It’s relatively rare for a podcast to last 14 years, especially a fiction one. In fact, as far as I can tell, Welcome to Night Vale is the longest continually running fiction podcast out there. (Some will argue it’s actually We’re Alive, but that has taken a few significant breaks between seasons.) The story of Night Vale, the titular desert town, now spans 12 seasons, over 280 episodes, three books, and at least 10 live standalone shows. While dedicating several hundred hours of your life to listening to every episode might seem like a big ask, I believe you’ll be hooked once you dive in.
Technology
10 apps that will help make your New Year’s resolutions a reality
As we enter 2024, many of us have some goals and resolutions that we want to achieve in the new year. Whether it’s to improve our health, learn a new skill, or read more books, we all have something that we want to accomplish. But sometimes, it can be hard to stick to our resolutions and make them a reality. We might lose motivation, get distracted, or feel overwhelmed by the challenges that we face.
That’s why we’re here to help. We’ve compiled a list of apps that will help you make your New Year’s resolutions a reality. These apps are designed to help you with different aspects of your life, such as your mind, body, finances, and hobbies. They will also provide you with guidance, feedback, and support along the way. So, without further ado, here are 10 apps that will help you achieve your goals in the new year.
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1) Headspace to strengthen your mind
iPhone: 4.8 stars (at time of publishing)
Android: 4.5 stars (at time of publishing)
Headspace app (Headspace) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
The Headspace app can help you achieve your New Year’s resolutions of practicing mindfulness and meditation. You can access hundreds of tailored sessions, courses, and exercises for various topics, such as stress, sleep, focus, and happiness. Headspace can help you improve your mental health and well-being in 2024. You can try Headspace for free for 10 days and cancel anytime. Headspace offers discounts for students, educators, and health care professionals.
2) Duolingo to learn a new language
iPhone: 4.7 stars (at time of publishing)
Android: 4.7 stars (at time of publishing)
Duolingo app (Duolingo) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
If your New Year’s resolution is to learn a new language or improve your existing skills, the Duolingo app can help you accomplish your goals. With this app, you can set your own goals and track your progress as you learn from over 40 languages, including Spanish, French, Japanese, and more. Duolingo makes learning enjoyable and effortless with bite-sized lessons, games, and stories that fit your schedule and level. You can also use Duolingo for free with some limitations, such as ads, fewer lessons, and no offline access.
MORE: TOP 10 FUN AND FUTURISTIC TECH THAT DAZZLED 2023
3) Serial Reader to read more books in less time
iPhone: 4.8 stars (at time of publishing)
Android: 4.8 stars (at time of publishing)
Serial Reader app (Serial Reader) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
If one of your New Year’s resolution goals is to read more books, you might want to check out Serial Reader, a mobile app that delivers bite-sized portions of books to your phone every day. The app lets you choose from over 700 classic books, from “Pride and Prejudice” to “War and Peace,” and sends you a 10-minute portion of the book every day. You can read at your own pace, adjust the font size and theme, and sync your progress across devices. You can also earn achievements and badges as you complete books and challenge yourself to read more.
Serial Reader is a great way to discover new books, revisit old favorites, or catch up on the classics you’ve always wanted to read. It’s also a fun and easy way to make reading a habit and a part of your daily routine. You can start reading for free, or upgrade to Serial Reader Premium to unlock more features, such as offline reading, highlighting, notes, and more.
iPhone: 4.6 stars (at time of publishing)
Android: 4.4 stars (at time of publishing)
Yousician app (Yousician) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
If your New Year’s resolution is to learn and master musical instruments or vocals the Yousician app can help you do just that. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, you can find the right lessons and songs for you. You can also practice with real-time feedback, track your progress, and challenge yourself with new goals. The app supports guitar, piano, ukulele, bass, and singing. You can choose from various genres, styles, and levels of difficulty.
The app is free to download and use, but it has some limitations. You can only access a limited number of lessons and songs per day, and you can only use one instrument at a time. If you want to unlock unlimited access to all the features and content, you need to subscribe to the premium plan.
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5) Fitness Buddy to help get in shape
iPhone: 4.8 stars (at time of publishing)
Android: 3.7 stars (at time of publishing)
Fitness Buddy app (Fitness Buddy) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Fitness Buddy is a mobile app that can help you achieve your fitness goals in 2024. Whether you want to lose weight, build muscle, or improve your health, Fitness Buddy has everything you need to get started and stay motivated. You can choose from over 4000 exercises, 1000 workouts, and 75 training plans, or create your own custom routine. You can also track your calories, macros, and water intake, and sync your data with other fitness apps and devices. Fitness Buddy also provides you with tips, videos, and articles from experts and coaches to help you learn new skills and techniques. You can download Fitness Buddy for free, but you can also upgrade to Fitness Buddy Premium to unlock more features, such as HD videos, advanced stats, and unlimited access to all content.
6) QUITNOW to kick the smoking habit
iPhone: 4.7 stars (at time of publishing)
Android: 4.6 stars (at time of publishing)
QUITNOW app (QUITNOW) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
If one of your New Year’s resolution goals is to quit smoking, you might want to try QUITNOW, a mobile app that helps you break free from nicotine addiction. QUITNOW is an app that tracks your progress, shows you how much money you save, and rewards you with achievements and health benefits as you quit smoking. You can also join a community of over 2 million quitters, chat with other users, and get support and advice from experts and coaches. QUITNOW is a free app, but you can upgrade to QUITNOW PRO to access more features, such as personalized plans, motivational quotes, and advanced stats.
7) Todoist to help organize tasks and goals
iPhone: 5.0 stars (at time of publishing)
Android: 4.4 stars (at time of publishing)
Todoist app (Todoist) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Todoist is a mobile app that can help you organize your life and achieve your New Year’s resolutions in 2024. Todoist lets you create tasks, projects, and subtasks, and assign them due dates, priorities, and labels. You can also sync your tasks across devices, collaborate with others, and integrate with other apps and services. Todoist also gives you feedback, reminders, and statistics to help you stay motivated and productive. Todoist is free to download, but you can upgrade to Todoist Premium, or Todoist Business, to access more features, such as comments, attachments, filters, and templates.
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iPhone: 4.8 stars (at time of publishing)
Android: 4.6 stars (at time of publishing)
YNAB app (You need a budget) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
The YNAB app is a great mobile app for helping you create a budget, plan your spending, and save more money in 2024. YNAB lets you connect your bank accounts, credit cards, and loans, and track your transactions and balances. You can also set goals, assign categories, and prioritize your expenses. YNAB also provides you with reports, feedback, and coaching to help you improve your financial skills and habits. YNAB is not free, but you can get a 34-day free trial to use the app.
iPhone: 4.8 stars (at time of publishing)
Android: 4.2 stars (at time of publishing)
Skillshare app (Skillshare) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Skillshare is a great app for helping you keep your New Year’s resolution of learning something new. You can discover new passions, hobbies, and interests with the app. You can access thousands of online classes on various topics, such as photography, design, business, and more. You can also watch videos, do projects, and get feedback from experts and peers. The app also offers live sessions, workshops, and challenges to keep you motivated and engaged. The app is perfect for anyone who wants to learn something new, explore their creativity, or advance their career.
The app is free to download and use, but it has some limitations. You can only watch a limited number of classes and videos per month, and you can’t access the premium features and content. If you want to unlock unlimited access to all the classes, videos, and features, you need to subscribe to the premium plan.
10) Lumosity to sharpen your brain
iPhone: 4.7 stars (at time of publishing)
Android: 4.5 stars (at time of publishing)
Lumosity app (Lumosity) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to improve your cognitive skills and mental fitness? Well, then the Lumosity app might be worth downloading. Lumosity is a brain training app that offers personalized and adaptive exercises that challenge your memory, attention, speed, flexibility, and problem-solving abilities. You can track your progress and compare your results with others. Lumosity also provides insights and tips on how to optimize your brain health and performance. Whether you want to sharpen your mind, boost your productivity, or have fun, Lumosity could be the app for you. Lumosity has different subscription plans to suit your needs and budget. You can try Lumosity for free for 7 days and cancel anytime.
Kurt’s key takeaways
These are some of the apps that can help you achieve your New Year’s resolutions and make 2024 your best year yet. The most important thing is to stay committed, consistent, and positive, and you will see the results you want. Remember, you have the power to change your life for the better, and these 10 apps are here to help you along the way. I wish you all the best and hope you have a wonderful new year.
What are some of the benefits and challenges you’ve faced by using apps like these to achieve your New Year’s resolutions in the past? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
For more of my tech tips & security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.
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The second US sphere would be built in an area known as National Harbor in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Located along the Potomac River, National Harbor currently features a convention center, multiple hotels, restaurants, and shops. While Abu Dhabi plans to build a sphere as large as the one in Las Vegas, the National Harbor venue would be one of the first mini-Sphere venues announced last March.
Its capacity would be limited to 6,000 seats instead of over 17,000. But the smaller Sphere would still be hard to miss with an exterior LED exosphere for showcasing the “artistic and branded content” that helped make the original sphere a unique part of the Las Vegas skyline.
The inside of the mini-Sphere will feature a high-resolution 16,000 by 16,000 pixel wrap-around screen, the company’s immersive sound technology, haptic seating, and “4D environmental effects.” For the AI-enhanced version of The Wizard of Oz currently playing in Las Vegas, audiences experience effects like wind, fog, smells, and apples falling from the ceiling.
The mini-Sphere will potentially also be cheaper to build than the $2.3 billion original, but its construction is contingent on the “receipt of certain governmental incentives and approvals from Prince George’s County and the State of Maryland.” Sphere Entertainment says the project “would utilize a combination of public and private funding, including approximately $200 million in state, local, and private incentives,” but would potentially generate millions of dollars in revenue for the country and state while supporting over 4,700 jobs once it opens.
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The Apple iPhone is the most popular smartphone in the United States and one of the most widely used devices in the world. An estimated 1.6 billion people rely on iPhones every day. That massive user base also makes the platform a prime target.
Over the past few weeks, Apple has been sending out warnings about a serious security flaw. New data suggests the risk could affect roughly half of all iPhone users.
That puts hundreds of millions of devices in potential danger right now.
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WHATSAPP WEB MALWARE SPREADS BANKING TROJAN AUTOMATICALLY
Apple is warning iPhone users about a serious Safari security flaw that could leave hundreds of millions of devices vulnerable if updates are delayed. (Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images)
What Apple discovered in Safari and WebKit
Late last month, Apple confirmed two critical vulnerabilities in WebKit. WebKit powers Safari and every browser that runs on iOS. According to Apple, the flaws were used in an extremely sophisticated attack that targeted specific individuals. The problem allowed malicious websites to trick iPhones and iPads into running harmful code. Once that happens, attackers could gain control of the device, steal passwords or access payment information. In simple terms, visiting the wrong website could have been enough.
Why millions of iPhones are still exposed
Apple moved quickly to release a fix. The patch is included in the latest software update. The problem is that many people have not installed it yet. Estimates suggest that about 50 percent of eligible users have not upgraded from iOS 18 to iOS 26. That would leave around 800 million devices vulnerable worldwide. Data from StatCounter paints an even worse picture. It estimates that only 20 percent of users have updated so far. Once security details become public, the risk grows fast. Attackers know exactly what to exploit.
iPhone and iPad models at the highest risk
Apple says the following devices are affected if they are not updated:
- iPhone 11 and later
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later
- iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later
- iPad Air 3rd generation and later
- iPad 8th generation and later
- iPad mini 5th generation and later
If your device appears on this list and you have not updated it, it is vulnerable.
INSTAGRAM PASSWORD RESET SURGE: PROTECT YOUR ACCOUNT
New data suggests nearly half of all iPhone users worldwide may still be exposed to a critical WebKit exploit Apple says was actively used in attacks. (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Why upgrading is the only real protection
There is no setting to flip and no safe browsing habit that fixes this issue. The vulnerability lives deep inside the browser engine. Security experts say there is no workaround or user behavior that meaningfully reduces the risk. Installing the latest software is the only effective defense. Apple is no longer offering a security-only update for users who want to stay on iOS 18. Unless your device cannot run iOS 26, the fix is only available through iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2.
Steps to update your iPhone or iPad now
Updating is quick and usually painless. If automatic updates are enabled, the fix may already be installed.
If not, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on iPhone
- Tap General
- Select Software Update
- Download and install iOS 26.2 or iPadOS 26.2 or later
Make sure your device is connected to Wi-Fi and has enough battery life or is plugged in.
Pro tip: Use strong antivirus software
Keeping your iPhone updated is critical, but it should not be your only line of defense. Strong antivirus software adds another layer of protection by scanning malicious links, blocking risky websites and alerting you to suspicious activity before damage is done.
This matters even more when attacks rely on compromised websites or hidden browser exploits. Security software can help catch threats that slip through and give you extra visibility into what is happening on your device.
Think of it as backup protection. Software updates close known holes, while strong antivirus tools help guard against the next one.
Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.
FAKE ERROR POPUPS ARE SPREADING MALWARE FAST
Apple says malicious websites could exploit a Safari flaw to steal passwords or payment information from unpatched iPhones and iPads. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Kurt’s key takeaways
Apple rarely uses language like “extremely sophisticated” unless the threat is serious. This flaw shows how even trusted browsers can become attack paths when updates are delayed. Waiting weeks or months to update now carries real consequences. If you use your iPhone for banking, shopping or work, this update should be treated as urgent.
How long do you usually wait before installing major iPhone updates, and is that delay worth the risk anymore? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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The show is written by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor, who draw heavily on the work of H.P. Lovecraft. Every season has its own arc, but broadly, the show tells the story of a town that exists in an alternate version of Earth. In this town Angels are real, but acknowledging their existence is illegal; librarians are dangerous creatures with “thousands of spiny legs” and “pincers”; and there is a Faceless Old Woman who secretly lives in your home.
These are clearly unsettling concepts when taken at face value. But rather than trying to scare the listener, Cranor and Fink lean into the natural absurdity of cosmic horror and refuse to take themselves too seriously. They also routinely subvert the bigotry of their inspiration, using Lovecraftian creations to tell stories rich with LGBTQ+ characters.
Of course, having well-written scripts and telling a compelling story is only part of the equation. What elevates Welcome to Night Vale to true greatness is the cast, especially narrator Cecil Baldwin, who plays the host of the central radio show, Cecil Palmer. Cecil’s voice has the gravitas to tell ominous stories of secretive government agencies and ancient gods. But he has the range to deliver light-hearted banter with a sentient patch of haze (her name is Deb, in case you were wondering).
Cecil Baldwin has the charisma to make even the reading of a repair manual for a toaster compelling. He can be creepy, funny, or soothing, often all within the same episode. (For this reason, I don’t suggest listening to Night Vale at night. I have fallen asleep to the dulcet sounds of Baldwin’s voice several times, only for the more unsettling parts of the show to make their way into my dreams.)
Every episode also features a musical interlude in the guise of “The Weather.” The show mostly features lesser-known artists, but alumni include Jason Isbell, The Mountain Goats, Waxahatchee, Angel Olsen, Open Mike Eagle, and Sylvan Esso.
Welcome to Night Vale is also a great way to introduce younger listeners to horror. I would never suggest my eight-year-old read H.P. Lovecraft. Partly because the man’s unrepentant racism is baked into the very fabric of his stories, but also because the violence is often too much for children. Night Vale, on the other hand, takes those horrors and exposes them for what they are: entertainment. I can put the podcast on, bond with my kid over their burgeoning love of all things creepy and weird, and trust that they’ll walk away with a good message.
Welcome to Night Vale is available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Pocketcasts, YouTube, and Spotify.
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