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Apple’s Workout Buddy Is Friendly, but What if It Could Adopt Other Personalities?

Commentary: People respond to different types of encouragement when working out — some prefer a drill sergeant, others a caffeinated spin class instructor.

We all have different ways of motivating ourselves to exercise, so when Apple announced Workout Buddy for the Apple Watch at WWDC 2025, it made us think about what sorts of verbal encouragement would spur us to complete our workouts. We couldn’t help but imagine the different types of future Workout Buddies — and how they might help, cajole or even bargain with us to hit our fitness goals.

Workout Buddy in WatchOS 26 will be available at the outset in eight workouts (such as running and cycling) that you can activate when the workout begins. It exists as a voice through the watch and Bluetooth headphones or earbuds and is modeled on actual Apple Fitness Plus trainers. Workout Buddy can deliver progress indicators, stats and vocal encouragement as you push through an exercise routine.

Initially, Workout Buddy comes across as the type of friend who’s there to give you a pat on the back and a helpful rundown of what you just accomplished. But people respond to different types of encouragement. As we wait for WatchOS 26 to arrive (the software is currently available only to developers), here are some different types of workout buddies that could someday — or hopefully not, in some cases — echo in our heads while we’re sweating.

The cheerleader: «That light sheen of sweat makes your skin positively radiant! Good job hitting the half-mile mark! Wow — you have the resting heart rate of a 20-year-old!»

The drill sergeant (said in the sweetest voice possible): «Get off your ass and burn off those donuts! You’ve still got two miles to go before you reach the calories you consumed, champ!»

Your fittest friend who never seems to exercise: «Listen, brah, if you don’t push one more mile outta this run, you’re never gonna refine that six-pack and ever, like, find true love or succeed at anything in your life. Just straight-talkin’ ya, brah.»

Your friend who keeps stats at baseball games: «You’ve completed 1.39 miles of this run with a heart rate of 185 beats per second and burned approximately 140 calories, which is slightly below yesterday’s run, probably because you got only 6.4 hours of sleep last night and ate 50g more pasta for dinner than your usual serving…»

Your chill friend: «Hey, good set. I’m right here with you. Let’s do another one.»

The guilt-tripper: «Way to complete that 30-minute walk! Those donuts are still waiting at home!»

The buddy who knows you so well: «All right, you’re doing it. Look, if you can push through another half a mile, you can justify that bagel and a glass of wine tonight to celebrate.»

The caffeinated spin class instructor: «Let’s go babes, keep on keeping on! Yeah! One and two and… That’s right! You can do this!»

The zen dude: «Hello there. Good morning. Let’s thank our bodies for being here. And let’s be present in this workout. Only 15 gentle miles of uphill running to go. Namaste.»

The nihilist buddy: «Wow — is that really all you could muster? Fine, whatever, it doesn’t really matter anyway.»

Mom: «You got out there and did a workout. You did good, hon.»

Werner Herzog: «You have walked 20 miles. Can you feel the futility? I can tell you haven’t even left your house. Why do you make me a participant in your lies?»

Maybe the most important Workout Buddy: «Hey. Hi. I know it’s early, and you’re warm and comfortable, but you said you were going to wake up early and go for a ride. C’mon — you can do this. Just get out of bed. We’ll do it together. Your favorite coffee shop is right at the end of the route.»

Technologies

We May Know What the Next Nintendo Switch 2 Pokemon Game Will Be Called

A massive leak reveals potential details about the 10th generation of Pokemon games coming to the Nintendo Switch 2, including big changes.

A new Pokemon game, Pokemon Legends: Z-A, will be released for the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 on Thursday, but a recent leak might have revealed info about what’s coming next from the creators of the franchise. The names of the next games headed to the Switch 2, as well as some of the big changes to the Pokemon formula, may have been part of the leak. 

The leak showed up on X Monday from the account Centro Leaks, as first spotted by Insider Gaming. Data about the upcoming games reportedly stems from a hack of the servers of the franchise developer Game Freak that happened in August 2024, referred to online as the Teraleak, that included the source code for the upcoming Pokemon Legenda: Z-A

Among the information shared by the account was the possible name for what would be the 10th generation of Pokemon games that would come to the Switch 2 next year: Pokemon Wind and Pokemon Wave. 

The Pokemon Company didn’t immediately respond to a request for confirmation about this leak. 

According to the leak, Pokemon Wind/Wave is inspired by the Southeast Asia region and will feature a jungle-themed environment. It could also feature a new mechanic referred to as a Seed Pokemon, which is reportedly a special Pokemon that is heavily involved in the story and must be raised by the player. As it evolves, it will have a unique look that is procedurally generated, and once it’s fully evolved, it will allow the player to gain access to an island where they can find the main legendary Pokemon of the game. 

The main theme of Pokemon Wind/Wave is the concept of infinity, according to the leak. This would match with the reported focus of procedurally generated content, not only with the special Seed Pokemon, but also with the islands of the game being procedurally generated, so each game is unique and could continue to grow with no end. 

Also included in the leak were other details, including Pokemon on the overworld being interactable, weather affecting gameplay in some way, 18 new challenges for players instead of traditional gyms, and a few screenshots of the game in development that are still available to see at the PokeLeaks subreddit. There was also info that the 11th-generation Pokemon game could be released in 2030. 

It is unlikely that Nintendo, The Pokemon Company or Game Freak will confirm the details of the leak. Expect to see the official announcement early next year, with the fall being the most likely release window for Pokemon Wind/Wave. 

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Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Wednesday, Oct. 15

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Oct. 15.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.


Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? It includes both the first and last name of one of my favorite chefs of all time — maybe yours, too. Read on for the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Chromebooks, but not MacBooks
Answer: PCS

4A clue: «Yippee!»
Answer: WAHOO

6A clue: Reveal, as juicy gossip
Answer: SPILL

7A clue: With 2-Down, chef who helped popularize chicken cordon bleu in the U.S.
Answer: JULIA

8A clue: Toss in
Answer: ADD

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Toss in
Answer: PAPUA

2D clue: See 7-Across
Answer: CHILD

3D clue: State of matter for most elements at room temperature
Answer: SOLID

4D clue: Business-focused newspaper, for short
Answer: WSJ

5D clue: Hello, in Portuguese
Answer: OLA

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Technologies

Want to Watch a Podcast? Netflix and Spotify Partner to Bring Video Podcasts to Streaming

Starting in early 2026, Netflix subscribers in the US will be able to watch select Spotify Studios and Ringer podcasts directly on the streaming platform.

Netflix and Spotify are teaming up to blur the line between streaming and podcasting. The two companies announced a new partnership that will bring a curated slate of Spotify’s top video podcasts, including shows from Spotify Studios and The Ringer, to Netflix starting in early 2026. The goal is to make popular podcasts as watchable as TV, expanding both services’ reach into sports, culture, lifestyle and true crime.


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The deal marks Spotify’s most significant distribution push beyond its own platform, and for Netflix, it’s a new way to keep audiences engaged with talk-driven, low-cost programming. Early titles include The Bill Simmons Podcast, The Rewatchables, Dissect, Conspiracy Theories and Serial Killers, among others. You can find the complete list here.

More shows and genres are expected to be added over time.

Netflix says the partnership complements its library of documentaries and talk shows, offering «fresh voices and new perspectives.» Spotify, meanwhile, described it as «a new chapter for podcasting,» giving creators access to Netflix’s global audience while expanding discovery for listeners who prefer watching podcasts.

The rollout will begin in the US early next year, with additional markets to follow in 2026.

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