Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images Even with most of its autonomous vehicle fleet on ice, Cruise is still bleeding cash. The robotaxi company that is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors lost $435 million in the third quarter of 2024, GM reported this morning. That’s an improvement from the $791 million lost in the third quarter of 2023. It’s an instructive moment to check in with Cruise, because the company has been on hiatus since October 27, 2023, weeks after one of its driverless vehicles in San Francisco struck and then dragged a pedestrian over 20 feet, severely injuring her. Cruise has made small steps toward restarting its robotaxi service since then, with test vehicles on the roads in Arizona and Texas. It recently announced plans to deploy manually... Continue reading…

If you have a smartphone, you need a portable charger... and we can guarantee that every single person reading this right now has a smartphone. As impressive as battery life has gotten in recent years, you'll always run out of juice at the most inopportune times. That's where portable chargers come in, and the expert product reviewers at BGR tested 67 different models to find the best of the best. Our top picks Best overall: Anker Zolo Power Bank Runner-up: INIU BI-B41 Portable Charger Best for Apple users: Satechi Quatro Wireless Power Bank Best MagSafe option: Anker 633 MagGo Magnetic Battery Pack Best option with a built-in plug: Lezchi PB147AC Ultra Slim Portable Power Bank You absolutely cannot go wrong with any of the options above. If you want to learn more about what makes each one so impressive, you'll find our mini-reviews below. 1. Best overall: Anker Zolo Power Bank Anker Zolo Power Bank Rating: 5 Stars Go Beyond with 20,000mAh: Carry the power you need to charge your iPhone 15 up to 4 times or your Samsung S24 3.79 times, perfect for extended travel and long days.30W Two-Way Fast Charging: Charge quickly with 30W output and recharge just as fast with 20W input, keeping your devices ready in no time. Boost an iPhone 15 from 0 to 57% in just 30 minutes.Durability on Demand: Features a 5.98-inch built-in USB-C cable that's not only convenient but also extremely durable, designed to withstand over 10,000 bends. BGR may receive a commission BGR may receive a commission Shop Now Pros: Big capacity, compact design, 30W fast charging, built-in USB-C cable, LCD screen, Anker quality Cons: None If you want the best of the best, you can stop right here and just order yourself an Anker Zolo Power Bank. This portable charger is quite compact for a model with 20,000 mAh of capacity. That's enough to charge any smartphone many times over before the Zolo needs to be recharged itself. Also, this model supports fast charging speeds of up to 30W. That means it'll charge just as fast as if you plugged your smartphone or other device directly into the wall. We definitely appreciate the LCD screen on this model, which shows the remaining charge in the power bank. There's also a built-in USB-C cable to connect to most devices, as well as two other ports. That means you can charge your iPhone, your friend's Android phone, and your Bluetooth earbuds all at the same time. Last but not least, this is an Anker portable charger. That means you can rest assured that it's the best possible quality. There were no downsides that we found when testing this portable charger. It's as close to perfect as you can get. Anker - Shop Now 2. Runner-up: INIU BI-B41 Portable Charger INIU BI-B41 Portable Charger Rating: 4.5 Stars From INIU--the SAFE Fast Charge Pro: Experience the safest charging with over 38 million global users. At INIU, we use only the highest-grade materials, so we do have the confidence to provide an industry-leading 3 years iNiu Care.Market's Thinnest 10000mAh: The market’s one and only 0.5-inch power bank that breaks the limit of 10000mAh, easily slipped into any travel lover's pockets or bag. Enjoy the days’ worth of charging capacity, enough to top up iPhone 8 3.6 times, Samsung S22 1.8 times, or AirPods Pro 13.2 times. BGR may receive a commission BGR may receive a commission Shop Now Pros: Slim, lightweight, reliable, fast charging, multiple ports, large capacity Cons: No built-in cable The INIU BI-B41 Portable Charger might've been our top pick over the Anker Zolo Power Bank, but the Anker model edged it out in a few key areas. First and foremost, we love how slim and lightweight this portable charger is. It can easily fit in any bag or jacket pocket without taking up much space. You might even be able to fit it in your pants pocket. Despite how thin it is, this INIU charger has 10,000 mAh of capacity as well as three connector ports, so you can charge up all your gadgets at once. That being said, it would've been nice to have at least one built-in USB-C cable. Instead, you'll have to always carry at least one cable with you. This model also has indicator lights to show you how much remaining charge there is, but we prefer the percentage readout on the Anker charger's LCD screen. Also, the Anker model has twice the capacity, though it's also much thicker than this one. INIU - Shop Now 3. Best for Apple users: Satechi Quatro Wireless Power Bank Satechi Quatro Wireless Power Bank Rating: 4.5 Stars ALL-IN-ONE PORTABLE CHARGER – combines the best in wireless and portable charging with its modern power bank design, to power your iPhone, AirPods Pro or Apple Watch with an 10000 mAh battery capacity. Note: turn on the Quatro Power Bank by clicking on the side button onceRECHARGE YOUR APPLE WATCH – equipped with a built-in Apple Watch charger to wirelessly power your smartwatch at full-speed, no cables needed. Note: double click the side button to activate the Apple Watch and Qi charger when the power bank is turned onUSB-C PD FAST CHARGING – features USB-C PD to power your iPad Pro or fast charge your iPhone, up to 18W both input and output. With an additional USB-A port, there’s no need to decide who gets to use the charger first BGR may receive a commission BGR may receive a commission Shop Now Pros: Sleek design, charges four devices at once, large capacity, built-in Apple Watch charger Cons: Expensive, no built-in cable The Satechi Quatro Wireless Power Bank is the portable charger that I use personally, so I'm very familiar with this model. It's not perfect, but our testing found that it's definitely the best option for Apple users. The main benefit of this charger over rival devices is the fact that it has a built-in wireless charging disc for the Apple Watch. That means you can charge up your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch all at the same time, no matter where you are. Plus, there's a built-in Qi wireless charger for your AirPods or another compatible device. Satechi's Quatro model is nice and slim, and it has a very sleek design. The 10,000 mAh capacity can charge up your gadgets multiple times, and there are LED indicator lights to show you how much charge is remaining in the battery. The only real downsides are the price ($100) and the fact that it doesn't have a built-in cable. Satechi - Shop Now 4. Best MagSafe option: Anker 633 MagGo Magnetic Battery Pack Anker 633 Magnetic Battery Pack Rating: 4.5 Stars 2-in-1: The charger wirelessly charges your phone while the practical foldable stand props up your phone for easy viewing.Compact and Powerful: The 10,000mAh small-sized battery contains enough power to charge an iPhone 13 Pro 1.8 times*.Snap On, Power Up: Get a safe and secure wireless charge with the perfectly aligned strong magnets that snap onto your phone for a constant charge. BGR may receive a commission BGR may receive a commission Shop Now Pros: Large capacity, charges quickly, kickstand, extra port for multi-device charging, reasonable price Cons: She thicc Of all the MagSafe battery packs we tested, the Anker 633 MagGo Magnetic Battery Pack was our favorite. This model features 10,000 mAh capacity, which is double most other models in this price range. It has strong magnets for a secure connection to your iPhone, which is great. There's also a built-in kickstand, so you can prop up your phone and stream some videos while you charge. There's an extra port for wired charging, and it supports wired speeds up to 20W via USB-C. The only real downside is that this model is quite thick. For us, however, that's a very fair tradeoff for the 10,000 mAh capacity. If you want a thinner option that holds less juice, get the Anker 622 model instead. Anker - Shop Now 5. Best option with a built-in plug: Lezchi PB147AC Ultra Slim Portable Power Bank Lezchi PB147AC Ultra Slim Portable Power Bank Rating: 4.5 Stars LEZCHI Portable Power Bank is compatiable fair enough, you can charge all different models mobile phones and electronic devices. Not only that, it can also be used for tablet PCs, digital cameras, game consoles and so on.The slim and handy 10000mAh Li-ion high capacity battery with all in one compact design is easy to carry, extremely convenient for travel and daily use in charging electronic devices i.e. mobile phones, cameras and tablets. Users can take this portable power bank to travel around the world and fully meet the needs for charging mobile phones, cameras and tablets. BGR may receive a commission BGR may receive a commission Shop Now Pros: Built-in wall plug, built-in cables, ultra-slim, large capacity Cons: Some people say the built-in cables can break over time If you want a portable charger with a built-in wall plug, the Lezchi PB147AC Ultra Slim Portable Power Bank is our top pick. This ultra-slim power bank is well-designed and very portable. It can fit practically anywhere despite the large 10,000 mAh capacity. Also, in addition to the built-in AC wall plug that folds flush with the back of the unit, there are three built-in cables, so you don't have to carry any extras. The only potential downside there is that one of the cables has a Lightning connector instead of USB-C. That's fine if you have any old Apple devices, but it's obviously not future-proof since Apple switched to USB-C. As for downsides, some user reviews say that the built-in cables can break over time. We didn't experience that when we tested three different units, but it's something to keep in mind — especially if you're hard on your gadgets. Lezchi - Shop Now The post We tested 67 portable chargers to find the best ones appeared first on BGR. Today's Top Deals Trending Right Now: Best Buy’s massive Cyber Week sale is still going strong – here are the 10 best deals Netflix is releasing 53 new original movies and shows in December – here’s the complete list You can finally take the first step toward buying a PlayStation 5

Ahead of tomorrow's official launch, some journalists and media influencers have reviewed the upcoming iPad mini 7. With Apple Intelligence support, this is the iPad mini Pro people have always asked for. Here's what they think of this new tablet and whether it's worth it for you. With a better processor, Apple Intelligence and Apple Pencil Pro support, Engadget loved this new tablet. However, it's still a secondary display for them: "It’s definitely not meant to be a laptop replacement, like the much larger and more capable 13-inch iPad Air and iPad Pro I reviewed earlier this year. Instead, it’s an enjoyable secondary device that I mostly used after the workday was done, in place of my MacBook Pro or iPhone." Apple powers this tablet with the A17 Pro chip, almost the same used for the iPhone 15 Pro. However, MobileSyrup says it "barely" runs triple-A games: The new chip runs most iPad games and heavy-duty apps with ease, but it struggles to play AAA games like Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Resident Evil 4. Admittedly, this is pretty niche, but if Apple is only going to upgrade the iPad mini every three years, it’s pretty disappointing that this model can barely play big-name games. When I was trying to play AC, it was freezing and dropping frames constantly, which mirrors my experience using the A17 Pro chip with my iPhone 15 Pro. Mashable says double the storage and RAM are the key upgrades for this tablet: The big takeaways here are the big RAM increase and 128GB of starting storage, which is a huge upgrade as 64GB (the starting storage on the previous generation) was just cutting it way too close for comfort if you have a couple of games installed. MacStories says this tablet looks almost the same as the previous model, especially for the reviewer, who lives in Italy. Without Apple Intelligence, the iPad mini 7 feels like an important upgrade without an impressive change. Still, one issue with the previous model has been fixed with this generation: I’m happy to report that, in the new iPad mini, the jelly scrolling issue has been fixed without the need to change the underlying display technology of the device. The new iPad mini has an optimized display controller that ensures the entire panel will refresh at the same rate and speed. For this reason, even though it’s the same display across two generations with the same refresh rate, color gamut, pixel density, and brightness, the new iPad mini does not have one side of the screen that refreshes more quickly than the other. Wired review shows the iPad mini 7 is a "future-proof" iPad for anyone planning to upgrade: For newcomers or anyone with an older Mini, this is otherwise a great tiny tablet. With a modern chip that supports the latest software smarts and accessories, the iPad Mini has been future-proofed for the next few years. You can also read reviews by CNET, Trusted Reviews, and QG Magazine. iPad mini 7 reviews and hands-on videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy8czdynr4M&pp=ygULaXBhZCBtaW5pIDc%3D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1G-Ky_6GUXQ&pp=ygULaXBhZCBtaW5pIDc%3D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zZPnlZbMLk&pp=ygULaXBhZCBtaW5pIDc%3D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yr_cW5fm3-A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmyzeZmNcKs&pp=ygULaXBhZCBtaW5pIDc%3D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUXJ3kYgYfA&pp=ygULaXBhZCBtaW5pIDc%3D Don't Miss: The iPad mini Pro of your dreams is here thanks to these 8 features The post iPad mini 7 reviews: Big power, tiny tablet appeared first on BGR. Today's Top Deals Today’s deals: Apple Watch Series 10, Ninja Blender, Dreo space heaters, portable tire inflator, more Best Dyson vacuum deals of Prime Big Deals Days 2024 Today’s deals: $119 off iPad mini, $120 heated jackets, Energizer batteries, $30 Crock-Pot, more Today’s deals: Free LED smart bulbs, $64 off Black Titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2, $60 Keurig coffee maker, more

Turkish archaeologists have made a remarkable discovery at the ancient Greek city of Alexandria Troas, in Canakkale, a seaport city on the southern shore of the Dardanelles along the Aegean Sea in northwestern Turkey. What they have found are the ruins of a theater that is believed to be approximately 2,400 years old. Much of the theater is still underground and yet to be excavated, but the archaeologists are thrilled by what they have uncovered so far. Incredibly, this huge Greek theater is estimated to have seated up to 12,000 people. It is one of many spectacular archaeological finds in Canakkale, which is the home of multiple ancient sites, including the site where the legendary city of Troy was once located. A Cosmopolitan History The history of the region that is now Turkey is unique because of its location. It sits at what has been a crossroads for many civilizations for many centuries, and many of the people who arrived from elsewhere left a mark on the culture and in the archaeological record that is still being investigated today. Read moreSection: NewsHistory & ArchaeologyEuropeAncient PlacesEuropeRead Later 

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New York magazine and its star political reporter, Olivia Nuzzi, have decided jointly to "part ways" after reports that she had a personal digital relationship with a source while covering the 2024 campaign. The magazine said Monday that its own internal review and an...

A trove of lithium, a raw material critical for electric vehicle batteries, was found in Arkansas, researchers said.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has called Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Arizona the must-watch battleground states on election night, but the early returns now show trouble for his campaign in the aptly name Keystone State.

Vice President Kamala Harris allegedly lifted portions of a 2007 congressional testimony from a Republican colleague, according to a review of her past statements by the Washington Free Beacon.

This Crock Pot Creamy Potato and Ham Soup is so flavorful and perfect for leftover ham. Packed full of potatoes, ham, cream and seasoning! A DELICIOUSLY CREAMY CROCK POT SOUP This Crock Pot Creamy Potato and Ham Soup is a hearty, stick-to-your-ribs soup that is a whole meal and not just a prelude to the main course. Whenever I make ham, I make enough so that I always have leftovers for sandwiches and to make this soup! What is perfect about making this in the crock pot is the ham really has time to release a ton of flavor into the soup. We absolutely love this soup and you can just serve it up with some warm crusty bread and it makes the best dinner for those cool fall nights! FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: Do I have to use instant potatoes? No, if you don’t want to use instant potatoes in this recipe, you can omit them, but you’ll probably want to use something else to thicken the soup. If you don’t want to thicken this soup up using instant potatoes, you can make a cornstarch slurry of 3 Tablespoons of cornstarch with 3 Tablespoons of water. Whisk then add to the slow cooker. Stir and bring up to high heat until the soup has thickened to your likeness.  What can I use instead of ham? If you don’t have diced ham, you could use diced rotisserie chicken instead. Or you could throw in a couple of chicken breasts to this mixture. After they are cooked, take them out and dice them up. Can I make this soup ahead of time and reheat it later? Yes, you can definitely make this soup ahead of time! Once cooked, let the soup cool to room temperature, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to reheat, you can warm it on the stovetop over medium heat, in the microwave, or pop it back in the slow cooker. If the soup has thickened too much after being refrigerated, you can add a splash of broth or milk to loosen it up a bit. What are some good toppings or sides to serve with this soup? Some great toppings for Crock Pot Ham and Potato Soup include shredded cheese, crispy bacon bits, chopped green onions, or a dollop of sour cream. As for sides, warm crusty bread or a few pieces of Skillet Cornbread, a simple green salad, or Garlic Bread pair well with the hearty, creamy texture of the soup. Can I make this on the stovetop instead? Yes, you’ll prep all ingredients as you would the slow cooker version. Then toss everything in the pot and cook for about an hour or so on medium-low heat. Then mash the potatoes and add your instant potato flakes to thicken it up during the last little bit of cooking time. How do I store leftover soup? Once your leftover Slow Cooker Potato and Ham Soup has cooled down to room temperature, transfer leftovers to an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE) baby potatoes– you can swap these little potatoes out for Russet potatoes, if desired. I just wouldn’t use a waxy potato like a red potato – they don’t soak up the broth as well as other potatoes. small smoked ham– The ham gives this soup such great flavor and all of that gets infused as it cooks low and slow. Use leftover ham or buy a small smoked ham and dice it up. carrot and onion – you could also add diced celery if you like. dried parsley – this is optional. It adds color but if you don’t have it on hand, there’s no need to go buying it just to make this. dried thyme– I don’t think I love any herb quite as much as thyme. It is absolutely perfect for soups because it adds flavor without overpowering the other ingredients. chicken broth – if necessary, you can use a low or no sodium chicken broth or you can try your hand at making your own Homemade Chicken Broth. heavy cream – the heavy cream adds richness and thickness so it is best to use it. I suppose you could use milk but you won’t get the same level of creaminess. instant potato flakes– if you need a different swap for these, check out the Frequently Asked Questions section above to see what other suggestion I have. These add thickness as well as providing more of a potato flavor. Instant potato flakes are fabulous for thickening soups and stews! HOW TO MAKE CROCK POT HAM AND POTATO SOUP: In a 6 quart (or larger) slow cooker, add in cubed potatoes. Then place in diced ham. Next, toss in diced onions and carrots. Sprinkle with parsley, thyme and black pepper. Pour chicken broth over mixture. Then cover slow cooker with the lid and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Then, take out about 4 cups of the little potatoes and mash them up. Then put the mashed potatoes back into the slow cooker. Pour in heavy cream. This next part is optional but I love the texture that it gives the soup. It thickens it up just a little bit. Pour in one cup of instant potato flakes. Then stir well. Put the lid back on and cook for another 15 minutes. And serve! This is delicious served with a nice loaf of warm, crusty bread. Makes 12 (1 cup) servings. CRAVING MORE RECIPES? Crock Pot Creamy Tuscan Soup Crock Pot Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Crock Pot Leek and Potato Soup Crock Pot Chicken Pierogi Stew Crock Pot Taco Soup Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup Crock Pot Meatball Tortellini Soup Crock Pot Ham Mac and Cheese Crock Pot Salisbury Steak Crock Pot Mississippi Pot Roast Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken Crock Pot Meatloaf Crock Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup Crock Pot Swedish Meatballs 10 Crock Pot Mississippi Recipes Originally published: September 2015Updated photos and republished: October 2024 Print Crock Pot Creamy Potato and Ham Soup This Crock Pot Creamy Potato and Ham Soup is so flavorful and perfect for leftover ham. Packed full of potatoes, ham, cream and seasoning! Course SoupCuisine American Prep Time 10 minutes minutesCook Time 8 hours hoursTotal Time 8 hours hours 10 minutes minutes Servings 12 Calories 250kcal Author Brandie @ The Country Cook Ingredients3 pounds little potatoes, cut into quarters (about 6-7 cups)3 cups diced ham1 large carrot, diced1 medium onion, diced2 teaspoons dried parsley (optional)1 teaspoon dried thyme½ teaspoon black pepper6 cups chicken broth (can use low or no sodium)1 ½ cups heavy cream1 cup instant potato flakessalt (to taste) InstructionsIn a 6 qt (or larger) slow cooker, add in 3 pounds little potatoes, cut into quarters, 3 cups diced ham, 1 large carrot, diced and 1 medium onion, diced. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons dried parsley, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Pour 6 cups chicken broth over mixture. Cover slow cooker with the lid and cook on low for 6-8 hours.Then take out about half of the cooked potatoes and mash them up. Put the mashed potatoes back into the slow cooker.Pour in 1 1/2 cups heavy cream. Stir well. Slowly add in 1 cup instant potato flakes, a little at a time, and stir until it's reached your desired consistency (you may not use the full cup, it just depends on how thick you want the soup). Put the lid back on and cook on low for another 15 minutes. Taste and add salt (to taste). Notes Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions. NutritionCalories: 250kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 12g | Sodium: 829mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g