Samsung is reportedly rolling out its October 2026 security patch to Galaxy S26 users in the U.S.
The patch is ~530MB, and delivers over 60 security fixes for the flagship series.
This October patch arrives a week (or two) after One UI 9 (Android 17) rolled out in the U.S. for S26 users.
Samsung is reportedly rolling out its latest security update for its 2026 flagship phones. There are also expectations for when it could arrive for the Galaxy S25 series.
This week, tipster Kailash on X reported that the October 2026 security patch has started arriving globally on the Galaxy S26 series (via SamMobile). Kailash states the update has reached devices in the U.S. and Canada with a 531MB download. Users will download the following version for the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra, respectively: S948U1UES4BZIG, S948U1OYM4BZIG, and S948U1UES4BZIG.
The patch notes are incredibly light. Samsung only details security improvements once the update hits a user’s device. There’s a large portion of security fixes rolling out for the series—approaching 50 fixes from Google, to be frank. Samsung includes roughly 13 fixes of its own, pushing that total to 62.
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Many of Samsung’s fixes involve Android 14 to Android 17. It’s rolling out fixes to stop malicious attackers from “executing arbitrary code” or accessing system privileges without permission.
On X, Kailash responded to a user regarding the Galaxy S25 series. These phones may see the update “next week.” This may involve a global release as well, which would involve the U.S. and other North American regions. But that remains to be seen. Right now, it’s the Galaxy S26 series.
An updated future
(Image credit: Android Central)
The updates are rolling out fast and furious for Samsung (kind of). This is a monthly security update, and Samsung is (typically) punctual with them. However, this update is following the full release of One UI 9 (Android 17) for the latest flagship series. The Android upgrade was spotted for the S26 Ultra in the U.S., but T-Mobile users were among the first to receive it.
The Android 17 update was ~4GB, and it was released in September 2026. That security update was late, likely because Samsung wanted to pair it with the Android 17 update. Other devices, such as unlocked models and users with AT&T and Verizon services, hadn’t seen the update at the same time. Those users should have started downloading the update in mid-to-late September.
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That’s because Sony just sold 419 VR-and-XR-related patents to Meta, per a report from ZDNet Korea. 43 of those were filed in the United States alone, and they include patents for things like head-mounted displays.
It’s unclear what exactly this means for Sony’s future VR efforts, but doing this just three and a half years after the launch of PlayStation VR 2 (amidst product shortages, per GamesRadar) suggests that the company isn’t especially interested in making another headset anytime soon. It should be noted that PSVR2 has not been officially discontinued, even if it has been difficult to find in stock recently.
This isn’t terribly surprising, even if it is a bit of a bummer for those who value high-end console VR experiences. The PSVR2 headset was hailed as an excellent piece of hardware by Mashable and other outlets when it launched in 2023, but a critical lack of software support over the years has made it feel like a dead platform, even if it technically isn’t one at the time of publication.
On Meta’s side of things, acquiring several hundred VR patents is interesting given the company’s recent up-and-down relationship with the technology. Earlier this year, Meta laid off more than 1,000 employees from its Reality Labs division and shut down the VR portion of its Horizon Worlds app. However, the company also just announced VR glasses, a new product category, so it seems like Mark Zuckerberg’s VR ambitions haven’t died just yet. This latest development is another point of evidence in that direction.
I’m modding GTA 5 every day in a quest to either transform it into a PC version of GTA 6 or break it entirely. Come back tomorrow to find out what new horrible thing I’ve done to Rockstar’s baby, or check out what I got up to earlier.
I really don’t know how to build up to this one. Grand Theft Auto 5 is Doom now, okay? I put in a mod that imports DOOM2.wad into GTA 5 and now that’s what the game is. There are demons. The game is first person. I have a minigun and a BFG. That’s the truth of the matter and we’re all just going to have to find some way to live with it.
The mod is Doom 2 in GTA 5 Hell On Earth (D2IGTA5HOE), and it does all those things I said. Hit F9 and the game you are playing shifts from GTA 5—usually a third-person open-world acting game—to Doom 2, an FPS from 1994. You need to provide your own .wad—everybody be cool. No one call the cops.
The world remains, mind you. You don’t warp to Doom 2’s levels. Instead, you roam Los Santos with an arsenal of weapons from id’s seminal shooter (gross). You can take on taxis with your super shotgun, fight cops with a plasma cannon. It’s two great tastes that taste incomprehensible together. Hit F10 and the game goes into Hell On Earth mode—authentic Doom 2 enemies start manifesting in the street.
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(Image credit: Rockstar)
One issue, of course, is that F10 is also my button for activating flossing and Superman mode, so I can’t play Doom 2 GTA 5 Edition without a full quarter of my screen being taken up by a (still utterly Arabic) flossing UI screen and various Kryptonian powers sometimes activating. One of those is super speed when I sprint, though, which is at least appropriate for Doom Guy.
Anyway, here’s a gif of me fighting demons and armed furries at an airport with Doom 2 weapons while a tornado closes in.
Keep up to date with the most important stories and the best deals, as picked by the PC Gamer team.
The AV over IP Summit is kicking off NDI November with three days of virtual sessions focused on the latest in networked production. From NDI and Dante to Dante AV, IPMX, and ST-2110, explore the technologies helping professionals move from traditional SDI to flexible IP-based workflows. Register once for all three AV over IP Summit webinars!
Pro AV to Live Production: Flexible, Reliable IP Workflows
November 3rd at 3pm EST
Explore NDI, Dante audio and Dante AV, H.265/HEVC compression, and the practical network design considerations needed to build efficient, reliable IP-based production workflows.
Bridging Pro AV and Broadcast: IPMX and SMPTE ST 2110
November 4th at 3pm EST
See real-world applications, interoperability, timing and synchronization, device discovery and control, and the infrastructure required to build reliable IP-based workflows.
Choosing the Right AV over IP Workflow for your Production
November 5th at 3pm EST
Learn the practical steps for moving from traditional HDMI and SDI to modern IP-based workflows, including key technology choices and extending production to remote locations.
Can’t Make The Live Event? No problem! Register anyway so you can watch the webinars on demand at a time that works for you. Catch the sessions you’re interested in and explore the latest in NDI and AV over IP whenever it’s convenient.
Join industry experts for practical insights into building flexible, reliable IP workflows and stay up to date with the technologies shaping the future of AV and broadcast.
If you’re looking for home and office furniture that will be part of your life for the long haul, Herman Miller is a go-to for well-designed, long-lasting furniture. Whether it’s upgrading your work-from-home setup with a better office chair or amping up your curb appeal with stylish new house numbers, Herman Miller can help. There are several pieces from Herman Miller that we love here at WIRED: the Herman Miller Embody is our “buy it for life” office chair, while Herman Miller’s Spout Sit-to-Stand standing desk is where I’m currently writing from. The brand is known for its thoughtful, high-quality pieces, but that quality level comes with a price tag to match. Luckily for you, you can pick up your own Herman Miller pieces for a little cheaper thanks to a Herman Miller promo code or a discounted Herman Miller bundle.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Courtesy of Herman Miller
Herman Miller Promo: Save 15% on the Better Home Office Bundle
Refreshing your office? Say no more. Herman Miller offers the Better Home Office Bundle, which lets you choose an office chair, a desk, and a third item (a storage option, table lamp, or office accessory) to get 15% off the entire purchase. Use the Herman Miller promo code BUNDLE15 once you’ve added all three items to your cart.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Courtesy of Herman Miller
Herman Miller
Aeron With PostureFit SL
Claim Free Delivery on Herman Miller Orders Over $2,000
Need it delivered? Get free delivery with the Herman Miller promo code FORYOU on any purchase over $2,000. You might worry you’ll need to buy multiple items to reach that threshold, but many high-quality office furnishings (like our favorite Herman Miller office chairs) will easily meet the minimum for you.
Courtesy of Herman Miller
Unlock a First-Order Discount as a New Herman Miller Buyer
First-time shoppers at Herman Miller also get a special discount. You’ll need to sign up for Herman Miller’s newsletter, but a quick newsletter sign-up is well worth a Herman Miller discount code.
Herman Miller
Jarvis Bamboo Standing Desk
Multiply Your Savings by Stacking Herman Miller Sale Offers
If you wish, you can use multiple discount coupons at the same time on Herman Miller’s site. You can stack Herman Miller’s coupon codes—such as the one you’ll get for signing up for the newsletter or for bundling three items together—with seasonal sales to get multiple discounts at once. Memorial Day is right around the corner, and Herman Miller’s site already has sales underway.
Herman Miller Discounts: Save More with Refurbished Chairs
We named the Herman Miller Aeron office chair the “Best Office Chair for Long Hours” because it’s durable, supportive, and airy. It’s also an iconic office chair that graces workspaces all over the world. A Herman Miller chair is an investment, which means it can get very pricey. That’s where Herman Miller refurbished chairs come in. They use genuine Herman Miller parts, including casters, tilt mechanisms, and Pellicle suspension material, which have been restored or replaced to original specifications. Each chair is backed by a five-year warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship, with parts and labor included. You can sit assured knowing that each Aeron chair has been rigorously tested to meet the original specifications for performance and ergonomic support.
Get the Best Gaming Chairs at Herman Miller
Herman Miller offers some of our favorite office chairs, as well as some of our favorite gaming chairs, including the Embody, Aeron Onyx, and Vantum gaming chairs. With an ergonomic design built for long hours of sitting, optional spine alignment and support, and adjustable height, these Herman Miller gaming chairs are ideal for all your gaming needs. Plus, the all-new Coyl is a streamlined gaming desk designed for happier, healthier play, and it is Herman Miller Gaming’s first-ever desk.
Designing pet products is a crucial process to go through. It goes beyond the basic aesthetics and accessories, as the pet product industry has expanded throughout the years. Pet owners no longer stick with just the visual look of a product, but also go through its safety, durability and reliability. In the process of creating successful pet products, an in-depth understanding of animal behavior is a must, which includes how pets interact with specific objects. That is why designers must put into consideration how each factor affects the everyday interaction of the pet with the certain product.
Platforms like Cad Crowd help connect businesses with the right and freelance product designers who support these stages of delivering quality production-ready products. In this article, we’ll provide you with key elements of what makes a product design unique and the appropriate process behind creating not just aesthetically pleasing, but safe and sellable pet products.
What are the key considerations in designing pet products?
Durability
Pet products must handle animal’s chewing, pulling, scratching, and repeated use.
Material safety
Materials used should lessen potential risks like skin contact, ingestion, and long-term exposure.
Animal ergonomics
Products must be designed to fit different species, sizes, breeds, and behavior.
Cleanability
Product design should allow easy access to maintenance and cleaning
Manufacturing feasibility
Products should balance product cost, manufacturability and feasibility
Smart features
Smart Pet Products must consider battery placement and physical designs
Designing pet products highly requires a proper balance between the needs of both animals and their owners. Though appearance and market appeal serves as the first thing people would notice, successful products still need to perform reliably under real-world conditions. And the following factors mentioned above significantly influence how engineers and designers approach the development of every pet product.
Why is pet product design differ from other consumer products?
Pet products may appear simple at first, but the process of creating one takes so much specialization and a deeper level of understanding and consideration to the animal’s behavior. It needs to be carefully and thoroughly studied beforehand since everything that’s incorporated in that specific product may affect the animal itself. It differs from other consumer products since it must handle unpredictable animal interactions like biting, pulling, scratching and continuous use regardless of conditions.
A successful pet product design services must serve two users, the pet and its owner. Animals, like humans, need products that are comfortable, durable, and safe to use, while owners expect that it is reliable, convenient, and attractive. This creates a different kind of challenge which requires careful consideration all throughout the development process of the product.
How does animal behavior affect product durability?
Animal behavior plays an essential role in determining how durable a pet product must be, since unlike human products, pets behave unpredictably, and designers must anticipate that to create a product that would remain safe and functional over the period.
Designers must consider
Chewing resistance. Products should not be easily broken to reduce risks from tiny, swallowed pieces.
Pulling strength. Harnesses, collars, and leashes must hold up against repeated force.
Scratch resistance. Surfaces, beds, and carriers should stay durable despite continuous scratching.
Repeated use. Products should maintain their quality performance despite being used daily.
Through these challenges, pet product designers incorporate stronger materials and apply specialized testing methods in the process of development. In this way, products are ensured to handle real-world pet behavior while also maintaining its reliability and safety.
Why must pet products consider both pets and owners?
Pet products are somehow unique since they must meet the needs of two users, the animal and the human owner. While pets need products that are comfortable, enjoyable, and safe to use, owners look for product design services that are reliable, convenient, and easy to maintain. So designers must design a product that could balance these different expectations to deliver products that effectively work for both.
Pet products that commonly use a dual-user approach
Harness– a product that must provide both freedom of movement and comfort for pets, while also giving owners easier control and confidence.
Feeders– it should support the healthy eating habits of the animals while being easy to clean and maintain by the owners.
Toys– it needs to keep the pets entertained and engaged while it’s safe and durable to use.
How do designers create pet products that can withstand chewing, pulling, and scratching?
One of the most essential considerations in the process of designing a pet product is durability, since animals are known to interact with these products far differently from how humans do. A product that looks strong during its partial testing will still fail after repeated scratching, chewing, pulling, or exposure to outdoor conditions. Just because it looks strong doesn’t guarantee its durability.
That is why designers must really anticipate these behaviors from the early stages of development in order to make sure that the products are safe and functional throughout their lifespan. It requires a combination of structural design, material selection, and performance testing to successfully create a durable pet product. From strong harnesses to chew-resistant toys, engineers and designers should thoroughly evaluate how products respond to continuous stress before they are launched in the market.
How do designers test for real-world pet use?
Real-world pet interaction
To better understand how certain pets naturally use and interact with specific products.
Behaviors like pulling, scratching, playing, chewing, resting, and repeated daily use.
Chewing tests
To make sure that the products remain safe and durable under biting forces.
If materials can resist splintering, cracking, breaking, or creating small, tiny pieces that could become hazards.
Pulling & tension tests
Measure the strength of products that are exposed to animal’s force and movement.
Leashes, collars, harnesses, and attachments to ensure they can handle sudden pulls and repeated stress.
Scratch & abrasion tests
To evaluate its resistance to surface potential damage and long-term wear.
Assess whether coatings, fabrics and surfaces can withstand scratching, rubbing, tearing, and frequent use.
Moisture & weather resistance tests
To determine how certain products perform in different environments and under any conditions.
Test resistance to water, dirt, sunlight, temperature changes, and repeated cleaning cycles.
Design improvements
Apply test results to improve product performance.
Modify materials, shapes, structures, and features to address weaknesses and enhance safety.
Production
Prepare the finalized product, ready it for manufacturing.
Confirm that the design meets the quality and standard requirements before mass production.
The table mainly depicts how designers evaluate products under conditions that resemble closely to everyday use. Instead of just relying on assumptions, they thoroughly assess how pets naturally scratch, chew, pull, and interact with products while considering its environmental factors like temperature and moisture. By helping with the findings from every stage, they can spot potential weaknesses, allowing them to refine materials, structural features, and the entire performance before proceeding to the production. Addressing the issues early in the development process helps in improving product durability, safety, and reliability, while making sure that it won’t cost later revisions after product launch.
What materials are safe for pet product development?
One of the most important decisions in the process of product development services is choosing the right materials. It is very crucial since animals behave differently and pet products are being used more harshly by animals. So, materials must be safe, as it is as important as durability. Designers must put into consideration how materials perform during continuous use while minimizing the possible risks if it’s damaged or worn.
While pet products are subject to specific federal and state regulations depending on its product type, the United States does not have a comprehensive federal safety standard which applies to all pet products. Because of it, a lot of manufacturers voluntarily adopt higher safety practices and dig into established standards in different industries when developing new products.
How are pet product safety standards evolving?
As pet product safety standards continue to develop, the industry has become more structured, putting more emphasis on improving product reliability and safety practices. ASTM International’s Pet Product’s Subcommittee (F15.80), together with the support from BARK Company and other industry partners and stakeholders, has gradually established a voluntary consensus standard for pet product safety, testing, and performance. Through these efforts, manufacturers and designers create products that appropriately address real-world pet use.
As pet-specific standards continue to evolve, there are some companies that compare certain safety considerations with practices used for children’s products, specifically for items that are exposed to repeated handling and chewing. Although children and pets interact with products way differently, both still require attention to safer materials, durability, and minimizing potential hazards that may happen. Through these evolving approaches, designers can create pet products that are stronger, safer, and more suitable for long-term use.
Why does material selection matter?
Even the most good-looking and innovative pet product can fail if it’s not built with appropriate and suitable materials. A material selection experts that works well in appearance is not guaranteed to withstand repeated chewing, while others may be durable but hard to clean or may be uncomfortable for the specific animal. By carefully selecting and choosing appropriate materials during the early design process, product teams can improve product safety, extend its lifespan, and deliver products that would earn consumers’ trust, while also meeting the standard demand of everyday pet use.
How does species ergonomics influence pet product design?
In the process of designing pet products, a different approach to ergonomics is being applied since animals and humans do not share the same body structure. That is why designers must account for several variations of animals across its sizes, breeds, species, and behaviors. This is what makes it more challenging as it becomes an animal anthropometrics challenge, which requires a deeper understanding of its body measurements, physical limitations, movement patterns to create a product that is safe, comfortable, and functional.
There are a lot of animals or pets in the world, so a specific product design for a certain animal may not work for others. Even if it’s within the same species, there can still be differences, especially when it comes to breeds. Just like, for example, a harness that fits a small Chihuahua will not fit or be suitable to a Great Dane. As a result, designers should study animal proportions and make adjustable and adaptable solutions that could accommodate the variation of users.
Why do breed differences matter in pet product design?
Breed differences matter in product design since it is not the same as human products, which are often designed based on its standardized body measurements. Pet products should be considered in a much wider range of physical variations.
Designers must evaluate these factors
Body size and proportions. Different breeds have variations in neck size, weight, chest width, and entire body structure.
Movement patterns. Pet products must be open for natural movement without restricting animals’ running, climbing, stretching, or walking patterns.
Strength and activity level. Animals that are larger or more active require stronger materials.
Behavior differences. There are breeds who chew more aggressively, pull harder, or interact way differently with specific products.
How do designers apply animal ergonomics?
In creating products that are suitable for real-world use, designers need to combine research, prototypes specialist, measurements, and testing.
For products like feeders, ergonomic design services may affect usability. Like for example, a slow feeder bowl, it must be designed with factors like snout length, accessibility, and eating posture. A design that works accordingly for a short-snouted breed is not guaranteed to provide the same comfort for a long-snouted dog.
Why is ergonomic design important for pet products?
It is important since it can affect the usability experience of the animal. When it is poorly designed, it will create discomfort, limit animal’s movement, or discourage them from using it. When products are designed around animal behavior and anatomy, then it will improve its usability, safety, and customer satisfaction. Through applying principles like human-centered design but an animal-kind approach, designers can create and deliver products that support both the well-being of the pet and human owner expectations.
Why is cleanability important in pet product design?
Cleanability is mostly taken for granted, especially during early stages of pet product development services, but it plays an essential role in the success of the product. Unlike other consumer products, pet products are always exposed to dirt, saliva, fur, food residue, and moisture. A product that is complicated to clean can become an inconvenience for owners, which will negatively affect both long-term use and customer satisfaction.
It is important that designers should consider maintenance as one of the essential parts of the overall user experience. While it is obvious that the pet is the primary user, the owner is still the one responsible for cleaning and maintaining the product. One factor to consider in determining a successful design is it makes the task simple while maintaining its performance and durability.
How do designers create easier-to-clean pet products?
Durability or strength of material design services starts at the design phase, where decisions are mostly about structure, materials, and product features.
These are what designers often consider
Washable materials. Coatings, fabrics, and plastics should handle repeated cleaning without degrading.
Removable components. Detachable parts of the product make it easier to clean, especially in areas where food, dirt, or bacteria may possibly accumulate.
Water-resistant designs. Most pet products are exposed to moisture like feeders. So, materials that resist water absorption are really required.
Simplified structures. Reducing any unnecessary gaps, seams, or difficult-to-reach areas can really prevent build-up and improve hygiene.
How are smart technologies changing pet product design?
Everything we see nowadays are mostly high-tech, and pet products are no exception since smart technology creates a new category of products that combine both traditional accessories with advanced features. Products like smart collars, pet cameras, automated feeders, and GPS trackers are starting to help owners monitor, interact, and care for their pets in a very high-tech way.
However, with the integration of technology to pet products, another layer of design is also introduced since it’s more complex, and products must satisfy not just the animal needs but also its electronic requirements. It’s not like the usual or traditional pet accessories since smart pet products require collaboration between mechanical engineers, electronic specialists, and freelance industrial designers.
The tricky part here is that designers must consider the physical experience of the pet while also putting into consideration various space for internal components, electronic placements, while ensuring its reliability in everyday environments.
What design challenges do smart pet products require?
GPS trackers and smart collars
Lightweight construction, battery life, waterproof housing, secure attachment, pet comfort
Pet cameras
Durable enclosure, camera placement, connectivity, power management, user-friendly operation
Automatic feeders
Food-safe materials, motor reliability, sensors, portion control, easy cleaning
Activity monitors
Sensor accuracy, compact size, comfortable attachment, wireless communication
How do batteries and connectivity affect smart pet product design?
One of the major challenges in the development of smart pet products is the integration of electronics without compromising its usability. For example, a GPS tracker requires enough battery capacity for it to reliably operate while still being comfortable for the animal. And having a bulky device can really affect an animal’s movement, leading to a possible discouragement from wearing it.
That is why it’s very important for designers to consider battery size and placement, charging methods, power efficiency, and wireless connectivity. The application of the electronics must also be protected by its physical design. Smart collars and trackers may possibly be exposed to dirt, impacts, movement, and rain, which requires durable and appropriate protective housings.
Why do smart pet products require IoT and electronics considerations?
Smart wear design servicescombine both physical design with digital technology through the Internet of Things, which helps in allowing devices to collect data and connect with different platforms. Designers must put into consideration not just the looks of the product, but also its software, hardware, and connectivity.
For wireless devices, developers should follow certain requirements like Federal Communications Commission guidelines to ensure their reliability and safety. In the process of creating successful smart pet products, strong collaboration between engineers, designers, and technology specialists must be prioritized so they can properly balance usability, innovation, and durability.
Want to bring your pet product idea to life?
Do you have stored ideas and concepts for a pet product but need the right expertise to support in developing it? Work with experienced product designers and engineers to help you turn your concept into a safe, functional, and market-ready solution. Whether you are deciding to create a smart device, toy, feeding solution, or a pet accessory, Cad Crowd connects you with skilled and experienced product development experts that can surely help in transforming those ideas into a successful product.
What makes pet product design different from other product design?
Pet product design must put in consideration the animal behavior, durability, safety, and the needs of both the pets and the owners.
How does AI help in pet product development?
AI significantly helps designers in exploring concepts, creating visuals, generating 3D models, and of course, improving its design process efficiently.
Why is durability important in pet products?
Durability is important since pet products must withstand animals scratching, chewing, pulling, and repeated use, while maintaining their functionality and safety.
What factors should designers consider when creating smart pet products?
Designers must focus on balancing connectivity, technology, comfort, safety, and ease of use, not just for pets but for owners as well.
Conclusion
The process of developing a successful pet product requires more than visually appealing designs. There are a lot of factors that need to be considered like its durability, safety, usability, and most importantly, how pets interact with the product. Whether it’s about designing pet devices or interactive toys, it should be done with careful consideration and appropriate expertise that puts emphasis on the balance between the needs of the animal, expectations of the owner, and, of course, production standards. Here in Cad Crowd, we provide you with the right CAD designers who are equipped with experiences in incorporating AI-Assisted tools in the process of delivering high-quality results.
Cad Crowd connects businesses with experienced product designers and engineers who specialize in pet product development. From durable toys and smart pet devices to feeders, collars, and accessories, our experts help create safe, reliable, and production-ready products. With expertise in CAD design, prototyping, material selection, and manufacturing support, Cad Crowd helps bring innovative pet product ideas to market with confidence. Contact Cad Crowd today for a free quote.
MacKenzie Brown is the founder and CEO of Cad Crowd. With over 18 years of experience in launching and scaling platforms specializing in CAD services, product design, manufacturing, hardware, and software development, MacKenzie is a recognized authority in the engineering industry. Under his leadership, Cad Crowd serves esteemed clients like NASA, JPL, the U.S. Navy, and Fortune 500 companies, empowering innovators with access to high-quality design and engineering talent.
Turning a simulation idea into a working application means assembling assets, connecting physics and rendering, and checking that the scene behaves as intended. Developers are combining frontier AI models withNVIDIA Omniverse libraries to help carry out that work — building applications for exploring scenarios, investigating failures and improving designs.
Developers direct AI agents through natural-language instructions, review results and guide changes. Omniverse libraries provide GPU-accelerated physics, rendering and sensor simulation capabilities.
Explore the projects below to see frontier AI models such as GPT-6 Astra at work, and check back for new examples from NVIDIA teams and developers across the ecosystem.
Build a Humanoid Simulator for a Warehouse Environment 🔗
Explore a gamified, physics-based control of a humanoid robot in first- and third-person view.
Before automating warehouse tasks, developers need an interactive simulation environment to explore task behavior and evaluate how the work gets done. Frank DeLise, Omniverse product manager at NVIDIA, used Astra to turn a SimReady warehouse and humanoid robot into an interactive simulator with first- and third-person views.
DeLise directed Astra to connectNVIDIA Omniverse libraries for physics (ovphysx), scene updates (ovstage), rendering (ovrtx) and the user interface (ovui). He also used Astra with SimReady (simready-foundation) to create the physical scene in simulation. Astra then generated animation and application code to bring those capabilities together.
Changing a scene, sensor or driving model can significantly affect autonomous-vehicle simulations. Doyub Kim, a manager on the simulation technology team at NVIDIA, asked Astra to build Zero to Alpamayo — a reusable simulation environment based on San Francisco’s Market Street.
Kim directed Astra to map out the workflow, then connect asset creation, traffic, Omniverse RTX sensor simulation and Alpamayo driving in stages, checking each integration. The resulting prototype was a testing ground for comparing models and tracing how scene or sensor changes affect downstream driving behavior. A separate Cosmos3-Nano experiment varied weather and lighting in recorded simulation videos, allowing Kim to compare the driving model’s responses to the same scenario under different conditions.
Use Sensor Differences to Create and Improve Digital Twins 🔗
Comparing recorded and simulated camera and lidar outputs gives developers key performance indicator-based feedback for refining a scene.
To test robots and autonomous vehicles, developers need to know how closely simulated sensors match real ones. Ashley Reid, who works on RTX sensor validation at NVIDIA, directed Astra and Claude Fable 5 agents to compare ovrtx camera and raw LiDAR outputs with recorded data. The agents created two digital twins from scratch and improved two existing ones. Over about three days, Reid guided an iterative workflow in which agents measured differences, created or modified OpenUSD scenes, and checked the results. Changes addressed missing objects, geometry and materials, with acceptance depending on camera and LiDAR metrics. This gives developers a way to use measured discrepancies to guide scene creation and improvement.
Start by rendering an OpenUSD scene with the ovrtx minimal Python example, then define a sensor measure to compare with recorded data.
Robo Olympics: Test Robot Skills With Simulation 🔗
Teaching robots new movements means checking whether those actions work under physical constraints. Tae Kim, who leads NVIDIA Omniverse engineering and product, used sports videos and natural-language instructions to guide Astra in building Robo Olympics, an experimental project that tests simulated Unitree G1 humanoids performing sports movements.
Under Kim’s direction, Astra built controllers and refined them through physics trials. Newton Physics Engine simulated behavior, the open source NVIDIA Warp framework accelerated calculations and ovrtx rendered scenes and virtual-camera images. In one experiment, the robot cleared a single hurdle in 64 of 100 simulation trials. The trials gave Kim feedback for improving the robot’s timing and control.
Test Robotic Disassembly With Computer-Aided Design and Simulation 🔗
Before a robot can disassemble a product, developers need to know whether its tools can reach and remove the parts. Jens Jebens, a senior product manager for OpenUSD at NVIDIA, directed Astra to model a car suspension in PTC Onshape and configure it in NVIDIA Isaac Sim.
With Astra, Jebens explored computer-aided design and tooling revisions for robots informed by simulation. The agent measured the available space and designed a wrench the robot could use to reach the suspension’s bolts. Jebens reported successful removal of a suspension component in simulation. This connects design and tooling decisions to disassembly results, offering a starting point for robot policy training.
Bring the International Space Station Into the Browser 🔗
Turning 3D models into an application requires connecting assets, live data and an interface. Nic Johns, an engineering director at NVIDIA, prompted Astra to assemble NASA assets into an OpenUSD International Space Station model with telemetry. Johns built the application with a single prompt, then used a follow-up prompt to shift the scene to Earth’s daytime side so the planet was visible.
The workflow used Blender for asset preparation and Omniverse libraries for rendering (ovrtx), scene runtime (ovstage) and streaming (ovstream). The application brings 3D models and operational data into the browser, with Johns guiding its development through prompts and corrections.
A digitally reconstructed room needs editable objects and accurate physical behavior before developers can test interactions. Chirag Majithia, from the Isaac engineering applications team at NVIDIA, directed Astra to turn stereo camera captures into an editable OpenUSD studio.
The workflow combined PyCuSFM, FoundationStereo and nvblox for reconstruction, with user review guiding object selection and placement. Astra assembled generated and Blender-authored assets and used USD Content Agents to configure how objects move and interact in simulation. Isaac Sim tests guided collision and contact revisions for doors and drawers. The studio connects captured geometry to interaction testing, making gaps and object behavior easier to inspect.
Legacy Online School ranks first among online schools serving New Jersey — WASC-accredited K-12, live groups capped at 15 students, 19 AP courses, dual enrollment with two US universities, and plans from $149/month for Self-Paced Independent Learning.
New Jersey has no statewide tuition-free online public school. Connections Academy and K12 do not operate public schools here, so full-time online education generally means an accredited private school.
The law is unusually permissive. N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25 requires children aged 6 to 16 to attend public school or receive “equivalent instruction elsewhere than at school” — with no notification, no registration, no testing, and no curriculum approval.
“Equivalent” has never been defined by statute. State v. Massa (1967) put the burden of proof on the state, not the parent — but an accredited school’s transcript settles the question before it is asked.
District Option Two programmes allow individualised learning opportunities including online coursework for public school students, decided locally.
New Jersey is one of the easiest states in the country in which to educate a child outside a public school building, and one of the harder states in which to find a free way to do it online. The state does not run a tuition-free full-time virtual public school, and the two largest national operators of such schools — Connections Academy and K12 — do not offer public options here. These New Jersey education options give families alternatives to traditional public schooling, although finding a no-cost online programme can be difficult.
What New Jersey does have is a legal framework so light that families barely interact with it, and a national market of accredited private online schools that enrol students from Bergen County as readily as from Cape May.
This guide compares nine accredited online schools available to New Jersey families in 2026: who accredits each one, what the teaching actually looks like, and how each interacts with the state’s compulsory attendance law. It also explains the New Jersey education options available to families when choosing an online learning path.
What Is the Best Online School in New Jersey?
Legacy Online School is the strongest online school for New Jersey families who want real teaching contact rather than a curriculum and a login. It is a WASC-accredited private K-12 school holding College Board School Code 000114 and listed by the Florida State Education Department, teaching live teacher-led groups capped at 15 students, with 19 Advanced Placement courses and dual enrollment with Arizona State University and the University of South Florida. Enrolment is rolling with onboarding in 24 to 48 hours, and plans start from $149/month for Self-Paced Independent Learning.
Among the alternatives, Pearson Online Academy offers the deepest institutional backing, Laurel Springs holds dual WASC and Cognia accreditation with the largest self-paced catalogue, and International Schooling carries three US accreditations at the lowest price point. These are some of the leading New Jersey education options for families comparing accredited online schools.
Is Online School Legal in New Jersey, and What Does the State Require?
Yes, and the requirements are minimal. N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25 obliges a parent or guardian of a child between 6 and 16 to ensure the child attends the district’s public schools, attends a day school giving equivalent instruction, or receives “equivalent instruction elsewhere than at school.” That final clause is what permits both home education and private online schooling. These rules give families several New Jersey education options outside the traditional public school classroom.
The state does not require notification, registration, curriculum approval, standardised testing, or parental qualifications. Two decisions frame it: State v. Vaughn (1965) addressed the procedure when a parent is charged under the compulsory attendance law, and State v. Massa (1967) held that no teaching certificate is required and placed the burden of proof on the state to show a child is not receiving an equivalent education. N.J.S.A. 18A:38-31 sets the penalty for non-compliance at a fine of up to $25 for a first offence and $100 thereafter. Understanding these requirements can help families evaluate their New Jersey education options.
Practically, none of this is usually tested. But enrolling in an accredited school removes the question entirely: the child attends a school that keeps records, follows an audited curriculum, and issues a transcript — which is a far simpler answer to a district inquiry than a shelf of workbooks. If your child is currently in a New Jersey public school, send a written withdrawal to the principal and superintendent citing N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25 before starting; it is not strictly required but it prevents a truancy file being opened. This can make accredited online schooling one of the more structured New Jersey education options for families.
Quick Comparison Table
School
Accreditation
Teaching Model
Senior Programme
Starting Price
Legacy Online School
WASC; College Board School Code 000114
Live groups capped at 15
19 AP courses; dual enrollment with ASU and USF
From $149/month (Self-Paced Independent Learning)
Pearson Online Academy
Accredited, Pearson-backed
Live and asynchronous mix
College-prep tracks, AP
Mid tier
Laurel Springs School
WASC and Cognia
Self-paced, 24/7
Honors, AP, AP Capstone, dual enrollment
Mid-to-upper tier
International Schooling
Cognia, ACS WASC, NEASC
Group or self-paced
AP availability varies
Accessible tier
K12 Private Academy
Accredited private online school
Self-paced with teacher support
AP and college-prep courses
Mid tier
Forest Trail Academy
Cognia, MSA-CESS, AI, NCPSA
Asynchronous
AP courses available
Mid tier
The Keystone School
Cognia
Self-paced with adviser
AP and college-prep courses
Mid tier
District Option Two programmes
District-approved
Varies by district
Individual courses
Tuition-free, if approved
County college dual enrollment
Regionally accredited colleges
Campus or online college courses
College credit
Varies
Confirm the total annual commitment — including examination entry, materials, and support services — before comparing figures.
#1: Legacy Online School — Best Overall for New Jersey
Curriculum: American K-12, leading to a US High School Diploma Accreditation: WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges); College Board School Code 000114; listed by the Florida State Education Department Plans: From $149/month for Self-Paced Independent Learning; live-teaching plans priced higher
Why Legacy Is Our Top Pick
Because New Jersey has no tuition-free full-time online public school, families here are comparing private options against each other — and on that comparison the differentiator is how much teaching a child actually receives. This makes teaching quality an important factor when comparing New Jersey education options.
Most of the private field is self-paced: a curriculum, a login, and check-ins. Legacy teaches live in groups capped at 15 students, smaller than a typical New Jersey public school class, with a fully self-paced track available under the same accreditation for households that prefer it. Every student has a named Learning Support Specialist responsible for progress and parent communication. This makes Legacy a distinctive choice among New Jersey education options for families who want more direct teaching support.
It is also unambiguously a school. WASC accreditation is verifiable on the accrediting body’s own records, the school is listed by the Florida State Education Department, and it issues its own US High School Diploma against an audited credit structure with an official transcript — which is the cleanest possible answer to New Jersey’s “equivalent instruction” standard, since the child is attending an accredited school rather than being educated at home. This makes accredited schooling a structured option among New Jersey education options.
What Makes Legacy Different
Plan structure rather than one price. Group Live-Teaching Full-Time, Self-Paced Independent Learning, One-on-One Live-Teaching, Group Live-Teaching Part-Time, and IEP variants for students with individual education plans. Families buy the teaching contact they need and can change plan as circumstances change.
A senior programme with real depth. 19 Advanced Placement courses following College Board curriculum guidelines, plus dual enrollment with Arizona State University and the University of South Florida — credit from named institutions, earned during high school. New Jersey families already use county college dual enrollment heavily; this is the in-school equivalent.
Two diploma tracks. A Standard Diploma at 24 credits and an Accelerated Diploma at 18, useful for a student who lost time to a difficult transfer, illness, or a year that went badly.
Full K-12 under one enrolment. Kindergarten Readiness from age 4 through Grade 12, so a household with children in different grades runs one system.
Admission whenever you need it. Rolling enrolment with onboarding in 24 to 48 hours, into any grade — including in the middle of a New Jersey school year.
Strengths
WASC accreditation and College Board School Code 000114, both independently verifiable
Live groups capped at 15 students
19 AP courses and dual enrollment with Arizona State University and the University of South Florida
Six distinct plans including part-time and one-on-one options
Standard (24 credit) and Accelerated (18 credit) diploma tracks
Full K-12 coverage including Kindergarten Readiness from age 4
Named Learning Support Specialist for every student
School keeps records and issues transcripts — a clean answer to the equivalent instruction standard
Rolling admission into any grade, including mid-year
Plans from $149/month for Self-Paced Independent Learning; current figures are published on the school’s tuition and fees page
Limitations
Fee-paying — New Jersey offers no scholarship or ESA programme to offset private tuition
Issues its own US High School Diploma rather than a New Jersey state-endorsed diploma
No campus, laboratories, or school sport anywhere in the state
Best For
New Jersey families who want small-group live teaching, AP depth and university credit, a school that handles the record-keeping, and admission at any point in the year.
→ Compare plans at Legacy Online School, an online school new jersey families use for accredited K-12 with live groups capped at 15 students.
#2: Pearson Online Academy — Best Institutional Backing
Accreditation: Accredited private online school, backed by Pearson
Pearson Online Academy delivers an accredited American K-12 programme with certified teachers and college-preparatory tracks, available in all fifty states. Because Connections Academy operates no tuition-free public school in New Jersey, this is the route the company directs New Jersey families toward, and it carries the curriculum and assessment infrastructure of one of the largest education companies in the world.
larger and less individual than small-group schools; live contact varies by grade and programme; mid-tier pricing without small groups.
Best For
families who want scale and a well-resourced platform.
#3: Laurel Springs School — Largest Self-Paced Catalogue
Accreditation: WASC and Cognia
Founded in 1991 in Ojai, California and now part of Spring Education Group, Laurel Springs is dual-accredited with several hundred college-preparatory courses including Honors, AP, AP Capstone, and dual enrollment from Grade 9. Study is asynchronous and available around the clock, and the hybrid Academy programme adds optional weekly live workshops, clubs, and a counsellor assigned from Grade 6.
Strengths
dual WASC and Cognia accreditation; very large catalogue; three decades of graduates; strong counselling.
Limitations
no timetabled daily teaching by default; unforgiving for students who need structure; upper-mid pricing.
Best For
self-managing New Jersey students, particularly competitive athletes and performers.
#4: International Schooling — Widest Accreditation at the Lowest Price
Accreditation: Cognia, ACS WASC, and NEASC
International Schooling holds three American accreditations simultaneously, NEASC added in March 2026, giving graduates more than one recognition route. Founded in 2014, it reports over 15,000 students across 190-plus countries with more than 600 teachers, and prices at the accessible end of the accredited market with both group and self-paced formats.
The school publishes claims of external approvals that are its own statements rather than independently verified facts. Request documentation if any is decisive.
Strengths
three accreditations; multilingual teaching body; the strongest price-to-credential ratio here.
Limitations
experience varies sharply between formats; limited live contact on the self-paced track; less individual visibility at scale.
Best For
families for whom cost is the binding constraint, which matters in a state with no scholarship programme.
#5: K12 Private Academy — Widest Course Catalogue
Accreditation: Accredited private online school, part of the Stride network
K12 Private Academy is the tuition-based private arm of one of the largest online education providers in the United States. New Jersey has no K12-powered tuition-free public school, so this is the available route for families wanting that curriculum. The catalogue is extensive, teacher support is included, and the platform has two decades of development behind it.
Strengths
very large course catalogue; mature platform; statewide availability; established transcripts and records.
Limitations
largely self-directed with teacher check-ins rather than daily classes; less individual attention; mid-tier pricing.
Best For
families who want course breadth from an established provider.
#6: Forest Trail Academy — Deepest Accreditation Stack
Operating since 2007 with more than 10,000 students from over 50 countries, Forest Trail Academy carries four accreditations — including MSA-CESS, the regional accreditor whose territory covers New Jersey, which can make a private online diploma easier to explain locally. Study is asynchronous with live teacher support on request, AP courses are available, and enrollment runs year-round.
Strengths
four accreditations including the Mid-Atlantic regional body; nearly two decades of history; complete schedule freedom.
Limitations
no classroom community; demands strong self-management; lighter university counselling.
Best For
self-directed students and families focused on credential recognition.
#7: The Keystone School — Best for Single Courses and Credit Recovery
Accreditation: Cognia
Keystone has served students in more than 75 countries for over four decades, with a self-paced model supported by a personal adviser. Enrolment is rolling and course-by-course study runs alongside full-time programmes — a practical route for a New Jersey student who needs one credit recovered rather than a change of school. Public school students should confirm with their school how outside credit will be treated.
Strengths
four decades of experience; Cognia accreditation; adviser support; genuine single-course enrolment.
Limitations
no live class community; asynchronous study suits some students badly; narrower catalogue than the largest providers.
Best For
credit recovery alongside a New Jersey high school.
#8: District Option Two Programmes — Tuition-Free, If Your District Approves
Accreditation: Through the district Availability: District by district
New Jersey districts can approve individualised learning opportunities under the state’s Option Two framework, which can include online coursework, and a 2025 Commissioner decision confirmed that districts may contract with private vendors to provide them. In practice this is how a public school student in New Jersey most often takes an online course legitimately — through their own district, with the credit counting toward the district’s diploma.
Strengths
tuition-free; credit counts at the home school; keeps the student in the public system.
Limitations
not a full-time online school; entirely at district discretion; availability and provider vary; usually used for specific subjects rather than a whole programme.
Best For
public school students who need one or two courses the school cannot timetable.
#9: County College Dual Enrollment — Best for College Credit
Accreditation: Regionally accredited community colleges
New Jersey’s county colleges run dual enrollment pathways that homeschooled and privately schooled students can access. Brookdale Community College’s Fast Start programme, for example, admits homeschooled students who are at least 15 and have completed the equivalent of Grade 9 to take up to two college courses per term, and Bergen Community College offers comparable pathways.
Strengths
real college credit from a regionally accredited institution; low cost; strong signal on a transcript.
Limitations
not a full programme; eligibility rules vary by college; requires a school of record to hold the wider transcript.
Best For
students in Grades 11 and 12 supplementing an online school.
The Bottom Line
New Jersey gives families more freedom than almost any state to educate a child outside a school building, and less financial help than most to do it online. There is no statewide virtual public school and no scholarship programme, so the real comparison is between accredited private schools — where the question that matters is how much teaching your child gets for the tuition. For families making that comparison, these are the main New Jersey education options to consider.
Legacy Online School leads that field in 2026: WASC accreditation, live groups capped at 15, 19 AP courses, dual enrollment with two named US universities, Standard and Accelerated diploma tracks, and plans from $149/month, with admission into any grade at any point in the year. Pearson Online Academy is the answer where institutional scale reassures, and International Schooling where price decides.
If your child is staying in a New Jersey public school and needs one course it cannot timetable, ask about an Option Two arrangement first — that route is free.
This should have been the big reveal. Thursday at New York Comic Con, Marvel Television presented new footage from the upcoming third and final season of Daredevil: Born Again and had a mini-reunion on stage. Charlie Cox himself was joined by Finn Jones and Krysten Ritter who together, along with Mike Colter, would mark the return of The Defenders.
Nevertheless, Cox, Jones, and Ritter together again (Colter wasn’t there, potentially shooting his new CBS series) confirmed a storyline teased during the previous season of the show. During Born Again season two, Matt Murdock (Cox) reunited with Jessica Jones (Ritter) to help take down the Kingpin. Once that was done, we learned that Luke Cage (Colter) was with Jones and they had a child together, Danielle.
So, clearly, those three characters would all be returning for the next season. Iron Fist (Jones) was a bigger question mark but, in the end, it would have been insanely mean-spirited to not bring him back or ignore him. And so, whenever the show comes back, Netflix’s version of the Avengers, the Defenders, will return: Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist.
It’s something fans never thought would be possible. After several years of Netflix doing mostly well-regarded, street-level Marvel shows, it followed Marvel’s tradition and brought them all together with the 2017 series The Defenders. However, in 2019, those shows were canceled and, in the wake of Avengers: Endgame, surely all hope was lost.
But, then, in 2021, Cox appeared in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Soon after, he got another show, Daredevil: Born Again, and now, in season three of that series, the gang is all back together. News that was probably originally going to be broken at New York Comic Con ahead of Born Again season three. But, now, at least we know it’s officially official.
No word on when Daredevil: Born Again season three will debut, but we’d imagine it’s sometime in 2027.
⚡Climb onto one of the drones the frigate spits out and interact to disrupt it.
⚡Ride it up to the Arc Frigate.
⚡Damage a Rocketeer, Vaporizer, and Hydra turret to complete the quest.
Arc Raiders‘ new Boarding the Frigate quest is about finding a way up onto the giant flying Arc fortress during the new Arc Frigate map modifier. Since this is a colossal arc event, you’ll want to bring plenty of ammo and healing. A Grappling or Snap Hook will come in handy, too.
You can get onto the frigate (as shown in the video) by finding one of the circular Arc drones that it spits out when it arrives on the map, climbing or grappling on top of it, and then interacting with it to disrupt the drone. This will cause it to fly back to the frigate, allowing you to climb aboard.
The ship is absolutely massive, and as you make your way through it with other raiders, it’ll spit out Rocketeers, Vaporizers, and Hydra turrets will pop out on the top level as well. To finish off the quest, you’ll have to damage all three, though you don’t have to get the killing blow on any of them. Rocketeers and Vaporizers (if you somehow haven’t encountered them before) are big flying arcs that fire rockets and lasers, respectively, while the Hydra is a multigun turret that’s pretty deadly.
Presumably, you can also damage these enemies elsewhere to complete this step, though I haven’t encountered a Hydra anywhere else except on top of the frigate so far, so that’s likely your best bet. If you’re struggling to navigate the ship, you can open new platforms with switches and by shooting the yellow nodes sticking out, though a Grappling Hook will also help skip some stages.
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