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Every year, thousands of product vendors, journalists, and gadget enthusiasts gather in an unreasonable city to gawk at mostly unrealistic products. To be of service to our readers, Ars has done the work of looking through hundreds of such items presented at the 2025 Consumer Electronic Show, pulling out the most bizarre, unnecessary, and head-scratching items.

While worrying about AI takeover might seem like a modern idea that sprung from War Games or The Terminator, it turns out that a similar concern about machine dominance dates back to the time of the American Civil War, albeit from an English sheep farmer living in New Zealand. Theoretically, Abraham Lincoln could have read about AI takeover during his lifetime. On June 13, 1863, a letter published in The Press newspaper of Christchurch warned about the potential dangers of mechanical evolution and called for the destruction of machines, foreshadowing the development of what we now call artificial intelligence—and the backlash against it from people who fear it may threaten humanity with extinction.

In 2019, astronomer Britt Lundgren of the University of North Carolina Asheville visited the Guggenheim Museum in New York City to take in an exhibit of the works of Swedish painter Hilma af Klint. Lundgren noted a striking similarity between the abstract geometric shapes in af Klint's work and scientific diagrams in 19th century physicist Thomas Young's Lectures (1807).

Apple recommends that everyone download the update.

Many of us from a young age gaze upwards and look at the moon. It’s cool, right? Being able to make out shades and even areas and craters with the naked eye is enthralling to kids. Or it was to me. I was less interested in stars and planets because you can’t see them as well.

My Oura Ring tracks my movement and rest across the day, and it is subtle enough to wear on any occasion. Rachel HosieThe Oura Ring is a fitness tracker popular among athletes, business execs, and celebrities. Fitness reporter Rachel Hosie has used one for four years and was originally attracted by its look.