The Coolest New Apple Device Coming Out This Fall

Apple wrapped its latest, and likely biggest, product launch event of 2026 on Wednesday. They unveiled their first foldable phone, dubbed the iPhone Duo. It’s two devices in one: A pocketable phone and a mini tablet. That two-for-one mentality may also make it easier for you to stomach the $2,000 price tag. The external screen measures 5.4-inches on the diagonal, which is about 90% the size of the 6.3-inch standard iPhone. Unfolded, you get a 7.6-inch display. You can unfurl the phone halfway to create a tripod effect for the rear cameras. Set it on a table and not only will you be able to get a steady shot, but an AI-enabled Smart Take feature will take the picture automatically when everyone is in position. The external screen lets you frame up selfies too, using the more powerful rear lenses to snap the shot. The most intriguing camera feature is Duo FaceTime, which lets the person you're talking to see both you and what you're looking at, and allows others in the room to participate in the call using the rear screen. Apple redesigned the software and customized apps to automatically adapt the screen to how you're holding the phone, whether that's landscape, portrait, open or closed. With the Duo unfolded, you can take advantage of multitasking features that let you open two apps side-by-side. The Duo can even go into StandBy mode when it's not charging. Prop it on your night table like a tent for an alarm clock mode or stand it up like a book on your desk to see the dashboard and notifications. The iPhone Duo will be open for pre-orders starting on October 16, with orders expected to ship October 23. The price starts at $1,999 for 256GB of storage and goes up to an eye-watering $3,199 for 2TB of storage.

 

 

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The St. Louis Gateway Arch is Going Dark All Month

St. Louis sits along the Mississippi Flyway — a corridor used by about 40% of the nation’s migratory waterfowl — which makes the city’s glow especially costly. Birds often mistake the glow of the arch for a celestial object, becoming confused and disoriented. That’s why the Gateway Arch is going dark for the month of September. The National Park Service has been doing this every spring and fall since 2002, and it has helped save millions of birds. About 80% of birds migrate overnight. They prefer migrating at night because they can use celestial objects like stars for guidance, and there are also fewer predators awake and active in the overnight hours. The 630-foot-tall Gateway Arch is typically lit by 76 exterior lighting units that illuminate the monument at night. It's also capable of displaying 44 different color variations for special events and awareness campaigns. 

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Betty Crocker Cake Purses Are the Hot Accessory Nobody Saw Coming

Forget statement bags shaped like flowers or fruit. This season's “it” accessory looks like it came straight off a cooling rack, and who doesn't love no-calorie dessert fashion? Betty Crocker, the 105-year-old baking brand best known for boxed mixes, frostings and that red spoon logo, just dropped a trio of cake-slice handbags, and social media is obsessed. The Betty Ate Collection features three purses shaped like frosted cake slices: Yellow Cake, Triple Chocolate Fudge, and Strawberry, each modeled after Betty Crocker’s actual mix packaging. Each bag comes with a cake-stand base, a red-spoon zipper pull signed “xo, Betty,” and interchangeable charms like birthday candles, chocolate swirls, and strawberries, so you can accessorize your accessory. Included in the beautiful bright red gift box is a box of matching Betty Crocker cake mix and frosting. At $89 a pop, they're priced to sell out fast. 

 

 

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Never Throw Away Leftover Rice Again

Whether you've ordered too much Chinese takeout or gone a little overboard making rice for a dish at home, there’s no need to toss your leftover rice. You may be one of those people who didn’t know that you can freeze it, but now you do. One rice packet from the store holds about two cups, so you can freeze your leftover rice in one- or two-cup bags. That way, you always have rice on hand for fried rice, casseroles, and bowls. It takes just a few minutes to bag it up.

• 1. Let hot rice cool before you bag it up. Spread it on a rimmed sheet pan to speed up the cooling.
• 2. Measure the rice.
• 3. Bag the rice in one- or two-cup increments.
• 4. Label and date the bag so you know the type and amount of rice.
• 5. Freeze for up to 2 months.
• 6. Thaw the bag on the counter for 2 hours or in the refrigerator overnight.
• 7. To microwave, break the ice into chunks and microwave in a covered microwave-safe bowl for 2-3 minutes.

 

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