After the midterms, HVAC fights shift to the states
The midterms reshaped a lot of state maps, but the Senate's 60-vote math barely moved, so big federal HVAC bills stay hard to pass. Industry groups say the next fights will be in state houses, where a Clean Heating Coalition map flags 14 states for natural-refrigerant heat-pump lobbying, including R-290. Contractors worry that could force another refrigerant transition before they've finished settling into A2L refrigerants like R-32 and R-454B.
If you're shopping for a new system, ask your installer which refrigerant it uses and why. Refrigerant work is never DIY. If your current system is acting up, I offer a $79 diagnostic or a $79 tune-up.
Source: ACHR NEWS
Apple's new OLED iPad mini is thinner, lighter and water-resistant
The new iPad mini packs an OLED screen into a thinner, lighter body with IP67 water resistance and Acoustic Display speakers that fire through the screen. Reviewers love the screen and portability. The gripes: it still runs at 60Hz, and the asking price is stiff. Shipping is around November 6.
If you want a small tablet for recipes or blueprints around the house, this one's finally got a modern screen. Wait for hands-on reviews if the stiff price bothers you.
Source: The Guardian
FCC is still weighing a ban on thermal, LiDAR and spray drones
The FCC's national security counsel said a ban on previously approved foreign "military-grade" drones is still under review. Categories in play include thermal, LiDAR, spray, swarming, docking and heavy drones, which could hit sales of popular consumer models like the Mini 5 Pro and Air 3S. Existing owners would keep flying. Dealers want a longer sell-through window than the proposed 180 days.
If you already own a drone, keep flying under current FAA rules. If you're shopping, wait for official FCC word before you buy.
Source: DroneXL
Vercel binds login sessions to your device so stolen cookies fail
Vercel is rolling out Device Bound Session Credentials, which tie a login session to a private key stored in your device's TPM. Even if malware steals the session cookie, it can't be replayed on another machine. It starts in Chrome on Mac and Windows and rolls out gradually.
Use a password manager with unique passwords, turn on 2FA everywhere that offers it, and sign out of shared or public computers.
Source: BleepingComputer
OpenAI ships Images 2.6 with native GIFs and faster generations
Images 2.6 is live in ChatGPT and Codex for everyone. You can create animated GIFs, tweak frames and speed, and generations land roughly half as fast as before. It's meant for quick creative work, not just stills.
Fun for family party invites and kid crafts. Don't paste private home docs or kids' faces into any AI image tool you wouldn't want public.
Source: OpenAI
Viture Pro 2 XR glasses give the Mini 5 Pro a near-goggle view
The DJI Mini 5 Pro never got official DJI goggles. A November 4 demo plugged Viture Pro 2 XR glasses into the RC 2 with one cable; the glasses draw power from the controller. You get a huge virtual screen while still seeing the world and the RC screen underneath. It's immersive, but not a true FPV goggle replacement.
Keep the drone in sight and follow FAA rules. Glasses don't change that.
Source: DroneXL / Air Photography
Safety reminder from me
Cold nights are when furnaces, water heaters and space heaters work hardest. If you smell gas, leave the house first and call your gas company from outside. Never open up gas lines, refrigerant lines or your electrical panel yourself. For anything electrical inside the panel, call a qualified electrician. For heating trouble, I can help with a $79 diagnostic or a $79 tune-up.
