Technology News 10.01.2026

Grok's NSFW push on X spurs scrutiny over safety and women's rights

January 10, 2026, 11:52 PM EST. Over the past year, Grok, Elon Musk's AI chatbot on X, was steered toward explicit content. The August rollout of Grok Imagine added an image generator for nude or sexually explicit material, including AI porn of real women and short clips. Musk also introduced AI girlfriends-animated characters that interact sexually with users. An internal update reportedly pushed Grok toward darker material, with prompts that allegedly stated "'teenage' or 'girl' does not necessarily imply underage." The Atlantic reported the bot could generate images of real, living individuals and target nonconsensual porn that spread rapidly. The result: a rise in online harassment of women and a chilling effect on their participation in public discourse. Musk's representatives dispute the characterizations.

Best Buy cuts Apple Watch Ultra 2 with Milanese Loop to $699

January 10, 2026, 11:50 PM EST. Best Buy is selling the satin black Apple Watch Ultra 2 with the Milanese Loop for $699 shipped, a $200 cut from its $899 list price. The deal covers small, medium and large sizes and undercuts recent promotions on the Ultra 3 (starting at $869). The Ultra 2 remains titanium-cased with sapphire front crystal and multi-day battery life. While the Ultra 3 offers new features, it has not dropped to this level with the Milanese Loop outside fleeting promos. Availability appears limited to the stock advertised. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.

Do Focus Apps Increase Productivity? The Science Weighs In

January 10, 2026, 11:48 PM EST. Distraction from smartphones remains a problem even when not in use. A flood of focus apps promises to tame it with timers, blocking, reminders and rewards. Researchers say the root is self-regulation: managing thoughts, emotions and behavior toward goals. When tasks feel boring or stressful, people seek relief via their phones, derailing work. The literature does not show a universal decline in focus, but certain technology habits-particularly multitasking and constant interruptions-can heighten distractibility for some. A new generation of focus apps uses gamification and cute characters. Focus Friend rose to the top of App Store downloads in August, encouraging a focus timer while a virtual bean knits in the background. If you stray, the bean reacts; if you stay focused, you earn immediate rewards like socks, scarves and room decor.

Tiny chip could scale laser control for future quantum computers

January 10, 2026, 11:38 PM EST. Researchers unveiled a device nearly 100 times thinner than a human hair-a new optical phase modulator that can precisely control laser light, a core capability for future quantum computing with thousands or millions of qubits. Published in Nature Communications, the work also demonstrates a path to mass production by using scalable manufacturing methods similar to those used for computer chips and consumer electronics. Led by Jake Freedman and Matt Eichenfield, with Sandia National Laboratories researchers including Nils Otterstrom, the team built a chip that uses microwave-frequency vibrations to steer the phase of a laser beam, enabling stable, efficient laser frequencies. This level of control is vital for trapped-ion and trapped-atom qubit designs, where lasers must be tuned with extreme precision to billionths of a percent. Large tabletop systems remain a hurdle for scale.

OnePlus Pad Go 2 review: big screen, long life, smart everyday power

January 10, 2026, 11:36 PM EST. OnePlus' Pad Go 2 refines a budget slate into a rounded everyday tablet. It keeps a large 12.1-inch 2.8K LCD with 120 Hz, delivering crisp text and smooth scrolling, aided by up to 900 nits of peak brightness. The 7:5 aspect favors reading and landscape video. Build is solid and the reduced bezels keep the device feeling expansive without heaviness. Inside, a MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Ultra with 8 GB RAM handles daily tasks with responsive app launches and fluid multitasking; 128 or 256 GB UFS 3.1 storage adds reasonable room for files. Battery life is competitive for a mid-range tablet, enabling long sessions between charges. Software polish and value together position the Pad Go 2 as a smart, affordable all-day companion.

Nvidia's Blackwell blower GPUs surface in China as RTX 50-series head to AI data centers

January 10, 2026, 11:30 PM EST. Blower-style GPUs have faded from mainstream gaming but remain common in open-air server racks. In China, enthusiasts and brokers repurpose Nvidia's Blackwell RTX 50-series into blower-configured cards for data centers, not official partner releases. Videocardz spotted new SKUs- RTX 5080, 5070 Ti and 5060 Ti – each listed with 16 GB of GDDR7 memory on Taobao. A 32 GB RTX 5090 blower remains the most visible variant, priced around 29,000 yuan (about $4,156). The 5090 is limited by export controls; underground rework operations strip and reassemble GPUs for AI workloads. Prices for the new blower cards run above gaming equivalents: 5080 about $1,288, 5070 Ti $1,103, 5060 Ti around $573. Dense racks favor front intake, rear exhaust for better cooling in data centers.

China AI leaders warn of widening gap with US after $1B IPO week

January 10, 2026, 11:02 PM EST. At AGI-Next in Beijing, China's AI leaders warned the gap with the US may widen, even as open-source Chinese models close ground. Alibaba's Justin Lin said the odds of a Chinese firm leaping ahead with a fundamental breakthrough in the next three to five years are less than 20%. Zhipu founder Tang Jie and Tencent's Yao Shunyu repeated caution, noting resource constraints and US export controls on chips and lithography equipment. The week's IPOs by Zhipu and MiniMax raised more than $1 billion, underscoring momentum but not imminent dominance. They urged focus on bottlenecks such as long-term memory and self-learning, with Tencent aiming to tie Yuanbao to WeChat history to boost value for users.

Taiwan Semiconductor seen as safest trillion-dollar AI stock for investors

January 10, 2026, 10:50 PM EST. Taiwan Semiconductor is positioned as the clearest pick among trillion-dollar tech peers, due to being the world's dominant semiconductor foundry. Nvidia, AMD and Broadcom design chips; TSMC actually manufactures them. With roughly 70% of global wafer revenue and a diversified footprint in Germany, Japan and Arizona, TSMC stands to benefit as AI data-centre buildouts accelerate. Industry analysts broadly back the stock, with most covering firms rating it a buy. The broader AI demand cycle and capex trends-projected to reach hundreds of billions, or around $1 trillion in a couple of years-support a sustained expansion for TSMC's lead in manufacturing. The case hinges on execution in expanding capacity while navigating geopolitics and supply-chain risk.

Sean Astin leads SAG-AFTRA at CES 2026, framing AI as the union's defining fight

January 10, 2026, 9:58 PM EST. Sean Astin, president of SAG-AFTRA, attended CES 2026 with about 20 staff to examine how AI affects the union's roughly 160,000 members of actors, broadcasters and other creatives. He described AI as a defining issue for performers and said the union must shape policy and protections. At the show, Astin used AI to sort materials and map the 2.5 million-square-foot convention footprint, illustrating how technology can aid organizers while raising job-security questions. The encounter framed his role as a labor leader balancing history and governance with urgent negotiations over performance rights, training, and collective bargaining in an AI-enabled industry.

Peter Thiel Dumps Nvidia for Apple as Buffett Trims Apple Before Retirement

January 10, 2026, 9:56 PM EST. According to Thiel Macro's Q3 13F filing, Peter Thiel's hedge fund completely exited Nvidia, selling 537,742 shares, and initiated a new stake in Apple. The shift moves capital from Nvidia's AI-driven momentum to a more predictable blue chip, at a time when Apple's growth has lagged the AI rally led by Nvidia. While Nvidia trades at a lower valuation, that does not guarantee safety amid competition from AMD GPUs and ASIC developers like Broadcom. The move mirrors Warren Buffett's earlier trimming of Apple before his retirement. Nvidia's market cap sits around $4.6 trillion, underscoring investor debate over whether the AI surge can sustain or whether a near-term slowdown in AI demand is possible.

Old Android phone becomes wireless PC performance monitor with Pitikapp

January 10, 2026, 9:54 PM EST. Pitikapp lets users turn an old Android phone into a wireless PC performance monitor. A free client-server setup runs a small server on Windows and a mobile app on Android or iOS to stream real-time metrics to a secondary screen. Setup requires downloading the Pitikapp Server on Windows, ensuring firewall permissions for Private and Public networks, then installing the Pitikapp Remote Dashboard from the Play Store or the iOS equivalent. The app auto-discovers the PC on the local network; if discovery fails, users can enter the PC's IP address manually. Metrics include CPU temperatures, RAM and GPU usage, frame rates, and fan curves, drawn from libraries such as GPU-Z and MSI Afterburner. The result is a clean workspace with a touch-enabled, mission-control view.

UK Quantum Computing Market Forecast 2034: Growth to USD 684 Million amid government push

January 10, 2026, 9:46 PM EST. UK's quantum computing industry is positioned as a strategic frontier, backed by universities and startups. The market reached about USD 51.7 million in 2025 and is forecast to hit USD 684.0 million by 2034, a CAGR of 33.25% for 2026-2034. The government has pledged £670 million over ten years to accelerate impact, including support for the National Quantum Computing Centre. Strength comes from long-standing research at Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, and Edinburgh, with collaboration between academia, startups and established firms accelerating commercialization. Revenues come from hardware sales, cloud-based services, algorithm development, consulting, and sector-specific applications. The forecast reflects maturation of hardware, error correction, and broader adoption across industries seeking quantum advantage.

Budgie 10.10 released, marks X11-to-Wayland migration

January 10, 2026, 9:44 PM EST. Budgie 10.10 is officially released, marking the move from X11 to Wayland. The GitHub-tagged release notes call it a milestone that ends a decade of Budgie 10 development and sets the path toward Budgie 11. The rollout, originally targeted for Q1'2025 as a Wayland-only release, follows a November preview and is now available for download on GitHub. The change makes Budgie a Wayland-based desktop, aligning it with modern Linux display servers.

Asus Chromebook CM32: 12.5-inch ChromeOS tablet with detachable keyboard

January 10, 2026, 9:42 PM EST. Asus' new Chromebook CM32 expands its ChromeOS tablet line with a 12.5-inch, 2560×1600 touchscreen and a 120 Hz refresh rate. The tablet runs on a MediaTek Kompanio 540 processor and supports up to 8GB LPDDR5x memory and up to 128GB eMMC storage. Compared with the CM3000 and CM3001, which used a 10.5-inch, 1920×1200 display at 60 Hz, the CM32 emphasizes the display upgrade, though other specs are incremental. Upgrades include a bigger battery and optional support for WiFi 7. The CM32 remains a 2-in-1 with a detachable keyboard, and Asus has not yet announced price or availability. Prior-gen models started around $340, with discounts common at retailers.

Odinn debuts portable data center Omnia at CES

January 10, 2026, 9:40 PM EST. Edge computing company Odinn unveiled a 'portable data center' at CES in Las Vegas, calling Omnia the 'fastest portable data center on Earth.' Weighing about 35 kg (77 lb), Omnia packs up to two AMD Epyc 9965 CPUs and four Nvidia H200 GPUs (or two GPUs with redundant power), plus a petabyte of storage, built-in cooling and a 23.8-inch 4K display. Odinn pitches four use cases: AI operators needing power, isolation and autonomy; location shoots for cinematographers and VFX artists; analysts scanning terabytes in real time; and portable data-center enthusiasts. Pricing isn't listed, but demos can be arranged at CES. Separately, Odinn unveiled Infinity Cube in December: a 14-by-14 ft modular glass enclosure with 56 AMD Epyc 9845 CPUs, 224 Nvidia B200 GPUs, 27.5 petabytes storage and closed-loop liquid cooling for hot-swapping.

Xiaomi 17 Air prototype leaks: 5.5mm frame and dual cameras; canceled amid slim flagship sales

January 10, 2026, 9:38 PM EST. Ice Universe shared a Xiaomi 17 Air frame from all angles, revealing a 5.5mm thickness and a dual rear camera array. The 6.59-inch display carries a pronounced rear bump and wireless charging. Xiaomi reportedly planned a silicon-carbon battery to outlast rivals such as the iPhone Air and Galaxy S25 Edge. The prototype was canceled amid a global slowdown in slim flagship sales. The leak follows chatter about revived ultra-thin devices, but the project was dropped as competition and demand cooled. Earlier tests contrasted the iPhone Air's software optimization with Xiaomi's battery strategies, and attention also circled the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max. The iPhone Air initially sold out in China, but shipments were later forecast to shrink.

Meta's nuclear-power deals aim to fuel AI race against China, executive says

January 10, 2026, 9:36 PM EST. Meta's Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan told FOX Business the company has signed 20-year power-purchase agreements to buy nuclear energy from Vistra plants in Ohio and Pennsylvania-Perry, Davis-Besse and Beaver Valley-and will back the development of small modular reactors with Oklo and TerraPower. The deals could supply as much as 6.6 gigawatts of power by 2035, Kaplan said, arguing the moves will strengthen the U.S. electric grid and spur thousands of skilled jobs from pipefitters to electricians. Meta says the agreements, along with a prior commitment to keep an Illinois nuclear plant operating for 20 more years, make it one of the largest corporate buyers of nuclear energy in U.S. history. Kaplan framed the plan as helping the U.S. "win" the AI race against China.

Oppo Watch S: health tracking, sports modes and long battery life

January 10, 2026, 9:28 PM EST. The Oppo Watch S emphasizes health tracking and athletic performance with a slim stainless steel body, a 1.46-inch AMOLED display, and a 35-gram profile. It offers a one-minute health report covering heart rate, SpO2, wrist temperature, sleep quality, and stress, plus sleep insights and guided breathing. For athletes, it provides 100-plus sports modes, real-time analytics, recovery and cardiorespiratory indicators, and automatic recognition for six activities. Battery reaches up to 10 days in standard mode, 7 days under heavier use, and up to 4 days with the display on (always-on). The device aims to balance style, comfort and performance with continuous health tracking and training guidance.

DJI Avata 2 Fly More Combo With Goggles and RC Motion 3: Best FPV Drone for Beginners and Pros

January 10, 2026, 9:22 PM EST. The DJI Avata 2 Fly More Combo is pitched as an approachable yet capable FPV drone. Priced at $789 (down from $929), it pairs the compact airframe with the Goggles 3 headset for a direct, low-latency view. The 1/1.3-inch sensor shoots 4K at 60fps, with HDR and 10-bit D-Log M color for difficult lighting. Stabilization is aided by RockSteady and HorizonSteady. The bundled RC Motion 3 controller uses wrist movements for intuitive control, while still letting pilots switch to full manual. Weight is 377 grams; top manual speed reaches 60 mph. Safety features include propeller guards, visual positioning sensors, and automated Return to Home. Flight time is about 23 minutes, and the Fly More Combo adds three batteries and a charging dock.

Charter Communications and Spectrum Internet: Is It Worth the Hype?

January 10, 2026, 9:08 PM EST. Charter Communications' Spectrum internet is in the spotlight amid price hikes, promo changes and a volatile stock chart. Social sentiment is split: critics flag surprise increases; supporters point to speed and bundles. Investors track Charter's stock (ticker CHTR, ISIN US16119P1084), not a meme play, as a proxy for what customers pay for internet, TV bundles, and add-ons. The business faces headwinds from cord-cutting, competition from fiber and 5G, and rising costs, which show up as choppiness in the share price. Some analysts say higher prices can lift margins, even if churn risk grows. For consumers, the core question remains whether Spectrum's performance justifies the bill, and whether promos and price stability will matter in coming quarters.

Nothing drops lock-screen ads on 3a and 3a Pro, keeps them on Lite and future CMF devices

January 10, 2026, 8:50 PM EST. Nothing said it will retire Lock Glimpse, the lock-screen ads introduced with Nothing OS 4.0 on Android 16, on the Nothing Phone (3a) and Nothing Phone (3a) Pro. The feature will remain on the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite and future CMF devices. A Nothing representative cited a different context for the Lite, saying delivering value at a lower price requires tradeoffs. Lock Glimpse will be off by default and easy to remove, addressing long-running controversy and battery drain complaints since its October rollout. No timetable was given for removing ads from CMF phones beyond Lite, but the company will continue to improve the feature.

Razr Fold and Galaxy Z TriFold draw flip-phone fans toward book-style foldables

January 10, 2026, 8:36 PM EST. A tech writer weighs why the Motorola Razr Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold pull him toward book-style foldables. The Razr Fold leverages Motorola's value-driven heritage, with rumors of a US price near $1,500 that would undercut most new book-style devices. The Galaxy Z TriFold counters with premium design, but its price and carrier dynamics complicate adoption. Earlier experiments with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and OPPO Find N5 informed the view that book-style form factors need a strong value or compelling use case. By contrast, the Galaxy Z Fold 7's $2,000 price highlights the gap. The piece notes ongoing debates over carrier support and whether flip phones remain the better entry point for many buyers.

IonQ insiders quietly buying as revenue climbs despite risk

January 10, 2026, 8:34 PM EST. Insiders at IonQ have bought more stock than they sold in the last six months, totaling 1,388,206 shares bought versus 513,617 sold. The largest purchase was a $6.75 million restricted stock award to CFO Inder Singh in September 2025. Other notable buys included Robert Cardillo, executive chair of IonQ Federal, who added about $488,000, and William Teuber Jr., who bought around $110,000. Some selling, such as CRO Rima Alameddine's 100,000-share sale in November 2025, was pre-planned under a Rule 10b5-1 plan. The upbeat outlook may reflect progress: IonQ reported revenue of $39.9 million in Q3 2025, up 222% YoY. The stock remains unprofitable and risky, but insiders' activity could appeal to risk-tolerant investors.

CES 2026 Highlights, Apple Card Move to Chase, iOS 26 Adoption Slows

January 10, 2026, 8:18 PM EST. CES 2026 dominated Las Vegas headlines even without Apple on stage, with AI and robots taking center floor space. Samsung teased a crease-less foldable OLED panel seen as a potential display for an upcoming foldable iPhone. The Clicks Communicator, an Android-based second phone pitched for focused communication, drew interest. Apple Card will move from Goldman Sachs to JPMorgan Chase, a transition to be completed over about two years. iOS 26 adoption remains unusually slow, with StatCounter showing only about 15-16% of active iPhones on iOS 26 in January 2026, far below earlier post-release curves. Logitech blamed an expired security certificate for breaking Logi Options+ and G HUB on macOS, locking out users of devices such as the MX Master mice and MX Keys keyboards.

15-year-old quantum-physics PhD pivots to AI-biomed to build superhumans

January 10, 2026, 8:14 PM EST. Laurent Simons, a 15-year-old PhD graduate, completed a PhD in theoretical physics at the University of Antwerp in late 2025 with a thesis on Bose polarons in superfluids and supersolids. He also interned at the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics and earned bachelor's and master's degrees at Antwerp in under two years, after finishing secondary school by age eight. Immediately after his defence, he moved to Munich to begin a second PhD in medical science with a focus on artificial intelligence. In a televised interview, Simons said his goal is to create superhumans. The case shows rapid academic velocity but raises questions about scientific implications and ethical boundaries; no honorary degrees or private labs are involved, and the work is through standard university channels.

Google tests 'My calling card' in Phone app to customize outgoing caller screens on Android, potentially via Galaxy devices

January 10, 2026, 8:04 PM EST. Google is testing a new feature in its Phone by Google app that would let users customize how their outgoing caller screen appears on others' devices, a capability not available today. Spotted by Android Authority in a recent beta, the feature, dubbed My calling card, lets users pick a photo from Gallery or Google Photos, choose fonts and colors, preview the design, and set visibility (contacts only or anyone they call). If the recipient has already customized it, their version takes priority; otherwise the sender's card shows. Images may be cropped differently depending on the receiver's screen. On Galaxy devices, rollout could come via an app update rather than a full OS upgrade, since many Samsung phones rely on the Google Phone app for calling. If broadly adopted, it would give Galaxy users a more polished, personalized calling experience.

IonQ insiders quietly buy stock as quantum computing optimism persists

January 10, 2026, 7:56 PM EST. IonQ insiders have been net buyers of the quantum company's stock over the past six months, purchasing about 1.39 million shares and selling 514k. The activity includes a $6.75 million restricted stock award to CFO Inder Singh in September 2025, but insiders also used their own money, such as Robert Cardillo's $488,000 purchase and William Teuber Jr.'s roughly $110,000 buy. Some sales were pre-planned, like CRO Rima Alameddine's 100,000-share move in November 2025. The positives cited include IonQ's revenue growth – $39.9 million in Q3 2025, up 222% year over year – though the company remains unprofitable and risky. The takeaway: insiders appear upbeat, appealing to aggressive investors despite the elevated risk.

Cold weather can harm your phone: how to protect it this winter

January 10, 2026, 7:52 PM EST. Cold air can drain a phone's battery and even trigger unexpected shutdowns. Prolonged exposure to temperatures outside the ideal ambient range-roughly 0° to 35°C-can reduce performance and, in extreme cases, stop charging. Consumers are likely to receive warnings when a device gets too cold or too hot. Practical steps matter: limit direct exposure to snow and sub-zero temps; keep the phone tucked in a warm pocket or inside a dry bag when outdoors. For longer trips, consider a thermal case or pouch that cushions and insulates. Avoid leaving devices in cars during cold spells, and aim to charge in a warmer environment if possible. These precautions help preserve battery life and overall device health through winter.

IonQ insiders quietly buying signal optimism for quantum-computing stock

January 10, 2026, 7:48 PM EST. IonQ Inc. (IONQ) insiders are buying more shares than they are selling, signaling optimism about the quantum-computing pioneer. Over the past six months, insiders acquired about 1.39 million shares and sold roughly 514,000. The biggest move was a $6.75 million restricted stock award to CFO Inder Singh in September 2025; other purchases included Robert Cardillo buying $488,000 in IonQ stock and William Teuber Jr. adding about $110,000. Not every sale reflects doubt; chief revenue officer Rima Alameddine sold 100,000 shares under a pre-planned 10b5-1 plan. IonQ's revenue rose to $39.9 million in Q3 2025, up 222% year over year, though the company remains unprofitable and risky. Still, insiders' activity may interest risk-tolerant investors seeking quantum-tech exposure.

CES 2026 highlights, Apple Card moves to Chase, iOS 26 adoption slows

January 10, 2026, 7:40 PM EST. CES 2026 in Las Vegas dominated tech news, with AI and Robotics taking center stage. Samsung teased a crease-less foldable OLED display believed destined for Apple's foldable iPhone. The Clicks Communicator offered a second-phone angle for focused use. Apple Card will shift from Goldman Sachs to JPMorgan Chase in a transition expected to take about two years. iOS 26 adoption remains unusually slow, with about 15-16% of active iPhones running it months after release, per StatCounter. Logitech faced a certificate expiry that disabled Logi Options+ and G HUB on macOS, affecting devices like the MX Master mice and MX Keys keyboards. Our CES hub has more, and daily show-floor videos are up on YouTube.

CES 2026 Highlights, Apple Card Move to Chase, and iOS 26 Slow Adoption

January 10, 2026, 7:38 PM EST. CES 2026 delivered a flood of AI and robotics demos in Las Vegas, even without Apple on the floor. Samsung teased a crease-free foldable OLED panel that could appear in an upcoming iPhone, while the Clicks Communicator pitched as a secondary device focused on communication. In the Apple orbit, Goldman Sachs will exit the Apple Card business and JPMorgan Chase will take over over the next two years, with cards remaining usable in the meantime. iOS 26 adoption remains unusually slow, with about 15-16% of iPhones on the version months after release. Logitech blamed a certificate expiry for breaking Logi Options+ and G HUB on macOS.

SpaceX to launch Twilight rideshare from Vandenberg with exoplanet-focused Pandora

January 10, 2026, 7:36 PM EST. SpaceX will launch its first Twilight rideshare mission from Vandenberg, aiming a dawn-dusk Sun-synchronous orbit. The Falcon 9 booster B1097 will attempt a Landing Zone 4 touchdown roughly 7.5 minutes after liftoff, the fifth flight for the booster. The mission carries three NASA spacecraft, including Pandora, a telescope to study exoplanet atmospheres; BlackCat and SPARCS. Pandora uses a 17-inch telescope to observe starlight filtering through atmospheres in visible and infrared light, making 10 observations of each target over 24 hours. NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center leads the project under the Pioneers program with a roughly $20 million budget cap. Liftoff is set for 5:20 a.m. PT from SLC-4E, with up to about 40 deployment events over 2.5 hours. Spaceflight Now will cover the launch starting ~30 minutes before liftoff.

Rigetti updates Cepheus-1-108Q timeline to end of Q1 2026

January 10, 2026, 7:28 PM EST. Rigetti Computing revised its roadmap for the Cepheus-1-108Q system, pushing general availability to the end of Q1 2026. The company will extend testing and optimization to hit a 99.5% median two-qubit gate fidelity, noting new challenges with higher qubit counts and tunable couplers. Current results show a 99% median two-qubit fidelity on the 108-qubit system, 99.7% on the 9-qubit system, and 99.6% on the 36-qubit system. Cepheus-1-108Q relies on twelve 9-qubit chiplets in a proprietary modular architecture, making it Rigetti's highest-qubit system to date and the industry's largest modular quantum computer. Gate speeds of 50-70 ns support Rigetti Quantum Cloud Services (QCS) and on-premises QPU deployments for research and enterprise clients.

Three Stocks to Watch as Quantum Computing Seeks Commercial Viability

January 10, 2026, 7:20 PM EST. Investors are told that pure-play startups are not the only route to exposure to quantum computing. The piece notes that while buzz grows, the technology is not yet commercially viable. Current systems rely on qubits that use superposition and are highly sensitive to disturbances, causing errors. Qubits must be linked through entanglement to solve problems, adding complexity as environments must remain stable. The goal remains a fault-tolerant quantum computer that can correct errors. Most pure plays generate little revenue, no profits, and negative free cash flow, signaling high risk. The article frames the debate around timing, scale, and the trade-offs for investors considering these three stocks.

AI bubble: five things you need to know to shield your finances from a crash

January 10, 2026, 7:10 PM EST. Markets closed 2025 with tech stocks buoyant even as warnings about an AI bubble circulate. The Bank of England and Alphabet's parent, Alphabet, have voiced concerns, but UBS projected AI upside for the year ahead. Experts say bubbles are hard to predict, and a break may take time to materialize. A collapse in AI shares could trigger broad contagion, hurting confidence and weighing on jobs, banks, and the wider economy. Investments through ISAs or pensions could fall in value if markets slide. Tech-heavy portfolios may suffer most, underscoring the case for diversification. Policymakers warn uncertainty remains; do not assume a burst is imminent. The takeaway: understand risk, monitor exposure, and be prepared for volatility.

Nvidia leads AI stock rally as Rubin platform signals long-term bets

January 10, 2026, 7:02 PM EST. Nvidia remains the dominant supplier of chips for AI training and inference, with an annual-upgrade cadence reshaping expectations. CEO Jensen Huang says Blackwell GPUs are selling out and introduces Rubin, an AI supercomputer designed to cut the cost per token and cut training GPU needs by about 75%. The platform aims to boost AI reasoning and faster inference, positioning Nvidia for durable growth. But the China market is a wild card; management has not baked potential China sales into guidance amid ongoing export and import restrictions. Nvidia has ordered mass production of its H200 chips to satisfy demand abroad. The piece notes investors should seek long-term staying power and considers a second AI name as a complementary, long-horizon bet.

iKKo unveils MindOne: card-sized smartphone with magnetic case keyboard and built-in 500 mAh power bank

January 10, 2026, 6:28 PM EST. iKKo unveils MindOne, a card-sized Android 15 smartphone that attaches to a snap-on case keyboard. The magnetically connected keyboard uses raised, tactile QWERTY keys and a built-in 500 mAh battery, turning the device into a handheld laptop for longer writing sessions. MindOne measures 86 × 72 mm and is 8.9 mm thick, with a sapphire glass-protected AMOLED display rated at 9H. The Pro model adds built-in global internet access via vSIM, covering more than 140 countries. A 50 MP Sony flip camera with OIS and a reversible hinge powers photo and video. Availability begins February 8, 2026.

Nothing rolls back lockscreen ads on most phones, hints at future return

January 10, 2026, 6:18 PM EST. Nothing says it is pulling Lock Glimpse from most devices after user feedback. The company will remove lockscreen ads from the majority of its phones, though the Nothing Phone (a) series will keep Lock Glimpse installed but disabled by default. The post leaves room to reintroduce the feature later, once it is meaningfully improved to feel less intrusive and more considered. For the Phone (3a) Lite and CMF devices, Lock Glimpse remains present but off by default, with plans to offer an uninstall option in a future update. The current rollout also lets users disable or remove the Meta App Installer and App Manager on the Phone (3a) Lite.

Reddit's Moderation Pivot Illuminates the Human Edge as AI Expands Online Culture

January 10, 2026, 6:16 PM EST. Reddit is investing heavily in human moderation to preserve authenticity as AI-generated content grows. The piece argues machines now write articles, music, investments, videos, and online personas, increasingly shaping what people read and share. As AI scales, human participation risks sliding from center stage to a supporting role. The Internet, once a space for human conversation, may become a machine environment where humans participate only intermittently. A music example shows AI-generated bands producing emotionally polished work, with feedback loops driven by algorithms and the engagement of machines rather than people. The article asks who the Internet is for and whether we are choosing our culture or being shaped by it, a trend with real implications for humans and culture.

McDonald's to deploy AI across drive-thru network, expand lanes and Ready on Arrival

January 10, 2026, 6:14 PM EST. McDonald's will roll out AI across its restaurants in 2026 to lift efficiency, improve order accuracy and speed up drive-thru service. CEO Chris Kempczinski told Technology Magazine the company has teams exploring AI to benefit customers and crew. The program follows a multi-year tie-up with Google Cloud that began in 2023 to integrate hardware and AI apps, updating the mobile app and self-service kiosks. McDonald's CIO Brian Rice says AI could ease staff stress by shaping customer interactions and operations, aided by Edge computing. The chain will launch an Accuracy Scales system to weigh orders against target weights. It is testing AI voice bots for drive-thru ordering after a 2021 IBM effort fell short on accuracy. Plans include more multi-lane drive-thrus by 2027 and expanding Ready on Arrival geofencing in the US, Japan and the UK to speed service.

Nvidia's AI Roadmap Seen Driving EPS Upside into 2027, UBS Says

January 10, 2026, 5:42 PM EST. UBS analyst Timothy Arcuri reiterated a Buy on Nvidia (NVDA) with a $235 target after Nvidia's CES Las Vegas showcase. Arcuri expects upside to 2026-2027 EPS revisions as demand grows for agentic AI and physical AI. Nvidia highlighted its Vera Rubin Platform, now in full production with a ramp in H2 2026. The company also noted progress around the Groq on-chip memory effort, though Rubin should account for roughly 90% of compute deployed. Upside risk to the 2026-2027 forecast includes faster product cycles, Rubin rollout, and resumption of China shipments. Earlier notes pegged $8-10 billion per quarter in additional revenue potential.

Is Nvidia Stock a Buy for 2026? AI Demand Remains, but Valuation Scrutiny

January 10, 2026, 5:40 PM EST. Nvidia remains a top-tier AI play, with a current market cap around $4.5-$4.6 trillion and a profitable profile that keeps investors focused on growth. On valuation, its P/E looks high on a trailing basis but is supported by 2026 revenue growth projections of about 50%, according to Wall Street. Analysts see a continued AI data-center bid from hyperscalers, underpinning demand for Nvidia's GPUs and related components as the company rolls out the Rubin architecture featuring 800-volt power that could boost data-center efficiency. Existing Blackwell GPUs are reportedly sold out, reinforcing demand. Risks include execution and possible cooling in AI spend after a multi-year run. If demand sustains, Nvidia could extend its up cycle into 2026, but the stock faces valuation scrutiny.

SpaceX IPO at $1.5 trillion looms; LandSpace pitched as 1,500× cheaper alternative

January 10, 2026, 5:36 PM EST. SpaceX is set to conduct an IPO in 2026 at a claimed $1.5 trillion valuation. The piece notes CEO Elon Musk owns roughly 42% and argues the price is hard to defend. It also promotes a cheaper proxy: LandSpace, a privately held Chinese space company seen as the closest analog to SpaceX in China. LandSpace is developing the Zhuque-3 rocket; it reached orbit in December 2025 but crashed on landing. The article says up to a dozen launches and landings are planned in 2026, modeling the path after SpaceX's reuse approach. While SpaceX dominates, the author frames LandSpace as a speculative exposure to space tech at about 1,500× cheaper.

DJI Mini 5 Pro lands on Amazon with Prime shipping, starting at $759

January 10, 2026, 5:08 PM EST. DJI's Mini 5 Pro is now available on Amazon with Prime shipping, starting at $759 for the base kit. The drone features a 1-inch CMOS sensor, 4K/60fps HDR video, and forward LiDAR for Nightscape Omnidirectional Obstacle Sensing. A 225-degree gimbal enables true vertical filming with no crop, helping content creators on Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts. Battery life ranges from about 34 minutes with standard batteries to 52 minutes with the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus. Amazon listings show over 500 units sold in the last month and a 4.6-star rating from roughly 600 reviews, though stock warnings appear on some configurations. Available options include the base model, Fly More Combo, RC-N3 controller, RC 2 with built-in screen, and the Fly More Combo Plus, up to $1,349.

Google halves Android code drops, shifting AOSP to biannual schedule in 2026

January 10, 2026, 4:38 PM EST. Google is trimming the cadence of the Android open-source releases. Beginning in 2026, the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) will publish code twice a year-in Q2 and Q4-down from quarterly drops. Google says the change aligns with a trunk-stable development model, aiming for one main code line and fewer ecosystem bugs. For users, Pixel owners should not notice changes; the regular QPR updates continue. The shift mostly affects developers who build custom ROMs, such as LineageOS and GrapheneOS, who rely on up-to-date sources and may face longer waits for platform-level changes. The report cites Android Authority for the schedule details.

Tech editor switches to Linux as main desktop OS, reporting early progress

January 10, 2026, 4:36 PM EST. Tech journalist Nathan Edwards, a senior reviews editor, documents his move to Linux as his main desktop OS. In November he decided to switch, and by Sunday he had already faced a string of minor hurdles, none inherent to Linux, and kept working. He chose CachyOS, an Arch-based distribution praised for gaming compatibility, over more familiar options. After backing up Windows, he installed from a live image via a Ventoy USB, disabled Secure Boot, and began configuring. Early quirks included a mouse that wouldn't click in the live session, and mixed results with printer and Nvidia graphics; the latter proved straightforward more often than feared. He reports steady productivity so far and aims to see if Linux can be a viable alternative to Windows with minimal maintenance.

FCC approves SpaceX plan to add 7,500 Gen2 Starlink satellites, total 15,000

January 10, 2026, 4:32 PM EST. The FCC approved SpaceX's plan to add 7,500 Gen2 Starlink satellites, lifting the global total to 15,000. The decision also lets SpaceX upgrade satellites and operate across five frequencies, waiving rules on overlapping coverage to boost capacity. Officials say the expanded constellation will enable direct-to-cell connectivity outside the United States and support next-generation mobile services with speeds up to 1 Gbps. FCC Chair Brendan Carr framed the move as a milestone for competition and coverage. SpaceX had sought up to 30,000 satellites, but the commission approved 15,000 for now and deferred the rest, including satellites above 600 km. SpaceX must launch 50% of the Gen2 satellites by 2028 and the remainder by 2031, with first-generation deployment complete by 2027. Separately, Starlink is lowering orbit altitudes for safety.

DJI Mini 5 Pro to launch internationally, not in the U.S.

January 10, 2026, 4:10 PM EST. Mashable reports the DJI Mini 5 Pro is coming to international markets soon, but the U.S. launch is not part of the initial rollout. The piece, dated September 17, 2025, notes that deal pricing and availability can change after publication and that affiliate disclosures apply. With an overseas-heavy rollout, buyers outside the United States may gain earlier access to DJI's compact drone, while U.S. customers face a separate timeline. The article frames the move as a regional strategy rather than a universal release.

UK orders X to curb indecent AI imagery or face ban

January 10, 2026, 4:06 PM EST. UK regulators pressed X over a wave of indecent AI imagery, warning of a de facto ban if the platform fails to act. Ofcom said it would fast-track an investigation as MPs and victims called X's environment unsafe. X responded by limiting the Grok AI tool to paying subscribers, a move critics say falls short. Paying users must provide personal details, raising privacy concerns and the risk of identification if misused. Claire Waxman, England's new commissioner for victims of crime, said X is no longer a safe space for women and girls and suggested reducing its presence. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall flagged potential block access under the Online Safety Act if X cooperates. Ofcom has given a firm Friday deadline and could trigger fines or a court order for non-compliance.

CES 2026: The best smart glasses from Xreal, TCL and Even Realities

January 10, 2026, 4:04 PM EST. At CES 2026, smart glasses ranged from electrochromic sports frames to AR gaming glasses with a 240 Hz refresh rate. Mashable tech editor Timothy Beck Werth tested several models over five days, including the Xreal One Pro for an ultra-wide spatial computing view on a plane. He notes privacy considerations, saying he prefers glasses without onboard cameras to avoid pervasive surveillance. The coverage spotlights Xreal, TCL and Even Realities as notable players, with Even Realities' G2 among the tested options. The piece highlights trade-offs among tint control, field of view and ecosystems, arguing the best devices balance comfort, privacy, and usable AR/VR features for everyday use.

Huang: Tesla FSD is 'state-of-the-art'; Nvidia details Alpamayo differences

January 10, 2026, 4:02 PM EST. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) is "state-of-the-art" in autonomous robotics, while clarifying how Nvidia's Alpamayo differs. He noted Alpamayo's combination of vision, radar and LiDAR-yet stressed the approach is "rather similar" to Tesla's. Huang added he would encourage Tesla in its self-driving pursuit. The remarks come as Musk touts Tesla's AI4 chip and the broader race for AI-capable hardware; Tesla would spend roughly double its $10 billion training plan if it needed Nvidia gear instead of its own chipset. He also lamented slow auto-industry AI investment. Separately, Lucid unveiled a robotaxi prototype. Nvidia is a strategic investor in Musk's xAI, which recently raised over $20 billion in a Series E.

China to approve Nvidia H200 AI chips imports, signaling potential revenue windfall

January 10, 2026, 3:30 PM EST. China is poised to approve imports of Nvidia's H200 AI chips, Bloomberg reported, potentially reopening a key market for the chipmaker. Regulators would permit sales to commercial and technology customers but bar use by government agencies, the military, critical infrastructure, or state-owned firms. Nvidia says China accounted for roughly $17.1 billion of revenue in 2024 despite export restrictions, and CEO Jensen Huang has warned demand there could exceed $50 billion annually if unrestricted. Bloomberg says Chinese buyers have already placed orders for more than 2 million H200 units at about $27,000 each, implying roughly $54 billion in bookings; after a 25% export levy, net could approach $40 billion. The shift would alter Nvidia's outlook and could lift revenue and earnings beyond current guidance.

VR headsets used as 'hope machines' inside California prisons

January 10, 2026, 3:24 PM EST. Two decades into incarceration, inmates at Valley State Prison in Chowchilla, California, test-drive VR headsets through a Los Angeles nonprofit. The program offers brief escapes to Bangkok and practical scenes, like job interviews, with virtual interviewers that balance pressure and empathy to sharpen employment prospects. After sessions, volunteers help inmates process trauma and other emotions the experiences stirred. Sabra Williams, founder of Creative Acts, calls the gear a hope machine and says the project grew from an arts program that brought theater, dance and poetry inside. The aim is rehabilitation and smoother reintegration into society. Experts, including Rutgers-Newark dean Nancy La Vigne, say such tech could play a meaningful role in transition, though access and scale remain questions.

Ciena Falls 6.3% After AI-Focused Q4 Beat as Hyperscale Demand Persists

January 10, 2026, 3:22 PM EST. Ciena reported fiscal Q4 2025 results that beat revenue and earnings estimates, driven by AI-focused optical networking and cloud platforms for hyperscale customers. The stock fell about 6.3% after the print, reflecting valuation and exposure to a small group of large buyers even as orders for advanced platforms bolster the product mix. Management highlighted rising AI infrastructure demand and hyperscaler buildouts as near-term catalysts, while a December 2025 buyback of roughly $361 million underpins the narrative but also ties sentiment to order cycles. Looking ahead, Ciena targets about $6.5 billion in revenue and $590.5 million in earnings by 2028, implying roughly 12.5% annual revenue growth. Fair value estimates vary, underscoring concentration risk and the balance between AI-driven demand and customer concentration.

Apple iPad Air (M3) shines as all-round tablet after $110 price cut at Amazon

January 10, 2026, 3:02 PM EST. The author argues the iPad Air with M3 is Apple's best all-round tablet. A $110 price cut on Amazon makes it especially compelling now, down to about $490 from $600. It powers cafe work, mobile gaming and home video viewing, with the M3 delivering enough speed for daily tasks. The writer says the iPad Pro is overkill for their use, and the base iPad is fine, but the Air offers a sharper screen and noticeably better gaming. For digital artists, the iPad Air (M3) is also a strong option for drawing. The piece points readers to today's best iPad deals, including Pro options, as context for shopping.

Android productivity: 5 essential apps to boost focus and workflow

January 10, 2026, 2:34 PM EST. Android devices now double as portable work hubs, capable of email, spreadsheets, and video calls. Yet distractions from social apps can derail productivity. The article curates five essential Android apps to regain control: for focus, Focus Friend locks distracting apps during sessions; its in-app currency comes from Bean Friend knitting items, with sessions from five minutes to two hours. It is inspired by the Pomodoro approach but will not auto-start breaks. Other picks cover time management and workflow: calendar and to-do managers, document scanning, and file management. Taken together, these tools turn a phone into a structured, on-the-go productivity hub, helping users reduce scroll drift and finish tasks more efficiently on Android.

Bay Area 90-year-old gets free Apple Watch replacement after skin irritation

January 10, 2026, 2:24 PM EST. San Leandro, Calif. – Anita De Marais, a 90-year-old Bay Area resident, wore an Apple Watch for its safety features but woke up Oct. 27 to a persistent red mark on her wrist. The irritation lasted about a month and did not hurt, she said. After a testy exchange at the Stoneridge Apple Store in Pleasanton – where technicians offered only a $130 discount to purchase a new watch – she contacted 7 On Your Side. The consumer team's inquiry prompted store officials to reorder a replacement watch at no cost a couple days later. Apple's materials page notes that while most people tolerate the device, a small number may react to materials such as nickel and acrylates. De Marais is relieved to have the device back and views it as a valuable tool.

Apple Watch Series 11 on sale at all-time lows: $299 (42mm GPS) and $329 (46mm GPS)

January 10, 2026, 2:20 PM EST. Amazon and Best Buy are offering all-time low prices on the Apple Watch Series 11, with GPS models discounted by $100. The 42mm GPS is now $299, down from $399, while the 46mm GPS is $329 (down from $429). For cellular models, the 42mm is $399 (from $499) and the 46mm cellular is $429 (from $529). MacRumors notes the site is an affiliate partner with Amazon, earning a small fee on qualifying purchases. Availability varies by model, with several versions on sale on Amazon. Readers should check the full Deals Roundup for the latest discounts.

AI efficiency bottleneck shifts to cooling; Vertiv stock to watch

January 10, 2026, 2:16 PM EST. AI's next bottleneck is efficiency, not chips, as data centers burn more power. Gartner projects electricity use rising from 448 TWh in 2025 to about 980 TWh by 2030, with AI-optimized servers taking roughly 21% of data centers energy in 2025 and potentially 44% by 2030. Heat from AI chips makes thermal management as critical as power delivery. Vertiv (VRT) is positioned to benefit: it supplies power, cooling, racks, and software that optimize complex AI workloads. Global data centers capex surged in Q3 2025, and the direct liquid cooling market grew 85%. Vertiv reported Q3 revenue of $2.68 billion, up 29% YoY, and adjusted EPS of $1.24, up 63%. The company carries a $9.5 billion backlog, and its services platform benefits from denser racks and more complex systems. The PurgeRite acquisition strengthens liquid-cooling support, and international expansion remains a focus.

Microsoft tests policy to uninstall Copilot on managed devices

January 10, 2026, 2:12 PM EST. Microsoft is testing a new policy to let IT admins remove Copilot from managed Windows devices. The RemoveMicrosoftCopilotApp policy began rolling out to Dev and Beta Insider builds, specifically Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7535 (KB5072046). On endpoints managed via Intune or System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM), Copilot will be uninstalled once the policy is enabled, provided the Microsoft 365 Copilot and Microsoft Copilot apps are installed, were not installed by the user, and have not been launched in the last 28 days. Administrators can target uninstall via a Group Policy Editor path: User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows AI -> Remove Microsoft Copilot App. The policy applies to Enterprise, Pro, and EDU SKUs, and users can reinstall Copilot if they choose.

Five ground-breaking and quirky products from CES 2026

January 10, 2026, 2:10 PM EST. CES 2026 delivered a mix of bold, boundary-pushing technology and offbeat gadgets. The piece profiles five products that drew attention for novel interfaces, sustainability features, and quirky form factors. Exhibitors showcased advances across consumer electronics, AI-powered wearables, modular devices, and playful robots. Several items emphasize practical use while leaning into whimsy, reflecting a broader trend toward devices that blend utility with personality. Analysts note rapid prototyping and a push to scale, as brands seek stand-out launches in a crowded show floor. The segment underscores how innovation at CES now intertwines function with entertainment, signaling where consumer tech is headed as brands chase memorable, real-world impact.

Intel Panther Lake targets mobile graphics leadership at CES 2026

January 10, 2026, 2:08 PM EST. Intel's CES 2026 reveal centers on Panther Lake, promising mobile GPUs that rival discrete chips at low power. The story blends laptop-CPU and GPU gains, with AMD's Strix Point and the revised Gorgon Point cast as benchmarks. Intel pairs Panther Lake with Qualcomm's second-gen Snapdragon X2 for energy efficiency. The top CPU, Core Ultra X9 388H, runs 16 cores (4 P-cores, 8 E-cores, 8 low-power E-cores) and includes a 50 TOPs NPU and 120 TOPs of integrated graphics. The Arc B390 GPU, based on Xe3 (Celestial), boasts up to a 77% lead on Lunar Lake and an 82-point edge over Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 with Radeon 890M. Cautions note scaling differences; AMD's RDNA 3.5 lacks ML-driven upscaling, while Intel's XeSS and multi-frame generation show promise for desktop graphics.

Intel Panther Lake aims to redefine mobile and entry-level desktop graphics at CES 2026

January 10, 2026, 2:06 PM EST. Intel's Panther Lake unveiled at CES 2026 aims to put laptop-integrated graphics on par with entry-level discrete GPUs while using far less power. Intel claims leadership over AMD's Strix Point processors and the revised Gorgon Point. Paired with Qualcomm's second-gen Snapdragon X2, the platform could power gaming on energy-efficient devices and future handhelds. The top CPU config, Core Ultra X9 388H, has 16 cores: four P-cores, eight E-cores and a further eight low-power E-cores, plus a 50 TOPs NPU and 120 TOPs of integrated graphics. The Arc B390 GPU, built on Xe3 Celestial, is the star, with Intel promising up to a 77% lead over Lunar Lake and an ~82-point edge over Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 with Radeon 890M. XeSS Super Resolution and multi-frame generation are highlighted, though benchmarks vary by test.

Space Force awards SpaceX $739 million in NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 launches

January 10, 2026, 2:04 PM EST. WASHINGTON – The U.S. Space Force awarded SpaceX nine national security space launch missions totaling $739 million under the NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 program. Mission customers are SDA and the NRO. Five launches will deploy SDA's proliferated missile warning and tracking constellation. Under SDA-2, SpaceX will launch two missions carrying 18 Tranche 2 Tracking Layer satellites each (built by L3Harris) and one mission carrying eight Fire-control On Orbit-support-to-the-war Fighter (F2) satellites (built by Millennium Space Systems). SDA-3 adds two more launches, each with 18 Tranche 2 satellites built by Lockheed Martin. The remaining four launches fund the NRO's NTO-5 program. SDA-2 is slated for Q4 FY2026; SDA-3 for Q3 FY2027; NTO-5 for Q1 FY2027 to Q2 FY2028. ULA's Vulcan remains the only other certified competitor.

In 2026, a tech writer swaps Todoist for TickTick and YNAB for Wallet

January 10, 2026, 2:02 PM EST. An Android Authority writer launches 2026 by rethinking his app stack. He plans to drop Todoist after a price hike and a legacy plan that blocks new features, in favor of TickTick for task management. On finance, he shifts from YNAB to Wallet due to a steep $15 monthly price and poor connectivity with European banks that forces manual entry. He notes the friction of reconciliations and the time cost of keeping accounts current. A reader poll shows most people switch only when needed, with a minority chasing novelty. The piece frames pricing, feature access, and cross-border banking as key levers driving change, and invites readers to consider similar replacements.

Seven free Android automation apps to streamline your daily routine

January 10, 2026, 2:00 PM EST. Seven free Android automation apps help users handle routine tasks without manual taps. The list includes Action Blocks from Google, which ties into Google Assistant and deploys simple on-screen buttons to trigger actions. It also covers Samsung Modes and Routines, which automate device behavior based on context. Each entry notes a free tier with optional premium features for more actions. The article highlights practical uses-switching to mobile data when leaving home, silencing phones before meetings, launching playlists, and running voice commands. Setup is generally straightforward, and many apps work on tablets too. The piece stresses real-world value: save time, reduce forgetfulness, and customize automations to fit daily rhythms. Readers are reminded that premium options unlock advanced triggers and advanced automation capabilities.

CES 2026: Five ground-breaking – and quirky – products redefine consumer tech

January 10, 2026, 1:48 PM EST. Five standout products at CES 2026 blend ground-breaking technology with quirky design. The show highlighted AI-powered devices, modular concepts, and energy-efficient gadgets that promise new user experiences. Exhibitors pitched wearables that track health in novel ways, compact robots aimed at home tasks, and flexible display tech that folds or rolls without sacrificing durability. Industry observers say the most talked-about items fuse practical capability with playful form, signaling a broader trend toward consumer tech that is both useful and entertaining. While some entrants emphasize speed and performance, others lean into storytelling and personality, challenging buyers to choose devices that fit everyday life as much as they push the envelope.

'Are You Dead?' safety app for China's solo households tops App Store, sparks debate

January 10, 2026, 1:32 PM EST. A safety monitoring app named Are You Dead? aimed at people living alone has gone viral in China, topping Apple's App Store paid rankings on Saturday. The eight-yuan tool uses a bare-bones interface centered on a Check In button; users designate emergency contacts and must check in daily. If there is no check-in for two days, the system notifies contacts by email the next day in the user's name. The Global Times noted the price as eight yuan, and the app has sparked online discussions about its blunt name and social function. Some users praise it for the elderly and young solo residents; others suggest improvements such as heart-rate monitoring and automatic alert detection. Internet expert Liu Dingding says the app addresses a genuine need among one-person households and other solo dwellers, even as debates over tone continue on social media.

Tesla Roadster: Musk says safety isn't the priority, prompting scrutiny

January 10, 2026, 1:30 PM EST. Tesla's upcoming Roadster, Elon Musk says, safety isn't the main goal. He warned that if safety is your top priority, this car may not fit. The remark drew swift attention and raised questions about Tesla's direction. Tesla has built a reputation for blistering EV performance, acceleration and design, alongside promises of future self-driving tech. Critics argue its approach to safety-especially around Autopilot and Full Self-Driving marketing-could mislead drivers and invite risk. The Roadster is pitched as a blend of driver skill and raw speed, with Musk joking that some capabilities, like hovering, are classified. In mature markets, safety is a baseline backed by crash tests and restraints. Musk's stance signals a tilt toward speed enthusiasts, even if it means higher risk. Earlier this year, the NTSB criticized Tesla's driver-assistance messaging as potentially misleading.

Apple Notes gains 7 clever tips: collaboration, tags, tables and AI proofreading

January 10, 2026, 1:26 PM EST. Apple Notes, available on iPhone, iPad, Mac and the web, adds seven practical tips. You can collaborate on notes via iCloud by tapping Share and selecting Collaborate for a share link. Add tags with a hashtag anywhere to filter notes later. You can drop lines and grids into a note to guide handwriting, via the three-dot menu. Use the table tool to insert and resize rows and columns. Access attachments quickly from the main list with View Attachments. Change the default layout of new notes in Settings (Title, Heading, Subheading or Body). Apple Intelligence lets you use AI proofreading inside a note.

Alaska bets on fiber, AI and stranded gas to lure hyperscale data centers

January 10, 2026, 1:24 PM EST. Alaska could become a hub for hyperscale AI and data centers if it overhauls its fiber network, capitalizes on cold storage and stranded energy on the North Slope, and wins approvals for large-scale projects. Proponents argue current fiber is aged, undersized and vulnerable, and that new, diverse optical links are essential as AI accelerates power and cooling needs and global demand for bandwidth grows. The North Slope offers land, natural cooling, and abundant stranded energy; its central location promises low-latency data transit. A one-gigawatt campus could generate hundreds of millions in tax revenue and thousands of construction jobs. Supporters contend fiber investment monetizes gas reserves and brings in a new in-state AI economy; critics warn of permitting, capacity and global supply bottlenecks in fiber.

C3.ai stock collapses in 2025 as revenue shrinks and cash burn dominates AI rally

January 10, 2026, 1:22 PM EST. Shares of C3.ai slid 61% in 2025 as the AI boom lifted the sector but not the company. Revenue declined 14% year over year to $71 million, while operating losses reached $112 million as it spent heavily on sales, marketing and product development without securing enough new contracts. Founder and CEO Thomas Seibel retired due to a medical condition, adding uncertainty. By contrast, Palantir Technologies posted accelerating revenue growth and widening margins, underscoring a competitive gap in enterprise AI tools. The stock is about 92% below its all-time high, and shares outstanding rose about 46% since going public, implying dilution headwinds. The setup remains challenged despite a broad AI tailwind.

Watch-only mode on Galaxy Watch 6 Classic falls short in battery-crisis test

January 10, 2026, 12:56 PM EST. An owner recalls New Year's Eve 2025 when a missing charging puck left a Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic with about 40% battery. To stretch life, he activated watch-only mode, sacrificing apps and on-device features for longer run time. The mode kept the time and basic alerts but proved limited and later felt ineffective in a tight spot. The episode highlights ongoing trade-offs in smartwatch battery life and the usefulness of built-in power-saving profiles. Manufacturers may need to rethink idle energy strategies as wearables gain capabilities yet demand more power. The piece mixes personal frustration with the broader reality for users who rely on health metrics and quick notifications.

CES 2026: Samsung displays crease-less foldable OLED panel, hinting at Galaxy Z Fold 8

January 10, 2026, 12:54 PM EST. Samsung Display unveiled its first crease-less foldable OLED panel at CES 2026, a development that could appear in the Galaxy Z Fold 8 later this year. The display might also reach Apple's foldable iPhone. In Las Vegas, Samsung compared the new panel with the Galaxy Z Fold 7's screen at a dedicated 'Crease Test' area, and officials claimed the newer panel shows seamless text across the fold with no visible crease. Reportedly paired with a laser-drilled metal display plate from Fine M-Tec to disperse folding stress, the panel is described as potentially more durable. If adopted, the tech would address the two main criticisms of foldables: crease visibility and durability. No official confirmation yet; timing remains uncertain.

Best Black Friday 2025 DJI deals: Save on drones, mics, power stations and more

January 10, 2026, 12:52 PM EST. Black Friday 2025 brings a wave of DJI promotions across retailers. The Mashable guide highlights deals on drones, accessories, and power solutions, with the Mic Mini among standout offers at Best Buy. Shoppers can expect discounts across entry-level to high-end models, plus gear such as stabilizers and batteries. The piece notes that all products are editorially selected and that Mashable may earn an affiliate commission. Deals are time-limited and subject to change after publication. Written by Hannah Hoolihan, the report previews how savings may vary by retailer and stock, urging readers to compare prices and act quickly while vouchers and stock last.

NVIDIA Poised for a Strong Q1, Says Jim Cramer

January 10, 2026, 12:50 PM EST. Jim Cramer says NVIDIA is set for a strong Q1 as it prepared to present at CES. He defended NVDA after a modest year-end; Nvidia also announced a $5 billion buy of Intel shares. On Dec. 29, Mizuho reiterated Buy with a $245 target. At CES, Jensen Huang touted Vera Rubin chips with up to 10x performance gains as part of Nvidia's accelerated computing stack-a blend of hardware and software. Cramer had been optimistic about Rubin beforehand. The piece notes that other AI stocks may offer greater upside with limited downside, and ends with a plug for a separate report on a cheaper AI stock benefiting from tariffs and onshoring.

Thiel exits Nvidia, pivots to Apple as Buffett trims ahead of retirement

January 10, 2026, 12:44 PM EST. Peter Thiel's hedge fund, Thiel Macro, disclosed in its latest 13F that it fully divested from Nvidia in Q3, selling 537,742 shares. The move shifts exposure from the AI hardware leader to Apple, a swap echoed by Warren Buffett's trimming activity before retirement. Nvidia remains a behemoth, its market value around $4.6 trillion after a long rally, with revenue and earnings records but signs of slowing momentum since late 2025. Analysts note rising competition from AMD and specialized ASICs, complicating Nvidia's trajectory. Thiel's maneuver could reflect a preference for more predictable cash flows and downside protection, a theme some growth investors may weigh when allocating capital.

CES 2026: XbotGo Falcon offers subscription-free AI-tracking sports recording

January 10, 2026, 12:40 PM EST. At CES 2026, the XbotGo Falcon is pitched as a subscription-free AI-tracking camera for sports. Put on a tripod, tell it the sport, and optionally set field parameters; it will automatically record, panning and zooming to follow the action. The device targets parents and volunteer coaches who want affordable footage of kids' games. Unlike rivals such as Veo, which demands upfront hardware plus a costly subscription, the Falcon avoids recurring fees. The market for AI-tracking sports cameras is expanding, with CES prototypes and new entrants intensifying competition. XbotGo positions the Falcon as an accessible, plug-and-play option for non-professional teams seeking professional-like clips without ongoing costs.

Lammy says JD Vance backs UK stance against AI-sex images on X

January 10, 2026, 12:36 PM EST. David Lammy told the Guardian that JD Vance agreed it is entirely unacceptable for platforms like X to host AI-generated sexualised images of women and children. Lammy said Vance was sympathetic to the UK's stance on Grok, the platform's AI chatbot, and acknowledged concerns about deepfakes and the weaponisation of images to sexually exploit individuals. The exchange followed a broader cross-Atlantic clash over Grok, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer warning X could be blocked if it fails to comply with UK law. Elon Musk disputed the UK government, accusing it of censorship. UK tech secretary Liz Kendall signalled support for Ofcom taking action. Ofcom confirmed an accelerated investigation into X is underway.

Samsung Galaxy S26 core camera hardware capped, with flagship sensors reserved for Edge and Ultra

January 10, 2026, 12:34 PM EST. Industry chatter suggests Samsung trimmed camera upgrades across the Galaxy S26 lineup to hold pricing. The S26 and S26+ keep a 50MP main sensor in a 1/1.56-inch footprint, while the 200MP HP2 sensor appears in the S25 Edge rather than the core Galaxy S line. Samsung argues software can close the gap, but physics favors larger sensors. Pixel binning and sharpening can help, yet they cannot conjure details not captured by the sensor. By reserving the best camera hardware for Edge and Ultra, Samsung is redefining what the core Galaxy S line stands for. The result: the camera debate ends with the hardware ceiling set by the core devices, while premium tiers carry the higher-end sensor.

Eight health apps turn a phone into a pocket hospital, says writer

January 10, 2026, 12:32 PM EST. Eight health and wellbeing apps are helping one writer turn a smartphone into a pocket hospital. The suite targets awareness, routine, and energy management, covering diet, hydration, sleep, stress, and activity. The person notes recurring fatigue despite no hospitalization, and says habits-tracked on mobile-have changed how prepared they feel when alarms go off in their system. The piece stresses that apps are aids, not diagnoses, with a warning to seek professional care for ongoing symptoms. A cited example is Calorie Counter, praised for logging diet, water, macros, progress photos, and a built-in shopping list. The story frames mobile tools as complements to medical advice, not substitutes, and reflects a shift toward intentional living through data-driven checks.

DJI appeals ruling that DoD designates it a Chinese military company

January 10, 2026, 12:30 PM EST. DJI has filed an appeal after a U.S. district court upheld the DoD's designation of the drone maker as a Chinese military company. The court ruled the designation may stand, despite DJI's claim that it has produced only civilian products. The decision notes evidence that the company contributes to the Chinese defence industrial base because drones have military uses. DJI argues that many commercial technologies can be misused for military purposes, which does not show a direct link to the Chinese military or the Chinese Communist Party. The company said it respects the court's process but is disappointed the designation remains. The DoD-recently renamed the Department of War-maintains the listing on national security grounds.

D-Wave to acquire Quantum Circuits to become world's leading quantum computing firm

January 10, 2026, 12:28 PM EST. D-Wave Quantum Inc. agreed to acquire Quantum Circuits Inc., a gate-model quantum computing developer, in a deal valued at $550 million ($300 million in D-Wave stock and $250 million in cash). The move, announced by CEO Dr. Alan Baratz, positions D-Wave as a leading player in superconducting quantum computing. D-Wave's current approach centers on annealing qubits to solve optimization problems by finding low-energy states. By contrast, Quantum Circuits builds gate-model qubits with built-in error detection and the potential for universal quantum logic. The combination aims to deliver a fully error-corrected, scalable gate-model system for commercial use, targeted for 2026. Quantum Circuits' Rob Schoelkopf says the merger could create a near-term path to large-scale error-corrected quantum systems by integrating dual-rail gate-model processors with D-Wave's control/readout.

AI-Generated Deepfakes Led to Arrest; Advocates Seek Evidence Standards

January 10, 2026, 12:26 PM EST. Philadelphia-area case highlights growing risks of AI-generated evidence. Melissa Sims says an ex-boyfriend used AI to fabricate text messages that led to her arrest for battery and a separate bond-violation charge. Prosecutors later dropped the bond charge, and Sims was acquitted on the battery charge after eight months of wrangling. The case signals a trend: AI-created texts, videos and images can be hard to verify before charges. Judge Herbert Dixon urges prosecutors and police to apply more due diligence in this era. Drexel professor Rob D'Ovidio notes detection tools lag behind generation and shows how different AI detectors score a single image. Sims is pushing a new law to set AI-evidence standards to prevent future miscarriages of justice.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra pricing and perks shift sparks regional divergence

January 10, 2026, 12:24 PM EST. U.S. pricing for the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to stay flat, while South Korea could see a $50-$60 price increase as Samsung adjusts to local economics. The shift reflects a regional pricing strategy that weighs inflation and currency moves. Samsung may also drop the long-standing free double storage upgrade pre-order perk, potentially forcing buyers to pay more to reach 512 GB. That change could blunt the model's appeal for value buyers amid rising app sizes and media. Trade-in programs, another lever for affordability, may not be as generous as in prior years, reducing upfront savings for some upgrades. The timeline and specifics are still blurry, a point documented in a Sakitech video compiling the rumors.

The AI question every job candidate should prepare to answer in interviews

January 10, 2026, 12:22 PM EST. Rising corporate talk about AI reshaping work is moving from feasibility to value. MIT's Daniela Rus argues the baseline is now whether a worker can add unique value beyond what AI can do. In markets, early productivity signals from AI appear anecdotally: Neel Kashkari notes big firms slow hiring but report productivity gains as AI helps. AMD's Lis Su says firms are hiring, but for AI-forward roles. Last year, Shopify, Accenture and Fiverr laid off workers while urging upskilling to stay relevant. Micha Kaufman of Fiverr says preparing teams for AI-driven change early, transparently, and with purpose is the responsible path. Some companies assign AI to repetitive tasks, leaving humans to higher-value work.

Nvidia bets on Alpamayo at CES as ChatGPT moment for self-driving

January 10, 2026, 12:20 PM EST. Jensen Huang framed CES as a milestone for physical AI, calling it the ChatGPT moment for self-driving. Nvidia unveiled Alpamayo, a chain-of-thought vision-language-action model designed to fuse perception, language and action planning for autonomous cars. A video showed a test vehicle navigating San Francisco with no human intervention. Nvidia aims to challenge Tesla and Waymo, noting Alpamayo is currently at Level 2 autonomy with plans for Level 4 as deployment widens. Huang said the market could reach a billion autonomous cars and a multitrillion-dollar opportunity. Mercedes will deploy Nvidia's FSD stack with Alpamayo in Q1; robotaxis with Uber and Lucid could follow by 2027. Some academics caution that hype should be grounded.

SmallSat Symposium 2026: SDA, Amazon, and DARPA Leaders Convene as Space Sector Reaches Industrial Maturity

January 10, 2026, 12:18 PM EST. SmallSat Symposium 2026 convenes Feb. 10-12 at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View as the sector moves from proving concepts to scaled deployment. With over $20 billion invested in commercial constellations and the Space Development Agency pledging $9.9 billion toward 438 satellites, leaders from government, industry and finance map decisions shaping Direct-to-Device connectivity and proliferated architectures-distributed satellite networks. Silvano Payne, SatNews CEO and symposium chair, says the theoretical era is over. The speaker roster spans Dr. GP Sandhoo (Acting Director, SDA), Ricky Freeman of Amazon LEO, Victoria Coleman, former DARPA Director, UC Berkeley, John Rood of Momentus, Preston Dunlap of Arkenstone Capital, Peter Krauss of Terran Orbital, and analysts like Chris Quilty. The event signals growing industrial maturity and policy-driven deployment.

Alexa's AI upgrade, Copilot Checkout, Gmail AI Inbox: GeekWire Podcast roundup

January 10, 2026, 12:16 PM EST. In this week's GeekWire Podcast, Amazon and Microsoft push AI on multiple fronts. Amazon moves Alexa toward a true generative AI home chatbot, with a new web portal and updated Alexa app. Microsoft pitches Copilot Checkout to retailers as part of its commerce strategy. Google previews AI Inbox for Gmail, promising executive-style email triage. The team tests a smart bird feeder and encounters 'fuzzy birds' from improper focal length. They also try Vy from Seattle startup Vercept for AI automation on the Windows desktop. Netflix recommendation: Cover-Up, the Seymour Hersh documentary. The show closes with the loss of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and GeekWire's archival moment on its page.

Nvidia G-Sync Pulsar promises CRT-like motion clarity with VRR

January 10, 2026, 12:14 PM EST. Reviewers say Nvidia G-Sync Pulsar delivers CRT-like motion clarity with VRR support, claiming 4x motion clarity over standard LCD. After testing early Pulsar-compatible monitors ahead of CES 2026 rollout, analysts note no visible flicker, increased brightness and a pronounced reduction in motion blur during fast camera pans. Nvidia's Pulsar uses LCD panels in motion with high-speed capture to demonstrate improved persistence control, addressing long-standing LCD limits from CRT-era motion. While not perfect-blur can't be fully reproduced in standard video-the in-depth look argues Pulsar markedly alters how games appear compared with traditional LCDs. Expect updates, as panel makers adapt Pulsar hardware and software for broader rollout and future refinements.

DJI drones: Where to buy online amid ban uncertainty

January 10, 2026, 12:12 PM EST. Shoppers watch for a potential DJI ban, keeping many cautious about purchases. The Mashable guide notes where to buy DJI drones online, including affiliate links and caveats about price changes after publication. A highlighted deal shows the DJI Mini 4K drone available for $299 on Amazon. The report underscores that prices and availability shift with policy news and time, and that editors may earn a commission on linked sales. For buyers, Amazon remains a primary channel, but options vary as the situation evolves. In short, verify current price and terms before purchasing, and stay alert for updates on any regulatory moves.

SpaceX to launch NASA Pandora exoplanet mission from Vandenberg on Jan. 11

January 10, 2026, 11:58 AM EST. SpaceX will launch NASA's Pandora exoplanet mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Jan. 11 within a 57-minute launch window beginning at 8:19 a.m. EST. The Falcon 9 rocket will carry about 40 payloads, including Pandora, a 716-pound spacecraft with a 17-inch telescope to study at least 20 exoplanets during a yearlong mission. Pandora will observe transits, when a planet crosses its star, to measure dips in brightness. By operating in visible light and infrared, researchers hope to separate the star's spectrum from the planet's, accounting for star spots and atmospheric signatures. The mission is part of SpaceX's Twilight rideshare; the booster is expected to land at Vandenberg about 8.5 minutes after liftoff. Livestreams via SpaceX's site and X begin ~15 minutes before launch.

SmallSat Symposium 2026 brings SDA, Amazon, and DARPA leaders as space sector matures

January 10, 2026, 11:56 AM EST. The SmallSat Symposium 2026 in Mountain View runs February 10-12 to stage a sector entering industrial maturity. The event gathers decision-makers from government, commercial, and investment circles as more than $20 billion flows into commercial constellations and SDA allocates $9.9 billion toward 438 satellites. Attendees will hear from Dr. GP Sandhoo and other leaders guiding standards, proliferated architectures, and scaled deployments. The roster includes executives from Amazon LEO, Terra Orbital, Momentus, Rocket Lab, and major consultancies shaping policy, funding, and procurement. Organizers call it the place where technology choices and capital commitments will define the next decade of space infrastructure.

SpaceX wins $739 million Space Force launch contracts for missile-tracking missions

January 10, 2026, 11:52 AM EST. SpaceX has secured nearly $739 million in US Space Force launch contracts to support missile warning and missile-tracking missions, the Space Systems Command (SSC) said in a press release. Under National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 1 awards, SSC assigned SDA-2 launches (beginning in 4Q FY26) and SDA-3 launches (beginning in 3Q FY27) to SpaceX, with additional NTO-5 launches planned for 1Q FY27 and 2Q FY28. The total awards amount to $739 million. The SDA-2 package covers two launches for eighteen Tranche 2 Tracking Layer Space Vehicles built by L3Harris and one launch for eight F2 Space Vehicles built by Millennium Space Systems, forming a low-Earth-orbit missile-defense constellation. The SDA-3 package provides two launches for eighteen Tranche 2 SVs by Lockheed Martin. The NRO mission set is supported under NTO-5.

Nvidia G-Sync Pulsar promises CRT-like motion clarity with VRR ahead of CES 2026 rollout

January 10, 2026, 11:48 AM EST. Nvidia's G-Sync Pulsar aims to restore motion clarity missing since the CRT-to-LCD switch. Nvidia says Pulsar delivers up to four times the motion clarity of a standard LCD while preserving full VRR support. In early testing on compatible monitors ahead of a formal CES 2026 rollout, Pulsar-branded displays reportedly combine CRT-like motion persistence with higher brightness and no visible flicker, avoiding backlight strobing downsides. The improvement is hard to prove on video, even with slow-motion footage, but engineers say the effect is meaningful in fast action. The technology reopens debates about OLED versus LCD trade-offs, offering a practical path to sharper motion without major sacrifices. More updates are expected as CES reveals compatible panels.

Intel Panther Lake Arc B390 benchmarks challenge Ryzen and RTX 4050 Laptop

January 10, 2026, 11:38 AM EST. Initial benchmarks pit Intel's Panther Lake Arc B390 against AMD's Ryzen-based systems and Nvidia's RTX 4050 Laptop. The Arc B390M outperforms the AMD Radeon 890M by more than 80% in several titles, while the older Arc 140T trails by a similar margin in some games. In Baldur's Gate 3, the iGPU nearly matches the RTX 4050 Laptop in 1080p, but in Cyberpunk 2077 the RTX 4050 is about 20% faster. The Ryzen AI Max+ 395 with Radeon 8060S can double FPS in some scenarios, albeit with larger, costlier, and less efficient chips. Real-world performance hinges on iGPU power headroom and RAM speed used as VRAM. Early tests show playable 44-50 fps at 1080p Ultra in Cyberpunk 2077 and Baldur's Gate 3; XeSS Quality with Frame Generation pushes frame rates above 160 fps.

SpaceX wins $739 million US Space Force launch contracts for missile-tracking missions

January 10, 2026, 11:36 AM EST. SpaceX has won $739 million in United States Space Force contracts to support missile warning and tracking missions, the Space Systems Command said in a release. The awards cover nine National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 1 launches, split into SDA-2, SDA-3 and NTO-5 task orders. SDA-2 starts in 4QFY26 and includes two launches for eighteen Tranche 2 Tracking Layer Space Vehicles from L3Harris and one launch for eight F2 satellites from Millennium Space Systems. SDA-3 begins in 3QFY27 and provides two launches for eighteen Tranche 2 SVs by Lockheed Martin. NTO-5 supports an NRO mission. SSC manages about $15.6 billion annual space procurement to bolster missile-warning capabilities and space resilience.

SpaceX to launch NASA's Pandora exoplanet mission from Vandenberg on Jan. 11

January 10, 2026, 11:32 AM EST. SpaceX will launch NASA's Pandora exoplanet mission on Sunday from Vandenberg Space Force Base. A Falcon 9 rocket with about 40 payloads is set to lift within a 57-minute window that opens at 8:19 a.m. EST (1319 GMT). If all goes to plan, Pandora will ride a 716-pound spacecraft into a yearlong orbit to study at least 20 known exoplanets using a 17-inch telescope. The mission will observe planetary transits-when a planet crosses its star-to measure dimming and gather infrared data alongside visible light. This multiwavelength approach aims to separate the star's spectrum from the planet's, helping characterize atmospheres. Pandora targets worlds with atmospheres rich in water or hydrogen, within a diverse payload cluster on the Twilight rideshare.

Apple TV 4K offline test shows limited functionality without internet

January 10, 2026, 11:30 AM EST. An experiment with a fresh Apple TV 4K shows that, without an internet connection, the device mostly becomes a brick. Setup and app downloads require online access. Once offline, streaming fails and many apps won't open. Some content already downloaded-such as titles from Apple Arcade-remains usable, but options are severely limited. AirPlay from Android devices does not work, trimming casting possibilities. You can use preinstalled features and external devices, but there is little to watch or play offline. The takeaway: this is more curiosity than practicality; reconnecting to the internet restores full functionality.

Apple TV 4K offline test shows limited functionality without internet

January 10, 2026, 11:28 AM EST. An experiment tests how far an Apple TV 4K can run without an internet connection. The author finds that setup requires online access: without it, the box cannot download apps and largely becomes a brick. Pre-downloaded content offers limited usefulness, with some apps like Apple Arcade still accessible, but streaming or AirPlay is blocked. Even when Wi-Fi is unplugged, the device can power on and run already-installed software, but most services demand a connection. The takeaway: you can use external devices and pre-stored items, but you should not expect to stream, browse, or install new apps offline. In short, the Apple TV 4K is designed around a constant internet link, and using it offline is not practical.

Samsung debuts crease-free foldable display at CES 2026, signaling shift for smartphones

January 10, 2026, 11:24 AM EST. Samsung showcased a book-style foldable display at CES 2026 with no visible crease, unlike current screens such as the Galaxy Z Fold 7. A tipster on X, Ice Universe, attributed the effect to laser-drilled micro perforations that spread folding stress across a wider area, reducing crease visibility in most viewing conditions. The company framed the technology as a first of its kind and a potential path to mainstream foldables. If adopted, it could influence future devices, including Apple's first foldable iPhone and Samsung's next Galaxy Z Fold iteration, possibly the Z Fold 8. Two long-standing issues persist: visible creases and overall durability. Samsung's approach addresses the first, potentially bringing foldable smartphones closer to ordinary use, though official specifics on rollout remain unclear.

Anthropic's growth engine: Daniela Amodei anchors a business-first path to generative AI

January 10, 2026, 11:22 AM EST. Daniela Amodei, president and co-founder of Anthropic, helps steer the company's rapid ascent after she and brother Dario left OpenAI five years ago. Anthropic's revenue has grown tenfold for three straight years, with 85% from business customers for reliable, enterprise AI, a contrast to OpenAI's consumer-heavy model. The company is valued around $183 billion and on track to grow further after signing a term sheet with Microsoft and Nvidia. The Claude model has become the enterprise default for reliability. Daniela acts as the operational ballast to Dario's technical horizon-scanning, building the foundation for scaled AI while preserving safety-an ethos of slow, deliberate progress. The SF headquarters sits in 'AI Alley', reflecting the startup ecosystem around Anthropic and rivals.

Nvidia RTX 60-series rumored for late-2027 launch amid RAM-price pressures

January 10, 2026, 11:20 AM EST. Nvidia's next-gen RTX 60-series GPUs are reportedly on track for a H2 2027 debut, according to a hardware leaker with a solid track record, kopite7kimi. Notebookcheck.net cites the reply "2027H2" to a question about the RTX 6090. Nvidia has not confirmed timing or designs. The window fits the pattern set by the RTX 50-series, launched last year, and suggests a multi-year cycle for new architectures. Still, rising RAM prices raise the risk of delays as memory shortages persist. Some chatter ties the RTX 60 launch to a potential GTA 6 PC port, though Rockstar has not announced a date. The absence of RTX 50 Super GPUs at CES 2026 adds to the uncertainty about supply and timing.

Steam Machine price leak hints at steep pricing after retailer markup

January 10, 2026, 11:18 AM EST. Valve introduced the Steam Machine and Steam Frame in November 2025 but kept pricing under wraps. A Czech retailer, Smarty, appears to list unlisted prices in site source code for both the 512GB and 2TB models: about 19,826 CZK (~$950) and 22,306 CZK (~$1,070). ClawSomeGamer notes Smarty's roughly 17% markup could push costs closer to $814 and $916, though those figures are unconfirmed guesses. By comparison, the most expensive PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X variants still sit under $800, while the base models remain $499 and $649 respectively. Direct Valve pricing may be lower; the Steam Deck OLED lists at $649 from Valve, though third parties charge around $200 more. Analysts cite AI-driven RAM scarcity and CES 2026 remarks from Samsung as portents of higher prices industry-wide, with no official Steam Machine release date yet.

ASU-built SPARCS telescope set for SpaceX Twilight launch from Vandenberg

January 10, 2026, 11:16 AM EST. ASU played a leading supporting role in SpaceX's Twilight mission, carrying the SPARCS ultraviolet telescope aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The cereal box-sized payload, officially the Star-Planet Activity Research CubeSat, will study the habitability of planets orbiting small M-type stars and K-type stars by monitoring stellar flares and sunspot activity. Researchers designed and assembled the SPARCS payload, with 15 undergraduate ASU students contributing. The telescope will collect high-energy photons to help scientists understand how flares influence a planet's atmosphere. Liftoff is scheduled for 6:19 a.m. MST on Sunday and will be streamed on SpaceX's website and X account.

Tech theorist says AI trains humans to think backward

January 10, 2026, 11:12 AM EST. A tech theorist argues that AI systems are reshaping how people think by encouraging backward reasoning. The claim: when machines surface outcomes, users learn to start from the result and work back to the causes, a habit that may undercut forward planning and independent judgment. The theory points to autocomplete, recommendations, and chat assistants that push likely conclusions, conditioning users to accept machine-led reasoning rather than explicitly formulating questions. Supporters say the dynamic expands problem-solving and access to information; critics warn it could erode critical thinking and originality. The debate touches on education, workplace policy, and oversight as firms embed AI into decision processes without sacrificing human control.

Quantum Elements combines AI, digital twins to speed quantum computing development

January 10, 2026, 10:56 AM EST. Quantum Elements, backed by QNDL Participations and USC Viterbi, launched the Constellation platform to accelerate fault-tolerant quantum computing. The AI-native toolset blends AI agents, natural-language interfaces and simulators to generate code and test quantum algorithms, plus an 'advanced noisy-qubit simulator' to create digital twins of quantum systems-reducing development time and cost. Co-founder Izhar Medalsy says virtualizing quantum hardware at scale has lagged behind, making the digital twin a crucial bridge. McKinsey analysts have framed a growing AI-digital twin synergy: AI structures inputs and synthesizes outputs, while twins provide a test-and-learn environment that could speed deployment and lower costs. The platform aims to offer a first-of-its-kind development environment for quantum computing.

Copilot could live inside Windows 11 File Explorer as Microsoft tests a chat pane in Explorer

January 10, 2026, 10:38 AM EST. Microsoft is testing a built-in Copilot pane inside Windows 11's File Explorer, moving beyond the current right-click "Ask Copilot" option. Insiders spotted a hidden "Chat with Copilot" entry in preview builds (Build 26220.7523) tied to an internal name, "AppAssistantLaunch." Strings in Resources.AppAssistantLaunchLabel and Resources.AppAssistantDetachLabel reference a Chat with Copilot and Detach Copilot, hinting at a dockable Copilot pane in the File Explorer interface that could detach into its own window. Microsoft has not confirmed the feature. If real, Copilot would live inside Explorer, not as a separate app, with a potential sidebar or detail/preview pane.

Viture Luma Pro XR Glasses on sale for $424 with bundle and Switch dock offer

January 10, 2026, 10:36 AM EST. Amazon re-lists the Viture Luma Pro XR Glasses at $424, down from $499, with a free 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Bluetooth controller and an extra $39 checkout discount. The standard Luma XR is $359, down from $400, and includes a free translucent clear 8BitDo Ultimate 2C controller. A related deal lowers the Viture Pro Mobile Dock to $99, with a free Mobile Dock Mount worth $19. The Luma Pro XR projects a 152-inch, 1200p simulated display at 120Hz, offering a sharper picture than the Pro XR's 146-inch 1200p display. Spacewalker lets you run three smaller displays via a connected smartphone, while electrochromic lenses preserve privacy and reduce glare. The company notes improved readability and a programmer-focused screen mode.

China starts construction of its first sea-recovery rocket plant in Hangzhou

January 10, 2026, 10:34 AM EST. China began construction of its first sea-recovery reusable rocket plant in Hangzhou on January 7, 2026, led by Space Epoch. The 5.2 billion yuan facility will produce medium-to-large, liquid-fueled rockets designed for recovery at sea, aiming to reduce launch costs. Founder Wei Yi likened a reusable rocket to a taxi, with satellites as passengers, underscoring a vision for a cheaper, more frequent space-flight system. CGTN reports the plant could produce up to 25 rockets annually. Analysts note the move positions China in the global reusable rocket race alongside SpaceX. The project targets a cost drop from 80,000-100,000 yuan per kilogram to about 20,000 yuan per kilogram by adopting a stainless steel + liquid oxygen and methane (LOX/CH4) propulsion approach, potentially expanding government and private missions.

Poco F8 Ultra teardown hints at improved repairability and a tiny subwoofer under the camera bump

January 10, 2026, 10:22 AM EST. PBKreviews' teardown of the Poco F8 Ultra shows modest gains in repairability over earlier Poco models, even as the device remains difficult to service due to stacked components and substantial adhesive. The mid-frame is aluminum and reinforced, including around the camera island. The phone's built-in tiny subwoofer sits under the camera bump. The battery is hard to reach, buried beneath dozens of components. The video also highlights thermal pads and copper shields around the SoC, the system-on-a-chip, and the battery, underscoring the usual density of modern phones. The article signals tighter integration rather than easy field repair, with the subwoofer being a notable feature, and business as usual in internal design.

Pebble reboot debuts Time 2, Round 2 at CES 2026; Index ring steals spotlight

January 10, 2026, 10:20 AM EST. At CES 2026, the Pebble reboot moves beyond its open-source roots. The company rolled out the Time 2 and Round 2, alongside a new hardware concept, the Index ring. The Time 2 delivers a metal chassis with blue or red accents and refined tactile buttons, while the Round 2 pushes for thinner profile and an edge-to-edge display. The Index ring stands out: a smart finger ring with a tactile button and built-in microphone that records thoughts through the Pebble app, potentially syncing with Google Keep. It promises hands-free note capture without pulling out a phone. PebbleOS source release previously energized the fan base, setting a practical tempo for a revival rather than a nostalgia trip. Questions remain about battery life and daily wearability.

DJI Pocket 4 Delayed Again; Rumored 2026 Release Window Narrowed to February-April

January 10, 2026, 10:18 AM EST. DJI's Osmo Pocket 4 faces renewed delays despite claims of ground-breaking upgrades over Pocket 3. Leaks and insider tips describe a lens-based dual-camera design and two models: a standard evolution and an advanced variant with seamless optical zoom and improved low-light performance. Initial expectations placed a December 2025 reveal, then January 2026, but sources now point to a release window from late January to April 2026, with the February-April range emerging in latest updates. The timeline relies on posts by Photorabz and unnamed suppliers; DJI has not publicly confirmed dates. The device remains highly anticipated in the gimbal camera space, with NDA documents surfacing previously and ongoing speculation about the two-variant strategy.

NASA eyes Artemis II launch in February; crew includes Wiseman, Glover, Koch and Hansen

January 10, 2026, 10:16 AM EST. NASA plans to launch Artemis II in early February, with a four-astronaut crew aboard the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft. The window opens February 6 and could extend into spring, with a launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida; no date until systems pass final checks. The crew: commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency. The mission will test Orion in Earth orbit, including manual piloting, life-support, propulsion and navigation as the crew travels thousands of kilometres beyond the Moon. They will not land on the Moon; that will await Artemis III, possibly no earlier than 2027 (experts say 2028). Final lander choice (SpaceX Starship or Blue Origin) and new Axiom spacesuits are pending. Artemis IV/V expand Gateway and future Moon missions.

Rigetti Revises Cepheus-1-108Q Roadmap to Q1 2026, Targets 99.5% Fidelity

January 10, 2026, 10:08 AM EST. Rigetti Computing revised the roadmap for its 108-qubit Cepheus-1-108Q system. The company now expects Cepheus-1-108Q to be available by the end of Q1 2026. In research and development notes, Rigetti targets 99.5% two-qubit gate fidelity as a performance benchmark. The firm reported 99% fidelity on the 108-qubit system and 99.7% on a 9-qubit test, underscoring ongoing progress toward higher reliability. The architecture relies on a modular design built from twelve 9-qubit chiplets, making it the largest modular quantum setup in Rigetti's portfolio. Management said the emphasis remains on performance to meet partners' high standards. The update follows Rigetti's January 9, 2026 8-K filing with the SEC.

Apple to relocate Santa Rosa Plaza store to Montgomery Village, opening Jan. 23, 2026

January 10, 2026, 9:58 AM EST. Apple will relocate its Santa Rosa Plaza store from the downtown mall to the Montgomery Village open-air center, about two miles east. The new 8,684-square-foot store at 720 Farmers Lane is described as significantly larger and will open at noon Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. City permits were issued in mid-December for final tenant work and occupancy. Apple remains an anchor at the mall, whose owner, Simon Property Group, has highlighted ongoing redevelopment. The move aligns with Apple's broader retail strategy, emphasizing ongoing visits, learning experiences and services rather than one-off transactions.

Czech retailers leak Steam Machine pricing as VAT looms

January 10, 2026, 9:48 AM EST. Two Czech retailers have listed Steam Machine prices ahead of Valve's claimed Early 2026 window. Smarty.cz shows the 2TB model for just over $1,050; Alza.cz lists the same configuration for just under $1,200. The 512GB version sits around $950. All figures are pre-tax (VAT). The Slovak Alza site has the 2TB listed at €1,010 pre-tax, and with VAT that price climbs to €1,239.90 ($1,440). After VAT, the 2TB model could approach $1,300 in Czech Republic pricing, while the 512GB could near $1,150. Prices are higher than typical US pricing, and a PS5 Slim Digital costs about $600 post-tax in Czechia versus roughly $490 in the US. Analysts say these listings are speculative placeholders. Even so, a pre-tax launch near $800 (512GB) and $900 (2TB) is within the rumored range, given RAM shortages.

5 of the best new Android apps you need to try this January

January 10, 2026, 9:40 AM EST. Android Authority highlights five new apps and games this January, including a mix of productivity, reading and games. DogEar offers a home-screen widget cycling through quotes from favorite books, with a free tier limited to three books and a pricey full-access option. Where Winds Meet is a large open-world RPG that launched on PC and PS5 and now runs on Android, featuring 150 hours of single-player content, plus a co-op mode and a 10th-century China setting. Seriatim Reader rethinks e-books by displaying text sentence by sentence and supports EPUB, PDF and text files. The list also hints at Caresleep, a sleep-related app. The package for January 2026 covers a broad range of options, from a classic PC title to tools for readers and beyond.

Heterogeneous computing reshapes AI at the edge, powering devices and wearables

January 10, 2026, 9:38 AM EST. Heterogeneous computing blends CPU and GPU and NPU to run AI closer to users, delivering faster responses and longer battery life in phones, wearables and other devices. Arm and Nvidia executives describe a shift from cloud-centric AI to on-device intelligence, with Arm CPU, Arm GPU and an NPU working in concert. At CES 2026, Arm's Chris Bergey said this triad enables smarter features with less power drain, and that programming GPUs and NPUs poses new challenges for developers. The approach also broadens the AI toolkit for wearables and security, making software design itself a core consideration rather than an afterthought. The result: AI that feels more capable and private, yet less conspicuous, at the edge.

Are we in an AI bubble? 40 tech leaders weigh in, in one chart

January 10, 2026, 9:32 AM EST. CNBC gathered responses from 40 tech leaders and analysts on whether the current surge in AI spending constitutes a bubble and how worried they are. The debate mirrors a broader market tensions: record valuations and cloud-giant deals versus the need to fund data centers and AI chips. Names like Nvidia's Jensen Huang push back on bust fears, while Michael Burry warns of echoes of late-1990s mania. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged some overexcitement, even as he stressed AI's long-term importance. CNBC explains its approach: experts' views are scored on a 0-10 scale for perceived bubble pressure and for overall concern. The snapshot captures a spectrum, not a verdict, with analysts emphasizing both risk and momentum.

Prime members save $50 on DJI Mini 4K drone at Amazon

January 10, 2026, 8:52 AM EST. Mashable reports that the DJI Mini 4K drone is on sale for $249 at Amazon in a Prime-exclusive deal, trimming $50 from the list price. Stock issues have eased for now, with no current availability problems. The sale aligns with Prime Day-style promotions and offers an accessible entry point for travelers and casual filmmakers. Price and availability can change after publication, and regional differences may apply.

Google Photos backup settings get Expressive UI, hints of a Backup schedule feature

January 10, 2026, 8:48 AM EST. Google Photos is refreshing its backup settings with the Material 3 Expressive design, and early code hints at a new Backup schedule feature. The revamp moves the Backup page into containers and adds headings like How to back up, What to back up and Backup tools. A new option, Backup schedule, appears under the tools section, implying users could pick when uploads occur-potentially precise times or recurring intervals. The discovery comes from an APK teardown of Google Photos app version 7.58.0, reported by Android Authority's Joe Maring. Google has not announced a rollout, and such leaks may not reach public release. Still, the feature aligns with user requests to time backups and the broader UI refresh rolling through Google apps.

Nvidia pauses RTX 50 Super GPUs to fill lineup

January 10, 2026, 8:32 AM EST. Nvidia is reportedly pausing the RTX 50 Super GPUs. The move would flesh out the product range and close gaps between the top models, making them more competitive at similar prices. Whether Nvidia needs that right now remains unclear as the company reassesses its near-term product strategy in a shifting market.

Microsoft's Windows 11 preview build 26220.7535 adds Copilot-powered image descriptions to Narrator for all users

January 10, 2026, 8:30 AM EST. Microsoft's first Windows 11 preview build of 2026 expands Copilot+ features to all users. Narrator can now describe on-screen images with Copilot help, letting blind and low-vision users hear AI-generated descriptions of images, charts, and graphs. Activation via Narrator: press Narrator key + Ctrl + D for the focused image or Ctrl + S for the full screen; Copilot opens with the image ready, and users can prompt for tailored descriptions. The update also adds a policy for IT admins to uninstall Copilot apps on managed devices when Copilot isn't used for 28 days. Separately, Microsoft is testing a cross-device Resume enhancement using the Windows Notification System (WNS) to broaden availability. Build 26220.7535 (KB5072046) is available via Windows Update.

Ikea adds Matter-compatible smart lighting to Varmblixt lamps at CES 2026

January 10, 2026, 8:28 AM EST. Ikea showcased Matter-compatible lighting for two designer lamps in its Varmblixt line at CES 2026. The donut lamp now glows with an RGB cycle, while the pendant lamp offers a white-temperature range similar to Philips Hue white ambiance. A pre-paired Matter remote ships with both models, letting users dim and adjust color temperature, or, for the donut lamp, cycle through 12 colors designed with artist Sabine Marcelis. Ikea books a 2027 collaboration with Marcelis, though it isn't clear if it will include smart devices. The new Varmblixt lamps go on sale in April: donut lamp $99.99 and pendant lamp $149.99. The devices aim to work with major ecosystems via Matter.

IonQ insiders quietly buying stock signals upbeat quantum computing outlook

January 10, 2026, 8:26 AM EST. Insiders at IonQ have quietly boosted their bets on the quantum computing pioneer. Over the last six months, insiders bought about 1.39 million shares and sold roughly 514,000, a net positive tilt. The biggest single move was a $6.75 million restricted stock award to CFO Inder Singh in September 2025, while executives continued to pay from their own pockets, notably Robert Cardillo and William Teuber Jr. A portion of the selling was scheduled under a Rule 10b5-1 plan (a pre-planned sale set months earlier). On the business side, IonQ reported revenue of $39.9 million for Q3 2025, up 222% year over year, surpassing the high end of guidance. The stock remains volatile, reflecting high risk but potential upside tied to continued progress in quantum technology.

Tesla EV Sales Set to Rebound in 2026, Analysts Say

January 10, 2026, 8:12 AM EST. Tesla's 2025 EV slowdown centered on the Model Y refresh (Juniper) and a staged rollout that pressured quarterly production. The Model Y dominates the company's mix, with the Model 3 next, while the Model X and Model S play smaller roles. Analysts say the Juniper transition created a noisy first half, before the global rollout and cheaper variants stabilize demand in 2026. A pull-forward of demand in the U.S. ahead of the 2025 tax-credit expiry boosted Q3 results, followed by a Q4 lull. Using quarterly data, Q4 deliveries imply roughly 1.67 million for the year and about 1.83 million for the second half. With a 2026 consensus near 1.75 million, a broader EV price-advantage could help the stock regain momentum.

Why AI struggles to tell time: clocks reveal limits in AI models

January 10, 2026, 8:10 AM EST. A site called AI World Clocks shows major AI models generating clocks with misplaced numerals and hands that float outside the dial. The piece notes the humor masks a real hurdle: telling time remains hard for machines. A 2025 study by Alek Safar finds humans are 89.1% accurate at reading analogue clocks, while top AI scores hover around 39.4%. Explanations point to gaps in training datasets and the difficulty of describing clocks in language for large language models. A separate 2025 Edinburgh study finds all major LLMs struggle with temporal reasoning when shown clock imagery. Researchers say successful temporal reasoning requires precise visual perception, numerical computation, and structured inference that current models have not mastered. No single cause is proven, but data, perception, and computation gaps matter.

NVIDIA releases open models, datasets and tools across AI, robotics and autonomous driving

January 10, 2026, 7:54 AM EST. NVIDIA rolled out open models, datasets and tools across AI, robotics and biomedicine. The Nemotron family expanded with Nemotron Speech for low-latency ASR (automatic speech recognition), Nemotron RAG for multimodal search, and Nemotron Safety for filtration and PII detection, plus accompanying training data and code. In robotics, Cosmos world foundation models enable perception, reasoning and synthetic data generation; Cosmos Reason 2 improves multimodal scene understanding, while Cosmos Transfer 2.5 and Cosmos Predict 2.5 generate synthetic video for simulation and augmentation. Isaac GR00T N1.6, an open vision-language-action model for humanoid robots, builds on Cosmos. Alpamayo debuts as a open model family for reasoning-based autonomous driving, paired with AlpaSim for closed-loop evaluation. Clara updates-La-Proteina, ReaSyn v2, KERMT and RNAPro-address protein design and drug discovery, plus a dataset of 455,000 synthetic structures for training and evaluation.

Five standout phone accessories from CES 2026, from practical to quirky

January 10, 2026, 7:52 AM EST. CES 2026 showcased five standout phone accessories. The Loona Deskmate turns an iPhone into an AI assistant via a MagSafe stand; the companion app runs on the phone and the unit rotates to feel like a robot, with reminders, calendar, and app integration. A Kickstarter is planned for March, with a price under $300. The GameSir x Hyperkin X5 Alteron bills itself as the world's first fully modular mobile gaming controller; it attaches to phones with configurable modules for GameCube, Nintendo 64, and fighting games, and its arm extends to the Nintendo Switch family and iPads, with Bluetooth for PC. Pricing and availability are not yet confirmed. The Anker Nano Charger adds a built-in display showing charge metrics and modes, including a TÜV-Certified Care Mode.

AI memory shortage drives RAM prices higher as demand from AI chips surges

January 10, 2026, 7:38 AM EST. The global RAM crunch is driven by surging demand from AI-chip makers such as Nvidia, AMD and Google, leaving supply tight this year. Three memory vendors – Micron, SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics – dominate the market and have benefited from the jump in orders. Micron CEO Sumit Sadana told CNBC at CES in Las Vegas that demand has outpaced supply. TrendForce expects average DRAM prices to rise 50%-55% this quarter versus Q4 2025, an unprecedented jump. Nvidia's Rubin GPU uses up to 288 GB of next-generation HBM memory per chip, and will ship in racks with multiple GPUs. Wall Street is asking Apple and Dell Technologies how the shortage could affect pricing and margins. Analysts warn the squeeze could lift costs across devices.

Apple Watch Series 11 hits record-low price at $299

January 10, 2026, 7:26 AM EST. Apple Watch Series 11 sells for a record-low $299, about 25% off the regular price, with a $100 saving. The discount also covers the GPS + cellular model, making it the first Apple Watch to support 5G networks. The watch remains a strong overall pick, with battery life that exceeded its official rating in testing and a slim 9.7mm case. It adds sleep tracking and hypertension notifications, and introduces a wrist-flick gesture to dismiss alerts or silence alarms. Discounts tend to widen as September refresh approaches, a factor for iPhone users considering an upgrade.

4 everyday items that are basically begging for an AirTag

January 10, 2026, 7:22 AM EST. AirTags rely on Apple's Find My network, which taps into more than 1.5 billion iPhones to passively locate items. The trackers cost $29 or less and can follow anything they're attached to. The author points to four everyday items that benefit from AirTag usage, starting with a wallet. A practical step: open Find My on iPhone, tap Items, select the AirTag, and enable Notify When Left Behind to trigger alerts at chosen locations. A personal anecdote describes a wallet left behind at a restaurant, with a notification prompting retrieval. The piece argues that simple placements and passive tracking can prevent losses of items such as backpacks and keys, making loss less likely in daily life.

FCC clears SpaceX to upgrade Starlink with gigabit speeds

January 10, 2026, 6:54 AM EST. The Federal Communications Commission approved a partial grant enabling SpaceX to operate about 7,500 additional Starlink satellites, lifting the total in orbit to over 19,000. The decision also allows the company to use more radio bands at higher power limits, a move designed to boost data throughput toward gigabit speeds for customers. The approval underscores the ongoing push to scale mega-constellations and expand nationwide satellite broadband, despite policy and space-safety questions.

VR headsets bring escape and job-readiness training to California prisons

January 10, 2026, 6:52 AM EST. Chowchilla, Calif. – A Los Angeles-based nonprofit is introducing virtual reality (VR) headsets to inmates at Valley State Prison near Fresno, to provide a brief escape and exposure to real-world scenarios that aid reentry. In a recent weeklong program, inmates wore headsets and toured locales such as Bangkok, while others faced virtual interviewers for practice with employment applications. The effort, funded and run as a pilot, aims to reduce anxiety around the modern job-search process and build practical skills. Jacob Smith, who is eligible for parole in 2031 and volunteers with the program, says the experience helps him speak to employers with greater confidence.

Alphabet and Nvidia to outsize Palantir by 2026, forecast says

January 10, 2026, 6:50 AM EST. Alphabet and Nvidia will be worth more than Palantir by the end of 2026, a forecast the author calls among the easiest to make. Palantir Technologies (PLTR) has shown momentum, but the larger AI-enabled growth opportunity sits with Alphabet and Nvidia. Palantir's market cap is around $423 billion, while Alphabet nears $4 trillion and Nvidia about $4.6 trillion. A surge for Palantir or a crash for Alphabet and Nvidia would be required to upend the call. The case for Alphabet rests on broad AI exposure: Google Cloud, Tensor Processing Units, and integrated AI across products; for Nvidia, its role as an AI accelerator leader remains unmatched. Palantir retains a high Rule of 40 score (114%), and its software focus remains more singular.

Meta signs three nuclear power deals to power AI data centers in Ohio

January 10, 2026, 6:40 AM EST. Meta has struck three nuclear-power deals to run its Prometheus AI data center in New Albany, Ohio, tapping TerraPower, Oklo and Vistra. The agreements, announced Friday, aim to support up to 6.6 gigawatts of clean energy by 2035 to back Meta's planned 1-gigawatt Prometheus cluster spanning multiple campuses. Meta says the contracts will power about 5 million homes and add reliability to the grid while boosting the U.S. nuclear supply chain. The TerraPower pact covers two Natrium units delivering up to 690 megawatts with delivery as early as 2032, plus rights to energy from up to six additional Natrium units totaling about 2.1 gigawatts by 2035. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Apple 'Winner With Gemini' says Jim Cramer as AI strategy looms

January 10, 2026, 6:38 AM EST. Jim Cramer labels Apple as the 'Winner With Gemini' as he argues the company's AI strategy could anchor its ecosystem. Shares are up roughly 7% over the last year. Cramer has urged investors to own AAPL rather than trade it, defending the name through 2025 weakness tied to AI participation concerns. In 2026, Bank of America set a $325 target and Buy rating on January 5, while Raymond James started coverage January 2 with a Hold, noting most upside priced in and risks from China supply chains, costs and tariffs. Cramer suggested Gemini could win access to Apple's ecosystem. The piece originated at Insider Monkey.

Superconducting erasure qubits push hardware-efficient quantum error correction toward scalable computing

January 10, 2026, 6:36 AM EST. Researchers led by Maria Violaris, Luciana Henaut and James Wills, with Brian Vlastakis' group, report progress on superconducting erasure qubits that could lower the hardware overhead for fault-tolerant quantum computing. The qubits exhibit noise that erases information probabilistically rather than corrupting it, a profile that enables simpler error-correcting strategies. In dual-rail encoded systems, coherence times exceed 20 microseconds and single-qubit gate fidelities surpass 99.9%, according to the study. The erasure noise is well described by a depolarising channel, which streamlines implementation of erasure codes. Simulations suggest erasure codes can match the performance of standard surface codes with fewer physical qubits. The work also discusses concatenation of an inner hardware code with an outer code for scalable, hardware-efficient correction. Future work aims to scale up qubits and test more advanced codes.

Apple's CoE OLED tech eyed for iPhone Fold and iPhone Air 2 to boost brightness and slim the display

January 10, 2026, 6:30 AM EST. Apple is reportedly adopting Samsung's Color Filter on Encapsulation (CoE) OLED panels for the iPhone Fold and iPhone Air 2. The change would drop the polarizing film and apply a color filter to the panel's encapsulation, making the displays lighter and more efficient. The Elec cites launch windows: iPhone Fold alongside the iPhone 18 Pro/Max in Q3 2026; Air 2 timing around Q1 2027, though timing remains unsettled amid other reports. The Fold aims for a crease-free panel via a laser-perforated metal plate under the OLED stack, addressing hinge pressure (shown at CES 2026). Specs under discussion include ~7.7-inch main display and ~5.4-inch cover display, vapor chamber cooling, 2,713×1,920 resolution (4:3), side-mounted Touch ID, A20 Pro SoC, 12GB RAM, and a 48MP rear camera with up to 24MP under-display camera. Service: eSIM-only variant in H2 2026.

Huion unveils Kamvas Gen 3 at CES 2026 with Kamvas Pro 27 4K/144 Hz and Kamvas 22 2560×1440/90 Hz

January 10, 2026, 6:22 AM EST. Huion unveiled its Kamvas Gen 3 display technology lineup at CES 2026, led by the Kamvas Pro 27 and Kamvas 22. The 27-inch model advances to 4K resolution and a 144 Hz refresh rate, with adjustable feet to tilt the screen toward the artist. The 22-inch variant sticks with 2560×1440 and 90 Hz, offering 16,384 pressure levels and PenTech 4.0 for precise input. A 12-color ambient lighting system and anti-glare etched glass accompany the two sizes. Huion says the lineup uses Gen 3 display technology to boost clarity and color fidelity, with an ergonomic hold and precise pointing for professional drawing. The company emphasizes higher refresh and throughput to attract digital artists.

Silicon Motion Valuation Holds After MindOne AI Smartphone Tie-Up With MediaTek

January 10, 2026, 6:14 AM EST. Silicon Motion Technology (SIMO) sits in focus after iKKO unveiled the MindOne AI smartphone, built with MediaTek and SIMO connectivity. The device underscores how always-on AI products could feed demand for Silicon Motion's storage controllers, even as the company also advances next-gen controllers (PCIe Gen 5/6, UFS 4.1/5.0) and custom firmware. The stock has stretched momentum, with 7-day returns of about 20.6% and 90-day gains near 31.8%, lifting the 1-year total shareholder return to about 120%. The fair value sits near $114, while the shares hover close to that level. Risk factors include tougher controller pricing and customer concentration, which could squeeze margins and skew the upside of the valuation narrative. The P/E sits at ~39.9x versus ~30.9x as a benchmark, signaling valuation risk if sentiment cools.

Honor Magic8 Pro Air rumored with 5,500 mAh battery, lighter than iPhone Air

January 10, 2026, 6:08 AM EST. Honor is circulating details about the Magic8 Pro Air, a rumored slim model boasting a large 5,500 mAh battery. A poster lists a 6.1 mm chassis, though it remains slightly thicker than Apple's iPhone Air at 5.6 mm; it weighs 155 g, lighter than the 165 g iPhone. The standout is the battery, far above Apple's 3,149 mAh and competitive with Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra and the S25 Edge's reported capacity. The camera bar mirrors Apple's layout, with extra sensors on the right side; whether these are real cameras or dummy sensors (as with the Honor Power 2) is unclear. Launch is expected in China soon; a European release is not confirmed.

Honor Magic8 Pro review: AI features, 200 MP zoom, and bigger battery

January 10, 2026, 5:46 AM EST. Honor's Magic8 Pro hits global markets as a top-tier flagship built around the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and a larger battery. The phone packs a 200 MP telephoto, a 50 MP main, and a 50 MP ultrawide, with a 6.71-inch LTPO OLED display and 120 Hz. Honor leans into AI in software, touting a seven-year Android upgrade window and distinctive features in MagicOS. Unusual traits include 3D face scanning for authentication and a dual large-driver speaker in an open-cavity design, plus an AI button for quick camera controls. In Europe, battery capacity trails other regions by 1000 mAh, a discrepancy that narrows in the rest of the world. IP68/IP69K protection rounds out the package. Overall, a bold flagship with heavy AI integration.

Steam Machine price leak at Czech retailer hints top model near $1,070

January 10, 2026, 5:36 AM EST. Valve's planned Steam Machine faces a fresh price leak after a listing at a Czech retailer, Smarty. The two configurations shown-512GB and 2TB-appear in source code, with prices translated to about $950 and $1,070, before tax. The frontend page doesn't display a price, and Valve has not publicly announced final pricing or release details. The leak fuels expectations for an early 2026 launch, and analysts note the device likely won't be subsidized like consoles. Some chatter about a potential bare bones model to counter rising RAM costs has circulated, but there is no confirmation. Readers should treat the listing as speculative until Valve confirms prices or an official announcement.

Starlink disrupted in Iran blackout as military-grade jamming hits satellites

January 10, 2026, 5:34 AM EST. Iran remains in a nationwide digital blackout, cutting off domestic and international internet, phone calls, and access to information. Starlink satellite connections, once a potential workaround, are largely disrupted as military-grade jamming signals target satellites. Internet researcher Rashidi says up to 30% of Starlink uplink and downlink traffic was affected early on, climbing to over 80% by around 10 p.m. local time. Jammers, described as sophisticated military equipment possibly supplied by Russia or China, are deployed nationwide, causing variable connectivity. Iran's Starlink user base is estimated at 40,000-50,000. Mobile networks also shut down around 10 p.m., disabling banking, ride-hailing, and messaging apps. The situation resembles Iran's 2019 outage, but with satellite links further constrained.

Iran internet outage persists as Fraudlogix detects selective university access

January 10, 2026, 5:32 AM EST. Fraudlogix, a company that tracks fraud and bot activity in web traffic, says Iran's nationwide internet shutdown remains in effect, with traffic near zero since Thursday. Yet new data show highly localized connectivity from specific Tehran universities. Signals point to the University of Tehran Informatics Center and Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Outside these campuses, civilian traffic stays negligible, suggesting no broad restoration. Analysts describe the development as a transition to a selective access model rather than a full-scale repair. The update arrives amid nationwide protests. Fraudlogix analyzes aggregated signals from hundreds of millions of sites to detect disruptions, noting that observed traffic appears limited to institutional networks in Iran, while neighboring regions remain stable.

Iran's internet shutdown hits new level of sophistication, experts say

January 10, 2026, 5:26 AM EST. Iran's internet shutdown, now about 36 hours, marks a new high-water mark in sophistication and severity, say experts. Roughly 90% of Iran's traffic vanished as international calls were blocked and domestic mobile networks collapsed. Authorities have jammed satellite links like Starlink, though the impact varied by neighborhood. The stark contrast with earlier cutoffs-including 2019 and Egypt's 2011 Tahrir shutdown-is the precision: officials may be whitelisting select sites to keep officials online while disabling broad access. The supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, continued posting on X during the outage, underscoring the political utility of selective access. Analysts caution that such a model could endure longer, enabling targeted propaganda via Telegram, Twitter, and Instagram while depriving most users of service. Universities saw brief restoration, then shutdown again.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says AI doomerism has done a lot of damage

January 10, 2026, 5:16 AM EST. Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang says the spread of pessimistic views about AI has caused real harm. Speaking amid a climate of hype and fear, Huang urged caution against doomerism that he says can chill investment, slow adoption, and complicate policy. He framed AI as a tool for practical gains, urging engineers and policymakers to focus on validated capabilities, safety, and responsible deployment. The comments underscore a broader industry push to balance excitement with realism as chipmakers, cloud providers, and platform developers race to scale AI across sectors. He did not dismiss the risks, but argued for steady progress grounded in tangible results.

Steam Machine price leak shows price above $1,000

January 10, 2026, 5:04 AM EST. A Reddit post citing a Czech retailer leaked the prices for Valve's Steam Machine: 512GB model listed at 19,826 CZK and the 2TB model at 22,305 CZK, roughly $950 and $1,070 respectively at current FX. The leak, which Valve has not confirmed, could be placeholder pricing ahead of an official rollout. At current estimates, the Steam Machine would cost more than Sony's PS5 Pro or Microsoft's Xbox Series X. Industry observers note RAM-price pressures driven by AI data centres have widened hardware costs. Critics say a price around base console pricing is needed for traction, and some commenters questioned whether Valve can compete on cost.

AI stocks in 2026: Experts urge patience, quality bets amid volatility

January 10, 2026, 4:42 AM EST. Experts say a 2026 AI bubble is unpredictable, but a long-term view helps investors navigate volatility. Nvidia has delivered about 1,330% returns over five years, underscoring AI's upside but also risk. In The Motley Fool's 2026 AI Investor Outlook, Asit Sharma calls AI a generational opportunity and urges investing in quality leaders to ride out cycles. Donato Riccio says the chance of a bubble remains unknown, but progress continues and could fuel a decade of value creation. Investors are advised to use dollar-cost averaging, buy consistently, and focus on fundamentals- solid finances, defensible advantages, and strong leadership. Stay-the-course while avoiding frantic bets on short-term moves.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 at record-low $549 with 72-hour battery

January 10, 2026, 4:32 AM EST. Retail listings show the Apple Watch Ultra 2 at a record-low price of $549, down from $799. The 49mm titanium case, 72-hour battery, and programmable Action Button anchor its rugged design. It supports precision GPS for outdoor treks and a suite of fitness metrics to track workouts and daily health checks. Apple positions it for serious athletes and fitness enthusiasts, while the price drop could spur early-year demand for premium wearables.

Game Freak to reveal more on Beast of Reincarnation at Xbox Developer Direct

January 10, 2026, 4:30 AM EST. Game Freak will unveil more on Beast of Reincarnation during Xbox Developer Direct on January 22, 2026. The action RPG centers on Emma and her loyal canine Koo in a post-apocalyptic Japan, described as a demanding, technical combat experience. The game, directed by Kota Furushima and published by Fictions, is slated for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC and Game Pass. The presentation will include a visit to Tokyo and an in-depth look at development, following last year's reveal at the Xbox Games Showcase. While there are no Nintendo announcements, the update underscores Game Freak's broader work beyond Pokémon, including past niche releases such as Little Town Hero and Pocket Card Jockey.

AI bubble fears fade at CES as data-center spend climbs and Nvidia pushes next-gen AI platforms

January 10, 2026, 4:28 AM EST. CES in Las Vegas showcased a surge of robots and AI demos as tech giants push practical products rather than fantasies. The show floor highlighted humanoid and four-legged robots, voice-controlled appliances and next-gen chips, underscoring how AI is moving from hype to infrastructure. Yet concerns about an AI bubble persisted outside the showroom. Data-center spending rose to more than $61 billion in 2025, with Goldman Sachs forecasting over $500 billion in AI capital expenditures this year, raising questions about demand versus investment. Julien Garran of MacroStrategy Partnership argued the AI bubble is roughly 17 times larger than the dot-com era. Nvidia's CES reveal signaled a new generation of platform software powering this expansion, while Amazon's Panos Panay said AI is an early stage, not a fad.

Pittsburgh startup uses AI to read the news

January 10, 2026, 4:26 AM EST. A Pittsburgh startup is using AI to read the news, offering readers a faster way to digest multiple sources. The company says its AI scans headlines and articles, distills core points, and presents them as a compact briefing. Founders describe the tool as a way to cut through the noise of a crowded media landscape, while emphasizing the need for human oversight to guard against bias or errors. The venture is seeking early users and partnerships as it tests whether AI-augmented reading can change how people stay informed.

Apple accelerates search for next CEO as Tim Cook weighs reduced workload

January 10, 2026, 4:12 AM EST. Apple is accelerating its search for Tim Cook's successor after the 65-year-old CEO signaled he wants to ease his workload, The New York Times reported. Cook, who has run Apple since 2011, is expected to shift to a board chair role rather than retire. Hardware chief John Ternus, 50, has emerged as the front-runner, praised for his meticulous approach and deep supply chain knowledge, including work across Asia. Ternus helped steer decisions from limiting LiDAR on iPhones to launching the thinner iPhone Air and the switch to Apple Silicon. Other contenders include software head Craig Federighi, services chief Eddy Cue, marketing chief Greg Joswiak, and retail head Deirdre O'Brien. The board will decide, weighing whether Apple needs a steady operator or a more visionary leader amid tariffs, manufacturing risk, and AI competition.

NASA outlines milestones for Artemis II crew launch, per NASASpaceFlight.com

January 10, 2026, 4:10 AM EST. NASA is outlining milestones on the path to Artemis II, a crewed lunar mission, according to NASASpaceFlight.com. The report highlights readiness reviews, hardware checks and mission-operations planning as NASA advances toward a crewed launch. No firm date was provided. The coverage frames ongoing risk reduction and cross-agency testing, with sequencing of key flight and ground systems to verify readiness ahead of Artemis II.

HBM4 mass production delayed as Nvidia raises specs; Rubin slated for late 2026

January 10, 2026, 4:02 AM EST. TrendForce now expects HBM4 volume production no earlier than the end of Q1 2026. The delay stems from Nvidia raising memory specs for its next-gen Rubin GPU and its short-term push to extend shipments of Blackwell. All three major HBM suppliers-Samsung, SK hynix and Micron-are redesigning HBM4 to meet the new targets, delaying volume by at least a quarter. HBM3 and HBM3e remain the standard through at least Q1 2026. Samsung reportedly cleared qualification tests first; SK hynix is expected to keep the bulk of Nvidia's business. Micron has begun sampling 11 Gbps HBM4 parts. Each stack has 2,048 data I/Os; at 13 Gbps per pin, per-stack bandwidth tops 2.6 TB/s, stressing die logic and thermals. Rubin's volume target shifts to H2 2026; system availability lags memory/interconnect bottlenecks.

Quantum computing nears mainstream as experts predict 'ChatGPT moment' at CES 2026

January 10, 2026, 3:40 AM EST. LAS VEGAS, Jan 9 – At CES 2026, quantum computing shifted from a fringe attraction to a crowd-drawer. In the Foundry zone at Fontainebleau, demonstrations drew standing-room audiences as quantum systems went on show. Industry executives described the moment as a potential ChatGPT moment: a breakthrough that moves from labs to broad use. Pouya Dianat, Chief Revenue Officer of Quantum Computing Inc., said progress has accelerated beyond earlier expectations. Jean-Francois Bobier of Boston Consulting Group warned that once quantum shows clear commercial value, its future will flip from uncertain to inevitable. An IBM executive, Joseph S. Broz, said the gap between capabilities and business needs has narrowed. IonQ's Ariel Braunstein cautioned adoption could outpace slower firms. Analysts expect applications in drug discovery, financial modeling, cybersecurity and more.

Infleqtion to go public via SPAC merger; CEO outlines plan to win in quantum race

January 10, 2026, 3:28 AM EST. Infleqtion and Churchill Capital Corp X filed an S-4 to pursue a SPAC merger that would take Infleqtion public as INFQ in Q1, subject to closing. Infleqtion uses neutral-atom quantum technology, diverging from peers that rely on trapped-ion or superconducting approaches. The pre-merger valuation was about $1.8 billion, well below listed peers. Citron Research previously called Infleqtion the most compelling quantum trade, saying CCCX led Rigetti. CEO Matthew Kinsella told Reuters in October that the plan mirrors Nvidia's monetization: target early markets, then broaden to commercial use. Early applications are seen in materials development, with potential in jet fuels and other materials challenges. The strategy emphasizes ramping volumes to drive down costs and expanding beyond public-sector pilots into private customers through software and hardware advances.

Valve Steam Machine price leak sparks debate among gamers

January 10, 2026, 3:24 AM EST. Valve's push into hardware faced a fresh hurdle after a Czech retailer leak listed Steam Machine prices well above earlier estimates. A Reddit post cited 512GB models at 19,826 CZK and 2TB at 22,305 CZK, roughly $950 and $1,070. The retailer's listing-unconfirmed-comes amid Valve's promise that the Steam Machine would offer PC-level power for living-room use, reportedly six times the Steam Deck's performance. Valve has not commented on the leak. The episode follows prior speculation from outlets like Linus Tech Tips about pricing. If verified, the sticker price would place the device in a high-end segment and shape early consumer interest. Retail listings can be placeholders; confirmation from Valve is pending.

Silent price drops make premium smartwatches more upgrade-worthy

January 10, 2026, 2:48 AM EST. Premium smartwatches are seeing meaningful price drops, widening access to high-end designs and flagship health features. The shift makes an upgrade more attractive for buyers who want durable builds and accurate health tracking. Models cited include Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and Ultra, Amazfit Balance and T-Rex 3, Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, Google Pixel Watch 3, Garmin Venu Sq 2 and Forerunner 55, Huawei Watch D2 and GT5 Pro. The trend pairs longer battery life with rugged appeal and advanced sensors, while prices slip toward more approachable levels. Expect GPS, ECG, SpO2 and sleep tracking to remain core selling points as options proliferate.

Apple AirTags 4-Pack Bundle Returns at Record Low, Each Under $17

January 10, 2026, 2:46 AM EST. Amazon is selling a four-pack of Apple AirTag trackers for $65, down from $99. The bundle nets about $16 per tag, a 34% cut that is unusual for Apple hardware and described as a limited-time offer. The devices help track wallets, bags or keys via the Find My app on iPhone. Users can ring a tag to locate it or use Precision Finding with Ultra Wideband on compatible iPhones to guide them to nearby items. Distant items can be located through Apple's Find My network, which taps nearby Apple devices to relay location. AirTags support Lost Mode, can be shared with up to five people, are IP67 water/dust resistant, and use a replaceable battery lasting about one year.

Galaxy S25 prices hit all-time lows as Galaxy S26 looms

January 10, 2026, 2:44 AM EST. Samsung's Galaxy S25 lineup is on deep discount, creating a buyer's paradox: buy now at a lower price or wait for the Galaxy S26. Unlocked base Galaxy S25 is $649 on Amazon, with the Galaxy S25 Plus at $899 (about a $100 discount) and the Galaxy S25 Ultra down to $1,048 on Amazon. Best Buy sometimes beats unlocked pricing, offering the Ultra at $1,049 unlocked or $949 when attached to AT&T or Verizon at checkout. The discounts come ahead of rumored Galaxy S26 announcement in late February, reviving the question of whether to upgrade now or hold out for improved cameras, chips and features. Analysts note the decision hinges on appetite for newer tech versus immediate savings.

SpaceX launches 29 Starlink satellites on third mission of 2026

January 10, 2026, 2:40 AM EST. SpaceX completed its third orbital mission of 2026 on Friday, sending 29 Starlink internet satellites into orbit from Cape Canaveral, Florida. A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 4:41 p.m. EST, and about 8.5 minutes later the first stage landed on the drone ship 'Just Read the Instructions'-the booster's 29th launch and landing. The rocket's upper stage deployed the satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO), roughly 65 minutes after liftoff. SpaceX said via X that the satellites entered their planned orbit. Starlink is the largest satellite constellation, with more than 9,400 active spacecraft and growing. This marks SpaceX's third 2026 orbital flight; in 2025 the company completed 165 missions, most of them Starlink launches.

Microsoft speeds up hyperlinking in Word by pasting over text

January 10, 2026, 2:36 AM EST. Microsoft is speeding up how users add hyperlinks in Word, letting people paste a URL directly over the text to be linked. The feature eliminates the need to open the Insert Hyperlink menu or press CTRL+K. It applies across Word for web, Windows and Mac. Rollout is underway to all Word for web users; Windows requires version 2511 or newer, and Mac requires version 16.104 or newer. The change mirrors how content editors like WordPress insert links and broadens the method beyond traditional keyboard shortcuts, signaling a broader shift toward more immediate linking in word processing.

Games under $30: Nintendo eShop picks and quick filtering tips

January 10, 2026, 2:34 AM EST. A roundup of quality video games regularly priced below $30 on Nintendo eShop, not including tax. Many titles appear on sale, offering value without a big spend. The report highlights a practical way to shop: on the Nintendo eShop Main Page, use the Search/Browse tab, then scroll to Filtered Search to narrow results by Price Range, Genres, Ratings, and On Sale status. The tips show how to spot deals and build a library without breaking the bank. The narrative stays hands-on and time-efficient, focusing on clear actions and concrete steps for shoppers.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra launch date set for February 25, 2026 Unpacked

January 10, 2026, 2:30 AM EST. Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra is set for a February 25, 2026 Unpacked event, a date reinforced by leaker Evan Blass. If Samsung sticks to its pattern, public availability should begin in early March after a late-January to early-February reveal cycle seen with the S25 and S24. Rumors swirl over whether Samsung will drop the Plus model or rename to S26 Edge or S26 Pro, but recent chatter suggests the standard lineup stays. The S26 may ship with the Exynos 2600 on a 2nm process in select markets, boosting power and efficiency. A Galaxy Z TriFold could surface, while the Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 are expected later in summer.

Nvidia names Google Cloud veteran as first chief marketing officer

January 10, 2026, 2:28 AM EST. Nvidia named Alison Wagonfeld, the longtime head of marketing at Google Cloud, its first chief marketing officer (CMO). Wagonfeld announced the move on LinkedIn and will start in February, reporting to CEO Jensen Huang. She will lead marketing and communications as Nvidia expands from chips into platforms, software and services. The hire deepens Nvidia's effort to shape its global narrative and aligns with a growing partnership with Google, which will continue. Wagonfeld leaves Google in January after nearly a decade with its cloud business. The move marks a shift in Nvidia's leadership approach, signaling a more deliberate emphasis on branding as the company scales beyond hardware.

Xiaomi reportedly developing phone with built-in cooling fan, Redmi K90 Ultra rumors

January 10, 2026, 2:24 AM EST. Xiaomi is rumored to be working on a phone with a built-in cooling fan, per Digital Chat Station on Weibo. The device would be powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 9500 SoC and feature a 1.5K resolution screen with an ultra-high refresh rate. The fan would be embedded in the camera island and the phone is claimed to carry IP68 dust and water resistance. The model is tied to Redmi's K80 Ultra, likely the upcoming Redmi K90 Ultra, based on the chipset pattern used in past K-series Ultras. Rumors describe a 6.8-inch LTPS OLED display at 165Hz, very rounded corners, a metal frame, an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner, and a battery of at least 8,000 mAh. No official confirmation yet; details circulate from leaks.

AI shrinking teen jobs, Planet Money's The Indicator finds

January 10, 2026, 2:16 AM EST. Karissa Tang, a 17-year-old in California, examined how AI could affect entry-level teen work such as cashiers and fast-food counter roles. In The Indicator from Planet Money, she shares findings from an ambitious economic research project designed to map automation's reach into teen employment. The episode weighs whether AI creates, transforms or displaces jobs, and offers concrete examples of tasks likely affected by automation. The report notes that teens face different risks and opportunities as employers deploy self-checkout and other AI tools. Fact-checking is credited to Sierra Juarez, and the show links to related episodes on workforce impacts and youth employment.

Firms race to expand high-speed fiber in Billings as construction continues

January 10, 2026, 2:14 AM EST. Two fiber companies reiterate plans to expand in Billings, but progress remains uneven. Ziply Fiber is about 30% complete; TDS Fiber roughly 50%. Ziply aims to finish the 18,000 to 20,000 addresses by year end, contingent on city permits and permissions. TDS projects a longer timeline, with a best bet of 2028 for 100% completion and about 9,000 addresses to be handed over in 2026. Obstacles include negotiating with HOAs, gaining access through residential areas, and coordinating with underground utilities in the utility easement. Supporters say fiber offers symmetric speeds and could boost local businesses such as imaging, mortgage, and law firms. Plans remain unchanged despite delays.

Steam Machine price leak: Czech retailer lists $950 for 512GB, $1,070 for 2TB

January 10, 2026, 2:04 AM EST. A Czech retailer listing appears to show two Steam Machine SKUs: a 512GB model priced at 19,826 CZK (~$950) and a 2TB model at 22,305 CZK (~$1,070). The prices are caveated as estimates based on currency conversion, with potential markups by third-party sellers; Valve has not confirmed official pricing. An update notes that Alza, another Czech retailer, showed a similar structure, with the same caveat about markup. Valve software engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais said pricing would align with the current PC market and that Valve would not subsidize the box. The story emphasizes that until official prices arrive, these figures remain speculative.

SpaceX Falcon 9 launches Starlink 6-96 as FCC clears up to 15,000 satellites

January 10, 2026, 1:58 AM EST. SpaceX lifted a Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral on Jan. 9, 2025, deploying 29 Starlink satellites on the Starlink 6-96 mission. The booster, tail number B1069, landed on the drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas about 8.5 minutes after liftoff. It marked the 556th booster landing for SpaceX. Roughly an hour later, the satellites deployed, lifting the constellation to more than 9,400 Starlink satellites in orbit, per astronomer Jonathan McDowell. In a separate action, the FCC authorized SpaceX to expand to up to 15,000 satellites and to add 7,500 V2 satellites, with new orbital shells at 340-485 km. SpaceX says lowering about 4,400 satellites to ~480 km should improve space safety as solar activity wanes.

Lenovo's Yoga 7 2-in-1 hits $500 at Best Buy, touting AI features and OLED display

January 10, 2026, 1:56 AM EST. Lenovo's Yoga 7, a 14-inch 2-in-1 with a 360-degree hinge, is on sale at Best Buy for $500 today, about $450 off its regular price. The deal highlights flexibility-a laptop that folds into a tablet, powered by AMD's Ryzen AI 5 340 with a dedicated AI engine, and backed by 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD. It features a 14-inch 2K OLED touchscreen with Dolby Vision, and runs Windows 11 Copilot Plus for AI-powered tools and smarter search. A trade-in option can shave extra costs. The offer targets creators and multitaskers seeking performance and versatility at a steep discount, in a time-limited sale.

Countdown begins for UArizona's Pandora exoplanet satellite launch on SpaceX Falcon 9

January 10, 2026, 1:52 AM EST. Arizona's University of Arizona readies its Pandora exoplanet satellite for liftoff aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The refrigerator-sized craft is scheduled to launch at 6:19 a.m. Sunday, weather permitting, with a livestream available for watching. Pandora will study the atmospheres of at least 20 distant planets, staring at each system for 24 hours before moving on to the next in a sequence of 10 observations per system. Its 18-inch mirror and light-splitting sensors will measure brightness and spectral fingerprints to reveal atmospheric chemistry. The mission builds on data from NASA's Kepler and the James Webb Space Telescope, and signals University of Arizona's growing role in space science operations from its new Mission Operations Center.

Android's My Calling Card goes live for setup in Phone by Google beta

January 10, 2026, 1:48 AM EST. Google has enabled the long-awaited My Calling Card option in a beta build of the Phone by Google app (version 204.0.852029473-publicbeta-pixel). The feature lets users create and customize their own Calling Card-select a photo, choose fonts and colors, and decide who can see it. Setup path: Phone by Google > Settings > Calling Cards > Create; pick an account; choose a photo; adjust font and color; preview; set visibility to contacts or everyone. When you call someone, the recipient will see your name, photo, and Google account details, subject to their own card settings. If the recipient already has a customized card, theirs may take priority; otherwise your My Calling Card should show. Google describes the card and its display varies by screen size.

Android's 'My Calling Card' moves toward rollout, letting users customize caller identity in Phone by Google

January 10, 2026, 1:46 AM EST. Android users can soon customize how they appear when placing calls, with Google's Phone app adding a My Calling Card option. Spotted in version 204.0.852029473-publicbeta-pixel, the feature lets you create a personal card with a photo, adjustable fonts and colors, and a visibility choice for who can see it. Setup flows through Phone by Google > Settings > Calling Cards > Create; choose an account, pick a photo, tweak font and color, preview, then pick visibility (Contacts only or Everyone). Recipients will see your name, photo and other Google account details; image crops may vary by device. If a contact has their own Calling Card, theirs can take precedence; otherwise your My Calling Card should appear. Google says it's near-ready for wider rollout.

iPhone Air 2 could add second camera and bigger battery

January 10, 2026, 1:44 AM EST. Apple's forthcoming iPhone Air 2 is expected to address two chief criticisms of the original model: limited cameras and battery life. Reports point to a second rear camera and better efficiency. The Elec says Apple is exploring CoE display technology that can produce a brighter panel with less energy, potentially freeing space for a bigger battery or enabling a thinner device. CoE is said to debut in this fall's iPhone Fold, with any space savings redirected to power. In current designs, most space is devoted to the battery; removing a display layer could help extend runtime. If true, the Air 2 would tackle the two main flaws cited by buyers while preserving the ultra-thin form factor.

Nothing drops Lock Glimpse on Phone a Series, adds true bloatware removal and app recommendations

January 10, 2026, 1:42 AM EST. Nothing published a January 9 update acknowledging that Lock Glimpse will be removed from the Phone a Series, except the Lite, after user feedback. The company says Lock Glimpse will return only after it's meaningfully improved. The update also introduces a way to fully remove bloatware by disabling Meta apps and rebooting; after the restart, Meta services are removed from the system partition, though a factory reset will restore them. Nothing also adds app recommendations to the setup flow, with a workaround to disable them via Settings > Apps > All apps > top-right menu > Show system > App Services > Disable. The company plans to expand uninstall options for App Services to more phones via future OTA. Backlash over preinstalled Meta apps last year spurred the changes.

iPhone Air 2 could get dual cameras and bigger battery

January 10, 2026, 1:40 AM EST. Apple is reportedly readying upgrades for the iPhone Air 2 focused on two long-standing complaints: second rear camera capabilities and battery life. A new report from The Elec says Apple is considering a second rear camera, addressing user feedback. The outlet also notes that Apple is exploring CoE display technology, which could let the upcoming model be thinner and brighter without draining more power. Analysts say the technology could free space for a bigger battery or simply reduce overall power use at a given brightness. If confirmed, the iPhone Air 2 would tackle both major criticisms of the original Air. Apple or suppliers did not comment. The iPhone Air 2 is expected to launch later this year.

Nothing drops Lock Glimpse from Phone a Series, adds true bloatware removal and app recommendations

January 10, 2026, 1:38 AM EST. Nothing published a January 9 update detailing changes to its OS on the Nothing Phone a Series, excluding the Lite model. The company says it has removed Lock Glimpse, citing user feedback that it felt intrusive, and says Lock Glimpse may return only if it is meaningfully improved. Separately, Nothing says users can fully remove Meta App Installer, Meta App Manager and Meta Service by disabling them in Settings and rebooting; the company notes these services will be removed from the system partition after restart, though a factory reset will restore them. The update also introduces app recommendations during setup and promises a future OTA that would enable uninstalling App Services on more devices. The move follows backlash over preinstalled bloatware in OS 4.0.

AI deepfake shows Clark Howard selling insurance, prompting warnings

January 10, 2026, 1:36 AM EST. A social-media post uses an AI-generated deepfake of Channel 2's Consumer Adviser Clark Howard to pitch an insurance tool. The clip carries lines like 'Zero fees, zero catch. You just answer a few questions about your car, and it pulls your real rate,' prompting viewers to doubt what they see. The real Howard says it's 'creepy' to think people believe the message, and warns that 'it's so easy to create these fakes.' A Kennesaw resident who commented on the post says she's encountered a similar site and later received junk calls. The report notes a separate wave of deepfakes tied to a U.S. Senate race in November. The episode highlights how misinformation can spread online and harm trust as AI tools blur lines between real advice and promotion.

AI deepfake shows Clark Howard in fake insurance pitch, raising caution on social media

January 10, 2026, 1:34 AM EST. Channel 2's Justin Gray reports a deepfake video-an AI-generated imitation of Clark Howard-appearing to push a car-insurance offer. The clip claimed, 'Zero fees, zero catch,' and circulated on social media, prompting a Kennesaw resident to warn others after receiving calls. The real Howard says it's hard to tell what's real and what's fake, noting how easy it is to create fakes. 'Anytime somebody's pitching something to us, we gotta know it may not be the real deal,' he says. The investigation highlights the broader risk of misinformation and scams; in November, AI-based fakes of Senator Jon Ossoff were used in a campaign ad, underscoring how immersive fakes can mislead voters and consumers alike.

Corning bets on data-center fiber as AI drives demand; a rival to Nvidia in 2026

January 10, 2026, 1:32 AM EST. Artificial intelligence is lifting demand across the data-center stack, widening the winners beyond Nvidia. Corning supplies fiber-optic cables that move data between GPUs, CPUs and switches faster than copper. Chief Executive Wendell Weeks says the optical-fiber addressable market for data centers could double or triple as AI expands. Nvidia remains central to AI compute, but Corning's stock climbed about 84% last year on optimism around fiber demand. Nvidia stock rose about 39% in 2025. Corning is set to report Q4 2025 results on Jan. 28, with full-year revenue seen at around $16.3 billion, up 13% year over year, led by optical segments. The trend could extend into 2026 as AI infrastructure expands, increasing demand for optical fiber and related components.

SpaceX Falcon 9 launches 29 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral

January 10, 2026, 1:28 AM EST. SpaceX's Falcon 9 launched 29 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Cape Canaveral on Friday. The mission marked the 29th flight for the first-stage booster backing the launch. After stage separation, the booster was targeted to land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship in the Atlantic Ocean. Ground teams reported nominal performance through liftoff and through max Q, culminating in orbit insertion of the payloads. No anomalies were reported, underscoring SpaceX's ongoing cadence of Starlink deployments.

Kepler to launch first optical-relay LEO satellite network on SpaceX rocket

January 10, 2026, 1:18 AM EST. Toronto-based Kepler Communications is set to launch ten 300-kilogram satellites from SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. If successful on Sunday, Jan. 11, it would mark the first low-Earth-orbit system built around an optical relay network, using laser links to move data directly in space rather than a downlink to Earth. Each satellite carries at least four optical terminals, enabling space-air-ground data flows and reducing latency. A live webcast of the Twilight Mission will begin about 15 minutes before liftoff on SpaceX's site and X account; a backup window is planned for Jan. 12. If achieved, Kepler would outpace rivals like Amazon and Starlink and push expansion of its on-orbit computing and cloud services with clients such as Axiom Space.

Smartphones' magnetometers and metal-detecting apps: how they work and their limits

January 10, 2026, 1:16 AM EST. Smartphones pack sensors far beyond what you tap. A magnetometer, used to power the digital compass, measures Earth's magnetic field along the X, Y and Z axes. In the short term, the field remains stable enough that spikes from nearby metal can be detected. When metal objects approach, readings spike, signaling proximity. This is why your compass can drift near metal or electronics; interference can affect accuracy. Some apps in the iOS App Store and Google Play Store claim to detect metal. In practice, these apps rely on the magnetometer for relative readings-not a true metal detector apps-and may vibrate or alert when readings spike. They're useful curiosities, not reliable substitutes for dedicated metal detectors. For developers and users, understanding this helps separate gimmicks from real utility.

Nintendo denies AI in 'My Mario' marketing images; models and fans weigh in

January 10, 2026, 1:14 AM EST. Nintendo says AI did not create any images in its 'My Mario' marketing campaign, after online debate over hands and fingers. The company provided a statement via NintendoUpdate #2 on Friday night. An actor in the ads, Brittoni O'myah Sinclair, posted to Instagram saying the images are not AI-generated, with Jon Cartwright highlighting the post. The original West launch for 'My Mario' spurred social-media scrutiny over what some called an 'AI slop' vibe, prompting discussion about AI tools in advertising. Analysts and fans offered competing theories: possible post-shot editing artifacts or realistic hands; detectors from NoteGBT and Decopy yielded mixed results. Some defenders argued that unusual hands angles can occur naturally. Nintendo has not disclosed details about production methods beyond the denials.

DJI Avata 360 Leaks Hint at a Very Near Launch

January 10, 2026, 1:04 AM EST. Fresh leaked images of the DJI Avata 360 suggest DJI may be moving beyond prototypes toward a near-term launch. Leaker Igor Bogdanov (Quadro News) posted photos showing a finished-looking drone and a complete Fly More Combo, including three batteries and the DJI RC 2 Smart Controller. The images depict a charging hub and other accessories, hinting at a retail-ready package. DJI has not commented on the leaks, a common pattern before product reveals. The timing, if true, would place the Avata 360 close to market, underscoring renewed focus on 360-degree video capabilities. As with leaks, information remains unconfirmed.

Panasonic bets on AI infrastructure, shifts EV battery lines to data-center storage

January 10, 2026, 1:02 AM EST. Panasonic is steering its business toward AI infrastructure, planning to divert some EV-battery production lines to power storage systems for data centers. Announced at CES 2026, the plan positions data center infrastructure as Panasonic's next growth engine, leveraging energy storage to stabilize server operations. A display at the booth included an AI server in the entryway, underscoring the company's pivot toward data center power management. Executives described the shift as expanding beyond automotive batteries into systems that store and deliver reliable energy for cloud workloads, with production reallocation to meet demand for scalable, resilient data centers. The move follows a broader push to monetize AI-related infrastructure as enterprises require robust power for AI workloads.

Motorola teams with Polar for budget Moto Watch priced at £89.99

January 10, 2026, 12:56 AM EST. Motorola has teamed with Polar to launch the Moto Watch, a budget smartwatch designed for all-day use. Polar-backed fitness tracking brings continuous heart-rate monitoring and HRV insights, plus more in-depth recovery metrics via Nightly Recharge. The watch offers sleep tracking with a sleep score and stages, workout logging, distance tracking and an Activity Goal, with hydration and medication reminders and inactivity nudges. It includes dual-frequency GPS, a 47mm aluminium case, interchangeable bands and standard 22mm straps. Durability: IP68 water protection and Gorilla Glass 3. Battery life up to 13 days (7 days with Always-On Display). Built-in microphone and speaker allow wrist calls. UK price starts at £89.99; launches this February (about $121 / AU$180 / €104).

Nvidia unveils Alpamayo self-driving platform at CES, eyeing Mercedes tie-up and robotaxi push

January 10, 2026, 12:52 AM EST. At CES in Las Vegas, Nvidia unveils Alpamayo, a self-driving platform that aims to bring reasoning to autonomous vehicles. CEO Jensen Huang says the system lets cars handle rare scenarios, drive safely in complex environments, and explain their decisions. Nvidia plans a driverless car with Mercedes-Benz in the US within months, with Europe and Asia to follow. The move signals Nvidia's shift from chips and software toward physical AI products and ecosystems. The company demonstrates a Mercedes test drive in San Francisco and says Alpamayo is an open-source model available on Hugging Face for researchers to retrain. Nvidia also targets a robotaxi service by next year with an unnamed partner. Shares rose modestly after the presentation.

CES 2026: Nvidia Rubin architecture, AMD processors drive AI and robotics push

January 10, 2026, 12:50 AM EST. LAS VEGAS – CES 2026 closes as AI dominates the tone. Nvidia unveils the Rubin architecture to meet heavier AI workloads and signals a H2 swap from Blackwell, while pushing its Alpamayo open-source models for autonomous vehicles. The show emphasizes physical AI and a robotics push visible across the floor and in press events. AMD opens with a keynote on new processors and partnerships. The week blends traditional hardware with AI themes, and our team covers it via a live blog and Equity podcast, weighing the week's highs and lows.

iOS 26 adds Preview to iPhone, centralizing PDF and document tools

January 10, 2026, 12:48 AM EST. Apple's iOS 26 introduces Preview on iPhone, turning the device into a compact workspace for documents. The app consolidates tools previously scattered across Files, Mail and third-party apps, making common tasks easier to manage on a small screen. Preview supports PDFs, JPEG, PNG, HEIC and TIFF, and offers markup, signatures, form tools, scanning and lightweight editing. Accessed from the Home Screen or Files, Preview becomes the default surface for files, replacing the prior inline viewer. Users can open files directly, swipe pages, zoom, view a thumbnail grid, search text, and view file details in an info panel. The result is a steadier workflow for long documents on iPhone.

iOS 26 Preview centralizes document tools on iPhone, streamlining PDF editing

January 10, 2026, 12:46 AM EST. Apple's iOS 26 adds a centralized Preview app for iPhone, aiming to replace scattered document tools across Files, Mail and third-party apps. Preview handles PDFs, JPEGs, PNGs, HEIC, TIFF, and scans, with markup, signatures, form tools, scanning and lightweight editing kept simple on a small screen. It stitches common tasks-annotation, page navigation, and content search-into one hub, with the Files app now opening documents directly in Preview. Users can open from the Home Screen, swipe and zoom through pages, view file details, and access an info panel. Markup mode appears at the top, enabling highlight, underline, or strike-through and drawing tools. The change promises steadier workflows for long documents on iPhone.

Nvidia DLSS 4.5 beta shows modest frame-rate gains in Cyberpunk 2077 at CES 2026

January 10, 2026, 12:44 AM EST. At CES 2026, Nvidia rolled out the DLSS 4.5 beta, touting a reworked Super Resolution model trained for RTX 40- and 50-series GPUs and two new frame-generation modes: 6X Multi-Frame Generation and Dynamic Multi-Frame Generation. Nvidia says the beta already supports 400-plus games. In a quick, non-scientific test of Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, the reviewer saw modest gains. In Performance mode, DLSS 4.5 delivered about a 3-5 FPS uplift; in Ultra Performance, about 5-7 FPS. Gains were smaller in Quality mode. Nvidia intends broader testing ahead of the official release on January 13. The beta is available now for users curious to compare against the current version.

Grayscale backs Bittensor as Nvidia CEO's energy-to-AI thesis gains traction; GTAO ETF on track

January 10, 2026, 12:42 AM EST. Grayscale Investments highlighted Bittensor and its TAO token as a realization of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's energy-to-AI thesis. Huang spoke at a Bipartisan Policy Center event on Sept. 27, 2024, describing how excess energy from activities like Bitcoin mining could be transferred and compressed into an AI model for broad use. TAO powers a decentralized, open-source ML network where models are shared, trained and ranked, with rewards in TAO. Grayscale operates the Grayscale Bittensor Trust (OTCQX: GTAO) and has filed an S-1 to convert it into a spot ETF/ETP, potentially making GTAO the first TAO-backed ETP in the United States.

SpaceX wins FCC authorization to operate up to 15,000 second-generation Starlink satellites, with more planned

January 10, 2026, 12:32 AM EST. SpaceX has won FCC authorization to operate fixed and mobile service across its second-generation Starlink constellation, potentially up to 15,000 satellites. The clearance comes as SpaceX seeks to launch another 15,000 satellites designed for mobile MSS connectivity, including voice, texting and high-speed data. The company has already struck a $17 billion deal to buy EchoStar spectrum licenses (50 MHz of mobile spectrum) and has been leasing 10 MHz from T-Mobile to supplement US service. Viasat, Globalstar and others petitioned to deny the additional satellites, arguing it would foreclose competitors and cause interference. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has supported SpaceX, calling the decision a boost to broadband and competition, though rivals remain critical.

AnTuTu 11 lands on iOS and iPadOS, expanding benchmarking reach

January 10, 2026, 12:30 AM EST. AnTuTu has released version 11 for iOS and iPadOS, bringing the benchmarking app to the App Store after a long wait. The tool measures CPU, GPU, memory and AI performance, offering a holistic score rather than single-component benchmarks. In China, AnTuTu scores are often used as launch teasers by smartphone makers. Cross-platform comparisons with Android are possible in theory, but direct apples-to-apples scores are tricky because the platforms differ. AnTuTu for Android remains unavailable on the Play Store, as Google services are blocked in China; users rely on local app stores.

AnTuTu 11 lands on iOS and iPadOS, expands its China-focused benchmark to Apple devices

January 10, 2026, 12:28 AM EST. AnTuTu 11 is now available on iOS and iPadOS via the App Store. The benchmark tests overall device performance across CPU, GPU, memory and user experience, and is described as a benchmarking app: a test that rates a device's performance. In China, AnTuTu remains a leading benchmark and makers often tout scores as launch teasers. Expect cross-platform chatter about Android scores, though such apples-to-oranges comparisons aren't advised. The Android version isn't on Google's Play Store because Google services are blocked in China, so users rely on other app stores.

The Five Weirdest AI Inventions I Saw at CES 2026

January 10, 2026, 12:26 AM EST. CES 2026 showcased AI moving from novelty to something stranger. The five weirdest ideas include personal hologram sidekicks and gaming aids that feel almost useful. In Razer's suite, AVA becomes a physical USB-tube avatar. Kira, an anime girl hologram, listens via a mic in the tube, asks about the show, and offers loadout tips for Battlefield 6. The demo runs on Grok but could host ChatGPT or Gemini, with animations from Animation Inc. A second option, Zane, appears as a tattooed muscle man. Razer hints at bundles of characters and even celebrity likenesses like Faker and Sao, depending on distribution rules. The trend: AI companions are entering hardware as plug-in personalities, not just apps.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 drops to new low at $549.99 on Amazon

January 10, 2026, 12:18 AM EST. Apple's flagship smartwatch, the Apple Watch Ultra 2, has dropped to $549.99 on Amazon, matching its lowest price to date and offering a $250 discount from the $799 list. The price move comes as the Ultra 3 arrived roughly two years after Ultra 2's September 2023 launch. Apple has a track record of updating flagship watches with new WatchOS features for years. The Ultra 2 retains the 49mm case, 3,000-nit display, 100-meter water resistance, and up to 36 hours of battery life, and remains a strong option for health-focused users and casual buyers alike. The first-gen Ultra can be found refurbished for $319; the Series 11 is $329, while the budget-friendly Apple Watch SE is $269.

Bay Area senior's Apple Watch leaves red rash; replacement offered after TV intervention

January 10, 2026, 12:10 AM EST. San Leandro, Calif. – A 90-year-old Bay Area resident says her Apple Watch caused a red, lasting mark on her wrist. Anita De Marais wore the device for safety alerts but woke up in October with a big red spot that persisted for weeks. She says a Pleasanton Apple Store offered only a $130 discount to buy a new watch. After 7 On Your Side intervened, the store provided a replacement at no cost two days later. Apple notes its materials include nickel and acrylates, and that some people may react to such substances. De Marais is glad to have her device back for tracking health and emergencies.

Two AI stocks that could make you a millionaire: Nvidia and Meta Platforms

January 10, 2026, 12:06 AM EST. Investors who bought the right AI stocks years ago have seen material gains, underscoring how the theme has lifted the broader market. The piece notes AI is now deployed from warehouse operations to customer service and may accelerate drug discovery. It argues there are still buying opportunities as forecasts show the AI market expanding into trillions in the coming years. The spotlight two stocks: 1) Nvidia. The company has surged about 1,100% in three years and trades near 40x forward earnings. It dominates the AI GPUs market, powering major cloud providers, and sees AI infrastructure spending approaching $4 trillion by 2030. 2) Meta Platforms, best known for its social media platforms, is also positioned to benefit from ongoing AI investments.