Details on the unreleased speaker remain unknown, but it features a similar pill-shaped design to the rest of the Pill family and includes a lanyard that has not been present on previous models. The most recent model in the Pill family was discontinued in 2022, and this new one will likely include a USB-C port, updated Bluetooth specs, and other improvements.
Beats has yet to officially announce the upcoming Beats Pill, so a release date similarly remains unknown.
Apple is expected to announce iOS 18 during its WWDC keynote on June 10, and new features have already been rumored for many apps, including Apple Music, Apple Maps, Calculator, Messages, Notes, Safari, and others. Below, we recap iOS 18 rumors on a per-app basis, based on reports from MacRumors, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, and others: Apple Maps: At least two new Apple Maps features are…
In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman outlined some of the new products he expects Apple to announce at its “Let Loose” event on May 7. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. First, Gurman now believes there is a “strong possibility” that the upcoming iPad Pro models will be equipped with Apple’s next-generation M4 chip, rather than the M3 chip that…
Apple’s upcoming iPad Pro models will feature “by far the best OLED tablet panels on the market,” according to Display Supply Chain Consultants. Set to be announced on May 7, the OLED iPad Pro models will feature LTPO (a more power efficient form of OLED), a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate, and a tandem stack and glass thinning that will bring “ultra-thin and light displays” that support high…
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman today said that iOS 18 will “overhaul” many of Apple’s built-in apps, including Notes, Mail, Photos, and Fitness. Gurman did not reveal any specific new features planned for these apps. It was previously rumored that the Notes app will gain support for displaying more math equations, and a built-in option to record voice memos, but this is the first time we have…
Best Buy today has discounted Apple’s M1 iPad Air (64GB Wi-Fi) to a new all-time low price of $399.99 in the Starlight color option, down from $599.99. Best Buy says this deal will last through the end of the day, and it’s only available in one color at this record low price. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a…
Apple has announced it will be holding a special event on Tuesday, May 7 at 7 a.m. Pacific Time (10 a.m. Eastern Time), with a live stream to be available on Apple.com and on YouTube as usual. The event invitation has a tagline of “Let Loose” and shows an artistic render of an Apple Pencil, suggesting that iPads will be a focus of the event. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more …
With iOS 17.5, Apple is adding a “Repair State” feature that is designed to allow an iPhone to be sent in for service without deactivating Find My and Activation Lock. The fourth iOS 17.5 beta that came out today adds a “Remove This Device” option for all devices in Find My, and using it with an iPhone puts that iPhone into the new Repair State. Right now, sending an iPhone to Apple to be…
Las Borinqueñas explores how women sought control of their reproductive lives in the 1950s.Credit: Valerie Terranova
Las Borinqueñas Directed by Rebecca Aparicio Ensemble Studio Theatre, New York City 3 April – 5 May 2024
It’s the 1950s and two US scientists are looking for somewhere to test the first birth-control pill. Where better than Puerto Rico? The territory had an established network of family-planning clinics, and the use of contraception had been legal there since 1937. That wasn’t the case in much of the United States, including Massachusetts, where biologist Gregory Pincus and obstetrician-gynaecologist John Rock were developing the oral contraceptive.
Puerto Rican women were interested in a pill that could give them more control over their reproductive lives. But as they lined up outside a clinic in the outskirts of San Juan to receive the medication, many were unaware that it was an experimental drug and they were part of a clinical trial. When some of them started reporting debilitating side effects, these were dismissed as psychosomatic.
The play Las Borinqueñas, whose title means ‘the Puerto Rican women’, revisits the complicated history of the world’s first oral contraceptive. Mixing the excitement of scientific breakthrough with the shock of flawed research ethics and shadows of colonialism and exploitation, it puts the spotlight on the women who, after playing a key part in the pill’s development, were quickly forgotten.
Reboot contraceptives research — it has been stuck for decades
It’s a long-overdue tribute and, most importantly, a reminder to remain vigilant against abuse and disrespect in studies involving human participants. In a world where the fight for access to birth control is ongoing, it is bold and commendable to recognize that this significant advance was built on ethically problematic studies that harmed some of the very women they aimed to serve and empower.
Written by Nelson Diaz-Marcano, a Puerto Rican theatre-maker based in New York City, the show was developed by the Ensemble Studio Theatre and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, a research funder also based in the city. It had its world premiere on 3 April and is playing until 5 May at the Ensemble Studio Theatre in New York City.
Taking control
The play follows the intertwined lives of five women — Chavela, Yolanda, Fernanda, Maria and Rosa — as they cross paths with the researchers testing the pill. As the audience witnesses their love stories, aspirations, struggles and loyal friendships, the protagonists open a window on the lives of hundreds of Puerto Rican women who enrolled in the tests, and how the experience changed them.
Each character is affected in a different way. Chavela sees the trial as chance to slow down the growth of her family while maintaining a passionate marriage. Yolanda envisions it as the lifeline that might save other women from the fate of her sister, Fernanda, who dies as a result of an illegal abortion. For Maria, it’s about avoiding pregnancy to advance her dream of becoming a writer — and about honouring Fernanda, her soulmate, with whom she could never openly have a relationship because of societal norms. But the hope brought on by the pill slowly fades when the women start feeling unwell.
The play shows how researchers and trial facilitators played down side effects because of the pill’s ground-breaking implications.Credit: Valerie Terranova
Rosa, who was suspicious of the pill from the start, urges the others to stop taking it, while boasting about the benefits of the sterilization that she underwent after giving birth. The doctors who suggested the procedure, however, never told her it was irreversible. The heartbreaking scene when she learns she will never be able to have another baby signals that the clinical trial wasn’t the first instance of medical abuse these women endured. By 1953, a eugenics-based programme in Puerto Rico had led to the sterilization of nearly one-fifth of women on the island to address concerns about ‘surplus population’.
From rabbits to women
The birth-control pill was the result of the encounter of Pincus and Rock, who were both studying the effects of synthetic progesterone, but in different contexts. Pincus was looking into the anti-ovulatory effect of the hormone in rabbits, and Rock was exploring it as a means to treat his patients’ infertility. The play focuses on Pincus, portrayed as an ambitious scientist determined to carve his name into history by creating a revolutionary product.
I wouldn’t be a scientist without my abortion
When someone becomes pregnant, their levels of progesterone go up, signalling to the body to shut down the ovaries and not release new eggs. Whereas Pincus wanted to mimic this process for the purpose of contraception, Rock hoped that a pause in ovulation would allow his patients’ reproductive systems to reset, increasing their chances of pregnancy after the treatment.
The scientists came together to test the pill in humans. The play briefly refers to a couple of small trials done in the United States, but to get the pill approved, it had to be tested on a larger scale. Pincus sets his sights on Puerto Rico and seeks to partner with Edris Rice-Wray, who was then the medical director of the Family Planning Association of Puerto Rico.
Rice-Wray expresses her concerns about negative side effects that had been observed in previous tests, but is convinced to join the project by Pincus’s wife, who highlights the potentially revolutionary implications of the pill for women around the world.
Rice-Wray is portrayed as a responsible public-health official who is nonetheless persuaded to push the boundaries of ethics for the greater good. She launches the programme with fanfare in 1956 and, at the suggestion of Pincus, does not mention the potential side effects to participants, most of whom are poor women with little access to health care. Her discomfort with the omission increases as she hears that the trial is taking a toll on participants.
Are women in research being led up the garden path?
In one scene, Chavela is taking laundry from the line when she is struck by dizziness and nausea. Her sister Rosa warns her that the pill is to blame, but she prefers to continue taking it rather than to risk becoming pregnant again. Rice-Wray reports those concerns to Pincus, who minimizes them as minor inconveniences compared with the wider benefits of the drug. Because of his disregard for the Puerto Rican study participants, the real-life Pincus was later accused of colonialism and exploitation of women of colour.
The protagonists eventually stop taking the pill and don’t experience long-term consequences. But the play mentions that three Puerto Rican women died during the trial, and that their deaths were never investigated.
Trial and error
In reality, of around 800 women who enrolled in the study, only 130 took the pill for a year or more, most dropping out because of the side effects. To make the results look more impressive, Pincus described them by saying that no pregnancy had been registered “in the 1,279 menstrual cycles” during which the treatment had been followed. In the play, his character brushes off the accusation of data embellishment. For him, it was simply a matter of using a different metric.
The pill, branded as Enovid, went on to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as a contraceptive in 1960. The participants of the clinical trial didn’t have access to the product once it reached the market: the price was prohibitive for the Puerto Rican working class.
How centuries of sexism excluded women from science — and how to redress the balance
More than six decades later, the contraceptive pills available are much safer. But access is still an issue. In the United States, until last year, people still needed a prescription to buy oral contraceptives — a significant barrier for those without health insurance.
Las Borinqueñas concludes with the women refusing to be defined by the experience of being exploited by scientists and having their right to decide about their own reproductive lives stripped away. Rosa publicly denounces the pill’s side effects and the irreversibility of sterilization on a radio show; she also conveys her resilience and hope for the future. The women will continue to take care of their families, to work and to pursue their dreams. They celebrate life and laugh at adversity.
Some would argue that their suffering was a small price to pay for the wider impacts of pill. But by giving names to the study participants and telling their stories, Las Borinqueñas serves as a powerful reminder that such disregard and injustice was never acceptable.
Ahead of tonight’s NBA playoff game, the Los Angeles Lakers posted an Instagram reel showing superstar LeBron James arriving at Ball Arena in Denver carrying what appears to be an unreleased version of the Pill speaker from Apple’s Beats brand.
The original Beats Pill was a wireless Bluetooth speaker introduced in 2012 prior to Apple’s acquisition of Beats Electronics. It received a few updates in its first several years on the market, with the final revision being a redesigned Pill+ with a Lightning connector introduced under Apple’s ownership in 2015.
The Pill+ remained on the market for a number of years in that form before being quietly discontinued in early 2022.
Based on today’s video, it appears the Pill may soon be making a comeback, as the speaker in James’ hand clearly shows a Beats logo and it includes a lanyard that was not present on previous versions of the speaker.
With the direction of Apple’s product lineup, a USB-C port for charging appears likely. And given the previous Pill+ was introduced almost nine years ago, there have been significant advances in Bluetooth and other technologies since that time, so this upcoming version is likely to be a significant improvement. Specific details on the speaker, including a release date, however, remain unknown.
Game emulator apps have come and gone since Apple announced App Store support for them on April 5, but now popular game emulator Delta from developer Riley Testut is available for download. Testut is known as the developer behind GBA4iOS, an open-source emulator that was available for a brief time more than a decade ago. GBA4iOS led to Delta, an emulator that has been available outside of…
Last September, Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro models debuted with a new customizable Action button, offering faster access to a handful of functions, as well as the ability to assign Shortcuts. Apple is poised to include the feature on all upcoming iPhone 16 models, so we asked iPhone 15 Pro users what their experience has been with the additional button so far. The Action button replaces the switch …
The lead developer of the multi-emulator app Provenance has told iMore that his team is working towards releasing the app on the App Store, but he did not provide a timeframe. Provenance is a frontend for many existing emulators, and it would allow iPhone and Apple TV users to emulate games released for a wide variety of classic game consoles, including the original PlayStation, GameCube, Wii,…
A decade ago, developer Riley Testut released the GBA4iOS emulator for iOS, and since it was against the rules at the time, Apple put a stop to downloads. Emulators have been a violation of the App Store rules for years, but that changed on April 5 when Apple suddenly reversed course and said that it was allowing retro game emulators on the App Store. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel …
Belly fat is not only unsightly, but it also poses a health risk. Diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers are more likely to happen if you have too much belly fat. Losing belly fat improves both health and appearance.
But losing belly fat isn’t easy. It involves changes in food, exercise, and way of life. You may not always get the desired results, even if you try hard. Because of this, some people try pills that promise to help them lose belly fat faster and easier.
But do these pills work? And do you know if they are safe? In this article, we’ll talk about some of the most famous and effective pills that may help you lose belly fat and their benefits, risks, and limits.
The best pills to lose belly fat
There are many pills that can help you lose belly fat. The famous and effective ones include:
Alli: Best pill to lose belly fat
Like its pharmaceutical counterpart, Orlistat, Alli prevents the digestive tract from absorbing fat. Alli can help with weight loss by blocking the absorption of about 25% of dietary fats.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that Alli may support weight loss of up to 10% in a single year, which is more than is possible with diet and exercise alone. Alli isn’t perfect, however. Oily stools, flatulence, diarrhea, and vitamin shortages are all possible adverse effects. In addition, a low-fat diet is required for Alli to be practical. Consuming an unhealthy amount of fat may cause a variety of gastrointestinal issues.
Best pills to lose belly fat
As a result, you can’t expect to reduce belly fat with little effort with Alli. A good diet and regular exercise are still necessary for lasting success. Alli may interact with other medications or health issues, so it’s best to check with your doctor first.
Here are some of the pros and cons of Alli:
Pros:
Alli has been clinically proven to aid in weight loss more than just dieting and exercise alone.
Alli is easy to access and does not require a prescription. You can buy it from most pharmacies and online retailers.
Alli can help you control your portions and reduce your snacking. Since it blocks fat absorption, it can make you feel full and prevent overeating.
Cons:
Alli can cause unpleasant side effects, such as oily stools, gas, diarrhea, and vitamin deficiencies. Following a low-fat diet can reduce these side effects, but they may still occur.
Alli can be expensive, especially if you take it for a long time. You must pay for it out of pocket because insurance does not cover it.
Alli requires a commitment to a healthy lifestyle. It is not a magic pill that can make you lose weight without effort. You must still follow a balanced diet and exercise routine to achieve long-term results.
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA): Best pill to lose belly fat
Some dairy and meat products contain conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a type of fatty acid that occurs naturally. It may help reduce body fat, especially in the abdomen, by increasing your metabolism and muscle mass.
Several studies have shown that CLA can help you lose up to 3% of your body weight in 6 months. However, CLA also has some limitations. It may not work for everyone, as its effects may vary depending on your genes and diet. It may also cause side effects such as digestive problems, inflammation, and insulin resistance.
Therefore, CLA is not a miracle pill that can make you lose belly fat without any risk. You must still follow a balanced diet and exercise routine to optimize its benefits. You should consult your doctor before taking CLA, as it may have contraindications or interactions with other drugs or health conditions.
Here are some of the pros and cons of CLA:
Pros:
CLA may help reduce body fat, especially in the abdomen, by increasing metabolism and muscle mass. Several studies have shown that CLA can help you lose up to 3% of your body weight in 6 months.
CLA may reduce the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes by enhancing blood sugar and insulin sensitivity.
Some studies have found that CLA can lower fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and insulin resistance in people with diabetes or prediabetes.
CLA may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which could protect your cells from damage and inflammation. In studies, CLA has been suggested to modulate the immune system and decrease pro-inflammatory cytokine production.
Cons:
CLA may not work for everyone, as its effects may vary depending on your genes and diet. Some people may not respond to CLA or may need higher doses to see any benefits.
CLA may cause side effects like digestive problems, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, and headaches. These side effects may be more common or severe with higher doses or longer-term use of CLA.
CLA may interact with other drugs or health conditions, such as blood thinners, antidiabetic medications, or liver disease. You should consult with your doctor before taking CLA, especially if you have any medical issues or are taking any medications.
GLP-1 agonists: Best pill to lose belly fat
Glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists are injectable medications that imitate the effects of the glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone, which controls hunger and blood sugar levels. By increasing satiety and decreasing food intake, they facilitate weight loss.
Liraglutide (Saxenda) and liraglutide (Wegovy) are two GLP-1 agonists that the FDA has approved for the treatment of obesity. Several studies have shown that using GLP-1 agonists might result in a weight loss of up to 15% in one year. There are, however, risks associated with GLP-1 agonists. Possible negative responses to injection sites include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and hives. GLP-1 agonists are also costly and must be injected once a day or weekly.
That said, GLP-1 agonists are not a magic bullet for effortless fat loss in the abdominal region. To maximize their benefits, you should still eat well and exercise often. GLP-1 agonists may interfere with other medications or health issues, so talking to your doctor before starting treatment is essential.
However, GLP-1 agonists also have pros and cons that you should be aware of before taking them. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of GLP-1 agonists:
Pros:
GLP-1 agonists are highly effective at lowering blood glucose and A1C levels. They can help you achieve your diabetes management goals and prevent complications.
GLP-1 agonists, a drug used to treat diabetes and obesity, can cause significant weight loss. Semaglutide (Ozempic) is an example of a GLP-1 drug that can help you lose up to 15% of your body weight in a year.
GLP-1 agonists are easy to use and have flexible dosing options. Most GLP-1 drugs are injectable medications that you can take once daily or weekly. Some GLP-1 drugs, such as semaglutide (Rybelsus), are available in tablet form that you can take orally once daily.
Cons:
GLP-1 agonists can cause unpleasant side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and injection site reactions. These side effects may be more common or severe with higher doses or longer-term use of GLP-1 drugs.
GLP-1 agonists can be expensive, especially if your insurance does not cover them. You may have to pay out of pocket for these medications or look for assistance programs to afford them.
GLP-1 agonists may interact with other drugs or health conditions, such as blood thinners, antidiabetic medications, or liver disease. You should consult your doctor before taking GLP-1 drugs, especially if you have any medical issues or are taking any medications.
Phentermine/topiramate (Qsymia): Best pill to lose belly fat
Qsymia (phentermine/topiramate) is an effective weight loss medication since it combines the benefits of both medicines. Phentermine, a psychostimulant, helps you eat less and want less food. Topiramate, an anticonvulsant, increases the efficacy of phentermine and prolongs satiety.
Several studies have shown that using Qsymia may reduce your weight by as much as 10% in a year. There are, however, drawbacks to using Qsymia. Dry mouth, sleeplessness, mood swings, and even birth deformities are all possible adverse effects. Because of its status as a prohibited drug, Qsymia may only be obtained with a doctor’s prescription and close medical supervision.
Therefore, Qsymia is not a worry-free method of losing abdominal fat. You should continue your low-calorie diet and exercise program to maintain its advantages. Because of the possibility of medication interactions and contraindications, you should talk to your doctor before starting treatment with Qsymia.
Naltrexone/bupropion (Contrave)
Naltrexone/bupropion (Contrave) is another combination of two drugs that affect your brain chemistry and reduce your cravings for food and addictive substances. Naltrexone blocks the pleasurable effects of opioids, while Bupropion increases mood and energy.
Best pills to lose belly fat
According to several studies, Contrave can help you lose up to 5% of your body weight in a year. However, Contrave also has some drawbacks. It may cause side effects such as nausea, headaches, constipation, and seizures. Moreover, Contrave is a prescription drug that requires regular follow-up by your doctor.
Therefore, Contrave is not a harmless pill that can make you lose belly fat without any side effects. You should consult your doctor before taking Contrave, as it may interact with other drugs or health conditions. Regular exercise and a healthy diet are essential to maintaining its benefits.
Conclusion
As you can see, no single pill can make you lose belly fat quickly and safely. All the pills that we reviewed have some benefits, but also some risks and limitations. They are not magic solutions that can replace a healthy lifestyle. You still need to follow a balanced diet and exercise routine to achieve long-term results. You should also consult with your doctor before taking any weight loss medication, as it may have contraindications or interactions with other drugs or health conditions.
Remember, losing belly fat is not only good for your appearance but also for your well-being. Investing time and effort to find the best way to lose belly fat can improve your well-being.
