New Time Allowances in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27, or later, give parents more flexible ways to manage the time their kids spend in apps across categories, including Entertainment, Games, and Social Media. Time Allowances are developed based on expert research and tailored to a child’s age to give parents a helpful starting point. Parents can adjust these settings based on what they determine is best for their child. Time Allowance categories are different from categories for user discovery on the App Store.

Entertainment and Games

Your app or game will appear in a Time Allowance category based on the information you provide in App Store Connect. Apps and games with Entertainment or Games selected as a primary or secondary category in App Store Connect will be sorted into the corresponding Time Allowance categories.

Social Media

The Time Allowance category for Social Media will be based on whether your app or game offers social media capabilities, regardless of the category selected in App Store Connect. This includes the ability to redistribute, amplify, or interact with user-generated content through a social feed or similar discovery method that visibly spreads content to many users. Starting July 2026, the age rating questionnaire will be updated to let you indicate whether your app or game includes social media capabilities.

• If you indicate that your app or game includes social media capabilities, it will be placed in the Time Allowance category for Social Media and receive a minimum age rating of 13+.
• If you indicate that your app or game includes social media capabilities but they are disabled for anyone under 13, it won’t be included in the Time Allowance category for Social Media for users under 13. You'll also need to use the Declared Age Range API (at a minimum) to check users’ age ranges. If you select this option, your overall responses in the age rating questionnaire determine your age rating and may result in a rating lower than 13+. Your app or game may still be grouped in the Time Allowance category for Games or Entertainment based on the primary or secondary category selected in App Store Connect, and will remain in the Social Media category for users 13 and above.

Starting September 2026, you’ll be required to indicate whether your app or game includes social media capabilities in order to submit new versions or updates to the App Store, or for notarization for distribution on alternative app marketplaces.

Design safe and age‑appropriate experiences for your apps and games

Set an age rating

Declared Age Range API documentation

Humanity has littered the sky with the refuse of fossil fuel use, releasing enough CO₂ to change the planet’s climate. We are also chucking incredible sums of carbon in the form of plastics into landfills and into the environment around (and inside of) us. What if cleaning up one of these problems could also help clean up the other?

A new study led by Ruth Ebenbauer at Aarhus University experiments with this idea by upcycling discarded polystyrene into (part of) a material commonly used in carbon-capture systems.

Adding amines

This material is based on amines—a simple chemical group that conveniently acts like a sponge for CO₂. An amine will grab CO₂ molecules when exposed to them, but let go of the CO₂ when heated or depressurized, leaving it ready to go again. The first “CO₂ scrubbers” tried in smokestacks used amines dissolved in water to do this, but solid amines are used in all kinds of carbon-capture systems now because they require less energy. These solid materials—often made into granules similar to the activated carbon in a water filter—have high surface area and high porosity, so the amines can efficiently partner up with CO₂ molecules.

Read full article

Comments

A school bus driver was seriously injured Monday afternoon after a school bus crashed into a tree at the intersection of Ball Road and Ijamsville Road in Frederick County.

According to emergency communications, units were dispatched to the scene at approximately 4:23pm for a reported bus accident with entrapment. Upon arrival, responders found a school bus that had struck a tree, trapping the driver inside.

Two students were on board the bus at the time of the crash. Both students were able to exit the bus on their own and were evaluated by EMS personnel. Officials reported that neither student was injured, and both were reunited with their parents.

Due to the severity of the driver’s injuries, a medical helicopter was requested. Rescue crews successfully extricated the driver from the bus at approximately 4:45pm before the patient was transported for further medical treatment.

Frederick County Public Schools was notified of the incident and is making notifications to affected families. The cause of the crash has not been released.

A local barbecue restaurant is stepping up to support Montgomery County Public Schools employees affected by recent workforce reductions.

Following Thursday’s approval of the MCPS Fiscal Year 2027 operating budget, which includes the elimination of hundreds of positions across the school system, Mackie’s BBQ announced it will provide free meals to impacted employees and their families.

“It’s unfortunate that Montgomery County Public Schools is reducing the workforce for the second time in two years,” Mackie’s BBQ shared in a social media post. “To all the amazing teachers and support staff, if you or your family need a meal on the house, please message us at your convenience so we can schedule a pick up for you. It’s our way of saying thank you for your dedication and hard work.”

The offer comes one day after the Montgomery County Board of Education adopted a $3.72 billion Fiscal Year 2027 operating budget. School officials said the spending plan was necessary to address a $36 million shortfall while protecting classroom instruction, student support services, school safety staffing, and college and career readiness programs.

As part of the budget, MCPS will reduce 415 positions districtwide. Board President Grace Rivera-Oven and Superintendent Thomas Taylor acknowledged the difficult nature of the reductions, noting that every position represents a dedicated employee who has served students, families, and schools.

Mackie’s BBQ’s gesture has already drawn praise online, with community members applauding the restaurant for supporting educators and school staff during a challenging time.

Any MCPS teacher or support staff member affected by the reductions who may need assistance is encouraged to contact Mackie’s BBQ directly to arrange a pickup. Mackie’s is located at 8547 Ziggy Lane in Gaithersburg.

As temperatures rise and ice cream season kicks into high gear, a new study has revealed Marylanders’ favorite frozen treat.

Researchers at Innerbody, a team of scientists, medical professionals, and health researchers, analyzed nationwide search data to determine which states are the most ice-cream-obsessed and which flavors and brands generate the most interest across the country.

According to the study, strawberry is Maryland’s most-searched ice cream flavor, while Talenti earned the title of the state’s most-searched ice cream brand. Maryland also ranked as the 16th most ice-cream-obsessed state in the nation, placing it firmly in the upper half of the rankings as summer begins.

The study found that Maryland’s neighbors have slightly different preferences. Virginia ranked as the 20th most ice-cream-obsessed state, with Cold Stone Creamery serving as its most-searched brand. Washington, D.C., ranked 33rd overall, with Jeni’s earning the title of the district’s most-searched brand.

Nationally, strawberry emerged as the most-searched flavor in the country, beating out longtime favorites such as chocolate and vanilla. The flavor claimed the top spot in several large states, including California, Texas, and Michigan.

The study also found that more indulgent flavors are gaining ground on traditional classics. Chocolate chip ranked second nationwide, followed by cookie dough in third. Plain chocolate and vanilla rounded out the top five.

Researchers noted that regional preferences often reflect local culture and tastes. Blueberry was the top flavor in Maine, coconut led in Hawaii, and peach took the crown in South Carolina. Other states showed more unconventional preferences, including boba ice cream in Florida, lavender in Oregon, and matcha in Kansas.

When it comes to brands, Halo Top ranked as the most-searched ice cream brand nationwide, followed by Cold Stone Creamery. However, regional loyalties remained strong, with states like Texas favoring Blue Bell and Vermont continuing to support hometown favorite Ben & Jerry’s.

The Northeast proved to be America’s strongest ice cream region overall. Led by New Jersey, seven of the nation’s top ten most ice-cream-obsessed states were located in the Northeast, while traditional dairy-producing states such as Wisconsin and Arkansas ranked surprisingly low.

The full article and study can be found here.

The Olney Farmers and Artists Market is embracing all things pickle this weekend with its first-ever Pickle Festival, taking place Sunday, June 7, from 9am to 1pm.

Visitors can sample a wide variety of pickle-inspired creations while exploring the weekly farmers market. Organizers promise plenty of opportunities to answer important questions such as… Will pickle pizza become your new favorite food? Are pickle sandwiches worth the hype? And can you really make delicious pickles at home without all the hassle?

The festival will feature free samples from local vendors competing with their own unique pickle-themed offerings, including pickle smoothies, deep-fried pickles, pickle popcorn, pickle empanadas, pickle moonshine, pickle pizza, pickle bagels, pickle sandwiches, dill pickle cheddar cornbread, French pickle potato salad, and even pickles on a stick.

Participating vendors include:

• PACHA MAMA – Pickle Smoothies
• CREPE SHOPPE – The Cubano
• BE STILL BAKERY – Gluten-Free Pickle Bagels
• LONE OAK – Pickle Moonshine
• SIDE’S BBQ – Surprise Pickle Creation
• PAW POP POPCORN – Pickle Popcorn
• INFO TENT – Pickles on a Stick
• DALAT DELI – Deep Fried Pickles
• PERSONAL CHEF NICK – French Pickle Potato Salad
• LA TABLE DU CHATEAU – Pickle Sandwiches on Sourdough Bread
• DMV EMPANADAS – Pickle Empanadas
• SWEET TEA & CORNBREAD – Dill Pickle & Cheddar Cornbread
• SAN VALENTINO PIZZA – Pickle Pizza

In addition to the pickle-themed food and drinks, attendees can browse the market’s regular lineup of local farmers, food vendors, artisans, and small businesses.

The Pickle Festival will be held at the Olney Farmers and Artists Market (2801 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd.) on Sunday, June 7, from 9am to 1pm. A rain date is scheduled for June 14. Whether you’re a longtime pickle lover or simply pickle-curious, this may be the most dill-icious event in Montgomery County this weekend.