunted Apple Fanta Unfortunately Disappoints

The original, "Beetlejuice," is a classic of creepy and dark horror. Many people seem excited about the return of a bunch of the original cast (and some new folks) as we approach the release of the long-gestating sequel, "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice." Tim Burton is a hit-or-miss Director, but if this can recapture even a fraction of the wild weirdness in the first movie it should be a good time--I mean, Michael Keaton clearly is game. As makes sense for a big movie, there are various tie-in products. I saw one that caught my eye, a Fanta beverage. Titled, "Haunted Apple," and sporting a mysterious green color within the bottle, I bought it to try. Sadly, it was bad.

I don't drink sugary sodas 99% of the time now, having switched more to zero-sugar options, seltzer, etc. That said, every once in a while you want a Coke from Mexico (made with real sugar) or to try a new drink that isn't going to be around forever. I've had apple-flavored sodas before and thought a green apple soda from Fanta could be delightful! I took a swig and liked the apple sensation on my tastebuds...and then the weird spiced element hit me. Yes, this is like a cold spiced apple cider. I like a green apple flavor or a hot spiced cider, but a cold green apple cider? Pick a lane, Fanta, because you're swerving all over the metaphorical road right now, and it's nasty. I was extremely let down by this Haunted Apple soda, but at least we still have Jones for when you want a good fizzy apple drink.

1 out of 5 stars.

Apple Announced the Vision Pro and I (As Always) Have Thoughts

I've never been that interested in Virtual Reality headsets. If we could make VR work like the Holodeck in Star Trek, I'd be down for that--although everyone would be annoying to listen too as they remarked, "Hey, this is just the Holodeck!" This resulted in me not caring about Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, PlayStation Vr, or Cyberview Express. I made that last one up, but if you're as disinterested in VR as I am, you probably didn't even realize it. This long-winded intro leads me to discuss how Apple announced the Vision Pro today, and I gave a disinterested sigh to all of it.

Apple makes great products, there is no question about that. I am sure their, "Facial computer," which costs a whopping $3,500 will be of the highest quality and work spectacularly. It sounds like it will have lots of bells and whistles. I just don't care and never have been big on the idea of strapping a headset to my nogging even if it lets me be further immersed in virtual worlds, bring up data sheets, or whatever. I've changed my mind on stuff before--I used to "Not get," the Nintendo Switch before digging it. That said, I just had to give the Switch a chance to learn to love it. I've sampled VR and never found it especially appealing. The technology has its proponents, but lots of folk seem unsure about it. The comment section on Kotaku had folks remarking the fact this is an Apple product means it probably won't be able to do any PC games and it'll be walled in for just Apple games, products, and so forth. Some other people said the quiet part out loud about how this might really appeal to viewers of pornography--but that's always been a hush-hush aspect of VR--the big companies prefer it not be openly discussed even though I'd imagine that has at times helped spur a number of sales.

I imagine people with deep pockets who adore Apple and its products will eat this up. Massive corporations might give it a try to see how it helps optimize productivity (or other buzzwords). Will this have mainstream, appeal, however? I honestly cannot say as who knew the iPhone would become as massive as it did? Then again, the iPhone now can be had with various deals you cut via your phone provider for a more reasonable price. Apple's Watch is pretty popular too and I was unsure how it would do. Basically, I'm saying I know better than to ever bet against Apple (rare flop like Newton aside) and if anyone is going to finally crack the VR space it'll be them. That said, I'm just as hesitant to bet on Apple in this case too. Once this thing is for sale in 2024 or so and regular folks--well, regular folks with money to burn--can try it out that'll be the real test.