Technology
Air taxis in the US could launch this summer
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For years, air taxis felt like one of those “almost here” technologies. You have seen the sleek designs. You have heard the promises. Quiet flights. Lower costs. No traffic. And yet, nothing.
Now, that might actually change. A new federal push could put electric air taxis in the sky as early as this summer. Not everywhere. Not at full scale. But in enough places to make this real for the first time. This is the first program of its kind designed to bring air taxis into everyday U.S. airspace.
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Joby’s long-tested aircraft is nearing final FAA approval and could be among the first to carry passengers in U.S. air taxi services. (Joby Aviation)
What exactly is an air taxi?
An air taxi, also called an eVTOL, is a small electric aircraft that can take off and land vertically. Think helicopter without the noise and cost. These aircraft are designed to move people short distances across cities or regions. You could skip traffic entirely and fly from one part of a city to another in minutes.
The pitch is simple:
- Faster than driving
- Cheaper than helicopters
- Cleaner than traditional aircraft.
It sounds great. But getting there has been anything but simple.
Why air taxis are still waiting on FAA approval
The biggest hurdle has not been technology. It has been regulation. The FAA requires commercial aircraft to meet extremely high safety standards. We are talking about failure rates closer to commercial airlines than cars.
That creates a problem. Traditional aircraft follow well-known designs. eVTOLs are completely new. They take off vertically, then transition into forward flight. That adds complexity and risk.
Companies like Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation and others have spent years testing. Some have logged thousands of flights. Still, full approval has remained just out of reach.
How the FAA is fast-tracking air taxis in the U.S.
Now comes a major shift. The government has launched a new initiative called the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program. The goal is to speed things up without lowering safety standards.
Instead of waiting for full nationwide approval, companies can begin limited operations in specific areas. This rollout breaks from the old all-or-nothing approval model. Instead of waiting years for full certification, companies can now prove safety in real-world conditions and expand from there.
Eight pilot programs have been approved across the country, including:
- New York and New Jersey, with flights from Manhattan heliports
- Texas connecting cities like Dallas, Austin and San Antonio
- Florida testing passenger flights, cargo and medical use
- North Carolina and Virginia are exploring autonomous operations.
PRIVATE AUTONOMOUS PODS COULD REDEFINE RIDE-SHARING
eVTOL Integration Pilot Program sites. (U.S. Department of Transportation)
These pilot programs span 26 states, creating one of the largest real-world test environments for next-generation aircraft. These aircraft will not just carry passengers. They will support cargo delivery, emergency medical response and regional transportation. Data from these pilot programs will help the FAA create new rules to safely expand air taxi use nationwide. That last part matters more than it seems.
“This is the clearest sign yet from the White House, the FAA and the DOT that bringing air taxis to market in the United States is a real priority,” said Adam Goldstein, founder and CEO of Archer. “We appreciate Secretary Duffy and Administrator Bedford’s leadership and are excited to bring Midnight to the skies of some of America’s largest cities.”
Why air taxis are part of a U.S. vs China aviation race
This push is not only about getting you across town faster. It is also about keeping up. China has already moved ahead in drones and air mobility. Companies there have been running real commercial passenger flights since 2023.
Meanwhile, drones have changed modern warfare and logistics. They are cheap, effective and scalable. The U.S. wants to lead again. That means accelerating innovation across civilian and military systems. Air taxis are one piece of that bigger strategy.
The autonomy factor no one is talking about enough
Here is where things get even more interesting. Many of these aircraft are designed to become autonomous. At first, you will likely see pilots on board. But long-term, the goal is to remove them. Why? Pilots add weight. They increase the cost. They limit scalability.
Companies are already testing highly automated systems that can handle complex flight decisions in real time. That means the version of air taxis you see in the next few years may not be the final version.
What this means for you
This is where it gets real. Air taxis will not replace your car overnight. But they could start changing how you think about getting around. Here is how it could impact you:
Shorter commutes in crowded cities
If you live near a major metro area, you may soon have a new option that cuts travel time dramatically.
Faster emergency response
Medical flights and disaster response could become quicker and more efficient.
New pricing models for travel
At first, rides may feel premium. Over time, prices could drop closer to rideshare levels.
More automation in transportation
If air taxis go autonomous, it signals a bigger shift across all forms of travel.
New safety questions
Faster rollout means regulators and companies will need to prove these systems are safe in the real world.
NEW YORK HALTS ROBOTAXI EXPANSION PLAN
Archer’s aircraft is part of the new FAA pilot program, aiming to launch short city routes that could cut travel times dramatically. (Archer Aviation)
So when will you actually be able to ride one?
The timeline is finally getting clearer. You may start seeing limited operations as early as summer 2026. That does not mean you can open an app and book a flight right away.
Early access will likely focus on:
- Specific routes
- Controlled environments
- Pilot programs with limited passengers.
But once that door opens, expansion tends to move quickly. We saw it with rideshare. We saw it with electric vehicles. This could follow the same path.
“The first time I saw a Waymo on the road in San Francisco, it was a big deal. Now, self-driving cars are just part of everyday life there. I believe the eIPP will do the same thing for air taxis. Every safe flight builds towards public acceptance, and we need to build that acceptance in parallel with our certification efforts,” said Adam Goldstein, CEO of Archer.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Air taxis have lived in the “almost here” category for a long time. Now, they are stepping into reality. There are still real challenges ahead. Safety, cost and infrastructure all need to catch up. But this new approach changes the pace of progress. Instead of waiting for perfection, the industry is moving forward in controlled steps. And once people experience this kind of travel firsthand, expectations will shift fast.
If you could skip traffic and fly across your city in minutes, would you try it… or wait until everyone else goes first? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Technology
Microsoft’s Edge Copilot update uses AI to pull information from across your tabs
Microsoft Edge is adding a new feature that will allow its Copilot AI chatbot to gather information from all of your open tabs. When you start a conversation with Copilot, you can ask the chatbot questions about what’s in your tabs, compare the products you’re looking at, summarize your open articles, and more.
In its announcement, Microsoft says you can “select which experiences you want or leave off the ones you don’t.” The company is retiring Copilot Mode as well, which could similarly draw information from your tabs but offered some agentic features, like the ability to book a reservation on your behalf. Microsoft has since folded these agentic capabilities into its “Browse with Copilot” tool.
Several other AI features are coming to Edge, including an AI-powered “Study and Learn” mode that can turn the article you’re looking at into a study session or interactive quiz. There’s a new tool that turns your tabs into AI-powered podcasts as well, similar to what you’d find on NotebookLM, and an AI writing assistant that will pop up when you start entering text on a webpage.
You can also give Copilot permission to access your browsing history to provide more “relevant, high-quality answers,” according to Microsoft. Copilot in Edge on desktop and mobile will come with “long-term memory” as well, which can tailor its responses based on your previous conversations. And, when you open up a new tab, you’ll see a redesigned page that combines chat, search, and web navigation, along with the Journeys feature, which uses AI to organize your browsing history into categories that you can revisit.
Meanwhile, an update to Edge’s mobile app will allow you to share your screen with Copilot and talk through the questions about what you’re seeing. Microsoft says you’ll see “clear visual cues” when Copilot is active, “so you know when it’s taking an action, helping, listening, or viewing.”
Technology
Apple’s $250M Siri settlement: Are you owed cash?
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If you bought a newer iPhone because Apple made Siri sound like it was about to become your personal artificial intelligence sidekick, you may want to pay attention.
Apple has agreed to pay $250 million to settle a class-action lawsuit over claims that it misled customers about new Apple Intelligence and Siri features. The case centers on the iPhone 16 launch and certain iPhone 15 models that were marketed as ready for Apple’s next wave of AI. The settlement still needs court approval, and Apple denies wrongdoing.
The lawsuit argues that Apple promoted a smarter, more personal Siri before those features were actually available. For some buyers, that was a big deal. A new iPhone can cost hundreds of dollars, and many people upgrade only when they think they are getting something meaningfully new.
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WHY IPHONE USERS ARE THE NEW PRIME SCAM TARGETS
U.S. buyers of certain iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 Pro models may qualify for payments if a judge approves Apple’s proposed settlement. (Getty Images)
What Apple is accused of promising
Apple introduced Apple Intelligence in June 2024 and promoted it as a major step forward for iPhone, iPad and Mac. A key part of that pitch was a more personalized Siri that could understand context, work across apps and help with everyday tasks in a more useful way.
The lawsuit claims Apple’s marketing made consumers believe those advanced Siri features would arrive with the iPhone 16 or soon after. Instead, buyers received phones that had some Apple Intelligence tools, but not the full Siri overhaul that many expected.
That gap is the heart of the case. Plaintiffs say customers bought or upgraded devices based on AI features that were not ready. Apple says it has rolled out many Apple Intelligence features and settled the case, so it can stay focused on its products.
How much money could iPhone owners get?
The proposed settlement creates a $250 million fund. Eligible customers who file approved claims are expected to receive at least $25 per eligible device. That amount could rise to as much as $95 per device, depending on how many people file claims and other settlement factors.
That means this will not be a huge payday for most people. Still, if you bought one of the covered phones, it may be worth watching for a claim notice. A few minutes of paperwork could put some money back in your pocket.
Which iPhones may qualify?
The proposed settlement covers U.S. buyers who purchased any iPhone 16 model, iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025.
Covered iPhone 16 models include the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16e. The settlement also includes the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, but not every iPhone 15 model.
The key details are the device model, the purchase date and whether the phone was bought in the United States.
HOW YOU CAN GET A SLICE OF APPLE’S $250M IPHONE SETTLEMENT
Apple has agreed to pay $250 million to settle claims it misled customers about Apple Intelligence and Siri features on newer iPhones. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg)
How will you file a claim?
You do not need to do anything immediately. The settlement still needs a judge’s approval. Once the claims process opens, eligible customers are expected to receive a notice by email or mail with instructions on how to file through a settlement website.
That notice matters because scammers love moments like this. A real settlement notice should not ask for your Apple ID password, bank login or payment to claim your money. If you receive a message about this settlement, do not click blindly. Go slowly, check the sender and look for the official settlement administrator details once they are available.
Why this case matters beyond one Siri feature
This case hits a bigger nerve. Tech companies are racing to sell AI as the next must-have feature. That creates a problem for shoppers. You are often asked to buy now based on what a company says will arrive later.
That can be frustrating when the feature is the reason you upgraded. A smarter Siri sounds useful. A phone that can understand your personal context, search across apps and help with daily tasks could save time. But if those tools are delayed, limited or missing, the value of the upgrade changes.
This settlement also sends a message about AI marketing. Companies can talk about future features, but consumers need clear timing and plain explanations. “Coming soon” can mean very different things when you are spending $800, $1,000 or more.
We reached out to Apple for comment, but did not hear back before our deadline.
FIRST 15 THINGS TO DO OR TRY FIRST WHEN YOU GET A NEW IPHONE
Apple denies wrongdoing but agreed to settle claims tied to its marketing of Apple Intelligence and Siri features. (Qilai Shen/Bloomberg)
What this means to you
If you bought a covered iPhone during the settlement period, keep an eye on your email and regular mail. You may qualify for a payment if the court approves the deal.
You should also keep your receipt or proof of purchase if you have it. Your Apple purchase history, carrier account or retailer receipt may help if the claim process asks for details.
More broadly, this is a reminder to treat AI features like any other big tech promise. Before you upgrade, ask one simple question: Can the feature do what is being advertised today, or is the company asking me to wait?
That question can save you from buying a device for a future feature that may arrive much later than expected.
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Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my quiz here: CyberGuy.com.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Apple has built its brand on making technology feel polished, personal and easy to use. That is why this Siri settlement hits a nerve. People were buying phones they use every day for texts, photos, directions, reminders and everything in between. Many expected AI to make those everyday tasks easier, which is why the delay felt frustrating. The proposed payout may be modest, but the bigger issue is trust. When a company sells AI as a reason to upgrade, customers deserve to know what actually works now and what is still coming later.
Would you still buy a new phone for promised AI features, or would you wait until they actually show up? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Technology
Instagram hits the copy button again with new disappearing Instants photos
Instagram is once again cribbing from competitors like Snapchat and BeReal with a new photo-sharing format it calls “Instants,” which are ephemeral photos that you can’t edit and that you can only share with your close friends or followers that follow you back. Instants are available globally beginning on Wednesday as a feature in the inbox in the Instagram app and as a separate app that’s now in testing in select countries.
To access Instants from the Instagram app, go to your DM inbox and look in the bottom-right corner for an icon or a stack of photos. After you post a photo, your friends can emoji react to it and send a reply to your DMs, but after they see it, the photo disappears for them. Instants also disappear after 24 hours, and they can’t be captured in screenshots or screen recordings.
However, your Instants will remain in an archive for you for up to a year, and you can reshare them as a recap to your Instagram Stories if you’d like. You can also undo sending an Instant right after you post it or delete it from your archive.
The Instants mobile app, which popped up in Italy and Spain in April, gives you “immediate access to the camera” and only requires an Instagram account, Instagram says. “Instants you share on the separate app will show up for friends on Instagram and vice versa. We’re trying this separate app out to see how our community uses it, and we’ll continue to evolve it as we learn more.”
Instagram, in its testing, has seen that people “tend to use Instants to share much more casual, much more authentic moments about their day,” according to Instagram boss Adam Mosseri. “And we know that this type of sharing of personal moments with friends is a core part of what makes Instagram Instagram, but we also know that a lot of people don’t really share a lot to their profile grids anymore.”
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