Archive of Our Own (AO3) is officially exiting beta. The Organization for Transformative Works — the nonprofit behind the fanfiction site — announced the update on Thursday, which comes 17 years after AO3’s launch in 2009.

“Since 2009, AO3 has grown and changed a lot,” the announcement says. “We’ve introduced many features over the years through the efforts of our volunteers and coding contributors, as well as the contractors we’ve been able to hire thanks to generous donations from our users.”

The post highlights some of the features that AO3 has since its launch, including a tagging system, fanworks downloads, privacy settings that allow creators to limit access to their work, and more. Just because AO3 is exiting beta, doesn’t mean the updates will stop flowing:

As the AO3 software has been stable for a long time, the change is mostly cosmetic and does not indicate that everything is finalized or perfectly working. Exiting beta doesn’t mean we’ll stop continuing to improve AO3—our volunteer coders and community contributors will still be working to add to and improve AO3 every day.

One of the most significant changes to the site is the absence of the tiny “beta” label inside the AO3 logo displayed at the top of the platform. (AO3 briefly changed the beta to “omega” for April Fools’ Day this year).

You can keep tabs on the updates coming to AO3 by viewing its projects on Jira

A bipartisan group of lawmakers wants to draw a clear line on where certain robots may operate in the United States. Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) recently introduced legislation that would ban the federal government from using robots made by foreign adversaries, a category that includes China but can also apply to other designated countries.

The proposal, called the American Security Robotics Act, targets unmanned ground systems. That includes humanoid robots and remote-controlled surveillance machines. The concern is not just what these robots can do. It is what they could be doing behind the scenes. Lawmakers say these systems are already being marketed to U.S. research labs, universities, law enforcement agencies and even consumers.

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Why lawmakers say these robots pose a risk

According to statements from the lawmakers involved, the core issue is security. Schumer warned that Chinese robotics companies could embed hidden access points inside their systems. These so-called backdoors could allow unauthorized access to sensitive data or even enable remote control. Lawmakers warn that these systems could include hidden access points or be vulnerable to remote control. Schumer said, “The Chinese Communist Party has shown that they are willing to lie and cheat to get ahead at the expense of the American people and our national security. They are running their standard playbook, this time in robotics, trying to flood the U.S. market with their technology, which presents real security risks and threats to Americans’ privacy and American research and industry.”

He said the Chinese government has a track record of prioritizing its own strategic goals over transparency, raising concerns about how that approach could extend into robotics.

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What the bill would actually do

The American Security Robotics Act focuses specifically on federal use. The bill targets countries designated as foreign adversaries, including Communist China, according to the lawmakers.

The legislation targets “unmanned ground vehicle systems,” including humanoid robots and autonomous patrol technologies used by federal agencies. If passed, it would block U.S. government agencies from purchasing or operating unmanned ground vehicles built by companies tied to foreign adversaries. That includes:

• Humanoid robots used in public-facing roles
• Remote surveillance robots
• Other automated ground systems used in government operations

It also blocks federal agencies from using these systems through contractors or funding their use through grants or agreements. Cotton said, “Robots made by Communist China threaten Americans’ privacy and our national security. Our bill will ban the federal government from buying and operating these devices made in countries that wish us harm.”

The operational ban would take effect one year after the law is enacted. The bill includes exceptions for national security, research, testing and certain law enforcement or intelligence activities under strict conditions.

The bill does not ban these products outright for consumers or private companies. Instead, it draws a boundary around government adoption where sensitive data and infrastructure are involved. Meanwhile, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) is introducing a companion bill in the House, signaling coordinated support across both chambers of Congress.

The timing matters as robotics competition heats up

This legislation comes at a moment when China is rapidly advancing in robotics. Recent demonstrations in Beijing showcased a new generation of highly capable robots, highlighting how quickly the technology is evolving. That momentum has raised alarms in Washington about falling behind while also importing potential risks. Stefanik said, “We must continue to promote and propel America’s robotics superiority while safeguarding our privacy and national security from adversaries.“

At the same time, U.S. companies are pushing forward. One example came when a humanoid robot from Figure AI recently appeared at a White House education summit alongside First Lady Melania Trump. She suggested robots like these could eventually play a role in education, hinting at how deeply this technology could integrate into everyday life.

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What this means for you

If you are not working inside the federal government, this bill will not directly affect what you can buy or use. Still, it signals something bigger. It does raise questions about how much access foreign-made devices could have to data inside your home or workplace. First, it shows that robotics is no longer just about convenience or innovation. It is now part of national security conversations. Second, it highlights growing concern about where your data goes when you interact with connected devices. That applies whether it is a robot, a smart home device or a surveillance system. Finally, it suggests that future restrictions could expand beyond government use if risks are confirmed or public concern grows.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

This is not just about robots walking through offices or classrooms. It is about trust. Lawmakers are drawing attention to a question that has followed other technologies before. Who built it, and who might still have access to it after it is deployed? As robotics becomes more common in public spaces, homes and workplaces, those questions will only get louder. The technology is moving fast. Policy is trying to catch up.

Would you feel comfortable interacting with a humanoid robot if you did not know who ultimately controlled its data?  Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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If you know where to look, you can often score deals on Apple’s ever-expanding AirPods lineup. Both the AirPods Pro 3 and the AirPods 4 (with and without ANC) now consistently receive discounts, as do the AirPods Pro 3. And while major shopping events like Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day have delivered some of the biggest price drops, there are still good deals to be found on every model — including the recently released AirPods Max 2.

Below, we’ve rounded up the best deals currently available on each set of AirPods, including both iterations of the AirPods 4 and AirPods Max, as well as the third-gen AirPods Pro.

At the end of 2024, Apple introduced the AirPods 4, a pair of wireless earbuds available in two variations: a $129 standard model and a $179 noise-canceling model. Both versions represent significant upgrades over the third-gen AirPods, with a more comfortable design and improved audio performance. They’re also better for taking calls thanks to Apple’s Voice Isolation feature, which focuses the mics on your voice so you can be heard more clearly in noisy environments.

The $179 AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation offer a surprisingly effective noise-canceling mode, a helpful transparency mode, and several other Pro-level features. The latest AirPods Pro do a better job of tuning out noise, but the AirPods 4 with ANC still do a good job of reducing sound. They also feature other perks formerly reserved for Apple’s top-of-the-line earbuds, including wireless charging and a case with a built-in speaker that allows you to easily track it down via Apple’s Find My app.

Given they’ve been out for over a year, we consistently see discounts for both iterations of the AirPods 4. During Black Friday, we saw the standard model drop to a new low of $74; however, right now, they’re only down to $119 ($10 off) at Amazon, Walmart, and B&H Photo. The AirPods 4 with ANC, meanwhile, are on sale for $154.99 ($24 off) at Amazon, Walmart, and Costco (for members), which is significantly more than their recent low of $99.

The best AirPods Pro 3 deals

At its “Awe Dropping” event in September, Apple introduced the AirPods Pro 3. In addition to improved ANC and sound, the third-gen earbuds include a built-in heart rate sensor that syncs with the iPhone Fitness app, allowing you to track your pulse and calories burned across more than 50 workout types. They’re also more comfortable and secure than their predecessor, thanks to a redesigned, angled fit and five ear tip sizes — including a new XXS option. Additionally, they carry a more robust IP57 rating and support Apple’s new live translation feature, which, in our testing, generally conveys the gist well but still can’t beat a human interpreter.

Given how recently they launched, we’ve been surprised by how often the AirPods Pro 3 have been discounted. In fact, last month we saw them drop to $199 ($50 off), which is $15 shy of their all-time low. Unfortunately, while they’re still on sale, they’ve since increased in price to $224 ($25 off) at retailers like Amazon and Walmart.

The best AirPods Max deals

The AirPods Max aren’t the iconic in-ears that have become synonymous with the AirPods name. Both the first-gen Max and the newer AirPods Max 2 are large and luxurious, comprised of aluminum, steel, and mesh fabric that remains comfortable during extended listening sessions. The original pair delivered clear, expansive sound, great noise cancellation, and lossless audio over USB-C; however, with the Max 2, Apple built upon that excellent foundation with improved ANC and a built-in amplifier for better sound. They also feature Apple’s newer H2 chip, enabling AI-powered live translation, adaptive audio, and other features once reserved for the AirPods Pro line. The over-ears aren’t the best noise-canceling headphones for everyone — blame the sticker price — but for iPhone users, they’re hard to beat.

The AirPods Max 2 retail for $549 — the same price as the original model — but you can currently save $20 on both the black and white versions at Amazon and Costco (if you’re a member), which is the first discount we’ve seen on the recently released headphones. If you’re okay with picking up the last-gen model, the original AirPods Max with USB-C are on sale in select colors for $399.99 ($150 off) at Woot through April 3rd, matching their best price to date. They’re also available in a wider range of hues at Amazon, Walmart, Target, and other retailers for $449.99 ($100 off), which is still a hefty discount.

Update, April 2nd: Updated to reflect current pricing and availability, as well as the recent release of the AirPods Max 2.