Technology
Baseball is changing forever with robot ump challenges
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For generations, baseball has followed a simple rule. The umpire calls balls and strikes, and that call stands. That changes now. This season, Major League Baseball is introducing something that once felt unthinkable. Players can challenge an umpire’s call and let technology decide the outcome.
It is called the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System, or ABS. Most fans already know it by another name. The robot ump. And whether you love it or hate it, the game is stepping into a new era.
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YANKEES SHORTSTOP JOSÉ CABALLERO MAKES MLB HISTORY, BECOMES FIRST PLAYER TO USE AUTOMATED BALL-STRIKE SYSTEM
Replay of an automated ball-strike challenge appears on the videoboard during an AAA MiLB game between the Buffalo Bisons and Worcester Red Sox at Polar Park in Worcester, Mass., on May 5, 2023. (Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
What is the MLB robot ump challenge system?
At a basic level, ABS uses advanced cameras to track every pitch with precision. It creates a digital strike zone that removes guesswork. But MLB is not handing full control to machines just yet.
Instead, this is a hybrid system. Human umpires still make every call on the field. Players now have a limited way to challenge those calls when they believe something was missed. So the umpire still runs the game. Technology simply keeps them honest.
How the robot ump actually sees every pitch
The system uses a network of high-speed cameras placed around the stadium to track the baseball in three dimensions. It measures the pitch as it crosses home plate and compares it to a digital strike zone that is customized to each batter’s height.
All of that happens in milliseconds. The result is sent almost instantly to the scoreboard, which is why the challenge feels fast and seamless instead of disruptive.
Scott Jacka, Sr. Director of Technology Development Strategy at T-Mobile, told CyberGuy:
“T-Mobile’s private 5G network enables the real-time transmission of pitch data to the ABS operator during ABS challenges. As pitches are tracked by cameras around the field, that data is transmitted quickly and reliably to the ABS system operator in the press box, who can then deliver the results back to the field within seconds.”
Jacka added:
“ABS depends on fast, reliable data transmission in a live game environment. T-Mobile’s private 5G network is designed to provide secure, low-latency connectivity through a dedicated spectrum in every U.S. MLB stadium. This helps pitch data move quickly and consistently so decisions can be delivered without disrupting the rhythm of play.”
How the challenge system works during a game
The process is surprisingly simple and fast. Each team starts with two challenges per game. Only the pitcher, catcher or batter can call for one. No dugout help. No replay delays.
The player signals by tapping their head. Within seconds, the stadium screen shows the pitch location and whether it was truly a ball or a strike. If the challenge is correct, the team keeps it. If not, they lose one.
That quick moment has already become one of the most intense parts of the game. Teams may also receive additional challenges in extra innings, giving them a bit more flexibility in longer games.
What happens if the tech gets it wrong
One big concern with any new system is reliability. MLB designed ABS to deliver results almost instantly, without slowing down the game.
If anything ever goes wrong, the human umpire is still there as the final authority. That built-in fallback helps ensure the game keeps moving smoothly without long delays or confusion.
Who is powering the robot ump tech?
The system behind MLB’s robot ump is powered by Hawk-Eye Innovations, the same camera tracking technology used in tennis and soccer for line calls and goal decisions. That alone gives the system a proven track record for accuracy.
MLB UMPIRE CAUGHT ON HOT MIC BEGGING PITCH TO ‘PLEASE BE A STRIKE’ AFTER CATCHER ISSUES ABS CHALLENGE
T-Mobile supports the infrastructure behind the scenes, helping deliver results quickly to stadium displays and broadcast feeds.
Why MLB decided now was the time
Bad ball and strike calls have always been part of baseball. Sometimes they even become part of the story. But fans, players and teams have grown less patient with mistakes that technology can easily fix. MLB sees this system as a way to clean up the most frustrating part of the game without removing the human element entirely.
It is not about perfection. It is about fairness in the biggest moments.
Why fans might end up loving it
You might expect this to slow things down. It does the opposite. Every challenge creates a moment. The crowd pauses. The screen lights up. Everyone waits for the answer.
It adds tension without dragging out the game. Even better, it removes the endless arguing. Instead of debating calls for hours, fans get a clear answer almost instantly. It turns controversy into drama.
Players can challenge a call instantly, triggering a real-time ABS review on the stadium screen. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
Why timing and emotions matter more than ever
One of the biggest lessons from early testing is that when you challenge matters more than what you challenge. Players who use challenges too early may regret it later in high-pressure moments.
There is also a human factor. Players admit emotions can get the best of them, leading to impulsive challenges that cost their team later in the game.
Some pitches are harder to judge than others
Not every pitch is easy to challenge. High-velocity pitches and those with heavy movement, like sinkers, can be extremely difficult to judge in real time.
Even experienced players can misread a pitch by inches, which makes deciding whether to challenge even more difficult.
How MLB players feel about robot umps
This is where things get interesting. Hitters with elite plate discipline could gain an edge. Players like Juan Soto are known for recognizing the strike zone better than almost anyone. That skill now has real strategic value.
Catchers face a different reality. Pitch framing has long been one of the most valuable defensive skills in baseball, where catchers subtly position their glove to make pitches look like strikes to the umpire. With ABS, framing is not disappearing. Instead, it is evolving into a more strategic tool while still influencing live calls from the human umpire.
Pitchers are the least likely to use the system. Many do not believe they have the best view of the strike zone in real time. Veterans like Max Scherzer have also raised a bigger question. How much technology should be allowed to shape the game? That debate is far from settled.
The hidden data boom behind robot umps
Beyond making calls, ABS is generating a massive amount of data. Teams can now analyze pitch accuracy, player tendencies and challenge success rates in real time.
This opens the door to deeper analytics, from evaluating hitters’ strike zone awareness to measuring how effective catchers are at identifying missed calls. Over time, this data could influence coaching decisions and even player value.
Could this lead to full robot umps?
That question is already on the table. MLB has tested fully automated strike zones in the minor leagues. Other sports like tennis have already moved in that direction.
But baseball is different. Many players and fans still want a human behind the plate. They believe the personality, judgment and even the imperfections are part of what makes the game special.
Right now, the challenge system feels like a middle ground. It fixes the worst mistakes while keeping the human touch.
BASEBALL HALL OF FAME PITCHER GOES IN DEPTH HOW ABS SYSTEM WILL IMPROVE OFFENSE, HOW ARMS HAVE TO ADJUST
What this means to you
If you watch baseball, you will notice the difference right away. Games could feel fairer. Big moments are less likely to hinge on a missed call. You will also see more strategy. Players must decide when to challenge and when to hold back. One wrong decision could matter later in the game.
Teams are already treating challenges like a limited resource, often saving them for the most important moments late in the game. If you are a casual fan, this may actually make baseball easier to follow. The strike zone becomes visible and understandable in real time. In short, the game becomes more transparent, more strategic and more engaging.
The ABS system tracks each pitch in real time and shows exactly where the ball crossed the strike zone. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Baseball has never stood still. From instant replay to pitch clocks, the game keeps evolving while trying to protect what makes it unique. The robot ump challenge system fits that pattern. It does not replace umpires. It simply gives players a voice when something looks wrong. And in a sport built on inches, that voice could change everything.
If technology can get every call right, would you trust it more than the human behind the plate? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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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.”
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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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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.
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
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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