Technology

The Northern Lights are putting on a show for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, delivering a beautiful display of light across several U.S. states. Here's how to watch the aurora borealis this week.

According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), this week's Northern Lights will be visible on Jan. 19 and linger through to the next day in some areas. Even so, you're best off catching the aurora on Monday if you're able, as it will be significantly less prominent later in the week. Those at higher latitudes will have a better chance of seeing the aurora, though the notable strength of this week's display means the Northern Lights may be visible as low as Alabama and northern California.

This wide range of visibility is because Monday's Northern Lights have been caused by the largest solar radiation storm in over 20 years, resulting in a particularly strong aurora. The SWPC has issued a severe G4 geomagnetic storm alert in response, warning that it may cause widespread problems with the power grid, and that GPS navigation and high frequency radio may also be inoperable for hours. Infrastructure operators and authorities have been notified about the expected disruptions.

Fortunately, the SWPC states that there isn't much the general public needs to do in response to the geomagnetic storm. All that's required is that you stay informed and, if weather permits, search for an aurora.

Credit: The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center How to get the best view of the Northern Lights

The easiest way to view the Northern Lights is to simply head outside during the night and look up. Auroras can be visible from over 600 miles away in the right conditions, so it's worth checking even if you're slightly outside the predicted zone of visibility. However, if you would like to give yourself the best possible conditions for viewing an aurora, there are a few factors to keep in mind.

According to the SWPC, the best time to see the Northern Lights is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., as the level of geomagnetic activity increases during this period. This is also the darkest time of night, providing the strongest contrast with the bright Northern Lights to make them more visible.

Choosing a viewing area with as little light pollution as possible will also enhance your experience. A Certified Dark Sky Place close to the U.S.-Canadian border would be an optimal choice, as all of them have been assessed and recognised for having minimal light pollution. If you can't make it to one, just try to reduce light pollution where you are.

What causes the Northern Lights?

While auroras take place in the Earth's atmosphere, they are actually the result of solar activity.

When a solar flare or coronal mass ejection occurs on the Sun's surface, large amounts of plasma and magnetic field are expelled from the outermost layer of its atmosphere. This creates a high-speed solar wind, or solar storm, which may travel through space to reach Earth. Depending upon the nature of the solar activity, the journey to Earth can take as little as a few minutes or as long as a few days.

Once the solar storm does reach Earth, most of it is reflected back out into space by Earth's magnetic field. However, not all of it is turned away. Some charged ion particles enter the magnetic field instead, then travel to Earth's polar regions where said field is weakest.

The charged ions then collide with oxygen and nitrogen atoms, creating chemical reactions which emit light: an aurora. The Northern and Southern Lights are both created in this same way. The only difference is that the aurora borealis is in the Northern Hemisphere, while the aurora australis is in the Southern Hemisphere.

Have you ever tried to plug your Roku into an HDMI port, only to wish you had an HDMI extender because it blocked an adjacent port or just didn’t fit right? Roku will actually give you a completely free HDMI extender, and it’s easier than you might think to claim it.

TL;DR: Pay $149.99 once (reg. $449.95) and get lifetime access to Jillian Michaels’ personalized fitness app—no subscription fees, no gym, just workouts that adapt to you.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jillian Michaels Jillian Michaels: The Fitness App (Lifetime Subscription) $149.99
$449.95 Save $299.96   Get Deal

Staying consistent with fitness is hard when workouts feel generic or disconnected from real life. Jillian Michaels: The Fitness App is built to change that by creating workouts that adapt to your goals, schedule, and fitness level instead of forcing you into a one-size-fits-all plan.

For a limited time, new users can get lifetime access for $149.99 (reg. $449.95) — turning a personalized, expert-led fitness program into a one-time investment rather than another monthly obligation.

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Built around a dynamic workout engine, the app creates personalized routines based on your fitness level, goals, available equipment, and even how much time you have.

What you get with lifetime access:

• 1,000+ workout videos, from HIIT and strength to targeted routines

• Personalized workout plans based on your goals and fitness level

• Audio-only workouts for walking, running, or outdoor training

• Pre- and postnatal programs designed for different life stages

• Advanced meal planner system to support overall wellness

• Meditations and self-care content for a more balanced approach

• Ability to swap or ban exercises you don’t like or can’t do

• Adjustable transition times between moves

• Option to select available equipment or go equipment-free

• Play your own music, with Beat Sync matching tempo to your workout

Instead of locking you into rigid routines, the app gives you flexibility — short workouts, longer sessions, quiet audio guidance, or full video coaching.

Get lifetime access to Jillian Michaels: The Fitness App while it’s just $149.99 (reg. $449.95).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Despite the polar temperatures in some parts of the country, Paramount+ is coming in hot this week with a lineup of movies I can get behind.

A major barrier for Linux adoption might finally be breaking down because a community developer has successfully patched Wine to run Adobe Creative Cloud installers. This means you can now install specific versions of Adobe Photoshop directly on Linux systems.

After a weekend of binge-watching a series or two, I like to slow things down for the week with a good movie or two. Netflix offers the deepest well out there, but who wants to spend 30 minutes hunting for something to watch?

Node.js 25.4.0, the newest Current branch release, is now available for download. This update focuses on transitioning many performance and debugging features out of experimental status and marking them as stable. So, this update is great for large, high-performance applications.

For years, PC builders have followed the “classic” airflow setup: pulling cool air in from the front (and sometimes the bottom), while rear and top fans push hot air out. But what if we’ve been doing it wrong all along, and a single top fan could be the reason your CPU is overheating and underperforming?

Bungie’s long-gestating follow-up project is finally getting a release date. Marathon is set to launch on March 5 for $39.99 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC.

The game marks Bungie’s first brand-new release since Destiny 2 in 2017, and a modern reimagining of its cult-classic 1990s IP. Set in the year 2850, Marathon casts players as Runners operating in three-person squads, dropping into hostile zones to scavenge loot while fending off both AI enemies and rival players. Unlike 1994’s Marathon, which was a linear, story-driven FPS, this version is firmly positioned as a PvPvE extraction shooter.

SEE ALSO: Yes, GTA VI is officially delayed again. Here's what we know.

Originally slated for a September release, Marathon was delayed last June following mixed-to-negative feedback from its alpha playtest. Players cited a cluttered UI, unexciting gunplay, and a pace that felt sluggish compared to other extraction shooters already on the market. The delay was framed as a chance for Bungie to rework core systems rather than rush the game out the door.

Around the same time, Marathon also ran into a plagiarism controversy after an independent artist discovered that in-game art assets, including decals and signage, closely matched their work. Bungie later confirmed the issue, and by December, the artist indicated on social media that she, the studio, and publisher Sony had reached an agreement to her satisfaction.

The stakes for Sony are high. After recent multiplayer misfires like Concord, the publisher has clear reasons to be cautious. Marathon now arrives nearly six months later than planned and launches into a market that’s already seen a breakout hit in Arc Raiders. Whether Bungie’s extraction shooter can carve out similar staying power remains to be seen — but after years of waiting, players will finally get their answer in March.

Luxury SUVs usually come with premium price tags, but in 2026 one Japanese-built model defies that trend by landing among the most affordable options in its class. While many rivals charge tens of thousands more for comparable refinement and features, this SUV delivers a genuinely upscale experience without the typical luxury price premium.

Termux is an incredibly powerful terminal emulator for Android. I previously showed you how to use it to download any media file, convert files, or ssh into another device. However, that barely scratched the surface. Here are even more awesome things you can do with a terminal window on your phone.

Want to watch college football this season? Here are your best options: BEST FOR ESPN ESPN Unlimited $29.99 per month for 1 year (save $15) Shop Now Best for Fox and Big Ten Fox One 7-day free trial, then $199.99 per year (save $39.89) Shop Now BEST FOR SINGLE GAME FuboTV 7-day free trial, then $54.99/month for 1 month (save $30) Get Deal Best for channels Hulu + Live TV 3-day free trial, then $76.99/month Shop Now Best for affordability Sling Season Pass $329 for 5 months (save $50.95) Shop Now BEST for INTRODUCTORY OFFER YouTube TV 5-day free trial, then $49.99/month for 3 months (save $99) Shop Now

It's no surprise that the Indiana Hoosiers have reached the college football playoffs final. They're ranked No. 1 and have an incredible 15 game winning streak this season with zero losses. They're favorites to win the National Championship for good reason.

The Miami Hurricanes are enjoying an incredible underdog run. Ranked at No. 10 and posting a 13-2 record, they've already scored playoffs wins against defending national champions Ohio in the Cotton Bowl Classic and Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl. It's been an exciting season full of surprises and unexpected stories. Can the CFP National Championship Game throw up one more twist? Be sure not to miss it.

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If you want to watch Indiana vs. Miami for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Indiana vs. Miami?

Indiana vs. Miami takes place at 7.30 p.m. ET on Jan. 19. This game takes place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.

Indiana vs. Miami is broadcast on ESPN.

How to watch college football in 2026

Fans can live stream college football on a wide range of recommended services, some of which include free trials so you can follow the action without actually spending anything.

ESPN Unlimited (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: ESPN ESPN Unlimited $29.99 per month for 1 year Shop Now

Channels: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, and ACCNX

ESPN Unlimited provides access to everything that ESPN has to offer. For college football, you get live access to games on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+, SEC Network, SECN+, ACC Network, and ABC. The Unlimited plan will set you back $29.99 per month, but for the first year, new subscribers can secure a bundle with Disney+ and Hulu for the same price.

Fox One (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Fox One Fox One 7-day free trial, then $199.99 per year Shop Now

Channels: Fox, FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network

Fox One provides access to live broadcasts on Fox, Fox Sports, FS1, FS2, and Big Ten Network. It costs $19.99 per month, but you can save $40 by opting for the annual plan at $199.99. You can also start with a seven-day free trial, so you've got the chance to watch select games without spending anything.

FuboTV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV 7-day free trial, then $54.99/month for 1 month Shop Now

Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NBCSN, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, and The CW

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and provides the opportunity to watch on 10 screens at once, if that's your thing. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

Fubo takes sports seriously, and that's something we appreciate. With the Pro subscription, you get access to most college football broadcasts. But hardcore fans may want to consider upgrading to the Elite plan, which unlocks access to ESPNU, SEC Network, Pac-12 Network, and ACC Network. Either way, we suggest you test the waters for seven days before you make any sort of commitment.

Hulu + Live TV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu + Live TV 3-day free trial, then $76.99/month Shop Now

Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, and The CW

Hulu + Live TV is not exactly cheap, but it does offer good bang for your buck. You need to cough up $76.99 per month (after a three-day trial), but you get access to over 95 live TV channels, plus Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ (all with ads). The included access to ESPN+ provides bonus access to even more college football games on top of live TV networks like ABC, FOX, ESPN, The CW, ACC Network, and more. Now that's value.

Sling (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Season Pass $329 for 5 months Shop Now

Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network

Sling is a comprehensive sporting service that offers a whole host of benefits, but you do need to be careful when selecting a plan. The Orange and Blue packages give you access to FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and more in local markets, but for access to ACC Network, SEC Network, Big Ten Network, and more, you'll need the Sports Extra package. We recommend checking your local market to ensure you get access to the channels you actually need.

YouTube TV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV 7-day free trial, then $49.99/month for your first 3 months Shop Now

Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, NBCSN, SEC Network, and The CW

YouTube TV provides access to over 100 live channels. Newsflash: that's a lot. This huge list includes most of the channels you actually need to watch live college football, including NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, and ESPN, plus networks like FS1 and SEC Network. YouTube TV also offers that all-important free trial so you can watch select games without spending anything.

How to watch Indiana vs. Miami from anywhere in the world

If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock your favorite streaming service. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., meaning you can unblock live streams of college football from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Indiana vs. Miami from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming service

5. Watch Indiana vs. Miami from anywhere in the world

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

Google Calendar is making a significant change for anyone who manages shared schedules or secondary calendars. Google is forcing all owned secondary calendars to remain visible in your settings list, replacing the old ability to simply unsubscribe or toggle them off.

Apple’s next front-facing redesign may hinge less on the Dynamic Island and more on where the selfie camera finally lands. According to a growing pile of leaks, the iPhone 18 Pro could move its front camera to a small punch-hole cutout in the top-left corner of the display, a noticeable break from Apple’s centered approach over the past few years.

SEE ALSO: Apple will refine Gemini for Siri use on its own, report says

As first reported by The Information, Apple is expected to introduce under-display Face ID on the iPhone 18 Pro models, allowing the TrueDepth sensors to sit invisibly beneath the screen. That would leave only the selfie camera visible, no longer requiring the pill-shaped cutout we know as the Dynamic Island.

Instead of centering that punch-hole, the leak suggests Apple may tuck the selfie camera into the top-left corner, where the clock currently sits. This aligns with earlier reporting that notes that leaker Digital Chat Station claims only the Pro models will receive this new under-display cutout area, while standard iPhone 18 models keep the existing Dynamic Island

MacRumors adds that if the selfie camera moves, the Dynamic Island may follow it. In a video from Jon Prosser, the Dynamic Island appears shifted to the top-left, expanding outward when needed for Live Activities, calls, or navigation.

If the rumors hold, the iPhone 18 Pro’s most visible change won’t be flashy software tricks, but a quieter repositioning of the selfie camera itself. We’ll likely find out which rumor wins when Apple officially unveils the iPhone 18 Pro later this year.

Solid State Drives (SSDs) seem to come with so many rules and caveats. Don't make them too hot, don't write too much to them, and don't fill them up all the way,

Mozilla has officially introduced a dedicated .rpm package for Firefox Nightly, making it simpler for users on RPM-based Linux distributions like Fedora and openSUSE to install and keep the browser updated. Linux users can now test the cutting edge of Firefox development much more easily.

SAVE 23%: As of Jan. 19, the Magic: The Gathering Foundations Jumpstart 2025 Booster Box is on sale for $101.56, down from $131.76, at Amazon. That's a 23% discount or $30.02 in savings.

Magic: The Gathering Foundations Jumpstart 2025 Boosters $101.56 at Amazon
$131.76 Save $30.20   Get Deal at Amazon

If you've ever tried to teach a newbie how to play Magic: The Gathering, you know the deck-building phase is usually where you lose them. With Magic: The Gathering Foundations Jumpstart 2025 Booster Box, you can skip the intros and get straight to the game.

SEE ALSO: Xbox is preparing to bring ads to cloud gaming

As of Jan. 19, the Magic: The Gathering Foundations Jumpstart 2025 Booster Box is down to $101.56 at Amazon. That’s roughly 23% off the list price. The current market price on TCGplayer is hovering around $95, so you're paying about a $5 premium here. Considering that includes Prime shipping (and you don't have to hunt down a specific seller), it's a pretty fair trade-off to get it to your door fast.

The box comes with 24 packs and covers 46 different themes, ranging from Goblins to Ninjas. The system is dead simple: you just grab two packs, shuffle them together, and you have a ready-to-play 40-card deck. It’s ideal for quick games, and since every pack comes with an anime-style alt-art card, it’s not a bad way to pad out your collection, either.

The Bugatti Tourbillon is one of the most beautiful cars in the world. The name, a tribute to a watchmaking innovation from the early 1800s, is fitting. It’s the effects of time that Bugatti understands well. One of the cars that inspired the Tourbillon, the “La Voiture Noire” Type 57 SC Atlantic, was lost to time after the tragic death of young Jean Bugatti in 1939.

SAVE 10%: As of Jan. 19, you can get the 11-inch Apple iPad Pro (M5) for $899.99, down from $999, at Amazon. That's a 10% discount, or $99.01 in savings.

Apple iPad Pro (M5) $899.99 at Amazon
$999 Save $99.01   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Apple.com

If you’ve been holding out for a price drop on Apple’s newest flagship tablet, the wait is over.

As of Jan. 19, you can get the 11-inch Apple iPad Pro (M5) for $899.99, down from $999, at Amazon. That's a 10% discount, or $99.01 in savings. While it was technically 99 cents cheaper back in November, this is still within a dollar of the all-time low and the best deal we've seen since the holidays.

SEE ALSO: The 4 best iPads of 2026: Which iPad should you buy in the new year?

We recently reviewed the M5 iPad Pro, and our Tech Editor, Timothy Beck Werth, called it a "victory lap" for Apple. It features the new M5 chip and an Ultra Retina XDR display (which is Apple's fancy term for Tandem OLED). It’s also absurdly thin at just 5.3mm and includes dedicated Neural Accelerators to handle on-device AI tasks without draining the battery. You'll also get a landscape 12MP Center Stage camera (finally in the right spot for video calls), a 12MP Wide back camera, and WiFi 7 for blazing-fast connections.

One quick tip from our testing: you might want to grab a microfiber cloth, because the Midnight Black finish is a magnet for fingerprints.

Sometimes TikTok is political. Sometimes it's practical. And sometimes it's just deeply silly.

The latter awaits you on your FYP in the latest trend to hit the platform: people impersonating owls. But reader, TikTokkers aren't just impersonating owls; they're also impersonating people impersonating owls.

SEE ALSO: TikTok says the era of 'delulu' is over. It's time to lock in to reality.

Take @lukefranchina for example, giving an impression of an owl if said owl was Jennifer Coolidge. It's spot on.

There's @diaryofdevin as an owl, if that owl's hips did not lie. And @the_nickdarnell presents an owl of Chris Tucker proportions.

Things are getting deeply specific, with @bemoregaytho doing a perfect impression of an owl untucking backstage at RuPaul's Drag Race while the judges deliberate.

And then there's @ashleybluedefxo who just runs the whole gamut of pop girly owls from Ariana Grande to Charli xcx.

Featured Video For You AI slop is killing the internet

Many on TikTok are also opting for impressions of owlish "hoo" sounds with various accents from around the world, which feels like risky business on thin ice. But there's plenty of fun, situational comedy rolling out — even Netflix is getting into it. At the time of writing, #owl has over 561,000 videos, which is slowly being taken over by impersonations of the noble nocturnal birds but still includes your regular TikTok owl content.

With the 24-hour news cycle being what it is of late, we're going to just lean into this outstandingly goofy TikTok trend with all the escapism of John Hamm on a dancefloor.